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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome accomplished author and historian Valerie Battle Kenzel. The discussion centers on effective book promotion techniques, including creating compelling media pitches, utilizing talking points, engaging with local media, and leveraging social media. Valerie shares her insights on navigating the various facets of book promotion and emphasizes the importance of a proactive, strategic approach to marketing one's work. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, listeners are equipped with the tools needed to effectively promote their books and advance their writing careers.

00:00 Introduction to Way-Word Writers
00:31 Meet Valerie Battle K​ienzel: A Journey in Writing
02:17 Crafting Effective Media Pitches
06:20 The Art of Self-Promotion
10:03 Creating and Using Press Releases
15:22 Building and Maintaining Media Relationships
19:44 Timing and Strategy for Book Promotion
22:32 Targeting Opportunities as an Author
22:49 Building an Author Website
23:05 Engaging with Your Audience
24:22 Community Engagement and Giving Back
25:20 Finding Your Book's Niche
29:31 Balancing Promotion and Writing
31:20 Promotional Strategies for New Authors
36:29 Leveraging Social Media and Traditional Media
39:06 Success Stories and Media Appearances
42:17 Frugal Promotion Tactics
42:58 Latest Book Release
43:52 Conclusion and Farewell

​Valerie Battle Kienzle--find out more!

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​In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer interview Shannon Anderson, an award-winning author and seasoned educator. They explore Shannon's journey from teaching to becoming a prolific author and speaker. She shares valuable tips on transitioning from writing to public speaking, effectively booking speaking engagements, tailoring presentations for various audiences, and managing a busy schedule. Shannon also offers insights into time management and the benefits of joining supportive communities like Toastmasters.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:34 Introducing Shannon Anderson
01:39 Shannon's Journey to Becoming an Author
05:09 Incorporating Speaking Engagements
17:06 Strategies for Booking Speaking Engagements
24:47 Tailoring Presentations for Different Audiences
31:08 Advice for Aspiring Speakers
37:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

S​hannon Anderson--Author, Educator, Speaker 

​P​latform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt

​​How to Deliver a TED Talk: Secrets of the World's Most Inspiring Presentations​ by Jeremey Donoval

​​TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking​ by Chris Anderson, curator of TED

L​istserve

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer are joined by Carina Licon, Assistant Editor at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, part of the Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. The discussion navigates through Carina's editorial process—emphasizing the importance of character-driven and voice-y manuscripts, maintaining the author's voice, and offering insights into the revision process. Carina shares her collaborative approach to editing and the criteria she uses for evaluating character motivation, development, and stakes in a story. Additionally, they explore the intricacies of handling revisions, from receiving editorial notes to deciding on rewrites versus targeted edits. The episode concludes with useful tips on making narrative voices more distinctive and engaging, along with practical advice on tracking revisions.

00:00 Introduction to Way-Word Writers
00:32 Meet Editor Carina Licon
02:54 Carina's Editorial Approach
04:13 Balancing Author's Voice and Revisions
08:28 Common Revision Mistakes
09:46 The Role of Critique Partners
13:21 Developmental Edits and Author Collaboration
16:23 Revise and Resubmit Process
24:44 Character Development and Stakes
29:24 Refining Narrative Voice
30:58 Conclusion and Farewell

​​

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In this episode of Wayward Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer delve into Stephanie Bearce's writing journey and the release of her new book, 'The Secret of Moonrise Manor.' Stephanie shares insights into her career, including transitions from nonfiction to fiction, overcoming personal challenges, and the process of writing a book series. The episode also covers her approach to character development, crafting puzzles in stories, and the dynamics of selling a book series. Additionally, the discussion highlights helpful resources for aspiring mystery writers and the significance of continuous learning and teamwork in the writing process.

00:00 Introduction to Wayward Writers
00:39 Meet Stephanie Bearce: Award-Winning Author
01:55 Stephanie's Writing Journey
04:17 Transitioning from Nonfiction to Fiction
07:39 The Joy of Writing Mysteries
08:45 The Secret of Moonrise Manor
17:15 Crafting a Series with Standalone Appeal
19:42 Character Arcs and Writing Styles
21:59 Organizing Puzzles in Fiction
26:04 Developing Unique Characters
29:37 Challenges and Fun in Writing
33:25 Craft Books and Resources for Mystery Writers
35:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Find our more about Stephanie HERE!

The Secret of Moonrise Manor

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer interview Vera Ray, a fantasy romance author from Storm Literary Agency. Vera shares her long journey from traditional to self-publishing, including struggles, successes, and lessons learned. She discusses her decision to get an agent for audio and foreign rights, her marketing strategies, and the importance of market research. Vera also gives insights into the financial aspects of publishing and offers advice for aspiring authors. The episode concludes with an emphasis on persistence, hope, and the power of community support in the publishing industry.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:41 Introducing Vera Ray: Fantasy Romance Author
01:59 Vera Ray's Journey to Self-Publishing
03:54 The Struggles and Triumphs of Self-Publishing
07:23 Finding Success and Getting an Agent
11:01 Choosing the Right Literary Agent
21:32 Marketing Strategies and Financial Insights
24:10 Expanding into Foreign Rights and Audiobooks
28:00 Final Words of Wisdom

F​ind out more about Vera Raye HERE!

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In this episode of Wayward Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bierce, and Nikki Jacobsmeyer welcome Lisa Q. Matthews, a seasoned editor and author of cozy mysteries. The discussion explores Lisa's unique career transition from editing popular children's series like Nancy Drew and Lizzie McGuire Mysteries to writing adult cozy mysteries. Lisa shares insights into her writing process, how to manage the balance between detail-oriented editing and creative writing, and the importance of community among authors. She also touches on her latest works, her inspirations, and practical advice for aspiring writers. This candid conversation offers a deep dive into the literary world, highlighting the nuances of both the editorial and authorial sides of the publishing industry.

00:00 Welcome to Wayward Writers
00:33 Introducing Lisa Q. Matthews
01:36 From Editor to Author: Lisa's Journey
02:47 Balancing Editing and Writing
05:10 The Birth of Lady Smith and Weston
06:51 Challenges of Switching Roles
10:00 Crafting Cozy Mysteries
15:07 The Importance of Grammar and Punctuation
19:13 Different Types of Editing
21:04 Editorial Training and Acquisitions
22:16 Favorite Cozy Mystery Authors
24:03 Writing Cozy Mysteries: Challenges and Inspirations
26:59 Crafting the Perfect Mystery
27:33 The Writing Process: Outlining vs. Pantsing
31:33 Community and Support in the Writing World
34:07 Daily Writing Routine and Productivity Tips
37:38 Upcoming Releases and Future Plans 

38:30 Conclusion and Farewell

L​isa Q. Matthews Website

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​​In this episode of Way-Word Writers, senior literary agent Heather Cashman joins authors and writing coaches Stephanie Bearce and Nicki Jacobsmeyer to discuss the intricate process of navigating query letters. They delve into the key elements Heather looks for in a query letter, offer valuable advice on personalizing queries without crossing professional boundaries, and underscore the importance of professionalism and correct formatting. Heather also shares insights into her daily routine as an agent, the typical timeline for query responses, and the types of manuscripts that currently excite her. The episode provides an in-depth look at the relationship between agents and authors, highlighting the significance of mutual respect, professionalism, and ongoing communication.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions
01:45 Query Letter Essentials
08:19 Common Mistakes and Pet Peeves
11:05 The Agent's Daily Life
16:12 Current Market Trends
19:43 Handling the Query Inbox
26:55 Success Stories and Client Relationships
33:45 The Importance of Kindness and Professionalism
36:25 Filling Your Cup: The Role of the Podcast
39:51 Conclusion and Community

I​f you've listened to this episode and Heather's Query Manager is closed, you can query her at the following link and it will be logged in as a special query from podcast listeners only:

H​eather's Query Inbox: WWW Podcast Listener

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer introduce Vivian Kirkfield, an adventurous author with a unique journey into writing that began with skydiving at the age of 64. Vivian shares her inspiring path from kindergarten teacher to a celebrated children's book author and contest host. She outlines the importance of writing contests in fostering a supportive community for writers, emphasizing her own '50 Precious Words' contest which encourages creativity under tight constraints. Vivian offers valuable advice on preparing and choosing the right contests, and she underscores the significance of passion, practice, and perseverance in achieving writing success. She also highlights the impact of engaging with the writing community through contests and the importance of giving back, sharing her literacy initiative that donates children's books to local schools. This episode is a motivational resource for writers at any stage of their careers.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:32 Introducing Vivian Kirkfield
02:25 Vivian's Writing Journey
06:39 The 50 Precious Words Contest
09:51 The Impact of Writing Contests
19:54 Tips for Entering Writing Contests
24:35 Contest Judging Process
34:08 The Importance of Passion and Perseverance
37:11 Common Mistakes in Writing Contests
44:43 The Role of Community in Writing Contests
46:54 Literacy Initiative and Final Thoughts

V​ivian Kirkfield: 50 Precious Words

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​In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome USA Today bestselling thriller author Simon Wood. Wood shares insights into his whirlwind career shift from race car driver to writer, describing how his diverse experiences influence his gripping thrillers. He discusses the importance of real-life research, character development, and the method of building suspense and plot twists. Wood also reveals his process for immersing himself into crime scenes and integrating first-person interviews into his books, alongside touching on challenges, like cutting down his second book from 140,000 words. He concludes with a sneak peek into his upcoming project, 'Let Me Shoot You.' The episode is a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of thriller writing, enriched with personal anecdotes and professional tips.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:33 Introducing Simon Wood
01:38 Simon's Journey to Writing
02:39 Incorporating Life Experiences into Writing
04:58 The Engineering Mindset in Writing
09:56 Writing Routine and Environment
12:30 Research and Realism in Writing
21:14 Debunking Parole Myths in Media
22:10 OJ Simpson and Jury Duty
23:06 Character Development Through Psychology
24:47 Crafting Compelling Villains
29:39 Balancing Pacing and Tension in Thrillers
33:33 Mastering Plot Twists and Red Herrings
38:17 Advice for Aspiring Thriller Writers
39:40 Challenges and Lessons in Writing
42:27 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

​Simon Wood's Web Hideout

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​​In this engaging episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome USA Today bestselling author Nicole Evelina. Nicole shares her inspiring journey from self-publishing to becoming a hybrid author, detailing her rigorous writing process and the numerous awards she has won, including the North Street Book Prize and Sarton Woman's Book Award. Evelina provides insights on the importance of community, the advantages and challenges of both traditional and self-publishing, and valuable tips on entering literary contests. This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for aspiring writers keen on navigating their own publishing paths and achieving literary success.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:38 Introducing Nicole Evelina
02:58 Nicole's Writing Journey
12:44 Balancing Writing and Life
16:06 Navigating Awards and Recognition
19:10 Traditional vs. Self Publishing
34:37 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts