Episode 098

Released on: February 15, 2026

On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we sit down with romance author T L Russ to talk about building a feel-good brand filled with heart, heat, and unforgettable banter. From her journey into self-publishing and rapid release to the realities of time management, newsletters, and trope-driven marketing, she shares what it really takes to grow a loyal reader base in today’s romance market. We also dive into permafree strategy, series bibles, small-town worldbuilding, and how she keeps readers invested across interconnected stories. If you love swoony heroes, strong heroines, and smart business insight wrapped in real-world experience, this conversation is one you will not want to miss.

Get Shanon’s 3-time award-winning romantasy book out on January 20th! A Curse of Wings & Gems 👉 https://books2read.com/A-Curse-of-Wings-and-Gems

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

CONNECT WITH T L Russ!

🌐 T L Russ's Website: https://www.tlruss.com/

📷 T L Russ's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlrussauthor/🎥 T L Russ's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tlruss

CONNECT WITH US!

▶Shanon’s (S.D. Huston) Links: https://linktr.ee/sdhuston

▶Ben Pick’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Running2Write

▶Ben Pick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running2write

🌐 D.L.’s Website: https://www.authordltillery.com/

📚 D.L.’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/D-L-Tillery/e/B09CRDP37H

🎥 D.L.’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AuthorDLTillery

📱 D.L.’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDLTillery/

📸 D.L.’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authordltillery/

🐦 D.L.’s Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/authordltillery

🌐 D.L.’s Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/banongaming

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

#selfpublishingtipstricks #sptt

Episode 097

Released on: February 1, 2026

On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we dive into Writing Deep Scenes by Martha Alderson and Jordan Rosenfeld. We unpack how this craft book breaks down scenes into three powerful layers, action, emotion, and theme, and explore how understanding those elements can transform revision into a process of precision rather than expansion. Whether you're a planner or a discovery writer, this conversation sheds light on practical ways to sharpen your storytelling, diagnose weak scenes, and deepen emotional impact with intention. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on crafting scenes that truly move the story forward.

📘WHERE TO FIND THE BOOK ONLINE: https://bookshop.org/p/books/writing-deep-scenes-plotting-your-story-through-action-emotion-and-theme-jordan-rosenfeld/f09c9130919305aeor https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Deep-Scenes-Plotting-Through/dp/1599638835

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

CONNECT WITH D.L. TILLERY!

🌐 D.L.’s Website: https://www.authordltillery.com/

📚 D.L.’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/D-L-Tillery/e/B09CRDP37H

🎥 D.L.’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AuthorDLTillery

📱 D.L.’s Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDLTillery/

📸 D.L.’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authordltillery/

🐦 D.L.’s Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/authordltillery

🌐 D.L.’s Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/banongaming

CONNECT WITH US!

▶Shanon’s (S.D. Huston) Links: https://linktr.ee/sdhuston

▶Ben Pick’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Running2Write

▶Ben Pick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running2write

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

#selfpublishingtipstricks #sptt #authortube

Episode 096

Released on: January 15, 2026

On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we chat with multi-genre author A. Adeshile, whose stories span everything from epic fantasy to paranormal romance to post-apocalyptic thrillers. He shares how he made the leap from firefighter to full-time writer, and how his background in psychology, anime, and tabletop gaming influences his character-driven, emotionally layered storytelling. We explore his interconnected story universe, how he juggles multiple genres, and why letting go of perfection is essential for growth. If you’ve ever struggled to finish your book or wondered how to turn life experience into fiction, this episode will leave you inspired to keep going.

Get Shanon’s 3-time award-winning romantasy book out on January 20th! A Curse of Wings & Gems 👉 https://books2read.com/A-Curse-of-Wings-and-Gems

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

CONNECT WITH A. ADESHILE!

🌐 Adeshile's Website: https://adeshile.wordpress.com/

📧 Adeshile's Newsletter: https://adeshilewrites.substack.com/

📚Adeshile'e Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/A-Adeshile/author/B0BFRRL48X

🎥 Adeshile’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adeshile.writes

CONNECT WITH US!

▶Shanon’s (S.D. Huston) Links: https://linktr.ee/sdhuston

▶Ben Pick’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Running2Write

▶Ben Pick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running2write

▶Rita Slanina: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitaSlanina,Website: https://www.ritaslanina.com,Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritaslanina,Twitter/X: https://x.com/ritaslanina, Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ritaslanina/

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

#selfpublishingtipstricks #sptt

Episode 095

Released on: December 22, 2025

In this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we dive into The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell and explore what it means to approach writing as a strategic campaign. We discuss how Bell’s perspective on discipline, mindset, and adaptability can reshape the way writers think about their careers, from managing self-doubt to navigating feedback and an ever-changing publishing landscape. Drawing directly from Bell’s application of Sun Tzu’s wisdom, this conversation focuses on practical ways writers can strengthen their mental resilience, maintain control of their creative space, and remain flexible as both artists and professionals, all while keeping the joy of storytellingintact.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

CONNECT WITH A. ADESHILE!

🌐 Adeshile's Website: https://adeshile.wordpress.com/

📧 Adeshile's Newsletter: https://adeshilewrites.substack.com/

📚Adeshile'e Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/A-Adeshile/author/B0BFRRL48X

🎥 Adeshile’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adeshile.writes

CONNECT WITH JODEE JEAN DANIELS!

🎥 Jodee’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JodeeJeanDanielsJustWrite
CONNECT WITH GWYNNA!

🎥 Gwynna’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gwynnathawinna

CONNECT WITH US!

▶Shanon’s (S.D. Huston) Links: https://linktr.ee/sdhuston

▶Ben Pick’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Running2Write

▶Ben Pick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running2write

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

#selfpublishingtipstricks #sptt

Episode 093

Released on: September 1, 2025

On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we sit down with children’s middle grade mystery/fantasy author Catharina Steel to explore her journey from self-publishing to hybrid publishing. Catharina opens up about rewriting her debut novel, learning the craft through trial and error, and overcoming early doubts about legitimacy in the publishing world. We also dive into how her love of the outdoors inspired her magical forest setting, and why she chose to partner with Spark Press for her latest release. This is an encouraging and thoughtful conversation about resilience, publishing choices, and trusting your instincts as a writer.

CATCH THE FREE 2025 AUTHORTUBE WRITING CONFERENCE 👉 https://tinyurl.com/AWC-2025-Playlist

Women’s Fantasy Writing group mentioned during the episode is now call Women Writing Other Worlds (WWOW). Join us at https://womenwritingotherworlds.com/

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

CONNECT WITH CATHARINA STEEL!

🌐Catharina’s Website (+blog): https://catharinasteel.com

🌐Catharina’s Substack (+newsletter/blog): https://cathsteel.substack.com/

📸 Catharina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catharina_steel_author/

🎵 Catharina’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@catharinasteel_author

CONNECT WITH US!

▶Shanon’s (S.D. Huston) Links: https://linktr.ee/sdhuston

▶Ben Pick’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Running2Write

▶Ben Pick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running2write

▶Jamie’s (J.M. Celi): Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jm.celi.54,YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@authorjmceli,Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jm_celi,Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jmceli.bsky.social,Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jm_celi

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

#selfpublishingtipstricks #sptt

Episode 092

Released on: August 15, 2025

On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we’re joined by Derrick Jackson, a retired Air Force special agent whose real-world experience helped shape the heart-pounding events of his debut novel, Shadow One. Derrick shares how he made the leap from military investigations to storytelling, blending fact and fiction while protecting sensitive information and staying true to the spirit of his career. We talk about the challenges of writing with authenticity, navigating Department of Defense approvals, and his unique decision to work with a publicist as an indie author. This episode is a compelling deep dive into the power of lived experience and the bold strategies that can set yourbook apart.

CATCH THE FREE 2025 AUTHORTUBE WRITING CONFERENCE 👉 https://tinyurl.com/AWC-2025-Playlist

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

CONNECT WITH DERRICK JACKSON!

🌐Derrick Jackson’s Bio: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0DKYKX1JS/about?ccs_id=5f92c278-4c2f-48af-bf97-a7998e87e81f

📘 Derrick Jackson’s Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SHADOW-ONE-DERRICK-JACKSON-ebook/dp/B0DFVNN3GD

📘 Derrick Jackson’s Book on Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadow-one-derrick-jackson/1146251057

CONNECT WITH US!

▶Shanon’s (S.D. Huston) Links: https://linktr.ee/sdhuston

▶Ben Pick’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Running2Write

▶Ben Pick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running2write

▶Jamie’s (J.M. Celi): Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jm.celi.54,YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@authorjmceli,Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jm_celi,Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jmceli.bsky.social,Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jm_celi

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

#selfpublishingtipstricks #sptt

Episode 091

Released on: August 1, 2025

On this episode of the Self-Publishing Tips & Tricks podcast, we sit down with multi-talented creative Rita Slanina, an actress, model, singer-songwriter, and indie author, to explore how she balances an eclectic creative career with self-publishing success. From testing the waters with poetry and facing rejection from traditional publishing to launching novella series and crowdfunding her latest release, Rita shares the ups and downs of her journey with humor and heart. Her practical approach to scheduling, willingness to leap into new projects, and honest reflections on creative burnout make this conversation both engaging and energizing.

CATCH THE FREE 2025 AUTHORTUBE WRITING CONFERENCE 👉 https://tinyurl.com/AWC-2025-Playlist

SOME WEBSITES/ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

🌟 ARMCHAIR CHATS // Author Interviews: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtVvpCVzJt344SruuuW9R0adm4JgPeQqv&si=67v75SxvcboUnoxD

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

CONNECT WITH RITA SLANINA!

🎥 Rita’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitaSlanina🌐 Rita’s Website: https://www.ritaslanina.com📸 Rita’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritaslanina🐦 Rita’s Twitter: https://x.com/ritaslanina📱 Rita’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ritaslanina/

CONNECT WITH US!

▶Shanon’s (S.D. Huston) Links: https://linktr.ee/sdhuston

▶Ben Pick’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Running2Write

▶Ben Pick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running2write

▶Jamie’s (J.M. Celi): Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jm.celi.54, YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@authorjmceli, Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jm_celi, Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/jmceli.bsky.social, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jm_celi

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~

#selfpublishingtipstricks #sptt #authortube