Business For Superheroes

Join Vicky and Joe as Vicky freaks out about a horror movie they watched—and get a few brilliant book recommendations. (Not horror.) Then sit back and relax as they ask: so what does a book coach actually DO anyway? Good question. For Vicky, there are 10 main areas of support—tune in and find out what they are, and what to look out for if you’re thinking of working with a book coach to write your book.   Key Takeaways: [5:25] Did you know people who were born deaf can still learn how to hear vibrations? [9:00] Vicky is still having nightmares from a recent horror film she watched. [9:35] What does a book coach actually do? [11:20] Vicky looks at different ways you can make your book unique and stand out. [12:15] A book coach should take care of the writer. [13:55] A book is a big project and you don’t want to sacrifice your life to get it done.  [14:00] A great quality about Vicky is that she will always tell you the truth!  [17:35] Vicky wants to see you make progress.  [22:35] Vicky gets a lot of joy seeing

This week Vicky goes solo and runs her mouth off about how traditional publishers need to BLOODY DO BETTER. She got a message after the last episode, and that message inspired this little rant about a bunch of problems that traditional publishing needs to fix. Tune in and find out why independent publishing is so crucial for writers and readers, and what needs to change in the industry.   Key Takeaways: [0:55] Joe is gone off to Germany and Vicky is fighting with sheep. [2:45] Vicky is back with a follow-up episode to her last week’s podcast episode. Vanity publishing! [3:30] How diverse are these big publishers’ editors? [4:40] Including a ‘token’ character in your book because you think it ought to be there, is a problem. [6:00] How do you write an authentic character? [7:55] Most people want to read books from other diverse people, not just from rich white people! [9:25] Don’t wait to be given permission. [10:50] Want to know what a book coach does? That’s Vicky’s next episode!   Mentioned in This Episode:

This week, Vicky and Joe talk about why we shouldn’t burst our own balloons and downplay our achievements. That’s after Vicky goes on a 5 minute rant about why The Wheel of Time is not something you should read if you want good epic fantasy. So: if you’ve ever thought that self-publishing is “vanity” or that you need a book deal to make your book “worthy,” grab a cup of tea, settle down, put aside your prejudices, and listen to this. Maybe we’ll change your mind.    Key Takeaways: [4:15] Vicky explains why she couldn’t get behind the Wheel of Time book series.  [9:45] Self publishing vs. traditional publishing? What’s right for you? [11:25] Publishing a book, doesn’t matter in what way, is a big deal! Don’t discredit it if it’s self published.  [14:45] Why is self publishing a cool, and completely legitimate, thing to do?  [16:05] What is the reason why you want to write a book?  [18:50] Traditional publishing doesn't always know what they’re talking about/doing. [20:00] Are straight white male authors at a d

OMG it’s the 301st episode! Question: do you dream about getting onto the New York Times bestseller list? Don’t bother mate. Bestseller lists are balls—and if we write a book with the aim of getting onto such a list, our book ain’t gonna cut it. This week, Vicky and Joe take a peek into the world of bestseller status, rip it a new one, and natter about The Wheel of Time. Again.   Key Takeaways: [1:25] Vicky is thinking about changing the name of this podcast…again.  [2:10] Can you believe Vicky and Joe have been podcasting since 2015?  [5:35] Quick update on project dingle.  [6:15] Everyone wants to be a bestseller. Why!  [8:15] Don’t look at other people’s best sellers and assume it’s a good book.  [10:35] Just because you have a best seller doesn’t mean you’ve sold a lot of books, or made any money.  [13:05] Although sales might be great, you have to look at why you’re writing this book.  [16:30] Vicky will help you write the best book you can write, and have a book you’re really proud of.  [17:50] Marketin

Tune in for Vicky and Joe’s hot take on hot takes! Yep, this week our hosts have Opinions on other people’s opinions. With the internet crammed full of knee-jerk reactions and instant outrage, what’s the cost to us as a society? How can we slow down and think things through? What can a noble dude from the 1500s teach us about life? And what does all this have to do with books, anyway?   Key Takeaways: [1:00] It’s April but it’s snowing! Vicky and Joe are freezing in their home office. [2:35] Joe reads out the title of the book Vicky is reading in his best radio presenter voice. [03:30] We think of essays as the dry and boring academic stuff that was forced on us during school, but Vicky shares why essays are great! [05:05] Montaigne’s essays are all about figuring out how to live a good life. [06:15] Update on casa dingle! Let’s build some stud walls in the bathroom.   [09:00] What are hot takes? Vicky uses the example of Will Smith’s slap at the Oscars.  [10:40] ‘Hot takes’ take away the attention of what sh

