A Book and A Dream: An author’s adventure in writing, reading, and being an epic fangirl
Do you love books? Are you in the mood for a laugh? Join Megan O'Russell's journey as she dives further into the epic adventure of being an author, explores her love and obsession of all things book-related, and finds the humor in writing roadblocks. With twenty books across six series, Megan has taken the Indie Book world by storm. Her journey from traditional publishing to prolific Indie author has been filled with lots of laughter and more than a few tears. Whether you're an avid reader or a fellow author, this humorous look at the book world is meant for you.
Episodes
How many words does it take to complete a character arc with integrity while contributing to the greater narrative? How many miles can a rowboat travel along a coast in one day? How much backstory will your readers need, when do they need it, and what's the most efficient and entertaining way to offer that world building?
All of these questions become monumentally important when orchestrating an epic fantasy narrative.
On this e...
Planning on making that move through the wardrobe a permanent one? Here's a helpful list of questions to ask before deciding to apply for citizenship in a new fantasy world.
It's release day for Soul of Glass, book two in the Heart of Smoke series!
In today's episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan shares the top four reasons you'll want to escape into this paranormal dystopian with chemically induced vampires...as if chemically induced vampires weren't enough of a reason.
Did you know the love interest dies on page 235?
Did you want to know long before you hit the tragedy that destroyed the hero's heart?
Whether you like to know the trauma ahead or want to be surprised as you turn the page, spoilers can ruin or (allegedly) improve the reader's experience.
Dive into the pros and cons of knowing the plot twist in advance in this week's episode of A Book and A Dream.
From fonts to story formula, branding has a huge impact on how readers perceive authors.
Whether an author presents a chipper personality or offers a stark website, every interaction with readers fosters a future relationship.
As an author, it's your job to create a consistent brand that clearly tells your readers what to expect. As a reader, you (often subconsciously) interpret these cues to decide which books to adore and which...
700 years ago, the Great King of Inisvarden did...a bunch of stuff you won't need to know about until book six, but the author is dumping the information in the first part of book one.
If you've ever come across moments like this while reading, you're not alone. If you've ever come across moments like this while writing...you're NOT alone. The good news? There are many ways to avoid these info dumps.
Learn the tel...
To free, or not to free...
Offering the first book in your series for free can be a powerful marketing tool, but the method is neither foolproof nor danger-free.
From negative stereotypes to being lost in the chaos, this episode of A Book and A Dream will give you a crash course on navigating the free-books waters.
Reviews can make or break a book, but how does an author capture these illusive unicorns?
From searching for help to begging online, there are many mythical paths to reviews. But the way is dangerous.
Take the tale of my woe with you. It's dangerous to go alone!
Are you beginning to build your writing career?
Do you find humor in the unfortunate mistakes others have made?
Either way, this episode of A Book and A Dream is right for you.
From learning what advice invites chaos to the importance of building a digital home base, these are the top five things Megan O'Russell wishes she'd know when she was just beginning her journey as an author.
From sacrificial bleaching to rebellious chopping, hair changes have long been a way of outwardly displaying internal transformations.
From the sexist to the meaningful, it's time to dive back into a discussion full of tropes and truths.
Nurturing readers from buyers into fans is a long process filled with many perils.
But those special fans who become advocates for their favorite books can help keep authors from feeling like they're screaming into the void.
From Bookstagramming to creating social proof, dive into how unicorn readers can change an author's outlook and career.
When travel isn't possible, technology can save the day.
From virtual reality to obscure documentaries, there are many possibilities for doing worthwhile research from home and exciting possibilities for readers who want to dive further into their favorite stories.
Legacy. What is a legacy?
The words of an author can last long after they are gone, continuing to resonate with readers for generations. Or centuries.
The concept can seem surreal. But the passing of an author, reminder of copyright law, and durability of print books can make the question of a legacy panic-inducing and immediate.
Feeling a little trapped?
Staying safe has meant locking ourselves away from the world. But maybe our cages are cocoons.
From publishing new books to learning new skills, in this episode of A Book and A Dream, Megan O'Russell explores the transformations to carry with us as we break back out into the world.
A community of book lovers, a few curses, and some wardrobe issues.
What do these have in common? Thousands of views on social media.
For this week's episode of A Book and a Dream, Megan takes a dive into the world of TikTok and the strange encounters and epic viewership that can nurture a bridge between author and reader.
As mentioned in the episode, you can order your copy of Heart of Smoke by visiting https://books2read.com/he...
Looking for your next read? Amazon categories will guide you even if you don't shop in the Kindle store.
From some of the unfortunate mistakes authors make to how categories affect your next book binge, peek behind the curtain and see the nuts and bolts behind this literary love story.
Immense changes can be necessary between when the author feels a manuscript is ready and when the readers finally receive the book.
From standing up to an editor to preserve the heart of your story to adapting how you lure your reader into the world you've created, there is a fine line between what's worth fighting for and when you should simply hit delete.
Where is the line between productivity and madness?
For planning her 2021 publishing schedule, Megan O'Russell has pulled in her best resource to help her establish that fine line―her husband Chris.
In this special guest episode, Chris agrees to some projects he may later come to regret. If you're having problems choosing realistic 2021 goals, this episode is for you.
As mentioned in the episode, you can find the "wheel of...
Slogging through tough times can teach us valuable lessons.
While 2020 has been an undeniable disaster, Megan O'Russell offers some useful advice to carry into 2021, whether you're aiming to up your writing game or just trying to get through another Zoom meeting.
There are times to power through and times to step back and admit you need to change course.
Reconfiguring our plans is never a fun activity, but changing our expectations of ourselves and the world can be necessary for continuing to thrive artistically as the world throws one curve ball after another into your publishing path.
As mentioned in the episode, you can get your copy of The Girl Without Magic, book one in The Chronicles of...
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