Matt and Jeanne chat with Clay Stafford—author, producer, actor, poet, and liver of life. Honestly, the list of his talents is longer than this episode.

Listen to Clay's story of breaking in, the importance of networking, the power of the hustle, and tips for writing in multiple mediums and working with mentors. The advice might just change your perspective on the craft of writing.

Check Clay’s site, and sign up for his Success Points newsletter. He also has an educational platform, The Balanced Writer.

Of course, mystery and thriller fans should check out Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference, and sign up for Killer Nashville Magazine (free)

Follow Clay on social media:
Facebook
X: @ClayStafford
IG: @claystafford

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

The story indeed can save you ... from corporate hell ... but you have to be more creative then ever these days to financially survive as a writer. Jeanne and Ciara talk with New York Times bestselling author, J.D. Barker, about quitting a job to dive head first into a writing career ... and so much more!

J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is an international bestselling American author
whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating
elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.

Resources from this episode:

J.D. Barker's website
J.D. Barker on X: @jdbarker
J.D.'s new book, We Don't Talk About Emma
J.D. Barker's Books
Something I Keep Upstairs contest: Win an overnight stay in a haunted house on a secluded island!
Author Nation Conference in Las Vegas
"Writer's, Ink" podcast by J.D. Barker

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

Writer Erin Hemenway shares her path from circus youngin' to screenwriter to self-published author ... who created a Naughty Mrs. Claus.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Resources from this episode:
The Night Before Christmas by Erin Hemenway
Erin Hemenway's website
Erin on IG: @erin.go.write
Erin on TikTok: @erin.go.write
Erin on Facebook

Symposium's mentioned:
Step-by-Step Guide to Indie Publishing Success (discounted bundle)
Self-Publishing: The Fundamentals and Beyond

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists