Words & Pictures Podcast

This week a solo episode where I chat about some of the downsides of independent publishing. 

I’ll be talking about work ethic, distribution, marketing, publishing platforms and hiringing your own professionals. And much more. So if you are undecided about which way to go Indie or Trad - here is the honest truth about some of the not so good bits of doing it yourself. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

Anna Sharples - www.sharpsightedg...

Lou explains what Steampunk is and then discusses her writing and her protagonists journeys through the seven books she has written in this world. 

We discuss automats, Booktok, marketing, book covers, blurbs and cats and much more in the writing life. 

In the intro, DJ talks about proof copies and email lists. 

DJ is here: www.djbowmansmith.com 

Find Lou here:  www.loukemp.com

Amazon page: Amazon.com: Lou Kemp: books, biography,...

Karen talks about her memoir, Growth: A mother, her son and the brain tumour they survived. Karen felt compelled to share her story of how she overcame ingrained people pleasing tendencies to convince doctors that her son needed help. She discusses medical gaslighting and how this memoir has enabled her to come to terms with what happened and recognise her own journey.

We also chat about book marketing, napping, and the joys of sma...

Angela M Herrick tells me about her background as a playwright and what draws her to create time travel fiction. She talks about her enjoyment of research and how to make the fiction world believable. She shares her take on marketing her books and her recent experience of attending Twenty Books Vegas.

In the intro: DJ is still deep within the editing process.

Find Angela M Herrick here: Amazon.com: Angela M. Herrick: books, biogr...

Jay tells me what scares him and why he likes to write dark fiction. He explains why he hates trigger warnings and his discovery writing process.

We discuss the benefits of independent publishing whilst acknowledging the hard work and knowledge base required for success.

He tells me about his latest published book and what he is working on right now.

In the intro, DJ talks about her new desk, her latest book cover and the ongoing e...

Hybrid author Hallie Christensen shares why she writes for children and the highs and lows of the author life. She tells me about her new middle-grade book and how it was inspired. We discuss book covers, social media and the tricky business of marketing children's books. Hallie tells me about her WIP, which is a cosy, middle-grade fantasy. Hallie explains how she discovered her audiobook narrator.                   

In the intro...

Annie Fox is a writer, educator, podcaster and all-round advocate for children's and young people's well-being. Recently, she has switched from non-fiction self-help books to write a fiction book for teens with a message for our times.

Her latest book, The Little Things That Kill, is out on Gallantines Day, February 13th - Annie reads a compelling excerpt from her novel. She shares her inspiration for this unique story.

She tells m...

After a chat about my horrid computer crash - what I learnt in hindsight. I jump right in and discuss the four books you need to be a writer. That’s it. Just four.

Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com

Book links

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need eBook : Brody, Jessica: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression (Second Edition): 1 (Writ...

Angela tells me about her current WIP, the third book in her YA series. Her main character can see the dead – so of course, we talk about ghosts and what inspires her to write for this age group.

We discuss finding the right designer for her book covers. Her writing process and how social media is such a help to independent authors like us.

Fitting in writing with a busy family life and a full-time job is challenging – yet possible...

Traditionally published author Hazel Prior tells me about her books, which are hard to categorise as they feature animals and diverse characters. Uplit is a term often used to describe them.

Hazel writes first and foremost from her own heart and likes to add humour and a sense of place to her writing.

She tells me about being a part of the Richard and Judy Book Club. Her cat Purrsy. Her writing process and so much more.

In the intr...

Emma talks about her new Christmas romance A Christmas Truce. She tells me about her YouTube channel and how it led to writing a how-to book about X for authors. Find this and more on her Amazon page below. She talks me through taking part in National Novel Writing Month and being a hybrid author.

Find Emma here: www.emma-bennet.co.uk

www.joffebooks.com

Find DJ: www.djbowmansmith.com & www.tigermolly.com

Amazon page: Amazon.c...

Indy tells me about his two MC's, one a detective and the other a criminal and how they are both a mixture of good and bad. The world they inhabit, Central City, is a character in itself. He explains why he uses an imagined as opposed to a real place for his stories.

We talk about his excellent book covers and branding. His writing process and his plans for the future.

In the intro DJ talks about making new flat lays and season...

Sheryl Bass tells me about creating her rhyming picture books. Her writing process and the social learning she wishes to convey within the stories. We talked about the importance of rhyme for reading acquisition. She shares how she chose the artist for the illustrations. We discuss the ongoing problems of book marketing.

In the intro DJ chats about making new covers for her kidlit.

Find Sheryl Bass: Linkedin  https://www.linkedin...

Tara tells me about her new series of spicey and cosy romance. The first book, Just Like Magic, is out on November 17th. We chat about romance genre language and she clarifies what a cinnamon roll hero is and why she chose this type of love interest for her latest book. 

We talk about the differences between erotica and romance with spice. Her writing schedule, book covers, social media and author newsletters.

In the intro DJ cha...

Helen tells me about the worlds she has created and some of the creatures in her fantasy books. We discuss the joy of inventing low-tech/no-tech worlds as escapism for ourselves and our readers.

We talk about book marketing, self-publishing and the impact social media has on modern authors and readers. Audiobooks, book covers, how to fit a writing life around a full-time job, and the value of the indie author community.

Find Hele...

Dare talks about her latest book, Abilene, which is set in a small Texas town. We discuss the difficulties of creating books with more than one protagonist. Dare tells me about her methods for making each character real.

Dare works full-time and must fit her writing around a busy working life and her family. She talks about making the most of every moment and writing anywhere she can.

She discusses writing middle-grade fiction and ...

Jennifer has written a memoir of her experiences living aboard a sailboat. Honeymoon at Sea – How I found myself living on a small boat tells the story of early marriage and adventure. We discuss sea sickness – naturally, and the difficulties of creating a readable memoir. Jennifer is a professional book editor, and her husband also writes. How do they manage a creative life in a small space? A lot of give and take and a good set o...