Suzy K Quinn is a bestselling author with over 20 books across romantic comedy and thriller genres. Her self-published works include the successful Bad Mother's Diary series and The Ivy Lessons series, which have sold hundreds of thousands of copies. Currently heading the London office of Kevin Anderson Associates' ghostwriting company, Suzy combines her writing expertise with helping other authors develop their manuscripts.

In this episode:

• Suzy's journey from aspiring writer to bestselling author
• The differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing
• Her experience with viral book success on Amazon
• Insights into writing bestselling fiction
• The importance of focusing on craft over marketing
• Her work with Kevin Anderson Associates
• Tips for aspiring authors in different genres
• The value of understanding your readership

Resources mentioned:

• How to Write a Bestseller Course (SPF University)
• Kevin Anderson Associates Editorial Services
• London Book Fair
• 20 Books Conference

Book recommendations:

• "Lies" by TM Logan
• "The Girl" by Ruth Ware

Connect with Suzy K Quinn:

• Instagram: @SuzyKQuinn
• Twitter: @SuzyKQuinn
• Facebook: Suzy K Quinn
• Website: https://www.suzykquinn.com/
• Books written by Suzy
• Course: How to Write a Bestseller at SPF University

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Join our Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/publishingperformance/

Dan Ramm is a TV writer and producer who has transitioned into novel writing with his debut book "The Long Branch." With over 20 years of experience in Hollywood, including writing for shows like Criminal Minds and creating his own TV series, Dan brings unique insights into the entertainment industry and the craft of storytelling. His unexpected journey from construction work to screenwriting, and now to novel writing, offers a fresh perspective on the evolving world of authorship.

In this episode:

• Dan's journey from construction worker to Hollywood scriptwriter
• The transition from TV writing to novel writing
• Insights into the challenges faced by aging actors in Hollywood
• The impact of COVID-19 on the entertainment industry and how it inspired parts of the novel
• Dan's approach to self-publishing and marketing his debut novel
• The importance of networking and using industry connections
• Advice for aspiring writers on developing their craft and staying motivated

Resources mentioned:

• Online Book Club (for book reviews)
• Impact Book Awards (book contest)
• Indie Book Awards (book contest)

Book recommendations:

• "Happiness Falls" by Angie Kim
• "Fire in the Hole" by Elmore Leonard

Connect with Dan Ramm:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danrammauthor/
• Author of Long Branch: https://www.amazon.com/Long-Branch-Never-truth-story/dp/B0D5YTQS8T

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Join our Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/publishingperformance/

Joe Solari is the Managing Director of Author Nation Conference, one of the largest and most innovative writing conferences in the self publishing industry. With wide experience in organizing major events and building author communities, Joe brings a unique perspective to conference organization and author development. His focus on combining business strategies with creativity has helped shape Author Nation into an amazing experience for writers at all stages of their careers. Along with his wife Sue, Joe has visited numerous industry conferences to bring the best practices and most effective strategies to the author community.

In this episode:

• The vision and structure of Author Nation Conference
• Implementing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) for author businesses
• Creating effective networking opportunities for writers
• Combining business strategies with creative development
• The importance of accountability partners in author success
• Tips for maximizing conference value and implementing learnings
• Strategies for building lasting industry connections

Resources mentioned:

• Author Nation Conference
• Written Word Media
• BookFunnel
• Conference Planning Guide
• Author Networking Guide
• Conference Notebook System

Featured Speakers discussed:

• Andrew Davis - The Curiosity Factor
• Ricky Wallman - EOS Implementation
• Damon Courtney - BookFunnel Systems
• Jeanette Strode - Subcontracting Strategies

Connect with Author Nation:

• Website: https://www.authornation.live/
• Conference Dates: November 11-15, 2024
• Location: Las Vegas
• Reader Event (RAVE): Friday

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Join our Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/publishingperformance/

Christina Graves is a creative writing student, indie author, and digital artist residing in the Deep South where legend and scary stories wander hand in hand. Her debut novel, "Still Dark Places," was released through Horrorsmith Publishing and launched their thriller imprint, Thrill Forge. With a unique blend of southern gothic atmosphere and thriller pacing, Christina offers insights into the world of indie publishing and the creative process behind writing suspenseful fiction.

In this episode:

• Christina's journey from aspiring writer to published author
• The process of writing and structuring a dual-timeline novel
• Insights into the indie publishing process with Horrorsmith Publishing
• Balancing writing with family life and other commitments
• The transition from horror to domestic thriller in her upcoming work
• The importance of authenticity in genre writing
• Strategies for building tension and suspense in fiction
• The value of networking and community in the writing world

Resources mentioned:

• Horrorsmith Publishing
• Books and Brews conference
• Killer Nashville conference

Book recommendations:

• "Consider This" by Chuck Palahniuk
• "On Writing" by Stephen King

Connect with Christina Graves:

• Substack: https://christinagraves.substack.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinagravesauthor/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christinagraveseauthor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinagravesauthor
• Author of Still, Dark Places: https://books2read.com/stilldarkplaces

Upcoming work:

• "What We Do in Secret" (domestic thriller set to release in April 2025, available for preorder)
• "This Cabin is Ours" (serialized novella on Substack)

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Join our Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/publishingperformance/

Victoria Gerken, Publisher at Podium Entertainment, discusses the audiobook industry and Podium's role in publishing audiobooks for independent authors.

In this episode:

• Victoria's journey from traditional publishing to audiobook publishing
• How Podium works with authors to produce high-quality audiobooks
• The differences between Podium and self-publishing platforms like ACX
• Advice for authors considering entering the audiobook market
• The importance of quality in audiobook production
• How Podium handles cultural differences and accents in narration
• Success stories of authors working with Podium
• Podium's expansion into print publishing

Resources mentioned:

• Podium Entertainment website - https://podiumentertainment.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podiumentertainment/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/podiumentertainment/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-gerken-ba9b16150

Book recommendations:

• "The Pucking Wrong Number" by C.R. Jane
• Slough House series by Mick Herron

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Join our Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/publishingperformance/

Dave Cohen, a writer, comedian, and Edinburgh Festival Perrier Award nominee, has been a constant presence on the British comedy scene for over 35 years. As a founder member of the Comedy Store Players and writer for successful TV shows like Have I Got News For You, Spitting Image, and BBC sitcoms Not Going Out and My Family, Dave has also written nearly 100 songs for the multi-BAFTA winning BBC hit Horrible Histories. With experience in stand-up comedy, radio shows, and as the lead singer of the world's first Jewish heavy metal band Guns'n'Moses, Dave has now turned his attention to novel writing and teaching comedy writing. In this episode, he discusses his career and approach to adding humor to fiction.

In this episode:

• Dave's journey from stand-up comedy to writing for TV and radio
• The process of transitioning from writing scripts to novels
• Techniques for adding humor to different fiction genres
• Tips for aspiring comedy writers
• Insights from Dave's new book "Funny Up Your Fiction"
• Marketing strategies for self-published authors

Resources mentioned:

• "The Complete Comedy Writer" by Dave Cohen
• "Save the Cat" writing method
• "Funny Up Your Fiction" by Dave Cohen

Book recommendation:

• Jonathan Fairfax series by Christopher Shevlin

Connect with Dave Cohen:

• Website: https://www.davecohen.org.uk/
• Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sitcom-geeks/id1014489955

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Join our Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/publishingperformance/

Mark Leslie Lefebvre is a prolific author, book industry expert, and self-publishing innovator. He has published over twenty-five books across various genres, including thrillers, horror, paranormal non-fiction, and guides for authors. His industry experience includes leadership roles at Kobo, Draft2Digital, and several major book industry organizations.

In this episode:

• Mark's journey as a writer, from early rejections to published author
• The inspiration behind his horror and urban fantasy writing
• Mark's writing process and collaboration with editors
• The development and features of Kobo Writing Life
• Comparison of Kobo to other platforms like Amazon KDP
• Effective marketing tactics for authors, including price promotions
• The importance of focusing on your niche audience
• Mark's consulting work and advice for authors

Resources mentioned:

• Kobo Writing Life
• Draft2Digital
• BookFunnel
• Written Word Media
• Fussy Librarian

Book recommendation:

• "The Business of Being a Writer" by Jane Friedman

Connect with Mark Leslie Lefebvre:

• Website: https://markleslie.ca/
• https://books2read.com/markleslie
• https://books2read.com/markleslielefebvre
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/markleslie
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/markleslielefebvre

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Join our Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/publishingperformance/

James Blatch is a former BBC Defence Reporter, BBFC Film Examiner, and author of military aviation thrillers. His reporting career included coverage from HMS Invincible during the Operation Desert Fox build-up, Kuwait's Ali Al Salem allied air base, the Arctic Circle, and the UK air offensive during the Kosovo Conflict in 1999. James is also the co-founder of the Self Publishing Formula and organizer of the Self Publishing Show Live conference.

In this episode:

• James' journey from BBC reporter to novelist
• How his defense reporting experience influences his writing
• The inspiration behind his first book "Final Flight"
• Using NaNoWriMo to kickstart writing
• The value of working with a book coach
• Understanding the "why" behind your writing
• Plotting techniques and book structure
• Marketing strategies for self-published authors
• Success with German translations
• Organizing and running the Self Publishing Show Live conference
• The importance of networking for authors
• Thoughts on traditional vs self-publishing
• Advice for new authors starting out

Resources mentioned:

• NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)
• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
• BookBub for book promotions
• Self Publishing Show Live conference

Book recommendations:

• "Save the Cat! Writes a Novel" by Jessica Brody
• "On Writing" by Stephen King

Connect with James Blatch:

• Website: jamesblatch.com
• Self Publishing Formula: selfpublishingformula.com

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
• Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
• Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSw
• Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/

Join our Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/publishingperformance/