The official podcast from the team at BookFunnel, hosted by Jack Shilkaitis, Kelli Tanzi, and Emma Alisyn, featuring guest interviews, self-publishing industry discussions, and tips for using BookFunnel to build an author business.
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BookFunnel Podcast Team
Insights and inspiration for growing your self-publishing business. Featuring interviews with bestselling authors and industry experts, who share practical advice you can use to improve your writing and sell more books. Hosted by the Kobo Writing Life team, you'll also get the latest news and updates about Kobo and the KWL platform. Self-publish today at www.kobo.com/writinglife
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #17 – Everything You Need to Know About OverDrive with Maria Fesz
55:15
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55:15Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. Today, we're bringing you a recording of a live Q&A event with Maria Fesz, team lead of collection development at OverDrive! This Q&A is full of great information on …
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#376 – Writing Feel-good Historical Romance with Erica Ridley
51:33
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51:33In this episode, we were joined by USA Today and New York Times best-selling historical romance author, Erica Ridley! Erica is a full-time author who publishes through both traditional publishers alongside her own self-published books. Erica has written dozens of books across multiple series and in many different sub-genres, with some of her best-s…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #16 – Misconceptions About Motorcycle Romance with Autumn Jones Lake
20:49
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20:49Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. Today, we're bringing you a great conversation about writing dark romance with best-selling author Autumn Jones Lake. We loved chatting to Autumn about all things mot…
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#375 – All About BookFunnel with Damon Courtney
1:13:06
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1:13:06In this episode, we are joined by fantasy author and founder of BookFunnel, Damon Courtney! It was great to have Damon join us again to talk about all things indie publishing, BookFunnel, and… Taylor Swift! Who, by the way, is someone indie authors can learn a lot from when it comes to self-publishing business practices. We spoke to Damon about how…
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The Artisan Author with Johnny B. Truant, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 22
1:02:13
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1:02:13In this episode of the Book Funnel podcast, host Damon Courtney interviews Johnny B. Truant, a veteran in the self-publishing industry. They discuss Johnny's journey from writing his first book to becoming a successful author and podcaster. The conversation explores the evolution of self-publishing, the importance of building true fans, and the imp…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #15 – All About EPUBs with Simon Collinson and Ben Dugas
56:05
56:05
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56:05Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. This episode features two former Kobo employees, Simon Collinson and Ben Dugas! These two experts share everything authors need to know about EPUBs and eBook files, a…
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Finding Your Audiobook Audience with Ruthie Bowles, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 21
1:23:21
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1:23:21In this episode of the BookFunnel podcast, hosts Jack Shilkaitis and Emma Alisyn welcome audiobook narrator Ruthie Bowles. They discuss the importance of engaging thumbnails, the journey of indie authors, and the nuances of audiobook narration. Ruthie shares her experiences and insights on working with authors, the significance of marketing audiobo…
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#374 – Fiercely Inclusive Romance Novels with Evie Mitchell
57:19
57:19
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57:19In this episode, we are joined by romance author, disability advocate, and writer of “fiercely inclusive happy endings,” Evie Mitchell! Evie is the author of multiple series across many romance subgenres, including small-town romance, biker romance, bodyguard romance. Her small-town romance series, All Access, focuses on disabled characters as roma…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #14 – Unapologetic Happy Endings with Adriana Herrera
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45:24
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45:24Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. We're excited to bring back this episode featuring best-selling romance author and trauma therapist Adriana Herrera, whose approach to "unapologetic happy endings" is…
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#373 – Writing Adventure Thrillers with Amy McCulloch
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57:47In this episode, we are joined by internationally best-selling Canadian thriller author, Amy McCulloch! Amy is also the author of eight novels for children and teens. Not only is she a successful author—she is also the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt. Manaslu in Nepal! A lifelong adventurer, Amy draws inspiration from her real-world experiences…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #13 – Looking at Legal Issues as an Indie Author with Maria Riegger
34:05
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34:05Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. This episode highlights our conversation with Maria Riegger, author, attorney, and champion of authors who want to get educated on their legal rights and liabilities.…
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Now is the Time to Build Your Authentic Author Brand with Joanna Penn, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 20
43:20
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43:20In this episode of the Book Funnel Podcast, we welcome Joanna Penn, a prolific author and prominent podcaster in self-publishing. We discuss the evolution of indie publishing, the importance of author branding, and how to connect with readers in a changing landscape. Joanna shares insights on her current projects, the significance of authenticity i…
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#372 – Writing What You Want to Write with Pam Godwin
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47:42In this episode, we are joined by best-selling romance author Pam Godwin! Pam is the author of over thirty books, in multiple dark romance and survival romance series, including her latest series, Frozen Fates. Pam’s books focus on romances starring strong heroines and villainous heroes. She always writes what she wants to write and gets into what …
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #12 – Plotting a Cozy Mystery with Alexis Hall
46:31
46:31
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46:31Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. This episode features our conversation with best-selling author of "kissing books," Alexis Hall, who describes himself as a "genrequeer writer," is the author of Murd…
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AI & the Evolution of the Publishing Industry with Jane Friedman, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 19
1:19:57
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1:19:57Publishing expert Jane Friedman joins hosts Jack Shilkaitis, Kelly Tansey, and Emma Allison to talk about the ever-evolving world of writing and publishing. We discuss how AI is changing the industry, why traditional publishers are adapting indie strategies, and why author-reader engagement matters more than ever.Jane also shares valuable insights …
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#371 – Writing Fictional Futures with Grace Flahive
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41:02In this episode, we are joined by Canadian-born, UK-based debut author Grace Flahive, whose humorous and heart-warming speculative fiction novel, Palm Meridian, was recently published by Simon & Schuster Canada. Palm Meridian is described as "a rollicking, big-hearted story of long-lost love, friendship, and a life well-lived, set at a Florida reti…
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Understanding the Rules of Self-Publishing with Becca Syme, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 18
1:02:19
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1:02:19In this episode of the Book Funnel podcast, host Jack Shilkaitis and co-hosts Kelly Tanzi and Emma Alisyn welcome author success coach Becca Syme. They discuss various topics related to self-publishing, including effective strategies for book signings, the importance of understanding one's writing process, and the nuances of social media engagement…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #11 – The Author and Narrator Relationship with Rachel Grant and Greg Tremblay
46:23
46:23
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46:23Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. This episode features our conversation with author of mysteries, thrillers, and romantic suspense novels, Rachel Grant, and acclaimed narrator of many of her titles, …
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#370 – Live at the Toronto Indie Authors Conference with Tao Wong
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42:46In this episode, the Kobo Writing Life team attended the Toronto Indie Author Conference and recorded a live podcast with speculative fiction author and conference founder Tao Wong! We had a great time interviewing Tao in front of a live audience and getting to answer listener questions in real time. We’re excited to present the complete interview …
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Author Sidekick, with Michael Evans, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 17
1:46:27
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1:46:27In this episode of the Book Funnel podcast, host Jack Shilkaitis and co-hosts Emma Alisyn and Kelli Tanzi welcome Michael Evans, a sci-fi author and marketing expert. They discuss various aspects of author marketing, including the importance of understanding one's strengths, the significance of platform choice, and innovative strategies for engagin…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #10 – The Heroine’s Journey with Gail Carriger
1:01:17
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1:01:17Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. This episode features our conversation with best-selling SFF author Gail Carriger. Gail discusses her writing career, her non-fiction title, The Heroine's Journey, an…
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#369 – Writing a Why-Choose Paranormal Romance Series with Cali Mann
41:56
41:56
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41:56In this episode, we spoke with Cali Mann, author of dozens of contemporary romance, fantasy, and paranormal romance novels under multiple pen names! Cali is the author of the Wickem Academy series, a new paranormal romance series exclusively available from Kobo Originals. Wickem Academy follows a young woman named Marigold, who “is ripped from her …
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #9 – How Writers Can Avoid Being Scammed with Victoria Strauss
38:59
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38:59Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. Way back in July 2015, we were joined by Victoria Strauss, co-founder of Writer Beware, a SFWA-sponsored organization whose mission is to “track, expose, and raise aw…
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Market Fuel for Authors with Bekah Brinkmeier, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 16
1:34:16
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1:34:16In this episode of the Book Funnel Podcast, host Jack Shilkaitis and guests discuss various aspects of writing, publishing, and marketing for indie authors. They explore the challenges of balancing writing with personal life, the benefits of dictation, and the importance of community support. The conversation also introduces AutoCrit's new feature,…
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#368 – Writing a Social Thriller with Aime Austin
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55:10In this episode, we are joined by best-selling legal thriller author and fellow podcast host, Aime Austin! Aime’s latest thriller, His Last Mistress, is described as a “nail-biting social thriller with a heartbreaking twist.” We spoke to Aime back in 2021, and we were so excited to have her join us on the show again and hear more about what she’s b…
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Meet the BookFunnel Reader Support Team, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 15
1:02:31
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1:02:31In this episode of the Book Funnel Podcast, host Jack Shilkaitis is joined by the Book Funnel Reader Support Team, including [Redacted], [Redacted], and [Redacted]. They discuss the origins of the Book Funnel support system, the importance of reader support, and share valuable tips for authors on how to effectively utilize the service. The team als…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #8 – Retelling Myths and Fairytales with Katee Roberts
33:38
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33:38Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. In this episode from September 2021, we spoke to Katee Robert, who is a best-selling author of books inspired by myth, fairytales, and folklore, all about how her ins…
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Dictation & Overcoming Critical Voice with Christopher Downing, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 14
1:27:28
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1:27:28In this episode of the Book Funnel Podcast, Coach Chris shares insights on the importance of coaching in writing, the practice of narration without expectation, and overcoming the initial hurdles of dictation. The conversation delves into effective writing tips, the role of technology, and the significance of outlining. Chris emphasizes the need to…
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#367 – Becoming a Novelist with Tom Bromley
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49:21
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49:21In this episode, we are joined by Tom Bromley, author, ghost writer, and writing teacher who is currently the Head of Learning at Reedsy, where he teaches the How to Write a Novel course, a writing course for authors at all stages of their career looking for insights and guidance on writing their first (or second, or third…) novel. We spoke to Tom …
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Indie Focused Brick and Mortar, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 13
1:41:25
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1:41:25Join us for an insightful episode of The Book Funnel Podcast as we sit down with author and illustrator Donovan Scherer, owner of Studio Moonfall. Discover the unique journey of how Donovan transformed his passion for graphic design into a thriving independent bookstore in Kenosha, Wisconsin. From local events and merchandising tips to leveraging I…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #7 – Sharing Your Authentic Voice with Jasmin Kaur
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35:27Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. For National Poetry Month here in North America, we're re-releasing this episode from April 2020 with poet, spoken word artist, and creative writing facilitator Jasmi…
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#366 – How Indie Publishing Has Evolved with The SPA Girls
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58:45In this episode, we are joined by Wendy, Cheryl, and Trudi from the Self-Publishing Authors Podcast! Having been in the self-publishing industry since 2013, these authors know all about the indie author journey and then some. Between Wendy, Cheryl, Trudi, and Shar, they have published over 140 books and sold millions of copies of their titles. It w…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #6 – From Fan Fiction Writer to Kobo Emerging Writer Prize Winner with Julie Evelyn Joyce
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41:58
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41:58Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. For the fifth episode of this series, we're happy to share this interview featuring the 2019 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize winner in the Romance category, Julie Evelyn J…
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#365 – Writing Dystopian Fiction with Robert L. Slater
57:37
57:37
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57:37In this episode, we spoke to Robert L. Slater, author and creator of the Deserted Lands series and extended Deserted Lands Universe, a sci-fi and dystopian coming-of-age series of books that follow Lizzie, the sixteen-year-old survivor of a devastating pandemic, as she navigates this dangerous new world. Robert is also the author of several short s…
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Kickstarter Success: Crowdfund Like a Rockstar with Kevin J Anderson, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 12
1:07:19
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1:07:19In this episode of the Book Funnel podcast, host Jack Shilkaitis hands over the reins to Damon Courtney and special guest Kevin J. Anderson, a bestselling author and indie publisher. They discuss Kevin's journey through traditional and self-publishing, the establishment of WordFire Press, and the importance of building a direct relationship with re…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #5 – Writing A Domestic Thriller with Samantha M. Bailey
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46:47Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. For the fifth episode of this series, we're happy to share this interview featuring Canadian thriller author Samantha M. Bailey from 2022. Watch Out for Her is a cont…
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In-Person Direct Sales at Conventions with Jason & Leah Bond, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 11
1:47:06
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1:47:06In this episode of the Book Funnel podcast, host Jack Shilkaitis and co-hosts Emma Alisyn and Kelli Tanzi welcome guests Jason and Leah Bond. The conversation covers various aspects of the writing and self-publishing journey, including creative processes, tips for engaging with readers, and the unique approach of in-person direct sales at events. T…
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#364 – Staying Dedicated to Your Story with Clare Leslie Hall
