Kevin T. Johns admits he doesn't know it all—but his focus remains on helping writers improve their craft, and his simple way of conveying his message and his enthusiasm make him a blast to engage. We discussed managing schedules, how to write when everything around you doesn't allow much time, and how to tackle the overall process. Kevin's own approach is both unique and familiar, and his decision to jump into the publishing world as both an author and a writing coach is inspiring!

We've talked about this for a long time, and she's finally here! Jenny Trout is both a popular author and the snarky blogger behind the 50 Shades of Grey recaps. Jenny's writing career had turned bleak when she found herself amused and frustrated by the overnight success of the erotic romance trilogy, but eventually, she was enraged due to the domestic violence and abuse promoted in the series. She became an internet sensation as a result of her chapter-by-chapter responses, and as a result, her own writing career received new life. Jenny is funny, insightful, and straight forward, and Jonathan Bruce and I had an amazing time chatting with her. 

PS--I know--not episode 80, as I state in the podcast. :sigh: I will learn to count one day. Promise. ;)

I had the privilege of meeting Esi at the Long Island Romance Writers Association summer luncheon, and she immediately grabbed my interest. She's passionate about books, writing, and publishing...and she believes in our need for diverse books. I was so excited to have a chance to discuss the lack of diversity in the commercial publishing world, how we can correct it, and why writing diverse characters can be a bit terrifying for some. Esi's a goldmine of information, and she talks about what she looks for as an editor for Kensington.

WE MADE IT! The saga of book 2 in the Elemental Shifter series is over! And we report on the results. We also discuss the concerns over writing a series, lore complications, and why sometimes we need a bit of pain to get us over the hump of growing as a writer. There's also a trend of "crappy" editors hanging shingles out there, and we discuss how to judge a good editor and make the right decision for your writing and project.

You've heard Tex Thompson before, and she's back! This time with new and improved audio equipment. :) Tex is one of my favorite humans because she's got an awesome spirit, believes in people, and loves the craft of writing. She's working on her social media, as that's one arena where her author branding needs a little help. Newbies to social media are welcome to this podcast, as we're going to get into the hows, whys, and why-nots that keep us from embracing our social media presence.

If you've been listening to the show, you know that one of our favorite guests William Galaini is knee-deep in his crowdfunding campaign. Eve Rickert of Thorntree Press was kind enough to stop by and share her knowledge and experience of successful crowdfunding campaigns for books. It's not easy, but surprisingly simple. If you've considered crowdfunding before, this episode is a must-listen.

Sometimes, you never know what you're going to find when you put on this podcast, right? :) I won't give away too much, except that we talk about creativity, mental illness, breaking tropes, and the importance of knowing when to ask questions and seek help. 

I know, I know...a bit vague, eh? Listen in. You'll see why.

Note: this podcast went really long! So you might want to grab a cup of coffee or save this one for a long walk!

They say, "write what you know." A.C. took that advice to heart, but he does a lot more than that. He's a committed fact-checker, procrastination-destroyer, and self-editing expert. I had the privilege of hanging out on A.C.'s podcast a few months back, and now he's joining me on Upgrade Your Story to discuss how to research your next book, how to beat the excuses that stop you from writing, and how to get your manuscript ready for your editor. Definitely worth listening in!

Oy, Patricia and I are burning up the podcast lines with our recent writing experiences. Patricia's working on her third round of editing (yes, third rewrite!), and her progress has been incredible. She's a master at honing her craft.

Can people steal your creative work? How do you protect against such things? 

Every wonder how to create your pitch or back cover blurb? We get into helpful tips and tricks to make the work easier.

Listen in to what's quickly becoming everyone's favorite monthly episode...When Editors Chat.

Struggling to find your branding as an author? Listen in and enjoy while Camela Thompson and I wargame her blog direction and why that’s so important. We had a blast, and Camela touched on why it’s vital to write for your health, especially when you have a chronic disease, working with your editor effectively, and what it’s like to launch your second book in a series. Camela’s down-to-earth and a heck of a lot of fun to chat with, so head on over and listen in!