Susan Wingate -- Heroes, Clones, and Writing the Great American Thriller

Check it out here.  This week we are excited to air a brand new interview with one of our podcast heroes, Amazon best-selling author Susan Wingate. A lot of laughter in this one as it is always a fun interview with Susan. We delve into her latest woman's thriller she is working on, and dream about clones helping us get everything done. She also gave us a behind the scenes of her ongoing success and how she uses google analytics and book awards to promote book sales. What your clone doing today?

Happy Holidays Year in Review

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and what ever else I forgot.

This is just a happy little post to share a few things that have made me laugh in my life and to share a few of my milestones this year.

I've learned a lot this year and one thing that has been very valuable is to look back on all I've accomplished and enjoy the journey. I often feel like I'm going nowhere with the rush of my goals and lack of time to finish everything I want to do. This simple act makes me feel like I've moved forward and can feel content with what I'm doing and work towards my future new goals.

Random Funny Things from my Children

One thing I have done right is instill humor in my kids. Here are a few examples.

1. My son used to call adults owners. In a way he is right. 

2. On the way home from the hospital after a minor injury my son sang this little ditty, "On the first day of spring break my doctor gave to me, nine stitches in my right knee."

3. I like to call my youngest Shorty on social media. It has stuck now and everyone calls her that. Her friends are very puzzled since she is one of the tallest kids in her class. Every time I see them they ask me to explain. This has inspired a new kids book series that I'm toying with. I'll tell more later when I develop it more.

4. One day a few years ago when I still had my old car, Shorty and I sat down and buckled up. The interior lights were blinking. I had an issue occasionally with the electrical grid (it's a Ford, what can I say). Shorty asked, "Why are the lights blinking?" I responded that I didn't know. Instantly she responded, "I know, it's aye-blinkin...get it? Abe Lincoln?" I died.

Year in Review

Looking at this past year I am excited to see my work has paid off. I feel like I've run endlessly and I have to admit I've burned out a bit. But looking back I can see that my work has brought results and this gives me hope for the coming year. I've grown my social media following nearly doubling all of my numbers. I've used a strategy designed by my podcast partner Suzanne Kelman that has increased my interactions on Twitter dramatically, and sold more books that I ever thought I could.

Blog
This blog has almost 130,000 hits and over 10,000 last month. It's crazy since I was super stoked when I had 5,000 last month. Whatever it is I'm hoping to keep it up.

Short Story
Also this year I released my first short story, BLOW, and it reached #8 in Teen and Young Adult Short Story on Amazon in a matter of days. I hope to follow it up this summer with a continuation of that same story. Plus I have ideas for at least 3 new short stories.

Find it here on Amazon

Shattering Time Book 2

I'm working hard on my second book, Shattering Time, that I hope to have out this spring. I've made the first few chapters available on my website here if you care to see how it starts. It's been a blast working on it. I'm nearly done with the cover design so I'll share that with you as well.

Stealing Time
My novel, Stealing Time, has reached the coveted #1 spot this summer in Time Travel and I've spoken to an agent about representation. It didn't work out but it did give me some ideas for future potential with an agent. I was also contacted by a movie rights outfit so who knows where that will lead. Here is a sample if you're interested.

Podcast
This past year I worked diligently with Suzanne on our Blondie and the Brit podcast providing a new podcast every week for a year. It has been so much fun getting to know the other authors and I've made some friends for life. Plus I loved learning some great tips from them about writing and how to market my book. It has been a truly inspiring year. We had a fun celebration for our one year birthday in October.

Visit our podcast here

Author Consulting
I've also started running a local author group, somewhat by accident, but I'm really enjoying it. I've started a bit of author consulting to help them self publish as well and have met some exceptional people in the process. If you're interested please send me a note on here or my social media (click on Facebook on the sidebar) or leave me a message on my website here.

Writing Life
This year I'm trying to make more space for writing. I keep getting these amazing ideas and putting them into the world but they all take my time away from writing. This year I will finish book two, put out a short story and begin a short story compilation from my blogs. I'd like to blog more as well so we'll see what happens. I need to shut my brain up a bit and stay focused on my writing. This will mean a bit less time on the podcast and other distractions to get my writing time in.

I have so many surprises for you in this book and I'm really eager to get to book 3 in the Stealing Time Series. This one is 75% written and I promise to blow your minds with the major twist in the story. I cannot wait to finish that one because Book 4 is insanely twisty as well.


I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and get some time to relax over the holidays. I'm spending time with my in-laws and my wonderful kids and getting some free time to write that dang book. 

