Discover more at WordslingerPodcast.com

🚀 Ready for a real-world, behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of a writing career? In this episode, Kevin Tumlinson shares a candid update on his current projects, his shift toward traditional publishing, and the valuable lessons learned from both indie and trad pub worlds. If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, decision fatigue, or wondered how to level up your author journey—this is the episode for you.

Kevin holds nothing back as he talks about:

* Why dictation isn’t for everyone (and why that’s okay)

* The challenges and breakthroughs in co-authoring with J.D. Barker

* The surprising benefits of letting your books “breathe” before publishing

* How and why he’s embracing feedback from industry professionals

* The difference between “revenue books” and “shop around” traditional projects

* His evolving strategy for hybrid publishing and negotiations with publishers

Episode links::

* Wordslinger Podcast (https://wordslingerpodcast.com) - Listen, connect, and send your questions

* KevinTumlinson.com (https://kevintumlinson.com) – Kevin’s author site and contact info

* Kevin’s Substack

📝 Looking for more direct writing & publishing advice? Sign up for Kevin’s newsletter and get actionable strategies delivered straight to your inbox!

Sponsors:There are no paid sponsors for this episode, but support the show by visiting WordslingerPodcast.com and KevinTumlinson.com—your go-to sources for writing tools, podcast archives, and contact links!

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Key Time Codes:

[00:00:00] – Introduction & topic preview[00:01:18] – Why dictation doesn’t work for Kevin[00:03:30] – Collaborating with J.D. Barker: co-authoring insights[00:04:59] – The power of letting books rest[00:08:40] – Changing titles mid-book: new lessons learned[00:11:20] – Indie vs. traditional: developing a hybrid writing strategy[00:15:04] – Marketing across indie and trad pub[00:19:05] – Negotiation, leverage, and making fair publishing deals[00:27:49] – Reflections on writing career growth and advice for fellow writers[00:28:36] – How to connect & share your own writing journey

👉 Looking for inspiration and real talk about life as an author? Subscribe, comment, and join the Wordslinger community. Hit that bell to never miss an episode! 🔔

#writing #publishing #authorlife #selfpublishing #tradpub #WordslingerPodcast

🎯 Check out our sponsor:ProWritingAid – Use code KEVIN20 for 20% off at checkout!🔗 ProWritingAid (AI-powered editing for writers – polish your words faster!)

In this episode, Kevin Tumlinson sits down with acclaimed author Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer to dive deep into one of the hottest productivity hacks for writers: dictation! If you’ve ever wondered whether speaking your book can really work, what tools make it easy, or how your writing voice might change when you ditch the keyboard, this episode is for you!

Sarah reveals her journey from failed first attempts at dictation to mastering a process that helped her write 14 novels on her phone. She breaks down the brain science, busts dictation myths, and shares specific actionable steps for hesitant writers—including Kevin! They discuss practical tools, health benefits, ways to train your creative mind, the top three dictation methods, and how a simple change can unleash your best ideas.

Tune in for tips, laughs, and encouragement to break past your blocks and supercharge your writing routine.

Show links:

* FictionCourses.com/dictation – Free Scrivener + dictation mini-course and dictation quick-start guide

* Sarah's Dictation Boot Camp – Live 3-day event teaching you to dictate fiction (offered April & October; enrollment info on the site)

* FictionCourses Substack – Join Sarah’s 5-Minute Fictation Club

* Kevin’s Substack – Updates, behind-the-scenes, and more

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Key Topics & Timestamps:

[00:00:00] – Welcome & intro to dictation topic[00:05:22] – Sarah's early attempts and epic failures[00:09:30] – The breakthrough: dictating a novel scene while doing the dishes[00:14:23] – Can anyone become a “fictator”? (Brain science & training)[00:17:08] – About the Fictation course and Bootcamp[00:21:16] – Overcoming feeling self-conscious using dictation[00:27:28] – Three methods for dictating fiction[00:31:10] – Favorite tools & apps for dictation (Scrivener, Voice Memo, etc.)[00:34:24] – Homework: How to start with dictation if you’re stuck[00:35:20] – Where to find Sarah’s courses & resources[00:37:33] – Kevin’s reflections: reinventing writing routines & final thoughts

Ready to break out of your comfort zone, try dictation, and boost your writing productivity? Subscribe and hit the bell for more interviews, inspiration, and writing strategies on the Wordslinger Podcast! 🔔

#writing #authors #dictation #amwriting #productivity

Want more resources and updates? Be sure to check out the links above and support our sponsor, ProWritingAid, for a special Wordslinger discount!

Wordslinger Podcast, Episode 268Discover more at WordslingerPodcast.com

🎯 Check out our sponsors: ProWritingAid - Use code KEVIN20 for 20% off at checkout!👉 ProWritingAid - Powerful editing and grammar tools for writers

In this heartfelt and personal episode, Kevin Tumlinson shares his journey as a writer and reflects on achieving a lifelong dream: speaking with his literary hero, Orson Scott Card. From the pivotal moment of discovering Ender's Game in ninth grade to the unique influence Card's writing had on his own voice, Kevin offers an honest look at how our heroes can shape our paths. He recounts how this long-awaited interview finally happened (thanks to co-host JD Barker and the Writers, Ink podcast), why he avoided meeting Card for years, and what it felt like to truly connect with a major influence in his life. Tune in for a story about inspiration, creative legacy, and what it means to pass that torch to the next generation of storytellers.

Show links:

* HatrackRiver.com – Orson Scott Card’s official website

* Kevin’s Substack – Weekly updates and thoughts from Kevin

* Writers, Ink Podcast – Podcast co-hosted by Kevin, featuring top authors

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Key Topics & Timestamps:[00:00:34] – Kevin’s update and recent Texas flooding[00:01:31] – Why the podcast was on hiatus[00:02:59] – The story of discovering Ender’s Game[00:06:29] – Realizing writing could be a career[00:09:01] – Lessons learned from unconventional career detours[00:11:02] – Brush with Dan Brown before his fame[00:12:36] – Why Kevin never tried to interview Orson Scott Card[00:14:41] – How the interview finally came together thanks to JD Barker[00:19:20] – Nerves before meeting a lifelong hero[00:21:09] – Card’s reaction to Kevin’s writing[00:24:05] – How strong mentorship (even from afar) shapes us[00:32:51] – Reflections on role models and creative legacy[00:35:01] – The mission of storytelling and inspiring others[00:36:34] – Final thoughts and thanks

Looking for more interviews and deep dives into writing, creativity, and the author’s journey? Subscribe and hit the notification bell to stay tuned for future episodes! 🔔

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