The Merry Writer Podcast: Recent Episodes

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week, we’re getting to know Amy L. Bernstein. Amy is a multi-genre author who’s been writing for decades. She’s written a wide range of mediums from poetry and short stories to fiction and nonfiction. Amy’s most recent release, Tent City, is a contemporary dystopian family saga.

In this episode, we cover:

• Amy's writing routine
• How Amy began writing in many forms
• Self-doubt advice
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUTAMY L. BERNSTEIN

Amy L. Bernstein writes award-winning fiction and nonfiction that lets readers feel while making them think. As the author of six novels, including Tent City, and a book of inspiration for creatives called Wrangling the Doubt Monster, Amy brings a compassionate and insightful voice to writers' conferences around the country. A former journalist, Amy also works as a book coach, helping nonfiction authors craft compelling book proposals. She welcomes followers to her weekly Substack, Doubt Monster, which explores the agony and ecstasy of creativity.

Website | Instagram | Substack

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

What does it take to get your readers to cry? How can we make the connection that buries so deep within them, that they are moved to tears. That's what we are discussing today!

In this episode, we cover:

• Quiet spaces
• Relatability
• For big... go small
• and more

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to review our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We interpreted this question in two ways, so this episode is like a two-for-one! This week, we discuss how you find your genre that best suits your writing voice and how to market your genre.

In this episode, we cover:

• Your author's niche
• Your book's genre
• Subgenres and keywords

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week, we welcome back onto the podcast, author Liz Shipton. Liz joined us last year to discuss her book Dot Slash Magic and she's back with us to talk about her new female-rage-fueled fantasy satire, Mother & Slaughter.

In this episode, we cover:

• About her characters
• Themes in her book
• Running kickstarters
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT LIZ SHIPTON

Liz Shipton is a hybrid author and Booktok personality, best known for her urban fantasy Dot Slash Magic, which received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, and her viral comedy videos. Liz lives on a sailboat in the Caribbean with her partner and dog.

Website | Instagram | YouTube| TikTok | Threads

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Whether you write in multiple genres, different mediums, or post your work in various places: how do you retain your readers? This week, we discuss how you can potentially keep your readers reading no matter what you write. But the answer isn't as simple as you'd hope.

In this episode, we cover:

• What retaining your readers means
• Figuring out your focus and ideal audience
• Research marketing

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Join us in welcoming a new guest to the show: author Danielle Harrington! Danielle is a fantasy author who writes The Wells of Power series. Book one, Keyholder, is available now. This week, we learn the ins and outs her writing.

In this episode, we cover:

• Danielle's work-life balance
• How she got into writing fantasy
• Advice for writing plot twists
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT DANIELLE HARRINGTON

Danielle Harrington is a stay-at-home mom, award-winning author, and hardcore science nerd. She earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Biola University and taught high school chemistry for five years before becoming a full-time writer. Her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of Quidditch, BookTok, Middle Earth, and the perfect hand-crafted chai tea latte. Danielle lives in Idaho with her family. Her current mission: Give readers twists they don't see coming and imaginings that keep them thinking long after the story ends.

Website

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Sometimes we take a break from writing and it's not intentional. Other times, it is. Regardless of why you took a break or for how long that break was, it can be difficult getting back to writing after a hiatus. This week, we discuss how to jump back into writing without burning yourself out right away.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a writing hiatus is
• Rachel's tips
• Ari's tips

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

In today's episode we are discussing what things we were willing and happy to spend money on to help our writing life!

In this episode, we cover:

• Editor
• Scrivener
• Courses
• Cover artist

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We all know what writing prompts are, but what about writing exercises? If you want to improve your craft, writing exercises are a great way to do so. This week, we discuss what writing exercises are and the differences between them and prompts.

In this episode, we cover:

• Writing exercises vs. writing prompts
• Examples of writing exercises
• Why they're important

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Please help us welcome another author to the show, Adina Chiles! Adina is a YA Fantasy author who’s a creator and collector of fictional worlds. Her book, Secrets of a Rose, is the first title in the Royal Blood series, and is available now.

In this episode, we cover:

• Adina's work in the YA fantasy genre
• How she got her literary agent
• Her writing routine
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT ADINA CHILES

ADINA CHILES has an obsession with all things; coffee, fantasy, and contemporary. She is both a creator and collector of fictional worlds and enjoys the company of a good book over peopling.

She was born and raised in Northern California, and outside of the book world, she enjoys creating new recipes for her baking business, traveling, and binge-watching shows.

Adina is currently published by Forever Young and Never & Ever, and she hopes in the near future to expand and publish a few contemporary pieces.

Website | Instagram

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

It's 2026, which means everything is online. It's important to promote your book on and offline, but one great way to get many eyes on your book is to run a virtual book blog tour. How does one do that? Well, that's what we're discussing this week.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a book blog tour is
• What set up entails (and how long)
• Finding participants and working with them

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Writing can be a lonely business and there's a lot to learn when you want to become a published author. Having connections to people who understand what it's like and building communities can be really useful. So today we are talking about networking and how to do it (according to us!) :)

In this episode, we cover:

• What is networking (according to us)
• Why networking can be important
• How to network
• and more

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to review our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

A few episodes ago, we touched upon book launch roadmaps. It was then we realized that we had never discussed a roadmap on the show before, so here we are. Just what is a book launch roadmap and what does it entail? This week, we discuss how to use a roadmap to streamline your self-publishing journey.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a book launch roadmap is
• Why it's important
• How to create and use one

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week, we’re getting to know author Jill Haymaker. Jill is a contemporary western romance author with several short stories published. She writes the Montana Pines series, which currently has eight books available now.

In this episode, we cover:

• Jill's writing inspiration
• Marketing tactics
• Her self-publishing journey
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT JILL HAYMAKER

ill has always had a passion for writing. She resides on the front range of Colorado and enjoys getting up into the mountains and riding horses. If you love western small town romance, you will love the strong heroines and handsome cowboys in her books.

She has three contemporary romance series set high in the Colorado Rockies—the Peakview Series, the Aspen Ridge Series, and the Peaktop Dude Ranch Series. Currently she is writing a Montana Pines Series. She also has several short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul.

She practiced family law for over 20 years before closing her law office to become a full-time author. She has three grown children, and six granddaughters and one grandson.

When not writing, Jill enjoys the Colorado mountains, horseback riding, gardening, long walks with her Toy Australian Shepherd, Merlin, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads | TikTok

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

A crucial part of prepping your book for publication to ensuring it prints correctly and looks great without any errors. To check that, you need to order an author proof. This week, we discuss how to give your author proof a thorough look over to make sure it's 110% ready for publication.

In this episode, we cover:

• What an author proof is
• Draft2Digital vs IngramSpark vs Amazon KDP
• Checking in interior and exterior
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

EDIT: Apologies for the technical issues. During the recording our connection became unstable and both myself and Rachel ended up out of Zoom for brief periods

Yes, we are back with another editing episode. For those new to writing, the editing process can be quite overwhelming, so we discuss some things that can help you get started and what to consider when editing your first manuscript.

In this episode, we cover:

• Know the types of edits
• Make a list of things to consider
• Take a break
• Use a style sheet
• First pass read
• Get outside help
• and more

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to review our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Unfortunately, we need to promote our books when we write them. In a digital world, social media is the way to go. But how can you take enticing book photos for your social channels? That's what we discuss this week.

In this episode, we cover:

• Equipment and lighting to use
• Props you can use
• Editing your photos

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We are discussing characters and how to develop them a little deeper.

In this episode, we cover:

• Go beyond the basic archetype
• Beginning, middle and end
• Use conflict
• Don't forget side characters

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week, we’re getting to know Sam Weiss. Sam is a sci-fi horror author who’s been published for over ten years, drawing inspiration from 80s horror films and 90s sci-fi films. Her latest release, In the House of Root and Rot, is available now.

In this episode, we cover:

• Sam's writing inspiration
• Weird book research
• Her self-publishing journey
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT SAM WEISS

While Sam is terrible at writing “About Me”s about her, she’s been told she’s great at writing about what fictional people do. The more miserable she can make them, the better.

Her love of horror films from the 80s, sci-fi shows from the 90s, and alternative music from the 00s have inspired her to write what she’s calling “Weird Sci-fi Horror” although she’s kind of making that up as she goes along.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads | TikTok

Buy The Stages of Decay

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We are back with another editing episode. Today, we are discussing when to hire a professional editor.

In this episode, we cover:

• What you need to have done
• Who needs to see it first
• Getting over perfectionism
• and more

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Universal links are an excellent way to tell people where you are and what you do with one click of a button. But not as many people seem to use them often, so we decide to discuss it this week.

In this episode, we cover:

• What universal links are
• What to include in your universal link
• How you can make universal links

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Today, we are all about the ISBNs - covering lots of things from pricing to expiry dates. In this episode, we cover:* What is it? * Where to get them * How many are needed * Do they expire * Costs * Barcodes

Resources

Nielsen ISBN Store

Bowker ISBN

ISBN International

Kindlepreneur (for free barcodes)

Draft2Digital

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Please help us welcome our first guest of 2026, Jenna Moreci! Jenna is a dark fantasy romance author who also runs a successful YouTube channel. The first installment of her dark fantasy romance series, The Savior’s Champion, was voted one of the best books of all time by Book Depository. The latest installment, book three titled The Savior’s Army, is available for pre-order.

In this episode, we cover:

• Jenna's writing process
• Her YouTube channel
• Her writing journey
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT JENNA MORECI

Jenna Moreci is an award-winning romantasy and writing craft author and YouTube sensation. Her first installment in the Savior’s Series, The Savior’s Champion, was voted one of the Best Books of All Time by Book Depository. Following the release of her first writing craft book, Shut Up and Write the Book, she’s been asked to speak for many literary communities and affiliations about the writing process and romantasy genre, including Robinson College at Cambridge University, the University of Groningen, and the London Screenwriters’ Festival.

Website | YouTube | Instagram | BookBub | Facebook

Preorder The Savior's Army

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you struggle with knowing when to "finish" your writing? Are you stuck in a loop of never-ending edits? Don't worry, you're not alone - we've been there too.

In this episode, we cover:

• Getting outside help
• Acknowledging procrastination
• Setting deadlines
• and more

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to review our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Reviews are precious to an author, but how can you get them? Most casual readers don't leave reviews so you'll have to seek them out. One way to do that is to reach out to book bloggers. This week, we discuss how to pitch your book to them.

In this episode, we cover:

• What to do before pitching your book
• Sending your pitching
• After you send the pitch

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Just how many edit passes do you give your manuscript before sending it off to a professional editor? This is what we are discussing in today's episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• Ari’s editing process
• Rachel’s editing process
• Our thoughts

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week, we discuss some of our favorite writing craft books that help us get through our writing. We touch upon mystery, fantasy, and writing in general, plus the career side of it.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why writing craft books are useful
• Rachel's recs
• Ari's recs

Books mentioned:

• Howdunit Book of Poisons: A Guide for Writers by Serita Stevens & Anne Bannon
• Howdunit Forensics by D.P. Lyle
• Police Procedure & Investigation: A Guide for Writers by Lee Lofland
• The Crime Writer's Reference Guide: 1001 Tips for Writing the Perfect Murder by Martin Roth
• How to Write a Successful Series by Helen B. Scheuerer
• How to Launch a Successful Series by Helen B. Scheuerer
• Wonderbook by Jeff VanderMeer
• Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference: An Indispensible Compendium of Myth and Magic by Writers Digest
• Writing and Editing Checklists by K.M. Allan (plus the Authoring Checklists companion)

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

You've finished your story, edited it to within an inch of its life, and now it's time to let a professional take a look! So just what do you need to consider when choosing an editor?

In this episode, we cover:

• Qualifications
• Contracts
• AI clause
• Cost
• and lots more

Bonus

• We created a bonus for our Ko-fi Members on where you can find an editor.

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to review our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

An author newsletter, or email list, is important to have for writers to connect with their readers and have a unique platform to promote their books. However, there's many pros and cons to having a list, and is it even still relevant in 2026?

In this episode, we cover:

• What an author newsletter is and its purpose
• Factors and stats to think about before starting an email list
• Conversion rates

References:

• What is a Good Open Rate?
• What is a Click Rate?

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you ever come away from a doom-scrolling session and feel energised? Probably not. Our tech devices demand a lot of our time and often leave us feeling drained, down in the dumps and struggling to focus.

If that's you, then maybe a digital detox is in order. Check out today's episode as we discuss just that!

In this episode, we cover:

• What is a digital detox?
• Why do a digital detox?
• Benefits of a digital detox
• How to do a digital detox?

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Happy New Year! With a new year comes new goals, of course. This week, we discuss accomplishments and goals for our writing in 2026.

In this episode, we cover:

• Our writing accomplishments in 2025
• Rachel's 2026 writing goals
• Ari's 2026 writing goals

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Since this is the last episode of 2025, we thought we'd do another Rapid Fire Question episode (yes, we know it's seldom "rapid" but just go with it) :)

These questions are not just any questions; we are re-answering ones from way back... in 2020!

In this episode, we cover:

• Are you a planner, pantser or plantser?
• What is your typical writing routine?
• Do you prefer hardbacks, paperbacks, ebooks or audiobooks?
• What is the best / worst thing about writing?
• How do you keep up with your writing goals?
• How do you choose which story to write?
• What do you do if you hit a roadblock in your novel?

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Happy 300 episodes! This means you've been listening to us talk every week for 300 weeks straight. Crazy, huh? This week, we thought it'd be fun (and horrifying) to listen back to some old episodes and see how far we've come as podcasters and writers. Thanks for listening for so long!

In this episode, we listen to:

• Clips from episode 2
• Clips from episode 6
• Clips from episode 12

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Since we are almost at the end of the year AND close to our 300th episode, we thought we do a silly-ish episode taking a look at some of the haters and crappy people you might meet when you become a writer.

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We all know the author bio, but have you heard of an author brand story? This week, we discuss what it is and why it could be beneficial to write one for your author career.

In this episode, we cover:

• Brand story vs. bio
• How to write one
• How many should you write

Related Episode:

• How Do You Write A Good Author Bio?

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week, Ari is sadly absent due to timezones. So, I'm interviewing author KM Allan on my own. Join me as we talk about her routine, books, and more.

In this episode, we cover:

• KM's writing process
• Her new checklist book
• Writing routine (writing and authoring)
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT KM Allan

K.M. Allan is the author of The Blackbirch Series and a blogger powered by chocolate and green tea. She's also an identical twin, but not the evil one.

Website | Instagram | Amazon

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We’re open to Author Interviews and Industry Interviews. This means, if you’re an author or work in the writing field (cover designer, audiobook narrator, editor, etc.) we want to hear from you!

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

It's time for another writing challenge! This time, we decided to use Write or Die to get some work done and test if it can help (or hinder) your progress.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Write or Die is
• Our experiences with the program
• Whether we'd recommend it

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We are back with an episode on editing as we discuss and share some of the words you can cut to help tighten up your manuscript. Do you have any of these littered through your work? Or maybe ones we haven't mentioned!

In this episode, we cover:

• Weak words
• Adverbs
• Overused words
• Redundancies

Resources Mentioned:

Wordcounter.net

Wordhipp.com

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We've discussed budgeting for a book launch, now it's time to budget your whole author career! Well, at least get to know some of the expenses you may have.

In this episode, we cover:

• Figuring out your author goals
• List of potential expenses
• Legal stuff
• List of potential income

Related Episodes:

• How Should You Budget For Your Novel?
• How Can You Create A Professional Author Website? (with Pauline Wiles)
• Do You Need Author Insurance?

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week, we interview film-maker and author Melanie Ansley. She discusses her books, processes, and inspirations.

