Author Diary Entries

By Sagan Morrow

The Author Diary Entries podcast (formerly known as Indie Author Weekly) is hosted by Sagan Morrow, a Kamloops-based writer with 15+ years of experience as a small business owner. She is also a hob

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FAQs about Author Diary Entries:

How many episodes does Author Diary Entries have?

The podcast currently has 195 episodes available.

Author Diary Entries episodes:

July 04, 2023154: 7 ways to help with an indie author’s book launch
Find out 7 ways you can support an indie author with their book launch — this is a wonderful opportunity to support the creatives in your life (and some of these are simple, easy ideas you can do in just a few minutes!)
I share why it matters so much to get my novels in the hands of as many people as possible — we are literally changing lives around here and helping more readers discover themselves, embrace who they are and what they want from life, and deepening our understanding, compassion, and empathy for one another.
Stories are powerful and life changing. And YOU can play a part in that life changing experience! Tune into this episode to find out how…
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
Subscribe to Sagan’s author newsletter to view the “poster” for Small Town Stilettos, plus a few other goodies: https://saganmorrow.com/secretpodcast
Join my book review team on Booksirens: https://booksirens.com/book/JYZYROS/WR29ENC
Join my book review team on Booksprout: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/121085/small-town-stilettos-a-modern-marriage-of-convenience
Enter the Small Town Stilettos giveaway on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/369459-small-town-stilettos-a-modern-marriage-of-convenience
Add Small Town Stilettos to your Want to Read list on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174111898-small-town-stilettos
Pre-order Small Town Stilettos on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Stilettos-marriage-convenience-ebook/dp/B0C776DB4M
Twitter post about Small Town Stilettos for you to ReTweet: https://twitter.com/Saganlives/status/1671885973196767234
Instagram post about Small Town Stilettos for you to share on your IG Stories: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ctbu3pzr9wJ/
TikTok video for you to repost: https://www.tiktok.com/@saganlives/video/7242435179636182277
Follow me on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/small-town-stilettos-a-modern-marriage-of-convenience-by-sagan-morrow
Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Let’s chat about this episode:
@Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
Email: [email protected]
Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
Send fan mail! Click HERE to leave Sagan a voicemail & share your thoughts about this episode.
Support the show
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12min
June 27, 2023153: Book launch marketing plans and goals for Small Town Stilettos (7 strategies I'm using)
This episode shares the top 7 things I’m doing as part of the “Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience” book launch! We discuss…
The specific marketing strategies and platforms I’m using, and why I’m doing these particular types of experiments.
How this is different from my previous book launches.
What’s working well and what I’ve already decided to do differently in future book launches.
My conversion rate estimates and book sale goals for this book launch.
And more!
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
Episode 77 — Book launch recap for “Her Bad Idea,” Part 1 (organic marketing) https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/5400808-077-book-launch-recap-part-1-organic-marketing
Episode 78 — Book launch recap for “Her Bad Idea,” Part 2 (paid ads and book sales results) https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/5489476-078-book-launch-recap-part-2-paid-ads-book-sales-results
Subscribe to Sagan’s author newsletter to view the “poster” for Small Town Stilettos, plus a few other goodies: https://saganmorrow.com/secretpodcast
Enter the Small Town Stilettos giveaway on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/369459-small-town-stilettos-a-modern-marriage-of-convenience
Pre-order Small Town Stilettos on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Stilettos-marriage-convenience-ebook/dp/B0C776DB4M
Book marketing resources: Fussy Librarian, Booksprout, and Booksirens
Book marketing platforms: Kindle Unlimited, TikTok, Teachable digital download
Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
@Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
Email: [email protected]
Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
Send fan mail! Click HERE to leave Sagan a voicemail & share your thoughts about this episode.
Support the show
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36min
June 20, 2023152: A reading from Small Town Stilettos (sneak peek excerpt)
Get a sneak peek of Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience! This episode features a reading from Chapter 1.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
Pre-order Small Town Stilettos: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Stilettos-marriage-convenience-ebook/dp/B0C776DB4M
Add Small Town Stilettos to your Want to Read list on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55302931-small-town-stilettos
Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/

Let’s chat about this episode:
@Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
Email: [email protected]
Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
Send fan mail! Click HERE to leave Sagan a voicemail & share your thoughts about this episode.
Support the show
...more
12min
June 13, 2023 151: Small Town Stilettos cover reveal day!
Today is a special day, because it is COVER REVEAL DAY for my upcoming romance novel, Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience! In this episode I want to share more about that novel!

