Ep 317 The Business of Being an Author with Neil Plakcy

Darlene’s favorite activities are writing, speaking and helping people. Luckily, this published authors life combines all these loves. Ms. Corbett is a writer, published author, and therapist. Her writing is inspirational yet down-to-earth. It’s burnished by decades of experience working with individuals, studying, caring. Find her latest book, MESMERIZE, here: https://www.amazon.com/Mesmerize-Darlene-Corbett/dp/1967649413Want to be on Pencils&Lipstick? https://www.katcaldwell.com/contactSign 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

J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is a New York Times and international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural. You can find more about him here: https://jdbarker.com/Order his latest book: https://jdbarker.com/books/something-i-keep-upstairs/Join Becky Grogan's The Writer's Pulse to get personalized marketing help for your book! https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/marketing-groupcoachingWant to find out about the WorldShift summit and start your author newsletter? Click on my affiliate link: https://worldshift2026.manyworldswriting.com/?ac=qsMLoX5NWant to be on Pencils&Lipstick? https://www.katcaldwell.com/contactSign 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

Liberty Speidel Hardt is a Kansas City-based author who writes urban fantasy mysteries featuring characters so persistent they literally won't shut up until their stories hit the page. With 13 published titles and a voice that's equal parts solid, funny, and quirky, she combines supernatural elements with gritty crime-solving in stories that refuse to look away from darkness but always point toward hope. When she's not crafting plot twists, Liberty is an avid D&D player, knitter, Star Wars nerd, and busy mom who shares her chaotic creative household with her author husband Joshua, a rowdy cat, and an equally rowdy dog. Check out Liberty's website here: https://libertyhardt.substack.com/Find Liberty's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Liberty-Speidel/author/B00HRJRL4UJoin Becky Grogan's The Writer's Pulse to get personalized marketing help for your book! https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/marketing-groupcoachingWant to find out about the WorldShift summit and start your author newsletter? Click on my affiliate link: https://worldshift2026.manyworldswriting.com/?ac=qsMLoX5NWant to be on Pencils&Lipstick? https://www.katcaldwell.com/contactSign 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

Your characters should be hurting those they love. That is what makes a great character.Join Becky Grogan's The Writer's Pulse to get personalized marketing help for your book! https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/marketing-groupcoachingWant to find out about the WorldShift summit and start your author newsletter? Click on my affiliate link: https://worldshift2026.manyworldswriting.com/?ac=qsMLoX5NWant to be on Pencils&Lipstick? https://www.katcaldwell.com/contactSign 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

Jane Daly started her career with the memoir of losing her adult son called Because of Grace. The book launched her writing and gave hope to many other mothers experiencing grief. After writing another memoir, The Caregiving Season, Jane launched into Christian romance. Quite the career change! Jane’s novels have won the Cascade Award from the (formerly Oregon Christian Writers) Cascade Christian Writers organization and in 2023 her novel, Broken, was a Carol Award semi-finalist.Find out more about Jane Daly here: https://janesdaly.com/Find Jane's books here: https://janesdaly.com/all-books/Want to be on Pencils&Lipstick? https://www.katcaldwell.com/contactSign 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

In this episode I'm chatting with Stacia Lowe about how she built an author career by combining her passions for storytelling, knitting, and financial literacy while raising four sons. She discusses writing middle grade novels inspired by her family, growing a loyal readership through her newsletter, and why embracing the "slow and steady" approach has helped her build a sustainable writing business. The conversation also explores practical marketing strategies for indie authors, the importance of budgeting for publishing expenses, and how Stacia and her husband now help other writers through their publishing company.Find Stacia here: https://staciaraelowe.com/Pre-order Ezekiel's Path from Amazon.com here: https://amzn.to/4gVXOrm Pre-order Ezekiel's Path from Barnes and Noble here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ezekiels-path-adam-alva-lowe/1150449427Lowe Budget Kid's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lowebudgetkids/videosLowe Budget Publishing Author QuestionnaireGet on Stacia's newsletter: https://staciaraelowe.com/newsletter-join-save/ And find Stacia's books: https://staciaraelowe.com/home-2/stacia-rae-writes/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

Neil and Kat discuss Neil's journey from traditionally published author to successful indie novelist, exploring why he writes across mystery and romance without using multiple pen names and how publishing has evolved over the past two decades. They also dive into the ethical use of AI for editing, marketing, cover design, and book translations, sharing practical ways authors can use new technology without replacing the creative process. Find out more about Neil, sign up for his Substack and get his books at www.mahubooks.com

Get ready for Summer! I have a bunch of interviews lined up for you! To start things off, we have Shimrit Hanes. She spent most of her life as a professional musician but has taken to writing now. Check out more about her (and get her books) at https://shimrithanes.com/Sign up for Becky's newsletter at https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/Sign up for the Book Finisher's Summit here : http://bit.ly/3QRfcmySign 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

Be sure to check out Becky's website at https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/. Get on her newsletter and check out her free resources.Today we are talking about the things that you can do this summer to practice or start your marketing. Please tag Becky (@beckythebookcoach) and me (@author_katcaldwell) if you are trying social media this summer! We would love to support you!Here are some things that I use in my social media that you can check out. These are affiliate links through Amazon.Tripod: https://amzn.to/3Q3O2IZMicrophone: https://amzn.to/43EclQNLight for phone: https://amzn.to/4xrMGIESign 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

Matty Dalrymple (DAL-rim-ple) is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. ​Matty also podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author, and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors.Sign up for the Craft&Connect Live event June 12, 3pm here: https://tidycal.com/writeyourlife/craft-and-connect-live-q2Sign 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