In this episode, we cover:

• Melanie's start with writing
• Her writing process and routine
• What inspired her Book of Theo series
• Publishing path
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT Melanie Ansley

Hi! I'm an award-winning author and filmmaker of Chinese descent. I love stories involving magic, underdogs, and the power of art in our lives. I've written for Oscar-winning producers, been held at gunpoint during a film festival, and penned a series that won a student Emmy.

When I'm not doing those things, I'm juggling writing, filmmaking, and raising two children (all of which involve a certain level of magic and a lot of luck).

Website | Instagram | Facebook

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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FIRSTLY, AN APOLOGY

This was meant to go out on Monday 27th October. However, I (Ari) messed that up by not having it ready and then forgetting completely. So, despite what the audio says about it being Monday (it isn't) and the book launching today (it didn't... it launched on Monday), I hope you still enjoy this!

Rachel has graciously forgiven me for being scatterbrained. ;)

This is a little Mini Merry Moment, to give a shout-out to Rachel's upcoming book: Happily Ever Afterlife (book 2 in the Grim Reaper Files)!

Please make sure to give Rachel lots of love on this new endeavour.

​Add the book to your Goodreads, keep an eye out for it on Amazon or wherever you buy your books and don't forget to leave a review once you've read it!

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you track your WIP's progress? If so, how? This week, we discuss various ways you can track your progress to meet your novel's goals.

In this episode, we cover:

• Word counts
• Page counts
• Tacking time

Recommendation: TrackBear

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Are you creating a rich world for your new fantasy story? Ready to populate it with different types of characters? In today's episode, we discuss writing fantasy characters and what you might want to think about when creating them.

In this episode, we cover:

• What is a fantasy character?
• Types of fantasy characters
• Things to consider
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to review our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Writing can be a lonely journey, which is why it's best to have a friend to do it with. And why not keep each other accountable with your work?

In this episode, we cover:

• What an accountability buddy is
• How to choose a partner
• Having regular check-ins
• Having goals

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever considered writing a serial? Today we are discussing the option of serial writing, where readers are forced to have delayed gratification as they way to learn "what happens next".

In this episode, we cover:

• What is a serial?
• What are some of the benefits?
• What are some of the possible issues?
• Platforms you can upload serials on
• Our thoughts

Platforms

• Wattpad
• Ream
• Inkitt
• Substack
• Raddish - (this has now closed)
• Royal Road
• Dreame
• Moonquill
• Webnovel

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to review our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Another guest joins us on the show this week! We're talking to fantasy author C.H. Carter about how she started as an author and her work.

In this episode, we cover:

• Her inspiration
• Her writing process
• Her publishing journey
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT C.H. CARTER

C.H. Carter is a fantasy author with a lifelong love of the genre in all its forms. In middle school, she wrote a fan letter to Tamora Pierce and received the most encouraging reply! That experience cemented her desire to become an author. (She also still holds out the hope they can meet in person one day!)

When not writing, you can find her working on a number of rotating projects (Crochet, anyone?) and obsessing over her two rescue dogs.

TO KISS THE SEA is C.H. Carter's debut novel.

Website | Instagram | Threads | TikTok | Goodreads

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We are at it again with another challenge. Today, we discuss our progress and results from writing Morning Pages.

In this episode, we cover:

• What are Morning Pages?
• Why are Morning Pages encouraged?
• Rachel’s experience
• Ari’s experience
• Final thoughts

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

You can't please everyone, but your readers should be able to relate to some of your fictional babies. But how do you do that? Well, that's what we're discussing this week.

In this episode, we cover:

• What "relatable characters" mean
• How to develop your characters in a relatable way
• Keeping track of your characters

Related Episode - How Do You Create Character Profiles?

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you handwrite any of your novel? Maybe the outline? How about the notes? Do you do any handwriting, outside perhaps the odd birthday card? Well, in today's episode, we discuss why it might be a good idea to write by hand more often.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the science says
• Our thoughts on the growth of technology (yes, we went on tangents)
• Suggestions for things to handwrite
• Accessibility acknowledgement
• and more

Source

• Frontiers
• National Library of Medicine
• Springer Nature
• BBC

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week, we're back with another author interview! Liz Shipton, a speculative fiction author, joins us to discuss her work.

In this episode, we cover:

• Liz's creative process
• Themes she covers in her books
• How she sells her books direct
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT LIZ SHIPTON

Liz Shipton is a writer a fully off-grid liveaboard sailor. She's currently sailing around the world with her partner and her dog, turning her real-life adventures into speculative fiction. She's also known for her viral comedy videos on Booktok and Bookstagram.

Website | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube | Threads

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Today, we are looking at keeping consistent within our manuscripts, which is why we are all about Style Sheets

In this episode, we cover:

• What is a style sheet?
• Why is it used?
• What can you add to your style sheet?
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take a moment to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We all need to procrastinate on our writing once in a while, so why not create fun aesthetics for your WIP? This week, we discuss cool things for you to make that your readers will most likely enjoy, too!

In this episode, we cover:

• Types of aesthetics you can make
• How you can make them
• How (and where) you can use them

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Sometimes, even the most prolific writers feel themselves struggling with inspiration and ideas. So what can we do when our creative well runneth dry?

In this episode, we cover:

• What is the creative well
• What depletes the creative well
• Some methods for refilling the well
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

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If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are currently accepting submissions

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week, we interview author LB Carter on her and her work. She talks about her many works, themes in her books, and more.

In this episode, we cover:

• LB's start with writing
• Her writing process and routine
• Advice on promoting your work
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT LB Carter

L.B. Carter is a multi-award-winning, internationally bestselling author, dancer, scientist with a PhD in volcanoes, and cat-mom who loves hot chocolate, fairy lights, foxes, and morally gray characters. She writes a mix of haunting paranormal urban fantasy, gripping suspense, chilling mystery, and dark humor with a dash of light romance. Expect unique magical realism with lore twists told by quirky anti-heroes.

Website | Amazon | Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Check out Body Snatcher

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

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If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

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Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We're back with another mini writing challenge. We've all heard the advice about the importance of writing daily. So, we decided we would take 30 days and writing every day.

In this episode, we cover:

• How we had thought it would go
• Discussing weeks 1-5
• What we learnt from this challenge

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Recently, we discussed creating an author media kit. To go along with that, we thought it'd be a good idea to discuss book press releases. This week, we're talking about how to create one for your latest release.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a book press release is
• Why you should have one
• What to include in your press release
• Where (and how) to share it

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We are back to talking about Productivity as we look at ways to find more time to write. We could all use more time, right? So, today we are discussing the benefits of a Time Budget.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a time budget is
• How long to track your time
• Tracking your energy
• The importance of rest time and wiggle room
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Every book needs a blurb or how else are readers going to know what it's about? The blurb helps a reader decide to open the book to its first page and possibly buy it. This week, we're talking about book blurbs and how to write one.

In this episode, we cover:

• Blurb vs. synopsis
• What to include in your blurb
• What to possibly avoid in the blurb
• Ari reads an example blurb

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Today, we welcome back author Andrew McDowell on the podcast. He shares his thoughts, insights and experiences in this author interview.

Andrew appeared on our Podcast way back at the beginning for episode 023 back in 2020.

In this episode, we cover:

• His writing processes and writing style
• His inspiration
• Marketing tactics
• and more!

Click here to listen to his earlier episode

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT

Andrew McDowell is the author of the fantasy novel Mystical Greenwood and Beneath the Deep Wave, which was a finalist in the 2019 American Fiction Awards, won the 2021 Maryland Writers’ Association Novel Contest, and was an honorable mention in the 2021 Top Shelf Magazine contest.

He studied at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the University of Maryland, College Park. Andrew has had poetry, short stories, and essays featured in anthologies and literary journals. He was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. He is a member of the Maryland Writers’ Association.

Website | Facebook | Bluesky | YouTube

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy, Kris & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Habits are never easy to maintain. Building a writing habit is just as tough. This week, we go over some ideas on how to keep the writing consistency going.

In this episode, we cover:

• Knowing the difference between progress and procrastination
• Having a plan
• Find a writing buddy or group
• Being flexible
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We have decided to do a few silly mini challenges, and we are starting with this one.

One piece of (odd) advice that circulates the writing community every few years is the "miracle" of Comic Sans and how it can help you be motivated and get out of writer's block.

So we decided to give it a try, and these are the results

In this episode, we cover:

• Why are we doing this challenge?
• Why Comic Sans?
• Rachel's detailed insights
• Ari's roughshod insights
• Final thoughts

As always, thank you for listening. Please share your thoughts in the comments below, like the video, and subscribe to the channel if you're not already!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; we have plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

If you have a book published and want to get your name out there more, then having an author media kit is a great place to start. This week, we discuss what an author media kit, and how to put one together.

In this episode, we cover:

• Media kit vs. press kit vs. press release
• Why having an author media kit is important
• What to include in your media kit
• How to present your media kit

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Today, we are joined by author, writing coach and manuscript editor, John DeDakis on the podcast. He shares his thoughts, insights and experiences in this author interview.

In this episode, we cover:

• His writing processes and writing style
• Common mistakes authors make
• Social media
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT JOHN

Award-winning novelist, writing coach, and manuscript editor John DeDakis (dee-DAY-kiss) is a former editor on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer." DeDakis is the author of six mystery-suspense-thriller novels.

His most recent novel, Enemies Domestic, begins on pregnant protagonist Lark Chadwick’s first day as White House press secretary. The first question she’s asked on live television comes from a reporter with an agenda: “Are you, or are you not, planning to abort your unborn child?” DeDakis, a former White House correspondent, regularly leads writing workshops at literary centers and writers’ conferences.

He is also the host of the video podcast “One-to-One” on YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin, DeDakis now lives in Baltimore, Maryland with Cindy, his wife of 46 years.

Website | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram | Goodreads

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going, and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy, Kris & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Yes, we're back talking about author websites again! This time, we're discussing plugins you can add to improve your author website and make it more unique and easier for you to maintain.

In this episode, we cover:

• What plugins are and where you can get them
• Cost of plugins
• 6 useful plugins you can use

List of Plugins Mentioned

• Classic Editor
• Duplicate Page
• Internal Link Juicer
• Page Links To
• WP Content Copy Protection & No Right Click
• Yoast SEO

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We did it, we finally took the plunge and recorded an episode about AI. Is it ranty? Yes. Do we tangent all over the place? Also yes. Is it painfully long? Yes. We do still open some of you, give it a listen.

Also, if you are a published author and have not checked already, please visit the Atlantic Link below and check to see if your novels were pirated and then used to train AI.

In this episode, we cover:

• Generative and Assistive AI
• The dark side of AI (outside of the writing industry)
• Bad indicators
• AI Scraping
• Was your book stolen?
• Why skill development is important
• Our overall thoughts on AI

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

Sources and links:

• The Atlantic (CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR BOOK WAS STOLEN)

• Authors Guild - What Authors Need to Know

• Futurism - Google AI scraping sites

• Bloomberg - Google training AI even after sites opt out

• National Library of Medicine

• Alzheimers Research UK - Dementia cases triple

• BBC News: Call for Ban on AI apps creating n*ked images of children

• Care.Org: 8 in 10 Brits ban back on AI N*dify

• CNN: Meta scrambles to delete its own AI accounts after backlash intensifies

DISCLAIMER EXAMPLE

© [AuthorName]. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by [AuthorName] or their respective owners in the case of guest posters. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and the development of machine learning language models.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

AllAuthor is a platform that's well known by some, but others have never heard of it. Rachel checked it out and discussed her findings with Ari to see if it's really worth it for authors be on. This week, we dissect the free account version of AllAuthor.

In this episode, we cover:

• What AllAuthor is and what you can do there
• Paid vs. free plan
• Featuring your book
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

Episodes referred to:

• 252 - What Book Platforms Can Authors Be On?
• 94 - What Are Some Tips For Launching A Debut Book? (with Cassie Sanchez)

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Today, we are joined by Writer Jeremy Russell again. Last time Jeremy was on the podcast, he shared his insights regarding how writers with ADHD can stay motivated. Now he's back for our newly introduced interview style.

In this episode, we cover:

• His writing processes and writing style
• Writing by hand
• Favourite character
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT JEREMY

Jeremy Russell writes Middle-Grade fiction for people who like an anxiously cozy and dangerously fun paranormal adventure.

He is not an award-nominated author, nor has he been on the New York Times best-selling author list…yet. He is a husband, a father, a shipbuilder, an artist, a collector of nostalgic toys from his childhood and full-time beard grower.

Instagram

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy, Kris & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Writing one book takes multiple drafts throughout the process. Some of those drafts are easier than others, so this week’s we’re talking about the draft that usually hardest for us.

In this episode, we cover:

• Rachel’s hardest draft to write
• Ari’s hardest draft to write
• Our easiest drafts

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Need to raise funds to get your book off the ground? Have you considered using Kickstarter? Well, in today's episode, we are going to be discussing a few things you might want to think about before making that decision.

What we cover:

• What is Kickstarter
• Why Kickstarter
• Audience Size
• Expenses
• Extras
• Money-to-work ratio
• Track your campaign

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

There are many difficult parts to writing and sometimes that includes coming up with a title for your book. It sounds simple, but it’s not always. This week, we’re sharing ideas to come up with great titles for your books.

In this episode, we cover:

• The purpose of a book title
• Thinking about genre
• Thinking about the book’s main theme
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Today, we are joined by Author Amanda Blake for our newly introduced interview style.

In this episode, we cover:

• Their processes and writing style
• What their favourite things to write are
• Publishing journey
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT AMANDA

A mass of tentacles and rose vines masquerading as a person, Amanda M. Blake is the author of such horror titles as QUESTION NOT MY SALT, DEEP DOWN, and OUT OF CURIOSITY AND HUNGER, dark poetry collection DEAD ENDS, and the Thorns fairy tale mash-up series.

Website | Facebook | Threads

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If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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We're celebrating FIVE YEARS of The Merry Writer Podcast! Crazy, right? We asked what you guys wanted to see for our fifth-year anniversary and you chose for us to talk about all the things we've learned from podcasting in these five years.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How podcasting is a part-time job
• The importance of consistency and knowing our equipment
• Working well with your co-hosts
• Networking
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi: Jeremy, Kris, & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Join us on the podcast today, as we discuss things we wish we were better at as writers. And stick around for the random tangents we seem to find ourselves drifting into. :)

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We all know what research is, but how often do you go out into the world and get the experience your characters get? Hands-on research is great, which is why we’re discussing it this week.

In this episode, we cover:

• What hands-on research is
• Taking classes
• Interviewing people
• Train/study the profession yourself
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

A well-made book cover is (in our opinion) the single most important marketing tool for your book. So what do you need to think about when getting a cover created? That's what we are breaking down in today's episode.

Things we cover:

• What to include in a brief (for the designer)

• Research

• Target audience

• Titles & author-name

• Pre-made covers

RESOURCE - 99Designs

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy, Kris & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Welcome to the first official guest episode of 2025! This week, Ari and Rachel invite Dr. MH Pelletier to a show to discuss her work on her book, The Resilience Plan.

In this episode, we cover:

• What inspired MH to write this book
• What her writing process was like
• Researching for books
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

About Dr. MH Pelletier

Throughout her career in business management and psychology, Dr. Pelletier has spearheaded a dialogue on the crucial issues of leadership resilience and workplace health. Drawing on her extensive background in corporate, insurance, governance and public sectors, she brings national and international perspectives and expertise on mental health and resilience as a key pillar of overall health.

She is a bilingual practicing psychologist with over 20 years of experience in clinical psychology and advisory workplace psychology and holds a Ph.D. and an MBA from the University of British Columbia. Marie-Helene is a Member of the Global Clinical Practice Network of the World Health Organization, and past Director on the boards of the Canadian Psychological Association and the International Association of Applied Psychology. She has presented, authored and co-authored a number of industry and academic publications and has won numerous academic and industry awards. In 2024, Dr. Pelletier will release her new book, The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health.

Website | LinkedIn

Buy The Resilience Plan

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | !ndigo

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy, Kris & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

If you are planning to be an indie author, you may very well want to send out ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) but what are some of the risks with these?

In this episode, we cover:

• Piracy
• Non-completion
• Methods to combat these

Link regarding Stephanie Meyer's leaked manuscript

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

To Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy, Kris & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

As an author, about how many tasks do you do for one book? How much do you do in a week? In a day? This week, we’re talking about how authors aren’t just “writers.” We’re much more than that.

In this episode, we cover:

• The act of writing
• Learning and improving
• Marketing
• Business

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy, Kris & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Today we are talking about Author's Insurance... which some of you may not even realise is actually a thing (yup, it is!) and all that goes along with it.

In this episode we cover:

• Why you might need it

• What insurance can protect against

• Risks to fiction and non-fiction writers

• Commerical licenses

• A quick note about traditional publishing

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy, Kris & Jackie

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

The Merry Writer Podcast is trying a new format for guest episodes! Since we haven’t talked about ourselves in a while, we decided to be our own guinea pigs. This week, Rachel interviews Ari about her author career and books!

In this episode, we cover:

• How Ari got into writing
• What her writing process is like
• Her writing goals
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT ARI MEGHLEN

Ari is a fantasy author, blogger, podcaster, and small business owner. Born in England, she escaped the dull, wet landscape of her home by creating wild and wonderful worlds deep in her imagination which she still enjoys exploring to this day.

When she’s not writing stories, recording podcasts or grappling with business paperwork, she creates jewellry and artwork, walks in nature, buys more books for her TBR pile and “re-arranges” her office… again.

Website | Instagram | LinkTree

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Writing is considered quite an isolated endeavour. If you are new to writing, it can help to connect with other writers, to share your woes and your wins. But how do you make writer friends? That's what we are talking about in today's episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• Finding Friends
• Making Friends
• Do's and Don'ts
• Etiquette
• What the most important parts are

As always, thank you for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, like the video, and subscribe to the channel if you're not already!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Authors are meant to be present in many places on the internet, but did you know there are some platforms you don’t necessarily have to be on but can still add your book? This week, we’re discussing some of those places.

In this episode, we cover:

• Goodreads
• BookBub
• Book Sirens
• AllAuthor

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We are changing things up with how we run guest episodes and to see if the new format is going to work, we decided we would use ourselves as guinea pigs.

So in this episode, I am interviewing Rachel about her work, her book, her processes and more.

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT RACHEL POLI

Rachel Poli is a cozy mystery and paranormal author, writing short stories, novels, and the occasional flash fiction piece.

Her work explores the obscurities of life through themes of love, loss, and mental health. These stories unleash genuine emotion that will leave you with deep thoughts.

In her spare time, she's usually organizing something or playing video games with a coffee in hand. She lives in New England with her zoo.

Website | Instagram | AmazonWANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

It’s been a while since we’ve done a Would You Rather episode! So, for this week’s episode, and for another milestone, we’re doing a podcast edition of Would You Rather. Enjoy!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

It's the start of a new year and we decided to do something silly and fun. So we are discussing what colours we associate with our writing.

In this episode, we cover:

• Ari's colour association with her writing process
• Rachel's colour association with her writing process
• Slight disagreement
• Ari's colour association with her specific projects
• Hearty discussion about the colour yellow
• Rachel's colour association with her specific projects
• Rude behaviour from Rachel during the outro :p

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting it at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

To Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

It's the last episode of 2024! This week, we're talking about all the new and exciting updates that are coming to the podcast in 2025. Thanks for your support of the year and we wish you a Happy New Year and a Happy Holiday!

In this episode, we cover:

• Changes from 2024
• New guest format in 2025
• The podcast turns 5-years-old in 2025!

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever struggled to finish your manuscript? Do you have several writing projects languishing unfinished? Check out today's podcast episode where we share our experiences and advice on getting to the finish line.

In this episode, we cover:

• Schedules
• Sacrifice
• Small time
• Deep in the minutiae
• Curb the Editor

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Writing a novel isn't easy; we all know that. But which part of your novel do you typically get stuck with? This week, we discuss our opinions about the beginning, middle, and ends of stories.

In this episode, we cover:

• The purpose of enticing beginnings
• The purpose of the journey of middles
• The purpose of satisfying endings

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

To all you published authors, do you read reviews left for your books? Today, we share our own thoughts on this topic.

In this episode, we cover:
- Reviews are everywhere
- Everyone has an opinion
- Why authors should not read reviews
- Why authors should read reviews
- Needing tough skin

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you feel you’d be a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We've all heard of the cozy mystery genre, but did you know there's at least two more? One has been circling the reading community and the other... we haven't heard of before.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the cozy genre is
• Cozy Mystery
• A trending cozy genre
• A cozy genre that may not be as well known

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

When writing a book, it can be fun to keep track of the journey along the way. In today's episode, we discuss ways to track it, what you might want to log and some benefits.

What we covered in this episode:

• Recording the dates
• Different milestones
• Sharing the hurdles
• Accountability
• Useful data

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

It's no secret Ari and Rachel love using Scrivener for their creative writing projects. This week, they decide to dive into the software, gush about why they love it, and the cool features Scrivener offers.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Scrivener is
• How Rachel uses it
• How Ari sets hers up
• Cool features it has
• Using it for non-writing

You can check out Scrivener here.

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Today we are discussing some of the advice we've seen floating around that is written almost as gospel, but that we don't think is always the best advice.

In this episode, we cover:

• Daily writing
• Word count
• Trends
• Reading genres

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

As readers, one of the best ways to support authors is to leave a review of their book once we've read it. This week, we want to know: what does a book have to do to earn five stars from you?

In this episode, we cover:

• Rachel's criteria for five stars
• Ari's 5-star threshold
• Comfort books

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you worry your story is not exciting enough? Depending on what you write and how you want to write it, not every book needs to be exciting but it needs to hold the reader's attention but you may still need to build up the excitement in some way.

What we cover in this episode:

• Check your pacing (are there too many slow parts?)
• Use the slow parts intentionally to build tension and excitement
• Use the genre strength
• Use the plot formulas
• Kill your darlings
• Foreshadowing
• Be passionate

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

In episode 217, we talked about what you should consider when agreeing to be a beta reader. We thought it'd be a good idea to talk about it from the other side, if you, the writer, is searching for beta readers.

In this episode, we cover:

• Who your beta readers should be
• Ensure your ready for betas
• Being transparent with your betas
• Helping your betas be prepared for the process

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy.

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Have you considered hosting guests on your blog? There are some benefits to doing this and that's what we are talking about in today's episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• Credibility
• Remember your audience
• Exposure
• Backlinks
• Networking
• Guidelines
• Deadlines
• Etiquettes
• Due diligence

As always, thank you for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, like the video, and subscribe to the channel if you're not already!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of https://incompetech.com/ | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

I get it! It's a Monday and suddenly something pops up from The Merry Writer Podcast.

This is a little Mini Merry Moment, to give a shout-out to Rachel's upcoming book: Apparitions Anonymous!

Please make sure to give Rachel lots of love on this new endeavour.

​Add the book to your Goodreads, keep an eye out for it on Amazon or wherever you buy your books and don't forget to leave a review once you've read it!

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever wondered what it's like to set up an in-person book tour event? Have you thought about trying it but didn't know where to start? Well, you're in luck because L.E. Harper joins us this week to talk about running a successful book tour.

In this episode, we cover:

• How L.E. began doing book tours
• The overall process to set one up
• Supplies to bring to an event
• Tips for running your first tour

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT L.E. Harper

L.E. Harper is a lifelong fantasy aficionado. From a young age, books about magic and dragons were her escape from reality. She suffers from depression, but her love for fantastical storytelling has given her something to live for.

TikTok | Instagram | Bookshop | Amazon | Goodreads

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We are talking about marketing today and discussing the possibilities of using Influencers for book marketing, including things you might want to consider.

In this episode, we cover:

• Who is their audience?
• What is their engagement?
• What is the ROI (return on investment)?
• What is their content like?

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Special Thanks

To Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy & Kris

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Things don't always go as planned and that includes your writing career. Your wants and desires might have changed over the years as you and your writing grew and improved. This week, we discuss what to do when you come to the realization that your writing goals have changed and what to do about it.

In this episode, we cover:

• Your writing purpose
• Narrow vs broad goals
• Creating realistic and practical steps
• A reminder to not be afraid of change

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

BIG THANKS to our supporter Jeremy R

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy.

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Today we are talking about quitting (nope, we are not quitting writing!) But we wanted to give some thoughts on why some writers may choose to quit writing.

In this episode, we cover:

• Writing difficulty
• Writing as a career
• The results...
• Learning
• Prioritisation
• Lack of fun
• Procrastination
• Rejection
• Life changes
• Money

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Have you ever thought about quitting writing or did you quit something else and come to writing? Also, don't forget to give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

BIG THANKS to our supporter Jeremy R

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever thought about going to school for creative writing? This week, Jason Harris joins us to discuss what getting a creative writing degree may look like.

In this episode, we cover:

• Benefits of having a creative writing degree
• Typical lesson plans for a creative writing class
• How creative assignments may be graded
• Exercises you can do at home

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT JASON HARRIS

Jason Marc Harris teaches creative writing, folklore, and literature, and is the Creative Writing Coordinator at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. He graduated with a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Washington, and an MFA in fiction from Bowling Green State University, where he served as Fiction Editor of Mid-American Review. Creative work in journals such as Apex and Abyss, Marvels and Tales, Midwestern Gothic, Psychopomp Magazine, The Saturday Evening Post, and Writing Texas. His novella of weird horror Master of Rods and Strings republished in 2024 by Crystal Lake Publishing.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Goodreads (Book) | Crystal Lake Publishing

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page.

If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please check for the status of the Google Form on that page to see if we are accepting at that time.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

BIG THANKS to our supporter Jeremy R

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Today is all about regrets! We do love to pick some cheery topics. We each share our main writing regrets and would love to hear yours. Or if you don't have any regrets (lucky you) tell us that too!

In this episode, we cover:

• Ari's regret
• Changing mindset
• Rachel's regret
• Different options

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

NOTICE: Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there is plenty of free content, too if you just want to pop over there!) We appreciate your support.

BIG THANKS to our supporter Jeremy R

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you cracked the code to streamline your writing process? How about your author business? Or simply writing that first draft?

This week, we discuss the Gantt Chart as a project management tool for you to use to help keep your novel writing on track.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the Gantt Chart is and why you should try it
• How to use the Gantt Chart for writing
• How to make your own Gantt Chart

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

BIG THANKS to our supporter Jeremy R

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our Merry Writers via Ko-fi, Jeremy.

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Let's get a little spicy! This week, we are sharing thoughts on adding spice to a story.

In this episode, we cover:

• Consider your audience
• The Spice Chart
• What spice brings
• A little thought about healthy spice

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Big Thanks to our Supporter: Jeremy R

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Writer's block is something all us writers are familiar with. Some days are easier than others, but for really rough days, Cory Rowe joins us on the podcast with tips and tricks to get over that hurdle.

In this episode, we cover:

• What writer's block is
• Causes and symptoms of writer's block
• Types of writer's block
• Exercises you can do to get over your writer's block

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

ABOUT CORY ROWE

I'm a screenwriter and filmmaker based in Colorado. I've been screenwriting for over 20 years. Being recently in the last few years being diagnosed with ADHD and in 2022 I was diagnosed with Level 1 Autism, I have been able to find ways to push myself forward with my career in writing and filmmaking.

Instagram

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Some days, everything is annoying so we can fall back to the comfort and joy of books. But, even books can be annoying. So we present to you some of our pet peeves about books. Let's see if you agree with any of these!

In this episode, we cover:

• Numbers and series
• Front matter
• Within the pages

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, what are your pet peeves if they are different from ours! Also, don't forget to give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

No matter how many years you've been writing, there's always something new to learn. However, we can easily get wrapped up in the feeling that we "know it all." This week, we discuss things seasoned writers can learn (or be reminded of) from newer writers.

In this episode, we cover:

• Ignorance can be bliss
• Eagerness to learn
• Fearlessness
• Confidence

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Can a deconstructed story help your own writing? In today's episode, we discuss how and why you might want to deconstruct stories.

What we cover:

• What does deconstructing mean?
• Why deconstructing can help
• How you can deconstruct a story or movie
• What deconstruction isnt

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

Want to be a guest on The Merry Writer Podcast? If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

At the top of the FAQs Page will be the status regarding whether the applications are currently open.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there is plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Whether you outline or plan your books or not, mind mapping is an excellent way to keep track of happenings within your novel and your writing process. This week, we share some ways you can utilize mind mapping to stay organized.

In this episode, we cover:

• What mind mapping is
• How you can create mind maps
• Ways to use mind mapping for your stories
• Ways to use mind mapping for your authoring process and business

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Big Thanks to our Supporter: Jeremy

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you suffer from anxiety? Worried about how it might impact your writing career and not sure how to make headway? Then check out today's podcast where we are joined by our guest author Sam Weiss, who shares her thoughts and insights into dealing with anxiety as a writer.

In this episode, we cover:

• Possible anxiety triggers for writers
• How anxiety can affect your writing career
• Techniques to reduce anxiety when marketing
• Can anxiety ever help writing

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT SAM WEISS

While Sam is terrible at writing “About Me”s about her, she’s been told she’s great at writing about what fictional people do. The more miserable she can make them, the better.

Her love of horror films from the 80s, sci-fi shows from the 90s, and alternative music from the 00s have inspired her to write what she’s calling “Dark Science Fantasy” although she’s kind of making that up as she goes along.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | Wise Cat Editing

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-Fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

If you're listening to this podcast, then you're probably an avid reader. But how do you typically keep track of the books you've read and your TBR pile? This week, we discuss various places you can do so.

In this episode, we cover:

• Online platforms
• Keeping track by hand
• What we do
• Creating your own tracker

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever received a Positive Read of your manuscript? Not sure why you might want one, check out today's episode where we get into that.

In this episode, we cover:

• What is a Positive Read
• Why would you might want one
• Things to consider when giving a Positive Read

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Currently, out guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-Fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Character development isn't always easy. That's why we deep dive into various ways writers can get to know their characters on another level outside their novels.

In this episode, we cover:

• Writing them outside their main story
• Putting yourself in their shoes
• Interviewing your characters
• Writing their origin story

Related: Episode 216 - What Should You Include In Character Profiles?

As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, give the podcast a follow, and share our content!

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Ko-fi

You can join The Merry Writer community over on our Ko-fi page! It helps keep the show going and you get extra goodies through one-time or monthly tips. (Don’t worry; there’s plenty of free content, too!) We appreciate your support.

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

There are many uses for writing, it doesn't always have to be about writing novels. Today, we are joined by author Frances Altman who discusses some different ways you can use writing.

In this episode, we cover:

• Writing as therapy
• Writing as a hobby
• Writing as a career

As always, thanks for listening to The Merry Writer Podcast, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

ABOUT FRANCES ALTMAN

Frances is an author and journalist, blending writing as a hobby and career tool from Chicago Sun Times to Marketing/PR for Allied Signal and Virginia Commonwealth University where she also taught communications.

Masters from Roosevelt University. Online International teaching North Central Arizona University and Strayer. She has earned awards from Nat'l Federation Press Women, Nat'l Pen Women, PRSA. Northern Ill. Library Assn. and YWCA Twin Leadership Award.

Facebook | Amazon

An episode of Miss Liz's Teatime with Frances Altman

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

The writing doesn’t end after the first draft! Before you send your manuscript to beta readers and editors, take some time to self-edit your work. This week, we discuss tips to self-editing to be productive and also make it fun.

In this episode, we cover:

• Keeping a checklist and questions to answer
• Reading through your manuscript out loud
• Change the font style, size, or color
• Recognize your “pain words”
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our current patron, Kristen Poli

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week we are all about beta reading! Are you considering being a beta? Want to make the experience good for you and the author? Then check out this episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• Questions to ask before agreeing
• Be aware of timeframe
• Formats
• What the Author may want

As always, thanks for listening to The Merry Writer Podcast, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our current patron, Kristen Poli

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Regardless of whether you're a planner or pantser, do you keep track of your characters? Do you create character profiles? They're fun to make, but time consuming and it can be difficult to decide what info to include in them. This week, we discuss what to add to character profiles for you (and your readers) to know.

In this episode, we cover:

• Which characters may or may not need a profiles
• Benefits of creating character profiles
• Features of a profile (basics, personality, history/background, hobbies, etc.)
• A reminder about including genre-specific info

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

Related Episode: Should Religion Be Included In Your Character Profiles?

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patron, Kristen Poli

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever written short-form stories? If you haven't then this episode might just be for you!

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

Want to be a guest on The Merry Writer Podcast? If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

At the top of the FAQs Page will be the status regarding whether the applications are currently open.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patron, Kristen Poli

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you tried your hand at writing middle grade but struggled making the characters come to life? Don't worry; Serena Labrecque joins us this week to discuss writing middle grade characters well.

In this episode, we cover:

• The popularity of middle grade
• Structuring a middle grade novel
• Researching for a younger audience
• Representation in characters

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT SERENA LABRECQUE

Serena Labrecque is a fantasy author and geologist. She published her first two stories in high school with her cousin Shawn’s help. She then received her Bachelors of Science in Geology from the University of Rochester and her Masters from the University at Buffalo. After college, she returned to her dream of becoming an author.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

So, just how long does it take to write a book? You know the answer, we know the answer - but give this episode a listen anyway, to find out why we picked it. :)

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

EDIT: At the time of this episode, we are not currently accepting any more guests right now. Check back regularly to the FAQ page where we will update the status.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of incompetech – Music and also Graph Paper | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patron, Kristen Poli

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Last week, we talked about stretching your word count, but what if you go over your word count? It’s not always easy to cut words and certain scenes. This week, we discuss various ways you can make your manuscript shorter.

In this episode, we cover:

• Knowing what readers need to know
• Avoiding repetition
• Using stronger vocabulary
• Watching for filler words

As always, thanks for listening to The Merry Writer Podcast, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Are you an underwriter? Do you often struggle to get your word count up? Then you might enjoy this episode where we discuss what you can do to boost those word counts!

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

Want to be a guest on The Merry Writer Podcast? If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

At the top of the FAQs Page will be the status as to whether the applications are currently open.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Writing for children is an art form all on its own. While it has the same pieces as any novel, children’s books are unique and serves a different purpose for its age group. This week, Darlene Foster joins us to discuss why writing for children is so important.

In this episode, we cover:

• Typical themes in children’s books
• How to make these stories age appropriate
• How to make characters relatable for kids
• How to make impactful children’s books

As always, thanks for listening to The Merry Writer Podcast, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

ABOUT DARLENE FOSTER

Darlene Foster grew up on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, where her love of reading inspired her to see the world and write stories. She is the author of the exciting Amanda Travels series featuring spunky Amanda Ross, a twelve-year-old girl who loves to travel. All ages enjoy following Amanda as she unravels one mystery after another in unique destinations. When not travelling, meeting interesting people, and collecting ideas for her books, Darlene spends time with her family in Canada and in Spain with her husband and entertaining rescue dogs.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Our guest slots for 2024 are FILLED. Our Google Form is closed for the time being. Thank you all for your interest!

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you suffer from perfection? Is it hard to let your manuscript see the light of day because it's not yet "perfect?" Are you striving to be the best beyond all measure? Well, stop it!

In today's episode, we are talking about that insidious condition known as Perfectionism and ways we have been dealing with it and things you can try.

What we cover:

• Done is better than perfect
• It's a form of procrastination
• Its not for YOU alone to make it "perfect"

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

Want to be a guest on The Merry Writer Podcast? If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

At the top of the FAQs Page will be the status as to whether the applications are currently open.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

If you're a writer, then you probably have a website, right? Right? And if you have a website, then you might also have a blog. A blog is a great way to keep your website looking active and updated. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss content writers can share on their blog.

In this episode, we cover:

• Types of blog posts
• Niche(s)
• Consistency

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2024 are almost filled. Applications are still open, but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

In this week's episode, we (try) to discuss the difference between cliches and tropes. I say try, because apparently it was a crazy day for both of us, so if you made it through to the end, good on yer!

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

Want to be a guest on The Merry Writer Podcast? If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

At the top of the FAQs Page will be the status as to whether the applications are currently open.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

One big decision all writers face is the matter of publishing: traditional or self? It's not an easy choice, which is why Ari and Rachel are joined on the podcast this week by Wendy Simpson who discusses what the traditional publishing industry is really like.

In this episode, we cover:

• The main benefits of traditional publishing
• Benefits of having an agent
• What control the author has
• A typical publishing timeframe
• Extras authors might not know about traditional publishing

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT WENDY SIMPSON

Wendy has been writing since the age of five and finished her first novel at fourteen. Her debut novel Tinderbox and its sequel Tarotmancer are available both in-store and online. Tinderbox made the Top 100 on the Amazon Best Sellers List in Black &African American Fantasy Fiction and is the 2022 GOLD Winner for Fantasy Foreword Reviews Indie Award. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, working in her garden, or gaming and streaming on Twitch under the handle Runic Nightshade. She shares her home with her older brother and two diva cats.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2024 are almost filled. Applications are still open, but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Motivation can be pretty elusive and if you are hoping to find some behind the fridge, we can guarantee it's not hiding there. If you struggle with feeling motivated to write, then check out today's episode.

What we cover:

• Give yourself cues
• Know what comes next
• Think small
• Spark some joy
• Use what inspires you
• Get a positive read
• Step away from social media

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2024 are almost filled. The form is still open for 2025, but we may take a while to get back to you. Please know we have your application on file. Thank you for your patience.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of incompetech – Music and also Graph Paper | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

When was the last time you went to your library? If it's been a couple of months, go ahead and plan a trip there. Libraries are useful for everyone for a number of reasons, but writers can get a lot out of it. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss how writers can use their local libraries.

In this episode, we cover:

• The library environment
• Events from the library
• Research
• Writing routine

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2024 are almost filled. Applications are still open, but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Let's throw in a quick disclaimer - we are not talking about THAT kind of pleasure - this episode topic is NOT about reading erotica. So get your mind out of the gutter! :p

In today's show, we are talking about reading for fun and touch on why some readers may not be doing that as much as well as why it's important to take the time to read just for the pleasure of it. Not sure what we're talking about? No problem, just give it a listen :)

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. If you still feel like you’re a good fit for the show after reading the FAQs, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2024 are almost filled. The form is still open for 2025, but we may take a while to get back to you. Please know we have your application on file. Thank you for your patience.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to share our episodes on social media, follow the podcast, and engage in the comments.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever wanted to dabble in different genres but have always been told to stick to one? Sometimes, you need to branch out and do what makes you happy. This week, Ari and Rachel are joined by Chyina Powell to discuss why writing in multiple genres is a great idea.

In this episode, we cover:

• The benefits for writers
• The benefits for readers
• Thoughts on pen names
• Thoughts on author branding

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT CHYINA POWELL

Chyina Powell is a multi-genre author as well as a freelance editor at Powell Editorial as well as the founder of the nonprofit organization, The Women of Color Writers' Circle which offers a safe space for women of color to hone their craft.

In her free time, she can be found reading speculative fiction, drinking tea or working on her own manuscripts. She also enjoys crafting bookish gifts from time to time!

Website | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2024 are almost filled. Applications are still open, but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

In today's episode, we are digging into the idea of using Editing Checklists to make editing your manuscript a little more efficient!

In this episode, we cover:

• Names
• Repeating Words
• Dialogue Tags
• POV
• Chapters
• Character Balance
• Senses
• Inconsistencies

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

Resources

Wordcounter.net

WordHippo.com

K.M. Allan's Writing Checklists

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, we are almost full for 2024 guests. You can still fill in an application for 2025, however, it might be a while before we get back to you. Please be patient.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Yay for 200 episodes! Thank you so much for always listening and supporting the podcast for 200 episodes. We truly appreciate it.

This week, Ari and Rachel answer rapid fire questions (not so rapidly) about reading and writing.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2024 are almost filled. Applications are still open, but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

What are your thoughts on dialogue? Can a novel have too much? That is today's topic Rachel and I discuss.

In this episode, we cover:

• Our thoughts on too much dialogue
• How to achieve more of a balance in your writing

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

A new year means new goals! This week, Ari and Rachel talk about some ways you can create writing goals for yourself.

In this episode, we cover:

• Group/organize tasks based on their length
• Setting deadlines for yourself
• Taking breaks
• Taking days off

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2024 are almost filled. Applications are still open, but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

It's a new year and you probably want to set off on the right foot this year. So in this episode, Ari and Rachel discuss a few ideas for keeping your Writing life organised!

In this episode, we cover:

• Creating a writing kit
• Project pads or brain-dumping pads
• Setting a flexible routine
• Dividing your writing time
• Use working systems

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below. Especially if you have ideas for keeping writing organised.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

Please check out our FAQs Page, this shows if we are currently open for new guests. If we are, please read everything on the FAQ page and then fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to the number of applications we have been receiving, you may not be guaranteed a slot on our podcast.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Another successful podcast year is in the books! This week, we discuss some of our favorite episodes that were released in 2023. (We also get completely off-topic in true Merry Writer fashion!)

In this episode, we cover:

• Ari's favorite 2023 podcast episodes
• Rachel's favorite 2023 podcast episodes
• Off-topic rambles (mostly about food)
• 2023 reflections

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2024 are almost filled. Applications are still open, but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

As the end of the year is in sight, we thought we'd do something a little different and today's episode discusses some of the differences Ari and Rachel have observed between American English and British English.

In this episode, we cover:

• "Z"
• Extra letters
• Vacation vs Holiday
• Jam, Jelly and Jello
• Chips, Crisps and Fries
• Cookie vs Biscuit
• Supermarket vs Grocery Store
• Segue into the square footage of homes
• Sidewalk vs Pavement
• Fall vs Autumn
• and more!

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Applications are currently still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our little podcast and show some extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week, Ari and Rachel decided it would be fun to discuss if they've seen their story ideas in other books at the store. Sometimes it takes us a while to get our ideas to paper and other people write and publish similar plots.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week, Wilmar Luna is back on the show with Ari and Rachel to discuss building a horror universe.

In this episode, we cover:

• How much world-building needs to go into a horror universe?
• What are the main aspects to consider when writing horror stories?
• How do you build an atmosphere for your horror universe?

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT WILMAR LUNA

Former video game developer, part-time author, full-time nerd.

Wilmar Luna couldn't be a superhero in real life so he decided to write his own. When he's not writing about empowered female characters he can be found watching films, reading books, and playing too many video games.

Website | Newsletter | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Books Link

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

Want to be a guest on The Merry Writer Podcast? If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

At the top of the FAQs Page will be the status as to whether the applications are currently open.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

It's not always easy to end you novel. Sometimes we have an idea of how they'll end and sometimes we don't. But did you know there are many different types of endings?

In this episode, we cover:

• The resolved ending
• The unresolved ending
• Ambiguous ending
• Expanded ending
• Unexpected ending
• Tied ending

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Info dumping can really slow down the pace of your story, can annoy many readers and even have them skipping over chunks of your work. So what can you do to stop info dumping? Today, Ari and Rachel tackle this issue with some suggestions.

In this episode, we cover:

• What is Info Dumping
• While drafting
• Deal with it in the editing phase not the drafting phase
• Learn your temptations
• Areas where info dumping usually occurs
• Ask yourself: does it matter
• Scale back
• When Info Dumps can work

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our little podcast and show some extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

It's no secret that authors need a website, but where do you start? You can hire someone to help you or you can DIY it.

This week, Pauline Wiles joins Ari and Rachel to discuss creating a professional author website.

In this episode, we cover:

• Finding your goal and strategy for your author website
• Important elements that should go into your website
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Average cost of creating and keeping your website
• How a website can boost your author brand

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT PAULINE WILES

Pauline Wiles is an indie author turned website designer who helps other authors and writers create beautiful, businesslike websites. As an author herself, she noticed others were often overwhelmed by this task. Now, she’s helping to dispel the myths around how difficult a web project should be. British by birth, Pauline is now a contented resident of California, although she admits to an occasional yearning for afternoon tea and historic homes.

Website | Instagram

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Want to get your books written faster? Increasing your writing or typing speed can definitely help. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss a few simple tips for helping to make things a little quicker.

In this episode, we cover:

• Touch typing
• The right pen
• Shortcuts
• Take the type test!

Resource: Try your typing speed with this online test. https://www.typing.com/student/tests

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our little podcast and show some extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you been planning a novel series? Or maybe you're ready to share it with the world but you don't know where to start? Start here!

This week, Helen Scheuerer joins Ari and Rachel to discuss launching a successful series.

In this episode, we cover:

• How launching a series is different than launching a standalone
• How to plan in advance and budget
• Difficulties you can encounter
• How to streamline the process
• Marketing tips for launching a series

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT HELEN SCHEUERER

Helen Scheuerer is the fantasy author of the bestselling series, The Oremere Chronicles, the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet and The Legends of Thezmarr. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots. She also publishes advice for authors with her nonfiction series, Books For Career Authors.

Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a creative writing degree and a Masters of Publishing. She has been a full-time author since 2018 and now lives amidst the mountains in New Zealand where she is constantly dreaming up new stories.

Website | Instagram | Book Link

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

For some, story ideas can be hard to come by. For others, story ideas are everywhere. For everyone, imposter syndrome sneaks in. But do you really need unique story ideas for readers to love your book? This week, Ari and Rachel cover just that.

In this episode, we cover:

• Tropes and themes in stories
• Story archetypes
• Character archetypes
• How similar ideas can be used for marketing
• The "retelling" genre

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our little podcast and show some extra love, you can do so by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for just $2 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

When it comes to writing, practice makes perfect. Everyone has a story to tell and the way you tell your stories are unique. But it can take some time to find your writer voice. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss how to find your writer's voice.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a writer's voice is
• How to find your writer's voice
• When and how your voice may change over time

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you write with multiple characters? Worried you might be slipping into the wrong character's head in the middle of a scene? Don't worry, you're not alone. That's what Ari and Rachel discuss in this week's episode.

In this episode, we cover:

• What head hopping is
• Why it's bad
• What you can do to catch it

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

This week, Ari is joined by author AJ Alexander who discusses the health issues that writers can face and ways to prevent some of them.This week, we cover:* Conditions writers can develop * What to look out for * Why breaks are important * The importance of getting up

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below. ABOUT A.J AlexanderI'm a fantasy author working on a paranormal romance series, called 'The Council Of Twelve' series, I have written short stories and poetry in the past.Some of my poems can be read on my blog 'Writer's Treasure Chest. My rare free time I spend extreme reading, excessive pool swimming, and playing monster-monopoly. My strongest support system are my sister, most of my family, my friends, and my beautiful senior Maine Coon cat. Links* Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuroraJean_A * Website: https://aurorajalexander.wordpress.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aurorajeanalexander/ * Books2Read: Buy link * Amazon: Buy link * Smashwords: Buy link

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are now filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTESIn today's episode, Ari and Rachel are talking all about conflict!
This week, we cover:* Character vs Character * Character vs Nature * Character vs Themselves * Character vs Technology * Character vs Supernatural * Character vs Society

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below. WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit. Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are now all filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you. SUPPORT THE PODCAST PatreonIf you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. CREDITS HostsAri Meghlen & Rachel Poli MusicIntro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We all know that writing isn't an easy task. A great way to be consistent with it is to have a dedicated writing environment. But how can you turn a room into a creative space?

In this episode, we cover:

• How to choose a room for your writing space
• How to minimize distractions
• Ways to decorate your writing space
• What supplies and materials to have easy access to
• Keeping yourself healthy during these writing sessions

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

It's time to talk about formatting. It's not always fun but is it an important part of your book and what do you need to consider when it comes to formatting? That's what Ari and Rachel discuss in this week's episode.

In this episode, we cover:

• How important formatting is
• The standard of formatting
• What you need to consider
• And randomly throughout - things you probably shouldn't do!

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you sometimes struggle with your ADHD and motivation when you're writing? Are you having trouble finding a writing routine and sticking with it? Don't worry; Jeremy Russell joins Ari and Rachel this week with tips and tricks for us all.

In this episode, we cover:

• An example of what the ADHD thought process may look like
• Struggles writers with ADHD might have
• How to stay motivated
• Techniques to stay focused

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT JEREMY RUSSELL

Jeremy Russell is a married, father of two young men, two cats and a new puppy. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, he always thought himself as a collector of hobbies, but as it turns out, it was hyper fixation. The two hobbies that remained constant were writing and art.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Are you considering how to outline your novel? Whether you used to be a pantser or you have always been a plotter, today's episode is discussing one of the methods for outlining.

The 7 point plot system is the method Ari uses so she's going through the different steps.

In this episode, we cover:

• The 7 points in this outlining method
• Discussions about when the inciting incident should occur
• A tangent about montages
• Why Ari likes this method

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Middle grade novels are the link between early readers and kids continuing their reading journey to YA and beyond. But what makes middle grade so unique from other age groups? This week, Ari and Rachel discuss the many traits that go into a middle grade novel.

In this episode, we cover:

• What middle grade novels are
• Themes in middle grade novels
• Word counts of middle grade novels

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

QUICK NOTE Apologies for some of the sound quality, I had some issues with my microphone

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you want to write creepy stories? Have an interest in scaring your readers? Then check out today's podcast where author A. S. McDermott joins Ari to discuss writing horror stories.

This week, we cover:

• Characterisations of a horror story
• Biggest hurdles horror writers have
• How important locations are
• Book-length
• Standalone or series
• Advice for would-be horror writers
• Killing off your characters

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT A.S McDermott

A.S. McDermott was born in England but now lives in South Carolina with his wife, kids, and assorted cats. He has been writing since he was very young but has only recently begun publishing his work.

Aside from novels and short stories, he also writes screenplays and directed a short horror film called The Party (2010). When not writing, he likes to swim, watch movies and travel.

Links

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/imaginarycinema
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7501196.A_S_McDermott
• Buy Link: https://books2read.com/ap/8pyjmz/AS-McDermott

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are now filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

It's so easy to get wrapped up in the numbers rather than the quality of your work. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss when word counts matter and when they don't.

In this episode, we cover:

• Word count updates during a writing session
• Word count updates on social media
• Word counts in various genres and age groups

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

In today's episode, Ari and Rachel are joined by author Kyle Robertson to discuss the importance of perseverance in writers.

This week, we cover:

• Why writers need perseverance
• What can affect a writer's perseverance
• How to avoid burn out

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT KYLE ROBERTSON

Kyle Robertson is a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a marketing professional, freelance editor, and self-published author of the historical fiction thriller "The Showstopper" on Amazon.

In addition to his other projects, he is a third-degree Black Belt and instructor in Tang Soo Do, an avid hiker and traveler, and lover of reading, music, games, and movies.

Links

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/krobnovelist
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krobnovelist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kylerobertsonnovelist
• Website: https://kylerobertsonnovelist.com/
• Amazon: amzn.to/2PYC8k9

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are now filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever seen people writing or drawing inside the books they read? They're annotating their books to help understand the context better or just to make it look pretty.

In this episode, we cover:

• What annotating books means
• Whether or not we annotate our books
• Different ways to annotate your books

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Not all metrics are the same, especially when it comes to social media metrics. Knowing what's important and where to focus your attention can be a game changer. So in today's episode, Ari and Rachel discuss Vanity Metrics.

In this episode, we cover:

• What are vanity metrics
• What are active metrics
• Social media hierarchies
• The power of comments

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Writing doesn't always have to be creative or academic. It comes in many shapes and forms and therapeutic writing is one of them. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss what exactly therapeutic writing is and different ways to utilize it.

In this episode, we cover:

• What therapeutic writing is
• Where and how you can add your thoughts
• Different ways you can express yourself through therapeutic writing

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Just how useful is social media for writers?  Have you found yourself wondering if it was even worth it?  Today writer E.A. Whyte joins Ari and Rachel to discuss just that.

In this episode, we cover:

• The importance of social media
• The impact of social media
• Best ways to engage with followers

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT E.A WHYTE

I started writing the summer between semesters of college on a whim. With one book under my belt, I knew that I'd found my calling.

My dream is to become a published author but also to support new authors realize their own stories. For now, I'm a barista at a local coffee shop by day, and a writer by night.

Connect With Our Guests

• Instagram

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We all need to do research for our novels. Some research is tedious but some is fun and it's all too easy to keep researching and not get any writing or editing done. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss how to keep your focus when researching.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the rabbit hole is
• When it's okay to go down the rabbit hole
• Make notes
• Set a timer
• Use placeholders in your draft

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you have several books out or do you plan to write and publish more than one book? Then you need to consider when and how to market those older books in your back catalogue.

The newest one to be released may be all shiny, but don't forget to give some love to the older ones.

Give this episode a listen to see what you can do and why it can be useful to market your older books.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why marketing your earlier books is important
• Ways to market earlier books
• A few devil's advocate moments too :)

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

View Details

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you create character profiles? How in-depth do you go? How well do you know your protagonist? This week, Ari and Rachel discuss the pros to knowing your characters' religion.

In this episode, we cover:

• How religion can aid in character development
• How religion can affect the characters, the world, and the plot
• Using real-world religions or creating a fictional religion
• Why you should research different real-world religions

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

What makes a good antagonist? Does your story need an antagonist? Justine Manzano joins Ari and Rachel to discuss all things antagonistic!

This week, we cover:

• Defining an antagonist
• Different types of antagonists
• How important they are to a story

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT JUSTINE MANZANO

Justine Manzano is the author of the YA Urban Fantasy series Keys and Guardians, and YA Contemporary novel Never Say Never.

A freelance editor, she lives in the Bronx, NY with her husband, son, and chaotic puppy.

She can usually be found on her website, www.justinemanzano.com, and she’s on all the usual social media haunts. If you’ve looked in all these places and can’t find her, she’s probably off reading fanfiction. She’ll be back soon.

Links

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/justine_manzano
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justine_manzano/
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justine_manzano1229
• Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Order-Key-Justine-Manzano/dp/B09MGFQQ4N/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=Justine+Manzano&qid=1638238863&sr=8-10
• Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-order-of-the-key-justine-manzano/1136575285?ean=9798985327304
• Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/mvokx2

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever thought about where your published book will be one, five, or even ten years from now? It might be collecting dust on someone's bookshelf or someone may be rereading it for the sixth time. Join Ari and Rachel this week as we discuss the longevity of books.

In this episode, we cover:

• What longevity means
• The long-lasting impact your book may have to readers
• How writing is a learning experience for readers and writers

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

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This week Ari and Rachel are discussing when it might be time to let go of a story idea. In this episode, we cover:- Sunk Cost Fallacy- How much have you grown as a writer- Time is finite- How many stories do you have As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have all the guests for 2023 but we are accepting applications for 2024 guests.

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page.Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  

Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you been torn between self-publishing and traditional publishing? We've all been there. There's a lot of decision making when it comes to writing a novel and a lot of that comes from the business side. Luckily, McKenzie Burns joins Ari and Rachel this week to discuss the benefits of self-publishing.

In this episode, we cover:

• How McKenzie chose self-publishing over traditional
• Tools, programs, and resources you need when self-publishing
• Where you can self-publish your books
• The Benefits of self-publishing
• What you need to know about the business of self-publishing

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT MCKENZIE BURNS

McKenzie Burns is a multi-genre author from the suburbs of Chicago with a passion for writing stories that involve diverse cultures, witty banter, and women who don’t take no for an answer. Her spare time is spent drinking copious amounts of coffee and scouring Spotify for obscure music.

Website | Goodreads | Instagram | Twitter

Buy links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES This week Ari and Rachel are looking at Writing and Life balance. We all want it but can we really have it?  What can we do to help us catch the elusive "balance." In this episode, we cover:- Using dead time- Prioritisation- Delegation- Don't worry about the completion- Use timers  As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have all the guests for 2023 but we are accepting applications for 2024 guests.

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page.Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  

Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever tried writing a screenplay before? Have you thought of turning it into a novel or vice versa? If so, Rich Hosek, Arnold Rudnick, and Loyd Auerbach join Ari and Rachel this week to discuss screenplays and novels.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why turn your unproduced screenplay into a novel
• The process of changing a screenplay into a novel
• What skills are needed for this process
• What challenges can arise during this process
• Creating a voice with three writers

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT RICH HOSEK

Rich has written for numerous television series with his writing partner Arnold Rudnick including, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Star Trek: Voyager, and The New Addams Family for which they won a Leo Award for Best Writing for Comedy or Variety. More recently he has been focusing his efforts on novels and short stories. He is a fan of Legos and Doctor Who now that there is a Doctor Who Lego set, his life is complete. Be sure to check out his other novels at RichHosek.com, his short story fiction podcast, Bedtime Stories for Insomniacs at BedtimeStories.studio, and follow him on Twitter @RichHosek and on Facebook @WrittenByRichHosek.

ABOUT ARNOLD RUDNICK

Arnold studied film and accounting at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, then moved to Los Angeles, where he worked in feature development at Paramount Pictures and Gary Lucchesi Productions. Arnold and Rich have collaborated on numerous scripts for film and television, including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Star Trek: Voyager and The New Addams Family. He has also written children’s books, including ESPete: Sixth Grade Sens—which won a silver medal in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards and Reader’s Favorite Awards and was a pick in Danny Brassell’s Lazy Readers Book Club—and Little Green. He and his wife live in Los Angeles, California.

ABOUT LOYD AUERBACH

Loyd Auerbach, MS, is a world-recognized paranormal expert with thousands of media appearances and the author or coauthor of nine paranormal books and one on publishing and publicity. He is President of the Forever Family Foundation (since 2013, and Director of the Office of Paranormal Investigations (since 1989). He is on faculty at Atlantic University and JFK University (National University) and teaches online Parapsychology courses through the Rhine Education Center. He is on the Board of Directors of the Rhine Research Center and the advisory board of the Windbridge Institute. He is a past president of the Psychic Entertainers association, and besides working as a parapsychologist, he performs as professional mentalist Professor Paranormal (and occasional chocolatier). Follow him @profparanormal on Twitter, and catch his bi-weekly Q&A live streams on Facebook.

Connect With Our Guests

• Website
• Amazon
• Goodreads
• Readers Favorite

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Special Thanks

Our patrons, Kristen Poli & Plottr

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES This week Ari and Rachel are discussing the four types of stories.  Where does your story fall within these four? As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have all the guests for 2023 but we are accepting applications for 2024 guests.

If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page.Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  

Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES This week, Ari and Rachel discuss organizing multiple novels. As writers, we tend to have too many ideas and decide to write a few simultaneously. Here are some tips and tricks to keeping your notes organized. As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page.Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES In today's episode, we are looking at all those bad ideas we have and why we shouldn't just discard them.  Let's try and turn some bad ideas into good ideas! As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We currently have all the guests for 2023, but we are happy to start accepting applications for 2024 guests! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: CreditIntro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Writing a novel can be confusing, especially if you're juggling multiple story arcs in one story. Luckily, Troy Lambert joins Ari and Rachel to discuss how to handle multiple novel plots and story arcs.

This week, we cover:

• The benefits of having multiple story arcs in one book
• The difference and similarities between multiple plots and subplots
• The best way to weave plots together
• Organizational tips to keep track of your many plotlines

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.

ABOUT TROY LAMBERT

Troy Lambert is a freelance writer, author, editor, and the education lead for Plottr. The author of over 25 novels, he lives, works, and plays in the mountains of Idaho with his wife and two very talented dogs.

Links

• Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/authortroy/
• Amazon -https://www.amazon.com/Harvested-Boucher-Mystery-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B07P7RYHG2

WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE SHOW?

We are accepting guest applications for The Merry Writer Podcast! If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read our FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.

Due to high interest, our guest slots for 2023 are filled. Applications are still open (for 2024), but we may take a while to get back to you.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Patreon

If you want to support our show and show our little podcast extra love, you can do by becoming a patron. Consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share

If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

CREDITS

Hosts

Ari Meghlen & Rachel Poli

Music

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of http://www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES In today's episode, we are talking about foreshadowing, what it is, how it works and why you might want to make sure you have some in your story! As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonIf you want to show our little podcast some extra love, please consider popping over to our Patreon Page where you can snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music:Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES This week, Ari and Rachel discuss ways to set aside money for publishing your novel. They also discuss what you should save for and when to begin saving. As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page.Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Today is all about Deus Ex Machina, what it is, why it's bad and how to avoid it!   As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music:Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Have you ever gotten stuck on your novel before? Outlining is a great way to around that. However, outlining isn't for everyone. This week, we go over some different novel outlining methods you can try. As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page.Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap-up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES In today's episode, we discuss the frustrating "As You Know, Bob" trope, why we don't like it and what you should do instead. As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap-up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Have you tried submitting a piece of writing before and encountered a word you didn't know? This week, we're going over some brief vocab words everyone should know within the writing industry. As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page.Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap-up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Today we are talking all about habits and why making writing a habit can be quite difficult for some writers and what things you can do to try and help. As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snapping up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Are you releasing a debut novel? Are you working on a new project and want to spread the word? This week, we're discussing ways writers can get podcast interviews. As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page.Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap-up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Let's talk about procrastination!  That weird urge to delay a task rather than just working on it.  This can be a big thing with writers so in today's episode we cover what it is, why it can happen and how we can fix it. As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap-up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Some books are broken up into chapters. Others have parts. Some have prologues at the beginning, and others have epilogues. There's some debate about whether these chapters are needed.

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss the pros and cons of having prologues and epilogues in your books.

As always, thanks for listening. Share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page. Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap-up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Social media is very much in our lives now, but does it have some negative effects and should we sometimes consider a break?  Rachel and Ari discuss when to step away from social media. As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page (over on the left-hand side of the screen - if viewed on a desktop). Once you've read everything, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page if you feel you could be a good fit.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap-up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES If you're a writer, then you know writing a novel has multiple stages. It seems like a simple topic, but there's more to each step of the process than meets the eye.

This week, Ari and Rachel go in-depth about the writing process step-by-step.

As always, thanks for listening. Share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap-up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES Happy New Year! We are now in 2023 and we thought we'd start the year talking about our sagging middles! No, this is not about eating too much Christmas pudding over the holidays, but rather those middles in our stories that can often lose steam and get a little, well, saggy!

Let's talk about what the problem is and how to fix them!

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023. If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page (over on the left-hand side of the screen - if viewed on a desktop). Once you've read everything, if you feel you could be a good fit, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page. Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload.

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES It's the end of 2022! This week, Ari and Rachel decided to share bloopers from this year's episodes. Enjoy and have a great new year!

As always, thanks for listening and for your support. We're looking forward to an exciting 2023 on the podcast!

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0Background Music - "Monkey Spinning Money" and "Hyperfun" composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES So today's episode is all about pacing in a novel, things we recommend regarding pacing, things we aren't keen on and even some differing opinions! Eeh gads!  It happens, folks.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page (over on the left-hand side of the screen - if viewed on a desktop). Once you've read everything, if you feel you could be a good fit, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES If you're a reader, then you probably write book reviews... right? With 2022 coming to an end and with everyone wrapping up their reading challenges, Ari and Rachel share various places to write and publish book reviews.

As always, thanks for listening. Share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap-up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES As the year starts to draw to a close, Ari and Rachel are back with another fun episode of Would You Rather, this time it's Movie Edition.  So grab a drink and join in answering these questions

As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.

Support the Podcast:

PatreonWant to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap-up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! ShareIf you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music: Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Description can be tricky in writing sometimes. If you ever feel stuck, think of the five senses. We tend to use some senses more than others in our writing.

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss ways you can utilize the five senses in creative writing. (Including some dos and don'ts!)

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

With Christmas not too far away, people are turning their thoughts to gifts.  So today, Ari and Rachel share some ideas for gifts for the writers in your life. 

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Want to be a Guest?

We have opened up guest applications 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the time to read the FAQs Page (over on the left hand side of the screen - if viewed on a desktop).  Once you've read everything, if you feel you could be a good fit, please fill in the Google Form linked on that page.  Please note we may take a while to get back to you due to our workload. 

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Auditing is a scary word, but it's easier than it seems. As with all businesses, you should audit your workflow, make improvements, and more.

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss what auditing your writing means, why you should do it, and how to do it.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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In today's episode, Rachel and Ari discuss some of their favourite writing (and writer) programs that they've found to be really useful.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Have you decided to get traditionally published and don't know how to start pitching your novel? Or maybe you're self-publishing and need a solid pitch for your target audience?

This week, author Brandon J. Greer joins us on the show as he goes in depth about how to write a query letter, why you need one, and so much more.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

ABOUT BRANDON J. GREER

Brandon J Greer is second and third oldest in a family of ten. (He was second oldest until a new marriage brought a new child that bumped him to third.) To set himself apart from so many siblings, he discovered the arts. Drawing, acting, and writing pulled him in at a young age.   His first book, Around the World in About a Year, was completed in the sixth grade and was complete garbage but it won him a place in an arts competition at the local university. Now living in northern Utah with his wife and daughter, he travels as much as he can.   Links:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you know the best time to write?  Today, Rachel and Ari discuss finding the best time to write, for you!

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

As writers, we can get stuck in many places when it comes to writing your novel. The first draft should be you telling yourself the story. But after that, how can you keep your readers hooked?

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss some ways you should (and shouldn't) begin your novel.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Resources:

Writers Beware | Kindlepreneur | Atticus | Vellum

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Are you setting up a dedicated writing space?  What are some things you might want to include?  Ari and Rachel weigh in on some things they include in their spaces.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever thought of becoming an audiobook narrator but didn't know where to start?

Luckily, audiobook narrator, Rachel V. White joins Ari and Rachel this week. She explains everything you need to know about being an audiobook narrator.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

ABOUT RACHEL V. WHITE

Rachel V. White is the audiobook narrator of three novels. She uses her booth as a quiet hideaway when she's not recording. Her audiobooks include "The Mirror Chronicles" series by Rachel Huffmire and "Second Star" by Bree Moore.

Website | TikTok | Instagram | Twitter

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! There are also a lot of public posts you can view too!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

Music:

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Writing a book is awesome but it can also be stressful, so can editing, marketing and publishing!  So what do you do to cope with all that stress?  How do you manage to navigate through all the different levels and requirements needed?  In this week's episode, Ari and Rachel discuss ways to cope with that stress so it doesn't overwhelm you.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Self-publishing can cost more than you think. And, as the author, you have to be responsible for all the costs.

This week, Ari and Rachel break down budgeting a book for you.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Resources:

Writers Beware | Kindlepreneur | Atticus | Vellum

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Finding time to write can be hard, so what can you do to protect that writing time you've etched out for yourself?  Here are a few ideas.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you love writing but have a hard time talking about it? Promoting your book can be difficult if you're too shy to tell the world about it.

This week, author Chris Tullbane joins Ari and Rachel as we discuss why it's important to talk about your work and how to be confident in doing so.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

ABOUT CHRIS TULLBANE

Chris began as a gleam in someone’s eye, but birth and childhood were quick to follow. He’s been fortunate enough to live in Spain, Germany, and all over the United States of America, and is still planning a tour of the distilleries of Scotland.

He currently lives in Nevada with his angelic wife and ever-expanding whisky collection and occasionally ventures outside to peer upwards, mutter to himself about ‘day stars’, and then scurry back into the house.

Chris is the author of two series; The Murder of Crows and The Many Travails of John Smith.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram The Murder of Crows | The Many Travails of John Smith Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

Music:

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you lost your love of writing?  Is your manuscript getting your down?  Considering throwing in the towel?  Don't worry, we've all been there.  So today, we discuss ways to help you fall in love with writing again.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you had some rough mental health days where you seem like you can't write or do anything at all? We've all had those moments.

This week, Ari and Rachel are discussing how you can continue to write through those rough days and other methods of getting out of the funk.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Let's talk about all those old stories and ideas you have tucked away.  Or maybe you don't keep any and ruthlessly delete and discard any ideas that so far haven't made it into manuscript form.  Just what do you do with old story ideas or what could you do with them?

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you know who your target audience is for your book? How do you begin to figure it out?

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss what a target audience is and ways you can find yours.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever considered collaborating with another author? If so, then check out today's episode where author Morgan R R Haze joins Ari and Rachel. This guest author is actually 3 writers who collaborate on their novel series.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

ABOUT MORGAN R R HAZE

We are three siblings writing under one pen name. We grew up in the Mojave desert, literally an hour away from everything. Supportive parents, creative friends and hours of play using our imaginations lead us to developing our creative skills.

Links:

• Books
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Email
• Website

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

Music:

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you have your author bio written yet? How about a few different versions of it?

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss how to write a good author bio, such as what elements to include, how long it should be, and more.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Marketing may not be everyone's favourite thing to do, but there are strategies that can put you on the best footing.  In today's episode, we discuss some marketing strategies to put in place when you are working on your marketing plan.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you know the difference between self-publishing your book yourself or going through a vanity press?

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss the differences and red flags to watch for when it comes to going through a self-publishing company.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Resources:

Writers Beware | Kindlepreneur | Atticus | Vellum

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Are you writing a series but aren't sure how to start? Then check out today's episode where author Helen Scheuerer joins Ari and Rachel in discussing how to plan a series and things you might need to consider.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

ABOUT HELEN SCHEUERER

Helen Scheuerer is the YA fantasy author of the bestselling series, The Oremere Chronicles and the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots. Her books have often been likened to Sarah J Maas' Throne of Glass series, and the epic #girlpower film, Wonderwoman.

Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a Bachelor of Creative Writing, majoring at the University of Wollongong and a Masters of Publishing at the University of Sydney.

Now a full-time author, Helen lives amidst the mountains in New Zealand and is constantly dreaming up new stories.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Successful Series Bonus Bundle

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! There are also a lot of public posts you can view too!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

Music:

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Do you know what a book publicist is? Do you know how they can help you as an author? In this week's episode, Ari and Rachel discuss what a book publicist is, what they do, the average cost of hiring one, and more.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Have you ever created an Ideal Reader?  This is a specific marketing technique and in today's episode it's what we are going to be discussing! 

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Have you ever tried writing diverse characters and didn't know where to start? Or maybe you want to dive deeper into historical fiction?

This week, author Yecheilyah Ysrayl joins Rachel in discussing how to approach writing black historical fiction with plenty of tips, advice, and fun conversation.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

ABOUT YECHEILYAH YSRAYL

Yecheilyah (e-see-li-yah) Ysrayl is an Author, Book Blogger, and Poet from Chicago, Illinois. She studied Technical and Professional Writing at Chicago State University and Psychology with a minor in Child and Adolescent Studies at Argosy University, Atlanta. Yecheilyah has been writing since she was twelve years old and has published fourteen books to date, including her 2019 Award-Winning Poetry Collection I am Soul.

Ysrayl writes to empower the Black community and hopes her work will aid in the restoration of black historical truth. Though Poetry is her first love, she also writes Black Historical Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and Inspirational Nonfiction.

When Yecheilyah's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. She hopes to visit Accra, Ghana, and Cairo, Egypt, one day.

Yecheilyah now lives in Dallas, Georgia, with her husband.

Website | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

African American History: Research Guides and Websites

https://www.blackpast.org/research-guides-websites/

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! There are also a lot of public posts you can view too!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

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QUICK NOTE: Apologies for the sound quality at the start, I was having issues with my mic.  It does get better pretty soon, so please do persevere.  Thanks ~Ari   EPISODE SHOW NOTES

How important are beta readers?  Do you think you'll recruit any for your novel? Today, we discuss whether writers really need beta readers.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Are you interested in being a fantasy author? This week, author I. L. Cruz joins Ari to discuss how to approach writing fantasy and things to consider when building your fantastical worlds.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

ABOUT I. L. Cruz

I.L. Cruz decided to make writing her full-time career during the economic downturn in 2008. Since then she’s used her BA in International Relations to sow political intrigue in her fantasy worlds and her MA in history to strive for the perfect prologue.

When she’s not engaged in this mad profession she indulges her wanderlust as often as possible, watches too much sci-fi and reads until her eyes cross. She lives in Maryland with her husband, daughter and a sun-seeking supermutt named Dipper.

Connect with Ivia and buy her books:

Website | Blog | Twitter

Buy A Noble's Path

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! There are also a lot of public posts you can view too!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

Music:

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Today, we discuss the concept of adding pictures to your novel and the different forms these can take.  Do you think you would ever add imagery to your book?  

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Have you ever come across a secondary character in your novel that doesn't need to be there? Or maybe a character's death needs to advance the character development of the MC?

This week, we discuss a few ways to get rid of your characters - and yes, that means we're talking mostly about character deaths. 

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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When you have finished your manuscript, is it a good idea to let family and close friends read your work?  You may be surprised by our thoughts on this one. 

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Have you ever thought about writing craft books? Or do you read them and haven't quite found the information you're looking for? Luckily, that's exactly what we're talking about in this week's episode.

Author Sacha Black joins Ari and Rachel in talking about her process of writing craft books for writers. We cover outlining, difficulties, research, and more.

Thanks for listening and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

ABOUT SACHA BLACK

Sacha Black is a bestselling and competition winning author, rebel podcaster, speaker and casual rule breaker. She has five obsessions; words, expensive shoes, conspiracy theories, self-improvement, and breaking the rules. She also has the mind of a perpetual sixteen-year-old, only with slightly less drama and slightly more bills.

Sacha writes books about people with magical powers, sapphic fiction for teens, and other books about the art of writing. She lives in Cambridgeshire, England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son.

When she’s not writing, she can be found laughing inappropriately loud, blogging, sniffing musty old books, fangirling film and TV soundtracks, or thinking up new ways to break the rules.

Connect with Sacha and buy her books:

Website | The Rebel Author Podcast | Amazon Book Page | Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Instagram

8 Steps to Side Characters | 13 Steps to Evil | 10 Steps to Hero | The Anatomy of Prose

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month! There are also a lot of public posts you can view too!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

Music:

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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We are back with a Marketing episode today, when we ask "Should You Offer Your Books For Free?"  and whether the free book is a good marketing strategy or not.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Writing can be a lonely job and there are many other writers who have similar setbacks with their novels as you do. Also, they have different strengths and weaknesses than you. 

In this week's episode, we're discussing whether you should have a writing buddy or not. We discuss pros of having writing buddies and also a few cons to having one. 

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Do you find yourself getting tired throughout the day, and struggling to make good decisions?  You might be suffering from Decision Fatigue.   That's the topic of this week's podcast episode as we discuss what it is, how it affects us and what we can do to combat it.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the episode. 

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Have you ever thought about writing a series of books but thought it might be too daunting to start? This week, author KM Allan joins Ari and Rachel as we discuss tips and tricks to writing a series of novels.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

About KM Allan

K.M. Allan is an identical twin, but not the evil one. She started her career penning beauty articles for a hairstyling website and now powers herself with chocolate and green tea while she writes novels and blogs about writing.

When she’s not creating YA stories full of hidden secrets, nightmares, and powerful magic, she likes to read, binge-watch too much TV, spend time with family, and take more photos than she will ever humanly need.

Visit her website, www.kmallan.com, to discover the mysteries of the universe. Or at the very least, some good writing tips.

Connect with KM Allan

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads | AllAuthor | Amazon | Buy Black Birch 1 | Buy Black Birch 2

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

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Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Today on the show we are going through the different things you should and could include in your Front Matter (the front of your book). 

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Do you get distracted while you're trying to write? There could be a few reasons for that whether you're mind isn't in the story, you need a break, or something else pulls you away.

In this week's episode, Ari and Rachel discuss how to deal with writing distractions and when to let the distractions run their course.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Do you prefer chapter numbers or chapter titles?  Today we discuss giving your chapters titles and why some authors do it, along with our own thoughts on whether we would do it. 

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode. Also, do you have writing advice you'd like to share?

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Deadlines... we either love them, hate them, or wave to them as they whoosh by. Do you set yourself writing deadlines? Do they work for you?

In this week's episode, Ari and Rachel discuss setting writing deadlines and how to stick to them (and when it's okay not to stick with them).

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the episode. 

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Not always an easy topic, but today we are looking at the concept of Trigger Warnings in novels.  What they are, why you might include and where to put them if you do.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Can you believe The Merry Writer Podcast has reached 100 episodes? We truly appreciate all the shares, listens, and comments.

So, in this week's episode, we decided to do a podcast tag where we answer some questions about starting a podcast and running it. Enjoy and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for listening!

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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As we teeter on the cusp of triple digits for our episodes, we decided to discuss some tips for writing dialogue and things you might want to avoid!

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode. Also, do you have writing advice you'd like to share?

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Have you ever been stuck on writing descriptions in your novels? Maybe you info-dump or don't add enough?

In this week's episode, Ari and Rachel discuss writing descriptions in your novels from what it means to tips and tricks. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and thank you for listening.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Do you want to try something different for 2022?  Then how about writing contests?  Don't worry, Rachel and Ari are joined by author Paula Sheridan who founded the Page Turner Awards and discusses the benefits of entering writing contests and what you might need to consider.  

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy the episode.

ABOUT PAULA SHERIDAN

Paula  Sheridan is an award-winning author and is best known for helping  authors and writers through her businesses, Page Turner Awards and Book  Luver. Paula writes as Paula Wynne and received an award from the  People's Book Prize for her debut novel, The Grotto's Secret.  

Paula and her husband Ken run Page Turner Awards which is for authors,  writers, and screenwriters to place their writing projects in front of  literary agents, publishers and film producers who are looking for  writers. Ken and Paula live in Spain, and also runs Secret World Writing  Retreat.

LINKS

https://pageturnerawards.com/ https://www.facebook.com/PageTurnerAwards/ https://twitter.com/pageturneraward

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN PODCAST

3 Pack Authors Book Marketing Series: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/6dxumdbyxw

ProWritingAid free trial: https://bit.ly/2022-PWA-2022-Trial   

ABOUT PAGE TURNER AWARD

Page Turner Awards is an inclusive writing and book awards with one  goal – to change the lives of as many writers as possible. The team at  Page Turner Awards passionately believes that talented writers can be  from any background, age, race, religion, or interest.  

