Shows
Writer Craft PodcastWriting as a Black Woman in the Speculative Fiction Genre, with guest Dr. Michele Tracy BergerMain Topic: Writing as a Black Woman in the Speculative Fiction World (Main Topic starts at 28:00.) PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Accidental Stranger Book 2 out) Print out NOW! On Amazon. Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at Write in t...2024-10-301h 05Writer Craft PodcastStory Retellings with Guest Jeanne BlasbergMain Topic: Jeanne Blasberg, Story Retellings (starts at 21:39 on video) PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Accidental Stranger Book 2 out) SWWC and Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at Write in the Harbor in Gig Harbor, WA this year, too...2024-09-2559 minWriter Craft PodcastWriting Cross-Genre with Dyslexia, featuring guest A.B. HerronMain Topic: Author A.B. Herron on writing cross-genre with dyslexia Amanda is passionate about discussing the realities of being an indie author while being dyslexic, straddling the fantasy and romance genres, the importance of highlighting sex positivity in our society, and the impact her background in anatomy and zoology has on her magic systems and world building. PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, a...2024-05-1553 minWriter Craft PodcastEp105: Reflection as an Indie Author Tool Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 105 of the podcast and it's March 8, 2023 as we record this. Main Topic: Reflection as an Indie Author Tool PATREON: No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast. This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you...2023-03-0943 minWriter Craft PodcastEp79: Planning Your Creative Path Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 79 of the podcast and it's August 10, 2022 as we record this. Main Topic: Planning Your Creative Path PATREON: Thank you to new patron Sean Sharp, and thanks to Mary Van Everbroeck for upping her pledge. This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a shout out on the podcast and we can make announcements for you on the podcast. At o...2022-08-1139 minWriter Craft PodcastHealthy Grieving When Things Aren't Great Hello Indie Authors! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and Episode 33 of the podcast and it's April 17, 2020 as I record this. Main Topic: Healthy Grieving When Things Aren't Great But first the personal update segment: INSTEAD of the hard launch of Focus and Finish (valerieihsan.com/focus), I've opened up my schedule to individual coaching sessions to support authors through this weird and unsettling time. A lot of people are unfocused right now and may appreciate the chance to talk and get a few priorities identified, so they can get back to work-at-home. Especially helpful to...2020-04-1831 minWriter Craft PodcastThe Difference Between Getting Organized and Getting FocusedHello Indie Authors! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and Episode 32 of the podcast and it's April 8, 2020 as I record this. Main Topic: Myths About Productivity But first the personal update segment: My planned launch for FOCUS and FINISH this month has been largely post-poned. Meaning, it's live and available but I'm not doing an advertised hard launch. I just think right now people's heads are elsewhere, with the virus and the presidential primary elections. In case you haven't heard about it, It's a 1:1 six-month coaching and accountability program that includes a customized author action pla...2020-04-1024 minWriter Craft PodcastFocus and Productivity Hello Indie Authors! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and Episode 31 of the podcast and it's Feb 5, 2020 as I record this. Main Topic: Focus and Productivity without Burnout (Not my round-up of the 20BKs Vegas conference) But first the personal update segment: This podcast is sponsored by my patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. Their support pays for the hosting of this podcast, BUT because of my Audacity/Mac challenges--which I've let get the better of me--I have a new PUSH GOAL of raising my Patreon support up another $29/mo. This will pay for the podcasting se...2020-02-0617 minWriter Craft PodcastAction StepsNo intro or outro today, as my newest iOS won't play with Audacity. I need to learn a new software for making podcasts! (Gasp!) The main topic is all about Oh Shit lists and why they work. Hello Indie Authors! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and This is Season Two, Episode 28 of the podcast and it's 10/16/2019 as I record this. Main Topic: Action Steps But first the personal update segment: New job (more part time work to supplement my massage income, author services income, teaching, and book sales) If...2019-10-1712 minWriter Craft PodcastHow to Get Back on TrackValerie goes over five tips to getting back on track when you've fallen off of it. Show Notes: Hello Indie Authors! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and This is Season Two, Episode 27 of the podcast and it's 9/28/2019 as I record this. Main Topic: How to Get Back on Track (hint: it's not beating yourself up) But first the personal update segment: • Passion Planner rep (affiliate, but different). 10% new customers. http://rwrd.io/ox4t691 • If you want to talk to me for a 30-minute interview and tell me what your challenges are an...2019-10-0329 minWriter Craft PodcastMonthly ReflectionsHello Indie Authors! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and This is Season Two, Episode 24 of the podcast and it's 9/11/2019 as I record this. Main Topic: monthly reflection But first the personal update segment: Passion Planner rep (affiliate, but different). 10% new customers. http://rwrd.io/ox4t691 If you want to talk to me for a 30-minute interview and tell me what your challenges are and what you think can help you, you can book yourself a call at indieauthormentor.as.me and choose the Interview Call option. I'M READING: In fiction, Joe Wilkins' Fall B...2019-09-1227 minWriter Craft PodcastFear of JudgmentHow do you deal with the fear of judgment as a writer? Show Notes: Hello Indie Authors! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and this is Season Two, Episode 23 of the podcast and it's 9/3/2019 as I record this. Main Topic: Fear of Judgement But first the personal update segment: • Course work for Sweet Spot Strategy. It's all about sweetening the deal and settling on my pricing for this particular signature service. • Some Passion Planner news coming up in the next week's episode, so check back in then for that tidbit. • If you want to talk to me for a...2019-09-0416 minWriter Craft PodcastProcrastination and Writer's BlockProcrastination and Writer's Block might just be the same thing around here. What about you? Show Notes: Hello Indie Authors! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and This is Season Two, Episode 21 of the podcast and it's 8/21/2019 as I record this. Main Topic: Procrastination/Writer's Block But first the personal update segment: • Course work for Sweet Spot Strategy. I finished writing my Origin Story and I'm working on a production calendar --trying to figure out how many times I want to offer my signature coaching program. I'm getting really excited about this! • If you want...2019-08-2223 minWriter Craft PodcastPerfectionismThe definition of perfectionism, how it shows up in a writer's life, and what to do about it. Show Notes: Hello Indie Authors! I'm Valerie Ihsan, and This is Season Two, Episode 20 of the podcast and it's 8/14/2019 as I record this. Perfectionism But first the personal update segment: Course work for Sweet Spot Strategy; contact me via email valerie@ValerieIhsanAuthor.com to meet with me (virtually or locally) for a four question interview. Tell me what your challenges are and how you think a co...2019-08-1524 minWriter Craft PodcastGoal-setting vs. Time-blockingWhat's the difference and does one work better than the other? Show Notes: Hello Indie Authors! This is Episode 18, Season Two, and it's 7/24//2019 as I record this. Goal-setting vs Time Blocking But first the personal update segment: Course work for Sweet Spot Strategy; contact me via email valerie@ValerieIhsanAuthor.com to meet with me (virtually or locally) for a four-question interview. Tell me what your challenges are and how you think a coach or mentor could help you. No writing for the summer (summer hou...2019-07-2431 minWriter Craft PodcastTaking the Day Off vs. Goofing OffIdeas for managing overwhelm and burnout. Show Notes: Hello Indie Authors! This is Episode 17, Season Two, and it's 7/17//2019 as I record this. In Season Two, I'll be talking about Mindset and Work/Life Balance, and all the things that might fall under that category. If you have a particular topic you want to discuss or a question you want the answer to, please contact email me at valerie@ValerieIhsanAuthor.com. But first Author Life segment: I've been thinking a lot about ways that I ca...2019-07-1831 minWriter Craft PodcastBook Launch, Part TwoValerie offers multiple strategies for launching your book and talks about ad stacking. Show Notes: Hello Indie Authors! This is Episode 16, and it's 6/19//2019 as I record this. Today we're doing Book Launch, Part Two. But first Author Life segment: Life has been getting in the way and I haven't been working this week on my manuscript. Trying not to beat myself up about it. I told my husband I needed a week off to get ready for the vacation...and remembered I often needed a week o...2019-06-1937 minWriter Craft PodcastBook Launch, Part OneAfter an Author Life Update, Valerie talks about the steps to take leading up to your book launch. Show Notes: Hello Indie Authors! This is Episode 15, and it's 6/12//2019 as I record this. Today I'm talking about steps leading up to Book Launch. But first Author Life segment: Finished editing another chapter in my How to Write a Novel or Memoir book. Been looking at tile and cabinet catalogs online for the new house. Got our couch! It's beautiful. I'm struggling with getting all the things done. I...2019-06-1338 minWriter Craft PodcastUploading Digital Files and PricingIn this episode of The Indie Author Mentor, I go over the uploading process with Ingram Spark and KDP Print, as well as touching on the online stores, like Kobo and KDP (Amazon). I address pricing in various countries (even India). Show Notes: Hello Indie Authors! This is Episode 14, and it's 6/5//2019 as I record this. Today I'm talking about uploading your files to printers and stores, plus pricing tips. But first a personal update: Revised the chapter on characters this morning in my How to Write a...2019-06-0635 minWriter Craft PodcastAssigning ISBNsValerie walks you through how to assign an ISBN to a book. Show notes: Hello Indie Authors! This is Episode 13, and it's 5/29/2019 as I record this. Today I'm talking about managing your ISBNs and finalizing your print cover. But first a personal update: Got some clarity about client work. Created a model calendar. Slowly doing the homework for the business coach I hired. Learning Spanish and bought some children's books from a local independent book store. Got first thoughts back from my Alpha Readers Book Club a...2019-05-3033 minWriter Craft PodcastAuthor PagesValerie talks about all the social media platforms and book stores where you can update before publication date. Show notes: Hello Indie Authors! This is Episode 12, and it's 5/22/2019 as I record this. Today I'm talking about Author Pages. But first a personal update: I've written more sections to The Nitty Gritty of Self Publishing manuscript. Had a meeting with the woman who will be designing a tracking and accounting system for me. Time Edit results. New insights at my local monthly business mastermind group abo...2019-05-2242 minWriter Craft PodcastPre-OrdersValerie Ihsan explains what Pre-orders are, how they work, and whether you should do them, or not. Show Notes: Hello Indie Authors! This is Episode 11, and it's 5/15/2019 as I record this. Today I'm talking about Pre-Orders. But first a personal update: • I've written another three sections to The Nitty Gritty of Self Publishing. • I'm doing a time audit to find all the places my time hides, or places where I waste it. • Been doing quite a bit of WW work this week to get reintroduced to the organization and help t...2019-05-1625 minWriter Craft PodcastKDP Select or WideAs a marketing strategy, which is better for your author business--KDP Select or Going Wide. Valerie breaks down the pros and cons of both. Resources: Booksandtravel.page (new podcast I'm listening to) Speculative.Work: an author's diary (new podcast I found) My show notes: Hello Indie Authors! This is Episode 10, and it's 5/8/2019 as I record this. Today I'm talking about Marketing Strategies regarding your book launch and distribution methods. Specifically: To KDP Select, or Not But first a personal upd...2019-05-0938 minWriter Craft PodcastWhy The Indie Author Mentor show? It's a brand new baby show! I introduce myself and tell why I started the podcast.Also, recommended mindset books for authors and the general format of the show.2019-02-2811 min