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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer talk with Leyla Erkan, Acquiring Editor at Christy Ottaviano Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. Leyla shares insights into her journey from an editorial assistant to acquiring editor, her passion for various genres, and her thoughts on the role of literary merit versus commercial viability. The discussion delves into the intricacies of the acquisitions process, including the importance of manuscript pitches, market research, and the impact of political climate and book bans. Leyla also provides valuable advice for authors on how to make their manuscripts appealing and emphasizes the importance of perseverance and authenticity in writing. The episode concludes with reflections on the collaborative nature of publishing and the significance of celebrating small victories.

00:00 Introduction to Way-Word Writers
00:31 Meet Acquiring Editor Leyla Erkan
00:48 Leyla's Background and Interests
05:13 The Acquisition Process
14:30 Evaluating Manuscripts
21:05 Author Platform and Social Media
23:22 The Importance of Self-Promotion in the Digital Age
25:06 The Role of Comparison Titles in Manuscript Submissions
26:31 Navigating Market Trends and Reader Expectations
36:43 The Impact of Political Climate and Book Bans on Publishing
43:10 Advice for Aspiring Authors and the Acquisitions Process
44:51 Celebrating Success and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer discuss the intricacies of the acquisitions process in trade publishing. They offer a detailed walkthrough of what happens after a manuscript is submitted, including the roles of agents and editors, the significance of second reads, and editorial team reviews. The hosts share their personal experiences, provide useful definitions, and answer questions from listeners about navigating acquisitions without an agent, timelines, and managing expectations. They also provide tips for submitting directly to editors and emphasize the importance of patience and research. The episode promises more insights in part two, featuring a guest editor from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

00:00 Introduction to Way-Word Writers
00:33 Overview of Acquisitions in Publishing
01:18 Defining Key Terms in Acquisitions
01:51 The Submission Process
03:01 The Role of Editors and Teams
05:37 The Reality of Acquisitions
07:12 Revise and Resubmit (R&R)
14:55 Tips for Unagented Submissions
16:50 Managing Expectations and Patience
20:10 Understanding the Publishing Cycle
30:13 Submission Timelines and Strategies
36:35 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

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A quick informational video all about Way-Word Writers' upcoming retreat!

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer chat with author Bethany Hegedus about her eight phases of the literary life. Bethany discusses her inspirations and the journey of launching the Courage to Create community. The episode delves into the different phases from 'dreamer' to 'the verge' to 'publishing,' and addresses the common challenges writers face, such as stuck-ness, comparison, and maintaining joy and resilience in their literary journeys. Listeners also get an insight into Bethany's upcoming projects and helpful resources available at The Writing Barn.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:31 Introducing Bethany Hegedus
01:51 The Eight Phases of the Literary Life
05:41 Navigating the Verge Phase
12:57 The Role of Community in Writing
13:52 Balancing Personal and Community Goals
20:13 Overcoming Stuckness in Writing
27:17 Upcoming Programs and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, senior literary agent Heather Cashman, along with authors and writing coaches Stephanie Bearce and Nicki Jacobsmeyer, welcomes author Bethany Hegedus. They discuss Hegedus's journey from New York to Austin, her founding of the Writing Barn, and her approach to fostering a vibrant writing community. Hegedus shares her experiences as a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and mentor, along with the transition to online classes and the importance of adapting to changing circumstances. The group also explores common challenges faced by writers, the significance of external and internal validation, and the essential role of community in a writer's life.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:32 Introducing Bethany Hegedus
01:21 The Journey to The Writing Barn
04:09 Adapting to Change and Growth
06:37 Balancing Projects and Writing
11:19 Common Challenges for Aspiring Writers
14:22 The Importance of Community
17:23 Advice for New Writers
21:12 Dealing with Rejection
30:44 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser  

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In this episode of 'Way-Word Writers,' hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome USA Today best-selling author Jennifer E. Hilt to discuss her work 'The Trope Thesaurus.' Jennifer shares her insights into why tropes are essential building blocks in storytelling, how they can be effectively utilized and developed, and addresses common misconceptions about them. She explains how her background in linguistics and literature helped her identify common storytelling blocks during the pandemic and led her to write the 'Trope Thesaurus.' The hosts and Jennifer delve into how tropes are structured, the importance of genre expectations, and how tropes can be adapted or subverted to create unique and compelling stories. Jennifer also gives examples, like 'The Witcher' and 'Severance,' that illustrate the effective use of tropes. The episode closes with Jennifer discussing her favorite tropes and how tropes can be identified and utilized across different genres, encouraging writers to view them as powerful storytelling tools.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:31 Introducing Jennifer E. Hilt and The Trope Thesaurus
01:31 The Origin of The Trope Thesaurus
03:47 Understanding Tropes in Storytelling
08:16 The Structure and Use of The Trope Thesaurus
11:54 Balancing Familiar Tropes with Originality
12:16 Genre Expectations and Character Complexity
19:22 Practical Tips for Writers
22:47 Upcoming Fantasy Sci-Fi Release
23:19 Exploring the Horror Genre
23:59 Romance and Sci-Fi Subgenres
24:19 Understanding Tropes in Storytelling
26:52 Favorite Mystery Series
28:21 Evergreen and Emerging Tropes
37:15 Subverting Tropes in Different Genres
41:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer are joined by editor Kade Dishmon from Holiday House. The discussion delves into what publishers look for in authors, the significance of perseverance in writing, and the advantages and disadvantages of working with small to midsize publishers. Kade shares insights on the role of platform in fiction and nonfiction, the evolving landscape of diversity in publishing, and offers valuable advice for authors on how to create immersive worlds and chaotic characters. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI in the industry and provides a deeper understanding of Kade's manuscript wishlist. The episode wraps up with reflections on the importance of passion and authenticity in an author's work.

