Pen to Paycheck Authors

When Niches Get Riches

In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda discuss the ever complicated topic of niches. What is a niche, and how does defining it help further your writing career?
By next week, Sam and Matilda will have taken a look at their positioning within the author stratosphere so they can discuss standing out & fitting in.  
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAM IG: @sammowrimo
Website: www.samantha-cummings.com
Book to start with: The Deathless - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deathless-Frances-June/dp/B0915V5L6F
Most recent book: Curse of the Wild (Moons & Magic Book 1) https://amzn.eu/d/fVXwW3j
MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/ButterLatethanNever (book #3 of The Slippery Spoon Mysteries)
 
Mentioned on the show:
How to find your niche: https://kobowritinglife.com/2023/04/17/how-to-find-your-niche-and-does-every-writer-need-one/
 
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When Platforms are Power

In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda talk about the platforms that support their writing careers, from creating graphics and book covers, to how they format their books. 
By next week, Sam and Matilda will talk about their niches. What niches ARE, and how they plan on drilling down to find success! 
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAM IG: @sammowrimo
Website: www.samantha-cummings.com
Book to start with: The Deathless - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deathless-Frances-June/dp/B0915V5L6F
Most recent book: Curse of the Wild (Moons & Magic Book 1) https://amzn.eu/d/fVXwW3j
MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/ButterLatethanNever (book #3 of The Slippery Spoon Mysteries)
 
Mentioned on the show:
 
Spa Girls 429 - How to Create Your Author Business Plan: https://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-ep-429-how-to-create-your-author-business-plan/
Novel Marketing Podcast - How to Use Goodreads to Promote your Book: https://www.authormedia.com/how-to-promote-books-goodreads/
Bookfunnel: https://bookfunnel.com/
Story Origin: https://storyoriginapp.com/
Prolific Works: https://www.prolificworks.com/
20BooksTo50k Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/20Booksto50k/
Mailerlite: https://www.mailerlite.com/
Mailchimp: https://mailchimp.com/
Draft2Digital: https://www.draft2digital.com/
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/
Vellum: https://vellum.pub/
Atticus: https://www.atticus.io/
Canva: https://www.canva.com/
Bookbrush: https://bookbrush.com/
Photopea: https://www.photopea.com/
Publisher Rocket: https://publisherrocket.com/
Dave Chesson’s Kindelpreneur: https://kindlepreneur.com/
Book Report: https://www.getbookreport.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/
Wordpress: https://wordpress.org/
Bluehost: https://www.bluehost.com/
Joanna Penn website guide: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/website-email-help/
Squarespace: https://www.squarespace.com/
Clubhouse: https://www.clubhouse.com/

When Money Means Mayhem

In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda talk about their money mindset!
By next week, Sam and Matilda will have collected information on the platforms they use to self publish, and discuss business plans. 
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAM IG: @sammowrimo
Website: www.samantha-cummings.com
Book to start with: The Deathless - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deathless-Frances-June/dp/B0915V5L6F
Most recent book: Curse of the Wild (Moons & Magic Book 1) https://amzn.eu/d/fVXwW3j
MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/ButterLatethanNever (book #3 of The Slippery Spoon Mysteries)
 
Mentioned on the show:
 
Write to Riches by Renee Rose (also check out her Author Abundance Central group on Facebook): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RW43WWS/
Your Journey Into Abundance by H L Savino:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087D4CXT2/
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rogers (she also has a podcast called Hello Seven): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BYYMZG3/
Become a Fearless Writer by Nina Harrington: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071R9X1JG/
5 Steps to Author Success by Rachel McLean (turns out it doesn’t have ‘Bestseller’ in the title, but Matilda was close): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MG97Q15/
Six Figure Authors Podcast (worth listening to the backlist and also keeping on your feed as they sometimes add new episodes): https://6figureauthors.com/
 

When Facebook Ads Fight Back

In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda talk about their experience with Facebook ads, what they have already learned from past experience, and what plans they have to gain success in the future.
By next week, Sam and Matilda have deep dived into their money mindset, their spending plans, and the dreaded 'budget'. 
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAM IG: @sammowrimo
Website: www.samantha-cummings.com
Book to start with: The Deathless - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deathless-Frances-June/dp/B0915V5L6F
Most recent book: Curse of the Wild (Moons & Magic Book 1) https://amzn.eu/d/fVXwW3j
MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/ButterLatethanNever (book #3 of The Slippery Spoon Mysteries)
 
Mentioned on the show:
 
Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Formula Ads for Authors: https://learn.selfpublishingformula.com/p/adsforauthors
Mal Cooper’s Help! My Facebook Ads Suck: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YN78GC4
Bryan Cohen: https://bryancohen.com/
Matthew J Holmes: https://www.matthewjholmes.com/
Great Facebook page examples:
J M Miller: https://www.facebook.com/j.m.miller.author
Jennifer L Armentrout: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout

When Marketing is Unmasked

In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda break down their own marketing attempts in 2023, and discuss what worked and what didn't, covering what marketing ideas they have for the next 12 months. 
By next week, Sam and Matilda will come back together to break down their understanding of Facebook ads; what their experience is with the system, and how they plan on getting results. 
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAM IG: @sammowrimo
Website: www.samantha-cummings.com
Book to start with: The Deathless - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deathless-Frances-June/dp/B0915V5L6F
Most recent book: Curse of the Wild (Moons & Magic Book 1) https://amzn.eu/d/fVXwW3j
MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/ButterLatethanNever (book #3 of The Slippery Spoon Mysteries)
Mentioned on the show:
Matilda’s cover designer for both the new and original Heathervale Mysteries covers: http://goonwrite.com/
The source of much knowledge, especially which promo sites are worthwhile, David Gaughran: https://davidgaughran.com/best-promo-sites-books/
Cozy mystery author extraordinaire, Tonya Kappes: https://tonyakappes.com/
Next Level Authors Podcast: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/podcasts/nextlevelauthors/
Rebel Author Podcast: https://sachablack.co.uk/the-rebel-author-podcast/
Wish I’d Known Then…For Writers: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/
Bookfunnel: https://bookfunnel.com/

When Year Plans Attack

In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda make their 2024 plans…then remake them to factor in all the different hats self-publishers need to wear.
By next week, Sam and Matilda will have completed a marketing audit to as the first step on their plans for 2024.
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAM IG: @sammowrimo
Website: www.samantha-cummings.com
Book to start with: The Deathless - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deathless-Frances-June/dp/B0915V5L6F
Most recent book: Curse of the Wild (Moons & Magic Book 1) https://amzn.eu/d/fVXwW3j
MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/ButterLatethanNever (book #3 of The Slippery Spoon Mysteries)
Mentioned on the show
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz: https://www.amazon.com/dp/073521414X/
ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors): https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/
Orna Ross: https://ornaross.com/
Join Orna’s patreon, or take part in her weekly check-ins for free here: https://www.patreon.com/OrnaRoss