242 How to Use Tropes with Cindy Dees

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Key elements of a successful book cover design How to know when cover trends are changing in your genre The complete process of creating a book cover How to make your book cover stand out Advice for working with a professional book cover designer Find out more about Holly: hollydunndesign.com Instagram YouTube Free Guide to Comp Covers Join the Early Bird List for Premade Cover Releases Rebel of the Week is: Gigi Rivers If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to [email protected] No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack  THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  How brains are hardwired to respond to storytelling Using brain science to creative more effective marketing Creating a “story-worthy problem” to engage readers Writing a strong chain of cause and effect Utilizing the concept of a “third rail” scene to increase emotional impact Links I mentioned: Award Scam Find out more about Lisa: WiredForStory.com Rebel of the Week is: Holly If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to [email protected] 1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Holly. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack  This Show is Sponsored by ProWritingAid Rebel Discount link Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number twenty one between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron Episode twenty one. Don't forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 right here. To find out more about Rachael, you can listen to her show “How Do You Write” or visit her website. * If you haven’t read The Anatomy of a Best Seller, what are you waiting for? Grab my latest craft book and start deconstructing so you can write your own best seller today.

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Myths around productivity in the indie community How to assess our own productivity Explaining procrastination with neuroscience Offsetting common distractions that writers face The importance of resilience for writers of all levels Find out more about Kathryn: The Productive Writer Guidebook The Productive Writer Guidebook on Amazon Kathryn's Website Twitter/X LinkedIn Rebel of the Week is: Chris If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to [email protected] No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  How to outline a nonfiction book Tips for becoming your own publicist Content marketing in the age of AI Marketing your book before and after launch Leveraging your nonfiction book to create multiple streams of income Links I mentioned: Fantasy romance LBTQIA+ freebies Find out more about Stephanie: LinkedIn Nonfiction Authors Association Facebook Rebel of the Week is: Eden If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to [email protected] No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack  THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Why tropes hook readers Differences between internal and external tropes Craft tips to make our tropes resonate with readers How to market tropes better Integrating tropes in a character’s back story Find out more about Cindy: CindyDees.com CynthiaDees.com Rebel of the Week is: Rosie If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to [email protected] 1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Gigi Rivers. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack  This episode is sponsored by Fictionary Find out more about Fictionary StoryCoach Certification here. As a rebel listener you can get 25% off StoryTeller, StoryTeller Premium and certification with code REBEL25.

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What serial fiction is and how it differs from non-serialised fiction Common mistakes new serial fiction writers make Craft tips for writing serials Techniques to create hooks Business structure around serialised fiction Find out more about Stephanie: StephanieBond.com Rebel of the Week is: Lauren  If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to [email protected] 2 new patrons this week, welcome and thank you to Nina J Fox and Jen. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack  THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  The fundamentals of historical romance Balancing historical accuracy with creative storytelling Creating historical authenticity in your work Main tropes in historical fiction Handling sensitive topics within historical contexts Find out more about Bianca: Author Website Rebel of the Week is: Josh Gentry If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to [email protected] No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack  This Show is Sponsored by ProWritingAid Rebel Discount link Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number twenty between Rachael Herron and I. This is The Black Herron episode twenty. Don’t forget, Patrons get early access to these episode an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 right here.   To find out more about Rachael, you can listen to her show “How Do You Write” or visit her website. * If you like dark humour, learning through examples and want to create the best villains you can, then you’ll love Sacha Black’s guide to crafting superbad villains. Read 13 Steps to Evil today and start creating kick-ass villains.

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  What is burnout Differentiating burnout from everyday stress Recovering from burnout How to establish better boundaries The importance of self care to prevent burnout Find out more about Liz: Owl Moon Coaching Instagram Rebel of the Week is: Angela If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to [email protected] 1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Mags Lucas. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack