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Thriving Authors Podcast episodes
- Episode 138: Interview with Traci Skuce
In this episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with author Traci Skuce about what she calls the impossible longing – the thing that drives us, but it doesn't resolve. It’s a fascinating, layered approach to dive into the emotional heart of your characters.
Whether you are writing fiction or a memoir, I think you’ll really appreciate Traci’s insights as she shares:
The deeper motivations driving your characters' actions.
Why what they want isn't enough and how to tap into the deep ache that drives their journey.
Ways to explore the concept of longing in your writing.
Rituals you can use to not dwell in that impossible longing for too long.
Tuning into this basic human desire to belong to something that is greater than us is really key to connecting the reader to your characters on a deep and meaningful level.
And remember, my new book comes out next week! Pre-order your signed copy of YOUR BOOK MATTERS on or before December 4, 2023 and get bonus gifts like a printable calendar with fun star stickers that you can use to give yourself credit for all of your writing days and keep track of your progress, bookmarks, affirmations and meditations that I've recorded and even a 1:1 call with me. Go to bit.ly/preorderyourbookmatters for all the info.
About Traci:
Traci Skuce lives, writes, and swims on the traditional and unceded territories of the Sahtloot, Sasitla, Ieeksun and Puntledge peoples. Her work has appeared in several literary journals throughout North America. In April 2020, her short story collection, Hunger Moon, was released by NeWest Press and was a finalist for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize. Also, in 2020, Traci founded The Writing Journey, an online creative writing school for fiction and memoir writers who want to finish their stories and get them out into the world. Connect with her on Instagram at @traciskuce.thewritingjourney
21 min - Episode 137: Tips for Your Author Photo Shoot
In this solo episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m sharing how to maximize your photo shoot experience so you come away with wonderful photos that you can use in your book and marketing materials.
Even if you're someone who doesn't like getting your picture taken, these tips will help you enjoy your photo shoot and see this as a special moment for yourself.
I’m sharing:
What you can do to look more natural in front of the camera, even if, like me, you're not the most camera-friendly person.
How to decide what to wear so that your personality shines through.
Ways the location impacts the overall feeling your photo evokes.
A simple tip that will bring freshness into your expressions, especially when the fatigue of smiling sets in.
What I was thinking about as I was being photographed!
I hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes glimpse and learn from some of my mistakes when it comes to the timing of your photo shoot!
And as I mentioned, my new book, YOUR BOOK MATTERS, comes out extremely soon. I’m so excited that it is available for pre-order now with some bonus gifts like a printable calendar with fun star stickers that you can use to give yourself credit for all of your writing days and keep track of your progress, bookmarks, affirmations and meditations that I've recorded and even a 1:1 call with me. Order your signed copies to get these bonus gifts while they’re available – and in time for holiday gifting. Go to bit.ly/preorderyourbookmatters for all the info.
31 min - Episode 136: Interview with Jill Lacsa
In this episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m thrilled to be joined by Jill Lacsa, a confidence coach who helps women follow their dreams, whether that’s to write a book or pursue other passions.
Jill gives examples of:
A reframe you can use when you're worried about rejection.
What happens when we let fear take over our thoughts.
How to step into discomfort so that you can take action.
What the crucial step is when it comes to building confidence.
Why boundaries are so important and how to get better at holding them.
Affirmations that will grow your confidence.
If you have a book idea inside of your heart, one that you've been thinking about for a long time, this episode is your nudge to explore if confidence is the barrier to you taking action!
And if you are an entrepreneur who wants to write and publish the book inside your heart, I would love for you to join me in my free Facebook group, Women Entrepreneurs Becoming Best Selling Authors. We discuss podcast episodes, I regularly go live with free challenges and you may even meet your new writing partner to swap pages with!
About Jill:
Jill Lacsa is a Women's Confidence Coach who helps women pursue their dreams by helping them break through confidence barriers, so they can live their happiest life!
19 min - Episode 135: Why I Believe Your Book Matters
In this solo episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m delving into why I titled my new book Your Book Matters and why this is something I believe so deeply.
Recently, a wonderful listener emailed me in response to a podcast episode where I mentioned my soon-to-be-released book title. They shared that most books don’t actually matter– that with a creative pursuit you’re the only one it matters to, otherwise you’re setting yourself up for major disappointment.
Listen in as I respond with:
How I see this as a "yes and" situation.
Why it’s important to focus on the reasons that your book matters to yourself.
Why I firmly believe your book will matter to other people.
How knowing what motivates you allows you to design the best accountability system for yourself.
Intangible ways that we can measure our success and impact on others.
I always love engaging in dialogue with you and getting your feedback, so reach out and share your thoughts with me directly or in our free Facebook Group, Women Entrepreneurs Becoming Best-Selling Authors.
