Matt and Jeanne chat with Clay Stafford—author, producer, actor, poet, and liver of life. Honestly, the list of his talents is longer than this episode.

Listen to Clay's story of breaking in, the importance of networking, the power of the hustle, and tips for writing in multiple mediums and working with mentors. The advice might just change your perspective on the craft of writing.

Check Clay’s site, and sign up for his Success Points newsletter. He also has an educational platform, The Balanced Writer.

Of course, mystery and thriller fans should check out Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference, and sign up for Killer Nashville Magazine (free)

Follow Clay on social media:
Facebook
X: @ClayStafford
IG: @claystafford

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

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@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

The story indeed can save you ... from corporate hell ... but you have to be more creative then ever these days to financially survive as a writer. Jeanne and Ciara talk with New York Times bestselling author, J.D. Barker, about quitting a job to dive head first into a writing career ... and so much more!

J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is an international bestselling American author
whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating
elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.

Resources from this episode:

J.D. Barker's website
J.D. Barker on X: @jdbarker
J.D.'s new book, We Don't Talk About Emma
J.D. Barker's Books
Something I Keep Upstairs contest: Win an overnight stay in a haunted house on a secluded island!
Author Nation Conference in Las Vegas
"Writer's, Ink" podcast by J.D. Barker

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

Writer Erin Hemenway shares her path from circus youngin' to screenwriter to self-published author ... who created a Naughty Mrs. Claus.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Resources from this episode:
The Night Before Christmas by Erin Hemenway
Erin Hemenway's website
Erin on IG: @erin.go.write
Erin on TikTok: @erin.go.write
Erin on Facebook

Symposium's mentioned:
Step-by-Step Guide to Indie Publishing Success (discounted bundle)
Self-Publishing: The Fundamentals and Beyond

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

Ciara Duggan and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman joined a recent Coverfly educational day of fun by leading a Q&A with a live audience on the value of adapting screenplays into novels.

But wait, there's more!

Insights on the publishing process, acquiring an agent, and self-publishing tips were discussed, as well. We left no stone unturned.

Resources from this episode:
Scrivener Software
Symposium's "Self-Publishing: Fundamentals and Beyond"
Symposium's "One-on-One with Writer Beware's Victoria Strauss"

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

A random chat about conferences, setting expectations as an author, and why screenwriters and authors should hang together.

Resources from this episode:
Bouchercon
Thrillerfest

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
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Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
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Ciara and Jeanne dive into audiobook production with actor and professional book narrator Megan Tusing.

Megan shares everything you never knew about the audiobook world, including working with publishers, indie authors, and what an author should ask for when selling their audiobooks.

One thing shouldn't surprise you though ... the need for research and great communication.

If you're an audiobook listener or an author wanting to know how it works, this one's for you.

Keep tabs on Megan's work:
X: @megantusing
Every link you need for Megan on LinkTree
Little But Fierce Productions

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

After a long week of heat wave exhaustion, Ciara and Jeanne weigh in on whether or not to include the story ending in your query letter. Pros and cons were tossed about, as well as tips for writing contests.

Sure, we rambled, but it's all writerly stuff. Well, most of it. You'll have to listen to hear the ending ... see what we did there?

If you have a topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode, please email info@pipelineartists.com.

Resources from this episode:
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@pipelineartists

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

What makes a reader stop reading a book? As always, it depends.

Pipeline's Matt Joseph Misetich and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman explore what leads them to DNF (Do Not Finish) when reading material.

In fact, we coined a new phrase: "DNF Guilt." It's real. We have it. You might, too.

But the best way to combat guilt is with honesty. You can always count on us to drop the Hard Truths™.

If you have a topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode, please email info@pipelineartists.com.

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists