Pencils&Lipstick podcast

Ep 318 More Than Books: A Practical Approach to Indie Publishing with Stacia Lowe

In this episode I'm chatting with Stacia Lowe about how she built an author career by combining her passions for storytelling, knitting, and financial literacy while raising four sons. She discusses writing middle grade novels inspired by her family, growing a loyal readership through her newsletter, and why embracing the "slow and steady" approach has helped her build a sustainable writing business. The conversation also explores practical marketing strategies for indie authors, the importance of budgeting for publishing expenses, and how Stacia and her husband now help other writers through their publishing company. Find Stacia here: https://staciaraelowe.com/ [https://staciaraelowe.com/] Pre-order Ezekiel's Path from Amazon.com here: https://amzn.to/4gVXOrm [https://amzn.to/4gVXOrm] Pre-order Ezekiel's Path from Barnes and Noble here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ezekiels-path-adam-alva-lowe/1150449427 [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ezekiels-path-adam-alva-lowe/1150449427] Lowe Budget Kid's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lowebudgetkids/videos [https://www.youtube.com/@lowebudgetkids/videos] Lowe Budget Publishing Author Questionnaire [https://forms.gle/svvqkLqJtnLMTU666] Get on Stacia's newsletter: https://staciaraelowe.com/newsletter-join-save/ [https://staciaraelowe.com/newsletter-join-save/] And find Stacia's books: https://staciaraelowe.com/home-2/stacia-rae-writes/ [https://staciaraelowe.com/home-2/stacia-rae-writes/] Sign up for my writers' newsletter [https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter] to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter [https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup]. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup [https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup] You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell [https://www.instagram.com/author_katcaldwell/]

Ep 317 The Business of Being an Author with Neil Plakcy

Neil and Kat discuss Neil's journey from traditionally published author to successful indie novelist, exploring why he writes across mystery and romance without using multiple pen names and how publishing has evolved over the past two decades. They also dive into the ethical use of AI for editing, marketing, cover design, and book translations, sharing practical ways authors can use new technology without replacing the creative process. Find out more about Neil, sign up for his Substack and get his books at www.mahubooks.com

Ep 316 Writing Isn't Just for Twenty-Somethings with Shimrit Hanes

Get ready for Summer! I have a bunch of interviews lined up for you! To start things off, we have Shimrit Hanes. She spent most of her life as a professional musician but has taken to writing now. Check out more about her (and get her books) at https://shimrithanes.com/ [https://shimrithanes.com/] Sign up for Becky's newsletter at https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/ [https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/] Sign up for the Book Finisher's Summit here : http://bit.ly/3QRfcmy [ http://bit.ly/3QRfcmy] Sign up for my writers' newsletter [https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter] to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter [https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup]. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup [https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup] You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell [https://www.instagram.com/author_katcaldwell/]

Ep 315 Craft&Connect: Marketing in the Summertime

Be sure to check out Becky's website at https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/ [https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/]. Get on her newsletter and check out her free resources. Today we are talking about the things that you can do this summer to practice or start your marketing. Please tag Becky (@beckythebookcoach [https://www.instagram.com/beckythebookcoach/]) and me (@author_katcaldwell) [https://www.instagram.com/author_katcaldwell/] if you are trying social media this summer! We would love to support you! Here are some things that I use in my social media that you can check out. These are affiliate links through Amazon. Tripod: https://amzn.to/3Q3O2IZ [https://amzn.to/3Q3O2IZ] Microphone: https://amzn.to/43EclQN [https://amzn.to/43EclQN] Light for phone: https://amzn.to/4xrMGIE [https://amzn.to/4xrMGIE] Sign up for my writers' newsletter [https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter] to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter [https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup]. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup [https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup] You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell [https://www.instagram.com/author_katcaldwell/]

Ep 314 The Indy Author with Matty Dalrymple

Matty Dalrymple (DAL-rim-ple) is the author [https://www.mattydalrymple.com/] of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. Matty also podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author [https://www.theindyauthor.com/], and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. Sign up for the Craft&Connect Live event June 12, 3pm here: https://tidycal.com/writeyourlife/craft-and-connect-live-q2 [https://tidycal.com/writeyourlife/craft-and-connect-live-q2] Sign up for my writers' newsletter [https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter] to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletter Want more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter [https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup]. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup [https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup] You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell [https://www.instagram.com/author_katcaldwell/]