Indie Author Weekly

Business & Economics Podcasts

Indie Author Weekly shares your host, Sagan's, behind-the-scenes journey of writing and publishing books as a self-published authorpreneur. New episodes are released every Tuesday and feature diary-style personal stories of the indie author journey, experiences of what works—and what doesn’t—as an author, plus tips on everything from book marketing to outlining chapters to managing perfectionism to finding writing inspiration and more! You’ll learn practical tips and ideas for getting started with your own writer journey. This indie author podcast can be enjoyed by new and aspiring authors who want to learn more about self-publishing (plus tips and tools for writing and editing your own work), as well as curious bookworms who are interested in getting a peek behind the curtain of a writer’s life. RECOMMENDED STARTING POINT: "Ep 140: Welcome back to the podcast!" AND "Ep 50: What made me start writing the Polyamorous Passions series" AND "Ep 53: Top 5 episodes from the first year of podcasting on Indie Author Weekly (and why I started this podcast)". Indie Author Weekly is hosted by Sagan Morrow, a Kamloops-based writer with more than a decade of experience as a small business owner. Sagan started out as a blogger and freelance writer (and editor) around 2008. In 2016, she began teaching other freelancers how to improve productivity and time management through her online courses. She is an internationally board-certified Success & Life Coach who specializes in solopreneur coaching and anti-hustle productivity. Sagan writes the Polyamorous Passions romantic comedy series, and has published several business books in addition to her work as a romance novelist. She published her first work of fiction in 2018. The first 12 episodes of this podcast were originally published on a “secret” platform only for email subscribers, but you can tune into all of those original episodes right here. Access bonus materials to go along with the Indie Author Weekly podcast (including cheatsheets and spreadsheets relevant to the episode topics), plus full episode transcripts, sample chapters of her novels, and additional resources, at https://saganmorrow.com/secretpodcast. Starting with ep 140, you can also access these podcast episodes on YouTube at https://saganmorrow.com/youtube. Learn more about Sagan’s published works and upcoming novels at https://saganmorrow.com/books/. Connect with Sagan on Twitter & Instagram: @Saganlives

Location:

Canada

Genres:

Business & Economics Podcasts

Description:

Indie Author Weekly shares your host, Sagan's, behind-the-scenes journey of writing and publishing books as a self-published authorpreneur. New episodes are released every Tuesday and feature diary-style personal stories of the indie author journey, experiences of what works—and what doesn’t—as an author, plus tips on everything from book marketing to outlining chapters to managing perfectionism to finding writing inspiration and more! You’ll learn practical tips and ideas for getting started with your own writer journey. This indie author podcast can be enjoyed by new and aspiring authors who want to learn more about self-publishing (plus tips and tools for writing and editing your own work), as well as curious bookworms who are interested in getting a peek behind the curtain of a writer’s life. RECOMMENDED STARTING POINT: "Ep 140: Welcome back to the podcast!" AND "Ep 50: What made me start writing the Polyamorous Passions series" AND "Ep 53: Top 5 episodes from the first year of podcasting on Indie Author Weekly (and why I started this podcast)". Indie Author Weekly is hosted by Sagan Morrow, a Kamloops-based writer with more than a decade of experience as a small business owner. Sagan started out as a blogger and freelance writer (and editor) around 2008. In 2016, she began teaching other freelancers how to improve productivity and time management through her online courses. She is an internationally board-certified Success & Life Coach who specializes in solopreneur coaching and anti-hustle productivity. Sagan writes the Polyamorous Passions romantic comedy series, and has published several business books in addition to her work as a romance novelist. She published her first work of fiction in 2018. The first 12 episodes of this podcast were originally published on a “secret” platform only for email subscribers, but you can tune into all of those original episodes right here. Access bonus materials to go along with the Indie Author Weekly podcast (including cheatsheets and spreadsheets relevant to the episode topics), plus full episode transcripts, sample chapters of her novels, and additional resources, at https://saganmorrow.com/secretpodcast. Starting with ep 140, you can also access these podcast episodes on YouTube at https://saganmorrow.com/youtube. Learn more about Sagan’s published works and upcoming novels at https://saganmorrow.com/books/. Connect with Sagan on Twitter & Instagram: @Saganlives

Twitter:

@saganlives

Language:

English

Website:

https://saganmorrow.com/

Email:

sagan.morrow@gmail.com

Episodes

178: On being a beginner vs intermediate at your practice (and why being a beginner can be a lot easier!)

