Elizabeth Lyons is the author of WRITE THE DAMN BOOK ALREADY, and host of a podcast by the same name. She offers a course for new and emerging authors called PUBLISH THE DAMN BOOK ALREADY, and for all my listeners, she's offering a 25% discount when you use the code AUTHOR25. Check it out here: https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/publish

No matter how good you are, if you can't figure out how to be everywhere all the time, you can't do amazing things. That's why I've gone all in on using Instagram to promote my novels. In this episode, I'm continuing to look at how I'm driving new follows, likes, shares, and comments on Instagram. I share what's worked, what's failed, and all the in between.

In this episode of Romancing Like Swift, hosts Morgana Bevan and Emily Jane explore the creative and practical benefits of collaboration in the writing world, inspired by Taylor Swift’s selective partnerships on her album Tortured Poets Department. They dive into how collaborations, whether it’s co-writing books, creating shared worlds, or working with editors and cover designers, can fuel creativity, expand skill sets, and increase visibility for authors.

Morgana and Emily discuss how important it is to find the right collaborators and establish clear expectations to foster strong, long-lasting creative relationships. They highlight the parallels between collaborations in the music industry and the writing world, showing how both can benefit from shared projects and cross-promotions.

Additionally, they touch on strategies such as name-dropping and Easter eggs to engage readers and build a sense of community. The conversation wraps up with a fun “Kiss, Marry, Kill” segment, where the hosts reflect on some of their favorite Taylor Swift tracks and their personal resonance.

Key Takeaways:

• Collaborations can fuel creativity, expand skill sets, and provide practical benefits such as increased visibility and shared workloads.

Episode Breakdown:

• 00:31 – Taylor Swift’s Selective Collaborations

50:52 – Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Every novelist wants to see their writing on the silver screen. Too easy. Step one, convert your book into a screenplay… Today’s guest is James Fox. He’s been in the film industry for over 22 years and has worked just about every role you can imagine in the industry. We’ll discuss his unique entry point into novel writing. He wrote his first book, Sol Saga: Revolution after pitching the same series as a screenplay. 

So what’s the difference between building a script and world for the screen vs the page? Join us as we dig into the details of screenwriting, writing characters, and even a little bit about pitching a show or movie. 

In Part Two, We Discuss: 

• Character-driven vs plot-driven narratives 

Resources and Guest Links: 

• James Fox: https://thejamesfox.com/ 

We’re privileged to share a publishing company and friendship with James. When we found out he was also hosting a Book Career Network podcast, we knew we had to do a collaboration! Check out his show, Ink & Effort, that releases every Friday! 

Host Links: 

• H.Y. Gregor: https://hygregor.com/

Credits: (all assets licensed through the sites listed)

• Intro: Music- Cinematic Epic Trailer by PaulYudin on Pixabay

• Animation and Image- From Vecteezy user- kazim hussian; from pixabay users-davidfoxx, DavidGallie, olenchic, stefaniejockschat, AiVreaSaStii, RuneSnow, duyen-nguyen, EnchantedStudios, 

• Outro: Music- Good Night by FASSounds on Pixabay

• Animation and Image- From Vecteezy user-onlydesignz; from pixabay users-olenchic, Placidplace, Evgeniy_Z, Dantegrafico, Shayea_Kim

An authentic look at how to use Instagram to gain attention for your art.

Every novelist wants to see their writing on the silver screen. Too easy. Step one, convert your book into a screenplay… Today’s guest is James Fox. He’s been in the film industry for over 22 years and has worked just about every role you can imagine in the industry. We’ll discuss his unique entry point into novel writing. He wrote his first book, Sol Saga: Revolution after pitching the same series as a screenplay. 

So what’s the difference between building a script and world for the screen vs the page? 

In Part One, We Discuss: 

• The main differences in screenplay and novel expectations 

Resources and Guest Links: 

• James Fox: https://thejamesfox.com/ 

We’re privileged to share a publishing company and friendship with James. When we found out he was also hosting a Book Career Network podcast, we knew we had to do a collaboration! Check out his show, Ink & Effort, that releases every Friday! 

Host Links: 

• H.Y. Gregor: https://hygregor.com/

Credits: (all assets licensed through the sites listed)

• Intro: Music- Cinematic Epic Trailer by PaulYudin on Pixabay

• Animation and Image- From Vecteezy user- kazim hussian; from pixabay users-davidfoxx, DavidGallie, olenchic, stefaniejockschat, AiVreaSaStii, RuneSnow, duyen-nguyen, EnchantedStudios, 

• Outro: Music- Good Night by FASSounds on Pixabay

• Animation and Image- From Vecteezy user-onlydesignz; from pixabay users-olenchic, Placidplace, Evgeniy_Z, Dantegrafico, Shayea_Kim

In this episode, hosts Morgana Bevan and Emily Jane explore the lessons authors can take away from Taylor Swift's latest album, Tortured Poets Department. They dive into the emotional depth of the album and its connection to storytelling, discussing how Swift balances market demands with her personal creative expression. The conversation highlights the differences between traditional and indie publishing, emphasizing the freedom and flexibility indie authors enjoy.

