Author Your Dream

If you are looking to save time and money, which, let’s face it, we all are. The information that Tenita shares during the interview will be incredibly helpful. I talk to her about the importance of getting a professional editor. How you select someone, and what you are looking for when you get your sample edit back. She also shares tips and mistakes to avoid before you hire someone.

Highlights

02:20 Tenita’s Story

07:37 Success Story

09:01 Why you need a professional editor

12:42 How to select a professional to edit your book

13:37 Sample edits

18:58 What does it mean to write like an editor

26:19 Know your voice and your audience

30:48 Mistakes authors make when selecting someone to work with

37:46 Author Action Point

40:06 Audience Freebie

41:23 Connect with Tenita

Check out the Show Notes page for more, including a link to the Freebie Tenita has offered the Author Your Dream audience.

Assembling a book launch team is one of those things that first-time authors can dismiss as unimportant. I know I did when I published my first book. This was partly because I didn‘t understand the importance of a team. If you think you don‘t need this group or have already launched without a team, this episode will provide you with some great information.

Highlights:

01:59 Allen‘s Author Journey

07:29 What is a book launch team

08:43 Why is it so important

09:47 Where to start

13:09 How many people should be on your team

18:06 What point should you begin assembling

20:10 Communicating expectations

27:24 Mistakes to avoid

30:55 Tools used to build a team

36:19 What if an author has already launched their book

40:13 Author Action Point

42:30 About Allen‘s book ”I Am Not the King.”

Check out the Show Notes page for more.

With audiobooks becoming more popular, recording your own audiobook is something you might want to consider. In this episode, I talk with Kevin G. Chapman about his experience recording the audio for all of his books. We discuss the equipment and software he uses, his setup, and mastering the audio. Kevin is very open about the mistakes he has made over the years and happily shares so that others can avoid doing the same.

Recording Your Own Audiobook Highlights

01:33 Kevin‘s Author Journey

04:25 Kevin‘s recording process

14:40 The importance of backing up your recording

15:36 Equipment and Software

25:02 Writing for audio

27:05 Mistakes that Kevin made

31:43 What to look for when editing

34:52 How long does the process take?

38:29 Mastering your audio

42:56 Submitting your audio to Audible

46:56 Recording audio directly into Audacity

48:23 The most fun part for Kevin

52:21 Author Action Point

54:23 Mike Stoneman Series

Visit the Show Notes page for resources and practical tips from Kevin G. Chapman.

Building a fanbase is not a simple task to accomplish. It can be slow going at times, yet it is vital to your success as an author. You want to build a group that loves what you do and will support you and your books. That‘s what my guest, Tahani Nelson, has done with what she affectionately calls her army. Tahani writes female military fantasy, has gathered a faithful following, and happily shares how she has done that.

Highlights

01:32 Tahani‘s author journey

04:11 The Faoii Chronicles

07:57 Why Tahani calls her fans an army

09:33 Ideas to connect with your fans

11:07 Pushing through the negative

14:36 Getting through the lonely beginning of building a fanbase

18:33 Joining groups online you are interested in

23:03 Attracting new fans

32:19 In-person or online platform building

35:09 How Tahani engages or fans

44:28 Author Action Point

46:07 Faoii Chronicles

Check out the Show Notes page for more from this episode.

Time management is something that a lot of authors struggle with. In today‘s episode, I‘m talking with author Stacy Juba. We discuss a number of topics, including effective strategies, time blocking and automating tasks to help you be more productive.

My guest today is Stacy Juba. Stacy is an author, a freelance developmental editor, an online writing instructor, and an award-winning journalist who has published more than 3,000 articles in newspapers and magazines. She is the founder of Shortcuts for Writers, and her goal is to take the writing, editing, and time management tips she learned in the trenches and simplify them for her clients and students. Her courses include Time Management Blueprint for Writers: Transform Your Life and Finish Your Book and Book Editing Blueprint: A Step-By-Step Plan to Making Your Novels Publishable.

