Pencils&Lipstick podcast
Books & Literature
About
On the Pencils&Lipstick podcast Kat talks to authors, editors and other professionals in the writing and publishing field to learn more about the craft of writing. If you're a writer or just love listening to author interviews about writing, Pencils&Lipstick is about to be your newest favorite podcast.
Episodes
- Ep 311 Craft&Connect #4: Where to Find Your Ideal Reader with guest Becky Grogan
This week on Craft&Connect we continue our chat about Ideal Readers, this time focusing on where to find them If you missed the worksheet from last marketing episode, you can find that here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kBQ9FpRY0Ezt…
- Ep 310 Writing for the Male Reader with Henry Brown
Henry Brown, author of Threat Quotient and Machine Trooper on Substack, discusses writing for the male reader. Links to his Virtual Pulp website, Amazon, Kickstarter, Substack, Twitter, and other projects are included.
- Ep 309: Our Writing Schedules Aren't Created Equal
In episode 309, "Our Writing Schedules Aren't Created Equal," the hosts reevaluate what writers can and cannot accomplish quarterly. The episode description includes promotional links for books, writing workshops, newsletters, and author r…
- Ep 308:Not Where You Thought You’d Be? Listen to this
This episode discusses the unpredictable path of indie authors, where effort may not yield expected results due to factors beyond control. It suggests focusing on controllable elements such as mindset, strategy, and reader engagement, emph…
- Ep 307 Craft & Connect 3: Ideal Readers
The episode covers the importance of identifying your ideal reader for book business marketing. The hosts explain how to define this audience and why it is a necessary step for authors.
- Ep 306 Reader Magnets: More Than a Deleted Scene
In episode 306, the podcast discusses reader magnets for novels, questioning the common advice to offer deleted scenes. The host shares creative ideas for reader magnet short stories and provides a newsletter signup for a PDF.
- Ep 305 Good Books are for Any Age with Molly Arbuthnott
This week I'm talking with Molly Arbuthnott about writing picture books, working with illustrators and creative ways to get our books in front of the reader (including traveling...!) You can find more about Molly here: https://www.mollyarb…
- Ep 304 Choosing the Right Cover with Matt Stone
Today I am talking with Matt Stone from 100covers.com . We chat about how to find the right cover, how an author should approach cover art, how to work with a graphic artist and more. 100covers.com has grown in the past few years. They are…
- Ep 303 Why You Need an Author Website with Maite Dalila
Maite Dalila is a Squarespace website designer who works exclusively with authors. She has built 20+ author websites for debut novelists, querying writers, and self-publishing authors across fiction, nonfiction, and children's books. Befor…
- Ep 302 Craft & Connect Marketing: Core Values & Newsletters
This week Becky and I talk about the Core Marketing Values, why they're important and how to choose them. I'm the guinea pig this week. Let's see how I do! Every third Monday of every month, Becky Grogan ( https://www.beckythebookcoach.com…
- Ep 301 Voice Over Perfection with Jessica Snyder
Jessica Snyder started out editing for the traditional romance publishers. She had since moved into independent editing and has created the HEA club where Romance Writers can connect and learn about their craft. She has worked with authors…
- Ep 300 Talking Sustainable, Long-term Writing Habits with Nidhi Kona
Nidhi Kona is a versatile professional who wears many hats and offers a refreshing perspective on topics that matter the most. As a molecular biologist, she brings her scientific expertise to the table. As a scientific writer, she crafts c…
- Ep 299 Characters with Conviction with guest Jake Lynch
In this episode of Pencils and Lipstick , I sat down with Jake Lynch to talk about his unexpected journey into writing Christian fiction. He shared how a moment in Isaiah prompted him to write his first novel and how he now builds st…
- Ep 298 Craft and Connect: Your Marketing Pillars
Welcome to the first episode of Craft and Connect, the marketing show on Pencils&Lipstick with Becky Grogan and Kat Caldwell! Today we are talking about the pillars of marketing that will construct the foundation of any other marketing you…
- Ep 297 The Case For Crime Fiction with Melanie Anagnos
Today I'm speaking with Melanie Anagnos about being a police procedural author. Melanie received an MFA from Sarah Lawrence, and although she started writing a literary novel, she ended up in the crime genre. We talk all about MFAs, genre…
- Ep 296 Welcome to the Book Marketing Hour
Welcome to the Pencils&Lipstick Book Marketing Hour! We will be here every month...and we will be working on that title... Every third Monday of every month, Becky Grogan ( https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/ ) will be joining me to talk ab…
- Ep 295 How to Start Writing A Story
Here are the links for the books, websites and classes I mention in the episode. LiveWriteThrive.com has a LOT of great courses on writing. Reedsy.com/learning is also a great source. Get on their newsletter! My character development cours…
- Ep 294 Five Tips for Self-Editing Your Manuscript
Once you type The End on your manuscript, the real work begins: editing. But editing is not just re-reading and tweaking a few words here and there. Editing involves some deep work. So let's get into the top five tips I have for writer, in…
- Ep 293 The Courage to Be Authentic with Antonio Michael Downing
I'm super excited for you to listen to this interview (chat, really) that I had with Antonio Michael Downing. It isn't everyday that I get to have such a great conversation with a stranger! Check out more about Antonio and get his books he…
- Ep 292 An Intentional Writing Life
Is it possible to set goals as a writer? As a creative? When there are so many different variables that go into creating a story? In this episode I go into the reality of goal setting as a writer, especially one just starting out (with 4 b…
- Ep 291 Writing Books in a Social Media World with Viktoria Nikola
Merry Christmas! Thank you for listening to Pencils&Lipstick this year! It's been an amazing one. And to finish it with a bang, I'm chatting with Viktoria Nikola about writing, social media (the pros and cons of it and being a writer) and…
- Ep 290 If You've Hit the Muddy Middle... Do THIS
This week let's talk about the Muddy Middle. That moment when you hit about 40-45,000 words and then you lose ALL MOMENTUM. I have a solution for you. It'll take some work, but it will make your story move forward! Be sure to get on my mai…
- Ep 289 Big 5 Personality Traits and Your MC
This week I talk about the Big 5 Personalities and how we can use them to create depth in our characters. Grab the pdf here: https://katcaldwell.com/big-5 Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know wh…
- Ep 288 Six Things Your Scenes NEED
Let's get into the micro of scenes and learn about the essentials you can look at when deciding which scenes stay in your book. Grab the cheatsheet here . https://katcaldwell.com/288 Get on my writers' newsletter to learn more about…
- Ep 287 Character Arc Scenes vs Plot Scenes
This week and next week we are going to review scenes. Today we'll be looking at the macro of scenes. What scenes are needed in genre fiction as well as what the difference is between Character Arc Scenes and Plot Scenes. Grab your free do…
- Ep 286 Remember the Reader
Today is a writing tip day. I'll be doing more of these, which will be a bit shorter than the interview episodes. Let me know what topics you want to hear about by joining my newsletter and mailing me, going to katcaldwell.com and filling…
- Ep 285 In Person Book Events with Nancy Christie
I have Nancy Christie back on the show to talk with us about selling our books in person. Nancy has had several dozen in person book events working with Barnes and Noble and other indie bookstores and she is FULL of advice for us today. I…
- Ep 284 The Marketing Book Coach with Becky Grogan
Today I'm speaking with Becky Grogan who is a marketing guru and a certified book coach who specializes in romance fiction. She has some great marketing tips today no matter what genre you write though, so keep listening! You can find more…
- Ep 283 Zombies and Anniversary Editions with Alex Apostol
An Amazon Bestselling Author, Alex Apostol first started independently publishing her books in 2012. Her first series, Chronicles of a Supernatural Huntsman, has made the top 100 on Amazon’s list for Supernatural Thrillers, Myths & Mytholo…
- Ep 282 A Twist on Jane Austen with Joan Bischoff DeWitt
Christy and Carol Award–winning author Joanne Bischof DeWitt writes romantic fiction that tugs at the reader's heartstrings. Her historical romance The Lady and the Lionheart received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from Romantic Times B…
- Ep 281 Writing Fantasy with Realism with guest Hope Cole
This week I'm talking with Hope Cole about her book Daughter of the Void ( https://amzn.to/4o8Hrbu ) Find out more about Hope Cole here: https://www.hrcole.com/ My birthday treat for you this week---> The Stepping Series audiobooks for jus…
- Ep 281 Writing Fantasy with Realism with guest Hope Cole
This week I'm talking with Hope Cole about her book Daughter of the Void ( https://amzn.to/4o8Hrbu ) Find out more about Hope Cole here: https://www.hrcole.com/ My birthday treat for you this week---> The Stepping Series audiobooks for jus…
- Ep 280 Memoir and Book Marketing with guest Kevin Hall
Today I talk with Kevin Hall about all the things he had learned in marketing his books. He has put all of his ideas, what works and what doesn't, into a book just for indie authors. You can find out more about Kevin at http://www.kevin-ha…
- Ep 279 Keeping it Real in Fantasy with RL Baxter
Today I have a wonderful conversation with author RL Baxter. We talk about writing fantasy, writing for YA and adults, finding your path as an indie author, how Ricky Baxter got starter and where he is going. You should follow him and chec…
- Ep 278 Plottr and Story Designing with Cameron Sutter
Today we are talking to Plottr creator Cameron Sutter. Plottr has loads of templates that make crafting a satisfying ending for any genre so painless that you’ll want to tell all your friends about it. You can check…
- Ep 277 Writing Her Parents' Story with Nancy Hastings
Former journalist Nancy Hastings, the daughter of missionary parents, is the author of “Mission Possible.” Nancy’s 30 plus years of experience as a journalist and freelancer gives her the ability to make her characters shine. Nancy lives a…
- Ep 276 It's a Numbers Game
Welcome back, everyone! It's the seventh season of Pencils&Lipstick! I want to take a moment to reflect on the summer, encourage you to keep writing (possibly look at thing a little differently), talk o you about audiobooks and remember th…
- Ep 275 Stronger Through Writing with Stacy Smith Rogers
Author and Stronger Girl Coffee founder Stacy Smith Rogers discovered the power of community in a unique story of entrepreneurship, grief and encouraging others to embrace their stories with strength, faith and boldness. Her former busines…
- Ep 274 Stories Are Everywhere with Joan Schoettler
Joan Schoettler has surrounded herself with children’s literature, sharing it with her sons when they were young, inviting children she taught to step into the world of stories, and teaching children’s literature at California State U…
- Ep 273 Born From A Writing Dare with Hannah Jordan
Hannah grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia but wound up in South Jersey after falling in love with her complete opposite. She's got all the degrees of a "serious" fiction writer but only smiles when she's writing romance. She l…
- Ep 272 13 Ideas to Keep Writing This Summer
Get signed up for the Book Sales School Summit here: https://katcaldwell.com/booksalessummit2025 If you're a fiction teacher or coach you might be interested in the Fiction Teachers Summit. Sign up here: https://katcaldwell.com/fiction-tea…
- 271 Page Turner Awards Writing Contest with Paula Sheridan
Page Turner Awards is an inclusive writing and book awards with one goal – to change the lives of as many writers as possible. The team at Page Turner Awards passionately believes that talented writers can be from any background, age, race…
- BONUS: Across the English Channel Teaser
Want to read the book? Head here to buy from me: https://katcaldwell.com/books Head here for Amazon: https://katcaldwell.com/english-channel Want o make your own audiobooks? Go to https://spoken.press and use the code word PENCILS to make…
- Ep 270 Fiction from the Ruins with Esther Goldenberg
Esther thought of herself as a reluctant reader until she read John Irving’s, The World According to Garp in her teens. From that day on, she discovered that she loves books! These days, she mostly listens to audiobooks. Esther’s wri…
- Ep 269 Revolutionizing Audiobooks with guests Phil and Andrew from Spoken
This week I'm so excited to bring an interview with Spoken to you! They are truly changing the audiobook industry and I want you to be part of it! I've always wanted to have audiobooks, but it's been so far out of reach due to price for me…
- Ep 268 The Editor-Author Partnership with Melissa Burnham
Today I'm talking with Melissa Burnham from Embers Igniting. Melissa is a writer herself and sees editing as a partnership, walking beside writers through the editing process, encouraging growth while respecting their unique style and expl…
- Ep 267 Stories with Sass & Soul with Nancy Christie
This week I am talking with author Nancy Christie. She got her start in journalism and has written nonfiction, short stories and novels. Nancy's fiction and nonfiction books explore the subject of change — the challenges in transitioning (…
- Ep 266 Selling Books, Keeping Profits with Greg Keogh from Curios
Today I'm talking with Greg Keogh from Curios. Curios is a self publishing platform for digital content that puts the creator and their audience first. On Curios the creator of the content keeps 100% of any revenue they earn. Additionally,…
- Ep 265 Behind the Book Launch with Joel Pitney
Launch My Book, Inc. was founded in 2013 by Joel Pitney. A writer by training with a background in digital marketing, he helped launch his first book onto the New York Times Bestseller list, and soon began working with a wide r…
- Ep 264 Hooked in 150 Words with Jessie Cunniffe
Today we are talking all about blurbs! After this episode I'm betting you'll feel more confident in your abilities to understand them, as well as write them. Let's go!! Jessie Cunniffe is a professional blurb writer and book blurb coach fr…