They say truth is stranger than fiction, so is it any wonder that history can inspire great fictional stories? In this episode, I chat with fellow mystery writer and podcaster Landis Wade about his historically inspired mystery, and about researching and writing fiction with a historical bent. Have a listen! Landis Wade is a recovering… Read More »Episode 135: Writing historically inspired fiction with Landis Wade

Book Echoes

Episode 135: Writing historically inspired fiction with Landis Wade

I’m so glad to be back this week. Last week the podcast took a short break because of Covid-related school closures (thank goodness my family all okay, though). Today I’m chatting about one of the rookie mistakes I see newer authors make, which is modeling themselves on household name authors or making choices they’ve been… Read More »Episode 134: Don’t model your author biz on household names

Episode 134: Don’t model your author biz on household names

This week’s solo episode explores the ways fear holds us back in our writing and book promotion. What are some common ways we get held back? And what can we do about it? The good news is that this is normal. It happens to all of us. It’s also something we can chip away at… Read More »Episode 133: Is fear holding you back?

Episode 133: Is fear holding you back?

It’s character time! Just as I’m getting ready to start a new mystery for the upcoming Mysteries, Midsummer Sun, and Murders anthology, I had the chance to interview Carrie Knowles about creating and developing characters. We had a wonderful chat about the importance of character development, finding inspiration for characters, creating nonhuman characters, and so… Read More »Episode 132: Knowing Your characters with Carrie Knowles

Episode 132: Knowing Your characters with Carrie Knowles

This week, I honored my commitment to working more sustainably in 2022 and did something I’ve never done before. I took a mental health day. So I thought this week would be a great time to talk about writer burnout and how to avoid it. I’m joined by artist and writer e’Layne Kelley to talk… Read More »Episode 131: Burnout and how to avoid it with e’Layne Kelley

Episode 131: Burnout and how to avoid it with e’Layne Kelley

It’s a shiny, new year, and you probably have some new writing and personal goals to go with it. Yay! Jump into those goals, but remember to do so in a sustainable way. In fact, sustainable is my word of 2022. (Yes, I did the cheesy thing and picked a word of the year.) If… Read More »Episode 130: Word of the year and critiques

Episode 130: Word of the year and critiques

Sometimes in writing and podcasting, you just have to roll with the punches… so there won’t be another episode for December. But I’m excited for what 2022 has in store. Authoring Onward will be back in your podcast player the first week of January! Happy holidays! Connie

Update: Talk to you in 2022!

What do I love as much as Christmas trees, tinsel, and eggnog? Planning, of course! And a shiny, new planner. Drum roll, please… … It’s here! The Messy Author Planner 2022 is here in paperback and (sadly delayed) hardcover (as well as a paperback undated version)! I’m so delighted. Wanna look inside? And in its… Read More »Episode 129: Planning and making 2022 goals

Episode 129: Planning and making 2022 goals

The holiday season is upon us, and it can be a time as stressful as it is joyous. Huh. Kind of like the writing life. So, while the weather gets chilly, let’s chill out from all the anxieties authors can have. Take my free Find Your Writing Time Course and join the weekly newsletter!

Episode 128: Chill out, author

This week, Amber Henry came back on the show to go more in-depth about how she organizes pop-up shops where she sells her books and which benefit many local entrepreneurs in her community. We had a great chat. We referenced a few prior episodes that you might want to go back and listen to after… Read More »Episode 127: Organizing pop-up shops with Amber Henry

Episode 127: Organizing pop-up shops with Amber Henry

This week, I chatted with author Amber Henry about the different ways she gives back to her community. We talked about school visits, giving while protecting your boundaries, looking for the need where you already have connections, and more! I hope our chat can give you ideas of ways you can contribute to your own… Read More »Episode 126: Giving back through school visits and more with Amber Henry

Episode 126: Giving back through school visits and more with Amber Henry

It’s November! And this month’s theme is giving thanks and giving back. Today I run down some ways I’ve volunteered in the past and ways I plan to give back this year. What have you done to give back to the writing community or your community at large? Comment below, so we can all get… Read More »Episode 125: Giving back as an author

Episode 125: Giving back as an author

This week, I have returning guest Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail (see her previous episode here). We talk about all things writing scary stuff, creating ghostly characters, our own childhood fears, and more! Snuggle up with a warm apple cider and a cozy blanket for our spooky chat! About Danielle: I’m an author, connector and storyteller who is… Read More »Episode 124: Writing scary stories with Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail

Episode 124: Writing scary stories with Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail

It’s a mini-episode today! Welcome, October is such a busy month. I’ve got a soon-to-be-launched anthology coming up, my son’s fall festival is tomorrow, requiring me to locate and fix the Halloween costumes that have already been strewn around our house, and my daughter is starting Nutcracker rehearsal already! So today is a quick episode,… Read More »Episode 123: Feel the Spookiness

Episode 123: Feel the Spookiness

Last week, I did a deep dive into the results from my recent KU free days promotion, and I promised to keep y’all updated. As of now, I’ve almost earned back my ad spend on this series. Only $38 to break even. Now, I’ve noticed the money trickling down day by day as I get… Read More »Episode 122: 4 common fears that spook Writers

Episode 122: 4 common fears that spook Writers

Making great books and creative lives that work.

hubhopper

Book Echoes

hubhopper