Book Career Network

070 - Tim Akers, You're Weird Enough For Us, Part 1 [Worlds Asunder]

Our guest today is Tim Akers, author of more than ten (often genre-blending) fantasy novels and more short stories and novellas than we wanted to count. Tim was born in deeply rural North Carolina and is the last in a long line of telephony princes, tourist attraction barons, and gruff Scottish bankers. He moved to Chicago for college and stayed to pursue his lifelong obsession with apocalyptic winters. 
Author of series including the Spiritbinder Sag, the Burn Cycle Archives, and the Hallowed War books, Tim loves to write fantasy that blends elements of his favorite genres. Join us in learning about how to write a fantasy story in cyberpunk clothes. 
 
In Part One, We Discuss: 
Tim’s background–how he got into writing and first learned how to sell books 
Approaches to tackle blended genres 
Originality and creating new spins on classic tropes 
Incorporating themes into storytelling 
The importance of cosmology in speculative fiction 
The impacts of theology and personal beliefs on writing 
 
Resources and Guest Links: 
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/timakers.bsky.social 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TimAkers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.akers/ 
Reign of Dragons Kickstarter, featuring Tim’s short story Of the Wyrm: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jasmineyoungauthor/reign-of-dragons-illustrated-hardcover-anthology 
Neuromancer by William Gibson: https://www.amazon.com/Neuromancer-William-Gibson/dp/0441569595 
Huge thanks to Tim for joining us! He’s a great champion for writing stories you’re passionate about and bringing personal experiences and beliefs into speculative fiction. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it! 
 
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
 

069 - How Faith and Religion Impact Our Marketing Journey with Michelle Dowd - Author of Forager [Becoming A Household Name]

We look at faith and its impact on marketing. Spoiler: what you believe informs everything you do, and marketing is about translating what you believe into what other people do about you.

068 - Unlocking the Fan First Mindset with Michael Evans [Romancing Like Swift]

In this insightful episode of Romancing Like Swift, hosts Morgana Bevan and Emma-Lee Jane sit down with guest Michael Evans to discuss the powerful "Fans First" mindset and how authors can learn from Taylor Swift's approach to building genuine, lasting relationships with fans. They explore how prioritizing fans can lead to greater success and how storytelling plays a critical role in creating emotional connections. Drawing parallels with creatives like Taylor Swift, Jesse Cole of Savannah Bananas, and YouTuber Mark Rober, the conversation highlights the importance of adapting strategies, experimenting, and staying authentic.
Michael and the hosts dive into key principles authors can adopt, such as balancing creativity with business strategies, embracing experimentation, and learning from mistakes. They reflect on the benefits of data-driven decisions and the value of continuously evolving in both creative and business aspects. Practical tips on how authors can engage their readers, meet fan expectations, and create a fulfilling creative journey are also discussed.
Key Takeaways:
Adopting a “Fans First” mindset is crucial for long-term creative success.
Taylor Swift exemplifies the power of prioritizing fans through emotional connections and storytelling.
Building strong relationships with fans fosters deeper engagement and loyalty.
Authors should embrace experimentation to discover what works best for their audience.
Simplicity in strategy can make engagement more effective and authentic.
Nurturing genuine connections with fans is more valuable than chasing viral fame.
Balancing personal creativity with fan expectations can lead to more satisfying work.
Data-driven learning can enhance an author’s ability to meet audience needs.
Embracing a continuous cycle of reinvention helps foster both creative and business growth.
Success is about creating joy in the process of experimentation and connection.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Introduction to Romancing Like Swift Podcast
00:57 – Introducing Michael Evans
03:02 – Understanding the Fans First Concept
05:31 – Taylor Swift's Approach to Fans First
06:46 – Savannah Bananas and Fans First Strategy
07:46 – Mark Rober’s Approach with Crunch Labs
08:41 – Crafting Your Unique Fans First Strategy
12:29 – The Importance of Meta Story in Engaging Fans
19:35 – Planning vs. Doing: Finding a Creative Balance
22:50 – Experimentation and Adaptability for Creatives
26:20 – The Importance of Audience Connection
26:58 – Learning from Early Mistakes in Your Creative Career
28:05 – The Reality of Using Market Data for Creative Success
28:39 – The Role of Experimentation and Iteration in Growth
31:23 – The YouTube Revelation: Lessons from Video Creators
31:54 – A New Approach to Publishing for Authors
33:13 – Balancing Creativity and Business Success
40:49 – The Continuous Cycle of Reinvention for Artists
46:47 – Final Thoughts and Reflections

067 - Steve Ruskin, the Maned Historian Part 2 [Worlds Asunder]

Just what do you do with a PhD in the History of Science? Write novels–science fiction, urban fantasy, and thriller. Our guest today is Steve Ruskin, PhD. He’s the author of the nonfiction popular history novel America’s First Great Eclipse and countless academic writings, and also of the ExoRok Rebels science fiction series and Trina Piper magical thrillers. 
Steve’s unique background in academics and fiction give him great insight to author resources, creativity, and bringing character-driven fiction to life. 
 
