The Visual Narrative: Cheryl Olsten on Building a Publishing Team and Finding Your Creative Fire

The Visual Narrative: Cheryl Olsten on Building a Publishing Team and Finding Your Creative Fire

In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with author Cheryl Olsten to discuss her unique transition from the high-stakes world of magazine publishing to the creative realm of children's picture books. Cheryl shares how her 14-year career running a regional magazine in New Jersey provided her with the "nitty-gritty" knowledge of printing, distribution, and marketing needed to succeed as an indie author. She dives into her visually-driven creative process, the benefits of hiring two different editors, and why she chooses to collaborate with illustrators from Italy. Timestamps: * 00:00 – Introduction to Cheryl Olsten. * 00:32 – Roots in Visual Communications and Journalism. * 01:20 – The "Garden State": Starting a regional magazine. * 02:44 – 14 years of magazine experience and finding the story. * 04:00 – Transitioning to children's picture books as an industry veteran. * 08:18 – The Visual Process: Seeing the beginning and the end of a story. * 09:25 – Collaborating with Italian illustrators and professional designers. * 11:00 – The "Brilliant" Editing Strategy: Why Cheryl uses two editors. * 14:18 – Navigating Hybrid Publishing and Global Distribution. * 16:24 – Final Advice: Trusting yourself and avoiding writer's block. Connect with Cheryl: Website: https://cherylolsten.com/ Instagram @cherylolsten Books: Available via Greenleaf Book Group, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com [https://projectseedmoney.com/]. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode. Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/ [https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/] Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/n90odeiuqwc

The Author Mindset: Randi-Lee Bowslaugh on Resilience, Creative Rights, and Advocacy

In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley welcomes back Randi-Lee Bowslaugh to celebrate her fifth anniversary as a podcaster and her nine-year journey as an author. Randi-Lee discusses the vital mindset shift from "someone who wrote a book" to embracing the title of Author. She pulls back the curtain on the "control freak" side of indie publishing, explaining why she refuses to give up her rights and how she navigated the steep learning curve of KDP and IngramSpark. We also dive into her deeply personal second edition of Goodbye Too Soon, which chronicles her brother's death by drug overdose, and her ambitious plans to adapt the story for the silver screen. Timestamps: 00:00 – Celebrating 5 Years of the Write or Die Show 02:23 – The Lesson: Letting your personality shine through 05:07 – The Mindset Shift: From "writing a book" to being an Author 06:48 – Learning the Ropes: Boutique publishing to KDP 10:42 – Why Indie Authors need to keep their creative rights 13:04 – The thrill of global sales (Finding your book in Australia!) 19:11 – Advice for first-time authors: Giving yourself grace 21:32 – Goodbye Too Soon: The 2nd edition and the Movie Project 27:46 – Setting flexible deadlines and avoiding the "failure trap" Connect with Randi-Lee: Website: rbwriting.ca Podcast: The Write or Die Show Socials: @RandiLeeBowslaugh Website http://www.rbwriting.ca Instagram https://www.instagram.com/randileebowslaugh Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rbwriting TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@randileebowslaugh [https://www.tiktok.com/@randileebowslaugh] Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com [https://projectseedmoney.com/]. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode. Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/ [https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/] Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/joFODBKDPq0

Beyond the Cover: Tamian Wood on Navigating the Design Process and Protecting Your Story

