The Wordslinger Podcast

Joseph Finder, a bestselling thriller writer known for "The Oligarch's Daughter," discusses his journey from aspiring author to bestseller. He shares insights on the persistence required in writing and adapting to global events. Listeners will discover the intricate balance between planning and spontaneity in storytelling, as well as the impact of modern themes like politics on narrative. Finder also reflects on the role of AI in content creation and the importance of embracing innovation in the ever-evolving publishing landscape.

Eric Cogorno, a YouTube golf sensation and personal development enthusiast, joins to share his insights on merging golf and self-improvement. He reveals how lessons from the golf course foster patience and resilience in life. The discussion touches on his transition from one-on-one coaching to impactful content creation on social media. With an intriguing look at his upcoming book, Cogorno emphasizes the joy of writing and navigating personal challenges, blending nostalgia with practical advice for overcoming everyday frustrations.

Evan Gow, the creator of StoryOrigin, shares his expertise in simplifying author marketing and enhancing business processes. He dives into the platform's innovative features like website building and direct sales capabilities. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing writing with business demands while preserving creativity. Evan emphasizes the value of local engagement and building a supportive writing community. He also offers insights into leveraging virtual assistants for increased productivity and personal growth.

Join Kevin Tumlinson for an enlightening conversation with bestselling author Steve Berry about his new book "The Medici Return" and his 35-year journey in publishing. Steve shares insights about his path to success, including overcoming 85 rejections, how Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" changed the thriller genre, and his approach to crafting tighter, more compelling novels.In the Note at the End, Kevin provides updates on several exciting projects, including his role as Chief Branding Officer for AuthorAnchor.com, consulting work with Plottr's new StorySnap tool, and upcoming speaking engagements.Links mentioned:* Buy Steve Berry’s “The Medici Return” - https://amzn.to/3EPzOFe * Steve Berry’s website: https://steveberry.org* Find an author VA - AuthorAnchor.com * Try out Storysnap - Plottr.com * Get your tickets for the Author Nation Conference, 2024 - AuthorNation.live * KevinTumlinson.Substack.com * KevinTumlinson.com/contact Key Topics: 0:00 - Introduction 2:19 - ProWritingAid sponsor message 4:10 - Interview with Steve Berry begins 13:56 - Steve's writing journey and rejections 21:32 - Impact of Dan Brown on the thriller genre 34:21 - Writing process and craft discussion 36:35 - Note at the End begins - Kevin's updates 54:30 - AuthorAnchor VA service details 1:05:44 - ThruLine Consulting overview 1:10:10 - Closing thoughts and where to find Kevin online#writing #publishing #authors #thriller #SteveBerry Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with Sally McQuillen, a psychotherapist and author of the upcoming memoir "Reaching for Beautiful: A Memoir of Loving and Losing a Wild Child." Sally shares her powerful journey of processing grief through writing after losing her son Christopher, and how journaling on her phone eventually evolved into a full memoir.Key Topics & Timestamps:[05:01] Sally discusses her connection to "wild" personalities and her son Christopher[15:57] The therapeutic benefits of journaling through grief[21:52] How Sally's writing group helped shape her memoir[26:54] Working with She Writes Press and editor Brooke Warner[31:21] The special significance of the book's April 2025 release date[34:01] End of interviewSpecial Note at the End [35:40]: Discussion about changes coming to the podcast format and reducing interview frequency in favor of more solo episodes.Don't miss next week's episode featuring bestselling author Steve Berry! Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Writer_ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Welcome to another insightful episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, hosted by none other than the dynamic Kevin Tumlinson. In this solo Slinger episode, Kevin dives deep into the power of process over goals and how our strategies shape our creative journeys. Tune in as he shares his personal experiences with various platforms like Substack, exploring how embracing authenticity can elevate a writer's journey. From local domination strategies to capturing a global audience, Kevin unravels the philosophy of effortless living and how to rise to the level of your process. Whether you're a writer, creator, or just an enthusiast of storytelling, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom on building an enduring, creative career. Join us for an engaging exploration of identity, transformation, and the pursuit of meaningful connections.In this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, Kevin Tumlinson discusses his evolving strategy as an independent creator and why he's going "all in" on Substack. Key topics include:• The importance of having the right process over just setting goals• Why gaming social media algorithms isn't always the best approach • His "Total Local Domination" strategy for building readership• The significance behind "the writer_" branding• Thoughts on authentic connection with readers• Why Substack works better for independent creators than traditional social platforms• Reflections on being careful about who we look up to in the creative space📌 Important Links:Kevin's Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.comKevin's Books: https://kevintumlinson.com/booksFollow Kevin:→ Join the Writer_ newsletter on Substack→ Read the "About" page to learn the story behind the cursor→ Connect locally if you're in the Georgetown, TX area🎙️ The Wordslinger Podcast celebrates authentic storytelling and building genuine connections with readers. New episodes release regularly.#writing #indieauthor #creativity #authortube #substack #writingcommunity Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Kevin Tumlinson interviews Dr. Cristina LePort, who transitioned from a 45-year medical career to becoming a full-time thriller author. They discuss her new medical thriller "Change of Heart" (releasing February 4th), her writing process, and how her medical background influences her storytelling.Watch on YouTube:Key Discussion Points:* Dr. LePort's journey from practicing medicine to writing medical thrillers* Her latest book "Change of Heart" and its premise involving heart transplants* How her medical expertise informs her thriller writing* The overlap between skills needed as a doctor and as an author* Her writing process and approach to character development* The challenges of writing in English as a native Italian speakerFeatured Guest: Dr. Cristina LePort - Medical thriller author and former physicianLinks:* Website: www.cristinaleport.com (without an h)* New Book: "Change of Heart" - Available February 4th in hardcover* Ebook available for pre-order as of January 21st* Preorder here: https://amzn.to/3WqrKRhSubscribe for more interviews with authors and discussions about writing, storytelling, and the creative process.00:00 Writing's Mystical Transformation06:06 Doctor to Full-Time Author Transition09:18 Journey from Novice to Author13:09 Medical Thrillers: A Perfect Fit16:02 Suspicious Organ Donation Suicides17:00 Cyber Agent vs. Mobster Hack21:26 Structured Writing Process Insight25:12 "Unexpected Ending Insights"27:39 Independent Stories with Recurring Characters31:17 Retirement Fulfillment through Writing34:15 "Transplant Inspirations: Writing Influences"38:08 Book Discussion Conclusion & Author Info42:22 "Evolution of the Cursor"44:56 "The Writer and the Cursor"48:55 Author Nation Podcast: AI's Impact51:23 Embracing Writing in the AI Era55:16 Building Resilience Through Adversity57:41 Share, Comment, Stay Hopeful#WritingCommunity #MedicalThrillers #AuthorInterview #WritingPodcast #WordslingerPodcast Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carla King, an accomplished author and creator of "Your Publishing Compass," shares her insights on guiding authors through the intricate journey of manuscript completion and promotion. She emphasizes the importance of building an authentic author platform and leveraging AI tools for writing and marketing. The discussion dives into the value of author communities for support and collaboration, as well as personal stories highlighting the evolution of relationships in the self-publishing landscape. Carla’s expertise offers invaluable resources for aspiring writers.

