Have you tried to write every day–and can’t, because of life?Do you want to push forward in your author biz but keep dealing with setbacks?Author and YouTuber Tiffany Grant has a boatload of encouragement, tips, and inspiration in this latest episode!And she also shares about running a successful Kickstarter with her debut novel!Includes epic conve…

Are you ready to finish your next book?How about the next one…and the next one?Author E.J. Kitchens brings all the best tips for how to overcome writer's block on this episode!And she’s offering a free guide with even more tips for eliminating writers block (check out the YouTube Channel for the link).Includes epic conversations like:-Elizabeth’s u…

Does author life sometimes make you feel like screaming?What if laughter is a better option?Special guest A.C. Williams shares all about approaching hard author life curveballs and situations with humor.Includes epic conversations like:-how mishaps with her latest release taught her resilience (...again…haha)-the importance of letting go of control…

Struggling to write short stories? Or maybe you just want some fresh writing inspiration?We’ve got you covered with great tips on how to intuitively write short stories that connect with larger series.My special guest H.L. Burke (author of many books, winner of awards, adorer of cats) shares her top tips on writing short stories!Includes epic conve…

What if you have the contract, you do the promotion, you put on your best marketing hat - and then things fizzle anyway? Or worse, your publishing house closes?My guest K. Michele Moseley has been through all of this and more, and she shares her wisdom on recovering from burnout and reclaiming creative joy in this episode.Includes epic conversation…

Can faith-based sword and sorcery books, body horror romance, gifted illustrator, successful CEO of Realm Makers, and chronic conditions all go together? Yup, if you’re the amazing Rebecca P. Minor, who I have the honor of interviewing in this latest podcast episode! We dive into world building from a Christian worldview, exploring new genres, bala…

It’s a new year–and a new start with new goals for Author Elevate! Which includes some moves to new places and new angles (let’s see how often I can fit “new” into these show notes, haha). In this episode I dive into my most recent experience with streamlining my process, including analyzing habits, trying to be everywhere, and dealing with chronic…

Want exclusive, secret sauce questions for identifying your ideal readers? What about incorporating theme into your story? How about bumping up your series read-through? Janeen Ippolito tackles all of this and more in this info-packed episode of the Author Elevate Podcast, where she answers a pile of your questions. Plus, she dares to make some pre…

Have loads of story ideas? Want to get at least a few of them written? Then you’ll need to get solid with writing first drafts! In this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast Janeen tackles three essentials for saving time when writing the first draft of your story. Plus, how to handle writing around busy holiday seasons.…

Talk about your book all the time. No, in fact, never talk about your book, because that’s salesy. No, wait - “write to market” so you don’t waste your time. Sound familiar? Janeen Ippolito tackles 5 Common Book Marketing Myths in this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast. Includes what marketing really is, why asking is a powerful tool, and the i…

Feel like your chronic conditions have stacked the deck against your author success? Overwhelmed by life and challenges–and wondering if achieving your goals is even possible? Be encouraged and equipped by this interview with bestselling fantasy author W.R. Gingell, who lives with multiple chronic conditions and keeps going onward. Includes time or…

Calling all authors of middle grade fiction! Or potential authors. Or people who read middle grade fiction–or have kids who read it. Check out this episode with Janeen Ippolito and award winning middle grade author JJ Johnson. Includes how JJ started writing about plastic dinos and living snot, some pitfalls to avoid when writing for middle grade, …

What happens when you get personal with your writing–but then also want to sell it? Is it possible to write through your joy or grief, and make it marketable? Join host Janeen Ippolito and guest author and writing coach Sharon Hughson as they discuss personal inspiration and vulnerability in storytelling. Includes how to navigate using experiences …

Overwhelmed with author life? Not sure how to keep going? Janeen Ippolito shares some of our secret sauce tips for a sustainable author career in this episode of the Author Elevate podcast. Includes one essential investment to make, one skill experienced authors have mastered, and why we at Author Elevate keep harping on goals (hint: they really do…

Want to attract raving fans to your story? What about positive reviews and excited endorsements? We’ve got you covered in this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast. Janeen Ippolito dives into what story elements readers rave about, why your book ending is crucial, and why sometimes it has nothing to do with your writing. Plus, in Our Take we discu…

Thought you knew your protagonist and had everything planned out–and then they just stopped talking to you? Or maybe you were all ready to explore your story with your protagonist but they’re just not showing up? We’re talking all about rogue protagonists and how to bring them in line in this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast. Join Janeen as sh…

Is social media actually worth your time? Does it work for your genre–even if you’re not giving away candles? Janeen Ippolito and special guest cohost Amy C. Williams tackle healthy, practical approaches to social media for fiction authors in this episode of the Author Elevate podcast. Includes how to choose a channel, when to ditch social media co…

Learning more skills is one of the best ways to level up in your author life and book business. But how do you know which course, book, or program is worth your time? Janeen Ippolito dives into key questions to ask in this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast. Includes how to vet the instructor, how to check the course content will work for you, a…

Want to make sure your scenes keep readers turning pages? Want to make every moment count? We’ve got you covered! In this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast, Janeen dives into five crucial aspects of how to write a story scene and gives you tips and tricks to make them irresistible to readers. Plus, the one area you absolutely need to invest in …

Need a side hustle while you’re waiting for your books to take off? Enjoy helping authors and doing routine, detail oriented tasks? Then becoming an author assistant might be the right move for you! But before you jump in, Janeen Ippolito discusses the pros and cons of author assistant work in this episode of Author Elevate. Includes key questions …

Feeling the marketing overwhelm? Pared down your admin tasks to bare minimum, and still don’t have time to write? My friend, it’s time for an author assistant. In this episode we discuss how to find an author assistant, what you need to do to prepare for an author assistant, and the key to handing off the right tasks. I also share my #1 tip for wor…

What happens when you’re a plotter–but the ending decides to just not show up? How do you balance your heart story with a desire to serve readers? Janeen tackles all of this and more in this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast with guest author Tabitha Caplinger. Tabitha shares her tips and experiences with taking risks with your story, while als…

Need more time to write? Wondering how you’ll finish that book–and if anyone will read it? This is your episode. Host Janeen is joined by author Ted Atchley for this first What My Book Taught Me feature, where we celebrate authors and books and learn from their author experiences. You won’t want to miss Ted’s dynamite discussions about the challeng…

Who loves genre research? …All right, anyone love to hate it? Either way, we’re going to talk key tips and tricks to research your book’s genre for success in this episode of the Author Elevate Podcast. Dive into a step by step walk through the reasons for genre research and some of the best practices for getting started. Plus, it’s time for some n…

What if a major publishing professional just ripped your writing to shreds? Or what if they gushed over it, but asked for specific tweaks? Or what if three different beta readers had three completely different opinions on a book? I’ve got you covered in this episode. We’ll discuss how to know when you should accept feedback–and when to put on blind…

Ever wonder how people just suddenly get into cool book projects? Want to expand your book’s reach? Effective author networking is the key, and this episode has the best practices for getting started. Learn why authors in your genre are comrades (not competition), how to get asked into projects, and strategies for book sharing. Plus, Janeen dives i…

It’s time to write that draft–but you can’t get your brain out of editor mode! Yikes! Check out this episode of the Author Elevate podcast, where Janeen Ippolito dives into six tips about how to get into your first draft brain, and get those awesome words on the page Plus, this episode’s weekly take is all about why you have to persevere in writing…

How do you know when it’s time to move on–and when it’s time to stick it out and do the hard things a little bit more? In this extra-special episode of the Author Elevate podcast, Janeen and Amy dive into four key questions to ask yourself in that all-important evaluation of your author life and career. Plus, we discuss the recent shutdown of our p…

(Hey there! This is the second episode in our Adding Revenue Streams Miniseries. This episode features an interview from the previous podcast, Own Your Unique Words, with Katie Phillips). Want to start offering author services alongside your books? Or have you done so, but seen zero results? Special guest Katie Phillips and I have you covered in th…

Feeling the pinch of prices? Worried you’re not selling as many books as you could be? Or maybe you’re finally admitting that yes, you want to make a profit–or at least break even. Where do you start? Janeen and Amy dive into the first episode of this mini-series on adding revenue streams to your book business. We kick off with an all-important ass…

Ever been told to avoid certain genres as “a waste of time” or “you’ll never make bank” or “no one cares”? Agree to disagree! Join Janeen Ippolito and guest host H.L. Burke as we tackle how to thrive writing in less common genres. Includes how to prep your expectations, tips for marketing success, and Heidi’s own experiences from writing 14+ books …

AI is here, authors–run for the hills! Or maybe just become one with the machines? A hard nope to both. Instead, this podcast offers a healthy, balanced perspective of the increased emergence of AI and machine-learning in author life. Join Janeen Ippolito and guest co host Jessica Fry as we talk about automated editing programs, copywriting aids, d…

What if you had no plans of becoming an author–and then you suddenly start writing fiction? And then get a publishing deal? Join Janeen and special guest Sarah Delena White in this episode featuring an atypical author journey, and what you can learn about mastering your own unique path. Plus, we discuss when you should pay attention to cover design…

Janeen and Amy deliver a double-dose of encouragement, hope, and practical advice for author business when life is a lot (which we know can be…most of the time). As always, we get real with stories from our own experiences, when you do need to buckle down and do the work, and when to put blinders on and ignore those “can’t-miss opportunities” in fa…

Life can be hard, so make selling easier! Janeen and Amy tackle how (and why) to set up your books to sell on autopilot. Includes how social media can fit (if you choose) and why putting in the work now will help you to sell without burnout. Plus, we talk about pros and cons of using Substack for your author newsletter platform and what mud wrestli…

Want to ensure your story gets read-through? What happens if your protagonist fails–or succeeds? Story stakes are one area you have to nail. In this episode Amy and Janeen dive into stakes by genre, by reader preference, and how to navigate the tension of what you find intense (vs. what works for your story). Plus, what Kindle has learned from your…

You gotta market–but you hate it. Or you enjoy it, but it can feel disconnected from your actual mission. Or maybe you’re just flat-out exhausted and need some new tips to stay consistent without burnout. Epic author, this is your episode! We take a deep-drive into the psychology of showing up as yourself, and also connecting with your ideal reader…

Ready to stand out when everyone is selling? This is your episode! Amy and Janeen tackle how to move more books during high traffic months (like November–hello, Black Friday). Includes tips on market research, how to ride unstable sales waves, and the best strategic discounts to offer. Plus, in New and Shiny we discuss making readers wait on books,…

Need to organize a project to submit? Getting ready for NaNoWrimo? Want to file away story ideas for later? We have you covered in this episode. Includes essentials for plotting and characterization, plus what parts that you can leave for later. Let’s get you prepped for success!By Janeen Ippolito & Amy C. Williams

Here’s the third episode in our specialty series, Reasons to Write! In this series, Janeen and Amy are diving into different ways to win at the writing and publishing life. In this episode, we tackle writing for entertainment, aka just for the fun of it, including ideas to unlock your brain, have more fun with writing, and put the blinders on and c…

Here’s the second episode in our specialty series, Reasons to Write! In this series, Janeen and Amy are diving into different ways to win at the writing and publishing life. In this episode, we tackle writing to share a message, including specific plot essentials, production challenges, promo ideas, and why ‘free’ can be your best pricing model. Pl…

Welcome to our first specialty series, Reason to Write! In this series, Janeen and Amy are tackling different ways to win at the writing and publishing life. In this episode, we dive into writing for profit, including genre choice, production must-haves, and keys for solid marketing. Plus, how to know if this is the right route for you. Upper tier …

Ready to make your ensemble cast irresistible? This is your episode! Janeen and Amy are joined by guest author Margaret McGriff to talk all things character-building, including how to make your voices distinct, how to develop unique backstories, and what to do when your cast doesn’t behave. Plus, we discuss the best options for debut authors, and w…

Amy is back and ready to help you tackle your ads! She and Janeen talk about when to use ads, how to use ads, and why ads can be helpful even when they fail. Includes the essentials you must have in place before you start running ads. Plus, Amy’s surprise AWSA award win and why asking questions is the most valuable thing you can do.…

Need help with your author accounting? What about mental health? We get it–sometimes these two just go hand in hand (money can be hard). Join Janeen Ippolito and special guest Chris Morris (accountant and mental health advocate) as we talk friendly tips to help with your accounting, and insightful guidance on best practices for mental health. Plus,…

Could your description be making your story drag? Level up your description writing chops with this tip-tastic episode! Janeen and Amy share how great descriptions can make your plot more impactful, your characters more potent, and your settings more engaging. We also talk about new hardback printing options–and whether they make sense for your mar…

Janeen and Amy dive into some current topics with timeless guidance in this biztastic episode. We discuss maintaining your biz when the economy tightens budgets, including when to shift gears. Plus, three key questions when checking those writing and publishing goals, and our own epic shifts with Author Elevate.…

Your epic hosts Janeen and Amy tackle these oft-heard writing terms in this helpful episode. Learn how tropes can help you connect with your readers, what genre expectations have to do with spaghetti, and why cliches aren’t really something to worry about. Plus, we share one easy tip for book sales, and get our Drift on with Pacific Rim geekishness…

Ready to grow your audience? Already doing it, but want a boost? Amy and Janeen have you covered in this episode. We discuss five ways to grow your audience, from branding insight to data collection tips. Plus, we discuss audience building as a beginner or experienced author, and a possible upswing in the saga of a certain book distributor’s return…

Ever wonder if it really is easier now–or harder? We have all the encouragement for you! Janeen and Amy talk about changes in the publishing industry in the last 15-20 years. Includes why publishing is easier (and harder) now, editors vs. editing software, and how to focus on what works for you. Plus, what Spiderman has to do with all of this.…