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Welcome to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more. Today is an important day in my world, and it is also the inspiration for today’s episode. Today is Author Stylist Guide: Own Your Greatness, Get Visible, and Share Your Message release day! The Author Stylist Guide is your toolbox for the steps to make the most of speaking engagements, book signings, and podcast interviews when they arise, so you grow your readership and create a buzz about your catalog of work and message. Part of what this book did for me was strengthen and deepen my spiritual practice. So let this short and sweet episode remind you that not all challenges you face are meant to stop you. Instead they are meant to promote you to your next level. Let this episode reassure you that when you trust your inner voice to guide you, things will work out even better than you could have dreamed. Jennifer Milius is an entrepreneur, coach, developmental editor, author, and host of The TufFish Show who helps creatives bring out their inner greatness so that they get comfortable using their voice, sharing their message, and being visible. Whether it’s speaking to elementary school students about courage and confidence; helping authors and creatives move to their next level through coaching, developmental editing, refining keynote speeches, instructions through course or workshops; or even having them on The TufFish Show, Jen believes when you share your gifts and message, you bring joy to others and show what’s possible for them. Get the Author Stylist Guide and book bonuses here: www.jennifermilius.com/books Visit - www.jennifermilius.com/stylist Get free resources at http://www.jennifermilius.com/start

Welcome Erica Richmond to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more. This deep conversation with Erica Richmond about why your words matter is powerful. So many times, we as writers can get in our heads and stop writing because we doubt if anyone will care or if it will be any good, yet Erica shares not only insights for how to get out of your own way and unpack your big feelings, but how to remember why your words matter. Erica also talked about how she turned the big feelings she was processing into a story appropriate for children and why that was important. Erica Richmond is the author of two self-published books including: Pixie and the Bees, a whimsical tale about learning to trust yourself while living with an invisible illness; and The Mail Art Stories Project: Mail Art in the Time of Covid-19, a collection of mail art from around the world that chronicles the Covid-19 pandemic. Through her business Open Sky Stories, Erica leads a variety of workshops which focus on connection and healing using expressive writing. Follow her on social media @‌OpenSkyStories and visit her website: openskystories.com Visit https://openskystories.com/ Book purchase links: Pixie and the Bees The Mail Art Stories Project Preorder Jen's new book: Author Stylist Guide: Own Your Greatness, Get Visible, and Share Your Message

Sometimes when we see a leap of faith or achieve a new level, we know big steps are required. Yet, there’s real magic in baby steps. I believe if you choose to take them, they won’t slow you down, and that’s what this short and sweet episode is all about. I’d love to hear what comes up for you after you’ve had a listen, so let me know. Jennifer Milius is an entrepreneur, author stylist, developmental editor, author, and host of The TufFish Show who helps creatives bring out their inner greatness so that they get comfortable using their voice, sharing their message, and being visible. Whether it’s speaking to elementary school students about courage and confidence; helping authors and creatives move to their next level through coaching, developmental editing, refining keynote speeches, instructions through course or workshops; or even having them on The TufFish Show, Jen believes when you share your gifts and message, you bring joy to others and show what’s possible for them. Visit - www.jennifermilius.com/stylist Preorder Author Stylist Guide: https://a.co/d/90U3q3t Get free resources at https://www.jennifermilius.com/start

Welcome Janyre Tromp as takeover host on The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more. When Janyre Tromp volunteered to takeover my show and put me in the hot seat, I knew we’d have fun! We covered how to go into any event, what to think about for speaking engagements, how to discern the right ones for you, and how to detach from the outcome. If you’re thinking about how to take your author business to the next level, let this episode be a resource to help you get started. Janyre Tromp is a veteran book editor by day and writer of mid-20th century historical novels with a healthy dose of deliciously creepy suspense at night. She’s the award-winning and bestselling author of Darkness Calls the Tiger and Shadows in the Mind’s Eye and co-author of O Little Town. And that all happens from her unfinished basement when she’s not hanging out with her family, two troublesome cats, and slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog. To pre-order Jen’s new book, Author Stylist Guide: Own Your Greatness, Get Visible, Share Your Message, visit :https://a.co/d/90U3q3t https://www.jennifermilius.com/books Get to know your takeover host Janyre Tromp: Visit - http://www.JanyreTromp.com and http://www.editinginsiders.com Book purchase links: Darkness Calls the Tiger Shadows in the Mind's Eye

