Pen to Paper

Struggling to understand critique partners, alpha readers, and beta readers? In this episode, Leah explains what they are, what they do, why they're essential for your writing, and how they fit into your revision process. From accountability and vulnerability to catching plot holes early and getting real reader reactions—learn why these feedback partners are game-changers for aspiring writers and authors! Leah shares personal stories (including her pug in a goldfish bag analogy!), tips on finding them, handling feedback, and being specific with questions. Perfect follow-up to last week's writing community chat! Timestamps: 0:00 - Welcome & intro to today's topic (follow-up on writing community) 1:00 - Why these readers matter + pug analogy for fresh eyes 2:30 - Critique Partners: What they do, why they're important, reciprocity & technical feedback 5:00 - Finding critique partners & giving balanced, specific notes 7:00 - Alpha Readers: Early feedback, vulnerability in first drafts, sounding boards & idea bouncing 10:30 - Flexible ways to use alpha readers (chapter-by-chapter or big-picture) 12:00 - Beta Readers: Later-stage market/reader reactions, questions to ask, deadlines & romance genre example 15:00 - How they all fit together in the drafting/editing process 17:00 - Personal examples from Leah's work + Q&A encouragement 19:00 - Wrap-up, likes/comments/subscribe, life interruptions & beach tease!If you've used alpha, beta, or critique partners, drop a fun story or tip in the comments—I read them all! Subscribe for weekly writing tips, author life inspiration, and more! 🎬Book Trailer Service leahlindeman.com/trailer 📚 Explore My Books: Redeemed From the Ashes: https://books2read.com/u/mgPvK4 https://amz.run/9DtC Ghost of My Heart: https://books2read.com/u/49DgQX https://amz.run/9DtD Wisps of Gold: https://books2read.com/u/4XKJZN https://amz.run/9DtE Scathed Bones: https://books2read.com/u/4Xnjve https://amz.run/9DtF Unborn Melody: https://books2read.com/u/b6lkjJ https://amz.run/9DtG ‼️ Follow Me on Socials linktr.ee/leahtlind 📧 Sign up for my newsletter leahlindeman.com ☕️ Buy me a coffee buymeacoffee.com/leahlindeman ✍🏽 WriteNow High Performance Writing Coaching (Write your book in 3 months! 3 month plan now 20% off—receive a free edit of your choice valued at $700 plus and 3 free months of writing group mastery valued at $150. Today is your day to write.) leahlindeman.com/writenow/ 🙋🏽‍♀️ About Me Feisty Latina—Love of classic literature—History buff—I'm the author of the Canadian Reminiscence Series. I'm raising my seven children in the idyllic countryside of Eastern Ontario where I daydream daily of the Scottish Highlands. I love people and books! Yours truly, Leah

Struggling to finish your novel, script, or blog posts? Discover why writers NEED accountability from writing groups and readers to 3X your productivity and actually complete your projects!

In this podcast, I break down the real reasons solo writing can lead to procrastination and how joining a writing group or sharing with beta readers transforms your creative process.

You'll learn:

Why accountability beats motivation every time

The massive benefits of writer feedback, community support, and deadlines

How to start or find the perfect writing accountability group (online or in-person)

🎬Book Trailer Service leahlindeman.com/trailer 📚 Explore My Books: Redeemed From the Ashes: https://books2read.com/u/mgPvK4 https://amz.run/9DtC Ghost of My Heart: https://books2read.com/u/49DgQX https://amz.run/9DtD Wisps of Gold: https://books2read.com/u/4XKJZN https://amz.run/9DtE Scathed Bones: https://books2read.com/u/4Xnjve https://amz.run/9DtF Unborn Melody: https://books2read.com/u/b6lkjJ https://amz.run/9DtG ‼️ Follow Me on Socials linktr.ee/leahtlind 📧 Sign up for my newsletter leahlindeman.com ☕️ Buy me a coffee buymeacoffee.com/leahlindeman ✍🏽 WriteNow High Performance Writing Coaching (Write your book in 3 months! 3 month plan now 20% off—receive a free edit of your choice valued at $700 plus and 3 free months of writing group mastery valued at $150. Today is your day to write.) leahlindeman.com/writenow/ 🙋🏽‍♀️ About Me Feisty Latina—Love of classic literature—History buff—I'm the author of the Canadian Reminiscence Series. I'm raising my seven children in the idyllic countryside of Eastern Ontario where I daydream daily of the Scottish Highlands. I love people and books! Yours truly, Leah

In this episode, I'm thrilled to chat with Ottawa-based author Alyssa Delle Palme about her upcoming adult romance novel, Signing Off for the Summer, releasing June 6, 2025! We dive into her inspiration behind the book, her love for summer romances, and how her experiences as a broadcast journalist and cottage life shaped this heartfelt story. Plus, we geek out over Broadway musicals, her Read Between the Pines book club, and tips for aspiring writers! Don't miss this cozy, inspiring conversation with a local Canadian talent.

Grab Signing Off for the Summer Online

https://amz.cx/3ShN or at select Ottawa bookstores!

Check out Alyssa's Read Between the Pines book club at

https://bitl.to/4clK

Don't forget to subscribe for more author interviews and literary goodness and please review!

🎬Book Trailer Service

leahlindeman.com/trailer

🇨🇦Canada Book Events

Submit your event:

https://gogl.to/3IWs

IG: @canadabookevents

📚 Explore My Books:

Redeemed From the Ashes:

https://books2read.com/u/mgPvK4

https://amz.run/9DtC

Ghost of My Heart:

https://books2read.com/u/49DgQX

https://amz.run/9DtD

Wisps of Gold:

https://books2read.com/u/4XKJZN

https://amz.run/9DtE

Scathed Bones:

https://books2read.com/u/4Xnjve

https://amz.run/9DtF

Unborn Melody:

https://books2read.com/u/b6lkjJ

https://amz.run/9DtG

‼️ Follow Me on Socials

linktr.ee/leahtlind

📧 Sign up for my newsletter

leahlindeman.com

☕️ Buy me a coffee

buymeacoffee.com/leahlindeman

✍🏽 WriteNow High Performance Writing Coaching

(Write your book in 3 months! 3 month plan now 20% off—receive a free edit of your choice valued at $700 plus and 3 free months of writing group mastery valued at $150. Today is your day to write.)

leahlindeman.com/writenow/

🙋🏽‍♀️ About Me

Feisty Latina—Love of classic literature—History buff—I'm the author of the Canadian Reminiscence Series. I live with my husband and seven children in the idyllic countryside of Eastern Ontario where I daydream daily of the Scottish Highlands. I love people and books!

Yours truly,

Leah

In this episode, I'm sharing my top tips on how to write a strong chapter opening that hooks your reader and keeps them turning pages. We're diving into the three key elements you need—Compelling, Conflict, and Character—and how to use them to craft unforgettable beginnings for any genre, from fantasy to mystery to romance. Plus, I'm filming outdoors in my backyard for a change, and I share a quick life update about my exciting house move (a miracle story I can't wait to tell you about)!

What You'll Learn:

How to create compelling chapter openings that grab attention

Examples from classics like 1984 and Peter Pan to inspire you

Tips for balancing action, conflict, and character-driven starts

How to adapt these techniques to your genre

Don't miss my upcoming incredible story of how we got our new home!

If you found this helpful, please subscribe for weekly writing tips.

