Project Seed Money

Sharissa Bradley
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Welcome to the Project Seed Money Podcast, where we empower and inspire women writers to bring their stories to life. Each episode features in-depth interviews with accomplished female authors, editors, and industry professionals who share their journeys, challenges, and successes. Our mission is to provide education, resources, and connections to help women secure funding and navigate the publishing world. Join us as we explore the diverse voices and experiences that enrich the literary landscape, offering insights and encouragement to both emerging and established writers. Whether you're seeking practical advice, inspiration, or a supportive community, the Project Seed Money Podcast is here to support your writing journey.

  1. 3d ago

    More Than Just an Image: Ashton Smith on Mastering the Book Cover Process

    In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with book cover designer Ashton Smith to demystify the visual side of the publishing world. Ashton shares her journey from being a "Bookstagram" enthusiast and indie bookstore employee to specializing in creative advertising and graphic design for authors. She provides a masterclass on the logistics of working with a designer, including why you don't need a finished manuscript to start your cover, the critical difference between a designer and an illustrator, and how to avoid red flags like "AI-generated" content and predatory pricing. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Ashton Smith.   00:34 – The "Dream Job" Moment: How a conversation with her mom sparked a career.   01:29 – From "OG Bookstagram" to Professional Design.   03:18 – Genres: What she designs (and what she doesn't).   05:05 – The Process: Why she doesn't read the full manuscript.   06:56 – Timeline: How long does a cover really take?.   10:34 – Questions every author should ask their designer.   11:44 – The Difference between a Designer and an Illustrator.   13:17 – Red Flags: How to spot publishing pitfalls and scams.   15:33 – Final Encouragement: Creative control in self-publishing. Connect with Ashton:  Website www.ashtonmsmithdesigns.com Instagram @ashtonmsmithdesigns TikTok @ashtonmsmithdesigns LinkedIn @ashtonmsmithdesigns Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.   Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/    Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SSyMZYIsZao

  2. Jul 7

    Writing as a Practice: Briana Gervat on Movement, Imprints, and Creative Perseverance

    Project Seed Money

  3. Jun 29

    Legacy and Sobriety: Christy Hughes on the Courage to Self-Publish and Tell Your Truth

    In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with author Christy Hughes to celebrate the five-year anniversary of her book, Strong Roots, Wayward Soul. Christy shares the deeply personal story of how her "sober curious" journey and the passing of her 100-year-old grandmother became the catalyst for her memoir. She dives into the realities of self-publishing, the importance of maintaining creative control, and the unconventional tools—like somatic experiencing—that helped her process trauma while writing. Whether you're writing your first manuscript or navigating the self-doubt of a second book, Christy's advice on "bootstrapping" and community will inspire you to take that first step. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and 5-Year Anniversary Celebration 01:00 – From Poet to Blogger: Rediscovering a love for writing 02:30 – The Catalyst: Polly Campbell and the sobriety connection 04:30 – Bootstrapping the Publishing Journey: Hay House, Reedsy, and KDP 06:30 – Why Self-Publishing? Keeping the sentimental farmhouse on the cover 09:30 – Overcoming MFA-less Self-Doubt and the power of Somatic Therapy 12:00 – The Community Fix: Why we are "Better Together" 14:40 – The Next Chapter: From Memoir to Historical Fiction (Rosie the Riveter) 17:00 – Rocking the Boat: Mid-life, people-pleasing, and signed copies 18:50 – Final Inspiration: Why everyone's story deserves to be heard Connect with Christy: Website www.thrivewithchristy.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thrivechristyhughes LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-hughes-thrive/ Scheduling Link https://www.thrivewithchristy.com/service-page/discovery-call Podcast: Rock the Damn Boat: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kNxEnIsWbt3ZMe69wDqjw?si=f59494174c5b4169 Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.   Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/    Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_AdrbkUsRnc

  4. Jun 26

    Narrating Your Success: Pam Rossi on the Power of the Author's Voice

    In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with veteran broadcaster and audiobook narrator Pam Rossi. After a long career in radio, Pam transitioned into the world of voiceovers and audiobooks when COVID-19 changed the media landscape. Now a specialist in nonfiction narration, Pam shares why she believes every nonfiction author should consider narrating their own book to build authority and passion. She pulls back the curtain on the ACX (Audible Creative Exchange) platform, explains the different payment models for narrators, and shares the "green flags" authors should look for when hiring their perfect voice. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 00:29 – From Radio to Audiobooks: A COVID-19 pivot 01:23 – Why Nonfiction is "The Jam": Self-help, History, and Business 02:15 – Knowing Your Limits: When to say no to fiction or accents 04:36 – The Big Decision: Hiring a narrator vs. narrating it yourself 07:22 – Navigating ACX: Auditions and the critical first 15 minutes 09:26 – Money Talk: Royalty shares, per finished hour, and hybrid models 11:56 – Interviewing Narrators: Questions you MUST ask 15:45 – Setting Realistic Timelines: Why you need 2–3 months 19:18 – Red Flags: Avoiding the "Joe Blow" of narration 24:42 – The Role of Character Spreadsheets in Fiction 28:46 – Final Encouragement: One step in front of the other Connect with Pam: Website www.PamRossi.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pamrossi.voiceoverartist/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pam.rossi LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E%A4pam-rossi-%F0%9F%8E%A4-337a6011/   Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.   Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/    Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t7JCoFppaLE

  5. Jun 15

    Bridging the 30-Year Gap: Neri Lopez on Ownership, Research, and the "Just Do It" Mindset

    In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with author Neri Lopez to discuss her remarkable "marathon" of a publishing journey. Neri shares the story of a manuscript that sat for 30 years—through raising triplets and a dead computer—before she finally re-entered it by hand from paper copies to become a published author. A former graphic designer and teacher, Neri explains how she leverages her "third career" skills to design her own covers, format her books, and conduct intensive real-world research. From spicy romances to police-officer research involving bloodhounds and hostage training, Neri's journey is a masterclass in persistence and the power of the author community. Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Neri Lopez: Author, Teacher, and Graphic Designer 01:37 – The 30-Year Wait: The catalyst for her first book 03:37 – The Publishing Marathon: Releasing a book every 3–4 months 03:55 – Writing for her daughter: The shift to clean romance 05:30 – Battling Imposter Syndrome through research and ride-alongs 07:02 – The Power of Writing Sprints and Author Community 10:17 – Choosing Self-Publishing over the "Traditional Wait" 11:55 – Using Graphic Design skills to animate and format books 15:49 – Siren Book and Craft: The meaning behind the brand 17:19 – Final Encouragement: Why your voice needs to be out there Connect with Neri: Website: nerilopez.com (Redirects to Siren Book and Craft) Socials: @NeriLopezAuthor (Facebook/Instagram) Buy her books: Amazon and IngramSpark Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.   Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/    Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RAo-F7OqjUE

  6. Jun 8

    I Want To Be: Dr. Rachel Ivory on Legacy, Leadership, and Leading Kids to Their Future Careers

    In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with Dr. Rachel Ivory, the visionary behind Ivory Publishing LLC and the inspiring "I Want To Be" children's book series. Dr. Rachel discusses how her grandmother's relentless focus on education sparked a lifelong love for reading that she now passes down to her own grandchildren. After a 38-year career in public service and leadership, she combined her research skills with her passion for workforce development to create a series of 22 books (and counting!) that introduce children to diverse professions—from welders and environmentalists to chiropractors and accountants. In this video, you'll learn: The importance of expanding "career day" beyond the standard professions. How to leverage your professional skills (like research and leadership) into a publishing career. Overcoming the fear of marketing by finding your "cheer squad" and the right professional partners. Why encouraging a child's natural curiosity can lead to a future career. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction. 00:47 – The Grandmother Catalyst: A legacy of reading. 02:32 – The "I Want To Be" series: Beyond the standard Career Day. 05:04 – Expanding the series: Finding inspiration in daily life. 07:00 – From Public Service to Publishing: Starting Ivory Publishing LLC. 08:15 – The Engineer's Mindset: Encouraging natural curiosity in children. 10:42 – Overcoming the Marketing Hurdle: Networking and "Shy Marketing." 14:21 – Advice for Female Authors: Taking the first step and finding your cheer squad. Connect with Dr. Rachel Ivory: Website www.ivorypublishingllc.net Instagram www.instagram.com/ivory.publishing/ Facebook www.facebook.com/ivory.publishing/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivory-publishing-llc/ Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.   Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/    Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/W_69iyu5Qso

  7. May 25

    The Author Mindset: Randi-Lee Bowslaugh on Resilience, Creative Rights, and Advocacy

    In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley welcomes back Randi-Lee Bowslaugh to celebrate her fifth anniversary as a podcaster and her nine-year journey as an author. Randi-Lee discusses the vital mindset shift from "someone who wrote a book" to embracing the title of Author. She pulls back the curtain on the "control freak" side of indie publishing, explaining why she refuses to give up her rights and how she navigated the steep learning curve of KDP and IngramSpark. We also dive into her deeply personal second edition of Goodbye Too Soon, which chronicles her brother's death by drug overdose, and her ambitious plans to adapt the story for the silver screen. Timestamps: 00:00 – Celebrating 5 Years of the Write or Die Show   02:23 – The Lesson: Letting your personality shine through   05:07 – The Mindset Shift: From "writing a book" to being an Author   06:48 – Learning the Ropes: Boutique publishing to KDP   10:42 – Why Indie Authors need to keep their creative rights   13:04 – The thrill of global sales (Finding your book in Australia!)   19:11 – Advice for first-time authors: Giving yourself grace   21:32 – Goodbye Too Soon: The 2nd edition and the Movie Project   27:46 – Setting flexible deadlines and avoiding the "failure trap"   Connect with Randi-Lee: Website: rbwriting.ca Podcast: The Write or Die Show Socials: @RandiLeeBowslaugh Website http://www.rbwriting.ca Instagram https://www.instagram.com/randileebowslaugh Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rbwriting TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@randileebowslaugh Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.   Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/    Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/joFODBKDPq0

  8. May 18

    Beyond the Cover: Tamian Wood on Navigating the Design Process and Protecting Your Story

    In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with award-winning book designer Tamian Wood to pull back the curtain on the visual side of publishing. Tamian shares her journey from designing museums and billboards to becoming a specialist in the self-publishing world. She provides a masterclass for authors on the logistics of book design, including the exact technical questions you must ask a designer to ensure they are professional, how to spot predatory publishing scams, and the "brilliant" reason you should start your cover design as soon as you have a title. Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Tamian Wood of Beyond Design Books. 00:31 – From layoffs to a second degree: Tamian's path to design. 02:14 – The Onboarding Process: When to reach out to a designer. 03:46 – Timelines and Tunnels: How long does a cover really take?. 04:46 – Technical Interview: 6 Questions every author should ask their designer. 07:05 – Red Flag Alert: How to spot publishing and marketing scams. 09:59 – Genre Deep Dive: Historical fiction, Sci-Fi, Cookbooks, and more. 13:50 – Inspiration for Authors: Progress over perfection. Connect with Tamian: Website: beyonddesignbooks.com. Resource Link:  10 Tips For Finding (and Working With) Your Ideal Cover Designer Freebie: https://bit.ly/4usVfBq

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About

Welcome to the Project Seed Money Podcast, where we empower and inspire women writers to bring their stories to life. Each episode features in-depth interviews with accomplished female authors, editors, and industry professionals who share their journeys, challenges, and successes. Our mission is to provide education, resources, and connections to help women secure funding and navigate the publishing world. Join us as we explore the diverse voices and experiences that enrich the literary landscape, offering insights and encouragement to both emerging and established writers. Whether you're seeking practical advice, inspiration, or a supportive community, the Project Seed Money Podcast is here to support your writing journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Sharissa Bradley
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    75
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Project Seed Money