SHOW NOTESWhen you meet a guy like Andrew Davis, you can’t help but wonder, “How did he do that?” That was exactly what I was thinking after introducing him at the Author Nation conference in Vegas. His keynote presentation was one of the best I’ve ever scene. I knew within minutes that I had to get this guy on the show. So I did. Also in this episode, I talk about why you don’t have to finish a bad book or a bad movie or even a bad podcast. I even worked in some health tips for diabetics at one point. Tune in for that, if nothing else. See you inside.Watch this episode on YouTube:Show links:- Follow Andrew on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewdavishereMore for you from J. Kevin Tumlinson- Writers! Tune in to the Writers, Ink Podcast for great interviews and writing wisdom: https://writersinkpodcast.com- The Wordslinger Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/wordslingerpodcast - Visit WordslingerPodcast.com Got a topic or question for the show? Want to AKA (Ask Kevin ANYTHING?) Send it to me at kevintumlinson.com/contact Follow me online:- Buy my books at kevintumlinson.com/books- Read me on Substack: kevintumlinson.substack.com - See me: youtube.com/kevintumlinson - X me out: x.com/kevintumlinson (@kevintumlinson)- Face me: facebook.com/kevintumlinson - Link me: linkedin.com/in/kevintumlinson Thanks for reading The Writer_! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SHOW NOTESIt’s the first episode of 2025! And I have the absolute honor of chatting with Robin Hamilton, documentary filmmaker and genuinely delightful, wonderful, amazing person. She’s sharing her story and her process, and you are going to be absolutely inspired. But stick around for the NOTE AT THE END, and I’ll talk your ear off about what 2024 taught me, and how I”m ditching “goals” for a mission.The Writer_ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Watch this episode on YouTube:Show links:* Around Robin Production - https://www.aroundrobin.com* My Substack post, “Wiggling Toes” - https://kevintumlinson.substack.com/p/wiggling-toesMore for you from J. Kevin Tumlinson* Writers! Tune in to the Writers, Ink Podcast for great interviews and writing wisdom: https://writersinkpodcast.com* The Wordslinger Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/wordslingerpodcast* Visit WordslingerPodcast.comGot a topic or question for the show? Want to AKA (Ask Kevin ANYTHING?) Send it to me at kevintumlinson.com/contactFollow me online:* Buy my books at kevintumlinson.com/books* Read me on Substack: kevintumlinson.substack.com* See me: youtube.com/kevintumlinson* X me out: x.com/kevintumlinson (@kevintumlinson)* Face me: facebook.com/kevintumlinson* Link me: linkedin.com/in/kevintumlinsonThanks for reading The Writer_! This post is public so feel free to share it.KEY TAKEAWAYSFlexible Reading and Writing Goals:* Importance of understanding the purpose behind goals rather than focusing on numbers.* Suggestion to form daily habits without specific numeric targets to reduce pressure.* Enjoying activities like writing beyond achieving specific word counts.* Preference for a writing routine aligned with a broader mission.* Removing numerical pressure often leads to exceeding previous targets.* Personal intention and progress should guide one’s approach, not competition with others.* Kevin Tumlinson's career shift and personal challenges adapted through strategy.Podcast Focus and New Year Reflections:* Focus on storytelling, branding, writing, and personal redefinition.* Excitement for the new year, inviting listener reflections on 2024 and plans for 2025.Interview with Robin Hamilton:* Robin's background in documentary filmmaking and media.* Transition from journalism to documentaries due to unfulfilled interests.* Starting a production company and learning about business management.* Discussion of storytelling, inspiration, and technical documentary creation.* Journey of creating a notable film about an admired historical woman.Documentary Funding and Production:* Small grants and collaboration for project funding.* Filming a project as a love letter to a woman's legacy.* Success in film festivals and airing on PBS.* Breaking projects into smaller tasks for manageability.* Finding grant resources and importance of organization in grant-writing.Career Reflections and Future Plans:* Experiences with grant rejections and perseverance.* Unexpected success with FBI photos for a documentary.* Robin's film on Odessa Madre and unexpected career paths.* Plans to transform the Odessa film or explore podcast format.* Democratization of content creation through platforms like YouTube.Business Model and Challenges:* Balancing client work, fundraising, and grant applications.* Importance of recurring clients to maintain steady income.* Use of independent contractors for flexibility.* Kevin Tumlinson's experiences and challenges in TV and administrative tasks.Business Planning and Client Focus:* Business plan as a flexible guide for metrics and goals.* Emphasis on mission, core values, and client focus.* Success in nonprofit sector due to referral.* Importance of technology in lowering creative project barriers.Handling Personal and Financial Challenges:* Kevin's financial difficulties leading to depression.* Personal growth and transformation through therapy and self-realization.* Emphasis on intention and personal evolution.Entrepreneurship and Storytelling:* Entrepreneurship as storytelling.* Storytelling focus for 2025.* Use of a planner for ideas and alternative to traditional goal setting.* Insights from "The Courage to be Disliked" and impact of expectations.Writing Goals and Personal Mission:* High expectations leading to pressure and disappointment.* Preference for life mission over vague goals.* Encouragement to develop an ideal self as an ongoing mission. Get full access to The Writer_ at kevintumlinson.substack.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices