Welcome to the Pencils&Lipstick Book Marketing Hour! We will be here every month...and we will be working on that title...

Every third Monday of every month, Becky Grogan (https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/) will be joining me to talk about book marketing. In this episode we go through what we will be handling, we you can expect and when as well as the dates for the LIVE marketing Q&As that we will have. Be sure to listen!

Marketing is NOT just social media, but we will be talking about social media. If you don't have anything set up and want to get things moving, you can check out these Youtube videos for setting up Instagram and TikTok:

https://youtu.be/j4nBDjsyGZ0?si=XsSVq_hbiLSaxSAM

https://youtu.be/KJeU6SP548w?si=hWB6IgopanEdvGwj

https://youtu.be/KJeU6SP548w?si=hWB6IgopanEdvGwj

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. AND to get reminders about the live marketing Q&As that will be happening twice this coming semester. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Here are the links for the books, websites and classes I mention in the episode.

LiveWriteThrive.com has a LOT of great courses on writing.

Reedsy.com/learning is also a great source. Get on their newsletter!

My character development courses: https://katcaldwell.com/character-masterclass and https://katcaldwell.com/Whats-a-character

My scene development courses: https://writeyourstory.thrivecart.com/amazing-scene/

Be sure to tell me what you want to hear from the coming Marketing Show on Pencils&Lipstick!

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Once you type The End on your manuscript, the real work begins: editing. But editing is not just re-reading and tweaking a few words here and there. Editing involves some deep work. So let's get into the top five tips I have for writer, indie or traditional, for polishing their book to the best potential.

Be sure to check out CS Lakin at LiveWriteThrive.com and find my masterclass Building a Story for the Character that Haunts You here: https://katcaldwell.com/character-masterclass

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

I'm super excited for you to listen to this interview (chat, really) that I had with Antonio Michael Downing. It isn't everyday that I get to have such a great conversation with a stranger! Check out more about Antonio and get his books here: https://www.antoniomichaeldowning.com/ Also, follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.orpheus.3/ or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/antoniomichaeldowning

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell or on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katcaldwell.author

And get on my writer's newsletter! https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Is it possible to set goals as a writer? As a creative? When there are so many different variables that go into creating a story? In this episode I go into the reality of goal setting as a writer, especially one just starting out (with 4 books or less). I believe in going into the new year with eyes wide open, but also with encouragement. Let's get those books written in 2026! And not falling into the pit of thinking we should be on track with everyone else out there.

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell or on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katcaldwell.author

Merry Christmas! Thank you for listening to Pencils&Lipstick this year! It's been an amazing one. And to finish it with a bang, I'm chatting with Viktoria Nikola about writing, social media (the pros and cons of it and being a writer) and so much more! You won't want to miss it!

You can find out more about Viktoria on her website at: https://www.viktorianikola.com/

Follow her on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@viktoriannk

Want to participate in 12 Days of Christmas? Get on my writers newsletter for writerly goodies https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter and get on my readers newsletter for books, audiobooks and short stories  https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup

This week let's talk about the Muddy Middle. That moment when you hit about 40-45,000 words and then you lose ALL MOMENTUM. I have a solution for you. It'll take some work, but it will make your story move forward!

Be sure to get on my mailing list for access to the 12 Days of Christmas! Sign up here ---> https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

This week I talk about the Big 5 Personalities and how we can use them to create depth in our characters.

Grab the pdf here: https://katcaldwell.com/big-5

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Let's get into the micro of scenes and learn about the essentials you can look at when deciding which scenes stay in your book.

Grab the cheatsheet here. https://katcaldwell.com/288

Get on my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

This week and next week we are going to review scenes. Today we'll be looking at the macro of scenes. What scenes are needed in genre fiction as well as what the difference is between Character Arc Scenes and Plot Scenes.

Grab your free download here and let's go! https://katcaldwell.com/287

Get on my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell