The Writing and Marketing Show

Unlock the secrets of authentic historical storytelling with historian and author Lexi Cunningham as we paint the past with words. From the serene setting of Westerwood Hotel and Spa in Scotland, our writing retreat provides the perfect backdrop for this rich discourse on infusing your fiction with the hues of history. We venture beyond the surface of online encyclopedias, diving into the depths of scholarly texts and the whisperin...

Discover the magic that unfolds when setting takes center stage in a novel, transforming lifeless backdrops into dynamic entities with a soul of their own. This week, best-selling author Danny Petrie joins me, Wendy H Jones, to unravel the secrets behind crafting settings that captivate and characters who resonate with readers like old friends. Amidst the rugged Alaskan wilderness and the vibrant streets of Santa Fe, we delve into ...

Have you ever faced a character in a book so flat they seem to fall off the page? Fear not, fellow wordsmiths, for I, Wendy H Jones, am here to share the secret sauce to spicing up your characters! This episode of the Writing and Marketing Show is a treasure trove of insights into the subtle art of characterisation. From the lush setting of Wester Wootatelle and Spa to the vibrant aisles of the London Book Fair, I take you on a whi...

Fate threw a curveball that had us scrambling from the flames of my cousin's house fire to the tranquil embrace of a dense woodland retreat. As I share the harrowing details and our impromptu relocation, you'll feel the weight of the narrative's backdrop—the enigmatic allure of the woods—taking center stage. It's in this unexpected haven where I ponder the profound influence of setting on storytelling, drawing p...

Life has a way of tossing curveballs that can either strike us out or propel us to new heights. When my home was devastated by a flood, it felt like a heart-wrenching setback, but that experience became a catalyst for growth and new opportunities in my writing and work. Embrace change with me, Wendy H Jones, as I recount the resilience it took to rebuild and how this unexpected twist led to inspiring roles like managing a crime ant...

Get ready for a thrilling journey as we sit down with Marty McNair, debut author of the riveting dystopian novel, Island of Ruin. McNair's fascination with dystopian fiction, her inspirations, and the journey of her protagonist, Jasmine, are laid bare in this intriguing conversation. The struggle against oppression, the power of resilience and the art of creating an immersive world, are just a handful of the topics we'll ...

When COVID-19 left me, Wendy H Jones, wiped out, it was a wake-up call to the importance of self-care. Fellow authors, this episode is an intimate reflection on that experience and a stark reminder of how crucial looking after ourselves is. We're diving deep into the strategies that have seen me through - quality sleep, avoiding late-night exposure to blue screens, and staying well hydrated. 

We're not stopping a...

Summoning all mystery enthusiasts and budding crime writers! Get ready for an engrossing conversation with Phoenix-based author, Claire A Murray. Armed with a suite of compelling short stories and novels, she'll reveal the secret behind crafting narratives that have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.

Ever wondered how to create dialogue that resonates with reality? Claire's insights will provide you the...

Imagine strolling through the lush greens of nature, absorbing tranquility, and penning down your observations to engage readers worldwide. Our guest Linda Brown has done just that! She’s turned her lockdown walks into a successful career, writing for Nature magazines. Linda's experiences and writings bring nature to life, painting vivid imagery with her words. She starts by sharing her journey, beginning with how her nature r...

Ever wondered how to make your series characters captivating, engaging, and real? The key is layering their personalities, their stories, their motivations, and their unresolved issues in just the right way. Today, we're honored to have Linda Mather, author of a murder mystery series starring an astrologer-private investigator, on the show. As a seasoned writer, she takes us behind the scenes, sharing how she crafts her charac...

A  fascinating glimpse into the world of mortuary archaeology with our expert guest, Sarah N Rubin. Sarah, a seasoned archaeologist, takes us on an enlightening journey through the lens of time, sharing her rich experiences from excavations all over the world, from Ohio to Jerusalem. Promising a wealth of intriguing insights, we traverse the boundaries of science, history, culture, and literature in this captivating episode.
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Ready to venture into the world of pocket novels? Let's uncover the secrets together with Sue Cook, the acclaimed pocket novelist. Our chat goes beyond the size, length, and style as we understand what it takes to craft a captivating narrative within the constraints of a pocket novel. We reveal why staying slightly under the word count is crucial and how the word count requirement varies between People's Friend and My Wee...

Join Wendy H Jones as she engages in a fascinating conversation with Lynn Random, a seasoned volunteer and expert in the field of search and rescue. With a rich background in advertising, marketing, and public relations, Lynn brings a unique perspective to this critical area of community service. Her stories are riveting; from volunteering with local canine search and rescue to gracing writers' conferences as a guest speaker, ...

Ever wondered how a seasoned journalist crafts fascinating stories for children's magazines? Join us as we unravel this intriguing world with our guest, Rebekah, a content producer for Children's Magazine at DC Thompson. Rebecca gives us an insider's view on the unique aspects of writing for children, emphasizing the need for interactive elements such as quizzes, puzzles, and even coloring designs to engage young min...

What if you could captivate young minds and inspire a love for reading? Join me and children's picture book author, Pauline Tate, as we navigate this enchanting world. We dive into the art of crafting engaging characters and compelling narratives, exploring the vital role of illustrations and the delicate balance between simplicity and captivating storytelling. 

Our lively conversation also delves into the business si...

Ever wondered how to transform your manuscript from good to brilliant? Today, we’re demystifying the art of self-editing and sharing coveted tricks to enhance your writing style. Home in on sentence structure, narrative flow, and the fine details of spelling and grammar to shape your narrative into an engaging masterpiece. Discover the power of potent verbs, the subtle art of punctuation, and why reading your manuscript aloud could...

Discover the power of art and music in historical fiction research with award-winning author, Sheena MacLeod. Infuse your writing with the emotional depth and rich dimensionality that these two mediums offer. Our conversation journeys through Sheena's fascinating approach to research, touching on areas such as the emotional turmoil of Scots during the clearances as depicted in Thomas Faed's painting, 'The Last of the...

Ever felt like you're chasing inspiration with a club, only to watch it flutter away just out of reach? You're not alone. We've been there, and in this podcast episode, we share how we overcame it and how you can too. We offer practical tips to keep your motivation and inspiration alive, drawing from the wisdom of writing giants like Jack London and Ray Bradbury. We also delve into my personal experience of writing i...