Episodios
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Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
In this episode I meet Eileen Forrestal, a retired anaesthetist who worked as a doctor for 32 years, took over a publishing company, began publishing a series of award-winning diaries and journals and has now written her memoir, “The Courage to Shine”. As you’ll hear during our interview, as a child Eileen had a stammer that made her afraid to speak for years, but she now works as a speaker, mentor and coach, as well as writing and publishing.
During our conversation, we discuss the power of saying yes, overcoming fear, being open to opportunities and using coaches and mentors to help you write your memoir. Eileen’s positivity is infectious and it was a joy to chat with her. I hope you enjoy listening too!
More About Eileen Forrestal
Eileen Forrestal (MB BCh BaO FFARCSI), a retired doctor after 32 years, now engages full time in the business she co-founded in 2006, Get Up and Go Publications Ltd, creating and distributing her award-winning inspirational Get Up and Go diaries and journals, with almost 500,000 copies sold worldwide to date.
Having spent 20 years as an anaesthetist ‘putting people to sleep’, Eileen is now in the business of ‘waking people up’, committed to making a greater impact on personal health and wellbeing with inspiring and encouraging words, rather than with drugs and one pair of hands!!!
In her memoir “The Courage to Shine: Find Your Voice and Discover the Healing Power of Your Words”, Eileen shares her personal story of ‘waking up’ to the discovery of the source of her own wellbeing and vitality – her own authentic self-expression – her voice! Plagued by a childhood stammer, and afraid to speak for too many years, Eileen is now fully enjoying life as an author, speaker, mentor, coach, publishing entrepreneur and accredited thought leader and encourages others to overcome their fears, find their true expression and shine their light in the world.
An avid traveller, she has explored much of this beautiful earth. She describes summiting Kilimanjaro, trekking to Everest Base Camp, flying a microlite over Victoria Falls, riding an ostrich and hypnotising a chicken as special highlights in a very colourful life.
A native of Dublin, she has lived the best years of her life in Sligo, in the beautiful northwest of Ireland.
Links:
The Courage to Shine on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IijwRB
www.eileenforrestal.com
www.getupandgodiary.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
In this episode I meet Mose J Gingerich, a murder mystery author and former reality TV star who spent the first 23 years of his life in the Amish community. I had an absolutely fascinating conversation with Mose, who not only shed light on being an author but also on his time in the Amish, his reasons for leaving and the harsh truth about the world of reality TV.
We also talk about agents and publishers, Mose explains why recording his own audio books was more challenging than he expected, and we discuss the ‘golden hour’ for writing.
More About Mose J Gingerich
Mose J Gingerich was born and raised in the Old Order Amish community of Greenwood, Wisconsin. During his 22 years among the Amish, Mose lived in over a dozen Amish communities, teaching school in several of them. Mose is best known for his roles on television shows like UPN’s Amish in the City (2004) and Amish: Out of Order, National Geographic Channel (2012).
In 2021, Mose started an Amish fiction murder/mystery/suspense series. Shadows We Remain was the debut novel and was written in the sleeper of Mose’s big rig while trucking coast to coast. Caroline Creek Chaos is the second book in the Caroline Creek Series and is out July 2022.
Links:
Mose’s website: https://www.amishinthecitymose.com/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mose-J-Gingerich/e/B09DTNDZQ3
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Mose-J-Gingerich/e/B09DTNDZQ3
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mosejgingerich
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSc7G-fq0Y5-_y12HT9suvw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjgingerich/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmishNCity -
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Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
In this episode I meet Linda Jämsén, author of Odyssey of Love: A Memoir of Seeking and Finding, which was published in June 2021. Linda is an American ex-pat living in Helsinki and her book tells the true story of how she moved across the world to find love after a psychic told her to travel to Europe to find a tall man wearing glasses!
Linda never intended to write a book and she explains how it grew organically from personal writing she did as therapy after the death of her father. We also talk about being authentic, writing at your own pace, and using editors and beta readers to make your book as good as it can be.
More About Linda Jämsén
Linda Jämsén is an American ex-pat writer-musician living in Helsinki. She grew up in New York, holding a book in one hand while exploring the piano keyboard with the other. She graduated with a B.A. in Music from Bard College, and as an avid choral singer has performed in Hungary, Finland, the UK, and Israel.
For years, she raised funds for a variety of philanthropic causes in Boston, but longing to return to her musical roots, in 2001 she moved to Budapest, land of her musical idol Franz Liszt. Her musical, romantic, and travel adventures abroad inspired her to write Odyssey of Love: A Memoir of Seeking and Finding, her literary debut
Links
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Odyssey-Love-Memoir-Seeking-Finding-ebook/dp/B092LNSG2J
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Love-Memoir-Seeking-Finding-ebook/dp/B092LNSG2J
Linda’s website: https://lindajamsen.com
https://www.facebook.com/lindajamsenauthor
https://www.facebook.com/OdysseyOfLoveBook
@lindajamsenauthor (Instagram)
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Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
In this episode I meet British sci-fi author Sean Armstrong. Sean publishes under the penname STL Armstrong and his first book, “The Green Girl and the Serum”, is the first in a series of six YA science fiction novels. Sean has mild cerebral palsy and learning difficulties but it hasn't had any bearing on his ability as a writer and he is proof that anyone can achieve their dreams when they put their mind to it!
We talk about the books, films and video games that gave Sean the inspiration for his series of superhero novels. Sean also tells me about the ease of self-publishing with Amazon KDP Print and the sense of achievement he feels about becoming an author.
More About Sean ArmstrongSean Armstrong is a 36-year-old disabled author who started working on the “Green Girl” series of YA science fiction books in 2019. The first book in the series, “The Green Girl and the Serum” was published in September 2021.
Links:
Buy The Green Girl and the Serum by STL Armstrong on Amazon UK or Amazon US
Follow Sean on Twitter
Follow Sean on Facebook
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Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including author coaching, proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit https://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
In this episode I meet Beth Hildenbrand, a mother, grandmother, home educator and author living in Pennsylvania, USA. Beth is the author of “Cain the Heretic Son” and “Heretic Faith”, the first two books in a dark horror fantasy trilogy. She’s also a poet with two books of her work published, and she runs her own community for authors, Buy The Author (such a clever name!).
We talk about argumentative characters, writing as therapy and the importance of being part of a writing community. Beth also explains why she returned to self-publishing after a period with a traditional publisher, and you’ll learn that it’s never too late to follow your dreams, no matter who you are.
More About Beth Hildenbrand
Beth Hildenbrand is the author of the Cain series. She lives in Ephrata, Pennsylvania with her family. Beth loves heavy metal, vintage horror movies and coffee. When she is not writing, Beth enjoys spending time with her family.
Links:
Find Beth Hildenbrand’s books on AmazonUK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beth-Hildenbrand/e/B07YW595RSUS: https://www.amazon.com/Beth-Hildenbrand/e/B07YW595RS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beth.hildenbrand.5
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HildenbrandBeth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hildenbrandmary/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19682694.Beth_Hildenbrand
Beth’s author community, Buy The Author: https://www.facebook.com/groups/305768954492607/
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Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
My guest today is Jim James, an entrepreneur who started his first company in Singapore at the age of 28 and has since opened offices in China, India and the UK. He’s now back living in the UK where he hosts “The UnNoticed Show,” a public relations podcast for entrepreneurs. From the interviews he conducts for his podcast, he found the content for his first book, “The UnNoticed Entrepreneur”.
Jim is a mine of information on technology to help entrepreneurs and he shares with me some really useful tech tools for authors. We also talk about entering book awards, creating merchandise and reader avatars, and Jim explains why writing a book is like running a marathon. More About Jim James
Jim has built businesses from a suitcase on 3 continents over 25 years, all using public relations. His first brush with #gettingnoticed was at 18 when he jumped out of a plane in return for sponsorship and received expedition equipment in return for media publicity. He hasn’t stopped this model of brand+business building ever since.
Having grown up in Europe, Africa and America, it was perhaps inevitable that Jim would move to Singapore at the age of 28 to start his first company, EASTWEST Public Relations. Since 1995 the B2B agency opened offices in Singapore, China, India and the UK serving over 500 clients. In China between 2006–2019, Jim built the business importing and distributing Morgan Motor Company cars, was interim CEO of Lotus, Vice Chair of the Chamber of Commerce and a number of other profit and not for profit ventures including the bi-annual British Business Awards. He is particularly proud of being the home room parent at the school of his daughters, and serving on the food committee which replaced sugary drinks with milk in the cafeteria.
Jim returned with his young family to the UK in June 2019 to provide his daughters with a British education, and works with clients to ensure that they are able to get noticed for all that they do, and helps companies to enter the Asia market. He hosts “The UnNoticed Show,” a podcast for entrepreneurs with tools and tips for public relations, and has created the SPEAK|pr course providing a structured approach to getting noticed.
Links
The UnNoticed Entrepreneur book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09C8GDFZ3/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Connect with Jim James: https://linktr.ee/jimajames
--Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they can offer other aspiring writers.
My guest today is Lawrence Bradby, a British author living in Portugal who I first met when we were both paddle boarding on the Rio Alva last summer! Lawrence has collaborated on two very unusual books: The Day of the Duck, with artist Helen Stratford, and How to Play with MK, which Lawrence wrote jointly with his wife and children during a two-year residency as artist family in residence in the UK city of Milton Keynes.
We talk about taking time out to find creative inspiration, turning real life projects into fictional works, and book launch events. Lawrence also talks about his experience of working directly with printers, we discuss joining a writers’ group versus having a trusted circle of supporters and we even touch on duck rights! More About Lawrence Bradby
Between 2003 and 2019 Lawrence Bradby was part of Townley and Bradby, a collaborative family practice with artist Anna Townley and their three children. The publication How To Play With MK (2020), jointly written by the whole family, presents their two-year artist residency as a series of fictional encounters with a location that is both magical and threatening.
Links
The Day of the Duck
Blackwells: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Day-of-the-Duck-by-Helen-Stratford-author-Lawrence-Bradby-author/9780993337338
Central Books: https://www.centralbooks.com/day-of-the-duck-the.html
Co-author Helen Stratford: http://www.helenstratford.co.uk/
Review: https://www.a-n.co.uk/news/artists-books-2018-10-of-the-best-from-irreverent-fun-to-brutal-heartbreak/
How to Play with MK
MK Gallery: https://mkgallery.org/shop/
Review: https://www.a-n.co.uk/reviews/explorifying-nunderpasses-and-other-stories-games-lists-ideas-and-drawings/
--Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
Today I have a chat with Alanna Irving, a British author currently living in Barcelona. While Alanna has been writing all her life, her first published novel “Abolish the Rose” is out on 10th April 2022 through Atmosphere Press.
Atmosphere Press specialise in partnership publishing and in the podcast we talk about why Alanna chose that method over self-publishing. We also discuss how social media and blog tours can be used to promote books, and Alanna explains her reasons for writing. More About Alanna Irving
Alanna (rhymes with Hannah) was born and raised in Nottingham, England. She holds a Bachelor degree in Classics and a Masters in International Relations, and currently lives, works and salsa-dances in Barcelona. Her first published novel “Abolish the Rose” is out April 10th 2022. “Abolish the Rose” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alanna-Irving/dp/1639882561/
Alanna’s book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60386223-abolish-the-rose
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alannairving/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alanna_irving
-- Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
Today there’s a welcome return for Bobby Nash, an award-winning author of novels, comic books, short stories, screenplays, and more across a range of genres including crime, action and thrillers. Bobby has over 150 writing credits to his name, and he provides a fascinating insight into the life of a full-time writer.
We talk a lot about marketing in this episode, and Bobby has some great advice on how to promote your books through local media, cafes and conventions. We also talk about pre-promotion and selling without selling, and have a great chat about visiting real life locations to get inspiration for your novel.
More About Bobby Nash
Bobby Nash is not a man of action, a detective, or a hero, but he loves writing about characters who embody all those traits and more. Bobby is an award-winning author of novels, comic books, short stories, screenplays, and more. He is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and International Thriller Writers. On occasion, he acts, appearing in movies and TV shows, usually standing behind or beside your favourite actor, but sometimes they even let him speak. From time to time, he puts pen to paper and doodles, usually on envelopes. For more information on Bobby Nash and his work, please visit him at www.bobbynash.com, www.ben-books.com, and across social media.
Links:
www.bobbynash.com www.ben-books.com www.abrahamsnow.com www.facebook.com/AuthorBobbyNash www.twitter.com/bobbynash www.instagram.com/BobbyNashWrites www.pinterest.com/bobbynash www.patreon.com/BobbyNash http://amazon.com/author/bobbynash
-- Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit https://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
Today we are travelling to sunny California to meet best friends Victoria Fulton and Faith McClaren. The duo met at an online writing workshop, became best friends, wrote a rom com together on the writing website WattPad and have now co-authored and published their first book together, the Young Adult novel “Horror Hotel”.
Our conversation includes the pros and cons of a publishing contract, using pen names and their ambitions to become rock star authors. We also talk about how they write in partnership and they have some great tips to help you get past the blank page.
More About Victoria Fulton and Faith McClaren
Victoria Fulton and Faith McClaren are an award-winning co-author duo who write edgy rom-coms and frightening horror with plenty of smooching, friendship and movie references. Originally hailing from Ohio and Texas, respectively, they met in an online writing workshop where their friendship quickly blossomed into a partnership demanding they live in the same state. Now they both work and write in too-sunny Los Angeles, CA. Victoria lives with her fiancé and their two cat children and co-runs a PR agency with her other best friend in her spare time. Faith eats home-baked goods made by her husband, raises a wolf-loving son, and wrangles two scruffy dogs, while also working as a book coach and developmental editor and writing YA and women’s fiction under her real name Rebekah Faubion.
Links:
Horror Hotel: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/696840/horror-hotel-by-victoria-fulton-and-faith-mcclaren/
or
https://www.amazon.com/Horror-Hotel-Underlined-Victoria-Fulton/dp/0593483480/?ots=1&tag=popsugarshopx-20&linkCode=w50
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriaxfaith/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/victoriaxfaith
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Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
I am so thrilled that this podcast seems to have gone international! Two weeks ago my guest was in Scotland, last week they were in the US of A and today we are heading to Vancouver, Canada! Because my guest today is John Leister, who has more than fifty books to his name, including the “Lee Hacklyn, Private Investigator” series, the “Urban Tiger” series and two standalone novels.
Our conversation covers more topics than I have space to mention here, but to give you a flavour, we discuss, being fearless, originality - or a lack of it, genre mashups, KDP Print vs Draft2Digital, self-acceptance, superheroes, following your bliss and taking a leap of faith.
As you can tell, the conversation takes some interesting turns – it includes mentions of death, suicidal thoughts and religion, so if any of those themes trigger you, you have been warned.
More About John Leister
John Leister is fifty-six and lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He is the author of over fifty books including the “Lee Hacklyn, Private Investigator” series, the “Urban Tiger” series and two standalone novels, “Hitting Bottom, Looking Up, Finding God” and “The Treehouse Avengers”.
John is very active on social media and has been a guest on several podcasts, talking about his work. He currently works as a security guard, but his dream is to become a professional writer of creative fiction.
His books are available from Amazon, and also from Indigo Books: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/contributor/author/john-leister/
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Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
My guest today is Anntricia Bray Smith, a professional mentor, speaker, entrepreneur and author. Anntricia has several books to her name including “Recreating A Better Me”, “Struggling to Forgive” and “Financial Education Simplified”.
During our conversation we discuss legacies and how writing a book is a continuation of the age-old tradition of stories being passed on from generation to generation. We also explore what writing teaches us about ourselves, why everyone should write a book, and why we think every writer should have an Alison or an Anntricia in their life!
More About Anntricia Bray Smith
Anntricia Bray Smith is a professional mentor, speaker, and author. She has self-published numerous books including “Recreating A Better Me”, “Struggling to Forgive” and “Financial Education Simplified”. She is the founder of Christian Women Fellowship (Education Institution) and Initiative for Marketing Success Alliance (Professional Development Alliance) based in the State of Oklahoma. She is the mother of two daughters, Snowyte and Millaya.
Links: https://linktr.ee/anntriciabraysmith
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Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
My guest today is James Jenkins, a Suffolk-based writer of gritty noir fiction. James has had over a dozen short stories published in magazines, collections and anthologies and has now secured a publishing contract for his first novel, Parochial Pigs, which came out in January 2022.
During our conversation James explains how he went about finding a publisher and we discuss why short stories are a great place for any author to start. We also talk about the importance of beta readers and how throwaway comments can change the whole course of your life…
More About James Jenkins
James Jenkins is a Suffolk-based writer of gritty noir fiction. He has work published or forthcoming in Bristol Noir, Punch-Riot Mag, Bullshit Lit, A Thin Slice of Anxiety and Punk Noir Magazine. One of his short stories appears in Grinning Skull Press Anthology – Deathlehem. He recently signed with Alien Buddha to release his debut novel, Parochial Pigs which is available now.
Links:
https://jamesjenkinswriter.wordpress.com/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B09NRK1J2Z/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8
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Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
My guest today is Kath Parrington, who combined a corporate career in finance with a lifelong love of words to write her first book. “The REAL Business Plan” is a simple, no nonsense guide to writing a business plan that takes out all the angst and complication and makes it a straightforward process.
During our conversation we talk about the process of turning a process into a book, owning your expert status and using networking as a marketing tool. Kath also tells me about some of the problems she encountered using Amazon’s publishing service.
