ISSN 2978-235X (Online)

Episode 206 of The Writing and Marketing Show podcast explores why accurate research is the foundation of trust in both historical and contemporary books and how even small errors can shape public understanding, reinforce myths, and damage an author’s credibility. It explains what good research really looks like in practice, from verifying sources and context to distinguishing between first-hand evidence and later interpretation. The piece also highlights the real-world consequences of getting facts wrong and offers practical habits writers can adopt to strengthen transparency, reliability, and reader confidence. Listen now to deepen your understanding of research accuracy and its importance to writers. Get ready to nail down that research and gain readers trust.

Get full access to Write and Publish With Wendy H. Jones at writepublishwithwendyhjones.substack.com/subscribe

ISSN 2978-235X (Online)

A realistic reset for writers who are tired of negotiating with themselves

What if this year isn’t about more discipline, but more honesty?

In this episode, I talk about the quiet excuses that keep writers stuck, not because we’re lazy, but because we’re protecting ourselves. And how those reasonable delays slowly cost us momentum and trust.

This isn’t a pep talk. It’s a reset, a conversation about lowering the bar, reducing friction, and redefining what constitutes pages.

We cover:

* Why our excuses feel so convincing

* The hidden cost of not writing

* Why fewer excuses doesn’t mean more pressure

* What “more pages” really means

* One simple practice you can carry through the year

You don’t need a new system, just fewer reasons not to begin.

This can be the year of fewer excuses and more pages.

Get full access to Write and Publish With Wendy H. Jones at writepublishwithwendyhjones.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I break down how to craft rich, immersive settings without stopping the story dead with bulky exposition. Learn how to use character perspective, action, sensory detail, and dialogue to make your world come alive, naturally and seamlessly. You can find my substack - Write and Publish With Wendy H. Jones on https://substack.com/@writepublishwithwendyhjones

Get full access to Write and Publish With Wendy H. Jones at writepublishwithwendyhjones.substack.com/subscribe

Get your books ready for the busiest sales season of the year! In this festive episode, we unpack smart, stress-free strategies to market your books for Christmas. It’s time to start a buzz and ge those book sales moving.

Get full access to Write and Publish With Wendy H. Jones at writepublishwithwendyhjones.substack.com/subscribe

ISSN 2978-235X (Online)

Staring at a blank page? You’re not alone. In this episode I’m taking a look at writer’s block and providing real strategies that can get your creative juices flowing again. I cover the common causes of writers block and outlines easy to implement strategies that you can use immediately. Whether your suffering from writers block, or want to arm yourself for the future, today’s episode is for you.

Get full access to Write and Publish With Wendy H. Jones at writepublishwithwendyhjones.substack.com/subscribe

Struggling to start your story? Dreading the blank page? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not broken. In this episode of The Writing and Marketing Show we’re tackling one of the most common and paralysing parts of the writing process - the first draft.

You’ll learn how to shift your mindset, ditch perfectionism, and actually enjoy the messy magic of getting your words down. Whether you’re writing a novel, a blog, or a script, this episode is your permission slip to write badly, bravely, and without fear.

Get full access to Write and Publish With Wendy H. Jones at writepublishwithwendyhjones.substack.com/subscribe

In this heartfelt return to The Writing and Marketing Show,I open up about the unexpected life events and injury that led to an extended break — and how the journey through recovery reshaped my creative process.

This episode is a personal reflection on the realities of approaching burnout, the importance of honouring your physical and emotional wellness, and the power of returning to creativity on your own terms.

If you’ve ever had to pause your writing or creative work due to life’s curveballs, this episode is for you.

Get full access to Write and Publish With Wendy H. Jones at writepublishwithwendyhjones.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when life throws you more curveballs than you can catch? After a year filled with personal challenges like a house flood, a fire, and a painful arm injury, I'm back to share my journey and triumphs. Despite these setbacks, I've successfully launched a new cozy mystery anthology under my Scott and Lawson imprint, bringing together the creative talents of 12 remarkable authors. In this episode, we'll explore the fascinating world of anthology publishing, dissecting different models—whether contributors are paid upfront or earn royalties. We'll unravel the strategic decisions behind whether an anthology should stand alone or become part of a series, and how branding plays a crucial role in these projects.

Publishing a Christmas-themed anthology involves more than just stringing stories together. I reveal the meticulous process of editing and formatting with vellumpub, adding unique touches like snowflake ornament breaks to create a magical reading experience. Discover the importance of author bios, blurbs, and even a festive recipe to enhance the book's appeal. We'll discuss our distribution strategy for both e-books and paperbacks, how pre-orders can boost visibility, and the pricing tactics ensuring fair compensation for all contributors. Wrapping up, I offer a heartfelt thank you to our listeners and invite you to stay connected through Patreon and social media, eager to see you join us next week for more engaging conversations.

Get full access to Write and Publish With Wendy H. Jones at writepublishwithwendyhjones.substack.com/subscribe

Unlock the secrets of authentic historical storytelling with historian and author Lexi Cunningham as we paint the past with words. From the serene setting of Westerwood Hotel and Spa in Scotland, our writing retreat provides the perfect backdrop for this rich discourse on infusing your fiction with the hues of history. We venture beyond the surface of online encyclopedias, diving into the depths of scholarly texts and the whispering tales of old graveyards to create characters that resonate with truth. The art of capturing the essence of bygone eras in narrative form is a delicate one, where the choice of a single word can mean the difference between maintaining the period's authenticity or shattering the illusion.

Journey with us as we explore the corridors of museums and tread the cobblestones of historic sites to bring you invaluable insights into crafting believable settings. Lexi and I reflect on the balances struck between language of the past and reader accessibility, sharing our methodologies for steering clear of anachronisms, with my own creative choices in my Viking series as a case study. The episode is a wellspring of inspiration for fellow writers seeking to navigate the complex interplay of fact and fiction, to breathe life into the pages of history, and to create a world so vivid, readers can almost reach out and touch the threads of time.

Get full access to Write and Publish With Wendy H. Jones at writepublishwithwendyhjones.substack.com/subscribe

Discover the magic that unfolds when setting takes center stage in a novel, transforming lifeless backdrops into dynamic entities with a soul of their own. This week, best-selling author Danny Petrie joins me, Wendy H Jones, to unravel the secrets behind crafting settings that captivate and characters who resonate with readers like old friends. Amidst the rugged Alaskan wilderness and the vibrant streets of Santa Fe, we delve into the art of choosing the perfect locale to reflect the essence of our stories, and how these choices impact every twist and turn of the narrative.

As an author who loves to sketch out the bones of dialogue and action, I share my unique process of dressing these bare frameworks with the flesh of immersive settings. Danny and I discuss the balance required to maintain narrative momentum without sacrificing the rich tapestry of descriptive detail that brings a world to life—especially crucial in genres where the stakes are high, and the suspense is thicker than fog. Our talk is a celebration of storytelling, marked by the release of "One Wrong Move," a novel that epitomizes the harmony of setting and plot in a thrilling dance of intrigue.

To all fellow writers and fervent readers, our conversation is a tribute to the craft that unites us. I offer gratitude for your unwavering support and invite you to join the community that fosters these insightful dialogues. Your patronage on Patreon ensures the continuity of this creative exchange, and for that, I thank you. Remember, the journey continues next week with another inspiring guest, and I eagerly anticipate sharing more wisdom that lights the path for your literary adventures.

Get full access to Write and Publish With Wendy H. Jones at writepublishwithwendyhjones.substack.com/subscribe