Ep226: Heroic Books
08/07/20 • 28 min
Join Vicky as she interviews BAFTA-award winning screenwriter and publisher Helen Blakeman of Heroic Books! Yes – an honest-to-murgatroyd actual BAFTA winner on the show, which is super-exciting. If you've been wondering how the traditional publishing industry works and if trad publishing is something you could consider, this is the episode for you. I delve deep into Helen's brain and get her to spill the beans about the Heroic Books process, how she works with authors, and why she set up her publishing company. And we nerd out a little about sci-fi and fantasy because that's how we roll.
Key Takeaways:
[2:15] Who is Helen and what is Heroic Books about?
[6:10] How did Helen get started with Heroic Books?
[8:50] Often when an author submits a manuscript, they’re not ready to market the book.
[11:00] Helen prides herself on giving her writers feedback.
[13:45] How does Helen work with authors?
[19:30] Want to get your book started? Reach out to Helen.
[20:00] Helen wants her writers to cross over to TV and games.
[26:25] One piece of advice for aspiring authors? Read!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Join Vicky as she interviews BAFTA-award winning screenwriter and publisher Helen Blakeman of Heroic Books! Yes – an honest-to-murgatroyd actual BAFTA winner on the show, which is super-exciting. If you've been wondering how the traditional publishing industry works and if trad publishing is something you could consider, this is the episode for you. I delve deep into Helen's brain and get her to spill the beans about the Heroic Books process, how she works with authors, and why she set up her publishing company. And we nerd out a little about sci-fi and fantasy because that's how we roll.
Key Takeaways:
[2:15] Who is Helen and what is Heroic Books about?
[6:10] How did Helen get started with Heroic Books?
[8:50] Often when an author submits a manuscript, they’re not ready to market the book.
[11:00] Helen prides herself on giving her writers feedback.
[13:45] How does Helen work with authors?
[19:30] Want to get your book started? Reach out to Helen.
[20:00] Helen wants her writers to cross over to TV and games.
[26:25] One piece of advice for aspiring authors? Read!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Previous Episode
Ep225: Bullshit Monsters with Anaïs Bock
Sounds like a supergroup, right? AND IT IS! Meet Anaïs Bock and her Bullshit Monsters. If you have ever experienced any resistance to doing anything (and we all have) you need this episode. Anaïs introduces us to a bunch of the monsters that keep us stuck and make us sad – and shows us how to take a well-known idea and give it a twist that'll actually make a difference.
Key Takeaways:
[2:30] Anaïs became self-employed in her early 20s and had some limiting beliefs about what an expert was supposed to look like.
[3:30] What was Anaïs’s thesis about?
[5:30] Anaïs shares an example of a couple bullshit monsters we have looming around in the back of our head.
[9:15] Do you notice yourself editing as you write? That’s Stern Blade trying to hold you back!
[11:55] Anaïs shares why she created a deck of cards for people to use.
[14:05] How does Anaïs use this in her business?
[16:35] Some of the bullshit monsters you face will require you to push through the resistance and others will require you to be gentle with yourself.
[19:35] How does Anaïs discover and create her bullshit monsters?
[20:55] Anaïs is currently crowdfunding her very first bullshit monster cards.
[21:45] Why did Anaïs decide to crowdfund her project?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Next Episode
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Ep227: "What if they make fun of me?" [Writing Excuses]
Vicky and Joe storm into this episode powered by Sacred Rage at the injustices of the world. Then they veer off sharply into the world of monster vegetables, and swerve back to writing a book—this time talking about what to do if you’re worried people will make fun of your book. Tune in for some splendid advice.
Key Takeaways:
[1:05] It is currently hotter than the surface of the sun. Vicky and Joe are dying!
[2:15] Joe is still reading....The Wheel of Time!
[8:50] Vicky and Joe are tackling their garden. They’ve grown too much food!
[10:45] What happens if someone makes fun of the book you’ve written?
[11:20] There are only two people in your circle that matter: Potential customers & Your customers.
[15:15] Write a list of people whose opinions matter to you.
[19:30] Ask the right people for feedback.
[19:55] Remember to ask your beta readers the right questions!
[23:15] Use the advice you receive to be better. Don’t take it personally.
[24:15] Focus on what you can control.
[26:15] Please leave Vicky and Joe a review on iTunes!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast
The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan
Parable of the Sower, by Octavia Butler
Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, by Caroline Criado-Perez
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