Award-winning and best-selling author of fantasy and romance, Jeffe Kennedy shares her first cup of coffee of the day with listeners, giving a daily insight into the realities of being a career author.
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My great news/bad news week, why I didn't podcast Monday, my mom's health crisis and my writing productivity in the face of it anyway. Also, keeping good relationships in the publishing business. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The posture-correcting sports bra I love al…
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My thoughts on admiring and idolizing the creators of the art we love, meeting your heroes, being careful what we complain about online, my unexpected trip to Tucson and exciting news on NEVER THE ROSES! John Scalzi's essay that I reference is here https://whatever.scalzi.com/2024/08/15/please-dont-idolize-me-or-anyone-really/ The preorder links fo…
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Why we, as adult creatives, must learn to overcome the well-meaning lessons we were taught as children - like recognizing daydreaming as a feature, not a bug. Also, practical approaches to self-care, nurturing our creative selves, and what happened to me yesterday. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffeke…
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Recent revelations on ghostwriting, using metrics for good, rain gauges, gardening, JD Vance's memoir, the real meaning of "bemused" and whether everyone has one great novel or flower arrangement in them. Ann Patchett's book The Getaway Car: A Practical Memoir About Writing and Life is here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12471186-the-getaway-c…
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How traditional publishing deadlines work - and how I'm balancing one of mine with a self-published project. Also, homonyms and how you really need a human being to catch those errors for you. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The posture-correcting sports bra I love almos…
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Envy and jealousy, especially professional jealousy and how to combat them. I'm talking negative emotions in general and offering my two go-to tips for how to diffuse professional jealousy in myself and make it a positive. The site on Tall Poppy Syndrome is here https://www.womenofinfluence.ca/tps/ The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out Augus…
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A peek at my "map scrap" for NEVER THE ROSES, updates on ARCs, and endorsement quotes as another new-to-me term. Also, not taking other people so seriously and the internet as a weapon against loneliness. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The posture-correcting sports bra …
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Why I fell off the face of the earth (or at least, the internet) this week and what I've been doing. Also a peek at the gorgeous box and hardcover edition of BENEATH THESE CURSED STARS by Lexi Ryan! The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The posture-correcting sports bra I love…
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How gardening is a great metaphor for life and creativity - accepting loss and treating that as an opportunity to plant anew, embracing change, and giving up control. Also, ways to be kind to ourselves. Stephanie Pui-Mun Law's special edition Tarot deck is here https://shadowscapes.com/Tarot/deckSE.php The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out A…
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On having shining boundaries to protect your sacred, creative spaces, even if it makes people angry, which it will. Also, gardening as an extended analogy for writing, how we keep learning and recreating. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The posture-correcting sports bra …
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On knife-throwing and yoga - and why the process is the most important part, not the goal. Also, "rules" for submitting to traditional publishing, talent vs. discipline, gardening, and having the bandwidth to take on new projects. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The post…
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My experience so far with putting a Romantasy series in KU and plan to have RELUCTANT WIZARD wide for preorder and into KU on release day. Also thoughts on patriotism, politics, and diverse reading. Last day to bid on Personalized Author Coaching with Jeffe Kennedy to benefit the Romancing the Vote fundraiser! https://www.32auctions.com/organizatio…
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A round-up of my very fun weekend with visiting writers and local ones, our wide-ranging conversations, giving and valuing advice, being a caretaker and having friends care, and also coaching from me at Romancing the Vote! Bid on Personalized Author Coaching with Jeffe Kennedy to benefit the Romancing the Vote fundraiser! https://www.32auctions.com…
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I'm questioning why ANY of you watched the presidential "debate." On more interesting topics, I'm discussing Romantasy, Paranormal Romance, fantasy worldbuilding vs. vibes, and my ongoing lesson in writing more and faster. The Paste Magazine article on Romantasy I mention is here https://www.pastemagazine.com/books/fantasy-books/what-is-romantasy-f…
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A discussion of the agent taking a querying author's idea and asking someone else to write it, on ideas in general, and why you still shouldn't worry about people stealing them. Also, a party at GRRM's and how even famous writers are still people. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctan…
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Finally, the cover reveal for RELUCTANT WIZARD, along with the preorder links!! Also, some updates on Darynda Jones and her surgery, and thoughts on the six-figure book deal discourse and why traditional publishing isn't the enemy. The preorder links for RELUCTANT WIZARD, out August 27, are here https://www.jeffekennedy.com/reluctant-wizard The pos…
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Updates on edits on NEVER THE ROSES, the ups and downs of maternity leave, women supporting women, the amazing show UNBELIEVABLE that I want you all to watch, and the enduring pain of asking for endorsement quotes. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tic…
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More cats-will-happen-drama in my life. Also, traditional publishing, why an agent is such a great asset, and how it never gets easier handing edits and critique, and how deciding how/if to incorporate suggestions is a spectrum. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA Y…
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I'm back from a truly fabulous Nebula Conference and giving a full round-up on all things wonderful, including a super fun elevator encounter. The viralish thread I mention is here https://www.threads.net/@jeffekennedy2016/post/C79WsuzJtuT The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5…
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Guess who's been ravaging my garden now and are too cute for words? I'm doing a spoilery deep dive on The Idea of You (the book) regarding women's happiness and pleasure and the social expectations for martyrdom. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy ticke…
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A round-up today of some great books I've been reading, and an excellent movie rec. Also thoughts on Connectedness (hat tip to Becca Syme), aggressively refilling the well, how to know when to push on drafting vs. when to revise, my new release plan, and why genres "die." The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here…
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Happy 10th Anniversary to THE MARK OF THE TALA! I'm talking about why that was a milestone book for me and the journey from crack ho to the rise of #Romantasy. Also being an intuitive writer and how that impacts my process, especially revision. And balancing a traditional publishing career with an indie one. The posture-correcting sports bra I love…
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I'm filling you all in on my editorial meeting with my Tor editors and my agent and, as requested, explaining what it's like to discuss an upcoming contracted book with only an amorphous idea, as I don't/can't outline ahead. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You c…
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My interview with Susan Cooper and #authorgoals, process and working with an editor and publishing house, and a breakdown of the plagiarism lawsuit brought against Entangled, an agent, and an author. The plagiarism complaint I discuss is here https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21564103-lynne-freeman-v-tracyt-wolff-crave-copyright-complaint The…
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I'm having a rant today, talking about the fantasy genre and how I define it - with supporting details! - and what differentiates Fantasy from a fantasy. Also reviews and thoughts on The Idea of You and Challengers. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy ti…
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Thanks to you all for the support and kind words on my cat, who is even now having his toxic masculinity excised. Also, why it's important for writers to share a common language and the role of privilege in creativity. Jennifer Udden's substack and discussion of privilege in creativity is here https://afasterno.substack.com/p/everybodys-working-for…
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I'm struggling with story focus and considering breaking All Of My Rules and writing something else. I can't decide, which doesn't help. Also, my cat drama from this week and how that has upset things. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild…
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I'm back from Apollycon and giving my wrap up. I got AMAZING news there, but - fair warning - I can only tease it for now. Otherwise giving my take on the event, what was great, trends I saw, and some of the lovely people I met. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA Y…
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Owning your process and still being open to learning from what others do to sustain productive creativity and aggressively refill the well. Some data on BookBub Featured Deals and release strategy, too. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wil…
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An update on the release of RELUCTANT WIZARD and teasing the upcoming cover reveal! A bit on how traditional publishing works. Also thoughts on Taylor Swift, being a "real" Swiftie, and why I use her to teach voice. The posture-correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy ti…
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A round-up of the wonderful weekend at the Jack Williamson Lectureship, including connecting with other authors, sharing advice and stories, and how all of that refills the creative well. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) here https://www.wil…
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A special podcast today with fabulous author of fantasy, science fiction, and horror: Kelly Robson! We talk about the definition of fantasy vs. other SFF genres, tone, theme, choosing subgenre, and the difference between writing novels and shorter works. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy ticke…
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Shaking my cane today at the concept of being "yanked out of a book" by something or other and in particular by what someone thinks is "not fantasy language." Spoiler: there is no such thing as fantasy language and I'll tell you why. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy i…
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Advice on how to understand and become a part of the writing and publishing ecosystem, including how to know who's giving good advice and a bit on understanding traditional publishing and the associated math. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025)…
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April Fool's Day and the cruelest prank I ever witnessed, my favorite reader compliment to get, and how author ROI varies depending on short or long term. Also, Clifton Strengths, Becca Syme, and what I've learned about Connectedness. The blog post on ROI is here https://blog.jeffekennedy.com/2024/03/31/calculating-roi-and-accounting-for-the-intang…
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I'm following up on the Thread I posted this week on the supposed "divide" between traditionally and self-published authors, how we're all in this business together, and why I think everyone will be hybrid eventually. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (Febru…
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A rant today on author coaches and the predatory nature of scavengers who feed on creatives, prompted by a request I received to share my "query letter" for a "free database." So much no to these people! The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) here…
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Some schooling today on business, things authors should really know, and arcania on how traditional publishing decides how to handle releases. Also, the "new" genre term Romantasy and why I think it came to be coined. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (Febru…
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Saying goodbye to Stepdad Dave, my third father, and musings on life and death and choosing happiness. (An explanation of where I've been all this time.) Megan Mulry's business - Mulry Studio - is here https://www.mulrystudio.com/ The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in P…
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How writing a novel is like building a road brick by brick, and how some days you're nose in the mortar and other days you lift your head to look. Also thoughts on revision, the 3-Act structure, story logic, and knowing whether you have brain juice or not. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tic…
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On busy brain work, how I'm not yet done with the book, nice words from my editor on gatekeeping and letting people in, even nicer words from Maria Vale on NEVER THE ROSES, and the loneliness of caregiving. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) h…
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Sharing the OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL super exciting news today on NEVER THE ROSES, the book I sold to Tor. I'm explaining the Publisher's Marketplace lingo, how foreign sales work, and why creatives can't be thick-skinned. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA The article I mention on Kumail Nanjiani is here https…
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Some big news on the official title of the book that was Oneira and a release date! Also, a thing I bought because of Taylor Swift that has Changed My Life, and more on coping as a creative when people hate you/your work. The sports bra I rave about is here https://forme.therave.co/37FY6Z5MTJAUKQGA The article I mention on Kumail Nanjiani is here h…
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My Friday Freakout and how even experienced authors have emotional crises about their books, along with insight on shaken baby syndrome in books, how interruptions cause issues, and Longshot: an underrated movie. You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) here https://www.wildandwindybookevent.com/phoenix-authors Join my Patreo…
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On Sheryl Sandberg's LEAN IN and great advice for women in business that's given me insight into my own writing career, including keeping my eye on long-term and 18-month goals, and why I don't love the heroine's journey. You can find a recording of our Beastly Books panel on the FaRoFeb Instagram account. You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Ph…
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Happy (almost) Mardi Gras! I'm talking planning author finances over the longer term, offering some predictions on the rise and (inevitable, eventual) decline of Romantasy, and looking at the 10 year anniversary of THE MARK OF THE TALA. You can find a recording of our Beastly Books panel on the FaRoFeb Instagram account. You can buy tickets for Wil…
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More foreign rights news, this time Russian! Also a fun panel on Romantasy tomorrow at Beastly Books and Instagram Live. And thoughts on influencing social media algorithms being the new superstition. You can find out about tomorrow's panel here https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GV5ORvtg3/ You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025)…
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Fun news on covers and Italian rights - along with some info on how selling foreign rights works. Also, my recent experience with a published book contest and how negative comments can be devastating. You can buy tickets for Wild & Windy in Phoenix (February 2025) here https://www.wildandwindybookevent.com/phoenix-authors Join my Patreon and Discor…
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A deep(ish) dive into my process today, to give an idea of how far down the intuitive writer spectrum I am. Also more on nuking the idea that slower = higher quality, and quieting the conscious mind to liberate the subconscious. The Thread I mention is here https://www.threads.net/@jeffekennedy2016/post/C2pXUZTLwq4 You can buy tickets for Wild & Wi…
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The TWISTED MAGIC audiobook is live! Also sharing a call for authors influenced by Tanith Lee. And why I think classes teaching "plotting for pantsers" are damaging to intuitive writers, and other thoughts on process. Join my Patreon and Discord for mentoring, coaching, and conversation with me! Find it at https://www.patreon.com/JeffesCloset You c…
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