Episodes
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Are writers’ conferences magical, career-making opportunities or just expensive weekends fueled by caffeine and creative anxiety? In this episode, we’re setting realistic expectations to help you get the most out of your conference experience by capitalizing on the biggest benefits while avoiding the pitfalls that can lead to disappointment. Whether you’re attending your first conference or your fifteenth, we’ll walk you through planning with intention while staying open to the unexpected–because sometimes the most valuable part of the weekend is the plot twist you never saw coming.
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In this episode of Quilling It, we look at what literary agents do, when they’re helpful, and which authors may not need one. Whether you’re aiming for traditional publishing, a small press, or indie publishing, this episode will discuss the various ways an agent could help your writing career and what you should expect from their efforts.
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Missing episodes?
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Join us as we sit down with multi-award-winning speculative fiction author Jill Williamson to talk about all the things we wish we'd known when we were younger—both chronologically and in our writing careers. Between Paul, Lindsay, and Jill, we bring a combined thousand years of publishing experience (give or take a century), and we're sharing the hard-earned lessons, practical advice, and encouragement we wish someone had given us sooner. So grab a chair, pour yourself a cup of tea, and consider us your Gandalf, your Obi-Wan, your Uncle Iroh, reporting for duty.
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We’re equal opportunists when it comes to publishing paths–traditional, independent, hybrid, you name it. But there’s one model that will never earn the Quilling It seal of approval: the vanity press. In this episode, we unpack how this “worst of all worlds” publishing model has been draining hopeful authors’ wallets for decades. Join us as we break down the biggest red flags, the misleading promises, and the one very small exception to our otherwise hard-and-fast rule: beware of vanity presses.
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Book advertising can feel like an entirely separate career path hidden inside publishing–a path many writers don’t feel equipped to traverse. Luckily, Paul is here to help. Join us as he shares the fundamentals of his successful, headache-free approach to indie book ads, including his favorite platforms, the tools he recommends, and how he keeps campaigns profitable without disappearing into a spreadsheet dungeon.
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From craft help to marketing advice to business boosters, we explore some of our favorite websites for authors. Listen in as we reveal our go-to resources for writing and publishing—a curated list worthy of prime real estate in your bookmarks.
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Paul and Lindsay step into the arena to settle the plotter vs. pantser debate once and for all, and only one author will emerge victorious. Just kidding. Instead, we break down our real-life processes—Paul as a pantser and Lindsay as a plotter—to explore where these approaches differ, overlap, and surprisingly align, helping you discover what might work best for you.
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Yep, we’re going there. We share the details of our worst rejections–the ones that sting, linger, and might make someone briefly consider abandoning publishing altogether for a new career in goat herding. But in those painful moments, we learned valuable lessons about resilience, growth, and keeping focused on the long game. We unpack how rejection can sharpen your work, clarify your goals, and even become something you laugh about (eventually). Ever gotten a “no” that felt a little too personal? You’re in the right place.
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In this episode, we tackle the ever-mysterious question of finding your niche as a writer. From choosing the right genre to honing your authentic author voice, we explore how authors can figure out where their personality, interests, and instincts fit most naturally in the marketplace–and how that sweet spot is often where your most compelling work and enthusiastic readers live. If you’ve ever wondered where you “belong” as a writer, this conversation is for you.
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What actually works when launching a book? Paul interviews Lindsay about her recent launch campaign–managing a street team, setting expectations with ARC readers, and why she’s now a known entity at her local post office. We share what’s worked, what we’ve ditched, and how to build a launch plan that’s both sustainable and effective.
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Not all writing advice resonates for the long haul, but some craft books truly earn their place on the shelf. In this episode, we share the writing craft books that most influenced our work–and why these are the ones we hand to fellow writers again and again.
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Gone are the days of the reclusive writer holed up in a cave with only a typewriter and a big idea for company. Today’s authors are expected to be savvy marketers, content creators, and social media charmers–often while silently screaming on the inside. For introverts, the pressure to show up everywhere online can feel overwhelming and utterly draining. In this episode, two self-professed introverts compare notes on navigating the extroverted demands of the publishing industry while staying true to who we are.
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Most writers feel far safer behind a keyboard than behind a podium. But speaking and teaching are powerful ways to support fellow writers, build community, and open new doors in your author career. In this episode, we’re unveiling how we transitioned from introverted authors to confident speakers–and how you can do it too.
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Lindsay and Paul dive into favorite childhood books, exploring why those stories were so special. These books shaped our young imaginations and helped mold us into the storytellers we are today, and guess what? Your stories have the potential to do that for the next generation.
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Paul asks Lindsay what editors wish their authors knew. Drawing on over a decade of experience as an editor, Lindsay shares tips and insights that will help save you time, money, and heartache as you prepare your manuscript for editorial feedback.
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All writers are born with naturally thick skins, impervious to harsh words and immune to rejections that feel personal . . . right?? Ahem. Not so much. Join Paul and Lindsay as we discuss how we learned to manage criticism, rejection, and the one-stars that inevitably follow all writers who stay in this game for the long-haul.
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Lindsay and Paul wage war in the most epic of publishing battles: indie vs. traditional publishing. Listen in as we duke it out! Spoiler alert: We are supportive of all publishing paths and seek to provide highlights and drawbacks of each to help you choose the right path for your goals and personality.
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Meet Quilling It hosts Paul and Lindsay, discover how we got into this wild business, and learn what we hope you’ll gain from hanging out with us. No matter what stage of the writing journey you’re at, we’re here to help, your long-distance mentors on the mic.
