Pencils&Lipstick podcast

Liberty Speidel Hardt is a Kansas City-based author who writes urban fantasy mysteries featuring characters so persistent they literally won't shut up until their stories hit the page. With 13 published titles and a voice that's equal parts solid, funny, and quirky, she combines supernatural elements with gritty crime-solving in stories that refuse to look away from darkness but always point toward hope. When she's not crafting plot twists, Liberty is an avid D&D player, knitter, Star Wars nerd, and busy mom who shares her chaotic creative household with her author husband Joshua, a rowdy cat, and an equally rowdy dog. Check out Liberty's website here: https://libertyhardt.substack.com/
Find Liberty's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Liberty-Speidel/author/B00HRJRL4U
Join Becky Grogan's The Writer's Pulse to get personalized marketing help for your book! https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/marketing-groupcoaching
Want to find out about the WorldShift summit and start your author newsletter? Click on my affiliate link: https://worldshift2026.manyworldswriting.com/?ac=qsMLoX5N
Want to be on Pencils&Lipstick? https://www.katcaldwell.com/contact
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

Your characters should be hurting those they love. That is what makes a great character.

Join Becky Grogan's The Writer's Pulse to get personalized marketing help for your book! https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/marketing-groupcoaching

Want to find out about the WorldShift summit and start your author newsletter? Click on my affiliate link: https://worldshift2026.manyworldswriting.com/?ac=qsMLoX5N
Want to be on Pencils&Lipstick? https://www.katcaldwell.com/contact

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

Jane Daly started her career with the memoir of losing her adult son called Because of Grace. The book launched her writing and gave hope to many other mothers experiencing grief. After writing another memoir, The Caregiving Season, Jane launched into Christian romance. Quite the career change! Jane’s novels have won the Cascade Award from the (formerly Oregon Christian Writers) Cascade Christian Writers organization and in 2023 her novel, Broken, was a Carol Award semi-finalist.
Find out more about Jane Daly here: https://janesdaly.com/
Find Jane's books here: https://janesdaly.com/all-books/
Want to be on Pencils&Lipstick? https://www.katcaldwell.com/contact
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

In this episode I'm chatting with Stacia Lowe about how she built an author career by combining her passions for storytelling, knitting, and financial literacy while raising four sons. She discusses writing middle grade novels inspired by her family, growing a loyal readership through her newsletter, and why embracing the "slow and steady" approach has helped her build a sustainable writing business. The conversation also explores practical marketing strategies for indie authors, the importance of budgeting for publishing expenses, and how Stacia and her husband now help other writers through their publishing company.
Find Stacia here: https://staciaraelowe.com/
Pre-order Ezekiel's Path from Amazon.com here: https://amzn.to/4gVXOrm Pre-order Ezekiel's Path from Barnes and Noble here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ezekiels-path-adam-alva-lowe/1150449427
Lowe Budget Kid's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lowebudgetkids/videos
Lowe Budget Publishing Author Questionnaire
Get on Stacia's newsletter: https://staciaraelowe.com/newsletter-join-save/ And find Stacia's books: https://staciaraelowe.com/home-2/stacia-rae-writes/
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

Neil and Kat discuss Neil's journey from traditionally published author to successful indie novelist, exploring why he writes across mystery and romance without using multiple pen names and how publishing has evolved over the past two decades. They also dive into the ethical use of AI for editing, marketing, cover design, and book translations, sharing practical ways authors can use new technology without replacing the creative process. Find out more about Neil, sign up for his Substack and get his books at www.mahubooks.com