Sacha Black's Blog, page 2
March 31, 2025
The Black Herron: Episode 31
Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number thirty-one between Rachael Herron and I.
Don’t forget, Patrons get early access to these Black Herron episodes an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 right here.
To find out more about Rachael, you can listen to her show “How Do You Write” or visit her website.
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If you like dark humour, learning through examples and want to create the best villains you can, then you’ll love Sacha Black’s guide to crafting superbad villains. Read 13 Steps to Evil today and start creating kick-ass villains.
The post The Black Herron: Episode 31 appeared first on Sacha Black.
March 25, 2025
287 Aristotle for Novelists – Principles on the Art of Story with Douglas Vigliotti
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 287 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Douglas Vigliotti all about the principles and components of story.
In this episode we cover:
What Aristotle can teach us about writing novelsWriting vs. storyThe six components of a storyHow to make story more believableUsing logic to better create a villainLinks I mentioned:
Girl Games: NSFW Special Edition Kickstarter
Find out more about Douglas:
Rebel of the Week is: Zachary Kai
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com
2 new patrons this week, welcome and thank you to Elle Mae and Effie. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
The post 287 Aristotle for Novelists – Principles on the Art of Story with Douglas Vigliotti appeared first on Sacha Black.
March 18, 2025
286 Manifesting and Selling on TikTok Shop with Emily Blackwood
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 286 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Emily Blackwood all about selling on TikTok Shop.
In this episode we cover:
The logistics of selling on TikTok ShopWhat products sell the mostCreating content to drive people to your TikTok ShopSelling on TikTok Shop vs. direct through your author websiteHow TikTok Shop can affect your algorithmLinks I mentioned:
Girl Games: NSFW Special Edition Kickstarter
Find out more about Emily:
Instagram and TikTok: @authoremilyblackwood
Rebel of the Week is: Avril
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com
No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
The post 286 Manifesting and Selling on TikTok Shop with Emily Blackwood appeared first on Sacha Black.
March 11, 2025
285 Writing an Identity Not Your Own with Alex Temblador
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 285 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Alex Temblador all about writing an identity not your own.
In this episode we cover:
Digging into identity when crafting charactersRecognising our own unconscious biasesWhat intersectionality is – and its importance in writingConsiderations when writing dialogue and accentsReceiving feedback from sensitivity readersLinks I mentioned:
Girl Games: NSFW Special Edition Kickstarter
Find out more about Alex:
@Alex_Temblador (IG, Threads, Twitter)
Writing an Identity Not Your Own
Rebel of the Week is: Morgan
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com
2 new patrons this week, welcome and thank you to Rachel Beaney and Gerry Fitzgerald. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
The post 285 Writing an Identity Not Your Own with Alex Temblador appeared first on Sacha Black.
March 4, 2025
284 Why Your Writing Dreams Matter with Josee Smith
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 284 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Josee Smith about the importance of writing and creativity.
In this episode we cover:
Mindset shifts to balance writing with family lifeHow to find your creative identity againThe benefits of pursuing your creative goalsFinding time to write when busyTips for reconnecting with your creativityLinks I mentioned:
Girl Games: NSFW Special Edition Kickstarter
Find out more about Josee:
Instagram @joseesmithbookcoach
Rebel of the Week is: Karen
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com
No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
The post 284 Why Your Writing Dreams Matter with Josee Smith appeared first on Sacha Black.
February 28, 2025
The Black Herron: Episode 30
Hello Rebels and welcome to fireside chat number thirty between Rachael Herron and I.
Don’t forget, Patrons get early access to these Black Herron episodes an entire month early and then we air them on the podcast feeds the following month. If you’d like to hear them early you can join me on Patreon from as little as $2 right here.
To find out more about Rachael, you can listen to her show “How Do You Write” or visit her website.
*
If you like dark humour, learning through examples and want to create the best villains you can, then you’ll love Sacha Black’s guide to crafting superbad villains. Read 13 Steps to Evil today and start creating kick-ass villains.
The post The Black Herron: Episode 30 appeared first on Sacha Black.
February 25, 2025
283 The Art of Audiobook Narration with Charlie Albers
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 283 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Charlie Albers all about the art of audiobook narration.
In this episode we cover:
Working with a co-narratorWhat makes a book more fun/easy/hard to narrateTips for narrating spicy scenesTips to tailor your book more for audioCreating the voice of a characterThe process of narrators and authors working togetherLinks I mentioned:
Girl Games: NSFW Special Edition Kickstarter
Find out more about Charlie:
@albersactor on all socials
Rebel of the Week is: Melissa
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com
No new patrons this week, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
The post 283 The Art of Audiobook Narration with Charlie Albers appeared first on Sacha Black.
February 18, 2025
282 Crafting Conflict & Tension with A.Y. Chao
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 282 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Alice Yu all about crafting conflict and tension in our stories.
In this episode we cover:
Exploring themes of identity and belongingThe difference between conflict and tensionBuilding sustainable tension across a novel and a seriesHow to create subtle conflict between charactersUsing cliffhangers vs softer hooksLinks I mentioned:
Girl Games: NSFW Special Edition Kickstarter
Find out more about A.Y.:
Rebel of the Week is: Jenn Storey
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com
1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Chris. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
The post 282 Crafting Conflict & Tension with A.Y. Chao appeared first on Sacha Black.
February 11, 2025
281 What Makes an Amazing Author Website with Charlotte Duckworth
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 281 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Charlotte Duckworth all about creating an amazing author website.
In this episode we cover:
How important is an author website?Recommended platforms and features for author websitesOptimising your author website to drive salesThe importance of author branding in creating a cohesive websiteUsing your website to build your mailing listWebsite metrics to pay attention toLinks I mentioned:
Page Turner Pacing Kickstarter
Girl Games: NSFW Special Edition Kickstarter
Find out more about Charlotte:
Rebel of the Week is: Eden the Pigeon Wrangler
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com
No new patrons, but a big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
This episode is sponsored by Fictionary
Find out more about Fictionary Software + Fictionary Live! here.
As a rebel listener you can get 25% off StoryTeller, StoryTeller Premium and certification with code REBEL25.
The post 281 What Makes an Amazing Author Website with Charlotte Duckworth appeared first on Sacha Black.
February 4, 2025
280 Editorial Alchemy: Turning Good Writing into Literary Gold with Rebecca Faith Heyman
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 280 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Rebecca Faith Heyman all about how editing can turn good writing into literary gold.
In this episode we cover:
Differences between developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreadingWhat type of editing to invest in if you’re on a budgetWhat makes a good first lineCommon mistakes new authors make in storyAn editor’s process of reviewing a manuscriptLinks I mentioned:
Page Turner Pacing Kickstarter
Girl Games: NSFW Special Edition Kickstarter
Find out more about Rebecca:
Rebel of the Week is: Gigi
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com
Two new patrons this month, welcome and thank you to Lexi Le and Rasana Atreya. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE
Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.
The post 280 Editorial Alchemy: Turning Good Writing into Literary Gold with Rebecca Faith Heyman appeared first on Sacha Black.
