Coffee & Real Talk for Writers

Talena Winters
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A weekly heart-to-heart chat about the craft, business, and life of being an indie author with author and editor Talena Winters… and friends.

  1. 05/14/2022

    Ep 13: My Book Publishing Timeline

    In this episode, I talk about working under duress, ways I’ve been using dictation, and the approximate schedule I use in my indie publishing process. Note: I am an affiliate of some of the platforms you can access through the universal book links below, which means if you make a purchase, I get a few cents at no additional cost to you. Mentioned in this episode: The Indie Publishing Process Part 1: From the End to the Finish The Indie Publishing Process Part 2: Publishing and Distribution The Indie Publishing Process Part 3: Finding Your Readers (a.k.a Marketing) Wide for the Win Facebook Group Wide for the Win by Mark Leslie Lefebvre Successful Self-Publishing by Joanna Penn Draft2Digital (affiliate link) Kobo Writing Life Mug Quote of the Week: "Excuse my mess. My comfort zone is being renovated." - Talena Winters Inspired by: “It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.” - Roy T. Bennett Question of the Week: What's one thing you wish you had known before you started publishing? Tweet me: https://twitter.com/talenawinters Leave a comment at: https://www.talenawinters.com/realtalkforwriters/2022/5/13/ep-13-my-book-publishing-timeline Original music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

    58 min

  2. 03/31/2022

    Ep. 12: Improving Your Characters with the Enneagram

    In this episode, I talk about working with beta readers, planning my next project, and how learning the Enneagram helped me make my characters better. Note: I am an affiliate of some of the platforms you can access through the universal book links below, which means if you make a purchase, I get a few cents at no additional cost to you. Mentioned in this episode: Every Star that Shines preorder Enneagram overview Enneagram types Drew Newkirk's channel The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi H. Claire Taylor's email series about the Enneagram for writers: www.ffs.media/readnow Mug quote of the week: “I am the wound and the blade, the torturer and the flayed.” ― Charles Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil Question of the week: What tools do you use when you are creating or refining characters? Tweet me Leave a comment Original music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

    37 min

  3. 03/17/2022

    S1E11: What Editors wish Authors Knew about Working with Editors

    In this episode, I talk about completing the first draft of my manuscript, what I'm going to do next, and my thoughts as a writer and editor about what editors wish writers knew about working with them. Note: I am an affiliate of some of the platforms you can access through the universal book links below (marked with an *), which means if you make a purchase, I get a few cents at no additional cost to you. Mentioned in this episode: The Story of St. Patrick (VeggieTales) Newsletter Ninja 2 by Tammi Labrecque* Blog tour for The Undine's Tear Sell More Books Show Episode 418: Mastering Deadlines, Creativity, and That Kickstarter Kobo Writing Life Podcast Episode #286: Writing Female Friendships with Anat Deracine Six Figure Authors Episode 123: Dealing With Criticism as an Author The Rebel Author Podcast with Sacha Black Episode 129: Save the Cat Writes a Novel with Jessica Brody Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody* Mug Quote of the Week: How to fly: Throw yourself at the ground. Miss. Inspired by the following quote by Douglas Adams from Life, the Universe, and Everything: “The Guide says there is an art to flying,” said Ford, "or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” Question of the Week: Was there a time you disagreed with an editors' recommendation, and are you glad you did? Tweet me Leave a comment Original music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

    31 min

  4. 03/04/2022

    S1E10: Change is the only certainty

    In this episode, I talk about tools for writing emotion and developing characters, a recent family situation that means a major adjustment, and my tools for coping with change and challenges. Note: I am an affiliate of some of the platforms you can access through the universal book links below, which means if you make a purchase, I get a few cents at no additional cost to you. Mentioned in this episode: Brenna Davies's article about me on the Boomarten Editorial blog: 2022-02-25: Author Spotlight: Talena Winters  The Writer's Thesaurus series by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi: The Emotion Thesaurus The Emotional Wound Thesaurus The Negative Trait Thesaurus Mug Quote of the Week: "Let reality be reality." From the following longer quote: “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ― Lao Tzu Bonus quote: “We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ― Joseph Campbell Question of the Week: If you've been affected by the stresses of the world or just the natural stresses of life, what are useful practices to help you adapt, in your business or in life? Tweet me Leave a comment Original music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

    26 min

  5. 02/25/2022

    S1E9: Taking Chances on Yourself with Jessica Renwick

    In this episode, I interview Jessica Renwick, an independently published middle grade fantasy and sweet romance author and copyeditor who has bucked popular indie wisdom and reaped great rewards. We also talk about dealing with Impostor Syndrome, where she finds inspiration, and adventures in advertising. In the introduction, I talk about some new tools in the indie author space. (Please note that I am an affiliate of Amazon.com, .ca, and .co.uk, so if you click through to one of those stores from the links below and make a purchase, I’ll get a few cents without any additional charge to you.) Sorry for uploading the wrong file the first time! Mentioned in this episode: Bookmarten Editorial (Brenna Bailey-Davies) The Undine's Tear reviewed in Lorehaven last Friday. (Not an "interview" like I said in the episode!) Findaway Voices Marketplace/Findaway Voices The Waterboy eBook & audiobook Matty Dalrymple - The Indy Author Podcast Newsletter Ninja by Tammi L. Labrecque Newsletter Ninja 2 by Tammi L. Labrecque Rebel Author Podcast with Sacha Black Ep. 126 - Mailing Lists for Indie Authors with Tammi Lebrecque About Jessica Renwick: Jessica Renwick is the award-winning author of books about friendship, courage, and being true to yourself. The Book of Chaos was her first novel and the start of Starfell, her fantasy series for middle-grade readers. Since then she has also published the second and third book in the series, a paranormal mystery for middle-grade kids, and a sweet romance series for adults. She lives in central Alberta, Canada with her loving partner, two pocket monsters (her dogs), and a flock of chickens. www.jessicarenwickauthor.com Interviews with Jessica on my blog: Jessica Renwick: Writing a New Ending (inspirational personal essay) Author interview with Jessica Renwick when she released The Bow of Anarchy (Starfell Book 2) Jessica on Instagram: @jessicarenwickauthor, @jessicaannerenwickbooks What we chat about: How the inspiration for Jessica's first book, The Book of Chaos, came from a long-running DnD campaign How she got her copy editing certification through Writers Digest University How she's continually worked to improve her craft A book that helped her with Impostor Syndrome: The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women - Valerie Young Resource for middle grade indie authors: How to Self-Publish and Market a Children's Book - Karen Inglis Facebook groups Jessica recommends for middle grade authors: Society of Middle-Grade Writers The Creative Penn episode: Draft2Digital Acquires Smashwords with Mark Coker and Kevin Tumlinson Podium Audio: https://podiumaudio.com/ Courses Jessica recommends: Bryan Cohen's 5-Day Author Ad Profit Challenge - Free Amazon Ads challenge Mark Dawson's advertising course: comprehensive cross-platform ads course David Farland's craft and business courses: https://mystorydoctor.com/ Find Jessica’s upcoming books here: March 15 - The Book of Chaos (Starfell Book 1) releasing on audio. Pre-order on Audible. March 29 - The Curse of the Warlock (Starfell Book 4) on eBook & print. Audiobook in September.  Mug quote of the week: "Our own life has to be our message." Thich Nhat Hanh Question of the week: What's a risky decision you've made about your indie author business that has paid off in unexpected ways? Tweet me: https://twitter.com/talenawinters Leave a comment. Original music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

    1h 26m

  6. 02/18/2022

    S1E8: Inviting Opportunity to Knock

    In this episode, I talk about: My recent struggles with Impostor Syndrome and Resistance and how I overcame them (this week) Branding and marketing are both telling stories Putting lots of hooks in the water - how we create doors for Opportunity to Knock on. (Don’t worry, the metaphor is only mixed in these notes, not the episode. Or is it?) Marketing done right is actually serving our readers Mentioned in this episode: Sell More Books Show, Episode 410: Helpful Mindsets and Pursuing Your Passion Mug Quote of the Week: “If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.” Milton Berle Question of the Week: When was a time opportunity knocked because you'd built a door for it to knock on, and how did it pay off? Tweet me: https://twitter.com/talenawinters Leave a comment Original music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

    24 min
  7. S1E7: Branding challenges for multi-passionate creatives

    02/11/2022

    S1E7: Branding challenges for multi-passionate creatives

    In this episode, I talk about embracing my finitude (or trying), writing progress, and some of the challenges and progress I've made with branding multiple creative businesses under one domain. Mentioned in this episode: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman (affiliate link to some stores) Wish I'd Known Then… for writers podcast My Merch store Mug quote of the week: "Slow progress is still progress." (Available as an actual mug in my merch store. And a sticker.) Question of the week: What's your biggest branding challenge? If you don't have any but you've solved some before, what was it and how did you solve it? Original music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

    39 min
  8. S1E6: The Hidden Value of Our Connections

    02/04/2022

    S1E6: The Hidden Value of Our Connections

    In this episode, I talk about planning for the unexpected, working around copyright issues when referring to other people's Intellectual Property in our novels, the life and times of Pinocchio, Punch and Judy, and Anna Leonowens, and how serendipitous inspiration makes books better. I also discuss the hidden value we should take into consideration when hiring people in our business. Mentioned in this episode: Best Book Ever podcast by Julie Strauss: https://bestbookever.libsyn.com/ Stark Reflections Patreon roundtable discussion where I met Julie Mug Quote of the Week: Be the kind of person you would like to meet. Question of the week: How have you seen the hidden value you and others bring to the table pay off in your career or in your life? Tweet me Leave a comment on this episode Music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

    44 min
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About

A weekly heart-to-heart chat about the craft, business, and life of being an indie author with author and editor Talena Winters… and friends.

Information

  • Creator
    Talena Winters
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2022
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 to present, Talena Winters. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Coffee & Real Talk for Writers