The Ingenium Books Podcast

On this episode of The Ingenium Books Podcast we dive deep into the craft of storytelling and the art of writing. In today’s episode, we’re exploring a fundamental yet often underestimated element of great stories: setting. 

Whether your tale unfolds in a bustling city or a quiet countryside, whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, the way you use setting can shape your story’s tone, atmosphere, and emotional impact.

But setting is more than just a backdrop for your characters—when used effectively, it becomes a character in its own right, with its own personality, mood, and influence on the narrative. Today, we’ll unpack how to treat setting as a dynamic force in your writing, how to use it to reflect themes and character development, and why specific details matter.

We’ll also discuss how setting can drive your plot, evoke symbolism, and even shape your characters’ behaviors and choices. And, of course, we’ll touch on the importance of research and cultural sensitivity when crafting believable and immersive settings.

So, whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, stay tuned as we explore how to make the most of your story’s setting and transform it into a powerful storytelling tool. 

Our guest on this episode is Gila Green, a Canadian author of four novels, with a fifth and a sixth on the way. She has written books that span the Ottoman Empire, British-mandate Palestine, modern Israel, the Canada of the 1980s, present-day Canada, Johannesburg, and Kruger National Park in South Africa. She has a Masters Degree in Creative Writing She has taught creative writing, and she also teaches English as a Foreign Language at the Jerusalem College of Technology. 

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Are you a self-published author, pouring your heart and soul into your book only to face the heartbreak of returns? Picture this: a cautionary tale of a publisher forced to pay back royalties on a staggering 25,000 returned copies. The publishing industry is like a consignment store, where that initial sale to a bookstore is just the beginning of a risky ride. But fear not, because in this captivating episode, we unravel the secrets of protecting yourself financially, setting aside a reserve against returns. Stay tuned to discover how to navigate the treacherous waters of book returns and ensure your hard work doesn't go in vain.
Check your royalty report for the line item 'reserve against returns' and thank your publisher for protecting both of you. - John Wagner-Stafford

In this episode, you will:

• Learn how to protect yourself financially by setting aside a reserve against returns.
• Discover strategies for mitigating the risk of book returns in the publishing industry.
• Explore ways to proactively communicate directly with bookstores to minimize returns.
• Gain insights on how proactive marketing and increased visibility can help reduce returns.
• Understand the importance of establishing a reserve against returns to safeguard your earnings.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

1. Check your royalty reports for a line item that says reserve against returns to ensure your publisher is accounting for potential returns.
2. Ask your publisher about their accounting and tracking system to ensure that the amount withheld for returns is not offsetting another author's royalties.
3. Review your publishing agreement to see if it allows for returns and what the percentage and term for returns are. Ensure you understand the length of time the publisher can hold returns.
4. If you are self-publishing, make sure you understand how to communicate with distributors about returns. This may involve specific settings or instructions when uploading your book to platforms like KDP or Ingram.
5. Consider setting aside money in reserve to prepare for potential returns, especially if you are experiencing more returns than sales.
6. Stay informed about the publishing industry and keep up with best practices for handling returns to protect yourself as an author or publisher.

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In this riveting episode of The Ingenium Books Podcast, author Ivan Scott defies the odds as he shares his journey through more than 300 rejections from traditional publishers, overcoming dyslexia, and achieving his dreams. With his mantra of "find a way or find an excuse," Ivan's story and positive attitude will inspire you no matter what obstacles you face in your author journey. 

"With dyslexia, I have to go from A to B, over to C, then to D, then to E and F. Oh, okay, now I'm where I need to be. It just takes me a diftferen.t path to get tere. And now that I have figured out how to do it, that's the way that I roll." — Ivan Scott

In this episode, you will:

• Gain inspiration and practical insights on how one author has overcome dyslexia-related challenges in writing.
• Uncover the advantages of self-publishing when rejections from publishers mount.
• Learn about the impact dyslexia can have on your writing and how to navigate through it.
• Understand the importance of perseverance in your self-publishing journey.
• Gain a deeper understanding of the self-publishing journey and what it entails.
• Find motivation to pursue your dreams as an aspiring author with dyslexia.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Visit Ingenium Books website to learn more about their services and resources for authors.
• Check out Ivan Scott's website to discover his books and learn more about his writing journey.
• Purchase Ivan Scott's books on popular online platforms such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Book Depository.
• Consider self-publishing your own book with Ingenium Books if you're interested in taking control of your publishing journey.
• Explore the podcast episodes of the Ingenium Books podcast for more conversations and insights on author publishing.
• Connect with Ivan Scott on social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter to stay updated on his latest projects and writing updates.

