NERD ALERT! From Kingdom Hearts to Final Fantasy to his book pitch (Stranger Things and Sex Education meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer!) to Spyro the Dragon, and a sly Smaug reference, Steven Salvatore and NMJ (Nick) Coveney discuss the intersection of gaming and books, particularly with his debut novel, "Everything Not Saved." He discusses the significant influence of video games on his storytelling, the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in literature, and the challenges he faced in traditional publishing. This is also a wonderful tutorial on self-publishing and Nick explains his decision to use Kickstarter for publication, allowing him to maintain creative control and authenticity in his work. He also reflects on the emotional toll of the writing process and his aspirations to support other marginalized authors through his new publishing press.

Follow Nick at @NMJCoveney on socials!

Get your copy of "Everything Not Saved" today at Barned & Noble

Get your copy of "Everything Not Saved" today at Gays the Word (UK)

Get your copy of "Everything Not Saved" today on Amazon

Check out the website for "Everything Not Saved"

Check out Fire Hills Press!

"Crowdfunding Still Works" by Nick Coveney on The Bookseller

Check out Nick Coveney's Kickstarter Campaign for "Everything Not Saved"!

Resources:

BackerKit

Reedsy

Jamie Flack, Illustrator for "Everything Not Saved"

In this episode, Steven Salvatore talks with personal development coach and TikToker Alex Alberti (@albertidevelopment), who specializes in LGBTQ/queer dating, coming out, relationships, and self-actualization. Together, they discuss the challenges of creative burnout, the journey to becoming a life coach, and the importance of authenticity in his content creation. They explore the nuances of relationships, attachment styles, and the emotional complexities of parasocial relationships (and the need for boundaries!), and friendship breakups, ending with a powerful analogy using Schitt's Creek that blew Steven's mind! Alex emphasizes resilience, self-reflection, and the need for community support, while also looking ahead to future aspirations in coaching and personal growth.

Follow Alex on TikTok and Instagram @albertidevelopment

Book a session with Alex here!

In this conversation, Jess Regel, founder of Helm Literary, shares her journey to becoming a literary agent, the challenges and triumphs of the publishing industry, and the importance of networking and relationships in the field. She discusses the querying process, the subjective nature of finding the right fit for authors, and the impact of reader engagement on writers. Jess emphasizes the significance of failure in the creative process and the evolving landscape of publishing, including the rise of self-publishing. Throughout the discussion, she highlights the importance of passion and connection in the literary world. In this conversation, Jess and Steven discuss the multifaceted role of a literary agent, the intricacies of the publishing process, and the importance of persistence in an author's journey. They explore the realities of auctions, advances, and royalties, emphasizing that success in publishing is not solely defined by initial sales figures. Jess shares insights on the value of genre diversity and the significance of writing for yourself, while also reflecting on her personal growth and rediscovery of the cello!

Helm Literary: https://helmliterary.com/about

Follow Jess on Instagram: @helmliterary

Query Claire Harris at Helm Literary (MSWL)

Who doesn't love being a Petty Spaghetti every so often? In this conversation, Steven Salvatore and Matthew Hubbard explore the complexities of author identity, the impact of growing up LGBTQ+, and the challenges of navigating publishing, especially as it relates to authenticity, the role of social media in shaping perceptions, and the pressure to engage in social media activism as authors. There is so much significance to building supportive relationships within the author community, and this is why we're dabbling in some hard conversations about authors going after authors online and the need for self-care.

Drop Dead Handsome by Matthew Hubbard(COMING SOON!)

Buy The Last Boyfriend's Rules for Revenge by Matthew Hubbard

Buy The Rebel's Guide to Pride by Matthew Hubbard

Buy Black Voices by Abraham Chapman

Buy Can't Take That Away by Steven Salvatore

ALERT! MM DISCOURSE ABOUNDS! Please don't cancel us! On today's episode, Steven Salvatore and Jess Verdi, Senior Editor at Alcove Press and Crooked Lane Books, explore the complexities of the publishing industry, touching on personal journeys, the value of an MFA, the importance of representation, and the impact of social media. They discuss the changing dynamics of publishing, the challenges faced by LGBTQ and BIPOC authors, and the economic factors influencing the industry. The conversation emphasizes the need for authentic storytelling and the realities of navigating a career in writing and editing. In this conversation, Steven and Jess Verdi explore the complexities of storytelling, particularly in the context of LGBTQ+ narratives. They discuss the importance of representation, the nuances of writing male-male romance, and the responsibilities authors have in portraying diverse experiences authentically. Jess shares her insights on the dynamics of male-male romance, the scrutiny faced by queer literature, and the evolving landscape of representation in writing. The conversation also touches on personal reflections on activism and the importance of uplifting authentic voices in storytelling.

Find Jess's Manuscript Wishlist for Alcove here: https://alcovepress.com/ourteam/

Check out "The Summer I Wasn't Me" by Jessica Verdi (my favorite book of hers!)

Check out "Follow Your Arrow" by Jessica Verdi

Check out Jessica Verdi's picture book "I'm Not a Girl" co-written with Maddox Lyons and illustrated by Dana Simpson

And if you're looking for professional editorial work on your manuscript, check out her website for rates and information

"Why would you sit facing the wall when you can turn around and see the beauty of the room?" Brava, Anthony Nerada! In this episode, Steven Salvatore interviews author Anthony, who shares his journey from struggling to get published to finding success with his debut novel, SKATER BOY. They discuss the emotional toll of the publishing industry, the misconceptions about being a published author, and the importance of persistence and mentorship in the writing process. Anthony reflects on his experiences with querying, the challenges of navigating identity in literature, the significance of finding the right agent, and the freedom that comes with pivoting in your career and following your heart.

Buy SKATER BOY by Anthony Nerada

Book a session with Writer in Residence Anthony Nerada

In this episode of Repurposed, Steven Salvatore and Nicolas DiDomizio delve into their intertwined journeys as authors navigating the complexities of the publishing industry. They discuss their early writing experiences, the challenges of querying agents, the emotional toll of rejection, and the realities of marketing and promotion. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of persistence, the need to find joy in writing, and the delicate balance between talent and the unpredictable nature of the publishing world. Ultimately, they highlight the significance of maintaining a kernel of delusion that fuels their creative endeavors and the hope that one day their work will finally "hit"

Preorder A Murder Most Camp: A Mystery by Nicolas DiDomizio

Nearlywed: Novel by Nicolas DiDomizio

The Gay Best Friend: A Novel by Nicolas DiDomizio

Burn It All Down by Nicolas DiDomizio

And They Lived... by Steven Salvatore

In this engaging conversation, Steven Salvatore interviews Jason June, a New York Times bestselling author, screenwriter, and audiobook narrator. They explore Jason's creative journey, from his early aspirations in the arts to his experiences in publishing, including the challenges of navigating the industry, the importance of communication, and the impact of jealousy among authors. Jason shares insights on his books and journey into audiobook narration and acting. The discussion emphasizes the importance of finding joy in creativity and the need for authors to support one another in a competitive landscape.

Out of the Blue by Jason June

When Love Gives You Lemons by Steven Salvatore, narrated by Jason June and Mitch G. Nel

Flopping in a Winter Wonderland by Jason June

Jay's Gay Agenda by Jason June

Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball by Jason June

The Spells We Cast by Jason June

The Magic We Make by Jason June

Mermicorn Island by Jason June

Jason June's Website

Follow JJ on Instagram at @heyJasonJune

What is REPURPOSED? How did I get here? Why is an author trying to become a podcaster? As an introduction to the pod and Steven Salvatore, he takes listeners on a bit of a journey into how he got here, mostly in an effort to define himself. He's spent the last nearly 40 years defining himself as a traditionally published author, but all of that is now up in the air after years of not getting support from the publishing industry.

Where does he go from here?

This episode is just an introduction to its reason and purpose. Hear some sneak peeks at a few of the conversations being had on REPURPOSED with authors Jason June, Nicolas DiDomizio, Anthony Nerada, and Matthew Hubbard. This is just a little taste of what's to come, so stay tuned, subscribe, comment, and listen weekly because we're pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to be an author/full-time creative and just how much it can take from you.

Let's be repurposeful...

Buy Steven Salvatore's Books Here!

Apologies for the uneven, sometimes choppy audio...there were some issues with the recordings and I did the best I could ><