What did you think of this episode?

Are you ready to take your platform to the next level? Linda’s guest offers three strategies to make that happen.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn 3 Top strategies to network and build your platform.

Linda's guest is Dr Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes. Dr. Katherine is an editor, author, speaker, podcaster, and educational consultant. She is the production editor for Embolden Media Group and a member of Word Weavers International, serving as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 board and the 540 Writer’s Community board and is an art instructor for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future in Guatemala.

Katherine hosts the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She contributes regularly to several magazines, blogs, and newsletters. She authored a Bible study for women, a collaborative anthology of devotions, and is currently working on the sequels of her first general market thriller novel. Her thriller A Fifth of the Story debuted in February 2024 through Endgame Press.

Today's episode walks you through three ways to network to grow your platform and engage with your audience.
Attend Writerly-events
Join Niche Groups
Engage Online

Giveaway-  use the code Lindarocks2024 during checkout to receive a free eBook when they visit my website,www.drkatherinehayes.com, go to the book section, and choose any ebook.

Bonus giveaway - Building Your Author Brand: 5 Essential Strategies

Find out more about Dr. Katherine Hutchison Hayes
Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality podcast

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

What does a street team do for writers, and where do you find them? Kara Swanson provides tips to attract and grow a robust street team.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. You’ll learn about … Building a Robust Street Team during this episode.

Linda's industry expert is…Kara Swanson. Kara writes stories about fairytales and fiery souls. She spent her childhood a little like a Lost Girl, running barefoot through lush green jungles, which inspired her award-winning Peter Pan retellings, DUST and SHADOW. Her latest fantasy series is set in an icy world filled with phoenixes called IGNITE, released in August 2024.
 
She is also the co-founder of the Author Conservatory where she has the honor of teaching young writers to craft sustainable author careers.

You’ll find Kara with her toes in California sand as a SoCal resident, belting Broadway show tunes on weekend drives to Disneyland with her delightfully nerdy husband, or chatting about magic and mayhem on Instagram

Building a Robust Street Team

• Kara, you recently built a street team of 700+ members, 70% of whom open your emails. How did you attract so many people to your street team? 
• What kind of results have they brought you so far?
• What are your tips for managing a street team this large?

Listener giveaway - A training we put together called “The Smart Writer’s Guide to Publication and Beyond” 

 The Author Conservatory 

You can find out more about Kara here

https://www.KaraSwanson.com 
https://www.AuthorConservatory.com

https://www.enclavepublishing.com/series/heirs-of-neverland/  
Kara Swanson on Instagram   

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Readers want to see their authors. Listen in as Linda Goldfarb and Annette Reeder provide YouTube tips to help your writing business expand.

In this encore episode, Linda's industry expert is Annette Reeder, the Biblical Nutritionist. It was a summer evening on the lawn of a camp meeting that God called Annette into missions. Today, without getting on a plane or traveling through the bush, she is sharing the Gospel around the globe via YouTube– to over 125 countries and over 19 million viewers with 439,000 subscribers

During our episode, Annette and I discuss the following:

• Why should writers consider doing a YouTube channel?
• How to get started?
• Does it pay to be on YouTube?
• How do you do YouTube for fiction and non-fiction?
• How does YouTube grow my audience?

Check out: 

• These amazing freebies from Annette Reeder 
• Annette Reeder on YouTube
• More about Annette Reeder
• The Biblical Nutrition Academy

If you enjoy Your Best Writing Life's content- consider a monthly donation through Patreon. Support Your Best Writing Life podcast

I'd love to hear your thoughts about this episode.

About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Besides hosting Your Best Writing Life, Linda Goldfarb is a multi-published award-winning author, audiobook narrator, international speaker, board-certified Christian life coach, co-owner, co-founder of the LINKED® Personality System, and co-author of the LINKED® Quick Guide to Personality series.

Linda and her hubby, Sam, are empty nesters leading full lives. With four adult children and 15 grandbabies– life is a new adventure every day. She loves sipping frothed coffee with friends, traveling the countryside with Sam, and sharing transparent moments with family.

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Awarded the

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Let's develop healthy writing habits.

While the New Year holds much promise and excitement, difficult times are always waiting. Edie Melson helps us prepare for these challenges in this encore episode by developing healthy writing practices.
Welcome Edie Melson.

Edie is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, she encourages and challenges audiences to understand the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God.

She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn 23 Best Writing Practices. 

Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life. It’s great to have you here, my friend.

Download the episode giveaway for 23 Things below.

Edie Melson
The Write Conversation Blog for Writers
Listener giveaway PDF Link for 23 Things to Do for Your Writing Self
Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Scholarship Info
Best Writing Life Life January Tip Sheet for Writers

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Attention Writers…publicity is your friend! Linda’s guest shares how you can maximize your publicity beyond your book launch.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb.

Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about Publicity – ways to extend what a publicist did for you during your launch.

My industry expert is… Stephanie Alton. Stephanie is a literary agent and marketer with The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc. She represents best-selling and new voices in non-fiction and in select fiction genres. Stephanie promotes books by curating and executing publicity campaigns and online marketing plans. She has worked in publishing for 9 years and lives on the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Today, we cover the following:

• Pre-launch tips.
• Post-Launch tips.
• Marketing advantages you have after your book launch that you don’t have during your launch period.
• What any author can do – even with no marketing experience –to market their book.

You can find out more about Stephanie Alton here: www.theblythedanielagency.com
https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_alton/

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Learn how playwriting and scriptwriting could be your mission in Christian ministry.

Your Best Writing Life is an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about … Playwriting and Scriptwriting 

Billy Wayne Arrington is the founder and president of Vision Productions, Inc., Billy Wayne Ministries. He is an ordained minister, contemporary Christian vocal artist, Speaker, Writer, and Director/Producer/ Actor

Billy Wayne is an accomplished speaker as well as a Christian vocal artist. An accomplished singer/songwriter, he has produced over 20 music recording projects, various music videos, and live performances in concert. Known in the Christian music industry, Billy Wayne was also awarded regional finalist for the GMA (Gospel Music Association) Songwriter of the Year in 2000 and 2002. His book, “And God Was Watching,” received a 5-star Clarion review (The highest critic award) in 2011.

Alright, let’s head into our content for today… writing scripts and playwriting…

Why is production writing/script writing important in today’s culture?

How can one get started in this aspect of Christian ministry?

LINKS
www.Lamplighttheatre.com 

www.billywayne.net 

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

You can make money writing scripts for video games. Tune in to find out how to get started. 

Linda's industry expert is Bob Hostetler. Bob is an award-winning author, game writer, international speaker, and literary agent (with The Steve Laube Agency). His fifty books include Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door (co-authored with Josh McDowell) and The Bard and the Bible: A Shakespeare Devotional. He is also the executive director of the Christian Writers Institute (christianwritersinstitute.com).

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn How to Write for Video Games.

How to Write for Video Games

1.    What video game do you currently write for?

2.    What challenges you the most as a video game script writer?

3.    How would one get started in the video game industry?

4.     Any final thought you’d like to share with our listeners, Bob?

The show notes include a list of several writer’s conferences you’ll be attending, along with numerous links where you can learn more about Bob.
LINKS

Website: www.bobhostetler.com

TruPlayGames 

Blogs: www.oneprayeraday.com, https://www.guideposts.org/users/bobhostetler 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bob.hostetler.395 

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBobHostetler 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bobhoss 

MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/bobhostetler1 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/writerhoss 

Pinterest: https://www.goodreads.com/writerhoss 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writerhoss/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-hostetler-aaabb57/ 

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

How does your point of view lose readership? Today’s guest shares the best point of view from which to tell your story.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn how to include the best point of view in your narrative.

Linda's industry expert is… PeggySue Wells. PeggySue is the bestselling author of 40 books, including the mystery suspense book of the year, Unnatural Cause. Action and adventure, romantic suspense, military romance, and cozy mystery are the page-turning novels by P.S. Wells, including Chasing Sunrise, Homeless for the Holidays, and The Patent. How to live better, easier, and simpler is the focus of her nonfiction, including Slavery in the Land of the Free and The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make.

PeggySue is the founder of SingleMomCircle.com and a frequent flyer here on Your Best Writing Life… 

In this episode, you will learn:

What is the second most fixed issue by editors? 

The most fixed issue by editors?

How many types of POV are in the literary circle?

What is the best POV to use?

LINKS 

Listener giveaway! PeggySue’s Particulars to Pen the Perfect Point of View - A Quick Guide to Writing Well

Chasing Sunrise

The Patent

Secrecy Order

Unnatural Cause

The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make 

 PeggySue Wells FB Author Page:

PeggySue Wells FB Personal Page

PeggySue Wells Linked In

PeggySue Wells

Single Mom Circle

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Are you ready to write a devotional that changes lives?
What if you could complete yours in 90 days?

Linda Goldfarb's industry expert is… Janet McHenry is the author of 27 traditionally published books—including the bestselling PrayerWalk, Praying Personalities, and her newest, Looking Up! She teaches nonfiction form at writers’ conferences around the country and hosts the Sierra Valley Writers Retreat twice yearly. Her favorite thing is seeing lightbulbs light up in writers’ eyes. 

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. 

Alright, let’s head into our content for today… How to write a 365-day devotional book in 90 days 

Janet, help us out...

1. You wrote 200,000 words for three different books in less than a year. How did that happen? And how do you schedule your writing time? 
2. Your most recent book, Looking Up!, is a 365-day devotional book that you wrote in three months’ time. How did you pace yourself to get that done? 
3. How would you coach someone in writing a devotion? What elements are important? And you say sometimes writers miss one—what is that? 

LINKS

Listener giveaway - E-book: Prayer Helps: Scripture-Based Prayers When You Don’t Know How to Pray: https://www.janetmchenry.com/mini-magazine 

Latest book - Looking Up! Finding Joy as You Read and Pray Through the Bible: A Daily Devotional (Our Daily Bread Publications, Nov. 5, ,2024): 

You can find out more about Janet McHenry here.
Website: https://www.janetmchenry.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanetMcHenryAuthor/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janetmchenry/ 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/janetmchenry/ 

X: https://x.com/LookingUpFirst 

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Linda Goldfarb's industry expert is… Bethany Jett. Bethany is an associate literary agent with the C.Y.L.E. agency, as well as a multi-award-winning author and a marketing strategist who earned top honors in her master’s program, where she earned her MFA in Communications focusing on Marketing and PR. Her motto is “Teach as you go,” which she lives out as the co-owner of Serious Writer, a company that teaches and empowers writers and authors.

Bethany is married to her college sweetheart, and together they’re raising 3 teen sons and their Pomeranian, Sadie.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about the key concepts of a Great Nonfiction Book.

Are you utilizing the elements that create great nonfiction? Today we focus on one key element nonfiction books must contain to be successful.

The three pillars are Concept, Content, and Craft.

During this episode, we are concentrating on Concept.

What are High Concept ideas?
What makes your book a different book from someone else?
Define the audience who will walk into the bookstore looking for your book.

• Nonfiction content must answer a promise to their reader.
• Every chapter matters
• In this chapter, readers will understand take away or learn... 
• There are no gray lines between memoirs and Christian living; it's one or the other.
• Who are the best sellers in your genre?
• Who are the midlist authors?

Links

Bethany Jett
Bethany Jett Books
Submission Guidelines 

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast