Tania's Writing Realm: Recent Episodes
Tania Stephanson
Although writing can be lonely, you don't have to feel alone! I'll advertise writing contests, provide creativity prompts and share my experiences with you. This includes writing, self-publishing and author business. Listen in to feel less alone in the chaotic lifestyle of being a writer.
When you have two stories started that seem a little light, sometimes merging them together works nicely, and increases the depth in your project.
Writing contest links:
https://fireflycreativewriting.com/contests-for-canadian-writers
https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-contests/
https://sablebooknight.ca/submissions/
https://www.papertrue.com/blog/writing-contests-2025/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/64-writing-contests-may-2025-entryfees-erica-verrillo-jfpje/
https://intercompetition.com/writing
https://curiosityneverkilledthewriter.com/62-writing-contests-in-april-2025-no-entry-fees-ac42287cca34
https://www.karenosman.com/writingcompetitions2025
There are many benefits to reading multiple genres as a writer, here are my thoughts, as well as what I have been reading lately, including my opinions of those books.
Putting the extra effort into your story's opening is important. It is far too easy to write your story with a poor opening, which results in distancing your reader. Here are six examples of how NOT to start your book.
A great way to help readers connect emotionally to our characters, is by improving descriptions used in a scene. We do this by putting ourselves into our characters shoes, and using emotional words with the descriptions.
What do you do, when you find yourself in a sea of multiple un-finished writing projects? How do you stay organized? Here are some suggestions and examples on how you can keep things organized, and easy to find.
Many writers choose to write one project at a time, to streamline their focus on finishing the story. However, more and more, writers are working on more than one project at a time. What are the pros and cons of doing so?
Do you use writing tropes as focal points of your stories? Today we talk about writing tropes and how they are used, and my personal thoughts.
Submit for FREE to Sable BooKnight's Portals Anthology
https://sablebooknight.ca/submissions/
Who am I? My name is Tania Stephanson, and I'm a Canadian author. Here is a little more about me and my life, and what I'm writing currently. Thanks for listening!
sablebooknight.ca
What has been happening with Tania, and where has she been?
It has been some time since I've uploaded any podcast episodes, or YouTube videos. Here's what's been happening in my world, and what my plans are moving forward.
AuthorTube
Writing
The pros and cons of writing and publishing with multiple author names, and how to make it easier to manage websites and costs.
Recently I experienced a need for funds and didn't know where i was going to get it. But then I remembered I had some money saved up from my side hustle.Do you have ideas for side income for authors?
AI text generated tools are here to stay, but how do you feel about it? These are my thoughts on how to we can morally use AI tools to help with our writing process. sablebooknight.ca
Today I'm sharing some exciting news about my author world! I'll include my writing update, author news, the special project news, and podcast future plans. #AuthorTube #Self-publishing #indieauthor
Being so close to my 40th birthday I'm looking back at my life and making plans for the future. How can I get my author business to where I want it to be?
AuthorTube
Is almost here! Preptober is upon us. here's what I'm working on this round, what are your plans?
Here are 6 things I've learned so far as an independent author. What have you learned so far?
AuthorTube
Writing
Let's talk about my August writing challenge, AuthorTube channel, writing education, my high fantasy novel update and more.
AuthorTube
Here is a bit about me: where I grew up, where I've lived and a bit about my health.
AuthorTube
writerslife
I'm reading GOT book one and I'm not sure I'm really connecting with the characters. What are you reading?
AuthorTube
BookTube
Writing
Testing out Scrivener wasn't easy at first. But now I use word and scrivener together.
writing
books
AuthorTube
Starting out as an independent author it can be hard to Cover all your costs. One of the potentially biggest cost is a good Cover. I recommend using GetCovers
affiliate link GetCovers https://client.getcovers.com/r/XV147G
coupon code NI2QDN
AuthorTube
at my first vendor market and book sale of 2022 things did not go as I had hoped. But I made new connections and made a few sales and that's all I can ask for.
AuthorTube
IndieAuthor
At what point should we stop editing our work and actually hit the publish button?
these are my thoughts, what are yours?
AuthorTube
Indieauthors
Self-publishing
Reading in different formats has been a recent test and this is how is going. With weather change it's also put me in a stay at home and read mood. Have you been reading lately?
AuthorTube
indieauthor
After releasing Living Undiagnosed I decided to get out the D2D print Beta. this is how it went!
WritingCommunity
AuthorTube
indieauthors
Why should you create a publishing company? Do you need to create a publishing company? Also, what is an imprint and where do you find it?
AuthorTube
Self-publishing
contest https://sruk.org.uk/initiatives/public-engagement/science-me-a-story/
Do you need to use italics while writing internal dialogue? What do you prefer as a reader and writer?
AuthorTube
Let's review Self-publishing platforms like Smashwords, Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital and Google Play Books. Many of these platforms do regular improvements. Today I'll share with you my experience and opinions on each of these platforms.
AuthorTube
Indieauthor
So far I've managed to publish my long awaited story Living Undiagnosed and made plans to revisit my writing education. How has your January been going?
AuthorTube
Reaching the end of another year, it's the perfect time to reflect on the first year of my writing podcast.
email taniaswritingrealm@gmail.com
AuthorTube
IndieAuthour
We've reached the last day to write 50 thousand words in November! How was your NaNo experience? What are your goals for future?
AuthorTube
Finding time to write with a chaotic schedule can be challenging. But there are ways you can write on the go to increase how much you accomplish.
How are your Nano projects going?
AuthorTube
NaNoWriMo
No one enjoys reading books with lots of sticky sentences. But what are they and how can we make them better? Let's talk about what glue Words are in your writing.
AuthorTube
Indieauthors
2021 NaNoWriMo is upon us. Are you ready to write 50 thousand words in one month? I am! Let's talk about our plans and what this whole process is about.
One mountain authors need to climb is Marketing. I bet you've heard of these before but you may hear something new. #AuthorTube
Stress and anxiety can have a major impact on your ability to write. Here are some ideas on how you can refresh yourself so that you can focus while writing.
AuthorTube
Many experienced and successful authors recommend putting all your energy into writing and publishing one genre, especially if you are a new author. But why is that?
Contest: http://texasreviewpress.org/submission/x-j-kennedy-poetry-prize
Email: taniaswritingrealm@gmail.com
AuthorTube
What is NaNoWriMo and how can you sign up and get ready for it?
Fall Author plans
AUTHORTUBE
website https://nanowrimo.org/
contest https://www.irelandwritingretreat.org/wawa
What is the difference between high fantasy and low fantasy? it took me a while to learn there was a difference.
AuthorTube
taniaswritingrealm@gmail.com
Building your author platform is extremely important. Here are some examples of available platforms.
www.taniastephanson.ca taniaswritingrealm@gmail.com
Today's writing contest https://sunspotlit.submittable.com/submit
How to you cope with being overloaded in your writing, author business and life in general?
1/2 K Prize Indianareview.org/prizes/1-2-k-prize-2/
taniaswritingrealm@gmail.com
I am excited about my current WIP and planning many writing projects in my high fantasy world of Elganthis. Are you excited about your work in progress?
writing contest link https://www.njromancewriters.org/pyhiab-2021.html
AuthorTuber to watch Leah Rummel
My email taniaswritingrealm@gmail.com
contest link https://fiction-factory.biz/
Selling books at a local vendor market or craft sale is a great marketing strategy!
Send me your writing prompt results! taniaswritingrealm@gmail.com
Archiving all your old writing projects can be scary but there are so many benefits to starting with a clean slate. Are you a pantser, plotter or plantser?
Writers of the Future contest https://www.writersofthefuture.com/enter-writer-contest/
email me your prompt taniaswritingrealm@gmail.com
What do you do when struggling with your project?
North Street Book Prize https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/north-street-book-prize
Email me your writing prompt taniaswritingrealm@gmail.com
Star Wars day brings two writing prompts and one writing contest and... a bit of nerd talk.
Globe Soup - Writing Contest link
https://www.globesoup.net/7-day-story-writing-challenges
Email me your writing prompt results! taniaswritingrealm@gmail.com
Writer's Digest Self-published Book Awards https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/self-published-book-awards
Join my Facebook page and we can chat!
writing prompt included in the show
Buy me a tea https://www.buymeacoffee.com/taniastephanson
Writing contest https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php
Email me at taniaswritingrealm@gmail.com
Typehouse Literary Magazine: Open Fiction Contest https://typehousemagazine.com/contest/
Email Tania Stephanson with writing prompts or exercises taniaswritingrealm@gmail.com