Episodes

Wednesday Apr 28, 2021
083 Publishing from Zero in 2021 with David Gaughran
Wednesday Apr 28, 2021
Wednesday Apr 28, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- What are the key elements you need to take into account when starting from zero
- Most common indie publishing mistakes new writers make
- What business and platform basics do you need in place before you publish
- What marketing should a writer do when they only have one book
- How do you continue to get sales after launch?
This week’s question is: What worries you about starting from zero?
Recommendation of the week is: This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
**This podcast uses affiliate links
This is a link explaining how the book was written: A Conversation with Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Links and events I mentioned:
The Rebel Author Diaries Anthology Submissions are now open.
Find out more here.
Connect with David Gaughran:
Rebel of the Week is: VAL NEIL
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
1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Jennifer Thompson. And of course, a big thank you to all 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 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 Apr 21, 2021
082 From Busyness to Business: The Art of Creative Time Management with Steven Watson
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- Why we still struggle with time management despite there being so many tools out there
- Mistakes people make with time management
- Time management mindset shifts
- How to deal with your inbox
- The Pyramid of Time Mastery
This week’s question is: What are your personal time management tips?
Recommendation of the week is: Taking the Short Tack by Matty Dalrymple and Mark Lefebvre
**This podcast uses affiliate links
Links and events I mentioned are:
The Rebel Author Diaries Anthology Submissions are now open.
Find out more here.
Connect with Steven:
Rebel of the Week is: Alexa
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
1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Tauna Sonn-lemarbe. And of course, a big thank you to all 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 Apr 14, 2021
081 Creative Self-Publishing with Orna Ross
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- What creative self-publishing means
- What are success measures for indie authors
- How to harness the thing that’s uniquely you
- Mistakes to avoid with publishing contracts
This week’s question is: What is your success measure?
Recommendation of the week is: The Liar’s Daughter by Megan Cooley Peterson
**This podcast uses affiliate links
Links and events I mentioned are:
The Rebel Author Diaries Anthology Submissions are now open.
Find out more here.
Find out more about Orna on:
Twitter offers self-publishing advice for creatives
Instagram Page is for her poetry
Her Facebook Author Page is for her novels and also has a bit of everything else
Join ALLi here
Book Link: Creative Self-Publishing: ALLi’s Guide to Independent Publishing for Authors and Poets
Rebel of the Week is: Bobbie Ann Atwood
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
1 new patron this week, welcome to Lynne Wham, but of course, a big thank you to all 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 Apr 07, 2021
080 How to Create Rich Writing with Krystal Sutherland
Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- How to create rich and memorable characters
- How to develop chilling atmospheres
- How to use the senses in your writing
- How to introduce your characters in the most impactful way possible
- How to create deeper emotions in your stories
This week’s question is: What’s the last book you absolutely couldn’t put down?
Recommendation of the week is: House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
**This podcast uses affiliate links
Links and events I mentioned are:
The Rebel Author Diaries Anthology Submissions are now open.
Find out more here.
Find out more about Krystal on:
Rebel of the Week is: Helen Sheuerer
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 patrons this week, a huge welcome and thank you to Sarah Louise and Kate Swed. And of course, a big thank you to all 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 Mar 31, 2021
079 How Storybrand Sells Books with Amy Mertz
Wednesday Mar 31, 2021
Wednesday Mar 31, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- What is storybrand?
- How writers can incorporate storybrand into their marketing
- Mistakes people make with storybrand
- The key elements of storybrand including a worked example
- How to incorporate storybrand into your side hustles
This week’s question is: Are you wide or in KU and why?
Recommendation of the week is: Wide for the Win by Mark Lefebvre
**This podcast uses affiliate links
Links and events I mentioned are:
The Rebel Author Diaries Anthology Submissions are now open
Find out more here.
Find out more about Amy on:
Instagram: @amymertz / @ifcstudios
Rebel of the Week is: Dharma Kelleher
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
3 new patrons this week. A huge welcome and thank you to Nathan Scammell, Heather Adame Saenz and Moninder Gainda. And of course, a big thank you to all 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 Mar 24, 2021
078 How to Sell Ebooks and Audiobooks on Kobo with Tara Cremin
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- Kobo’s new audiobook platform
- How to publish audio with Kobo
- How to price your audiobook
- What’s hot and what’s not in audio right now
- Marketing tactics that work for Kobo right now
This week’s question is: What are your Q2 goals?
Recommendation of the week is: How to Make a Living with Your Writing by Joanna Penn
**This podcast uses affiliate links
Links and events I mentioned are:
The Rebel Author Diaries Anthology Submissions are now open: Find out more here.
Mark’s Wide for the Win Q&A Replay
Find out more about Kobo:
You can sometimes hear Tara as a guest host on the Kobo Writing Life Podcast. If you’re interested in publishing with KWL, create your account today at www.kobo.com/writinglife.
Links to the books Tara mentioned:
Birds Art Life by Kyo Maclear
A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa
For audio, here’s some links that may be of interest:
Podcast interview with Kobo Audiobook Merchandiser
Listener Rebel of the Week is: Lynne Wham
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 tweet me @rebelauthorpod
Thank you to Heather who recently upped her pledge and has joined us in the Rebel Slack group.
1 new patrons this week, a huge welcome and thank you to Noelle Davidson. And of course, a big to all 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 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.

