BS with Writers (Formerly Story Strategy)
Join us for conversations with your favorite authors that go behind the scenes in their process. From ideas to software, superstitions and routines to mindset hacks, we'll chat about what works and what doesn't in the current publishing ecosystem. Your host is Nancy Smay, long-time editor and story coach and USA Today bestselling romance author.
- Update frequency
- every 13 days
- Average duration
- 53 minutes
- Episodes
- 19
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2024
Episode 78: In Which Kristan Higgins Contemplates Lad Lit and Po-Fam Romance
In this engaging conversation, Nancy chats with bestselling author Kristan Higgins, exploring her journey from aspiring writer to successful novelist.
Kristan shares her experiences in the publishin…
Episode 77: In Which Cecelia Mecca Juggles
Cecelia Mecca, a full-time romance author, shares her journey from being an English teacher to becoming a successful author.
She talks about how she transitioned to full-time writing and the challen…
Episode 76: In Which Julia Jarrett Talks about Hanson. (Dreamy Sigh.)
Julia Jarrett is a Canadian author of spicy romance novels. She started with small-town romance but recently branched out into sports romance, specifically baseball.
In this episode, Nancy and Julia…
Episode 75: In Which Mona Shroff Waits Beneath Clerys Clock
In this conversation, authors Nancy Smay and Mona Shroff discuss the process of writing contemporary romance novels, sharing insights into their creative process, inspiration, and the challenges they…
Episode 74: In Which Ines Johnson Enters Her Godmother's Pantry
In this conversation, Ines Johnson discusses her experience as a romance writer and the changes she has observed in the genre. She talks about her journey as an indie author and the challenges she fa…
Episode 73: In Which Denny S. Bryce Time Travels
In this conversation, Nancy Smay interviews Denny S. Bryce, a traditionally published author of historical fiction. They discuss Denny's background as a writer and her passion for craft and research.…
Episode 72: In Which Lena Hendrix Discusses Whether Mafia Cowboys Will Ever be a Thing
In this episode, Nancy chats with spicy small town romance writer Lena Hendrix. Lena, who began publishing just a few years ago, has found success in KU writing multiple series and focusing on cozy s…
Episode 71: In Which Kait Nolan Talks about Talking to Herself
In this conversation, Nancy interviews Kate Nolan about her writing career and process. They discuss topics such as the different genres Kate writes in, her experience with self-publishing and tradit…
Episode 70: In Which Pippa Grant Ponders Rage
Summary:
Pippa Grant discusses her journey as a writer, from querying agents to self-publishing, and shares insights into her writing process and success. She emphasizes the importance of joining wri…
Episode 69: In Which Sylvie Discusses Superpowers
Nancy and Sylvie Stewart discuss their pen names, their family histories, and their writing careers. They talk about how they got started in writing and the genres they write in. They also discuss th…
Episode 68: In Which Marika Ray Searches for the Secret Sauce
The conversation between Nancy Smay and USA Today bestselling rom-com author Marika Ray delves into the world of writing and publishing, exploring topics such as book production, genre selection, mar…
Episode 67: The One Where International Bestseller Kelly Collins Ponders the Pepper Rating
In this episode, Nancy and author Kelly Collins delve into Kelly's writing process, book series, and publishing experiences.
They also explore the concept of 'steaminess' in romance novels, the chal…
Episode 66: Delancey Stewart - Exploring Writing Process
We're flipping the script a bit!
Listen in as Nancy interviews working authors who run the gamut of genre and renown. First up? A bit of a multiple personality situation - Delancey Stewart!
Hear ho…
Episode 65: Talking Tropes and Building Better Stories
Tropes are a storytelling convention that help us let readers know what to expect from our books. Learn how to use them, combine them, and twist them to make your stories fresh!
Episode 64: Marketing Focus - Understanding Comps
Why do you need to understand comps as an author? Because you can't market a book without understanding the market. This episode of Story Strategy focuses on helping indie authors figure out how to m…
Episode 63: What the Heck is Deep Point of View?
The Story Strategy podcast is back, and in this episode, we explore Deep POV - a fiction writing technique that eliminates the narrator and pulls readers directly into the emotion and action of your …
Story Strategy 55: How to Begin...
Have you always wanted to write a book? Is this your year to do it? Story coaches Dawn and Nancy talk about the multiple ways a new writer can take their idea and turn it into something wonderful -- …
Episode 6 (reboot) - Busting Writing Myths with Becca Syme
Clifton Strengths coach, writer, and writing coach to thousands of writers, Becca Syme, joins Dawn and Nancy to discuss common "wisdom" shared in the writing community. Is it critical that you write …
Story Strategy Episode 54 - Finding Your Readers
Do you know who your reader is? Or are you writing books and sending them out into the world, hoping for the best? Learn tips and tricks for figuring out exactly who your audience is or will be as Da…