The Authorpreneur Blog

 

Amelia D. Hay is a virtual writing and business coach for fiction writers and the host of The Authorpeneur Podcast. Every week, on this blog, she will teach you how to develop a story idea, create compelling characters and outline your novel. Learn how to write your first draft, revise your story, self-publish, establish your author platform, and reach readers. In her, Behind the Scenes Podcast Diary (BTS) she shares an honest account of her journey to self-publishing her novels.

?
TAP035, From Idea to Outline: How to Outline a Novel, Part 2 of 3

TAP035, From Idea to Outline: How to Outline a Novel, Part 2 of 3

by

Welcome to the second instalment of my three-part mini-series on how I outline a novel. For those of you who are unaware, I discuss how I go from fleshing out a story idea to a basic outline in the first episode. In this show, I share the steps in my outlining process that help me create a structurally sound story with scenes that actively move the story forward. If you haven’t listened to episode TAP034, I highly recommend you pause here and go back and listen to that. The steps in this show take my outlining process and push it to the limits of being a zero draft.

read more
The Most Popular Writing and Self-Publishing Podcast Episodes of Season Two of The Authorpreneur Podcast

The Most Popular Writing and Self-Publishing Podcast Episodes of Season Two of The Authorpreneur Podcast

by

In celebration of the start of season three and the release of my eighty-second episode, I’m taking a look back at the most popular podcast episodes from season two with help from the Blubrry Statistics dashboard, just like I did when season one came to an end. The episodes in this roundup style post are included purely based on the number of downloads, and complete or partial listens throughout season two which spanned from the 23rd of November 2019 to the 25th of September 2021

read more
TAP033, The Case for Outlining, Outlining Pitfalls, and Overcoming Writing Obstacles

TAP033, The Case for Outlining, Outlining Pitfalls, and Overcoming Writing Obstacles

by

In this episode, I share the things you need to consider before you decide to outline a novel, an important question that you need to ask yourself, a piece of advice that you need to keep in mind, outlining pitfalls, and my recommendations for new writers. On top of this, I talk about the downsides of creating an outline in order to give you a balanced and somewhat unbiased answer to this age-old question.

read more
BTS047, Issues with Apple Books, Cover Redesigns, and The Results of Using Advanced Reader Services like BookSirens and BookSprout | December 2021 Author Diary

BTS047, Issues with Apple Books, Cover Redesigns, and The Results of Using Advanced Reader Services like BookSirens and BookSprout | December 2021 Author Diary

by

In this episode, I discuss a series of frustrating issues with Apple Books. While I was struggling with Apple Books I decided to redesign the cover of the ebook, and I went on to design the paperback based upon this new design. Also, I started paying attention to the results of using advanced reader services like BookSirens and BookSprout.

read more
 

Have you found the blog and podcast useful? Wish you could buy the host, Amelia D. Hay, a cup of coffee? Now, thanks to Buy Me a Coffee you can!

Author-Headshot

 

Hello!

I’m Amelia. I’m the author of Missing the first book in the James Lalonde Mystery Series, the host of The Authorpreneur Podcast™️ and the The Book Nerd Podcast. I help aspiring authors just like you to write and market their books so that they can, create their dream business, build their author platform, and be creatively independent. Right now, I’m editing book two in the James Lalonde Mystery series.

Follow me on Facebook >>

Support the Podcast!

Have you found the blog and podcast useful? Wish you could buy the host, Amelia D. Hay, a cup of coffee? Now, thanks to Buy Me a Coffee you can!

 

Let's Connect


My Books

A van Gogh is Missing and A Body is on the Lawn

 

When Will Thatcher, doesn’t show up for work, James Lalonde is forced to attend an afternoon tea with Alistair Carmichael in his place. The lovely autumn afternoon tea comes to an abrupt end when a body turns up on the lawn of the Carmichael Estate with strange markings on his neck.

 

But, something is missing, a priceless painting is off the wall. However, it’s no ordinary painting, it’s a Van Gogh purchased in an auction a few months ago. After discovering fresh tracks, most likely left by the murderer James realises the murder is still in the estate.

 

Can James figure out who the thief and murderer are before he or Alistair is next?

 

Read it, Today!

 

A killer is on the loose, Excalibur is missing, and his career is on the line…

 

James, the chief editor of a small newspaper, returns home to discover that his girlfriend, Valentine has unexpectedly left. Later that morning, he fails to reallocate her story. To avoid blank space in the paper, James decides to write the story on the local museum’s latest acquisition, Excalibur. But, there’s one thing he didn’t count on… Excalibur is Missing, and his girlfriend has been kidnapped.

 

Currently on sale for 99¢

 

Find it on Amazon:

US | UK | AU | CAN

 

What I’m Writing Now!

 

80%
Revised Draft

70,483 of 80,000 Words

 

Right now, I’m preparing Book Two in the James Lalonde series, for a final round of revisions. The next step is to send the story off to my editor. I aim to have this eBook published on all major ebook retailers by the end of mid to late 2021. And, I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.

 

Publishing Updates

 

0%
First Draft

0 of 60,000 Words

I’ve decided to add an extra book between the second book and the start of the byline series, where James arrives in New York. Book Three will be set in a 24 hour period in London. This novel will be available in ebook on all major ebook retailers by the end of late 2021 or early 2022. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.

 

 

100%
Revised Draft

112,960 of 99,000 Words

Book Four the James Lalonde series needs one final round of revisions before I can hand it off to my editor. This longer novel will be published on all major ebook retailers in late 2021 or early 2022. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.

 

FAQ’s On Writing

Choose a Topic




Behind the Scenes, My Author Blog

behind-the-scenes


Follow Me On Instagram

Up until now, I've wanted the seasons of this podcast to be evergreen and act as a resource on how to write a particular element of a story. My desire to create short evergreen episodes focused on a single topic is the reason this podcast tends to be free of interviews. However, throughout season three, I will share short interviews with other writers discussing how they write stories, and in particular, I will try to interview as many writers who "pants" novels. But these interview episodes will be treated as bonus episodes and will not be the focus of the podcast season. In light of that, in this bonus episode, I chat with Michaelbrent Collings on how he writes his fiction novels. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/TAP-032 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
authorpreneurpodcast
authorpreneurpodcast
•
Follow
Up until now, I've wanted the seasons of this podcast to be evergreen and act as a resource on how to write a particular element of a story. My desire to create short evergreen episodes focused on a single topic is the reason this podcast tends to be free of interviews. However, throughout season three, I will share short interviews with other writers discussing how they write stories, and in particular, I will try to interview as many writers who "pants" novels. But these interview episodes will be treated as bonus episodes and will not be the focus of the podcast season. In light of that, in this bonus episode, I chat with Michaelbrent Collings on how he writes his fiction novels. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/TAP-032 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/8
Welcome to the final instalment of this two-part mini-series on how to write a novel with genre expectations in mind. There's nothing worse than reaching the halfway mark as you write your first draft or even as you're starting the revision stage to realise that you're not sure if there's a market for your book. If this is where you are, then don't panic; it's pretty normal not to know what genre you're writing in as you write or finish your first book. But there's something you can do about it. In this episode, I will share with you five steps to revising your story with genre expectations in mind. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/TAP-031 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
authorpreneurpodcast
authorpreneurpodcast
•
Follow
Welcome to the final instalment of this two-part mini-series on how to write a novel with genre expectations in mind. There's nothing worse than reaching the halfway mark as you write your first draft or even as you're starting the revision stage to realise that you're not sure if there's a market for your book. If this is where you are, then don't panic; it's pretty normal not to know what genre you're writing in as you write or finish your first book. But there's something you can do about it. In this episode, I will share with you five steps to revising your story with genre expectations in mind. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/TAP-031 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/8
In the next episode of the Authorpreneur Podcast, I will discuss writing in first and third-person POV. If you have questions that you'd like for me to answer in the episode, ask them below. 👇🏻
authorpreneurpodcast
authorpreneurpodcast
•
Follow
In the next episode of the Authorpreneur Podcast, I will discuss writing in first and third-person POV. If you have questions that you'd like for me to answer in the episode, ask them below. 👇🏻
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/8
I spotted Pusheen in the background while recording the Authorpreneur Podcast last week, and now she’s in the thumbnail for the YouTube video. 🐈🎙🤦‍♀️
authorpreneurpodcast
authorpreneurpodcast
•
Follow
I spotted Pusheen in the background while recording the Authorpreneur Podcast last week, and now she’s in the thumbnail for the YouTube video. 🐈🎙🤦‍♀️
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/8
Revision is like pulling teeth. Well, that's how it feels to me, at the moment. I'm so over revising this story. But at the same time, I feel so insecure about this novella. Long gone is that innocent, naive Amelia, who was excited to publish her first piece of fiction. Perhaps, I know better now. Or, more realistically, I'm more cynical. I know what awaits me if I screw up and publish a book with plot holes, however minor. In this behind the scenes author diary episode, I discuss the highs and lows of my revision process, what prompted me to move into the professional editing phase and my struggles with writer's insecurity. Yes, spoiler alert, I'm riddled with it. And, I share an exciting milestone with Le Villain Book Covers. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/BTS044 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
authorpreneurpodcast
authorpreneurpodcast
•
Follow
Revision is like pulling teeth. Well, that's how it feels to me, at the moment. I'm so over revising this story. But at the same time, I feel so insecure about this novella. Long gone is that innocent, naive Amelia, who was excited to publish her first piece of fiction. Perhaps, I know better now. Or, more realistically, I'm more cynical. I know what awaits me if I screw up and publish a book with plot holes, however minor. In this behind the scenes author diary episode, I discuss the highs and lows of my revision process, what prompted me to move into the professional editing phase and my struggles with writer's insecurity. Yes, spoiler alert, I'm riddled with it. And, I share an exciting milestone with Le Villain Book Covers. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/BTS044 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/8
