First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

Romance Author Mastermind weekend, the various reader communities out there, and the many different goal posts we're shooting for as authors. Also a shout out to Alexandra Ivy's DON'T LOOK.

You can re…

Some advice for authors on thinking in terms of long-term planning and cultivating relationships with readers instead of falling prey to short-term thinking. Also a bit on Romance Author Mastermind w…

Why authors shouldn't review their own books, how it's bad form and has nothing to do with being proud of or standing by your books. Also various metaphors on trying to get through a plot difficulty.

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What do you call your writing space? Thoughts on office vs. study, and more on deliberately creating inspiration by feeding your creative subconscious with the input it craves.

First Cup of Coffee is …

The lowdown on how agents work, why you should NEVER pay one, when you need one - and when you don't - and red flags to watch for. Also, a shoutout to sister Frolic Podcast Network show, Learning the…

How do you know when what you've written is good, especially when someone you should trust says it isn't? Also thoughts on agents, trad publishing and author careers.

The essay I mention is The Bridge…

My conversation with Nalini Singh, including thoughts on shapeshifting and conservation of mass, wrestling long series and how to name them, and the time she broke down crying on her tatami mat.

Read …

Recognizing the role of serendipity in our successes and giving gratitude for that, along with thoughts on phenoms and what we really deserve.

The blog post I mention is here (https://blog.jeffekenned…

Join me for a chat with celebrity guest Grace Draven as we discuss writing process and our stories in UNDER A WINTER SKY. You can buy the book here (https://jeffekennedy.com/under-a-winter-sky).

The m…

It's release day for UNDER A WINTER SKY! So, I'm burbling about that *and* about the #1 New Release Bestseller ribbon on Amazon!! Also news and upcoming appearances. You can buy the book here (https:…

On the ups and downs of author careers and persevering through a sometimes difficult business. Also on owning your process - but also being honest with yourself and tips on tweaking to make it better…

The dangers of thinking that 110% effort is possible - and why it's really okay to give some things 80% or even less - and how perfectionism can interfere with productive creativity. AKA: why I'm not…

A lot more today on fast drafting and the pros and cons of writing so fast that it requires huge amounts of revising time vs. taking more time while drafting so there's less revising time. As always,…

I'm showing off the cover of Rebecca Roanhorse's Black Sun. Also talking about the downsides of blending fantasy and romance, navigating Thanksgiving during a pandemic, and a bit on fast-drafting.

Th…

I'm continuing my interview series with contributors to the UNDER A WINTER SKY holiday romantic fantasy anthology, talking with the fantabulous L. Penelope today. We discuss worldbuilding in novellas…

A shoutout today to Rebekah Weatherspoon on the release of IF THE BOOT FITS, a modern Cinderella tale set on a Black-owned luxury dude ranch. Otherwise I'm mostly squeeing about the Biden/Harris win …

How to know when to push on wordcount and when to back off - and how to push, if you do. Also a look ahead at upcoming interviews with L. Penelope, Melissa Marr, and Nalini Singh!

You can read up on m…

I'm welcoming a special celebrity guest today, author Kelley Armstrong, and we're discussing her latest novel, her career, and her amazing Victorian Christmas novella contribution to UNDER A WINTER S…

How #NaNoWriMo is most useful for writers and finding the rhythm that works for YOU. Also mulling on grammatical sins of self-publishing authors, place as a character, and the Rebecca remake.

This is…

Memories of Roxanne Conrad/Rachel Caine today. Also why it's okay to admit to down days - and even important to let people see the less shiny bits of our lives. And a bit on romance-author cliches in…