Writer Craft Podcast

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 103 of the podcast and it's February 22, 2023 as we record this.

Main Topic: Mailing list maintenance

PATREON:

No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Patreon.com/strangeairstories for paranormal mysteries short stories

Comments: email from listener: One of the things I enjoy most about your show is how you and Eric keep it real with your daily writerly struggles. It helps to hear of others going through and dealing with the same issues that we/I am. This is especially helpful to me since Covid began and getting to my local writing group has become much more difficult. Keep up the great work!

Questions from listeners:

Announcements:

• 1) Writer Craft Writing Retreat sold out.

• 2) We have some interviews lining up, but we need topic suggestions and interviewees. (Once a month.) Please send to [email protected].

UPDATE:

• Valerie: Trouble with Ingram files. I made some mistakes, trying to fix them in time. And waiting for proof. Book coaching/website updates coming soon.
• Erick: cover designer needs to fix the windows on his new novella

Just finished: Read Books All Day and Get Paid for It: The Business of Book Coaching by Jennie Nash

I'M READING: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz; Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships With Dogs by Suzanne Clothier; Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton.

Up Next: In the Middle of Hickory Lane by Heather Webber, The Blackhorse by Carole Johnstone

• Erick's Reading:

Show Notes:

Promote newsletter on BookFunnel; Resource: Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions); open rates are important so that Google identifies your email as NOT spam; aim for 40% opens, 15% click rate; to get sell through from reader magnet-->next book in series "What happens next?"; if no next book, send to some social media account (or BookBub account) to have them follow you. Cover on reader magnet is vital.

Onboarding sequence: download csv and upload manually to segment people in order to know where they come from.

Example: "Thank you for subscribing, here's your book; here's what I do; what do you read?; if you read first book, thank you, please review it." Once completed, they go on another list. Resource: Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Cleaning the email list: important ("list hygiene" phrase creeps out Erick. Ha ha!)

Mailerlite "Clean up List" shows inactive members

Subscribers cost money. Make sure they are there because they want to be.

Off boarding sequence: Noticed you haven't opened recently. If you still want to be here, let me know.

Send another incentive at that point. A link for them to click.

Free seekers will never buy.

Now, delight them with engagement and giveaways. Ask questions.

Next episode:

Resources:

Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Other Resources:

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Valerie's new day book for the year 2023 is: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates.

I've published our 2022 Book List on the website: valerieihsan.com/podcast-news

The Author Life Community

Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE188

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Find Us:

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 102 of the podcast and it's February 15, 2023 as we record this.

Main Topic: Professional relationships: When to Ditch Them and When to Nurture Them.

PATREON:

No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Comments: email from listener: For a while now I've been meaning to congratulate you both on 100 episodes!

I found the show last Summer and became a fan right away. Keep up the great work!

Jason A Meuschke

Thriller Author/Podcast Host

Get the latest episode on all podcast platforms or by going to www.samplechapterpodcast.com

Questions from listeners: Chad Boyer says, What is your favorite checklist (in general)?

What is your favorite checklist for writing?

Also for Erick: Does he have a favorite checklist since he knows you? or if he doesn't what checklist would he love to have or need this year?

Announcements:

• 1) Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. "We'll be touching on book structure, story hypothesis, plotting that doesn't hurt, author action plans, and more." Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Alumni and patron price is $775.

• $850 Only one ticket left.
• Monthly payments are an option. Send me a message [email protected] for a unique PayPal link, or go to the shopping page on my website to purchase in one lump sum.

• 2) We need topic suggestions and interviewees. (Once a month.) Please send to [email protected].
• UPDATE:
• Valerie: still panicking on the cover, sent out ARCs
• Erick: sending novella to the editor on Friday; editing next Patreon essays

Just finished: The Baker's Man by Jennifer Moorman

I'M READING: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz; Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships With Dogs by Suzanne Clothier;

Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton.

Up Next: In the Middle of Hickory Lane by Heather Webber

• Erick's Reading:
• Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Goosebumps #1 by RL Stine

Show Notes:

Professional relationships can evolve into projects that you work on together.

Recognize when a relationship doesn't serve you.

Be aware of how to be friendly, but not friends, and watch that boundary slippage with clients.

Musts: Communication and authenticity

Nuture by being kind and clear and flexible.

End relationships that are no longer serving you, your values, or your needs. It may be uncomfortable, but people evolve. It's okay to end a professional relationship. Not all of them will be the long-term kind.

Next episode: Mailing list maintenance

Resources:

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Other Resources:

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Valerie's new day book for the year 2023 is: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates.

I've published our 2022 Book List on the website: valerieihsan.com/podcast-news

The Author Life Community

Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE188

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Find Us:

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 101 of the podcast and it's February 8, 2023 as we record this.

PATREON:

No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Comments:

Announcements:

• 1) Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. "We'll be touching on book structure, story hypothesis, plotting that doesn't hurt, author action plans, and more." Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Alumni and patron price is $775.

• $850 Only two tickets left.
• Monthly payments are an option. Send me a message [email protected] for a unique PayPal link, or go to the shopping page on my website to purchase in one lump sum.

• 2) We need topic suggestions and interviewees. (Once a month.) Please send to [email protected].
• UPDATE:
• Valerie: personal: dress challenge and the gym; Author: layout and get the email to the cover designer; stop talking about the book
• Erick: Launched Patreon (where to fit in the providing benefits, advertising): patreon.com/strangeairstories

Just finished: How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger

I'M READING:: Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships With Dogs by Suzanne Clothier;

Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton.

Up Next: In the Middle of Hickory Lane by Heather Webber

• Erick's Reading:
• Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

The Farthest Shore Ursula LeGuin

Show Notes:

Erick: re-configure series, Patreon marketing, putting out cookie, work on newsletter list marketing

Valerie: publish memoir, pitch conferences, Hermit card--self-discovery, inner world (5 of Cups for January)

Next episode:

Professional Relationships

Resources:

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Other Resources:

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Valerie's new day book for the year 2023 is: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates.

I've published our 2022 Book List on the website: valerieihsan.com/podcast-news

The Author Life Community

Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIEO866

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Find Us:

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Landmark Episode 100 of the podcast and it's January 18, 2023 as we record this.

Main Topic: Landmark Episode 100 with some clips

PATREON:

No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Comments: Amazon Review 5 stars:

The Scent of Apple Tea: A story about the choices we make, beautifully written!

I chuckled, shrugged, shook my head, giggled, smiled, and cried happy tears.

A beautiful story superbly written!

I look forward to reading more stories written by this author!

Announcements:

• 1) Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. "We'll be touching on book structure, story hypothesis, plotting that doesn't hurt, author action plans, and more." Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Alumni and patron price is $775.

• Early Bird price ends January 31st. $800 Only four tickets left.
• Monthly payments are an option. Send me a message [email protected] for a unique PayPal link, or go to the shopping page on my website to purchase in one lump sum.

• 2) We need topic suggestions and interviewees. (Once a month.) Please send to [email protected].
• UPDATE:
• Got a cold. First one since pre-covid. Weird. Hope it mostly clears before next week. Rest of the week will be for finishing up client work and packing for CR.

Just finished: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

I'M READING: Believers: Making a Life at the End of the World by Lisa Wells; Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton.

Up Next: too early to tell

• Erick's Reading:

The Farthest Shore Ursula LeGuin

Writing in Restaurants by David Mamet

Heroic Hearts

Show Notes:

The weird way Erick reads anthologies : He reads the featured short story first, then the shortest one, and the next shortest, and so on.

Most used words this year: Valerie: planner, self-care, I've got to go walk the dogs. Erick: Why can't I hear through my ear buds?

I collected a few clips and outtakes from the past year that really seem to me to highlight what this podcast embodies for us.

And that's: laughter, books, and shared experiences. And we'll end with a couple meaningful stories and quotes.

So here it is, a hodgepodge of what I love about the podcast and why I can't imagine stopping.

Resources:

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Other Resources:

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Valerie's new day book for the year 2023 is: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates.

I've published our 2022 Book List on the website: valerieihsan.com/podcast-news

The Author Life Community

Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIEO866

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Find Us:

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

Some of the Books We've Read This Year:

London Seance Society by Sarah Penner

Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 99 of the podcast and it's January 11, 2023 as we record this.

Main Topic: Overthinking Your Writing

PATREON:

No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Comments: Your discussion inspired me. I ordered Wisdom of the Oracle cards by Colette Baron-Reid. I had one of her decks years ago. The illustrator's artwork is phenomenal!Announcements:

**I have a female writer looking for another female-identifying writer to share lodging at the retreat. The Shared Retreat Ticket price is $650 and includes all the food, lodging, instruction, retreat, and coaching. Please reach out to me at [email protected] to ask any questions or to get the PayPal link for the Shared Retreat Ticket.

• 1) Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. "We'll be touching on book structure, story hypothesis, plotting that doesn't hurt, author action plans, and more." Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Alumni and patron price is $775.

• Early Bird price available from November - January. $800
• Monthly payments are an option. Send me a message [email protected] for a unique PayPal link, or go to the shopping page on my website to purchase at full price.

• 2) We want to celebrate our 100th episode with you. Please send in an audio clip via email to [email protected] with a comment or testimonial about the podcast. What you like about it, why you listen, etc. On the 100th episode on January 18th, we'll play the clips on air. Please send in your audio clips by January 11th at the latest.
• 3) We need topic suggestions. Please send to [email protected].
• UPDATE:
• Went for a personal essay instead of a short story. Wow. What a difference!

Just finished: Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore

I'M READING: London Seance Society by Sara Penner (ARC); Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton.

Up Next: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus or The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce.

• Erick's Reading:

The Farthest Shore Ursula LeGuin

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

Heroic Hearts

Show Notes:

You need a way in for a short story. (Erick)

Sometimes inspiration comes quickly and worker bee mentality pushes you past the goal (I've got to fill the time). Be okay with other forms of creativity besides words on the page. Filling the creative well, walking, reading

Concern: editing out voice. (Valerie)

Resources:

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Other Resources:

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Valerie's new day book for the year 2023 is: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates.

The Author Life Community

Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIEO866

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Find Us:

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 98 of the podcast and it's January 4, 2023 as we record this. Happy New Year!

Main Topic: Monthly Gamechangers

PATREON:

No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Comments: Ep95: A Year in Review, Mary says: A very nice discussion. I especially like the advice you both give to yourselves for the upcoming year! (She also included some topic suggestions for both the podcast and for patrons.)

Patron announcement:

Announcements:

** Author Action Plan Group Coaching started yesterday on the 3rd and goes for three months, ending on April 4th. You can still join the cohort this week, if you don't mind missing out on the first session. $500 includes group coaching with other writers every other week for three months, plus a customized author action plan for one of your larger projects/goals. Podcast listeners get a 10% discount, making the cost $450. Use the discount code PODCAST (all caps) at checkout.

**I have a female writer looking for another female-identifying writer to share lodging at the retreat. The Shared Retreat Ticket price is $650 and includes all the food, lodging, instruction, retreat, and coaching. Please reach out to me at [email protected] to ask any questions or to get the PayPal link for the Shared Retreat Ticket.

• 1) Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. "We'll be touching on book structure, story hypothesis, plotting that doesn't hurt, author action plans, and more." Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Alumni and patron price is $775.

• Early Bird price available from November - January. $800
• Monthly payments are an option. Send me a message [email protected] for a unique PayPal link, or go to the shopping page on my website to purchase at full price.

• 2) We want to celebrate our 100th episode with you. Please send in an audio clip via email to [email protected] with a comment or testimonial about the podcast. What you like about it, why you listen, etc. On the 100th episode on January 18th, we'll play the clips on air. Please send in your audio clips by January 11th at the latest.
• 3) We need topic suggestions. Please send to [email protected].
• UPDATE:

• Rachael Herron's blurb came back for my memoir! She wrote: A lovely story told with poetic lyricism and gentle humor, You Can't Dance a Lie is more than a memoir of love and relationships—it's the chronicle of a woman learning to trust herself completely before stepping into the love-shaped life she makes possible for herself. - Rachael Herron, Bestselling Author of A Life in Stitches
• ordered sample copies from Ingram so I can decide on which type of hardcover to do; and
• started formatting the large print edition of the memoir.
• Waiting to send more details to the cover designer until I get the samples from Ingram. I'm wondering about BookVault for distribution of a dust jacketed hardcover.

Just finished: I read 67 books last year. And I finished reading the day book from 2022: Simple Abundance: 365 Days to a Balanced and Joyful Life.

I'M READING: Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore; Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton. My new day book for the year 2023 is: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates.

Up Next: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus or The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce.

• Erick's Reading:

The Farthest Shore Ursula LeGuin

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

Show Notes:

[Erick]: What do I do to keep the train running in the author services business? (Create content, set up the quarter (blog topics for each week)) (ghostwriting podcast/YT?) ROI is large enough for long term thinking. Only need to convert a few times.

Finishing three screenplays.

What can I do to move the needle forward in the author business?

Giveaway to newsletter recipients. Train readers to open emails and click links.

[Valerie]: Realized there was no way I could publish my memoir, finalize packing for Costa Rican vacation at end of month, finish client job (line editing), and write and revise a short story in two and a half weeks. (Eye roll) Pushed launch date to March 1, 2023.

