Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers

Sara Rosett and Jami Albright
  • 4.8 (131)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the Wish I'd Known Then podcast. Join authors Jami Albright and Sara Rosett as they interview authors about lessons they've learned about writing and publishing.

  1. DEC 16

    2025: Year in Review for Authors - Part II

    298 / We continue our discussion about what’s working in the indie author space. We join Douglas Pratt and Nicholas Harvey and share insights on navigating newsletter platforms, maximizing translations, and adapting to the changes in audiobooks and direct sales. This episode is full of practical nut-and-bolts tips and ideas.  Newsletter platform pros, cons, and cost-saving tipsSubject lines, open rates, and optimizing reader engagementUsing AI and hybrid methods for international translationsSelling audiobooks direct, wide strategies, and the rise of AI narrationPlanning for balance, productivity, and sustainability in a changing market📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2121723/subscribe Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message  ⚡Links: Sara on the Christian Publishing Show: https://www.christianpublishingshow.com/why-every-author-should-try-writing-a-mystery-at-least-once/ Two Authors Podcast: https://thetwoauthorschatshow.podbean.com Send us a text 📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen Support the show 🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices ❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5 🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/ The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

    49 min

  2. DEC 9

    2025: Year in Review for Authors - Part I

    297 / How are authors adapting in 2025's changing publishing world? Sara Rosett, Jami Albright, Nicholas Harvey, and Douglas Pratt share lessons learned, trends they’re seeing, and practical strategies from their own writing careers. Sales trends and challenges in 2025Experimenting with book marketingSpecial editions and direct salesUsing Patreon and subscriptionsImpact of AI on publishingSocial media strategies for authorsFacebook ads and Amazon changesReader engagement and superfans💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2121723/subscribe Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message  ⚡Links: Two Authors Podcast: https://thetwoauthorschatshow.podbean.com Send us a text 📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen Support the show 🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices ❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5 🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/ The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

    52 min

  3. DEC 3

    Crafting Irresistible Book Pages Readers and Bots Love with Thomas Umstattd Jr.

    296 / Do you want to leverage your author website, use AI tools efficiently, and prune your tasks strategically so you can sell more books and focus your creative energy where it counts?  Thomas Umstattd Jr. shares insights on optimizing your book pages, using AI wisely, and making tough choices to thrive in a crowded publishing world. Why your book page matters for both readers and AI discoveryTips to optimize book pages for GEO (generative engine optimization)Innovative uses of AI tools for marketing and productivityStrategies for pruning projects and focusing your effortsEvolving business model for nonfiction and why community matters now more than ever💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message  ⚡Links: Author Media: https://www.authormedia.com Jami’s workshop: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops Sara’s letter subscription: https://sararosettbooks.com/products/mysteries-in-the-mail (Preorder open until Dec 8, 2025) Affiliate signup for letters: https://sararosettbooks.affiliatery.staqlab.com/partner/signIn How to Create a Sales-Optimized Book Page for Your Website: https://www.authormedia.com/how-to-create-sales-optimized-book-pages-for-your-author-website/ Send us a text 📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen Support the show 🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices ❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5 🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/ The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

    1h 10m

  4. NOV 26

    Matthew J. Holmes on Building a Sustainable Author Business (Even If You Write Slowly)

    295 / Curious how authors can build thriving, sustainable careers—even without rapid releases or a huge backlist?  Matthew J. Holmes shares how he transformed his wife’s books into a six-figure business, the realities of book advertising, and the mindful strategies indie authors need now. Turning a single slow-release series into a profitable businessSimplicity vs. complexity in book marketing and adsImportance of advertising platform focusCommon mistakes in author advertising strategies💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message  ⚡Links: https://www.matthewjholmes.com/https://www.matthewjholmes.com/coursesSara’s Mysteries in the Mail letters: https://sararosettbooks.com/products/mysteries-in-the-mailJami’s workshop: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshopsJoanna Penn’s podcast about Author Nation Lessons Learned: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2025/11/17/lessons-learned-from-author-nation-2025-with-joanna-penn/Send us a text 📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen Support the show 🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices ❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5 🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/ The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

    42 min

  5. NOV 19

    Bart Baker on Pitching Your Book to Hollywood

    294 / Do you want to pitch your book to Hollywood? Screenwriter, playwright, and novelist Bart Baker shares how authors can position their books for adaptations. He also gives us the story behind Honeymoon With Harry, a movie deal twenty-plus years in the making, which will go into production in 2026, starring Kevin Costner and Jake Gyllenhaal for Amazon/MGM.  Lessons from writing plays, scripts, and novelsWhat authors should know about adaptation and selling movie rightsWhen to get legal advice The business side: money management finding trusted advisorsWhy following trends is unhelpful—and what to do instead💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message  ⚡Links: www.bartvbaker.comSend us a text 📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen Support the show 🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices ❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5 🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/ The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

    1 hr

  6. NOV 12

    Behind the Scenes at Author Nation 2025: Take-aways, Vendor Interviews, and Vegas Stories

    293 / Curious about how conferences can spark inspiration, build connections, and transform your author business? We  recap our experiences at Author Nation, share some lessons learned, and highlight community connection possibilities. Panel insights: romance, rom-com, cozy, and moreDirect sales, Kickstarter, and translations for authorsNew tech for signed ebooks and social media marketing💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message  ⚡Links: Bookfunnel https://bookfunnel.com/Melissa Storm https://www.melstorm.com/Rebecca Brokaw Sands https://rebeccabrokawsands.net/Story Origin https://storyoriginapp.com/Christine Wellert https://www.christinewellert.com/booksDianna Xirassa https://www.dianaxarissa.com/Kevin McLaughlin https://kevinomclaughlin.com/Lulu https://www.lulu.comAuthor Scale https://www.authorscale.com/Draft 2 Digital https://draft2digital.com/Vanessa Kier https://www.vanessakier.com/Self Publishing with Dale https://selfpublishingwithdale.com/Send us a text 📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen Support the show 🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices ❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5 🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/ The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

    34 min

  7. NOV 5

    Conquering Mindset Blocks and Making Real Writing Progress with Developmental Editor Sarah Elle

    292 / Are you curious about when to work with a developmental editor, how to get unstuck in your manuscript, and what actually helps authors succeed for the long haul?  Editor and book coach Sarah Elle shares insights on the editing process, author mindset, and the strategies—plus pitfalls—every writer should know. When to bring in a developmental editor vs. a book coachThe most common manuscript mistakes—and how to fix themTips for breaking out of endless revision loopsMindset, habits, and routines of successful writersTrends in fiction and how author “voice” matters more than ever💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message  ⚡Links: https://plumeeditorial.com/Sign up for the FREE mini email course, Outline the Five Key Beats of Your Novel:https://plumeeditorial.myflodesk.com/fivebeatsminiSend us a text 📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen Support the show 🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices ❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5 🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/ The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

    32 min

  8. OCT 29

    Becca Syme on Dealing with Change

    291 / Are you struggling to navigate burnout, industry shifts, or simply want to future-proof your writing career?  Becca Syme returns to share lessons from her own journey with burnout, sustainable author success, plus actionable advice for writers at every stage. Understanding and recovering from burnoutMaking mindset changes for autonomy and sustainabilityStreamlining your author business for joy (not just income)The real value of Strengths and Enneagram for writers and relationshipsWhat Becca is hopeful about with the future of publishing  💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support Access to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesPrivate slack groupShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message  ⚡Links: http://betterfasteracademy.com/linksEp 85: Becca Syme on Empathy, Energy Pennies, and Expectations: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/85-2/Send us a text 📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen Support the show 🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices ❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5 🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/ The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

    47 min
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About

Welcome to the Wish I'd Known Then podcast. Join authors Jami Albright and Sara Rosett as they interview authors about lessons they've learned about writing and publishing.

Information

  • Creator
    Sara Rosett and Jami Albright
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    299
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers
  • Show Website
    Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers

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