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 are focusing on the process of indie/self publishing. We’ll walk through getting started, along with how to approach the tasks indie publishing requires—reviews, editing, formatting, cover design, marketing and more!! (And take a deep dive into defining hybrid publishing.)
Thanks for reading Reading, Writing, & Roaming with Author Valerie Biel! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
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 books. She is found at her website, T.K. Sheffield Writes, and her Instagram, The Backyard Model.
ABOUT SEASON TWO: EPISODE 9
In this episode, we’re talking about the ways you can repurpose content you’ve already created, along with the potential to create companion products.
Some of the things we talk about in this episode:
* all the formats for delivering your story to readers
* special products like limited edition hardcovers
* utilizing book content on social media or to entice email subscribers
* companion products like workbooks, cookbooks, and more that fit with your book content
TIMING NOTES:
We begin with chit chat on what we’re reading, where we’ve been roaming, and what we’ve been writing. At 19:20 we begin our talk on today’s topic.
Resources / Links Mentioned:
How to Claim Your Title on ACX (for audiobook creation)
Screenwriting Symposium - Madison, WI - April 10-12, 2026
Our most popular podcast of 2024: Traditional vs Independent Publishing
FOR INDIE PUBLISHING ADVICE / ASSISTANCE:
Val’s Substack — Full of indie publishing advice
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. (And if you have other ideas for ways to utilize your creative content!) We’re happy to answer questions directly to you via email and in subsequent episodes to help everyone!
See you in December! - Valerie & T.K.
