Sacha Black's Blog, page 20
July 28, 2022
The Anatomy of a Best Seller is LIVE!!!
It’s here! The Anatomy of a Best Seller is LIVE!!!!! I am so excited to finally share this book with you. I know I’ve been quiet on this one… Or at least, more quiet than usual. But it’s finally time to dance on rooftops and clink the champers baby, it’s launch day for The Anatomy of a Best Seller and oh my god is it a good’un.
Grab your copy today!I won’t lie, I was shitting a brick last night. I think we all do that, right? Worry about a new book launching. This one is more personal than anything else I’ve written because it takes a look at a process I personally use and follow. I felt more vulnerable sharing things in this book. But now it’s done and out in the world. I actually think that makes it the best book I’ve written. I’m just hoping and praying you all love it.
I really, truly hope so because I am ridiculously proud of this book.
Why Read The Anatomy of a Best Seller?Have you ever read a book and gone “wow”?
Wow because how the hell did the author pull that twist off?Wow because you wish you could write like thatWow because how the hell is that book selling so well?Wow because that characterization makes you feel seenWow… Wow… Wow…If you’ve ever wondered how an author has done something, why their books land so well with their audience…
If you’ve ever wondered how the you can do that too…
THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU.
If you want to improve your craft.
If you HATE the phrase “Write to Market” then welcome “Write to Reader”.
If you don’t understand what “know your market” means or what you’re even supposed to know.
If you’re desperate to improve your craft and write as well as the “winners” in your genre…
THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU.
If you want to be the best writer you can be, be better than the best in your genre… this book is for you.
What’s in The Anatomy of a Best Seller?There are three steps in The Anatomy of a Best Seller (TAB)
ReadDeconstructImplementI guide you all the way through choosing what books to read and deconstruct, how to deconstruct at the sentence level, character and scene level all the way up to the story level.
In step one, we examine how to approach reading differently, the questions you might need to ask, and methods and systems for quickly recognizing what an author does.In step two, there are stacks of tangible broken down examples where I show you what the author has done and why it works and how you can then take the tool and use it in your own work.Step three focuses on implementation—taking the tools you find and using them in your own work so you can create your own best seller. Then, we take a moment to look at the market, examine what your real goal is and what that means for your deconstruction work. We look at understanding what “market research” really looks like and how to get under the surface of your genre.So that’s my book… You can grab it from any retailer today!
Buy direct from me here.
Buy on Kobo here:
Buy on KoboBuy on Apple here:
Buy on AppleBuy on Google Play here:
Buy on Google PlayBuy on Barnes and Noble here:
Barnes and NobleBuy on Amazon UK here:
Amazon UKBuy on Amazon US here:
Amazon US
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July 27, 2022
148 How to Write Epic Fantasy with Ryan Cahill
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 148 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Ryan Cahill all about how to write epic fantasy.
In this episode we cover:
Mistakes to avoid writing epic fantasyMarketing epic fantasyTrends in epic fantasyHow to keep readers engaged when you write really long booksEpic fantasy tropesThis week’s question is: Do you struggle to understand your genre or what the reader wants?
Recommendation of the week is: The Anatomy of a Best Seller!
Find out more about Ryan at:
Rebel of the Week is: Sarah Flandorfer
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 Josee Smith. And thank you to Yanni Jade for upping your pledge. 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 148 How to Write Epic Fantasy with Ryan Cahill appeared first on Sacha Black.
July 20, 2022
147 Author Plans, Brands and Success with Zoe York
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 147 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Zoe York all about author plans and brands.
In this episode we cover:
Understanding the readerscapeMistakes authors make with their first seriesHow writers can weave marketing into their seriesHow to cultivate fanbasesSeries 2.0 what it is and how to do itThis week’s question is: What’s your poison of choice?
Recommendation of the week is: A Serpent’s Tooth by Matty Dalrymple
***this show uses affiliate links
Find out more about Zoe at:
@zoeyorkwrites on all platforms
Rebel of the Week is: Lynn Morrison
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
Lots of new patrons this week. Welcome and thank you to Cassi Emerson, John Sheets, Holger Nils Pohl, Jennifer Sommersby Young, Irene Tierney, and Cheese&Quackers. 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 147 Author Plans, Brands and Success with Zoe York appeared first on Sacha Black.
July 13, 2022
146 Go Wide Grow Wide: How to Sell More Books with Monica Leonelle
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 146 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Monica Leonelle about how to sell more books.
In this episode we cover:
What genres are better suited to being wide vs in KUBest methods for managing all the distributorsHow to grow your audience wideDifferent approaches for different platformsThis week’s question is: what kind of research do you do for your books?
Recommendation of the week is: My courses
If you want to improve your sensory writing or create better villains, then I have a course for you. Get a whopping 30% discount using the code REBELSUMMER only valid until the end of July
Learn more about Monica at:
Rebel of the Week is: Karla Hailer
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 Meg Cowley and Stella Bixby. 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 146 Go Wide Grow Wide: How to Sell More Books with Monica Leonelle appeared first on Sacha Black.
July 7, 2022
Patron Benefits: Updates
WTF is a Patreon?
It’s a platform where you can support a person, show, creator, inventor etc., and in exchange you receive benefits like: more access to them, more content, or live chats, sneak peeks, merch or other things.
I thought, given the number of changes my Patreon has been through over the years, and the fact I don’t talk about it much here, that I’d share a post to let everyone know what benefits they have access to. There are three levels available:
$2 (Rebel tier)
$5 (Rebel Warrior tier)
$15 (Rebel Emperor tier)
Check out My Patreon
The $2 Rebel Tier
At this tier, you’ll get early access to all of the episodes. These are loaded on Sundays, ahead of the episode airing on weds.
Once a month, I run “Poison and Prose” sessions. This is a live Q&A session where you can ask me anything. We also do timed “sprints” where we all mute ourselves and write on our manuscripts for a set amount of time. Generally they’re packed with totes emosh good feels and everyone goes away warm and squishy on the inside and I go away mildly irked that I’m not quite as dead on the inside as I like to think.
In addition, when I bulk book podcast guests, I will post up a list and give you the opportunity to ask the guest questions.
You also get access to news before anyone else, and opportunities like ARC copies.
And then there’s the bonus funnies and content I share, like a VERY sweary blooper reel from the audiobook I recorded, or a blooper reel from a series of reels I recorded.
Quarterly Challenge (see below for details)
The $5 Rebel Warrior Tier
Each successive tier is cumulative. So you get everything at the lower tier and as part of the $5 tier, you get access to the Rebel Author Slack group.
The Slack group is a *currently* 85+ strong group of writers and honestly I’m not just saying this, but it’s the most supportive and lovely community I’ve ever had the privilege of being a part of. I’m in the group more or less every day. I answer questions, share info, ask questions, seek feedback. But it’s so much more than that. You guys lead and run the Slack group. Supporting each other, answering questions, cheering each other on. Lots of people are nervous to join in, but when you say hello, you’ll get swamped with welcomes.
The group even runs its own critique circle (though I’m not part of this nor can I take any credit it was engineered by one of the amazing rebel patrons).
Last, we are *currently* running quarterly Rebel Challenges. These challenges are basically group cheerleading. NOTE IT’S OPEN TO ALL (including the $2 tier). The reason I’ve placed it under this tier is because a lot of the cheer leading happens inside the slack group. So if you’re not in Slack, it can be a little less involved. For each quarter, we have a spreadsheet (thank you to another patron for creating this) and everyone puts their goals down. We can then track word counts, edits, ass in chair time and you can see everyone’s progress. Each week someone hosts for the week. Everyone does something different. Some host writing sprints, others share rebel stories from history, share motivational quotes, and much more.
The $15 Rebel Emporer Tier
As mentioned, you get access to all of the above. But the big sweetener for this tier, are the quarterly masterclasses.
Each quarter, we pick a book, books, or trope, and we read the stories together. Then we come together for a live class. Where I present a slide deck that breaks down the book or trope we’ve been reading. I’ll pull apart the story and show you what the author does well, and how you can use those tools in your own work too. Classes run for 90-120 minutes and there’s lots of opportunity for discussion and questions.
There’s also a private slack channel that only those in this tier have access to. We discuss various elements of the books and what we’re up to in the classes.
***
The Rebel patron is an amazing community, as are all of the podcast listeners, patron or not. I am so deeply grateful for your support, and encouragement. When I say you make me feel like what I do is worthwhile, I really mean it. If you would like to become a part of the Patreon community then you can by using the button below.
Check out My Patreon
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July 6, 2022
145 How to Skeleton Draft with Steff Green
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 145 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Steff Green all about how to do a skeleton draft.
In this episode we cover:
Does skeleton drafting work for everyone?Skeleton draft mistakes to avoidAn overview of the skeleton draft processWhat details go into a draftThis week’s question is: Tell me something fun you have planned for the summer.
Recommendation of the week is: The 12 Week Year by Brian P Moran
***this show uses affiliate links
Find out more about Steff at:
Writing Your Skeleton Draft Course: Use code REBEL for $10 off
Rebel of the Week is: Katie Forrest
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
This Show is Sponsored by ProWritingAid
Get 20% off using Sacha’s link.
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June 29, 2022
144 Writing in Multiple Genres with Meg Jolly
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 144 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Meg Jolly all about how to write in and manage multiple genres.
In this episode we cover:
How to approach a new genreHow to market multiple genresHow to research a new genreVoice across different genresReaders in different genresThis week’s question is: Across your career, what genres would you like to write in?
Recommendation of the week is: Lucky Bitch: A Guide for Exceptional Women to Create Outrageous Success by Denise Duffield Thomas
***this show uses affiliate links
Links and updates I mentioned:
For an advanced reader copy of The Anatomy of a Bestseller please email: becca@sachablack.co.uk with ARC in the subject line. Please confirm the following:
You can read the book during the month of JulyYou’ve left me a review before (please send a link in the email)You’re willing to leave your review in more than one place. My priority in order: Amazon, Goodreads, Apple/Kobo and then anywhere elseIf you’re also willing to help out with cover reveals and generally sharing the launch please let me know in the emailIf you ONLY want to be on the street team please email Becca on the address above with STREET TEAM in the title.
Find out more about Meg at:
Meg Cowley Author Website – Epic Fantasy
Meg Jolly Author Website- British Crime
Rebel of the Week is: A.K. Mulford
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 144 Writing in Multiple Genres with Meg Jolly appeared first on Sacha Black.
June 22, 2022
143 How to Write Great Beginnings with Sandra Gerth
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 143 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Sandra Gerth all about how to write great beginnings.
In this episode we cover:
The most common mistakes authors make with beginningsWhat you need to establish in the first act and first chapterHow to handle prologues and flashbacksHooksHow to know when you have the right beginningThis week’s question is: It’s mid year. What one thing will you complete by the end of the year?
Recommendation of the week is: The Fantastical Transmogrifier: A Camp Enigma Novel by Patron Jennifer Roundell
***this show uses affiliate links
Links I mentioned are:
Sacha’s Sapphic Mailing List: Get 250+ sapphic YA book recommendations
Find out more about Sandra at:
Free cheat sheet with 20 dos and don’ts of writing great beginnings
Rebel of the Week is: Beth Cox
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 Marian Sargent and Shannon Grogan. 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
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 143 How to Write Great Beginnings with Sandra Gerth appeared first on Sacha Black.
June 15, 2022
142 The Intuitive Writer with Becca Syme
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 142 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Becca Syme all about “Intuitive Writers”
In this episode we cover:
The five types of intuitionHow to stop crushing your intuitionPutting plotting vs pantsing to bedShutting out input/influence sourcesMistakes to avoidThis week’s question is: are you intuitive?
Recommendation of the week is: Happy Sexy Millionaire by Steven Bartlett
***this show uses affiliate links
Find out more about Becca on:
Becca’s first interview episode 17
Visit the Better Faster Academy
Rebel of the Week is: Jackson Hollingsworth
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
4 new patrons this week, welcome and thank you to Megdalena, Herman Steuernagel, Claire Donnelly and Annie Lawrence. 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
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June 8, 2022
141 How to Write Active Settings with Mary Buckham
Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 141 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Mary Buckham all about how to write better settings.
In this episode we cover:
The difference between active and non active settingsHow to make your settings more activeHow characters should engage with settingsMistakes to avoid with active settingsHow to hook your readersFind out more about Mary:
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