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47:54In this episode, we are joined by Clare Leslie Hall, author of Broken Country, Clare’s debut novel in the US and Canada. Broken Country is described as “A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller” and is a novel “of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explo…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #4 – Writing Routines and Research with Robert Harris
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30:51
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30:51Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. For the fourth episode of this series, we're happy to share this episode featuring Robert Harris from November 2016. Originally hosted at Kobo's former headquarters i…
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Direct Sales in Self-Publishing with Katie Cross, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 10
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1:46:59Jack, Kelli, and Emma spend time with friend of the pod, Katie Cross! This wide ranging conversation dives into the business of direct sales, building a community of readers, crowdfunding, and Katie's writing process. [Katie Cross's Bookstore] https://katiecrossbooks.com/ Sign-up for Upcoming BookFunnel Webinars https://calendly.com/jack_bookfunnel…
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#363 – Writing Provocative Romance with Sierra Simone
1:02:33
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1:02:33In this episode, we are joined by Sierra Simone, author of dozens of romance novels, such as the beloved Thornchapel, New Camelot, and Lyonesse series. In her own words, Sierra “loves writing the dirtiest things that she can think of, King Arthur, sparkling water, ancient mystery cults, coffee, leggings, and fog.” Sierra’s enthusiasm for erotic rom…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #3 – Writing Diversely with Renee Harleston
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42:27Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. For the third episode of this series, we're excited to highlight this episode featuring Renee Harleston from March 2022. Our guest this week is Renee Harleston, found…
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Monetization Beyond the Book with Kae Wagner, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 9
1:37:24
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1:37:24In this episode of the Book Funnel podcast, hosts Jack Shilkaitis, Kelli Tanzi, and Emma Alisyn welcome guest Kay Wagner, an award-winning author. The conversation covers various aspects of writing, including current projects, character development, and the importance of improvisation in enhancing creativity. The hosts share their personal writing …
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#362 – Finding Your Success as an Indie Author with Bridget E. Baker
1:12:14
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1:12:14In this episode, we spoke to best-selling author of fantasy, fantasy romance, sweet romance novels, and women’s fiction novels, Bridget E. Baker (who also writes under B.E. Baker)! Bridget is passionate about writing romance and about self-publishing, and she loves to support other indie authors by offering advice and transparency about the industr…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #2 – Mastering Productivity for Authors with Sagan Morrow
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49:37Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. For the second episode of this series, we're bringing back an episode featuring Sagan Morrow from April 2021. Productivity strategist and author Sagan Morrow joins us…
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#361 – Romantasy, Astrology, and Mythology with Imani Erriu
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45:25In this episode, we spoke to romantic fantasy author Imani Erriu, author of the recently released Heavenly Bodies, the first book in her beloved series of the same name. Imani is a lover of the fantasy genre (both as a reader and a writer), and her writing rose to virality on TikTok after she shared a single scene from her unfinished manuscript! Im…
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AutoCrit & Your Writing Process with Bekah Brinkmeier, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 8
1:45:26
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1:45:26Jack, Emma, and Kelli talk with Bekah Brinkmeier about writing, ghostwriting, getting beta readers and good feedback, and her process for writing. The team ends up adopting one of her key habits to write more. They wrap up with a discussion on AutoCrit and how it empowers authors. Learn more about AutoCrit and their tools to help you plan, write, a…
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Kobo ReWriting Life – #1 – Writing Retreats and Finding Your Writing Community with Darcy Burke
33:21
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33:21Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. We're starting this new series with an episode from February 2020 all about writing retreats and writing communities! USA Today bestselling author Darcy Burke sits do…
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#360 – Developing Your Creative Genius with Michael Dante DiMartino
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48:26In this episode, we are joined by author, animator, director, and co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, Michael Dante DiMartino! We were excited to talk to Michael about his latest self-published novel, Both Here and Gone, a coming-of-age YA novel about a fourteen-year-old boy named Jack, who “has experienced a perfect s…
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Writing to Market with Adam Stemple of WrittenWell.com, The BookFunnel Podcast Episode 7
1:39:20
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1:39:20Jack, Emma, and Kelli sit down with Adam Stemple of WrittenWell.com to discuss the craft of writing, editing, the author's journey, and industry tips. Save on WrittenWell.com with discount code: BOOKFUNNELPOD Get access to WrittenWell's Courses, Genre Guides, and Community for $14.49/mo or $120/year. Sign up at https://writtenwell.com/ Adam Stemple…
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