In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with award-winning book designer Tamian Wood to pull back the curtain on the visual side of publishing. Tamian shares her journey from designing museums and billboards to becoming a specialist in the self-publishing world. She provides a masterclass for authors on the logistics of book design, including the exact technical questions you must ask a designer to ensure they are professional, how to spot predatory publishing scams, and the "brilliant" reason you should start your cover design as soon as you have a title. Timestamps: * 00:00 – Meet Tamian Wood of Beyond Design Books. * 00:31 – From layoffs to a second degree: Tamian's path to design. * 02:14 – The Onboarding Process: When to reach out to a designer. * 03:46 – Timelines and Tunnels: How long does a cover really take?. * 04:46 – Technical Interview: 6 Questions every author should ask their designer. * 07:05 – Red Flag Alert: How to spot publishing and marketing scams. * 09:59 – Genre Deep Dive: Historical fiction, Sci-Fi, Cookbooks, and more. * 13:50 – Inspiration for Authors: Progress over perfection. Connect with Tamian: * Website: beyonddesignbooks.com [http://beyonddesignbooks.com/]. * Resource Link: 10 Tips For Finding (and Working With) Your Ideal Cover Designer Freebie: https://bit.ly/4usVfBq [https://bit.ly/4usVfBq]

Igniting Your Fire: Glenda Benevides on Creative Courage and the Badass Goddess Within

In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with the multi-talented Glenda Benevides.. Known primarily as a Recording Academy and Grammy-nominated songwriter, Glenda shares how a "serendipitous" kitchen conversation transformed her into a published author. Glenda discusses her rapid writing process—completing her first book in just 15 days despite being dyslexic—and the powerful philosophy of the "Five C's" (Clarity, Courage, Confidence, Commitment, and Community) that guides her life and work. Whether you are a musician, a writer, or a woman looking to reclaim her inner "badass goddess," Glenda's energy and wisdom provide a blueprint for moving blocks out of your way and sharing your unique contribution with the world. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Glenda Benevides. 01:00 – The "Badass Goddess" Origin Story. 01:45 – The 15-Day Writing Challenge: 15 Chapters, 15 Days. 03:06 – Courage: Find Your Fire and the 5 C's. 05:41 – The Power of a Great Editor (Don't Lose Your Voice!). 06:04 – Choosing the Amazon Publishing Path. 07:31 – Understanding Your "Why": Intention vs. Fame. 10:40 – Moving the Needle: How a book touched a life in Scotland. 15:57 – Final Inspiration: Staying focused on your passion. Connect with Glenda: Website: https://glendabenevides.com Instagram: @glendabenavidesmusic. YouTube: Glenda Benevides Official. Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com [https://projectseedmoney.com/]. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode. Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/ [https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/] Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YbB90rrv2fQ

The Meeting with ME: A-M Mawhiney on Writing, Resilience, and Late-Life Creativity

In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, Sharissa Bradley welcomes Anne-Marie Mawhiney, a former academic and social worker who reinvented herself as a science fiction and fantasy author during the COVID-19 lockdown. Anne-Marie shares her journey of returning to a childhood dream after 60 years, the "serendipitous" inspiration from a family connection to the Hardy Boys, and how she built a futuristic world rooted in the real-life environmental recovery of her mining community. She also pulls back the curtain on her experience with FriesenPress, explaining why self-publishing was the right choice for her "second career". Timestamps: * 00:00 – Introduction to Anne-Marie Mawhiney. * 00:34 – The Childhood Dream: A typewriter, dark poetry, and the Hardy Boys. * 01:40 – The 60-year hiatus: Career as an academic and social worker. * 02:40 – The COVID Catalyst: Turning a "dusty laptop" into a creative engine. * 03:40 – Finding the first line: How an experiment became a novel. * 05:40 – Why Science Fiction? Building a world 50 years in the future. * 06:40 – Unconscious inspiration: The "re-greening" of a mining community. * 07:22 – The Publishing Path: Choosing FriesenPress and self-publishing. * 10:30 – Learning the business: Social media, promotions, and 90-page edits. * 12:54 – Facing the "Vulnerability Hangover": What happens after the "congratulations" email. * 16:49 – Practical Advice: The "Meeting with ME" scheduling strategy. Connect with A-M: Website https://www.ammawhiney.ca Instagram @ammawhiney Facebook @ammawhiney Substack @ammawhiney Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com [https://projectseedmoney.com/]. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode. Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/ [https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/] Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H985fasAcSM [https://youtu.be/H985fasAcSM]