Highlights

01:38 Stacy‘s Author Journey

05:25 Tips for those without a home office

09:55 Why time management is such a struggle

13:05 Suggestions for those struggling

15:53 Increasing productivity during your writing session

23:24 Effective strategies

30:56 Time blocking

35:55 Resources to help

42:36 Tasks to automate

48:58 Author Action Point

Do you have a dream to write a book? Grab a copy of Author Your Dream: A Guide to Writing and Self-Publishing Your First Book

Check out the Show Notes page for more.

Maria Riegger is a lawyer who joined me to talk about the legal issues that authors face when writing and publishing. This is a topic that I have seen so many questions about in the author communities. And I know that you will get a lot out of this episode. During the show, Maria and I talk about how to obtain permission to use song lyrics in your books and how to acquire that permission. We also discuss what to do if someone has infringed on your copyright and how to protect yourself by setting up your own publishing company.

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice, just information to help you in your publishing journey. If you are facing legal issues, please consult with an attorney in your jurisdiction.

Highlights

01:37 Legal Advice Disclaimer

02:25 Maria‘s Author Jurney

07:35 Using song lyrics and titles in your book

13:44 Protecting yourself by setting up a company

24:06 Copyrighting your work

27:00 Defamation concerns

32:18 Types of attorneys to seek out

35:05 Publishing Contracts

38:50 Author Action point

40:11 Self-publishing primer

Check out the Show Notes page for more.

What does it mean to get exposure for your book? Every author‘s goal is different for writing, but we all want people to read our books. Getting exposure means getting your face out there for the world to see, recognize and connect. Getting more eyeballs on your book and your brand is essential; you can‘t just publish and cross your fingers hoping for the best. In this episode, Christina shares a few ways you can get your face out there and get exposure for your book.

Highlights

02:01 Christina‘s Author Journey

08:25 Defining exposure

09.58 Why get your face out there and not just your book?

12:33 Tips for getting your story out there

14:34 The importance of newsletters and author websites

17:44 Why many authors are reluctant to show themselves

25:05 The go-to places to get exposure

27:42 Other avenues to explore

33:35 Pinterest explored

42:46 Pitching yourself to Podcasts, Youtube, and book blogs

53:41 Reaching out to Christina for a free consultation or sample edit

56:08 Book Boss Author Planner

Visit the Show Notes page for more, including the resource mentioned.

A writer‘s mindset is so important to have. If you are an author of non-fiction, especially memoirs and self-help, then writing then this mindset is critical. When you adopt the perspective of being here to share your experience to help someone else, it will help you write books that have an impact. In this episode, Aisha Lloyd-Minnis

Highlights

02:52 Aisha‘s Author Journey

10:31 Why a writer‘s mindset is essential for new authors to consider

11:55 What kind of mindset should a writer have

14:52 Embrace where you are on your journey

21:22 How Aisa helps author‘s shift their mindset

23:25 The results of adopting a teachers mindset

26:08 Keeping the teacher‘s mindset

29:20 Legacy and leadership

36:29 Author Action Point

Visit the Show Notes page for more value.

James Russell is the author of three picture books, five middle-grade novels and two adult thrillers. His books have been both indie and traditionally published, with sales of almost 180,000. James has found that integrating augmented reality into his children‘s books has proved immensely powerful in getting children to read.

Highlights

02:48 James‘ Author Journey

11:27 What is augmented reality?

20:06 The AR process

21:45 Cost

29:36 About the Dragon Defenders books

33:28 A mistake Jame‘s made

38:17 Writing for children vs adults

41:11 Writing his books to be dyslexic friendly

46:11 Author Action Point

Check out the Show Notes page for more resources.

In this episode, I talk with children‘s author Peter A. Johnson about what you need to know about finding working with illustrators for your children‘s book. You will hear some very practical advice on successfully finding and hiring an illustrator, what questions you should ask, and how to work out your budget. Plus, there is a lot of great information that Pete has learned from trial and error on his publishing journey.

Highlights

01:38 Pete‘s Author Journey

05:15 Process of self-publishing a children‘s book

06:44 What to have in place before looking for an illustrator

07:54 Working with illustrators

11:55 Where to find them

17:56 What to avoid

22:26 Questions to ask before hiring

26:36 Communication is key

28:59 Publishing time frame

34:42 Determining your budget

41:28 Think about what your illustrations could be used for

43:43 Author Action Point

50:53 Opportunities for your books

53:35 Connect with Pete