🎬Book Trailer Service

leahlindeman.com/trailer

🇨🇦Canada Book Events

Submit your event: https://gogl.to/3IWs

IG: @canadabookevents

📚 Explore My Books:

Redeemed From the Ashes:

https://books2read.com/u/mgPvK4

https://amz.run/9DtC

Ghost of My Heart:

https://books2read.com/u/49DgQX

https://amz.run/9DtD

Wisps of Gold:

https://books2read.com/u/4XKJZN

https://amz.run/9DtE

Scathed Bones:

https://books2read.com/u/4Xnjve

https://amz.run/9DtF

Unborn Melody:

https://books2read.com/u/b6lkjJ

https://amz.run/9DtG

‼️ Follow Me on Socials

linktr.ee/leahtlind

📧 Sign up for my newsletter

leahlindeman.com

☕️ Buy me a coffee

buymeacoffee.com/leahlindeman

✍🏽 WriteNow High Performance Writing Coaching (

Write your book in 3 months! 3 month plan now 20% off—receive a free edit of your choice valued at $700 plus and 3 free months of writing group mastery valued at $150. Today is your day to write.)

leahlindeman.com/writenow/

🙋🏽‍♀️ About Me

Feisty Latina—Love of classic literature—History buff—I'm the author of the Canadian Reminiscence Series. I live with my husband and seven children in the idyllic countryside of Eastern Ontario where I daydream daily of the Scottish Highlands. I love people and books!

Yours truly,

Leah

In this episode, I'm thrilled to chat with Judy Leslie, author of the captivating Cook's Cove series! Judy shares her incredible journey as a writer, from her mentorships with bestselling authors to crafting her mystery-driven, character-focused novels. We dive deep into her first book, House at the Cove, and explore the inspiration behind its gripping story, slow-burn romance, and unforgettable twists. Plus, Judy drops invaluable advice for aspiring writers!

Grab Judy's books here: amazon.com/author/judyleslie

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro & Welcome Judy Leslie

1:20 – Judy's Writing Journey & Mentors

4:50 – The 20-Year "Training Novel" & First Published Book Success

8:30 – Overcoming Physical Challenges to Write Again

11:00 – The Power of Book Club Ads & Hitting #3 on Amazon

14:40 – Inspiration Behind House at the Cove & Bellingham Roots

19:10 – Jenny's Story: Grief, Secrets, and a Slow-Burn Romance

24:30 – Crafting Suspense & Character-Driven Mysteries

30:00 – Judy's Research Trip to Ireland for For the Love of Ireland

34:00 – Writing the Cook's Cove Series & Plot Twists

39:00 – Advice for New Mystery Writers: Craft & Character Depth

45:00 – Judy's Favorite Craft Books (Wired for Story & Story Genius)

50:00 – Rewriting House at the Cove for Success

55:00 – Planting Seeds for Series Continuity

1:00:00 – Judy's Unique Character Inspirations (Burlesque Trapeze Artist?!)

1:05:00 – Outro & Book Recommendations

Subscribe, and hit the bell for more author interviews and writing tips!

🎬Book Trailer Service

leahlindeman.com/trailer

🇨🇦Canada Book Events

Submit your event:

https://gogl.to/3IWs

IG: @canadabookevents

📚 Explore My Books:

Redeemed From the Ashes:

https://books2read.com/u/mgPvK4

https://amz.run/9DtC

Ghost of My Heart:

https://books2read.com/u/49DgQX

https://amz.run/9DtD

Wisps of Gold:

https://books2read.com/u/4XKJZN

https://amz.run/9DtE

Scathed Bones:

https://books2read.com/u/4Xnjve

https://amz.run/9DtF

Unborn Melody:

https://books2read.com/u/b6lkjJ

https://amz.run/9DtG

‼️ Follow Me on Socials

linktr.ee/leahtlind

📧 Sign up for my newsletter

leahlindeman.com

☕️ Buy me a coffee

buymeacoffee.com/leahlindeman

✍🏽 WriteNow High Performance

Writing Coaching (Write your book in 3 months! 3 month plan now 20% off—receive a free edit of your choice valued at $700 plus and 3 free months of writing group mastery valued at $150. Today is your day to write.)

leahlindeman.com/writenow/

🙋🏽‍♀️ About Me

Feisty Latina—Love of classic literature—History buff—I'm the author of the Canadian Reminiscence Series. I live with my husband and seven children in the idyllic countryside of Eastern Ontario where I daydream daily of the Scottish Highlands. I love people and books!

Yours truly,

Leah

Struggling to make your writing pop? In this video, I'm diving into my top 3 tips to write visually and bring your stories to life! From engaging the five senses to mastering "show, don't tell" and using powerful similes and metaphors, I'll show you how to captivate your readers' senses and emotions. Plus, I'm sharing examples from Edgar Allan Poe, Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, and even my own work-in-progress novella, His Girl.

Whether you're writing fiction, historical novels, or just want to spice up your prose, this Writing 101 guide is packed with actionable tips to make your words leap off the page. Don't miss my favorite sensory writing exercises and a peek into The Emotional Thesaurus for crafting authentic character emotions!

Don't forget to subscribe for more writing tips every week. Happy writing!

🎬Book Trailer Service

leahlindeman.com/trailer

🇨🇦Canada Book Events

Submit your event: https://gogl.to/3IWs

IG: @canadabookevents

📚 Explore My Books:

Redeemed From the Ashes:

https://books2read.com/u/mgPvK4

https://amz.run/9DtC

Ghost of My Heart:

https://books2read.com/u/49DgQX

https://amz.run/9DtD

Wisps of Gold:

https://books2read.com/u/4XKJZN

https://amz.run/9DtE

Scathed Bones:

https://books2read.com/u/4Xnjve

https://amz.run/9DtF

Unborn Melody:

https://books2read.com/u/b6lkjJ

https://amz.run/9DtG

‼️ Follow Me on Socials

linktr.ee/leahtlind

📧 Sign up for my newsletter

leahlindeman.com

☕️ Buy me a coffee

buymeacoffee.com/leahlindeman

✍🏽 WriteNow High Performance Writing Coaching

(Write your book in 3 months! 3 month plan now 20% off—receive a free edit of your choice valued at $700 plus and 3 free months of writing group mastery valued at $150. Today is your day to write.)

leahlindeman.com/writenow/

🙋🏽‍♀️ About Me

Feisty Latina—Love of classic literature—History buff—I'm the author of the Canadian Reminiscence Series. I live with my husband and seven children in the idyllic countryside of Eastern Ontario where I daydream daily of the Scottish Highlands. I love people and books!

Yours truly,

Leah

Hey everyone! In this video, I'm spilling all my secrets on how to hook your readers in under 60 seconds with the ultimate guide to creating book trailers.

Whether you're an aspiring author or a seasoned writer, this is your one-stop resource for mastering book trailers—why, they're a game-changer for book marketing, how to make one, and where to share them for maximum impact.

I dive deep into what makes a book trailer irresistible: high-quality video clips (hello, Pexels.com!), the perfect music (I'm obsessed with AudioJungle), sound effects that bring it to life, and snappy text overlays that tease your story without giving it all away. Plus, I'll walk you through the pros and cons of DIYing it with tools like DaVinci Resolve (my go-to!) versus hiring a pro.

Spoiler: I've got a playlist of my own trailers below to show you how I leveled up my game!

Why should you care? A killer book trailer isn't just eye candy—it's a powerful way to build your book's brand, engage readers visually, and get them clicking "buy" on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more. I'll even share my top tips for keeping it short, sweet, and scroll-stopping—because in 2025, attention spans are tiny.

And here's the exciting part: I'm now offering book trailer creation services for authors! If you write contemporary romance, historical fiction, thrillers, or fantasy (and more!), let's chat. Check the link below to book a consultation—I'd love to bring your vision to life. https://leahlindeman.com/trailer/

Don't forget to subscribe for weekly episodes.

Links Mentioned:

Book a Trailer Consultation:

https://leahlindeman.com/trailer/

Stock Footage: Pexels.com,Pixabay.com

Music: AudioJungle.net

Software: DaVinciResolve.com

Hey everyone! Today, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Alyssa Milani, an incredibly talented author of the upcoming dark romance novel, "The Chosen Secret." In this interview, we explored Alyssa's journey from writing horror and sci-fi to blending those elements into dark romance. We talked about her creative process, the unique challenges she faced while writing her latest book, and her experience with the anthology "Heart's Lock, Love's Key," where she contributed a charming hockey romance story.

What You'll Learn:

• The inspiration behind "The Chosen Secret" and how Alyssa pushes her creative boundaries. - How she manages her writing with ADHD and the spontaneity of character-driven stories.
• The importance of being part of a writing community, especially for introverted writers like Alyssa. - A sneak peek into her upcoming works, including a sequel and more from her biker thriller romance series. Connect with Alyssa: Instagram: @alyssamilani
• Follow her for updates, book news, and more! Books Available: You can find all her books on Amazon, Indigo, Barnes & Noble, or wherever books are sold.

The Chosen Secret: https://amz.cx/3KZ6

Alyssa also shared some personal insights, like her initial interest in law before turning to writing, and how her husband's love for hockey influenced her stories. Plus, we had some cute interruptions from my kids, making this interview uniquely memorable.

If you're in the Ottawa area, don't miss the chance to meet Alyssa and myself at our upcoming event at Stittsville Main Street Cafe, where we'll have a lineup of 12 romance authors, each with their unique stories to share.

Please leave a review!

🎬Book Trailer Service

leahlindeman.com/trailer

🇨🇦Canada Book Events

Submit your event: https://gogl.to/3IWs

IG: @canadabookevents

📚 Explore My Books:

Redeemed From the Ashes:

https://books2read.com/u/mgPvK4

https://amz.run/9DtC

Ghost of My Heart:

https://books2read.com/u/49DgQX

https://amz.run/9DtD

Wisps of Gold:

https://books2read.com/u/4XKJZN

https://amz.run/9DtE

Scathed Bones:

https://books2read.com/u/4Xnjve

https://amz.run/9DtF

Unborn Melody:

https://books2read.com/u/b6lkjJ

https://amz.run/9DtG

‼️ Follow Me on Socials

linktr.ee/leahtlind

📧 Sign up for my newsletter

leahlindeman.com

☕️ Buy me a coffee

buymeacoffee.com/leahlindeman

✍🏽 WriteNow High Performance Writing Coaching

(Write your book in 3 months! 3 month plan now 20% off—receive a free edit of your choice valued at $700 plus and 3 free months of writing group mastery valued at $150. Today is your day to write.)

leahlindeman.com/writenow/

🙋🏽‍♀️ About Me

Feisty Latina—Love of classic literature—History buff—I'm the author of the Canadian Reminiscence Series. I live with my husband and seven children in the idyllic countryside of Eastern Ontario where I daydream daily of the Scottish Highlands. I love people and books!

Yours truly,

Leah

Hey everyone, welcome back to Pen to Paper! Today we're diving into how to craft a writing routine that truly works for you.

The Role of Movement: Learn why incorporating exercise or some form of movement can significantly boost your creativity and focus. From Charles Dickens' walks to my own HIIT sessions, find what energizes your writing process.

How much should you write? I share my personal goal of writing at least 30 minutes a day, aiming for around 500 words, but discuss how this can vary based on your lifestyle.

Do I wake up at 5 AM or stay up till 2 AM? Discover what time of day suits your writing style best - whether you're an early bird or a night owl.

Creating a Distraction-Free Zone: Tips on setting up your physical space for maximum productivity, including the importance of a clutter-free desk and the power of a dedicated playlist to get you in the writing mood.

Consistency is Key: I talk about the importance of establishing a routine, even if it's not daily, to keep the writing habit alive and help you meet your goals.

What's one tip from this audio that you think could help you establish or refine your writing routine? Let's brainstorm together and keep the writing momentum going into the new year.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more writing tips, author talks, and insights into the craft of writing!

🎬Book Trailer Service

leahlindeman.com/trailer

🇨🇦Canada Book Events

canadabookevents.ca

📚 Explore My Books:

Redeemed From the Ashes:

https://books2read.com/u/mgPvK4

https://amz.run/9DtC

Ghost of My Heart:

https://books2read.com/u/49DgQX

https://amz.run/9DtD

Wisps of Gold:

https://books2read.com/u/4XKJZN

https://amz.run/9DtE

Scathed Bones:

https://books2read.com/u/4Xnjve

https://amz.run/9DtF

Unborn Melody:

https://books2read.com/u/b6lkjJ

https://amz.run/9DtG

‼️ Follow Me on Socials

linktr.ee/leahtlind

📧 Sign up for my newsletter

leahlindeman.com

☕️ Buy me a coffee

buymeacoffee.com/leahlindeman

✍🏽 WriteNow High Performance Writing Coaching

(Write your book in 3 months! 3 month plan now 20% off—receive a free edit of your choice valued at $700 plus and 3 free months of writing group mastery valued at $150. Today is your day to write.)

leahlindeman.com/writenow/

🙋🏽‍♀️ About Me

Feisty Latina—Love of classic literature—History buff—I'm the author of the Canadian Reminiscence Series. I live with my husband and seven children in the idyllic countryside of Eastern Ontario where I daydream daily of the Scottish Highlands. I love people and books!

Yours truly,

Leah

Hey everyone! I'm thrilled to share with you an insightful interview with the wonderful Madeline Nixon. In this episode, we dive deep into her latest release, "Not Actually", which hit the shelves last November.

Here's what we cover:

• Madeline's writing journey from her high school days to her current success with 14 educational kids' books and three adult novels.
• Inspiration behind "Not Actually", a romantic tale spun off from an intriguing scene in her previous book, "Emergency Lullabies."
• Character development for Zoe and Kieran, the main duo in "Not Actually", including their backstory and the dynamics that drive their relationship.
• Future projects including a Valentine's Day anthology, "Heart's Lock, Love's Key," and a mystical Christmas novella coming out in June 2025.
• Writing tips for aspiring authors, focusing on self-awareness in your writing process and the importance of community among writers.

Madeline also shares fun personal anecdotes, like being named after the famous French character, Madeline, and how she deals with writer's block and imposter syndrome.

Don't forget to: Follow Madeline on social media (she's @markedwithanm everywhere from Instagram to Pinterest) to keep up with her latest work. Check out her books on your favorite e-book platforms or grab the paperback of Heart's Lock, Love's Key available from February 3rd, 2025.

Leave a comment if you have any questions or if you're interested in ghost stories or romance novels!

Subscribe for more author interviews, writing tips, and bookish content. Thanks for watching, and have a great day wherever you are!

🎬Book Trailer Service

leahlindeman.com/trailer

🇨🇦Canada Book Events

Submit your event: https://gogl.to/3IWs

IG: @canadabookevents

📚 Explore My Books:

Redeemed From the Ashes:

https://books2read.com/u/mgPvK4

https://amz.run/9DtC

Ghost of My Heart:

https://books2read.com/u/49DgQX

https://amz.run/9DtD

Wisps of Gold:

https://books2read.com/u/4XKJZN

https://amz.run/9DtE

Scathed Bones:

https://books2read.com/u/4Xnjve

https://amz.run/9DtF

Unborn Melody:

https://books2read.com/u/b6lkjJ

https://amz.run/9DtG

‼️ Follow Me on Socials

linktr.ee/leahtlind

📧 Sign up for my newsletter

leahlindeman.com

☕️ Buy me a coffee

buymeacoffee.com/leahlindeman

✍🏽 WriteNow High Performance

Writing Coaching (Write your book in 3 months! 3 month plan now 20% off—receive a free edit of your choice valued at $700 plus and 3 free months of writing group mastery valued at $150. Today is your day to write.) leahlindeman.com/writenow/

🙋🏽‍♀️ About Me

Feisty Latina—Love of classic literature—History buff—I'm the author of the Canadian Reminiscence Series. I live with my husband and seven children in the idyllic countryside of Eastern Ontario where I daydream daily of the Scottish Highlands. I love people and books!

Yours truly,

Leah