Romancing the Story: Writing Romance, Storytelling, and Book Structure

Khushi T Saha is an indie romance writer, has lived on both coasts of the US, and is a first generation South Asian. Drawing on her own experiences, she weaves tales of interracial relationships, India, and the South Asian culture and traditions - using her skills to completely immerse romance readers. Her romance series - The Liberated Series - became a cathartic project to convey the triumph and turmoil of an interracial couple and create a HEA with a South Asian heroine. She hopes that other South Asian Americans can relate to her stories and the Asian American experience, and of course, that romantics all around enjoy her novels. Find Khushi's books on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Khushi-T-Saha/e/B09QC25LJ7/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dskConnect with Khushi:https://linktr.ee/ktsromanceFacebook - @KhushiT.SInstagram - @ktsromanceTikTok - @ktsromanceThe YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySources:https://bookriot.com/barnes-noble-hardcover-stock-change/Support the show

Poppy Darling, romance fan and writer, loves a good romance novel. They thrill her, and they were her secret obsession. Until, she decided to become Host of the Confessions of a Closet Romantic Podcast.Like most romantic readers, she finds a sense freedom in the romance genre - being able to define what love, connection, and sex mean to her.  Most of all, she aims to celebrate her love of the genre without embarrassment or shame. In celebration of Romance Reading Month, we gush about why we love the romance genre, how it's changed for us as we've matured, and why we both started podcasts about romance.  Find Poppy's podcast here:https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/episodes/Connect with Poppy:https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/Twitter - @poppy_confessesInstagram - @poppy_confessesThe YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Audiobooks are a booming business with less obstacles than ever before. While many indie authors face the burning questions: Should they narrate their own books or find a narrator? And how do authors find the right narrator for a book? CJ Critt, SAG-AFTRA Actress and Narrator, walks through the process of narration and let's us peak behind-the-mic for the work that goes into voicing an audiobook. CJ has been narrating audiobooks for decades with nearly 200 popular titles of fiction to her name. For her, being an artist is thrilling. But it is work. And it is a business. And with her help, we walk through the business of audiobook narration and what it takes.Connect with CJcjcritt.comcjcritt@mac.comCJ's Upcoming Narration Classeshttps://stagewest.coursestorm.com/course/voice-over-acting-master-class-narration-tuesday-august-9-6-00-8-00-pmhttps://www.1106lupo.com/bookings-checkout/vo-trio-speak-up-narration-sept-11th?referral=service_list_widgethttps://www.1106lupo.com/bookings-checkout/cj-critt-s-voice-over-trio-september?referral=service_list_widgetThe YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Award-winning author Kate Forsyth knows her way around a re-telling. With a Doctorate of Creative Arts in fairy tale studies and an accredited master storyteller, she has written several books re-contextualizing fairy tales and myths. She lends insight into her process of writing a re-telling and how to pull from the original tales to create a compelling story for a modern audience.Kate's most recent novel is The Crimson Thread, a reimagining of ‘The Minotaur in the Labyrinth’ myth set in Crete during the invasion and occupation of World War II. The Crimson Threadhttps://amzn.to/3bMB5hZKate's other bookshttps://amzn.to/3bJh381Connect with Katehttps://kateforsyth.com.au/Facebook - @kateforsythauthorTwitter - @KateForsythInstagram - @kate_forsyth_The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

Clarissa Gosling, author of  "Dragons of Kaitstud" and "Lost Princess of Starlight"  YA fantasy series, has always lived more in the world of daydream and fiction than in reality. But faced the problem many author do: How do you find the time to write?On top of being a busy mum and living abroad, she is also an admin for the 365 Writing Challenge, an international writing support group that helps writers build the habit of writing. She has built in writing productivity for her busy schedule and is one of the co-hosts of the Reading Queens podcast, which discusses mainly young adult fantasy books and their tropes. Find Clarissa's books on Amazon:https://amzn.to/3xVkxfgConnect with Clarissa:https://clarissagosling.com/TikTok - @clarissagoslingFacebook - @clarissagoslingTwitter - @clarileiaInstagram - @clarissahgoslingPinterest - @clarissagosling365 Writing Challenge:https://www.365writingchallenge.com/The YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcGXevs2NQk3Ab9OD66zuQSupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestoryFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the show

It's a spicy book blurb summer! Professional book blurb writer and saving grace for authors, Jessie Cunniffe, joined the show to spill all the tea on writing the perfect book blurb for your book - talking the ins and outs of creating a dynamite blurb that sells your book for you. Below are links to freebies and the paid courses mentioned on the episode - along with discount codes for the podcast. Spicy Blurb Secrets for Romance (FREE):www.spicyblurbplaybook.comAnatomy of a Book Blurb for general fiction/nonfiction blurb (FREE): https://adoracopyediting.thrivecart.com/anatomy-of-a-book-blurb/Spicy Blurb Playbook BUNDLE:Use code ROMANCETHESTORY for 10% offhttps://romancingthestory--adoracopyediting.thrivecart.com/the-spicy-blurb-playbook-bundle/ Book Blurb Magic:Use code ROMANCETHESTORY for 10% off www.bookblurbmagic.comCustom Book Blurb Service with Jessie:https://romancingthestory--adoracopyediting.thrivecart.com/custom-book-blurb/ Find Jessie here:TikTok - @bookblurbmagicInstagram - @bookblurbmagicTwitter - @BookblurbmagicFacebook - @bookblurbmagicFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestorySources:https://www.tagari.com/what-percent-of-self-published-books-are-amazon/http://edwardwrobertson.com/self-publishing/self-publishings-share-of-the-kindle-market-by-genre/Support the show

Writer, speaker, and social media consultant Kathryn McClatchy talks about her passion of engaging and encouraging Authorpreneurs and what that term means to her. With a background in business, she plans to help authors take their book business to the next level with some great advice on where to start. We also discuss our latest collaboration on Twitter Spaces, #AuthorpreneurSpace, where we get into the nitty gritty of book marketing and business with more detailed topics.Next Chapters Unleashed Anthologyhttps://amzn.to/38VeNtqFind Kathryn here:https://kathrynmcclatchy.com/Twitter: @KmmcclatchyInstagram: @kathrynmcclatchyFacebook: @KMMcClatchyTikTok: @kathrynmcclatchyOr her Author Facebook Group, Unleashing the Next Chapter:https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnleashingTheNextChapterBook referencedBuilding a Story Brand by Donald Millerhttps://amzn.to/3xjOJ4sFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestorySupport the show

Denise Giddings is a romance writer and lover of all things romantic.  From writing short stories to a stand-alone novel to a series, we talk about complex characters with flaws and how the passion for writing can encourage learning the craft. We also discuss some of the inspirations behind her latest release, Contradictions, and the importance of showcasing  African American characters.  Contradictions Available Now:https://amzn.to/3z28r6iFind Denise here:https://www.denisegiddings.com/Facebook: @dgiddingsbooksTwitter: @dgiddingsbooksInstagram: @dgiddingsbooks Find me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStory Support the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestorySupport the show

It's a surprise episode filled with writing retreat wisdom and fun "quickies" - lightning round author interviews. Hear all about what makes writing retreats special and why they're important to each writer. Plus, learn about what projects authors work on during a writing retreat and their best practices!Find Kimberly Packard here:www.kimberlypackard.comhttps://amzn.to/3sQ3I3CThe "Spotifly" Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/34P12lKiYzQLGDw5D4rQib?si=87f3a7dfe65f4357Find Susan Sheehey here:www.SusanSheehey.comhttps://amzn.to/3LEeNeoFind Vanessa Foster here:https://vgfoster.com/https://amzn.to/3sUiCWrFind C.A. Szarek here:http://www.caszarek.com/https://amzn.to/3PMXw6mFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStorySupport the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestorySupport the show

Cindy Kehagiaras is a romance writer and Gen-Xer that's been waiting to write Two Princes, her debut novel, for 30 years. Now on her "5th Life" as she tells it, we talk a bit about the inspirations behind her debut's 90s-setting romantic adventure, the online writing community, and entrepreneurism in the current publishing landscape.  She also divulges a little bit on her next release - a second-chance surfer romance!Two Princes Available Now:https://amzn.to/3kTOVAzFind Cindy here:https://cindykehstories.com/Facebook: @cmkehstories Twitter: @CMKehSTORIES Instagram: @cmkehstories TikTok: @cmkehstoriesFind me below:Twitter - @RomancetheStoryInstagram - @RomancetheStoryFacebook - @RomancetheStory Support the Show:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/romancethestorySupport the show