Chapter 12: Class is in Session with Sitara from School of Plot

It's officially slumber party time, round two! Hosts Heather Taylor Ross, Leila Holley, Olivia Lane, and Mia Gonzalez share their favorite moments from past episodes on the season finale of Inkspiration.Tune in for discussion on the topics below and more!Individual writing updatesFavorite moments from Season OneBloopers and behind the scene secretsWhat’s next for Inkspiration - Season Two, Merch, Book clubs, and moreThanks for listening to Inkspiration, a podcast where we explore the art of storytelling with expert interviews and tips for writers, readers, and publishing enthusiasts eager to uncover the magic in their stories. Season One was bigger and better than our wildest dreams and we cannot thank our guests and listeners enough for all the support.Follow us on Instagram at @inkspirationpodcast. Our DMs are always open for discussion, suggestions for future episodes, and all things literary! Tag us in your writing adventures and inkspirations and keep a lookout for Season Two!

In today’s chapter, Olivia and Mia dive into the depths of fantasy world building and keeping magic alive with author Rachel Greenlaw. Tune in for discussion on the topics below and more!Rachel’s journey to traditional publication for both fantasy and romanceTips and tricks on creating immersive worlds with realistic sensory detailsKeeping the magic alive throughout your story in both plot and character developmentA sneak peek at Rachel’s newest novel, The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of SpellsVisit us at www.inkspirationpodcast.com for our related blog post and resources discussed in the episode.Let’s welcome Rachel to the Inkspiration community!From her website: Rachel Greenlaw lives on a remote cluster of islands nestled deep in the Atlantic Ocean off the south coast of the UK. She is a writer, a dreamer and has a notebook filled with scribbled ideas, plot snippets and secrets. When she’s not wandering the beaches searching for cowrie shells, or taking photos of her beautiful island home, she’s usually sipping a cup of tea (or coffee), opening her laptop and finding her way through a new fictional world.ONE CHRISTMAS MORNING, published by HarperCollins imprints; Avon in the US & Canada and HQ in the UK is her debut adult novel. Order here now.COMPASS AND BLADE, published by HarperCollins imprints; Harper Fire Books in the UK and Inkyard Press in the US & Canada is the beginning of an epic YA fantasy trilogy. Order here now.THE WOODSMOKE WOMEN’S BOOK OF SPELLS being published by HarperCollins imprints; Avon in the US & Canada and HQ in the UK in October 2024 is a standalone adult speculative fiction novel. Preorder here now.For more of Stephen’s amazing writing advice, check out his YouTube channel. Follow Rachel’s journey on her website and her Instagram account.Thanks for listening to Inkspiration, a podcast where we explore the art of storytelling with expert interviews and tips for writers, readers, and publishing enthusiasts eager to uncover the magic in their stories.Follow us on Instagram at @inkspirationpodcast. Our DMs are always open for discussion, suggestions for future episodes, and all things literary! Tag us in your writing adventures and inspirations!

In today’s chapter, Leila and Heather get to know Sitara from School of Plot and learn more about creating a writer’s platform on Instagram.Tune in for discussion on the topics below and more!How a plan and authenticity helps build your perfect audienceWhat projects Sitara is currently working onHow identity shapes how your work is consumedVisit us at www.inkspirationpodcast.com for our related blog post and resources discussed in the episode.You can find Sitara @SchoolofPlot on Instagram, or her podcast Writing Club by School of Plot.

In today’s chapter, Leila and Mia discuss the common myths surrounding traditional publishing with fantasy author Stephen Aryan.Tune in for discussion on the topics below and more!Stephen’s own journey to traditional publicationThe most widely accepted myths about traditional publishingStephen’s recent decision to self-publish his latest novellaVisit us at www.inkspirationpodcast.com for our related blog post and resources discussed in the episode.Let’s welcome Stephen to the Inkspiration community!From his website:Stephen Aryan is an award winning fantasy author. He has written two trilogies, the Age of Darkness, and the Age of Dread, plus a prequel novella, set in the magic-infused world of Mordana.He has also written the Quest for Heroes duology, The Coward and The Warrior, published by Angry Robot Books.The Judas Blossom, the first installment in a Persian-inspired historical fantasy trilogy, The Nightingale and the Falcon was published in July 2023. The second in the trilogy, The Blood Dimmed Tide was published 9 July 2024 by Angry Robot Books.Stephen lives in the West Midlands with his partner and two cats. When he’s not writing novels or podcasting, he can be found drinking real ale, reading books and watching TV.For more of Stephen’s amazing writing advice, check out his YouTube channel.Follow Stephen’s journey on his website and his Instagram account.Jump into Stephen’s Persian-inspired historical fantasy by purchasing Judas Blossom and its sequel, The Blood Dimmed Tide. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for Stephen’s upcoming novella, New York Minute, coming out on October 1, 2024.Purchase the rest of Stephen’s books and others from Season 1 at our custom bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/inkspirationpodcastThanks for listening to Inkspiration, a podcast where we explore the art of storytelling with expert interviews and tips for writers, readers, and publishing enthusiasts eager to uncover the magic in their stories.Follow us on Instagram at @inkspirationpodcast. Our DMs are always open for discussion, suggestions for future episodes, and all things literary! Tag us in your writing adventures and inspirations!

In today’s chapter, Heather and Mia learn all about the world of cosplay and bookstagram with cosplay artist Georgia Deiker. Tune in for discussion on the topics below and more!Georgia’s beginning and process as a cosplay artistBehind-the-scenes of bookstagram and online book communities Visit us at www.inkspirationpodcast.com for our related blog post and resources discussed in the episode.Let’s welcome Georgia to the Inkspiration community!Georgia was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, and grew up loving stories, playing make-believe, and dressing up in costumes whenever she could find the chance. In 2016, she discovered the world of cosplay and a year later she would find a way to marry her love for dress-up and stories when she started sharing her book cosplays on Instagram. When she is not creating cosplay photos or silly videos, Georgia can be found relaxing with her two cats—Tootie and Giles—while reading a good book, drinking obscene amounts of coffee, or lurking the halls of the Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Taylor Swift is the only music she plays in her car and she also firmly and un-ironically believes The Mummy is one of the best films ever made.https://www.instagram.com/peachyqueencosplay/ Thanks for listening to Inkspiration, a podcast where we explore the art of storytelling with expert interviews and tips for writers, readers, and publishing enthusiasts eager to uncover the magic in their stories.Follow us on Instagram at @inkspirationpodcast. Our DMs are always open for discussion, suggestions for future episodes, and all things literary! Tag us in your writing adventures and inspirations!

Perseverance in Publishing with Author Sierra GreerIn today’s chapter, Heather and Leila get to know author Sierra Greer and learn more about her debut Annie Bot and her whirlwind of a year. Tune in for discussion on the topics below and more!Tackling themes in your writingHow the Book of the Month selection process and contract worksFollow Sierra on Instagram @sierra_greer_writer or on her website https://www.sierragreerwriter.com/Find her novel Annie Bot wherever books are sold.Visit us at www.inkspirationpodcast.com for our related blog post and resources discussed in the episode.

In today’s chapter, Olivia and Mia get to know horror author Sam Rebelein! Tune in for discussion on the topics below and more!Sam’s journey to publication with EdenvilleExploring complex emotions through the horror genreHow to create compelling characters and powerful storylines The importance of blending real-life events with fictionContent Warning: Discussions of Sexual AssaultIn this episode, we discuss experiences related to sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised.Visit us at www.inkspirationpodcast.com for our related blog post and resources discussed in the episode.Let’s welcome Sam Rebelein to the Inkspiration community!Purchase Edenville wherever books are sold. More information on Sam’s journey and future publications can be found on his website, www.srebelein.com. Sam can be found on Instagram @rebelsam94 and Twitter @HillaryScruff.Thanks for listening to Inkspiration, a podcast where we explore the art of storytelling with expert interviews and tips for writers, readers, and publishing enthusiasts eager to uncover the magic in their stories.Follow us on Instagram at @inkspirationpodcast. Our DMs are always open for discussion, suggestions for future episodes, and all things literary! Tag us in your writing adventures and inspirations!

In today’s chapter, Heather and Olivia learn from the prolific self-published romance and fantasy author, Jennifer Peel as she cracks open the world of self-publishing and indie authorship. Tune in for discussion on the topics below and more!Tackling a second career after forty Jennifer’s writing and publishing processRecommendations for new indie authors Visit us at www.inkspirationpodcast.com for our related blog post and resources discussed in the episode.Let’s welcome Jennifer to the Inkspiration community!Jennifer Peel is a USA Today bestselling author who didn’t grow up wanting to be a writer, she was aiming for something more realistic like being the first female president. When that didn’t work out, she started writing just before her fortieth birthday. Now after publishing several award-winning and bestselling novels, she’s addicted to typing and chocolate. When she’s not glued to her laptop and a bag of Dove dark chocolates, she loves spending time with her family, making daily Target runs, reading, and pretending she can do Zumba.Thanks for listening to Inkspiration, a podcast where we explore the art of storytelling with expert interviews and tips for writers, readers, and publishing enthusiasts eager to uncover the magic in their stories.Follow us on Instagram at @inkspirationpodcast. Our DMs are always open for discussion, suggestions for future episodes, and all things literary! Tag us in your writing adventures and inspirations!

In today’s chapter, Olivia and Heather chat with Fantasy author and indie-pub whiz Tory Guyon! Tune in for discussion on the topics below and more!Tory’s journey to indie publishing A crash course in resources, timeline, and social media tips for aspiring indie authorsThe inspiration behind Tory’s YA debut, “Angel of Water and Shadow”The healing power of books and the importance of mental health transparencyVisit us at www.inkspirationpodcast.com for our related blog post and resources discussed in the episode.Let’s welcome Tory Guyon to the Inkspiration community!Purchase Angel of Water and Shadow on Amazon.Check out Tory’s newsletter and discover all the updates on her blog, podcast, and incredible swag shop at her website, Salt and Stars Press.More information on Tory’s journey and access to all the self-publishing templates you will ever need can be found at the Resources section of her website.Tory can be found on Instagram @wri_tor and you can join Tory's Reader Group on Facebook.Thanks for listening to Inkspiration, a podcast where we explore the art of storytelling with expert interviews and tips for writers, readers, and publishing enthusiasts eager to uncover the magic in their stories.Follow us on Instagram at @inkspirationpodcast. Our DMs are always open for discussion, suggestions for future episodes, and all things literary! Tag us in your writing adventures and inspirations!

In today’s chapter, Mia and Leila get to know writing resistance and mindset coach Monica Hay and learn more about common roadblocks writers face trying to get their stories out of their heads and onto paper (or a screen).Monica graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where she majored in English Literature. After a career in social work, she earned her Master’s in Publishing. She worked with two literary agents and with WriteOnCon before starting her own coaching business. Monica now aims to help other writers embrace their fullest creative potential and manifest their dream lives.Tune in as we discuss:Why she created her coaching business and writer’s resistance bootcamp.Writer’s block, how resistance lives and manifests in the body, how internal and external pressures can lead to shame, and listening to your intuition.The science behind resistance, why you don’t need to be realistic about your writing, how spirituality impacts her writing and coaching, and how connecting with yourself can help writers craft characters.Resources/recommendations mentioned:The Science of Stuck by Britt FrankAround the Writer’s Block by Roseanne BaneAbraham HicksStory Genius by Lisa CronBlood Heir by Amélie Wen ZhaoListeners can follow Monica on Instagram @monicahayauthor and learn more about her business on her website https://monicahay.com/.Visit us at www.inkspirationpodcast.com for our related blog post and resources discussed in the episode.