Episodes

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    In this episode we are reflecting on the past year of publishing, the past two years of the Strategic Authorpreneur Podcast, and what 2022 will bring for both of us.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    Our 'creator' goals and what we achieved in 2021Challenges we faced as marketers and how we were able to manage our authorpreneur livesThings we wished we did bestHow going wide changed the way we publish booksThings that surprised usOur objectives for 2022

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/067-reflecting-on-our-2021-progress/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    In this episode, we're chatting with special guest Ben Galley about how to write successful series and the pros and cons of wide publishing vs. exclusivity. We're also going to talk about how authors can leverage their IPs and create multiple revenue streams and some pitfalls of self-publishing you should be aware of.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    Tips for writing a successful, long seriesComparing going Wide with using KDP exclusivityCommon pitfall of self-publishingHow new releases help sell your catalogMultiple stream of revenues for authorsYour story is not just an ebook: How to leverage you IP

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/066-kdp-select-vs-wide-with-ben-galley/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

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  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    In this episode we're digging into the topic of Challenging Ourselves—what it means and how our experience can benefit you. We've each done some major experiments in this area and we're going to try to distill down what worked, what didn't - what we learned about ourselves in the process.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What was our yearly challengeWhy pushing your limits can help you become a better writerWhat were the challenges/rewards attached to the project we set out to accomplishHow to deal with feedbacks when they are not what you expect

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/065-challenging-yourself/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    In today's episode we're digging into the topic of writing faster as this episode goes live halfway through this year's NaNoWriMo and you may be feeling the need for speed. Even if you're not doing NaNo, there are plenty of times when writing in faster will come in handy for you.

    We will also talk about staying motivated in the long run and ways to establish internal and external motivators to help you tackle your writing project.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?Why internal and external motivators can help you tackle your writing projectWhy keeping motivated it's important to enter into a better flow of writingWhat does it mean to write faster, and why it's important to adapt the word 'fast' to your personal situation

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/064-writing-faster/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a great way to start that writing project that has been taking hours of your sleeping time for the past year. In the end, it doesn’t really matter if you have successfully written a 50,000-word manuscript, or a couple of novellas, or half a dozen short stories. If you sit down and write words that might be the beginning of a great idea, you are already ahead of the game. Remember, you can’t fix what doesn’t exist, so you might as well start writing!

    In this episode, we list the many things you can do to set yourself up for success when NaNoWriMo comes, what tips and tricks will help you power through your project and how to avoid distractions and burnouts that might stop your momentum. We also share our own experience writing stories on a deadline and how we dealt with difficulties and setbacks when they happened.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?What is NaNoWriMo and what does it mean for writers all over the world?How to make the most out of your NaNoWriMo by preparing everything you need before starting typing the first wordHow writer groups and accountability buddies might be the best thing ever happened to writersHow to turn a bad writing day into an awesome opportunity to level up your writing game

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/063-preparing-to-rock-nanowrimo/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    Join us as we reflect on Months 6+7 of Going Wide and look at the progress made, the challenges encountered along the way, and discuss solutions to the obstacles we faced this past month.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?Creator hat updates and goalsManager hat updates and goalsMarketing hat updates and goals

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/062-going-wide-progress-report-6-augustseptember-2021/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    In this episode we're chatting with special guest Bella Mahaya Carter about how you can rethink your ambitions and trust in your heartfelt purpose and values in the journey to becoming, or continuing on, as an author.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?About Bella Mayaha CarterHow the three Principles of Mind, Consciousness, and Thought can influence an author’s journeyWays of kindling your love for writingWhy it is better to embrace our story, rather than fight it

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/061-balanced-writing-life-with-bella-mahaya-carter/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    In this episode we're talking with special guest Clay Stafford—the founder of Killer Nashville conference and magazine that deals with all things Thriller, Mystery and Suspense. In this interview Clay talks about the importance of adding mystery and suspense elements to any story to turn it into an engaging novel readers won't be able to put down. He also discusses the number one difficulty writers face and how the Killer Nashville conference has helped some attendees establish a long-lasting author career.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?About Clay StaffordHow are mystery and thriller writers different from others?Clay’s thriller recommendations About Killer NashvilleWhat is Clay working on right now?About Book packagingAwards at Killer NashvilleKiller Nashville magazine

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/058-going-wide-progress-report-5-junejuly-2021/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    While some people love the structure and order of plotting and can't start writing until they know every twist and turn of the story, for Discover Writers (aka Pantsers) that takes all the fun right out of the process. But there are ways that you can implement a little plotting and planning without totally taking the fun out of discovering the story as you go.

    In this episode, we'll discuss some tips, tricks and strategies to help you shape your story while retaining the freedom to follow where inspiration leads.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?What is a ‘pantser’?Are you always a pantser?Ways to plot as a pantser

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/058-going-wide-progress-report-5-junejuly-2021/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    Join us as we reflect on Months 6+7 of Going Wide and look at the progress made, the challenges encountered along the way, and discuss solutions to the obstacles we faced this past month.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?Creator hat updates and goalsManager hat updates and goalsMarketing hat updates and goalsBiggest wins and challenges

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/058-going-wide-progress-report-5-junejuly-2021/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    In this episode we're talking with special guest Mark Leslie about two topics all three of us are particularly passionate about—writing short, and publishing wide. Mark explains what options writers have when it comes to write successful short stories that sell, and how to use the power of 'WIDE publishing' to earn many stream of revenues that will last for a very long time.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?About Mark Leslie LefebvreFiguring yourself out as a writerWhat got you into writing short stories?Is Mark a plotter or a pantser?Using short fiction in your writing careerReleasing schedule with short storiesMethods to market your short fictionBiggest mistakes people make when going wideNew opportunities for indie authors

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/057-writing-short-and-publishing-wide-with-mark-leslie-lefebvre/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    As authors we have known this from day one: writing is not easy.

    There are many moving pieces when it comes to crafting the best story we can write. But is there a way to up our chances of writing a great story? Enter the flow.

    Today, we're going to talk about getting into a flow state with your writing and publishing activities in particular, what is it that takes you out of flow and how can you avoid that?

    And then on the flip side, what facilitates flow and how can you add some more of that into your writing life?

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What does flow feel like?Getting into flow state and what can stop you from getting thereRemoving distractions that take you out of flow

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/056-getting-into-the-flow-of-writing/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    We all heard about writer's 'voice'. Voice is the lens through which the reader sees the story, and speaks of the author's style as We all heard about writer's 'voice'. Voice is the lens through which the reader sees the story, and speaks of the author's style as nothing else can. Getting comfortable with your writer 'voice' means becoming less self-conscious about your writing. But what really is this ethereal concept? Is it something we consciously develop? How long does it take to settle into your voice? In this episode we answer these questions while providing actionable advices on how to experiment with yours.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?What is an author’s ‘voice’?Can your ‘voice’ change?Finding your ‘voice’

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/055-finding-your-voice-as-a-writer/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    Join us as we reflect on Months 4+5 of Going Wide and look at the progress made, the challenges encountered along the way, and discuss solutions to the obstacles we faced this past month.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episodeCreator hat updates and goalsManager hat updates and goalsMarketing hat updates and goalsBiggest challenges and wins

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/054-going-wide-progress-report-4-aprilmay-2021/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    Join us as we reflect on Month 3 of Going Wide and look at the progress made, the challenges encountered along the way, and discuss solutions to the obstacles we faced this past month.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?Creator hat updates and goalsManager hat updates and goalsMarketer hat updates and goalsBiggest challenges this month

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/053-going-wide-progress-report-3-march-2021/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    'Going wide' is a mindset few authors fully understand. Often seen merely as a 'strategy' that can benefit some authors, going wide is not only about reaching people in hundreds of markets. It's about diversifying, not settling for what is easy, and maximizing your income streams.

    Join us today as we interview Erin Wright, founder of the Wide for the Win Facebook group who will walk us through the many reasons why you are missing out on something big if you have never considered publishing your books in all storefronts.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?Erin Wright interviewWhat does Erin write?Mindset of a wide authorTimeframe or timeline to give yourself when going wideApproaching going wideTools to useConsulting with Erin Wright and Mark Leslie LefebvreWhat does the future of going wide look like?Going from KU to wide

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/052-tips-on-publishing-wide-for-the-win-with-erin-wright/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    One of the most critical skillsets an authorpreneur needs to develop to achieve success and maintain sanity is the ability to prioritize.

    A great story and good marketing can bring you far, but they are not enough. You can't measure your progress against yesterday's tasks if you do not have a system in place that lets you do just that.

    In this episode, we're going to chat about what to do when your to-do list gets bigger than the hours available to you and how to choose what's going to get your time, money, and attention—and what isn't.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?What does overwhelm feel like to you?Tools and strategies to help prioritize

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/051-how-to-prioritize-your-writing-and-publishing-tasks/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    There are few things as necessary as reading in the life of a writer. Reading shapes the way we see the world; it also informs how we write, inspires us to create stories, and motivates us when we hit a roadblock or want to throw in the towel. However, this apparently simple activity can also be a challenge; it can get disrupted, and easing back into it might not be as simple as one thinks. Join us as we talk about how you can tackle a reading roadblock or hit the reset button when your reading gets off track.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?Do you read the same kind of books that you write?Have you ever had difficulties with reading?

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/050-the-role-of-reading-in-writing/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    Join us as we reflect on Month 2 of Going Wide and look at the progress made, the challenges encountered along the way, and discuss solutions to the obstacles we faced this past month.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?Creator hat updates and goalsManager hat updates and goalsMarketer hat updates and goalsBiggest challenges from the past monthBiggest win this monthYour homework

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/049-going-wide-progress-report-2-february-2021/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST

  • Join indie authors Crystal Hunt and Michele Amitrani as we share ways to save time, money and energy as you level up your writing and publishing career.

    "Please review my book" are the most important four words when it comes to launching your book. But this is so much more than a simple request, especially when it comes to being strategic about it.

    This week we're going to tackle ARC teams—what they are, why they are useful, how you get people to join one, and what you do with them once you have them.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    What has happened since the last episode?What is an ARC team and why do you need one?How do you create an ARC team?Where do you look to find members for your ARC team?Maintaining an ARC crew

    SHOW NOTES + RESOURCES

    Complete show notes, transcripts and links to the tools and resources mentioned in this episode from our website at https://strategicauthorpreneur.com/podcast/048-how-to-recruit-manage-and-mobilize-your-arc-team/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you find this show helpful—and like our independent, ads-free format—you can buy us a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SAPPODCAST