TB and Miranda are working on Devil’s Advocate, their next cowrite, but the heat and humidity are killing TB, making her sluggish and cranky. TB survived the IHS Christmas in July sale, which was the best yet. Sadly, Amazon is struggling with rankings yet again, so it was hard to tell by the charts. TB is currently in Maine on a writing retreat. Go TB, go!

Clare got the Christmas book from the editor in 5 days! Word is, it’s the funniest Clare Lydon book yet. The Brazilian translation of You’re My Kind has been released. Unfortunately, it too is getting snagged in the Amazon ranking debacle. Clare went on a rant on Twitter about book returns and many authors cheered her on. Book pirates suck!

They move on to the topic: conferences. Clare and TB have both been to conferences recently, so this chat is timely. One of the most popular questions the duo receives is whether conferences are worth the investment (travel, accommodations). It’s a difficult question to answer since it’s hard to see the return on the investment, but both Clare and TB believe the networking with other authors in real life cements deeper connections. Also, you learn loads of things. Have a listen and find out how they get distracted by a trash truck. Exciting times!

What do you think of conferences? Love them? Hate them? Do you go?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

You’re my Kind (Translation): www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/translations/de-volta-para-voce/

Please note: due to the extreme heat in the UK on the day of recording, the audio cuts out at some points. Apologies!

Pride Month is over and just in time since TB’s left arm is rebelling about all the long hours at the laptop while launching the Pride Collection. She actually lost feeling in two fingers and it wasn’t until heading to New Mexico without the laptop that the pain eased. Miranda threw TB under the bus in front a roomful of people at GCLS while they accepted a Goldie for The AM Show.

It’s hot as heck in Britain and Clare almost melted during the recording. She’s just returned from two weeks off, but dove right back into work on her Christmas story because what better way is there to deal with the heat than to write about Christmas-y weather. Clare’s launched a surprise Italian translation of Before You Say I Do.

While at GCLS, many people told TB they enjoyed the show, but TB can’t remember everyone’s names. She wants to say thanks to everyone for being supportive in New Mexico and for being loyal listeners to the podcast.

They crack on to the topic: half-year review. Clare did some digging to compare her progress to the goals she set at the beginning of the year, while TB winged it, which sums up their personalities. However, in a surprising twist, TB was much kinder to herself during the episode and it must be the result of the heat wave, making her softer, while Clare was much harsher on herself. Have a listen to learn where they’ve succeeded and when they pivoted.

How was your first half of the year?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Next week they’ll be back to dish about conferences.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Pride Collection: iheartlesfic.com/pride-collection/

Christmas in July Sale: iheartlesfic.com/2022/07/22/christmas-in-july-99c-sale/

Before You Say I Do (Italian Translation): www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/translations/prima-di-dire-si-lo-voglio/

The AM Show: iheartlesfic.com/the-am-show/

TB’s halfway through 30 days of Pride, which is part of the launch strategy for the Pride Collection. On the writing front, TB and Miranda have started a new writing project and TB is super excited about tapping out fresh words. In freaky news, TB is stumbling upon more snakes while hiking.

Clare has been trying to launch It Started with a Kiss but Amazon is complicating the process. She’s also battling Audible to get the correct categories for Change of Heart. It’s not all bad news. The Brazilian translation for Before you Say I Do was prominently featured on the socials for a massive bookfair. Toot toot!

They crack on to the topic: what’s your relationship with money? TB didn’t want to discuss this and is pretty sure Clare suggested it only to frustrate TB’s aversion to numbers. They break down their relationship with money, starting with their backgrounds. As full-time writers running their own author businesses means they’re constantly dealing with money.

What’s your relationship with money?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Programming note: due to scheduling conflicts the next episode will come out on July 25.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Pride Collection: iheartlesfic.com/pride-collection/

Change of Heart: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/change-of-heart/

Before You Say I Do (Translation): www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/translations/antes-que-voce-diga-sim/

It Started with a Kiss: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/it-started-with-a-kiss/

Programming note: the duo is scaling back and will start releasing episodes every other Monday.

Happy Pride! TB’s excited to announce the Pride Collection has officially launched!  Toot toot! Abby Craden has finished recording Two of a Kind and TB is excited to see how the audiobook release goes hopefully later this month. In relaxing news, TB’s next editing deadline isn’t until August. She plans on crashing for a few days to recover from the Pride launch.

Clare has had an intense week getting It Started with a Kiss ready for publication, although she’s forgotten how to set up direct sales on BookFunnel. Finally, the audio version of Change of Heart is out! Clare has to get her next book off the editor by the end of June because she’s going away for two weeks in July. To celebrate getting her book done, she’s off to a barbeque party.

They crack on to the topic: trigger warnings. They break down what trigger warnings are, when to include them, and discuss how they can be divisive. Have a listen to find out if you should add a trigger warning or not.

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

They’ll be back in two weeks to discuss their relationship with money.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Pride Collection: iheartlesfic.com/pride-collection/

Change of Heart: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/change-of-heart/

It Started with a Kiss: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/it-started-with-a-kiss/

Programming note: the duo is scaling back and will start releasing episodes twice a month.

TB just got back from a weekend trip to the beach and she’s a bit more relaxed than normal. Shocking!  In great news, Take Two in the Pride Collection, which TB and Miranda cowrote, is back from editing and should be heading to the ARC team soon. Toot toot! Now TB is focused on launching the Pride Collection, which is much more stressful than she thought and she’s losing her mind.

Clare just returned from Paris, where she’d gone with her lovely wife to celebrate their anniversary. Now she’s prepping It Started with a Kiss for publication, but it’s been 8 months since the last launch and she’s pretty much forgotten everything she needs to do. Given all the turmoil that’s happened in her life, Clare is looking forward to getting back to a routine. Her next writing project is her Christmas novel. Holly jolly time!

They crack on to the topic: travel in fiction. This episode is timely since both of them recently returned from trips, which is why there wasn’t a new episode last Monday. Both love to travel and experience news things and as writers they find inspiration for stories. Come away with them…

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

They’ll be back next week with more sparkly conversation.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

A London Love Story Outtakes: www.mirandamacleod.com/a-london-love-story

Pride Collection: iheartlesfic.com/pride-collection/

I Heart SapphFic Amazon Gift Card Entry: iheartlesfic.com/2022/05/20/celebrating-five-years/

TB is neck deep in getting her pride novel ready for the June 1 launch. But it’s even more complicated, because there are 8 books in the Pride Collection, so, she’s coordinating 8 authors and let’s just say, being organized isn’t TB’s jam. The rebranding of IHL to I Heart SapphFic is making everything take so long and TB is kicking herself for launching the Pride Collection and changing the website all at once. Did we mention she’s a terrible planner?

Clare’s book is back from the editor and she’s been avoiding like a pro. It should be noted, her father’s funeral is this week, so it’s understandable. She’s been doing bits and bobs with social media and getting admin work out of the way. In good news, Clare attended a Tottenham match, and they won! In giggling news, Clare rediscovered a beaver fever shirt from her teen years.

They crack on to the topic: what are you doing for you this year? It’s important to make time for yourself and have a listen to see how Clare and TB spend their “me” time.

What are you doing for you this year?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

They’ll be back next week with more sparkly conversation.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Link:

Pride Collection: iheartlesfic.com/pride-collection/

The duo is back!

TB is super stressed, which seems to be her normal state these days. A London Love Story, the Kindle Vella series, has been published as an ebook and paperback. Somehow TB has gotten herself in the middle of a BDSM debacle. In great news, all 8 books in Pride Collection, which TB and Miranda spearheaded to celebrate IHL’s fifth anniversary, are available for preorder, and they’ll go live on June 1. Launching two projects just wasn’t enough to manage at once, so TB and Miranda are also in the middle of rebranding IHL to I Heart SapphFic. No wonder TB’s stressed!

Clare just returned from her trip to Jamaica. In fact, she landed hours before recording. (TB said they could wait a week for Clare to recover, but she’s that dedicated to LWW listeners.) If she sounds knackered, that’s the reason! She did such a fab job emceeing the wedding, and it might become her side gig. Kidding… maybe. While in Jamaica, she finished her book and sent it off to the editor. It wasn’t all work. She read two fab books and enjoyed the liquid sunshine, family time, and a cocktail or two.

They crack on to the topic: dealing with change. TB suggested this topic since she’s been dealing with a lot of change on the professional front, and Clare has been dealing with a lot of change in her personal life, including an emotional announcement. Have a listen, and send love Clare’s way.

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

They’ll be back next week with more sparkly conversation.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

A London Love Story: iheartlesfic.com/a-london-love-story-by-miranda-macleod-tb-markinson/

Pride Collection: iheartlesfic.com/pride-collection/

IHL Big Announcement: iheartlesfic.com/2022/04/23/big-announcement/

Programming note: The duo is taking some time off.

