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Ep167: Hiring an Editor: What My Book Should Look Like

Writer Craft Podcast

Release Date: 10/16/2024

From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes that Feel True to You, with guest HR Cole (EP196) show art From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes that Feel True to You, with guest HR Cole (EP196)

Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic:  From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes That Still Feel True to You (with guest HR Cole) 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 for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations.  Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Magic Mind...

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Writer Craft Podcast

  Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): hard stuff at home (sharing that with my patrons, and a little on social media)  (Erick):  What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: Austin Kleon's (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book s (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October). (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; (Alexandra Horowitz) ;  Julie Leong  Erick:   Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:    Segment 3 (Main Topic):   Notes:...

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Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic:  Today’s episode is all about Ego Meeting Soul (the inner vs outer world of writing) In our last episode of the mini podcast series The Book You Were Born to Write, we listened for the first whispers of the book inside you. We honored that quiet knowing — the call to finally write the book that’s been circling your spirit. And today… we’re stepping into the next phase. The moment when the whisper gets louder… And fear shows up, too. Because the truth is: Wanting to be seen… and fearing that visibility… Often live side by side in the writer’s heart.  ...

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Writer Craft Podcast

Today’s episode is all about Hearing the Call. That moment when the idea of writing a book stops being a far-off fantasy... and starts feeling like destiny. You might not feel ready. You might not know what you want to say yet. But if you're listening to this right now — I have a hunch that something is stirring. That stirring? That’s your soul whispering: It’s time. 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 for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays...

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Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic:  Crowdfunding Your Book: Why Kickstarter Might Be the Perfect Launchpad, with guest J.P. Rindfleisch IX 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 for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations.  Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Magic Mind...

info_outline How to Start Your Author Business on a Budget (Ep191) show art How to Start Your Author Business on a Budget (Ep191)

Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic:  Start Your Author Business on a Budget ($0, $200, $500) Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance 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 for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public",...

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Writer Craft Podcast

Episode 190 of the podcast and it's June 11, 2025 as we record this.  Main Topic:  Embrace the Chaos and Boredom of Summer Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance 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 for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all...

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Writer Craft Podcast

Using Unconventional Thinking to Tackle Creative Blocks with guest David Carson Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance 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 for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as...

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Writer Craft Podcast

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance 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 for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. I just...

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Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic:  Anti-Hustle Culture with guests , book coaches and editors at Golden May Editing, and podcast hosts of the Story Magic podcast.   Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance 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 for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery...

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More Episodes

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 the Harbor in Gig Harbor, WA this year, too! 
  • Host of Ghost Story Weekend for Wordcrafters. (Erick)
  • print books going forward. wrapping up writing projects, PB out on the 15th of Accidental Stranger (plus prequel), finishing another book in Melville series "Signal Shadow" (Erick)
  • met my client deadline, squeezed in some self-care, worked an extra shift at the bookstore, a lot of social time with my son and various friends (catching up), used ChatGPT4yo to help with a workshop description I needed to turn in--their name is Echo, signed up for a 14-day trial Class Pass and signed up for something almost every day. I'm both excited and dreading it. (Valerie)

 

What are you reading?

 

  • Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):
  • Tidbit #1: Squibler (AI for Writers); tool for outline ideas, for plot holes, idea generator, lets you save things in files.

Tidbit #2: If you aren't an early adopter (I'm not?), then start using A.I. as you need it. We're all creative. We can find creative ways of using it in our business. Starting using it with Pro-Writing Aid (affiliate link in the show notes), or using the free version of ChatGPT to get copywriting done. Like book blurbs, ad copy, workshop descriptions, sometimes you can even get a book summary if it's an older book. Finding book comps. My A.I. Assistant is super nice. 

Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check): 

Segment 4 (Main Topic): Starts at 19:14 on the video. 

Next episode: 

Find Us:

 

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons: 

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan   

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)