AM I WRITE?

Whether you're an aspiring writer seeking guidance or simply curious about the realities of the writing journey, join host Sheridan Sharp on Am I Write? for a conversation with award-winning author Rosalyn Eves. In this episode, they delve into the nuanced challenges faced by writers, from the relentless pressure to publish quickly to the intricacies of polishing manuscripts.Eves shares candid reflections on what she wishes she had known earlier in her publishing career, offering invaluable insights for writers at any stage. Discover practical tips for navigating the demands of a writing career while juggling life's responsibilities and explore the concept of the objective correlative in storytelling.Whether you're looking for inspiration or practical advice, this episode promises to provide a deeper understanding of the writing process. Tune in to gain valuable insights and perspective on the journey of writing! Resources Books by RosalynRosalyn’s WebsiteRosalyn’s InstagramBig Magic by Elizabeth GilbertThe Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl KleinThe Goose Girl by Shannon HaleWatch the Storymakers Guild Conference where Rosalyn will be teaching! (Virtual copies release after recording date)Query Shark by Janet Reid About RosalynRosalyn Eves is an author, English professor, and mother of 3. She has a PhD from Penn State, and has written the YA historical fantasy trilogy Blood Rose Rebellion, an award-winning YA historical, Beyond the Mapped Stars, and the Regency companion books An Improbable Season and an Unlikely Proposition. 

Not everyone’s querying journey is a handful of years! Many authors have experiences like Rita’s: a 14-year span of trial, error, and a whole lot of persistence. Join host Sheridan Sharp as guest Rita Feinstein talks publishing, poetry, connecting in a post-truth world. ResourcesRita’s Debut: Meet Me in the Fourth DimensionSylvia Path Anne SextonThe Quiet Damage by Jesselyn CookWebsite: https://ritafeinstein.com/Twitter/X: @RitaFeinsteinInstagram: @longlostdragonprincessSupport your local indie bookstoreThe Poet X by Elizabeth AcevedoClap When You Land by Elizabeth AcevedoWe Are All So Good At Smiling by Amber McBrideJeannine Hall Gailey About RitaRita Feinstein is the author of the poetry collections Life on Dodge and Everything is Real, both from Brain Mill Press, and the young adult novel-in-verse Meet Me in the Fourth Dimension (Page Street 2024). Her stories and poems have appeared in Permafrost, The Normal School, and Willow Springs, among other publications, and have been nominated for Best of the Net and Best New Poets. She is also the Regional Manager of Writopia Lab DC, a nonprofit that runs creative writing workshops for children and teens. She lives with her husband, who is a lawyer, and her dog, who is not.

From integrating culture to the pros of magical realism and around to how she landed her agent, the content in this episode with guest María Alejandra Barrios Vélez pulls from a well of experience and offers firsthand advice to new and aspiring writers everywhere. Also talk about María's debut book, scheduled just weeks out from this episode air date on Am I Write!ResourcesRead THE WAVES TAKE YOU HOMEWebsite: https://mariaalejandrabarriosvelez.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariaalebvelezwrites/One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez The House of the Spirits by Isabel AllendeAbout María María Alejandra Barrios Vélez is a writer born in Barranquilla, Colombia. She has an MA in creative writing from the University of Manchester and lives in Brooklyn with her husband and scruffy dog, Gus.She was the 2020 SmokeLong Flash Fiction Fellow, and her stories have been published in Shenandoah Literary, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, El Malpensante, Fractured Lit, SmokeLong Quarterly, The Offing, and more. Her work has been supported by organizations such as Vermont Studio Center, Kweli, Caldera Arts, and the New Orleans Writers’ Residency.The Waves Take You Home is María’s debut, inspired by the resilience and strength of the women in her family and the Caribbean city she spent most of her life in.

Patchree Jones stars on this episode of Am I Write? Podcast to talk about the impact of the middle grade book genre and why she left the corporate world for it. Also discuss the pros of being an unagented, small press author and consider how you can build a marketable author brand naturally. ResourcesWebsite: patchreejones.comTwitter/X: https://x.com/PointsTangent?s=20BlueSky: @patchreejones.bsky.socialTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patchreejones?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/patchreejonesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/patchreejones/?hl=enDiscord: patchreejonesWriteHive for Indie AuthorsAbout PatchreePATCHREE JONES is Thai-American author and currently lives in Southern California with her husband, two children, and one lazy dog.As a girl, she grew up watching Thai dramas with her mom and dreamt of being a playwright as a teen. While life took her on a different path, her love of stories never faltered. It takes a fighter to share their vision with the world, and Patchree hopes to blaze the trail for all children to go after their dreams unapologetically.Her forthcoming middle-grade novel, SKYLIGHT, will be her debut work of fiction and is slated for publication on June 25, 2024 with Sorra Books.

Literary Journals: Do they really help you get your manuscript published? If you've wondered about this, guest Christine Ma-Kellams is here to share her experience as an author AND writer with multiple online publications. Also, take a look at how she builds dimensional characters by ensuring there's enough to root for--and against--on this episode of Am I Write?ResourcesTHE BANDWebsite: christinema-kellams.com@makellams (Twitter/Tiktok)@choppstixz (Instagram)About ChristineChristine Ma-Kellams a college professor, Harvard-trained cultural psychologist and writer whose fiction and essays have appeared in Prairie Schooner, the Kenyon Review, ZYZZYVA, the Rumpus, Catapult, Southern Humanities Review, Saturday Evening Post, the Rupture/the Collagist, the Wall Street Journal, Psychology Today and elsewhere. Two of her short stories were also nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Her empirical studies on culture and relationships have also been widely covered in GQ (Australia), Esquire (Middle East), Boston Globe, Vice News, Elle Magazine (UK), Yahoo News, MSN News, Fox News, New York Post, and Daily Mail. Her debut novel from Atria, The Band (April 2024), follows a cancelled Kpop boy bander who escapes by hiding in the McMansion of an unhappily married therapist with a Savior complex. In its indicting portrayal of mental health/public obsession/fandom/cancel culture, The Band considers how old tribal allegiances disrupt modern celebrity.

The age old question: how much of getting published is just luck and how much of it is skill? "Rebel Author" Barry Lyga joins host Sheridan Sharp to talk about his 27-novel track record (and counting). Instead of getting distraught over the timing of it all, focus on what you CAN control on this episode of Am I Write? Podcast.About BarryCalled a "YA Rebel Author" by Kirkus, Barry Lyga has published 27 novels in a 17-year-career, running the gamut from award-winning literary novels like Bang and Boy Toy to thrillers like the New York Times bestselling I Hunt Killers to astonishing super-hero adventures such as the Flash and Thanos. His work has been translated into more than a dozen languages around the globe and he has been named a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky for his contribution to writing. His latest work is the duology EDITED/UNEDITED, a two-book dyad that has never been attempted before in publishing, releasing both the original unedited manuscript and the cut-down version the publisher wanted. He lives outside New York City with his wife, the novelist Morgan Baden and their children.ResourcesWebsite: barrylyga.comBluesky: @barrylyga.comMastodon: @barrylyga@mstdn.partyTikTok: @barrylygaTwitter (if you must): @barrylygaEDITEDUNEDITEDGeneration Wonder: The New Age of Heroes Skyjacked by Paul GriffinReplay by Ken GrimwoodPodcast: Writing in Real Life

Swati Hegde opens up about her writing experience spending years in the query trenches. She explains the role destiny played in both her upcoming publication and her current career as a writing coach. Gain hope and inspiration from her for your writing journey on this episode of Am I Write?. ResourcesWebsite: swatihegde.com (Pre-order MATCH ME IF YOU CAN now!)Instagram: @swatihegdeauthorTwitter: @swatihwritesAbout SwatiSwati Hegde is the author of MATCH ME IF YOU CAN, a desi friends-to-lovers romance releasing June 4, 2024 from Penguin Random House. She is a freelance editor, mindset coach, and self-proclaimed coffee shop enthusiast who lives in Bangalore, India, and can often be found at the nearest café with a hot mug of tea. She looks forward to a long career bringing Indian stories and voices to light.About MATCH ME IF YOU CANConfident fashionista Jia Deshpande spends her days writing cliché-ridden listicles for Mimosa, Mumbai’s top women’s magazine. When she can, Jia dishes about the messy truth of real love on her anonymous blog, attends her family’s weekly game nights, and ignores her true feelings for her childhood friend. If that wasn’t enough, Jia needs to successfully set up a coworker with her perfect match to get the green light for her new matchmaking column. Thankfully, organizing meet-cutes has never been difficult for her. Local pub owner and cocktail genius Jaiman Patil can’t help but be enamored with Jia and her meddling spirit. He’s always been an honorary part of her family, but even more so since his own moved to America. Life with the Deshpandes is chaotic and loud, but it’s also more loving than anything he experienced growing up, and he wouldn’t risk losing that for the world. It feels manageable—until his pub begins to struggle and his long-hidden feelings for Jia grow deeper. When Jia’s attempts at office matchmaking go haywire, risking new friendships and her relationship with Jaiman, she must reevaluate her own thoughts on love. For the first time, Jia Deshpande realizes that love may be a lot more complicated than she thought. Luckily, happily-ever-afters are never in short supply in Mumbai.

Join guest Kathryn Lang alongside host Sheridan Sharp to discuss how giving tribute to your uniqueness will give you power to write boldly and with purpose. Unlock the elements of your voice and be relentlessly helpful along the way on this episode of Am I Write? . ResourcesWebsite: https://www.kathrynlang.com/booksWrite Your Book in 8 Weeks: https://pecuproductions.com/courses/8-weeks-to-write-your-book/Facebook:TheKathrynCLang Twitter: KathrynCLang LinkedIn: Kathryn LangKathryn’s Books and eBooks About Kathryn“Have fun. Make friends. Be relentlessly helpful. It doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that.” I believe it is simple, but we invest a lot of our resources piling up on that simplicity to see how complicated we can make it. As a homeschool mom of three boys (18 years, graduated two with the third back after a three-year break), I know that life will be full of interesting moments, so there is no need to make it more complicated than it has to be. With a focus on hope and encouragement through words, I’ve kept going even when a tornado dropped on our house. Words make a difference, and I put words to work to change the world – or just to change my attitude for the day (which is changing the world one attitude at a time). The power of words drives me to find more ways to share words. I put my words to work in a full-time freelance career in 2004. I have expanded my platform using words by penning books and eBooks. I invest with words in others by speaking at events, on podcasts, and through live streaming into others because it is all about relationships.

Landing the agent isn’t the end of your journey—for many, it’s the beginning. Elizabeth Sumner Wafler joins today to enlighten us with her experience, nailing a hopeful agent match and then managing a contrasting struggle with market trends. Learn how she pressed forward with captivating prose, succeeding through hybrid publishing and now scheduled to launch a fifth publication!ResourcesWebsite: elizabethsumnerwafler.comInstagram: elizabeth_sumner_waflerFour Eyes Editorial: https://elizabethsumnerwafler.com/editorial-services/Save the Cat! BooksRomancing the Beat by Gwen HayesErica Bauermeister, AuthorAbout ElizabethThe author of four novels--and another on the way--Elizabeth writes evocative women’s fiction and romance fiction. She is an active member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association where she formerly served as Director of Craft Education. She enjoys working with other writers through her editorial side hustle Four Eyes Editorial.Elizabeth resides with her husband in South Carolina. She can be found reading, working at her blue desk, at a farmers market, poking through a bookstore, or enjoying a pretty cocktail on her back porch.

Aneesa Marufu joins host Sheridan Sharp to talk about her fresh-off-the-press book and her experience as an internationally-published author. Hear the unique story of how she found her agent, why she writes for young adults, and what she does to handle the pressure of deadlines on this episode of Am I Write.   Resourceshttps://aneesamarufu.com/https://www.instagram.com/aneesa.marufu/?hl=en-gbAnnesa's new release, An Emerald Sky: https://amzn.eu/d/01828Nf About AneesaAneesa Marufu lives in Manchester and was the winner of the Kimberley Chambers Kickstart Prize for underrepresented writers in 2019. Her debut novel, The Balloon Thief, is inspired by her South Asian heritage and her obsession with hot air balloons, though she is yet to fly in one!An Emerald Sky, the stunning sequel to The Balloon Thief  will hit shelves on November 9th 2023!

Debut author of a Jane Austen meets To All The Boys I've Loved Before tale, Priyanka Taslim joins us on Am I Write to talk about beloved retellings, keeping them fresh, and how she conquered those dark nights of doubt. Get some great resources and look forward to her upcoming projects!Resourcespriyankataslim.comhttps://linktr.ee/priyankataslimhttps://twitter.com/bhootbabehttps://www.instagram.com/bhootbabeAbout PriyankaPriyanka Taslim is a writer, educator, and lifelong New Jersey resident. Having grown up in a bustling Bangladeshi diaspora community, surrounded by her mother’s entire clan and many aunties of no relation, her writing often features families, communities, and all the drama therein.Priyanka tells all kinds of stories about Bangladeshi characters. Her writing usually stars spunky Bengali heroines finding their place in the world...and a little swoony romance, too. THE LOVE MATCH, out now from Salaam Reads, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, is her debut YA novel and has been praised in mediums such as Teen Vogue, USA Today, Pop Culturalist and more. It was a Junior Library Guild gold standard selection and one of Amazon’s best young adult novels of January 2023. Her adult debut, FROM MUMBAI, WITH LOVE, will be published by St. Martin’s Griffin in 2025, and she has future novels in the works with both publishers.

What is a beta reader? How can I determine I'm ready to give my manuscript to them? Should I consider family for beta readers? How can I prepare them to give good feedback? What should I expect from a batch of beta-reading?Having any of these questions or just want some new ideas for your next beta reading sesh? Host Sheridan Sharp is here with some resources and ideas!ResourcesAm I Write Episode with Annalisa Summea: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2031789/13796507Am I Write Episode with Laura Pence Atencio: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2031789/13384043

You've been tirelessly working on your writing, pouring your heart and soul into your stories, but when it comes to getting published, you're hitting a brick wall. You've been told to simply keep submitting your work, but the rejections keep piling up, leaving you frustrated and demoralized. Guest, Annalisa Summea reveals the her individualized program to help you accomplish your writing goals. Get some freebees straight from the publishers and more on this episode of Am I Write!Resourceshttps://datewiththemuse.com/freeagentguide/www.StorytellingForPantsers.comwww.DateWithTheMuse.comwww.writing-gym.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnalisaCParent/Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/1767454483477408/Twitter @annalisaparentStage Whispers, by Annalisa: https://a.co/d/8mNNlFYAcross the Universe Series by Beth Revis: https://www.goodreads.com/series/56124-across-the-universe About AnnalisaAnnalisa Summea helps writers to finish novels, publish traditionally and live the author lifestyle. She writes for many local, national, and international publications, has written and produced sketches for a Telly-Award winning CBS television show. She and her work have been featured on Huffington Post Live, PBS, The New York Times, and The Associated Press, as well as many podcasts, radio and television programs.Her book Storytelling for Pantsers: How to Outline and Revise your Novel without an Outline is a recipient of a CIPA EVVY Silver award for Best Business Book, and a finalist in the humor category. Her newest title is Stage Whispers: A Living History, Retold.Annalisa has taught writing around the world, spoken at writing conferences in New York, London, Paris, Boston, and beyond. When she’s not writing, you can find her walking her dog, camping with her Girl Scout troop, or volunteering with the Rotary Club.

Monica Miller returns to the show to share how to captivate readers and build a loyal following through the power of personal connection and storytelling. Monica emphasizes the importance of weaving your gold thread by starting in the middle of your story. Make a lasting impact with personal experiences and perspectives in both your books and marketing efforts.Resourceswww.monicawrites.com/Calendarhttps://www.facebook.com/monika.lynn17www.monicawrites.comwww.monicawrites.com/Labwww.monicawrites.com/Templateshttps://www.subscribepage.com/savvyauthorThe first episode with Monica: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2031789/13205165 About MonicaMonica Miller helps authors market their books and receive more visibility by being Your Content Guide. Monica inspires authors through her monthly membership participants to share themselves, their stories, and their works with the world through marketing. She is a four-time published author, International Speaker, and Writer, and she owns her business, Monica Writes while living life in Northern Indiana with her husband and two boys where she spends her days homeschooling her oldest son, drinking coffee, reading fantasy, going on walks, and keeping up with her boys.

I have an idea, but I don't know if it will stand the test of time. How do I know it's good? Should I share my work with others? What if I'm really excited about it?Does it need to be outlined before I dive in? If you're looking for answers to these questions, let's have a candid conversation and see if we can get you somewhere today on Am I Write! Plus, tune in for some resources and quotes from famous authors that might get you back into the zone. Resources  Watch for upcoming episode on coaching/mentorship, querying, and storytelling for PANTSERS: Annalisa Summeya! Episode ONE [!] with Author Josh Allen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2031789/11150970  SURRENDER your control over everything and just write: Brent Perkinshttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2031789/13484118  A writing community, accountability, and coaching: Monica Millerhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2031789/13205165   Entering the writing scene WITHOUTOUT a background/the query/publishing journey reality: Kiana Krystlehttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2031789/12773653  Writing solo versus writing collaboratively (and advice for newbies): Gina Buonagurohttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2031789/12156817  Face Rejection, Be Persistent, and Don’t Fear the Pivot: Heather Carter https://www.buzzsprout.com/2031789/11827662  Getting to know YOURSELF as a writer & when to push through the hardships for the story: Lilian Hornhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2031789/11707249  Gut instincts and taking yourself seriously as a writer: Maggie Gileshttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2031789/11658064  Disaster Characters, Disaster Queries, and Disaster Drafts: You Need Them ALL: JC Petersonhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2031789/11611125

A single offhand remark from a loved one ignited something in her soul; join bestselling author Sarah M. Eden as she reveals tips from her unexpected journey into authorship that has grown into a many years - and many books - strong career. Stay tuned until the end for her EPIC announcement, newly released!Key Takeaways: Find plot inspiration from history and personal experiences.Learn to effectively manage the leap from manuscript to published work while protecting reader and publisher interests.The necessity of treating writing as a regular job amalgamating both creative and business aspects.Resourceswww.SarahMEden.comInstagram.com/sarah_m_edenFacebook.com/SarahMEdenhttps://www.youtube.com/@betweenthelinespodcast1415About SarahSarah M. Eden is a USA Today best-selling author of witty and charming historical romances, including 2020’s Foreword Reviews INDIE Awards Gold Winner for Romance, "Forget Me Not," and 2020 Holt Medallion finalist, "Healing Hearts." She is a three-time “Best of State” Gold Medal winner for fiction and a three-time Whitney Award winner. Combining her obsession with history and her affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting deep characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library.Sarah is represented by Pam Pho at Steven Literary Agency.​

Let go of control and surrender to the transformative power of writing as guest Brent Perkins shares his journey from a corporate career to embracing his passion, inspiring aspiring writers to find fulfillment in the unpredictable world of publishing."Just be happy with the fulfillment that you get from [writing]."  - Brent PerkinsResourceswww.3xBold.comwww.PapercutsSuck.comNo More Mister Nice Guy by Robert GloverThe Kin of ATA are Waiting For You by Dorothy BryantAbout Brent "I spent the first half of life building a career around achievement, reaching C-Suite status, traveling the world, speaking, launching new technologies, and building businesses. After a 7 year journey that led through some dark places, plant medicine journeys, and eye-opening realizations, it became evident that nothing external was ever going to fill the void. As the reality of divorce after 18 years of marriage sunk in, I began to see the grind for what it truly was, bringing clarity to what really matters in life. Beginning with a divine 'tap on the shoulder', I stepped out of corporate America, put everything else on hold, and wrote my first book.'Papercuts: The Art of Self Delusion,' set to launch in the summer of 2023, paves the road for others to break free from victimhood and embrace a life of integrity. It has allowed me to bring my passion for a life well-lived, and well-traveled, to help others integrate and build healthy rituals around being bold in body, mind, and spirit. My home base is in Phoenix, AZ, I am the father of two amazing teenage daughters and am an active member of Front Row Dads - a mastermind and charitable community that prioritizes a family first, business second mindset."

Get ready to supercharge your content creation process with the help of AI. Guest Laura Pence Atencio, a digital marketing expert and founder of Social Savvy Geek, understands the frustrations and challenges writers face when it comes to idea development. With AI by your side, you can organize your thoughts, generate content ideas, and save precious time in the process (no more staring at a blank page).ResourcesWebsite: https://linktr.ee/socialsavvygeekAbout LauraThis year, Laura Pence Atencio has made a bold decision to go all-in on authors. 📚 After taking a deep look back at her work over the past 13 years of working with clients, she found a pattern among her favorite clients - nearly all of them had written books. In fact, her favorite projects were book promotion and funnels built around books.With this realization, Laura is now focusing her expertise on working with coaches who are launching a book or using their book to open doors to get on stages, do podcast tours, or simply to bring more qualified clients into their business. As a leading authority on digital marketing and business growth, Laura is excited to help authors achieve their goals and reach their target audience through her proven strategies and customer journey expertise. So if you're an author looking to make a big impact this year, Laura Pence Atencio is the expert you need on your team.

Guest Monica Miller shares her writing story that began in her teens,  where she curated engaging stories which later traversed the publishing world, journalism, and even the college lecture halls. Today, she integrates her robust experience and her discovered enthusiasm for marketing to guide budding authors. Her forte lies in leveraging fun, transparency, and creativity to extend a writer's reach while preserving the essence of their brand and their love for writing.ResourcesWebsite: www.monicawrites.comProfile: https://www.facebook.com/monika.lynn17Page: https://www.facebook.com/MonicaWrites4You/Instagram: instagram.com/yourcontentguideHigh Performing Storytelling Content Templates for $7: www.monicawrites.com/TemplatesAbout MonicaMonica Miller is Your Content Guide where she takes the stories from your heart, the expertise from your head, and creates a meaningful marketing message so that your audience is captivated and converted into raving clients. Monica helps you be seen, heard, and felt with every word you write so that you can build an audience that is ready to learn and buy from you. She is a three-time published author, International Speaker and Writer, and owns her business, Monica Writes, while raising her two little boys in northern Indiana along with her husband.

Get new book suggestions from a fellow writer and bookie whose spoken with many of the authors in real time and reads YA books by the hundreds - and counting! Join host Sheridan Sharp for short clips where she spiels how their plots, common themes, and important characterizations recommend them (without the spoilers) on YouTube. Most of all, tune in to kick back with a book and have a good time!ResourcesBook Spiels with Sheridan Playlist (stay tuned for new upcoming releases!):https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWEB1WvIm3OhmwRSxnL8qBn1GlTzmNG8kSheridan's GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/sheridansharp