The TufFish Show

Welcome Densie Webb to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more.

Densie's approach to "go against the grain" and served her well and such, she shared tips and ideas to help writers come through their path to write their book as "there is no right way." We talked through the editing process, including when you might want to switch points of view (POV) to strengthen your story.

Densie Webb (not Denise) has spent a long career as a freelance nonfiction writer and editor, specializing in health and nutrition, and has published several books on the topic. She grew up in Louisiana, spent 13 years in New York City, and settled in Austin, TX. She is an avid walker (not of the dead variety, though she adores zombies, vampires and apocalyptic stories), drinks too much coffee, and has a small “devil dog” that keeps her on her toes.

Visit http://www.densiewebb.com

Book purchase link: When Robins Appear

Welcome Julie Valerie to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more.

Julie shared nugget after nugget including how to work through the structure of your book, the difference between the book theme and its message, story having energy as well as how to get to the end of the first draft.  So much goodness, you won't want to miss it!

Julie Valerie married her college sweetheart, and they live in Virginia with their four children and two English Labradors. She is the bestselling author of Holly Banks Full of Angst and The Peculiar Fate of Holly Banks, Books 1 & 2 in the Village of Primm series, both with Lake Union Publishing. Learn more about Julie and subscribe to her newsletter at julievalerie.com.

Visit julievalerie.com

Book purchase links - 

Holly Banks Full of Angst and The Peculiar Fate of Holly Banks

Available in paperback, ebook, and audio (Audible, MP3 + CD) wherever books are sold. Also available in libraries. 

Welcome Michelle Mazur to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more.

This powerful conversation with Dr. Michelle demonstrated the importance of positioning and messaging your book, whether it's fiction or non-fiction, especially since "publishing is the start of a marathon." We also talked about when it's time to create a new edition for your previously published book and how to determine when something should be included in a book versus a different format, like a podcast or blog.

Michelle Mazur is a messaging expert who works with brilliant business owners who are shaking things up but having trouble talking about it. She combines the tools of successful social movements with the qualitative research skills she earned in her Communications Ph.D. to help them craft their powerful, captivating message.

Visit www.drmichellemazur.com

Book purchase link: 3 Word Rebellion 

Welcome Jenn Bouchard to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more.

By seeking spaces where she could listen to published authors share their stories and tips, Jenn leveraged what she learned to help create write, publish and promote her first novel that includes a love of food and coastal Maine. Jenn shared some creative ways for cultivating her brand's awareness, which is so important as an author and running a business.

Jenn Bouchard's debut novel First Course was published in 2021 by TouchPoint Press. Her short stories have appeared in the Bookends Review, Litbreak Magazine, the Penmen Review, and the Little Patuxent Review. A high school social studies teacher of 22 years, she lives in the Boston suburbs with her husband and two children.

Visit www.jennbouchard.com

Book purchase links:

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/first-course/9781952816499

Amazon (US): https://amzn.to/3CP19BO

Book Depository (worldwide): https://tidd.ly/3kt1Iu3

Welcome Stacey Aaronson to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more.

This episode is full of so much wisdom as Stacey shares what happens when she followed her inner knowing on a soul level to write her memoir. During our conversation, Stacey shared the importance of relevance and structure, especially as it relates to memoir. We also talked about beta readers and some tips for how to vet, so it's a good fit for all of you.

As a lifelong grammar nerd and lover of books, Stacey Aaronson has been in her element for the last ten years: building books for her author clients as a ghostwriter, editor, cover designer, layout artist, and publishing partner within her business The Book Doctor Is In. She finally fulfilled her own dream of becoming a published author when her memoir, Raising, and Losing, My Remarkable Teenage Mother, was released in June 2021. Stacey lives a quiet, creative life on an island in Washington state with her partner of 22 years, their Maine Coon kitty, and a delightful plethora of deer, birds, and squirrels. 

Visit www.staceyaaronson.com

Book purchase link:

Signed books (my website): www.staceyaaronson.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Losing-Remarkable-Teenage-Mother/dp/1736460501

IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781736460511

Welcome Meredith Stoddard to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more.

Meredith shared so much goodness about things to think about when writing a series as well as techniques she uses to ensure each book aligns to its theme while strengthening the series. She also shared some tips for balancing her time and energy between writing and promoting her series. 

Meredith R. Stoddard writes folklore-inspired fiction from her writing shed in Virginia. She studied literature and folklore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. before working as a corporate trainer and instructional designer. Her love of storytelling is inspired by years spent listening to stories at her grandmother's kitchen table. She also advocates for the preservation of traditional fiber arts and the Scottish Gaelic language.

Visit http://www.meredithstoddard.com/

Book purchase links:

The River Maiden

Cauldron

Thrice To Thine

Nothing Good Gets Away

Welcome Ellen Goodwin to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more.

Permission to be brave and how energy patterns impact our work as writers were key nuggets from this wonderful interview with Ellen. She shared her insights for the cause of procrastination as well as different methods to overcome it when we face it. As writers, sometimes one of the hardest things to do is turn a blank page with a blinking cursor into a draft, and the wisdom Ellen shares in this episode are gold to get unstuck and writing again.

Ellen Goodwin is a productivity consultant, TEDx speaker, and author who uses neuroscience-based principles to enable individuals and businesses to overcome all types of procrastination, be more focused and manage their energy instead of their time to be more efficient effective with their lives. Ellen believes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to productivity, which is why she advocates for experimentation to find the tools and techniques that will work seamlessly with your life and your business, no matter what you want to accomplish. She is the author of DONE: How To Work When No One Is Watching and the co-host of The Faster, Easier, Better Show podcast.

Visit https://ellengoodwin.com

Book purchase link: DONE: How To Work When No One Is Watching

Welcome Mary Helen Sheriff to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more.

Mary's experience showed how embracing change is so vital as an author. With her debut novel, she changed genres, POVs and character leads, yet each change made her writing, thus her book, stronger. She shared how she navigated these changes as well as the community she's created that's all about books and travel.

Mary Helen Sheriff is the author of the award-winning southern women’s fiction, Boop and Eve’s Road Trip. She serves as the CEO of Bookish Road Trip and a blogger at “...the gift of story.” After 14 years teaching elementary school, middle school, college, and professionals, Mary has taken a break from the classroom to focus on writing. She has an MFA from Hollins University, an MA from Old Dominion University, and a BA from UVA. She lives in Henrico County, Virginia with her two children, two cats, and one husband.

Visit maryhelensheriff.com

Book purchase links:

Print book: https://bookshop.org/a/22556/9781631527630 (or any online book retailer)

ebook: https://books2read.com/boopandeve

Welcome Linda Rosen to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more.

From leveraging a writer's workshop, to working with a book coach, to forging new networks, Linda demonstrates over and over again the power of connection, community and relationships as a writer. The insights she shared showed how creativity in all its forms help you go from concept to a manuscript ready for publishing.

Linda Rosen's books are set in the "not-to-distant past" and examine how women reinvent themselves despite obstacles thrown their way. A central theme is that blood is not all that makes a family - and they always feature a piece of jewelry! Her debut novel, The Disharmony of Silence, released one week before Covid shut the world down and her sophomore novel, Sisters of the Vine, published one year later. Linda is a snowbird living half the year in New Jersey, with her husband, and when she has to swap sandals for shoes and socks, they head to Florida.

Visit www.linda-rosen.com

Book purchase links:

The Disharmony of Silence and Sisters of the Vine

Welcome C. D'Angelo to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more.

Following your voice and focusing on the next step versus the whole staircase was the theme of this conversation with the amazing C D'Angelo. She shared nuggets for bringing a book to life by working with a community, whether it's an editor or two or a supportive group of fellow authors, as well as the importance of having a brand as an author.

C. D’Angelo is an Italian American author living in Winter Garden, Florida with her husband. She has been a psychotherapist for twenty years and began writing in 2013 to add to her many hobbies (playing ukulele, drawing, painting, crocheting, cross stitching, sewing, and any other craft available to try!). Soon writing became more than a hobby and now her passions and life experiences have made their way into her relatable stories of the Italian culture in women's fiction. The Difference is her debut novel, and more stories are on the way.

Visit www.cdangeloauthor.com

Book purchase link: The Difference