The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

Joanna Penn
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The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

Information, inspiration and interviews on writing, self-publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing. If you need help with writing your book, or you want to learn how to navigate the new world of publishing and book marketing, then join Joanna Penn and her guests every Monday. Also covers the business of being a writer and how to make money with your books.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    How To Make Readers Laugh. Writing Humour With Dave Cohen

    How can you bring laughter into your books regardless of genre? What are the challenges of writing a novel after an award-winning career as a comedy writer for TV and radio? Dave Cohen shares his lessons learned in this interview. In the intro, how to keep a career fresh over multiple books [Author Nation Podcast]; Best practices of successful indie authors [Draft2Digital]; Director James Cameron joins the board of Stability AI [Hollywood Reporter]; Google NotebookLM; Full audio expanding snippet; Photos from Ely Cathedral; Blood Vintage. This episode is sponsored by Publisher Rocket, which will help you get your book in front of more Amazon readers so you can spend less time marketing and more time writing. I use Publisher Rocket for researching book titles, categories, and keywords — for new books and for updating my backlist. Check it out at www.PublisherRocket.com This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn  Dave Cohen is a multi-award-winning BBC comedy writer who has worked on shows like Horrible Histories, as well as a comedy novelist, podcaster, and author of nonfiction. His latest book is Funny Up Your Fiction: How to Add Light, Shade, and Laughs to Your Novel. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below.  Show Notes * The shift from writing for TV to self-publishing novels * Why comedy is important for writers * Writing for individual sense of humour vs. broader appeal * Constructing characters that readers will find funny * Avoiding cliches in comedy * Creating covers for comic novels based on genre crossovers * Cancel culture and its affect on writing humour * Tips for keeping a positive mindset and creating opportunities You can find Dave at DaveCohen.org.uk. Transcript of Interview with Dave Cohen Joanna: Dave Cohen is a multi-award-winning BBC comedy writer who has worked on sh...

    1h 2m

  2. SEP 23

    Selling Books In Person At Live Events With Mark Lefebvre

    How can you be successful at connecting with readers and selling books at live, in-person events? What are some practical tips as well as mindset shifts that can help you make the most of the opportunities? Mark Leslie Lefebvre shares his experience. In the intro, Beventi for author events, Reader survey results [Written Word Media]; “How do I market myself without feeling gross about it?” [Author Stack]; 12 Concepts for Authors to Make $8333/Month; Results of AI training survey [Draft2Digital]; LionsGate partnering with RunWayML; Networking workshop [LSF]; Blood Vintage. This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors. This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn  Mark Leslie LeFebvre is the author of horror and paranormal fiction, as well as nonfiction books for authors. He's also an editor, professional speaker, and the Director of Business Development at Draft2Digital. His latest book is A Book in Hand: Strategies for Optimizing Print Book Sales via Signings and Other In Person Events. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below.  Show Notes * What does “going wide” really mean? * Benefits of in-person signings and events * Always connect. The power of creating personal relationships with readers * The different types of in-person events * Using props to attract the right readers to your booth * How to grow your email list and audience from in-person events * The logistics of in-person events — payment systems and inventory * Managing your energy when planning for and attending events * Staying relaxed about changing technology and using it to your advantage

    1h 9m

  3. SEP 16

    Pivoting Genres And Growing An Author Business With Sacha Black

    Success as an author comes with challenges around managing money, setting boundaries, and living sustainably without burning out. Sacha Black/Ruby Roe talks about her lessons learned after five years as a full-time author entrepreneur. In the intro, Content marketing for authors [BookBub]; Vineyard research [Books and Travel]; AI-generated voice cloning for select US Audible narrators [The Verge]; How AI is changing audiobooks and how it echoes changes in the music industry [Music Tectonics]; Blood Vintage; Comment écrire un roman — Joanna Penn; Today's show is sponsored by Draft2Digital, self-publishing with support, where you can get free formatting, free distribution to multiple stores, and a host of other benefits. Just go to www.draft2digital.com to get started. This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn  Sacha Black writes spicy sapphic fantasy romance as Ruby Roe, as well as books for authors. She's the host of The Rebel Author Podcast and an international professional speaker. Sacha recently did a solo episode on her lessons learned after 5 years full-time, and we discuss aspects of that in the interview. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below.  Show Notes * Why pivot to a new genre — mindset and money shifts * Finding freedom from writing under a pen name * Publishing and business model changes required with rapid sales growth * Learning to outsource as your author business grows * Repurposing content across multiple social media platforms * Your books are not your pension. Your pension is your pension — so invest! (Check out my list of money books here.) * Avoiding burnout — spending time on hobbies and social activities You can find Sacha at SachaBlack.co.

    1h 2m

  4. SEP 13

    Lessons Learned from 13 Years as an Author Entrepreneur

    In this solo episode, I talk about my lessons learned from 13 years as a full-time author entrepreneur. You can read/listen to previous updates at TheCreativePenn.com/timeline. Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller, dark fantasy, horror, crime, and memoir author as J.F. Penn. She’s also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. * It takes time to pivot your author brand — and your mindset, but my dark horse is (finally) running! * Let your dark horse run — an excerpt from Writing the Shadow by Joanna Penn * It takes time to change your creative and business processes * Having a (tiny) paywall makes all the difference to my happiness and mental health * I love making beautiful books, and I love BookVault and Kickstarter for helping me make them and sell them direct * My physical health is more important than ever, and I am now giving it more time Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn.  Sign up for my free Author Blueprint at TheCreativePenn.com/blueprint  Buy my books for authors at www.CreativePennBooks.com and my fiction and memoir at www.JFPennBooks.com. Sign up for my new Kickstarter: www.JFPenn.com/bloodvintage  Lessons learned from 13 years as a full-time author entrepreneur Thirteen years ago, in Sept 2011, I left my day job to become a full-time author-entrepreneur. Every year since I have reflected on the journey and what I learn along the way. My challenges change and grow along with the business and you will likely be at a different stage, but I hope you find my lessons learned useful along your own author path. You can read all my lessons learned from previous years on my timeline so far – and remember, just like everyone else, I started out by writing my first book with no audience! But with time and continued effort, everything is possible. (1) It takes time to pivot your author brand — and your mindset, but my dark horse is (finally) running! Back in December 2023, over 8 months ago now, I announced I would be making a slow pivot to focus more on my J.F. Penn books.

    33 min

  5. SEP 9

    Self-Publishing Training Manuals And Focusing On Your True Fans With Guy Windsor

    What needs to go into a training manual if you are teaching physical skills? How can you focus in on your super fans and create only for them, while still making a living from multiple streams of income? Guy Windsor explains more in this interview. In the intro, Amazon celebrates a decade of Kindle Unlimited and indie authors do really well!; Written Word Media has announced a new partnership with RetireHub, an innovative online community for retirees; Levels of author success [Draft2Digital]; Indie Writers Club; Blood Vintage book trailer and Kickstarter campaign. Plus, Oprah's AI special [Variety]; Women using AI less than men [The Economist]; Amazon is revamping Alexa to use Anthropic’s Claude [The Verge] Today’s show is sponsored by Findaway Voices by Spotify, the platform for independent authors who want to unlock the world’s largest audiobook platforms. Take your audiobook everywhere to earn everywhere with Findaway Voices by Spotify. Go to findawayvoices.com/penn to publish your next audiobook project. This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn  Guy Windsor is a consulting swordsman, teacher, and author specializing in medieval and renaissance Italian swordsmanship. He runs SwordSchool and is the host of The Sword Guy Podcast. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below.  Show Notes * Creating freedom with multiple streams of income * Automating and outsourcing non-creative work * Key aspects to consider when creating a training manual * The importance of photo quality in print books * Why write a book instead of produce an online course? * Marketing a very niche genre * Tips for building your online author store You can find Guy at a href="https://swordschool.

    1h 6m

  6. SEP 2

    Writing Horror And Selling Direct With David Viergutz

    How can you sell a fiction experience rather than just selling a story? How do our personal obsessions arise in our books, whatever the genre? David Viergutz shares his thoughts in this episode. In the intro, the best marketing investments for authors [Self Publishing Advice]; Abundance mindset for authors [KWL Podcast]; Written Word Media have now announced direct sales links in their email newsletters. Plus, Redefining a profession [Seth Godin]; Achieve more with Gen AI [Masterclass]; My thoughts on the Draft2Digital survey on AI licensing; My book, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Virtual Worlds; Spear of Destiny out now, and Blood Vintage: A Folk Horror Novel. Today's show is sponsored by ProWritingAid, writing and editing software that goes way beyond just grammar and typo checking. With its detailed reports on how to improve your writing and integration with writing software, ProWritingAid will help you improve your book before you send it to an editor, agent or publisher. Check it out for free or get 15% off the premium edition at www.ProWritingAid.com/joanna This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn  David Viergutz is a disabled army and law enforcement veteran and the author of over 20 horror, dark fantasy, and thriller novels. He also hosts The Nightmare Engine Podcast. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below.  Show Notes * The similarities and differences between dark fantasy and horror * Why horror is the genre of hope * Religious elements in horror * Multiple streams of income and selling wide * The mindset shift to selling direct * ScareMail — creating a unique fiction experience * The behind the scenes work involved in selling a physical product * Building your email list through your e-commerce store

    58 min

  7. AUG 26

    Author Mindset Tips And Publishing In Germany With AD Wilk

    How can you move past your limiting beliefs to find success as an author? How can you successfully self-publish in Germany? Andrea Wilk shares her thoughts in this episode. In the intro, how to cope with writer conferences [Ink in Your Veins]; Author Nation schedule; Conde Nast signs a licensing deal with OpenAI [Hollywood Reporter]; Breaking down AI misconceptions [Brave New Bookshelf]; Blood Vintage Kickstarter. This episode is sponsored by Publisher Rocket, which will help you get your book in front of more Amazon readers so you can spend less time marketing and more time writing. I use Publisher Rocket for researching book titles, categories, and keywords — for new books and for updating my backlist. Check it out at www.PublisherRocket.com This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn  Andrea Wilk (AD Wilk) is the German author of more than 30 books across romance, thriller, and non-fiction. She's also the author of the book in English, 15 Keys to Set your Creative Mind for Success and Happiness. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below.  Show Notes * Germany's book culture * Why write a book in English? * How to take control of your author career * The impact limiting beliefs can have on your writing career — and how to shift them * Obstacles faced as an indie author * Common money blocks with authors and creatives * Tips for generating multiple streams of income and for selling direct via your own Shopify store * Using AI models as part of a translation process You can find Andrea at AndreaWilk.com. Transcript of Interview with AD Wilk Joanna: Andrea Wilk is the German author of more than 30 books across romance, thriller, and non-fiction. She's also the author of the book in English, 15 Keys to Set your Creative Mind for Success and Happiness. So welcome to the show, Andrea. Andrea: Thank you so much for letting me be here. I'm so excited. Joanna: I'm excited too. Obviously, we've been connected for years now, and you've shown us things on the Patreon, but for anyone else listening—

    1h 3m

  8. AUG 19

    A Touch of the Madness: Creativity In Writing And Filmmaking With Larry Kasanoff

    How can you balance creativity with business when it comes to writing — and filmmaking? How can you access that ‘touch of madness' in everything you create? How can authors pitch their books for film? All this and more with Larry Kasanoff. In the intro, Paid ads with BookBub, Facebook and Amazon [BookBub]; Blood Vintage cover reveal; Unter dem Zoo out now in German; The entire ARKANE Thriller series is back on Audible, as well as Spotify, and you can get 50% off at JFPennBooks.com (65+ hours of thrillers!). This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors. This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn  Larry Kasanoff is the CEO of Threshold Entertainment and has made over 200 films as a producer or studio head. Some of his credits include Mortal Kombat, True Lies, Terminator 2, Dirty Dancing, and Academy Award-Winning Best Picture, Platoon. He's also worked in the music business with artists like Michael Jackson and The Rolling Stones. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below.  Show Notes * Why are creatives more scared to express themselves now? * Tips for starting out in the industry * The timeline differences between getting a book published vs. a movie published * How to state of play and positivity can help your creativity flow * Balancing creative decisions with business decisions * Tips for longevity in a creative career * How to pitch as an introverted author * Generative AI in the movie industry You can find Larry at LarryKasanoff.com and his new book at ATouchOfTheMadness.com Transcript of Interview with Larry Kasanoff Joanna: Larry Kasanoff is the CEO of Threshold Entertainment and has made over 200 films as a...

    1h 2m
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Information, inspiration and interviews on writing, self-publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing. If you need help with writing your book, or you want to learn how to navigate the new world of publishing and book marketing, then join Joanna Penn and her guests every Monday. Also covers the business of being a writer and how to make money with your books.

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