In this episode, we explore the dynamic of being a beginner vs being intermediate at your practice... and why being a beginner can, in some ways, be a lot easier! Tune in now to find out about the pressure I put on myself in my 2nd solo burlesque dance performance, what I took from that experience compared to my 1st solo burlesque act, how this connects back to my work as a fiction author, and the top 3 takeaways for how you can apply this to your own creative practice or craft (including important questions to ask yourself in order to relieve fear and/or pressure from yourself).
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Babe Maverick burlesuqe Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/babemaverick
- Episode 171 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast — Applying my 2024 Word of the Year (ELEVATE) to Creative Writing: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14272088-171-applying-my-2024-word-of-the-year-to-creative-writing
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In our previous episode, Episode 176, we talked about what it means to be a creative and an indie author — and how it can be so much more comprehensive than book writing! That's why, in today’s episode, I want to build on that and share with you the idea creation and writing process around my weekly Saturday email newsletter: the Solopreneur Diary Entries.
Tune in now for the inside scoop on what that weekly newsletter is all about, an exercise to expand your own creativity, why I never worry about coming up with fresh new ideas (even after writing these emails for 8-ish years), the logistics of my writing process, and more...
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Subscribe to the Solopreneur Diary Entries weekly newsletter: https://saganmorrow.com/newsletter
- Indie Author Weekly episode 176: What does it mean to be a creative and an indie author? https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14452324
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In our most recent couple of episodes here on the Indie Author Weekly podcast, we’ve been exploring the importance of trust in the creative process — including self trust and trusting others. I want to take it a step back today and ask this question: What does it even mean to be a creative, and, since this is the Indie Author Weekly podcast, what does it mean to be an indie author?
Especially given that recently here on the podcast, I’ve been sharing about my creative process in designing burlesque choreography. What does that have to do with being an indie author? Can we count that as something appropriate for our purposes of being on this podcast?
TUNE IN NOW for my take on the question of “What does it mean to be a creative and an indie author” — plus what you can expect as we move forward with the Indie Author Weekly podcast...
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Episode 174 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast — self trust thought exercise when you experience self doubt as a creative: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14340711-174-self-trust-thought-exercise-when-you-experience-self-doubt-as-a-creative
- Episode 175 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast — creative process as a solo artist and TRUSTING others: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14450389-175-creative-process-as-a-solo-artist-trusting-others
- Episode 17 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast — "Situationals" technique as an exercise to improve character development: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/1434766-017-an-exercise-to-improve-character-development
- Babe Maverick burlesque persona: https://www.instagram.com/babemaverick
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In this episode, we explore the delicate balance of the creative process when you are a solo artist — Because it’s hard to maintain distance and objectivity when you are working on creative pursuits in a silo! Is it good enough? Is it good at all? Are you conveying what you intend to convey? Even if it IS “good enough,” what interesting improvements can be made? And if you don’t have confidence in it being “good enough,” how is that going to affect the way you share your work with the world?
These are all big questions!
In our previous episode here on the Indie Author Weekly podcast, we talked about the value and importance of trusting yourself and building that self trust muscle. Tune into episode 174 to check it out — it’s a great episode and includes a 3-part exercise for improving self trust!
So in this episode, let’s talk about a different element of TRUST — trusting other people and bringing them into the creative process when you're a solo artist...
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Episode 174 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast — self trust thought exercise when you experience self doubt as a creative: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14340711-174-self-trust-thought-exercise-when-you-experience-self-doubt-as-a-creative
- Babe Maverick burlesque persona: https://www.instagram.com/babemaverick
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In this episode, I talk about the balance between trusting yourself AND not believing that negative voice in your head which might be filled with self doubt.
As long-time listeners of the podcast will already know, I’m a Personal Fulfillment Coach when I’m not writing novels! And many of my clients first come to me because they’re struggling internally: there’s an internal battle going on, where they have a mean voice in their head that sends them into negative thought spirals.
I feel like we can ALL relate to this. Most of us have at the very least experienced this from time to time. And when it comes to ANYTHING in life — including our creative endeavours — we need to be able to differentiate between those parts within us.
TUNE IN to this episode for a 3-question thought exercise to help you navigate self doubt and improve your self trust.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Episode 172 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast — Improving one's relationship with the creative process: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/14315351-172-improving-one-s-relationship-with-the-creative-process
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
Last week, I went through the entirety of my current work in progress — Book 8 in the Polyamorous Passions series. So today I want to share with you what happened when I read through it… It had been a few months since I last worked on it, so it was great to review it with fresh eyes!
There were 5 main things that jumped out at me… TUNE IN to this episode to find out what I realized and discovered as a result of reviewing the first full draft of my current work in progress manuscript.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
This episode is a follow-up to the previous episode, and shares recommendations and thoughts about how to improve your relationship with the creative process (what to do BEFORE you even sit down at the computer and start writing, plus a beautiful question to hold onto and guide you through the creative process).