Friday Mar 19, 2021
Friday Mar 19, 2021
Get your copy of Mark's book Wide for the Win which is PACKED full of tips and tricks for marketing your books wide here: https://books2read.com/b/wideforthewin
Find out more about Mark on his website: http://markleslie.ca/
Join the Rebel Author Facebook community here for more live events and writing support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rebelauthors/

Wednesday Mar 17, 2021
077 Plot Whispering with Martha Alderson
Wednesday Mar 17, 2021
Wednesday Mar 17, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- Why whopping bits of paper are awesome for plotting
- The biggest mistakes writers make with plot
- How to use details to enhance your plot
- Tips and tricks for the middle of your book
- How to keep your motivation going when you’re in the trenches of writing
This week’s question is: Do you plot or pants or plants?
Recommendation of the week is: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
**This podcast uses affiliate links
Links and events I mentioned are:
The Rebel Author Diaries Anthology Submissions are now open: Find out more here.
Live Q&A with Mark Lefebvre on wide marketing: 17th March 8:00pm GMT, 1pm PST, 4pm EST, 7am AEST
Find out more about Martha on:
Listener Rebel of the Week is: Dominik August
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 tweet me @rebelauthorpod
1 new patron this week. A huge welcome and thank you to Jen Roundell. And of course, a big to all 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 Mar 10, 2021
076 The Business of Being a Writer with Jane Friedman
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- Whether it’s still possible to make a career in 2021
- Core business principles a writer needs
- The mindset shifts a writer needs to make in order to turn their writing into a business
- Other ways a writer can make money with their words?
- Tips for running an author business
This week’s question is: What do you find most difficult about the business side of writing?
Recommendation of the week is: Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: Why That is and What You Can Do About It by Steven Pressfield
**This podcast uses affiliate links
Links and events I mentioned are:
The Rebel Author Diaries Anthology Submissions are now open.
Find out more here.
Live Q&A with Mark Lefebvre on wide marketing: 17th March 8:00pm GMT, 1pm PST, 4pm EST, 7am AEST
Kobo Writing Life talking about Prose
Find out more about Jane on:
The Business of Being a Writer
Listener Rebel of the Week is: Val Neil
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 tweet me @rebelauthorpod
2 new patrons this week, a huge welcome and thank you to Jasmine Amaro and Giannin Viecili. And of course, a big to all 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 Mar 03, 2021
075 The Heroine’s Journey with Gail Carriger
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Episode Show Notes
In this episode we cover:
- What the heroine’s journey is
- Common mistakes with the heroine’s journey
- The key beats of the heroine’s journey
- The role of side characters in the heroine’s journey
- Genre and reader expectations for heroine/hero’s journey.
This week’s question is: Do you write the heroine or hero’s journey?
Recommendation of the week is: Your Press Release is Breaking my Heart by Janet Murray
**This podcast uses affiliate links
Links or events I mentioned are:
Live Q&A with Mark Lefebvre on wide marketing
17th March 8:00pm GMT, 1pm PST, 4pm EST, 7am AEST
Find out more about Gail on:
Website https://gailcarriger.com
Listener Rebel of the Week is: Victoria LK Williams
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 tweet me @rebelauthorpod
3 new patrons this week. Welcome and thank you to Harry Brooks, Holly Flynn and Scott Kavanagh. A huge thank you as well to all 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