Episode 15: Vanity, Vanity, All Is Vanity . . . Press?

Episode 15: Vanity, Vanity, All Is Vanity . . . Press?

We’re equal opportunists when it comes to publishing paths–traditional, independent, hybrid, you name it. But there’s one model that will never earn the Quilling It seal of approval: the vanity press. In this episode, we unpack how this “worst of all worlds” publishing model has been draining hopeful authors’ wallets for decades. Join us as we break down the biggest red flags, the misleading promises, and the one very small exception to our otherwise hard-and-fast rule: beware of vanity presses.

Episode 14: Ads for Authors–Your Low-Drama Guide to Book Ads That Work

Book advertising can feel like an entirely separate career path hidden inside publishing–a path many writers don’t feel equipped to traverse. Luckily, Paul is here to help. Join us as he shares the fundamentals of his successful, headache-free approach to indie book ads, including his favorite platforms, the tools he recommends, and how he keeps campaigns profitable without disappearing into a spreadsheet dungeon.

Episode 13: Invaluable Websites for Authors

From craft help to marketing advice to business boosters, we explore some of our favorite websites for authors. Listen in as we reveal our go-to resources for writing and publishing—a curated list worthy of prime real estate in your bookmarks.

Episode 12: The Plotter vs. Pantser Thunderdome

Paul and Lindsay step into the arena to settle the plotter vs. pantser debate once and for all, and only one author will emerge victorious. Just kidding. Instead, we break down our real-life processes—Paul as a pantser and Lindsay as a plotter—to explore where these approaches differ, overlap, and surprisingly align, helping you discover what might work best for you.

Episode 11: Our Worst Rejections

Yep, we’re going there. We share the details of our worst rejections–the ones that sting, linger, and might make someone briefly consider abandoning publishing altogether for a new career in goat herding. But in those painful moments, we learned valuable lessons about resilience, growth, and keeping focused on the long game. We unpack how rejection can sharpen your work, clarify your goals, and even become something you laugh about (eventually). Ever gotten a “no” that felt a little too personal? You’re in the right place.