TB loves it when Clare calls TB coast, instead of co-host. It’s an adorable quirk. TB and Miranda MacLeod are working on their pride novella, but both are a wee bit burned out, so they’re baby-stepping their way back into another writing project. A London Love Story, the Kindle Vella series, will be published as an ebook on April 25th. Finally, readers outside of the US can read it!

Clare’s book is heading to the editor. Hooray! She’s still not convinced it won’t end her career, but TB gently reminds her it’s still in the editing stage, meaning things can be fixed, not that the book will have to be fixed. In not so good news, Clare went running and buggered her hip. In possibly the best news ever, a new brewery has opened near Clare’s home. Now she can run there, drink some pints to numb the pain, and stumble back home. Brilliant!

They crack on to listener questions. The questions range from favorite musicians to how to find an affordable editor. Tune in to learn what listeners were dying to ask them and how Clare and TB answer.

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Remember, the duo is taking some time off.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

iReadIndies: ireadindies.com/resources.html

Lesfic Marketing Alliance: www.facebook.com/groups/233876183742675

How to Find an Editor Episode: lesbianswhowrite.com/lww-128-how-to-find-an-editor/

TB is very upsetti spaghetti. After some nice warm days, snow and cold temps have returned, and TB is done with winter. In good news, Two of a Kind, the cowrite with Miranda MacLeod has published. Toot toot! In bad news, two episodes ago, TB struggled to get the podcast episode up and running. She had to take down the episode, a couple of times, and then she waited for half a day for the podcast host to fix the problem. So, if you noticed the episode appearing, disappearing, and reappearing, that’s why.

Clare has also had goods and bads since the last episode. Her vineyard book is almost ready for the editor, and Clare’s at the stage where she thinks this book will end her career. It won’t, but most authors experience this close to finishing a project. She’s also dealing with an IngramSpark hilarity nightmare. Unlike the weather in Massachusetts, spring is happening in London. In fantastic news, Clare had her big movie premier at the BFI, and her scenes weren’t cut. Sadly, the same can’t be said about the scenes featuring Clare’s wife.

They bang on to the topic: first quarter review. The duo breaks down how their quarters have gone. Have a listen to find out what’s gone according to plan, what obstacles they’ve encountered and how they pivoted, and what parts need more work, or as TB likes to say, “Big fat fail.”

How did your first quarter go?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Next week, they’ll be answering listener questions.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

A London Love Story: www.amazon.com/A-London-Love-Story/dp/B09KP4SRJ5/

Two of a Kind: iheartlesfic.com/two-of-a-kind-by-tb-markinson-miranda-macleod/

Jae’s Sapphic Author Resources: tinyletter.com/JaeAuthor/letters/helpful-resources-an-anthology-of-excerpts

Clare’s First Quarter Report: www.clarelydon.co.uk/2022/03/my-first-quarter-report/

Best Sapphic Age Gap Poll: iheartlesfic.com/2022/03/28/vote-for-best-sapphic-age-gap/

TB is full-on panicking. She and Miranda MacLeod are prepping Two of a Kind for publication, and after her last two releases were torpedoed, TB is even more panicky than usual. All 80 episodes of A London Love Story, season 1, are now live on Kindle Vella! TB has started her pride novella for the IHL Pride Collection coming out on June 1 with other fab sapphic authors. Finally, TB went on a walkabout in Boston when the sun was out, something she hasn’t seen much of in the past 3 months.

Clare has extended her writing deadline due to life happening. The good news, she’s on draft three, and she doesn’t think it’s complete shite. She took a mental health day to read a book, and she’s going out for karaoke. Her go-to songs are “Teenage Dirtbag” and “Copacabana.” Speaking of music, Clare is rocking Heardle, a game that’s like Wordle, but you have to guess the song after hearing a snippet.

They crash on to the topic: write your holiday novel now. Clare, the holiday lover, takes the reins of this episode. She outlines everything to take into account, including when to start writing, ideal time to release, and why to add a holiday story to your backlist.

Are you planning to write a festive book?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Next week, they’ll be answering your burning questions.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

A London Love Story: https://www.amazon.com/A-London-Love-Story/dp/B09KP4SRJ5/

Two of a Kind: Add link: iheartlesfic.com/two-of-a-kind-by-tb-markinson-miranda-macleod/