Podcasts by SPA Girls Podcast
Popular weekly podcast all about self-publishing from four successful indie authors.
Further podcasts by SPA Girls podcast - self publishing for authors
Podcast on the topic Bücher
All episodes
SPA Girls Podcast–EP340–Successful First Drafts from 2022-04-20T04:27:22
Hit the ground running with this episode all about how to successfully finish the first draft of your novel! We talk about how we stay motivated, what you need to know before you can start, how w...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP339–Becoming a Full Time Writer from 2022-04-12T09:11:51
Do you want to be a full-time author? Today we discuss how we transitioned to writing full-time, including: • how we approached the financial and business planning side• balancing the creative and ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP338–Psychology Tools For Authors from 2022-04-05T05:41:59
This episode we cover plot development AND character development and you’ll come away (hopefully!) with some awesome tips to improve your story telling and create compelling characters that your re...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP 337–Creating Audio Books from 2022-03-30T03:23
In the Spa this week we talked to the talented Naomi Barton. With more people listening to audio books now, there has never been a better time to learn about this side of our industry. Naomi has pr...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP336–PR for Authors with Lilian Sue from 2022-03-23T07:11:34
This week we talk to long-time PR coach and publicist Lilian Sue about how authors can successfully use PR to help with their author business. Her aim is to help authors fulfill their potential and...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP 335–Romance Your Goals with Zoe York from 2022-03-15T09:59:56
Today we welcome back for a record 3rd time, Zoe York, to talk about Romancing Your Goals. Like so many authors it was hard to read and write during 2020 which was the last time Zoe was with us. Y...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP334–Amazon Ads with Deb Potter from 2022-03-09T02:21:28
Many of us have tried different methods to get AMS Ads to work: from creating hundred of ad variations to wrangling spreadsheets with thousands of keywords to try. And then there’s the whole bid pr...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP333–MM Romance With Jay Hogan from 2022-03-01T22:51:22
Jay Hogan writes character driven mm romances with lots of humour, a good dose of reality and a splash of angst.
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP332–TikTok Tips with AK Mulford from 2022-02-23T09:01:01
This week we talk to fantasy author AK Mulford about how she got started on TikTok! We cover TikTok for authors in depth: how to start, who to follow, how to get your follower count up, best leng...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP331–Reignite Your Writing Joy from 2022-02-15T06:27:54
Feeling a bit blah about your writing? Struggling with getting good words down and your word count UP? Today we're taking inspiration from Marie Kondo, and we're sparking back the joy in our writin...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP330–Covers That Sell from 2022-02-09T03:26:15
How do you get a cover that finds readers and converts to sales? How much should you expect to pay?
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP329–Success With Short Romance from 2022-02-02T03:32:07
Going from zero to $3k per month in just a few months is a dream for many of us and today's guest achieved just that. Ella Barnard is here to talk how she did it, how she meets reader expectations,...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP328–All About Preorders from 2022-01-26T19:37:29
Confused about preorders? Wondering if you should start using them? Wondering if you should stop using them? This is the episode for you! We talk about what preorders are and how they work, how we ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP327–8 Steps To Build Your Fictional Setting from 2022-01-18T22:41:18
Today we share our SPA Girls patented 😉foolproof steps to create a fictional setting that'll keep your readers coming back for more!
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP326–How To Find Your Why from 2022-01-12T05:19:08
What’s the real reason you’re a writer? We’ve talked about finding your why before on the podcast, and today we're delving deeper. Inspired by Simon Sinek's book Start With Why, and Find Your Why, ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP325–All About Kobo with Tara Cremin from 2022-01-04T02:17:29
In this episode Tara brings us up to speed on Kobo’s new audiobook platform, other updates from Kobo including Kobo Plus, and top tips for marketing your books and audio.
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP324–Recharging For Authors from 2021-12-30T04:37:56
Happy New Year people! It's a crazy time of year, and this episode is all about why you need to take time out, recharge your batteries and come back in the new year ten times more productive and en...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP323–Christmas Special 2021 from 2021-12-21T20:47:11
Despite 2021’s best efforts we’ve managed to do some great work this year and had some good times. From launching as planned when health or life got in the way, to self-improvement on many levels,...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP322–Uncommon Writing Advice from 2021-12-14T22:40:31
We’ve all heard the conventional wisdom for fiction writers – but is it actually appropriate for self-publishing today? We break down five pieces of uncommon advice that have stood us in good stea...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP321 – The Writing Process from 2021-12-07T23:06:11
In the SPA today, we talk about the evolution of our writing process. We delve into the changes that have taken place in our writing journeys over the last few years. The point is, there is no righ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP320–What Do I Write Next? from 2021-12-01T01:56:24
If you're considering changing genres, starting a new series, trying new tropes, or are even just so confused about this writing malarky that you're not even sure you'll write anything next... this...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP319–Reader Reach with Written Word Media from 2021-11-23T20:20:25
It’s no secret that we use Written Word Media for ads and while we don’t have affiliate links, we can’t think of a reason not to try Freebooksy and Bargainbooksy. But what would you say to them r...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP319–Reader Reach with Written Word Media from 2021-11-23T20:20:25
It’s no secret that we use Written Word Media for ads and while we don’t have affiliate links, we can’t think of a reason not to try Freebooksy and Bargainbooksy. But what would you say to them r...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP318–Lessons For Writers from Brene Brown from 2021-11-16T21:17:50
How can we, as authors and self-publishers, deal with the internal (and external!) voices of criticism, meet our expectations and forge ahead with our publishing plans when we don’t feel at all con...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP317 – StoryOrigin from 2021-11-10T18:04:44
Evan Gow is the indie developer of StoryOrigin, a marketing tool and community of authors that work together to find reviewers, build mailing lists, increase sales, and stay on top of deadlines.
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP316–Interview with Nicholas Erik from 2021-11-03T02:55:28
Wondering how to get started with Facebook ads, but not sure where to start? Join us for today's podcast with Facebook ads guru, Nicholas Erik! Nicholas is a science fiction author with more than ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP315–Interview with Theodora Taylor from 2021-10-26T21:12:08
After logging time as a music journalist, playwright, and radio writer, Theodora Taylor fell in love with penning hot books with heart. Since deciding to become an author, she’s published 54 books ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast- EP314–Interview with Linda Pucci from 2021-10-19T22:07:28
Today Linda is here to talk about how we as creatives can overcome our limiting beliefs, fears of success, failure, being an imposter et al and how we can STOP being our own worst enemy!
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP313–The Best Writing Advice You Shouldn’t Take from 2021-10-12T12:13
Feeling a bit bombarded by conflicting advice re writing and self-publishing? Got FOMO about courses and conferences others are experiencing, but you can't afford or attend? And how do you figure...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP312–What To Do When You’re Stuck In A Creative Rut from 2021-10-06T03:08:46
We love our Irish guests and are super stoked to welcome author and writing coach, Bryan Collins, to the SPA today! If you've been feeling BLAH about your writing lately, this is the episode for y...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP311–Top Ten Takeaways for 2021 from 2021-09-28T21:41:12
This episode we're sharing the key things that have moved our writing careers, and creativity, forward so far in 2021. It's a typical"SPA Girls on the couch"episode with some raw honesty and bad hu...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP310–The Power Of Clever Copywriting with Jacob McMillen from 2021-09-22T04:15:47
We often struggle with what to write in our newsletters and social media posts in a way that's authentic and reaches the right readers. And then there's the copywriting skill needed for our book bl...
ListenSPA Girls–EP309–Writing trilogies in successful settings with Jayne Castel from 2021-09-15T00:13:11
Today we talk about writing successful trilogies, and successful settings with award-winning epic Historical Fantasy and Fantasy Romance author Jayne Castel.
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP308–Interview with Virginia Milner from Kindle Vella from 2021-09-08T06:04:16
If you've been considering taking the plunge into Amazon's new serials platform, Kindle Vella (and yes, Wendy asked if they'd named it after her), then this is the episode for you! We talked to Vi...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP307–Step Up Your Marketing Strategy with Roseanne Cheng (Pt 2) from 2021-09-01T04:50:23
From Pinterest to Amazon Ads, Roseanne is back in the second part of our extended interview to help you step up your marketing!
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP306–Finding Joy In Book Marketing with Roseanne Cheng from 2021-08-25T04:00:51
How do you decide what to do when people tell you to"Do All The Things"?! When the hustle is just too much, Roseanne has guidance for what works and what doesn't.
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP305–Talking Police Equipment For Fiction Authors from 2021-08-17T21:25:48
We talk to Veteran Police Detective Adam Richardson about Police equipment for fiction authors today. Adam spent seventeen years of his almost 25-year law enforcement career as a detective.
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP304–Interview with Rachael Herron from 2021-08-11T23:53:10
International bestselling author Rachael Herron joins us in the SPA today to talk to us about her writing journey, how she has created a career with multiple genres, how she deals with procrastinat...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP303 Cleansing Your Writing Palate from 2021-08-03T07:28:22
Are you bored, or disheartened, with your writing? Many of us hit the wall of blahhsss or burnout. When persevering and grinding through it just doesn’t work, sometimes you really need to shake thi...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP302–Writing Cozy Mysteries with Nancy J. Cohen from 2021-07-27T06:38
If you’ve wondered whether writing a cozy is for you, then this episode will answer that question! Alongside her fiction, Nancy has also written the acclaimed “how to” for cozies “Writing The Cozy ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP301–50 Shades Of Writing: Does Size Matter? from 2021-07-20T23:46:14
Conventional wisdom says'bigger is better'for books, but is that really true? In this episode, we discuss what different word counts and book sizes mean for successful publishers today, how you can...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP300–Pride and Perseverance from 2021-07-14T04:28:09
Join Shar, Wendy, Cher and Trudi for the 300th EPISODE of the SPA Girls Podcast! EEEEEEKKKKK!!!!! Can you believe it? It's been a crazy ride, but we've loved every minute of it. :) In this episod...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP299–Book Marketing On A Shoestring from 2021-07-07T06:26:02
Marketing doesn't have to be Big Bucks spent on advertising. In fact, some of the best marketing you can do is free or low cost. If you're just starting out there probably isn't much left in the bu...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast- EP298–Interview with Lucy Lennox: Success with MM Romance from 2021-06-30T04:43:34
Lucy saw extraordinary success straight out the gate, from when she first published her MM romance, Borrowing Blue, in November 2016. In fact, by her second month of publishing, Lucy was earning fi...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP297 – Fallyn Briggs, Writing To Trend V Writing To Market from 2021-06-22T20:53:28
Dive into this amazing episode with six-figure author Fallyn Briggs, where she discusses the hot top of writing to trend v writing to market. Fallyn says,"writing to market may have hungry readers...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP296–Developing Character Wounds from 2021-06-16T05:15:38
In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast we talk about emotional wounds, and why they're so important in developing your characters, and creating an awesome story! From possible wounds that you co...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP295–How To Build Your Author Village from 2021-06-08T07:28:13
Celeste Barclay joins us to discuss finding your village and what doing so did for her. Celeste has published an incredible 27 books since 2017 primarily in historical romance.Celeste says her auth...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast- EP294–How To Embrace Change from 2021-06-02T06:19:51
This episode we're back"on the couch"with the SPA Girls to discuss tools and resources we've used to cope with the ever changing climate of self-publishing, AND those big life events that we all fa...
ListenSPA Girls–EP293–Abundance Mindset for Authors with Renee Rose from 2021-05-26T00:40:08
You're worth it and your work is worth it. This episode will blow your mind! USA Today Bestselling author Renee Rose is passionate about helping authors and creatives get their mindset dialed to SU...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP292–Wide vs Exclusive from 2021-05-19T03:41:47
It's a heated debate that occurs regularly in the bars and cafes of self-publishing-land - should you go exclusive to Amazon and get the benefits of Kindle Unlimited, or should you go wide, and get...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP291–9 Writing Tools We Love! from 2021-05-09T22:23:04
We absolutely have more than 9 tools we could recommend because we don’t all use the same ones. Listen to find out which ones we can’t do without and who uses the others and why. Cheryl has a few h...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP290–Dealing with Edits and Critiques from 2021-05-05T02:59:58
Getting edits and critiques is part of every author's career, but sometimes it can feel worse than getting stung by a wasp on your eyeball. Like directly in the middle of your eyeball. By a reall...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP289–Writing Romantic Comedy with Annika Martin from 2021-04-27T21:00
Writing bestselling romance with incredible character chemistry is something that NYT Bestseller Annika Martin excels in, and today she joins us in the SPA to give ALL THE TIPS! Annika, who also p...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP288–TikTok and Instagram with Anne Malcom from 2021-04-20T20:30:54
We have a terrible confession to make. We have no idea what we're doing when it comes to Instagram (well, Shar does, but the rest of us have no idea) and TikTok. So we got in an expert. Someone w...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP287–Plotting for Pantsers from 2021-04-13T22:09:23
Are you one or the other, or something in between? While Trudi is an outright plotter, Cheryl considers herself a hybrid and Wendy is a confirmed pantser. Shar isn’t with us today but we know she’s...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP286–Writers’Fears from 2021-04-07T01:36
Resistance. Fear. Procrastination. Avoidance. Most of us writers struggle with these challenges at some point in their career (or day!). This episode we cover everything from the struggle to finish...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP285–Interview with Janie Crouch : Launching a romance series from 2021-04-01T05:20:10
Get ready to be inspired! Our guest today, USA Bestseller, Janie Crouch, writes passionate romantic suspense (both traditionally published and self-published) and she's recently launched her indie ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP284–Lucy Score talks Reader Groups, Releases and Relationships from 2021-03-23T20:06:04
If you've ever considered starting up a Facebook reader group, then you need to listen to this episode. Lucy Score's group is an example of a well run group that is positive, supportive and fun - e...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP283–Interview with Kaye Kennedy from 2021-03-16T08:55:57
Today we’re talking with Kaye Kennedy who had the successful experience we all hope for when we start out. Using her business experience and spending years studying how to do it right, Kaye manage...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast- EP282- Interview with Helen Scheuerer from 2021-03-10T20:26:47
Making six figures a year while publishing one book a year, isn't the usual career path for most indies, but for our guest today, it absolutely is!
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP281–Kindletrends with Nat Connors from 2021-03-03T03:41:41
Today we're delighted to welcome fellow Kiwi, Nat Connors. Nat has recently launched KINDLETRENDS (www.kindletrends.com) - the research newsletter for authors so you can find out what's trending im...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP280–Scheduling Like A Superstar from 2021-02-23T20:42:49
Trying to figure out how to finish your book? Keep getting distracted or discombobulated? This is the episode for you! We break down the processes we use to plan and schedule a book, from start to...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP279–Overcoming Technology Barriers from 2021-02-16T21:23:55
For many of us, the thought of overcoming the technology barriers to self-publishing can be overwhelming and cause us to delay (or not try) publishing. Many authors who've have likely heard publish...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP278–7 Simple Steps To Self-Publishing from 2021-02-10T04:44:35
It's super easy to be overwhelmed by all the steps required to self-publish. Whether you're a traditionally published author looking to self-publish now, or a new author straight out of the blocks,...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP277–Answering Newbie Questions from 2021-02-02T22:22
How much can you expect to earn when you start self-publishing? What should you publish for guaranteed success? We answer these questions and more in this episode ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP276–Character-centric Plotting with Alexa Rivers from 2021-01-27T00:30
Today we're joined by fellow Kiwi romance author - and one of the SPA Girls'star pupils from their self-publishing workshops - ALEXA RIVERS. Alexa has written and published nine small town romance...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP275–Read Through on a Series from 2021-01-19T20:43:23
Are your readers staying for the next book? This week's podcast is all about read-through - ie what percentage of readers read from the first book in your series to the next, and onwards. Learn al...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP274–5 Golden Guidelines For 2021 Goal Setting from 2021-01-13T03:15:07
Have you already listed your goals or resolutions for the upcoming year? Before you start whipping yourself into action, consider your ANSWERS TO THE GOLDEN QUESTIONS FIRST...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP273–The One Right Way to Sell Books from 2021-01-06T04:20:50
Isn't that what we're all after? The ONE RIGHT answer to everything - the BEST newsletter strategy, the RIGHT way to sell books, the ONE secret to making ads work? Well, listen up folks because in ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP272–How To Believe In Yourself from 2020-12-30T06:56:28
Ever wondered why on earth you're spending all this time writing? Ever think to yourself that maybe your writing isn't that great? Ever think this self publishing lark is just too hard? Yeah, so ha...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP271–Christmas Roundup 2020 from 2020-12-22T01:18:36
Celebrating the season with a quick recap of our Words For 2020. Hahahahahaha And then onto Important Burning Questions about our Christmas favorites. Sometimes controversial, always tongue-in-ch...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP270–From Great Idea to Sellable Story from 2020-12-15T22:46:14
You've had a great idea for a story - now how do you turn it into a workable outline? This is a"live action"recording where the SPA Girls take a"great"idea - an Elf who hates Christmas - into a wor...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP269–What To Do When You Run Out Of Steam from 2020-12-08T23:22:04
What do you do when you're running out of steam and you're only in the middle of the book? Or you're just running out of steam in general?
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP268–How to Use Bonus Content to Sell Books from 2020-12-01T18:04:26
Bonus content is an awesome marketing tool that can be used in a variety of ways - from encouraging people to sign up to newsletters, to convincing them to buy the next book in the series, or thank...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP267–Get Your First Book Right from 2020-11-25T01:27:28
Want to make sure you give your first book the best possible chance of success... and then have readers auto-buying the next in your series? Then this is the podcast for you! This week we give yo...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP266–Nail Your Keywords With Dave Chesson from 2020-11-18T04:47:03
Why does Amazon choose someone else's book over yours to show in a search? And how can we make sure to use the best keywords for sales? Well wonder no more! We've got the answers for you in this in...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP265–Reader Groups from 2020-11-10T21:33:12
Today’s podcast is all about reader groups. Are they worthwhile? How they work and why you would want one? Wendy has recently started one, and we discuss how that is working for her, and also talk ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP264–Insider Writing Secrets from 2020-11-04T08:51:52
A good old fashioned craft episode from the SPA Girls this week. Shar, Wendy and Cheryl discuss insider writing secretes from James Scott Bell's book Fiction Attack! They pull out five important se...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP263–Listener Questions: Motivation, Time Management, Local Market from 2020-10-27T20:22:08
In this episode we’re answering listener questions - a couple around the change of life many are experiencing right now. We have a few suggestions that helped us through switching to full time wri...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP262–The Four Tendencies For Writers from 2020-10-21T03:12:58
This week's podcast had us (good-naturedly) arguing a wee bit. Shar and Trudi typically were ALL OVER doing Gretchen Rubin's online test to identify which of the four tendencies they identified mos...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP261–Imposter Syndrome with Amira Alvarez from 2020-10-13T22:00:15
Today we're delighted to welcome back mindset coach, Amira Alvarez after such an amazing response to our earlier episode with her. Today, we're taking a deeper dive into Imposter Syndrome - somethi...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP260–Interview with Danielle Romero from 2020-10-07T08:36:27
This week we have an intriguing chat with author Danielle Romero (Danielle Annett), who has recently switched genres from Urban Fantasy to Contemporary Romance, with some amazing results. She talk...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP259–Email Advertising Lists from 2020-09-29T21:56:07
This week we look at the major email advertising sites we use, as well as some of the smaller, and talk about our success, or lack of it, with each. We also talk about how to prepare for adverti...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP258–Nail Your Newsletter with Holly Mortimer from 2020-09-22T22:50:08
This episode is a DOOZY! We're thrilled to interview author and marketing expert, Holly Mortimer. We talk all things email marketing with Holly, and get you some'next level'tips that'll have your a...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP257–Juggling Writing&Family Life with Connie B. Dowell from 2020-09-16T08:29:03
Today we're going to talk with author Connie Dowell about juggling family responsibilities, pandemic postponements, and upheaval, with the responsibilities of being a working writer.
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP256–Self Publishing Versus Traditional Publishing from 2020-09-09T04:00:33
In response to a listener question, this week we attempt to answer the question: Knowing what you know now, if you were starting out in publishing today, would you go straight to self publishing, o...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP255–Newsletter Strategies from 2020-09-02T00:43:50
This episode we discuss our (very!) different newsletter strategies: what provider we use and why, how we build our lists, our content, how frequently we email subscribers and what tips have worked...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP254–Interview with Tamsin Ley from 2020-08-25T23:18:03
Today we're joined by fabulous Alaskan author, Tamsin Ley, who is seeing great success writing SciFi Romance! We talk about Tamsin's writing journey, marketing strategies, paranormal romance quirks...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP253–Maximize Your Mindset with Amira Alvarez from 2020-08-18T02:22:53
Amira Alvarez is the founder and CEO of The Unstoppable Woman, a global coaching company helping entrepreneurs, empire builders, athletes, creatives, and rising stars in all fields achieve their dr...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP252–Uncomplicate Your Publishing from 2020-08-12T10:21:21
One thing we really believe in here at the SPA is that simple is better. There's so much noise on the internet, and so many different things that we're told that we"have"to do to be successful as s...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–Ep251–Alana Terry, Facebook Ads for Authors from 2020-08-04T23:19:22
Alana Terry is a 6-figure, USA Today bestseller with more than forty published Christian suspense novels. She hosts the Successful Writer Podcast which is a fabulous marketing-focused podcast for ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP250–Celebrating 250 shows! from 2020-07-29T01:44:11
Celebrating our 250th Episode! We go right back to our first episode (don't worry, we won't replay it), discuss the ONE piece of advice we'd give to new self-publishers, and talk about what we've l...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP 249–Interview with Story Coach Lisa Cron from 2020-07-21T20:03:02
Having trouble getting to'the end'of your work in progress then this is the podcast for you! Lisa Cron is a story coach and the author of Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP248–Dealing With Limiting Beliefs from 2020-07-15T08:11:29
We're on the couch again this week! We're talking about our limiting beliefs and how we're tackling them. If you're not sure if you've got a limiting belief... we're pretty sure you do. Probably ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP247–What Advertising Is Working For Us from 2020-07-08T06:18:13
This week we discuss what advertising is actually working for our romance, urban fantasy and cozy mystery books. From facebook to series promotions, we've picked up some helpfully tips and strategi...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP246–Chirp Audiobooks Promotion from 2020-07-01T06:39:11
The delightful Carlyn Robertson from Bookbub returns to the SPA today to talk all things Chirp and audiobook promotion!
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP 245–Interview with Urban Fantasy author Keri Arthur from 2020-06-23T22:49:27
In this podcast, we speak to the wonderfully talented and successful Urban Fantasy author Keri Arthur. She talks to us about transitioning from traditional publishing to self-publishing and shares ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP244–Alex Newton From K-lytics from 2020-06-17T19:00:31
Knowing as much as you can about your category, genre or sub-genre is vitally important if you're going to succeed as a self publisher, and Alex Newton is keen to help you with that. He's the crea...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP243–Interview with Ines Johnson (Part Two) : Seven Screenwriting Secrets for Authors from 2020-06-09T20:31:26
Ines is back to give us great advice for incorporating screenwriting techniques to make our writing stronger and improve read through!
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP242–Interview with Ines Johnson (Part One) : Pen Names&Productivity from 2020-06-03T06:04:29
This is a special two-part series with the awesome Ines Johnson, a highly successful indie author who has an extensive background in television writing, media production and college education. In t...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP241–Power Words from 2020-05-27T01:05:20
In this episode we talk about power words: those TAKE ACTION words you use in your ads, your blurbs and your writing to get readers to take action - ie BUY your book /READ MORE.
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP240–BETA Readers, ARCs and Reviews from 2020-05-20T06:08:37
Have you been told you need more reviews, but you don't know how to get them? Are you wanting to find some BETA readers, but can't figure out where they lurk? Ever wondered who you send an ARC to, ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP239–How to Be Creative When You Don’t Feel Like It from 2020-05-12T22:26:50
Sometimes the muse has left the building.Or you’re tired. Or something happens that you weren’t expecting. Yeah, like a pandemic. That’ll do it!There are probably very few people who haven’t felt ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP238–Simple Marketing You Can Do Right Now from 2020-05-06T05:29:50
This week the SPA Girls cover free and cheap (and simple!) marketing activities you can do right now! Many of those we talk about require nothing but a short time block and some brain-juice. We hop...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP237–Deep Editing For Beginners from 2020-04-28T23:00:25
In this episode, we talk with the wonderfully talented author Louisa George. She takes us through the editing process for those starting out in their publishing journey, or those of us who need a r...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP236–Wellness for Writers at Home from 2020-04-22T02:57:26
If you're anything like us, you're sitting around even more than usual at the moment... But never fear, the SPA Girls have you covered! We talk with osteopath Freya Scollay about how to keep active...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP235–Interview with Alessandra Torre from 2020-04-14T23:49:55
We're joined in this episode by NYT Bestseller, the fabulous Alessandra Torre, to talk All Things Goodreads. Some authors are wary of Goodreads due to harsh reviews, but there are good reasons to ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP234–How To Write When Your Schedule Is Disrupted from 2020-04-07T22:05:26
Disruption – the entire world is feeling it at the moment, so how can we, as writers, keep our creativity bubbling and stay focussed? It’s hard – we’re not going to deny that – but looking at your ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP233–Ricci Wolman, Written Word Media from 2020-04-01T05:45:45
We're joined by the awesome Ricci Wolman, founder of Written Word Media today. A marketing-tip-filled episode that covers how authors can best use promotions companies/mailing lists to boost their ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP232–Interview with Lucy Score from 2020-03-25T03:23:55
If you've been wondering about how to make the most of being in KU...this is the episode for you! Lucy Score is the bestselling author of romantic comedy and contemporary romance novels and she's...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–Ep 231–What And Where To Post On Social Media from 2020-03-17T22:20:01
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHY YOU'RE POSTING ON SM: Have a specific goal, and know why you want to achieve it. Just doing it because everyone else is doing it is a terrible reason. Yo...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP230–Interview with Cora Seton: The Organised Author from 2020-03-11T01:48:23
This week, we are absolutely delighted to talk with romance author and superstar, Cora Seton, about writing organisation, branding, mindset and having a stellar strategy. We had the privilege of h...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP229–How To Write Great Description from 2020-03-04T06:24:52
How can we write great description without it sounding cliched, over-written or just plain boring? Listen up and we’ll share all our best description writing tips from ourselves and from some great...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP228–Interview with Elana Johnson–PART TWO from 2020-02-25T18:37:43
In this second episode with bestselling author Elana Johnson, she gives us all the juicy details of how she has created her bestselling career... From the new release strategies that she uses, to...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–Ep 227–Elana Johnson Part One–Productivity from 2020-02-19T03:28:01
Ever wondered how you could get more writing time in your day? Today in the SPA, we talk to uber-productive USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson, about what she does to get her writing goal...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP226–Romance Your Brand with Zoe York from 2020-02-11T23:32:53
We are delighted to welcome back NYT and USA Today bestselling romance author, Zoe York. Zoe is not only a fabulous writer, but she's a marketing whizz who talks to us today about building a marke...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP225–Amazon Decoded with David Gaughran from 2020-02-04T06:50:53
Is Amazon just one big mystery that you're struggling to unravel? Then this is the podcast for you! David Gaughran gives us some tips and advice from his soon to be released non-fiction book, AMAZO...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP224–Amazing Covers with Rebekah Haskell from 2020-01-28T23:36:50
Are you about to get your cover organised? Or is there something wrong with the cover you currently have? This is a must listen episode for all authors, but especially for anyone who's struggling...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP223–What’s Your Word? from 2020-01-21T03:05:04
We love the idea of visualising a word to describe how you’ll be in 2020. What difference could a word make?The answer is, it won’t unless you put it into play every day. If it’s a word that spea...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP222–Write It Down, Make It Happen from 2020-01-14T23:30:53
Are you ready to make 2020 YOUR year?! This week we talk about the importance of physically writing down your goals to make them happen. Wendy is a perfect example of the power of writing them dow...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP221–Reviving Your Backlist With Laurelin Paige from 2020-01-07T23:14:04
This week we talk with NYT Bestseller and marketing superstar, Laurelin Paige, about how we can revive and reinvigorate our backlists. Even if you're still building your publishing empire, this is ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP220–Our Goals for 2020 from 2020-01-01T07:20
Happy New Year! This episode is a round-up of the goals and visions that we, the SPA Girls, have for 2020. It's gonna be a big year! It's the year of opening ourselves up to all the opportunities o...
ListenSpa Girls Podcast–EP218–Our 2019 Hits&Misses from 2019-12-18T06:09:39
This week's episode is a Spa Girls retrospective of how our 2019 went - what our two big Hits were, and what we found challenging. As usual, we get deep and personal. And cheeky!
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP217–All About BookBrush from 2019-12-10T23:00:16
Today we interview Kathleen Sweeney, Customer Services Manager and Marketing Lead at BrookBrush, an online platform designed to help authors with all their image creation needs. Kathleen helps us...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP216–Sharpen Up Your Author Career from 2019-12-04T03:55:52
It's that time of year when we start looking back on the year, wondering how it all flew by so fast, and thinking about what we can do for the coming year. This week we're talking about another l...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP215–Taking Risks and Being Brave from 2019-11-26T23:23:22
If you're anything like the rest of us in the SPA, you're quite happy in your writing cave. You don't really want to leave the comfort of your keyboard. But this episode is all about why you real...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP214–Interview with Lindsay Buroker from 2019-11-20T23:29:12
I (Trudi Jaye) was VERY EXCITED to get to interview super-successful fantasy author and fellow podcaster Lindsay Buroker at 20BooksVegas, and (OMG!!) she didn't disappoint. Lindsay's doing really w...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP213–Small Changes, Big Results With Bryan Cohen from 2019-11-13T03:09:37
This episode we talk with author, podcaster and coach Bryan Cohen about making small changes that can add up to big results for authors. We talk about why authors often overlook making small chan...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP212–Writing Great Characters from 2019-11-05T22:01:40
We all love it when we're reading and we fall in love with a character. Not just in the book boyfriend way - although that's cool too - but in a isn't-she-so-great-I-wish-I-could-be-just-like-her-...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast – EP211 – Self Care Isn’t Selfish from 2019-10-31T03:37:50
If you don’t take care of yourself, odds are no one else will. So what does it take to make sure you’re firing on all cylinders? We’ve all got our own take on self-care and yet there are plenty of...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP210–Slow&Steady to Six Figures with Serenity Woods from 2019-10-23T03:42:34
Serenity Woods is a New Zealand self-publishing superstar with more than 70 books published (both traditionally and indie). She's a USA Today bestselling author of sexy contemporary romances, most...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP209 – Editing with Anne Victory from 2019-10-15T01:17:54
Confused about the editing process? Today we talk with talented editor Anne Victory, founder of Victory Editing. Anne has always been a stickler for grammar, and at every job she was “volunteered”...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP208–Writing to Market Versus Writing To Trend from 2019-10-08T23:42:24
What does'writing to trend'mean? Isn't it just the same as'writing to market'? In the SPA, we say NO, they're not the same...and here's why: basically, Shar told us so. :) In this episode we ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP207–Meeting Reader Expectations from 2019-10-02T01:52:31
Ah, readers... They're elusive. Magical. Confusing. But we all want them. This episode, we break down the topic of reader expectations, discussing what they are, what it means for you the author...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP206–Interview with Chris Fox: Ads For Authors Who Hate Maths from 2019-09-25T03:46:40
This week we have the pleasure of talking with Chris Fox, author of 20+ SFF novels and very popular non-fiction books for writers including his latest, Ads For Authors Who Hate Math. In this epis...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP205–Why Is My Series Not Selling? from 2019-09-18T09:50:40
Are your sales getting you down? Do you wish your series was selling better? Can you resuscitate it or is it DOA? This episode we talk through some of the possible reasons that your book or seri...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP204–Snappy Beginnings With Amy Andrews from 2019-09-11T04:33:54
Ever been in a bookstore and opened a book to read the first couple of pages? (Or clicked the look inside on Amazon?) Ever put the book back, deciding it wasn't that interesting? Yep, we have to...
ListenSPA Girls–EP203–How to Fail to Succeed from 2019-09-04T04:40:26
Do you feel like your writing career is filled with mistakes? Failures? Problems? Good!That means you're putting yourself out there, trying new things, and moving in a positive direction in your ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP202–Bookbub Ads With Melissa Storm from 2019-08-28T04:17
If you've been thinking about trying out Bookbub ads, then this is the episode for you! Melissa Storm was at the RWNZ conference in Christchurch with us, and we stole her away and made her tell u...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP201–How To Avoid Saggy Middles from 2019-08-21T08:27:47
We've all had experience with saggy middles... (And no, we're not talking about our stomachs...) Have you ever gotten to the middle of your manuscript and wondered what on earth you're doing? Do y...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP200–What We’ve Learned From Our Amazing Guests from 2019-08-14T04:03:38
Here it is. Our 200th Episode! Yay! Who'd have thought that we'd ever make it this far?? First of all, we'd like to say thank you to everyone who listens to the show, we appreciate you all! It's b...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP199–Interview with Adam Croft from 2019-08-07T05:03:07
Want to hear how a world-wide bestselling author got to where he is today? Join us as we talk to UK crime novelist Adam Croft about his writing career, including how he generates his ideas, how h...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP198–Find Your Sparkle With Julie Schooler from 2019-07-31T00:44:27
Has your sparkle gone soggy? Are you wondering why you're not happier? Have you lost your creativity? Then this is the episode for you! We talk to fellow Kiwi author, Julie Schooler, about how...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP197–Hack Your Muse With Kelly McClymer from 2019-07-25T01:38:24
This week we talk to Kelly McClymer about"Hacking Your Muse", or how to convince yourself to sit down and write when you don't seem to be able to do it… We all give ourselves excuses for why we c...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP196–Public Speaking for Authors from 2019-07-16T13:18:55
Terrified of public speaking? Don't know what to say on Facebook Live? Wondering how to keep your cool in that podcast interview?This is the episode for you! Public speaking for authors is ab...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP195–The Magic Pill For Authors from 2019-07-09T23:36:46
We all want a magic wand to be waved over us, or to swallow a pill and instantly be amazing authors. But that's just not possible. Learning to write takes time and hard work. There's no way arou...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP194–A Day In The Life Of A Writer from 2019-07-03T03:57:51
Ever wondered how the SPA Girls spend their days? Imagining champagne and caviar at fancy hotels? This is the episode where you find out for sure... We talk through how we spend our days; from wh...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP193–Keeping It Simple from 2019-06-26T04:20:34
There's so much advice out there in Self-Publishing-Land. We're told you have to do this, and you have to do that, and you have to do the next thing to be a success in self publishing. There's s...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP192–Seven-Figure Success With Skye Warren–Part 2 from 2019-06-18T23:17:59
This is the second episode in the interview series with bestselling author and Facebook guru, Skye Warren.Skye has had a fascinating author journey, and in this second episode she talks to us about...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP191–Seven-Figure Success With Skye Warren from 2019-06-12T04:48:41
Ever thought that if only you had more time in your day, you'd be successful? Rich? How you'd get all your writing done? Well, this is the podcast for you! When romance author Skye Warren went fr...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP190–Dictation With Scott Baker from 2019-06-04T23:29:39
Are your wrists giving you problems? Thinking you need to get out and walk more? But still have to write all those books?? Then this episode is for you...We talk to dictation expert Scott Baker ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP189–Pantsing with Patricia McLinn from 2019-05-29T07:28:11
If you're a writer who hates to outline, you'll love this week's podcast! We talk to Patricia McLinn, a mystery and romance author who is also a pantser who writes out of sequence. She's here to te...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP188–Cozy Mysteries With Morgana Best from 2019-05-22T07:15:22
Morgana Best is the best-selling author of over 40 Cozy Mysteries, and she joins us in the SPA to tell us everything she knows about writing Cozies. From word counts to reader expectations, and eve...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP187–Interview With Forensics Expert Geoff Symon from 2019-05-15T02:20:30
Want to figure out how to create the perfect crime for your cozy mystery character to solve? Or find out how your investigator protagonist would investigate a murder? Perhaps you just want to fin...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP186–What Authors Get Wrong About Weapons of Mass Destruction from 2019-05-08T03:41:55
Have you ever wondered whether your character would survive holding highly enriched uranium metal in their hand? What about if they'd handled that green goo from the barrel marked with a radiation...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP185–Interview with the Writer’s Detective, Adam Richardson from 2019-05-01T06:23:23
It's the start of Mystery May, and we have a doozy to start you off with!The SPA Girls spent time with Adam Richardson, an American cop who helps authors and screenwriters with their crime-fiction ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP184–Keeping The Faith from 2019-04-24T06:41:23
Do you have family and friends telling you not to write? Do they tell you that you've got your head in the clouds, and you need to get a real job? Perhaps people ask you how your little hobby is g...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP183 -Facebook Ads with Maria Luis (Part Two) from 2019-04-17T02:13:24
Are your Facebook ads as successful as you want them to be? Do you wish you could make the kind of ads you've heard other authors boasting about? This is the episode for you!This week we delve ba...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP182–Facebook Ads with Maria Luis (Part One) from 2019-04-10T07:37:58
Not sure about how Facebook Ads work? Need to learn the basics? Join the SPA Girls as bestselling author Maria Luis breaks down Facebook Ads for us, from the beginning steps, to how to choose the ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP181–Learn Dictation With Kilby Blades from 2019-04-03T06:48:26
If you've ever thought you'd like to try dictation, this is the episode for you. We talk to award winning indie author Kilby Blades about how she amped up her writing rates by learning dictation. ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP180–Book Descriptions with Brian Meeks from 2019-03-27T01:37:43
Ever wondered if your book description could be better? Ever thought it should sell more books?Then this is the episode for you. Brian Meeks, description-writer extraordinaire, talks with us abou...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP179–Interview with Tara from Kobo from 2019-03-20T01:09:21
This week we talk to Tara Cremin, Author Experience Manager from Kobo Writing Life. It's always great to chat to someone from each of the platforms for the real insider information, and Tara doesn'...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP178–Newsletter Strategies with Larissa Reynolds, Part 2 from 2019-03-12T22:54
What's the one objection you have to overcome to get readers to buy your book? That question is the cliffhanger that Larissa Reynolds left us on in part 1. And now,here it is! The episode where yo...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP177–Successful Newsletter Strategies with Larissa Reynolds from 2019-03-06T06:30:11
Have you been worrying about whether your author newsletter is working as it should? Or perhaps you're wondering if you should even start one? This is the SPA Girls episode for you! Today we're t...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP176–How to Speak Self Publishing from 2019-02-27T05:20:55
Ever listened to someone talking about self publishing and been mystified about what they're actually saying? Maybe understood about one in every three words? It's a common problem, and one we some...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP175–How To Make Facebook Work For You from 2019-02-20T03:23:53
We often get asked what authors should post on Facebook, and whether it's worthwhile even being on the platform at all. The answer from the SPA is a firm yes, we believe Facebook is a really useful...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP174–How To Write A Regency Romance from 2019-02-13T05:05:27
This episode we talk to our very own Wendy Vella about writing Regency romance. Since 2013, Wendy has forged a very successful indie career writing historical and contemporary romance. Her Regencie...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP173–How To Identify Your Writing Weaknesses from 2019-02-06T03:22:51
Today's episode was inspired by a comment on our podcast website www.SpaGirlsPodcast.com by listener Carron, who asked"...when you're starting out (writing) how do you know what weaknesses to focus...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP172–Interview with Dan Wood from Draft2Digital from 2019-01-30T02:24:46
The delightful Dan Wood joined us in the SPA today to talk about the Indie distribution channel Draft2Digital. It's an informative hour-long interview with Dan, who attends 20 plus author conferenc...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP171–Interview With Serenity Woods from 2019-01-23T04:25:20
We are delighted to welcome romance author, Serenity Woods, to the SPA today. Serenity shares her self-publishing journey with us - the highs and the lows - from her modest start with a publishing ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP170–Get Your Head In The Game from 2019-01-15T22:42:57
Are you motivated or disillusioned by all the"end of year earnings"screenshots some authors post? For some of us, it's incredibly inspiring; others find it a distraction or even a bit depressing! T...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP169–5 Goals You Need To Make In 2019 from 2019-01-09T07:32:37
Goals! We're all so excited about them at the beginning of January, and then we feel them like chains around our necks by the end of the month. (Well, here in the SPA we do. Maybe you're able to ma...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP168–31 Marketing Ideas To Jumpstart Your Year from 2019-01-02T23:25:36
This year we decided to begin with something a little different... Instead of the usual"motivational and uplifting"or"beginning of the year goal setting"type show, we thought we'd give you 31 quick...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP167–Scheduling To Save Time from 2018-12-25T19:50:17
If you're trying to find a few more minutes in your day for writing, then this episode is for you. We talk about how you can use scheduling to be more productive, free up time and get stuff done. ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP166–Retrospective Of The Best Of 2018 from 2018-12-19T01:59:58
Merry Christmas from the SPA Girls! We hope you all have the best of everything this festive season, and that you get to spend the big day with the people you love. (And failing that, some chocolat...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP165–He Said, She Said–Creating Dazzling Dialogue from 2018-12-12T01:20:43
Love or hate it, dialogue is an essential element to fiction writing. Done well, dialogue can be very powerful. We know and understand the subtext of dialogue without having to be told, and writer...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP164–Talking Reverse Harem with Steffanie Holmes from 2018-12-05T01:23:26
We've talked about reverse harem a little bit on the show, but this week we decided to get someone on who knows all about it, so we could pick their brains... Mwahahaha... So we convinced USA Toda...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP163–Interview With Kelly St Clare from 2018-11-29T06:09:17
The delightful USA Today bestselling author Kelly St Clare talks to the SPA Girls this week about how she moved from being a physiotherapist in a busy clinic to her current career as an Amazon best...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP162–How To Launch Like A Pro from 2018-11-21T08:41:43
In response to a few recent questions we've been asked on this topic, we decided to talk through the basics of launch strategies for first-time or early career authors, or for authors starting off ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP161–Cracking Christmas Promo Ideas from 2018-11-15T02:44:55
With the holiday season fast approaching, the SPA Girls gathered to talk about their list of 12 Ideas For Christmas Promotion. Between the shopping, the relative wrangling, the wallet-aches and the...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP160–Wide Versus Exclusive–Which Is Better? from 2018-11-07T23:44:54
It's one of the big questions in the Indie author space, and hotly debated by many on either side. This week we talk about the pros and cons of going wide on all publishing platforms versus going e...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP159–Interview With Kathryn Le Veque from 2018-10-31T04:34
This is a powerhouse episode! Be warned - it'll inspire you SO much to knuckle down and get to work, you may not come up for air for days! Kathryn is a force of nature whose incredible work ethic h...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP158–Some Like It Hot….Or Not from 2018-10-24T04:32:41
This week we put on our flame retardant suits and discuss how to define the heat level of your story – and why it’s important to know. There is no standard or uniform code to heat levels, so write...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP157–Interview with Louisa George from 2018-10-17T02:07:42
Our fabulous guest this week is award-winning romance author Louisa George. We talk with Louisa about how she balances the demands of being a “hybrid” author, publishing traditionally (Medical Roma...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP 156–The Kindness Factor from 2018-10-09T05:53:10
This week Wendy, Cheryl and Shar talk about “the Kindness Factor” – how we can achieve more but put less pressure on ourselves. Impossible you say? As we push ourselves to write more, to learn mor...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP155–Self Editing for Authors from 2018-10-02T07:50:21
This week we talk about self editing, and how to get your manuscript to the highest possible standard before sending it to your professional editor. Everyone will have a different style, focus an...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP154–The Power Of Four from 2018-09-25T23:31:11
This week we talk about the power of four, or how working and interacting with other authors can amp up your author career. Using our experiences in the SPA, we talk about how having other writer...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP153–From Cookie Cutter To Kapow: Bringing Your Characters To Life from 2018-09-19T06:17:30
Name your favourite character from any book you've ever read. What did you like best about that character? Was it how they acted? Was it their personality, or because they stood up for something th...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP152–Interview with Tina Dietz About Audiobooks from 2018-09-12T04:24:17
This week we have the fabulous Tina Dietz, an expert in the area of audio, podcasting and audiobooks, who talks to us about the ways we can be using audio in our writing careers. She gives us the...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP151–Interview With Grace Burrowes from 2018-09-05T11:01:56
This week we have the delightful Grace Burrowes on the show, chatting to Cheryl and Wendy about her career, why she started writing, how she stays authentic, and why she uses blogging to connect to...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP150–Should I Prune My Mailing List? from 2018-08-29T00:36:58
The recent kerfuffles with MailerLite raised an interesting point for those of us in the SPA - should we be pruning our mailing lists, and if so, how do we go about doing that? This week we talk a...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP149–Killer Interview with Damon Suede and Geoff Symon from 2018-08-22T07:59:03
This week Wendy and Cher sit down in a fairly noisy cafe with Indie author Damon Suede and his partner, Geoff Symon. The f-bomb went off fairly early in the piece, so if you're offended by swear wo...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP148–Interview with Indie Superstar Bella Andre from 2018-08-15T08:13:16
Today's interview is a must-listen interview with... Indie Superstar Bella Andre! We were super excited to be able to chat to Bella, who it turns out is the most lovely, down-to-earth person we've...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP147–Top Ten Traits for Self-Publishing Success from 2018-08-08T04:50:30
This week we talk about the top ten traits we believe you need to have to be a successful self-published author. These include, among other things, having a thick skin, being willing to take risk...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP146–Interview with Becca Syme on Writing Better Faster from 2018-08-01T01:07:51
We had a fantastic guest this week in the form of Becca Syme, Cosy Mystery author, writing coach, teacher of the Write Better-Faster course, and podcaster at the Smarty Pants Marketing podcast. B...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP145–Newsletter Ninja Tammi Labrecque from 2018-07-25T04:51:28
This week we're joined by the Newsletter Ninja, Tammi Labrecque (of IndiePubIntensive.com), who talks to us about creating an amazing author newsletter that will help amp up your writing career. ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP144–Looking After Your Creative Health from 2018-07-18T05:48:58
This week we talk about our own creative health, where we are at, and how we are attempting to ensure our creativity wells don't try up. We use examples from our own writing lives, and give a whole...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP143–Interview with Carlyn Robertson from BookBub from 2018-07-11T03:06:57
This week we were lucky enough to talk to the delightful Carlyn Robertson from BookBub, all about how the email advertising platform works, and how it can help you as an author. For some authors, ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP142–Personal Branding for Authors with Lauren Clemett from 2018-07-04T01:58:59
This week we were privileged to have personal branding expert Lauren Clemett with us to discuss how to create your personal author brand, and why it's so important. Based in Australia, Lauren has a...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP141–Ten FREE Online Tools for Authors from 2018-06-28T00:42:06
Looking for some new online tools to help you in your publishing journey? Curious about what online time-savers other authors have, and how they use them to make their careers work better, faster, ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP140–Tempting Tag Lines and Heart-stopping Hooks from 2018-06-20T03:22:10
Ever tried to distill your book down into the ultimate one-sentence tagline that will sell it to everyone you know? Yeah, so have we. It's a nightmare, right? In this episode of the SPA Girls Podc...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP139–Kelly Lytle from Findaway Voices from 2018-06-14T01:04:36
This week we have Kelly Lytle from Findaway Voices with us in the SPA to talk about creating audio books for Indie authors.If you've ever considered creating an audio book, but were concerned about...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP138–Getting Your Motivation Back from 2018-06-05T23:28:34
This week we talk about how to get yourself motivated again after life gets in the way. It could be illness, personal issues, a holiday, an injury or even just your own negative self talk. Whatever...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP137–Talking about Facebook LIVE with Toni Kenyon from 2018-05-31T10:16:01
This week we chat to Toni Kenyon, a New Zealand indie author of Pacific rockstar and billionaire romances. She gives us the inside scoop on some of the new techniques she's using to attract and eng...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP136–Dealing with Misinformation and Change in Self Publishing from 2018-05-23T02:35:38
This week in the SPA we talk about how to handle changes in the Indie Publishing environment without freaking out, including where to find the information you might need about any new changes, and ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP135–Interview with Maria Luis from 2018-05-16T01:38:14
We were lucky enough to have contemporary romance author Maria Luis talking to us this week. She's super marketing-savvy, and talked on a range of topics, from how her launches have changed as she'...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP134–Interview with Kevin Tumlinson of Draft2Digital from 2018-05-09T06:44:52
We’re delighted to welcome Kevin Tumlinson, bestselling thriller author, and Director of Marketing for Draft2Digital into the SPA today! Kevin talks us through using Draft2Digital to format and pub...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP133–Interview With Sara Rosett: Writing Cozy Mysteries from 2018-05-02T03:31:24
This episode we are thrilled to talk with USA Today bestseller, Sara Rosett, about the wonderful, (sometimes) wacky and hugely popular sub-genre of Cozy Mysteries. Cozies have a rabid audience, but...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP132–Organization For Writers from 2018-04-24T04:43:23
How do you wrangle your research as a writer? Is keeping track of all your characters, setting details and story events driving you to reach for the chocolate (or vino)? In this episode we share o...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP131–Interview with Ricardo Fayet from Reedsy from 2018-04-18T00:35:31
This week we talk to Ricardo Fayet, one of the founders of Reedsy, a curated site for matching authors and publishers to industry professionals like editors, designers, marketing professionals, or ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP130–Critical Care: Leverage Feedback For Success from 2018-04-11T23:16:18
The sting of even well-meant criticism can leave us reeling and it's very hard not to take it personally. This week we discuss how to cope with criticism - from all sides: friends, other writers, r...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP129–Five Branding Tips You Can Use Right Now from 2018-04-04T09:17:20
This week we're talking about Author Branding, using the example of four different indie authors who we think are doing a fabulous job of branding themselves and their series. From Penny Reid's ro...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP128–Interview with Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant from 2018-03-28T01:56:09
This week Trudi Jaye talks to Indie publishing personalities Johnny B. Truant and Sean Platt from the Story Studio Podcast (previously the Self Publishing Podcast) about their experiences in self p...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP127–Industry Insiders Episode–Damon Courtney and Chrissy Munroe from 2018-03-21T06:50:12
This week Damon Courtney, founder of BookFunnel, and Chrissy Munroe, Senior Manager Author Performance at Kobo, sit down with Trudi Jaye to discuss the Indie publishing market: what's hot, what's c...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP126–Smarter Artist Summit 2018 Debrief from 2018-03-15T04:51:37
This week we have extra-special guest Jami Albright on to talk about the 2018 Smarter Artist Summit, which she attended along with SPA Girl host Trudi Jaye. Trudi and Jami talk about their highli...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP125–SAS Special Interview with Michelle Spiva from 2018-03-12T00:08:09
This week we have another special episode from the 2018 Smarter Artist Summit, where Trudi Jaye sat down with the first male Deputy SPA Girl, Michael Anderle, and marketing guru and storyteller Mic...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP124–SAS Special Interview with Michael Anderle from 2018-03-07T03:35:17
This week we have an amazing interview with self publishing guru Michael Anderle, direct from the Smarter Artist Summit in Austin, Texas. Trudi Jaye was lucky enough to attend the summit and meet M...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–Episode 123–Interview With Nate Vella from 2018-02-28T00:55:05
This week we talk with elite sportsman, Nathan Vella, about using tools from sports psychology to help writers. Nate has been a professional rugby player for the last seven years. In that time he h...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP122–How To Use Subplots to Amp Up Your Story from 2018-02-22T04:58:11
This week we talk about a craft topic that's been bugging Trudi - subplots. Ever since reading Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews, who does it really well, she's been pursued by the idea that maybe she's...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP121–Interview with Scott King from 2018-02-14T02:32:03
This week we had the pleasure of chatting to Scott King, author of non-fiction writing books The 5 Day Novel, Finish the Script! and his latest, Outline Your Novel. Scott has a background in teachi...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP120–Should You Use a Pen Name? from 2018-02-07T07:16:45
This week our topic is whether or not to use a pen name. Choosing the name to represent your writing career might seem like a simple decision, but there's actually a whole host of things to think a...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP119–Interview with NYT Bestselling Author Nalini Singh from 2018-01-31T05:27:55
This week we were lucky enough to convince the lovely Nalini Singh to come on the show. A fellow Kiwi, Nalini is also a very smart, savvy author who's been on the NYT Bestseller list an incredible ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP118–How to Write a Successful Small Town Setting from 2018-01-23T21:36:38
Small town settings are a common backdrop in romance. Writers love them because they give us a landscape that we can go back to again and again, with familiar secondary characters that our readers ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP117–Dealing with Negativity and Naysayers from 2018-01-19T04:39:28
Do you have one of those people in your life? Someone who thinks the glass is always half empty and wants to bring you down the whole time? Negative Nellys and Doubtful Dougs are around us all the ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP116–Tough Mindset Questions for 2018 from 2018-01-10T06:38:09
Are you all set to achieve everything you really want to achieve in 2018? If you're still not sure, this episode will help! We ask three really great questions around our mindset as self publishing...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP115–Interview with Nicola Davidson from 2018-01-03T01:31:16
This week Wendy and Cheryl talk dirty with Kiwi historical romance/erotica author Nicola Davidson, who gives them the real story of the sex lives of the aristocracy in Recency London. Nicola has de...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP114–Tropealicious–Or Tropes for Beginners from 2017-12-28T01:13:10
This week we dive into the world of tropes for self publishing authors, to explain exactly what they are, why they're important and how you should be using them in your writing career. Knowing an...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP113–Twelve Top Tips for 2018–Christmas Episode from 2017-12-20T07:06:44
This week we decided to do a trendy new concept (cause that's what we are, totally trendy): a reverse advent calendar. Basically instead of getting gifts at Christmas, we wanted to give YOU a gift ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP112–Interview with Honoree Corder and Ben Hale from 2017-12-12T23:34:06
This week we were lucky enough to interview Honoree Corder and Ben Hale who've recently released a new book: Write Like a Boss, all about how to have the right mindset for being a successful author...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–Episode 111–10 Health Hacks For Writers from 2017-12-07T04:53:47
Staying healthy (and sane) during the holiday season can be a challenge for us all. This week Cheryl, Wendy and Shar talk about the health hacks they've found have helped to calm the chaos, stay sa...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP110–Interview With Screenwriter Kathryn Burnett from 2017-11-30T03:43:40
This week we were lucky enough to have a fantastic repeat guest - Kathryn Burnett, the well-known New Zealand playwright and screenwriter. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kathryn ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP109–Interview with Melissa Storm–What Your Readers Really Want from 2017-11-22T02:40:58
This week our guest is the lovely Melissa Storm, who runs several author businesses, and is also a very successful indie author in her own right. Along with her training courses through the Author ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP108–Interview with Author Zoe Dawson from 2017-11-15T23:52:04
For prolific author, Zoe Dawson, it's all about the happily ever afters. Zoe writes across several genres including romantic suspense, small town romance, new adult, urban fantasy and romantic come...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP107–Interview with Dave Chesson, King of Keywords from 2017-11-08T06:27:59
This week we talk to bestselling self-published author Dave Chesson, otherwise known (mainly by the SPA Girls) as the King of Keywords. He's the genius behind the Kindlepreneur.com blog, which pro...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP106–Pros and Cons of Kindle Unlimited from 2017-11-03T02:33:27
This week we talk about Kindle Unlimited, or KU, as it's commonly known. KU is the exclusive readers'programme for Kindle customers on Amazon, which authors can join as long as they give exclusivit...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP105–Why YOU Should Do NaNoWriMo! from 2017-10-24T23:16:59
This week we talk about NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. Every year in November, writers around the world challenge themselves to write 50,000 words in 30 days. For newer writers, it can...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–Episode 104–Ten Truths For New Self-Publishers from 2017-10-19T04:02:22
This week we’re dealing out the “truthslaps” – in a loving way, of course. Wendy, Cher and Shar discuss ten truths for self-publishers that will help you navigate the choppy waters of a new indie a...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP103–How To Find An Extra 30 Mins Writing Time Every Day from 2017-10-11T08:59:56
This week we delved deep into our writing habits from the last ten years, and brainstormed all the ways that we've managed to squeeze an extra 30 minutes of writing out of our days. We're all busy ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP102–Maximising Book Sales At Christmas from 2017-10-04T03:17:09
This week we tackle Christmas. Not literally. I mean we're not going after Santa or anything. No knocking him to the ground, and sitting on him til he gives us presents.That would be weird, right?...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP101–Interview with Katie Cross from 2017-09-27T09:10:17
This week we talk to fantasy and young adult author Katie Cross about being a military wife, learning to be a nap-time authorpreneur, and making every moment count. She also gives us some amazing p...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP100–OMG I CAN’T BELIEVE WE MADE IT TO 100! from 2017-09-20T04:13:35
This is a very special episode of the SPA Girls Podcast - our 100th episode! Who'd have thought when we nervously started our first episode that we'd make it this far?? We talk through everything w...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP99–Interview with Arianna Golden from 2017-09-13T06:10:15
This week we have authorpreneur and automation expert Arianna Golden. She's great at helping authors set up systems in their business, to amp up their productivity, and enhance their ability to wri...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP98–Top tips from RWA 2017 from 2017-09-06T09:43:31
This week Shar and Trudi interview Wendy and Cheryl about their trip to Orlando for the Romance Writers of America 2017 conference. They give tips on surviving a conference with 2,000 other people...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP97–Interview with Shayne Silvers from 2017-08-30T19:46:23
This week we interview best selling urban fantasy author Shayne Silvers, who gives us the inside scoop on his writing processes, his beta reading team, and how he markets his popular Nate Temple se...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP96–Interview with Christie Craig from 2017-08-23T21:51:05
This week we're live from the Romance Writers of New Zealand conference here in New Zealand, and we're talking with New York Times bestselling author Christie Craig. Christie writes humorous romant...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP95–Interview with Brian Meeks from 2017-08-14T07:45:48
This week we have a fantastic interview with the delightful Brian Meeks, who talked to us about creating and making money on Amazon Ads. Brian recently published a book on how to master Amazon ads,...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP94–Interview with Monica Leonelle from 2017-08-10T11:02:23
In this week's interview Shar and Trudi have to soldier on in rainy old New Zealand while Wendy and Cher continue swanning about in Orlando. Happily we managed to score a fantastic interview with t...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP93–Interview with Roxanne St. Claire from 2017-08-03T21:14:23
Cheryl and Wendy are still at RWA in Orlando, and this time they managed to score an interview with the wonderful Roxanne St. Claire, an uber-successful Indie author who opens up about her writing ...
ListenSPA Girls–EP92–Interview with Mark Dawson from 2017-08-01T03:39:14
Before I say anything else, let me get this out of the way... Sqeeeeeee! We interviewed Mark Dawson! OMG! *coughs* Right. Now back to the regularly scheduled blurb about this episode... This week w...
ListenSPA Girls–EP91–How to Keep Your Focus from 2017-07-25T07:38:05
This week we talk about the best ways to find and keep your focus. We've talked about it in general terms before, so this time we aimed in on the mental stuff around focus, and how to avoid self sa...
ListenSPA Girls–EP90–Author Overwhelm Book Launch! from 2017-07-18T02:55:12
This week we're launching our brand new book: Kick Author Overwhelm in the B*tt! Instead of forcing you to listen to our overwhelm stories yet again, we invited three very talented self-published...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP89–Behind the Scenes with the SPA Girls Podcasters from 2017-07-11T02:51:03
This week we decided to go a little bit behind the scenes on the SPA Girls side of things. Instead of talking about our fiction books, we talk about how the SPA Girls came about, what we were tryin...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP88–What Are Your Core Author Values? from 2017-07-03T08:52:15
This week we try to nut out our own personal author values, and try to distill down a mission statement for each of us as authors. We believe that defining your core values as an author will help y...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP87–Facing Your Fears from 2017-06-28T04:46:57
This week we have a meaty topic for you! We go in-depth and take a look at our fears, the mental stuff that's stopping us from getting ahead. We all have fears, from the rational ones that motiva...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP86–Writing in Microsoft Word from 2017-06-20T20:59:37
This week we talk about the writing program no one is talking about - Microsoft Word. I'm not sure it's actually a conspiracy (wink, wink) but we thought we'd break the silence and get the word out...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP85–How to Write Faster from 2017-06-13T04:50:20
This week we talked about ways to speed up the production of your books, from getting your head in the right space from the get-go, to planning, scheduling and lastly ways to make sure you plain-ol...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP84–Amazon Also Boughts, Algorithms, and Author Rankings from 2017-06-06T22:19:50
This week we go through the book page on Amazon, deciphering some of the sections, explaining how each works and how the information gleaned can help you in your Indie career. From explaining the a...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP83–Courses For Authors from 2017-05-30T00:30:06
This week we run through all the self publishing author courses that we've done between us over the last few years and talk about the ones that we liked and would recommend that you could try if yo...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP82–The Black Moment Featuring Author Rachel Bailey from 2017-05-23T09:13:14
Australian author and writing tutor, Rachel Bailey, joins us this week to discuss the Black Moment: that point in your story when all hope is lost, when crisis peaks, when things seem bleakest and ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP81–Interview with Jami Albright from 2017-05-11T02:12:33
This week we interview the delightful Jami Albright, a new author who has just successfully launched her first book. She's done such a fantastic job of it, we wanted to get her on the show to talk ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP80–Busting Self Publishing Myths from 2017-05-11T01:56:35
We’re out to lunch today, recording in a café (so enjoy the ambience of the coffee machine in the background!) where we discuss all those myths about writing and publishing. Some we’ve fallen prey...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP79–How To Write Dazzling Dialogue from 2017-04-27T22:44:29
Writing dialogue is a very difficult skill to master, but this week we try to unravel some of the secrets around how to create dazzling dialogue for your characters. More than just a transcription ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP78–How To End With A BANG! from 2017-04-21T00:13:51
We did beginnings last week, so we thought we'd pay tribute to endings this time around... :) Many authors rush through the ending of their book, because by the time they get there, they're sick of...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP77–Great Beginnings for Authors from 2017-04-14T07:56:03
Easter is here, a time for new beginnings, so we thought we'd talk about the beginning of your book. It's always been important, but we would argue that in the days of ebooks for less than the cost...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP76–First Quarter Goals from 2017-04-06T06:01:26
This week we sit down and talk through our self publishing goals for the first quarter, and how we've been going with our writing. It's a bit of a mixed bag, with some of us having achieved our goa...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP75–Writing A Kick-Butt Book Blurb with Glenna Mageau from 2017-03-28T21:05:45
This week we have a very special guest - Glenna Mageau, book blurb coach and writer extraordinaire - who takes us through how to write a blurb that sells more books. Glenna has a proven system she...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP74–Formatting Tips and Tricks from 2017-03-22T08:51:12
This week we tackle the topic of formatting your ebooks. We talk about the difference between outsourcing the formatting and doing it yourself, and the pros and cons of each option. Then we talk ab...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP73–Zhushing Up Your Amazon Author Page from 2017-03-15T08:52:25
Publishing your book to Amazon KDP is the first step ... then the second VERY important step is setting up your Amazon Author Central account and optimizing your Amazon Author Page. Too many new se...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP72–Author Overwhelm from 2017-03-09T08:36:55
This week we talk about a subject dear to our hearts - author overwhelm. It's so easy to become overwhelmed in this digital age, with everything that we are bombarded with and told we"have to"do t...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP71–10 Marketing Tips for Beginners from 2017-03-02T01:48:24
This week we talk through the basic marketing principles that you need to make sure you've got in place for promoting your books. Think of it as a 101 class in marketing, just for you. :) We talk...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP70–Productivity Hacks for Writers from 2017-02-21T21:42:53
This week we give some of our best writer productivity hacks - ie a big ole list of tips to increase your productivity, based on things that we do each week to help us write more!From exercise tips...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP69–Top Ten Romance Novels of All Time from 2017-02-15T05:58:59
In honour of Valentine's Day, the SPA Girls fought it out to come up with our list of the Best Romance Novels of All Time. Listen to this episode to see if you agree with our choices... :)
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP68–Etiquette for Authors from 2017-02-12T20:23:45
This week we decided to talk about etiquette for authors; or how to talk to other authors, your fans and your service providers, especially online. It's really easy to get carried away, to start ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP67–Common Writing Mistakes and How to Fix Them from 2017-02-02T03:42:54
Wendy, Cheryl and Trudi talk through some common writing mistakes and give suggestions for how to avoid making them yourself. Based around Jack Bickham's book, The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP66–The Book of Your Heart Vs Writing to Market from 2017-01-27T08:42:04
This week we talk about writing the book of your heart versus writing a book to market. What do these terms mean, and why should they matter to you? Writing the book of your heart means writing wha...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP65–Interview with Zoe York from 2017-01-18T10:19:47
This week we were lucky enough to talk to Zoe York, USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, and all around lovely lady. She gave us some fantastic tips on writing i...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP64–Goals for 2017 from 2017-01-12T09:43:53
This week we get the show number wrong, yet again, and the sound quality is a little bit off, but we still manage to get out an episode talking about our goals for 2017 and how we're going to achie...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP63–Interview with Kathryn Burnett from 2017-01-05T09:43:47
This week we talk to screenwriter Kathryn Burnett about planning writing projects, as well as setting goals as an author and keeping them - just in time for the start of the year. We went to a fant...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP62–Christmas 2016 Special Episode from 2016-12-24T10:06:18
This week we come to you live from our local cafe as we eat, drink and be merry, and discuss the highs and lows of self publishing in 2016. We call it our Hit, Miss and Maybe list, and we talk thro...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP61–Interview with Joanna Penn from 2016-12-21T08:59:07
This week we had the honour of interviewing the one and only... Joanna Penn! She's a best-selling author, an international speaker, a podcaster, and a trainer, and one of our role models in this in...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP60–Interview With An Editor from 2016-12-14T22:26:39
This week we talk to Olivia Ventura from Hot Tree Edits about being a full time editor. She was a fantastic person to interview, and gave great advice on how to work with editors and how to find so...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP59–Answering Listener Questions from 2016-12-07T18:41:46
This week Wendy, Cheryl and Shar tackled some of the questions we've been getting from eager listeners to the show. The team were without me (Trudi) because I was off celebrating my 10th wedding an...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP58–Writing for a Kindle World from 2016-12-01T23:36:51
This week it was just Shar, Cheryl and Trudi, and we talked about writing and publishing a book in an Amazon Kindle World. Cheryl has just published her second book in the Laguna Beach Kindle World...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP57–Dealing With Distractions At Christmas from 2016-11-25T07:18:43
This week Wendy, Cher and Trudi talk about dealing with unavoidable distractions, and how to maintain a writing schedule even when things get busy. With Christmas coming up we thought we'd talk a...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP56–Top Ten Mistakes Self Publishers Make from 2016-11-17T08:55:22
I don't actually know how many mistakes we covered in this episode, but I thought that title sounded great. :) But we definitely do go in-depth on all the terrible, dastardly, embarrassing mistakes...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP55–Launching a Non-Fiction Book from 2016-11-09T21:00:52
This week we talk about the launch of a project dear to our hearts - our new non-fiction book about author overwhelm. We've been working on this project for a while, and we're really excited abou...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP54–Writing Advice From the Trenches from 2016-11-01T09:38:19
This week the SPA Girls chat to three experienced authors - two Indie authors, and one traditionally published author - about their writing tips, their favourite technology as a writer, and why the...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP53–How to Do a Successful Book Launch from 2016-10-25T06:02:17
This week we're all back! The SPA Girls are reunited again, and we're on fire with useful and relevant information for you as a self published author. We talk about launching your latest book into ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP52–Interview with Kelly McClymer from 2016-10-18T00:59:53
This week we're joined by the lovely Kelly McClymer, an indie author who writes in multiple genres, including historical romance, fantasy and cosy mystery. She tells us the story of how she got int...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP51–Characters Your Readers Will Love from 2016-10-10T01:16:41
This week we crawled out from our sick beds to provide you with this delayed episode of the SPA Girls Podcast. We managed to talk semi-coherently about creating amazing characters that your readers...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP50–Celebrating a Half-Century of Episodes from 2016-09-22T23:57:02
This week we celebrate the 50th episode of the SPA Girls Podcast! We're pleased as punch that we made it this far, and we hope we'll make it to another 50! We talked about what's changed for us in ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP49–Interview with Tracey Alvarez from 2016-09-19T01:08:39
This week we're still without the lovely Cheryl, so we decided to do another interview, this time with Tracey Alvarez, who lives in Wellington, New Zealand and writes contemporary romance based in ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP48–Interview with Steffanie Holmes from 2016-09-10T03:18:57
This week we interview paranormal romance author Steff Green, who writes as Steffanie Holmes and fantasy as SC Green. Steff was a speaker at the recent RWNZ conference and we were keen to get her o...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP47–Advertising for Authors from 2016-09-05T02:11:04
This week we're without the delightful Cheryl, the light of our lives. It's a bit chaotic, but the three remaining SPA Girls managed to talk about the advertising that we've done recently and how i...
ListenSPA Girls–BONUS Episode–RWNZ16 short interviews from 2016-08-28T03:07:39
This is another bonus episode from the SPA Girls - a collection of three short interviews that we did at the RWNZ16 conference in Auckland, New Zealand. Firstly bestselling author Heather Graham t...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP46–Should I Write a Series? from 2016-08-28T02:55:02
This week I (Trudi Jaye) was away, so against my better judgement, I let the other three do the podcast without me. Surprisingly, against all expectations, they managed to do an episode that was mo...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP45–RWNZ conference indepth from 2016-08-19T22:36:02
This week we had a huge amount of fun talking about the RWNZ conference that we just had here in New Zealand. With an all-star international line up including Hollywood Script Consultant Michael Ha...
ListenSPA Girls–EP44–Conference episode with Leeanna Morgan from 2016-08-15T02:53:40
This week we bring you a special episode direct from the Romance Writers of New Zealand conference in Auckland, New Zealand. Wendy Vella and Trudi Jaye snuck out of the workshops, grabbed the incre...
ListenBONUS EPISODE–Trudi Jaye and Talia Hunter at RWA from 2016-08-04T04:27:57
This is a special bonus episode of the SPA Girls Podcast, hosted by Trudi Jaye and Talia Hunter and recorded live at RWA in San Diego. We recorded this little snippet on our last day in an attempt ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP43–Great Covers And How To Get One from 2016-08-04T02:37:51
This week we talk about covers for ebooks. We've mentioned self publishing covers in passing on previous episodes, but this week we put the microscope to the topic and try to work out what makes th...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP42–Surviving Writers Conferences from 2016-07-25T11:09
This week we talk about our experiences (all family-friendly) at writers conferences and give tips on how to get the most out of conferences (aka overcome the sudden urge to hide behind a large po...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP 41–Content For Your Facebook Page from 2016-07-19T22:06:11
This week's episode talks about what to post on your Author Facebook page to keep fans engaged and coming back for more! We've all experimented with different kinds of posts - from thoughtful quot...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP40–Getting Your Pacing Right from 2016-07-08T02:56:11
This week we talked about tips and tricks to keep the pace of your novel moving at the right speed, all the way to the high impact ending. We each talk about the tricks we use to make the pace of o...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP39–Finding Focus as an Author from 2016-06-28T23:16:22
This week we decided to bring back the challenge episodes. It's the middle of winter here in New Zealand - it's cold and wet and dreary, and we're all feeling a little frustrated with where we're a...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP38–Writing Good Sex Scenes from 2016-06-24T02:12:33
This week we decided to talk about Wendy's favourite subject - sex! :) Just kidding, it's the favourite topic of all the SPA Girls... When you're writing romance, there will generally be some form ...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP37–Intro to Twitter from 2016-06-14T08:40:21
In episode 37 we were all together in person again and we talked about Twitter. It's probably the second most popular social media platform after Facebook, and it's definitely one worth investigati...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP36–Help! What Do I Write in My Newsletter?! from 2016-06-08T05:33:23
This week is episode number 36 and we decided to talk a little more indepth about the kind of content you might provide in your newsletter for your subscribers. They've signed up to your list, no...
ListenSPA Girls Podcast–EP35–A Great Hook for Your Book from 2016-06-01T08:28:25
This week we're up to episode number 35, and we talked about brainstorming your next novel. We each talked about how we do it, the kind of methods we use and what we recommend for people wanting to...
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