Here’s the working blurb…

Aunt Eleanor fully intends to arrange a marriage for me from beyond the grave—to my childhood sweetheart, no less—and she doesn’t seem to have considered that I might be falling for my other childhood best friend!

But her inheritance is the only chance I have to make my dream a reality: to create a fashion line for bodies like mine. I would almost be willing to give up that dream, if Aunt Eleanor hadn’t stipulated in her will that my inheritance will go to my cruel cousin unless I marry a man I barely know.

There’s no way around it: a modern marriage of convenience is my only option. Now I just need to convince my “intended” that this is a good idea...

Tropes:
Modern marriage of convenience
Small town contemporary romance
Love triangle, second chance, friends to lovers, only one bed.
Fat positive, sex positive, ethical non-monogamy positive.

RELEASE DAY: Tuesday July 25 2023

ADD TO YOUR WANT TO READ LIST ON GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55302931-small-town-stilettos

PRE-ORDER ON AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Stilettos-marriage-convenience-ebook/dp/B0C776DB4M

Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/

Let’s chat about this episode:
@Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
Email: [email protected]
Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
Send fan mail! Click HERE to leave Sagan a voicemail & share your thoughts about this episode.
Support the show
...more
16min
June 06, 2023150: Backstory about the delays (and an update!) to my book cover design... plus how I used it as an excuse to procrastinate
I was originally going to publish Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience a couple years ago… so, why has it taken so long to actually publish it?? In this episode, I’m sharing a few of the obstacles that have gotten in my way — plus the story behind the delays I experienced with the cover design, and how that has contributed to my procrastination.
We discuss…
Why the book cover design was such a big roadblock (backstory to the cover design saga of Small Town Stilettos)
The customer service “red flags” that led to me choosing a different cover designer
The importance of being an active participant in the decision-making process as a self-published author
How I was using the book cover design delays as an excuse to procrastinate on doing book edits
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
Add Small Town Stilettos to your Want to Read list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55302931-small-town-stilettos
Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
Let’s chat about this episode:
@Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
Email: [email protected]
Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
Send fan mail! Click HERE to leave Sagan a voicemail & share your thoughts about this episode.
Support the show
...more
25min
May 30, 2023149: Writing 1 chapter/day for a week — results from attempt #2 (daily breakdown)
In this episode, I want to follow up on recent episodes where I shared about my writing experiment of doing 4,000 words/day for a full week. You can learn about the background of this experiment in Episode 145, and the results from my first attempt in Episode 147. I’d also recommend tuning into Episode 148, in which I also share all about how I mapped out the entire story and chapter outline in great detail.
So in this episode, I want to share with you the results from my second attempt of writing a chapter/day for a full week (working on Book 8 in my Polyamorous Passions series).

We discuss...
Why I changed the official experiment from 4,000 words/day to 3,500 words/day.
An important method for successfully "killing your darlings" (this makes it SO MUCH EASIER).
Daily breakdown of how the week went (including actual word count achieved each day).
Problems I ran into along the way over the course of this week — and what I did about those struggles.
Powerful mindset shifts I experienced (plus invaluable life lessons that came up).
How I handled distractions and the importance of minimizing barriers.
Final results from this writing experiment and my next plans moving forward with making good progress for this book
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
Grab the Anti-Hustle Mindset Bundle for just $29: https://saganmorrow.com/programs/
Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
Let’s chat about this episode:
@Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
Email: [email protected]
Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
Send fan mail! Click HERE to leave Sagan a voicemail & share your thoughts about this episode.
Support the show
...more
36min
May 23, 2023148: How I mapped out parallel plot lines for my current romcom WIP
Curious about how an author organizes themes, plots, scene ideas, chapter outlines, etc? We’re covering all of that in this behind-the-scenes look at my current work-in-progress, Book 8 of the Polyamorous Passions series!
This episode includes:
Follow up to Episode 147 — re: going back to the drawing board with my current romcom work-in-progress novel (Book 8 in the Polyamorous Passions series)
The 3 main plotlines and 2 core themes featured in Book 8
4-step process for how I mapped out the parallel plot lines with incorporating the core themes throughout the story
My colour-coded sticky note method for mapping out major plot lines with the themes for the beginning, middle, and end of the story, as well as my colour-coded sticky note method for organizing scenes into the chapters
How I use a Google doc for organizing my chapter outlines with the parallel plot lines, core themes, and additional subplots and scenes
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
Book 7 in the Polyamorous Passions series: "Her Bad Idea"
Episode 147 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast: results from my 4,000 words/day book writing experiment
Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
Let’s chat about this episode:
@Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
Email: [email protected]
Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
Send fan mail! Click HERE to leave Sagan a voicemail & share your thoughts about this episode.
Support the show
...more
22min
May 16, 2023147: Results from my first attempt at the 4,000 words/day writing experiment
This episode gives you an update on the book writing experiment I recently tested! We discuss:
UPDATE on my book writing experiment that I told you about in Episode 145 of my Indie Author Weekly podcast (writing 4,000 words/day for a full week, and not doing any other business tasks)
How I prepped for writing the actual book itself
Daily breakdown of how that first week of the experiment went
3 reasons why I decided to go back to the drawing board with my book
An important reminder we can all keep in mind when it comes to prioritizing our creative pursuits
Navigating mindset drama when allowing ourselves to work on creative projects and outlets
Was this experiment a success? Overview of results and what I learned from this experience, plus what I’ll be doing next…
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
Episode 145 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast (background and details about this book writing experiment)
Episode 144 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast (how my writing process works with the Notes & Scenes document)
Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
Let’s chat about this episode:
@Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
Email: [email protected]
Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question

Send fan mail! Click HERE to leave Sagan a voicemail & share your thoughts about this episode.
Support the show
...more
26min
May 09, 2023146: The importance of being earnest as a writer
Let’s talk about the importance of being earnest as a writer and getting comfortable with potentially embarrassing yourself! In this episode, we cover…
The self-consciousness → self-compassion spectrum that many of us experience as writers, and the importance of embracing earnest along the way.
How I reviewed my high school creative writing assignment where the professor didn’t understand that my “grammatical error” was actually a stylistic choice, not a grammatical error (and how I was very indignant about it!) — and the importance of knowing the rules before you break them.
The worries and fears we might have about “Will readers understand my writing style and storytelling choices?” — and why it’s okay if people don’t “get it.”
Consequences of being true to ourselves, our messages, and our voices: Who benefits from us NOT being vocal and true to ourselves? What is true for me? If I wasn’t worried about how I’d be perceived, what would I want to say? Or, if I knew that people would really appreciate whatever my truth happens to be, what would I say?
What I LOVE about the work I do nowadays: How I write about characters who are working through this exact type of issue, AND how I get to coach people working through these issues as well.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
Book your 1:1 life coaching session with me so we can work through your feelings of self-consciousness, embarrassment, hiding your true self, and other mindset issues that are holding you back: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
@Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
Email: [email protected]
Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
Send fan mail! Click HERE to leave Sagan a voicemail & share your thoughts about this episode.
Support the show
...more
13min
May 02, 2023145: Writing experiment of 4,000 words/day for a full week
All about a new writing experiment I’m testing out to make a lot better progress with my novels! We discuss…
Why I’m doing this new experiment, what my schedule will look like, how I plan to make it happen, and my expected results with writing for a larger, dedicated period of time
2 reasons why I’ve been struggling with writing, and the problem that can come up with trying to find time to write novels (including feelings of guilt and concerns that it’s “self-indulgent”)
The deep sense of relief and fulfillment I had when I finally got around to writing my book after procrastinating on it all day long (and how this is a really good reminder!)
“I should be working on other parts of my business” — how this is a very real problem for business owners, and the way that this actually has a NEGATIVE effect on your business! More on this (including the top 3 questions to ask yourself if this is a struggle for you) in the “How to Balance Passion and Profession” video on my solopreneur tips YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/WH4cAaC0Vq0
Difference between writing for a specific amount of time vs writing a specific amount of words (and how focusing on one vs the other will be more useful in different circumstances)
How I had an initial plan to write 2,000 words/day for a week, but having other tasks on my plate completely threw me off — and specifically WHY this was such a problem for me (this is what led me to decide to do the 4,000 words/day book writing challenge for a full week)
Why you should ALWAYS pay attention to any stagnation or “stuckness” that arises — keep in mind that just because a strategy used to work for you, doesn’t mean it always will continue working!
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
"How to Balance Passion and Profession” video on my solopreneur tips YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/WH4cAaC0Vq0
Book your 1:1 life coaching session with me so we can work through your feelings of guilt, procrastination, and other mindset issues that are holding you back from writing your book: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat:
@Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
Email: [email protected]
Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
Send fan mail! Click HERE to leave Sagan a voicemail & share your thoughts about this episode.
Support the show
...more
23min

FAQs about Author Diary Entries:

How many episodes does Author Diary Entries have?

The podcast currently has 195 episodes available.