At Home Author Podcast

"Should I write my children's book in rhyme?" It’s a question Vicky Weber hears at every conference, and the answer is rooted in science, not just preference. In this episode, Vicky pulls from industry data and cognitive studies to explain why rhyme can either be your book’s greatest strength or the reason it fails to connect with readers.

You’ll discover the surprising reason why our brains process beat and musicality before language—and why that matters for your manuscript. Vicky explains why rhyming books are often a "win" for board books and baby exposure, but a "pass" for publishers looking for educational content or stories with a clear moral message. If you want your readers to remember the story, not just the rhythm, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how to determine if your project is a fit for rhyme or if a prose pivot is the strategy you actually need to sell.

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One of the biggest myths in the publishing world is that an author’s income only comes from book sales. While royalties are great, the truth is that most full-time children's book authors build sustainable careers by "stacking" different income streams. If you want to move beyond the feast-or-famine cycle of a single book launch, you need to start treating your writing like a creative business.

In this episode of The At Home Author Podcast, Vicky Weber pulls back the curtain on the five revenue streams authors often overlook. From maximizing the "school visit ecosystem" to the power of licensing and backlist monetization, Vicky explains how to turn your intellectual property into a long-term career. Whether you’re interested in teaching, building a community, or exploring subrights, this episode provides a strategic roadmap for stabilizing your income and thriving in the KidLit industry.

Visit www.athomeauthor.com to learn more or join our coaching program.

We all want to believe there’s a shortcut to success, but sometimes the fastest way to grow is to stop making the mistakes that are holding you back. Looking back on her journey as both a writer and an agent, Vicky Weber is getting honest about the choices she made early on—so you don't have to.

In this episode, Vicky unpacks the critical lessons she learned the hard way, from the dangers of "fear spending" on marketing packages to the mistake of rushing a book to publication before it’s truly ready. You’ll discover why building your platform should happen while you're writing, not at launch time, and how adopting a "portfolio mindset" can save you from burnout. Whether you’re struggling with isolation or feeling overwhelmed by the business side of writing, this episode offers a roadmap for what not to do. It’s a candid look at how to protect your time, your money, and your passion for storytelling.

Visit www.athomeauthor.com to learn more or join our coaching program.

What actually separates a successful author from one who stays stuck? You might think it’s raw talent or luck, but after coaching hundreds of writers, Vicky Weber has seen that the real difference lies in learnable habits and a specific mindset. Talent matters, but it is rarely the deciding factor in building a sustainable career.

In this episode of The At Home Author Podcast, Vicky breaks down the patterns of success she’s observed from the front lines of the industry. From the power of staying in "beginner mode" longer than is comfortable to the necessity of separating your identity from your output, she shares how you can shift from a hobbyist approach to a professional career level. You'll learn why successful authors are decisive, emotionally resilient, and proactive about asking for help. If you’ve ever wondered why some authors seem to move faster than others, this episode will show you how to build the foundation needed to reach the finish line.

Visit www.athomeauthor.com to learn more or join our coaching program.

So many writers hold back from calling themselves "authors" until someone else validates them—an agent offer, a book deal, a published book in hand. But the truth is, the title doesn't come from external approval. It comes from you.

In this episode of The At Home Author Podcast, Vicky Weber unpacks why labels matter, how mindset shapes your confidence, and why you don't need permission to call yourself an author. Drawing from her own journey as both a writer and an agent, she shares how taking your work seriously from the start changes not just how others see you—but how you see yourself.

If you've ever stumbled when introducing yourself, or wondered "Am I really an author yet?", this episode is your reminder that the title is already yours.

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So many writers look around and feel like they're late—that everyone else is signing agents, publishing books, or moving faster. But what if the timeline you're on is exactly the right one?

In this episode of The At Home Author Podcast, Vicky Weber explores what it means to release comparison and reimagine progress on your own terms. Drawing on her experiences as a teacher, author, and agent, she shares stories and insights that remind us creativity doesn't have a clock.

If you've ever worried that you're "behind," this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and the reassurance that your journey is unfolding in its own time.

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So your book didn't sell like you hoped. Maybe the launch flopped, the reviews never came, or the algorithm ghosted you. It hurts—but it doesn't mean you're done. In this episode, Vicky Weber gets real about what happens when a book doesn't meet expectations and why that moment doesn't define your future as an author. Drawing from personal experience and industry insight, she unpacks the difference between failure and feedback—and how to pivot with purpose. If you want to be an author, you can be. You just need a strategy. Whether you're self-published, traditionally published, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of direction.

Visit www.athomeauthor.com to learn more or join our coaching program.

For a long time, I thought the key to selling books was simple: go viral. I threw myself into creating content I hoped would explode, thinking that more likes and views would automatically mean more readers and more success. But the reality? That mindset left me creatively drained, constantly comparing myself to others, and no closer to the sustainable author career I wanted. In this episode, I'm sharing how chasing virality hurt my writing, my mental health, and my publishing goals—and what I've learned since. You don't have to go viral to make an impact or sell books. You need intention, strategy, and a focus on long-term growth. If you're tired of the social media rat race, this one's for you.

Visit www.athomeauthor.com to learn more or join our coaching program.

The query trenches are more saturated than ever, leaving authors wondering how to get noticed. In this episode of The At Home Author Podcast, Vicky Weber—author, coach, and now a literary agent—shares what she learned from landing an agent twice and what truly makes a query stand out today.

You'll learn:

• Why the query landscape is so competitive right now
• Common reasons queries don't move forward
• How to write a query letter that highlights your hook and voice
• Insider advice from someone who has been both a querying author and an agent reviewing submissions

If you're writing a query letter or trying to land a literary agent, this episode is packed with practical, insider strategies to help you break through the slush pile.

Visit www.athomeauthor.com to learn more or join my coaching program.

Think you need to hire an illustrator before submitting your picture book? Or that you can't publish because you can't draw? Think again.

In this episode, Vicky Weber—literary agent, bestselling picture book author, and founder of At Home Author—breaks down how illustrations really work in both traditional and self-publishing.

Visit www.athomeauthor.com to learn more or join our coaching program.