More About Kath Parrington
Kath Parrington is a natural-born planner. Planning is in her DNA. Entering the corporate world at the age of 22 she planned to have made her exit before turning 50. She achieved it aged 47. Through big business, she learned a lot about planning. And goal setting. And measuring. How to overcomplicate it, how the wrong goals drive the wrong behaviours, how planning is seen as boring, a chore, something most people avoid. And yet her own experience was that a clear plan can deliver your dreams. So, she’s now trying to make planning simple and fun!
If you’re interested in the academic stuff, Kath has a law degree, a post-graduate certificate in Business Excellence and a Masters degree in Business Administration. That’s probably as close as you will get if you’re looking for a formal qualification in business plans. And as most entrepreneurs will tell you, education doesn’t teach you how to run a business. What’s probably more important is that Kath makes an independent living from sound investment decisions she made 30 years ago. She has a property business and a coaching consultancy. All of this runs successfully through her planning habits.
You can find out more about Kath on LinkedIn and Facebook. But all you really need to know is that her passion is making planning simple. Oh, and dogs. Kath loves dogs.
Links:
Book on amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Business-Plan-breathing-actually/dp/1739850106/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LXQVIWES0HVN&keywords=kath+parrington&qid=1641568186&sprefix=kath+p%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1
Website: http://mymasterplan.co.uk
Blog site: https://kathparrington.org
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Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
My guest today is Teri M Brown, a business content writer and author who was born in Greece but now lives in North Carolina. Teri has been writing since childhood and turned her hobby into a career, but the stories inside her have always wanted to be told, and she is now just about to publish her first novel, “Sunflowers Beneath the Snow”.
During our conversation we talk about why authors need thick skins, dreaming big and book marketing, and Teri explains how her writing process is ‘story first, detail later’.
More About Teri M Brown
Born in Athens, Greece as an Air Force brat, Teri M Brown came into this world with an imagination full of stories to tell. She now calls the North Carolina coast home, and the peaceful nature of the sea has been a great source of inspiration for her creativity.
Not letting 2020 get the best of her, Teri chose to go on an adventure that changed her outlook on life. She and her husband, Bruce, rode a tandem bicycle across the United States from Astoria, Oregon to Washington DC, successfully raising money for Toys for Tots. She learned she is stronger than she realized and capable of anything she sets her mind to.
Teri is a wife, mother, grandmother, and author who loves word games, reading, bumming on the beach, taking photos, singing in the shower, hunting for bargains, ballroom dancing, playing bridge, and mentoring others.
Links:
www.terimbrown.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sunflowers-Beneath-Snow-Teri-Brown/dp/1639881425/ref=sr_1_1
Atmosphere Press: https://atmospherepress.com/books/sunflowers-beneath-the-snow-by-teri-m-brown/
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Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
My guest today is Andrew Culture, an author, podcaster and musician. As well as having several collections of short stories to his name, Andrew is also the author of a romantic novel, “Getting It”, and is currently writing his second full novel, which he is pre-publishing in a very unusual way.
During our conversation we talk about how romantic fiction works despite being formulaic, namecheck several authors including Chaucer, Kerouac, Wodehouse and Katie Fforde, and find out what Andrew was doing at Barack Obama’s first presidential inauguration. We also discuss publishers, Kindle marketing tools, the DNA of writing and much more.
More About Andrew Culture
Writer, musician and podcaster with a taste for fun, a passion for life and a soft spot for anarchy.
Links: andrewculture.com
"Getting It" on Amazon
"The Right Shorts for Lunch" short story collection on Amazon--
Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
My guest today is Karen Williams, a coach, speaker and the book mentor at Librotas, who has worked with hundreds of people to help them share their stories. Karen is also the author of eight books to date, including “Book Marketing Made Simple”, “Your Book is the Hook”, and her autobiography “The Mouse That Roars”.
During our conversation we talk about why setting goals and planning content is the most important part of writing a book. We also discuss self-publishing options and using books as business tools, and Karen gives an insight into how audiobooks work.
More About Karen Williams
Karen Williams is The Book Mentor at Librotas. Having started out in business in 2006, and writing her first book in 2009, she knows the difference that writing a book can make to your business when done well. She has worked with hundreds of coaches, experts and leaders who have a story to tell or a message to share, taking them from idea to final manuscript, ensuring that they write and publish a book that helps them to attract more clients, raise their credibility and show up in a bigger way. Karen is the bestselling author of eight writing and entrepreneurial books, a TEDx speaker and motivational coach.
Links: https://librotas.com/ https://librotas.com/21questionshttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Karen-Williams/e/B004X5JA5O
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Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
The podcast is taking a short break over the Christmas period because I'm sure you've got better things to do! But we'll be back on Thurs 6th Jan 2022 with a new episode. Have a fabulous time!
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Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
My guest today is Ian Peterman, founder and CEO of the Peterman Design Firm. Ian has over 15 years of experience in designing, developing and launching products in many sectors and he has developed what he calls Conscious Design, an approach to design that improves and enriches other classic design methods. His book “Conscious Design” was published in October 2021.
During our conversation I find out how the starting point for Ian’s book was an infographic. We also talk about tribal knowledge, the joys of editing and formatting, and the steps required to make a good cuppa!
More About Ian Peterman
Ian Peterman is the founder and CEO of the Peterman Design Firm. His career has led him to develop a wide range of products, from lasers at nLight Photonics to speakers at Barefoot Sound to printers at HP. He studied mechanical engineering in college but switched tracks to finish his degree as a B.S. in Industrial Design.
Through a family business he now owns and operates, Insight Technical Education, he has helped publish several books and been a part of editing and developing new books for years. He has over 15 years of experience in designing, developing, and launching products in many sectors helping startups and enterprise companies. This experience has culminated in the development of what he calls Conscious Design, an approach to design that improves and enriches other classic design methods. He has developed the Peterman Method™ for product development and is the leading expert in conscious design and involved in concepts such as circular economy, circular design, and regenerative technologies.
When he’s not bringing the idea of conscious design to the world, Ian recharges by enjoying playing his violin and soccer and spending time with his children and partner, Jessica Peterman. You can find him online on several platforms.
Links: https://www.consciousdesignbook.com/
https://www.petermanfirm.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpeterman/
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Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com -
Welcome to Conversations with Authors, where I – Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy – meet amazing authors and find out what inspires them to write and what advice they would offer other aspiring authors.
My guest today is Helen Dewdney, better known as The Complaining Cow. Helen is a consumer champion, journalist, blogger, consultant and best-selling author, with her books How to Complain: The Essential Consumer Guide to Getting Refunds, Redress and Results! and 101 Habits of an Effective Complainer. Helen is a regular on TV and radio and all over the printed media, so it’s a real privilege to chat with her for my podcast.
During our conversation we talk about promoting your book, the importance of reviews, and using books as marketing tools, and Helen also tells me how she may never have become a best-selling author if it wasn’t for one Jeremy Clarkson … you’ll have to listen to find out why!
More About Helen Dewdney
Helen Dewdney is The Complaining Cow. She is a consumer champion, journalist, blogger, bestselling author and consultant. As a consumer champion she hears on a regular basis what frustrates customers and how they would like to see things improved. She works with businesses to increase sales through improving customer service with compassion care and integrity. By reducing risk to reputation, finance and impact on the vulnerable customers you can turn your customers into superfans who will do the heavy lifting of marketing for you.
Helen regularly appears in the media talking about complaining and customer service. She is frequently seen and heard on BBC Breakfast, One Show, BBC Radio 2, 4 and 5 all the national newspapers and many magazines and more giving advice and opinion on consumer issues.
Helen’s books are “How to Complain: The Essential Consumer Guide to Getting Refunds, Redress and Results!” and “101 Habits of an Effective Complainer” Links:
Website https://www.thecomplainingcow.co.uk
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/helendewdney/
Twitter https://twitter.com/ComplainingCow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheComplainingCow
Free Facebook group: Increase Sales through Customer Service with Care, Compassion & Integrity. Share advice, tips, ask questions etc. https://www.facebook.com/groups/customerservicecarecompassionintegrity
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HelenDewdney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helen_dewdney/
Books (How to Complain: The Essential Consumer Guide to Getting Refunds, Redress and Results! and 101 Habits of an Effective Complainer), research reports (Ombudsman Omnishambles, More Ombudsman Omnishambles and Whirlpool: The Tumble Story without the Spin): https://www.thecomplainingcow.co.uk/Publications
Free download: 5 ways to get rave reviews and referrals to show how you can tweak a few processes, look at your customers as individuals and increase sales. https://business.thecomplainingcow.co.uk/
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Conversations with Authors is a Proof Fairy Production and hosted by Alison Thompson, AKA The Proof Fairy. To find out more about Alison and the services she offers authors, including proofreading, book formatting and cover design, visit http://www.theprooffairy.com - Mostrar más
