Way-Word Writers Podcast Way-Word Writers

This episode of Way-word Writers, hosted by Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nikki Jacobsmeyer, dives into the challenging topic of breaking up with a literary agent. The hosts, along with their personal experiences, discuss the emotional and professional aspects of ending agent relationships, whether initiated by the agent or the writer. They highlight reasons for breakups, including changes in agency ownership, misalignment of editorial needs, and shifts in career goals, emphasizing the importance of mutual growth, communication, and maintaining professional etiquette throughout the process. The conversation also covers practical advice for writers re-entering the querying phase, stressing the need for emotional readiness, professional self-assessment, and maintaining a positive outlook on one's writing career despite setbacks. This episode serves as a guide for writers facing or contemplating an agent breakup, offering strategies for handling it with grace and strategic planning for future success.

00:00 Welcome to Way-word Writers: The Agent Breakup Episode
00:19 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Agent Breakups
02:42 Nikki's Fairy Tale Agent Relationship and Its End
05:17 Heather's Perspective: The Agent's Side of Breakups
11:11 Identifying Red Flags in the Agent-Author Relationship
29:30 Navigating the Query Trenches After a Breakup
32:51 Advice for Writers on Healing and Moving Forward
39:40 Closing Thoughts: Staying Positive and Moving On

In this episode of Way-Word Writers, the hosts are joined by married duo Haleh and Chris Massey, who are both marriage and family therapists as well as psychologists, to discuss the intersection of mental health and writing. The discussion highlights how writing can improve mental health by allowing introspection, reducing stress, and aiding in emotion regulation, citing studies that support these benefits. The guests share their personal journeys and struggles in writing, from dealing with rejection to finding joy in the process regardless of outcome. They also discuss the therapeutic aspects of writing, viewing it as a form of self-exploration and therapy. The episode emphasizes the importance of having a supportive community, setting realistic goals, and understanding one's motivation for writing, as well as advice for writers at various stages of their career. The conversation concludes with encouragement for writers to persist in their passion, using writing not only as a creative outlet but also as a tool for mental wellbeing.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers: Introducing the Masseys
00:27 Unveiling the Masseys: From Turkey Sandwich Dreams to Dino-Croc Films
02:42 The Intersection of Writing and Mental Health: Insights and Advice
10:32 Navigating the Writing Journey: Rejection, Persistence, and Mental Health
16:28 Building a Supportive Community: The Power of Connection for Writers
23:07 Navigating Negativity and Building Confidence
25:40 The Journey of Persistence and Improvement
28:43 Celebrating Progress and Handling Rejection
31:00 Exploring Different Writing Paths for Mental Health
37:31 Writing as Therapy: Unveiling the Self Through Characters

In this episode of Way-Word Writers, co-hosts Heather Cashman and Nicki Jacobsmeyer introduce Miffie Seideman, a former newborn ICU pharmacist turned author, who combines her extensive knowledge of drugs with her passion for writing. Seideman shares insights from her novel, 'The Grim Reader: A Pharmacist's Guide to Putting Your Characters in Peril', which helps writers incorporate accurate pharmacological details into their work. She discusses the evolution of her book, the common drug myths in literature and film, and the importance of accuracy for realism in storytelling. Seideman also highlights the potential for pharmacology to enhance narratives in genres like science fiction and fantasy. Tips on researching and consulting professionals for drug-related scenes are provided alongside the impact correct representations can have on public perceptions of drugs. The discussion extends to ethical considerations in writing about drugs and the potential of Seideman's book as a resource for crafting realistic and engaging stories involving pharmacology.

00:00 Welcome to Way-word Writers: Introducing Miffy Seideman
01:35 The Genesis of 'The Grim Reader': Bridging Pharmacology and Fiction
03:00 Debunking Drug Myths in Fiction: A Pharmacist's Insight
12:30 Navigating the Ethical Minefield: Writing About Drugs Responsibly
22:11 Unlocking the Craft: Writing Realistic Drug Scenes
24:41 Future Editions: Expanding the Grim Reader
28:01 Advice for Aspiring Authors: Crafting Authentic Scenes
29:46 The Impact of Accurate Drug Portrayals in Literature
The Grim Reader: A Pharmacist's Guide to Putting Your Characters in Peril by Miffie Seideman

This episode features Karen Boss, an editor at Charlesbridge Publishing, as she discusses creating standout, realistic characters in publishing. Karen, holding an MA in children's literature and an MA in higher education administration, shares insights from her extensive publishing and editorial experience, alongside personal anecdotes from her travels. The discussion includes developing deep, flawed, and emotional characters, highlighting examples from upcoming books. Tips for making characters, including non-human ones, feel fully developed are shared, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, character agency, and unique character voices. The episode also addresses common issues with manuscripts, such as solving problems too easily or characters acting unnaturally. Karen suggests various exercises for character and dialogue development, underscoring the importance of practice, revision, and being open to character evolution.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
01:21 Karen's Travel Adventures
02:15 Unusual Characters in Literature
06:07 Character Development in Stories
07:41 Examples of Well-Developed Characters
19:45 Deep Dive into Character Development
20:31 Methods for Developing Characters
20:37 Off-the-Page Exercises for Character Development
22:11 The Importance of Voice in Character Development
23:04 The Role of Agency in Character Development
23:48 Common Pitfalls in Character Development
25:48 The Art of Crafting Authentic Dialogue
28:58 The Impact of Dialogue on Character Development
33:41 Practical Exercises for Dialogue Development
38:16 Final Thoughts on Character and Dialogue Development


Books Mentioned in This Episode:
The Kid by Jeff Shill
La Mala Suerte Is Following Me by Ana Siqueira, Illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera
We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
Troublemakers in Trousers by Sarah Albee
Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible Alvin by Michelle Cusolito, Illustrated by Nicole Wong

In this episode of the Way-Word Writer's Podcast, romance author Mia Brody shares her journey from marketing professional to bestselling author. Mia, known for her Courage County series, often incorporates characters with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or who are neurodivergent, drawing inspiration from her own experiences with muscular dystrophy and anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of pre-marketing strategies, such as analyzing Amazon's top 100 lists for effective cover designs, keywords, and tropes before writing her books. Mia discusses how adopting rapid release strategies and focusing on market demands have contributed significantly to her success. She highlights the importance of being part of genre-specific writing groups and the use of tools like Publisher's Rocket for keyword research. Mia also talks about the benefits of affiliate marketing, maintaining an engaging newsletter, and the relevance of assembling a supportive team to manage the demands of a growing author brand.


00:00 Welcome to the Wayward Writer's Podcast with Mia Brody
00:59 Discovering a Passion for Writing and the Catalyst for Success
02:33 Mastering Marketing Before Writing: A Unique Approach
04:02 Deep Dive into Marketing Strategies and Keyword Research
07:36 Navigating the World of Ads and Affiliate Marketing
08:41 Rapid Release Strategy and Building a Backlist
18:09 Building and Leveraging a Newsletter for Engagement
19:38 Balancing Writing, Marketing, and Life
21:59 The Importance of a Team and Future Plans
25:13 Exploring Keywords, Metadata, and Tropes for Success

Write to Market: Deliver a Book That Sells by Chris Fox

Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes

Disclaimer: Anything stated in this episode is for educational purposes only and not to be used as legal advice.

In this episode of 'Way-Word Writers', hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nikki Jacobsmeyer address the critical scenario of receiving a book deal without having an agent, a topic prompted by discussions observed on Twitter. The episode covers the dilemma authors face between negotiating the deal themselves or using the opportunity to secure an agent. The hosts emphasize the importance of celebrating achievements before diving into decision-making and stress not committing immediately to offers. They discuss the scenarios of proceeding with or without an agent. Recommendations for those choosing to go agentless include seeking legal advice from a publishing-experienced lawyer and consulting trusted peers. Furthermore, they explore how having a deal might make an author more attractive to potential agents, yet caution about selecting the right agent focused on a long-term career rather than a single book. They also delve into how agents can secure better contract terms, support authors emotionally, and assist in career planning. The episode concludes with encouraging authors to have a game plan, query both agents and editors if unagented, and leverage every opportunity for success in the publishing industry.

00:00 Introduction to the Special Episode
00:18 The Happy Dilemma of Landing a Book Deal Without an Agent
01:36 Celebrating Your Wins and Initial Steps
02:46 Navigating Offers and Contracts Without an Agent
07:09 Seeking Legal Advice and Understanding Contract Terms
11:35 The Pros and Cons of Getting an Agent with a Book Deal
26:06 The Importance of Having a Game Plan
37:52 Final Thoughts and Advice
If you have further questions or topics you would like to discuss, please send us an email at info@way-wordwriters.com.