Annalisa speaks with David O’Hara, professor at Augustana University about how to make time for your writing, immersing yourself in research for your writing, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Making Time to Write, for this episode that will walk you through how to dive deep into the research that could help your novel come to life. So take a minute and download the resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/refocus. Don’t forget the dash!
David O’Hara is the co-author of From Homer to Harry Potter, The Hobbit and Philosophy, and Narnia and the Fields of Arbol - among others. He writes about wild places like the Alaskan Tundra, the Rainforest of Guatemala, or the Barrier Reef of Belize.
What is a writers worst enemy?
Where does writers block come from?
How do I overcome writers block?
Annalisa speaks with Jeanne Covert, Writing Gym member about how to get a literary agent to request your manuscript.
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Escape the Slush Pile that will walk you through how to avoid an agent’s ‘no’ list--the slush pile AND accelerate manuscript requests. Take a minute to download the free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/request. Don’t forget the dash!
Jeanne Covert is a screenwriter who has now successfully added novelist to her publishing credits. Now agented, her journey was an exciting one including receiving 2 requests for full manuscripts in one day from top agencies. She shares her secrets with us today.
What is my writing goal?
What is a quality writing goal?
How do I reach my writing goal?
Annalisa speaks with River Jordan, a novelist from Southern Alabama about How to handle rejection with humor, How to choose the right literary agent and How to tap into your potential as a writer to move your readers.
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, How to Create and Achieve Writing Goals, for this episode that will help you to shape what you want YOUR author lifestyle to look like, and work toward obtaining those goals. Take a minute and download the free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/authorlife. Don’t forget the dash!
River Jordan is a novelist from Southern Alabama. She was raised surrounded by many storytellers and found her calling to be a writer in the sixth grade. Her most recent book is Confessions of a Christian Mystic.
How do I get confident in my writing?
How to break through the fear of writing?
How do I unravel the mysteries of writing?
Annalisa speaks with writer John Ridge about breaking out of research mode, how to finish a novel, and how to squash imposter syndrome.
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Break Out of World Building, It will walk you through the important steps John took to stop researching and finish his novel. Take a minute and download the resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/worldbuilding. Don’t forget the dash!
John Ridge is a writer from Colorado. He writes epic fantasy, and loves layering his world with interesting places and characters.
What is the path to publishing?
How do I get published?
How do I find help with my publishing goals?
Annalisa speaks with Kathy Meis, founder and CEO of Bublish about distributing books to various outlets, becoming an “authorpreneur,” and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Sell More Books as an Authorpreneur. This guide will walk you through the steps it takes to market your book, reach multiple distribution points, and make a sustainable profit on your book. You don’t want to miss this one. So take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym.com/Authorpreneur. Don’t forget the dash!
Kathy Meis is the founder and CEO of Bublish, the world's first complete publishing platform with built-in marketing. Kathy has been a writer and editor for more than twenty-five years, working for editorial brands as CBS and Forbes, Inc.
Annalisa Parent shares some insights during a PBS interview on 'Creative Living with Sheryl Borden'
What is a Pantser?
How do I find my best writer?
What is a Creativity Vortex?
Annalisa speaks with aspiring author Steve Cummins about balancing writing with life, the importance of mindset in approaching writing, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, How to Finish that Novel NOW that will walk you through the steps to make and achieve serious and realistic writing goals. Take a minute and download the free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/decision. Don’t forget the dash!
Steve Cummins is an up and coming author from Colorado. He is currently writing a medieval fantasy novel that he first started over twenty years ago, and was able to finish in a matter of weeks in the Writing Gym!
Amy Collins is asked: If you could give aspiring writers one piece of advice, what would it be?
How to put yourself on the path to becoming a successful author.
What should I do every day if I want to be a better writer?
What are the top three things that should be on my writing checklist?
Amy Collins is the President of New Shelves Books, one of the best-known book sales and marketing agencies in the US. In the last 20 years Amy and her team have sold over 40 million books into the bookstore, library, and chain store market for small and mid-sized publishers.
Annalisa speaks with Cat Zappa, Publisher and Executive Vice President of Film & Television at Dreamscape Media about: How to publish your manuscript not only as a book, but across multiple media.
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Expand Your Influence with Cat Zappa, to learn the strategy it takes to get your book published in print, audio, film--and more!, so take a minute and download the free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/expand. Don’t forget the dash!
Cat Zappa is the Publisher & Executive Vice President of Film and Television at Dreamscape Media. She has nearly 20 years of publishing and entertainment experience. Prior to her current role, Cat was the Director of Sales at HarperCollins Christian Publishing for close to a decade.
If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring authors, with author Vivian Jamieson.
What is good feedback?
How to get the right feedback?
How do I get the feedback that pushes you forward as a writer?
Annalisa speaks with Sonee Singh, writer of commercial women’s fiction and member of the Writing Gym about gaining clarity on writing projects, investing in your writing, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Get Clarity with Sonee Singh for this episode that will walk you through how to gain the clarity you need to publish time and time again, so take a minute and download the free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/clarity. Don’t forget the dash!
Sonee Singh is an upcoming author and member of the Writing Gym. She is currently writing a commercial women’s fiction novel and poetry.
What is the difference between hybrid and traditional publishing?
What publishing route should I take?
What is the difference between a hybrid publisher and vanity press?
How do I recognize a vanity press?
How do I know my audience?
How do I write a children's book?
Children's book author Mike Bender is asked to give one piece of advice to aspiring writers.
From our favorite writing coach to you, please join Annalisa in celebrating the holiday season.
A special reading of 'A Visit by St. Nicholas' by Clement Clarke Moore
Happy Holidays everyone. See you in the new year.
How do I become a better writer?
How do I improve my writing skills?
NYT best selling author, Brandon Webb is asked to give one piece of advice to aspiring writers.
Annalisa speaks with Jenny Baumgartner, Senior Acquisitions Editor at Nelson Books at HarperCollins Christian Publishing about her role as an acquisitions editor, the amount of editing needed to get your book to be a New York Times Bestseller, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, Behind the Scenes at a Publishing House, for this episode that will walk you through how to prepare yourself for the publishing process, so take a minute and download our free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/hurdles. Don’t forget the dash!
Jenny Baumgartner is the Senior Acquisitions Editor at Nelson Books, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. She’s been in Christian publishing since 1998 and has edited both nonfiction and fiction, partnering with many award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors, including the #1 New York Times bestseller, Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis and the newly released A Serial Killer’s Daughter by Kerri Rawson.
-How much exposition is enough?
-How do I know if I have too much exposition?
-How do I find balance in my novel?
In this week's Tuesday Writing Tip Annalisa answers the question, How do know if I have the right amount of exposition?
Annalisa speaks with Aaron Finegold, Writing Gym member and novelist about drafting query letters, convincing agents to ask for a full manuscript, and more!
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free worksheet, Writing the Perfect Query Letter, for this episode that will walk you through how to implement these concepts in your own writing life, so take a minute and download it at www.writing-gym.com/full . Don’t forget the dash!
Aaron Finegold is an author and member of the Writing Gym. He has written a 90,000 word debut novel, Another Form. He has been published in McKinsey Quarterly.
-How do I get my characters to behave?
-How come my characters will not stick to my outline?
-How do I figure out what kind of writer I am?
In this week's Tuesday Writing Tip Annalisa answers the question, How do you find your Best Writer?
Annalisa speaks with Carey Nelson Burch, owner and consultant of My Own Shingle, about how to find the right agent to maximize your publication and media rights, how to advocate for your manuscript in the publishing industry, and how to find the right professional partners for your creative work.
In this episode, you’re going to learn:
You’ll want to be sure to download the free resource guide, How to Publish your Novel Across Multiple Media, for this episode that will walk you through the multiple media your manuscript can take in addition to a published book. Take a minute and download our free resource guide at www.writing-gym.com/EXPAND. Don’t forget the dash!
Carey Nelson Burch is the Owner of My Own Shingle where she consults for several companies while managing a handful of screenwriters, authors and influencers. Previously she was a packaging agent at William Morris Endeavor for over twelve years and an Executive at NBC in Los Angeles. Carey currently serves on the boards of the Nashville Film Festival, Belmont’s Film & TV Advisory Committee, and Film Com.
-How do I create plot?
-How do I create character sketches?
-How do I deal with fears of writing?
-How do I deal with my inner critic?
In this week's Tuesday Writing Tip Annalisa answers the question, How do you find your Best Writer?