Resources:

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Other Resources:

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

The Author Life Community

Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIEO866

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Find Us:

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

New Author Action Plan Group Coaching cohort starts next week.

Tuesday, January 3, 2023; 2:00-3:00 p.m. Pacific. Email [email protected] for Zoom link and schedule. Use discount code PODCAST for 10% off the price (at checkout): https://valerieihsan.com/shopping

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 96 of the podcast and it's December 21, 2022 as we record this. Happy Solstice!

Main Topic: Tarot for Your Business

PATREON:

No new patrons this week, but Sean Sharp raised his tier to Super Fantastic Fan, so thank you so much! Sean now gets all my ebooks as I publish them. In addition to his other benefits.

• Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a shout out on the podcast and we can make announcements for you on the podcast. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Comments:

Patron announcement:

Announcements:

** Author Action Plan Group Coaching starting in January for three months. $500 includes group coaching with other writers every other week for three months, plus a customized author action plan for one of your larger projects/goals. Podcast listeners get a 10% discount, making the cost $450. Use the discount code PODCAST (all caps) at checkout.

**I have a female writer looking for another female-identifying writer to share lodging at the retreat. The Shared Retreat Ticket price is $650 and includes all the food, lodging, instruction, retreat, and coaching. Please reach out to me at [email protected] to ask any questions or to get the PayPal link for the Shared Retreat Ticket.

• 1) Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. "We'll be touching on book structure, story hypothesis, plotting that doesn't hurt, author action plans, and more." Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Alumni and patron price is $775.

• Early Bird price available from November - January. $800
• Monthly payments are an option. Send me a message [email protected] for a unique PayPal link, or go to the shopping page on my website to purchase at full price.

• 2) We want to celebrate our 100th episode with you. Please send in an audio clip via email to [email protected] with a comment or testimonial about the podcast. What you like about it, why you listen, etc. On the 100th episode on January 18th, we'll play the clips on air. Please send in your audio clips by January 11th at the latest.
• 3) We need topic suggestions. Please send to [email protected].

• Update: started looking at keywords and categories, invoicing people for my coaching cohort that starts Jan 3rd,

Just finished: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

I'M READING: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather WebberWabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton

Up Next:

• Erick's Reading:

Future Stories by David Christian

• The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin
• Blood Rites Jim Butcher

Show Notes:

Patrons will get pictures of my process

Resources:

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Other Resources:

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

The Author Life Community

Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIEO866

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Find Us:

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 95 of the podcast and it's December 14, 2022 as we record this.

Main Topic: A Year in Review

PATREON:

No new patrons this week,

• A big squeezy hug and Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a shout out on the podcast and we can make announcements for you on the podcast. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Comments:

Patron announcement:

Announcements:

• 1) Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. "We'll be touching on book structure, story hypothesis, plotting that doesn't hurt, author action plans, and more." Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Alumni and patron price is $775.

• Early Bird price available from November - January. $800
• Monthly payments are an option. Send me a message [email protected] for a unique PayPal link, or go to the shopping page on my website to purchase at full price.

• 2) We want to celebrate our 100th episode with you. Please send in an audio clip via email to [email protected] with a comment or testimonial about the podcast. What you like about it, why you listen, etc. On the 100th episode on January 18th, we'll play the clips on air. Please send in your audio clips by January 11th at the latest.
• 3) We need topic suggestions. Please send to [email protected].

• Update:
• Spoke at an online conference, The Essential Gathering, for members of The Author Life community. My talk Accountability for Authors: How to Focus and Finish, and Get Sh!t Done.

Just finished: A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

I'M READING: The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker, Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton, Up Next: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

• Erick's Reading:

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

• The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin
• The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin
• Blood Rites Jim Butcher

Show Notes:

"Hold on tightly, let go lightly."

Noticing when decisions are "right" or not. Grieving for ideas that don't work.

CEO time weekly. Finding balance is easily. "I know how to strive for it now."

Pull apart that one-track mind.

Allow exploration and transition. Collect data and learn about yourself. Fully understand your process and how long projects and client work takes.

Resources:

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Other Resources:

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

The Author Life Community

Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIEO866

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Find Us:

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 94 of the podcast and it's December 7, 2022 (and a full moon) as we record this.

