Writer Craft Podcast Valerie Ihsan

Main Topic: Writing Through Chronic Illness, with guest Kathie Giorgio
 
KATHIE GIORGIO is the author of a total of fifteen books: eight novels, two story collections, an essay collection, and four poetry collections. She’s been nominated for the Pushcart Prize in fiction and poetry and awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Library Association, the Silver Pen Award for Literary Excellence, the Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence, and the Eric Hoffer Award In Fiction. Her poem “Light” won runner-up in the 2021 Rosebud Magazine Poetry Prize, and her work has also been incorporated into many visual art and musical events.  Kathie is the director and founder of AllWriters’ Workplace & Workshop LLC, an international creative writing studio. She lives with her husband, mystery writer Michael Giorgio, their daughter Olivia, a cat named Oliver, and an eccentric dog named Ursula after Ursula Le Guin in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Three of her adult children, Christopher, Andy, and Olivia, live close by, along with her solo granddaughter, Maya Mae. One adult child has wandered off to Louisiana and lives among the mathematicians and alligators.
PATREON:
Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. 
Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.
Announcements:
PNW inspired horror caretakerpress@gmail.com; Submissions open until stories filled. Starting to read May 1st. 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Author Update:
Erick:
Web design changes,  Dead Still ARCs out now Revision of Book Three in new series happening  
Valerie:
adopted a new dog (foster fail) got cover for new book yesterday, uploading this week, permafree ebook, first in series Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers   Valerie's reading:
Worthy
Dead Still ARC
 
Erick:
The Institute Stephen King
Kathie:
How to Be Eaten (Maria Adelmann)
 
Show Notes:
One moment of happiness a day on FB for a year. (Today's Moment of Happiness Despite the News)
Throw away idea that writers write 8 hrs a day.; write for half hour day.
Write when you can, use your time.
Lean towards fiction. Put your situation on another character's shoulders; if the character gets through it, so can you. A path to follow.
Writing is a life saver.
Go through it, roll with the punches. 
motivation (my students keep me accountable to write; walk my talk/role model; what if I die? Gotta finish the book)
How to get inspired when super stressed: accept it's dry, (don't panic, remember your successes); hear something that captures attention; always listening; never give up playing, don't go for logic.
KathieGiorgio.org, FB, IG
Allwritersworkshop.com
Self care for the caregiver: learning on the run. (piano lessons, writing is a passion but job so writing not self care, start back to the gym, Nintendo.)
Find Us:
Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan
Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor
Writer Craft Facebook Group
Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com
Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com
Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account
Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com
Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n
Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com
Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account
Patreons: 
https://patreon.com/valerieihsan   
https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries
Tools:
Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150
ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)
Resources: 
"H

Announcements: 
Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only three private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.  New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions for Back in the Ground (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org  
UPDATE:  Valerie:   goal: create workshops for retreat, create the lesson plans for upcoming class, create memoir checklist, finish taxes son's birthday have a couple more conferences to pitch Tax Start this week! (find time in between meetings, the gym, and my son)  
 
Erick:   roadtrip gave me two short story ideas and wrote them • inspired by the anthology submissions
  Just finished: 
I'M READING: Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima
 
 
Up Next:
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin 
Erick's Reading:  Monica by Daniel Clowes (graphic novel)
 
Show Notes:  How do you explore, or understand, the world and your own values in the books and stories you write?
"I love this weird stuff. How can I use this?"
If you explore this, you'll engage yourself.
The magic is I unconsciously know there is a lot to learn.
Connect the dots of inciting incident to the relationship
When the themes come up, now I know how to steer this (know where we are going). (Starts out unconsciously.)
Engaging with the mystery. Making sense of relationships. 
Stories that won't let me go are the ones that I learn from.
No original stories but that's a propellent. Where you go with the trope is up to you.
Open to the magic. "It doesn't start at the end."
 
Next Episode:  Kathy Giorgio (writing with a chronic illness) Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan
Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor
Writer Craft Facebook Group
Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com
Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com
Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account
Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com
Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n
Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com
Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account
Patreons: 
https://patreon.com/valerieihsan   
https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries
Tools:
Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150
ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)
 
Resources: 
"How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog
Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group)
3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page)
Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)
Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)
The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror
Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website.
Contact Valerie for author coaching.
Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign
Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.
Balance meditation app.
Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:
Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles
Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon  
 

Announcements: 
Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only three private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.  New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions for Back in the Ground (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org  
UPDATE:  Valerie:   started re-reading Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (Focus and Finish series, Book 1), need to make some decisions (ebook and a workbook, audio book)(free audio book?) = Loss Leader/permafree bought the cover from 100covers.com but need to order the service now have a couple more conferences to pitch Tax Start this week! (find time in between meetings, the gym, and my son)  
 
Erick:   week off with the family meeting with a digital marketer today to promote the author services part of his business (have pla launching a new series (Season in the Bush); first book Dead Still going to betas soon. Just finished: 
I'M READING: Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima
 
 
Up Next:
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin 
Erick's Reading:  Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein
The Bachman Books (Stephen King)
Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark
 
Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan
Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor
Writer Craft Facebook Group
Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com
Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com
Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account
Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com
Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n
Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com
Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account
Patreons: 
https://patreon.com/valerieihsan   
https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries
Tools:
Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150
ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)
 
Resources: 
"How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog
Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group)
3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page)
Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)
Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)
The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror
Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website.
Contact Valerie for author coaching.
Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign
Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.
Balance meditation app.
Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:
Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles
Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon  
 

Announcements: 
Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.  Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org  
UPDATE:  Valerie:   50th birthday Calendly vs Acuity (I have both!) ;-( New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner started re-reading Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (Focus and Finish series, Book 1), need to make some decisions (ebook and a workbook, audio book)(free audio book?) = Loss Leader/permafree hire out workbook formatting (scrivener not the best with this; please prove me wrong) bought the cover from 100covers.com but need to order the service now have a couple more conferences to pitch Tax Start this week! (find time in between meetings, the gym, and my son)  
 
Erick:     Just finished: The Book Keeper by Sarah Painter
I'M READING: Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima
 
 
 
Up Next:
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin 
Erick's Reading:  The Bachman Books (Stephen King)
Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark
Show Notes:  Rec Book List for creative writing: Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon Other mentions: Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Next Episode:  Erick will be back Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan
Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor
Writer Craft Facebook Group
Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com
Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com
Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account
Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com
Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n
Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com
Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account
Patreons: 
https://patreon.com/valerieihsan   
https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries
Tools:
Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150
ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)
 
Resources: 
"How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog
Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group)
3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page)
Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)
Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)
The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror
Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website.
Contact Valerie for author coaching.
Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign
Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.
Balance meditation app.
 
Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:
Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles
 

Announcements: 
Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.  Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org  
UPDATE:  Valerie:   New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner  
 
Erick:   working with marketer (digital); an analysis of web presence has a LOT of tasks to do (do this when you've been in the market--author services--for a while and have some idea of where you lack before hiring the analysis.)  
Just finished: The Ward Witch by Sarah Painter
I'M READING: 
 
The Book Keeper by Sarah Painter
 
Up Next:
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin 
Erick's Reading:  The Bachman Books (Stephen King)
Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark
Show Notes:  KDP is always changing. In marketing main series, put lead magnet as permafree on Amazon (instead of using Book Funnel to get people on mailing lists).  1. New cover 2. 99 cents on amazon 3. Barnes and Noble free 4. Let amazon know for the price match 5. No marketing to it. But naturally 100 downloads from organic reach. Led to sell through to rest of series. A+. Plus led to multiple reviews to all the books. Permafree method still works.  Next step: running ads to permafree and amping up the sell-through. Virtual Voice on Amazon/KDP (in KDP profile opt in to Beta testing). Ease of use is great. Have an audio book at a click of button. Cost of narrator and editor (local guy) = ~$2200 Two different versions of the audio book? Narrated by Virtual Voice vs Narrated by the author. Can we proof the audio files? Am I "locked in" to this audio? We do outgrow things. We can pivot. Next Episode:  solo show "Bringing Your Manuscript from Boring to BadAss." Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan
Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor
Writer Craft Facebook Group
Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com
Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com
Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account
Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com
Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n
Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com
Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account
Patreons: 
https://patreon.com/valerieihsan   
https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries
Tools:
Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150
ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)
 
Resources: 
"How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog
Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group)
3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page)
Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)
Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)
The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror
Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website.
Contact Valerie for author coaching.
Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign
Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.
Balance meditation app.
 
Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:
Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

Announcements: 
Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.   
UPDATE:  Valerie:   affirmations 15 mins/day of writing to my audience (new affirmation: This is how I create joy and change people's lives.)  
Erick:   Book 1 in new series coming out this month new anthology out with co-producer (caretaker.org)  
Just finished: Eat Smarter by Shawn Stevenson
I'M READING: 
 
The Ward Witch by Sarah Painter
 
 Spill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara Baume
What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping 
 
 
 
 
Up Next:
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin 
Erick's Reading:  Lost Places by Sarah Pinsker Full Dark No Stars by Stephen King (novellas)
Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark
Show Notes:  Who do you know? 
Look for listings to submit. Google search calls for submissions for topics/genres.
Anthologies vs journal
Doing is a great way of attracting readers and colleagues.
What you like and don't in the genre (you'll get a wide variety within the genre) -- pick a sub-genre.
What formats do you want?
What's in and What's out?
Best case scenario process.
Budget
See the stages. 
Get the cover to promote the call of submissions. (Add names later; have an agreement with cover designer)
Send out call.
Start reading once enough stories in the hopper; don't have to accept all these.
Marketing: IG lives to promote
Accept simultaneous submissions; accept as they go.
Caretaker Press (caretakerpress.org)
Next Episode:  Writing During Prolonged Illness with author Kathie Giorgio (business without loans)  
Find Us:
Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan
Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor
Writer Craft Facebook Group
Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com
Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com
Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account
Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com
Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n
Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com
Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account
Patreons: 
https://patreon.com/valerieihsan   
https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries
Tools:
Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150
ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)
 
Resources: 
"How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog
Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group)
3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page)
Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)
Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)
The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror
Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website.
Contact Valerie for author coaching.
Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign
Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.
Balance meditation app.