We’ve just been in a hot air balloon and be warned, we rave about it for quite a lot of minutes before we get into this week’s episode—an enthusiastic chat about grammar. Does it matter? Is it elitist? Should we throw the whole lot in the bin? And what does it all mean for marginalized writers? Tune in and find out what it’s like being in a hot air balloon, what Joe thinks about class and grammar and cutlery, and why Vicky thinks the publishing industry desperately needs more people who don’t look like her.   Key Takeaways:   [1:00] Vicky and Joe woke up really early today and jumped into a hot air balloon! [04:15] Joe gave up reading The Pillow Book. He found it culturally difficult to connect with it. [05:25] Joe moved on to reading Boyhood, Childhood, Youth and Vicky asks him if he is enjoying this one. [06:55] Georgia Pritchett is such a sparse writer and Vicky just gushes about her! [07:50] Is grammar elitist? Vicky talks about the article she read by Leone Ross. [11:30] As long as the meaning comes acro

Today’s episode is brought to you from an idyllic sun-soaked, palm-fringed shore and also a grey drizzly field—join Vicky as she talks to writer, educator, and anti-racism activist Sharon Hurley-Hall about her upcoming book. Vicky and Sharon talk storytelling and how it has the power to change the world; the empathy gap; and the sorry state of traditional publishing (and what needs to change apart from everything). Tune in and find out why storytelling is the answer to everything (and get a bunch of amazing book recommendations to broaden your reading horizons).   Key Takeaways:   [02:50] A little bit about Sharon and the list of things she does. [03:50] What prompted Sharon to write about diversity and anti-racism?  [05:25] Sharon talks about her book, I’m Tired of Racism and why she titled it that.   [07:35] Writing a book vs writing essays. Sharon shares her book writing process.  [8:50] She talks about the different themes suggested to her by professional editors to draw out the commonality in the differe

This week Vicky and Joe talk about extremely expensive poo and then move onto the writer’s most important tool of all. Tune in to find out what it is—and discover why one of Vicky’s habits is eavesdropping on strangers, what Joe’s bedtime reading routine is, and why memory is a treacherous beast.   Key Takeaways:   [0:50] Vicky wants to do something different and not have a welcome preamble! [01:30] Now that Joe has given up on Umberto Eco, what is he reading? [02:40] Vicky defends Umberto from Joe and encourages him to read his essays on coffee pots. [04:00] All books are worthy but Joe wants to be satisfied with his six and a half minutes of reading time. [04:40] The Wheel Of Time Book 2 is annoying Vicky. Does she need to keep reading? [05:20] Vicky realizes that Georgia Pritchett is British! She’s loving her book as it’s very funny and morbid.  [7:10] Update on The Dingle: compost heaps and waste sewage treatment systems. [11:10] What is a writer’s most important tool? [12:15] Vicky has many notebooks and

Imposter syndrome: is it a bug, or a feature? Vicky and Joe talk self-doubt, evolution, and go on a side-quest about what kind of tail they’d have if they could switch those tail genes back on. They also confirm, once again, that Joe is in fact a robot, albeit a very lovely and handsome one. Tune in and find out how you can use your self-doubt as a tool to do the things that matter to you, rather than letting it shit in your milk.   Key Takeaways:   [0:55] The cats are gonna be a part of this week’s podcast! They’re looking for a fight! [01:30] Vicky talks about renaming the podcast. What would it be this time?  [02:20] Vic ky shares about her last Write Night and sends thank you’s to everyone!  [02:50] Joe says he’s not smart enough to read Umberto Eco. Why is that?   [04:40] Spoiler alert: Vicky shares the ending of The Wheel of Time Book 1! [06:10] Vicky’s anxiety has its own entity which draws her to Georgia Pritchett’s book. [7:30] Vicky and Joe talk about their poopocalypse. [10:05] What are the two cho

Ooooh there are OPINIONS in this week’s podcast. Opinions on idleness, the Protestant work ethic, capitalism, and the state of the world in general. There are a few facts, too. And possibly we’ve got some stuff wrong, but that’s what having time to think and learn and listen is all about. Which was the point of this episode: the virtue of idleness and time to THINK and write. Enjoy—and remember to write in and let us know what your thoughts are!   Key Takeaways:   [0:55] Vicky and Joe talk about their tiny sheep and the gusts of wind that are about to come. [04:10] Vicky disagrees that you have to finish reading a book once you’ve committed to it. [05:40] Vicky also shares that she got 79% on her poetry assignment! [07:00] Vicky introduces today’s topic. She got this idea from listening to The Slightly Foxed podcast. [07:50] Did you know where the five hour work week originated?  [09:55] Joe talks about the comment he made on reddit saying, “Do you think people who work hard make more money?” [12:20] Henry Fo

