The Author Wheel Podcast

As we catapult into a fresh year, many of us grapple with a mounting stack of tasks and the elusive beast that is organization. Luckily, tools like StoryOrigin are here to help!

We're thrilled to have guest Evan Gow on the show. Evan is the indie developer of StoryOrigin, a marketing tool and community of authors that work together to find reviewers, build mailing lists, increase sales, and stay on top of deadlines.

Throughout our conversation, Evan draws enlightening parallels between software development and crafting a story, offering insight into how Story Origin's early features—like reader magnets and group promos—have become a lifeline for authors.

As we unpack the strategic decisions behind the platform's initial launch and its gradual evolution, we underscore how StoryOrigin serves as an all-in-one haven for authors at all stages. From  building a robust mailing list, to designing an author website, and managing the myriad post-production tasks that often overwhelm indie authors, the software has helpful tools for just about every author.

BONUS!

If you're looking for even more organization help this year, check out the new Clarify | Simplify | Implement newsletter for writers. Last week, Megan shared her bullet journal spreads for authors so you can see exactly how she stays on track and organized for both her fiction and non-fiction work.

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Evan Gow
Website: https://storyoriginapp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/StoryOrigin

The Author Wheel:
Website: www.AuthorWheel.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheel

Greta Boris:
Website: www.GretaBoris.com
Facebook: @GretaBorisAuthor
Instagram: @GretaBoris

Megan Haskell:
Website: www.MeganHaskell.com
Facebook & Instagram: @MeganHaskellAuthor
TikTok: @AuthorMeganHaskell

If you're enjoying The Author Wheel Podcast, please consider supporting the show! You can buy us a coffee at the link below.

Support the show

FREE Mini Email Course

Have you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel’s new mini-course might be your solution.

7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language.

Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it’s free.

Click here to learn more!

Happy New Year and welcome back to the Author Wheel Podcast!

This week isn't so much a quick tip as an update on our plans for 2024, and boy oh boy, do we have some great shows headed your way.

Our regular Monday interviews will continue, and we have some fantastic guests lined up for the show. From the brilliant Joanna Penn, to indie guru Mark Leslie LeFebvre, and bestselling multi-genre author Melissa Storm, it’s going to be a fabulous season.

We're also thrilled to announce that we'll be continuing the weekly quick tips each Thursday in 2024. Each month will have a theme, and regular listeners will benefit from the progression of topics. February will be all about maintaining motivation and consistency in the New Year before we move into some of our favorite craft topics in March and April.

If you have any suggestions for topics, or quick tips of your own to share, please send them our way! We love to hear from listeners. You can always email us at [email protected]

Follow Us!

The Author Wheel:
Website: www.AuthorWheel.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheel
Clarify | Simplify | Implement weekly newsletter: https://meganhaskellauthor.substack.com

Greta Boris:
Website: www.GretaBoris.com
Facebook: @GretaBorisAuthor
Instagram: @GretaBoris

Megan Haskell:
Website: www.MeganHaskell.com
Facebook & Instagram: @MeganHaskellAuthor
TikTok: @AuthorMeganHaskell

If you're enjoying The Author Wheel Podcast, please consider supporting the show! You can buy us a coffee at the link below.

Support the show

FREE Mini Email Course

Have you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel’s new mini-course might be your solution.

7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language.

Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it’s free.

Click here to learn more!

Happy New Year!

We're starting 2024 with a bang, and digging right into our first guest interview with the Voice of Indie Publishing, Kevin Tumlinson.

Our conversation wheels through the valleys and peaks of a writer's life, from childhood tales etched in crayon, to overcoming self-limiting beliefs, to live blogging his story as its being written, Kevin has experienced it all. We even discuss the seismic shift from traditional to indie publishing, and the value of developing reader engagement through direct sales and subscription services.

Kevin Tumlinson is an award-winning and bestselling author of hundreds of books crafted to thrill and inspire. He recently took on the role of CEO for BookSweeps, a pioneer of the genre specific list building giveaway, and the most successful platform building tool for authors and publishers worldwide. Kevin is known as the Voice of Indie Publishing for his work in podcasts, conferences, public speaking, and consulting for authors. Every day he helps and encourages hundreds of thousands of will-be and established authors around the globe.

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Kevin Tumlinson
Website: https://www.kevintumlinson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.tumlinson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevintumlinson/

The Author Wheel:
Website: www.AuthorWheel.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheel

Greta Boris:
Website: www.GretaBoris.com
Facebook: @GretaBorisAuthor
Instagram: @GretaBoris

Megan Haskell:
Website: www.MeganHaskell.com
Facebook & Instagram: @MeganHaskellAuthor
TikTok: @AuthorMeganHaskell

If you're enjoying The Author Wheel Podcast, please consider supporting the show! You can buy us a coffee at the link below.

Support the show

FREE Mini Email Course

Have you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel’s new mini-course might be your solution.

7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language.

Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it’s free.

Click here to learn more!

Ready to supercharge your productivity in 2024?

This week marks our final December Quick Tip, and it's all about implementing a workflow that will keep your stories rolling.

We dig into our past, examining our old habits and systems, and underscore the importance of making necessary amendments. Our personal experiences, like our morning writing routine, will give you some practical ideas, and we’ll also chat about the perks of setting achievable goals. Plus, learn why routine tasks, like growing a mailing list, should be integrated into your workflow consistently.

By the end of this episode, you'll be fully equipped to crush your writing goals in the coming year.

Visit our bookshop for further reading! 

Don't forget to join Megan's new Substack newsletter, Clarify | Simplify | Implement, where she's sharing all her thoughts on writing, publishing, and the author industry.

Follow Us!

The Author Wheel:
Website: www.AuthorWheel.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheel

Greta Boris:
Website: www.GretaBoris.com
Facebook: @GretaBorisAuthor
Instagram: @GretaBoris

Megan Haskell:
Website: www.MeganHaskell.com
Facebook & Instagram: @MeganHaskellAuthor
TikTok: @AuthorMeganHaskell
Substack: https://meganhaskellauthor.substack.com

If you're enjoying The Author Wheel Podcast, please consider supporting the show! You can buy us a coffee at the link below.

Support the show

FREE Mini Email Course

Have you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel’s new mini-course might be your solution.

7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language.

Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it’s free.

Click here to learn more!

Do you know the difference between strategy and tactics?

In this week's Quick Tip, we're talking about how we can simplify our strategy to focus on the most impactful activities that will move us toward our goals. To do that, we first have to understand the difference between the day-to-day tasks (tactics) and the overarching plan (strategy.) 

Keep in mind, you don't have to start from scratch. That's why we reviewed the past year first. Refining past strategies for the upcoming year can be just as impactful, if not more so. 

Don't forget to join Megan's new Substack newsletter, Clarify | Simplify | Implement, where she's sharing all her thoughts on writing, publishing, and the author industry.

Follow Us!

The Author Wheel:
Website: www.AuthorWheel.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheel

Greta Boris:
Website: www.GretaBoris.com
Facebook: @GretaBorisAuthor
Instagram: @GretaBoris

Megan Haskell:
Website: www.MeganHaskell.com
Facebook & Instagram: @MeganHaskellAuthor
TikTok: @AuthorMeganHaskell
Substack: https://meganhaskellauthor.substack.com

If you're enjoying The Author Wheel Podcast, please consider supporting the show! You can buy us a coffee at the link below.

Support the show

FREE Mini Email Course

Have you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel’s new mini-course might be your solution.

7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language.

Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it’s free.

Click here to learn more!

Ready to jumpstart your writing journey this New Year?

This episode of the Author Wheel podcast will be your perfect guide. We've stitched together a mashup of wisdom-rich clips from our previous guests, including Tonya Kappes, Matt Holmes, Claire Taylor, Sacha Black, Paul Ardoin, and Becca Syme.

Struggles and success go hand in hand. As a creative, you may find yourself at a crossroads of following the crowd or trusting your intuition, like Becca Syme. That may mean developing a reader-centric mindset like Tonya, or digging into your own psyche to understand your motivation for writing like Claire and Sacha. It could mean doing less but doing it better, like Matt, or writing what you love to read, like Paul.

So, are you ready to ignite your motivation, understand the market, and kickstart your writing journey? Tune in now, and let's start 2024 with the right foot forward.

Plus!

Don't forget to join Megan's new Substack newsletter, Clarify | Simplify | Implement, where she's sharing all her thoughts on writing, publishing, and the author industry.

Featured Guests:

Tonya Kappes: S4E2
Website: https://tonyakappes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authortonyakappes/

Matthew Holmes: S3E6
Website: https://www.matthewjholmes.com
Courses: https://www.matthewjholmes.com/a/2147523688/zHt2PJpf *
* We are proud affiliates of Matt Holmes. By clicking this link, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Claire Taylor: S2E10
Website: www.ffs.media
Services: www.ffs.media/author-services-all

Sacha Black: S3E9
Website: www.sachablack.co.uk
Courses: https://sachablack.thinkific.com/

Paul Austin Ardoin: S3E11
Website: https://www.paulaustinardoin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulardoinauthor

Becca Syme: S3E10
Website: http://betterfasteracademy.com
TikTok: becca_syme

The Author Wheel:
Website: www.AuthorWheel.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheel

Greta Boris:
Website: www.GretaBoris.

Facebook Ads for Authors-Matthew Holmes
Greta loves this course. It's changed her career!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

FREE Mini Email Course

Have you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel’s new mini-course might be your solution.

7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language.

Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it’s free.

Click here to learn more!

Clarity. It's such an ephemeral concept. Ever changing and just out of reach, and yet we need clarity to focus.

This week's quick tip is all about understanding ourselves and our motivations so we can set audacious goals for 2024 that are aligned with the future we want.

Our dreams and ambitions can evolve over time. The things that we wanted yesterday might not be the same as what we want for tomorrow. Luckily, the writing industry allows for flexibility and endless possibilities.

