This is a podcast for authors by authors! (And also readers who want the scoop on what authors are REALLY thinking.) Join Valerie Biel and T.K. (Tracey) Sheffield as we share topics to help our fellow writers as well as fun tidbits on what we’re reading and where we’re roaming. Our inaugural year, 2024, had 10 episodes on topics like agent searching (episode 1), indie vs traditional publishing (episode 4), book launch basics (this episode), helpful writing conferences (episode 2), why we write what we write (episode 3) and our last episode listing our angels and assets of 2024.
In 2025, we focused on the process of indie/self publishing from getting started, to how to approach the tasks indie publishing requires—reviews, editing, formatting, cover design, marketing and more!! (We took a deep dive into defining hybrid publishing and discussed ways to repurpose content you’ve already created to increase revenue.
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ABOUT US—YOUR PODCAST HOSTS:
Valerie Biel is the author of the award-winning Circle of Nine series and mystery-suspense novel, Beyond the Cemetery Gate, and middle-grade novel, Haven. She’s also a publicity professional who aids other authors with their book launches and marketing. You can find her here on Substack at Reading, Writing, & Roaming or at ValerieBiel.com.
Tracey writes stories for readers who want to laugh and escape. She is the author of the award-winning Backyard Model comic culinary cozy mysteries, and other feel-good humorous books. She is found at her website, T.K. Sheffield Writes, and her Instagram, The Backyard Model.
ABOUT SEASON TWO: EPISODE 10
In this episode, we each give our ‘best of the year’ list — the people, places, events and more that made 2025 a great year. And it’s not too late to shop for the writer in your life with our gift list.
Here are links to places / items / websites mentioned in this episode:
* Wispresso Café - hosted by T.K. and this December 13 special guests are Valerie Biel & Christy Wopat.
* 48 Hour Book Printing - where T.K. is getting her gorgeous special editions printed.
* Literatus & Co., Watertown, Wis.
* This & That at the Mill Boutique, Genesee Depot, Wis.
* Dansko Shoes, employee-owned professional clogs
* Wisconsin Writers Association: Give a Membership or Critique Group
* Steelcase chair* (the one Valerie loves.)
* The Emotion Thesaurus* series of books (Valerie uses the first one — the Emotion Thesaurus and the Emotional Wound Thesaurus regularly.
TIMING NOTES:
We begin with chit chat on what we’re reading, where we’ve been roaming, and what we’ve been writing. At 14:40 we list the best things from our year and at 28:41 we give gift ideas for writers.
Our most popular podcast of 2024: Traditional vs Independent Publishing
FOR INDIE PUBLISHING ADVICE / ASSISTANCE:
Val’s Substack — Full of indie publishing advice
*NOTE: These two are Valerie’s Amazon affiliate links, which means that at no cost to you, Valerie makes a little bit of money if you use this link to purchase something.
Send Us Your Questions in the Comments!
Don’t hesitate to comment below if you have questions about any of the topics we’ve covered. We’re happy to answer questions directly to you via email and in subsequent episodes to help everyone!
See you in 2026! - Valerie & T.K.
