Have loads of story ideas? Want to get at least a few of them written? Then you’ll need to get solid with writing first drafts! In this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast Janeen tackles three essentials for saving time when writing the first draft of your story. Plus, how to handle writing around busy holiday seasons.

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Talk about your book all the time. No, in fact, never talk about your book, because that’s salesy. No, wait - “write to market” so you don’t waste your time. Sound familiar? Janeen Ippolito tackles 5 Common Book Marketing Myths in this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast. Includes what marketing really is, why asking is a powerful tool, and the importance of mastering your motivation. Plus, the difference between “sales” and “salesy”. Tune in for this myth-busting episode!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

Feel like your chronic conditions have stacked the deck against your author success? Overwhelmed by life and challenges–and wondering if achieving your goals is even possible? Be encouraged and equipped by this interview with bestselling fantasy author W.R. Gingell, who lives with multiple chronic conditions and keeps going onward. Includes time organization strategies, how she includes characters with chronic illnesses in stories, and when to just stop and rest. Plus, what inspired her current urban fantasy series and why the answer to the random question is ALWAYS “dragon.” 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

Calling all authors of middle grade fiction! Or potential authors. Or people who read middle grade fiction–or have kids who read it. Check out this episode with Janeen Ippolito and award winning middle grade author JJ Johnson. Includes how JJ started writing about plastic dinos and living snot, some pitfalls to avoid when writing for middle grade, and how he grew his platform and sales during the pandemic. Plus, what makes JJ a marketing rebel, and how he gets away with it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when you get personal with your writing–but then also want to sell it? Is it possible to write through your joy or grief, and make it marketable? Join host Janeen Ippolito and guest author and writing coach Sharon Hughson as they discuss personal inspiration and vulnerability in storytelling. Includes how to navigate using experiences you walked through with others, how to deal with negative reviews of vulnerable stories, and how to separate your internal processing from the message you want to communicate to readers. Plus, Sharon gives a very equine answer to the episode’s 1 Random Question. 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

Overwhelmed with author life? Not sure how to keep going? Janeen Ippolito shares some of our secret sauce tips for a sustainable author career in this episode of the Author Elevate podcast. Includes one essential investment to make, one skill experienced authors have mastered, and why we at Author Elevate keep harping on goals (hint: they really do matter). Plus, we discuss how to prep (and when to avoid) Black Friday promotions for your book.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

Want to attract raving fans to your story? What about positive reviews and excited endorsements? We’ve got you covered in this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast. Janeen Ippolito dives into what story elements readers rave about, why your book ending is crucial, and why sometimes it has nothing to do with your writing. Plus, in Our Take we discuss NaNoWriMo - good reasons to do it, and good reasons to skip!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

Thought you knew your protagonist and had everything planned out–and then they just stopped talking to you? Or maybe you were all ready to explore your story with your protagonist but they’re just not showing up? We’re talking all about rogue protagonists and how to bring them in line in this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast. Join Janeen as she discusses five ways protagonists go rogue and offers many tips on how to get them on track. Plus, she dives into the pros and cons of direct sales.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

Is social media actually worth your time? Does it work for your genre–even if you’re not giving away candles? Janeen Ippolito and special guest cohost Amy C. Williams tackle healthy, practical approaches to social media for fiction authors in this episode of the Author Elevate podcast. Includes how to choose a channel, when to ditch social media completely, and other methods for community building. Plus, why having multiple online communication channels is essential for author life.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe

Learning more skills is one of the best ways to level up in your author life and book business. But how do you know which course, book, or program is worth your time? Janeen Ippolito dives into key questions to ask in this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast. Includes how to vet the instructor, how to check the course content will work for you, and how to evaluate if this book, course, or program is right for your budget. Plus, in the weekly Our Take we tackle promoting your book after a rebrand (and when you shouldn’t bother). 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorculture.substack.com/subscribe