0204: Val Penny Crime Novelist on the Care and Keeping of Your Characters

Book Marketing for Authors with Jenn DePaula

In this episode of Sign My Book, I’m talking with book marketing and social media expert Jenn DePaula, who’s been helping authors, musicians, and creatives build their platforms for over 25 years. Jenn started in the music industry just as everything was shifting to digital, and she’s carried those lessons into the publishing world helping authors move beyond “I’ll just run some Facebook ads” into sustainable, long-term marketing that actually sells books. We dig into what really matters for authors today: whether follower count actually impacts your chances of getting traditionally published, how to start marketing before your book is out, and the three “unsexy” foundations every author needs (goal, ideal reader, and clear messaging). Jenn also breaks down the three phases of book marketing: Attraction, Promotion, and Follow-Up, so you can stop guessing and start using a simple, repeatable system that fits your life, not just the algorithm. Topics Discussed in the Episode * Why follower count ≠ automatic book sales (and what publishers actually care about) * The three phases of book marketing: Attraction, Promotion, and Follow-Up * How to define your ideal reader and talk directly to them * Messaging, hooks, tropes, and using social media without chasing every trend * Visibility vs. conversion: why views aren’t enough and how to turn attention into sales If this episode helped you feel a little less overwhelmed by marketing, I’d love it if you’d follow/subscribe to Sign My Book on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and leave a quick rating and review. It helps more writers and readers discover the show and keeps these conversations coming. Connect with Jenn: Website: https://jenndepaula.com [https://jenndepaula.com] Instagram: @jenndepaulabookmarketing

Kelly & Megan Anelons on Screenwriting Partnerships, BookTok, and Creativity Away From Hollywood

This week on Sign My Book, I sit down with the hilarious and talented mother–daughter writing duo Kelly and Megan Anelons, an award-winning screenwriting team and Nicholl Fellowship finalists. Megan is a former creative executive turned Booktokker and co-writer, and her mom Kelly co-writer. Together they share how they’ve built a thriving creative partnership that’s as honest as it is funny. We dive into everything from navigating the film industry and writing competitions to leaving Hollywood yet staying connected through newfound creative friendships, and redefining success as women in entertainment. The pair share personal stories about pitching to executives (including a Ron Howard–backed Impact Initiative program), learning to write together as family, and staying inspired in an ever-changing creative landscape. Plus, they give us a glimpse into their upcoming projects, including their hilarious feature script, Best Laid Plans, which they hope to get into the hands of Helen Mirren. Topics Discussed in the Episode: * How Megan and Kelly turned a “mental breakdown” into a creative writing partnership * Finding creative chemistry and boundaries while co-writing as a mother–daughter team * Art vs. commerce: surviving the business side of screenwriting * How acting and improv made Kelly a better writer and storyteller * BookTok, fandoms, and how viral books are reshaping the publishing and film industries Links & Resources⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kellyanelons] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@camphalfbitchbooks]  * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/camphalfbitchbooks]  * Kelly's personal Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kellyanelons]

S3E5: Jessica Lancaster Talks Creative Writing, Editing, Journalism & Debunking the Rules

This week on Sign My Book, I sit down with Jessica Lancaster—journalist, editor, writer, and founder of Musings & Company, a boutique studio for freelance editing and book cover design. Jessica shares her path from corporate sales to a newsroom, then into indie publishing—where she now helps authors polish their manuscripts without changing their voice and create genre-accurate covers that sell. We dig into what to look for in an editor (and what to avoid), how anthologies really work, and practical ways to protect your story’s tone from AI “help.” We also get tactical: Jessica explains how to test an editor with a free 1,000-word sample, why tracked changes matter, how to join cozy mystery anthologies, and the nuts and bolts of cover design (from eBook to paperback spines and audiobook squares). Plus—her realistic time strategy while homeschooling, editing, designing, and still writing: 10 minutes a day, voice notes, and week-over-week progress. Topics Discussed in this Episode: * From Fortune 500 sales to journalism editor to freelance book editor & cover designer * How to choose an editor: free sample edits, tracked changes, fit, and why AI won’t replace humans * Getting into anthologies (especially cozy mysteries): submissions, fees, and acceptance * Cover design 101: genre comps, Illustrator workflow, premade vs. custom, eBook/paperback/audiobook * Real-world time management: 10-minute writing sessions, voice notes, and client time-blocking Links & Resources * Musings & Company (Editing + Cover Design): https://musingsandcompany.com [https://musingsandcompany.com] * Jessica on Instagram: https://www.instragram.com/writingwithjessica [https://www.instragram.com/writingwithjessica] * Writer’s Digest University: https://www.writersdigest.com/university [https://www.writersdigest.com/university] * Storymakers Conference: https://storymakersguild.org [https://storymakersguild.org] * Jane Friedman (Publishing & business of writing): https://www.janefriedman.com [https://www.janefriedman.com] If you enjoyed this conversation, follow/subscribe to Sign My Book on Apple Podcasts and Spotify—and leave a quick rating & review. It helps other writers discover the show. Share this episode with a friend who’s hunting for the right editor or cover designer!

