Ep 293 The Courage to Be Authentic with Antonio Michael Downing

Jessica Snyder started out editing for the traditional romance publishers. She had since moved into independent editing and has created the HEA club where Romance Writers can connect and learn about their craft. She has worked with authors like Lucy Score and Carly Bloom as well as many indie romance authors. Be sure to check out her HEA Club here: https://heaauthorservices.com/services/the-hea-club/ and find out more about Jessica and her team here: https://heaauthorservices.com/Sign up for the first Craft and Connect live event! https://tidycal.com/writeyourlife/craft-and-connect-live-march-24Sign 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

Nidhi Kona is a versatile professional who wears many hats and offers a refreshing perspective on topics that matter the most. As a molecular biologist, she brings her scientific expertise to the table. As a scientific writer, she crafts compelling content that breaks complex research into simple, inspiring insights. And as the author of the nonfiction personal transformation book 'Unshakeable You',(https://a.co/d/0gOSZZdg) she shares her scientific insights on fine-tuning the mind and the heart for happiness and success. 'The Mirror That Echoed'(https://a.co/d/0byX0thM) is a fictional take on one unforgettable lesson learnt on this journey we call life. Join Nidhi's newsletter Vantage: https://subscribepage.io/ow1Hy6 Sign up for the first Craft and Connect live event! https://tidycal.com/writeyourlife/craft-and-connect-live-march-24Sign 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 of Pencils and Lipstick, I sat down with Jake Lynch to talk about his unexpected journey into writing Christian fiction. He shared how a moment in Isaiah prompted him to write his first novel and how he now builds stories around intentional themes—taking characters from problem to solution. We dove into crafting meaningful character arcs, writing with the reader in mind, and creating faith-driven stories that explore doubt, growth, and redemption.You can find out more about Jake on his website: https://authorjakelynch.com/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_katcaldwellSign up for the first Craft and Connect live event! https://tidycal.com/writeyourlife/craft-and-connect-live-march-24

Welcome to the first episode of Craft and Connect, the marketing show on Pencils&Lipstick with Becky Grogan and Kat Caldwell! Today we are talking about the pillars of marketing that will construct the foundation of any other marketing you will do as an author. This is a very important step to NOT skip! We have several resources (as promised) for you below:https://katcaldwell.com/author-brand-worksheethttps://katcaldwell.com/core-valueshttps://katcaldwell.com/promotion-articleSign 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'm speaking with Melanie Anagnos about being a police procedural author. Melanie received an MFA from Sarah Lawrence, and although she started writing a literary novel, she ended up in the crime genre. We talk all about MFAs, genre fiction, how to do research and more on this week's Pencils&Lipstick.Find out more about Melanie: https://melanieanagnos.com/author/Melanie's Substack https://melanieanagnos.substack.com/Be sure to get on my writer's newsletter to be part of the marketing hour live coming in March!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

Welcome to the Pencils&Lipstick Book Marketing Hour! We will be here every month...and we will be working on that title...Every third Monday of every month, Becky Grogan (https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/) will be joining me to talk about book marketing. In this episode we go through what we will be handling, we you can expect and when as well as the dates for the LIVE marketing Q&As that we will have. Be sure to listen!Marketing is NOT just social media, but we will be talking about social media. If you don't have anything set up and want to get things moving, you can check out these Youtube videos for setting up Instagram and TikTok:https://youtu.be/j4nBDjsyGZ0?si=XsSVq_hbiLSaxSAMhttps://youtu.be/KJeU6SP548w?si=hWB6IgopanEdvGwjhttps://youtu.be/KJeU6SP548w?si=hWB6IgopanEdvGwjSign 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. AND to get reminders about the live marketing Q&As that will be happening twice this coming semester. 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

Here are the links for the books, websites and classes I mention in the episode.LiveWriteThrive.com has a LOT of great courses on writing.Reedsy.com/learning is also a great source. Get on their newsletter!My character development courses: https://katcaldwell.com/character-masterclass and https://katcaldwell.com/Whats-a-characterMy scene development courses: https://writeyourstory.thrivecart.com/amazing-scene/Be sure to tell me what you want to hear from the coming Marketing Show on Pencils&Lipstick!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

Once you type The End on your manuscript, the real work begins: editing. But editing is not just re-reading and tweaking a few words here and there. Editing involves some deep work. So let's get into the top five tips I have for writer, indie or traditional, for polishing their book to the best potential.Be sure to check out CS Lakin at LiveWriteThrive.com and find my masterclass Building a Story for the Character that Haunts You here: https://katcaldwell.com/character-masterclassSign 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

I'm super excited for you to listen to this interview (chat, really) that I had with Antonio Michael Downing. It isn't everyday that I get to have such a great conversation with a stranger! Check out more about Antonio and get his books here: https://www.antoniomichaeldowning.com/ Also, follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.orpheus.3/ or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/antoniomichaeldowningSign 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 or on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@katcaldwell.authorAnd get on my writer's newsletter! https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter

Is it possible to set goals as a writer? As a creative? When there are so many different variables that go into creating a story? In this episode I go into the reality of goal setting as a writer, especially one just starting out (with 4 books or less). I believe in going into the new year with eyes wide open, but also with encouragement. Let's get those books written in 2026! And not falling into the pit of thinking we should be on track with everyone else out there.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 or on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katcaldwell.author