Words & Pictures Podcast

DJ Bowman-Smith talks about why you need an asset pack. Episode 83

This week I’m having a chat about asset packs. What they are and why you need them. Basically its a quick chat about getting your social media advertising off to a good start. 
Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com 

Independent authorship - The downside. A solo episode with DJ Bowman-Smith. 82

This week a solo episode where I chat about some of the downsides of independent publishing. 
I’ll be talking about work ethic, distribution, marketing, publishing platforms and hiringing your own professionals. And much more. So if you are undecided about which way to go Indie or Trad - here is the honest truth about some of the not so good bits of doing it yourself. 
 
Mentioned in this episode: 
Anna Sharples - www.sharpsightedgrammar.co.uk
Mark Dawson - www.selfpublishingformula.com
Joanna Penn - www.thecreativepenn.com
Dave Chesson - www.kindlepreneur.com 
Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com and www.tigermolly.com

Enter a Steampunk world full of mystery and adventure with Lou Kemp. Episode 81

Lou explains what Steampunk is and then discusses her writing and her protagonists journeys through the seven books she has written in this world. 
We discuss automats, Booktok, marketing, book covers, blurbs and cats and much more in the writing life. 
In the intro, DJ talks about proof copies and email lists. 
DJ is here: www.djbowmansmith.com 
 
Find Lou here:  www.loukemp.com
Amazon page: Amazon.com: Lou Kemp: books, biography, latest update

A thought-provoking memoir with Karen DeBonis. Episode 80

Karen talks about her memoir, Growth: A mother, her son and the brain tumour they survived. Karen felt compelled to share her story of how she overcame ingrained people pleasing tendencies to convince doctors that her son needed help. She discusses medical gaslighting and how this memoir has enabled her to come to terms with what happened and recognise her own journey.
We also chat about book marketing, napping, and the joys of small press publishing.
Find Karen DeBonis here: www.karendebonis.com
Growth: A Mother, Her Son, and the Brain Tumor They Survived: Debonis, Karen: 9781627204354: Amazon.com: Books
Also mentioned, Melissa Addey: www.melissaaddey.com
DJ is here: www.djbowmansmith.com and here www.tigermolly.com

Take a journey through time with Angela M Herrick. Episode 79.

Angela M Herrick tells me about her background as a playwright and what draws her to create time travel fiction. She talks about her enjoyment of research and how to make the fiction world believable. She shares her take on marketing her books and her recent experience of attending Twenty Books Vegas.
In the intro: DJ is still deep within the editing process.
 
Find Angela M Herrick here: Amazon.com: Angela M. Herrick: books, biography, latest update
www.angelamherrick.com
Find DJ: www.djbowmansmith.com
Also mentioned: www.20booksvegas.com
The Self Publishing Show LIVE! 2024

Independent publishing – the pros. A solo episode with DJ Bowman-Smith. 78

This week I’m having a chat about why I am an independent author. I discuss some pros incorporating the following points. Time, ownership of IP, deadlines, creative control, marketing and royalties.
Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com
And here: www.tigermolly.com

Crime, horror, dystopia – Welcome to the dark side with author Jay Darkmoore. Episode 77

Jay tells me what scares him and why he likes to write dark fiction. He explains why he hates trigger warnings and his discovery writing process.
We discuss the benefits of independent publishing whilst acknowledging the hard work and knowledge base required for success.
He tells me about his latest published book and what he is working on right now.
In the intro, DJ talks about her new desk, her latest book cover and the ongoing edits.
 
 
Find Jay here: About — Jay Darkmoore - The Darker Side of Fiction (jaydarkmooreauthor.com)
Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com

Middle-grade fiction and the challenges of marketing with Hallie Christensen. Episode 76

Hybrid author Hallie Christensen shares why she writes for children and the highs and lows of the author life. She tells me about her new middle-grade book and how it was inspired. We discuss book covers, social media and the tricky business of marketing children's books. Hallie tells me about her WIP, which is a cosy, middle-grade fantasy. Hallie explains how she discovered her audiobook narrator.                   
 
In the intro DJ talks about editing her second book in the Mid Witch trilogy.
 
Find Hallie here:
Tiktok: @halliechris_writes
Twitter: hallie_christen
Instagram: @halliechris_writes
Facebook: Hallie Christensen, Author
http://authorhalliechristensen.com/
 
 
Find DJ: www.djbowmansmith.com

Why kindness is always the answer with Annie Fox, children’s author. Episode 75

Annie Fox is a writer, educator, podcaster and all-round advocate for children's and young people's well-being. Recently, she has switched from non-fiction self-help books to write a fiction book for teens with a message for our times.
Her latest book, The Little Things That Kill, is out on Gallantines Day, February 13th - Annie reads a compelling excerpt from her novel. She shares her inspiration for this unique story.
She tells me about her writing process, her love of dialogue, and why she's now hooked on writing fiction. We discuss modern society and how technology can instigate much unkindness, particularly in the lives of young people.
 
In the intro, DJ talks about the editing process.
Find Annie Fox here: www.anniefox.com
www.thelittlethingsthatkill.com
Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com
Also mentioned: National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org)

The most helpful books on writing and publishing. One of them is free, one you can get in a charity bookshop and the other two are worth the money. A solo episode with DJ Bowman-Smith. Episode 74

After a chat about my horrid computer crash - what I learnt in hindsight. I jump right in and discuss the four books you need to be a writer. That’s it. Just four.
 
Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com
Book links
 
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need eBook : Brody, Jessica: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
 
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression (Second Edition): 1 (Writers Helping Writers Series): Amazon.co.uk: Puglisi, Becca, Ackerman, Angela: 9780999296349: Books
 
How to Market a Book: Overperform in a Crowded Market (Reedsy Marketing Guides Book 1) eBook : Fayet, Ricardo: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store