Ep 281 Writing Fantasy with Realism with guest Hope Cole

Christy and Carol Award–winning author Joanne Bischof DeWitt writes romantic fiction that tugs at the reader's heartstrings. Her historical romance The Lady and the Lionheart received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from Romantic Times Book Reviews and was the very first independently published novel to win a Christy Award. It has also recently taken to the stage. As a longtime Jane Austen fan, Joanne is often making popcorn with her mom so they can rewatch their favorite adaptions, and as a new wife, she celebrates God's own redemptive love stories. Joanne thanks the Lord daily for bringing along her very own hero who's a perfect balance between Colonel Brandon and Mr. Darcy. Together, they're a blended family and the grateful parents of six teens and young adults, making them huge advocates for conversations, laughter, and large dinner tables. You can find her at joannebischofdewitt.com, YouTube: The Story Stitcher, Instagram: @joannebischofdewitt. Find The Heart of Bennet Hollow.My birthday treat for you this week---> Push a Pencil: 40 Prompts to Develop Your Creative Writing for just $2 https://www.curios.com/collections/0x9f6b15366c6f7cf051031cdc481f84f49e279167NYC Midnight story challenges: https://www.nycmidnight.com/ProWritingAid Novel November: https://prowritingaid.com/novel-novemberSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

This week I'm talking with Hope Cole about her book Daughter of the Void (https://amzn.to/4o8Hrbu) Find out more about Hope Cole here: https://www.hrcole.com/My birthday treat for you this week---> The Stepping Series audiobooks for just $2 https://www.curios.com/c/WBKAXQ https://www.curios.com/c/V3EQ5YNYC Midnight story challenges: https://www.nycmidnight.com/ProWritingAid Novel November: https://prowritingaid.com/novel-novemberSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

This week I'm talking with Hope Cole about her book Daughter of the Void (https://amzn.to/4o8Hrbu) Find out more about Hope Cole here: https://www.hrcole.com/My birthday treat for you this week---> The Stepping Series audiobooks for just $2 https://www.curios.com/c/WBKAXQ https://www.curios.com/c/V3EQ5YNYC Midnight story challenges: https://www.nycmidnight.com/ProWritingAid Novel November: https://prowritingaid.com/novel-novemberSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Today I talk with Kevin Hall about all the things he had learned in marketing his books. He has put all of his ideas, what works and what doesn't, into a book just for indie authors. You can find out more about Kevin at http://www.kevin-hall.comInes Johnson has a Kickstarted up for her Page Turner Planning. She describes it as a guidebook, a planning system, and a course all rolled into one powerful tool to help writers balance craft and career with intention. Find out more here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/romancewriteclub/page-turner-planningBe sure to check out my audiobooks created with Spoken.press here: https://katcaldwell.com/curiosYou can create your audiobooks, too! Just go to Spoken.press to get started! (you can even use your own voice!!)Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Today I talk with Kevin Hall about all the things he had learned in marketing his books. He has put all of his ideas, what works and what doesn't, into a book just for indie authors. You can find out more about Kevin at http://www.kevin-hall.comInes Johnson has a Kickstarted up for her Page Turner Planning. She describes it as a guidebook, a planning system, and a course all rolled into one powerful tool to help writers balance craft and career with intention. Find out more here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/romancewriteclub/page-turner-planningBe sure to check out my audiobooks created with Spoken.press here: https://katcaldwell.com/curiosYou can create your audiobooks, too! Just go to Spoken.press to get started! (you can even use your own voice!!)Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Today I have a wonderful conversation with author RL Baxter. We talk about writing fantasy, writing for YA and adults, finding your path as an indie author, how Ricky Baxter got starter and where he is going. You should follow him and check out his books. Links below!https://rickybaxter.wordpress.com/https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ricky-Baxter/author/B00QHCK5Vhttps://www.facebook.com/rickyleebaxterhttps://www.instagram.com/authorricky/Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell.

Today we are talking to Plottr creator Cameron Sutter. Plottr has loads of templates that make crafting a satisfying ending for any genre so painless that you’ll want to tell all your friends about it.You can check it out here: https://katcaldwell.com/plottrYou can also find out more about Story Snap here: https://katcaldwell.com/storysnap(These links are affiliate links which provide money for the show at no greater cost to you)Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Former journalist Nancy Hastings, the daughter of missionary parents, is the author of “Mission Possible.” Nancy’s 30 plus years of experience as a journalist and freelancer gives her the ability to make her characters shine. Nancy lives and works out of her home base of Lexington, IN and spends her summers hiking and camping with her husband, three children and two grandchildren.https://nlhastingsauthor.comhttps://www.amazon.com/Mission-Possible-Nancy-Hastings/dp/B0BSRHCJSSSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Welcome back, everyone! It's the seventh season of Pencils&Lipstick! I want to take a moment to reflect on the summer, encourage you to keep writing (possibly look at thing a little differently), talk o you about audiobooks and remember that this is all a numbers game, so keep adding to your numbers!Links from the show:Spoken.press https://www.spoken.press/Stepping Across the Desert on Spoken: https://ihave.spoken.press/p/qOUvDqdYWABStepping Across the English Channel on Spoken: https://ihave.spoken.press/p/MEI9agpxljVBended Loyalty on Spoken: https://ihave.spoken.press/p/fX18IedYi5WSupport me by purchasing them from Curios: https://www.curios.com/creators/katcaldwell-K5559XSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Author and Stronger Girl Coffee founder Stacy Smith Rogers discovered the power of community in a unique story of entrepreneurship, grief and encouraging others to embrace their stories with strength, faith and boldness. Her former business, The Paddock Coffee + Eats + Gatherings, earned the 2021 Tourism Business of the Year award, just two years after opening in the midst of the pandemic and divorce. It became a source of hope and an example of perseverance for thousands of guests. In December of 2022, she sold the coffee shop to a non-profit that is continuing her hospitality model and brand as well as the mission to serve and inspire others. Her brand, Stronger Girl, is brewed for belonging and is a community where every woman's story is safe, and her strength is seen. Her signature retreat experience is the Stronger Girl Glampout which she hosts in Red River Gorge, Kentucky. Additionally, she authors a magazine on Substack -- spoiler alert, it's called Stronger Girl.You can find more about Stacy and Stronger Girl at www.strongergirlcoffee.com and at stacysmithrogers.com. The link to the JMB Living journals. Here's a link to LoveNotes! anthology. The Rejection Palace, An Act of Recognition. Listen to the Stronger Girl playlist on SpotifySign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell