Explore every episode of the podcast Romancing the Story: Writing Romance, Storytelling, and Book Structure
Dive into the complete episode list for Romancing the Story: Writing Romance, Storytelling, and Book Structure. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
Rows per page:
50
1–50 of 91
Title
Pub. Date
Duration
Ep 78 - Book to Screen: Writing a Script and Adaptation with Emily Roberson
27 Aug 2024
00:52:32
"....(Screenwriting) is, to me, a lot more puzzle-like than novels...if somebody gives me a screenplay to read that is 140 pages, I know it doesn't work."
Award-winning author Emily Roberson explores the intricacies of adaptation as she delves into how to write compelling scripts. From options as an author to translating a story to the screen, Emily shares insights, challenges, and plenty of examples. Whether you’re a writer or simply curious about storytelling, join us as we unpack the written word and its visual counterpart.
"As a romance fan, we couldn't get anybody or any of the networks to buy into....(or) pay to make these adaptations, and so we started our own streaming platform..."
Tosca Musk, CEO and founder behind streaming service Passionflix, takes proper time, care, and effort to make a romance book into a movie for the fans. We chat determining what role she takes in each production, the power of delegating and getting fans involved with productions. It's all part of her master plan-fingers crossed!
Ep 68 - Beyond Stereotypes: Crafting Authentic Characters with Disabilities with Melissa Whitney
13 May 2024
00:48:35
"....Whenever you are going to write disability or anytime you're going to write outside of your lived experience, first you have to ask yourself: Do you already platform and support this community?"
As a romance writer with a disability, Melissa Whitney writes fantastic HEAs for non-typical protagonists - who have disabilities and neurodivergences. In the discussion, we explore the nuances of creating authentic characters with disabilities and how to write with empathy and accuracy while bringing depth to the writing.
Ep 67 - Tragedy and Humor: Creating a New Happily Ever After with Courtney Deane
09 Apr 2024
00:41:31
"...I certainly hope that (this book) reaches the people who do, for one reason or another, feel that the world has just been so unfair to them and why can't it pick on somebody else for once..."
After both her parents died, Courtney penned those tragedies into a debut book, When Happily Ever After Fails. In the book, she proves all tragedies can be rewritten, and happiness can bloom where you least expect it. We chat revising a happily ever after doesn’t have to be an “all or nothing” mentality and mingling dark and light elements of life is more fact than fiction.
Ep 66 - Collaborative Magic: Crafting a Holiday Novella Series with Lark Green, Lucy Limon, and Catrina Bell
08 Jan 2024
00:55:54
"...as we're solving problems in our own stories, we're creating problems for the other stories that (Lark and Catrina) had to work in... It made for some really creative outcomes." - Lucy Limon
As critique partners and writers with complementary strengths, romance authors Lark Green, Lucy Limon, and Catrina Bell devised a plan for a holiday novella series where a one author took a different book. We chat how their masterful coordination, thorough world-building, and developmental courtesy helped them stay on track to release the series, even in the midst of last-minute fixes and edits.
Ep 65 - Building an Interconnected Series with C.A. Szarek
15 Nov 2023
00:44:40
"They always say start your book on a day that's different. That's called an inciting incident. That's what I try to do naturally. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't."
A decade into writing her Highlander series, USA Today Bestselling Author C.A. Szarek has built a large cast of interconnected books, and her unorthodox method continues to have no hard and fast rules of writing. We chat about how she gets reacquainted with her books after a period of time away from writing in the world and as an important idea with any writer, how the overall pantsing way of writing her books works best for her.
Ep 64 - Overcoming Writer’s Block and Procrastination with Dr. Nicole Janz
06 Nov 2023
00:48:01
"We need to see writer's block in a different way. It's really not the enemy, but...it's a sign. And usually, it's that your body and your mind are telling you something is off..."
Author and writing coach, Dr. Nicole Janz, helps creatives use their writing voice with breakthroughs on writer's block and procrastination. Straightforward and detailed, we chat about what causes procrastination and how to approach writer's block in a way that is conducive and keeps your story moving forward.
The Write Habit: The Undated Annual Planner and Workbook for Busy Writers https://amzn.to/47moyJN
Ep 63 - Unconventional Love Stories: Monster Romance with Kate Prior
24 Oct 2023
00:45:03
"(Not) to dive into the core fear...that we're unrelatable that people will not communicate with us...and I think that's one of those things you see get demonstrated with monsters in the history of storytelling."
Romance Author Kate Prior fell into writing Monster Romance by accident and now, has three books to show for her Claws and Cubicles series. We discuss writing creatures as an allegory for differences in ourselves and reader's interest in an otherworld romance where Monsters are love interests.
Ep 62 - Reimagining a Holiday Classic with Kelly Farmer
17 Oct 2023
00:38:59
"You know it is such a beloved story but the modern twist...it's really a celebration of queer joy and community...like a true Hallmark-y story nothing truly bad happens."
We're celebrating the most fabulous time of the year! Contemporary Romance Author Kelly Farmer crafts heart, humor, and depth into her books and gave the premise of "It's a Wonderful Life" a make-over with LGBTQIA+ characters. We chat the process of lightening the mood with Hallmark vibes and the process of switching characters while staying true to the original for a modern re-telling.
Ep 61 - Writing Engaging Pets and Animal Sidekicks with Amber Royer
25 Sep 2023
00:54:57
"I think the key is either treat the character (animal) as a sounding board...or you treat this as another character on the same level as a human character."
Writing instructor and multi-genre author, Amber Royer, incorporates all types of animals in her writing - from an octopus to a cockatoo. She directs us in how writing sidekick animals and pets typically follow the "save the cat" rule. Plus, how an animal can provide development and impact in a story - including her own cozy mystery Bean to Bar Series.
Connect with Amber http://amberroyer.com/ Twitter/X: @amber_royer Instagram: @amberroyerauthor Facebook: @Amber.Royer.Author
Ep 60 - Re-assessing Successful Writer Goals with Kathryn McClatchy
20 Sep 2023
01:03:25
"....We need time to think. We need time to research, and we need time to be creative. And so that has to go into our calendar as well."
Back in episode 42, Writer, speaker, and social media consultant Kathryn McClatchy provided ways to create realistic, achievable goals and put the right timeframes in place. Over six months later, we're doing a re-assessing of yearly goals since we're both embarking on new stages of life.
Tag along as we chat ever-changing goals. No matter if you are looking to level up your business, writing, or hobbies, the conversation delves into linking identity with goals and how we manage the shift in our schedule and thinking.
Ep 59 - Creating Compelling External Conflict for a Captivating Story with Susan Sheehey
28 Aug 2023
00:44:34
"...What drives the conflict most are the character's goals and motivations. So you have to ask 'what is the main character's top goal in life and the focus of the story?'..."
Author and Developmental Editor, Susan Sheehey writes compelling stories by embracing flaws, loving imperfections, and building external conflict. She reminds us of the great storytelling tools, goals, motivations, and conflict, and as we chat, she helps troubleshoot what authors can do if a story gets stuck without a conflict.
We also discuss methods for gaging conflict and some of her favorite ways to track conflict while writing.
Ep 76 - Character Creation: Writing an Identity Not Your Own with Alex Temblador
13 Aug 2024
00:49:28
"...and if you create this single story for a people of a certain historically, marginalized identities; you know, that gets taken by readers and it gets inside of them in ways we might not expect or intend to..."
Award-winning author Alex Temblador commitment to diverse storytelling helped create a tool to authentically write and edit a character whose identity differs. We delve into the art of authentically writing characters whose identities differ from our own by exploring the complexities of crafting diverse characters, addressing topics such as identity terms, stereotypes, and unconscious biases.
Connect with Alex https://www.alextemblador.com/ https://www.writinganidentitynotyourown.com/ Twitter/X: @alex_temblador Instagram: @alex_temblador Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1360921567 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextemblador/ GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15807980.Alex_Temblador
Writing an Identity Not Your Own: A Guide for Creative Writers https://amzn.to/4dhE8JS
---------
Other Media Mentions:
Writing the Other (Conversation Pieces) https://amzn.to/3X467Gj
Ep 58 - Scoring Goals and Soccer Romance with Liz Lincoln and Lainey Davis
18 Jul 2023
00:44:25
"My book, A Beautiful Game, was...a love story and also, a love story about soccer and playing soccer."
Liz Lincoln and Lainey Davis score goals when it comes to soccer romance. Both ladies write other kinds of sports romance, but in honor of the World Cup, we chat making soccer (or football!) romance accessible to the masses, writing from althetic and non-althetic POVs, and incorporating real events - like the World Cup - into your book.
Ep 57 - Launching Yourself as an Author before Publishing with Danika Bloom
10 Jul 2023
00:53:05
"Being a pre-published author is to know exactly what your expectations are of yourself and of your writing...Like is this a career for you or do you just have that one story...?"
Danika Bloom, USA Today bestselling romance author, coaches authors like she used to coach small business owners. She empowers and creates a community, so authors don't work alone. We chat tips and methods for launching yourself as an author on the path to publication, rebranding, and resources to help authors achieve their dreams.
Ep 56 - The Power of Voice: Dictating your way to Better Writing with Heidi McCahan
27 Jun 2023
00:40:02
"...Dictating helps me get to the emotional level of my characters a little easier than if I was handwriting or typing on my laptop. It's just for me, dictation takes away a little bit of a barrier..."
Heidi McCahan had an interesting path to becoming a Harlequin author and found a smart way to create leverage in writing multiple books a year - dictation. She utilized dictation for her latest release, One Southern Summer, and chats basics of dictation to finish your draft.
We discuss Heidi's writing process and a dictation course that she put together; plus, tips and tricks to get your story on the page faster.
Ep 55 - Cowboy Romance and Emotional Character Arcs with Kayla Grosse
20 Jun 2023
00:41:08
"...I really wanted all my characters to have this nice arc...They start at point A and then they're sort of figuring their way through it as the book goes on."
Kayla Grosse can't help but write compelling characters with depth - which propelled her previous romance book into a bestseller. Now her cowboy romance, Reign Me In, rides highs and lows as the small-town character's emotional journeys are put front and center; all while hitting all the steamy scenes.
We chat exploring different methods of grief, challenges in writing series and how personal experience has impacted Kayla's writing.
Ep 54 - Planning a Successful Book Launch with Carolyn Choate
13 Jun 2023
00:48:59
"...when you can bring your creative brain to marketing, it explodes. There's so much great opportunity to be creative in marketing and think outside the box and try new things."
Author and Speaker Carolyn Choate hosts The Financially Free Author Show and has been imbedded in the indie publishing world since the wild west of ebook publishing when Kindle first came out! We discuss about the details of books launch and get off on tangents about our passion for podcasting. Plus, she gives a special glimpse of ways she's implementing her own strategies and writers can too!
Ep 53 - Evolving and Embracing Change as a Creator with Bree Unabashedly
05 Jun 2023
00:57:04
"We're pretty good at (the podcast)....I have to not be afraid of like stepping out of the intentions of what it looked like....Not being afraid to step out, to do something different. Owning that like "you're good at what you do". I feel like that's where I'm at right now. "
Whether you are a romance writer, reader or content creator, Bree knows the struggles that comes with growth and transformation. She co-hosts, produces, edits, and co-created The Categorically Romance Podcast that introduces listeners to Harlequin category romance and authors that write under the brand. Come with us as we swap stories of hard-learned lessons in expectations and the reality of a creative.
Ep 52 - A Long, Winding Path to Publishing with Megan Tady
30 May 2023
00:44:10
"We kinda get hit with these overnight success stories, whether it's a writer or anyone...but what I think we don't hear about as much is the actual real toil and grind and rejection that goes into so many books and to being an author."
Author Megan Tady put a lot of editing and querying into her debut, Super Bloom, and has the book to prove it! We discuss why the story of hope, grief, and starting a-new was important to tell. Plus, she talks how the book changed from draft to final version and what author life looks like now that her book has been published.
Super Bloom by Megan Tady: https://amzn.to/42coMzV
Ep 51 - How Rural Settings Shape Stories with E.F. Dodd
22 May 2023
00:40:06
"The city is a beautiful backdrop for (character's) to live their lives in. Whereas in a small town, it's really part of the story."
Romance author E.F. Dodd holds a special place in her heart for rural settings and even set her latest book, A Higher Standard, in a small North Carolina town. We chat how specific settings influence your story and tone of a book. Plus, there's discussion on how to avoid the stereotypes of small-town settings and making a romance worthy of a smooth city slicker and a fiery country girl falling for each other.
[00:02:25] Indie romance author EF Dodd. [00:04:20] Writing two books at once. [00:09:38] Rural North Carolina. [00:13:55] Equine rescue as unique cause. [00:16:02] Realistic rural setting. [00:19:58] Importance of female friendships. [00:22:14] Importance of community in small towns. [00:26:47] Small town community dynamics. [00:30:56] Romance in rural settings. [00:33:34] Preserving historic buildings. [00:37:13] Love and Business.
Ep 50 - Romance versus Erotica and Defining the Genre with Cassandra Rose Clarke
08 May 2023
00:49:44
"(For erotica) You have to have an escalation for how the s*x scenes build on each other, in that sense of things getting more and more serious."
Cassandra Rose Clarke knows how to play with genres. She teaches writing classes across multiple genres and has written over 70 novels - working with official tie-in books like Star Trek, Halo, etc. We chat on what defines an erotica as opposed to a romance - and how language is essential in building the right emotion for salacious scenes. We also theorize on genre-mixing and how stories can incorporate erotic elements.
[0:04:35] Erotica and romance can overlap. [00:06:21] Erotica and romance can overlap. [00:12:39] Erotica should have emotional connection. [00:16:41] Erotica often requires explicit content. [00:21:04 Erotic scenes enhance storytelling experience. [00:26:09] Fantasy romance is legitimate genre. [00:30:56] Exploring sexuality in speculative fiction. [00:36:04] Language and context shape intimacy. [00:44:49] Integrate sex scenes with plot. [00:46:12] Pay attention to language in sex scenes. ----------
Ep 49 - Foundations of Great Storytelling with Megan Haskell
01 May 2023
00:44:26
"If (writers) have a problem...we want to help you target that and take actionable steps. One step at a time (in) chunks so that you can actually move forward right away."
Megan Haskell keeps author's stories rolling. Co-host of the Author Wheel podcast and fantasy writer, Megan delves into the importance of structuring writing time and finding the right fit for telling your story. We discuss popular resources The Author Wheel has to offer, and Megan discusses their new writing reference guides that save time, find clarity, and build a foundation for your next novel.
Ep 75 - Unveiling Character Depth through Family with Amber Royer
05 Aug 2024
00:52:11
"...Introducing family shows a different side (to the character) and allows the character to be a little more well-rounded in the way they interact..."
Writing instructor and multi-genre author, Amber Royer, encounters the challenges and surprises of introducing new characters with her Bean to Bar Cozy Mystery Series. She even touched on understating off-page characters until authors know the dynamics they present with the main protagonist and the importance of moving a character forward.
Connect with Amber http://amberroyer.com/ Twitter/X: @amber_royer Instagram: @amberroyerauthor Facebook: @Amber.Royer.Author
Ep 48 - Kissing and Killing: Romance and Murder hand-in-hand with Diane Kelly
21 Feb 2023
00:58:13
"You can have the emotion, the angst, and the personal intimate details of a romance, but you can also have the cerebral part of a mystery and solving clues..."
Award-winning author Diane Kelly had a natural progression from romance writer to cozy mystery writer, and she's been mixing genres ever since. She discusses the difference between concocting a murder mystery and building a romantic connection in a story. Plus, we chat the influence of true crime and how justice can be served in when writing a cozy mystery.
[00:04:24] Cozy mysteries feature intelligent women. [00:05:31] Exploring relationships in cozy mysteries. [00:09:35] Balancing genres in cozy mysteries. [00:15:11] Mixing genres can enhance storytelling. [00:19:04] Cozy mysteries and true crime. [00:24:35] Process of outlining cozy mysteries. [00:27:50] Creating suspense in mystery novels. [00:32:20] Understanding human behavior is key. [00:37:49] Romance can enhance cozy mysteries. [00:45:32] Animals bring charm to stories. [00:46:46] Building community in Cozy Mysteries. [00:51:40] Breaking away from Southern stereotypes.
Ep 47 - Writing Multiple Subgenres in Romance with Lauren Smith
13 Feb 2023
00:45:46
"Write like a Reader. If you don't wanna read it, don't write it."
USA Today Bestselling Author Lauren Smith has written 75 books in 8 years - spanning multiple sub-genres in romance. She fully understands the trials and tribulations that come with branding yourself under one author name, as well as using a pen name for a different sub-genre. She talks about pros and cons in writing different sub-genres, her approach to writing different types of romance, and managing details with so many ongoing series.
Ep 46 - Trope Thesaurus Romance Edition with Jennifer Hilt
06 Feb 2023
00:50:33
"You can bend the rules, but you need to know what they are first."
USA Today Bestselling author Jennifer Hilt loves a good trope. So much so that she's written several books about it! In working with authors as a plotter and concept creator, she created and wrote the Trope Thesaurus, a writing reference book to help identify tropes and strengthen stories.
Ep 45 - Writing while Working Full-Time with Lark Green
01 Feb 2023
00:43:12
Author Lark Green might be a nurse during the day, but she writes steamy monster romance at night. To deal with the stress of her job and a global crisis, she started writing her own HEA stories. She set a goal to have her debut, The Orc Boss, written and published in a year - all while working full-time in the medical field!
We chat about what her process looked like and what she learned in her first foray into monster romance!
Ep 44 - Conquering Writing Challenges and Getting Unstuck with Holly Lyn Walrath
30 Jan 2023
00:49:48
WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVE WHAT YOU WRITE.
That's Holly Lyn Walrath's motto. Holly is a writer, poet, editor, and publisher of Interstellar Flight Press and always finds new ways to challenge her writing. Her creativity allows her to think outside the box with poems and short stories; along with numerous methods on getting unstuck. She teaches writing workshops and shares knowledgeable tips for helping writers of all genres.
Plus, we have a pow-wow about our wins and losses when it comes to writing practices.
Ep 43 - Making a Cozy Mystery Cozy with Amber Royer
23 Jan 2023
00:55:29
Writing instructor and multi-genre author, Amber Royer, understands the heart of what makes a cozy mystery the perfect comfort read - community, characters, a little romance and a dash of murder mystery. She has done vast research on chocolate, occupations, and furry friends to bring her latest series - Bean to Bar - to life.
Plus, we have an honest discussion about charting out romance subplots in a series and handling the romance with care.
Connect with Amber http://amberroyer.com/ Twitter: @amber_royer Instagram: @amberroyerauthor Facebook: @Amber.Royer.Author
Ep 42 - Setting Successful Writer Goals with Kathryn McClatchy
17 Jan 2023
01:01:09
It's always a good time to set goals! Writer, speaker, and social media consultant Kathryn McClatchy knows how to create and hit achievable goals. She'shelped many authors create realistic goals and objectives for their stage of life - and put the right timeframes in place.
We'll be talking all things goal-oriented. No matter if you are looking to level up your business, writing, or hobbies, we break down why goals are important, identifying goals that are realistic for your stage of life and how to lean into your strengths. (Part 1 of 2. Second part can be found on Kathryn's podcast - Authorpreneurs Unleashed)
Ep 41 - Novel Prep and Starting NaNoWriMo with Shayla Raquel
07 Nov 2022
00:49:32
Shayla Raquel is an author, self publishing mentor, speaker, editor, wifey, and dog mom. She's been helping authors on their publishing journey for over a decade and has writing tips to spare!
We chat all things NaNoWriMo and how writers can get invested in any stage of the word count. As a former NaNo winner, Shayla divulges her current methods and tools that set her up for success. Plus, teach you how to apply the tricks for your own writing!
Ep 40 - Fantasy Romance, Worldbuilding, and Sapphic Lovers with Freya Marske
01 Nov 2022
00:45:58
Freya Marske dazzles readers with her immersive worlds and has the credentials to show for it! She's an international bestselling author, winner of the Romantic Novel Award for Fantasy, and a Hugo-nominated podcaster.
She discusses methods in building meticulous, literary worlds readers want to lose themselves in and how to balance a story that does so much with its premise - think Edwardian Knives Out on a boat! We also chat on leveraging a historic setting to layer a story and fleshing out characters and worldbuilding. Best of all, her series "The Last Binding" centers compelling queer characters that subvert and play on classic romance tropes - the-rake-and-wallflower coupling anyone?
Ep 39 - Curating a Paranormal Romance Anthology with Patrice Caldwell
31 Oct 2022
00:48:59
Patrice Caldwell holds many esteemed titles already - children’s book editor, literary agent, Forbes’s “30 Under 30” media list, and Publishers Weekly Star Watch honoree - and she hold a distinct passion for uplifting diverse voices in the publishing industry.
She discusses the process of pitching, curating, and editing a YA paranormal romance anthology - titled Eternally Yours - with fifteen of today’s bestselling writers, including Casey McQuiston, Julian Winters, Kat Cho, Melissa de la Cruz and Chloe Gong. Editing the anthology with so many diverse voices was no easy feat and we talk about it in all it's glorious detail!
Ep 74 - Creating an Indie Romance Audiobook with Melissa Whitney and Harlow Wilde
15 Jul 2024
00:48:52
"It's been fun to kinda see (Melissa's writing) evolve also in the narration I have done for her....her stories get better and better with time. It's the same with narration too."
Romance author Melissa Whitney Author and narrator Harlow Wilde are a dynamic duo when it comes to audiobooks. We discuss the changing production process of each book, what to expect creating an audiobook, and working together as an author and narrator for the best listening experience in an audiobook.
Honestly, this episode is three former theater kids who geeked out about being creative and it's glorious.
Ep 38 - Rockstar Romance and Plus Size Heroines with Kayla Grosse
24 Oct 2022
00:47:59
Kayla Grosse started off writing scripts but found her calling as a bestselling author of romance. Her rockstar romance, I Like You Like That, is hitting all the right chords with an empowered plus-size heroine and a sizzling love story.
We get real about plus-size representation in media, the influences behind her empowering female protagonist and writing a character that embodies confidence and knows her worth - regardless of size.
TW: We do briefly talk about eating disorders, weight loss, and fatphobia.
Ep 37 - Top Tropes in Romance Writing with Aimee Walker
18 Oct 2022
00:41:18
It's all about tropes! Aimee Walker is a new author and qualified editor - providing all levels of editorial services to authors of romance and women's fiction with clients across four continents. Pulling from her knowledge, clients and resources, she created a top trope book that gamifies tropes found in your favorite contemporary romances. We talk on the importance of tropes and how they cannot be underestimated in romance writing and reading.
LJ Keys is an intuitive woman of many talents - writer, poet, and tarot reader. Over the years, it has become clearer where she should be in her spiritual journey. Part of the journey is helping writers with their writing through tarot! She provides a tarot reading for my characters to show how tarot can be used as a writer's tool and how to structure and interpret tarot for writing.
Ep 35 - Highlander Time-Travel Trope and Writing with C.A. Szarek
03 Oct 2022
00:46:06
Eight books into her Highlander Time-Travel series, USA Today Bestselling Author C.A. Szarek is well-acquainted with the trope. She divulges the interest in Scotland that worked its way into her series and creating (and breaking) your own rules as a writer in a sub-genre based in magic.
How does she keep track of all the HEAs in a Highlander family tree and how all the books are inter-connected? So far, she tracks mentally and re-reads her books. But we discuss the very real possibility of a book bible for her ever-growing highlander series....
Ep 34 - Dissecting Book Blurbs with Jessie Cunniffe
26 Sep 2022
00:58:00
Professional book blurb writer and coach, Jessie Cunniffe joined the show for a second time to walk through a blurb audit with two voluntary blurbs - one a women's fiction and the other a spicy romance. She talks through the highs and revisions of the blurbs to help gain more readers.
Whether you're working on the blurb for a new release or looking to revise from your backlist, Jessie will help you find the right fit and vibe for the blurb of your book.
Below are links to the paid courses mentioned on the episode. If you don't use the link, be sure to use code ROMANCETHESTORY for 10% off the courses below.
Ep 33 - Proofreading for Your Writing with Melissa Bradford
19 Sep 2022
00:41:48
Melissa Bradford may be a Spanish teacher by day but moonlights as a freelance proofreader and copyeditor ready to turn rough drafts into polished, publishable material for indie authors. She helps walk me through the editing titles (alpha reader, beta reader, proofreader) to clarify when authors need them during the revision process. During our chat, I learn of her business as a proofreader, her genres, and areas of expertise - i.e. teen talk - and what proofreaders can offer writers.
Ep 32 - Kindle Vella Writing and Publishing with Rebecca F. Kenney
12 Sep 2022
00:45:46
Rebecca F. Kenney writes spicy fantasy romance about sassy, strong women and hot guys with tragic backstories. As a successful self published author, she knows her way around writing a story and she was one of the early adopters to Amazon's new platform - Kindle Vella. During our chat, we talk about her stories on KV and she bestows all the writing in-and-outs for authors looking to navigate the new serialized format.
Find Rebecca's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-F-Kenney/e/B07JH589ZN/
Ep 31 - From Page to Audiobook for Paranormal Mystery with Shannon Reber and Lauren Rodriguez
29 Aug 2022
00:38:26
Shannon Reber is a Mystery, Paranormal, and Fantasy writer. She was born a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away . . . or her imagination was anyway. She lives in western New York with her husband and a wide variety of both real and imaginary friends who often battle it out for dominance in her head.
Her coming-of-age paranormal mystery series - Madison Meyer Mystery - is about a young genius who becomes a paranormal investigator and creates a team to find out about a world she never knew existed. Maddie makes new friends, finds love, and maybe finds a new career path.
Lauren Rodriguez narrates the Madison Meyer Mystery Series and has several audiobooks to her name. Lauren's love of performing in plays and musical theatre helped shape her passion for using her voice to tell stories behind a microphone.
Find Shannon's books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DehdPC
Ep 30 - Interracial Romance and the South Asian Experience with Khushi T. Saha
22 Aug 2022
00:40:57
Khushi T Saha is an indie romance writer, has lived on both coasts of the US, and is a first generation South Asian. Drawing on her own experiences, she weaves tales of interracial relationships, India, and the South Asian culture and traditions - using her skills to completely immerse romance readers.
Her romance series - The Liberated Series - became a cathartic project to convey the triumph and turmoil of an interracial couple and create a HEA with a South Asian heroine. She hopes that other South Asian Americans can relate to her stories and the Asian American experience, and of course, that romantics all around enjoy her novels.
Find Khushi's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Khushi-T-Saha/e/B09QC25LJ7/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk
Ep 29 - The Passion for Great Romance Reads with Poppy Darling
15 Aug 2022
00:46:48
Poppy Darling, romance fan and writer, loves a good romance novel. They thrill her, and they were her secret obsession. Until, she decided to become Host of the Confessions of a Closet Romantic Podcast.
Like most romantic readers, she finds a sense freedom in the romance genre - being able to define what love, connection, and sex mean to her. Most of all, she aims to celebrate her love of the genre without embarrassment or shame.
In celebration of Romance Reading Month, we gush about why we love the romance genre, how it's changed for us as we've matured, and why we both started podcasts about romance.
Ep 73 - Audible Impact: Cultivating Listeners for Audiobooks with Karen White
08 Jul 2024
00:58:01
"If you're just starting out, I personally would recommend waiting (to invest in audiobooks) until you have a full series that...is selling well. ...If the series isn't working, you're not going to know that until the series has been out for a while."
As an author and narrator, Karen White knows what it takes to get into listening ears. We discuss her passion for audiobooks with the creation of Home Cooked Books, an audiobook community designed to support authors and readers. She shares leveraging narrators, your platforms, and tips for creating and promoting your audiobook.
Connect with Karen: https://www.homecookedbooks.com/ https://www.karengrey.com/
Ep 28 - Excellent Audiobook Narration with CJ Critt
08 Aug 2022
00:59:00
Audiobooks are a booming business with less obstacles than ever before. While many indie authors face the burning questions: Should they narrate their own books or find a narrator? And how do authors find the right narrator for a book?
CJ Critt, SAG-AFTRA Actress and Narrator, walks through the process of narration and let's us peak behind-the-mic for the work that goes into voicing an audiobook. CJ has been narrating audiobooks for decades with nearly 200 popular titles of fiction to her name. For her, being an artist is thrilling. But it is work. And it is a business. And with her help, we walk through the business of audiobook narration and what it takes.
Ep 27 - Crafting a Re-telling into a New Tale with Kate Forsyth
05 Jul 2022
00:47:24
Award-winning author Kate Forsyth knows her way around a re-telling. With a Doctorate of Creative Arts in fairy tale studies and an accredited master storyteller, she has written several books re-contextualizing fairy tales and myths. She lends insight into her process of writing a re-telling and how to pull from the original tales to create a compelling story for a modern audience.
Kate's most recent novel is The Crimson Thread, a reimagining of ‘The Minotaur in the Labyrinth’ myth set in Crete during the invasion and occupation of World War II.
The Crimson Thread https://amzn.to/3bMB5hZ
Kate's other books https://amzn.to/3bJh381
Connect with Kate https://kateforsyth.com.au/ Facebook - @kateforsythauthor Twitter - @KateForsyth Instagram - @kate_forsyth_
The YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQ
Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestory
Ep 26 - Building Writing Habits and the 365 Writing Challenge with Clarissa Gosling
27 Jun 2022
00:45:08
Clarissa Gosling, author of "Dragons of Kaitstud" and "Lost Princess of Starlight" YA fantasy series, has always lived more in the world of daydream and fiction than in reality. But faced the problem many author do: How do you find the time to write?
On top of being a busy mum and living abroad, she is also an admin for the 365 Writing Challenge, an international writing support group that helps writers build the habit of writing. She has built in writing productivity for her busy schedule and is one of the co-hosts of the Reading Queens podcast, which discusses mainly young adult fantasy books and their tropes.
Find Clarissa's books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3xVkxfg
Ep 25 - Tips and Tricks for Writing Book Blurbs with Jessie Cunniffe
20 Jun 2022
01:11:19
It's a spicy book blurb summer! Professional book blurb writer and saving grace for authors, Jessie Cunniffe, joined the show to spill all the tea on writing the perfect book blurb for your book - talking the ins and outs of creating a dynamite blurb that sells your book for you.
Below are links to freebies and the paid courses mentioned on the episode - along with discount codes for the podcast.