Writer Craft Podcast

New Pricing:

Shared Lodging $650 (Must sign up together.)

Alumni/Patrons $775

Early Bird $800 (through January)

Sleepy Bird $850 (through April)

Regular All-Inclusive Price $900 (starts in May)

https://valerieihsan.com/retreat (for more retreat information)

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan (to get the patron price)

[email protected] (for questions, concerns, or PayPal links for patron/alumni/shared/monthly payment plans)

https://valerieihsan.com (for Free Discovery calls)

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 93 of the podcast and it's November 30, 2022 as we record this.

Main Topic: Failing (in order to Succeed)

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:Ep92: Mary says, Very nice episode. I'm excited for both of you and your upcoming projects. Valerie, I think the picture on your Author's Website is fantastic! I definitely think that picture of you would entice people to pick up the book. Erick, I have your first book. I like the cover and I look forward to reading it.

• Announcements: Tickets for the Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop are live. Priced at $900, but patron price is $825. 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. Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

• Update:
• Got caught up in subtitle fonts for the cover. Been emailing back and forth with designer. I'm overthinking it. But 99% done and ready to approve the ebook cover. I've forecasted my remaining publishing tasks and am on target for a January release. I'm starting to think about pricing and keywords. Yesterday I did a final proofread on the manuscript and finalized the formatting in Vellum. AND, I'll send out the last of my postcards today. (Had to get postcard stamps.)

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

I'M READING: Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton, A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

• Up Next:
• Erick's Reading:
• All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Murder Bot series) Artificial Condition (Book 2)

• Deserter by Junji Ito (graphic novel)

Show Notes:

Believe in my head, not in my heart. So still struggle. Failure is necessary to your success. But is it really? Do I have to? Maybe I won't. Just try hard and stay focused. Except, then, perfectionism gets in the way of starting. "Learning in Public" is what I try to do. To normalize failure.

Play in the sandbox.

"Perfect is the enemy of done."

"Better is the enemy of good."

Community building is necessary.

I wish I would have started failing earlier.

Next Episode: How to Decide on Your Next Project

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 92 of the podcast and it's November 23, 2022 as we record this.

Main Topic: Gratitude for the Author Life (plus Covers and Cohesion)

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:

• Update:
• Got the Library of Congress number for my hardcover
• Updated the backlist files with updated links, and the first chapter of relevant books.
• Cover options came in; want to get feedback first before I respond.
• Announcements: Tickets for the Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop go live today. Priced at $900, but patron price is $825. 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 are $900 this year and include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. Payment plans are available, and registration opens November 1st, 2022. Patrons receive a hefty discount AND can buy early, making their monthly payments even less expensive. Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Just finished: The Nesting by CJ Cooke Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

I'M READING: Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton, Confessions of a Bookseller (memoir/diary)

• Up Next: The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin
• Erick's Reading:
• All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Murder Bot series) Artificial Condition (Book 2)

• Deserter by Junji Ito (graphic novel)

Show Notes:

Relationships we make (camaraderie), learn about self (process) and other humans, anticipated gratitude, flexy schedule, doing what you love, get to be the cool/crazy person in the room, be your own Human Resources department, freedom, opportunity to "chart the course" of our careers,

Next Episode: Failing (to Suceeed)

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

• 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

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

• Skippy Dies

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 91 of the podcast and it's November 16, 2022 as we record this.

Main Topic: Nitty-gritty of self-publishing

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:

• Update:
• Stage one of formatting for the ARC and sent it to the book blubber and to Ali.
• Announcements: Tickets for the Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop go live today. Priced at $900, but patron price is $825. 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 are $900 this year and include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. Payment plans are available, and registration opens November 1st, 2022. Patrons receive a hefty discount AND can buy early, making their monthly payments even less expensive. Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Just finished:

I'M READING: Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton, Confessions of a Bookseller (memoir/diary)

• Up Next: The Nesting by CJ Cooke
• Erick's Reading:
• All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Murder Bot series) Artificial Condition (Book 2)

• Skippy Dies

Show Notes:

Canva.com

K-lytics.com

Publisherrocket.com

Bowker.com

Next Episode: gratitude for the author life

Resources:

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

• 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

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

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 90 of the podcast and it's November 9, 2022 as we record this.

Main Topic: Receiving Feedback

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:

• Update:
• Nesting around the house. Bought some shoe racks. Did some house blessing WITH dusting. Had a budget meeting with Ali. Made a Dia de los Muertos altar.
• Announcements: Tickets for the Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop are LIVE. Priced at $900, but patron price is $825. 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 are $900 this year and include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. Payment plans are available, and registration opens November 1st, 2022. Patrons receive a hefty discount AND can buy early, making their monthly payments even less expensive. Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Just finished: 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)

I'M READING: Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton, Confessions of a Bookseller (memoir/diary)

• Up Next: The Nesting by CJ Cooke
• Erick's Reading:
• All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Murder Bot series)

• Skippy Dies

Show Notes:

Writer's group, editor, beta readers, reviews

It will only increase, so learning how to receive it gracefully.

Consider the source of feedback.

Look for patterns when receiving feedback en masse.

Don't engage with reviewers.

You don't have to take all the suggestions your editor gives you, especially during line edits.

Next Episode: nitty-gritty of self-publishing

Resources:

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:

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

• 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

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

I'M READING:

South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber (magical realism)

Erick's Reading:

• Dowery of Blood ST Gibson
• When Skippy Dies
• Interview with a vampire
• Shadow over innsmouth h.p. Lovecraft

Resources:

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:

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

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

• 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

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 88 of the podcast and it's October 19, 2022 as we record this.

Main Topic: Submissions

PATREON:

No new patrons this weeks, but 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: Ep87: planning for and staying balanced during a busy season, Nicole says: Cool. I've been wanting to write a poem or essay about this, several part-time jobs, exercise, physical training, my neglected garden, housework, friends, etc.

I have good hopes to write, exercise, spiritual study, etc. Sometimes morning appointments too.

Mary says: it was helpful to hear how you meet your goals, regardless of what else is going on in your lives. I'm envious (LOL), but working on this. Thank you

Just finished: ARC Weyward by Emilia Hart (out in March). Totally my jam. Strong woman. Different time lines. Hint of natural magic.

• I'M READING: Confessions of a Bookseller
• Up Next::Wintering by Katherine May or Wildwood by Colin Meloy
• Erick's Reading:
• Interview with a vampire
• Shadow over innsmouth h.p. Lovecraft
• Update: Valerie's new author website is finished, if you want to take a look.
• Announcements:
• Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets are $900 this year and include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. Payment plans are available, and registration opens November 1st, 2022. Patrons receive a hefty discount AND can buy early, making their monthly payments even less expensive. Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Show Notes:

• 3-5% acceptance is a reasonable acceptance rate
• Poets and Writers
• DuoTrope
• Submission Grinder
• ralan's

Solicited manuscripts vs Slush Pile

What's your system to log?

Where do you find submissions? (DuoTrope, Submission Grinder) Where do you log/track your submissions?

Story title, summary, word count, date completed (of writing it), rejected, date submitted, publication, editor, contact name, what they said.

ALWAYS follow the Submission guidelines. The whole thing. Even if you are a solicited submission. 30-40% are rejected without reading because they don't follow the guidelines.

How many submissions a week/month? (Erick circulates nine at all time.)

When get a rejection, resubmit to another place. New magazine or anthology is best chance to get in because they don't have a slush pile.

Some mags have windows for submission times.

Next Episode: celebrating successes

Resources:

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.

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

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

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:

• 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)

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.

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

The Author Life Community

Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

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

Still reading The Yard.

Show Notes:

How to set up a Patreon Page

Patreon Header: defines what you do

(Erick talks about his favorite elements of mystery, and why he's including what he is for his Patrons.)

Making sure you delight your readers/patrons/subscribers: use different tropes so no two stories are the same, back-to-back. Giving some variety in the eras—1800s to 1980s. Using a collection of stories to develop the world-building of the series.

Craft: These short stories start with a little introduction (framing technique), and then a witness account follows. Write the framing device first. Give credibility to the witness account. And then let the witness tell their story. End "chunk" has an ironic twist.

Character voice is really important and when Erick knows the character's first line, he can "take dictation" from the character, and the story tells itself.

Use beta-readers to "up the ante" on the stories, amp the stakes without shifting into a different genres.

Introduce the world and every element of Canyon County to his Patrons. Research is important to create a level of authenticity.

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 85 of the podcast and it's September 21, 2022 as we record this.

Main Topic: Spousal/Partner Support

PATREON:

No new patrons this weeks, but 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.

• Just finished: Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor

• I'M READING: Confessions of a Bookseller
• Up Next:: The Cloisters and PriestDaddy
• Erick's Reading:
• The Yard by Alex Grecian
• Joe Golem, the Occult Detective series graphic novels by Mike Mignola (Hell Boy guy)
• Update: extra shifts at the bookstore, started working on new author website, and thinking about a short story for anthology
• Announcements: Erick's new book, Chasing Shadows, is out now!
• Passion Planner launched their new line of annual dated planners for 2023. I've already received mine. And I'm thinking of more ways to use it and decorate it. Use my referral link https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx and discount code VALERIEO866.
• Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets are $900 this year and include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. Payment plans are available, and registration opens November 1st, 2022. Patrons receive a hefty discount AND can buy early, making their monthly payments even less expensive. Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information.

Comments:

Show Notes:

"Never question applause."~Nick Cage

Resources:

Contact Erick for business-starting advice.

Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.

Next Episode:

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.

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

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

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:

• 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)