Page Turner Awards gives unpublished writers the chance to enter  unpublished fiction and non-fiction books, to be read by a carefully  curated judging panel made up of influential players in the publishing  industry.   And published authors, whether mainstream published or  independently published, the chance to get their fiction story or  non-fiction book recognized by successful authors, high-calibre industry  professionals and film producers. Plus screenwriters the chance to  showcase their screenplays to film producers and film production  companies actively looking for scripts to produce.   

Prizes span  everything from mentorships to audiobook production and publishing  packages.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!  There are also a lot of public posts you can view too!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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When you first begin to write, it's typical to see what others do and you try to get as much advice and information as possible. This week, we're sharing some advice from big-name authors and whether we agree with them or not.

As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode. Also, do you have writing advice you'd like to share?

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Today we are discussing whether writers should share their writing journey with the world and what might the reasons be for doing (or refraining from doing) that.   

Thanks for listening and do let us know in the comments what your thoughts are, do you share your writing journey details?

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Hey, everyone! Are you prepping to launch your debut novel in 2022 but don't know where to start? Then you're in luck!

This week, Rachel is joined by author Cassie Sanchez to discuss launching your debut book from how to prepare for the launch, marketing, and more.

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy the episode.

ABOUT CASSIE SANCHEZ

Growing up, Cassie Sanchez always wanted superpowers and to be a warrior princess fighting alongside unlikely heroes. Suffice it to say, she lost herself in books, from fantasy to sci-fi to a suspenseful romance.

Currently, Cassie lives in the southwest with her husband, Louie, while pestering her two adult men-children. She can usually be found drinking too much coffee while working in her office with her dog, Gunner, and Bullet, warming her feet.

When she isn’t writing about magic and sword fights, she enjoys golf, spending time with friends, or partaking in a satisfying nap. You can visit her online at cassiesanchez.com.

Preorder Chasing the Darkness here or on Amazon.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

Music:

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We are finally in 2022 and in our first episode of the year, we are laying out our goals for 2022 - podcasting and writing.  What goals are you aiming to achieve this year?

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Another year has come and gone! Listen to our many screw-ups from 2021.

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0   Background Music - "Monkeys Spinning Monkeys" and "Hyperfun" composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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As Christmas is approaching we decided we would do another round of Would You Rather, "Christmas Edition".  Play along with us and feel free to leave your own answers to the questions, in the comments!

We hope you enjoy this episode and please share it with any writer friends who you think might enjoy the podcast. Thanks for listening!

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Get to know more about the host of The Merry Writer Podcast, Ari Meghlen! In this week's episode, Rachel interviews Ari about her and her writing.

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy the episode.

ABOUT ARI MEGHLEN  

Ari is a fantasy author, avid blogger, busy entrepreneur, and cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.

Unimpressed with reality, 8-year-old Ari set out on a mission to create new exciting worlds full of demons, pirates, gods, dragons, and even a few screaming trees...and many MANY years later, she has no intention of stopping. 

Her first short story, The Locksmith, was published in the 2019 anthology From Ashes to Magic, and her second short story, Sanctuary was published in 2021 in the anthology From Myths to Monsters.

Website | Twitter | Instagram

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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As we are heading towards the end of the year, we decided to do something a little different.  In today's episode, we put Rachel in the hot seat as we learn more about her. 

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

About Rachel

Rachel Poli is an indie author, content writer, and podcaster residing in New England. While she writes mainly cozy mystery novels, she’s a multi-genre authors dabbling in short stories and flash fiction.

When she’s not writing, she’s most likely reading, playing video games, or cleaning.

Links 

Website

Buy Rachel's book

Instagram

Twitter

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Do you want to write science fiction, but don't know what to include? Maybe you don't want to have the same cliches and tropes as other sci-fi stories.

In this week's epsiode, Ari and Rachel talk about elements to include (and not include) in your science fiction novel along with sci-fi author, Dal Cecil Runo.

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy the episode.

ABOUT DAL CECIL RUNO

Dal Cecil Runo is a partially blind author of fiction and poetry. Before entering the world of writing, Dal was an independent singer/songwriter under another stage name and a blind photographer with a few exhibits across Europe. Dal is currently working on a science fiction trilogy and short stories in multiple genres. As a writer with a disability, it is a priority for Dal to include blind, visually impaired and/or other characters with disabilities in every piece of fiction. The inclusion of LGBTQ+ and multicultural characters is also of importance in all of Dal’s work.

She has lived in and travelled to several countries. Ice-skating in winter, and listening to audiobooks are some of Dal’s favourite pastimes. She can be found on most social media as DalCecilRuno.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

Music:

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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We are back with another character-drive episode, today we discuss the issues of creating Mary Sue characters and how to avoid these pitfalls!

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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How do you continue writing your novels? Do you sit down and type? Or do you have writing challenges to help you meet that word count?  

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss different writing challenges to help you keep your creativity going.

As always, thanks for listening and for your continued support. We hope you enjoy this episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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If you caught last week's show where writer Tobias Salem joined the show to discuss world-building, you might not be surprised that today's episode is all about creating a World Book!  Whether you create a complex world or a fictitious city in the real world, this episode will give you some ideas!

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Writers, have you ever considered worldbuilding? Then certainly give this episode a listen!   This week, Ari and Rachel talk to writer Tobias Salem about approaching worldbuilding. We cover advice, hurdles, and more.

We hope you enjoy this episode and thanks for listening.   ABOUT Tobias Salem

Tobias Salem, when not writing or procrastinating instead of writing, enjoys reading, hiking, listening to metal, playing games, and exploring old cemeteries. He lives near Winston-Salem with his wife, daughter, dogs, and cats. You can find him on Twitter @TobiasZSalem.  

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Have you ever suffered from imposter syndrome? Or maybe you don't and haven't realised it? In today's episode Ari and Rachel explain what it is, and how to deal with it..

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Depending on the genre you're writing, research has to be done. It doesn't matter if you're writing fiction or non-fiction.

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss some sure-fire ways to accurately conduct research for your novels.

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

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Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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This week, Ari and Rachel discuss characters and their different motivations and how these motivations can affect your plot.

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Writers, have you ever considered writing science fiction? Then certainly give this episode a listen!   This week, Ari and Rachel talk to sci-fi author R.J. Sorrento about approaching science fiction. We cover advice, hurdles, and more.

We hope you enjoy this episode and thanks for listening.   ABOUT R.J. Sorrento

I’m a writer, a parent of two children, and a librarian in training. My blog is at RJSorrento.com and you can find me on Twitter @RjSorrento. My Bookstagram handle is @rjs.readingnook. My Captain Stellar series is available on Amazon.  

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Is your plan to make writing a career? Do you want to take your writing more seriously? Then consider creating a Business Plan for your Writing.  In today's episode, we go through how to build your business plan and what to include.

We hope you enjoy this episode. Thanks for listening.  

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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There are many things you can include in your author newsletter and yet, we sometimes run out of ideas.

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss different things to include in your author newsletter and ways to engage with your readers.

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Want to try writing a larger cast of characters?  Feel like a singular main character just isn't enough for your story?  Then this is the episode for you.  This week, Ari and Rachel give some tips about tackling multiple main characters and what you might want to consider.

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Do you have a ton of writing projects that you don't know what to do with? Or maybe you're working on more than one novel at a time? Organize them with Trello!

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss ways you can utilize Trello for all your writing projects and more.

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

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Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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This week, author Chris Harvey joins Ari and Rachel, and shares this thoughts and experiences with using the online platform "Wattpad". So if you have thought about using this platform for your writing or you didn't even know it existed, give this episode a listen for some tips on getting the most of Wattpad.

We hope you enjoy this episode and please share it with any writer friends who you think might enjoy the podcast. Thanks for listening!

ABOUT CHRIS HARVEY

Chris Harvey is a teacher and hobbyist writer who writes mainly YA science fiction and fantasy. His most recent book is a comedy novella set inside a moustache.

Links:

Website - https://harveycd.wordpress.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/harveycd_writer Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorchrisharvey Wattpad - https://www.wattpad.com/user/TheDuckA Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17834590.Chris_Harvey. Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TheDuckA Chris's Books:

World Cup Dreams - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MZH5Z6U/ A Close Shave with Destiny - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Close-Shave-Destiny-Chris-Harvey-ebook/dp/B07JLJF381

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Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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The first draft is always the messiest. Therefore, editing the first draft is always the hardest. This week, we're discussing how we each edit our own first drafts.

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

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Your mindset can play a big part in your writing journey, so in today's episode we look at the concept of the author mindset and discuss different aspects.  Join us in answering some of the questions we pose about having an author mindset.  

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Do you have a large cast of characters that you don't know what to do with? Or maybe you're not sure if they all should be in the book in the first place.

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss various types of characters you should include in your novels to spice things up a bit.

As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode.

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Writers, have you ever considered writing historical fiction? Then this is the episode for you, today Ari is joined by author Anne Clare who writers historical fiction who shares her experience and advice on writing historical fiction.

We hope you enjoy this episode and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for listening

ABOUT ANNE CLARE

Anne Clare lives in the gorgeous green Pacific Northwest with her husband, three childre, and a small menagerie of cats and reptiles. She has a BS in Education and divides her time between her family, working as a part-time teacher and church musician, and writing and blogging about WWII and other odds and ends.

LINKS

website: thenaptimeauthor.wordpress.com Facebook Author Page: Anne Clare: Sharing Stories of the Second World War - Home | Facebook Goodreads: Anne Clare ( of Wartime Christmas Tales) Second World War Club on FB: Second World War Club | Facebook (there are also directions on this page for joining the private WWII author's group) Pages of the Past: Celebrating Historical Fiction fb group (another nice one): Pages of the Past: Celebrating Historical Fiction | Facebook

ANNE'S BOOKS Novel "Whom Shall I Fear?" Kindle edition: Whom Shall I Fear? - Kindle edition by Clare, Anne. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. Paperback: Whom Shall I Fear?: Clare, Anne: 9781072975106: Amazon.com: Books

Anthology I'm included in: Amazon.com: Wartime Christmas Tales: A WWII Flash Fiction Anthology eBook: Kang, Alexa, Ascroft, Dianne, Brooks, Mary D., Clare, Anne, Donovan, Eileen Joyce, Glatte, Chris, Harmon, Paula, McGinness, Eilidh, Montcombroux, Geneviève, Oakley, J.L., Pittam, Jennifer , Tanner, Margaret , Yates, Phil , Sowards, A.L.: Books Support the Podcast:

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This week, we're doing another round of Would You Rather, but reading-related questions this time.

We hope you enjoy this episode and please share it with any writer friends who you think might enjoy the podcast. Thanks for listening!

If you haven't already, give our first Would You Rather a listen where we asked each other writing-related questions here.

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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This week we are all about working from home and finding that balance between working and writing efficiently while working from home.    The pandemic brought a lot of changes, one of which was more people are working from home (some, permenantly) so how do you go about making sure you are working and writing effectively?  

Support the Podcast:

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This week, we're diving deep into the different types of editing. What they are, what they mean, and whether you can do it yourself or should hire an editor. (Spoiler alert: always get an editor!)

We hope you enjoy this episode and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for listening!

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Do you shudder at the very idea of marketing? Is it the part of all this writing biz that you struggle with? Don't worry, you're not alone!  That's why we throw in a few marketing episodes, like this one!

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss four marketing points that can help you get started with your marketing.

We hope you enjoy this episode and please share it with any writer friends who you think might enjoy the podcast. Thanks for listening!

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Do you drift off into la-la land in the middle of a writing session? Do you need to work on your novel but just don't feel like it?

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss some tips and tricks to stay motivated during a writing session or before a session.

We hope you enjoy this episode and please share it with any writer friends who you think might enjoy the podcast. Thanks for listening!

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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What do you do when faced with criticism? As writers, criticism is part of the package but we don't have to like it.  Nothing stings more than pouring your heart and soul into a story and someone criticises it.

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss just how to deal with criticisim.

We hope you enjoy this episode and please share it with any writer friends who you think might enjoy the podcast. Thanks for listening!

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Do you compare yourself to other writers? Are you your own worst critic?

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss why it's okay (and sometimes not okay) to compare yourself to other writers.

We hope you enjoy this episode and please share it with any writer friends who you think might enjoy the podcast. Thanks for listening!

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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On today's episode we decided to discuss Hobby Writing and Professional Writing! Which do you do?

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Have you ever wanted to publish an audiobook version of your stories but never knew how to go about it? Spoiler alert: it's easier than you think!

This week, author Tori Zigler joins Ari and Rachel, discussing the process of creating and self-publishing an audiobook.

We hope you enjoy this episode and please share it with any writer friends who you think might enjoy the podcast. Thanks for listening!

ABOUT TORI ZIGLER

Victoria Zigler is a blind vegan poet and children's author.  Born and raised in the shadow of the Black Mountains of Wales, UK, she moved away from Wales three times: once to spend six months living in Alberta, Canada, the other times to spend a few years living near Hastings on the South-East coast of England, UK, each time returning to Wales.  Now she lives in Wales again, along with a chinchilla named Mollie, a West Highland White Terrier named Lilie, a Cavapoo named Logan, a Hermann’s Tortoise named Artemis, and her Canadian husband, Kelly.

Despite spending far more time than she’d have liked in hospital, and eventually losing her sight to Congenital Glaucoma, Victoria - or Tori, if you prefer - has been writing since she knew how, with no plans to stop any time soon.  So far she has published nine poetry books and 46 children’s books, all of which are available from a variety of online retailers in multiple eBook formats, as well as in both paperback and audio.  She’s also contributed a story to the sci-fi and fantasy anthology Wyrd Worlds II, which is available in eBook only.  Additionally, Tori’s Hermann’s Tortoise, Artemis, was featured in both the Magnificent Pets Coloring Book For Children and the Magnificent Pets Mandala Coloring Book For Adults, which are available via Praise My Pet.

Vegan due to both a love for animals and dairy allergy, as well as an Eclectic Pagan, Tori describes herself as a combination of Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter books: Hermione’s thirst for knowledge and love of books, combined with Luna’s wandering mind and alternative way of looking at the world.  She has a wide variety of interests, designed to exercise both the creative and logical sides of her brain, and dabbles in them at random depending on what she feels like doing at any given time, but is most likely to be found playing with her petkids, curled up somewhere with a cup of tea and a book, or trying to keep one step ahead of those pesky typo fairies while writing her own books.

Links:

Website: http://www.zigler.co.uk Blog: https://ziglernews.blogspot.co.uk Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/toriz Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-Zigler/424999294215717 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/victoriazigler YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakYxH7BNyc2Lxr1g1nbP9w

Tori's Books:

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/toriz Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victoria-Zigler/e/B00BHS9DQ6/

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Do you have a dedicated writing space? Do you think they can help make you move productive or be a constraint?  Check out today's episode to get our scoop on writing spaces!

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Have you ever forgotten to take a shower for a few days? Or maybe you forgot to leave your computer and move your body for a bit.

This week, Ari and Rachel discuss some self-care tips for writers. We could all use a little TLC!

We hope you enjoy this episode and please share it with any writer friends who you think might enjoy the podcast. Thanks for listening!

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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This week, we are talking about writing reviews on books.  As writers we need reviews, so it's important we consider reviewing other books - do you review books you read?

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Have you ever gotten the dreaded one-star review on your book? Guess what? There's nothing to be worried about!

This week, author Wilmar Luna joins Ari and Rachel, discussing how to deal with one-star reviews on your books.

We hope you enjoy this episode and please share it with any writer friends who you think might enjoy the podcast. Thanks for listening!

ABOUT WILMAR LUNA

Wilmar Luna couldn't be a superhero in real life so he decided to write his own. When he's not writing about empowered female characters he can be found watching films, reading books, and playing too many video games.

