Jeanne reunites with author Patricia Shanae Smith after first meeting years ago at a writer's conference. Patricia shares insights into speed pitching, getting her debut novel published—then republished by a different press—and pivoting into screenwriting, all while juggling running a restaurant and writing more novels.

And, yes, we talked about dead bodies. Of course we did. 

Resources from this episode:
Patricia's novel, Remember, re-released by Parnassus Books
Trailer for Remember
Patricia on Instagram: @patriciashanaesmith

Patricia's Bio: At six years old Patricia Shanae Smith saw her first dead body, sparking a lifetime passion for writing that would lead to a career in crime fiction and screenwriting. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Smith was inspired by the power of escapism in television to begin writing stories worse than her personal life. As an adult Smith moved to Nashville where she continued her writing career at Belmont University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Motion Pictures with a focus in screenwriting. While at Belmont Smith directed two short films, finished her second novel, and wrote four pilot television scripts; of course, the majority of these publications included a dead body. Smith loves to be part of the storytelling process, whether that takes place on screen or page, and hopes to help consumers escape from their own chaotic lives through her work. Connect with her at www.patriciashanaesmith.com

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

It was a pure delight to speak with Nancy Doyne, screenwriter of What Maisie Knew—an insightful character film, starring Julianne Moore. Now, Nancy's debut novel, Ten Swamps, will be out on November 25th (published by Pointed Leaf Press).

We dive into writing the topic of childhood trauma, and real-life stories, as well as her transition from writing for film to writing novels. 

Pre-order Ten Swamps.

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

Matt and Jeanne chat with middle-grade author and graphic novelist, Karina Evans about her writing routine, juggling genres, navigating writing advances ... oh, and the days when she was an intern for Pipeline!

Lots of great writing advice that we all need to hear.

Resources from this episode:
Karina's website
Karina on IG: @karinaewrites
Karina's Linktree

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

Chantelle Aimée Osman shares advice on queries, editing, and the first 50 pages. And there's talk of upholstery. Just listen. You won't regret it.

Resources:

• Chantelle's Symposium "Beyond the Query: The First 50 Pages" (on Wednesday, July 23rd ... all registrants receive a copy of the recording)
• Chantelle's Symposium Host Page
• Chantelle's Website
• 22 Literary (for Chantelle's consulting services)

Chantelle on Socials:

• IG: @SuspenseSiren
• X: @SuspenseSiren
• BlueSky: @suspensesiren.bsky.social

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

Matt and Jeanne chat with Clay Stafford—author, producer, actor, poet, and liver of life. Honestly, the list of his talents is longer than this episode. 

Listen to Clay's story of breaking in, the importance of networking, the power of the hustle, and tips for writing in multiple mediums and working with mentors. The advice might just change your perspective on the craft of writing.

Check Clay’s site, and sign up for his Success Points newsletter. He also has an educational platform, The Balanced Writer. 

Of course, mystery and thriller fans should check out Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference, and sign up for Killer Nashville Magazine (free)

Follow Clay on social media:
Facebook
X: @ClayStafford
IG: @claystafford

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

The story indeed can save you ... from corporate hell ... but you have to be more creative then ever these days to financially survive as a writer. Jeanne and Ciara talk with New York Times bestselling author, J.D. Barker, about quitting a job to dive head first into a writing career ... and so much more! 

J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is an international bestselling American author
whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating
elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.

Resources from this episode:

J.D. Barker's website
J.D. Barker on X: @jdbarker
J.D.'s new book, We Don't Talk About Emma
J.D. Barker's Books
Something I Keep Upstairs contest: Win an overnight stay in a haunted house on a secluded island!
Author Nation Conference in Las Vegas
"Writer's, Ink" podcast by J.D. Barker

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

Writer Erin Hemenway shares her path from circus youngin' to screenwriter to self-published author ... who created a Naughty Mrs. Claus.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Resources from this episode:
The Night Before Christmas by Erin Hemenway
Erin Hemenway's website
Erin on IG: @erin.go.write
Erin on TikTok: @erin.go.write
Erin on Facebook

Symposium's mentioned:
Step-by-Step Guide to Indie Publishing Success (discounted bundle)
Self-Publishing: The Fundamentals and Beyond

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

Ciara Duggan and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman joined a recent Coverfly educational day of fun by leading a Q&A with a live audience on the value of adapting screenplays into novels.

But wait, there's more!

Insights on the publishing process, acquiring an agent, and self-publishing tips were discussed, as well. We left no stone unturned.

Resources from this episode:
Scrivener Software
Symposium's "Self-Publishing: Fundamentals and Beyond"
Symposium's "One-on-One with Writer Beware's Victoria Strauss"

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

A random chat about conferences, setting expectations as an author, and why screenwriters and authors should hang together.

Resources from this episode:
Bouchercon
Thrillerfest

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

Ciara and Jeanne dive into audiobook production with actor and professional book narrator Megan Tusing.

Megan shares everything you never knew about the audiobook world, including working with publishers, indie authors, and what an author should ask for when selling their audiobooks.

One thing shouldn't surprise you though ... the need for research and great communication.

If you're an audiobook listener or an author wanting to know how it works, this one's for you.

Keep tabs on Megan's work:
X: @megantusing
Every link you need for Megan on LinkTree
Little But Fierce Productions

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists