Book Career Network

048 - How to Evaluate AI Models [Author Intelligence]

In this episode of Author Intelligence, explore various aspects of writing and publishing with AI assistance. We'll address the lack of beginner resources in the FFA (Future Fiction Academy) realm and endors several YouTube channels dedicated to writing and AI, such as those by Ekelo Harrods, Miragold, and several others. We'll also add insights into these channels and individuals, while emphasizing the importance of including more women in the AI writing space.

047 - Circular Storytelling To Land The Emotional Punch [Romancing Like Swift]

In this episode of Romancing Like Swift, hosts Morgana Bevan and Emily McKay dive deep into the concept of circular storytelling, a technique that seeds an element at the beginning of a story and revisits it at the end to represent a character’s emotional journey. They explore how Taylor Swift masterfully employs this technique in her songs, using examples like the iconic scarf in "All Too Well" and the house in "The Last Great American Dynasty."
Morgana and Emily discuss how circular storytelling can be a powerful tool for authors, especially in romance novels, to create emotional resonance and give readers a sense of satisfaction and cleverness. They also share tips for writers on how to effectively integrate circular elements in their stories, emphasizing the importance of trusting the story’s natural flow, layering key elements throughout the narrative, and introducing settings through a character’s perspective.
Throughout the episode, they draw parallels between Swift’s storytelling methods and other literary works, such as Lord of the Rings, and highlight how circular storytelling is also used in comedy and sitcoms. The conversation is enriched with insights from Morgana and Emily’s personal writing experiences, offering listeners practical advice on how to enhance their own storytelling techniques.
Key Takeaways:
Circular storytelling involves planting a significant detail at the story’s beginning that is revisited at the end, often mirroring the character’s emotional journey.
Taylor Swift uses circular storytelling in her songs to create deeper narrative layers, as seen in "All Too Well" and "The Last Great American Dynasty."
This technique can be particularly effective in romance novels, enhancing emotional impact and making readers feel clever for noticing recurring themes or objects.
Authors should trust the natural progression of their story, layer in key elements from the beginning, and consider how settings can contribute to narrative closure.
Viewing a place through the eyes of a character who loves it can help to create a strong connection with readers and deepen the impact of circular storytelling.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction to Romancing Like Swift
01:22 – Exploring Circular Storytelling
03:41 – Lord of the Rings: A Case Study
10:10 – Taylor Swift’s Mastery of Circular Storytelling
19:09 – Comedy and Circular Storytelling
22:38 – Analyzing Song Narrative Structures
23:31 – Circular vs. Linear Storytelling
23:57 – Villain or Hero?
24:40 – Incorporating Circular Storytelling in Romance Books
29:04 – Trusting the Story
29:45 – Tips for Circular Storytelling
32:06 – Creating a Believable Setting
33:20 – The Importance of Character Perspective
38:35 – Final Thoughts on Circular Storytelling
39:15 – What We're Listening To

046 - Margs and Research Part 2 [Worlds Asunder]

Whether you love it or you hate it, sometimes writing just requires research. All authors fall down the rabbit hole at some point, but some genres require it more than others. Alternate history is such a beast. This genre requires attention to detail and strategic decisions about changes to true events and historical figures. This leads us to a warren of worldbuilding questions. Where do you start? When do you bring in primary sources? When do you need a centuries-old map to find a forest that doesn’t exist in the 21st century? How did people really talk during the Revolutionary War, and does it matter? 
We’re so pleased to introduce Kevin Ikenberry, science fiction, mil sci-fi, and alternate history writer. He’s the author of over 25 novels, including the alternate history novel The Crossing and non-fiction The Mercenary Guide to Story Structure. Join us as we interview Ike about historical research, ripples in time, genre differences, and how he decides where to take liberties in his alternate history. 
 
In Part Two, We Discuss: 
Using worldbuilding to create conflict for your characters 
Checking yourself and avoiding the research rabbit hole
How do changes impact the near-future in history? What about far-reaching futures?
The differences between alternate history and historical fiction 
The most important things to get right–or not–when writing historical events 
Organizational skills, tips, and K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple, Stupid
The story behind the iconic cover art of The Crossing 
 
Resources and Guest Links: 
https://kevinikenberry.com/ 
The Crossing: https://kevinikenberry.com/book/the-crossing/ 
The Mercenary Guide to Story Structure: https://kevinikenberry.com/book/the-mercenary-guide-to-story-structure/
The Guardian Covenant: https://kevinikenberry.com/book-series/the-guardian-covenant/  
Pre-order link for Steel on Target, book 1 of the Buzzer War from Kevin Ikenberry (releasing September 24th!): https://www.amazon.com/Steel-Target-Buzzer-War-Book-ebook/dp/B0D63MK837 
We can’t thank Ike enough–for his time or his margaritas. He’s as generous a host as he is an author, and we’re so grateful he was willing to share his experiences and expertise with our audience. 
 
Host Links: 
H.Y. Gregor: https://hygregor.com/
David Shadoin: https://www.davidshadoin.com/ 
 
Credits: (all assets licensed through the sites listed)
Intro: Music- Cinematic Epic Trailer by PaulYudin on Pixabay
Animation and Image- From Vecteezy user- kazim hussian; from pixabay users-davidfoxx, DavidGallie, olenchic, stefaniejockschat, AiVreaSaStii, RuneSnow, duyen-nguyen, EnchantedStudios, 
Outro: Music- Good Night by FASSounds on Pixabay
Animation and Image- From Vecteezy user-onlydesignz; from pixabay users-olenchic, Placidplace, Evgeniy_Z, Dantegrafico, Shayea_Kim
 

045 - 90-Day Social Media Challenge [Becoming A Household Name]

In this episode, Jody Sperling challenges listeners to undertake a 90-day social media challenge by posting once daily on a selected social media platform. The goal is to create content relevant to one's passion or profession to see significant changes in engagement and reach. Jody shares personal experiences and reflections, including dealing with COVID-19 and the struggle of feeling unaccomplished. They emphasize the need for willpower to change life's course and relate this to efforts in social media. Jody proposes content strategies focused on themes within their work, particularly their "Luke in Time Mysteries" series, and invites listeners to share their progress and stories. 

044 - Mastering the Art of Editing with Tyler Byrnwerth [Ink & Effort]

In this episode of "Ink and Effort," host James Fox introduces guest Tyler Burnworth, discussing the complexities of the editing and revising process for writers. Both James and Tyler share insights into their own workflows, emphasizing the importance of treating writing and editing as a professional job. They explore various tools and techniques for improving efficiency, such as AI tools like Grammarly and Hemingway, though they express a preference for manual rereads. The episode highlights the necessity of understanding one's strengths and weaknesses and discusses overcoming mental struggles and maintaining self-discipline. Listener engagement is encouraged, and both James and Tyler share experiences of collaboration, character development, and ensuring high-quality finished products. As a close, they touch on the endless possibilities in writing and the freedom it affords, urging writers to stay motivated and continually improve their craft.

043 - Why Does the AI Have the Memory of Paw Paw? [Author Intelligence]

In this episode, hosts Elizabeth Ann West and Stacy Anderson, both seasoned authors and AI enthusiasts, dive deep into the fascinating yet challenging world of writing with AI assistance. They explore why AI, despite its advanced capabilities, often struggles with retaining information and context in fiction writing—a phenomenon humorously likened to having the memory of 'Paw Paw.' From discussing AI's limitations with context windows to providing valuable tips on planning, prompting, and using tools like Raptor Write, Elizabeth and Stacy share their insights and experiences to help fellow writers leverage AI effectively in their creative processes. Whether you're a plotter or a pantser, this episode is packed with practical advice on how to harness the power of AI while maintaining your unique narrative flair.

042 - Taylor Swift's Email Game with Holly Darling [Romancing Like Swift]

In this episode, Emma-Lee Jane and Morgana Bevan sit down with email marketing expert Holly Darling to dive deep into the world of email marketing for authors. They use Taylor Swift's strategy as a springboard, analyzing what works and where there’s room for improvement. The conversation highlights the immense power of email marketing in building a loyal fan base and boosting revenue for authors.
Emma, Morgana, and Holly discuss Taylor Swift’s approach, including her heavy reliance on image-only emails and the frequent placement of her emails in the promo tab. They explore missed opportunities in Taylor’s welcome sequence and suggest strategies for making her emails more personalized and engaging. Holly shares her expertise on how authors can leverage email marketing more effectively, from ensuring legal compliance to getting comfortable with sending regular emails.
The discussion also covers the importance of segmentation for improving email deliverability and engagement. Holly offers practical advice for planning email campaigns around book releases, including tips on increasing email frequency as the release date approaches. They also talk about ways to keep readers engaged between releases by sharing exclusive content, character POVs, and bonus stories.
Key Takeaways:
Email marketing is a powerful tool for authors to build a loyal fan base and increase revenue.
Taylor Swift’s email strategy could benefit from less reliance on image-only emails and a more engaging welcome sequence.
Authors can learn from Taylor’s consistent email schedule and her use of short, intriguing subject lines.
Personalization and exclusivity in emails are crucial for driving fan loyalty and engagement.
Ensure legal compliance when collecting and sending emails to protect your brand and audience.
Get comfortable with sending emails regularly to better understand and optimize your email marketing system.
Segmenting your email list is essential for improving deliverability and engagement rates.
Plan your email campaigns strategically, especially as a book release approaches, with more frequent emails leading up to the launch.
Keep readers engaged between releases by offering bonus content, character POVs, or exclusive stories.
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Holly Darling
Website - https://hollydarlinghq.com/
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/181189192674935
Courses - https://hollydarlinghq.com/courses/

041 - Margs and Research Part 1 [Worlds Asunder]

Whether you love it or you hate it, sometimes writing just requires research. All authors fall down the rabbit hole at some point, but some genres require it more than others. Alternate history is such a beast. This genre requires attention to detail and strategic decisions about changes to true events and historical figures. This leads us to a warren of worldbuilding questions. Where do you start? When do you bring in primary sources? When do you need a centuries-old map to find a forest that doesn’t exist in the 21st century? How did people really talk during the Revolutionary War, and does it matter? 
We’re so pleased to introduce Kevin Ikenberry, science fiction, mil sci-fi, and alternate history writer. He’s the author of over 25 novels, including the alternate history novel The Crossing and non-fiction The Mercenary Guide to Story Structure. Join us as we interview Ike about historical research, ripples in time, genre differences, and how he decides where to take liberties in his alternative history. 
 
In Part One, We Discuss: 
The seed idea and origins of Kevin’s alternate history novel, The Crossing 
Where to start when researching for alternate history and how to decide where to start 
Vetting your sources 
Alternate history considerations to set up your story: what changes can you make to history, and how do they impact your story? What happens if you insert modern characters into a historical setting, and how would historical figures react? 
How to approach writing famous historical figures
Asking key questions to determine changes in history and creating realistic responses for your characters, both real and fabricated
“Ripples” in history: what happens when you inject interchangeable parts and speed up the Industrial Revolution?
Maps, terrain, and historical changes in geography 
 
Resources and Guest Links: 
https://kevinikenberry.com/ 
The Crossing: https://kevinikenberry.com/book/the-crossing/ 
The Mercenary Guide to Story Structure: https://kevinikenberry.com/book/the-mercenary-guide-to-story-structure/
The Guardian Covenant: https://kevinikenberry.com/book-series/the-guardian-covenant/  
The British Are Coming, Rick Atkinson: https://revolutiontrilogy.com/books/the-british-are-coming/ 
 
We can’t thank Ike enough–for his time or his margaritas. He’s as generous a host as he is an author, and we’re so grateful he was willing to share his experiences and expertise with our audience. 
 
Host Links: 
H.Y. Gregor: https://hygregor.com/
David Shadoin: https://www.davidshadoin.com/ 
 
Credits: (all assets licensed through the sites listed)
Intro: Music- Cinematic Epic Trailer by PaulYudin on Pixabay
Animation and Image- From Vecteezy user- kazim hussian; from pixabay users-davidfoxx, DavidGallie, olenchic, stefaniejockschat, AiVreaSaStii, RuneSnow, duyen-nguyen, EnchantedStudios, 
Outro: Music- Good Night by FASSounds on Pixabay
Animation and Image- From Vecteezy user-onlydesignz; from pixabay users-olenchic, Placidplace, Evgeniy_Z, Dantegrafico, Shayea_Kim
 

040 - Organic Reach Through Social Media [Becoming A Household Name]

Like it or hate it, if you're an artist who wants to find a thriving audience, you need to crack the social media code, and that means spending time learning how social works. If you want to try building an audience with a collaborative team, connect with me @jodyjsperling or jodyjsperling@gmail.com.

039 - Not Safe for Work Part 3 [Author Intelligence]

Blow Jobs and Torture Scenes. That’s It. Size, Cost & Performance
Foundational Models like to clutch their pearls.
What’s an author to do when they need to write sex and violence? Go opensource.
For more data, click here: https://shy-jackrabbit-e9e.notion.site/Episode-6-7-8-NSFW-44d1bc5394fd484ba16d6f94ed1db535