A motivational show for all the creatives out there with an inner rebel. Listen for interviews, industry news, tips, tricks and tools to help you take your creative business to the next level.
Episodes
Monday Oct 11, 2021
Monday Oct 11, 2021
Show Notes
Howdie folks, I finally pushed my first audiobook over the finishing line. Now, I’m by no means an expert at any of this stuff, but boy did I learn a lot from the process. I love learning from other people’s mistakes, so I thought I would share 8 lessons I learned from narrating and producing my first audiobook.
Read full blog here.
Listen to audiobook:
Links I mentioned:
- A sound shield (AmazonUS, AmazonUK)
- Pop filter / wind shield (AmazonUS, AmazonUK)
- Mic stand (AmazonUS, AmazonUK)
- A Blue Yeti mic and USB wire connecting (AmazonUS, AmazonUK)
- Amadeus Pro (Audacity is free and suitable for mac or PC)
- Karl Hughes Audio Mastering Services
- WeTransfer for file sending
FURTHER RESOURCES FOR YOU
AUDIOBOOKS
Narrated by the Author: How to Produce an Audiobook on a Budget by Rene Conoulty
Audio for Authors by Joanna Penn
Storyteller: How to be an Audiobook Narrator by Lorelei King
Writing for Audiobooks: Audio-First for Flow and Impact: Author Advice from Radio Writing by Jules Horne
PODCAST EPISODES
006 How to DIY an Audiobook with Rene Conoulty
023 How to Write for Audio with Jules Horne
078 How to Sell Ebooks and Audiobooks on Kobo with Tara Cremin
104 How to Work with an Audiobook Narrator with Jillian Yetter
BLOG POSTS
Publishing Alternatives to ACX
How Audiobook Authors and Narrators are Paid by Audible-ACX. We think.
Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- Analogies to help you better understand editing vs drafting
- How to approach editing
- The pitfalls and mistakes writers fall into
- How to show the change a hero goes through
- The five big scenes you need to get right
- The stakes paradox
This week’s question is: tell me something you’ve achieved this year.
Recommendation of the week is: I Love You To My Heart by Matthew Dion Goodall
***this show uses affiliate links
Links I mentioned are:
The 2021 NaNoWriMo Writing Tools Bundle
Activated Authors NaNoWriMo Preparation
Find out more about Alex on:
The Big-Picture Revision Checklist
Rebel of the Week is: Jasmine Arch
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or instagram me @sachablackauthor
No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
This Show is Sponsored by ProWritingAid
Find out more about ProWritingAid here.
20% Discount for Rebels here.
Wednesday Sep 29, 2021
Wednesday Sep 29, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- Why you need to establish a local brand
- Indie marketing methods that don’t work for children’s author
- How to connect with schools
- How to work with curriculums
- Children’s marketing mistakes to avoid
This week’s question is: What unusual marketing methods have you tried that have worked?
Recommendation of the week is: Keepers
The 99c Fiction Sale (ends 29 Sept)
***this show uses affiliate links
Links I mentioned are:
The 99c Fiction Sale (ends 29 Sept)
Find out more about Karen on:
How To Self-Publish and Market a Children’s Book
Rebel of the Week is: Paulette Stout
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or instagram me @sachablackauthor
Welcome to new patron Judith Mortimore. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
Thank you to all of the patrons who have upped their pledge and joined the rebel readers group: Helen O’Neill and Lynne Wham
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE
Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.
Wednesday Sep 22, 2021
Wednesday Sep 22, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- How to work with audiobook narrators
- How to find narrators
- What information you need to give narrators
- Mistakes authors make working with narrators
- How to create good working relationships with narrators
This week’s question is: what’s your relationship with audiobooks?
Recommendation of the week is: Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan
***this show uses affiliate links
Links I mentioned are:
Find out more about Jillian on:
Rebel of the Week is: Mel
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or instagram me @sachablackauthor
No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
Thank you to all of the patrons who have upped their pledge and joined the rebel readers group: Scott Kavanagh, Jen Roundell, Herman Steuernagel and Matt Goodall.
Wednesday Sep 15, 2021
Wednesday Sep 15, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- What a three word rebellion is
- How to create one
- How to then use your three word rebellion
- Why writers and creatives feel like they’re bad at marketing
- How to use the inoculation theory
This week’s question is: do you have a three word rebellion or tagline for your business?
Recommendation of the week is: Fixing Your Setting & Description Problems by Janice Hardy
***this show uses affiliate links
Links I mentioned are:
Find out more about Dr Michelle Mazur on:
Rebel of the Week is: Amy Heath
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or instagram me @sachablackauthor
2 new rebels this week, thank you Laura Lentz and Helen Scheuerer. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
Thank you to all of the patrons who have upped their pledge and joined the rebel readers group: Lynn Reed Kendall, Sarah Louise, Nicole Cayer, Sassy Cassie, Eden Collier, Emma Geoffray, Juneta Kay, Maggie M, and Shane Millar.
Wednesday Sep 08, 2021
Wednesday Sep 08, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- Why diversity in fiction is important
- What to do if you’re afraid to approach writing diverse characters
- Sensitivity readers
- What you need to research
- How to include diverse characters when you yourself are not diverse
This week’s question is: Tell us a book you’ve enjoyed with diverse characters.
Recommendation of the week is: Jay’s Gay Agenda by Jason June
***This show uses affiliate links
Diversity resources:
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
The Antiracist: How to Start the Conversation about Race and Take Action by Kondwani Fidel
How to Write Black Characters: An Incomplete Guide by Salt and Sage Books
Find out more about Eliana on:
Rebel of the Week is: Laura Rye
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or instagram me @sachablackauthor
No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
This Show is Sponsored by ProWritingAid
Find out more about ProWritingAid here.
DISCOUNT CODE: REBEL25
Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- Why you need a headshot
- How a shoot works
- Considerations for tone and mood of photos
- How to prepare for a shoot
- Common mistakes in shoots
This week’s question is: Have you got a professional headshot?
Recommendation of the week is: Life in a Fishbowl by Len Vlahos
***this show uses affiliate links
Events I mentioned are:
The York Writers Conference 2021. Three days, nine guest speakers, and plenty of opportunity to network and chat with authors from all over. Sessions include writer's craft and marketing workshops. Join Friday evening for a virtual cocktail party with opening remarks from our honorary patron, Terry Fallis. Then workshops begin Saturday with a lunchtime Keynote with Andrew Pyper and of course, Sacha Black.
When: October 22-24, 2021
Where: Zoom - Register here
Find out more about Ed at:
Rebel of the Week is: Sarah W. Sparx
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or instagram me @sachablackauthor
No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- What rights reversion is
- How you find out if you can revert your rights
- A walk through of a high level rights reversion
- How long the process takes
- What mistakes to avoid in the reversion process
This week’s question is: Would you consider selling subsidiary rights and if so, what ones?
Recommendation of the week is: Take Back Your Book Rights by Katlyn Duncan
***This show uses affiliate links
Links I mentioned are:
Join me on Patreon for Silent September.
Write Away Podcast: Episode 55: How do you write memorable characters?
My interview with Katlyn on her YouTube Channel: '8 Steps to Side Characters' by Sacha Black | Author Interview
To pitch to be on the show, please complete the form here.
Find out more about Katlyn on:
Rebel of the Week is: Lynn Reed
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or instagram me @sachablackauthor
Welcome and thank you to Mel Climo and Angie Green. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE
Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- Defining short fiction
- How much story do you need for short fiction?
- How to do more with your short fiction
- Mistakes writers make with short fiction
- Quirky ideas for your short fiction
This week’s question is: how do you use short fiction in your writing business?
Recommendation of the week is:
The Anatomy of Prose: The Senses Course: Discount Code: rebelvacay15
Matty’s The Short Tack Book
Links I mentioned are:
Find out more about Matty on:
The Indy Author YouTube channel
Episode I did with Matty on Side Characters
Example of Short Fiction Promotion: Ann Kinnear Suspense Short ALL DEATHS ENDURE
Rebel of the Week is: Shirish Deshpande
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or instagram me @sachablackauthor
Huge thank you and welcome to: Kirstin Bussey, Maggie Menane, L.K. Latham, Paisleykaat, and Claire L. Fishback. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- Why formatting is important
- Mistakes to avoid with formatting
- Why you might consider a formatting company
- Differences between print and ebook formatting
- What to look for in a professional formatting company
This week’s question is: How do you format your books?
Recommendation of the week is: 10 Steps to Hero: How to Craft a Kickass Protagonist by ME!
**Please note this show uses affiliate links
Links and shows I mentioned are:
3 Mistakes to Avoid with Your Side Characters on Angela Ackerman’s site
Find out more about Formatted Books and their services on:
Rebel of the Week is: Claire L. Fishback
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or instagram me @sachablackauthor
No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
This Show is Sponsored by ProWritingAid
Find out more about ProWritingAid here.
DISCOUNT CODE: REBEL25