This week, we’re flashing back to when Vicky and Joe had a conversation about doing Hard Things, and why it’s valuable. They rambled their way around writing books, running businesses, winning competitions, and how getting to the top of your tree can often be boring and unpleasant—so we need to suck it up and do it—but also make it as much fun as possible. Do a hard thing today!   Key Takeaways:   [2:40] Why should you write a book?  [6:00] What types of hard things has Joe had to face recently?  [7:45] Vicky explains what Trad Rock Climbing is. You will probably die.  [11:45] Vicky made it to the top of the mountain and cried.  [13:15] You should write a book because it’s hard and it will make you realize you are completely capable!  [16:10] The important things in life are difficult. Renovating The Dingle is really hard work, but so rewarding.  [20:00] If it was easy, everyone would be doing it! [21:50] Want to write a book? Join Vicky’s Write Night!    Mentioned in This Episode: Website Creative Book Coach

This week Vicky and fellow book coach Emma Dhesi talk novels, time, and our reluctance to put ourselves first when it comes to writing our books. Tune in and hear Emma’s strategy for making time to write—and her proven framework for creating scenes that work. Emma is a fiction coach but even if you’re non-fiction only, you’ll enjoy this episode!   Key Takeaways:   [2:00] A little bit about Emma and the kind of coaching work she does with authors.  [5:00] Emma always wanted to be a writer, but life kept getting in the way.  [7:40] How does Emma and her clients find the time to write a book?  [12:50] Emma offers tips on how to set boundaries with your little children at home. [15:35] 100% of your book is not just about writing it. There are other parts to consider like research and character development.  [19:00] How do you set a scene in a fictional story?  [23:25] Be open to completely taking out a scene you’ve written if it’s not working.  [25:00] Interested in hiring Emma for your fiction book? Reach out! 

This week we’re giving you the second half of Vicky’s Weird + Wonderful Author Showcase, in which you’ll hear Melanie Osborne talking about her love for trees and nature, and Hillary Weiss reading from her manuscript about BIGNESS. Seriously, if you’re exhausted, Mel’s excerpt will be a balm for your soul. And if anyone’s ever made you feel like you’re too much, you need Hillary’s book. Listen, enjoy, and remember: you can do this too! You can write your book.   Key Takeaways:   [2:05] Vicky welcomes Melanie to the podcast! What’s her book all about?  [5:25] Melaine reads an excerpt from her book.  [13:25] You don’t have to be a writer to tap into your passion and share it with others!  [14:35] Vicky introduces Hillary and tells the audience a little bit about her book.  [18:05] Hillary reads a little bit from her upcoming book!  [24:50] So many of Vicky’s students are writing on a wide variety of topics. She hopes it inspires you, too, that you can write that ‘odd’ book!  [26:40] Not everyone who came into t

Something a little different this week as Vicky brings you the first half of her Weird + Wonderful Author Showcase! Join Jocelyn Brady, Kenda Macdonald, and Sarah McGuire as they read excerpts from their manuscripts—and knock Vicky’s socks off with their performances. Tune in and find out what’s possible for you to achieve—even if you worry you’re “not a writer”.   Key Takeaways:   [2:00] Everyone’s story is crucial and Vicky is excited to highlight some of these stories for you today!  [4:40] A quick introduction to Jocelyn and what her upcoming book is all about.  [13:10] When does Jocelyn plan to release her book?  [14:45] A quick introduction to Kenda and she offers a teaser by reading an excerpt from her second book.  [27:40] A quick introduction to Sarah and her book.  [37:00] Sarah’s book about writing your will is not going to be your everyday estate planner kind of book!  [37:25] Stay tuned for part 2 next week!    Mentioned in This Episode: Website Creative Book Coaching Join Vicky’s Power Hour Join

Join Vicky and Joe as they talk ludicrously expensive oak doors, poo disasters, and why shoes in the house are UNACCEPTABLE. Then marvel at the smooth link to this week’s topic—the power of What If? What if you tried this thing? What if... you wrote your book? Tune in and get the pep talk you’ve been waiting for.   Key Takeaways:   [6:10] Casa Dingle update! Lots of poo happening. [9:10] What if you made your own door? What if you just….did? [11:35] It can be so easy to compare yourself to what you can’t yet do, but look at the progress you’ve made thus far.  [17:20] Give yourself permission to do something badly!  [19:10] When was the last time you wrote without a purpose? Just for the fun of it?  [22:10] New year, new me. There’s a better way to go about it.  [22:20] What if you wrote your book…this year? What if?  [25:35] Don’t compare your insides to other people’s outsides.  [27:30] Need a community? Vicky’s got another writer’s round opening up for you!    Mentioned in This Episode: Website Creative Boo

Join Vicky and Joe as they talk about worldviews, tiny stories, and the enormous cost of bathrooms. If you’ve ever thought “who am I to write a book, I have nothing interesting to say” this episode is for YOU friend! Our hosts talk about why a 1,000 year old diary is still relevant today, why we’re addicted to soap operas, and how we can change the world step by tiny beetle step with the stories of our lives. Enjoy!   Key Takeaways:   [4:40] Vicky got her booster shot and was so ill from it!  [8:45] Why does the world need your story? [11:00] Vicky wants you to pay attention to headlines. How do news articles write things to get a reaction out of you? [13:35] Do our stories need to have big grand gestures?  [16:35] Diversity is important. The world is a bi place and everyone needs to be out of their bubble.  [18:20] People are walking up to these ‘common facts of life’ and are questioning why we do what we do, and if it still makes sense to do it.  [20:40] We don’t change the world from the top down.  [23:45]

This week Vicky and Joe get extremely confused about what day it is, it being that weird time between Christmas and New Year, and wonder if you’d prefer a podcast about their cottage renovations. Write in! Then they get to the good stuff: Vicky’s top 5 favourite creative writing thingies. They’re fun, they’re useful, and they’ll make you a more joyful writer. Happy new year!   Key Takeaways:   [1:00] Vicky and Joe share their predictions for 2022, including when this episode will come out.  [02:24] Between Christmas and New Year, Vicky will mostly be in her pajamas reading books. What’s on her reading list? [03:35] Vicky and Joe share updates on Project Dingle. Shout out to Ken for their new door frame! [04:30] Joe calls Vicky out for choosing the most expensive tiles in the world. Vicky explains herself.  [06:30] Vicky and Joe ask, should they start a Project Dingle podcast? [06:55] Vicky shares her 5 favorite creative writing exercises!  [07:25] Creative vs technical vs academic. Which kind of writing is bo

Join Vicky and Joe as they talk for 9 whole minutes about pickles, swear at UK politicians, then move onto a brief anecdote about Idi Amin. If you can sit through all that, you'll get a well-organised, valuable, and helpful podcast about how to figure out if your book idea is any good. And we wish you a very merry Christmas, so there's that, too.   Key Takeaways: [5:55] Hey! Merry Christmas everybody! [7:00] Vicky and Joe love pickled things during Christmas.  [9:45] Why do people gather? And how do you design a good gathering?  [14:20] How do you know if you have a good book idea?  [16:10] Don’t write 50k words only to realize you have a terrible idea!  [19:15] Vicky offers some questions to ask yourself to help you validate your idea. [21:00] If there’s lots of information on the topic you’re writing about, that’s a good thing!  [25:00] Do some digging in Amazon. What are people also buying when they’re interested in your topic?  [27:10] Making your whole book a big sales pitch is rude!  [29:15] Have an ema

Vicky and Joe talk about all the water in their house and get far more excited than you probably are about their new loft space. It's so middle-aged it's painful. And then—you'll get a rundown of how long it might take you to write your nonfiction book! No BS, no false promises, no conveniently leaving out details that take bloody ages... just a realistic timeline to aim for. Enjoy!   Key Takeaways: [4:35] Joe fell through the ceiling at the Dingle! Ouch! [9:00] How long will it take to write a nonfiction book?  [11:10] If you write everyday…well Vicky did some math calculations for you!  [15:25] Where do you start when it comes to writing your book? [17:10] If you want to write the best possible book in the world, you need to be able to know what the opposition’s points are. [20:00] Sometimes writing involves just starting out at a window.  [21:50] Your book is now ready for editing! In an ideal world, it’ll take about four months to get to this point.  [24:15] Remember to grab yourself a set of beta readers

This week, in homage to all the intrepid writers embarking on a big project right now, we're revisiting research. It's a crucial activity—but it's also a handy procrastination tool. So this week, tune in and travel back in time to August 2020 when your intrepid hosts got their nerd on and talked about how to research efficiently, effectively, and without disappearing down an internet wormhole of fascinating but ultimately useless information. Join us to find out how to cut your research (and writing) time dramatically without doing a half-arsed job of it.   Key Takeaways: [2:50] How do you avoid going down a research blackhole?  [3:55] Get your big idea down on paper first.  [5:45] Make a note to yourself on things you need to research further.  [7:25] Use your books before you use Google.  [10:05] Joe offers Google tips and tricks to help you find what you want!  [13:55] Use your browser in offline mode! [14:45] Give yourself a time limit for your research.  [17:35] Please leave a review and Vicky and Joe wo