The Author's Mind

Shilo Creed

The Author’s Mind takes you behind the scenes of bestselling fiction—one author at a time. From plotting secrets to productivity hacks, industry truths to creative breakthroughs, this show gives writers the tools, inspiration, and insider access you can’t find anywhere else. No fluff. No surface-level chatter. Real conversations with real authors doing the work. If you want to write better stories, stay motivated, and understand how successful writers think, you’re in the right place.

  1. Writing Historical Fiction That Feels Real | Cinda Gault

    1d ago

    Writing Historical Fiction That Feels Real | Cinda Gault

    How do you write historical fiction that feels real without drowning your reader in research? In this episode of The Author’s Mind, Shilo Creed sits down with Canadian novelist, literature scholar, and criminologist Cinda Gault to talk about writing historical fiction, creating believable characters, and transforming years of research into a story readers actually want to finish. Cinda shares how she built novels around real historical figures, including Isabel Gunn, a woman who disguised herself as a man to work in the Canadian fur trade. She explains how writers can use history as inspiration without letting facts overwhelm the story, why strong characters are built from choices rather than circumstances, and how to decide which details belong on the page. This conversation is especially helpful for writers who want to create vivid settings, strong female characters, believable historical worlds, and fiction that keeps readers immersed. In this episode, we discuss: How to write historical fiction that feels aliveHow much research should actually go on the pageWhy story must come before historical accuracyCreating strong female characters from real historyThe difference between what really happened and what readers will believeHow genre affects suspended disbeliefHow sensory detail makes fiction feel realWhy writers need editors, fresh eyes, and honest feedbackWhat to do when your novel becomes “gnarly”If you are writing historical fiction, developing stronger characters, or trying to turn research into a compelling novel, this episode will help you think more clearly about what belongs in your story — and what should stay in your notes. 🔔 Subscribe to The Author’s Mind for weekly craft conversations with professional writers. Connect with Cinda Gault: cindagult.com Connect with Shilo Creed: shilocreed.com Get ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com/ #historicalfiction #writingtips #authortube #characterdevelopment #creativewriting #writinghistoricalfiction #fictionwriting #novelwriting #writers #theauthorsmind

    40 min
  2. How to Write a Novel That Readers Can't Put Down | Rick Glaze

    May 25

    How to Write a Novel That Readers Can't Put Down | Rick Glaze

    Most writers think readers quit because the plot is boring. They're wrong. According to Stanford-trained, Amazon #1 bestselling novelist Rick Glaze — readers quit because the stakes weren't high enough to begin with. In this episode of The Author's Mind, Shilo Creed sits down with Rick Glaze — author of Eight Pieces of Eight, Amazon bestseller, and one of the most unconventional storytellers working today — to dig into what separates fiction that gets put down from fiction that gets devoured. What you'll learn: The real reason readers abandon your novel (and the stakes fix that changes everything)Why Rick's editor told him his book "starts on chapter four" — and what that taught him about modern readersHow Rick wrote an entire novel from his dog's point of view (and why it works)The "Universal Fantasies" framework: how to write stories readers crave but would never live themselvesHow to develop your unique author voice (hint: it starts with mimicry)Why marketing is no longer optional for serious novelistsRick brings 20+ years of sailing the Virgin Islands, a Stanford creative writing background, and a songwriter's ear to fiction — and it shows in every answer. Whether you're writing your first novel or your fifth, this episode will change how you think about keeping readers on the page. 🔔 Subscribe to The Author's Mind for weekly craft conversations with professional novelists. www.rickglaze.com Get Chapter One of Shilo's novel, Plunged for free... https://www.tactical-press.com/get-plunged-chapter-one-for-free Contact Shilo: shilo@shilocreed.com

    33 min
  3. Story Structure, Villains & the Hollywood Rules That Make Novels Unputdownable

