The Author Wheel Podcast

The art of blurbs, navigating Amazon Ads, and seeking help . . .

Writing is a lonely craft, but it doesn't have to be. In this week's episode, Bryan Cohen gets candid about the necessity of help-seeking in the author space, sharing personal stories of how collaboration and networking transformed his business. He opens up about his personal journey, the lessons he learned, and his secret sauce for sustaining succ...

It's the final countdown! How are you doing with NaNoWriMo?

Whether or not you "win" this month, you've done something amazing. You've created something out of nothing and gotten words on the page. That's incredible.

Which is why...

Tip #1: Celebrate! Whether you wrote 50k or 20k, recognize your effort this month.

Tip #2: Take a break! Don't immediately jump ...

Bold statement: indie publishing is a maturing industry.

A few weeks ago, The Author Wheel attended the 20Books to 50k conference in Las Vegas, and in this episode we're going to talk about our experiences.

Our biggest takeaway? There are dozens, possibly hundreds, of different strategies for author success. Moreover, the very definition of success depends on the author and what they're looking to get o...

Ever feel like the world conspires to distract you every time you sit down to write?

In this week's "betweeniesode," award-winning fantasy author Megan Haskell and USA Today bestselling mystery thriller author Greta Boris share their best hacks to shut down distractions and focus on your writing.

Tip #1: Use technology to your advantage. Try out apps like Freedom which shut down distracting websit...

Ready for a front seat on the roller coaster ride of the writing world?

Today's guest has pretty much done it all. From working in the theater, to writing Pakistani soap operas in New York, to moving to L.A. to pitch T.V. scripts, then transitioning to prose during the pandemic, there's barely a writing project that Lawrence hasn't tried.

He's applied that same can-do attitude to marketing. H...

During NaNoWriMo, speed is king (or queen) and the faster you write, the better you optimize your time. Which is why in today's quick "betweeniesode" we're sharing our best tips to pick up your writing pace.

Join award-winning fantasy author Megan Haskell and USA Today bestselling mystery thriller author Greta Boris as we unveil tried-and-true strategies to stay focused on your word count and keep your ...

Hard magic systems, finding community, and creating luxury hardback book...

This week is all about publishing on Kindle Unlimited and creating beautiful deluxe special edition books on Kickstarter.

Join us for a deep and insightful conversation with renowned fantasy author Rachel Rener, whose international best-selling Gilded Blood series has left readers spellbound...and tattooed. She shares her experiences on ...

NaNoWriMo is all about getting words on the page. In today's quick "betweeniesode" we're talking about how to avoid the distractions of research and revisions.

Join award-winning fantasy author Megan Haskell and USA Today bestselling mystery thriller author Greta Boris as we unveil tried-and-true strategies to stay focused on your word count and keep your story on a roll.

Tip 1: Mark sections ...

Do editors need editors?

Short answer: Yes.

In this episode, we're talking with Jennifer Silva Redmond - an accomplished editor, a resilient writer, and a true raconteur. From her early days as an aspiring Broadway actress, to life on a sailboat, to launching her own editing business, Jennifer has a treasure trove of experience to share.

As we delve further into the world of writing and editing, you&...

Ever wondered about that magical state where words flow unrestricted, time seems suspended, and the world around you ceases to exist?

To help you through NaNoWriMo this November, we're giving you practical tips to increase your productivity and get the words on the page. What better place to start than getting into the flow?

Tip 1: Build a ritual to teach your brain it's writing time.

Tip 2: Tr...

What's the best way to approach literary agents? How do you make your manuscript stand out? Do you need to be on social media?

Today's guest has the answers. We discuss understanding submission guidelines, showing respect for the agents you meet or query, and leveraging social media to promote your work (because yes, even traditionally published authors need to market their books.) Whether you're an introve...

Ever felt overwhelmed at the thought of writing a 50,000-word novel in a month?

We're here to help!

In our second "betweeniesode," award-winning fantasy adventure author Megan Haskell and USA Today bestselling mystery thriller author Greta Boris, give you new tips to prep for the marathon of National Novel Writing Month, aka "NaNoWriMo."

In this episode, we're going to help...

Tired of the traditional 9 to 5 grind and yearn to ignite your creative spark?

You've heard today's guest before . . . on our intro! We're talking with our podcast producer, Jim Wilbourne about his journey into the writing and publishing world.

Fun fact: a lot of writers don't write full time. Arguably most. In fact, many "full-time authors" have multiple streams of income. Jim has ...

Are you ready to WIN NaNoWriMo but worried about the overwhelming challenges to writing 50,000 words in the month of November?

Fear not! Starting this week, The Author Wheel will be sharing our best tried-and-true novel writing and productivity strategies in weekly "betweeniesodes" of the podcast.

First up, prepping for the challenge begins with setting the right atmosphere at home. We'll guide you...

Lead magnets, advanced reviews, author cross-promotions, and more...

Are you ready to unlock the secrets to building an engaged readership and securely sharing your work with the world?

Join us as we welcome Damon Courtney, creator of BookFunnel to the show. In this interview, we unpack the platform's fascinating features that help authors track reader engagement, deliver digital books, and create compelling...

Should you self-narrate your own book? Should an indie take a traditional deal?

This week, mystery author and podcast host, Pamela Fagan Hutchins, is taking us on a journey into her writing world. We talk about the art of narrating your own audiobooks and how to manage continuity across multiple book series. Plus, hear first-hand why she's a dedicated indie who's just secured a traditional publishing contract—and...

The first step in defining your strategy? Getting clarity.

Clarity. What is it? How do we find it? Where do we even start?

In today's duo episode, we're once again talking about finding clarity in our lives. It's a topic that's been on our minds a lot, both personally and professionally. And honestly, it just might be the most difficult part of developing a productivity system that works.
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In this week’s episode, we’re talking about the writing process. Specifically, we’re talking with screenwriter and novelist John Gaspard about the similarities between the movie-making process and the novelist’s journey. They have a lot in common! From pre-production story planning to writing productivity, then editing and distribution, it’s a complementary system. And lucky for us, John is willing to share some of his best “popcor...

Overcoming depression and finding your purpose in writing books…

Books provide an escape. I think most writers know and appreciate this, but sometimes we forget our books reach people on a fundamental level, giving them an experience they can’t find in the real world.

Today’s guest, Tonya Kappes, leans into a desire to help one reader each week, and in so doing, has found massive success reaching thousands of rea...