The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers Joanna Penn

Why is writing emotion so important in our books, whatever the genre? How can we create an emotional connection between our readers and our characters? Roz Morris gives her tips in this episode.







In the intro, how to get your indie book into schools [Self-Publishing Advice]; Did my bestselling book turn out to be a financial failure? [Tiago Forte]; How to Build a World Class Substack; Why did The Atlantic sign a licensing deal with OpenAI? [The Verge]; Like It or Not, Publishers Are Licensing Books for AI Training—And Using AI Themselves [Jane Friedman]; and my personal update post-Covid.













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This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn 













Roz Morris is an award-nominated literary fiction author, memoirist, and previously a bestselling ghostwriter. She writes writing craft books for authors under the Nail Your Novel brand, and is also an editor, speaker, and writing coach.







You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. 







Show Notes









* Why is writing emotion is so important?







* How can we create an emotional connection between our readers and our characters?







* How to write layers of emotion







* Using description and dialogue to evoke feelings in the reader







* “Show, don't tell” when writing emotion







* Learning to lean into our intuition and trust more







* Using your own emotions and experiences in writing







* How and when to use a beat sheet









You can find Roz at RozMorris.org.







Transcript of Interview with Roz Morris







Joanna: Roz Morris is an award-nominated literary fiction author, memoirist, and previously a bestselling ghostwriter. She writes writing craft books for authors under the Nail Your Novel brand, and is also an editor, speaker, and writing coach. So welcome back to the show, Roz.







Roz: Hi, Jo. It's so great to be here again.







Joanna: Yes, and you have been on the show many times before over the last 14 years.

How can you lean into intuition and curiosity to embrace discovery writing? How might serial fiction fit into your business model? KimBoo York gives her tips and more in this interview.







In the intro, BookVault now has integration with PayHip; 7 lessons learned from 5 years writing full-time [Sacha Black, Rebel Author Podcast]; My author timeline; List of money books; Crowdfunding for Participation, Profit, and Payment [Self-Publishing Advice]















This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors.







This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn 













KimBoo York is the author of romance, fantasy, and nonfiction, as well as a productivity coach, and a podcaster at The Author Alchemist and Around the Writer's Table. Her latest book for authors is By the Seat of Your Pants: Secrets of Discovery Writing.







You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. 







Show Notes









* What is discovery writing and how does it differ from plotting and outlining?







* How trust and intuition guide discovery writing







* Where to begin the discovery writing process







* Adding layers during the writing and editing process







* The “penny drop” moment of discovery writing







* Embracing the process that works for you







* Differences between a serial, a series, and a novel







* Platforms and marketing for different genres of serials







* Building a business model based on ‘you'









You can find KimBoo at HouseofYork.info.







Transcript of Interview with KimBoo York







Joanna: KimBoo York is the author of romance, fantasy and nonfiction, as well as a productivity coach, and a podcaster at The Author Alchemist and Around the Writer's Table. Her latest book for authors is By the Seat of Your Pants: Secrets of Discovery Writing. So welcome, KimBoo.







KimBoo: Thank you so much, Joanna. You know I am thrilled to be here. I'm very excited.

How can you make sure your manuscript is ready for submission to an agent — or for publication if you go indie? What are the benefits and challenges of traditional publishing? Will they really do all the marketing for you? Renee Fountain talks about these things and more in today's interview.







In the intro, Referencing and citations [Self Publishing Advice]; will.i.am on the WSJ talking about AI, music and media; Behind the scenes of Pilgrimage [BookBrunch]; how a chapel visit in Zambia led to a published short story [X @mwanabibi]













This episode is sponsored by Publisher Rocket, which will help you get your book in front of more Amazon readers so you can spend less time marketing and more time writing. I use Publisher Rocket for researching book titles, categories, and keywords — for new books and for updating my backlist. Check it out at www.PublisherRocket.com







This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn 













Renee Fountain has more than three decades in the publishing industry, including being a literary agent, a developmental editor, and story analyst. She is the president of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management and founder of Gryphon Quill Editing.







You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. 







Show Notes









* Main issues seen with manuscript submissions







* Is your manuscript overwritten?







* Tips on pacing







* What is developmental editing?







* Key elements of a pitch package and query letter







* Will traditional publishers do all the marketing for you?







* Using an agent to get a TV or film deal vs. going indie







* Dealing with rejection







* Cash flow management in traditional publishing









You can find Renee at GHliterary.com or ReneeFountain.com.







Transcript of Interview with Renee Fountain







Joanna: Renee Fountain has more than three decades in the publishing industry, including being a literary agent, a developmental editor, and story analyst. She is the president of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management and founder of Gryphon Quill Editing. So welcome to the show, Renee.

Can you have a business with a soul through writing? How does the business of fiction differ from non-fiction? What are some tips for pitching a book for film & TV? All this and more with Aurora Winter.







In the intro, 100 book marketing ideas [Written Word Media]; 25 indie authors tips to finding success [Self Publishing Advice]; BookFunnel for audiobooks; Bookfunnel as landing page for Facebook Ads; TIME signs licensing deal with OpenAI; ALCS AI licensing survey; my 2020 book on AI for authors and publishing.







Plus, Corfu on Instagram and proving I am human; In My Time of Dying by Sebastian Junger; Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson; De-Extinction of the Nephilim on JFPennBooks; Other stores].













Today's show is sponsored by Draft2Digital, self-publishing with support, where you can get free formatting, free distribution to multiple stores, and a host of other benefits. Just go to www.draft2digital to get started.







This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn 













Aurora Winter is the multi-award-winning author of nonfiction business books and teen fantasy novels, as well as a publisher, TV producer, and serial entrepreneur.







You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. 







Show Notes









* How writing can help people during difficult times







* Actionable ways to turn grief into gratitude







* Tips for pitching to producers







* The importance of patience and connections in the film industry

How do we write authentic humanity into our books, whether that's our own experience or a fictional character's? How can we embrace the challenges of life and the author journey and make the most of the opportunities along the way? Efren Delgado gives his tips in this interview.







In the intro, How to plan and release a second edition of your book [SelfPublishingAdvice]; plus, Kickstarter update; Stone carving a green man; De-Extinction of the Nephilim [JFPennBooks; other stores];













Today's show is sponsored by ProWritingAid, writing and editing software that goes way beyond just grammar and typo checking. With its detailed reports on how to improve your writing and integration with writing software, ProWritingAid will help you improve your book before you send it to an editor, agent or publisher. Check it out for free or get 15% off the premium edition at www.ProWritingAid.com/joanna







This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn 













Efren Delgado is a former FBI special agent with 25 years of national security, law enforcement, and private protection experience. He's also a consultant, professional speaker, and the author of The Opposite is True: Discover Your Unexpected Enemies, Allies, and Purpose Through the Eyes of Counterintuitive Psychology.







You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. 







Show Notes









* Balancing being authentic while maintaining your boundaries







* How to take our failures and move on to success







* Creating a mind map to help during the brainstorming process







* Fact checking and managing citations when writing nonfiction







* Writing to deal with trauma while avoiding using it as therapy







* Uncomfortable truths indie authors need to face about the industry







* Common misconceptions authors get wrong when writing FBI thrillers









You can find Efren at EfrenDelgado.com.







Transcript of Interview with Efren Delgado







Joanna: Efren Delgado is a former FBI special agent with 25 years of national security, law enforcement, and private protection experience.







He's also a consultant, professional speaker,

How can we use AI tools to enhance and improve our creative process? How can we double down on being human by writing what we are passionate about, while still using generative AI to help fulfil our creative vision? Rachelle Ayala gives her thoughts in this episode.













Today's show is sponsored by my patrons! Join my community and get access to extra videos on writing craft, author business, AI and behind the scenes info, plus an extra Q&A show a month where I answer Patron questions. It's about the same as a black coffee a month! Join the community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn













Rachelle Ayala is the multi-award-winning USA Today bestselling author of playful and passionate romances with a twist. She also has a series of books for authors, including Write with AI, An AI Author's Journal, and AI Fiction Mastery.







You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. 







Show Notes









* Understanding generative AI tools as a non-technical person







* How the creative process can work with AI tools and why it's always changing







* Using AI tools as a collaborative discovery process, and why it's all about your creative vision and author voice. For more on this, check out my AI-Assisted Artisan Author episode







* Aspects of copyright







* Staying focused on writing as new AI technology emerges, and why you need to double down on being human









You can find Rachelle at RachelleAyala.net.







Transcript of Interview with Rachelle Ayala







Joanna: Rachelle Ayala is the multi-award-winning USA Today bestselling author of playful and passionate romances with a twist. She also has a series of books for authors, including Write with AI, An AI Author's Journal, and AI Fiction Mastery. So welcome to the show, Rachelle.







Rachelle: Thank you, Joanna. Thank you for having me.







Joanna: I'm super excited to talk to you. As I was telling you, I have the ebook and the print edition of AI Fiction Mastery because I think you put things so well in your writing. Before we get into it—







Tell us a bit more about you and your background in technology and writing.







Rachelle: Okay, sure. I was a math major, and I actually have a PhD in applied math. So you would think that's kind of the farthest thing from writing.







I got into parallel computing back in the 80s. Then in the early 90s, neural networks, where we were basically trying to recognize handwritten characters between zero to nine. So that was quite interesting and fascinating.







So I basically worked in software development and network management until 2011. Then I got into writing. So romance writing was my gig,