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In this episode, find out how my 2024 Word of the Year — ELEVATE — connects back and translates into my work as a writer... elevating my approach to my work! PLUS, tune in to find out what I am NOT doing this year as an indie author (this decision feels so, so good).
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
How can you prioritize writing (or any creative pursuit, or a solopreneur business, or a passion project, or a hobby, etc) when life “gets in the way”?
In this episode, learn my 3-step strategy for how to DO this — plus a personal example of this in action with my own writing projects.
Want help with unpacking mindset blocks, setting and upholding boundaries, strategizing plans, and keeping accountable to what you want from you life? I’m here to support you! Book a coaching call: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching/
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
I began a new solo development dance class last month in preparation for my first-ever solo burlesque show... and that's given me a few ideas for incorporating burlesque choreography and culture into my upcoming romcom novel (Book 8 in the Polyamorous Passions series)!
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Check out the Babe Maverick Instagram account to follow Sagan's journey as a burleque dancer: https://www.instagram.com/babemaverick
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
This episode provides Q&A inspired by the Weeknight Writers "Writing Alternative Relationships" panel discussion I spoke at this past summer — it's a follow up to our previous two episodes where I answered the first 5 questions:
- Q6: In romances, people usually expect a level of sexual tension that leads to sexual catharsis; how can you create a relationship arc where people have a similar level of emotional catharsis without the sexual aspect?
- Q7: How do you manage a story with multiple love interests and/or romance arcs?
- Q8: What kinds of alternative relationships do you want to see more of? How would you like existing representation of alternative relationship models to change?
- Q9: What do you love MOST about writing the alternative relationships you do?
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
- Weeknight Writers: https://www.businessforauthors.com/weeknight-writers/
- Episode 166 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast: Writing Alternative Relationships (Q&A Part 1)
- Episode 167 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast: Writing Alternative Relationships (Q&A Part 2)
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
This episode provides Q&A inspired by the Weeknight Writers "Writing Alternative Relationships" panel discussion I spoke at this past summer — it's a follow up to our previous episode where I answered the first 3 questions:
- Q4: What level of awareness is it important to have when thinking about writing alternative relationships? (harmful tropes to avoid, poor representation traps, trusted places against which to check info/questions about types of alternative relationships we’re less familiar with?)
- Q5: What advice would you give to a writer who wants to create a world where these alternative relationship models are considered normal or even the norm? What changes would this normalization have?
Stay tuned for Part 3 of this Q&A, coming next week!
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
- Weeknight Writers: https://www.businessforauthors.com/weeknight-writers/
- Episode 166 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast: Writing Alternative Relationships (Q&A Part 1)
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
This episode provides Q&A inspired by the Weeknight Writers "Writing Alternative Relationships" panel discussion I spoke at this past summer...
- About the type of alternative relationships I write in my novels.
- Q1: Do you believe it’s inherently radical to write alternative relationship models?
- Q2: How does writing alternative relationships affect the way in which you construct your setting and/or frame the in-story relationship between the level of support (or difficulty) the alternatively romantic characters have with the society they live in?
- Q3: How do you deal with the exploration & creation of boundaries in alternative relationship models?
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this Q&A, coming next week!
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
- Weeknight Writers: https://www.businessforauthors.com/weeknight-writers/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In this episode, we discuss...
- Why I write childfree women in my Polyamorous Passions novel and Small Town Stilettos (quick examples of my characters).
- My personal reasons for being childfree.
- What it means to be "selfish" (wanting to have children vs not wanting to have children).
- The societal pressures to have children (a masquerade to control women's bodies).
- A trope I cannot STAND in fiction related to childfree women.
- My reaction when I found out that physically I shouldn't/can't have children (years after deciding I didn't want kids).
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Episode 158 of the Indie Author Weekly podcast: On Writing "Selfish" Women
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In this episode of the Indie Author Weekly podcast, we are doing PART TWO of the book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience!
We discuss:
- Breakdown of book marketing expenses and total monetary investment.
- Results of the book launch (actual numbers for book sales and dollars earned).
- Mindset struggles and shifts.
- Next steps moving forward with general book marketing.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In this episode of the Indie Author Weekly podcast, we are doing PART ONE of the book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience!
We discuss:
- 5 marketing strategies I used for the book launch.
- 6 mistakes I made with this book launch.
- 7 things I'd do differently with a future book launch.
Stay tuned for PART TWO of the Small Town Stilettos book launch recap on next week's episode of Indie Author Weekly — we'll be diving into the numbers (book expenses, book sales, and dollars earned), as well as the mindset stuff that came up throughout this book launch, plus 3 big experiments I want to try for general book marketing.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In this episode, we explore how the stand-alone novel Small Town Stilettos fits into the Polyamorous Passions series, and the interconnectedness of the “world” of these polyamorous romantic comedy novels. Learn more about the world of Polyamorous Passions, background on the fictional settings, character overlaps and interactions, and more!
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In this episode, we explore...
- What makes something "frivolous,” vs worthy or deserving of your attention and enjoyment?
- Internalized misogyny that can come to play with how we perceive Taylor Swift, romantic comedies, and more.
- The perceived validity and worthiness of more "serious" content vs women being allowed to have fun and put themselves first.
- Questions to explore to overcome feelings of embarrassment and shame about your (or other people's) "guilty pleasures," and the freedom and liberation of allowing more frivolity and personal enjoyment, regardless of how "silly" a thing may be perceived.
(This episode contains swearing between 6:45 - 7:02)
Resources & links mentioned on the podcast:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
“What made you decide to write polyamorous romcoms?” Today we’re answering THIS question!
In this episode, we address the luxury and privilege of talking about “controversial” topics such as polyamory and burlesque, the responsibility vs risks of being open about this, the concept of sharing your values without explicitly stating them, the reasoning behind my very deliberate decision to use the setting of contemporary romantic comedy to feature polyamory, and more.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Subscribe to the Solopreneur Diary Entries weekly newsletter: https://saganmorrow.com/newsletter
- Episode 50: What made me start writing the Polyamorous Passion series (my polyamory background) — https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/2949481-050-what-made-me-start-writing-the-polyamorous-passions-series-my-polyamory-background
- Episode 51: FAQ about the background to my Polyamorous Passions series: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/3015199-051-faq-about-the-background-to-my-polyamorous-passions-series
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
"Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience" deals with a variety of different themes (including grief, loss, and personal identity) and it’s the perfect novel to discuss at your book club! This episode features 10 book club discussion prompts, ranging from character development to fat positivity to societal expectations of women and more.
Get the PDF version of these book club discussion prompts when you join Sagan's author newsletter: http://saganmorrow.com/secretpodcast
GRAB YOUR COPY of Small Town Stilettos: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Stilettos-marriage-convenience-ebook/dp/B0C776DB4M
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- BONUS resources (such as a PDF of these book club discussion prompts): http://saganmorrow.com/secretpodcast
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In this episode, I’m addressing a particular complaint that some readers have had in their reviews about my latest romance novel, Small Town Stilettos — some of the reviews dislike the main character, Margaret, because she is perceived as “selfish.”
In this episode, we explore this idea a little further: What makes a person selfish? How do we determine whether a person is selfish or not? Why are we put off by a character who puts their own self-interest first? Why is there a double-standard for women vs men when it comes to how “selfish” we are allowed to be?
I want more readers to give themselves permission, in their own lives, to put themselves first, and to recognize that putting themselves first doesn’t make them a bad person, it doesn't make them selfish, and it doesn’t even necessarily need to mean that other people won’t get what they want or that putting yourself first is at the detriment or cost of other things.
You can get what you want, and do good things in the world. These aren’t mutually exclusive!
You are allowed to know what you want, to express what you want, to put yourself first. Especially if you are constantly putting others before you. Especially if you feel guilty about expressing your wants and needs. Especially if you are not ALLOWING yourself to have and be what you want in life.
So every time a reviewer mentions something about my characters being selfish, to be honest, it just makes me want to write MORE " selfish" women. To normalize women asking for what they want and need; to normalize women speaking up for themselves and asserting themselves; to normalize women being unapologetic about their drives and desires.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
Happy book release day to Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience!
In this episode, I share with you what advance readers are already saying about this romance novel, so you can determine whether it's something you might be interested in reading, too...
Join me in celebrating this book launch on social media! You can find me on Twitter or Instagram, @Saganlives — a ReTweet about this book release or sharing it to your Instagram Stories truly does help with spreading the word so that more readers can find this novel.
GRAB YOUR COPY: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Stilettos-marriage-convenience-ebook/dp/B0C776DB4M
(Featuring an ambitious childfree fat-positive fashion designer heroine, love triangle with cinnamon roll heroes, closed door romance, only one bed, positive female friendships, polyamory, and more.)
Please rate and review Small Town Stilettos on Amazon and/or Goodreads so that more readers can find and enjoy this fun summertime romance novel!
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In this episode, I'm doing a reading from the first chapter of Small Town Stilettos — this is the scene where Margaret first hears about how she's being forced into a modern marriage of convenience in order to access her inheritance...
Small Town Stilettos on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174111898-small-town-stilettos
Small Town Stilettos on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Stilettos-marriage-convenience-ebook/dp/B0C776DB4M
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Listen to our first reading from Chapter 1 of Small Town Stilettos in Episode 152 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/400015/13041543-152-a-reading-from-small-town-stilettos-sneak-peek-excerpt
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
In this episode, you'll get an overview about the plot of Small Town Stilettos, plus background about the real-life inspiration for this story and how some of the ideas in this novel came about.
Small Town Stilettos on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174111898-small-town-stilettos
Small Town Stilettos on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Stilettos-marriage-convenience-ebook/dp/B0C776DB4M
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at https://saganmorrow.com/podcast
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
- Check out Sagan’s YouTube channel to watch the video versions of these podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaganMorrow
- Get success & life coaching: https://saganmorrow.com/coaching
- Enroll in the Productivity Powerhouse anti-hustle e-course: https://saganmorrow.com/powerhouse
- Work with Sagan: https://saganmorrow.com/workwithme/
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
Find out 7 ways you can support an indie author with their book launch — this is a wonderful opportunity to support the creatives in your life (and some of these are simple, easy ideas you can do in just a few minutes!)
I share why it matters so much to get my novels in the hands of as many people as possible — we are literally changing lives around here and helping more readers discover themselves, embrace who they are and what they want from life, and deepening our understanding, compassion, and empathy for one another.
Stories are powerful and life changing. And YOU can play a part in that life changing experience! Tune into this episode to find out how…
Resources & links mentioned in this episode:
- Subscribe to Sagan’s author newsletter to view the “poster” for Small Town Stilettos, plus a few other goodies: https://saganmorrow.com/secretpodcast
- Join my book review team on Booksirens: https://booksirens.com/book/JYZYROS/WR29ENC
- Join my book review team on Booksprout: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/121085/small-town-stilettos-a-modern-marriage-of-convenience
- Enter the Small Town Stilettos giveaway on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/369459-small-town-stilettos-a-modern-marriage-of-convenience
- Add Small Town Stilettos to your Want to Read list on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174111898-small-town-stilettos
- Pre-order Small Town Stilettos on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Stilettos-marriage-convenience-ebook/dp/B0C776DB4M
- Twitter post about Small Town Stilettos for you to ReTweet: https://twitter.com/Saganlives/status/1671885973196767234
- Instagram post about Small Town Stilettos for you to share on your IG Stories: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ctbu3pzr9wJ/
- TikTok video for you to repost: https://www.tiktok.com/@saganlives/video/7242435179636182277
- Follow me on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/small-town-stilettos-a-modern-marriage-of-convenience-by-sagan-morrow
- Learn more about all of Sagan’s books (including the Polyamorous Passions romcom series, Small Town Stilettos, and her business books for solopreneurs) at https://saganmorrow.com/books/
- Subscribe, rate, and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/indie-author-weekly/id1469586590
Let’s chat about this episode:
- @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram
- Email: hello@saganmorrow.com
- Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) at https://saganmorrow.com/question
178: On being a beginner vs intermediate at your practice (and why being a beginner can be a lot easier!)
16:23
177: Ideation, content creation, and writing process for my Solopreneur Diary Entries weekly newsletter
19:49
176: What does it mean to be a creative and an indie author?
14:48
175: Creative process as a solo artist (trusting OTHERS)
22:28
174: Self trust thought exercise when you experience self doubt as a creative
13:29
173: 5 observations while reviewing my current work-in-progress
19:59
172: Improving one's relationship with the creative process
10:45
171: Applying my 2024 Word of the Year to creative writing
9:30
170: 3 steps to make time for creative pursuits when "life is life-ing"
24:50
169: How a new dance class is affecting my book writing plans
11:28
168: Writing alternative relationships, Q&A Part 3
20:24
167: Writing alternative relationships, Q&A Part 2
13:43
166: Writing alternative relationships, Q&A Part 1
16:39
165: Writing childfree women
22:42
164: Book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos (part 2 — marketing expenses, book sales and dollars earned, and mindset struggles)
35:57
163: Book launch recap for Small Town Stilettos (part 1 — marketing strategies, mistakes made, and what I'd do differently next time)
31:42
162: How my polyamorous romcoms all fit together
15:28
161: Frivolity, worthiness, and internalized misogyny (from Taylor Swift to romcoms)
12:03
160: The responsibility, risk, privilege, and choices involved in writing polyamorous romantic comedies
23:58
159: Book club discussion prompts for Small Town Stilettos
6:30
158: On writing "selfish" women
14:16
157: Book release day for Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience (what readers are saying about this romance novel!)
7:45
156: A(nother!) reading from Small Town Stilettos
12:28
155: Some of the inspiration for Small Town Stilettos: a modern marriage of convenience
13:17
154: 7 ways to help with an indie author’s book launch
11:18