    May 18

    Story Structure, Villains & the Hollywood Rules That Make Novels Unputdownable

    What do Hollywood screenwriters know about story structure that most novelists never learn? In this episode, two professional authors pull back the curtain on the rules that actually make fiction work — from writing villains that terrify readers to the editing secrets behind the world's greatest novels. Richard Sparks (40+ years as a professional scriptwriter, the man who wrote the sketch that launched Rowan Atkinson's career) and Gerald Everett Jones (11 published novels, 20+ book awards, Hollywood-based author and publisher) join Shilo Creed for a no-fluff conversation on the craft that separates published authors from aspiring ones. In this episode: Why a stronger villain automatically creates a stronger hero — and how to use that to your advantageThe "set up and payoff" rule that is the heart and soul of every great story structureWhat screenwriting disciplines teach you that novel writing alone never willHow Pride and Prejudice — arguably the greatest novel ever written — was shaped by its editor, and what that means for YOUR manuscriptThe "backward integration" technique: how to plant seeds earlier in your draft once you've discovered a plot point laterWhy P.G. Wodehouse needed 300 pages of notes before writing a single word of his "effortless" proseDan Brown's single most important rule for keeping readers hooked on every pageWhat "keeping the reader's suspended disbelief sacred" really means — and what happens when you break it🔗 Guest Links Richard Sparks — richardsparks.com Gerald Everett Jones — geraldeverettjones.com Puerta Books and Media — Gerald's publishing imprint 📚 Books Mentioned Jonathan's Journal by Gerald Everett Jones — Gerald's new historical fiction novel The Light in His Soul: Lessons from My Brother's Schizophrenia — co-authored by Gerald Everett Jones and Rebecca Schaper Richard Sparks's New Rock fantasy series Referenced Works: The Hero with a Thousand Faces — Joseph CampbellThe Art of Dramatic Writing — Lajos EgriAristotle's PoeticsPride and Prejudice — Jane AustenInvisible — Paul AusterUnder Milk Wood — Dylan ThomasMurder on the Orient Express — Agatha Christie📖 Resources Dan Brown's Writing Masterclass — masterclass.com National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) — nami.org The Author's Mind gives aspiring fiction writers direct access to the thinking and craft of professional authors. No theory — just real experience. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode.

    41 min
  4. Writing for Every Brain: The Dyslexia Episode Every Author Needs

    May 12

    Writing for Every Brain: The Dyslexia Episode Every Author Needs

    Most authors never think about dyslexic readers — and they're leaving a massive audience on the table. Dyslexia expert and professor Russell Von Brocklin breaks down exactly how the dyslexic brain processes fiction, and what you can do right now to write stories that reach every reader. In this episode, you'll learn: How the dyslexic brain actually processes text (and why your current structure may be losing these readers)The "specific-to-general" narrative technique that keeps dyslexic readers locked inWhy audiobooks aren't optional — they're essential — and what separates a great narrator from a good oneHow to use AI to build better outlines, refine your antagonist, and even decode publishing contractsThe real story behind dyslexia as a "superpower" — and the Shark Tank data that proves itRussell spent his career guiding parents and students from guesswork to a real game plan. His program produced results three times more effective than leading dyslexia transfer programs — at less than 1% of the cost. If you write fiction and you've never thought about the dyslexia audience, this is the episode that changes that. 🔗 Connect with Russell Von Brocklin: dyslexiaclasses.com 📚 The Author's Mind — More Resources: New episodes every week for fiction writers who want real craft, not theory. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@theauthorsmind-shilocreed ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 — Why dyslexic readers are your most overlooked audience 1:10 — Russell's story: how he "solved dyslexia" 2:11 — The law school breakthrough that changed everything 3:11 — Program results: 3x more effective at 1% of the cost 4:00 — Inside the dyslexic brain (the neuroscience) 5:20 — Writing as a measurable output: what that means for authors 16:19 — How to write a book blurb that actually works 20:13 — Casey's story: 8 grade levels in 6 months 22:09 — How many Shark Tank investors are dyslexic? (The answer surprises) 23:11 — Dyslexia as a superpower 34:57 — Reed's story: from 11th to 64th percentile in 8 months #dyslexia #writingtips #fictionwriting #authorsofyoutube #writingprocess #dyslexic #storytelling #writingadvice #selfpublishing #booktok

    38 min
  5. A Reader Told Her: 'You'd Sell More Books If You Were a Man

    May 5

    A Reader Told Her: 'You'd Sell More Books If You Were a Man

    A reader bought ALL SIX of Danielle Orsino's audiobooks — then told her she'd sell more if she were a man. Here's what that reveals about the brutal reality of being a female fantasy author today. Danielle Orsino (author of The Legacies of Light and Dark series, Hall of Fame martial artist, and former nurse) joins The Author's Mind to talk craft, combat, and the industry bias no one wants to admit exists. In this episode: 🥋 The martial arts secret behind her fight scenes — Danielle holds black belts in ITF Taekwondo, Kung Fu, Wushu, MMA, and boxing. She physically films her fight scenes from multiple angles on her phone before writing a single word — and it shows. She even worked on a WWF Super Bowl commercial with The Rock.✍️ She's a "chaos writer" — no outlines, no plotting — and yet she's delivered 6 books in a complex mythic dark fantasy world. Her martial arts discipline is what keeps the chaos structured.⚔️ How to write realistic fight scenes — why she never puts more than 4 people in a fight (because she's actually done group sparring), how to write from both attacker and victim perspectives, and the body mechanics most writers get completely wrong.⭐ How to survive bad reviews — the "yearbook picture" mindset, the Henry Cavill method, and why Goodreads is not always an author's friend.🚹 The gender bias in fantasy publishing — why female Fae writers get automatically lumped into "romantasy" and "smut," what it costs in sales, and whether writing as D.M. Orsino would have changed the trajectory of her career.🌍 Building worlds readers can't leave — why her books aren't "fast fantasy," how she compares to old-school Dune and Brandon Sanderson (not Sarah J. Maas), and how she uses maps, artwork, and playlists to deepen immersion.💌 Building a loyal reader community — how a cozy mystery author sending 10,000 birthday cards changed how Danielle thinks about newsletters (including her puppies Carlos and Penelope, who now have their own fan base and character cameos).🏥 Going public with a health crisis — how myasthenia gravis and early onset inclusion body myositis forced Danielle to step back from appearances, and why she eventually chose to share it with readers.New release: 📖 A Fool's Journey (Volume Two of The Legacies of Light and Dark) — available now. 📚 Find Danielle Orsino's Books: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org 🔗 Connect with Danielle: Instagram:@DMOrsinoAuthor TikTok:@DMOrsinoAuthor Website & Newsletter:dmorsino.com ✉️ Suggest a guest or topic: Shiloh@shilohcreed.com The Author's Mind — No theory. No workshopping. Just the real craft and process of working authors.

    45 min
  6. Book Marketing for Authors: Is AuthorsXP Worth It?

    Apr 27

    Book Marketing for Authors: Is AuthorsXP Worth It?

    Book marketing for authors doesn't have to be a guessing game — and AuthorsXP might be the most underrated tool in your author marketing arsenal. In this video, Shilo Creed (42 novels, 1.4M copies sold) gives you an honest, experience-based breakdown of how it actually works. In this video: ✅ How AuthorsXP helps you build a targeted reader email list ✅ Getting genuine book reviews without chasing readers down ✅ The author marketing tips and tricks that professional authors use to sell more books ✅ Whether AuthorsXP is worth your time and money — no fluff, just real results f you're figuring out how to market a book — whether you're indie or traditionally published — this is the hands-on breakdown most writing channels won't give you. No theory. Just what works. 🔗 Learn more about AuthorsXP: https://www.authorsxp.com 📌 New here? Subscribe for direct access to the thinking, process, and craft of today's professional authors.

    26 min
  7. How to Write a Novel with Confidence: The Author Mindset No One Teaches

    Apr 20

    How to Write a Novel with Confidence: The Author Mindset No One Teaches

    What if the biggest obstacle between you and a finished novel isn’t your plot, your characters, or your writing skills—but your own mindset? In this episode of The Author’s Mind, I’m talking with award-winning suspense author S.R. Fabrico about the real inner game of writing fiction. Stacey went from secretly printing her first 80,000-word manuscript on a copy machine as a Christmas gift for her husband… to becoming a multi-published author. She’s sharing the mindset shifts, habits, and hard-won truths that helped her keep writing when fear, doubt, and perfectionism told her to stop. In this conversation, you’ll discover: ·        The counterintuitive secret to finishing your first draft (why your first draft is supposed to be “crap”) ·        How to write suspense and build tension that keeps readers turning pages ·        Why even experienced authors still struggle with perfectionism—and practical ways to push through it ·        How to separate your self-worth from your writing so critiques don’t destroy your confidence ·        What to do when you feel like quitting your novel, and how to give yourself a real chance to succeed Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 02:30 – How S.R. Fabrico accidentally became a novelist 08:45 – “Your first product is going to be crap”: the truth about first drafts 15:20 – Using dance and choreography principles to build suspense on the page 22:10 – Perfectionism, failure, and why not finishing is the only guaranteed loss 28:00 – “What you do is what you do. It’s not who you are”: protecting your self-worth 32:45 – Practical mindset tools to keep writing when you’re scared 38:00 – Final advice for writers who are afraid to start—or finish—their book If you’re a fiction writer who wants to finish your novel, grow your confidence, and develop a resilient author mindset, this episode is for you. Connect with S.R. Fabrico: Website: SRFabrico.com Social: @SRFabrico_author Subscribe to The Author’s Mind for more real conversations with working authors about author mindset, novel writing, fiction writing tips, suspense writing, and the craft of telling powerful stories. #AuthorMindset #NovelWriting #FictionWritingTips #FinishYourNovel #WritingTips #SuspenseWriting #OvercomingPerfectionism #WritingMindset #FirstDraft #WritingCommunity Find Shilo's books here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFV59FRQ?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1771886025&sr=1-1&ref Looking for her other pen names? Check them out! Elysian Hunt ~ Clean Rom Coms https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFZ4P281?binding=kindle_edition&ref Quinn Knightly ~ Medieval action adventure https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT4YMGZL?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1771885958&sr=8-1&ref C.R. Fulton ~ Middle grade chapter books that are wholesome: https://bakkenbooks.com/collections/the-campground-kids-collection

    44 min
  8. She Published 22 Books Before Graduating High School (How she does it)

    Apr 13

    She Published 22 Books Before Graduating High School (How she does it)

    She published her first book at 12 years old — by accident. Now she's 22 books in, working on book #39, and writing 1,000 words every single day. Shanti Hershenson is a teenage YA author whose prolific output challenges every excuse writers make about time, age, and readiness. In this conversation, she breaks down exactly how she does it — the daily writing habit, the discipline behind self-publishing on KDP, the risk of writing an 800-page young adult novel, and why she writes her books to be timeless rather than trend-chasing. What you'll learn: How to build a daily writing habit that actually sticks (1,000 words, no exceptions)The self-publishing path that's open to writers of any age — right nowWhy writing long, ambitious books doesn't have to kill your audienceHow she uses TikTok to market her books without compromising her voiceThe emotional truth behind putting vulnerable writing into the worldWhether you're a young writer figuring out where to start, or an experienced author looking to rethink your process — Shanti's story is proof that discipline beats talent, and publishing is more accessible than you think. 🔔 Subscribe for direct access to the thinking and process of professional writers. Connect with Shanti: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Shanti-Hershenson/author/B08QRF5LP4?ref And Here: https://www.shantihershenson.com/ Find Shilo's books here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFV59FRQ?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1771886025&sr=1-1&ref Looking for her other pen names? Check them out! Elysian Hunt ~ Clean Rom Coms https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFZ4P281?binding=kindle_edition&ref Quinn Knightly ~ Medieval action adventure https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT4YMGZL?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1771885958&sr=8-1&ref C.R. Fulton ~ Middle grade chapter books that are wholesome: https://bakkenbooks.com/collections/the-campground-kids-collection #WritingTips #CharacterDevelopment #HowToWriteAVillain #FictionWriting #StoryStructure #WritingTips

    39 min
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About

The Author’s Mind takes you behind the scenes of bestselling fiction—one author at a time. From plotting secrets to productivity hacks, industry truths to creative breakthroughs, this show gives writers the tools, inspiration, and insider access you can’t find anywhere else. No fluff. No surface-level chatter. Real conversations with real authors doing the work. If you want to write better stories, stay motivated, and understand how successful writers think, you’re in the right place.

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  • Creator
    Shilo Creed
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Shilo Creed