Morgana and Emily also delve into the anthology format of the album and how it allows for a wide range of emotions, similar to crafting layered characters in novels. Literary references and Easter eggs are explored as tools for engaging readers and fans on a deeper level. They wrap up with a fun "Kiss, Marry, Kill" segment, where they analyze their favorite songs from the album.

Takeaways:

• Tortured Poets Department offers valuable insights for authors on emotional depth and creative freedom.

Chapters:

00:10 Meet Your Hosts: Morgana and Emily

00:14 Taylor Swift's Influence on Authors

00:34 Processing Tortured Poets Department

00:50 Lessons from Tortured Poets Department

01:05 Introduction of Hosts and Their Backgrounds

03:57 The Impact of Folklore Era

04:55 Trad Publishing vs Indie Publishing

09:15 Taylor Swift's Evolution in Music

15:01 The Freedom of Indie Publishing

15:42 Connecting with Readers and Markets

16:11 Taylor Swift's Emotional Journey

19:00 The Craft of Songwriting and Storytelling

25:14 Relating to Taylor Swift's Music

28:06 Taylor Swift's Work Ethic and Reworking the Show

29:32 Easter Eggs and Song Connections

30:27 Literary References and Educating a Generation

33:13 Creating Universes in Music and Literature

41:26 Kiss, Marry, Kill: Song Choices

46:59 Episode 13: Special Mentions and Wrap-Up

What do shoes, cephalopods, and tea have in common? They’re all some of today’s guest’s favorite things. We’re pleased to introduce the one and only Gail Carriger: multiple NYT bestselling author of urban fantasy, steampunk, supernatural, science fiction, and non-fiction. Gail’s background as an archaeologist has helped shape her worldbuilding, and her insights to crafting character and setting are uniquely insightful.

How do you write a hug, make readers laugh, and keep them tearing through the pages? What makes a long-running joke or a character feel like your best friend? Get ready to take notes as Gail’s gives us tips and tales ranging from witty banter in fiction, Firefly stories, and author business advice.

In Part Two, We Discuss: 

• Writers as fans and author behavior 

Resources and Guest Links: 

• Gail’s upcoming events: https://gailcarriger.com/upcoming-events/ 

Gail was such a phenomenal guest! We’re so grateful she gave us her time for this awesome interview. We had so much fun recording, and we hope you got as much out of this episode as we did. 

Host Links: 

• H.Y. Gregor: https://hygregor.com/

Credits: (all assets licensed through the sites listed)

• Intro: Music- Cinematic Epic Trailer by PaulYudin on Pixabay

• Animation and Image- From Vecteezy user- kazim hussian; from pixabay users-davidfoxx, DavidGallie, olenchic, stefaniejockschat, AiVreaSaStii, RuneSnow, duyen-nguyen, EnchantedStudios, 

• Outro: Music- Good Night by FASSounds on Pixabay

• Animation and Image- From Vecteezy user-onlydesignz; from pixabay users-olenchic, Placidplace, Evgeniy_Z, Dantegrafico, Shayea_Kim

The Magic Bullet to success exists, and if you don't work hard, you are sure to never find it.

In this episode of the Romancing Like Swift podcast, hosts Morgana Bevan and Emma-Lee Jane are joined by Becca Syme to discuss the valuable lessons authors can draw from Taylor Swift’s career. The conversation centers around emotional regulation, sustaining a long-term creative career, and building meaningful relationships with readers. Becca offers insights on how authors can reduce burnout, create supportive environments, and focus on internal joy rather than external pressures.

The hosts and Becca explore the difference between temporary relief and true happiness, emphasizing the need to cultivate emotional well-being throughout an author’s career. They also discuss how Taylor Swift’s emotional intelligence, ability to connect with her fans, and capacity to navigate the challenges of a high-profile creative career can serve as inspiration for authors looking to create a sustainable writing journey.

Key Takeaways:

• Emotional Regulation: Taylor Swift exemplifies emotional regulation, and authors can learn from her ability to manage stress and stay grounded.

Episode Breakdown:

• 00:00 – Introduction to Romancing Like Swift Podcast

01:26:54 – Hosts' Favorite Taylor Swift Songs