In Part One, We Discuss: 
Painting targets around the points you want to hit in your plots 
On-location research and 
Detail writing, and using the five senses to set a scene  
Worldbuilding and story development in someone else’s shared universe 
Pulling story inspiration from history and integrating it into other genres 
Organization and juggling multiple projects 
 
Resources and Guest Links: 
Steve Ruskin: https://www.steveruskin.com/ 
Steve’s Newsletter: https://storyoriginapp.com/giveaways/f424f312-0fb9-11ee-938d-7f884ddf8bd0 
America’s First Great Eclipse: https://www.amazon.com/Americas-First-Great-Eclipse-Scientists-ebook/dp/B0716GT8FH 
ExoRok Rebels: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1BMNQQ1 
Trina Piper Thrillers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9KGPCSS 
Dean Wesley Smith workshops: https://deanwesleysmith.com/online-workshops/ 
Remnants of Empire anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Remnants-Empire-Ashes-Entecea-Book-ebook/dp/B0D52XCZ5D 
The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers: https://www.amazon.com/The-Anubis-Gates-Tim-Powers-audiobook/dp/B019G334ZO 
 
Huge thanks to Steve for coming over to record at our dining room table. We love being able to bring field specialists onto the show, and he’s no exception. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it! 
 
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
 

066 - Harnessing Resilience: Lessons from Taylor Swift and Overcoming Criticism [Romancing Like Swift]

In this episode of the Romancing Like Swift podcast, hosts Morgana Bevan and Emma-Lee Jane are joined by Becca Syme to dive into the challenges of handling criticism as an author and the impact it can have on emotional well-being. Drawing inspiration from Taylor Swift’s experiences, the conversation covers topics such as the influence of childhood trauma on handling criticism, the importance of self-acceptance, and the need to cultivate internal security and resilience.
Morgana, Emma, and Becca explore how external criticism can affect an author’s internal peace, stressing the importance of distinguishing between content and the critic’s personal conditions. They also discuss the fallacy of equating success with external validation, encouraging authors to build careers grounded in emotional stability and personal fulfillment.
Throughout the episode, Becca shares personal anecdotes, including her journey of embracing self-acceptance and processing grief through music. The conversation also addresses the role of parental influence, competition, and the myth of the “perfect product,” offering strategies for authors to navigate criticism with confidence.
Key Takeaways:
Criticism often reflects the internal struggles of the critic, rather than the content being criticized.
Childhood trauma can influence how we respond to criticism, and addressing those wounds is key to building internal security.
Self-acceptance and emotional resilience are essential for long-term success in the creative industry.
Success in the writing industry is complex and can’t be reduced to external metrics; authors should focus on internal growth and fulfillment.
Collaboration, community, and emotional growth play critical roles in handling criticism and competition.
Processing grief through creative outlets like music can be a powerful form of healing.
Learning to separate external opinions from personal worth is a vital step in achieving self-acceptance.
Episode Breakdown:
00:42 Dealing with Criticism: Insights from Taylor Swift
02:56 Understanding the Source of Criticism
06:00 Personal Experiences with Criticism
14:30 Childhood Trauma and Its Impact
27:58 Navigating the Publishing Industry
51:45 The Futuristic Mindset
58:58 Using the Parental Voice
01:00:13 Separating Yourself from Futuristic
01:01:47 Deconstructing Fear and Embracing Hope
01:04:15 Applying Tools Across Different Life Areas
01:07:03 Criticism and Self-Regulation
01:17:25 Navigating Parental Influence and Self-Acceptance
01:27:40 The Role of Criticism in Artistic Growth
01:32:43 Music, Writing, and Personal Reflections

065 - Steve Ruskin, the Maned Historian Part 1 [Worlds Asunder]

Just what do you do with a PhD in the History of Science? Write novels–science fiction, urban fantasy, and thriller. Our guest today is Steve Ruskin, PhD. He’s the author of the nonfiction popular history novel America’s First Great Eclipse and countless academic writings, and also of the ExoRok Rebels science fiction series and Trina Piper magical thrillers. 
Steve’s unique background in academics and fiction give him great insight to author resources, creativity, and bringing character-driven fiction to life. 
 
In Part One, We Discuss: 
Worldbuilding in historical and popular history writings 
 Nonfiction worldbuilding and research 
Writing character-driven nonfiction 
Where to start historical research and how to reach out to professionals
“Secret histories”: Finding the balance between historical accuracy and fictional liberties 
Maintaining a timeline and the differences between historical fiction and alternate history 
The Village Idiot Approach 
 
Resources and Guest Links: 
Steve Ruskin: https://www.steveruskin.com/ 
Steve’s Newsletter: https://storyoriginapp.com/giveaways/f424f312-0fb9-11ee-938d-7f884ddf8bd0 
America’s First Great Eclipse: https://www.amazon.com/Americas-First-Great-Eclipse-Scientists-ebook/dp/B0716GT8FH 
ExoRok Rebels: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1BMNQQ1 
Trina Piper Thrillers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9KGPCSS 
Extinction by Douglas Preston: https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Extinction-A-Novel/dp/B0C31M5X6V 
 
Huge thanks to Steve for coming over to record at our dining room table. We love being able to bring field specialists onto the show, and he’s no exception. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it! 
 
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
 

064 - Fixing Your Social Media Strategy: Why It Fails and Proven Ways to Improve [Becoming A Household Name]

Elizabeth Lyons is the author of WRITE THE DAMN BOOK ALREADY, and host of a podcast by the same name. She offers a course for new and emerging authors called PUBLISH THE DAMN BOOK ALREADY, and for all my listeners, she's offering a 25% discount when you use the code AUTHOR25. Check it out here: https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/publish

063 - Using Instagram To Become A Millionaire [Becoming A Household Name]

No matter how good you are, if you can't figure out how to be everywhere all the time, you can't do amazing things. That's why I've gone all in on using Instagram to promote my novels. In this episode, I'm continuing to look at how I'm driving new follows, likes, shares, and comments on Instagram. I share what's worked, what's failed, and all the in between.

062 - Collaborate Like Swift: How Teamwork Fuels Creativity for Authors [Romancing Like Swift]

In this episode of Romancing Like Swift, hosts Morgana Bevan and Emily Jane explore the creative and practical benefits of collaboration in the writing world, inspired by Taylor Swift’s selective partnerships on her album Tortured Poets Department. They dive into how collaborations, whether it’s co-writing books, creating shared worlds, or working with editors and cover designers, can fuel creativity, expand skill sets, and increase visibility for authors.
Morgana and Emily discuss how important it is to find the right collaborators and establish clear expectations to foster strong, long-lasting creative relationships. They highlight the parallels between collaborations in the music industry and the writing world, showing how both can benefit from shared projects and cross-promotions.
Additionally, they touch on strategies such as name-dropping and Easter eggs to engage readers and build a sense of community. The conversation wraps up with a fun “Kiss, Marry, Kill” segment, where the hosts reflect on some of their favorite Taylor Swift tracks and their personal resonance.
Key Takeaways:
Collaborations can fuel creativity, expand skill sets, and provide practical benefits such as increased visibility and shared workloads.
Finding the right collaborators is crucial for successful partnerships, and relationships may evolve over time.
Revisit themes and work with professionals like editors and cover designers to enhance the creative process.
Collaborations in the music industry, such as co-writing and featuring artists, can be applied to the writing world through co-authorship and shared worlds.
Establishing clear expectations and communication is vital when collaborating on creative projects.
Cross-promotion strategies like name-dropping and Easter eggs can build a sense of community and expand an author’s readership.
Collaborations require trust, flexibility, and the ability to handle feedback and criticism.
Different types of collaborations bring unique perspectives and styles to a project, enriching the final outcome.
Episode Breakdown:
00:31 – Taylor Swift’s Selective Collaborations
02:14 – The Benefits of Author Collaborations
04:45 – Creative Synergy and Skill Sharing
07:00 – The Emotional Support of Collaboration
11:23 – Mentorship and Learning from Others
19:48 – The Evolving Role of Editors and Producers
23:01 – Navigating the Writing Industry
27:20 – The Importance of Chemistry in Writing
28:03 – Choosing the Right Editor and Designer
29:47 – Collaborations and Co-Writing
31:54 – Shared Worlds and Cameos
44:34 – Cross-Promotion and Name Drops
46:23 – Tips for Finding a Co-Author
48:34 – Fun with Kiss, Marry, Kill
50:52 – Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

061 - James Fox: Only Writers Into Worldbuilding Part 2 [Worlds Asunder]

Every novelist wants to see their writing on the silver screen. Too easy. Step one, convert your book into a screenplay… Today’s guest is James Fox. He’s been in the film industry for over 22 years and has worked just about every role you can imagine in the industry. We’ll discuss his unique entry point into novel writing. He wrote his first book, Sol Saga: Revolution after pitching the same series as a screenplay. 
So what’s the difference between building a script and world for the screen vs the page? Join us as we dig into the details of screenwriting, writing characters, and even a little bit about pitching a show or movie. 
 
In Part Two, We Discuss: 
Character-driven vs plot-driven narratives 
Why writing relatable characters bring audiences in and builds rapport 
Character motivation 
Character internalizations on the screen vs the page 
Escapism as an author and a reader 
Writing plots and character arcs that satisfy readers 
Pitch decks and a few basic steps for writers interested in starting screenplays
 
Resources and Guest Links: 
James Fox: https://thejamesfox.com/ 
https://www.instagram.com/thejamesbfoxx/ 
The Sol Saga trilogy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRZ7QXW7?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_sirpi  
In Darkness Dwells: https://www.amazon.com/d/B0969MBHV2 
 
We’re privileged to share a publishing company and friendship with James. When we found out he was also hosting a Book Career Network podcast, we knew we had to do a collaboration! Check out his show, Ink & Effort, that releases every Friday! 
 
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