2/27/2024

In this episode, we explore the dynamic of being a beginner vs being intermediate at your practice... and why being a beginner can, in some ways, be a lot easier! Tune in now to find out about the pressure I put on myself in my 2nd solo burlesque dance performance, what I took from that experience compared to my 1st solo burlesque act, how this connects back to my work as a fiction author, and the top 3 takeaways for how you can apply this to your own creative practice or craft (including important questions to ask yourself in order to relieve fear and/or pressure from yourself). Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://www.instagram.com/babemaverickhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14272088-171-applying-my-2024-word-of-the-year-to-creative-writinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:16:23

177: Ideation, content creation, and writing process for my Solopreneur Diary Entries weekly newsletter

2/20/2024

In our previous episode, Episode 176, we talked about what it means to be a creative and an indie author — and how it can be so much more comprehensive than book writing! That's why, in today’s episode, I want to build on that and share with you the idea creation and writing process around my weekly Saturday email newsletter: the Solopreneur Diary Entries. Tune in now for the inside scoop on what that weekly newsletter is all about, an exercise to expand your own creativity, why I never worry about coming up with fresh new ideas (even after writing these emails for 8-ish years), the logistics of my writing process, and more... Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/newsletterhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14452324https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:19:49

176: What does it mean to be a creative and an indie author?

2/13/2024

In our most recent couple of episodes here on the Indie Author Weekly podcast, we’ve been exploring the importance of trust in the creative process — including self trust and trusting others. I want to take it a step back today and ask this question: What does it even mean to be a creative, and, since this is the Indie Author Weekly podcast, what does it mean to be an indie author? Especially given that recently here on the podcast, I’ve been sharing about my creative process in designing burlesque choreography. What does that have to do with being an indie author? Can we count that as something appropriate for our purposes of being on this podcast? TUNE IN NOW for my take on the question of “What does it mean to be a creative and an indie author” — plus what you can expect as we move forward with the Indie Author Weekly podcast... Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14340711-174-self-trust-thought-exercise-when-you-experience-self-doubt-as-a-creativehttps://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14450389-175-creative-process-as-a-solo-artist-trusting-othershttps://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/1434766-017-an-exercise-to-improve-character-developmenthttps://www.instagram.com/babemaverickhttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:14:48

175: Creative process as a solo artist (trusting OTHERS)

2/6/2024

In this episode, we explore the delicate balance of the creative process when you are a solo artist — Because it’s hard to maintain distance and objectivity when you are working on creative pursuits in a silo! Is it good enough? Is it good at all? Are you conveying what you intend to convey? Even if it IS “good enough,” what interesting improvements can be made? And if you don’t have confidence in it being “good enough,” how is that going to affect the way you share your work with the world? These are all big questions! In our previous episode here on the Indie Author Weekly podcast, we talked about the value and importance of trusting yourself and building that self trust muscle. Tune into episode 174 to check it out — it’s a great episode and includes a 3-part exercise for improving self trust! So in this episode, let’s talk about a different element of TRUST — trusting other people and bringing them into the creative process when you're a solo artist... Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14340711-174-self-trust-thought-exercise-when-you-experience-self-doubt-as-a-creativehttps://www.instagram.com/babemaverickhttps://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:22:28

174: Self trust thought exercise when you experience self doubt as a creative

1/30/2024

In this episode, I talk about the balance between trusting yourself AND not believing that negative voice in your head which might be filled with self doubt. As long-time listeners of the podcast will already know, I’m a Personal Fulfillment Coach when I’m not writing novels! And many of my clients first come to me because they’re struggling internally: there’s an internal battle going on, where they have a mean voice in their head that sends them into negative thought spirals. I feel like we can ALL relate to this. Most of us have at the very least experienced this from time to time. And when it comes to ANYTHING in life — including our creative endeavours — we need to be able to differentiate between those parts within us. TUNE IN to this episode for a 3-question thought exercise to help you navigate self doubt and improve your self trust. Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14315351-172-improving-one-s-relationship-with-the-creative-processhttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:13:29

173: 5 observations while reviewing my current work-in-progress

1/23/2024

Last week, I went through the entirety of my current work in progress — Book 8 in the Polyamorous Passions series. So today I want to share with you what happened when I read through it… It had been a few months since I last worked on it, so it was great to review it with fresh eyes! There were 5 main things that jumped out at me… TUNE IN to this episode to find out what I realized and discovered as a result of reviewing the first full draft of my current work in progress manuscript. Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:19:59

172: Improving one's relationship with the creative process

1/16/2024

This episode is a follow-up to the previous episode, and shares recommendations and thoughts about how to improve your relationship with the creative process (what to do BEFORE you even sit down at the computer and start writing, plus a beautiful question to hold onto and guide you through the creative process). Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:10:45

171: Applying my 2024 Word of the Year to creative writing

1/9/2024

In this episode, find out how my 2024 Word of the Year — ELEVATE — connects back and translates into my work as a writer... elevating my approach to my work! PLUS, tune in to find out what I am NOT doing this year as an indie author (this decision feels so, so good). Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:09:30

170: 3 steps to make time for creative pursuits when "life is life-ing"

