Rough Drafts Welcome Salt and Sage Books

CW: This episode contains conversations about sexual situations and is not intended for anyone under the age of 18.



Our incredible editor, therapist, and featured sensitivity reader Amy joins us to talk about all things spicy!



You’ve probably all noticed the increase in “respectability” when it comes to spicy books, both erotica and smut alike — it’s a brave new world out there, and we are here for it!



As with all explosions of genres, there are all shades (wink) of things to think about when it comes to writing something that is interesting, relatable, and that sells well. Surely you’re not surprised to hear that there are some pitfalls when it comes to the juiciest of books.



Amy has a therapy-based take on all of it. Join our conversation as we discuss consent, why it matters, how to write it, and—most importantly!—the way that your stories are impacting real people for the better.



We’re always excited to get steamy content in our inbox, and we’ve got lots of editors who love to read it. You can find all of them at www.saltandsagebooks.com! If you’re not ready to book just yet, we’d love it if you’d give us a follow on social media.



Resources:


Becoming Cliterate (referred to in the podcast as “Cliteracy)
Come As You Are
The Man Enough Podcast
The Ethical Slut
Nonviolent Communication

Episode Tracing



You know that you don’t know how to write a certain scene… say a kissing scene. And you want to learn how to do it—but how, exactly, do you figure out how to write like your favorite authors?



Join Erin & Sachiko today as they dive deep into how, exactly, you’re supposed to figure out how to be a good writer. Classes help, degrees help, but the best help of all is right on your book shelf.



Erin shares her personal strategy of “tracing” chapters, what they’ve taught her about how she writes, and how, exactly, she uses this wealth of information to move her forward in her writing journey.



You don’t have to have an MFA to learn from the books around you—just practice tracing!



If you’re ready to book with Salt and Sage Books, you can find us on our website at www.saltandsagebooks.com. If you’re not ready to book, come hang out with us on social media! We’re excited to see you.

The great war of indie publishing versus traditional publishing has begun!



No, not really. Erin actually thinks that they're both pretty cool. But if you have wondered which of those publication pathways is a better fit for you, Erin has some thoughts.



Depending on genre expectations, your goal audience, your ideal reader, and even your own personal interest in marketing, you might find that one sort of publication is a better fit for you than another.



Fair warning, that if you have ever thought that indie publication is less-than, Erin is going to challenge you to change your mind about that one.



For marketing concerns, potential financial investment, the amount of time that you're gonna have to wait, and interest in following market trends, there is a publication style that is good for everyone. You might even find that you like being a hybrid published author!



All the links:

Klytics - https://k-lytics.com/ 

20Booksto50K for all things indie content (read the pinned files, they are a WEALTH of information) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/781495321956934/

The Writing Gals (an indie pub group with a slight focus on sweet romance with lots of good business advice) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/170375933609063

Mal Cooper - https://www.thewritingwives.com/



The Incomplete Guides from Salt and Sage Books (and a peek at how the landing page for Draft2Digital looks) - https://books2read.com/ap/8Vy9vl/Salt-Sage-Books



For help with your query, we love working with:

Kim - https://www.saltandsagebooks.com/profiles/kim-vanderhorst/ 

Katie - https://www.saltandsagebooks.com/profiles/katie-degilio/



To book a time with Erin to talk about your specific book and if indie or trad is better for you, go to the consult on our website here - https://www.saltandsagebooks.com/request-a-consult/ 

Join us today as we meet the incredible David. David, is an editor at salt and Sage books, a sensitivity reader, and a big believer in looking into the shadows of what makes us human.



David loves horror, and talks a little bit more about what makes the genre so interesting to him. David has a background in psychotherapy, and uses many of those approaches in his reads. He is an incredible editor who is keen to put the author first, provide additional context, and give resources to anyone who needs them.



Our favorite thing about David is how much he really cares about the authors he’s working with. He has a sense for understanding the person behind the story. He cares about honoring the author’s intent while also giving them as much context and information as possible.



David told us about two books that changed his life: Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt - https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250866233/tellmeimworthless



All For the Game series by Nora Sakavic - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Nora-Sakavic/author/B00J23NV3E



Listen to David’s indie queer urban fantasy horror audio drama here: https://www.faustiannonsense.com/dos-after-you



You can hire David through the Salt and Sage Books website at www.saltandsagebooks.com . 

Erin and Sachiko dive headfirst into one of the most common issues we see in our writers: circling the same story for years.

You know the authors; you've heard the stories. You might even be one of them! There's something about this story, something about this plot. You might have "world builder's disease" or feel like you just can't quite get this story right.

Whether you've been writing (and rewriting) this story for years or you know what you want to write but can't quite bring yourself to actually start, this is the episode for you.

If you're ready to get some outside help on your novel, Salt and Sage Books is so excited to help you! Start with a beta read if you aren't sure where else to begin, and we promise to be as nice to your story as you need us to be.

Find us at www.saltandsagebooks.com !

Join us today in meeting the incredible editor Rebecca!



Rebecca, with her Master's of Fine Arts, talks with us today about who she is, what she loves, and how she edits. We discuss her passion for disability advocacy, the medical model of disability vs. the social model, and the way that books change the world. She is a sensitivity reader, autistic parent to autistic children, developmental editor, and broad reader.



You can book with Rebecca through our website at www.saltandsagebooks.com