How to Write Unforgettable Stories: Abbie Emmons on Storytelling Psychology, Internal Conflict & Great Characters

Stop Rewarding People Who Disrespect You | Wallo267 on His New Book, Prison, & Saying Yes To You

We sit down with Wallo267 Bookum Author Talks Podcast to discuss his powerful new book "Yes to You, No to Them" a blueprint for protecting your peace, setting boundaries, and choosing yourself without apology. After serving 20 years in prison, Wallo267 has become one of the most inspiring voices in entrepreneurship, mental health, self-development, and street-to-success storytelling. In this episode, he opens up about reading books in prison, building his shoe line ARPLNSNHOTLS, launching Nanny's House Publishing, linking with media mogul Byron Allen, and how bestselling author Mel Robbins helped shape his publishing journey. If you have ever let people disrespect you and still rewarded them with your time and energy this conversation will change how you move. TIMESTAMPS: 1:02 - Shoe Line (ARPLNSNHOTLS) 2:33 - Traveling the world 4:45 - Seeing Trends in Culture 6:04 - Marketing Philosophy 6:43 - Talking with Byron Allen 7:43 - Education in prison 8:10 - On Reading 10:10 - Getting out of prison 12:11 - Disconnecting from the world 14:01 - Social Media Benefits and Challenges 14:22 - Chasing Normalcy 16:22 - People being entitled 17:40 - Saying Yes to You, No to Them 18:24 - The core mission of all his books 19:01 - Imagination 19:14 - Starting Nanny's House Publishing 20:10 - Mel Robbins helping with Publishing 20:36 - Writing Process for the book 21:28 - Staying hungry 22:38 - Youtube Avenues 23:40 - What should be in a market Get Wallo267's New Book "Yes to You, No to Them" https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/838010/yes-to-you-no-to-them-by-wallo267/ 📲 FOLLOW WALLO267 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wallo267/?hl=en Youtube:  @WALLO267 [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCSq2DFO-UlLVtifFsD3DJ5g] Join our book club or start your own on Bookum app at https://www.bookumapp.com [https://www.bookumapp.com] This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs. Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com [http://www.bookumapp.com/]  Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Cindy Pham on The Secret World of Briar Rose, BookTube, Fantasy Writing & Publishing

Today on the Bookum Author Talks Podcast, we talk with Cindy Pham, better known online as ReadWithCindy, one of the most influential voices in the online book community and the author of the fantasy novel, The Secret World of Briar Rose. For years, Cindy built a loyal audience through BookTube, creating entertaining book reviews, reading vlogs, and literary commentary. Now, she joins us to discuss her journey from book reviewer to published author, the inspiration behind her Sleeping Beauty retelling, the challenges of traditional publishing, and the lessons she learned while bringing her debut novel to life. We explore fantasy writing, worldbuilding, writing unlikeable characters, dreaming, creativity, storytelling, community building, and how years of reviewing books influenced her own approach to fiction. Cindy also shares insights into querying literary agents, navigating editor rejections, developing a writing practice, and what aspiring authors can learn from her experience. Whether you are a reader, writer, content creator, BookTube fan, or someone interested in the publishing industry, this conversation offers an honest look at the creative process behind writing and publishing a novel. Topics include: • The Secret World of Briar Rose • ReadWithCindy and BookTube • Fantasy writing and worldbuilding • Sleeping Beauty retellings • Young adult fantasy • Storytelling and character development • Traditional publishing • Literary agents and querying • Editor rejections • Writing process and creative habits • Building a community through books • Book content creation • Becoming an author Download Bookum and start your own book club or join readers around the world: https://www.bookumapp.com [https://www.bookumapp.com] This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs. Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com [http://www.bookumapp.com/]  Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

How to Write Unforgettable Stories: Abbie Emmons on Storytelling Psychology, Internal Conflict & Great Characters

Today on the Bookum Author Talks Podcast, we are joined by author, story coach, and YouTuber Abbie Emmons, author of the new book “Make Your Story Matter.” In this conversation, we discuss the psychology of storytelling, writing unforgettable characters, building internal conflict, creating compelling plots, romance tropes, first chapter mistakes, world-building, false beliefs, and what truly makes readers emotionally connect with a story. Abbie breaks down why internal conflict matters more than plot alone, how to write layered protagonists and antagonists, the psychology behind storytelling, and the techniques writers can use to keep readers flipping pages late into the night. We also discuss: • The Enneagram and character psychology • The Open Loop Method • Three act story structure • Writing layered romance characters • First draft advice • Writing process and routines • Dual POV stories • Why stories emotionally resonate with readers Follow Abbie Emmons: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AbbieEmmons [https://www.youtube.com/@AbbieEmmons] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeyourstorymatter/ [https://www.instagram.com/makeyourstorymatter/] Get “Make Your Story Matter”: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Make-Your-Story-Matter/Abbie-Emmons/9781637748909 [https://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Story-Matter-Unforgettable/dp/1735716368] Download the Bookum App to join our book club and listen to more author conversations: https://www.bookumapp.com [https://www.bookumapp.com] Timestamps: 1:03 - Writing Recklessly 3:29 - Switching to Nonfiction 5:01 - Psychology of Storytelling 6:42 - What Makes A Story Unforgettable? 8:03 - Build Internal Conflict in Characters 9:52 - Character Profile and Backstory 12:01 - The Enneagram for Character Inner Conflict 14:02 - Giving Your Characters Flaws 15:03 - Characters False Beliefs 16:23 - Avoiding Perfect Characters 17:21 - Writing Quality Antagonist 20:25 - Developing Plot 22:01 - Three Act Story Structure for Plot 25:12 - Balancing Character and Plot 27:01 - Character/Plot Mistakes 27:40 - Plot Driven Story Mistakes 28:42 - Writing Side Characters 29:25 - Writing Connected Stories 31:11 - World-Building 33:58 - First Chapter To Do’s 36:35 - First Chapter Mistakes 38:33 - How the Subconscious Mind Works During Stories 40:22 - The Open Loop Method 43:11 - Helping People Write Their Story 45:32 - Questions Authors Should Ask Themselves When Stuck 47:23 - Advice on the First Draft 49:02 - Writing Process and the Perfect Writing Day 50:12 - Favorite Romance Tropes 51:32 - Writing Layered Characters in Romance 53:21 - Writing Dual POV Stories 55:01 - What Should Be in a Writer’s Toolkit? This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs. Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com [http://www.bookumapp.com/]  Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

How to Become a CEO with Shellye Archambeau: IBM to Silicon Valley Career Strategy

Today on the Bookum Author Talks Podcast, we sit down with Shellye Archambeau, former CEO of MetricStream and one of Silicon Valley’s first African American female CEOs. Shellye has spent over 30 years in business and technology with leadership experience at major companies including IBM, Blockbuster, and Loudcloud. She is also a Fortune 500 board member, serving on boards such as Verizon and Nordstrom Inc. She is the author of Unapologetically Ambitious, where she shares how she built a highly strategic and intentional career path from IBM to becoming a Silicon Valley CEO. Shellye is also the founder of Ignite Ambition, a nonprofit and community focused on helping early to mid-career professionals gain clarity, build strategy, and achieve their career goals. In this conversation, we explore ambition, career strategy, leadership, and what it truly takes to become a CEO in today’s world. We also dive into her journey through IBM, Blockbuster, Silicon Valley in the early 2000s, and leading a company through the 2008 financial crisis. ⏱️ Timestamps 1:22 - Family Legacy  2:38 - Being Organized // Resourceful  3:30 - Little Girl with Ambition  4:18 - "Life is not fair"  5:44 - Wanted to be CEO at 16  7:08 - Imposter Syndrome  10:12 - Setting and Achieving Goal  11:02 - Taking the right steps to win  13:12 - Being strategic  13:56 - Letting People Know what You Want  15:21 - Can you be too Unapologetically Ambitious?  16:23 - Courage Muscle  17:30 - Doing Business in Japan & Internationally  21:02 - Leaving IBM  23:01 - Working at Blockbuster  24:23 - Silicon Valley in 00s and AI  25:23 - Working at Loudcloud  26:34 - Core Principles of Marketing  27:33 - Becoming CEO of MetricStream  30:00 - Market Crash of 2008  31:10 - Leading as CEO During Uncertainty  32:21 - The Role of the CEO  33:10 - Bill Campbell and Mentorship  34:08 - Silicon Valley Leaders (Vinod Khosla, Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz)  35:34 - Phase II and Ignite Ambition  37:12 - Ignite Ambition App and Community  38:45 - Measuring Success of Ignite Ambition  40:12 - Family Life Integration  43:01 - Writing Process and Perfect Day  45:01 - Writing Real Holistic Business Books  46:25 - Unapologetically Ambitious Toolkit Resources Get Shellye Archambeau’s book: Unapologetically Ambitious Join Ignite Ambition:  https://shellye.com/ignite-ambition/ [https://shellye.com/ignite-ambition/] Join the Bookum community and book club conversations:  https://www.bookumapp.com [https://www.bookumapp.com] Topics Covered CEO career path, how to become a CEO, IBM careers, Silicon Valley leadership, ambition mindset, career strategy, leadership lessons, corporate growth, Black female CEO, MetricStream, Ignite Ambition, Unapologetically Ambitious book, executive leadership, business strategy, mentorship in Silicon Valley This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs. Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com [http://www.bookumapp.com/]  Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Angela Nissel on Writing a Memoir, Processing Grief, Boondocks & Being a Caretaker

This week on the Bookum Authors Talk Podcast we sit down with writer, producer, and author Angela Nissel to discuss her powerful new memoir 'Good Grief, Pass the Bread, Mom is Dead'.  In this conversation, Angela opens up about grief, caregiving, family secrets, humor as a survival tool, and what it means to process loss while becoming the caretaker of a parent. We also talk about her work on The Boondocks, the emotional weight of writing a memoir, loneliness in adulthood and aging, and how storytelling helps us make sense of life’s hardest moments. 📚 Book discussed: Good Grief, Pass the Bread, Mom is Dead by Angela Nissel - Get your copy today! Timestamps: 01:05 - The Boondocks 4:40 - How Humor Helps us Deal with Life 8:24 - How the Title Came to Be? 10:02 - Christmas Stories and Family Drama 11:03 - Withholding Information from Family about health issues 12:20 - Keeping family secrets 15:20 - Caretaking for a Love One 17:45 - How to be a good caretaker 19:40 - Loneliness Epidemic in Elder Ages 22:10 - How Older People Are Getting Scammed from AI 23:01 - What to Share and Not Share in a Memoir 25:10 - The Craziness of Life 25:44 - The importance of sharing stories with each other 26:44 - Dealing with grief and losing 28:09 - Honoring her Mother with the book 30:22 - Enjoying the small things in life 30:33 - On Religion and Rev Bill 33:01 - Becoming the Matriarch 35:20 - Dealing with Mother's Day after loss 36:58 - Managing Emotions for Grief 37:54 - Writing Process for the Book 39:32 - Writing a Memoir 41:08 - What Should Be In A Writer's Toolkit? Join our book community and discover more conversations like this: https://www.bookumapp.com This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs. Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com [http://www.bookumapp.com/]  Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!