00:00 Introduction to Way-Word Writers
00:32 Meet Editor Kade Dishmon
01:47 What Publishers Look for in Authors
03:59 The Role of Author Platform
05:07 Advantages of Smaller Publishers
06:50 Navigating the Publishing Industry
15:46 AI in Publishing
17:48 Diversity in Publishing
22:56 Crafting Immersive Stories
25:51 Creating Chaotic Characters
26:51 What Grabs an Editor's Attention
30:12 Final Thoughts and Advice
34:32 Conclusion and Farewell

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer sit down with author Meredith Tate to discuss her journey as a writer and explore common plotting pitfalls. Meredith shares her methods for plotting and character development, offers insights into balancing plot and character arcs, and discusses the challenges of writing across various genres and age groups. The conversation touches upon the importance of feedback, handling plot twists, and the value of reading widely to improve writing skills. Meredith also highlights her brainstorming process and gives advice to aspiring authors on how to enhance their plotting techniques.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:31 Introducing Meredith Tate
01:19 Meredith's Writing Journey
02:08 Writing Across Genres and Age Groups
03:43 Plotting Pitfalls and Challenges
05:39 The Importance of Reading Broadly
08:09 Balancing Plot and Character Development
16:32 The Art of Plot Twists
18:03 Handling Feedback and Revisions
30:45 Final Thoughts and Advice
31:52 Where to Find Meredith's Books
32:36 Closing Remarks

Meredith Tate Website

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In this episode of Way​-W​ord Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie B​e​arce, and Ni​cki Jacobsmeyer discuss strategies to improve time management for writers. They cover various methods such as time blocking, day theming, and the Pomodoro technique, share personal experiences, and highlight the importance of setting goals, creating routines, and maintaining flexibility. The hosts also emphasize the significance of understanding one's strengths and boundaries, offering practical tips for overcoming procrastination and managing distractions to achieve writing goals.

00:00 Welcome to Way​-w​ord Writers
00:31 Discussing Time Management
01:24 Personal Time Management Struggles
01:53 Adapting Time Management Strategies
02:48 Handling Unexpected Events
03:58 Evaluating and Prioritizing Tasks
06:59 Defining Time Management
10:16 Starting with a Time Audit
14:21 Dealing with Distractions
16:43 Using the Pomodoro Method
20:34 Effective Time Blocking Techniques
22:02 Day Theming for Better Focus
23:35 Overcoming Procrastination
26:14 The Importance of Goal Setting
28:15 Managing Negative Emotions
28:55 Setting Priorities and Saying No
31:57 Finding Balance and Flexibility
33:20 Recommended Time Management Resources
35:29 Personalizing Your Time Management
40:44 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

​T​he Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll

​Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

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In this episode of Way​-​Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie B​e​arce, and Ni​cki Jacobsmeyer introduce Ines Johnson, an indie author specializing in reimagining fairy tales and folklore. The discussion explores Ines’s journey from screenwriting to self-publishing, and her success in contemporary and paranormal romance genres. Ines shares valuable insights on structuring stories, the importance of understanding genre-specific tropes, and creating binge-worthy content. She also emphasizes the significance of market research and interaction with readers to stay ahead in the indie publishing world. The episode is filled with practical tips for authors to enhance their storytelling skills and achieve greater success.

00:00 Welcome to Way​-Word Writers
00:32 Meet Ine​s Johnson: Indie Author Extraordinaire
02:08 Ine​s's Journey to Indie Success
04:25 Teaching the Elements of Storytelling
06:50 The Importance of Structure in Writing
10:20 Pacing Your Story: Fast and Slow
16:21 Understanding Genre Expectations and Tropes
20:02 Exploring Marriage of Convenience in Media
20:15 Universal Fantasies and Heartbeat Moments
20:59 Navigating Tropes and Reader Expectations
22:03 Creativity Within Genre Constraints
25:23 Market Trends and Reader Preferences
27:30 Indie vs. Traditional Publishing
31:01 Writing Tips for Success
34:20 Author's Favorite Works and Inspirations
36:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Ines Writes--Author Website

Ines's Workshops