If you're interested in my work here are some links for you. My two books are available nearly everywhere you may want to find it.

Amazon:  Stealing Time  Blow
Barnes and Noble: Stealing Time  Blow

More options on my website.

If you'd like a signed copy of my book please let me know. Send me a request here.

Luke Romyn -- Episode 66 -- Self Professed Pantser

Luke Romyn -- Episode 66 -- Self Professed Pantser

Luke Romyn -- Episode 66 -- Self Professed Pantser  Join Blondie and the Brit for part 2 of our entertaining interview with Luke Romyn, Amazon and USA Today best-selling Indie Author from Down Under. Luke continues to share with us his brave, and some might even claim reckless creative process. Luke confesses that his last few story lines terrified him. Trinity, recently released, is one Luke admits raised serious doubts about writing his way out. It is a psychological thriller that starts with his main character in an asylum with only memories of three murders. Self-taught photoshop maestro, Luke takes the same bold seat-of-your-pants "oh I'll figure it out" stance on his cover designs, that are as creative and powerful as the stories themselves. Like this one? Then give part 1 (Episode 47) a listen as well.

Winners of Blondie and the Brit Awards

	Welcome to the first annual Blondie and the Brit Awards and Birthday Bash celebration! If you’ve grabbed your party hat please don it and join in. Thank you for all of your votes, shares and support! This has been a fantastic five weeks of voting. We appreciate all of your support.

First things first. All of our winners will receive:

1.   A Blondie and the Brit award (pictured above),

2.   The opportunity for a second interview on the show sometime in the next year,

3.   A widget for your website with your award announcement,

4.   A Best of Blondie and the Brit podcast with a quick interview update for those who make themselves available,

5.   Listing on our website under Awards Winners, and

6.   Eternal bragging rights.

SJ Hermann Podcast Hero Award

 SJ Hermann

Our first award is one of our Blondie and Brit Hero Awards. Congratulations to SJ Hermann for being our first recipient of The Blondie and The Brit Hero Award. SJ’s is an emphatic supporter of Blondie and the Brit, both in reposting about our books and our supporting our podcast in general, he is also an encouraging advocate for all Indie Authors. One of our earlier interviews, his podcast has far surpassed any other in the number of downloads. S.J. is a writer of paranormal, science fiction, horror and urban fantasy novels. You can find out more about him here on his website. http://sjhermannauthor.blogspot.com/

Category 1 – Best Social Media Tip 

  

Our nominees for the Best Social Media tip are:

Rachel Thompson -- #MondayBlogs

Laurence O'Bryan -- Extending Your Book onto Your Blog

Joey Pinkney -- How to Present Yourself Online

Nicole Persun -- SEO Optimization

Claude Bouchard -- Twitter Growth

And our winner is:

Rachel Thompson

We loved this tip from Rachel Thompson about her #MondayBlogs creation. Rachel had so many great author tips it was hard to pick just one to feature. Congrats Rachel for the win! Please check out her website at http://rachelintheoc.com/.

Here is Rachel’s winning clip: https://clyp.it/yr2crcso

 Category 2 – Most Creative Book Promotion

 The nominees for the Most Creative Book Promotion Award are:

Caragh O'Brien -- California Drought
Ian Mackenzie -- South African Politics
Vaun Murphrey -- Science in the News
Amy Quick Parrish -- Web Series to Pilot to Novel 
Barbara Sissel Taylor -- Living on the Grounds of a Correctional Facility
Emily Drake Carpenter -- Ideas Form in the Bath 

Nicole Waggoner

Our winner in the category Most Creative Book Promotion is the amazing Nicole Waggoner. No surprises here! Her tip on how to pull a potential reader into a second book in a series was a great promotional tool. Both Blondie and the Brit are planning on using this one in their own upcoming books.  Check out her website http://www.nicolewaggonerauthor.com/

Here is the winning clip https://clyp.it/aagp4wv2 (Nicole)

Category 3 – Best Fangirl/Boy Story

Our nominees in this category are:

Camille Di Maio -- How she presented her book to Paul McCartney 
Tom Nichols -- Hollywood Hills with Tarintino 
Kim Hunt Harris -- Diana Gabaldon Ultimate Fan Girl
Edward Stanton -- Paul Stanley of KISS Fame Keeping his Identity Secret

Kim Harris

Congratulations to Kim Hunt Harris for winning Best Fangirl story. Kim’s interview was hilarious and we really loved hearing her story about meeting Diana Gabaldon. Diana is KJ’s favorite author so I agree with our audience on this one for sure. Thank you Kim for giving us a great interview with such a great clip. You can find out more about Kim on her website http://kimhuntharris.com/.

Here is the winning clip (Kim) https://clyp.it/ocyoowjm

Category 4 – Funniest Podcast

 Our nominees for this category are:

Kerry Schafer -- Twitter Shenanigans
J.D. Lexx -- Lightning Round Hilarity
Sharon Anderson -- Phone a Friend
Luke Romyn -- Bicycle Underpants Story
Lynn Lamb -- Burning Down the House

J.D. Lexx

There were many podcasts we could have included in this award as we have had so much fun with so many authors, however we had to narrow it down and the winner in the category with the most votes from our podcast audience is J.D. Lexx with his incredible wit who kept us laughing through the whole interview. Learn more about J.D. on his website http://www.jdlexx.com/.

Here is the winning clip from J.D https://clyp.it/he1vz3v4

  

Susan Wingate Podcast Hero Award

Susan Wingate

We are honored to introduce to you to another amazing author who is recipient of our second Blondie and The Brit Hero Award. Susan Wingate is not only a fabulous writer but she is also a great support and resources for other writers. Over the last year we have felt Susan's support in so many different ways from helping us through our book launches and Facebook parties to interviewing us on her own podcast. Both a traditionally and Indie author she extents herself in so many way to support the writing community, through her classes, her online influence and her whole-hearted devotion to her craft. We can't think of a better choice for our special hero award. Thank you Susan for all you do. You can find more about Susan by visiting her website here: http://www.susanwingate.com/

Category 5 – Best New Author Story 

Our next category was Best New Author Story where authors shared how they were discovered. Our nominees are:

Darynda Jones -- Agent Beauty Contest
Susan Spann -- Ten Years of Tenacity
Patricia Sands -- Every Day is a Gift
David Estes -- Accountant to Full-Time Writer on the Beach

And the Winner is: Darynda Jones

Congrats! Darynda was our very first aired interview on October 1, 2015. Her story of being discovered by St. Martin’s Press after winning the Golden Heart Romance Award was a very inspiring. Thank you Darynda for giving us your time and talents for our debut podcast. You can find out more about Darynda at http://www.daryndajones.com/.Here is the winning clip from Darynda  https://clyp.it/notykb11

Category 6 – Most Helpful Writing Process

Nominees for the Most Helpful Writing Process award are:

Melody Robinette -- The Pomodoro Method 
Graeme Ing -- Scrivener Software for Writers
Deb Lund -- Increasing the Conflict and Suspense in Fiction
Terry Persun -- Fostering Creativity in your Life to Enhance Your Writing 
Ellie Alexander -- Writing in Layers to Enhance the Story 

Melody Robinette

We are excited to announce the Most Helpful Writing Process winner is Melody Robinette. 

Our listeners deemed this as the Most Helpful Writing Process. We were so glad to meet this great author and KJ has already tried and used this writing tip successfully. Melody Robinette was our winner with her great Pomodoro technique. Find out more about Melody on her website: https://melodyrobinette.com/

  

Here is the winning clip from Melody https://clyp.it/whgefrkc

Category 7 – Most Inspired Storytelling

The nominees for our Most Inspired Storytelling category are:

Melody Robinette -- The Pomodoro Method 
Graeme Ing -- Scrivener Software for Writers
Deb Lund -- Increasing the Conflict and Suspense in Fiction
Terry Persun -- Fostering Creativity in your Life to Enhance Your Writing 
Ellie Alexander -- Writing in Layers to Enhance the Story 

 VaunMurphrey

Vaun Murphrey is the winner of the Most Inspired Storytelling with her description of what inspires her science fiction writing. I loved this clip where she shares the scientific articles that were the spark for two of her novels. Congratulations Vaun! We loved your interview and were glad you were able to stay up past 8:00 pm to talk to us. Check her out on her website http://www.vaunmurphrey.com/.

Here is the winning clip from Vaun https://clyp.it/lg0xzeqi

Martin Lastrapes Hero Award

Martin Lastrapes

We are so excited to introduce to you to our third amazing author who is the recipient of our Blondie and The Brit Hero Award. Martin Lastrapes was a great support to us and our podcast when we first launched and featured us on his Podcast for an in depth interview. Martin is an award-winning novelist, a Buffy enthusiast, and a podcaster. His debut novel, Inside the Outside, has been praised by readers and critics alike and in the spring of 2012 it won the Grand Prize in the Paris Book Festival.  You can find out more about Martin here on his website: http://www.martinlastrapes.com/

Category 8 – Best Professional Publishing Tip 

Nominees for the Best Professional Publishing Tip are:

Andrea Hurst -- How to Approach an Agent
Gisela Hausmann -- Advice for Contacting Book Reviewers 
Evan Marshall -- What Does an Agent Bring to the Equation
Jeri Walker -- How to Choose and Editor Carlie Cullen -- Common Writer Mistakes 

Jeri Walker 

Our winner for the Best Professional Tip is Jeri Walker! Congrats! Jeri joined us on the program to talk editing and we ended up learning a lot about blogging and other author marketing resources. Thank you for sharing your expertise Jeri! For more great book marketing and writing advice check out her blog http://jeriwb.com/.

Here is Jeri’s winning clip: https://clyp.it/hnrc3l20

Best Overall Podcast -- Blondie’s Choice 

The last category for us is our overall personal favorite podcasts. We both chose the one we had enjoyed the most over the whole year. 

I’m so excited to announce Blondie’s Choice award for my favorite podcast of the year. Rachel Thompson!

I chose Rachel’s podcast for this award because of the endless great advice contained within. We gave you her clip on #MondayBlogs but it truly was hard to choose the best one in the interview that we spread out into two podcasts because it was so full of great author and book marketing tips and advice. Rachel gives back so much to our author community with her #bookmarketing chats Wednesday nights, her great articles on her blog and endless great content and tips.

Thank you Rachel! Stay tuned because next week we will have an update from Rachel on the podcast about all of the new and exciting things she is working on now.

Best Overall Podcast -- Brit’s Choice – Terry Persun

For the Brit, there was no contest for this award. This author was not only gracious, funny, and informative. He was also one of the most versatile and knowledgeable authors I have ever met. We ended up interviewing him twice for an hour each time and he had new and interesting things to say. I also had my writers “ahh” moment during one of those interviews. 

Terry Persun 

I am excited to announce that the Brits favorite over all podcast interview went to the amazing Terry Persun. Thank you Terry for all you do for authors and for the amazing creative spirit you are.  You can find out more about Terry at http://www.terrypersun.com/

Here is Terry’s winning clip: https://clyp.it/rrrkmyfd

Congratulations to all of our Winning Authors 

Thank you for all of your support of the podcast and Suzanne and KJ.

Don't miss an episode, subscribe on:

Podbean: http://blondieandbrit.podbean.com/ 

or iTunes 

Free Chapters of KJ Waters' Upcoming Release! 

As a party favor KJ is offering the first two chapters of her next novel, Shattering Time. Please click on the link here. http://www.kjwaters.com/shattering-time-book-2

You can have the first six chapters of Shattering time (the sequel to Stealing Time) by subscribing to her newsletter here. http://www.kjwaters.com/

Blondie and the Brit Birthday Bash and Podcast Awards

Blondie and the Brit Birthday Bash and Podcast Awards 

Friday October 14 6:00 pm EST

This Friday (October 14) we will be celebrating our one year anniversary with a super fabulous Facebook party where we will announce the winners of our Audience Choice Podcast Awards.

Join our Facebook party here to get the full scoop. You have to click join to see the posts.

Suzanne Kelman and I have a blast at our parties so please join us and come along for the ride. We will be giving away some books and I will have some exclusive content for those who attend the party! 

The schedule for the grand evening is based on East Coast Standard time so make adjustments as you need to.

8:00 pm -- Party begins with a toast and I promise to wear a really stupid hat. Well maybe not but you'll have to come to the party to see.
 
8:05 -- S.J. Hermann Podcast Hero Award


8:15 -- Category 2 – Most Creative Book Promotion Winner


8:30 – Category 3 – Best Fangirl/Boy Story Winner

8:45 – Category 4 – Funniest Podcast Winner


9:00 – Susan Wingate Podcast Hero Award Winner


9:15 – Category 6 – Most Helpful Writing Process Winner


9:30 – Category 7 – Most Inspired Storytelling Winner


9:45 – Category 5 – Best New Author Story Winner


10:00 – Martin Lastrapes Hero Award


10:15 – Category 8 – Best Professional Publishing Tip Winner


10:30 – Category 1 -- Social Media Tips Winner


10:45 – Best Overall Podcast Winners -- Blondie’s Choice and then Brit’s Choice 

11:00 –- End

We hope to see you at the party!

Please listen to our two full podcasts here where we review provide the best tips from our first year of podcasting. 

Part 1

Part 2 

To listen to these amazing authors please visit our podcast here or on iTunes here.