Book Career Network

088 - Kacey Ezell, It Builds Character Pt 2 [Worlds Asunder]

Today’s guest, Kacey Ezell, was born in South Dakota and grew up around the world on various military bases. When she was seven, her mother gave her a copy of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragondrums, and shortly thereafter, Kacey decided that she wanted to be a dragonrider when she grew up. From the time she was a small child, Kacey made up stories to tell to her friends and family. 
Kacey’s emotionally-fueled fiction includes alternate history, fantasy, noir, and science fiction. She’s a master in emotional resonance and character building! Join us in learning the tips and tricks to build characters with believable emotional arcs. 
 
In Part One, We Discuss: 
Saving character details for reference 
Background information: what do you need to tell the story? 
Choosing where to focus your background development 
Tropes and genre 
Character motivation 
Using character flaws and strengths and plot points 
 
Resources and Guest Links: 
https://kaceyezell.net/
Newsletter and free short stories: https://kaceyezell.net/the-dragons-horde/ 
Psyche of War: https://kaceyezell.net/book-series/the-psyche-of-war/ 
World Anvil: https://www.worldanvil.com/ 
Notion: https://www.notion.com/ 
 
Join us in thanking Kacey! She’s a great author and an even better friend, and we’re grateful she took time out of her relaxicon to interview and give us the inside scoop on how she crafts excellent characters. 
 
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
 

087 - Everything but the Kitchen Sink [Becoming A Household Name]

All the things I'm doing to grow the reader base.

086 - Driving Sales Through Newsletters with Natalie Knight [Romancing Like Swift]

In this episode of Romancing Like Swift, hosts Morgana Bevan and Emma-Lee Jane welcome author and marketing expert Natalie Knight to explore the world of e-commerce email marketing for authors. Natalie shares her expertise on crafting impactful email strategies tailored for direct sales, explaining the key differences between traditional author newsletters and e-commerce-focused campaigns. The discussion covers topics like segmentation, creating effective email flows, and optimizing book bundles to drive engagement and sales.
The conversation also highlights how Taylor Swift’s business acumen, from exclusive product offerings to strategic pricing, can inspire authors in their marketing efforts. Natalie dives into the importance of maintaining separate email lists for marketing and newsletters, retargeting potential buyers, and leveraging special editions and exclusive content to entice readers. The episode concludes with a lighthearted discussion about favorite Taylor Swift songs and the emotional connection they foster.
 
Key Takeaways:
Direct sales newsletters should focus on product promotion rather than personal stories.
Traditional author newsletters and e-commerce marketing emails serve distinct purposes and require tailored strategies.
Segmentation is essential for targeted and effective communication with readers.
Maintaining separate email lists for newsletters and direct marketing enhances organization and effectiveness.
Retargeting flows can help convert potential buyers and maximize sales.
Bundling books or products can boost sales and attract reader interest.
Exclusive editions and limited-time offerings create urgency and drive sales.
Pricing strategies should reflect the value of the content while appealing to readers.
Automating email flows simplifies marketing efforts and improves engagement.
Authors can repurpose older works or create special editions to rejuvenate reader interest.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction to Romancing Like Swift Podcast
00:31 – Guest Introduction: Natalie Knight
01:14 – Natalie’s Journey as an Author
01:47 – Exploring Direct Sales for Authors
02:13 – Taylor Swift’s Email Marketing Strategies
03:41 – Differences Between Author Newsletters and Marketing Emails
06:46 – Managing Email Lists and Effective Segmentation
13:33 – Setting Up Essential Email Flows
17:27 – Crafting Campaign Strategies for Authors
20:43 – Optimizing Book Bundles and Pricing Strategies
28:12 – Pricing Approaches for Authors
29:35 – Effective Drip Campaigns for Book Sales
32:19 – Preparing for Black Friday and Seasonal Sales
34:08 – Creating Special Editions and Product Variations
42:50 – Leveraging Exclusive Content and Bundles
44:44 – Repackaging Older Works for New Audiences
46:48 – Concluding Thoughts and Current Music Obsessions
 
Links & Resources
Natalie’s website: https://nkcopywriting.com/ 
Find Natalie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenatalieknight 
 
Some Klaviyo Black Friday sessions (you may need to be logged into Klaviyo to access)
Land in the inbox on Black Friday Cyber Monday: https://academy.klaviyo.com/en-us/courses/land-in-the-inbox-on-black-friday-cyber-monday
Last minute BFCM checklist: https://academy.klaviyo.com/last-minute-bfcm-checklist 
Black Friday Cyber Monday campaign best practices: https://academy.klaviyo.com/en-us/courses/black-friday-cyber-monday-campaign-best-practices/1725924 
Prepare your flows for BFCM: https://academy.klaviyo.com/en-us/courses/prepare-your-flows-for-bfcm/1745915 
Turn BFCM shoppers into repeat customers: https://academy.klaviyo.com/en-us/courses/turn-bfcm-shoppers-into-repeat-customers/1807379

085 - Kacey Ezell, It Builds Character Pt 1 [Worlds Asunder]

Today’s guest, Kacey Ezell, was born in South Dakota and grew up around the world on various military bases. When she was seven, her mother gave her a copy of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragondrums, and shortly thereafter, Kacey decided that she wanted to be a dragonrider when she grew up. From the time she was a small child, Kacey made up stories to tell to her friends and family. 
Kacey’s emotionally-fueled fiction includes alternate history, fantasy, noir, and science fiction. She’s a master in emotional resonance and character building! Join us in learning the tips and tricks to build characters with believable emotional arcs. 
 
In Part One, We Discuss: 
Every villain is the hero of their own story; writing unpopular characters 
Every hero is probably the villain of someone else’s story 
Redemption arcs 
Characters we love to hate 
How worldbuilding impacts characters and vice versa 
Tools to track details 
 
Resources and Guest Links: 
https://kaceyezell.net/
Newsletter and free short stories: https://kaceyezell.net/the-dragons-horde/ 
Psyche of War: https://kaceyezell.net/book-series/the-psyche-of-war/ 
World Anvil: https://www.worldanvil.com/ 
Notion: https://www.notion.com/ 
 
Join us in thanking Kacey! She’s a great author and an even better friend, and we’re grateful she took time out of her relaxicon to interview and give us the inside scoop on how she crafts excellent characters. 
 
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
 

084 - Aligning Your Writer and Career Goals [The Plot Geek Academy]

How often do we hear an author say, “I just want to write books”? If only it were that simple. In this lesson, we discuss ensuring that your writing goals, like what, how, and how much you want to write, also align with what you want from a writing career. In other words, how you define success. 
 
Join Jana, CJ, and Troy of the Plot Geek Academy as they break down this deep topic to help you decide what success means to you and how you can get there.
 

083 - Public Relations for Authors with Kathleen Schmidt [Becoming A Household Name]

Curious about building your author brand? In this episode, we explore the value of social media, traditional publishing, and much more with Kathleen Schmidt. She’s the founder of Publishing Confidential, and you can subscribe on Substack.

082 - Mastering Author Newsletters with Holly Darling [Romancing Like Swift]

In this episode of Romancing Like Swift, hosts Morgana Bevan and Emma-Lee are joined by returning guest Holly Darling to discuss the art of email marketing for authors. Drawing inspiration from Taylor Swift’s mastery of storytelling and fan engagement, the conversation explores how authors can use newsletters to connect with their audience, build anticipation, and foster a loyal community of readers.
Holly shares practical strategies, including how to gamify reader engagement, personalize content through segmentation, and reward superfans with exclusive perks. The discussion also tackles overcoming imposter syndrome, using automation to streamline communication, and collaborating with other authors to expand reach. Packed with actionable tips, this episode is a must-listen for authors looking to take their email marketing to the next level.
Key Takeaways:
Email marketing is a powerful tool for authors to build a community and deepen connections with readers.
Storytelling within newsletters enhances reader engagement and loyalty.
Overcoming imposter syndrome is key to creating authentic and effective communication.
Personal stories make newsletters relatable and foster a sense of connection.
Gamifying reader engagement can boost interaction and excitement.
Rewarding superfans with exclusive content or perks strengthens community bonds.
Collaborative newsletters among authors can increase reach and engagement.
Polls and surveys help authors understand reader preferences and tailor content.
Segmenting audiences allows for targeted, personalized communication.
Consistency in sending newsletters is vital for maintaining reader interest and trust.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction to Romancing Like Swift
01:18 – Guest Introduction: Holly Darling Returns
04:54 – The Power of Storytelling in Emails
06:09 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
08:33 – Engaging Readers with Personal Stories
12:48 – Using Newsletters for Book Marketing
18:56 – Preparing for Book Launches
27:57 – Building Effective Marketing Systems
30:06 – Understanding the Audience
30:32 – Rewarding Your Superfans
31:19 – Creative Reward Systems
37:45 – Collaborative Newsletters
47:48 – Advanced Newsletter Strategies
51:59 – Kiss, Marry, Kill: Music Edition
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Holly Darling
Website - https://hollydarlinghq.com/
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/181189192674935
Courses - https://hollydarlinghq.com/courses/

081 - J.T. Evans, The City Planner's Committee, Pt 2 [Worlds Asunder]

Our latest guest is J.T. Evans, fantasy, science fiction, and horror author and former president of Colorado Springs Fiction Writers Group and Pikes Peak Writers. Today he brings his expertise and experience in both writing and gaming to help us dig into the nitty gritty of fantasy city building. 
When not writing, he keeps computers secure at the Day Job, spends time with his family, and plays way too many tabletop games. J.T. joined the Gnome Stew Crew in March of 2016. Since that time, he has written dozens of articles for the site and has earned three Gold ENnie awards (2016, 2017, and 2018) as part of the team at Gnome Stew. He is the author of the Modern Mythology and Flashing Blades series and is hastily working on more right now.
 
In Part Two, We Discuss: 
Reasons and implications for city locations and environments
City resources and the role of standardization and 
Natural disasters and character reactions to their surroundings 
Governing bodies, including some of their flaws 
Maps!
 
Resources and Guest Links: 
https://jtevans.net/ 
The Flashing Blades series: https://jtevans.net/publications/flashing-blades/ 
Modern Mythology series: https://jtevans.net/publications/modern-mythology/ 
Newsletter subscription: https://jtevans.net/about/contact/ 
Gnome Stew: https://gnomestew.com/ 
Stay tuned for links to JT’s maps and other photo resources! 
 
Join us in thanking JT! We’re fortunate to claim him as a writing colleague and a friend. We’re seriously grateful he lent us his expertise for this episode and loved digging into the nitty-gritty of city building with him. 
 
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
 

080 - What Do You Want from Your Author Career? [The Plot Geek Academy]

One of the most important things you as a writer can do for yourself is determine your why. In this episode of The Plot Geek Academy, we’ll tackle how to determine what you want from your author career, what those things might be, and how knowing your why can set you up for success. 
 
Join Troy, CJ, and Jana as they share their journey, and how you can find your own path to author success, however you define it. 
 

079 - From Page to Platform: Growing an Audience for Novels with Social Media, In-Person Sales, and Attention-Driven Marketing [Becoming A Household Name]

Curious about building your author brand? In this episode, we explore how I’ve grown my Instagram to 740 followers, hit a 3,000-view milestone on my latest reel, and prepped for my showing at Twin Cities Con. I’ll share strategies on leveraging social media, boosting in-person book sales, and creating attention-driven marketing for authors eager to connect with readers and expand their reach. Join me for insights on turning your passion into a growing, engaged audience!