Website: https://www.thesilverninja.com

For news on upcoming releases, discounts, and book news, please sign up for the newsletter at: https://www.thesilverninja.com/newsletter/

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Yesterday was Tell A Story Day, so with that as inspiration, we decided to discuss our favourite childhood stories, those ones that helped us fall in love with the written word and the importance of getting children reading eary.

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This week, we're sharing our stories about how we started writing. Let us know what you think on Twitter using #TheMerryWriterPodcast and share your story about how you began your writing journey!

For a laugh, be sure to check out Rachel's earlier writing here.

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This week on the podcast we are talking all about book covers and why they are so important. As the storefront of your story, covers need a lot of thought and a good cover artist is worth their weight in gold! Check out our thoughts on covers and things you need to consider.  

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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In this week's epsiode, Ari is joined by special guest, Kim Golden, where they discuss all things about editing your novel. Enjoy!

ABOUT KIM GOLDEN

Kim Golden is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic fiction. Born and raised in the City of Brotherly Love, Kim left the US in 1995 and moved to Sweden for love with a capital L. When she isn't writing love stories, she writes copy for a pretty famous Swedish home furnishings brand.

Website: kim-golden.com/

Twitter: twitter.com/kimigm

Instagram: instagram.com/kimgoldenbooks

Preorder Near Enough to Hold: bit.ly/NearEnoughToHold

Link to donate directly to West Park Cultural Center: westparkcultural.org/donate/

Support the Podcast:

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In honour of International Women's Day (that was this month, March 8th... yes we know we're late, we do explain!) We decided to discuss Writing Female Characters, things we love seeing and things we really don't when it comes to female characters!

In case you missed our Writing Male Character Episode, you can find it here: https://themerrywriterpodcast.podbean.com/e/how-to-write-male-characters-ep-034-the-merry-writer-podcast/

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Characters are the heart of every novel, so this week's we discuss a way you can keep track of their development through character profiles. Enjoy and thanks for listening.

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Writing is a constant learning game, and no matter what stage of the journey you are at there will always be things you wish you were better at as a writer.  On today's episode we are joined by special guest Mark Gelinas Snr who shares his one thing he wishes he was better at as a writer.

ABOUT MARK

Mark Gelinas is a writer of technical manuals, historical science fiction, and YA fiction. Fortunate enough to work at home, he pursues his writing career from middle Georgia. He shares home office space with his wife, youngest daughter, and two cats.

Twitter | Facebook

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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The podcast is almost a year old and the Twitter hashtag game turns 3-years-old this year. It's crazy how time flies, but to celebrate we did a special episode for our 50th (!!!) and we're explaining how The Merry Writer came to be. Enjoy and thank you for your continued support! :)

From Myths To monsters (Supernatural Beings Anthology vol 2) featuring Ari Meghlen's short story Sanctuary) is AVAILABLE NOW. Links below:

Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Kobo Apple Books Smashwords Barnes & Noble

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Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Have you ever been interested in running an Anthology? Want to get the scoop on what is involved and want some tips? Then check out today's episode were we welcome our special guest, Author Mikki Noble who runs the #SupernaturalBeings anthologies.

ABOUT MIKKI

Mikki, the eccentric Canadian, has been writing in some form or another for nearly a quarter of a century; since writing her very first poem at age eleven. She lives in Ontario, Canada, with her cats, guinea pig and rabbit.

She found her niche in teen fiction because it’s captivating, open-minded, fast-paced, and every sense is heightened. And that’s also the reason why it’s her favorite genre to pick up at a bookstore. Mikki has a diploma in both, Business Administration and Creative Writing.

She loves creating things, animals, books and movies, trying to make people smile, and talking to her social media friends.

Website – http://www.mikkinoble.com​

Designer Site – http://www.paracozedesigns.com​

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/missmikkinoble​

From Myths To monsters (Supernatural Beings Anthology vol 2) featuring short stories from Mikki Noble & Ari Meghlen is out now! Links below:

Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Kobo | Apple Books | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

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Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Which social media platform do you think is the best for writers? This week, we compare Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest with pros and cons for each platform. Enjoy and thanks for listening!

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Writing a novel is hard, so do you jump in at the beginning and keep to the path or do you dive in the middle? Today's episode we discuss where we start when writing our novels and why we do it the way we do! :)

From Myths To monsters (Supernatural Beings Anthology vol 2) featuring Ari Meghlen's short story Sanctuary) is now available for Pre-Order. Links below:

Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com Kobo Apple Books Smashwords Barnes & Noble

Support the Podcast:

Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!

Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.

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Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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We decided to do another tag this week with Valentine's Day around the corner! We did our best to keep this romance-themed, so we hope you enjoy. Thanks for listening!

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We are all about the names today!  As writers, we need to come up with a lot of names - characters, locations, titles etc.  So this week, we ask: How Do You Come Up With Names In Your Book?

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Inspiration is all around us in people, places, and things in real life and even in our own imagination. This week, we discuss a few things that have inspired our own novels. What inspiration have you found?

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Being on social media is one way to connect with your audience and potential readers, but how do you build up that elusive "following" that we are all chasing after?  We break down our tips for doing just that!

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Hey, everyone! Welcome to episode 042 where we discuss how to overcome roadblocks when writing your novels. Thanks to Marty Vee for suggesting this topic. We'd love to hear your thoughts on the conversation in the comments or on Twitter using the hashtag, #TheMerryWriterPodcast. As always, thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy it. 

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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We have officially said goodbye (and good riddance) to 2020 and are jumping straight into 2021 with enthusiam and motivation.  We over here at The Merry Writer Podcast do this by creating Yearly Goals.  Check out today's episode where we share some of our main goals for this coming year.  Don't forget to let us know any of your Yearly Goals.

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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2020 is coming to an end. We've had a lot of fun with this podcast and the support has been amazing! For something a little different, we've compiled our favorite bloopers from our episodes recorded this year. Enjoy and thanks as always for listening. :)

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Since we are only 2 days from Christmas, we decided to so something a little different.  Welcome to our Christmas Tag Edition where we ask several Christmas-y questions.  We've love it if you joined in, answer these questions and post your answers in the comments section or over on Twitter using #TheMerryWriterPodcast.

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Do you know your way around the book marketing world? This week, we discuss how marketing is always changing and in order to become a guru, you need to always learn and adapt to social media, etc.   Thanks for listening and let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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What part of your novel gets you excited to write?  Do you love fight scenes or love scenes? What about landscape descriptions or inner monologues?  Today's episode we discuss our favourite parts to write and why.   As always, do let us know what your favourite parts to write are, we love to hear from you.

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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Hey, everyone! How do you go about writing your novels? Do you type on the computer or a typewriter? Do you write in a notebook or do speech to text? This week we're discussing various methods to write and which ones are our favorite. Enjoy and thanks for listening!

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:

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Do you sometimes get gripped with the fear of failure?  Does it stop you in your tracks?  You aren't the only one!  Today's episode, we discuss why that fear takes hold and what you can do to let it go.

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:  

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In this week's episode, we're honoring "International Men's Day" (which is November 19th) by discussing how to write male characters. Listen in to our questions and answers and share your own in the comments! Thanks for listening!

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:

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Have you ever experienced Creative Constipation - otherwise known as Writers' Block? Almost every writer get's hit back that crushing block at one time or another and so we choose this as our topic for today's question of how you overcome writers block.

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In this week's episode of The Merry Writer Podcast, we are joined by our good friend and fellow author, Ian Gough, to discuss writing advice. Enjoy!

About our Guest:

Ian Gough is a UK based author who mainly writes a mixture of fantasy, comedy, horror or a combination of the three, but will happily tackle any story that his imagination conjures up. He took up writing back in 2016 and published the first of his fantasy Core Lands novels, Lotan the Librarian later that year. Since then he’s released two more fantasy novels and had both fantasy and horror short stories published. With so many ideas struggling to break free, he’s planning on releasing more into the wild in 2021 and beyond.

Website: Iangauthor.com Amazon Author Page www.amazon.co.uk/Ian-Gough/e/B075RDKFBH

Twitter - @LotanB1

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Do you often feel overwhelmed with story ideas?  Are you sometimes caught with indecision as to which one to write first?  Don't worry, you're not alone, we know that feeling and that's why today we decided to tackle the question of how to choose which story to actually write first.

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:

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In this week's episode we did something different! We played a fun round of "Would You Rather?" Listen in to our questions and answers and share your own in the comments! Thanks for listening!

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This week's episode we decided to discuss Productivity, specifically the method of "Blocking".  Listen in to our thoughts about how productivity blocking is and share your own in the comments!

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In this week's episode of The Merry Writer Podcast, we are joined by Rachel's sister, Kristen Poli, to discuss all things about NaNoWriMo. Enjoy!   About our Guest:   Kristen Poli is a writer specializing mainly in the fantasy genre and is passionate about creativity, gaming, dogs, and chocolate. You can find her on Medium and her newsletter, A Positive Spin.  

Medium: Medium.com/@krispy215 Newsletter: PositiveSpin.substack.com

Resources:   NaNoWriMo Website: https://nanowrimo.org/   Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:

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Welcome back everyone, on today's podcast we decided to discuss other writing careers you can pursue while you are writing your novel or even if you just want to do your fiction writing as a hobby.  If you haven't already, don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, click the like button and ask us any questions!

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Hey, everyone! This week, we're discussing all things about author bios - why they're important, where you should put them, and what you should include in them. Check it out and remember to subscribe to our podcast, click the like button and ask us any questions!

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As we hit our 25th episode, we decided to tackle the questions we, as writers, hate to get.  Do any of these make your list?  Check out the episode and remember to subscribe to our podcast, click the like button and ask us any questions... just not THESE questions :D

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Welcome back! In this week's episode, we talk about authors writing in multiple genres vs. sticking to a single category. Check it out and remember to subscribe to our podcast, click the like button and ask us any questions!

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On this week's episode of The Merry Writer Podcast, we are joined by our friend and author Andrew McDowell discussing when we realized we wanted to be writers. Enjoy!   About our Guest:   Andrew McDowell has written poetry, creative nonfiction, and is the author of the YA high fantasy novel Mystical Greenwood. He studied at St. Mary’s College and the University of Maryland. He is a member of the Maryland Writers’ Association and an associate nonfiction editor for the literary magazine JMWW.  

Website: https://andrewmcdowellauthor.com/ Mystical Greenwood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1641362820 Mystical Greenwood on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39508845-mystical-greenwood

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Welcome back!  In today's episode, we list a few places you can share your creative writing online. Check it out and remember to subscribe to our podcast, click the like button and ask us any questions!

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Welcome back!  In today's episode, we decided to do another marketing post and discussed the importance of marketing your book before it's published.  Check it out and remember to subscribe to our podcast, click the like button and ask us any questions!

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Join Ari and Rachel this week where we discuss what we wish we knew before we began writing.

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On this week's episode of The Merry Writer Podcast, we are joined by our friend and author Devon Ellington who discusses how she manages her time as a full-time author!  This longer episode is packed with helpful ideas for staying productive and managing your time!   About our Guest:   Devon Ellington is a full-time writer who publishes under multiple names in fiction and nonfiction, and is an internationally-produced playwright and radio writer. Say hello to Devon at her website: DevonEllingtonWork.com  

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.   Music:

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Join Ari and Rachel this week where we discuss the importance of creative writing prompts and how they can help your craft.

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Today on the podcast, we tackle the concept of writing goals and share our own thoughts on how to create them and the best way to keep up with them.

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Join Ari and Rachel this week where we discuss when writers should be present online.

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music:

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On today's episode of The Merry Writer Podcast, we have hit our 15th episode. So for this mini-milestone, we decided to do a special episode all about what we've (currently) learned from running this podcast!

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On this week's episode of The Merry Writer Podcast, our friend and fellow author Julie Valerie joins us in discussing writing our novels linearly or jumping around. This longer episode is packed with useful information on writing your first draft and outlines. Enjoy!   About our Guest:   Julie Valerie lives and writes from Virginia, where she is at work developing the Village of Primm series. Enjoy Holly Banks Full of Angst (2019) and The Peculiar Fate of Holly Banks (2020), both by Lake Union Publishing. Say hello to Julie at her website: JulieValerie.com

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show. Music:

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In this episode, we weigh in with our thoughts on whether it's a good idea for writers to add themselves as characters into their stories. 

Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our Patreon Page and snap up some goodies for as little as $1 a month!   Share If you enjoy our podcast, please share episodes on social media to spread the word about our show.     Music:   Intro & Outro – “Inspired” composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

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Welcome to episode 012 of The Merry Writer Podcast. This week Ari and Rachel ask, "do authors need a website?" Don't forget to follow this podcast and please consider sharing it on social media. 

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Welcome to episode 011 of The Merry Writer Podcast. Today, Ari and Rachel ask the question, "What are your thoughts on pen names?"  Don't forget to follow this podcast and please consider sharing it on social media. 

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Welcome to episode 010 of The Merry Writer Podcast. This week Ari and Rachel ask, "what is the best and worst thing about writing?" with our special guest, Kerri Davidson! Don't forget to follow this podcast and please consider sharing it on social media. 

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Welcome to episode 009 of The Merry Writer Podcast. Today Ari and Rachel ask, "what is your worst data loss?"  Don't forget to follow this podcast and please consider sharing it on social media. 

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Welcome to a new episode of The Merry Writer Podcast. Today Ari and Rachel ask, "what's your go-to snack and drink when writing?"  Don't forget to follow this podcast and please consider sharing it on social media. Thanks for listening!

Music "Inspired" by Kevin MacLeod www.incompetech.com Licensed under Creative Commons 4.0

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Welcome to a new episode of The Merry Writer Podcast. Today Ari and Rachel ask, "do you prefer paperback, hardback, ebook or audiobooks?"  Don't forget to follow this podcast and please consider sharing it on social media. 

Music "Inspired" by Kevin MacLeod www.incompetech.com Licensed under Creative Commons 4.0

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Welcome to episode 006! Join Ari and Rachel on The Merry Writer Podcast as they ask, "do you love or hate editing?" Help this little podcast grow by following it, listening each week, and sharing it on social media. 

Music "Inspired" by Kevin MacLeod www.incompetech.com Licensed under Creative Commons 4.0

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It's time for a brand new episode of The Merry Writer Podcast.  Today Ari and Rachel ask, "does music inspire your writing?"  Don't forget to follow this podcast and please consider sharing it on social media. 

Music "Inspired" by Kevin MacLeod www.incompetech.com Licensed under Creative Commons 4.0

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Welcome to episode 004! Join Ari and Rachel on The Merry Writer Podcast as they ask, "what is your typical writing routine?" Help this little podcast grow by following it, listening each week, and sharing it on social media. 

Music "Inspired" by Kevin MacLeod www.incompetech.com Licensed under Creative Commons 4.0

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Ready for another writer question? Join Ari and Rachel as they ask, "do you prefer to write a series or standalone books?" Please help this little podcast grow by following it, listening each week, & sharing it on social media. 

Music "Inspired" by Kevin MacLeod www.incompetech.com Licensed under Creative Commons 4.0

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Join Ari and Rachel on the second episode of The Merry Writer Podcast as they ask, "are you a planner, pantser, or plantser?" Help this little podcast grow by following it, listening each week, and sharing it on social media. 

Music "Inspired" by Kevin MacLeod www.incompetech.com Licensed under Creative Commons 4.0

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Join Ari and Rachel on their official first episode of The Merry Writer Podcast as they ask "Are you a secret writer or loud and proud?"  Help this little podcast grow by following it, spreading the word and sharing it on social media. 

Music "Inspired" by Kevin MacLeod www.incompetech.com Licensed under Creative Commons 4.0

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Welcome to The Merry Writer Podcast!

We're two chatty authors connecting writers one question at a time by asking all the "write" questions. This mini-intro trailer introduces the hosts of the podcast, Ari & Rachel. Episodes are every Wednesday.

“Inspired” by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0