11/7/2023

How can you prioritize writing (or any creative pursuit, or a solopreneur business, or a passion project, or a hobby, etc) when life “gets in the way”? In this episode, learn my 3-step strategy for how to DO this — plus a personal example of this in action with my own writing projects. Want help with unpacking mindset blocks, setting and upholding boundaries, strategizing plans, and keeping accountable to what you want from you life? I’m here to support you! Book a coaching call: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching/ Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:24:50

169: How a new dance class is affecting my book writing plans

10/24/2023

I began a new solo development dance class last month in preparation for my first-ever solo burlesque show... and that's given me a few ideas for incorporating burlesque choreography and culture into my upcoming romcom novel (Book 8 in the Polyamorous Passions series)! Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://www.instagram.com/babemaverickhttps://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:11:28

168: Writing alternative relationships, Q&A Part 3

10/10/2023

This episode provides Q&A inspired by the Weeknight Writers "Writing Alternative Relationships" panel discussion I spoke at this past summer — it's a follow up to our previous two episodes where I answered the first 5 questions: Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/https://www.businessforauthors.com/weeknight-writers/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:20:24

167: Writing alternative relationships, Q&A Part 2

10/3/2023

This episode provides Q&A inspired by the Weeknight Writers "Writing Alternative Relationships" panel discussion I spoke at this past summer — it's a follow up to our previous episode where I answered the first 3 questions: Stay tuned for Part 3 of this Q&A, coming next week! Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/https://www.businessforauthors.com/weeknight-writers/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:13:43

166: Writing alternative relationships, Q&A Part 1

9/26/2023

This episode provides Q&A inspired by the Weeknight Writers "Writing Alternative Relationships" panel discussion I spoke at this past summer... Stay tuned for Part 2 of this Q&A, coming next week! Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/https://www.businessforauthors.com/weeknight-writers/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:16:39

165: Writing childfree women

9/19/2023

In this episode, we discuss... Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:22:42

164: Book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos (part 2 — marketing expenses, book sales and dollars earned, and mindset struggles)

9/12/2023

In this episode of the Indie Author Weekly podcast, we are doing PART TWO of the book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience! We discuss: Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:35:57

163: Book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos (part 1 — marketing strategies, mistakes made, and what I'd do differently next time)

9/5/2023

In this episode of the Indie Author Weekly podcast, we are doing PART ONE of the book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience! We discuss: Stay tuned for PART TWO of the Small Town Stilettos book launch recap on next week's episode of Indie Author Weekly — we'll be diving into the numbers (book expenses, book sales, and dollars earned), as well as the mindset stuff that came up throughout this book launch, plus 3 big experiments I want to try for general book marketing. Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:31:42

162: How my polyamorous romcoms all fit together

8/29/2023

In this episode, we explore how the stand-alone novel Small Town Stilettos fits into the Polyamorous Passions series, and the interconnectedness of the “world” of these polyamorous romantic comedy novels. Learn more about the world of Polyamorous Passions, background on the fictional settings, character overlaps and interactions, and more! Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:15:28

161: Frivolity, worthiness, and internalized misogyny (from Taylor Swift to romcoms)

8/22/2023

In this episode, we explore... (This episode contains swearing between 6:45 - 7:02) Resources & links mentioned on the podcast: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590Let’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:12:03

160: The responsibility, risk, privilege, and choices involved in writing polyamorous romantic comedies

8/15/2023

“What made you decide to write polyamorous romcoms?” Today we’re answering THIS question! In this episode, we address the luxury and privilege of talking about “controversial” topics such as polyamory and burlesque, the responsibility vs risks of being open about this, the concept of sharing your values without explicitly stating them, the reasoning behind my very deliberate decision to use the setting of contemporary romantic comedy to feature polyamory, and more. Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/newsletterhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/2949481-050-what-made-me-start-writing-the-polyamorous-passions-series-my-polyamory-backgroundhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/3015199-051-faq-about-the-background-to-my-polyamorous-passions-serieshttps://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouseLet’s chat about this episode: TwitterInstagramhello@saganmorrow.comhttps://saganmorrow.com/questionSupport the Show.

Duration:00:23:58

159: Book club discussion prompts for Small Town Stilettos

8/8/2023

"Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience" deals with a variety of different themes (including grief, loss, and personal identity) and it’s the perfect novel to discuss at your book club! This episode features 10 book club discussion prompts, ranging from character development to fat positivity to societal expectations of women and more. Get the PDF version of these book club discussion prompts when you join Sagan's author newsletter: http://saganmorrow.com/secretpodcast GRAB YOUR COPY of Small Town Stilettos: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Stilettos-marriage-convenience-ebook/dp/B0C776DB4M Resources & links mentioned in this episode: https://saganmorrow.com/books/https://saganmorrow.com/coachinghttp://saganmorrow.com/secretpodcasthttps://saganmorrow.com/podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrowhttps://saganmorrow.com/powerhousehttps://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/Let’s chat about this episode: @Saganlives on Twitter and InstagramHashtag: #IndieAuthorWeeklyEmail: hello@saganmorrow.com Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question Support the Show.

Duration:00:06:30