Talking Book Publishing with Kathleen & Adanna

In this gripping episode of Talking Book Publishing, Kathleen and Adanna sit down with Jane Howatt, author of Jigsaw and Jane: 13 Years of Murder and Mayhem with Badge Number One. 

Jane shares the incredible story of how a single newspaper article led her into the world of homicide detective John St. John, the LAPD’s legendary investigator known as "Jigsaw John." What started as an ambitious attempt to write a bo...

In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, hosts Kathleen Kaiser and Adanna Moriarty sit down with branding and marketing expert Jeniffer Thompson to discuss how authors can build a strong brand, navigate social media, and boost visibility in a crowded marketplace.

Jeniffer, the founder of Monkey C Media, shares how to identify your audience, leverage influencers, and create a sustainable social media plan using tools like Canva, B...

Join Kathleen and Adanna as they chat with the incredible Theasa Tuohy. From her groundbreaking work as one of the early women in journalism to her remarkable journey into fiction writing, Theasa’s story is full of inspiration and adventure.

Her novels, including Flying Jenny and Five O’Clock Follies, reflect her rich life experiences, which she masterfully weaves into her fiction. In this episode, Theasa shares fascinating insights...

Kathleen and Adanna welcome award-winning cover designer Eric Labacz to Talking Book Publishing for an engaging discussion on the art and strategy of book cover design. From his beginnings in graphic arts to becoming a trusted designer for publishers and indie authors, Eric shares how his experiences shape his unique approach to every project.

This conversation explores why a book's cover is often its most critical selling tool...

Hosts Kathleen and Adanna sit down with Victoria Strauss, co-founder of Writer Beware, to uncover the alarming and evolving world of author scams. For over 25 years, Victoria has been critical in exposing fraudulent schemes targeting writers, from fee-charging literary agents and deceptive vanity publishers to dubious marketing offers. In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, she reveals how AI and other tools have made these sc...

Hey friends! In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, Kathleen and Adanna sit down with indie author and Amazon ads expert Sonja Dewing. Trust us—you don’t want to miss it! Sonja spills all the details about her journey from traditional publishing roadblocks to thriving as a self-published author. She shares how her first book, Toy of the Gods, overcame early rejection to become a hit, and she’s here to help you navigate the wor...

In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, your hosts Kathleen Kaiser and Adanna Moriarty, both seasoned professionals in the publishing industry, invite you into a fascinating conversation with renowned crime novelist and screenwriter Duane Swierczynski. From his early dreams of writing horror to becoming a celebrated mystery author, Duane shares the emotional rollercoaster of his journey—filled with ambition, setbacks, and unexp...

In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, hosts Kathleen and Adanna sit down with Leslie Lehr, an experienced author and writing consultant, to demystify the art of crafting effective query letters. Leslie, a successful author with a diverse career journey, shares her insights and experiences, from novel and screenwriting to becoming a well-known expert in developing compelling query letters that capture the attention of literary...

In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, hosts Kathleen and Adanna engage in a delightful conversation with accomplished author Ilona Joy Saari. Ilona discusses her latest release, The Wrong Station, the third book in the Mystery Chronicles of New York Women series. The story follows the adventures of Lorna, a videographer who finds herself in a precarious situation after accidentally getting off at the wrong station late at nig...

In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, co-hosts Kathleen and Adanna engage in a captivating conversation with accomplished author Robin Gerber. Robin, renowned for her works on Eleanor Roosevelt, Katherine Graham, and Ruth Handler, shares her unique journey from writing columns to becoming a published author and renowned speaker. The conversation delves into how Robin's book on Eleanor Roosevelt transformed her career and...

In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, Kathleen and Adanna explore the transformative potential of AI in book marketing. Drawing from their experiences and recent client projects, they highlight how tools like ChatGPT can simplify and enhance authors' marketing efforts. They delve into practical applications, such as generating book descriptions, creating social media content calendars, and selecting effective hashtags. W...

In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, hosts Kathleen and Adanna participate in a fascinating conversation with Lina Hart, the author of “The Spectral Series,” a sci-fi supernatural romance series. Lina's unique journey to becoming an indie author, shaped by her lifelong love for sci-fi, particularly Star Trek, is sure to inspire. She shares insights into the intricacies of crafting a story with multiple points of view, u...

Welcome to a pivotal episode of "Talking Book Publishing," where your hosts Kathleen and Adanna discuss the transformative merger reshaping the landscape for writers and publishers alike. Join us as we delve into an enlightening conversation with Gary Young, the president of the Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC), and Stephen Sanchez, the visionary vice president. This episode marks a momentous occasion, c...

Unlock the secrets to successful memoir marketing in this insightful episode of "Talking Book Publishing," where hosts Kathleen and Adanna welcome digital marketing maven Lisa Angle and author Bee Bloeser. Dive deep into the art of creating captivating social media content that resonates and engages. Learn how platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook can become powerful tools in your promotional arsenal, transformin...

Join hosts Kathleen and Adanna for another insightful episode of Talking Book Publishing as they get into the nitty-gritty of manuscript editing with Lynn Varon, a seasoned editor. Lynn sheds light on common manuscript pitfalls while sharing her editing journey fueled by a lifelong passion for reading and a keen eye for good writing.

Drawing from her extensive background in editing, Lynn compares the editing processes for magazines ...

On Crafting Stories and Breaking Myths: A Deep Dive into Writing

Welcome to Season Four of Talking Book Publishing, hosted by Kathleen and Adanna. In this episode, they are joined by the renowned best-selling author and creator of the Red Sneaker Writing series, William Bernhardt. The conversation delves into the significance of story structure and the evolution of the Red Sneakers Writers Series. William shares insights ...

On the Horizon: Exploring the Evolving Publishing Landscape

Dive into the dynamic world of Talking Book Publishing with hosts Kathleen Kaiser and Adanna Moriarty, joined by the charismatic small publisher Jay Hartman in our last episode of 2023. Jay shares his love for books, the challenges traditional bookstores face, and the evolving industry landscape.

Experience a heartfelt ode to libraries, Jay's new venture with...

On Navigating the Publishing World

Discover what sets Wendelin Van Draanen apart on this episode of Talking Book Publishing. We sit down with the accomplished YA Author as she shares her incredible journey of publishing more than thirty books and offers invaluable insights. The conversation delves into crafting captivating narratives and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the publishing industry. She reflects on her...

On Unleashing the AI Revolution in Book Promotion and Transforming Your Success

Discover the exciting realm of AI in book promotion as Kathleen and Adanna take you on a captivating journey. Uncover an AI's ability to create fictional legal cases that sparked court controversy and see how it spices up content with adjectives, adverbs, and emojis. They emphasize that AI is a powerful tool that, when used thoughtfully, can sp...