Inspiration and information about writing craft and author business. For independent creatives.
Where do you get your ideas? Kickstarter Tips for Authors, and A Thriller with Teeth ... Bones of the Deep available now
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Hello Creatives, One of the most common questions that authors are asked is: "Where do you get your ideas?" Well, for me, it's often about where I travel and what I find there. In 1999, I sailed on a tall ship from Fiji to Vanuatu in the south pacific, and something about that crossing never let me go. I just couldn’t find the right story for it ... until now. Bones of the Deep has finally arrived, with a setting that takes you out on the open ocean, the stolen bones of a merfolk culture, and a crew who can’t escape. But these aren't the mermaids you grew up with. This is an ancient civilisation coming to reclaim what’s theirs, and there’s nowhere to run … This is a thriller with teeth. An ocean crossing. A scientist with a secret. A captain on his last voyage. A crew who don't know what's beneath them ... They should have never left port. Bones of the Deep is a stand-alone fast-paced thriller and the exclusive signed first edition hardback is now available on Kickstarter, with the paperback, large print, ebook, and audiobook all available too, months earlier than on other stores. There are bundle editions of my other stories in different formats as well. You can join me for a discovery writing webinar, or there are a limited number of consulting sessions with me available. Click here for the Kickstarter campaign Click here for the book trailer It runs until 5 May, 2026, and the book will be available on all other stores from July. Kickstarter Tips for AuthorsKickstarter has become a key part of the author business for those who want to make more money per book, connect directly with readers, and produce beautiful editions they're proud of. In this episode, I share excerpts from interviews with Oriana Leckert, Head of Publishing at Kickstarter, Russell Nohelty, and Sacha Black, alongside my own hard-won lessons from six campaigns that have now made over $140K combined. Whether you're considering your first campaign or looking to refine your process, we cover everything from overcoming your fears to rewards, fulfilment, shipping, marketing, and why I keep coming back for more. In the intro, Draft2Digital Activation and Maintenance fees, Barnes & Noble Press changes, Spotify updates and more. Click here to listen or read the transcript
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Joanna Penn, The Creative Penn
Inspiration and information about writing craft and author business. For independent creatives.
Hello Creatives, I was in Oxford last weekend for a university reunion. It was both strange and wonderful to sit across from people I last knew in my twenties and hear what their lives have become. Some have taken paths you might have predicted. Others have gone places no one would have guessed. A creative life rarely runs in a straight line, and I find I’m most drawn to the unexpected stories, the people who started over, who found their work later, who are still figuring it out. Decades in,...
Hello Creatives, Spring flowers are blooming here in Bath and I am looking forward to a lot more time outside in the coming months! I hope you are enjoying the seasons wherever you are in the world. In the meantime, I am almost ready to launch my next Kickstarter for Bones of the Deep, and I'm working hard on finishing my Masters course. We also had a book research trip to Paris which will eventually turn into my next ARKANE thriller, Crown of Thorns. More photos on Facebook/ Instagram...
Hello Creatives, Last week was a busy time at London Book Fair, always a sign that it's spring here in the UK! I talked about my experience in the intro to this week's podcast episode, which is also on writing characters, so have a listen if you're interested in the Book Fair craziness, and you can see pics here on Instagram. I'm in the last stages of the prep for the Bones of the Deep Kickstarter, launching in April, and also starting research for my next ARKANE thriller, Crown of Thorns,...