Write Out Loud

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Hey, thanks for making season 3 such a success!  We couldn't have done it without you!  Would you mind taking a moment to rate and review the podcast, please?  It SO helps us out!

In this episode of Write Out Loud, hosts Matt and Christina reflect on their favorite moments and highlighted episodes from Season 3. They discuss various themes and guests, like Ted Lasso, Tom Colgan, and Ruby Dixon. They also share insights gained from their conversations with authors and industry experts including their besties at "Literally Books." 

Looking ahead to Season 4, they reveal plans for more guest appearances, new topics like revisiting imposter syndrome, discussing resistance fiction, and more ideas for collaboration. The episode concludes with a thankfulness for you, their listener and a brief note on holiday break and upcoming replay episodes.

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

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Thanks for listening to this episode, won't you share it with someone you think would love it?  Also, leave us a review by heading directly to our website!

In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' hosts Matt and Christina introduce bestselling romance author Jenn Sterling. Jenn shares her journey of becoming an author, starting from when she was fired from her job and decided to pursue writing. She discusses her experiences with self-publishing, the challenges of marketing, and how she found success with her popular book 'The Perfect Game.'

Jenn also talks about her break from writing, her return with the new 'Sugar Mountain' series, and her approach to balancing the art and business of writing. The conversation touches on the importance of confidence, the evolving landscape of indie publishing, and the personal and professional growth Jenn has experienced throughout her career.

Find more Jenn Sterling
Jenn's Website - Buy copies of her books directly from the source!
Jenn's Instagram
Jenn's Bluesky
Jenn's Twitter/X
Jenn's Facebook
Jenn's TikTok

Chapters

00:45  Introduction & Welcome

01:49  Introducing J. Sterling

03:49  From Being Fired to Best-selling Author

17:35  How Do You Get Seen?

21:10  The Difficulties Faced by Indie Authors

36:59  About "Worth the Fall"

48:29  Wrap Up

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

Hey there, you!  So I'm sure you've been meaning to do this but haven't gotten around to it yet, so why not take a moment now to rate and review this podcast!  You can do that wherever you get your podcasts or at sites like podchaser.com! 

This week, we were both under the weather, so we're playing a little bit called Rewind Replay where we serve up an episode from season one called "Show vs Tell."  If you haven't listened before, forgotten what we talked about, or are new to the podcast and started recently, this episode is a great reminder of one of the best tools at your disposal as a writer: showing rather than telling.

Check it out, share it with a friend, and we'll be back next week with another fantastic episode! 

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

CALL TO ACTION:  If you haven't rated and reviewed the podcast yet, please do!  We need to get the word out, and that's one of the best ways to get it done.  Thanks to those of you who have already done so! 

In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' hosts Matt and Christina, along with guests, Magda and Lindsey from the 'Literally Books' podcast, dive into a lively discussion about storytelling, fan fiction, and reader preferences. The conversation covers the importance of authenticity in writing, the value of self-published versus traditionally published books, and how different narratives resonate with readers.

They debate the merits of specific genres, the evolving literary market, and even touch on the role of AI in creating content. The hosts share book recommendations and reflect on the joy of discovering unique stories, emphasizing the diverse tastes and needs of readers. Special highlights include discussions on favorite books like 'Project Hail Mary,' 'Real Americans,' and 'Ice Planet Barbarians.'

Where to Find More Magda and Lindsay

Website:  Literally Books
Instagram: _Literallypod
Youtube: @_literallybooks
TikTok: @_literallybooks

Books Mentioned in This Episode

Disclosure: As these are affiliate links, we will make a small commission when you purchase these books via our link.  Thank you for supporting our podcast and your local bookstores.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Real Americans by Rachel Kong
Games God's Play by Abigail Owen
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
What It Takes to Kill a Bull Moose by Michael Fedor
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

Hey there!  If you haven't rated and reviewed the podcast yet, why not?  It really helps others discover the show, and we really appreciate your support! 

In this episode of Write Out Loud, hosts Christina and Matt interview Sean Vigue, a renowned yoga and Pilates instructor with millions of followers and a prolific author of fitness books. Sean shares his journey performing in musicals, to studying at Viterbo University and pursuing a career in theater. He details his transition from theater to fitness after sustaining an injury during a production, which led him to yoga and Pilates. 

Sean talks about his experience writing fitness books, including 'Pilates for Athletes' and 'Power Yoga for Athletes,' and the differences between novel writing and fitness writing. He also teases his upcoming projects, including a memoir and a book on fitness for kids. Throughout the episode, they discuss how creative pursuits can intertwine to enhance writing and other artistic endeavors.

00:45 Podcast Intro

01:15 Guest Introduction: Sean Vigue

05:28 Sean’s Transition from Theater to Fitness

10:03 The Process of Writing Fitness Books

18:52 Writing a Memoir

26:38 Stretches and Mobility for Writers

38:09 Wrap Up

Where to Find More Sean Vigue
Sean's Website:  SeanVigueFitness.com
YouTube: YouTube.com/SeanVigueFitness
Instagram: Instagram.com/SeanVigueFitness
Online Training: CoachVigue.com

Stretches and Mobility for Writers
Here are the stretches we mentioned Sean would provide to you in the show.

