Pencils&Lipstick podcast

In this episode I'm talking about how unpredictable this whole indie author journey is, how you can put in a ton of effort and still not get the results you expected, and how so much of it is out of your control. I keep coming back to the idea that you often just don’t know why something works or doesn’t.

So instead of spiraling or reacting out of frustration, let's focus on the stuff we can control: mindset, strategy, and finding the right readers. At the end of the day, it really comes down to getting back up, adjusting where needed, and redefining what success looks like for me.

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

Figuring out your ideal reader is key to running your book business. It's key to marketing! Today Becky and I discuss Ideal Readers, how to figure out who they are and why it is necessary to take some time to really define them. If you're looking for the worksheet to help you, you can grab it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kBQ9FpRY0EztvNELzTCqFb0q7N3AuMIf/copy

Be sure to make some strides towards your ideal reader before the next Craft & Connect Live in June! Date TBA.

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 talk about Reader Magnets. Because they're on my mind as I try to come up with some for my next novel, Next, Love. Everyone always says to slap together a short story or offer "deleted" scenes... but can't we get a little more creative than that? And what kind of short story should we come up with? I have some ideas today just for you. And if you want the pdf, you can sign up for my newsletter here https://bit.ly/41pZq3R and receive them in your inbox!

This week I'm talking with Molly Arbuthnott about writing picture books, working with illustrators and creative ways to get our books in front of the reader (including traveling...!) You can find more about Molly here: https://www.mollyarbuthnott.co.uk/about/ and you can find her books here (audios as well) https://oscartheferrycat.co.uk/product-category/books/

Y0u can listen to one of her books here: https://youtu.be/plbZp5wcPVo

And vote for her for the People's Book Prize here: https://www.mollyarbuthnott.co.uk/blog/the-peoples-book-prize-please-vote/

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

Who do you want to be on the show? DM me on instagram or TikTok and let me know!

Today I am talking with Matt Stone from 100covers.com. We chat about how to find the right cover, how an author should approach cover art, how to work with a graphic artist and more. 100covers.com has grown in the past few years. They are a large group of graphic artists ready to create a masterpiece for you book. Check out heir portfolio at 100covers.com. Be sure to use code KAT to get 50% off.

Be sure to catch up on how the new A10 algorithm change at Amazon will affect us indie authors:

https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/a10-algorithm-kdp-book-listing/

https://www.matthewjholmes.com/blog/the-amazon-algorithm-just-changed-everything

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

Maite Dalila is a Squarespace website designer who works exclusively with authors. She has built 20+ author websites for debut novelists, querying writers, and self-publishing authors across fiction, nonfiction, and children's books. Before specializing in author websites, Maite spent 12 years designing for brands like Walt Disney, Nike, and Samsung. She brings that same strategy, story structure, reader psychology, conversion-focused design, into the author niche. Find Maite's FREE resources here: https://www.maitedalila.com/resources and browse her portfolio here: https://www.maitedalila.com/portfolio

Connect with Maite here:https://www.facebook.com/maite.dalila Hire Maite here: https://reedsy.com/maite-dalila-rodriguez

Be sure to like and subscribe and check out my new website here: https://www.katcaldwell.com/

This week Becky and I talk about the Core Marketing Values, why they're important and how to choose them. I'm the guinea pig this week. Let's see how I do!

Every third Monday of every month, Becky Grogan (https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/) will be joining me to talk about book marketing. Sign up for the first Craft&Connect live here: https://tidycal.com/writeyourlife/craft-and-connect-live-march-24

Get the author newsletter mini course FREE just this week here: https://www.curios.com/c/V148YL

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

Jessica Snyder started out editing for the traditional romance publishers. She had since moved into independent editing and has created the HEA club where Romance Writers can connect and learn about their craft. She has worked with authors like Lucy Score and Carly Bloom as well as many indie romance authors. Be sure to check out her HEA Club here: https://heaauthorservices.com/services/the-hea-club/ and find out more about Jessica and her team here: https://heaauthorservices.com/

Sign up for the first Craft and Connect live event! https://tidycal.com/writeyourlife/craft-and-connect-live-march-24

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

Nidhi Kona is a versatile professional who wears many hats and offers a refreshing perspective on topics that matter the most. As a molecular biologist, she brings her scientific expertise to the table. As a scientific writer, she crafts compelling content that breaks complex research into simple, inspiring insights. And as the author of the nonfiction personal transformation book 'Unshakeable You',(https://a.co/d/0gOSZZdg) she shares her scientific insights on fine-tuning the mind and the heart for happiness and success.

'The Mirror That Echoed'(https://a.co/d/0byX0thM) is a fictional take on one unforgettable lesson learnt on this journey we call life. Join Nidhi's newsletter Vantage: https://subscribepage.io/ow1Hy6 

Sign up for the first Craft and Connect live event! https://tidycal.com/writeyourlife/craft-and-connect-live-march-24

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

In this episode of Pencils and Lipstick, I sat down with Jake Lynch to talk about his unexpected journey into writing Christian fiction. He shared how a moment in Isaiah prompted him to write his first novel and how he now builds stories around intentional themes—taking characters from problem to solution. We dove into crafting meaningful character arcs, writing with the reader in mind, and creating faith-driven stories that explore doubt, growth, and redemption.You can find out more about Jake on his website: https://authorjakelynch.com/

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

Sign up for the first Craft and Connect live event! https://tidycal.com/writeyourlife/craft-and-connect-live-march-24