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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, senior literary agent Heather Cashman, along with authors and writing coaches Stephanie Bearce and Nicki Jacobsmeyer, discuss the exhilarating and often complex phase that follows signing with a literary agent. They emphasize the importance of celebrating this achievement while remaining realistic and proactive in one's writing career. Key topics include dealing with mixed emotions, understanding the evolving dynamics of the publishing industry, communicating effectively with your agent, managing submission processes, and maintaining professional relationships. They also discuss the importance of continual writing and networking, even after securing representation. The episode is rich with practical advice and personal anecdotes aimed at guiding newly agented authors through this critical stage of their publishing journeys.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:41 Celebrating Your New Agent
01:10 Navigating Mixed Emotions
02:54 Realities of Having an Agent
07:27 Communication with Your Agent
10:09 Setting Expectations and Boundaries
16:29 The Role of Critique Groups
20:47 Going on Submission
22:41 Navigating the Submission Process
23:05 Handling Rejections and Moving Forward
23:38 Trusting Your Agent
24:14 Dealing with the Waiting Game
25:35 Questions and Revisions
27:37 Maintaining Professional Boundaries
28:24 What Not to Do After Getting an Agent
33:08 Tracking Submissions and Networking
38:29 Final Advice for New Authors
40:59 Conclusion and Audience Engagement

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In this episode of Wayward Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome Wendy Dale, an acclaimed author and memoir writing coach. Wendy discusses her journey into memoir writing, emphasizing the complexities and common pitfalls writers face. The conversation highlights crucial topics like the importance of structure, the challenges of balancing personal vulnerability with craft, and the necessity of creating an emotional experience for readers. Wendy also shares success stories from her clients and offers valuable advice for aspiring memoir writers.

00:00 Introduction to Wayward Writers
00:30 Guest Introduction: Wendy Dale
01:40 The Challenges of Writing Memoirs
03:55 Understanding Memoir Structure
08:28 The Importance of Structure and Prose
17:02 Memoir Engineering System
23:57 Identifying and Fixing Writing Issues
24:45 The Importance of Critique Partners
25:29 Common Writing Pitfalls
28:21 Success Stories of Memoir Writing
32:22 Balancing Vulnerability and Craft in Memoir Writing
33:23 The Role of Structure in Writing
40:41 Advice for Aspiring Memoir Writers
43:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Find out more about Author Wendy Dale HERE!

Memoir Writing For Geniuses (FREE Workshop)

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer discuss the key elements of author branding and platform building with special guests Nicole Meyer and Gretchen Schafer. Nicole and Gretchen, the brains behind 'Bookwork,' share their expertise in book coaching and branding strategies to help fiction writers stand out. The conversation covers topics such as the importance of author platforms, tips for crafting compelling pitches, and navigating the complexities of branding for introverted writers. The episode concludes with actionable advice for authors, emphasizing community-building and the importance of beginning with a focused, authentic platform.

00:00 Welcome to Wayward Writers

00:32 Meet Nicole Meyer and Gretchen Schafer

01:08 Nicole Meyer's Journey

01:37 Gretchen Schafer's Expertise

02:33 The Birth of Bookwork

06:24 Understanding Author Branding

09:53 Balancing Multiple Identities

20:58 Common Branding Mistakes

24:18 Refreshing Your Social Media Strategy

25:29 Customizing Your Platform for Your Audience

27:07 Effective Querying and Pitching Techniques

29:38 Distilling Your Book into a Compelling Pitch

33:18 Building a Community as an Introverted Writer

41:01 Taking Strategic Steps to Advance Your Writing Career

43:35 Final Thoughts and Farewell

The Book Works Team: Nicole & Gretchen

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OUR 75th EPISODE!!!

In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer discuss strategies for introverted writers to survive and thrive at writing conferences. The trio explores the differences between introverts and extroverts, shares personal experiences from their first conferences, and provides practical self-care tips. They also emphasize the importance of attending conferences for networking and community building, regardless of one's personality type. The episode wraps up with inspiring stories about the positive impacts of pushing personal boundaries at writing events.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:55 Understanding Introverts and Extroverts
04:46 First Writing Conference Experiences
08:10 Preparing for a Successful Event
15:02 Self-Care Strategies During a Conference
19:48 Setting Daily Goals and Evaluating Progress
20:42 Communicating Boundaries and Taking Breaks
21:48 Finding Personal Space at Conferences
25:11 The Importance of Attending Conferences for Introverts
27:17 Choosing the Right Conference Format
33:20 Memorable Conference Experiences
37:34 Building a Writing Community
38:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer are joined by Victoria Strauss, co-founder of Writer Beware. The discussion covers the origins and mission of Writer Beware, types of publishing scams they report on, common mistakes writers make, and steps to verify a potential scam. Victoria shares her experiences investigating scams, highlighting shocking cases, and discussing the evolving landscape of publishing fraud. The episode emphasizes the importance of community and awareness in protecting writers and offers practical advice on navigating the publishing world.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:34 Introducing Victoria Strauss
01:51 The Birth of Writer Beware
03:56 Types of Publishing Scams
05:31 Common Mistakes by Writers
07:28 Steps to Verify and Protect Against Scams
13:16 The Impact of AI and Social Media on Scams
28:40 Recognizing Good Agents and Publishers
31:38 Uplifting Moments and Final Thoughts
34:05 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Find out more about Victoria Strauss HERE!

Find out more about WRITER BEWARE here!

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer delve into the controversial and rapidly evolving topic of artificial intelligence (AI) in the writing and publishing industry. They discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of AI tools, share personal insights, and consider the ethical implications related to creativity, job replacement, and originality. They also highlight various AI tools for brainstorming and research while addressing concerns about how AI might affect authors, readers, and the publishing landscape as a whole. The episode emphasizes the importance of staying informed and engaged in the ongoing conversation about AI's role in their professional lives.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:28 Discussing Artificial Intelligence
01:12 Personal Feelings on AI
02:48 AI in Publishing
06:47 The Future of AI and Writing
10:57 Ethical Considerations and Job Impact
18:37 AI's Role in Creativity and Brainstorming
22:09 Exploring AI-Generated Ideas
24:10 AI Hallucinations and Research
24:50 Using AI for Writing and Research
26:23 Ethical Considerations of AI in Writing
32:31 AI Tools for Writing and Brainstorming
37:27 The Future of AI in Literature
42:43 Conclusion and Community Engagement

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome prolific writer Leslie J. Wyatt to discuss her extensive career. Leslie shares her journey from writing inspired by her mother to publishing romance and middle-grade novels, as well as over 800 articles. Highlights include her initial inspiration, the shift from different genres, the process of writing across multiple genres, and her recent foray into romance writing. Leslie also delves into the intricacies of writing for different age groups and the importance of finding the right voice. The hosts also discuss the evolving publishing landscape, specifically self-publishing and digital submissions. The episode concludes with an in-depth discussion of ​S​ibylline Press, a publishing house dedicated to women over 50, and its unique business model.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:33 Introducing Leslie J Wyatt
01:29 Leslie's Writing Journey
03:25 Writing Across Genres
05:47 Crafting Characters and Themes
13:41 Exploring Romance Writing
21:11 Publishing Insights and Trends
22:30 About ​​Sibylline Press
28:36 Conclusion and Contact Information

F​ind out MORE about Leslie J. Wyatt HERE!

​Blueprint for a Book by Jenny Nash

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This episode features Jamie Dalton, a YA fantasy author and indie publisher, sharing her journey and strategies in handling the challenging balance of writing, parenting, and business responsibilities. Jamie delves into her writing routine, the evolution of her career, her approach to creative productivity, and the importance of understanding target audiences to create appealing book covers. She also discusses her strategies for marketing, building an organic fan base, and the role of assistance in managing her growing author business.
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00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:11 Meet Jamie Dalton: YA Fantasy Author
02:06 Balancing Writing and Parenting
04:26 Creative Process and Productivity Tips
09:46 Building a Support Team
17:31 Cover Design Insights
22:51 The Power of Book Covers
24:28 Resources for Self-Taught Authors
28:21 Marketing Strategies and Emotional Hooks
31:24 Building a Fan Base and Visual Hooks
35:43 Balancing Writing and Marketing
40:26 Organizational Tools and Author Resources
45:47 Concluding Thoughts and Author Coaching

​E​vergreen Author Resources

F​ind out more about Jamie Dalton HERE!

5-Day Amazon Ad Profit Challenge​ by Bryan Cohen