Links I mentioned: Follow the Girl Games Kickstarter If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablackAv The Rebel Author Podcast

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: What Substack is and how it works Utilizing “Notes” on Substack effectively Substack as a new way for authors to monetize their work The importance of branding How to analyze the data from Substack How to increase engagement Find out more about Russell: The Author Stack Writer MBA How to Build a World Cl…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Breaking into the US market as an international author In-person and virtual signings Main benefits of attending book signings Logistics of attending international book signing events Balancing travel time with your writing schedule Tips for energy management Links I mentioned: Order House of Crimson Cur…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Changes in indie publishing in the last 8 years Necessary skill sets for returning to indie publishing Marketing and promotion differences between trad and indie Advice for switching from trad to indie publishing Current trends in trad and indie publishing Links I mentioned: Preorder House of Crimson Cur…

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number twenty-seven between Rachael Herron and I. Don't forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 here. To find out more about Rachael…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Why reader magnets are important for authors Using TikTok to excel your author career How to promote your reader magnet Keeping readers engaged after the freebies How to come up with prequel/novella ideas Links I mentioned: Preorder House of Crimson Curses direct from me Preorder House of Crimson Curses …

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Overview of the TikTok accountability challenge The biggest challenges in algorithm and audience shifts What content are they making on TikTok Keeping up with TikTok trends Building a sustainable business that doesn’t rely on TikTok Links I mentioned: Preorder House of Crimson Curses direct from me Preor…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: What brand keywords are and why authors should have them How keywords can guide an author’s marketing Maintaining consistency in your branding across platforms Using other types of writing like “Scaremail” to increase revenue Building and maintaining and engaged email list Links I mentioned: Preorder Hou…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Using the consumer journey to build your author business How to start building an author brand Balancing a brand promise with experimentation and growth Considerations for creating repeat readers Social media’s effect on the author-reader relationship Links I mentioned: Preorder House of Crimson Curses d…

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number twenty-six between Rachael Herron and I. Don't forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 right here. To find out more about Rac…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Different writing approaches for different genres Creating realistic monsters Advice for switching between genres Balancing different elements when crafting a story Keys for reaching a wide audience Links I mentioned: Preorder House of Crimson Curses direct from me Preorder House of Crimson Curses on all…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Artistic decisions when setting up a series The different types of series Importance of series unity What a “skeleton blurb” is and how they help in planning a series The role of subplots throughout a series Story arcs for open and closed series Links I mentioned: Preorder House of Crimson Curses direct …

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Maintaining a passion for writing while building a thriving business Dealing with rejection and criticism as a writer Finding your authentic writer’s voice Overcoming writer’s block and the need for perfectionism Imposter syndrome and quieting unhelpful internal voices Find out more about Tiffany: FoxPri…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: The importance of humour in fiction Different types of humour The principles of writing funny fiction Making humour work on page Funny vs. offensive – where is the line? Embracing the rebel mindset Find out more about Dave: Bluesky @daveiswriting.bsky.social Funny Up Your Fiction: How to Add Light, Shade…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: The importance of personality in email marketing How often to send newsletters to your audience Tips for self-promotion How new authors can grow their email lists Measuring the success of your email marketing Links I mentioned: Support my Kickstarter Find out more about Liz: The Email Sound Booth Faceboo…

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number twenty-five between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron episode twenty-five. Don’t forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as litt…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: What Kickstarter is and why authors should use it How to project manage better Aligning your Kickstarter with your brand Different wants between Kickstarter backers and normal readers How long does a Kickstarter take – including post production Links I mentioned: Support my Kickstarter Find out more abou…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Elements of a multidimensional villain Villain’s relationship with the protagonist Common mistakes when creating villains Developing back stories that add depth Building anticipation in your story Links I mentioned: Support my Kickstarter Find out more about Dana: Danja Tales Rebel of the Week is: Matthe…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: How to use the enneagram in your work Infusing your personal experiences into your worldbuilding Fully embracing the “you” in your stories Steps for worldbuilding and story development Balancing an immersive universe with multidimensional characters Why stories have the power to change the world Links I …

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Writing process of co-writing with an estate What the horror genre can uniquely express Common mistakes when writing horror How to deepen theme in your work George A. Romero – the man vs. the director Links I mentioned: Kimberly Grymes 4 Week Story Prep Find out more about Daniel: Pay the Piper danielkra…

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number twenty-four between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron Episode twenty-four. Don't forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as litt…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: The importance of SEO in an author’s online presence Understanding the intent behind a user’s search Creating SEO-friendly social media captions What keywords are and how to use them Optimising an Amazon book listing for better search visibility Find out more about Estelle: Read SEO for Authors YouTube C…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: The journey from indie to trad Tips for pitching and querying Biggest differences between trad and indie publishing Common mistakes when approaching traditional publishing Craft lessons learned from ghostwriting Find out more about Helen: Threads @HelenGlynnJones Instagram @HelenGlynnJones TikTok @heleng…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: A "brick-by-brick" strategy for building a 7-figure author career The role consistent output can play in your success Ideas for repurposing intellectual content Developing an author brand that can withstand the whims of the publishing industry Building and maintaining a loyal readership Find out more abo…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Differences between self-publishing, independent publishing, and traditional publishing Publishing across different genres Working with an agent as a self-published author Managing your time and creative energy Advice for diversifying your publishing approaches Find out more about Emily: emilyekmurdoch.c…

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number twenty-three between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron Episode twenty-three. Don't forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as li…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Tips for writing toxic characters and dialogue Approaching sensitive topics in a way that is respectful to survivors Checks and considerations when writing about toxic queer relationships Blending supernatural elements into a natural story Finding your target audience as a YA author Find out more about K…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: What makes TikTok unique Adapting your content to suit TikTok’s short-form video format Finding your target audience on TikTok The importance of consistency for building a following What metrics to track to refine your TikTok strategy Links I mentioned: Order House of Crimson Kisses at books2read.com/cri…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Utilizing Instagram reels as an author Strategies to engage your audience on Instagram What an ‘audio bank’ is and how to build one Using the ‘remix’ feature to expand your reach The importance of consistent posting How to craft a book hook Links I mentioned: Order House of Crimson Kisses at books2read.c…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: The elements of a well-crafted reader persona Using a reader persona to connect with your ideal readers Social media for connecting with ideal readers Incorporating your reader persona into your book marketing strategy Using data to improve book marketing strategies Links I mentioned: Preorder House of C…

In this episode we cover: Income update and breakdown Lesson 1: All in Works for Me Lesson 2: Capitalise if You Can Lesson 3: Visibility is Queen Lesson 4: Boundaries Are Important Lesson 5: Growth is Brilliant and Painful Lesson 6: The Psychology of Money, Success and Winning Lesson 7: No Matter What, This is Always Better Read the full lessons le…

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number twenty-two between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron episode twenty-two. Don’t forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: How planning series differs across genres Approaching the overall story arc in a cozy series Tools and techniques to ensure continuity Character development across multiple books Elements for crafting a satisfying series conclusion Marketing to cozy readers Links I mentioned: Preorder House of Crimson Ki…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Ways an author’s writing career and non-writing career interact Balancing a writing career with other commitments and responsibilities Planning for the kind of life you want Adopting a flexible mindset in your writing career Common misconceptions about writing life Find out more about Daphne: Instagram H…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Key elements of a successful book cover design How to know when cover trends are changing in your genre The complete process of creating a book cover How to make your book cover stand out Advice for working with a professional book cover designer Find out more about Holly: hollydunndesign.com Instagram Y…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: How brains are hardwired to respond to storytelling Using brain science to creative more effective marketing Creating a “story-worthy problem” to engage readers Writing a strong chain of cause and effect Utilizing the concept of a “third rail” scene to increase emotional impact Links I mentioned: Award S…

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number twenty one between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron Episode twenty one. Don't forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Myths around productivity in the indie community How to assess our own productivity Explaining procrastination with neuroscience Offsetting common distractions that writers face The importance of resilience for writers of all levels Find out more about Kathryn: The Productive Writer Guidebook The Product…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: How to outline a nonfiction book Tips for becoming your own publicist Content marketing in the age of AI Marketing your book before and after launch Leveraging your nonfiction book to create multiple streams of income Links I mentioned: Fantasy romance LBTQIA+ freebies Find out more about Stephanie: Link…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: Why tropes hook readers Differences between internal and external tropes Craft tips to make our tropes resonate with readers How to market tropes better Integrating tropes in a character’s back story Find out more about Cindy: CindyDees.com CynthiaDees.com Rebel of the Week is: Rosie If you’d like to be …

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: What serial fiction is and how it differs from non-serialised fiction Common mistakes new serial fiction writers make Craft tips for writing serials Techniques to create hooks Business structure around serialised fiction Find out more about Stephanie: StephanieBond.com Rebel of the Week is: Lauren If you…

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number twenty between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron episode twenty. Don’t forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 r…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: The fundamentals of historical romance Balancing historical accuracy with creative storytelling Creating historical authenticity in your work Main tropes in historical fiction Handling sensitive topics within historical contexts Find out more about Bianca: Author Website Rebel of the Week is: Josh Gentry…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: What is burnout Differentiating burnout from everyday stress Recovering from burnout How to establish better boundaries The importance of self care to prevent burnout Find out more about Liz: Owl Moon Coaching Instagram Rebel of the Week is: Angela If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send i…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: The importance of representation in our books Writing trans and queer characters when cisgendered Harmful tropes and stereotypes to avoid Working with a sensitivity reader Balancing educating readers and creating an engaging story Find out more about Dharma: Author Website Facebook Threads Instagram TikT…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: What are tarot cards and how do they work How tarot cards can help authors start creating Common blockers writers struggle with Learning to interpret tarot cards Using tarot to create characters and plot Sacha's Tarot Cards: Find out more about Mariëlle: Website Podcast Facebook Instagram So You Want to …

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: The structure of a good pitch Finding the right podcasts to pitch to What authors should be prepared to speak about Benefits of a podcast tour when launching a book Interview tips and tricks Find out more about Michelle: MichelleGlogovac.com Facebook Instagram Twitter Rebel of the Week is: Delilah If you…

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number nineteen between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron episode nineteen. Don’t forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as …

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: How to pivot successfully Fiction vs. nonfiction author business structure Creating multiple streams of income The neuroscience behind memorable messages Lessons learned from TV writing and producing Find out more about Aurora: Kickstarter for Magic, Mystery and the Multiverse Linktree Magic, Mystery and…

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover: What is LitRPG and how it differs from fantasy Major craft pillars of LitRPG Elements of worldbuilding to focus on Creating game mechanics, rules, and in-game quests Common business models for LitRPG authors Links I mentioned: Storygarden Summit March 19 - 22 Find out more about Michael: Order The Four H…