Episodes
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My mom used to say, "shit in, shit out." Well, not really. But it's a helpful anecdote to begin these show notes.
The boys in blazers are back in the bat cave and they've got lots to discuss. But despite their complete lack of organization, the conversation centered around the idea of stories that are driven by compelling characters, and ways in which they are trying to become more compelling characters themselves. Central to that task is the formation of healthy habits.
Chris relies on shame to keep himself in check.
Lee is trying out a new app called Habitica to see if he can hack his way into more healthy/productive living.
As usual, it's an experiment that is more likely to fail then succeed.
Tell us, what are your favorite character driven stories? What healthy habits do you stick to, and what should the guys try?
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Writing can serve many purposes for many people. For the Part-Time Writers, it was a chance to flex some creative muscles and hopefully make some money.
But while they're making all the money, they also want to try some other things. Specifically, non fiction.
They've been talking for awhile about writing a book on their experience with collaboration: the benefits and hidden costs, the perfect moments and the pitfalls. And last night, in a drunken brainstorming session, they committed to doing it.
This episode gives them a chance to flesh out their intention behind the project, but it also asks some questions of those of you who are following along with the journey.
What do you want to know about collaboration?What would make this book valuable to you?
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Email, Letter, Can and String, Carrier Pigeon, Morse Code, etc.
Don't forget about our Uncle Vinny, and his Awesome Book Promotion!
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Missing episodes?
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Let's do a little dreaming together.
Say you've figured out this whole indie author thing. You know how to write books that sell. You've got a small corral of committed fans. You've been able to scratch out a living without that pesky day job.
But you want more. More freedom. More exposure. More money.
Maybe you should start an indie publishing company? (emphasis on the maybe)
Chris and Lee decide to piece together what they're learning about working within Michael's company, and put together a business plan for a new hypothetical publishing company.
So...if you were starting an indie publishing company, what should you do?
Go grab PT Hylton's Storm Callers which is releasing RIGHT NOW!
Don't forget about our Uncle Vinny, and his Awesome Book Promotion!
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Things are going well for our intrepid part time writers. Lee has his days full juggling Baby Barbant (he makes a special cameo on the show) and Chris is traveling the world like all cool professors do. The Age of Magic is cruising right a long with a couple big releases planned, and with a huge milestone just around the corner.
But...
Curiosity, cupidity, and a smidge of confusion leave them asking questions about the future. They are happily playing on top of a mountain, but there are other peaks to summit, and it's always worth asking the question: what can we do now to prepare us for an unknown future?
Short answer: they have no effing clue. But it has something to do with platforms???
As always, the boys are imperfect guides, but we're in this together. So drop us a line and let them know what the hell they should be doing to improve their business!
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Ever wish you could go back in time? What advice would you give to your younger selves?
Since Chris and Lee are now super successful authors, they decide to wind back the clock and talk about what they wish they knew back when they started. If you're just jumping in to writing, this episode actually gives some OK advice (compared to their other episodes). And if you're an old campaigner when it comes to the author biz, why don't you jump onto the Part-Time Writers Podcast Facebook page and give advice to your younger selves!
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The boys are back together and working their tails off. Listen along as they debrief the affects of releasing Revolution, Book Four in the Rise of Magic. Some fun things came out with this release... and they even have some questions for you!
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This week the boys welcome PT Hylton back to the show. Years ago (in internet time... it was really just a month or so) PT was on with Justin Sloan and Brandon Barr to talk about world building in the Age of Magic.
If you haven't checked that one out, you should.
Now, PT's book, Storm Raiders, is on the cusp of release and we have him on to talk about process, craft, and everything that Chris and Lee did to drive him crazy in the process.
Check out PT's work here.
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The boys mention what they weren't going to talk about and then talk about it...
Listen in on their conversation about building a network and finding readers before you publish.
Then they converse about summer plans and strategies, just before realizing that by the next time they get together, Lee will likely be a dad... Not nearly as exciting as a book launch but pretty cool.
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A few weeks ago, the boys had a fruitful conversation about lessons learned while writing in the Kurtherian Universe. They decided to revisit that topic from a different angle: lessons that they've yet to learn.
The series is going well, but instead of resting on their laurels, they want to figure out which habits and practices they can employ now that will help them hone their writer and business skills--without throwing a wrench into their production schedule.
Here's a list of some of the learning materials they've started to study:Aaron Sorkin's Master Class
https://www.masterclass.com/classes/aaron-sorkin-teaches-screenwriting?utm_source=Paid&utm_medium=AdWords&utm_term=Aq-Prospecting&utm_content=Search&utm_campaign=AS
Lessons from the Screen PlayGone Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF3lFPW4E1o
Let the boys know which skills you're working on, and which resources they should check out!
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The boys admit they've learned a lot from writing in the Kurtherian Gambit Universe. And who wouldn't?
But as they consider their normal sad bastard fiction, they wonder: What will they take with them?
It's a fun show with lots of laughs. Join in.
Oh... Don't forget good people... Rebellion: Rise of Magic, Book 3 is coming at you live on 4/20.
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The boys are learning a ton being on Team Anderle and writing in the Kurtherian Gambit Universe.
This week, they share numbers and review the first two plus weeks of success.
Join in for their writerly updates and a behind the scenes view of the newest world within the KGU.
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If you've been listening along, you know the boys love collaboration, even if, at times, it results in intellectual fisticuffs.
Working with Michael Anderle was going so well, the boys thought, "What the hell, let's do more of this!" (OK, it was Michael's idea... but we are so down with revisionist history.)
In this episode, Chris and Lee sit down with three of the five new authors writing in the Age of Magic to discuss their approaches to world building in general and then how to approach building a world together at the same time.
And finally, how all of this works within the Kurtherian Gambit Universe.
Links:
Brandon Barr
PT Hilton
Justin Sloan
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It's a release party of Restriction: The Rise of Magic, Book 1.
Join Lee and Chris as they debrief the process, drill each other with questions, and celebrate over a few bourbons!
Got more questions? Connect with the guys on Facebook or Twitter @_cmraymond_ and @lebarbant
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We're Going to Alaska!
Not really. It's freezing up there.
But the boys did bring a little Alaska to them by interviewing Craig Martelle. He's the man, and he's got a ton of advice for writers, readers, and doomsday preppers.
The guys asked him about how his previous life experiences inform/inspire his storytelling, how he seeks to improve his craft, what he likes about writing within the Kurtherian Gambit Universe, and how living in Alaska compares to living in Pittsburgh.
Check out Craig's huge backlist here: http://www.craigmartelle.com/
Thanks to everyone who submitted questions! It made the show a blast.
Catch a snippet of Restriction: The Rise of Magic
Got more questions? Connect with the guys on Facebook or Twitter @_cmraymond_ and @lebarbant
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No interviews this week since the boys are busy putting the final touches on their first book for the Kurtherian Universe.
The Rise of Magic is a story about a young woman, born into a future world where technology has been replaced by magic but injustice remains as strong as ever. It's been a wild ride, but the part-time writers have loved every minute of it.
Follow along with their journey, and let them know what YOU love about the Kurtherian Universe!
Also, check out some of the awesome artwork inspiring and inspired by the Rise of Magic.
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As they guys furiously work on their Kurtherian Gambit spin-off, they figured they'd take some time to get advice from Kurtherian old-timer Justin Sloan.
They wanted to know how he got involved in the Anderle universe, the keys to success he has found and any failures they should watch out for, and what makes his series different from Michael's.
But Justin had way more advice to give the guys. A Johns Hopkins grad, an experienced video game and screenplay writer, and an indie author with more than 20 books under his belt, it's fair to say that Justin knows some shit. And he is more than willing to share his advice.
Plus we got the inside scoop on Valerie and the gang, where his inspiration comes from, where Reclaiming Honor is heading, and what he likes most about being a writer.
It's a great interview for authors and fans alike.
Check out Justin's works at http://www.justinsloanauthor.com/ or chat with him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/JustinSloanAuthor
And get ready! Our first book for the Age of Magic, a Kurtherian Gambit world is coming out soon!!! Connect with us on Facebook or Twitter (@_cmraymond_ and @lebarbant) to find out more.
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Since the part-time writers are working hard on their first book in the Kurtherian Universe, they thought it might be helpful to have a chat with Kurtherian creator Michael Anderle.
They talk about his creative process, the philosophy behind Death Becomes Her and the 30+ books that have followed after, the origins of several character names, and how he manages to keep so many books from falling to pieces.
It's an enlightening conversation for fans and authors alike, especially because the fans were the ones asking the tough questions.
As always, as we work to write in this series, we'd love feedback from YOU! Let us know what you love/hate to see. Do Michael's thoughts line up with your own?
Drop us a line over on Facebook or find the guys on Twitter @_cmraymond_ and @lebarbant
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Your favorite part time writers are back with a brand new season and a brand new plan to achieve indie publishing success.
After their narrow miss in 2016 (seriously you guys, they were so close), Lee and Chris decide its time to learn from the best. They're upping their collaboration game by working with Michael Anderle, author behind the massive Kurtherian Gambit series.
So here's the plan:
While they're writing within the Kurtherian Gambit universe, the boys are going to focus the podcast on that world. They're going to interview the authors and cover designers and business people who make up that world, to try and learn what it takes to make a book that people love.
AND, they're going to need the help of Kurtherian fans to do it. They want to hear from you, dear readers. Why the heck do you read Michael et. al. and why have you stuck with it for 20+ books?
We're hoping season 2 can be a show for indie authors and indie readers alike. So join us for the ride!
BONUS!
Michael Anderle is going to be on the show next week! So readers, what are your questions?
Drop us a line on Twitter @lebarbant and @_cmraymond_ or on Facebook!
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Well, gang, it's been one heck of a ride. In this special, one-year anniversary show, the boys take some time to discuss and deconstruct their ever-shifting views on indie publishing.
After scouring through a year of podcasts, they chose a handful of clips that highlight ways in which their views have radically changed or stayed the same (or bounced around a million places before landing back to where they started).
Truth be told, there were some doubts concerning whether or not they'd even make it a full year as indie authors, but with the help and encouragement from you, dear listeners, they're more excited than ever to pursue their dreams of authorial success.
So, you might be wondering, what's next for the Part-Time Writer's Podcast?
Season 1 was focused on charting the ups and downs of newbies in this business. They tried and failed and tried again, exploring different avenues toward greatness.
While they had fun and became better authors in the process, they failed to achieve their main goal of making a consistent buck out of it. So for season 2, they're trying something different.
Season 2: The part-time writers have signed a deal with everyone's favorite full-timer Michael Anderle. They are going to co-write a series of books within his Kutherian Gambit world. That series is going to be their main focus for the next 52 weeks (or so), so they've decided to adjust their podcast accordingly.
One of the most impressive things about Michael's writing career is how engaged his fans are. The goal of season 2 of the podcast is to learn from them and from other authors writing in the Kutherian world. What do they like about this series? What do they like about the other spin-offs that Michael has co-authored? What's that thing that keeps them coming back? From where do the authors, artists, and organizers, draw their inspiration?
We're still working out the details, and while the show's format may change, you can count on your favorite part-time writer's to share their journey. And who knows, maybe after Season 2, they'll have to change the name of the show....
See you in a few weeks,
Chris and Lee
Hit them up on Twitter @_cmraymond_ and @lebarbant
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Uncle Vinny is still running his deal at Awesome Book Promotion Use Promocode: PARTTIME -
As the guys are in the middle of a juggling competition, they take some time to talk through their ever-evolving outlining process. Plotters, pantsers, pinwheels, and hero's journeys and hybrids.
There are so many options!
They're still discussing what their second podcasting year should entail. If you've got ideas, drop them a line.
Also, the Steel City Heroes saga (all three freaking books) are on sale for the first time only for $.99. The sale won't last long. It's also on Kindle Unlimited.
So, if you want to drop the boys a tip, grab a copy and tell a friend. It will help a ton as we try to make it into the top 20 in our category!
Hit them up on Twitter @_cmraymond_ and @lebarbant
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Uncle Vinny is still running his deal at Awesome Book Promotion Use Promocode: PARTTIME - Show more
