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Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I am pausing the podcast for an undetermined amount of time. Keep an eye on socials for an announcement on what is next and where (and when) you can find Dear Indie Author again.

This isn't a goodbye, it's a see you soon!

Follow Shonda on socials:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/shondaramseyofficial 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/shondaramseyofficial

Website: www.shondaramsey.com 

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Shonda Ramsey hosts Meredith Byrd, a writing coach and writer, discussing the self-publishing process and the benefits of having a book coach. Meredith shares her experience from teaching to coaching, emphasizing the importance of SMART goals and weekly intention setting for writers. She offers a subscription service for accountability and motivation, using strategies like Pomodoro timers and word sprints. Meredith also highlights the value of resources like Lisa Cron's "Story Genius" and Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird." Upcoming projects include an online blueprint workshop starting in May. Meredith advises writers to seek a supportive community and to balance their writing with other commitments.

Connect with Meredith:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/wordswell_coaching 

Threads: www.threads.com/wordswell_coaching 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wordswellwriting 

Website: www.wordswellwriting.com 

Meredith’s Bio:

Meredith Byrd has been fascinated by stories ever since she was a child and tried to start a storytelling business with her siblings as clients.

Since then, she has spent a lifetime learning how to write stories that she and others love. Earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English from George Mason University, she began teaching stories  storytelling, grammar and composition to students in Virginia and Texas.

She loves helping authors of diverse experiences and perspectives create a writing life that is empowered and impactful. She is driven by community-minded, collaborative efforts to learn and grow and share stories. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and son.

Meredith’s Letter to You:

Dear Indie Author,

I know how hard it can feel, to have a dream and to be doing it all on your own. Sometimes it's literally ALL on your own, from writing the book to designing the cover and then figuring out how to market the book you love! It's a passion but also a business and there are so many people telling you different things you need to be successful that sometimes you might want to just put your head down and stop doing it. I've been there too. Wondering if you're writing about the stuff that will actually sell, if you should try to query after all, and if the editor you hired is a good fit. All of it feels like too much.

I'm not going to tell you how to be successful. But I am going to tell you that being persistent in your work, and actively seeking a community by showing up, joining or creating one is going to make this passion project job a whole lot more like what it should be-- fun and fulfilling. I wish you all the best as you pursue your dreams and a community that supports those dreams. 

Meredith

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Belinda Kroll discusses her journey as an indie author, focusing on cozy fantasy romance set in the Victorian era. She has been self-publishing since 2003 but recently expanded her focus. Belinda's writing process involves using a dedicated journal, ProWritingAid, and Atticus for formatting. She balances writing with illustrating, using Kickstarter for funded projects. Belinda emphasizes the importance of finding joy in writing, using tools like Notion for story bibles, and maintaining a community. She is currently working on "An Uncanny Bargain," the third book in her "Hesitant Medium" series, and offers various creative products through her Shopify store.

Connect with Belinda here:

Visit her website: www.worderella.com 

Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/worderella 

Belinda’s Bio:

Belinda Kroll writes and illustrates cozy historical fantasy, where Jane Austen vocabulary meets modern sass. She is obsessed with eyeglasses, Korean dramas, home renovation and cooking shows, dancing the lindy hop, and petting every dog that allows her to do so. She lives with her family in Ohio.

Belinda’s Letter to You:

Dear Indie Author,

It's ok to listen to all the podcasts, read all the articles, follow all the big names. 

Just know that they're talking about what worked for them, at that time, in that book industry climate. 

Pick and choose what resonates and build your own plan, piece by piece. 

Experiment. Fail early and often so you learn quickly. 

Build resilience and trust in yourself. 

At the end of the day, you have to decide what's right for you and your life. 

Good luck, you can do this.

Belinda

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Shonda Ramsey interviews Ruan Willow, a podcaster, author, and audiobook narrator, about her journey in self-publishing. Ruan has published approximately 60 books and 6 audiobooks, with several pen names. She discusses her transition from YA romance to erotica, the importance of storytelling, and the challenges of self-promotion. Ruan emphasizes the significance of publishing now, the benefits of using multiple pen names, and the evolving landscape of self-publishing. She also highlights the importance of independent bookstores and encourages writers to embrace their role as storytellers, urging them to publish their work without fear of negative reviews.

Connect with Ruan Willow here:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ruanwillow

Instagram: http://instagram.com/ruanwillow

Instagram: http://instagram.com/ruanwillowauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076281424763

Website: https://ruanwillowauthor.com/ 

Ruan’s Letter to You:

Dear Indie Author, You are a storyteller at heart. No matter what anyone tells you, no matter who likes your story, no matter who doesn't, you are a storyteller at heart. Create your stories, your ebooks, your hard copies, anyway and every way you can. Make your stamp on this world. We each have a unique voice with special insights, take advantage of our current ability to create and share our stories with the world. Never before in history has this happened. We've had gatekeepers in the big publishing houses deciding what everyone gets to read. Publish your work as soon as you can, urgently, gloriously, happily, and know that you are telling stories that the big houses won't touch. Your voice matters, your story matters, and the more you realize that what you are doing is just telling stories like storytellers have done for thousands of years, it's less paralyzing. But the great thing is, you  get to document your stories through self-publishing. If you write books, consider printing them so physical copies exist in the world. This fights book banners. This fights those who want exclusivity in publishing. Fight for your words and self-publish today. It's a learning process, and it's okay to learn it slowly. It's okay to get bad reviews, let them roll off you. No one in the world is liked by everyone, even the big names have haters, so don't let negative reviews stop you. Ever. You write? You're already a writer. Now get that writing into the world and let someone feel your words. Bless you and enjoy! All my best Ruan Willow