Lesbians Who Write

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:41 — 36.0MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

TB had a frantic finish to 2021, including launching A London Love Story, the Kindle Vella series cowritten with Miranda MacLeod. The series is ranking well, but not everything with the launch has gone smoothly. Speaking of difficulties, the Lizzie release was hit by a deranking issue on Amazon, killing Lizzie. TB’s break wasn’t all bad over the holidays. She was able to binge the latest season of Shetland.

Clare had a mixed December. In the beginning of the month, she bashed out a lot of words. During the lead up to Christmas, not much work got done, but she had a lovely time with her loved ones. After the holiday, her wife got COVID (she’s doing well, considering). Clare has gotten back into the writing saddle, but goodness, what a rollercoaster of a month!

In Lesbians Who Write news, the podcast was ranked number 47 out of the top LGBTQ shows in the world. Toot toot!

They crash onto the topic: What does January mean to you? They came at the question differently, which is right on par for the duo. TB did a bit of research and provides some history, which reset her mindset about January. Clare, the January evangelist, breaks down why people should be kinder to themselves at the start of the year. Have a listen to learn their opinions and why they want to be like Neil.

What does January mean to you?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next week’s episode is dedicated to their 2022 goals.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

A London Love Story on Amazon: www.amazon.com/A-London-Love-Story/dp/B09KP4SRJ5/

A London Love Story buy direct from TB: payhip.com/b/wORdG

Be Like Mickey Mouse Blog Post: iheartlesfic.com/2022/01/05/writerly-wednesday-be-like-mickey-mouse/

Lizzie Book: iheartlesfic.com/a-woman-unhinged/

Neil Baldwin dramatization: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvellous

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:04 — 42.0MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

Programming note: the duo is taking time off for the holidays, and the next episode will come out on January 10, 2022.

As the holidays inch closer, TB is winding down a bit on the writing front. I Heart Lesfic is keeping TB busy, since she’s formatting the after Christmas sale and she’s mapping out the 2022 IHL Reading Challenge. TB and Miranda MacLeod have launched their Vella series: A London Love Story. In life news, TB is drinking a lot of hot chocolate, listening to holidays tunes, and trying to cram in all the books she planned to read in 2021 since the clock is really ticking now.

Clare Lydon fans, you’re going to love this bit of news. Clare is plotting and writing a Christmas book, which is her special jam, and readers adore her for it! In exercise news, Clare has restarted with her personal trainer. Clare finally got her tax return back (she sent them to her accountant in April), and she had her best year yet! In reunion news, Clare spent time with some university friends and had a smashing-good time!

They slide on to holly, jolly holiday chat. The duo shares their favorite aspects of this time of year, their favorite lesfic reads, and how to manage writing and quality time with friends. Have a listen to learn the things they love and some of their holiday traditions. Most of all, remember to be kind to yourself, and have a festive season.

How do you celebrate the holidays?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Remember, the duo will be back on January 10, 2022.

Happy holidays!

Clare and TB

Links:

Buy Us a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/LesWhoWrite

A London Love Story: www.amazon.com/A-London-Love-Story/dp/B09KP4SRJ5/

I Heart Lesfic 2022 Reading Challenge: iheartlesfic.com/book-submission-form-for-2022-ihl-reading-challenge/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:33 — 39.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

While launching Lizzie into the world, TB tried to make life easier for herself, prepping the podcast early, but the podcast host made changes, so TB had to frantically rebuild the episode at the last second. Not only that, there have been snags in the Lizzie launch. But, the good news about Lizzie is readers are loving the latest installment. Such a relief for TB! The audio version of The AM Show is now live, and Lori Prince did an excellent job with the narration.

Okay, folks. It’s time to send Clare lots of love. She still can’t decide on the book she wants to write and clearly all of her family woes are taking a toll on her creativity. She needs to find a way out of her slump. In positive news, the German translation of Nothing to Lose is out. Toot toot! Clare is home alone for two weeks since her wife is in Australia. Don’t fret. Clare is managing her solitary time quite well. She made a roast dinner and a special dessert with donuts. Yum!

They smash on to the main topic: how has 2021 panned out? The duo set very different goals at the beginning of 2021. Clare quantified what she wanted to achieve, while TB had a more relaxed approach. So, how did their years turn out? What were their successes and failures? Have a listen to find out!

How has your 2021 gone?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next time, they’ll be back to dish about the holidays in a holly, jolly way.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Buy Us a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/LesWhoWrite

German Translation of Nothing to Lose: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/translations/biete-hoffnung-suche-gluck/

The AM Show: iheartlesfic.com/the-am-show/

A Woman Unhinged: iheartlesfic.com/a-woman-unhinged/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:10 — 32.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

Lizzie is out in the world! Toot, toot! In writing news, TB’s London novella is heading to the editor on December 1. This story has been a joy to write because it’s like a love letter to London, which is a place TB sorely misses. In not so fun news, TB has sent in her final quarterly tax payment for 2021, and she’s determined she has a new goal in life: become a billionaire to never have to pay taxes again.

Clare is still plodding along writing words that she thinks are rubbish. (They’re not, but it’s hard to get her to believe during this stage.) In planning news, she’s sorted her 2022 writing projects. In podcast news, Clare is going on Joanna Penn’s travel podcast because Clare is fancy like that. Speaking of fancy, Clare will be making a big screen debut in 2022, but she’s not clear about the release date yet. So exciting!

They shift gears to the main topic: lesfic comfort reads. This episode was inspired by a tweet by Monica McCallan, a fellow lesfic author. They dig into the topic and not unexpectedly, they came at the question differently. In surprising news, TB had to yank away all of Clare’s lesbian fiction author points because she failed a simple quiz and hasn’t read TB’s lesbian fiction comfort read. In a twist, Clare-the-classic-hater listed a handful of classic lesbian fiction reads. It’s like the world has turned upside down!

What are your lesfic comfort reads?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next time, they’ll be back to chat about how 2021 went for each of them.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Buy Us a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/LesWhoWrite

A Woman Unhinged: iheartlesfic.com/a-woman-unhinged/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:36 — 43.0MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

TB starts off by issuing an apology to an author, and Clare digs in the guilty knife a wee bit more. Lizzie is with the ARC team, and TB is anxiously waiting to find out if they love it or hate it. In less stressful news, TB went on a lovely drive along backcountry roads where the leaves are still blazing with autumnal colors as she visited one quaint New England town after another, all the while listening to Christmas music. What’s not to love about that?

Clare is still hammering out fresh words, but she’s convinced everything she’s writing is horrible. Oh, the life of a writer with all the fears and insecurities involved. Family woes have compromised her writing time, but she’s trying to press on. In audio news, Big London Dreams is out. Toot toot! Authors, Clare needs your help figuring out the right price to charge for signed paperbacks. In fun news, Clare met up with two lesfic authors. More proof that networking isn’t a dirty word, especially if drinks are involved.

During the comment section, TB realizes what her hidden talent is live on air.

They crash on to the main topic: the hidden costs of self-publishing. The duo takes turns sharing what costs they think add up. One cost in particular for Clare is printers. Yet another one has died. For those keeping tabs, she’s on her third in three years. If you’re considering self-publishing, don’t miss this episode because it’s good to know what costs may hit your pocketbook.

What hidden costs did the duo forget to mention?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next time, they’ll be back for a chat about their favorite lesfic comfort reads.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Buy Us a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/LesWhoWrite

Big London Dreams: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/big-london-dreams/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:51 — 32.4MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

TB is doing the final read of Lizzie, and she can’t stress enough, how much she hates this stage for any book. But, just to the hammer the point home, she HATES it. In I Heart Lesfic news, TB is combing through all the 2022 submissions for the IHL Reading Challenge, to see which categories made the cut. TB went hiking and sported her bright orange hoodie for the first time of the season.

Clare is plotting her NaNo book, and her new coworking space is very calming. In not peaceful news, Clare had an audiobook snafu. Yikes! She’s trying to decide if her Scottish book needs a narrator with a Scottish accent or if that will throw off listeners. In birthday news, which was in September, Clare is still going full-tilt celebrating the big 5-O by having a spa day with a friend.

They crash on to breaking down the grand gesture. Just how grand are they? Many might not know the phrase, but they are central in books and movies. TB takes the reins of this conversation, walking the listener through the definition as well as the usual placement in the story and breaking down the different types. Are the best ones super showy, or is it better to have the character show vulnerability? That depends on the story arc and character development. Most importantly, you want to give the readers all the feels.

What’s your favorite grand gesture you’ve read?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next time, they’ll be back for another scintillating chat.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Buy Us a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/LesWhoWrite

IHL 2022 Reading Challenge: iheartlesfic.com/book-submission-form-for-2022-ihl-reading-challenge/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:06 — 31.7MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

TB is finally over her sinus infection, but it knocked her for a loop, and she ended up losing five pounds because her throat hurt so much she couldn’t swallow. In writing news, TB is going through the Lizzie file and prepping it for publication. Toot toot! In not great news, every time it rains, water pours through TB’s window.

Clare, in her words, has kinda settled on the next book to write, and she’s going to do her own version of NaNoWriMo. Unfortunately, she’s not off to a good start, so send positive vibes and custard creams. The good news, she used her new shi-shi coworking space. Clare attended the Kindle Storyteller Awards and lo and behold, the winner, Rachel McLean, is a listener of LWW. Amazing!

They crash on to answering questions about writing conferences: are mainstream conferences worth attending as a queer author, and are there genre-based conferences for queer storytellers? Clare takes the reins on this topic, breaking down the pros and cons of attending mainstream events, and she lists which conferences are geared toward LGBTQ+ authors. It boils down to figuring out what you want to get out of a conference to determine whether or not it’d be worth your time and money.

What are your experiences with conferences?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next time, they’ll be back to chat about grand gestures. Just how grand are they?

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Buy Us a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/LesWhoWrite

GCLS 2021 Conference: www.goldencrown.org/page/CONFERENCE-2022-Conference

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:16 — 39.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

TB is doing the final edits on Lizzie, and she’s shocked by the fact she’ll be publishing another book this year. In the beginning, TB swore 2021 wouldn’t be stressful, not after the hellish 2020. She’s had a very productive writing year, though. Also, TB has added hideous bright orange shirts and hoodies to her wardrobe in order not to get shot by a hunter when hiking.

Now that Change of Heart is out in the world, Clare needs to overcome her resistance to starting the next book. She’s rented a coworking space in the hope that switching her environment will help her achieve the necessary lightbulb moment. In life news, Clare’s been going to more cultural events and saw Hamlet starring Cush Jumbo. A beautiful woman is the key to getting Clare to a Shakespeare production.

They crash on to answering questions from listeners. Have a listen to learn how they tackle questions dealing with an author’s voice changing over time, social media, sex scenes, and many other questions that highlight their differences as well as some key ingredients as to why they’re good friends. Also, you don’t want to miss hearing Clare’s hidden talent!

Got more questions?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next time, they’ll be back with a mysterious but entertaining chat.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Buy Us a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/LesWhoWrite

Change of Heart: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/change-of-heart/

Translation Episode: lesbianswhowrite.com/lww-121-translations/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:18 — 35.9MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

TB is battling a sinus infection and starts off by dropping f-bombs. Jamey Moody saved TB’s buttocks in Ptown. Speaking of which, TB survived her book reading and has made a decision about future readings, as in she won’t be doing them. Since she’s not feeling well, TB’s been watching a lot of movies and sleeping.

Can we get a drumroll, please? It’s launch week for Change of Heart! Considering she’s publishing a book, Clare is oddly calm. What’s her secret to this zen-like status? Something to do with the chimp paradox, a topic the duo might have to return to, because it went right over TB’s head. Clare’s putting on her fancy duds to attend the Kindle Storyteller Award ceremony at the Houses of Parliament, as one does.

They crash on to answering questions from listeners. Have a listen to learn how the duo became friends, find out TB’s beer choice, hear about a gnome dressed as a bee (it’s possible Clare is jealous of this one), and so much more.

Got more questions?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next time is part 2 of ask us anything.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Buy Us a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/LesWhoWrite

Change of Heart: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/change-of-heart/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:18 — 34.5MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

Calling all Lizzie fans! The next Lizzie book is with the editor. Toot toot! In more writing news, TB has started the Vella project with Miranda MacLeod, and it’s set in London. TB is also working on a London novella. It’s like she misses being in London or something.

Clare learned something about TB that might threaten their friendship.

Change of Heart is coming out next week! This story made Clare’s wife cry not once but twice. In translation news, Clare has signed a few more contracts. And, more bookshops are requesting Clare to send books. She’s conquering the book world!

They crash on to the main topic: what’s their favorite season. TB grew up in Southern California where there weren’t seasons, so she absolutely loves when a new season arrives, but she tries to narrow down her favorite. Clare shares something she learned in her 40s that blows TB’s mind. It’s like Clare never understood seasons until then. Is it possible the duo agrees when it comes to seasons?

What season do you love?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next time, they’ll answer your questions.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Link:

Buy Us a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/LesWhoWrite