Thriving Authors Podcast Dallas Woodburn

In this solo episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m excited to share what has helped me write my back cover and my longer book descriptions. I even give an example of the description from my book that came out in December called “Your Book Matters: 52 love notes from my creative heart to yours.”

On the surface, writing your book description seems pretty simple…but it is super common to struggle with this task because you need to condense so much into a short space! To write a compelling book description, you need to 1) give the reader a sense of what your book is about; 2) introduce the reader to your own authentic voice and style; 3) sell your book; 4) grab the reader’s attention and leave them wanting more!

I dive into:


The distinction between your book description and your back cover description.


Some exercises that are really helpful with taking away the pressure and stress of writing the description of your book.


Why I recommend writing your book description before you reach the end of your manuscript.


How to grab the reader’s attention in your book description.


A little trick I use to hone in on how to write to the ideal reader of your book.



Check out the back cover description from my new novel BEFORE & AFTER YOU & ME, coming May 7th from @OwlHollowPress & now available for pre-order!! #linkinbioEmma blames herself when a freak accident at a pool party leaves Hunter, the town’s rising track star and her former boyfriend, paralyzed from the waist down. As she struggles with anxiety, loneliness and regret, she begins to obsessively paint portraits of legs and feet—Hunter’s legs and feet—and for the first time receives critical acclaim and notice for her artwork.

But what started as therapeutic for Emma ends up deepening her guilt. Does creating meaningful art require retreating inward toward self-expression, or striving outward toward recognition—or can it somehow be both?

Searching for one whole, authentic identity, Emma grapples with love, ambition, grief, homecoming, and—ultimately—redemption.


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In this episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m talking with money mentor and writing coach Katy Almstrom about writing a better money story – something especially important for us entrepreneurs and creatives!

Ready to reach your money goals? Or feel like you’re not a numbers person? This is such an encouraging episode to listen to!Katy shares insights on what entrepreneurs need to know to manage their money in each season of business, not only so you can plan ahead but so you can build a healthy relationship with money. She also provides practical ideas to simplify your money habits and create more consistency with irregular income.

And pssst: so much of what Katy talks about parallels the writing journey! So be prepared to be inspired with tips to implement in your creative life, too!Speaking of writing and money… I’m hosting a writing contest with cash prizes! Inspired by my novel Before and After You and Me that comes out May 7th, the prompt is to write about a time that split your life into "before" and "after." This could have been a huge, life-altering event, or it could have been something small that changed your internal landscape. It could be beautiful or painful, joyful or devastating, or any combination of emotion. It could have been something you noticed at the time, or only recognized looking back, years later.

Find the complete details here: https://bit.ly/beforeafterwritingcontestAbout Katy:

Katy is a leading money mentor and wealth coach, a teacher and speaker who works with ambitious women who are ready to steward their money in their business and life by creating a sustainable strategy, simplify their process, and build limitless confidence in their money habits and behaviors. With over a decade of experience in teaching and coaching combined with her own debt-free entrepreneurial journey and simplified life, Katy provides a unique service for her clients to help them slow down, map out their own joyful wealth-building journey, and create a life that has WAY less stress around money. Connect with her on Instagram at @katy_almstrom


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In this episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m talking with nonfiction book coach and editor Danielle Anderson about how to map out a transformative reader journey—all the way from the timeline to major scenes, to themes and reader desires.

She explains:


The five essential elements crucial to structuring your book, especially if it’s a memoir.


What desires to tap into that will attract readers who resonate with the journey.


Ways you can play with timeline and examples of the different shapes it can take.


How to know what scenes really need to be amplified and where to use backstory.



This episode will help you weave a captivating story that will have a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of your readers.

And I encourage you to flex that writing muscle and enter the writing contest that I’m hosting! It’s inspired by my novel Before and After You and Me that comes out May 7th. The prompt is to write about a time that split your life into "before" and "after." This could have been a huge, life-altering event, or it could have been something small that changed your internal landscape. It could be beautiful or painful, joyful or devastating, or any combination of emotion. It could have been something you noticed at the time, or only recognized looking back, years later.

Find the complete details here: https://bit.ly/beforeafterwritingcontest

About Danielle: Danielle Anderson is a trained nonfiction book coach and editor, bringing over thirteen years of writing and publishing experience to help passionate writers amplify their story, voice, and message. She is the founder of Ink Worthy Books, an editorial and publication services company where they believe everyone has a story worth telling, and every story has the power to change the world. Connect with Danielle on IG at inkworthybooks


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In this solo episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I'm sharing my best tips for entering writing contests! 

Including:


How to approach entering contests from a place of freedom, joy and non-attachment.


Ways to move past the doubts you have about your work so that you can go for it anyway.


When the best time to celebrate is!


Ideas for how to keep track of the contests you enter. 


What you need to know before you enter the contest.



I hope that this information gets you excited to enter writing contents in a way that feels good!!And I encourage you to flex that writing muscle and enter the writing contest that I’m hosting! It’s inspired by my novel Before and After You and Me that comes out May 7th. The prompt is to write about a time that split your life into "before" and "after." This could have been a huge, life-altering event, or it could have been something small that changed your internal landscape. It could be beautiful or painful, joyful or devastating, or any combination of emotion. It could have been something you noticed at the time, or only recognized looking back, years later.

Find the complete details here: https://bit.ly/beforeafterwritingcontest


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dallas-woodburn/support

In this episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m talking with my wonderful friend Greta Woolley about her incredible book “S.O.S.: Survival Guide for Teachers, Old and New”. I was honored to be able to support her in writing this book over the course of my 8-week writing program Your Book Roadmap.

It was really so beautiful and incredible for me to witness and journey with her as this book poured out of her!

Greta shares:


How she knew she was ready to write her book and how it wasn’t the spectacular moment she thought it would be.


The challenges she went through during her writing process and what kept her going.


Her favorite writing exercise to implement when she was worrying about her book.


What she feels and how she’s different now that her book is out in the world.



I think you’ll be inspired by this conversation and what you can do when you allow yourself to be supported along your writing journey.

About Greta:Greta Woolley is a behavior specialist at Miles Elementary, where she walks alongside students, families, and educators to create needs-fulfilling environments that positively support academic achievement while growing students’ social and emotional competence. She has spent the past 35 years working as a front-line teacher in the trenches for both general and exceptional student education settings, as a District Trainer, ESE Specialist, Instructional Mentor, and Site-Based Behavior Specialist. Woolley examines the relationship between your “head and your heart” with the firm belief that they must be synchronized for maximum learning to occur. She also models the power of self-examination and reflection necessary for teachers to always remain in an upward trajectory of growth and improvement. She lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband Chris and two daughters, Julia and Jaclyn. Connect with her on Instagram @themindfulmentor_


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In this solo episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I’m diving into two common objections that I hear over and over from the women who are considering joining Thriving Authors Academy. These objections might resonate with you, too, so I wanted to talk about them and pose some questions for you to think about.

If you’re feeling resistant to committing to write your book, this episode will help you figure out if now is the right time to jump in AND how you can guarantee that this investment is going to pay off.

After listening to the episode, if you’re still wondering “Can I really do this?” – let's hop on a call and we can talk through it together. There's no pressure and you're not wasting my time. During our call I’ll be a mirror for you, reflecting back to you the truth that you are sharing, so that you are able to go after your dream of becoming a published author in whatever is the best way for you to do that.

AND if now is the time – and you are ready to go all in to write your book – register by March 29th & get a BONUS Book Breakthrough 1:1 60-minute Intensive ($499 value) so that you can get personal support around wherever you are stuck on your book & can make the most of the Thriving Authors Academy when it starts April 8th! Find more details at ThrivingAuthorsAcademy.com


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dallas-woodburn/support