author interview

Episode 54: Live Author Events with Tonya Duncan Ellis

by Connie B. Dowell
May 27, 2020May 26, 2020

This week, Tonya Duncan Ellis is back on the show, this time to talk about doing live, in-person author events. It’s a topic she has loads of experience with. I think you’ll get a lot out of hearing her wisdom… Read More »

Episode 53: Diversity in children’s books and supporting diverse books and authors with Tonya Duncan Ellis

by Connie B. Dowell
May 20, 2020May 19, 2020

Hi, folks. Today on the show, I chat again on the importance of diversity in fiction with prolific children’s author Tonya Duncan Ellis. We talk about the importance of children seeing diverse representations in their fiction as well as how… Read More »

Episode 52: The importance of diversity and writing outside your identity with ACF Bookens

by Connie B. Dowell
May 13, 2020

Today I chat diversity in fiction and writing diverse characters outside your identity with fellow cozy mystery author ACF Bookens. Diversity in fiction is a topic that is close to both of our hearts. We talked about why representation is… Read More »

Episode 51: Reader expectations in cozy mystery with Traci Hilton

by Connie B. Dowell
May 6, 2020May 5, 2020

Hi, folks. This week on the show, we’re taking a deep dive into reader expectations in the cozy mystery subgenre in my chat with author Traci Hilton. Have you ever wondered just what the difference is between cozy mystery and… Read More »

Episode 49: Writing during the time of coronavirus with Cee Perkins

by Connie B. Dowell
April 22, 2020April 21, 2020

Yay, it’s interview time again! Today, I have a chat with romance author Cee Perkins about how she’s coping with writing while social distancing. I won’t give it all away, but chocolate is a tip on the list. Yum. Just… Read More »

Episode 46: Becoming an Author/Illustrator with Laurie Smollett Kutscera

by Connie B. Dowell
April 1, 2020March 31, 2020

Hello again from social distancing land! I hope everyone is staying safe and well and getting outside if you are able. Going for walks in the neighborhood has been a sanity-saver for me, and it is still permitted, even under… Read More »

Episode 44: Approaching libraries with Lori Orlinsky

by Connie B. Dowell
March 18, 2020March 17, 2020

Well, it’s been a weird week since the last podcast episode released. Like many folks, my family is doing this whole social distancing thing, meaning that my husband and I are both working from home, cooped up in the house… Read More »

Episode 42: Being a resilient author with Eileen Schnabel

by Connie B. Dowell
March 4, 2020

Being an author comes with a lot of rejection: rejections from agents and editors. Even if you self publish, you still have to deal with criticism. Can’t please everyone. Luckily, I’ve got middle-grade author Eileen Schnabel on the show today… Read More »

Episode 40: Strategy in self-publishing business setup with Darcy Pattison

by Connie B. Dowell
February 19, 2020March 10, 2020

How do you sell more books? First you have to reach the buyers. And who are they? Sometimes, answering that question means understanding the demographics and interests of your audience. Sometimes, it’s more complicated. In children’s books, the readers aren’t… Read More »

Episode 36: Self publishing picture books with Misty Barron

by Connie B. Dowell
January 22, 2020January 21, 2020

Hi, folks. This week on the show, I chat with Misty Barron about her picture books inspired by Laughter Yoga. She talks about the process of constructing picture books as a self-publisher, including the need for templates and sourcing images.… Read More »