In this the final episode of Season 1, Wendy Jo talks all things marketing....at least the things that she knows. From social media to Goodread giveaways to websites to podcast interviews - and whatever else she can think of within her realm of experience. She also gives a long range perspective on the power of simply getting your book out into the world and letting it take on a life of its own. Marketing is the ongoing work that follows the work of writing. It never really ends...but that's okay because neither does your book. Carry on, fellow authors. Carry on!

It's time to get that manuscript in shape for publishing. What does that entail? Formatting, formatting, formatting. In this episode, Wendy Jo discusses some of the elements of getting your manuscript print ready. Everything from margins, sizing, pagination, fonts, etc. Lots of decisions and details but much satisfaction when the finished product comes out in the form of a proof copy. There are many options from various software programs to YouTube learning to professional formatters. She also makes some comparisons between uploading onto KDP and IngramSpark - what's the difference? - as well as ebook formatting.

Time to talk about the all important book cover. Yes, I know, God views us through the lens of what is going on in our hearts. But people.... well, we tend to judge things (at least initially) by the outward appearance. In this episode, we discuss the elements that will make up your cover as well as different places you can go to find cover designers. There is quite a spectrum of options both financially and technically. Something for everyone! I also expose some of the design process I have recently been through for Solbakken: A Tale of Generations. It has taken some doing, but the cover is done! Glory!

Is a rose by any other name just as sweet? Hmmm.... in Episode 12 we talk about the importance of naming your book. A short overview of our biblical naming inheritance shows we have the DNA of a very creative 'namer'. We can do this. Finding the title that settles and lands for you as well as engages your target audience is paramount. There's a big reveal in the middle of the episode of the title for my latest book. Ta da! There are also some books I recommend that I have come across recently as I continue to learn about writing and publishing that I think might be helpful to you as well.

In Episode 11, we continue our chat about audiobooks with some more specific information about the recording and editing process. Included is information about the software I use, the editing plug-in I recommend as well as discussion about ACX.com and the parameters they require for you to upload your audio files. Then I've included a little sneak preview of my upcoming audiobook recording of my second novel - The Agreements - with the Prologue and beginning of Chapter 1. Hope you enjoy!

Episode 10 is all about audiobooks - the fastest growing segment of the book industry. We'll look at some of the statistics regarding the amazing growth in audiobooks over the past decade. And then we chat about some of the details of what it takes to get a book up onto an audio platform. Do you go with Audible exclusivity? Or do you go for a wider audience through Findaway Voices that includes library accessibility? We look at royalty percentages and toss around those options. Also included are the various ways you can hire someone to narrate your book and how to pay them whether it be through a Per Finished Hour rate or a Royalty Share contract. Lots of practical tidbits with some of my audiobook recommendations and experiences thrown in for good measure.

In this episode, I back track a little to some of the things we discussed in the previous episode. First, I set out a biblical foundation for the spiritual practices I alluded to of interacting with the great cloud of witnesses. Then we go into some practical elements of putting together a copyright page for your manuscript. And finally, I spend some time chatting about the setting for my book in the north woods of Minnesota. You'll hear a few stories of my Norwegian forefathers who immigrated to that area as well as my childhood memories of their homestead.

Before you publish your manuscript there are some additional little pieces besides the storyline that you will need to think about . In Episode 8, we chat about the extras like a dedication page, acknowledgements, an author bio, about the book page and any other additional bits and bobs you'd like to add to personalize your book. Since I spent the week writing my 'about the book' page, I go into some detail about the impetus behind my latest work. I talk about the two long-term contemplations that led me into this particular story as well as some of my own motivating life circumstances. It's a little peek behind the curtain of my process.