Pencils&Lipstick podcast

Every quarter we need to reevaluate what we can and CANNOT accomplish as writers. This episode is that episode.
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In this episode I'm talking about how unpredictable this whole indie author journey is, how you can put in a ton of effort and still not get the results you expected, and how so much of it is out of your control. I keep coming back to the idea that you often just don’t know why something works or doesn’t.
So instead of spiraling or reacting out of frustration, let's focus on the stuff we can control: mindset, strategy, and finding the right readers. At the end of the day, it really comes down to getting back up, adjusting where needed, and redefining what success looks like for me.

Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter
Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Figuring out your ideal reader is key to running your book business. It's key to marketing! Today Becky and I discuss Ideal Readers, how to figure out who they are and why it is necessary to take some time to really define them. If you're looking for the worksheet to help you, you can grab it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kBQ9FpRY0EztvNELzTCqFb0q7N3AuMIf/copy
Be sure to make some strides towards your ideal reader before the next Craft & Connect Live in June! Date TBA.
Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter
Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Let's talk about Reader Magnets. Because they're on my mind as I try to come up with some for my next novel, Next, Love. Everyone always says to slap together a short story or offer "deleted" scenes... but can't we get a little more creative than that? And what kind of short story should we come up with? I have some ideas today just for you. And if you want the pdf, you can sign up for my newsletter here https://bit.ly/41pZq3R and receive them in your inbox!

This week I'm talking with Molly Arbuthnott about writing picture books, working with illustrators and creative ways to get our books in front of the reader (including traveling...!) You can find more about Molly here: https://www.mollyarbuthnott.co.uk/about/ and you can find her books here (audios as well) https://oscartheferrycat.co.uk/product-category/books/
Y0u can listen to one of her books here: https://youtu.be/plbZp5wcPVo
And vote for her for the People's Book Prize here: https://www.mollyarbuthnott.co.uk/blog/the-peoples-book-prize-please-vote/
Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter
Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell
Who do you want to be on the show? DM me on instagram or TikTok and let me know!