Writing to market or writing with genre expectations in mind is often seen as a dirty word. And, I think there are a few misconceptions, largely to do with confusing the strategy with writing-to-trend which is very different. For the sake of clarity, writing-to-trend is all about writing what's popular. An example of that strategy is writing a paranormal romance feature vampires because they're hot right now; that's writing to trend. By the way, I have no idea whether that's a hot trend, so don't take that as gospel because it's just an example I plucked from my mind, a few seconds ago. However, writing with genre expectations in mind is all about writing for your audience. I know you want to write what you love, but just hear me out. As a writer, I get it, you need to love what you write, but you also need to write something that others will enjoy and want to stick around for long-term. Before we get into the tips, this episode is the first in a two-part series focused on writing with genre expectations in mind. In this first part, I want to focus on writing with genre expectations in mind for writers who haven't written their first draft and merely have a story idea in mind. This episode will be great for you if you have a story idea or outline, and want to write for an existing audience. Part two, which will be in two weeks, will be great for those of you who, have written the first draft or are revising and are concerned there's no market for your book. Don't worry, the episode has already been recorded and edited, and is scheduled on my podcast hosting provider's website. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/TAP-030 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
authorpreneurpodcast
authorpreneurpodcast
•
Follow
Writing to market or writing with genre expectations in mind is often seen as a dirty word. And, I think there are a few misconceptions, largely to do with confusing the strategy with writing-to-trend which is very different. For the sake of clarity, writing-to-trend is all about writing what's popular. An example of that strategy is writing a paranormal romance feature vampires because they're hot right now; that's writing to trend. By the way, I have no idea whether that's a hot trend, so don't take that as gospel because it's just an example I plucked from my mind, a few seconds ago. However, writing with genre expectations in mind is all about writing for your audience. I know you want to write what you love, but just hear me out. As a writer, I get it, you need to love what you write, but you also need to write something that others will enjoy and want to stick around for long-term. Before we get into the tips, this episode is the first in a two-part series focused on writing with genre expectations in mind. In this first part, I want to focus on writing with genre expectations in mind for writers who haven't written their first draft and merely have a story idea in mind. This episode will be great for you if you have a story idea or outline, and want to write for an existing audience. Part two, which will be in two weeks, will be great for those of you who, have written the first draft or are revising and are concerned there's no market for your book. Don't worry, the episode has already been recorded and edited, and is scheduled on my podcast hosting provider's website. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/TAP-030 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/8
At the start of season two, I started off with the best of intentions. Just like this episode, I set the expectations for the season. And, that's when everything went pear-shaped. In fact, things aren't back to normal for me either. I don't need to remind you because technically we're still at this place. Now that I’ve said this, I’m going to immediately follow through with this and devote this short episode to what you can expect from season three. And, I'll share a few changes to the podcast that you can expect from season three. In this episode, I will discuss: • What you can expect from season three • The start date of the new season. • Changes to the podcast in season three onwards. • My podcasting plans until the end of the year. As always, I have an important question to ask. Are you writing a novel, short story, or novella? And if so, is there a topic you want me to cover in the upcoming season of The Authorpreneur Podcast. Let me know by sharing your thoughts in the comments section. 👇🏻 Thank you for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode of The Authorpreneur Podcast.
authorpreneurpodcast
authorpreneurpodcast
•
Follow
At the start of season two, I started off with the best of intentions. Just like this episode, I set the expectations for the season. And, that's when everything went pear-shaped. In fact, things aren't back to normal for me either. I don't need to remind you because technically we're still at this place. Now that I’ve said this, I’m going to immediately follow through with this and devote this short episode to what you can expect from season three. And, I'll share a few changes to the podcast that you can expect from season three. In this episode, I will discuss: • What you can expect from season three • The start date of the new season. • Changes to the podcast in season three onwards. • My podcasting plans until the end of the year. As always, I have an important question to ask. Are you writing a novel, short story, or novella? And if so, is there a topic you want me to cover in the upcoming season of The Authorpreneur Podcast. Let me know by sharing your thoughts in the comments section. 👇🏻 Thank you for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode of The Authorpreneur Podcast.
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
7/8
In the last two weeks in August, I started revising a murder mystery novella. Also, during this period, I created a book marketing plan for the Candidate. As I was revising my murder mystery novella, I began to feel scared to self publish. To be honest, I've been feeling this way for a while. This month, I purchased a few courses, and I share what prompted me to make these purchases. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/BTS043 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
authorpreneurpodcast
authorpreneurpodcast
•
Follow
In the last two weeks in August, I started revising a murder mystery novella. Also, during this period, I created a book marketing plan for the Candidate. As I was revising my murder mystery novella, I began to feel scared to self publish. To be honest, I've been feeling this way for a while. This month, I purchased a few courses, and I share what prompted me to make these purchases. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/BTS043 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/8

Follow Me on Goodreads

 

Tools I Love + Use

The following recommended tools contain affiliate links.

 

 

 


I’ve been using Blubrry to host the Authorpreneur Podcast since 2018.

 

Divi WordPress Theme
I’ve been a proud Divi Theme user since 2015.

 


A great website host for WordPresss sites and Divi Theme users.

 

Scrivener: Get your words out.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This