The Novel Writing Podcast
Writing a novel doesn't have to take decades. Author and book coach Colleen Mitchell provides authors with bite-sized mindset tips, encouragement, inspiration, and tips for the writing process. So grab a cup, cozy up, and let's get to writing! The Novel Writing Podcast is a production of Colleen Mitchell Writes, LLC.
Episodes
These are the top 4 lessons I learned going to the Realm Makers Conference in July 2025.
Realm Makers is a conference and community for Christian Speculative Fiction writers which has been going for more than ten years.
Learn more about Realm Makers at https://www.realmmakers.com/
What to do next…
What's the deal with author newsletters? Do you really need one before you release your book?
The answer is ABSOLUTELY YES. Author newsletters are data-backed as the number 1 way to reach your audience.
Listen in for 3 major reasons to start your author newsletter today, even if you only email once a month.
What to do next…
What are the self-publishing options available to indie authors?
This is the third and last of three episodes unpacking the variety of ways authors can set themselves up for success with indie publishing.
This episode dives into the differences between direct and indirect sales.
Your author business will ultimately consist of a system that integrates most if not all the platforms and formats. Start simple...
What are the self-publishing options available to indie authors?
This is the second of three episodes unpacking the variety of ways authors can set themselves up for success with indie publishing.
This episode dives into the eBook and digital delivery platforms of Amazon, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Lulu, Curios, and BookFunnel.
What to do next…
What are the self-publishing options available to indie authors?
This is the first of three episodes unpacking the variety of ways authors can set themselves up for success with indie publishing.
This episode dives into the Print on Demand platforms of Amazon, IngramSpark, BookVault, and Lulu and what each platform is best at doing.
What to do next…
www.curios.com/Joincolleenmitchellwrites
How do you control direct eBook sales as an indie author?
The big platforms take a dramatic cut of your profits, don't provide reader contact information, and can kick authors off if they think you're violating the rules... even if you aren't.
So what's an indie to do?
Selling direct doesn't have to involve building your own webs...
SAID IS DEAD. Or is it? Do you even need to use dialogue tags?
Action tags are the kings of showing over telling in dialogue, and when used correctly can deliver a far weightier emotional punch than dialogue tags.
Listen in for more of why these two are different, and why there's a clear winner!
Read my prequel novella, The Orphan's Gambit, for FREE by clicking here.
What to do next...
Struggling with a slow pace or a saggy middle?
Story structure may be the answer. But what is story structure?
In short, it's the skeleton of your book that lays out where major beats take place.
But it's not a formula!
Listen in to learn more about Story Structure at a high level.
What to do next…
- Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate ...
If your story feels weak, you may have a problem with your characters' goals, motivation, and conflict.
Digging deeper into "GMC" will help strengthen the plot because GMC is what drives a story forward.
Learn more about GMC in The Trope Thesaurus, by Jennifer Hilt.
What to do next…
Suspense thriller author JD Barker shares why it's important to think differently as an author, and how to build a stand-out author brand in today's publishing landscape.
Connect with JD at jdbarker.com
What to do next…
- Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
- Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE (Full Playlist Coming in October)
- Work with members of the Tall...
We've got an announcement!
This coming October, the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge is becoming FREE again!
Listen in for the full details on this change, and what to expect from us going forward.
What to do next…
- Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
- Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE (Full Playlist Coming in October)
- Work with members of t...
If you build it (write it) they will come, right?
Not so fast.
Publishing is just like any other industry.... If you want to be make money, you have to market your book.
There's a pervasive myth among new authors that they can write a book, slap it on Amazon, and start making the big bucks overnight.
But that's never the case, unless you have a strong, healthy platform and an audience...
There are many pieces in the self-publishing puzzle, but what are the pros and cons of DIY-ing them?
Doing it yourself saves money (and time) but in many cases, the risks outweigh the benefits.
This is a deeper dive into DIY and self-publishing, and goes to show there's more to the puzzle than we might think at first glance.
What to do next…
E.A. Winters, indie author of 9 books, joins me to discuss her outlining process.
Developed over the last five or six years, E.A. has reached the point where her outlines are keystone to writing fast, relatively clean first drafts.
She openly shares her author journey and advice that has helped her hone her outlining skills over the years.
What to do next…
Every indie author wants to save money on the process, but can you really DIY *everything*?
If you're looking into DIY-ing everything from editing to formatting to cover design, there are some things to consider.
Not all DIY is created equal, and there are some things that actually suffer from DIY-ing in the long term.
What to do next…
There are an infinite number of tips that writers could attempt to keep in mind while writing their first drafts.
Every writer's toolbox is different, but if these 3 tips work for you, they could become your go-tos for first drafts....
Especially if you want to get yours done in the next 60 days.
What to do next…
- Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
- Tak...
Did you research those little details enough?
There's a delicate balance between too much and just right, but at the opposite end of the spectrum is not even bothering with research....
Research that would ensure you're not making mistakes an expert would notice.
Check out the full episode on why it's important to research even the minor details.
What to do next…
How do you know if your main characters have the best characterizations to be a main character?
If you've ever scratched your head over what it means for characters to be flat or round, static or dynamic, (and what the heck a Mary Sue is) then this episode is for you.
What to do next…
Are you thinking about using a pen name for your books?
Not every author will choose to use one, but a nom de plume can be an attractive choice depending on your circumstances.
In this episode, we talk about the top 5 reasons authors use pen names, pros and cons of using them, and a few things to consider when choosing and establishing a pen name.
What to do next…
Do you know what age group your book falls into?
Figuring out the difference between children's books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, new adult, and adult can be difficult to navigate.
While knowing your age group is important for marketing and pitching down the line, it can also drive your writing decisions in the first draft.
Listen in to learn more!
What to do next…
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