How to Build Your Writing Platform So Your Writing Doesn't Have to Walk the Plank!
Cold open: Hey, I’ve finished my novel. Come and get it world! (Crickets sound) Hello? Hello? Is anyone out there? 1. This podcast may contain literary language and contagious ideas. Listener discretion is advised. 2. Welcome/Intro Welcome to WATT, your biweekly home for all things writing instruction, analysis, inspiration, and writing news and trends. Though our podcast is casual by design, we confess to being sometimes pretentious curious. I’m Drema Drudge, author of the forthcoming novel, Victorine, from Fleur-di-Lis Press. I’m a graduate of the Spalding University MFA in Creative Writing Program, and I’m currently a freelance writer and writing coach. My fondest wish is to return to Paris next year with a French translation of my book in hand to celebrate the publication of my novel. To that end, I’m, god help us all, attempting to learn some French. So far I suck at it. I’m Barry Drudge, co-host and recent MFA graduate of Spalding University, former ghostwriter and a songwriter and musician who has worked with Grammy winners in Nashville. I am a closet novelist as well. Drema says I’m pretty much winning French on Duolingo. Literary News and Trends: Happy Book Birthday to Katy Yocum. Her debut literary fiction novel, Three Ways to Disappear, comes out July 16. Here is the book’s description on Amazon: Leaving behind a nomadic and dangerous career as a journalist, Sarah DeVaughan returns to India, the country of her childhood and a place of unspeakable family tragedy, to help preserve the endangered Bengal tigers. Meanwhile, at home in Kentucky, her sister, Quinn--also deeply scarred by the past and herself a keeper of secrets--tries to support her sister, even as she fears that India will be Sarah's undoing. As Sarah faces challenges in her new job--made complicated by complex local politics and a forbidden love--Quinn copes with their mother's refusal to talk about the past, her son's life-threatening illness, and her own increasingly troubled marriage. When Sarah asks Quinn to join her in India, Quinn realizes that the only way to overcome the past is to return to it, and it is in this place of stunning natural beauty and hidden danger that the sisters can finally understand the ways in which their family has disappeared--from their shared history, from one another--and recognize that they may need to risk everything to find themselves again. With dramatic urgency, a powerful sense of place, and a beautifully rendered cast of characters revealing a deep understanding of human nature in all its flawed glory, Katy Yocom has created an unforgettable novel about saving all that is precious, from endangered species to the indelible bonds among family. NOTE: Drema was a reviewer; Barry has heard portions of it read aloud by Katy. In other literary news, Publishers Weekly reports that “Publishers are holding their breath to see if President Trump’s decision to postpone the imposition of 25% tariffs on $300 billion worth of goods imported from China will become permanent. The new tariffs, which included books, were proposed this spring. But after meeting with China President Xi at the G20 conference this weekend, Trump agreed to delay any new tariffs as part of an effort to restart trade talks. In his speech, Trump said new tariffs have been delayed “for the time being.”” Analysts aren’t convinced his decision will remain firm. Time will tell. And, finally, I mentioned last time I am doing social media work for a popular romance author. Yes, I am happy to report I am Shirley Jump’s current social media assistant. Not only am I enjoying working for her, I’m also learning more about today’s topic: platform building. 3. Writing Inspiration: We’ve giveSupport the show (https://c6.patreon.com/)