Welcome Sonee Singh to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more. This deep conversation with Sonee Singh just brought me so much joy to do for you. Sonee and I talked about what helped her get through twelve (12) drafts before she published her first novel. Even when you have the right people supporting you, it’s ultimately your call what you need to do and when you take those steps. Sonee shared so much goodness and wisdom about discerning and using your intuition. I firmly believe your intuition is a powerful ally, and when you can discern that it’s your intuition versus the inner critic talking, then it will come through in your writing and your business. Sonee Singh is a Dr. of Divinity, a cross-cultural seeker of deep knowing. She’s an award-winning and best-selling author of poetry and stories of self-discovery to encourage people to accept themselves for who they are and live life on their own terms. Her writing centers on the definitive moments on life’s journey. The mystical and spiritual are integral in her poems and storytelling, as is her multi-cultural background. Visit - http://www.soneesingh.com Book purchase link - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CG8ZBFXH

Welcome Pauline Wiles to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more. This insightful episode with Pauline Wiles is all about what goes into a strong, converting author website. Pauline shared so much wisdom about how to think about your website, choose a domain name, and evaluate what’s working or not. We also talked about how to handle your blog. There’s so much goodness in this episode to strengthen your website, I can’t wait to hear what steps you take after listening to Pauline. Pauline Wiles is an indie author turned website designer who helps other authors and writers create beautiful, businesslike websites. As an author herself, she noticed others were often overwhelmed by this task. Now, she’s helping to dispel the myths around how difficult a web project should be. British by birth, Pauline is now a contented resident of California, although she admits to an occasional yearning for afternoon tea and historic homes. Visit https://www.paulinewiles.com/ Book purchase links: Saving Saffron Sweeting Indie With Ease

Welcome Suzanne Simonetti to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more. This uplifting conversation with Suzanne Simonetti is perfect to remind you of the power of community as you’re honing your writing skills, getting comfortable sharing your book, and handling rejection/redirection. Suzanne shared what she’s doing to promote her new book and how much she’s enjoying those author business activities. We also talked about how writing a novella differed from writing her novel and what she learned through that process, including killing off characters. Suzanne Simonetti is a USA Today bestselling author. Her debut, The Sound of Wings, and her latest Christmas story are both set on Cape May Island where she lives with her husband. Visit - http://www.suzannesimonetti.com Book purchase links: A Cape May Christmas Story: A Celebration of Family and Love in America's First Seaside Resort The Sound of Wings: a novel

Welcome back Emily A. Myers to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more. When Emily reached out and shared how she decided to write a non-fiction book that blends self-help with poetry, I couldn’t wait to have her back on the show. Emily has excelled with writing fiction, so we talked about the differences, including the launch process, and the beautiful way she found healing through her poetry. Emily will blend genres for fiction, so we talked about how she blended self-help with poetry, including structuring her book, which I found creative and unique. Emily A. Myers is an award-winning romantic suspense author of three books, including her top seller, Mine to Protect: A Forbidden Love Mafia Romance. But, this time, she decided to write her own story, albeit not the romance she'd hoped for. To connect with Emily you may visit her website http://www.emilyamyers.com or find her on Instagram and TikTok @‌emilymyersauthor Visit - http://www.emilyamyers.com Book purchase link - Emily's Amazon Store

Welcome back Shayla Raquel to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more. This in-depth and fun conversation with Shayla Raquel is perfect if you are thinking about hosting workshops or doing more speaking events. And even if you’ve been doing these for a while, Shayla’s insights will help you step up your efforts. In this episode, we talked about how to get started, what she considers for an event to be a success for her, how to prepare, how to stay on track, and tips for when someone starts to takeover the class. A best-selling author and public speaker, Shayla Raquel has been in the publishing industry for thirteen years and teaches on author branding, self-publishing, and the craft of writing. She is a Poetic Justice volunteer for Mabel Bassett Correctional Center, where she helps women with art and poetry. Shayla lives in Oklahoma with her husband and three fur babies. Visit - https://www.shaylaraquel.com Purchase links: Pre-Publishing Checklist: https://www.shaylaraquel.com/prepublishingchecklist Printables: https://www.shaylaraquel.com/novelistcalendars https://www.shaylaraquel.com/nanowrimoplanner https://www.shaylaraquel.com/childrenscalendars

Welcome to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more. To me, being a writer and business owner have been integral to my personal development and spiritual growth as a person. Each time we go back and rework a section or chapter or go through updates from our editor, we are reflecting and dreaming. Each time we work with a cover designer, map out our marketing plans, pitching book signing, podcast interviews or speaking opportunities, we are reflecting and dreaming. Reflecting on where we’ve been and what we’ve learned, and dreaming of where we want to go, how we want to show up and serve our readers and audience. So let this short and sweet solo episode encourage you as reflect and dream about your books, your message, and your author business. You are closer to your goals and dreams than where you were a year ago, which also means new levels will continue to open up so that you can get your book and message to your readers. Jennifer Milius is an entrepreneur, coach, developmental editor, author, and host of The TufFish Show who helps creatives bring out their inner greatness so that they get comfortable using their voice, sharing their message, and being visible. Whether it’s speaking to elementary school students about courage and confidence; helping authors and creatives move to their next level through coaching, developmental editing, refining keynote speeches, instructions through course or workshops; or even having them on The TufFish Show, Jen believes when you share your gifts and message, you bring joy to others and show what’s possible for them. Visit - www.jennifermilius.com/stylist Get free resources at http://www.jennifermilius.com/start

Welcome Meredith Schorr to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more. Believable characters are so important to any story, which is why backstories are so important for the author to know and discern how, when, and how much of it to incorporate into their books. In this fun conversation with Meredith Schorr, we talked about using backstory in your book as well as what happens when your main characters don’t have the chemistry you thought they would, and how to fix it. We also chatted about importance of giving kind feedback as well as how to receive feedback. Meredith shared some tips from having worked with aspiring authors as an author mentor, including how this role has strengthened her own writing. A born and bred New Yorker and lifelong daydreamer, Meredith Schorr fueled her passion for writing everything from restaurant reviews, original birthday cards, and even work-related emails into a career penning romantic comedies. When she’s not writing books filled with grand gestures and hard-earned happily-ever-afters or working as a trademark paralegal, she’s most often reading, running, or watching TV…for research, of course. Her trade paperback debut, AS SEEN ON TV, released in 2022 from Grand Central Publishing/Forever and was chosen by USA Today and Book Riot as one of the top romances of June. Her pitch-perfect, according to BookPage, latest romantic comedy, SOMEONE JUST LIKE YOU came out July 2023. Visit - https://meredithschorr.com/ Book purchase links: Someone Just Like You As Seen on TV

Welcome PA (Penni) DePaul to The TufFish Show, a place to help writers and aspiring authors get out of their own way to leave a legacy by telling the stories they want to share through writing their own books and confidently sharing them with others. The writing process can be tough and the business side can feel scary, but TufFish makes both feel smoother and achievable. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com/tuffish to learn more. When you think about character development, one technique is using tension and conflict, and this is something our guest Penni DePaul, who writes as P. A. DePaul, loves. Penni and I talked in depth about creating conflict, a powerful villain, and how to keep it all balanced and straight so that you have a cohesive story. Penni shared her path to find her agent and get traditionally published as well as some tips to think about if that’s your goal too. P. A. DePaul is a Publishers Weekly Bestselling and award-winning author. Her books are full of action, suspense, and romance. As a hybrid author, she has books traditionally and independently published. Her traditional publishers include Berkley, a Penguin Random House imprint, and Harlequin Books. Visit https://padepaul.com Books by P.A. DePaul