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Author Kathy Wagner (no relation to the hosts) shares her journey to a traditional publishing offer, revealing the challenges of gaining media attention and recognition for her memoir, along with the joy of achieving what she had set out to do. 

Kathy's story shows us the value of perseverance, and teaches us that there is virtually no path to publishing that doesn't involve some hard work on behalf of the author. Listen as Kathy explores the opportunities and frustrations of being a new author, and pursues the visibility and success she seeks for her book. 

Being able to hold on to hope was a lifeline through early grief, and knowing that I could write this book with a purpose of providing hope for others gave me a pathway forward for my own healing. — Kathy Wagner

In this episode, you will learn about:

• The healing power of writing: how one author overcame the challenges of writing through trauma and grief to create a powerful and transformative literary work.
• Navigating the traditional publishing maze: gain insights into the hurdles and potential roadblocks of traditional publishing and learn effective strategies to overcome them.
• The need to be your own book promoter, even if you're traditionally published:  Discover proven strategies for promoting your book and reaching more of your target audience, increasing your chances of success in the competitive publishing industry.
• Identifying your target audience: Understand how to pinpoint the ideal readership  and tailor your book to resonate with them on a deeper level.
• Harness the power of exposure: Learn how to maximize opportunities,  increase your visibility as an author, and enhance your chances of success in the literary world.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Visit the Ingenium Books website to listen to the full episode of the Ingenium Books Books podcast featuring Kathy Wagner.
• Learn more about author Kathy Wagner and her memoir by visiting her website. 
• Purchase Kathy Wagner's memoir, Here with you: Memoir of Love, Family, and Addiction,  or through your preferred online retailer.
• Explore the Ingenium Books Books podcast for more episodes on authors, publishing, and writing.
• Reflect on the role of writing as a tool for processing and moving through grief, as discussed by Kathy Wagner in the writing of her memoir.
• Subscribe to the Ingenium Books newsletter for updates on new podcast episodes, book releases, and industry insights.
• Check out the Ingenium Books blog for articles and resources on writing, publishing, and marketing for authors.

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Thanks for listening! Find us wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel (@ingeniumbooks) or visit our website at ingeniumbooks.com. 

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If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by your lack of book sales, despite your efforts to utilize email marketing, then you are not alone. Many authors find themselves stuck in a cycle of sending out newsletters, freebies, and promotional emails, only to see minimal results. Instead of seeing increased book sales and stronger connections with readers, you may be experiencing low open rates, unresponsive subscribers, and a sense of wasted time and energy.

"Email is the most overlooked marketing channel, but it's the highest ROI channel with the highest engagement. It is — or it can be — a huge and active group of people, and it an an audience you own.  It's the most reliable and direct access you can have."
— Matt Treacey

In this episode, you will learn how to:

• Boost book sales and connect with readers through effective email marketing strategies.
• Unlock the power of email lists to maximize your author platform and reach a wider audience.
• Create a thriving ecosystem with your email list, fostering stronger relationships with your readers.
• Unleash the benefits of email marketing and watch your book sales soar.
• Personalize and segment your emails to engage readers on a deeper level, resulting in increased book sales and reader loyalty.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Sign up for Matt Treacey's email marketing consultation services: Visit Matt's website to learn more about his services and how he helps clients improve their email marketing strategy.

Purchase Matt Treacey's book Natural Orders: Email Marketing Automation Strategy for Small Online Business to discover valuable insights on taking your email strategy to the next level.

Join the Ingenium Books Books podcast community: Subscribe to the Ingenium Books Books podcast on your favorite podcast platform to stay updated on the latest episodes featuring authors, publishers, and changemakers.

Follow Matt Treacey on social media: Connect with Matt on social media platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram to stay updated on his latest insights and tips on email marketing.

Attend a webinar or workshop on email marketing: Keep an eye out for upcoming webinars or workshops hosted by Matt Treacey or other industry experts to deepen your knowledge and skills

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Do you aspire to be a TEDx speaker? Are you eager to achieve the desired outcome of becoming a captivating presenter on the TEDx stage? Look no further. In this episode, our esteemed guest, Ingenium Books' author Marjorie Aunos, shares her invaluable insights on how to navigate the process of becoming a TEDx speaker. With her expertise, you can unlock the key to becoming a compelling TEDx speaker and realize your dream of captivating audiences worldwide.

Every time I spoke, I felt more empowered, and I felt my message got clearer...my voice is still there. And because I am now a mom with a disability, my voice is actually louder, or it resonates differently to many different people.
— Marjorie Aunos, author of Mom on Wheels and TedX Speaker

In this episode you will find out about: 

• Mastering your writing voice for speech: Discover how to hone your unique writing voice and style to captivate listeners and stand out in a crowded market.
• The power of editing and revising: Learn why the editing and revising process is crucial for creating polished, impactful speech that resonates with the audience.
• How pursuing a TedX speaking slot can help you in marketing and promotion of your book, boosting visibility and sales and reaching a wider audience.
• Hear author Marjorie Aunos' personal experiences and stories from her path to getting on the TedX stage and share in her triumphs, challenges, and lessons learned on her journey.

 
The resources mentioned in this episode are: 

• Check out Marjorie Aunos' book, Mom on Wheels, available on Ingenium Books' website: https://ingeniumbooks.com/mom-on-wheels-by-marjorie-aunos/
• Watch Marjorie Aunos' TEDx Talk, titled What We can Learn fromParents with Disabilities, here: https://youtu.be/XeYYVz_PH30?si=wkczcpfwzdge95sw 
• Explore the TEDx website to learn more about the TEDx events and find upcoming events near you: https://www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/tedx-program
• Consider attending an Inspirational Speaking competition to experience the power of storytelling and public speaking.
• Subscribe to the Ingenium Books Podcast to discover more inspiring stories and insights from authors and changemakers.
• Share the podcast episode or Marjorie Aunos' TEDx Talk with others who may benefit from her message.
• Take the time to reflect on the power of solution-focused thinking and how it can positively impact your own life and parenting journey.

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• Learn the key strategies to create a successful and impactful book launch event that will leave a lasting impression on your audience.
• Understand the importance of gratitude and how recognizing collective effort can enhance your book launch event.
• Embrace new experiences and say yes to unexpected opportunities to expand your reach and make a bigger impact with your book launch.
• Explore the value of investing time in personal connections and discover how connecting with readers can enhance your book launch event.

Colleen Clark is a clinical social worker with over 40 years of experience. As a recognized trauma expert, Colleen had always felt the urge to share her knowledge and insights. Her book, "Come Passion: The Soulful ART of Healing Trauma," published in April 2023. Colleen soon realized the significance of celebrating this milestone in her career. She wanted her book launch event to be a memorable and impactful experience, a true celebration of collaboration and gratitude. Colleen meticulously planned every detail, from the venue to the decorations, ensuring that each element reflected her spiritual beliefs and the essence of her work. Feathers, symbolizing compassion and delicate healing, were intricately incorporated throughout the event, from the book covers to the decorations and even the cake. The program included speeches from supportive friends, colleagues, and even Colleen's own granddaughter, for a truly meaningful occasion. The event was a success, with attendees eagerly purchasing and requesting personalized signed copies of the book. Colleen's book launch event was a testament to the power of collaboration, compassion, and the belief that healing is possible for all.

Check out Colleen Clark's book Come Passion: The Soulful ART of Healing Trauma on Amazon. https://ingeniumbooks.com/cpaz

Learn more about Colleen E. Clark: https://ingeniumbooks.com/colleen-clark/

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Find us wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel (@ingeniumbooks) or visit our website at ingeniumbooks.com. 

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So, you've written the first draft of your book? Yay! Congratulations! But...does that mean it's ready to go to your editor? Does that mean it's ready for publishing? 

NO!

On this episode we're talking about your first round of self-editing, and we're going to lay out a process and an approach to help you get from here to there. I'm with Amie McCracken for this conversation. Amie is a publishing director, author, editor, typesetter, and proofreader. 

"Break down the daunting editing process into manageable steps to truly celebrate your progress and quantify how much further you need to go."  —Amie McCracken

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Break down complex layers of novel revision, learning processes for self-editing your manuscript.
• Learn the essence of structural editing, gaining insights into its role in maintaining the coherence and consistency of a story.
• Understand how to differentiate between scenes and chapters.
• Discover practical self-editing tools 
• Master the art of setting achievable deadlines, understanding the significance of time management in the self-editing process.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Celebrating the First Draft
00:03:06 - The Reverse Outline
00:08:21 - Structural Analysis of Chapters
00:12:26 - Questions to Ask About Scenes
00:15:23 - Scenes vs. Chapters
00:17:55 - The Importance of Editing and Drafting Separately
00:19:23 - Self-Editing Before Seeking Professional Help 
00:20:56 - Consistency and Smoothing
00:25:42 - The Final Polishing Stage
00:27:49 - Setting Deadlines and Stopping Editing

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Check out Amie McCracken's website https://www.amiemccracken.com/ to see her credentials as an author, editor, typesetter, and proofreader.
• Listen to more episodes of The Ingenium Books Podcast for valuable insights and tips on writing, editing, and publishing.
• Reflect on the importance of identifying your why before starting to write your book and the potential problems that can arise if you skip this step.
• Take the time to celebrate and congratulate yourself on completing the first draft of your book, as it is a significant accomplishment.
• Understand that even though you have finished your first draft, it is not necessarily yet ready for publishing or sending to an editor.
• Embrace the process of self-editing and learn about the steps involved in refining your manuscript.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Find us wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel (@ingeniumbooks) or visit our website at ingeniumbooks.com. 

