Author Margins

<p>In this week’s episode of Author Culture, we’re talking about what happens when writing stops being fun — and how to bring the joy (and curiosity) back to your creative process.</p><p>Whether it’s burnout, pressure...

<p>C.S. Lewis didn’t plot out the entire Narnia saga. He didn’t number the books. He wrote the second one first. And somehow, it all worked.</p><p>This week’s episode continues our celebration of the 75th anniversary of...

<p>C.S. Lewis basically said: “what if I mixed literally every mythology and Santa Claus into the same world?”</p><p>By modern standards, that should be a world-building disaster — and yet it still works.</p><p>This...

<p>You’ve got the idea. You’ve got the vibe. What you don’t have? A clue where to start.</p><p>That’s okay—today we’re breaking down five approachable ways to begin your book, depending on your creative instincts and...

<p>Sometimes “cozy” sneaks up on you. A book about war mages? Comforting. A gentle fantasy romance? Overstimulating. Go figure.</p><p>In this episode, I’m unpacking my latest reading round-up and diving into how we find...

<p>This quarter has been A LOT. From releasing The Veracin Blade during a whirlwind season with my mother-in-law’s health challenges, to finding ways to keep writing even when life felt upside down, I’m unpacking it...

<p>What happens when K-Pop stardom meets supernatural & urban fantasy action? A spectacularly fun move that works even when it “shouldn’t.” In this episode, Janeen Ippolito and special guest R.J. Metcalf unpack K-Pop...

<p>Writing and marketing don’t have to feel overwhelming. In this conversation with E.J. Kitchens, I dig into how simplifying your approach can create more momentum and consistency. We’ll talk about breaking projects...

<p>Tired of one-size-fits-all marketing advice? Same. That’s why in this Author Culture episode, I’m cutting through the noise and showing you how to filter your marketing strategy through your unique motivations - your...

<p>Hey there,</p><p>Being an author isn’t easy—and no, it doesn’t magically get easier with your 5th or 15th book. In this episode, I get honest about my own struggles and why failure doesn’t mean you’re done—it means...

<p>Info-dumps don’t kill stories. Bad info-dumps do.</p><p>In this conversation, Janeen Ippolito discusses the concept of info dumping in writing, particularly in the genres of science fiction and fantasy. She...

<p>Superheroes… but make it cozy.</p><p>In this episode of Author Culture, I explore the Fantastic Four as a surprising model for cozy storytelling.</p><p>Inside:</p><p>* How world-building makes or breaks cozy...

<p>Writing doesn’t have to be a grind! In this episode of Author Culture, I sit down with E.J. Kitchens—author of fantasy, fairytale, and steampunk adventure with romance—to talk about her journey from reluctant writer...

<p>Let’s just face that dragon head-on: one is obligated to buy our books.</p><p>Not our friends. Not our families. Not random internet strangers. Not even that one person who “said they would.”</p><p>And while that...

<p>World building isn’t just about the fun, nerdy stuff (though I’m always here for that). It can also be strategic—the part where your dragons, space stations, or magic moose help you actually reach your...