Announcements: PNW inspired horror caretakerpress@gmail.com; Submissions open until stories filled. Starting to read May 1st. 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in…

Announcements: PNW inspired horror caretakerpress@gmail.com; Submissions open until stories filled. Starting to read May 1st. 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in…

Main Topic: Writing Through Chronic Illness, with guest Kathie Giorgio KATHIE GIORGIO is the author of a total of fifteen books: eight novels, two story collections, an essay collection, and four poetry collections. She’s been nominated for the Pushcart Prize in fiction and poetry and awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Lib…

Announcements: Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only three private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info. New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. …

Announcements: Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only three private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info. New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. …

Announcements: Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info. Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions (horror inspired by PNW); https://…

Announcements: Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info. Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions (horror inspired by PNW); https://…

Announcements: Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info. UPDATE: Valerie: affirmations 15 mins/day of writing to my audience (new affirmation: Thi…

Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 147 of the podcast and it's March 6, 2024 as we record this. Main Topic: Reset Buttons and Pivoting for Authors 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/valer…

Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 146 of the podcast and it's February 14, 2024 as we record this. Happy Valentine's Day! Main Topic: How to Maintain Your Business During Crisis PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. This podcast is …

Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 145 of the podcast and it's January 31, 2024 as we record this. Main Topic: Using Your Local Library as an Author Resource 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 Patreo…

Announcements: Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info. UPDATE: Valerie: meditation: Balance app updating website slowly pitch conferences (Accou…

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. Announcements: Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Cr…

Announcements: Early Bird registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." It's in stores now; order wherever books …

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 Announcements: Early Bird registration is open for the 2024…

Thank you to new patrons Lily Fouts and Leslie Hall and Meyari McFarland. Welcome! Also, the winner of the Goody Bag drawing is Kathleen Kendricks. Congratulations! You've already been contacted. And to the patrons who signed up in November, I'll be sending out the stickers and calendars, your postcards, and the Goody Bag contents this month. I nee…

Thank you to new patron Kathleen Kendrick. Welcome! She will get the limited edition sticker and entry to the drawing for the Goody bag that includes a 2024 Passion Planner and coaching with me, along with a couple of other fun things. PLUS, a wall calendar I designed. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in …

Thank you to new patron Chad Boyer. Welcome! He will get the limited edition sticker and entry to the drawing for the Goody bag that includes a 2024 Passion Planner and coaching with me, along with a couple of other fun things. PLUS, a wall calendar I designed. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podc…

Thanks to current patrons Leah Joy Espinoza and Michelle Coleman who have edited their memberships to one of the new tiers. They will both get the limited edition sticker and entry to the drawing for the Goody bag that includes a 2024 Passion Planner and coaching with me, along with a couple of other fun things. Thank you to our existing patrons fo…

Thanks to new patron Leah Joy Espinoza! Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre Patron com…

Announcements: EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is now, so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology Due out the beginning of October 2023. Preorder…

I'M READING: beta read and client work, plus: Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch Indelible by Laurie Buchanan Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope Up Next: What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping Soiled Doves: Prostitution in the the Early We…

Announcements: EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is now, so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology Due out the beginning of October 2023. Preorder…

PATREON: Thanks to Jo Bartlett for increasing their patronage tier. We so appreciate you. And they've chosen the benefits tier that includes retreat tickets and monthly coaching, so WELCOME. We'll have so much fun. ALSO, Welcome to new patrons Nora Coutis Hanson, Michelle Coleman, and Mason Tufts. And Thank you to our existing patrons for believing…

Announcements: Early registration for the 2024 retreat opens November 1 for the public, but EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is Oct 1 (next month) so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/s…

Announcements: Early registration for the 2024 retreat opens November 1 for the public, but EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is Oct 1 (next month) so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/s…

Announcements: Group Coaching Sept 12- $500 for 3-months (works out to $165/mo and my 1:1 weekly coaching is $500, so you can see the price difference there) Go to valerieihsan.com/shopping DISCOUNT: podcast (10% off) Early registration for the 2024 retreat opens November 1 for the public, but EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is Oct 1 (n…

Announcements: Group Coaching Sept 12- $500 for 3-months (works out to $165/mo and my 1:1 weekly coaching is $500, so you can see the price difference there) Go to valerieihsan.com/shopping DISCOUNT: podcast (10% off) Early registration for the 2024 retreat opens November 1 for the public, but EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is Oct 1 (n…

PATREON: Welcome back, Jo Bartlett! And Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast. This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase…

Announcements: Shared Lodging ticket [AND a private ticket] just opened up for the retreat for a woman-identified person wanting to share a tipi with two twin beds. $650 for all food and lodging, coaching, instruction, and retreat time. Group Coaching Sept 12- Dec 12 $500 for 3-months (works out to $165/mo and my 1:1 weekly coaching is $500, so you…

Announcements: Shared Lodging ticket [AND a private ticket] just opened up for the retreat for a woman-identified person wanting to share a tipi with two twin beds. $650 for all food and lodging, coaching, instruction, and retreat time. Group Coaching Sept 12- Dec 12 $500 for 3-months (works out to $165/mo and my 1:1 weekly coaching is $500, so you…

Show Notes: Jane's local bookstore: McNally Jackson, Seaport location May release: On Fire Island On Fire Island Spotify playlist Her first book was translated in ten languages Sold first screenplay (optioned three times; never made the film) Fired from own idea (reworked it 10 times) Eliza Starts A Rumor optioned by NBC (someone else is writing T.…

Announcements: Shared Lodging ticket [AND a private ticket] just opened up for the retreat for a woman-identified person wanting to share a tipi with two twin beds. $650 for all food and lodging, coaching, instruction, and retreat time. [$900 for the private ticket.] Group Coaching Sept 12- Dec 12 $500 for 3-months (works out to $165/mo and my 1:1 …

Announcements: Another Shared Lodging ticket just opened up for the retreat for a woman-identified person wanting to share a tipi with two twin beds. $650 for all food and lodging, coaching, instruction, and retreat time. (Alumni offered a scholarship for a retreat ticket -- so if you'd like to apply for the scholarship, please email me and let me …

Show Notes: "reading, writing, and 'rithmitic" read a lot, in different genres, but especially in your own (to capture common tropes, obligatory scenes, and reader expectations) write a lot. Even if no one sees it. Even if it isn't specifically about your project. put in the time, the numbers. developing taste by reading developing voice: word choi…

Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Show Notes: Use the advice of editor to improve your writing--not only in the manuscript, but overall (as a writer). Developmental editor (or Story Analysis or Diagnostic)/use when you are new to writing …

Announcements: free 7-day trial of my Mary Poppins Fan tier on Patreon. Regularly 15/mo https://patreon.com/valerieihsan. I've started a new book and will be rolling out the chapters as I write them on Patreon. Early Access; Feedback encouraged. Watch me write a book in real time. shared lodging ticket; $650; Go to valerieihsan.com/shopping Focused…

Announcements: free 7-day trial of my Mary Poppins Fan tier on Patreon. Regularly 15/mo https://patreon.com/valerieihsan. I've started a new book and will be rolling out the chapters as I write them on Patreon. Early Access; Feedback encouraged. Watch me write a book in real time. shared lodging ticket; $650; Go to valerieihsan.com/shopping Focused…

Announcements: free 7-day trial of my Mary Poppins Fan tier on Patreon. Regularly 15/mo https://patreon.com/valerieihsan. I've started a new book and will be rolling out the chapters as I write them on Patreon. Early Access; Feedback encouraged. Watch me write a book in real time. shared lodging ticket; $650; Go to valerieihsan.com/shopping UPDATE:…

Show Notes: After you've created the foundation, there is a time when it is advantageous to spread out and reach another audience. You're in a silo, but there's another one right next to you! Other authors are looking for ways to do this, too. Some of these work better for selling books or getting reviews, and some work better for increasing your m…

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Announcements: free 7-day trial of my Mary Poppins Fan tier on Patreon. Regularly 15/mo https://patreon.com/valerieihsan UPDATE: Valerie: I've been creating a Creator Profile in Convertkit's Creator Network (in beta). If you want to check it…

Show Notes: No single path to author success. No prescription. 1. Having idea 2. Writing it down so RAS (Reticular Activating System) can work.Write it Down, Make it Happen by Henriette Anne Klauser 3. Visualize what you want, with senses. 4. Be careful what you wish for, but also, be prepared to receive what you've asked for in a different way. 5.…

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Show Notes: Use the story rubric at https://valerieihsan.com . It's great for objectively identifying areas that need development and using a shared vocabulary with your critique partners. Receiving feedback requires open mind, growth mindse…

Show Notes: Use the Rubric (available at valerieihsan.com for free) after drafting to have shared vocabulary to use with your critique partners and editors. And for self-editing. Find the parts that need work and study them as needed. (Read craft books on that subject, or listen to podcasts.) If a reader says: "I just don't seem to connect with the…

Writer's Block is a real thing, but I believe it is a symptom of something else. Whether it is procrastination, the story is broken, or you are trying to write to market and it's "just not you," there are ways to break through the writer's block and get you back to the page. ** Show Notes: When Can Writer's Block Hit? • Manuscript is broken • Procr…

Show Notes: How do you start? FOMO creates stress. How do I do all of it? Marching order: 1. Real estate (website--build your house); 2. Put up content: review books, talk about movies, response videos to current shows, try to get people to your site main purpose; non-fiction authors write to topic (keywords--what are people actually searching for …

Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 109 of the podcast and it's April 5, 2023 as we record this. Main Topic: SEO (Part 2 in our Marketing That You Own series) PATREON: No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast. This podcast is sponsored by o…

Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 108 of the podcast and it's March 28, 2023 as we record this. Main Topic: Website Basics PATREON: No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast. This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valeriei…

Jennie's Bio: J. Komp, of Just Key Edits, has been taking apart stories, to explain why we love or hate them, for over 30 years. A Behavioral Science major, that found her voice after a decade of live theater productions, Jennie lives for stories that are as entertaining and consumable as they are transformative. Her development editing focuses on …

Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 106 of the podcast and it's March 22, 2023 as we record this. Main Topic: Setbacks PATREON: No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast. This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. …