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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The Book You Were Born to Write: Legacy Crafting, Part 3 of 3 (Ep195)
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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The Book You Were Born to Write: Where Ego Meets Soul, Part 2 of 3 (Ep194)
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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The Book You Were Born to Write: Hearing the Call, Part 1 of 3 (Ep193)
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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Crowdfunding Your book: Why Kickstarter Might Be the Perfect Launchpad, with guest JP Rindfleisch IX (Ep192)
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...
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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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Staying Productive While Embracing the Chaos and Boredom of Summer (Ep190)
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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Using Unconventional Thinking to Tackle Creative Blocks with guest David Carson (Ep189)
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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Book Coaching is Next-Level Book Editing (Ep188)
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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Anti-Hustle Culture with guest Rachel May and Emily Golden (Ep187)
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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Main Topic: Pricing for Author Services (starts at 16:33)
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):
- EMBODY (fit and intuitive) on Patreon. (Valerie)
- writing new short stories from Ghost Story Weekend inspiration (Erick) (got feedback from the participants; all loved it.)
- tying up loose endings (finishing energy at the end of the year); clean slate for my birthday. (Erick) Jan 23rd
- re-thinking Patreon (Erick)
What are you reading?
- Valerie: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz); A Happy Pocketful of Money (David Cameron Gikandi) The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley; Be Ready When Luck Happens Ina Garten
- Erick: The October Country (Ray Bradbury)(Shout out to local bookstore: Parallel Worlds; NE Portland, OR); Flight of Icarus (Stranger Things prequel book)(Caitlin Schneiderhan) Tom Clancy: Shadow State
- Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):
- Tidbit #1: Brandon McNulty YouTube channel (craft of writing and story)
- Tidbit #2: talking with a friend
Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):
Segment 4 (Main Topic): Pricing
Epiphany on pricing (E) What we charge for service.
Gig pricing. Are you a fit? What's the work going to be? What charge for project? How much am I (cost) to pay for this?
"What is your budget for this?"
The Dance:
Components of pricing:
Standard pricing:
"Dynamic" pricing (sliding scale in head):
Base line $1/word $7.50/pg.
Standard jobs don't exist.
Editorial rates linked out.
Write in contact: opt-out cause, renegotiate prices.
Rapport, base line (and how much flex on it), build in protection to self.
AI clause in contract?
The scope of work is this:..... If the scope changes during the course of project, we shall renegotiate the contract (including pricing).
Learn how to talk about money and value yourself.
Review each project. Ideal? What went wrong? Did more work than I got paid for?
Interview client when done for testimonials (social proof is enormous).
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)