Coffee and Catastrophe

The coffee is running out for host William Brian Johnson, while host DA Bale continues to drink her fill - and it shows.

Listen in on this episode when DA shares a missed opportunity for sales when she failed to have a mailing list set up for a newsletter to keep in touch with her readers. A newsletter you ask? Why yes!

Find out why it is of vital importance for authors to have mailing lists. Discover where to go to set up said list, whether or not to incentivize readers to join said list, and what to include in your newsletter to your list of readers - and how often to contact them. It's important not to let them forget about you, but also not to spam them either.

The night is late and the harassment intense at times as DA and Brian cuss and discuss this all-important issue.

Questions and comments, as always email us at [email protected] and you might hear your question on a future podcast.

Your author hosts DA Bale and William Brian Johnson took the summer off for some desperately needed writing time. But never fear! We're back with the school year.

Brian shares a rather frustrating experience over word processor subscriptions and the impact it can have on writing. Are you looking for a program that just allows you to get words down on paper, or do you want to add a little flourish? He'll give it to you straight here.

Then stick around for a unique writing tool that will give you the Kamikaze experience. Don't know what that is? You'll have to stay until the end to find out why even the idea of trying it gives DA nightmares.

Questions, comments, or concerns just email us at [email protected] and you might have your questions answered in a future episode.

It's the end of another school year and your hosts DA Bale and William Brian Johnson preview what is on their horizon. From writing camps to storm chasing, it's shaping up to be an interesting summer - and stay tuned for a tidbit of some super secret info.

We're also answering the questions you've been sending us this season, so hang out for our thoughts on subjects like writing in series or standalone, marketing, and when to throw in the towel on this self-publishing venture.

As usual, questions, comments, or concerns just email us at [email protected] and you might hear your question in our next Q&A.

How's that for a boring podcast episode title? Your host William Brian Johnson decided to "edit" the title down to its simplest form because...you know...this one's about editing!

From developmental edits to proofreading, learn the differences so you know what you're paying for from a novel editor. Or if you're really on a budget, find out some helpful techniques to polish up that manuscript on your own, even if you are going to eventually send it out for paid editing. We're all about helping our fellow authors save money around here at Coffee and Catastrophe. So join DA Bale as she tries to stay focused and keep Brian awake on a late night while he's off the coffee bandwagon.

Question, comments, or topics for a future podcast just email us at [email protected].

Are you like most authors who struggle writing a description for your novel? Does putting the finishing touches on your novel bring with it a stomachache to rival Montezuma's Revenge because you know you're going to have to write the blurb?

Well struggle with blurbs no more! Your hosts DA Bale and William Brian Johnson break down the basics for writing a blurb you can be proud of...of which you can be proud. Learn the handful of key points to tackle to turn your 100k tome into an appetite-whetting sales pitch that'll make readers click BUY.

And we even provide examples.

Comments or questions for us to tackle in future podcast episodes? Email us at [email protected].

How many novels have you started writing only to get stopped by the muddy middle? How do you get unstuck and plow through to the end?

Join your pantser author hosts William Brian Johnson and DA Bale as Brian contemplates taking his pants off to finish a novel that has taken years off his life. He promised a book release last year only to miss the mark because he got stuck in the weeds of world building. Pantsing allows the opportunity of discovery while writing, but plotting moves things along faster in the writing process. Both methods hold great value for authors, but when you get bogged down it's not the time to quit. It's time to knuckle under, change things up, and figure out how to get out of the mud and weeds to move forward again.

Questions or comments email us at [email protected] and you might find your question discussed in an upcoming podcast coming soon!

No, we're not talking about the University of Kansas (though our March Madness brackets are a topic of discussion). It's that reader subscription service through Amazon known as Kindle Unlimited. Is it beneficial for new authors or only existing? Are there certain genres that do better than others? Why should I give Amazon exclusivity to my work?

If you wanna get an interesting argument going on author boards, just start a thread about whether or not authors should consider putting their books in Kindle Unlimited - then sit back and watch the crazy happen. Whether you're a proponent for or vehemently against indie authors making their books exclusive to Amazon, you'll enjoy hearing about DA's current foray into the KU fracas, while Brian considers what he'll do when he finishes his current writing project. Either way, it's sure to be entertaining as the caffeine wears off on this late night.

Questions, comments, concerns - email us at [email protected] and you might hear our thoughts on your thoughts in a future podcast.

So...you've written a book. Congratulations!

Now what?

Join DA Bale and William Brian Johnson as our author hosts take your hand and help you toddle along down the indie path to self-publishing. Get a brief rundown on editing, beta readers, ARC's (what's that?), social media and all the baby steps you'll need to take before you stand tall and click "publish". Then you'll be ready to take that most important final step...but you'll have to listen to find out what that is.

Questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes, email us at [email protected].

Your author hosts begin a new series for all of the newer authors in the audience (and those who've been out of the picture for awhile). The indie world of publishing is full of people seeking to separate you from your money like a Nigerian email scammer. Those contests, vanity presses, and other unsolicited emails prey on authors desperate for a windfall payday or an ego stroke. Learn some of the red flags and things to watch out for so you don't become their next victim. That old adage applies here - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Questions, comments, or a topic you'd like to see discussed in an upcoming podcast, email us at [email protected].

It’s the start of a new podcast season! Find out what your author hosts have been up to over the last several months. From train trips, spilled drinks, and men writing from a female character’s perspective to missed publishing deadlines, the Hemingway Method, and shooting in the raw (it’s not what you think…or maybe it is), get caught up on our 2017 failures and where we’re going for 2018 as we flesh out our writing.

Questions, comments, concerns, or if you have an idea for a future podcast episode email us at [email protected].