In this episode of Bound for Bestseller, Valerie Morris sits down with author Jeff Kildow to dive deep into the fascinating world of alternative history fiction. Jeff Kildow shares his unique approach to reimagining 20th-century history, the intricate research that fuels his stories, and how his military and engineering background infuses authenticity into his novels.

Jeff Kildow discusses his hit series, starting with Nazi Menace, which explores World War II and asks “What if?” at a critical turning point in history. He explains how his books blend real events with imaginative departures, all while sticking firmly to the technological and societal realities of each era. The conversation also covers his creative process, the importance of detailed research, and the creative habits that help him bring authentic - and sometimes obscure- details into his fiction.

Listeners will hear about Jeff Kildow’s inspirations, his favorite techniques for building compelling characters, the challenges of killing off beloved creations, and his advice for aspiring writers of fiction, especially in the alternative history genre. Plus, discover how real-life experiences and travel inspire his stories, and why authenticity is essential in an AI-driven world.

• What alternative history fiction really is and how Jeff Kildow creates believable “what if?” scenarios
• The landmark moments behind his WWII thriller Nazi Menace and its sequels set during the Korean War and Suez Crisis
• How a military and engineering career translates into gripping, authentic storytelling
• The importance of research, from historical accuracy to oddball airplane “Easter eggs” in books
• Writing habits: capturing inspiration, making notes everywhere, and balancing technical detail with engaging narrative
• Crafting memorable characters, their arcs, and the emotional challenge of “killing your darlings”
• Advice for new and aspiring fiction writers, including the value of accurate history, avoiding clichés, and leveraging your own unique experiences
• The crucial role of authenticity and trust for writers in today’s content landscape

• Visit Jeff’s website: jeffkildow.com for books, updates, and more!

Whether you’re a military history buff, a fiction writer, or just love a good “what if” scenario, this episode is packed with practical advice, entertaining anecdotes, and encouragement to embrace both your left and right brain!

Valerie Morris welcomes author community strategist, Kerry Dobson, to discuss how authors can extend their book's impact well beyond the initial launch. Kerry shares valuable strategies for building meaningful communities around your book that allow you to fulfill your core mission and create lasting change in readers' lives.

• Beyond the Book Launch: Kerry explains why a book's publication is just the beginning of its journey and how community-building can significantly extend its reach and impact
• Strategic Community Building: The conversation explores the thoughtful process of creating groups based on a book's content, including:
• Taking essential breaks after launch to prevent burnout
• Focusing on just 2-3 implementable key messages from your book
• Positioning yourself as a guide rather than a guru to overcome imposter syndrome
• Creating a realistic timeline that respects your audience's capacity
• The Shift to Authentic Marketing: Both Kerry and Valerie discuss why passive marketing approaches are becoming less effective, while community-based strategies foster emotional connections and loyalty

• Follow Valerie on LinkedIn for updates when this episode goes live
• Learn more about Kerry Dobson and her work with authors. Check out Kerry's private podcast: "The Great Group Revolution"

Gift Guide for Authors:

Whether you’re an author yourself, or have an author in your family that you just love to spoil, I’ve got some fun gift ideas to inspire creativity while also helping you stay productive. Sometimes the right tools can help you really get in the mood to write, and some things are simply purely for the whimsical creativity they can spark. Either way, enjoy some of my favorite gift ideas for authors!

Fanciful Pen Holder

This typewriter pen/pencil holder is super cute, and surprisingly solid. Whenever I see it sitting on my desk it gives me a small smile. Even though I’m writing on my modern day Macbook, I can imagine the clickety clack of the typewriter keys and the crank as you push the slide back for a new row.

Library Card Pockets

These old-school library card pockets with cards are a whimsical small touch. Use them for greeting cards, bookmarks with a handwritten note, or stick them inside your own books at book signings or in-person sales. They add a really fun hint of nostalgia and any bookworm at heart will light up at these!

https://amzn.to/4kSvuob

Wireless Speaker

No matter where I set up to write, my JBL portable speaker helps me set the tone and get in the zone. Music sets the tone for me. I personally love using Spotify’s Daily Lift playlist which is personally made just for me! Another playlist I love is “Butter.” The quality is great, and it’s so durable with this speaker and if I move around to work from different rooms in the house, or even outside of my home office, it’s easy to move around.

https://amzn.to/44JN3lJ

Supportive Office Chair

I love this comfortable office chair. I had chair envy for...

How do you know you're ready to take your ideas and put them out to the world? We're diving into this important question on the podcast this episode!

_______

Get my gift guide for authors and writers! Here are some of my favorite fun picks for gifts!

The Book Marketing Goodies:

Get my FREE guide for book planning if you're still writing your book. Let's get that manuscript finished! 

Get the book marketing blueprint filled with the framework you need to market your book in a simple, but strategic way before, at, and after your launch!

Download the launch team building guide and class. (AKA how to enlist others to help your book make a big splash at launch!) 

A personal brand is vital for an author, AND for selling more books. Today, we're diving in on why a personal brand is helpful for authors and how it can help you sell more books.