The Writing Biz

Laura Williams
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

The Writing Biz podcast helps writers think like entrepreneurs, offering practical strategies for platform building, revenue growth, marketing systems, and mindset development to create sustainable, professional writing businesses.

  1. 2d ago

    Let's talk forensics, murder, and writing a thriller!

    Former pathologist Deven Greene reveals how real forensics, murder cases, and dark science power thrillers readers can't put down. If you're writing a thriller or wondering how to write a murder mystery without info-dumping, this is your playbook. In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, Deven shares how she turns 20+ years as a pathologist into page-turning suspense. You'll learn her simple research system for thriller writing, how to weave in medical detail without boring readers, and what happened when real life copied her fiction — from secret bioterror labs to genetic engineering headlines. She also breaks down writing dark topics like rhino poaching and black-market organs, plus her switch from small press to self-publishing. Perfect for anyone learning how to write a thriller novel, how to write suspense that feels real, and how to sell more books with true-crime credibility. Rhino Horn Underground: A Thriller https://amzn.to/4d6oP8R  The Organ Broker https://amzn.to/4z6nEPr  Happy Sun Farm https://amzn.to/46Ii49N  Timestamps 00:00 - Meet Deven Greene: pathologist turned thriller author 00:43 - How she starts research without rabbit holes 02:00 - Her tools: internet, library books, ChatGPT and on-location visits 09:47 - Adding real science without info-dumping 15:22 - How graphic should your murder scenes be? 17:01 - When real life rewrote her plot: rhino horn trade 21:23 - When fiction came true: genetic engineering & secret lab 26:03 - Handling dark topics like black-market organs 29:55 - Police Writers Academy and getting expert help 32:38 - The forensic psychiatrist story you have to hear 40:39 - Small press to self-publishing: what changed 43:30 - Where to find Deven's books

    Let's talk forensics, murder, and writing a thriller!

  2. 5d ago

    Don't get scammed. How to protect your book.

    Don't get scammed out of your own book. Publishing pro Michele DeFilippo (50+ years, 1106 Design) shows writers how to protect your rights, own your ISBNs, and budget for a market-quality book in the age of AI. If you're self-publishing your first book, you'll learn why free ISBNs make someone else the publisher, when to register  your copyright for max protection, what AI text means for ownership, and how to save for pro editing and cover design — so you stay the publisher and keep the profits. In this episode: Free vs. owned ISBNs: who gets paid and why Copyright timing: register within 3 months of release AI for Authors: what you can and can't copyright Budgeting for Self-Publishing the pro way Guest: Michele DeFilippo, 1106 Design — helping authors publish like pros. Get her free guide "Publish Like the Pros" at 1106design.com More from The Writing Biz Podcast — helping writers think like entrepreneurs with platform, revenue, and marketing systems. Subscribe for weekly author-business strategies. TRANSCRIPT & MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/how-to-protect-your-book  #SelfPublishing #ISBN #Copyright #AIforAuthors #WritingBiz. Timestamps 00:00 Intro — Meet Michele DeFilippo  01:45 The ISBN trap: free vs. owned  06:15 Copyright registration + AI challenges 19:45 Avoid DIY pitfalls — be the publisher  25:45 Budgeting for market-quality design  29:30 Fund smart — no rent money + crowdfunding  34:15 Spot deceptive publishing services  37:00 Why human help wins in an AI world  42:45 1106 Design + free guide WEBSITE: 1106 Design FREE! Publish Like Pros https://1106design.com/blog/

    Don't get scammed. How to protect your book.

  3. Sep 25

    50 Scam Emails a Day: An Author's AI Survival Guide

    Getting 50 scam emails a day? Author and voice actor Aaron Ryan does — and he's learned how to survive it. In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, Aaron breaks down how AI is flooding publishing with low-effort books, eroding income for voice actors, and fueling daily scams targeting indie authors. You'll learn his exact red flags (gmail addresses, flattery, $7,500 film offers), why you should never reply, and how to prove you're human in a market full of AI slop. Whether you're in self publishing, indie publishing, or building your author business, this is your practical checklist to protect your work, plus a look inside Aaron's Dissonance saga and his new Jekyll & Hyde retelling, The Darkness Within. #SelfPublishing #AISlop #VoiceActing #IndiePublishing #Authortube Connect with Aaron at https://authoraaronryan.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 - 50 scam emails a day: Aaron's AI survival intro  03:20 - How AI slop is burying human authors  08:45 - Assistive vs generative AI: where to draw the line  14:10 - Beyond algorithms: marketing your human voice  19:30 - Power of imperfection: proving you're human  24:50 - Scam alert: red flags + why you never reply  FOLLOW THE WRITINGBIZ:Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz

    50 Scam Emails a Day: An Author's AI Survival Guide

  4. Sep 22

    Jaws to Game of Thrones: Writing Books to Sell as Screenplays

    Dreaming of the big screen? Novelist and screenwriter Richard Moon breaks down how to write books that Hollywood wants to adapt. In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, Richard Moon shares why great books make terrible movies, the structural differences between novels and screenplays, and what makes a story truly cinematic. We dig into book to film adaptation lessons from Jaws, Game of Thrones, Fight Club, and Lord of the Rings — including interiority vs visuals, pacing, dialogue, budget, and why author control can hurt your adaptation. If you're a fiction author who wants to write more visually, sell film rights, or understand how screenwriters think, this is your playbook for writing books to sell as screenplays. #BookToFilm #Screenwriting #NovelWriting Connect with Richard Moon and check out his novel To Conquer Death:  https://richardmoonbooks.com/to-conquer-death/  Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Meet screenwriter and novelist Richard Moon  00:39 - Novel vs screenplay: structure differences every author must know  03:59 - Dialogue and time: why long conversations stall on screen 06:07 - What makes a novel cinematic?  08:41 - Collaboration vs solitude: screenwriting team vs novelist alone 12:08 - Drift in adaptation and author control  14:25 - Jaws: why this book-to-film worked  17:17 - Game of Thrones: what went wrong after the books ran out  20:49 - Worldbuilding and budget: Lord of the Rings lesson  26:06 - Richard's shift from screenwriting to novels  29:44 - Translating imagery and detail for the page vs camera  31:45 - Richard's career path + To Conquer Death  38:15 - Historical accuracy vs good storytelling in film  42:04 - Where to find Richard Moon  42:50 - Voyage Media adaptation resource + what's next FOLLOW THE WRITING BIZ:Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz

    Jaws to Game of Thrones: Writing Books to Sell as Screenplays

  5. Sep 18

    Your Book Won't Sell Itself: The Reader Magnet Strategy Behind 30,000 Downloads

    Your book won't sell itself. If you're launching to an empty room, the fix isn't more posting — it's an email list. Olivia Zugay, founder of StoryFlow Solutions, joins The Writing Biz to break down the reader magnet strategy that actually builds a writing business: why a free novella converts readers when "sign up for updates" doesn't, how to grow a list before you ever publish, and how one client got over 30,000 downloads by giving away two books in a series. In this episode: - Why starting your email list before your book exists changes your entire launch - What actually works as a reader magnet — and what doesn't - Email subscribers vs. social media followers, and the 1% conversion problem - The myth of instant success for debut authors, and what a realistic schedule looks like - How to read your own data — including the BookBub mistake that keeps repeating - Backlist income, new releases, and planning a career you can live on Whether you're a debut novelist or three books in with little to show for it, this is the unglamorous, numbers-first version of book marketing.   CHAPTERS 00:00 Why a sold-out launch starts with an email list 00:52 Why authors need an email list before they publish 03:56 The reader magnet: how a free novella gets you subscribers 07:00 Reader magnet ideas beyond a free novella 09:48 Email subscribers vs. social media followers 12:10 The myth of instant success for debut authors 13:00 Why you need 2–3 books planned, not one 14:00 The business mindset: writing is not just a passion 15:00 Social media converts at 1% — here's what that costs you 16:57 Stop trying to be on every platform 18:00 Learn to pitch your book the way readers actually buy 22:00 Seasonality: why engagement and sales dip 22:51 Collecting email addresses at in-person events 23:20 Marketing is like dating — be a little forward 24:24 The BookBub mistake: repeating a promo without the data 26:00 Case study: 30,000 downloads from two free series books 27:00 She delayed her release to build an email list and ARC team 30:00 Realistic publishing schedules: one book a year 32:00 Why standalones inside a series sell 33:00 Backlist pays the bills, new releases are bonuses 34:43 Where to find Olivia Zugay and her free resources #bookmarketing #selfpublishing #authortips #indieauthor #emailmarketing #readermagnet FOLLOW THE WRITING BIZ: Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz

    Your Book Won't Sell Itself: The Reader Magnet Strategy Behind 30,000 Downloads

  6. Sep 15

    Are you writing alone? — You Need the Right Writing Community

    If you are a self-published author struggling with isolation, procrastination, or creative burnout, this episode offers a proven blueprint to build sustainable momentum. Host Laura Williams sits down with Dianna Gunn—author, community architect, and founder of Weeknight Writers—to explore how genre-specific accountability, virtual conferences, and structured peer networks empower indie authors to finish books and launch thriving careers without burning out. #WritingCommunity #WritingTips #CreativeWriting #SelfPublishing #AmWriting Timestamps: 01:05 Why Weeknight Writers started and the need for accessible virtual spaces 03:38 The three essential pillars: Community, accountability, and education 05:45 How structured check-ins help writers with ADHD stop procrastinating 10:44 Using virtual conferences and #FirstDraftFall as community growth magnets 15:10 Launching an alternative draft challenge after the NaNoWriMo controversy 19:50 Maintaining an anti-AI stance to champion human creativity and craft 21:44 Why genre-specific groups provide better feedback for speculative authors 23:48 How to structure constructive, actionable critique and beta reader guidelines 31:30 Core advice for running an author group: Consistency, encouragement, and avoiding burnout 40:43 Where to find the Weeknight Writers community on Bluesky and Discord FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/the-right-writing-community MY GUEST: Dianna Gunn, Author and Community Manager, The Weeknight Writers Personal: https://authordiannagunn.com https://bsky.app/profile/diannalgunn.bsky.social https://www.instagram.com/d_l_gunn/ Weeknight Writers https://weeknightwriters.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/weeknightwriters.bsky.social https://www.youtube.com/@WeeknightWriters BOOKS BY DIANNA GUNN: Woman of Sorrow and Blood: A Tale of Romance and Tragedy https://amzn.to/4xKBGpv Moonshadow's Guardian: Book One of the Moonshadow Rising Duology https://amzn.to/4iTBEae FOLLOW US:Website: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz

    Are you writing alone? — You Need the Right Writing Community

  7. Sep 11

    If You Won't Learn Business, Don't Self-Publish — My Warning to Writers

    Romantic fantasy author PK Stuart sold me on the uncomfortable truth most writers avoid: indie publishing is a small business — not just a passion project. In this episode of The Writing Biz, PK breaks down what it really costs ($3,000 before your book even hits Amazon) and the system that keeps her profitable. We dig into her pantser-meets-accountant workflow — the exact stack she uses to run it like a CEO: Scrivener for writing, Atticus for formatting, Aeon Timeline for timelines, Notion as her all-in-one business database, Anthropic's Claude for marketing and ad copy, and KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) to publish. If you treat writing like a hobby, you’ll get hobby results. Want a sustainable writing business instead? Start here. Atticus: https://www.atticus.io/ Aeon Timeline: https://www.aeontimeline.com/ Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener Notion: https://www.notion.com/ PK's go-to combination for writing raw manuscripts and building a central database for story research and project tracking. 0:00 - Introduction: The Business Reality of Indie Publishing 0:35 - Balancing the Pantser Method with Business Systems 2:48 - Essential Software and Tech Tools for Indie Authors 6:25 - Leveraging AI for Copywriting and Ad Management 9:31 - Indie vs. Traditional Publishing: Upfront Capital & Realities 12:43 - Cash Flow, Profit Margins, and Startup Mindset 14:38 - Creative Freedom, Motorcycles, and Preventing Author Burnout 19:10 - Overcoming Early Writing Challenges and Finding Critique Networks 23:25 - P.K. Stuart’s Time’s End Series and Final Takeaways Follow The Writing Biz: https://thewritingbiz.com https://www.youtube.com/@Thewritingbizpodcast https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.social https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz https://www.facebook.com/onthewritingbiz https://www.instagram.com/thewritingbizpodcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@lwilliams.author https://open.spotify.com/show/2idEdHr3TymIlpOQmK1MfW?si=9f6c1e1c6b084222

    If You Won't Learn Business, Don't Self-Publish — My Warning to Writers

  8. Sep 8

    Post Every Other Day, Sell More Books: The 18-Year-Old's TikTok System for Authors

    Most writers hate marketing. This 18-year-old built 75,000 followers who buy books — by treating TikTok like a conversation, not a commercial. 18-year-old author Shanti Hershenson is still in school and already selling books full-time on TikTok. In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, she breaks down her exact tiktok for authors system: posting every other day, experimenting until something sticks, and turning followers into readers without the sleazy sales pitch.If you want to sell books on tiktok and finally make book marketing feel human, this is your playbook for how to how to grow on tiktok as an author — even if you hate social media.IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to Shanti Hershenson01:06 Balancing Book Sales vs Creative Expression on TikTok02:12 Building Consistency and Posting Every Other Day04:01 TikTok Hook Strategy and Video Format06:12 Reaching 75,000 Followers on BookTok11:41 Advice for Overwhelmed Authors Starting Content Creation24:07 Publishing Her First Book at Age 1226:30 Where to Find Shanti's Books and Socials#BookMarketing #TikTokForAuthors #SellBooksOnTikTokMY GUEST:Shanti HershensonWEBSITE: https://www.shantihershenson.com/TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@shantiwhowrites BOOKS BY SHANTI HERSHENSON: Wolfgang One (The Enigma Trilogy Book 1)https://amzn.to/4ymDFAp Neverdying: a novel (Neverdying Series Book 1)https://amzn.to/3UnLmaT SUBSCRIBE and listen to the podcast here: @Thewritingbizpodcast SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Be the first to know about new episodes! https://thewritingbiz.com/subscribe-to-the-writing-biz-today/ARE YOU GEARING UP FOR A BOOK LAUNCH? OR BUILDING AN AUTHOR BRAND?🎙️Check out the author's best kept secret to podcasts tours. Skip cold pitches and get booked! PodMatch matches you with hosts that are looking for guests just like you. I highly recommend them. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐See what they have to offer: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/thewritingbizWORK WTIH ME!To learn more about Laura Williams Pages, and how I can help you build an author brand that sells books visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/To SIGN UP for your FREE Site audit visit: https://laurawilliamspages.com/free-site-audit/FOLLOW USWebsite: https://thewritingbiz.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thewritingbizpodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/onthewritingbiz.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/onthewritingbizX: https://x.com/OnTheWritingBiz

    Post Every Other Day, Sell More Books: The 18-Year-Old's TikTok System for Authors
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About

The Writing Biz podcast helps writers think like entrepreneurs, offering practical strategies for platform building, revenue growth, marketing systems, and mindset development to create sustainable, professional writing businesses.

Information

  • Creator
    Laura Williams
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Laura Williams
  • Show Website
    The Writing Biz