Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers

300 Episodes Part II: Simplifying and Leaning into Artisanship with Belinda Kroll

301 / In this 301st episode, hear from listeners (thanks for the voicemails!) about their favorite topics and takeaways and another long-time supporter, Belinda Kroll joins us. Belinda is a cozy fantasy romance author and illustrator, and shares how she's streamlining her business to lean fully into her artisan side.Shifting from serial to artisan-focused publishing Leveraging Kickstarter and Shopify for book launches Balancing writing and business with family life Learning from setbacks and focusing on what works for you Adapting to industry changes and technology, including AI💙 Become a supporter of the podcast: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribeAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodes but the 200 episodes in the vaultShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:Trope Book: https://books2read.com/MysteryandThrillerJami’s branding workshop: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshopsAimee Robinson: https://www.aimeerobinsonromance.comStephanie Faris: https://www.stephaniefaris.comStephanie Faris on Steamy Instalove Shorts, Sweet Romance, and Dictation:https://wishidknownforwriters.com/278-2/Belinda Kroll: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/worderella/an-uncanny-bargainhttps://worderella.comhttps://worderella.com/linkshttps://brightbirdpress.com/Writing Cozy Fantasy as a Joyful Side Hustle with Belinda Kroll: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/171-2/Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

300 Episodes Part I: Navigating Industry Changes with Parker Finch

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 how far we’ve come—with over 500,000 downloads and listeners tuning in from all around the world. We chat about the most popular episode, our sometimes dodgy sound, and the connections we’ve made with authors and vendors in the indie publishing community.Joining us is long-time listener and sports rom com author Parker Finch, who shares how staying reader-focused has helped her build a sustainable writing career. We discuss the ever-changing publishing landscape, creative fulfillment, and why mixing panic with positivity is totally normal for writers. In the next episode, we’ll hear more from listeners (thank you for the voicemails!) and have another special author interview. 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:Parker Finch Parkerfinch.comMelanie Harlow episode: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/209-2/Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

Leveraging Marketing Awareness Without Losing Your Originality with Nat Connors

📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen299 / Do you ever wish you had a clear, actionable way to understand book trends and make smarter publishing decisions? Nat Connors of Kindle Trends shares insights on the power of market awareness, how to focus on your “author neighborhood,” and why success is more about craft than chasing trends.Why market awareness empowers authors, not confines themFinding and using your author “neighborhood”The importance of craft and authentic voice for long-term successAvoiding overwhelm by choosing marketing and sales channels that work for you📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:https://kindletrends.comhttps://kindletrends.com/infographics/Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

2025: Year in Review for Authors - Part II

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 navigating newsletter platforms, maximizing translations, and adapting to the changes in audiobooks and direct sales. This episode is full of practical nut-and-bolts tips and ideas. Newsletter platform pros, cons, and cost-saving tipsSubject lines, open rates, and optimizing reader engagementUsing AI and hybrid methods for international translationsSelling audiobooks direct, wide strategies, and the rise of AI narrationPlanning for balance, productivity, and sustainability in a changing market📌 Send us your favorite moments and lessons learned for our 300th episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/WishIdKnownThen💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2121723/subscribeAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:Sara on the Christian Publishing Show: https://www.christianpublishingshow.com/why-every-author-should-try-writing-a-mystery-at-least-once/Two Authors Podcast: https://thetwoauthorschatshow.podbean.comSend us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

2025: Year in Review for Authors - Part I

297 / How are authors adapting in 2025's changing publishing world? Sara Rosett, Jami Albright, Nicholas Harvey, and Douglas Pratt share lessons learned, trends they’re seeing, and practical strategies from their own writing careers.Sales trends and challenges in 2025Experimenting with book marketingSpecial editions and direct salesUsing Patreon and subscriptionsImpact of AI on publishingSocial media strategies for authorsFacebook ads and Amazon changesReader engagement and superfans💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2121723/subscribeAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:Two Authors Podcast: https://thetwoauthorschatshow.podbean.comSend us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast