Welcome back to the Project Seed Money Podcast!

In this episode, Sharissa Bradley sits down with author Kristine Jensen, whose debut novel Wednesday Club explores emotion, storytelling, and the courage to finally write the book you want to write.

Kristine shares how she built a long career as a professional writer in film, video production, and marketing copy before becoming a novelist. While she had always been a writer, authoring a novel felt far more vulnerable — and far more fulfilling — because it allowed her to tell stories rooted in emotion and personal truth.

She talks openly about querying agents for nearly two years, the emotional toll of rejection, and the deeply personal motivation to see her book published while her mother could still hold it in her hands. That realization ultimately led her to choose self-publishing, where she embraced the learning curve and discovered a sense of control and creative freedom.

This conversation also dives into the changing publishing landscape, the importance of education and resources for indie authors, and why writing community is essential for finishing a book.

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned

• Website: https://wednesday-club.com

• Instagram

  https://www.instagram.com/wednesday_club_novel/

• Facebook

  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578121348283

• Book retailers:
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Bookshop.org
• Local independent bookstores
• Writing groups and author communities

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome to Project Seed Money 00:07 — Introducing Kristine Jensen 00:53 — Always being a writer, not always an author 01:00 — Career in film, video, and marketing writing 01:45 — Vulnerability of novel writing 02:22 — Love of emotion in storytelling 03:00 — Poetry, screenwriting, and creative roots 03:27 — Why writing a novel felt intimidating 04:07 — Choosing self-publishing 04:09 — Querying agents for nearly two years 05:00 — Emotional toll of rejections 05:30 — Publishing while her mother could see the book 06:00 — Reframing self-publishing as a positive choice 06:30 — Learning the indie publishing process 07:00 — Control and flexibility in self-publishing 08:00 — Changing perceptions of indie books 09:00 — Watching a friend lose an agent 10:00 — The reality of traditional publishing timelines 10:41 — Workshops, books, and education 11:25 — Building confidence through learning 12:07 — Tools for navigating vulnerability 12:30 — "I don't want to die wondering" 13:20 — Community as a survival tool 14:00 — Writing groups and shared feedback 15:00 — Writing alone vs. belonging 16:00 — Sharing early chapters safely 17:00 — Being an unreliable judge of your own work 18:00 — Finishing the novel with community support 18:25 — Where to find Kristine and Wednesday Club 19:17 — Advice for writers on the fence 19:58 — Trust the process 20:21 — Closing

Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.

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