In this episode, Elise Kova shares her journey from childhood storytelling to becoming a successful fantasy author. She discusses her creative process, marketing strategies, handling reader expectations, and maintaining authenticity in her writing career. Elise shares insights into her world-building, magic systems, character development, and writing process, offering valuable tips for aspiring authors.

Key Topics

• Elise Kova's early love for storytelling and books
• The transition from hobbyist to professional author
• Strategies for marketing and building a reader community
• The importance of genre and cover design in book success
• Managing reader expectations and author authenticity
• The impact of feedback, reviews, and industry challenges
• Balancing multiple series and genre shifts
• The mental health aspects of being a public figure
• Character dichotomy and motivations in fantasy
• Series structure and the importance of the midpoint
• Rewriting and editing as essential parts of the writing process
• Using foreshadowing and predictability to enhance storytelling

Join Allison Martin and Jolene Perry as they explore the creative journey of writing, community building, industry trends, and balancing passions with practical life. Discover insights on navigating the publishing world, embracing change, and finding joy in storytelling.

Key Topics

• The importance of community in writing careers
• Navigating industry trends and cycles
• Balancing passion projects with commercial work
• The role of experimentation and play in creativity
• Embracing change and pivoting in a writing career

Haley Walden shares her journey as an author of The Witness Tree Chronicles, her approach to world-building, character development, and balancing her writing career with her copywriting/coaching business. Discover insights on managing creative energy, building a sustainable author platform, and the importance of authenticity and boundaries in creative work.

Key Points

• World-building inspired by medieval and Renaissance Europe
• Character development and flaws in fantasy storytelling
• Managing creative energy and avoiding burnout
• Balancing fiction writing with a copywriting
• Building an author brand and community

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