Main Topic: How to Decide on Your Next Project

PATREON:

No new patrons this week,

• A big squeezy hug and Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a shout out on the podcast and we can make announcements for you on the podcast. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

Comments: RE:Ep93: Mary says, enjoyed your conversation on a topic that plagues all of us. I believe that the notion (concept) of failing is the lie we have been told and swallowed very early on, by others. How we struggle throughout our lives to unravel and disarm the lie—is our Story. For me, at 69 I have come to understand that what people deem as failures are magnificent opportunities for learning and growing into who we become— Valerie, I received your postcard. The design is beautiful! Thank you. (We also had a planner conversation on Patreon.)

Re92: Gratitude, Road to an Abundant Author Life said,

Why are the updates always the hardest to come up with? lol Every time I have to give an update I freeze!

WE NEED NEW TOPIC SUGGESTIONS for 2023. Send them in to [email protected].

A patron emailed to ask about a website domain question, which I answered to the best of my ability. All patrons (and listeners to the podcast) are encouraged to email with questions. [email protected].

Patron announcement: Barb Lachenbruch got THREE essays published recently.

Calyx (fall issue) "Every Day is a Data Day"

Gold Man Review (2022 issue, which came out in December "Bi-Mart"

Then the Los Altos Hills town paper, "Growing Up Lachenbruch" (which isn't peer-reviewed, but it's edited). I didn't write the first paragraph—you'll see the tone change!

I have my first essay in High Country News: "The Physics of Solitude and Connection" https://www.hcn.org/issues/52.9/north-essays-the-physics-of-connection-and-solitude

• Announcements: Tickets for the Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop are live. Priced at $900.
• 1) New pricing tiers:
• Alumni and patron price is $775.
• Early Bird price available from November - January. $800
• Mid-Morning/Slept-In Bird price available from February - April. $850.
• Regular price starts in May. $900.
• Monthly payments are an option. Send me a message [email protected] for a unique PayPal link, or go to the shopping page on my website to purchase at full price.

• Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. "We'll be touching on book structure, story hypothesis, plotting that doesn't hurt, author action plans, and more." Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.
• 2) We want to celebrate our 100th episode with you. Please send in an audio clip via email to [email protected] with a comment or testimonial about the podcast. What you like about it, why you listen, etc. On the 100th episode on January 18th, we'll play the clips on air. Please send in your audio clips by January 11th at the latest.

Erick Surprise (Happy Anniversary!) December 7th.

Thank you for joining me in this co-hosting experiment. I haven't done much collaborative work before, so this has been a pleasant journey for me. Mostly because you let me do whatever I want. ;-) You've made each week enjoyable and I look forward to seeing you each Wednesday morning. I learn from you, think about things in a different way, and become inspired be your knowledge and business sense. It's interesting that I consider you both a colleague, a friend, and a mentor. I don't know many people who fit that bill.

• Update:
• Settled on a cover design. Patrons get the reveal now.
• Thinking (panicking) about taxes.
• Finishing up some client work.
• Got my new glasses.

Just finished: A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

I'M READING: The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker, Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton, Up Next:

• Erick's Reading:

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

• Poetry magazine

Show Notes:

Inspiration can mess with the production schedule. Follow the muse. Hybrid model! :-)

Be open to the possibility that you can do more than you think you can.

Have more ideas than the ones you execute. Library of ideas.

Every boat needs an anchor. That idea might never be written. It's okay that the idea is your anchor.

When you make the decision on the book project, now you have to stick with it. Now it's time for discipline.

Decision making is different for every project.

The salt of an idea.

Resources:

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Other Resources:

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

The Author Life Community

Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIEO866

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Find Us:

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

Some of the Books We've Read This Year:

South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber (magical realism) and Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell (literary mystery)

Productivity for Creative People: How to Get Creative Work Done in an "Always on" World by Mark McGuiness

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

The Anatomy of a Bestseller by Sacha Black

• Dowery of Blood ST Gibson

Writing Scenes.: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/three-story-method-writing-scenes

• All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Murder Bot series) Artificial Condition (Book 2)

• Deserter by Junji Ito (graphic novel)

• The Cloisters

Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor

• Death Masks by Jim Butcher

• Drinking Games

• A Prayer for the Crown-Shy.

• How to be a Good Creature

• Billy Summers by Stephen King

• The Dude and the Zen Master

How to Write Light Novels and Webnovels by R.A. Paterson

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin

Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson

A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa

• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

• The Anatomy of a Bestseller by Sacha Black

• The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

• Summer Night by Jim Butcher
• The Strange Bird by Jeff Vandermeer

• The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey

• Newsletter Ninja 2)

Wintering by Katherine May

The Nesting by CJ Cooke Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

• Interview with a vampire
• Shadow over innsmouth h.p. Lovecraft

• Skippy Dies

Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander and The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin