Words & Pictures Podcast

Completing the Imaginary Trilogy with Richard Hayden. Episode 63

Richard talks about finishing the Book of Imaginari, his trilogy- how it feels and explains the basic premise of the storyline. He discusses how important imagination is for everyone and discusses his writing process. Richard is gearing up to write a science fiction book next – just as soon as he’s had a break.
We chat about the importance of supportive people in our writing life.
Also in this episode, audiobooks, marketing, school visits and scarecrows.
In the intro, DJ chats about social media for authors and book marketing.
Find Richard Hayden:
Richard Hayden’s Amazon page: Amazon.co.uk: Richard Hayden: Books, Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle   
Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com
Also mentioned: www.bookbrush.com

Joel Flanagan-Grannemann his new book in his Epic Fantasy Adventure, Servants of the Moon and Sun. Episode 62

Joel has returned to the podcast to discuss his new release, Fairy Court in Exile, which is out now. We also chat about our writing process, particularly the nuances of creating believable dialogue and our ideal reader.
Joel talks about his audiobooks and why he was inspired to bring out his work in this format, and how it informs the way he writes.
In the intro, DJ chats about book categories and her new book's progress and the troubles of using new equipment.
Find Joel Flanagan-Grannemann: Servants of the Moon and Sun – An Epic Fantasy Adventure Series Retelling of the Sleeping Beauty Fairy Tale
His Amazon page:  Amazon.com: Joel C. Flanagan-Grannemann: books, biography, latest update
 
Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com
 
Also mentioned:
(1) How to Choose Amazon Book Categories in 2023 - YouTube
That microphone is a Samson Q9U

Writing historical fiction set in Morocco and Cornwall with Jane Johnson. Episode 61

Jane Johnson describes the storyline of her latest book, The Black Crescent, which is set in Morrocco. She has used her research of Moroccan history and firsthand knowledge of the place to tell this story. This has been one of the quickest books she has written because her husband was keen to hear each new instalment. We talk about the detail in the beautiful book cover and her plans to write more for her MC.
Working as a full-time editor means she only has the weekends in which to write. All projects are begun in longhand, and she prefers writing outdoors if possible.
We also discuss mountaineering, the creative process and tomatoes.
In the intro, DJ talks about what she’s been up to at her desk this week – Marketing.
Find Jane Johnson here:  Home - Jane Johnson (janejohnsonbooks.com) 
Her Amazon page: Amazon.co.uk: Jane Johnson: Books, Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle
 
DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com  & www.tigermolly.com
 
Also mentioned: www.selfpublishingformula.com
Kindlepreneur - Book Marketing for Self-Publishing Authors
Ricardo Fayet’s Amazon page: Amazon.co.uk: Ricardo Fayet: Books, Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle
 

Mature heroines in a fantasy setting with author Caroline Noe. Episode 60

 
Caroline chats about the joy she has found writing her paranormal women’s fiction. She is having fun examining fantasy tropes from a mature woman's point of view with plenty of wisdom, humour and a few aches and pains thrown in. With the second book in the series finished, she plans more fantasy adventures for her heroine.
In the intro, DJ talks about what she listens to when she needs to concentrate.
Find Carrie Noe here: www.carolinenoe.org
Amazon page: Amazon.co.uk: Caroline Noe: Books, Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle
DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com  & www.tigermolly.com
Also mentioned:  More Visual - Book Cover Design (bookartwork.com)

Feminist thrillers with Good Girls Die Last author, Natali Simmonds. Episode 59

Natali Simmonds is a multi-genre author. She has written paranormal romance, Manga comics, and fantasy.
Good Girls Die Last, is her debut thriller which is shortlisted for TV production. Natali tells me all about it. Why it is a feminist thriller. How her book covers were created and how she trains her kids to be independent so she can focus on her creativity and encourage their wellbeing at the same time.
We chat about author branding, social media and the workings of a creative mind.
In the intro, DJ talks about her new Book, The Mid Witch and using Bookbrush to create images for adverts.
Find Natali Simmonds book Good Girls Die Last, here: Good Girls Die Last by Natali Simmonds (geni.us)
Her website: www.njsimmonds.com
Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com & www.tigermolly.com  
Also mentioned: www.bookbrush.com

Feel good fiction and cosy mystery with a sense of place. Meet Rosie Travers. Episode 58

Rosie talks about her fascination for the Isle of Wight in Hampshire, England. Returning there as an adult inspired her cosy mystery series.
Rosie writes the sort of books she likes to read. Where stories are layered and leave the reader uplifted.
Having experienced traditional publishing, Rosie is proud to call herself an independent author and enjoys the newfound freedom to write when and what she likes.
Berni Stevens designs her beautiful book covers, which evoke the Isle of Wight perfectly.
 
In the intro DJ shares the truth about the ARC reading process.
 
Find Rosie Travers here: www.rosietravers.com
Her Amazon page: Amazon.co.uk: Rosie Travers: Books, Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle
Her book cover designer Berni Stevens: HOME | Berni Stevens Book Cover Design (bernistevenscoverdesign.com)
 
Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com & www.tigermolly.com
Also mentioned:
Alliance of Independent Authors ALLI: Alliance of Independent Authors: Association For Self-Publishing Authors (allianceindependentauthors.org)

Not such a grumpy witch, meet writer DJ Martin. Episode 57

DJ Martin writes fiction and nonfiction, and we talk about the differences when marketing both. She tells me what it means to be a green witch and how she likes to write about real and fictional witchcraft. She tells me how her accounting job helps with her publishing life and the need for a tidy desk. We chat about our real pets and the witches' familiars in our fiction.
Find DJ Martin here: www.authordjmartin.com
Her Amazon author page:
Amazon.co.uk: Deborah J. Martin: Books, Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle
Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com & www.tigermolly.com

Touching history with mudlark and children’s author Kate Wiseman. Episode 56

Kate explains what a mudlark is today and what a mudlark was in the past, and how this inspired her middle-grade fiction.
She tells me about school visits and encouraging young writers. How she was initially published in Germany, and how her book covers represent the characters in her stories.
We talked about how we both tackled higher education later in life.
 
 
DJ Intro: I’m having a chat about how much I enjoy having the digital version of the Self-Publishing Live show. My WIP and my podcast week.
 
Find Kate Wiseman here: www.katewiseman.co.uk
Her Amazon page: Amazon.co.uk: Kate Wiseman: Books, Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle
DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com & www.tigermolly.com
 
Also mentioned:
Self-Publishing Show Live digital tickets: The Self Publishing Show LIVE! 2023 - Digital Tickets (selfpublishingformula.com)
 

Historical cosy mystery writer Jamie West and his new book, Death on the Pier. Episode 55

Jamie West tells me how theatre work inspires his cosy mystery novels. Death on the Pier is set in Brighton in the 1930’s in the Palace Theatre. Jamie has loved recreating this lost, end-of-pier theatre. His next book will take his characters to another lost theatre – the Gaiety Theatre in London.
We talked about his book covers and our shared love of lino-cut art. He talks about his writing process and his research.
In the intro, I talk about writing book 2 in the Mid Witch Trilogy and a few things I’ve noticed in the ever-changing book world.
 
Find Jamie West here: www.jamiewest.co.uk
His link page: www.linktr.ee/thisisjamiewest
Mentioned in the show:
Self Publishing Show Live digital tickets – www.selfpublishingshow.com
Angela Harding Artist: www.angelaharding.co.uk
Gemma  Curtis Artist: Instagram
Gemma (she/her) (@wildwaterartstore) • Instagram photos and videos
 
Find DJ here: www.djbowmansmith.com
& www.tigermolly.com
 

Prolific writing with Ink by the Barrel author, Brock Swinson. Episode 54

Brock explains the title of his new book, Ink by the Barrel, which is free (link below). This book is based on the knowledge he gained speaking with screenwriters, authors and other creatives on his Creative Principles Podcast and writing for Creative Screen Magazine.
Brock tells me about his experiences as a professional ghostwriter and shares his insight into the creative process, productivity and the power of a good email list.
 
In the intro, DJ talks about the benefits of sticking with any social media platforms you're on. Her first proof copies of The Mid Witch and the work needed to get a new book as perfect as possible.
Find Brock Swinson and get Ink by the barrel here: www.brockswinson.com
www.creativescreenwriting.com
Creative Principles Podcast is available on your favourite app.
 
Find DJ: www.djbowmansmith.com/links