• Yoga for Hips: 5 BEST Stretches for Hip Mobility & Lower Back Tightness
• Restorative Yoga for Stress Relief - 10 Min Beginner Full Body Relaxation Yoga Stretch
• 5 Stretches that Saved My Life

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

DO THIS, PLEASE:  Go rate and review this podcast!  Share it with someone who doesn't listen!  Please help us get the word out.  It really does make a difference.

In this engaging episode of Write Out Loud, hosts Christina and Matt have an enlightening conversation with Erin Galloway, Director of Publicity at Berkeley Publishing, about effective book promotion strategies. The discussion covers leveraging traditional media, social platforms like BookTok and Instagram's Reels, and the importance of community among authors. The hosts also delve into emerging trends in fiction, including female-centric and cultural horror, and various romance genres like sports romance, monster romance, and the captivating romantasy genre. They highlight notable works and upcoming releases such as Olivia Dade's 'Zom Rom Com', which is just as amazing as it sounds. This episode offers a wealth of information for both seasoned and new authors looking to navigate the publishing industry creatively and collaboratively.

00:45 Podcast Kickoff

01:45 Publicity Basics and Strategies

08:08 Building Author Community

12:01 Trends in Fiction

14:12 Female-Centric and Cultural Horror

16:31 Rachel Harrison

16:33 Alexis Henderson

17:17 Nick Medina

18:10 Amanda Jayatissa

18:44 Isabel Cañas

22:00 The Allure of Hockey Romance

22:20 Bal Khabra

23:32 Diving into Formula 1 Romance

23:34 Simone Soltani

24:25 Exploring Monster Romance

24:29 Ruby Dixon

26:03 Lana Ferguson and “Lock and Key”

27:07 Talking about Romantasy

28:10 Rebecca Yarros and “Fourth Wing”

30:04 Upcoming Romantasy

30:08 Sarah Hawley

31:57 Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels Trilogy

33:55 Olivia Dade and “ZomRomCom”

35:40 Conclusion and Farewell

Here are the authors Erin mentioned:

Rachel Harrison
Alexis Henderson
Nick Medina
Amanda Jayatissa
Isabel Cáñez
Anne Bishop - "Black Jewels Trilogy"
Rebecca Yarros - "Fourth Wing"
Sara Hawley
Olivia Dade - "ZomRomCom" coming next year!
Ruby Dixon - "Ice Planet Barbarians" and "Bull Moon Rising"
Lana Ferguson
Bal Khabra
Simone Soltani

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

TAKE ACTION: If you haven't yet, please take a moment to rate and review our little podcast wherever you get your podcasts but particularly on Apple Podcasts.  It really helps others discover us.  Please also share the podcast with someone who doesn't listen yet.

In this episode of Write Out Loud, we delve into the art of storytelling with author Michael Fedor, discussing his debut political thriller 'What it Takes to Kill a Bull Moose,' set in a dystopian future. Michael shares his 20-year journey of writing and revising, balancing his vision with reader expectations, and drawing inspirations from Ray Bradbury and Alan Drury.

The conversation spans themes of political reform, history, and democracy, highlighting Michael's career journey from prospective law student to English teacher to author, and his approach to infusing educational and historical insights into engaging narratives.

Additionally, Michael discusses character development, the role of AI in the future, and creating compelling story endings. The episode also touches on his upcoming sequel 'Tree of Liberty,' exploring themes of political turmoil and reform.

Chapters
00:45 Introduction

01:19 Introducing Michael Fedor

02:40 Michael’s Career Journey

03:45 How his book “How to Kill a Bull Moose” came to be

05:25 Michael’s Most Difficult Thing about Writing

07:21 Writing for Michael vs Writing for the Reader

12:04 Michael’s Switch from English Teacher to Politics

17:13 Introducing the Bull Moose Party

19:52 Teddy Roosevelt and the Bull Moose Party

22:30 AI in the Future in “How to Kill a Bull Moose”

23:30 Actors to Play Characters in “How to Kill a Bull Moose”

26:32 Crafting the Ending

29:44 Secondary Characters and Their Impact

32:31 The Protagonist as the Anchor

36:39 Awards for Michael

41:44 Wrap Up

43:09 Book 2: Tree of Liberty

46:02 Sign Off

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

DO THIS: Please, please, if you haven't done so already, please rate the podcast and leave us a review (do a short write up) of the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, and more.  It REALLY helps us out! 

In this episode of the Write Out Loud Podcast, hosts Matt Cassem and Christina Trevaskis introduce their guest, Ruby Dixon, a renowned author known for her works in science fiction and fantasy romance or Romantasy, if you will. Ruby discusses her journey into writing, the origins of her popular series Ice Planet Barbarians, and the influences behind her works. She also delves into the creation of her latest standalone novel, Bull Moon Rising, set in a rich fantasy world involving magical artifacts, Minotaurs, and a unique societal structure.