You'll get a peek into our own plans, both for our fiction and for The Author Wheel. Then, we set you up to plan your own writing future.

Don't forget to join Megan's new Substack newsletter, Clarify | Simplify | Implement, where she's sharing all her thoughts on writing, publishing, and the author industry. Last week was all about finding Clarity, starting with giving yourself a compliment sandwich to acknowledge your wins, then clarifying your "why."

There's plenty more to come, so subscribe today!

Follow Us!

The Author Wheel:
Website: www.AuthorWheel.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheel

Greta Boris:
Website: www.GretaBoris.com
Facebook: @GretaBorisAuthor
Instagram: @GretaBoris

Megan Haskell:
Website: www.MeganHaskell.com
Facebook & Instagram: @MeganHaskellAuthor
TikTok: @AuthorMeganHaskell
Substack: https://meganhaskellauthor.substack.com

If you're enjoying The Author Wheel Podcast, please consider supporting the show! You can buy us a coffee at the link below.

Support the show

FREE Mini Email Course

Have you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel’s new mini-course might be your solution.

7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language.

Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it’s free.

Click here to learn more!

Dream big and go for it!

In this highly motivational interview, we're talking with bestselling author Jonathan Yanez about his journey from the written word to the big screen.

From learning to write screenplays by reading them online, to immersing himself in film culture by attending film conventions and events, he discusses the importance of understanding and accepting one's limitations while also encouraging listeners to push beyond their comfort zones.

Jonathan Yanez is the bestselling author of the Forsaken Mercenary series and award-winning writer and producer of Infinity System.

Question of the Week: Have you ever thought about writing your own screenplay to turn your novel into film? Did you go for it?

Follow Us!

Jonathan Yanez
Website: http://jonathan-yanez.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/author_jonathan_yanez

The Author Wheel:
Website: www.AuthorWheel.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheel
Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/856705052538168

Greta Boris:
Website: www.GretaBoris.com
Facebook: @GretaBorisAuthor
Instagram: @GretaBoris

Megan Haskell:
Website: www.MeganHaskell.com
Facebook & Instagram: @MeganHaskellAuthor
TikTok: @AuthorMeganHaskell
Substack: https://meganhaskellauthor.substack.com

Support the show

FREE Mini Email Course

Have you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel’s new mini-course might be your solution.

7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language.

Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it’s free.

Click here to learn more!

This month's quick tips are all about the end of year reset and refresh. 

Join us as we take a deep dive into the world of author strategy, turning the rear-view mirror towards 2023 and putting 2024 in sharp, clear focus. It's all about finding the sweet spot between your dreams, realities, and actions. 

We’ve distilled the planning process into four actionable steps: 
1.) Review your past year, 
2) Clarify your goals, 
3) Simplify your approach, and 
4) Implement your strategy. 

Trust us, it’s not as daunting as it sounds!

This week, we start with the review. 

Don't forget to join Megan's new Substack newsletter, Clarify | Simplify | Implement, where she's sharing all her thoughts on writing, publishing, and the author industry.

Follow Us!

The Author Wheel:
Website: www.AuthorWheel.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheel

Greta Boris:
Website: www.GretaBoris.com
Facebook: @GretaBorisAuthor
Instagram: @GretaBoris

Megan Haskell:
Website: www.MeganHaskell.com
Facebook & Instagram: @MeganHaskellAuthor
TikTok: @AuthorMeganHaskell
Substack: https://meganhaskellauthor.substack.com

If you're enjoying The Author Wheel Podcast, please consider supporting the show! You can buy us a coffee at the link below.

Support the show

FREE Mini Email Course

Have you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel’s new mini-course might be your solution.

7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language.

Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it’s free.

Click here to learn more!

The art of blurbs, navigating Amazon Ads, and seeking help . . .

Writing is a lonely craft, but it doesn't have to be. In this week's episode, Bryan Cohen gets candid about the necessity of help-seeking in the author space, sharing personal stories of how collaboration and networking transformed his business. He opens up about his personal journey, the lessons he learned, and his secret sauce for sustaining successful ventures.

Bryan Cohen is the founder of Author Ad School, Best Page Forward, and the Author Ad Agency. He's also the co-host of The Sell More Books Show podcast which just finished its 500th consecutive week!

Whether you're a novice in the publishing world or a seasoned author, the insights from this episode can be the game changer you've been waiting for.

Question of the Week: How have you incorporated feedback and outside help into your author business?

Follow Us!

Bryan Cohen
Website: https://bestpageforward.net
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2230194167089012

The Author Wheel:
Website: www.AuthorWheel.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheel
Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/856705052538168

Greta Boris:
Website: www.GretaBoris.com
Facebook: @GretaBorisAuthor
Instagram: @GretaBoris

Megan Haskell:
Website: www.MeganHaskell.com
Facebook & Instagram: @MeganHaskellAuthor
TikTok: @AuthorMeganHaskell
Substack: https://meganhaskellauthor.substack.com

Support the show

FREE Mini Email Course

Have you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel’s new mini-course might be your solution.

7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language.

Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it’s free.

Click here to learn more!