DIY MFA Radio

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to someone who has been instrumental in helping me up my speaking game. Whether you've been hearing me speak on this podcast or have seen me speak on stage, this person has had a tremendous impact in helping me become the speaker that I am. This person is Alexia Vernon.

Alexia has been branded a "Moxie Maven" by the White House Office of Public Engagement because of her unique and effective approach to developing female leaders, for a decade she has been a go-to speaking coach to CEOs, New York Times bestselling authors, media personalities, and scores of visionary entrepreneurs and change-makers who are ready to go from best-kept secrets to hotshot, transformational speakers.

Her unique background as a former Miss Junior America, public speaker, professor, actor, dancer, TEDx organizer, and corporate trainer has enabled Alexia to speak on stages such as the United Nations during the Commission on the Status of Women, INBOUND, and the Association of Talent Development (ATD). She has appeared on major media outlets like CNN, NBC, Inc., and Women's Health Magazine.

Her clients have spoken on stages like the World Domination Summit, Transformational Leadership Council, Entrepreneurs' Organization, Off the Charts Live, and at TEDx's around the world, not to mention scoring some amazing media coverage in publications like The New York Times, TIME, and Vanity Fair, and networks like OWN and Good Morning America.

In this episode Alexia and I discuss:

• The importance of public speaking for authors
• Finding your voice as a speaker
• How speaking can help you hone your ideas

Plus, Alexia's #1 tip for writers. About Alexia Vernon

Branded a "Moxie Maven" by the White House Office of Public Engagement for her unique and effective approach to developing female leaders, for a decade she has been a go-to speaking coach to CEOs, New York Times bestselling authors, media personalities, and scores of visionary entrepreneurs and change-makers who are ready to go from best-kept secrets to hotshot, transformational speakers.

Her unique background as a former Miss Junior America, public speaker, professor, actor, dancer, TEDx organizer, and corporate trainer has enabled Alexia to speak on stages such as the United Nations during the Commission on the Status of Women, INBOUND, and the Association of Talent Development (ATD). She has appeared on major media outlets like CNN, NBC, Inc., and Women's Health Magazine.

Her clients have spoken on stages like the World Domination Summit, Transformational Leadership Council, Entrepreneurs' Organization, Off the Charts Live, and at TEDx's around the world, not to mention scoring some amazing media coverage in publications like The New York Times, TIME, and Vanity Fair, and networks like OWN and Good Morning America.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/128

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to someone who has been instrumental in helping me up my speaking game. Whether you’ve been hearing me speak on this podcast or have seen me speak on stage, this person has had a tremendous impact in helping me become the speaker that I am. This person is Alexia Vernon.

Alexia has been branded a “Moxie Maven” by the White House Office of Public Engagement because of her unique and effective approach to developing female leaders, for a decade she has been a go-to speaking coach to CEOs, New York Times bestselling authors, media personalities, and scores of visionary entrepreneurs and change-makers who are ready to go from best-kept secrets to hotshot, transformational speakers.  

Her unique background as a former Miss Junior America, public speaker, professor, actor, dancer, TEDx organizer, and corporate trainer has enabled Alexia to speak on stages such as the United Nations during the Commission on the Status of Women, INBOUND, and the Association of Talent Development (ATD). She has appeared on major media outlets like CNN, NBC, Inc., and Women’s Health Magazine.

Her clients have spoken on stages like the World Domination Summit, Transformational Leadership Council, Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Off the Charts Live, and at TEDx’s around the world, not to mention scoring some amazing media coverage in publications like The New York Times, TIME, and Vanity Fair, and networks like OWN and Good Morning America.

 

In this episode Alexia and I discuss:

• The importance of public speaking for authors
• Finding your voice as a speaker
• How speaking can help you hone your ideas

Plus, Alexia's #1 tip for writers. About Alexia Vernon

Branded a “Moxie Maven” by the White House Office of Public Engagement for her unique and effective approach to developing female leaders, for a decade she has been a go-to speaking coach to CEOs, New York Times bestselling authors, media personalities, and scores of visionary entrepreneurs and change-makers who are ready to go from best-kept secrets to hotshot, transformational speakers.

Her unique background as a former Miss Junior America, public speaker, professor, actor, dancer, TEDx organizer, and corporate trainer has enabled Alexia to speak on stages such as the United Nations during the Commission on the Status of Women, INBOUND, and the Association of Talent Development (ATD). She has appeared on major media outlets like CNN, NBC, Inc., and Women’s Health Magazine.

Her clients have spoken on stages like the World Domination Summit, Transformational Leadership Council, Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Off the Charts Live, and at TEDx’s around the world, not to mention scoring some amazing media coverage in publications like The New York Times, TIME, and Vanity Fair, and networks like OWN and Good Morning America.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/128

Hey there word nerds!

Thanks for being here with me today. I'm so excited to share this interview with you. It's a little bit different from what I usually do. Instead of being the one hosting the interview, in this episode I'm sharing an interview that I gave for my friend Joanna Penn on The Creative Penn Podcast.

You might remember Joanna from episode 106 when she came on DIY MFA Radio and I got to interview her! She is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers under J.F.Penn and also writes nonfiction for authors. She's also a professional speaker and award-winning entrepreneur. Her site, TheCreativePenn.com, is regularly voted one of the Top 10 sites for writers. She is a self-publishing superstar and I'm thrilled that she had me on her show.

Embed Episode Here

In this episode Joanna interviews me about:

• How I started DIY MFA, where I got that first glimmer of the idea, and how I built it into what you see today.
• The writer's need for validation and why that "stamp of approval" needs to come from within.
• Honoring and understanding your process, and how there's no right way to be a writer.
• The importance of author identity, and being the best version of yourself, but still be authentically you.

I also share some of my signature DIY MFA techniques, like:

• The Angst Jar—what it is and why it's my go-to tool for handling rejection, imposter syndrome, and any other curve ball my inner critic throws at me.
• The Revision Pyramid and how to use it so you can rock your post-NaNoWriMo revisions and make your manuscript sing.
• Visual outline techniques and why I'm so obsessed with design and graphics. Hint: It comes from my former life as a toy designer and psychology researcher.

DIY MFA (the book!) Have you ever...

• Dreamed of writing a book but had no idea where to start?
• Started a writing project, but couldn't stay motivated?
• Struggled to carve out time in your life for your writing?
• Searched for a writing community, but didn't know where to look?
• Been overwhelmed by all the writing and publishing advice online?

Order your very own copy direct from the publisher by clicking this affiliate link. As with any affiliate products we promote on this site, when you purchase via this link, DIY MFA gets a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you supporting DIY MFA!

DIY MFA is the definitive guide for writers who can't–or don't want to–go back to school.

Inspired by material I've created and compiled since the inception of this website, this is more than a writing guide in book form. Based on proven techniques and graduate-style curriculum, DIY MFA won't just help you improve your writing skills, it will empower you to take control of your creative life.

If DIY MFA were a school, this book would be the student handbook. It's a one-stop-shop with all the fundamental elements from the website in one place. If you are new to DIY MFA, this book is the perfect springboard to get you going, and if you've taken one or more of our courses, this book will supplement and expand on what you learned.

DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community will help you get that graduate-level experience without going to school. Don't put your life on hold for two or three years and accrue a huge amount of student debt. Instead, learn to recreate that MFA experience for yourself and seamlessly incorporate writing into your life. This book will show you how.

I wrote this book for word nerds of all stripes, but particularly with these three particular writer groups in mind.

• Writers in the trenches: If you're one of these writers, then you are in the thick of it, actively engaged in a writing project at this very moment. You work hard to improve your craft and are hungry to learn tools and skills you can apply to work-in-progress. This book will give you the techniques you crave.
• Serious newbies: Just because you're new to writing doesn't mean you're not serious. If you're one of these serious newbies, then you are motivated to learn all you can, so you can start your writing journey on the right foot. Learn how with this book.
• Career authors who need a boost: No matter how experienced a writer you are, sometimes you lose "that loving feeling" and it's hard to get those words on the page. This book can help shake up some of those stale habits and get you pumped up about your writing again.

Warning: If you are dabbler or dilettante looking for a "magic bullet" solution or a shortcut to success, this book is not for you. Seriously, it might spontaneously combust in your possession. (Just kidding. Sort of.)

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/127

 

Hey there word nerds!

Thanks for being here with me today. I’m so excited to share this interview with you. It’s a little bit different from what I usually do. Instead of being the one hosting the interview, in this episode I’m sharing an interview that I gave for my friend Joanna Penn on The Creative Penn Podcast.

You might remember Joanna from episode 106 when she came on DIY MFA Radio and I got to interview her! She is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers under J.F.Penn and also writes nonfiction for authors. She’s also a professional speaker and award-winning entrepreneur. Her site, TheCreativePenn.com, is regularly voted one of the Top 10 sites for writers. She is a self-publishing superstar and I’m thrilled that she had me on her show.

Embed Episode Here

In this episode Joanna interviews me about:

• How I started DIY MFA, where I got that first glimmer of the idea, and how I built it into what you see today.
• The writer’s need for validation and why that “stamp of approval” needs to come from within.
• Honoring and understanding your process, and how there’s no right way to be a writer.
• The importance of author identity, and being the best version of yourself, but still be authentically you.

I also share some of my signature DIY MFA techniques, like:

• The Angst Jar—what it is and why it’s my go-to tool for handling rejection, imposter syndrome, and any other curve ball my inner critic throws at me.
• The Revision Pyramid and how to use it so you can rock your post-NaNoWriMo revisions and make your manuscript sing.
• Visual outline techniques and why I’m so obsessed with design and graphics. Hint: It comes from my former life as a toy designer and psychology researcher.

DIY MFA (the book!) Have you ever...

• Dreamed of writing a book but had no idea where to start?
• Started a writing project, but couldn’t stay motivated?
• Struggled to carve out time in your life for your writing?
• Searched for a writing community, but didn’t know where to look?
• Been overwhelmed by all the writing and publishing advice online?

Order your very own copy direct from the publisher by clicking this affiliate link. As with any affiliate products we promote on this site, when you purchase via this link, DIY MFA gets a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you supporting DIY MFA!

DIY MFA is the definitive guide for writers who can’t–or don’t want to–go back to school.

Inspired by material I’ve created and compiled since the inception of this website, this is more than a writing guide in book form. Based on proven techniques and graduate-style curriculum, DIY MFA won’t just help you improve your writing skills, it will empower you to take control of your creative life.

If DIY MFA were a school, this book would be the student handbook. It’s a one-stop-shop with all the fundamental elements from the website in one place. If you are new to DIY MFA, this book is the perfect springboard to get you going, and if you’ve taken one or more of our courses, this book will supplement and expand on what you learned.

DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community will help you get that graduate-level experience without going to school. Don’t put your life on hold for two or three years and accrue a huge amount of student debt. Instead, learn to recreate that MFA experience for yourself and seamlessly incorporate writing into your life. This book will show you how.

I wrote this book for word nerds of all stripes, but particularly with these three particular writer groups in mind.

• Writers in the trenches: If you’re one of these writers, then you are in the thick of it, actively engaged in a writing project at this very moment. You work hard to improve your craft and are hungry to learn tools and skills you can apply to work-in-progress. This book will give you the techniques you crave.
• Serious newbies: Just because you’re new to writing doesn’t mean you’re not serious. If you’re one of these serious newbies, then you are motivated to learn all you can, so you can start your writing journey on the right foot. Learn how with this book.
• Career authors who need a boost: No matter how experienced a writer you are, sometimes you lose “that loving feeling” and it’s hard to get those words on the page. This book can help shake up some of those stale habits and get you pumped up about your writing again.

Warning: If you are dabbler or dilettante looking for a “magic bullet” solution or a shortcut to success, this book is not for you. Seriously, it might spontaneously combust in your possession. (Just kidding. Sort of.)

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/127

Hey there word nerds!

Thanks for joining me for DIY MFA Radio! I'm especially excited for this episode because today I get to interview agent Mitch Hoffman.

I first met Mitch at ThrillerFest earlier this year, where I heard him speak on a panel and later got a chance to talk further at one of those conference mix-and-mingle shindigs. Right away, I knew Mitch was someone I wanted to bring on the show, not only because of his unique background both as a former editor at a major publisher and now as an agent, but also because of his measured, thoughtful approach toward publishing.

Given how much has changed (and continues to change) in our industry, I wanted my word nerds to hear from someone who has been on both sides of the agent-editor realm, and also who's been in the industry long enough to know where the book business has been, where it is now, and where it could be going.

And from getting a chance to chat with him for a bit at ThrillerFest, I happen to know that he's a pretty cool guy to talk to.

Mitch joined the Aaron Priest Literary Agency as a Senior Agent in 2015. A 20-year veteran of the publishing industry, he was most recently Vice-President, Executive Editor at Grand Central Publishing. As an editor, Mitch published over 200 books, more than 60 of which were New York Times bestsellers. Prior to joining Grand Central Publishing in 2007, Mitch held editorial positions at Dutton and Dell Publishing, and began his career as an intern at Farrar, Straus and Giroux (or FSG). So, basically, he's worked at three of the "Big Apple Five" publishers.

Embed Episode Here

In this episode Mitch and I discuss:

• The difference between an agent and an editor, and why he made the switch from the latter to the former.
• The acquisitions process from a publisher's perspective, and what really happens after an editor gets a submission letter from an agent.
• All the different people in a publishing house who help determine whether to acquire a book or not.
• What an agent can do for an author trying to get published, and how agents can help authors beyond that single book deal.

Plus, Mitch's #1 tip for writers. About the Agent

Mitch Hoffman joined the Aaron Priest Literary Agency as a Senior Agent in 2015. A 20-year veteran of the publishing industry, he was most recently Vice-President, Executive Editor at Grand Central Publishing. As an editor, Mitch published over 200 books, more than 60 of which were New York Times best sellers. Prior to joining Grand Central Publishing in 2007, Mitch held editorial positions at Dutton and Dell Publishing, and began his career as an intern at Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Mitch is actively building a list of authors writing across the spectrum of fiction and nonfiction, including thrillers, suspense, crime fiction, and literary fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction, politics, popular science, history, memoir, current events, and pop culture.

If you think your book might be a good fit, visit the agency website, read the submission guidelines and send him a query. Make sure you mention in your query that you heard him speak on DIY MFA Radio.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/126

Hey there word nerds!

Thanks for joining me for DIY MFA Radio! I’m especially excited for this episode because today I get to interview agent Mitch Hoffman.

I first met Mitch at ThrillerFest earlier this year, where I heard him speak on a panel and later got a chance to talk further at one of those conference mix-and-mingle shindigs. Right away, I knew Mitch was someone I wanted to bring on the show, not only because of his unique background both as a former editor at a major publisher and now as an agent, but also because of his measured, thoughtful approach toward publishing.

Given how much has changed (and continues to change) in our industry, I wanted my word nerds to hear from someone who has been on both sides of the agent-editor realm, and also who’s been in the industry long enough to know where the book business has been, where it is now, and where it could be going.

And from getting a chance to chat with him for a bit at ThrillerFest, I happen to know that he’s a pretty cool guy to talk to.

Mitch joined the Aaron Priest Literary Agency as a Senior Agent in 2015. A 20-year veteran of the publishing industry, he was most recently Vice-President, Executive Editor at Grand Central Publishing.  As an editor, Mitch published over 200 books, more than 60 of which were New York Times bestsellers.  Prior to joining Grand Central Publishing in 2007, Mitch held editorial positions at Dutton and Dell Publishing, and began his career as an intern at Farrar, Straus and Giroux (or FSG).  So, basically, he’s worked at three of the “Big Apple Five” publishers.

 

Embed Episode Here

In this episode Mitch and I discuss:

• The difference between an agent and an editor, and why he made the switch from the latter to the former.
• The acquisitions process from a publisher’s perspective, and what really happens after an editor gets a submission letter from an agent.
• All the different people in a publishing house who help determine whether to acquire a book or not.
• What an agent can do for an author trying to get published, and how agents can help authors beyond that single book deal.

Plus, Mitch’s #1 tip for writers. About the Agent

Mitch Hoffman joined the Aaron Priest Literary Agency as a Senior Agent in 2015. A 20-year veteran of the publishing industry, he was most recently Vice-President, Executive Editor at Grand Central Publishing.  As an editor, Mitch published over 200 books, more than 60 of which were New York Times best sellers.  Prior to joining Grand Central Publishing in 2007, Mitch held editorial positions at Dutton and Dell Publishing, and began his career as an intern at Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Mitch is actively building a list of authors writing across the spectrum of fiction and nonfiction, including thrillers, suspense, crime fiction, and literary fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction, politics, popular science, history, memoir, current events, and pop culture.

If you think your book might be a good fit, visit the agency website, read the submission guidelines and send him a query. Make sure you mention in your query that you heard him speak on DIY MFA Radio.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/126

Hey there word nerds! Today I'm speaking with Elisabeth Barrett, a romance author living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Elisabeth spends her days teaching, editing, writing sexy contemporary romance, and enjoying time with her sometimes-bearded husband and three spirited kids. She is constantly perfecting that juggling act between home/work/writing, but in her free time she loves to hike open space preserves, grow orchids, bake sweet things her husband won't eat, and sing in grand choruses.

Her latest book Anywhere You Are is out now from Random House and she also has an indie published West Coast Holiday Series box set that is out just in time for the holidays.

In this episode we discuss:

• Crafting a series for the Romance genre and all the considerations that go with sustaining a story across multiple books.
• Different ways that series can play out. In Romance, one of the big trends is having series consist of "companion novels" focusing on a different romantic couple in each one.
• How characters can change over the course of a series, and how to adapt the story as your characters grow and evolve.
• Finding that work/life balance, especially when you have a family or a "day job" that compete with writing for your attention.

Plus, Elisabeth Barrett's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/125

 

Hey there word nerds! Today I’m speaking with Elisabeth Barrett, a romance author living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Elisabeth spends her days teaching, editing, writing sexy contemporary romance, and enjoying time with her sometimes-bearded husband and three spirited kids. She is constantly perfecting that juggling act between home/work/writing, but in her free time she loves to hike open space preserves, grow orchids, bake sweet things her husband won't eat, and sing in grand choruses.

Her latest book Anywhere You Are is out now from Random House and she also has an indie published West Coast Holiday Series box set that is out just in time for the holidays.

  In this episode we discuss:

• Crafting a series for the Romance genre and all the considerations that go with sustaining a story across multiple books.
• Different ways that series can play out. In Romance, one of the big trends is having series consist of “companion novels” focusing on a different romantic couple in each one.
• How characters can change over the course of a series, and how to adapt the story as your characters grow and evolve.
• Finding that work/life balance, especially when you have a family or a “day job” that compete with writing for your attention.

Plus, Elisabeth Barrett’s #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/125

Hey there word nerds!

If you subscribe to the DIY MFA newsletter, then you know I've had a lot to say lately. In this episode, I reflect on some of the recent themes I've been considering, themes like service, responsibility, gratitude and love.

I also talk about some of the obstacles I've faced when building my author platform. These aren't just external roadblocks that got in my way, but also internal factors and limiting mindsets that kept me from sharing my work. Listen in to the full episode below.

In this episode, I talk about several things, including:

• Why it's so important for you to share your stories, and how in doing so you not only empower yourself, but you also empower others to do the same.
• The "filter question" I use to assess all of my creative work, and how this one question helps me go from making a million tiny decisions every day to seeing on the big picture.
• Bonus: This year, instead of doing New Year's resolutions, challenge yourself to craft a filter question for your writing, your work, or even your life as a whole.

In this episode, I also allude to several recent newsletters and articles from DIY MFA. In case you've missed them, I have linked to these articles below.

• Dream Big, Execute Small — how to reframe marketing from being all about you to being in service of your readers.
• Use Your Words — why now more than ever, writers have the responsibility to use their words with integrity and purpose.
• The Radicalism of Our TIme — in which I share a "big, scary thing" from my life, and talk about the tension between fear and love.

Enjoyed this episode? Check out the webinar!

I'm offering a FREE webinar next Monday, December 12th at 1pm ET designed to help you find and connect with your readers. This is all in preparation for the launch of my new course: Pixels to Platform, designed to help you build your platform and share your work in a way that is both authentic and effective.

Connect with Readers, Build Your Platform

Monday, December 12th at 1pm Eastern Time

Register at: DIYMFA.com/PlatformWebinar

For more info and show notes go to: DIYMFA.com/124

Hey there word nerds!

If you subscribe to the DIY MFA newsletter, then you know I’ve had a lot to say lately. In this episode, I reflect on some of the recent themes I’ve been considering, themes like service, responsibility, gratitude and love.

I also talk about some of the obstacles I’ve faced when building my author platform. These aren’t just external roadblocks that got in my way, but also internal factors and limiting mindsets that kept me from sharing my work. Listen in to the full episode below.

In this episode, I talk about several things, including:

• Why it’s so important for you to share your stories, and how in doing so you not only empower yourself, but you also empower others to do the same.
• The “filter question” I use to assess all of my creative work, and how this one question helps me go from making a million tiny decisions every day to seeing  on the big picture.
• Bonus: This year, instead of doing New Year’s resolutions, challenge yourself to craft a filter question for your writing, your work, or even your life as a whole.

In this episode, I also allude to several recent newsletters and articles from DIY MFA. In case you’ve missed them, I have linked to these articles below.

• Dream Big, Execute Small — how to reframe marketing from being all about you to being in service of your readers.
• Use Your Words — why now more than ever, writers have the responsibility to use their words with integrity and purpose.
• The Radicalism of Our TIme — in which I share a “big, scary thing” from my life, and talk about the tension between fear and love.

Enjoyed this episode? Check out the webinar!

I’m offering a FREE webinar next Monday, December 12th at 1pm ET designed to help you find and connect with your readers. This is all in preparation for the launch of my new course: Pixels to Platform, designed to help you build your platform and share your work in a way that is both authentic and effective.

Connect with Readers, Build Your Platform

Monday, December 12th at 1pm Eastern Time

Register at: DIYMFA.com/PlatformWebinar

For more info and show notes go to: DIYMFA.com/124