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
Whether you write in multiple genres, different mediums, or post your work in various places: how do you retain your readers? This week, we discuss how you can potentially keep your readers reading no matter what you write. But the answer isn't as simple as you'd hope.
In this episode, we cover:
- What retaining your readers means
- Figuring out your focus and ideal audience
- Research marketing
As always, t...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Join us in welcoming a new guest to the show: author Danielle Harrington! Danielle is a fantasy author who writes The Wells of Power series. Book one, Keyholder, is available now. This week, we learn the ins and outs her writing.
In this episode, we cover:
- Danielle's work-life balance
- How she got into writing fantasy
- Advice for writing plot twists
- and more!
As always, thanks for listening. Please let u...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Sometimes we take a break from writing and it's not intentional. Other times, it is. Regardless of why you took a break or for how long that break was, it can be difficult getting back to writing after a hiatus. This week, we discuss how to jump back into writing without burning yourself out right away.
In this episode, we cover:
- What a writing hiatus is
- Rachel's tips
- Ari's tips
As always, thanks for l...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
In today's episode we are discussing what things we were willing and happy to spend money on to help our writing life!
In this episode, we cover:
- Editor
- Scrivener
- Courses
- Cover artist
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!
WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?
We’re open to Author Interviews and In...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
We all know what writing prompts are, but what about writing exercises? If you want to improve your craft, writing exercises are a great way to do so. This week, we discuss what writing exercises are and the differences between them and prompts.
In this episode, we cover:
- Writing exercises vs. writing prompts
- Examples of writing exercises
- Why they're important
As always, thanks for listening. Please le...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Please help us welcome another author to the show, Adina Chiles! Adina is a YA Fantasy author who’s a creator and collector of fictional worlds. Her book, Secrets of a Rose, is the first title in the Royal Blood series, and is available now.
In this episode, we cover:
- Adina's work in the YA fantasy genre
- How she got her literary agent
- Her writing routine
- and more!
As always, thanks for listening....
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
It's 2026, which means everything is online. It's important to promote your book on and offline, but one great way to get many eyes on your book is to run a virtual book blog tour. How does one do that? Well, that's what we're discussing this week.
In this episode, we cover:
- What a book blog tour is
- What set up entails (and how long)
- Finding participants and working with them
As always, thanks for list...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Writing can be a lonely business and there's a lot to learn when you want to become a published author. Having connections to people who understand what it's like and building communities can be really useful. So today we are talking about networking and how to do it (according to us!) :)
In this episode, we cover:
-
What is networking (according to us)
-
Why networking can be important
-
How to network
- and ...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
A few episodes ago, we touched upon book launch roadmaps. It was then we realized that we had never discussed a roadmap on the show before, so here we are. Just what is a book launch roadmap and what does it entail? This week, we discuss how to use a roadmap to streamline your self-publishing journey.
In this episode, we cover:
- What a book launch roadmap is
- Why it's important
- How to create and use one
...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
This week, we’re getting to know author Jill Haymaker. Jill is a contemporary western romance author with several short stories published. She writes the Montana Pines series, which currently has eight books available now.
In this episode, we cover:
- Jill's writing inspiration
- Marketing tactics
- Her self-publishing journey
- and more!
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts ...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
A crucial part of prepping your book for publication to ensuring it prints correctly and looks great without any errors. To check that, you need to order an author proof. This week, we discuss how to give your author proof a thorough look over to make sure it's 110% ready for publication.
In this episode, we cover:
- What an author proof is
- Draft2Digital vs IngramSpark vs Amazon KDP
- Checking in interior and ex...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
EDIT: Apologies for the technical issues. During the recording our connection became unstable and both myself and Rachel ended up out of Zoom for brief periods
Yes, we are back with another editing episode. For those new to writing, the editing process can be quite overwhelming, so we discuss some things that can help you get started and what to consider when editing your first manuscript.
In this epi...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Unfortunately, we need to promote our books when we write them. In a digital world, social media is the way to go. But how can you take enticing book photos for your social channels? That's what we discuss this week.
In this episode, we cover:
- Equipment and lighting to use
- Props you can use
- Editing your photos
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
We are discussing characters and how to develop them a little deeper.
In this episode, we cover:
- Go beyond the basic archetype
- Beginning, middle and end
- Use conflict
- Don't forget side characters
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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We’...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
This week, we’re getting to know Sam Weiss. Sam is a sci-fi horror author who’s been published for over ten years, drawing inspiration from 80s horror films and 90s sci-fi films. Her latest release, In the House of Root and Rot, is available now.
In this episode, we cover:
- Sam's writing inspiration
- Weird book research
- Her self-publishing journey
- and more!
As always, thanks for listening. Pl...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
We are back with another editing episode. Today, we are discussing when to hire a professional editor.
In this episode, we cover:
-
What you need to have done
-
Who needs to see it first
-
Getting over perfectionism
- 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!
WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?
We’...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Universal links are an excellent way to tell people where you are and what you do with one click of a button. But not as many people seem to use them often, so we decide to discuss it this week.
In this episode, we cover:
- What universal links are
- What to include in your universal link
- How you can make universal links
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments belo...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Today, we are all about the ISBNs - covering lots of things from pricing to expiry dates. In this episode, we cover:- What is it?
- Where to get them
- How many are needed
- Do they expire
- Costs
- Barcodes
Resources
Kindlepreneur (for free barcodes)
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your th...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Please help us welcome our first guest of 2026, Jenna Moreci! Jenna is a dark fantasy romance author who also runs a successful YouTube channel. The first installment of her dark fantasy romance series, The Savior’s Champion, was voted one of the best books of all time by Book Depository. The latest installment, book three titled The Savior’s Army, is available for pre-order.
In this episode, we cover...
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Do you struggle with knowing when to "finish" your writing? Are you stuck in a loop of never-ending edits? Don't worry, you're not alone - we've been there too.
In this episode, we cover:
- Getting outside help
- Acknowledging procrastination
- Setting deadlines
- 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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