The Merry Writer Podcast
Two chatty authors asking all the ’write’ questions. Hosted by Ari Meghlen and Rachel Poli, The Merry Writer Podcast is a fun, friendly show about all things writing and bookish.
Episodes
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Do you handwrite any of your novel? Maybe the outline? How about the notes? Do you do any handwriting, outside perhaps the odd birthday card? Well, in today's episode, we discuss why it might be a good idea to write by hand more often.
In this episode, we cover:
- What the science says
- Our thoughts on the growth of technology (yes, we went on tangents)
- Suggestions for things to handwrite
- Accessibility ackno...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
This week, we're back with another author interview! Liz Shipton, a speculative fiction author, joins us to discuss her work.
In this episode, we cover:
- Liz's creative process
- Themes she covers in her books
- How she sells her books direct
- and more!
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!
ABOUT LIZ SHIPTON
...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Today, we are looking at keeping consistent within our manuscripts, which is why we are all about Style Sheets
In this episode, we cover:
- What is a style sheet?
- Why is it used?
- What can you add to your style sheet?
- and more!
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!
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EPISODE SHOW NOTES
We all need to procrastinate on our writing once in a while, so why not create fun aesthetics for your WIP? This week, we discuss cool things for you to make that your readers will most likely enjoy, too!
In this episode, we cover:
- Types of aesthetics you can make
- How you can make them
- How (and where) you can use them
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments bel...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Sometimes, even the most prolific writers feel themselves struggling with inspiration and ideas. So what can we do when our creative well runneth dry?
In this episode, we cover:
- What is the creative well
- What depletes the creative well
- Some methods for refilling the well
- and more!
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and sh...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
This week, we interview author LB Carter on her and her work. She talks about her many works, themes in her books, and more.
In this episode, we cover:
- LB's start with writing
- Her writing process and routine
- Advice on promoting your work
- and more!
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!
ABOUT LB Carter
L....
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
We're back with another mini writing challenge. We've all heard the advice about the importance of writing daily. So, we decided we would take 30 days and writing every day.
In this episode, we cover:
- How we had thought it would go
- Discussing weeks 1-5
- What we learnt from this challenge
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow,...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Recently, we discussed creating an author media kit. To go along with that, we thought it'd be a good idea to discuss book press releases. This week, we're talking about how to create one for your latest release.
In this episode, we cover:
- What a book press release is
- Why you should have one
- What to include in your press release
- Where (and how) to share it
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
We are back to talking about Productivity as we look at ways to find more time to write. We could all use more time, right? So, today we are discussing the benefits of a Time Budget.
In this episode, we cover:
- What a time budget is
- How long to track your time
- Tracking your energy
- The importance of rest time and wiggle room
- and more!
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in ...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Every book needs a blurb or how else are readers going to know what it's about? The blurb helps a reader decide to open the book to its first page and possibly buy it. This week, we're talking about book blurbs and how to write one.
In this episode, we cover:
- Blurb vs. synopsis
- What to include in your blurb
- What to possibly avoid in the blurb
- Ari reads an example blurb
As always, thanks for listening. ...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Today, we welcome back author Andrew McDowell on the podcast. He shares his thoughts, insights and experiences in this author interview.
Andrew appeared on our Podcast way back at the beginning for episode 023 back in 2020.
In this episode, we cover:
-
His writing processes and writing style
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His inspiration
-
Marketing tactics
-
and more!
Click here to listen to his earlier episode
As ...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Habits are never easy to maintain. Building a writing habit is just as tough. This week, we go over some ideas on how to keep the writing consistency going.
In this episode, we cover:
- Knowing the difference between progress and procrastination
- Having a plan
- Find a writing buddy or group
- Being flexible
- and more!
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, giv...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
We have decided to do a few silly mini challenges, and we are starting with this one.
One piece of (odd) advice that circulates the writing community every few years is the "miracle" of Comic Sans and how it can help you be motivated and get out of writer's block.
So we decided to give it a try, and these are the results
In this episode, we cover:
- Why are we doing this challenge?
- Why Comic Sans?
- Rachel's de...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
If you have a book published and want to get your name out there more, then having an author media kit is a great place to start. This week, we discuss what an author media kit, and how to put one together.
In this episode, we cover:
- Media kit vs. press kit vs. press release
- Why having an author media kit is important
- What to include in your media kit
- How to present your media kit
As always, thanks for...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Today, we are joined by author, writing coach and manuscript editor, John DeDakis on the podcast. He shares his thoughts, insights and experiences in this author interview.
In this episode, we cover:
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His writing processes and writing style
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Common mistakes authors make
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Social media
-
and more!
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments belo...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Yes, we're back talking about author websites again! This time, we're discussing plugins you can add to improve your author website and make it more unique and easier for you to maintain.
In this episode, we cover:
- What plugins are and where you can get them
- Cost of plugins
- 6 useful plugins you can use
List of Plugins Mentioned
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
We did it, we finally took the plunge and recorded an episode about AI. Is it ranty? Yes. Do we tangent all over the place? Also yes. Is it painfully long? Yes. We do still open some of you, give it a listen.
Also, if you are a published author and have not checked already, please visit the Atlantic Link below and check to see if your novels were pirated and then used to train AI.
In this episode, we cover:
- ...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
AllAuthor is a platform that's well known by some, but others have never heard of it. Rachel checked it out and discussed her findings with Ari to see if it's really worth it for authors be on. This week, we dissect the free account version of AllAuthor.
In this episode, we cover:
- What AllAuthor is and what you can do there
- Paid vs. free plan
- Featuring your book
- and more!
As always, thanks for listenin...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Today, we are joined by Writer Jeremy Russell again. Last time Jeremy was on the podcast, he shared his insights regarding how writers with ADHD can stay motivated. Now he's back for our newly introduced interview style.
In this episode, we cover:
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His writing processes and writing style
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Writing by hand
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Favourite character
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and more!
As always, thanks for listening. Please let u...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Writing one book takes multiple drafts throughout the process. Some of those drafts are easier than others, so this week’s we’re talking about the draft that usually hardest for us.
In this episode, we cover:
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Rachel’s hardest draft to write
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Ari’s hardest draft to write
-
Our easiest drafts
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the...
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