Ready to navigate the publishing landscape and want some practical advice? Mary Kole is joined by writing expert John Matthew Fox to chat about his work helping authors and founding his company, Bookfox. Conversation topics include the different publishing paths available to writers, the benefits and drawbacks of traditional vs. self-publishing, the challenges of effectively marketing one's work, and going beyond commercial success.

John Matthew Fox
Website: https://thejohnfox.com/
Social: @bookfox

Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you’re ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we’re here to help you.

Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com
Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership
Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com

Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.

Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesub
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit
Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600
Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRU
How to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQ
NEW! Writing Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0B

Follow us on social:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory
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Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Despite the challenges of balancing writing with a day job and parenting, middle grade and YA author Tracy Badua keeps churning out adventurous contemporary fantasy stories. Tracy’s books, all featuring Filipino-American characters, explore themes of cultural identity and family expectations, even drawing inspiration from Filipino superstitions she grew up with. Her stories provide joyful, diverse representation for young readers while also tackling complex emotional and cultural issues faced by her tween and teen protagonists. Check out her newest release, Thea and the Mischief Makers, available now!

Read the transcript for this episode here: https://goodstorycompany.com/blog/tracy-badua

Tracy Badua
Website: https://tracybadua.com/
Social: @tracybaduawrites

Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you’re ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we’re here to help you.

Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com
Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership
Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com

Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.

Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesub
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit
Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600
Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRU
How to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQ
NEW! Writing Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0B

Follow us on social:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodstoryco
Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco
Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco
Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Young adult author Farrah Penn (Twelve Steps to Normal & Cancelled) details her publishing journey, from striking out on submission to her newest novel. Listen in to this conversation for thoughts on the young adult genre, using tropes, crafting stakes and curveballs for your characters, and how screenwriting may help when writing a novel. 

Farrah Penn
Website: https://www.farrahpenn.com/
Social: @farrahpenn

Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you’re ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we’re here to help you.

Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com
Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership
Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com

Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.

Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesub
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit
Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600
Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRU
How to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQ
NEW! Writing Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0B

Follow us on social:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodstoryco
Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco
Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco
Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Going viral on TikTok can’t be your entire book marketing strategy. So how do new authors go about finding their ideal readers? Jenn Hanson-dePaula guides you through the steps of elevating your book promo! Tune in to hear her take on what marketing is and isn’t, tips for building your social media platform (including valuable advice on what to post), and why you should have a newsletter.

Jenn Hanson-dePaula
Website: https://jenndepaula.com/
Instagram: @mixtusmedia
TikTok: @mixtusmedia

Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you’re ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we’re here to help you.

Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com
Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership
Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com

Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.

Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesub
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit
Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600
Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRU
How to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQ

Follow us on social:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodstoryco
Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco
Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco
NEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Mary is joined by NYT bestselling author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka to chat about his experience in children's publishing. He shares the challenges and gratifications of reaching across different age categories and the importance of illustrations in storytelling. Listen to hear his tips on writing within established franchises (like Star Wars), how to pivot a picture book idea into a graphic novel series, and memoir writing.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Website: https://www.studiojjk.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiojjk/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@studiojjk

Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you’re ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we’re here to help you.

Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com
Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership
Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com

Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.

Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesub
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit
Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600
Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRU
NEW RELEASE! How to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQ

Follow us on social:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodstoryco
Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco
Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco
NEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Danielle Marietta joins the podcast to discuss her publishing company, Books & Things Publishing, the children’s book sphere, and the importance of promoting diverse authors. Tune in to learn more about Danielle’s writing journey, and her tips on self-publishing, social media marketing, and connecting with your target audience.

Danielle Marietta
Website: https://www.daniellemariettabooks.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellemariettabooks/

Books & Things Publishing
Website: https://booksandthingspublishing.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/booksandthingspub/

Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you’re ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we’re here to help you.

Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com
Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership
Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com

Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.

Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesub
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit
Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600
Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRU
NEW RELEASE! How to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQ

Follow us on social:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodstoryco
Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco
Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco
NEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Romance author Allison Speka joins the pod to discuss her journey into writing and self-publishing. She talks about her love for the romance genre, and shares her experience with self-publishing, including tips on cover design, book marketing, and the value of learning from other indie authors.

Allison Speka:
Website: https://www.allisonspeka.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spekaallison

Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you’re ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we’re here to help you.

Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com
Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership
Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com

Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.

Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesub
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit
Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600
Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRU
NEW RELEASE! How to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQ 

Follow us on social:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodstoryco
Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco
Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco
NEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Editor and writing coach Katie Wolf joins the pod for an inspiring conversation about getting started in publishing, work-life balance, and writing to market. She also discusses the importance of prioritizing mental health and why self-awareness is key in developing your writing craft.

Katie Wolf:
Website: https://www.thekatiewolf.com/
Podcast-- Blank Page to Book: https://www.thekatiewolf.com/podcast/001
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekatiewolf/

"Bicycle Face" speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMRcWj_GKxY&ab_channel=reshmasaujani

Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you’re ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we’re here to help you.

Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com
Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership
Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com

Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.

Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesub
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit
NEW RELEASE! Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600

Follow us on social:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodstoryco
Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco
Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco
NEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Thriller vs. Suspense... what's the difference? Heather Dixon, whose debut novel Burlington hits shelves this week, chats with Mary Kole about getting published and the appeal of suspenseful women's fiction. She also discusses plotting high stakes, developing character arcs, and writing "quiet stories."

Heather Dixon:
Website: https://www.heatherdixon.ca/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hdixonwriter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherdixonwriter/

Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you’re ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we’re here to help you.

Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com
Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership
Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com

Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.

Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesub
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit
NEW RELEASE! Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600

Follow us on social:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodstoryco
Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco
Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco
NEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Rob Kent, author and host of the Middle Grade Ninja podcast, joins Mary Kole to talk about his illustrious publishing career and provides valuable insights and inspiration for aspiring writers. He discusses the importance of managing expectations and success in your writing career, as well as writing for your own personal happiness.

Rob Kent:
Website: http://www.middlegradeninja.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MGNinja

Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you’re ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we’re here to help you.

Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com
Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership
Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com

Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.

Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesub
Writing Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit
NEW RELEASE! Successful Query Letters: 40+ Real World Query Letters With Literary Agent Feedback: https://amzn.to/3WvZ600

Follow us on social:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodstoryco
Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco
Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco
NEW! Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/