0204: Val Penny Crime Novelist on the Care and Keeping of Your Characters

This week on Sign My Book, I chat with Val Penny—an American-born, Scotland-based crime fiction author behind the DI Hunter Wilson police procedurals (Edinburgh) and the Jane Renwick Thrillers (set across Scotland). Val shares how illness unexpectedly rerouted her life toward writing, the serendipitous (and very funny) road to her first book deal, and why rejection letters aren’t personal—they’re about fit. We dig into series worldbuilding, character naming (including a brilliant Ethiopian detective nicknamed “Bear”), and how Val mirrors Scotland’s diversity on the page. She also opens up about the craft: plotting a mystery (from color-coded walls of “story wallpaper” to practical outlines), the crucial role of reading widely, and the tonal differences between steady, methodical Hunter and fast-driving, body-finding Jane. If you love police procedurals, Scottish mysteries, and real talk about publishing, this one’s a treat. Topics Discussed in the Episode * From recovery to writer: how illness, reading, and “just try it” launched a crime fiction career * Building two Scottish series: DI Hunter Wilson (Edinburgh) vs. Jane Renwick (major incident team across Scotland) * Character craft: memorable names, authentic diversity, and giving protagonists distinct voices and lives * Plotting a mystery: outlines, color-coded scene tracking (à la A.A. Dhand), and lessons from Sue Moorcroft * The publishing journey: early acceptance, why rejections aren’t personal, and keeping your momentum Connect with Val Penny: Website - www.valpenny.com [http://www.valpenny.com] Hunter’s Chase - https://geni.us/ic7r [https://geni.us/ic7r] A Fighting Chance - https://mybook.to/FightChance [https://mybook.to/FightChance]

0203: How USA Today Bestseller Michele Pariza Wacek Built a Connected Mystery Series

This week on Sign My Book, I sit down with USA Today bestselling author Michele Pariza Wacek (MPW) to talk about her twisty, clean mysteries—spanning psychological thrillers and cozy mysteries—all set in her fictional Wisconsin world. Michele shares how her series are cleverly interconnected: The Secrets of Redemption (9-book thriller foundation) spun off The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries (’90s coziest of cozy—tea, small town, quirky neighbors), which then spun off her newest series, Redemption Detective Agency. We dig into how she sustains momentum (aiming for ~4 books/year), why she writes discovery-first with a rough outline, and how a single anthology short turned into a thriving cozy franchise. Michele explains why she loves the control of indie publishing, when hybrid deals make sense, foreign language translations, how she uses BookSirens for ARC feedback, and which platforms move the needle (Bookstagram for clean/cozy, TikTok for fantasy/steam). If you love cozy mysteries, psychological thrillers, and real talk about the indie author life—this episode is for you. Topics Discussed in the Episode * How Michele built a connected mystery universe across multiple series * The shift from psychological thrillers to ’90s-set cozy mysteries * Writing process: discovery writing, daily word counts, and productivity challenges * Why she values indie publishing control and when hybrid deals make sense * Marketing strategies, ARC readers, and why Instagram works best for her cozy audience Connect with Michele: Newsletter & purchase books: MPWNovels.com [http://mpwnovels.com] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/michelepw [https://www.goodreads.com/michelepw]  Instagram: @themichelepw  Facebook: facebook.com/michelepwauthor [http://facebook.com/michelepwauthor]  Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/michelepw [https://www.amazon.com/author/michelepw] BookSirens: https://booksirens.com/ [https://booksirens.com/]