In this episode, Kenny talks with Abigail K. Perry about writing query letters. Abigail is the host of the Lit Match podcast, a show that helps writers find the best literary agent for their writing and literary career.

Abigail talks with us about what a query letter is and some mistakes you should avoid when writing them and has some great advice on choosing comparable titles. She also talks about the three paragraphs every query letter should have; the hook, the book, and the cook.

If you are looking to publish traditionally, this episode will add so much value to your writing journey.

Highlights:

 * What a query letter is
 * Doing your research
 * Mistakes to avoid
 * Format of a letter
 * Comparable titles
 * Expressing your voice
 * Author Platform

Author Action Point:

Do your research! Research the literary agent and the agency. This will set you up for the most success. It gives you a place to find a connection with someone who may just be the most important person in your writing career.

Mastering the Art of Query Letters

We dive deep into the world of writing romance. In this episode, we're thrilled to have bestselling romance author Olivia Gaines as our guest. Olivia shares valuable insights on how to overcome the common pitfalls that writers encounter when crafting love stories.

Whether you're looking to create compelling love scenes, establish deep connections between your characters, or keep a romance series going strong, this interview is packed with practical tips and techniques. Olivia also delves into creating romantic tension, incorporating themes of self-love and self-discovery, and finding the right balance of drama in your stories. Aspiring romance writers and seasoned pros alike won't want to miss this engaging conversation with Olivia Gaines. Tune in now and take your writing to the next level!

Highlights
 * Olivia's Journey
 * Common pitfalls when writing romance
 * Putting a feeling of depth in your romance
 * Tips for connecting with your readers at the start
 * Keeping a romance series going
 * Writing compelling love scenes
 * Creating romantic tension
 * How much drama is too much
 * Obligatory scenes
 * Incorporating themes of self-love and self-discovery

Author Action Point

What kind of writer do you want to be? Once you determine what that looks like to you, it will really determine your writing career. Make sure

Writing Romance

In today’s episode, we are talking about entering writing contests. Kenny talks with Paula Sheridan, the founder of the Page Turner Awards, about how authors can enter, what they can in, and why they should even consider entering in the first place. Paula shares her insights into this topic and provides some practical tips and mistakes to avoid.



Highlights



• Paula’s story



• Page Turner Awards



• Submitting to the Page Turner Awards



• What do you win?



• How writing contests can help you



• Who are contests for



• Biggest mistakes when entering contests



• When should a writer enter

Visit the Show Notes [https://authoryourdream.com/episode/writing-contests/] page for free resources and discount codes.

Entering Writing Contests

In this episode, we are talking about sensitivity readers. I had the pleasure of speaking with author J.H. Dahler about her experience of working with one. And as a bonus, we are joined by Candice Roma, who is an editor and and Jodie's sensitivity reader.



They both share their perspective on the process and how sensitivity reading can improve representation in literature. This is an insightful conversation that sheds light on the importance of inclusivity in storytelling and the role of sensitivity readers in ensuring authentic representation.



Highlights



What is a sensitivity reader?



Jodie's experience with the process



Candace's perspective



About Jodie's book Forest Girl



Qualifications for a sensitivity reader



Feedback



Giving Feedback



Mindset and attitudes authors should have



Does a sensitivity reader have an impact on a book's success?

Working with Sensitivity Readers with J.H. Dahler & Candice Roma

If you've ever found yourself struggling to categorize your writing or wondering why certain books fit into specific categories, then this episode is for you. We'll start by discussing why genre is essential in fiction writing and how it helps readers find books they enjoy. Next, we'll delve into the two main types of genres: commercial genres and content genres. We'll explain their differences and explore the various sub-genres that fall within each category.

Highlights



 * What is genre?
 * What to do when your story fits into multiple categories
 * Five things our content genre can tell you about your story
 * Internal and external genres
 * Avoiding getting overwhelmed
 * How this applies to science fiction and fantasy

Resources Mentioned



Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast [https://www.savannahgilbo.com/podcast]



www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/genre [https://www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/genre]



How to Structure a Scene with Emma Dhesi [https://authoryourdream.com/episode/scene-structure/]



Free Master Class [https://www.savannahgilbo.com/masterclass]



 

Sign Up [https://nf3.novel-factory.com/Identity/Account/Register/?fpr=authoryourdream] for a FREE 30-Day Trial of the Novel Factory.

What Writers Need to Know About Genre with Savannah Gilbo

Do you have questions about traditional publishing? As a first-time author, you probably have a lot of questions about everything. In this episode, Kenny talks with traditionally published author Mary Adkins about the four biggest questions she gets asked all the time. She will share her experience on everything from agents to royalties and more.

Highlights:

 

 1. How do I know if I need a literary agent?
 2. How do I get a book deal?
 3. What’s it like working with an editor?
 4. How much can I expect to earn from publishing?

 

Sign Up [https://nf3.novel-factory.com/Identity/Account/Register/?fpr=authoryourdream] for a FREE 30-Day Trial of the Novel Factory.

4 Big Questions about Traditional Publishing

In this episode, Kenny talks with Katja Kaine, the creator of Novel Factory, a purpose-built software for novel writers. With her experience as an author, she created Novel Factory to help writers achieve their goals by providing them with the tools they need to streamline their writing process. Katja will share her journey as a writer and the story behind the creation of Novel Factory.

Highlights
 * How does the software help authors
 * Key features of the Novel Factory
 * Writing Resources included
 * Price
 * Success Stories
 * Future Plans
 * Author Action Point

Writing Resource: The Novel Factory

In this episode, I talk with Emily Layne about how to write a book in 30 days. Emily has written several books in just 21 days, and she shares some tips and tricks to help you write yours. She shares how she writes fast and writes quality books that have been picked up by a traditional publisher.



Highlights



01:48 Emily's story



05:55 Process of writing a book in a month



09:54 How do you create a quality book in a short time frame



19:42 Staying motivated



27:00 Tips to be more productive



35:09 The Prep before the writing



40:20 Author Action Point

Visit the Show Notes [https://authoryourdream.com/episode/write-a-book-in-30-days/] page for more

How to Write Your Book in 30 Days with Emily Layne

Getting local media coverage for your book can be a great way to increase visibility and sales in your community. By reaching out to local newspapers, radio stations, and television programs, you can pitch your book to journalists and producers and potentially secure interviews or feature articles. This type of coverage can be especially valuable for authors who are self-publishing or have a small publisher, as it can help to build buzz and awareness for your book among your target audience.

 

Highlights

 

01:45 Introduction to Mickie Kennedy

04:25 Why authors often shy away from media

07:23 Strategies for reaching out to local media outlets and pitching your book

10:55 Tips for pitching

16:29 Where to find local connections

22:02 Process of Working with eReleases

34:36 Press Release

40:15 What is the wire?

46:55 Author Action Point

Check out the Show Notes [https://authoryourdream.com/episode/local-media-coverage/] page for more.

Getting Local Media Coverage for Your Book with Mickie Kennedy

When Matty Dalrymple created the idea of the story frame, she didn't want it to be just another name for an outline. For some, an outline is rigid, whereas the story frame feels a little more organic. This frame gives an author a clear picture of the overarching story and gives you something to hang everything else on.

05:45 The Indy Author Podcast

09:32 What a story frame is

15:16 Formatting

24:23 How long the process takes

33:21 How you can create a frame

41:54 Differentiating plots and subplots

43:49 How to know you've gone too far

50:17 Author Action Point

Story Frame: More than an Outline

A podcast dedicated to helping first-time authors reach their dream of writing and publishing a book. Through solo episodes and interviews with published authors and industry experts, host, Kenny MacKay, aims to answer the questions many new authors often have. In each episode, listeners will go away with actionable tips that they can apply to their writing journeys. The show covers topics such as mindset, outlining, character development, social media, book marketing, and much more. Whether you are an aspiring author wanting to start a writing career, an entrepreneur wanting to use a book to promote your expertise, or just someone dreaming of holding your book in your hand, Author Your Dream is the podcast for you.