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Are you prepared to challenge how you think about your writer's voice? If you think, as I did before this podcast interview, that your writer's voice is mainly how your personality shows through, you're in for a surprise. It's true that our "writing voice" is how we "sound" in our writing, or the persona your reader detects as they read your words. But it's also more than that. My new understanding is all thanks to the newest book by Anne Janzer, called The Writer's Voice. In the introduction to her book, Anne asks us to consider whether our writing voice lives in the words on the page. Or is it part of our personality as a writer? Or is it a bag of stylistic tricks? Or, even more intriguing to me, is what role the reader plays in determining our voice.

"Rhythm matters. Rhythm affects how when people have a chance for things to seep in and understand. Paragraph breaks give people organizational structure to inhabit the things that you're writing about.” —Anne Janzer

Whether you write fiction or nonficton, I believe this conversation could be a gamechanger for you.

Anne Janzer is a nonfiction book coach and the author of multiple award-winning books on writing, including The Writer’s Process and Writing to Be Understood.  She is fascinated by the science and mystery of writing, and is always searching for clues to better communication. 

In this episode, you will:

• Discover how an effective writer's voice can bolster your writing 
• See how you can blend creativity and analytical skills to drive more impact
• Explore the power of choosing the right words to enhance your work
• Gain insights into how reader perception trumps tone in your writing
• Explore the effect of engaging readers through your presence or absence in your work.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:01 - Introduction to The Writer's Voice
00:03:15 - Discovering and Shifting Writing Voices
00:08:01 - Playing with Punctuation
00:11:55 - The Inner Reading Voice and Rhythm
00:13:47 - The Muse and the Scribe
00:16:54 - The Importance of Both Muse and Scribe
00:18:04 - Words that Pack a Punch
00:21:51 - The Role of the Reader in Determining Voice
00:25:31 - Presence or Absence
00:28:37 - Writing Voices and Ghostwriting
00:32:28 - The Importance of Writing in the Book
00:33:44 - Discovering New Aspects of Voice
00:33:56 - Nonfiction Book Coaching and Geeky Talks
00:34:31 - The Fertile Void
00:35:08 - Find Out More about Anne Janzer

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Join us as David Morris, an independent publisher, shares his insights on the importance of understanding sales data and effectively communicating it to authors. But what happens when an author receives unexpected sales feedback that leaves them questioning their future in the industry? Find out in this episode of The Ingenium Books Podcast.

"In this small publishing environment, you have the opportunity to fix things. You can create a new model. You can work more quickly. I can pass more money on to authors. I can give far more attention to authors." - David Morris

If there is someone who appreciates values in the realm of independent publishing, it has to be David Morris. With a noteworthy career in executive roles in publishing, he brings a unique and broad perspective to the independent publishing landscape. His venture, Lake Drive Books, is a testament to this unique blend of knowledge and experience. David has been dedicated to understanding sales data and distilling it into meaningful insights for his authors, making him an indispensable resource for beginners and seasoned authors alike. .

In this episode you will:

• Uncover truths about the dynamic world of publishing, both its challenges and opportunities.
• Explore why an author's network can amplify an author's reach and impact.
• Understand the merit of long-haul commitment and why it's central to an author's success.
• Unravel how publishing can bridge gaps, forming a knowledgeable and empathetic community.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Visit the website of Lake Drive Books to discover their collection of books that help people heal, grow, and discover: https://www.lakedrivebooks.com/
• Subscribe to the Ingenium Books Books podcast to listen to more conversations with authors, publishers, and changemakers: https://www.ingeniumbookspodcast.com/
• Connect with David Morris on Hyponymous Consulting to learn more about his work as a literary agent and his expertise in helping authors and books that promote personal growth, healing, and discovery: https://www.hyponymous.com/
• Focus on building your online platform as an author, including developing an email list, engaging with your audience on social media, and offering valuable content and insights to attract readers to your books.
• Recognize that establishing an audience and achieving sales success in book publishing takes time and persistence. Avoid magical thinking and embrace the long game approach to building a following and growing your sales.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Find us wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel (@ingeniumbooks) or visit our website at ingeniumbooks.com. 

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