How Tom Morkes Built a Publishing Empire – The Writing Coach 017

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors that help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode 17 of The Writing Coach, I speak with author, publisher and entrepreneur Tom Morkes. Tom is CEO of Insurgent Publishing, a…

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Book Launch: Rocket Princess vs. Snaggletooth the Dragon

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my new book, Rocket Princess vs. Snaggletooth the Dragon, a fantastic adventure for rebellious children everywhere! In the Kingdom of Rocketdonia, every child is given a jetpack on their seventh birthday. But when a dangerous dragon attacks, only Princess Jillian is brave enough to confront the beast. Can the…

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How to CRUSH the Haters

Every single day of high school was a war zone. I was a punk rock kid living in a small, country town populated by hicks and rednecks. I was called “freak”, “faggot”, and “loser” more times than I can count. I was spat on and beaten-up. What I’m getting at is that I’m no stranger…

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Don’t Be Afraid to Get Burned: High Art vs. Passionate Authenticity

In late 2006, the rock band My Chemical Romance and director Samuel Bayer set out to record two music videos back-to-back. By the end of the shoot drummer Bob Bryar would have second degree burns on his body, lead singer Gerard Way would be hospitalized with torn muscles in his legs, and one of the…

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Don’t you worry what the bitter hearts are going to say

Imagine this: after years of perfecting your craft and building an audience in the independent publishing world you finally land that contract you’ve always dreamed of with one of the big five publishing houses. But when your book is released, it flops, and the publisher releases you from your contract. What now? Do you pack it in?…

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What I read in Q2 (April to June 2015)

The second quarter of 2015 has come to an end, which means it’s time for me to share with you my reading list from the last three months! Do the Work by Steven Pressfield – This short book was part of Seth Godin’s Domino Project, and continued themes addressed in Pressfield’s must read book The…

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Are you attending the Self-Publishing Success Summit?

I’m super excited about a huge online event that’s coming up soon featuring a bunch of my friends and experts in the writing and publishing field. The event is called The Self-Publishing Success Summit, and it is going to feature pals of mine like: Fan favorite Jeff Goins (check out my chat with him hereand here) Wunderkind Chadler Bolt…

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The Long and Painful Road to Publishing Economy of Fear

Today my novel The Page Turners: Economy of Fear went on sale. Getting this book published has been a long and painful journey. The manuscript itself was completed in late 2013; however, it was put on hold so that I could create my online course, The Novel Writer’s Blueprint: Five Steps to Creating and Completing…

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7 Lessons Learned Recording an Audiobook

Last month I recorded the audiobook version of my novel, The Page Turners, to include free in the pre-order bonus bundle for it’s sequel, The Page Turners: Economy of Fear. It was my first time recording an audiobook, and I learned A LOT! In the latest episode of the Write Along Radio podcast, I share…

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Economy of Fear Sneak Preview and Author Commentary (Chapter 2)

Welcome back to our sneak preview and author commentary video series for my new young adult paranormal horror novel, The Page Turners: Economy of Fear. I’ve already shared with you the Prologue and Chapter 1, along with video commentary addressing each of those chapters. With the book coming out next Monday (!!!), this preview of Chapter 2 will…

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