Best Beginner Writer Tips Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 62: Time For Extremicon 1:12:22

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4h ago1:12:22

1:12:22

So much time, so little to do. Strike that. Reverse it. From authors to 3D printers; from crocheting to acting...it's all at Tremendicon. Join Jared and Chris as they sit down with awesome creators. Then go check them out: https://www.richardwgoldsmith.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwiTMwuaY2SPVE3ShxZ8aMQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP520 - What We've Learned In 10 Years of Podcasting 42:46

6h ago42:46

42:46

On 2.10.2015 we published our very first SPA Girls Podcast episode and OH THE NERVES! But we persisted and here we are, ten years later, ten years wiser, 520 episodes later and a million magic moments of inspiration, advice, publishing wisdom and fellow author interviews and shenanigans recorded. So what are our “acorns of wisdom” we’ve learned fro…

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Brave New Writers: So, You’ve Decided to Write a Book 19:36

15h ago19:36

19:36

Elijah Curtiss kicks off Don’t Read Into This! with a wry, heartfelt look at what it takes to begin writing a book. No formulas, no gatekeeping—just honest talk about the messy, magical start of a creative journey. From defining what counts as a book to navigating the plotter-vs-pantser spectrum, Elijah blends metaphor, humor, and practical advice …

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Episode 61: Voo Doo and Portal Fantasies 49:03

5d ago49:03

49:03

It's another visit with authors at the Farmers Market. This time Jared and Chris dive in with Ed Lee and A. M. Aurelia to explore worlds filled with Voo Doo magic, and escape with characters through a portal into alternat universes. Never mind the rain. The mail man ain't got nothing on us!

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP519 - Marketing For Authors with Olivia Zugay 1:00:53

6d ago1:00:53

1:00:53

Author Business and Marketing Strategist, Olivia Zugay, is here with some wonderful tips on gaining discoverability, improving reader retention and focussing on long-game thinking without overly relying on chaotic social media! Olivia Zugay is a business and marketing strategist for self-published fiction authors. As the founder of Story Flow Solut…

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Episode 60: It's All Fun and Games 59:25

12d ago59:25

59:25

Have you ever played any of the versions of Munchkin? If not, you better take a chance on the fun. That's what Jared and his son tried, and they had to learn how to lose...to Chris. Join Jared and Chris as they go on a rambling walk discussing the fun and inspiration that comes with game play.

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Episode 57: Learning With Liz - Last Lines - How To Hit The Ending 1:30:31

12d ago1:30:31

1:30:31

First lines are important and all, but what about your last line? How do you leave your readers aching for more? Join Jared and Chris as they sit down for another great discussion with the amazing Liz Verity.

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SPA Girls Podcast EP518 - Sarra Cannon talks organisation for authors 1:01:15

14d ago1:01:15

1:01:15

Feel like a hamster on a wheel trying to get ALL THE THINGS accomplished but never quite managing to do the important stuff? This is your episode! A classic replay from 2023 that's well worth a relisten! Self-publishing since 2010, Amazon top 100 best-selling Amazon author with 1million books sold, Sarra writes magical contemporary fantasy novels w…

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Episode 59: Talking AI With Miller Thomas 1:06:02

23d ago1:06:02

1:06:02

Ever wondered how a simple chat about AI can turn into a wild ride through creativity, tech, and the future? This week, Jared and Chris go down the rabbit hole with Miller Thomas to explore the crazy potential of AI, from revolutionizing storytelling to sparking bold new ideas.

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP517 - The Reality Of Being An Author Today - with Mark Leslie 1:02:36

21d ago1:02:36

1:02:36

Mark Leslie (Lefebvre) is an author, professional speaker and bookseller with more than thirty years of experience in the publishing and bookselling business. In this episode, he brings a wealth of experience and reassurance to those of us somewhat battered by the realities of author life! This is more than a “mindset” episode, it’s a reality check…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP516 - Selling Film Rights with Michele Scott (Classic Replay) 54:06

29d ago54:06

54:06

Like most of our guests, NYT Bestseller Michele Scott's success didn’t happen overnight and there were huge ups and downs. She shares her journey towards finding the right agent, having books optioned, marketing plans, upskilling yourself and writing in different genres. This is a classic replay, well worth a relisten for Michele's fantastic advice…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP515 - What's New in Publishing? Our Conference Debrief! 38:58

1M ago38:58

38:58

It's conference debrief time! We’re here with all our best writer tips and reflections from the recent Romance Writers of New Zealand annual conference! Links mentioned: Sadie King talks series planning : https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-podcast-ep409-six-figures-with-short-romance-with-sadie-king/ AK Mulford talks TikTok : https:…

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Episode 58: A Trip To The Farmers Market - Round 2 1:06:46

1M ago1:06:46

1:06:46

Back at the farmers' market with more great authors. Some farmers need to come on here and talk about how creativity works with plants and animals, or maybe creatively repairing a tractor. And that's not being facetious... necessity is the mother of invention and there are some really inventive people who come up with great solutions. Anywho, join …

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP514 - Interview with Annika Martin (Classic Replay) 1:10:28

1M ago1:10:28

1:10:28

Writing bestselling romance with incredible character chemistry is something that NYT Bestseller Annika Martin excels in. Annika, who also publishes romantic suspense as Carolyn Crane, has seen incredible success writing two books a year (on average) and publishing wide. This is a classic replay episode (originally recorded in 2021) where Annika re…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP513 - Interview with Anya Mora: Writing Through Tough Times 1:02:20

2M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

When the going gets tough, it can be really hard to get (or keep) going. Today's episode has empathetic and practical advice from the incredible Anya Mora about working through life challenges, recovering from burnout, trusting your instincts and dealing with things that often throw us “off course” from our author life. About Anya Anya Mora is the …

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP512 - Manifesting Success with Renee Rose (Classic Replay) 56:54

2M ago56:54

56:54

You're worth it and your work is worth it. 15-time USA Today bestselling romance author Renee Rose is passionate about helping other authors find and maintain an abundance mindset to catapult their careers and create their best future. She employs energetic tools and techniques to help her clients clear resistance and money blocks, access their inn…

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Episode 56: Learning With Liz - Timing And Tension 1:14:44

2M ago1:14:44

1:14:44

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. In storytelling, that includes time for tension. So how do you figure out when tension should arise, when it should increase, or when new tension should be introduced to help carry your story. Join Jared and Chris as they sit down with the amazing Liz Verity for another roun…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP511 - Reader Events - Tips For Authors Attending 54:58

2M ago54:58

54:58

Wendy, Cheryl and Trudi are off to RARE Melbourne in October 2025 and busy organising ALL the things! So this episode we share all our BEST TIPS (merchandise sourcing, what works, what doesn’t), table set up, what to wear, how to approach reader events, how many books to take (or offer on preorder) and how to calm the nerves / talk to strangers (ha…

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Episode 55: A Trip To The Farmers Market 1:41:24

2M ago1:41:24

1:41:24

There are great people at farmers markets, and this market includes local authors. Join Jared and Chris as they sit down and have a conversation with some great writers from the Springfield Writers' Guild. C.A. Simonson writes inspirational family fiction about children in distress. Coming of age, dysfunctional families, abandonment, and abuse, com…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP510 - Writing Paranormal Romance with Lilian Lark (Classic Replay) 58:16

2M ago58:16

58:16

Wondering how to write a great paranormal romance? What's the difference between paranormal and monster romance and what are readers looking for? And how to connect with readers on tiktok and other social media? This is a replay of a fun episode we recorded a few years ago with the awesome author, Lillian Lark. It's well worth a listen no matter wh…

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Episode 54: Cozy Murders - A Visit With Susan Keene 1:24:25

3M ago1:24:25

1:24:25

Have you ever thought about murdering someone, but in a friendly sort of way so people find it entertaining or amusing? Well, Susan Keene has books that will be right up your alley. Join Jared and Chris as they sit down and talk all things murder, mystery, mayhem, and baking with a prolific Cozy Mystery author as she shares her writing journey and …

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP509 - The Artisan Author with Johnny B. Truant 1:04:05

3M ago1:04:05

1:04:05

Tired of chasing the "Amazon Algorithm"? We’re delighted to welcome Johnny B. Truant to the SPA. Johnny is here to discuss the alternatives to “rapid release / fast publishing” mindset to one of an artisanal author and publisher. We always try to emphasise there is NO ONE RIGHT WAY to approach your self-publishing business and writing, and we think…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP508 - Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance with Keri Arthur (Classic Replay) 47:19

3M ago47:19

47:19

Keri Arthur is a NYT Bestselling author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Initially traditionally published, she is now fully self-published, and in this episode she talks to us about that transition and shares tips and processes from her writing journey. This is a classic replay, originally recorded in 2020. About Keri Arthur Keri Arthur, t…

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Episode 53: Toothpaste Engineers And Metal Detectors 1:22:44

3M ago1:22:44

1:22:44

How does a conversation jump from metal detecting to toothpaste to strawberry flavoring? Well, you're about to find out. Jared is out this week, so jump into a crazy conversation as Chris is joined, once again, by Caleb, but this time there's no supervision!

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP507 - Publishing Wide Strategy and Tips with Erin Wright 1:14:09

3M ago1:14:09

1:14:09

USA Today Bestseller, Erin Wright, is the Queen of Publishing Wide and shares with us fantastic advice on: direct sales, AI audio and human narration, AI translations, woo commerce v shopify, kickstarter and platform specific tips. About Erin Wright USA Today Bestselling author Erin Wright has worked every job under the sun, including library direc…

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Episode 52: Learning With Liz - Plot Twists vs Plot Reveals 1:07:26

3M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

Bro! Do you even plot? Do you know a plot twist when you see one? One about a plot reveal? Hey, those sound like the same thing, right? Well, they are actually different aspects of plot creation. "But how do they differ?" one might ask, and we're so very glad you did. Join Jared and Chris as they sit down, once again, with the talented Liz Verity t…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP506 - Bestselling MM Romance Author, Jay Hogan (Classic Replay) 51:36

3M ago51:36

51:36

BEST SELLING ROMANCE AUTHOR JAY HOGAN is a New Zealand author writing mm romance and romantic suspense, primarily set in New Zealand. This is a fantastic episode, well worth a replay, with Jay's unique insights into writing MM romance, marketing, craft and the writing life. About Jay Heart, Humour, & Keepin' It Real Jay is a two-time Lambda Literar…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP505 - Sierra Simone - Writing to your own beat 1:12:50

4M ago1:12:50

1:12:50

Writing To Your Own Beat - with USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, Sierra Simone We’re delighted to welcome bestselling author, Sierra Simone, to the SPA today! Our topic is “Writing To Your Own Beat” and Sierra generously shares how she’s leaned into writing forbidden, atmospheric romance that has built a rabid fandom. This is a…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP504 - SF Romance with Tamsin Ley (Classic Replay) 47:08

4M ago47:08

47:08

This episode with Alaskan author, Tamsin Ley, is one of our most popular and well worth a replay! We talk about Tamsin's writing journey, marketing strategies, paranormal romance quirks and her fantastic advice for all self-publishers. You can find Tamsin here: https://www.tamsinley.com/ Tamsin Ley builds worlds full of sexy heroes who don't know t…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP503 - Co-Writing Success with Molly O'Keefe and Stephanie Doyle 1:01:30

4M ago1:01:30

1:01:30

Molly and Stephanie are two writing besties who launched an incredibly successful pen name, Hailey Shore, writing romantic comedy. Romantic Comedy | Hailey Shore Author This episode we dig into how they intentionally set out to create this pen, their advertising and launch strategy, things they’ve learned along the way, and a few snafus too. These …

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP502 - Book Launch Strategies with Janie Crouch (Classic Replay) 1:02:07

4M ago1:02:07

1:02:07

USA Today Bestseller, Janie Crouch, shares amazing tips and advice on how she built her readership, launched her romantic suspense, and how she approaches the Business of Authoring and separates it from the creative side of writing. This is a classic replay of a fantastic episode we recorded originally in April 2021. Janie's writing journey began i…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP501 - Virtual Assistants for Authors - Interview with Kevin Tumlinson 51:45

5M ago51:45

51:45

Who doesn't want to hand off their least-favorite tasks to a trusted assistant? So how do you go about finding the right person? And what's the cost? Kevin Tumlinson is an award-winning and bestselling author, known as “the Voice of Publishing” for his work as a podcaster and speaker, helping thousands of authors to start, build, and grow their aut…

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Episode 51: Know The Rules Before You Break Them 52:27

5M ago52:27

52:27

Is wrestling real? Maybe. But one thing's for sure: wresters are incredible athletes and have to be masters at their craft to pull off the feats they do in the ring. If you want to create great things, you have to work on becoming great and honing your skills, you also have to learn all the rules that make what you're doing good. Once you understan…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP500 - Behind The Mics 58:00

5M ago58:00

58:00

We’re celebrating 500 episodes of the SPA Girls - from our baby podcaster days back in 2015 to today, we share some BEHIND THE MICS stories. How we met, why we started and why we’ve last this long (almost ten years so far, publishing an episode weekly). Plus our vision for the future and selfpublishing :) Thank you so much to all those who've liste…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP499 - Interview with Ana Huang: Multi-Million Copy Bestselling Author (Classic Replay) 58:19

5M ago58:19

58:19

A SPA Girls Classic Replay. This episode features an interview with the incredible Ana Huang, multi-million copy bestselling author of new adult and contemporary romance! Ana is a super-smart, hardworking author with a tonne of great advice that she generously shared with SPA Girls Podcast listeners in this information-packed episode. We range in t…

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Episode 50: Learning With Liz - Diversity Of Characters 1:14:40

5M ago1:14:40

1:14:40

Do you know how to make your characters jump off the page with their own unique personalities? The world you create needs characters, and those characters must have...character! Join Jared and Chris as they chat with Liz about the importance of giving your characters the diverse personalities that will make them each unique and make your readers fa…

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Episode 49: A Chat With Lynn 1:15:33

5M ago1:15:33

1:15:33

More stories after Duncan the Dragon? Absolutely! Author Lynn Combs is back and she is going strong. Join Jared and Chris as they talk about new children stories in the works, progress on on Avalina's tale, and upcoming events with Lynn. And, as always, travel with them down the warrens and ways that twist and turn in unimaginable directions.…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP498 - When To Pivot 36:26

5M ago36:26

36:26

What happens when your books don’t sell? When is it time to end a series? Or Pivot to a new penname? Wendy, Cheryl and Shar are here to give their advice and (strong!) opinions on when it’s the right time to pivot and the steps writers should take to make that decision. We’ve collectively written and published almost 200 books over the past 15 year…

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Episode 48: Preaching and Monologues and Diatribes, Oh my! 1:07:16

5M ago1:07:16

1:07:16

We all have things we're passionate about. Ideas. Moral quandries. Philosophical perspectives. When it comes to story telling, remember: It's about the story. Join Jared and Chris as they talk about the pitfalls of monologuing and embedding your world views into the stories you tell. What does that do to readers? How can you avoid falling into the …

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SPA Girls Podcast- EP497 - Writing The Black Moment with Rachel Bailey (Classic Replay) 43:22

5M ago43:22

43:22

One of our most popular writing craft episodes deserves a replay: Writing the Black Moment with USA Today Bestseller, Rachel Bailey. NB re audio quality, we apologise that this isn’t to our current standard (despite new editing), but we’re sure you’ll find the content worth listening to nevertheless! A fantastic tutorial on how you can take your wr…

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Episode 47: Caleb's Turn To Write 59:47

6M ago59:47

59:47

Have you tried wring and just can't get the story out of your brain fast enough? Caleb has been there, tried that, and that was enough. For now, he won't be a writer. Join Jared and Chris as they have another discussion with Caleb and dive into his thoughts and challenges around writing a story.

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP496 - Using Tropes Effectively with Jennifer Hilt 1:03:44

6M ago1:03:44

1:03:44

Jennifer Hilt is a USA Today Bestselling author urban fantasy and non-fiction creator of The Trope Thesaurus series. She joins us this episode to really dig into how to use tropes in your fiction (no matter the genre), practical ways of applying them, how to use them to amp up the emotion and characterisation, and your characters' GMC (goal, motiva…

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Episode 46: Learning With Liz - Story Stakes 1:19:40

6M ago1:19:40

1:19:40

Steaks... no, stakes! What kind of stakes does your story have? Steaks or stakes? Or, maybe a little bit of both? Stories need stakes, and if your story already has stakes, maybe it needs higher stakes. Join Jared and Chris in another episode with Liz Verity as they talk about the importance of story stakes.…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP495 - Advertising Secrets with Nicholas Erik (Classic Replay) 1:17:56

6M ago1:17:56

1:17:56

This is a classic replay of one of our most popular advertising episodes, with guest Nicholas Erik, science fiction author and marketing expert. Whilst the facebook ad dashboard will have changed since we recorded this a few years ago, the strategy, tips and best practices discussed are just as relevant today. Well worth a relisten /rewatch! You ca…

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Episode 45: Extras!! 51:22

6M ago51:22

51:22

Sometimes things don't make it into a book, and sometimes those things are still fun to hear, read, or discover. There are plenty of parts that got cut from A Flight From Shadows, and there will be cuts from future books, too. But sometimes readers get a glimpse at those parts that didn't make the final cut. Join Jared and Chris as they share a los…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP494 - How To Strengthen Your Story Structure 54:33

6M ago54:33

54:33

🎙 Welcome back to the SPA Girls Podcast! Today, we’re diving into one of the most powerful tools in your writer’s toolkit—story structure! Whether you're a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between, a strong story structure is the secret sauce that keeps readers turning the pages. In this episode, we’ll dive into chapter “rules”, beats,scenes and s…

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Episode 44: Children's Lit and Nostalgia 1:04:03

6M ago1:04:03

1:04:03

Dr. Seuss Else Holmelund Minarik Gary Paulsen Roald Dahl Lynn Combs Children's books really can reach from the past and pull in memories. What were the stories that you grew up on that forever shaped you and still inspire you today? Join Jared and Chris as they discuss children's literature, some of the challenges you'll face if you want to get pub…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP493 - Edit Like A Pro, interview with Mary-Theresa Hussey 1:19:00

6M ago1:19:00

1:19:00

What ten editing tips should all authors know? We share in this classic replay of our interview with Editorial Consultant, Mary-Theresa Hussey. Prior to becoming a freelance editorial consultant, Mary-Theresa (known as Matrice) worked at Harlequin for more than 25 years, editing nearly a thousand titles. As editor, senior and executive editor, she …

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Episode 43: Learning With Liz - Hypnotizing Readers 1:07:11

7M ago1:07:11

1:07:11

No pocket watches. No couches. No therapists. (Especially not the ones Sean Connery refers to on Celebrity Jeopardy) Just you, and the elements you need to pull your readers in and immerse them in your world. So how do you do it? Join Jared and Chris for another awesome discussion with Liz Verity as they dive into the strategies that can make your …

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP492 - Writer Roundtable with the SPA Girls 54:50

7M ago54:50

54:50

The SPA Girls get down and personal with a Q1 2025 catchup! From surprising successes, unexpected writing tips, hybrid publishing adventures to mindset resets, we Keep It Real in this wild author life. Links mentioned: Wendy Vella website , CA Phipps website, Trudi Jaye website www.theauthorhelper.com Vinci Books https://www.vinci-books.com/ Dragon…