93 episodes
Author Your Dream Kenny MacKay
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- Arts
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4.8 • 10 Ratings
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Author Your Dream is the podcast for anyone looking to take the next step towards writing and publishing their book. Hosted by Kenny MacKay, the show offers a mix of solo episodes and interviews with industry experts to answer the questions many new authors often have.
Each episode is packed with actionable tips that you can apply to your own writing journey, from developing ideas to navigating the publishing industry. Whether you’re an aspiring author, entrepreneur, or simply someone with a passion for writing, Author Your Dream is here to help you turn your writing dreams into a reality.
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Mastering the Art of Query Letters
Query letters can be daunting, but with some research and the information Abigail K. Perry shares in this episode, you can give yourself a better chance of landing a literary agent.
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Writing Romance
We dive deep into the world of writing romance. In this episode, we’re thrilled to have bestselling romance author Olivia Gaines as our guest. Olivia shares valuable insights on how to overcome the common pitfalls that writers encounter when crafting love stories.
Whether you’re looking to create compelling love scenes, establish deep connections between your characters, or keep a romance series going strong, this interview is packed with practical tips and techniques. Olivia also delves into creating romantic tension, incorporating themes of self-love and self-discovery, and finding the right balance of drama in your stories. Aspiring romance writers and seasoned pros alike won’t want to miss this engaging conversation with Olivia Gaines. Tune in now and take your writing to the next level!
Highlights:
Olivia’s Journey
Common pitfalls when writing romance
Putting a feeling of depth in your romance
Tips for connecting with your readers at the start
Keeping a romance series going
Writing compelling love scenes
Creating romantic tension
How much drama is too much
Obligatory scenes
Incorporating themes of self-love and self-discovery
Author Action Point:
What kind of writer do you want to be? Once you determine what that looks like to you, it will really determine your writing career. Make sure -
Entering Writing Contests
In today’s episode, we are talking about entering writing contests. Kenny talks with Paula Sheridan, the founder of the Page Turner Awards, about how authors can enter, what they can in, and why they should even consider entering in the first place. Paula shares her insights into this topic and provides some practical tips and mistakes to avoid.
Highlights
• Paula’s story
• Page Turner Awards
• Submitting to the Page Turner Awards
• What do you win?
• How writing contests can help you
• Who are contests for
• Biggest mistakes when entering contests
• When should a writer enter
Visit the Show Notes page for free resources and discount codes. -
Working with Sensitivity Readers
In this episode, we are talking about sensitivity readers. I had the pleasure of speaking with author J.H. Dahler about her experience of working with one. And as a bonus, we are joined by Candice Roma, who is an editor and and Jodie’s sensitivity reader.
They both share their perspective on the process and how sensitivity reading can improve representation in literature. This is an insightful conversation that sheds light on the importance of inclusivity in storytelling and the role of sensitivity readers in ensuring authentic representation.
Highlights
What is a sensitivity reader?
Jodie’s experience with the process
Candace’s perspective
About Jodie’s book Forest Girl
Qualifications for a sensitivity reader
Feedback
Giving Feedback
Mindset and attitudes authors should have
Does a sensitivity reader have an impact on a book’s success? -
What You Should Know About Genre with Savannah Gilbo
If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to categorize your writing or wondering why certain books fit into specific categories, then this episode is for you. We’ll start by discussing why genre is essential in fiction writing and how it helps readers find books that they enjoy. Next, we’ll delve into the two main types of genres: commercial genres and content genres. We’ll explain the differences between them and explore the various sub-genres that fall within each category.
Highlights
What is genre?
What to do when your story fits into multiple categories
5 things our content genre can tell you about your story
Internal and external genres
Avoiding getting overwhelmed
How this applies to science fiction and fantasy
Resources Mentioned
Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast
www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/genre
How to Structure a Scene with Emma Dhesi
Free Master Class
Sign Up for a FREE 30-Day Trial of the Novel Factory. -
4 Big Questions about Traditional Publishing
Do you have questions about traditional publishing? As a first-time author, you probably have a lot of questions about everything. In this episode, Kenny talks with traditionally published author Mary Adkins about the four biggest questions she gets asked all the time. She will share her experience on everything from agents to royalties and more.
Highlights:
How do I know if I need a literary agent?
How do I get a book deal?
What’s it like working with an editor?
How much can I expect to earn from publishing?
Sign Up for a FREE 30-Day Trial of the Novel Factory.
Customer Reviews
So helpful!
Love this podcast! I’ve learned so much.
Very informative for authors
This is an excellent podcast!
Learning so much!
Informative for indie authors
Great podcast! Very professional, and informative for indie authors who want more guidance on how to make their career work. I felt inspired as I learned from every day authors who are easy to relate to.