The Rebel Author Podcast Archives - Sacha Black

Patron Benefits: Updates

Sacha Black — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 13:40:41 +0000

Hey Rebels, if you didn’t know, The Rebel Author Podcast also has an associated Patreon and I wanted to take a quick second to tell you about it and all the benefits.

WTF is a Patreon?

It’s a platform where you can support a person, show, creator, inventor etc., and in exchange you receive benefits like: more access to them, more content, or live chats, sneak peeks, merch or other things.

I thought, given the number of changes my Patreon has been through over the years, and the fact I don’t talk about it much here, that I’d share a post to let everyone know what benefits they have access to. There are three levels available:

$2 (Rebel tier)
$5 (Rebel Warrior tier)
$15 (Rebel Emperor tier)

Check out My Patreon

The $2 Rebel Tier

At this tier, you’ll get early access to all of the episodes. These are loaded on Sundays, ahead of the episode airing on weds.

Once a month, I run “Poison and Prose” sessions. This is a live Q&A session where you can ask me anything. We also do timed “sprints” where we all mute ourselves and write on our manuscripts for a set amount of time. Generally they’re packed with totes emosh good feels and everyone goes away warm and squishy on the inside and I go away mildly irked that I’m not quite as dead on the inside as I like to think.

In addition, when I bulk book podcast guests, I will post up a list and give you the opportunity to ask the guest questions.

You also get access to news before anyone else, and opportunities like ARC copies.

And then there’s the bonus funnies and content I share, like a VERY sweary blooper reel from the audiobook I recorded, or a blooper reel from a series of reels I recorded.

Quarterly Challenge (see below for details)

The $5 Rebel Warrior Tier

Each successive tier is cumulative. So you get everything at the lower tier and as part of the $5 tier, you get access to the Rebel Author Slack group.

The Slack group is a *currently* 85+ strong group of writers and honestly I’m not just saying this, but it’s the most supportive and lovely community I’ve ever had the privilege of being a part of. I’m in the group more or less every day. I answer questions, share info, ask questions, seek feedback. But it’s so much more than that. You guys lead and run the Slack group. Supporting each other, answering questions, cheering each other on. Lots of people are nervous to join in, but when you say hello, you’ll get swamped with welcomes.

The group even runs its own critique circle (though I’m not part of this nor can I take any credit it was engineered by one of the amazing rebel patrons).

Last, we are *currently* running quarterly Rebel Challenges. These challenges are basically group cheerleading. NOTE IT’S OPEN TO ALL (including the $2 tier). The reason I’ve placed it under this tier is because a lot of the cheer leading happens inside the slack group. So if you’re not in Slack, it can be a little less involved. For each quarter, we have a spreadsheet (thank you to another patron for creating this) and everyone puts their goals down. We can then track word counts, edits, ass in chair time and you can see everyone’s progress. Each week someone hosts for the week. Everyone does something different. Some host writing sprints, others share rebel stories from history, share motivational quotes, and much more.

The $15 Rebel Emporer Tier

As mentioned, you get access to all of the above. But the big sweetener for this tier, are the quarterly masterclasses.

Each quarter, we pick a book, books, or trope, and we read the stories together. Then we come together for a live class. Where I present a slide deck that breaks down the book or trope we’ve been reading. I’ll pull apart the story and show you what the author does well, and how you can use those tools in your own work too. Classes run for 90-120 minutes and there’s lots of opportunity for discussion and questions.

There’s also a private slack channel that only those in this tier have access to. We discuss various elements of the books and what we’re up to in the classes.

***

The Rebel patron is an amazing community, as are all of the podcast listeners, patron or not. I am so deeply grateful for your support, and encouragement. When I say you make me feel like what I do is worthwhile, I really mean it. If you would like to become a part of the Patreon community then you can by using the button below.

Check out My Patreon

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112 How to Fix Settings and Descriptions with Janice Hardy

Sacha Black — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 08:00:28 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 112 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Janice Hardy all about how to improve your descriptions.

In this episode we cover:

Mistakes to avoid in your description
What good description is and looks like
How to avoid information dumping
How maximise settings
How to let a character’s personality impact description

This week’s question is: Since you started writing, what’s the best money you’ve spent?

Recommendation of the week is: Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes

***this show uses affiliate links

Links and events I mentioned:

Black Friday deal *coming soon*

StoryBundle

Find out more about Janice on:

Website

Twitter

Amazon

Rebel of the Week is: Anonymous

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or instagram me @sachablackauthor

1 new patron this week, thank you and welcome to Hunter Keris and thank you to JP Rindfleisch IX for upping their pledge. A whopping big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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078 How to Sell Ebooks and Audiobooks on Kobo with Tara Cremin

Sacha Black — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 08:00:48 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 78 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Tara Cremin all about how to sell more ebooks and audiobooks on Kobo.

In this episode we cover:

Kobo’s new audiobook platform
How to publish audio with Kobo
How to price your audiobook
What’s hot and what’s not in audio right now
Marketing tactics that work for Kobo right now

This week’s question is: What are your Q2 goals?

Recommendation of the week is: How to Make a Living with Your Writing by Joanna Penn

Kobo

**This podcast uses affiliate links

Links and events I mentioned are:

The Rebel Author Diaries Anthology Submissions are now open: Find out more here.

Mark’s Wide for the Win Q&A Replay

Find out more about Kobo:

You can sometimes hear Tara as a guest host on the Kobo Writing Life Podcast. If you’re interested in publishing with KWL, create your account today at www.kobo.com/writinglife.

Links to the books Tara mentioned:

Birds Art Life by Kyo Maclear

A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa

For audio, here’s some links that may be of interest:

KWL Audiobook Press Release

How to Publish your Audiobook

Podcast interview with Kobo Audiobook Merchandiser

Listener Rebel of the Week is: Lynne Wham

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod

Thank you to Heather who recently upped her pledge and has joined us in the Rebel Slack group.

1 new patrons this week, a huge welcome and thank you to Noelle Davidson. And of course, a big to all my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE

Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.

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077 Plot Whispering with Martha Alderson

Sacha Black — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 08:00:20 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 77 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Martha Alderson all about plot whispering and creativity.

In this episode we cover:

Why whopping bits of paper are awesome for plotting
The biggest mistakes writers make with plot
How to use details to enhance your plot
Tips and tricks for the middle of your book
How to keep your motivation going when you’re in the trenches of writing

This week’s question is: Do you plot or pants or plants?

Recommendation of the week is: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

**This podcast uses affiliate links

Links and events I mentioned are:

The Rebel Author Diaries Anthology Submissions are now open: Find out more here.

Live Q&A with Mark Lefebvre on wide marketing: 17th March 8:00pm GMT, 1pm PST, 4pm EST, 7am AEST

Find out more about Martha on:

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Boundless Creativity Workbook

Martha’s Books

Listener Rebel of the Week is: Dominik August

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod

1 new patron this week. A huge welcome and thank you to Jen Roundell. And of course, a big to all my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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076 The Business of Being a Writer with Jane Friedman

Sacha Black — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 08:00:54 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 76 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Jane Friedman all about the business of being a writer.

In this episode we cover:

Whether it’s still possible to make a career in 2021
Core business principles a writer needs
The mindset shifts a writer needs to make in order to turn their writing into a business
Other ways a writer can make money with their words?
Tips for running an author business

This week’s question is: What do you find most difficult about the business side of writing?

Recommendation of the week is: Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: Why That is and What You Can Do About It by Steven Pressfield

**This podcast uses affiliate links

Links and events I mentioned are:

The Rebel Author Diaries Anthology Submissions are now open.

Find out more here.

Live Q&A with Mark Lefebvre on wide marketing:17th March 8:00pm GMT, 1pm PST, 4pm EST, 7am AEST

Kobo Writing Life talking about Prose

Find our more about Jane on:

Twitter

Instagram

The Business of Being a Writer

Listener Rebel of the Week is: Val Neil

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod

2 new patrons this week, a huge welcome and thank you to Jasmine Amaro and Giannin Viecili. And of course, a big to all my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

This Show is Sponsored by ProWritingAid

Find out more about ProWritingAid here.

DISCOUNT CODE: REBEL25

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

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075 The Heroine’s Journey with Gail Carriger

Sacha Black — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 08:00:01 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 75 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Gail Carriger all about the heroine’s journey.

In this episode we cover:

What the heroine’s journey is
Common mistakes with the heroine’s journey
The key beats of the heroine’s journey
The role of side characters in the heroine’s journey
Genre and reader expectations for heroine/hero’s journey.

This week’s question is: Do you write the heroine or hero’s journey?

Recommendation of the week is: Your Press Release is Breaking my Heart by Janet Murray

Amazon UK

Amazon USA

**This podcast uses affiliate links

Links or events I mentioned are:

Live Q&A with Mark Lefebvre on wide marketing

17th March 8:00pm GMT, 1pm PST, 4pm EST, 7am AEST

Find out more about Gail on:

Twitter

Facebook

Website

The Heroine’s Journey

Listener Rebel of the Week is: Victoria LK Williams

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod

3 new patrons this week. Welcome and thank you to Harry Brooks, Holly Flynn and Scott Kavanagh. A huge thank you as well to all existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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074 How to Write Your Author Business Plan with Joanna Penn

Sacha Black — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 08:00:57 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 74 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Joanna Penn all about how to write an author business plan.

In this episode we cover:

Why you need to write a business plan
The main components of an author business plan
What to include and what not to include in your plan
Mistakes to avoid with your business plan
How to improve your money mindset

This week’s question is: Do you have an author business plan?

Recommendation of the week is: Your Author Business Plan by Joanna Penn

**This podcast uses affiliate links

Joanna’s Links

Links and Events I mentioned are:

Live Q&A with Mark Lefebvre on wide marketing

17th March 8:00pm GMT, 1pm PST, 4pm EST, 7am AEST

DO YOU LOVE WRITING FANTASY?

CALLING ALL FANTASY WRITERS ProWritingAid are running a fantasy writing week in February and holy crap am I personally excited for this. Just look at the line up!

With live sessions from bestselling fantasy writers TJ Klune, Angela J. Ford, David Farland and Stephanie BwaBwa, a world-building workshop, and a complete World Anvil software walkthrough, you don’t want to miss this event!

Please note, I am an affiliate of ProWritingAid, but that’s because I personally use their software.

Listener Rebel of the Week is: Mark Lefebvre

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod

1 new patron this week. Welcome and thank you to Stanley B Trice. A huge thank you as well to all existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE

Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.

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073 Why Swearing is Good for You with Emma Byrne

Sacha Black — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 73 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Emma Byrne all about why swearing is good for you.

In this episode we cover:

Why swearing is good for you
The gender difference between men and women and swearing
Regional swearing and what this means for characterisation
Why swearing helps you manage pain
How swearing works in different areas of the brain

This week’s question is: what is your favorite swear word?

Recommendation of the week is: The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger

**This podcast uses affiliate links

Links and Events I mentioned are:

Live Q&A with Mark Lefebvre on wide marketing

17th March 8:00pm GMT, 1pm PST, 4pm EST, 7am AEST

DO YOU LOVE WRITING FANTASY?

CALLING ALL FANTASY WRITERS ProWritingAid are running a fantasy writing week in February and holy crap am I personally excited for this. Just look at the line up!

Please note, I am an affiliate of ProWritingAid, but that’s because I personally use their software.

Find out more about Emma on:

Bookshop

Twitter

Instagram

Listener Rebel of the Week is: Stacy L Frazer

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod

1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Jackson Hollingsworth. A huge thank you to all existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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071 How to Make a Scene with Jordan Rosenfeld

Sacha Black — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 08:00:26 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 71 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Jordan Rosenfeld all about scenes, what scenes are and how to make them.

In this episode we cover:

What is a scene?
Mistakes to avoid when creating scenes
How to end a scene and leave readers wanting more
How to layer action, emotion and theme into each scene
How to use side characters to create the most impact in your scenes

This week’s question is: Recommend a craft, business or marketing book

Recommendation of the week is: Writing Your Story’s Theme: The Writer’s Guide to Plotting Stories That Matter by K.M. Weiland

**This podcast uses affiliate links

Links and events I mentioned are:

Live Q&A with Mark Lefebvre on wide marketing

17th March 8:00pm GMT, 1pm PST, 4pm EST, 7am AEST

Patron only Poison and Prose is 10th Feb.

Find out more about Jordan on:

Twitter

Website

Listener Rebel of the Week is: Helen Scheuerer

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod

1 new patron this week, thank you Martina JG. A huge thank you to all existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: https://www.patreon.com/sachablack

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069 How to Write a Series with Sara Rosett

Sacha Black — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 08:00:25 +0000

Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 69 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Sara Rosett all about how to write a series.

In this episode we cover:

The main types of series and what to watch out for with each
Mistakes writers make with series
How to use your ending to sell the next book
How to extend or cut short a series and the considerations you have to make
How to create a second series in your world

This week’s question is: What series would you buy for someone else as a gift?

Links I mentioned are:

Wish I’d Known Then Episode with me: Financial Freedom and the Power of Authenticity

Parents Facebook Group

Find out more about Sara Rosett on:

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Podcast for Writers: Wish I’d Known Then

Listener Rebel of the Week is: Robert Byers

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod

Two new patrons this week, welcome and thank you to Nicole Cayer and Helen O’Neill. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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