BS with Writers (Formerly Story Strategy)

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Join us for conversations with your favorite authors that go behind the scenes in their process. From ideas to software, superstitions and routines to mindset hacks, we'll chat about what works and what doesn't in the current publishing ecosystem. Your host is Nancy Smay, long-time editor and story coach and USA Today bestselling romance author.

  1. 11/01/2024

    Episode 78: In Which Kristan Higgins Contemplates Lad Lit and Po-Fam Romance

    In this engaging conversation, Nancy chats with bestselling author Kristan Higgins, exploring her journey from aspiring writer to successful novelist. Kristan shares her experiences in the publishing industry, her writing process, and the evolution of her work from romance to women's fiction. The discussion also delves into the importance of social media in connecting with readers and building a successful author brand. Kristan and Nancy delve into the multifaceted world of writing, exploring the challenges authors face in balancing authenticity with branding, the importance of personal voice, and the necessity of thorough research when tackling sensitive topics. They discuss the evolving landscape of social media and its impact on authors, the significance of maintaining passion for writing amidst industry pressures, and the future of publishing in the age of AI. Kristan shares her personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of listening to others' stories and the value of self-care in the writing process.

    1h 6m

  2. 10/04/2024

    Episode 77: In Which Cecelia Mecca Juggles

    Cecelia Mecca, a full-time romance author, shares her journey from being an English teacher to becoming a successful author. She talks about how she transitioned to full-time writing and the challenges she faced along the way. Cecelia also discusses the importance of finding the right genre and niche, and how it has contributed to her success. She shares her experience with pen names and the need for separate websites, newsletters, and social media accounts for each pen name. She and Nancy discuss her writing process, including her book production schedule and how she plans and plots her books. She also talks about the importance of editing and the resources she uses to stay current in the industry. Cecelia emphasizes the value of professional development and building a supportive community of authors. She shares her upcoming projects and where listeners can find her online.

    54 min

  3. 08/30/2024

    Episode 76: In Which Julia Jarrett Talks about Hanson. (Dreamy Sigh.)

    Julia Jarrett is a Canadian author of spicy romance novels. She started with small-town romance but recently branched out into sports romance, specifically baseball. In this episode, Nancy and Julia talk about where Julia's ideas for her books come from and what goes on in their plot coaching sessions. Julia shares her strategies for launching books in a series, building a community of author friends, and maintaining a positive mindset. They also talk about the importance of physical health for authors.

    1h 2m

  4. 08/16/2024

    Episode 75: In Which Mona Shroff Waits Beneath Clerys Clock

    In this conversation, authors Nancy Smay and Mona Shroff discuss the process of writing contemporary romance novels, sharing insights into their creative process, inspiration, and the challenges they face. Mona Shroff shares her journey from optometry to becoming a writer, her approach to character development, and the unique way she plots her stories. The conversation also delves into the editing process and the tools used for writing. Mona Shroff discusses her writing process, book publishing timeline, marketing strategies, and the expansion of her writing into new genres. She also shares insights on maintaining motivation, self-care, and the excitement of branching out into different areas of writing.

    54 min

  5. 08/02/2024

    Episode 74: In Which Ines Johnson Enters Her Godmother's Pantry

    In this conversation, Ines Johnson discusses her experience as a romance writer and the changes she has observed in the genre. She talks about her journey as an indie author and the challenges she faced in traditional publishing. Ines also shares her insights on the evolving preferences of readers, particularly the TikTok generation, and how she incorporates micro tropes into her books. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the market and finding the intersection between what she wants to write and what readers want. Ines also discusses her approach to planning and marketing her extensive backlist of books. In this conversation, Ines and Nancy discuss various strategies and techniques for successful book marketing and writing. They cover topics such as using affiliate links, pricing strategies for Kindle Unlimited, writing processes, and the importance of testing relationships in romance novels. Ines shares her approach to writing, including using note cards and Scrivener, and emphasizes the need for a strong structure and showing characters falling in love. They also discuss the significance of the third act break-up in romance novels and the importance of mindset and goal-setting in maintaining a positive attitude.

    1h 14m

  6. 07/26/2024

    Episode 73: In Which Denny S. Bryce Time Travels

    In this conversation, Nancy Smay interviews Denny S. Bryce, a traditionally published author of historical fiction. They discuss Denny's background as a writer and her passion for craft and research. Denny shares her experience as a fan fiction writer and how it led her to join the Romance Writers of America (RWA) and eventually get an agent. They also talk about Denny's process of researching and writing historical fiction, including the use of tools like Aeon Timeline and Scrivener. Overall, the conversation highlights Denny's dedication to her craft and her love for storytelling. Denny S. Bryce discusses her approach to writing historical fiction and the importance of diverse reading. She shares how she got the attention of influential authors and judges through contests and endorsements. Bryce explains her approach to historical fiction, which includes writing biographical stories and exploring key time periods and events. She emphasizes the importance of entertaining readers while also educating them about historical situations and reflecting on present-day issues. Bryce also discusses her writing process, including outlining, researching, and revising, and encourages readers to explore different genres and diverse voices.

    1h 10m

  7. 07/19/2024

    Episode 72: In Which Lena Hendrix Discusses Whether Mafia Cowboys Will Ever be a Thing

    In this episode, Nancy chats with spicy small town romance writer Lena Hendrix. Lena, who began publishing just a few years ago, has found success in KU writing multiple series and focusing on cozy settings, relatable characters, time-tested tropes, and an edge. They discuss the importance of considering marketing before beginning to write, explore craft books that Lena especially likes, and discuss TikTok, PR boxes, street teams, and dictation.

    1h 1m

  8. 07/12/2024

    Episode 71: In Which Kait Nolan Talks about Talking to Herself

    In this conversation, Nancy interviews Kate Nolan about her writing career and process. They discuss topics such as the different genres Kate writes in, her experience with self-publishing and traditional publishing, her decision to use pen names, her approach to wide distribution, and her writing routine. Kate shares that she is a rabid plotter and uses Scrivener and Evernote to organize her ideas and outlines. She also talks about her she-shed, a dedicated writing space she built for herself. In this conversation, Kait Nolan discusses her writing process, including how she uses dictation to capture ideas and the software she uses for transcription. She also talks about her editing process and working with beta readers. Kait shares her approach to marketing, including using free book promotions and focusing on building her newsletter. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining control over her own platform and not relying solely on social media. Kait also discusses the importance of finding a supportive community of writers and the value of accountability partners. Finally, she touches on the importance of maintaining physical fitness as a writer.

    1h 14m
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About

Join us for conversations with your favorite authors that go behind the scenes in their process. From ideas to software, superstitions and routines to mindset hacks, we'll chat about what works and what doesn't in the current publishing ecosystem. Your host is Nancy Smay, long-time editor and story coach and USA Today bestselling romance author.

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