This week’s episode is a shorter one, which in New Author Podcast terms means Jerry only reorganized half a novel instead of the whole publishing industry. He talks about taking a knife to Book 3, cutting scenes, moving key beats around, redefining the midpoint and pinch points, and finally starting to feel like the first half of the story has some real momentum instead of just politely standing there waiting to become a plot. If you’ve ever stared at a draft and realized the fix is not a tweak but a controlled demolition, this one will feel familiar.

There’s also a lot of useful indie author talk packed into this shorter episode. Jerry gets into his call with his marketing consultant, the plan for his Kindle Countdown deal, how he’s handling the Facebook ad for it, and why wording like “limited time” still matters when you’re trying to get readers to actually click instead of thoughtfully doing nothing. He also talks through A+ content ideas, setting up comparison-style content across the series, getting his Book 2 paperbacks in hand, and finally being able to start thinking about Etsy because now there are actual physical books sitting on the floor instead of just dreams and browser tabs.

Rich had a writing-light week, but not exactly a lazy one. He talks about spending more time on Substack, making connections with other writers, building a small community around his serialized novel, and realizing there’s something pretty fun about having actual people read your work and talk back. He also went on a full 3D-printing tear at work, cranking out buildings, tanks, silos, and assorted tiny railroad-world objects like a man who absolutely did not need another side quest but took one anyway.

The episode also wanders, in the best way, through canceled golf, hawk migration trips, Browns heartbreak in a football replay game, Perry Mason recap planning, and the ongoing challenge of turning a solid mystery draft into one with sharper characters, cleaner escalation, and fewer vanilla stretches in the middle. So yes, it’s a short week. It just doesn’t sound like one.

David Gaughran Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYacxyQJPxMContact Us
Jerry Evanoff
Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠Website: ⁠https://jerryevanoff.com⁠
⁠https://jerryevanoffauthor.substack.com/⁠

Rich Kacy
Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠
BlueSky: @RichKacy
https://richkacy.substack.com/⁠

Tags
writing podcast
self-publishing
indie author
book plotting
mystery writing
character development
Kindle Countdown Deal
Facebook ads for authors
A+ content
Substack
Perry Mason
author marketing
Etsy for authors
3D printing
writer life