While I'm in the home stretch of launching my new book, coming out in early December, it's not too late to join my launch team!! It takes a village to launch a book, and I'd be so grateful to have you as part of my village. If you're interested in joining the launch team for Your Book Matters: 52 love notes from my creative heart to yours, join here: bit.ly/yourbookmatterslaunchteam.
30 min - Episode 134: Interview with Louise Nayer
In this episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m delighted to talk with author Louise Nayer whose latest book is a memoir entitled Narrow Escapes. I really loved her warmth and vulnerability as she shared about her writing journey and her work in the fields of memoir and poetry.
Plus, I've started implementing something that she shared in our conversation about having a weekly writing night! Listen to hear more about that, as well as:
Advice for juggling parenthood with teaching, writing and working on your own projects.
The childhood event that led her to accidentally write poetry.
How she received a phone call and invitation to meet for coffee from Isabel Allende!!!
Her transition from writing poetry to writing prose.
The role her teaching played along her writing journey.
And, did you hear? I’m launching my book 📖 Your Book Matters: 52 love notes from my creative heart to yours 😍 SOON and I want YOU to be a part of the launch team! As part of the launch team you get a FREE digital copy of the book (plus you get to read it in advance of publication), access to a special bonus call with me, and a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card to treat yourself to all fresh writing supplies & your favorite snacks! Join the team here: bit.ly/yourbookmatterslaunchteam
About Louise:
Louise Nayer is an author, memoirist, poet, and writing teacher. Her latest book is a memoir entitled Narrow Escapes. Haunted by a terrible accident and adrift in love, Louise Nayer takes us on a captivating journey filled with danger and romance through Morocco, New York City and finally on a solo journey to California thousands of miles from her home. Set in the early 70s at a time of cataclysmic change in America, Narrow Escapes will resonate with all who need to release themselves from a difficult past as they search for joy and home.
23 min - Episode 133: Tips for Writing Your Book Description
In this solo episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m excited to share what has helped me write my back cover and my longer book descriptions. I even give an example of the description from my new book coming out this December called “Your Book Matters: 52 love notes from my creative heart to yours.”
On the surface, writing your book description seems pretty simple…but it is super common to struggle with this task because you need to condense so much into a short space! To write a compelling book description, you need to 1) give the reader a sense of what your book is about; 2) introduce the reader to your own authentic voice and style; 3) sell your book; 4) grab the reader’s attention and leave them wanting more!
I dive into:
The distinction between your book description and your back cover description.
Some exercises that are really helpful with taking away the pressure and stress of writing the description of your book.
Why I recommend writing your book description before you reach the end of your manuscript.
How to grab the reader’s attention in your book description.
A little trick I use to hone in on how to write to the ideal reader of your book.
Curious to see the full description of my soon-to-be-released book – and the differences between the longer description for the sales page and the shorter description for the back cover? I’m sharing this little behind-the-scenes peek with my book launch team so I invite you to join the launch team here: bit.ly/yourbookmatterslaunchteam 📖 🚀
I also welcome you to come join me in my Women Entrepreneurs Becoming Best Selling Authors Facebook group and share YOUR book description so we can cheer you on and share feedback!
33 min - Episode 132: Interview with Jessica Flory
In this episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m excited to be talking with Jessica Flory about her debut novel Oceans of Sand, a clean fantasy romance. It was fun to hear what it has been like for her in this season of taking her book from draft to published and also celebrating that she's working on her sequel right now too!
I just love her energy and her vulnerability as she shared:
How she managed her disappointment and discouragement when trying to get published.
Why she recommends going to writers conferences and the value she’s found in attending them.
What she did during the waiting period between signing her book contract and seeing it on the shelf.
When she decided that she was going to write a sequel.
How the process of writing the sequel was different from the first one, what challenges came up and how she was able to overcome them.
What she tells herself to get negative reviews out of her head.
I think you’ll find how she developed a habit of writing consistently for 15 minutes a day very inspiring!
And, did you hear? I’m launching my book 📖 Your Book Matters: 52 love notes from my creative heart to yours 😍 SOON and I want YOU to be a part of the launch team! As part of the launch team you get a FREE digital copy of the book (plus you get to read it in advance of publication), access to a special bonus call with me, and a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card to treat yourself to all fresh writing supplies & your favorite snacks! Join the team here: bit.ly/yourbookmatterslaunchteam
About Jessica:
Jessica Flory writes clean fantasy/romance. She has a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from BYU, Provo, and she uses that science background to dream up cool settings and magic systems. Jessica has been a proud member of the Hot Mess Writers Critique Group since 2013.
Jessica is a mom of three crazy boys and one girl. She is a fitness instructor and an avid baker. When she’s not writing, she can be found chasing her kids, making a mess in the kitchen, or reading with her husband. Connect with her at jessicaflory.com.
30 min - Episode 131: Interview with Margo Candela
In this episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m delighted to be talking with author Margo Candela about her writing journey and The Neapolitan Sisters, her fifth novel and her first after a decade-long hiatus from writing.
Margo has some wonderful tips and advice to share, including:
What she pulled from her training as a journalist that has really helped her in her writing life.
Why she doesn’t think she’s realized her full potential yet.
How thinking purely creatively felt like a huge indulgence for her.
The deliberate choices she makes when structuring her stories.
How she was able to set aside her own bias against one of her own characters and eventually grow compassion for her.
And so many more nuggets of wisdom!
There are lessons here for all of us, no matter what type of writer you are or where you are in your writing journey. Enjoy the conversation!
And, did you hear? I’m launching my book 📖 Your Book Matters: 52 love notes from my creative heart to yours 😍 SOON and I want YOU to be a part of the launch team! If you're excited about getting behind-the-scenes sneak peeks of MY current marketing plan in action, I invite you to join me! As part of the launch team you get a FREE digital copy of the book (plus you get to read it in advance of publication), access to a special bonus call with me, and a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card to treat yourself to all fresh writing supplies & your favorite snacks! Join the team here: https://mailchi.mp/94cfc79377a0/your-book-matters-launch-team-sign-up
About Margo:
Margo Candela was born and raised in Los Angeles and began her writing career when she joined Glendale Community College’s student newspaper. She transferred to San Francisco State University as a journalism major, and upon graduation began writing for websites and magazines before writing her first two novels, Underneath It All and Life Over Easy. She returned to Los Angeles to raise her son and wrote More Than This and Good-bye to All That. The Neapolitan Sisters is her fifth novel and her first after a decade-long hiatus from writing. She now lives in San Francisco. Learn more at MargoCandela.com.
26 min - Episode 130: How to Create Your Book Marketing Plan
In this solo episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m diving into how to create a marketing plan for your book. Marketing, promoting and launching feel so much less overwhelming when you have a plan in place!
I share a few journal prompts that are really helpful to brainstorm and also explain:
How to avoid getting completely burned out and not wanting to do any marketing.
The best sort of publicity that you can get that will lead to book sales.
A menu of ideas that you can get excited about when creating your plan.
A mindset shift so you don’t feel icky or salesy when sharing about your book.
Examples of special little extra goodies you can send to everybody who preorders your book.
What materials are really helpful to have ready when you’re pitching different media marketing opportunities.
And more!
I’m launching my book 📖 Your Book Matters: 52 love notes from my creative heart to yours 😍 SOON and I want YOU to be a part of the launch team! If you're excited about getting behind-the-scenes sneak peeks of MY current marketing plan in action, I invite you to join me! As part of the launch team you get a FREE digital copy of the book (plus you get to read it in advance of publication), access to a special bonus call with me, and a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card to treat yourself to all fresh writing supplies & your favorite snacks! Join the team here: https://mailchi.mp/94cfc79377a0/your-book-matters-launch-team-sign-up
And I would love to invite you to join me in Thriving Authors Academy. I’ll help you feel inspired and empowered throughout the creative process, from first seed of an idea to finished manuscript… and then polished manuscript… and then beautiful published book with your name on the cover. This round goes from October 7, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Find out more at www.ThrivingAuthorsAcademy.com39 min - Episode 129: Interview with Miriam Ilgenfritz
In this episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m talking with Miriam Ilgenfritz, a wonderful author who also happens to be a client of mine! It was such a treat to chat with her about her books, her writing journey and a bit about her experience as being part of Thriving Authors Academy.
I think you'll find our conversation inspiring if you have a book inside of you as well.
Miriam shared how she:
Avoids getting distracted by research while writing historical fiction.
Makes time to write despite everything she has going on as a wife, mom of 16 kids, and tending to her farm.
Pursues writing in multiple genres.
Moves past comparison and feeling stuck when writing.
After listening, if you’re ready to get YOUR story out into the world, then I invite you to join me in Thriving Authors Academy. I’ll help you feel inspired and empowered throughout the creative process, from first seed of an idea to finished manuscript… and then polished manuscript… and then beautiful published book with your name on the cover. This round goes from October 7, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Find out more at www.ThrivingAuthorsAcademy.com
About Miriam:
Miriam Ilgenfritz lives on a farm established before the Revolutionary War, on one side of a mountain in Dornsife, Pennsylvania. Her house is 170 years old and sometimes living in it feels that way. She and her husband Mark have raised 16 kids in this house, but since they live in Amish country she doesn’t stand out all that much at the grocery store. The kids turned out pretty well, considering that they didn’t have rooms of their own or expensive summer camps, and most have now gone off to do interesting things with their lives. Her latest release is a novel called Emily's Story. You can connect with her at https://miriamilgenfritz.com
24 min
About Thriving Authors Podcast
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to the Thriving Authors Podcast, where we delve into all aspects of what it takes to get your dream book out of your heart, onto the page and into the world, connecting with a wide audience of…
readers. On this podcast, you will find behind-the-scenes lessons from my own book-writing and publishing journey, interviews with successful published authors, and tips and advice you can start using today to move you forward in your writing life.