Ruby shares insights into her writing process, the freedom of self-publishing, and how she crafts intricate worlds that captivate her readers. The episode emphasizes Ruby's distinctive storytelling style and highlights the importance of indie bookstores in the literary community. Bull Moon Rising, on shelves and e-readers tomorrow (10/15/24), promises fans another engaging adventure in Ruby's expansive universe.

Where to Find Bull Moon Rising

• Bookshop.org
• Rubydixon.com - see pages for upcoming events starting 10/15
• Ripped Bodice
• Story on the Square - comes with book plates and bookmarks*
• Pantego Books - signed copies*
  • Oct 15 - Dalworthington Gardens, TX - Meet & Greet at 6:30 PM
• Barnes & Noble 
  • Oct 19 - Hulen, TX - Call ahead to reserve your copy at 817-346-2368
• Half Price Books 
  • Oct 20 - Dallas, TX - Meet & Greet with Ruby - get tickets via link

* While supplies last.

Chapters
00:45 Introduction to the Podcast

01:24 Introducing Ruby Dixon

04:11 How “Ice Planet Barbarians” and Self Publishing Began

09:42 Ruby’s Writing Process

20:25 Ruby Branches Out

23:14 Benefits and Drawbacks of Self Publishing

26:09 Announcing “Bull Moon Rising”

32:45 Weaving in Reality

41:32 Where to Find “Bull Moon Rising”

43:00 Wrap Up

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

In this episode of the Write Out Loud podcast, hosts Matt and Tina engage in a lively discussion with the author Del Sandeen about her debut novel 'This Cursed House'. The conversation delves into Del's background as a reader, her journey to authorship, and her participation in Berkeley's Open Submissions Program which led to her book being published.

The podcast also examines the themes present in her novel, such as colorism, acceptance, and the Southern Gothic ambiance set in the 1960s New Orleans. Del shares insights into her relationship with her editor, her inspirations, and the creative process behind the novel. Listeners are encouraged to experience the twists, turns, and surprises of the book themselves, as it launches TOMORROW! (October 8, 2024, for those listening later) The episode concludes with Del expressing her excitement for her future projects and a reflection on the importance of loving one's story while also allowing it to find its place in the world with readers.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Links to the book contain affiliate links which may result in a small commission if you purchase the book.  Thank you for supporting Del and the podcast at the same time! 

00:45 Introduction to the Podcast

01:19 Introducing Author Del Sandeen

02:13 Introducing “This Cursed House”

03:18 Del’s Journey to Authorship

07:05 The Berkley Open Submission Program

08:52 Working with Anne Sowards at Berkley Publishing

13:53 Editors Ask for Changes, but You Can Compromise

18:12 Del’s Inspirations

21:44 “This Cursed House”

35:08 Del’s Favorite Scene

38:29 Del’s Parting Wisdom

40:30 Wrap Up

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

SPECIAL NOTE: This episode is chock full of links and chapter art, so check that out.  The links to the books will take you, via our affiliate link, to Bookshop.org where you can support your local bookstores and book shops, and we may earn a small commission in the process.  Thanks for supporting the show! 

In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' hosts Matt Cassem and Christina Trevaskis delve into the significance of Banned Books Week and why reading banned books matters. Christina shares her personal experiences with banned books such as 'The Outsiders,' 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' and 'Heartstopper,' and discusses their profound impact on her life and beliefs. 

The conversation expands to explore the reasons behind book banning, touching on moral panic and control, while stressing the importance of critical thinking and creativity fostered through reading. They highlight the paradoxical effect of banning books, making them more sought after, and encourage listeners to read banned books for education and growth. They also provide insight into controversial themes in literature and emphasize the role of fiction as a 'back door to learning.'

00:45 Silly Opener

01:26 Real Opener

02:03 Topic Intro: Banned Books

03:34 ‘The Outsiders’ by S.E. Hinton

04:49 ’To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee

05:55 ‘Heartstopper’ by Alice Oseman

06:49 Fiction is the Back Door to Learning & Growth

07:49 Stephen King on Banned Books

09:49 Bannedbooksweek.org Shoutout

10:27 ‘1984’ by George Orwell

11:42 ‘Catcher in the Rye’ by J.D. Salinger

12:31 ‘The Color Purple’ by Alice Walker

12:34 ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald

12:44 ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley

15:42 The American Heritage Dictionary and the word “bed” as verb

18:21 “We’ll link those children’s books too…”

18:31 ‘Charlotte’s Web’ by E.B. White

18:43 The Result of Banning These Books

19:57 ‘Huckleberry Finn’ by Mark Twain

20:12 ‘The Indian in the Cupboard’ by Lynne Reid Banks

20:27 ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding

25:04 Wrap Up

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.