Wish I'd Known Then Podcast For Writers
Episodes
How to Write and Brand a Series with Jami and Sara (Fantasy Writers Toolshed Re-air)
17 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
322 / Jami and Sara are on a summer break, so we’re sharing guest episodes we did on other podcasts. This week, it’s our discussion with Richie on...
Jami on the Two Authors Podcast
10 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
321 / Sara and I are on a summer break, so we’re sharing guest episodes we did on other podcasts. This week, it’s my discussion with Doug and Nick...
Low-Key Marketing: Sara on the Creative Penn Podcast
03 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
320 / Jami and I are on a summer break, so we’re sharing guest episodes we did on other podcasts. This week, it’s my discussion with Joanna on The...
Boost Your Book Sales: Expert Advice on Marketing, Focus, and Long-Term Success with Ferol Vernon
27 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
319 / What marketing strategies are working for authors right now? Ferol from Written Word Media shares the lessons he’s learned helping authors suc...
How to Pitch Your Book to Hollywood with Lindsey Hughes
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
318 / How do you craft a pitch that gets Hollywood's attention and translates your book to the screen—or just want to network and pitch yoursel...
What’s Actually Working in 2026 for Debut Book Marketing with Michelle Park Lazette (New Author Series)
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
317 / Debut author Michelle Park Lazette shares how she’s building a brand along with the lessons she’s learned about writing, marketing, and co...
Author Intuition, Balancing Passion Projects, and Mental Rest with Aimee Robinson
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
316 / What does it take to trust your intuition as a writer—and how can you find true joy in the crazy unpredictability of publishing? Amy Robinson ...
Substack for Fiction Authors: How Jolie Tunnell Serializes Mysteries and Builds Reader Community
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
315 / How can authors find their reader community on Substack while balancing life’s big changes? Jolie Tunnell shares her transition from years of ...
How Kickstarter and Shopify Changed Tee Harlowe’s Author Career Plus Instagram Tips
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
314 / Tee Harlowe, a fantasy romance author, shares tips for successful Kickstarters as well as how she’s adapting to market shifts and why diversif...
Navigating Writing, Marketing, the Day Job, and TikTok with Finley Daniels (New Author Series)
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
313 / How do you balance the demands of a full-time job with launching a romance writing career? Finley Daniels shares her lessons learned in writing ...
Building Resilience and Creative Lies Writers Tell Themselves with Katherine Collette
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
312 / What are the creative lies writers tell themselves, and how can reframing your mindset lead to a long-lasting, resilient writing career? Katheri...
The Truth About Book Marketing: Ads, Social Media, and Discoverability Myths
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
311 / Think you need to be on every platform, spend big on ads, or release a book every month to succeed as an indie author? We’re busting some of t...
Real, Not AI: 20 Ways Authors Can Signal Humanity and Build Reader Trust
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
310 / AI is getting better at producing words, audio, and even video, which raises the question for authors: how do readers know there’s a real pers...
How to Market Books on TikTok and Instagram with Lona McCombie
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
309 / Lona McCombie, social media marketer for authors, unpacks essential strategies for authors looking to promote their work, especially on platform...
Serial Storytelling: Finding your Voice and Monetization with KimBoo York
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
308 / Serial fiction expert, Kimboo York, joins us to discuss building long-term reader relationships, letting go of perfectionism and fan fiction, in...
Automation and AI Changes with Chelle Honiker
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
307 / How can automation, AI, and genuine relationships help you thrive as an author? Chelle Honaker shares her insights on blending creativity and bu...
Cross Promotion, Newsletters, and Beta Reader Tips with Evan Gow
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
306 / How do you get your first reviews? And what do you do about collating feedback from multiple beta readers? Evan Gow, creator of StoryOrigin, has...
Starting Small with Crowdfunding with Ember Mae
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
305 / Ember Mae shares lessons learned about starting small with crowdfunding as well as managing fulfillment. We also talk about marketing without su...
Using Grammar as Your Creative Toolbox with Patty McGee
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
304 / Are you curious how understanding grammar—not just as a set of rules but as a tool for creative expression—can transform your writing and he...
How to Take Feedback Without Losing Your Author Voice with Nicole Meier
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
303 / Are you curious about how to find your writing voice, handle feedback without losing your vision, and thrive in today’s ever-changing publishi...
Jennifer Hilt and Sara Rosett on Mystery and Thriller Tropes
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
302 / We’re talking about the power of tropes in storytelling with Jennifer Hilt, uncovering why elements like scars, secrets, and shame drive compe...
300 Episodes Part II: Simplifying and Leaning into Artisanship with Belinda Kroll
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
301 / In this 301st episode, hear from listeners (thanks for the voicemails!) about their favorite topics and takeaways and another long-time supporte...
300 Episodes Part I: Navigating Industry Changes with Parker Finch
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
300 / In this 300th episode, we take a walk down memory lane, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of the podcast and reflecting on h...
Leveraging Marketing Awareness Without Losing Your Originality with Nat Connors
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen299 / Do you ever wish you had ...
2025: Year in Review for Authors - Part II
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
298 / We continue our discussion about what’s working in the indie author space. We join Douglas Pratt and Nicholas Harvey and share insights on nav...
2025: Year in Review for Authors - Part I
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
297 / How are authors adapting in 2025's changing publishing world? Sara Rosett, Jami Albright, Nicholas Harvey, and Douglas Pratt share lessons ...
Crafting Irresistible Book Pages Readers and Bots Love with Thomas Umstattd Jr.
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
296 / Do you want to leverage your author website, use AI tools efficiently, and prune your tasks strategically so you can sell more books and focus y...
Matthew J. Holmes on Building a Sustainable Author Business (Even If You Write Slowly)
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
295 / Curious how authors can build thriving, sustainable careers—even without rapid releases or a huge backlist? Matthew J. Holmes shares how he t...
Bart Baker on Pitching Your Book to Hollywood
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
294 / Do you want to pitch your book to Hollywood? Screenwriter, playwright, and novelist Bart Baker shares how authors can position their books for a...
Behind the Scenes at Author Nation 2025: Take-aways, Vendor Interviews, and Vegas Stories
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
293 / Curious about how conferences can spark inspiration, build connections, and transform your author business? We recap our experiences at Author...
Conquering Mindset Blocks and Making Real Writing Progress with Developmental Editor Sarah Elle
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
292 / Are you curious about when to work with a developmental editor, how to get unstuck in your manuscript, and what actually helps authors succeed f...
Becca Syme on Dealing with Change
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
291 / Are you struggling to navigate burnout, industry shifts, or simply want to future-proof your writing career? Becca Syme returns to share lesson...
Lee Savino and Russell Nohelty on Thriving During Change, Collaboration, and Repurposing Your Backlist (Part II)
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
290 / If you missed the first part of our interview with Lee and Russell, scroll back to the previous episode in your podcast feed and catch up. Part ...
Highlight Reel: Supporter Episode - Jami and Sara on Symbolism ❤️ 🗝️ 🔮 ⚔️ 🪐
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know we have a supporter episode out? This short highlight reel gives you a preview of our chat about symbolism. From Pride and Prejudice to M...
Lee Savino and Russell Nohelty on Thriving During Change, Collaboration, and Repurposing Your Backlist (Part I)
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
289 / Are you struggling to find ease, joy, and sustainability in your writing career as the industry keeps evolving? Lee Savino, seven-figure romanc...
Action Thrillers and Writing Fast with Douglas Pratt
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
288 / Have you ever wondered how to build a writing career that’s both creatively fulfilling and financially sustainable in today’s fast-changing ...
Jeré Anthony on ADHD, Writing Struggles, and Embracing Creative Chaos
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
287 / Bestselling rom-com author Jeré Anthony shares about embracing your unique voice, the power of niche marketing, and why your book shouldn’t b...
Soundtracks for Books and Fantasy Worldbuilding with Richie Billing
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
286 / What happens when a fantasy author brings a soundtrack to storytelling—and what can writers and readers learn from merging music, world-buildi...
Changing Genres with Fiona Maren (New Author Series)
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
285 / Are you curious about how to move to a new genre? Fiona Marin shares her experiences switching from traditionally published middle grade to indi...
How to Research, Writing the Book That Only You Can Write, and Print Photo Books with John Gaspard
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
283 / Curious about how to create a one-of-a-kind book that only you can write? John Gaspard joins the show to discuss his latest passion project, a p...
Jill Shalvis on Going Indie
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
283 / Have you ever wondered how to have a joy-filled writing career, especially when the publishing landscape is always changing? Jill Shalvis disc...
Sara and Jami on Why You Should Go to a Writing Conference or Retreat
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
282 / Are you curious how in-person events and writing retreats can transform your writing journey, expand your community, and inspire new connections...
Middle Grade Books with Shannon Lynn (New Author series)
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
281 / Shannon Lynn, middle grade sci-fi author and educator, shares how she found time to write while working full time, insight on launching your fir...
Pinterest for Authors with Melissa Bourbon
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
280 / Melissa Bourbon, multi-series mystery shares how she leverages Pinterest to find readers and sell books. Trusting your intuition and staying ...
Ember Scott on Writing Thrillers and IP Estate Planning
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
279 / Ember Scott, multi-genre author (also writing as MJ Caan), shares his journey from the medical field to full-time indie author and unpacks how h...
Stephanie Faris on Steamy Instalove Shorts, Sweet Romance, and Dictation
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
278 / Stephanie Farris, bestselling romance author, pivoted between genres and platforms, and found her stride with short, market-savvy romance fictio...
Alyssa Archer on her Career Pivot, ADHD, and Connecting with Other Writers
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
277 / Alyssa Archer, longtime indie author and editor, shares how she blended editing, writing, and community-building to create a sustainable, meanin...
Ryder O'Malley on Gay Romance, Goals, and Achieving Success
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
276 / Ryder O’Malley, gay romance author cover designer, shares his path from art to indie publishing and the lessons learned along the way. He unpa...
Nicholas Harvey on Writing Dual Timelines, Collaboration, and Digital Nomad Life
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
275 / Nicholas Harvey, adventure, suspense, and thriller novelist and digital nomad, shares his journey from race car driver and motorsports professio...
Writing and Life Update after Our June Break
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
274 / We’ve had a month-long break and are back with a catch-up chat about what’s been going on with our writing and our lives, including ADHD and...
Trixie Silvertale on Making Your Backlist Work for You when You Need a Break
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ep 273 / Trixie Silvertale joins us to discuss resilience and adaptability in business. Trixie shared how a personal tragedy shifted her writing and p...
Andi Arndt on Audiobooks: Finding Narrators and Tips for Writing for Audio
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 272 / Andi Arndt joins us to discuss audiobook narration, including tips for finding and working with a narrator, how to write with narration ...
Finding Your Unique Writing Process with Historical Fiction Author Jennifer Marchman (New Author Series)
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 271 / Jennifer Marchman, who combines historical fiction and time travel in her books, joins us to discuss embracing your own writing process,...
Turning Your Passions Into a Successful Book Box Business with Katy Cocking
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 270 / Katy Cocking is multi-passionate creative who found the advice to “stay in her lane” constricting and to a writing-adjacent career, ...
From KU to Shopify: Christina Hovland on Finding Financial Success with Direct Sales
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 269 / Christina Hovland shares how she moved out of KU and built a thriving direct sales store for her books. Topics:Transitioning from KU to...
Aime Austin on Legal Thrillers and Discovery Writing
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 268 / Legal thriller author Aime Austin joins us to discuss writing legal thrillers, discovery writing, and blending psychological suspense. ...
T. Thorn Coyle on Building a Sustainable Midlist Writing Career Through a Slow Build
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 267 / T. Thorn Coyle writes several magic-filled series with diverse casts and is the author of The Midlist Indie Author Mindset. Thorn shares...
Diana Xarissa on Consistent Rapid Release and Developing Likeable Characters
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 266 / Cozy mystery author Diana Xarissa joins us this week. With over 150 books in her backlist, Diana shared how she found success through ra...
How to Find and Work with Book Editors and Coaches with Jen Graybeal
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 265 / Jen discusses how she found her passion for working with authors, her experiences in developmental editing and coaching, and the importa...
Personalizing Email Marketing with Bev Feldman
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 263 / Do you want to make your newsletters more personal and connect with readers? Bev Feldman, an email marketing strategist at Your Personal...
Jennifer Hilt on Trope Con and Planning Online Events
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 262 / Jennifer Hilt shares how her writing career has evolved since she was with us in 2023, including expanding her trope thesaurus books t...
Elizabeth O'Roark on Pivoting, Using Tropes, and Breakout Success
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 261 / Elizabeth O’Roark shares about tapping into her creativity during the pandemic, tackling the ups and downs of switching genres, the po...
From Bull Riders to Bologna: Cat Johnson's Approach to IRL (In Real Life) Book Marketing
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 259 / Cat Johnson shares about writing resilience and creative innovation. We discuss Cat’s diversified distribution strategy that includes ...
Fresh Ideas: Insights on What You Want from the Podcast
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 258 / We delve into your responses from our previous episode, "What Do You Want?" We’re all ears and sincerely grateful for the fe...
Balancing Creativity and Real Life with Writing Coach Catharine Bramkamp
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 257 / Catharine Bramkamp is a writing coach, workshop facilitator, poet, traveler, and has authored 27 fiction, non-fiction and poetry books. ...
Working with Illustrators for Special Editions with Hanna Sandvig
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 256 / Cozy fantasy author and illustrator Hanna Sandvig joins us to talk about working with illustrators to create gorgeous special editions...
What Do You Want?
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 255 / It’s time for a heart to heart. Jami and Sara want to hear what you want from the podcast. Are you still finding value in the podcast?...
From Masterminds to Discord: The Power of Community with Samantha Cummings
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 254 / Samatha Cummings writes YA fantasy chock full of magic, myths, and monsters and also hosts a podcast for writers, Pen to Paycheck. Topi...
How to Get through the TikTok Chaos + Social Media Alternatives
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 253 / It’s a Jami and Sara episode this week as we break down the recent chaos with TikTok (It’s gone! It’s back!) and what actions auth...
Newsletter and Social Media Content Planning with Sara Shea
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 252 / Has your well run dry when it comes to newsletter and social media content? Sara Shea has fresh ideas for you. Sara works full-time as...
Reducing or Leaving Social Media with Sandy Cooper + Mary K. Tiller
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 251 / Do you want to cut back on the time you spend on social media? Sandy Cooper and Mary K. Tiller have left social media altogether and hav...
Sharmyn McGraw on Dyslexia and Organizers for Discovery Writers
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 250 / Guest: Sharmyn McGraw, mystery author and creator of planner/organizers for discovery writers. Sharmyn shares the challenges of dyslexi...
Matilda Swift on Overcoming Self-Doubt and Innovative Reader Magnets
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 249 / Guest: Matilda Swift, cozy mystery author and co-host of the Pen to Paycheck podcastTopics:Finding your genre: identifying and embracing...
Anthea Sharp on Kickstarter and Relaxed Prosperity
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 248 / Fantasy author and Kickstarter expert Anthea Sharp joins us to share tips on running crowdfunding campaigns as well as how Kickstarter h...
Catch up: Author Nation and European Holidays
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 247 / We’ve both been traveling, so this week is a catch up episode about Jami’s experience at Author Nation, the biggest author conferenc...
How to Craft Perfect Endings: Six Ways to Conclude your Novel
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 246 / It’s a Jami and Sara episode this week as they discuss the importance of endings, their favorite (and not-so-favorite endings) as well...
Ines Johnson on Backlist Sales and Effective Product Pages For Direct Sales
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 245 / Ines Johnson joins us and shares strategies for book marketing in the age of direct sales. We discuss:Testing and tweaking to increase b...
Holiday Promotions Made Easy (Re-air)
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 244 / Is it too late to plan holiday promotions? Nope. You still have plenty of time–and holiday promotions don’t have to be complicated o...
Turning Military and Tech Backgrounds into Gripping Crime Fiction with Nick Stevens
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 243 / We are thrilled (pun intended!) to chat with contemporary crime and conspiracy thriller author Nick Stevens. We talk about anti-heroes,...
Writing Conference Recap and Our Writing Process Q&A
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 242 / We're diving deep into listener questions about everything from drafting and editing techniques, tackling imposter syndrome, and de...
Matty Dalrymple & Michael LaRonn on Platform Building for Your Personality
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 241 / Whether you're an introvert or extrovert you can develop a platform to grow your author brand. Learn how with authors of From Page ...
Capitalizing on Trends While Staying True to Genre Expectations with Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 240 / In 2024, Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe paired their love of regency romances like Bridgerton with their bad habit of killing people i...
Making Your Book Launch Last Beyond the Launch with Melanie Herschorn
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 239 / Want to make a big impact with your book? Publicist, award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and author of Make a Big Impact with Your B...
Jami and Sara on Reader Magnets
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 238 / Want some ideas on how to get readers on your newsletter list? On this Ask Us Anything episode, we have SO MANY ideas for you! Topics:E...
Moving from KU to Direct Sales with Luke Mitchell
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 237/Guest: Luke Mitchel, science fiction and fantasy author Topics: Luke’s transition from KU to wide and direct salesSelf-editing and r...
Jessica Firpi on Writing Compelling Save the Cat Moments
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 236 / Ever wondered why certain characters steal your heart? This week we chat with Jessica Firpi, a TV and movie reviewer as well as a K-dram...
Penn Cole on Writing to Market and Prepping for Publication
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 235 / Fantasy romance author Penn Cole shares tips on writing to market in a way that goes beyond the usual analysis of trends and tropes, pat...
Tik Tok Success and Being a Digital Nomad with Liz Shipton
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 234 / Liz Shipton is a freelance writer, hybrid author, and full-time, off-grid, liveaboard sailor. She shares how changing her lifestyle to b...
Writing Hacks with Author and Developmental Editor Barbara Emodi
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 233 / Ever wished you had some writing hacks to make your drafting and editing go more smoothly? (And who hasn’t?) Then this episode with co...
Jessie Kwak on Finding Joy in Your Writing Process and Cross-Genre Marketing Tips
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 232 / Jessie Kwak writes supernatural thrillers and sci-fi crime as well as nonfiction productivity books including, From Chaos to Creativit...
Publishing Options with Nick Courtright of Atmosphere Press
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 231 / Dr. Nick Courtright of Atmosphere Press, a literary hybrid publisher dedicated to author rights, joins us to discuss different publishin...
Finding your Community and Navigating Dyslexia with A.B. Herron
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 230 / A.B. Herron blends elements of fantasy and romance in her fiction. She shares about balancing a full-time job while diving headfirst int...
🎭 Relationship Arcs with September C. Fawkes
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 229 / Learn about the four basic types of relationship arcs from freelance developmental editor and writing writing instructor, September C. F...
🎧 Kemper Donovan on Building An Audience Through Podcasting
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 228 / Kemper Donovan is the host of the All About Agatha podcast and author of The Busy Body, a USA Today bestseller on launch earlier this ye...
🌦️Writing with ADHD and Surviving Life’s Storms with Liz Long
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 227 / Liz Long shares her journey of embracing her own uniqueness, particularly in relation to ADHD and finding peace and growth after persona...
📶 Using Excel to Write a Book with Paul Indigo
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 226 / Author, musician, and marketer, Paul Indigo shares insights on seeking validation, embracing our voice, and the unconventional use of an...
✨ Magan Vernon on Navigating Self-Doubt, Criticism, and Creative Renewal
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 225 / Megan Vernon, author of over 40 romance novels, joins us to talk about starting over after a difficult experience of being publicly crit...
📱Kate Johnson on Zory and Fiction Apps
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 224 / Kate Johnson is the co-founder of Zory, an interactive reading app that merges the depth found in fiction with the choose-your-path-styl...
🩻 Steffanie Holmes on Skeleton Drafting, Rebanding, and Kickstarter
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 223 / Do you like to discover the plot as you write? Do you get bored if you know where the story is going? Then a skeleton draft might be wha...
🧚♂️ Writing Middle Grade Books with Jessica Renwick
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 222 / Jessica Renwich, who writes fantasy and horror for kids ages 9-12, joined us to share her experience as an indie middle grade author.She...