Episode 904: All Lost in a Supermarket

Needed to hit the pharmacy for some allergy medication and stumbled upon the supermarcato of supermarcatos. They sold everything but cars, and maybe they sell those too. For a socialist country, Italy is down with its Capitalism. That's a good thing. I literally got lost and had to ask directions on how to get out! Oh and the sun's shining now!

Episode 903: Walk in Rome

Walking in Rome in between writing sprints. I also have some advice for using ATMs on your travels abroad.

Episode 902: Making a Living

I was asked to discuss making a living as a full-time writer, so here goes.

Episode 901: Up/Down

Remember, in the writing game, the ups are never really that up and the downs are not really all that down. It's a matter of finding a comfortable middle ground.

Episode 900: Un-Zon Blocked!

After I was blocked, I asked my old editor and chief and my agent to help me get Deranged Fan unlocked. They came to my rescue and the result was that the KDP people expedited a solution to the problem. But man oh man, was I a little bit worried or what? Again, more proof that your indie books need to be as widely distributed as possible while you also sell direct off your website.

Episode 899: Zon Blocked!

So my latest Bear Media book Deranged Fan is inexplicably blocked by the Zon. I have a team of people working on the issue since there is no issue that I can surmise anyway. But God willing, it will be straightened out in a day or two. But this is further evidence that you should never be exclusive to one single platform.

Episode 898: Bestseller Troy Lambert has his Finger on the Industry Pulse

Bestselling author and president of the Idaho Writer's Guild, Troy Lambert and I discuss what's happening in the industry including big changes at the Zon, Spotify''s rights grab, and what's happening in Hollywood. We also talk about how the writers as rock star is gone baby gone.

Episode 897: Ben Sobieck: Purple Cow Coffee and Chaos Theory

Returning guest, bestselling author and entrepreneur, Ben Sobieck, discusses his newest coffee venture, Shopify eCommerce for selling books, and Chaos Theory!

Episode 896: The Big Pop Culture Trend

Remember when you bought books from the same ten authors they shoved down your throat at the big box bookstores? That's over. Now indie authors and the indie network society is taking charge in a big way.

Episode 895: The Muse

I'm always in awe when I read the final version of a new novel prior to its going out to press. "Did I actually write that? Or did someone else?"

Episode 894 (I think): Phil "Big Philly" Smith and Gallows Humor

Pulp writer and editor, Big Philly, makes his debut appearance on The Writer's Life. He has some tantalizing revelations about his new pulp magazine project which is being partnered by Gutter Books. We also talk about all sorts of cool and crazy shit. For the non-woksters!!!!

Episode 892: Work-Life Balance

When you write for a living there is no work-life balance since you don't work to begin with. Make sense?

Episode 889: Skiing and Life

Took a couple off days to ski. I needed some outdoor action badly. But glad to be back at my writing desk now...These breaks are important. It's why we're writers instead of working-class stiffs.

Episode 887: Amazon Ads, Spending Habits, and WWIII

Amazon ads aren't quite what they used to be. Watch your ad spend...My condolences to the families who lost the three service members on the Jordan/Syria border. It should have never happened. Those responsible, namely Iran, should be punished. But you have to ask yourself, how did we get involved in what is essentially WWIII in the first place?

Episode 886: Be Careful How Your Treat Me...

Be careful how you treat me, you just might get in my new book. Or so goes the old saying. I've been crossed a few times, and that's my ultimate revenge....I also discuss my skiing crashes which seem to be getting more and more violent. I believe I know the reason. 

Episode 885: Making It

Some words of wisdom on making it in the writing industry, or any industry for that matter. Oh, and the wisdom comes with age...

Episode 884: Tom Avitabile: Presidential Assassinations, and a New Film ...

Bestselling author and filmmaker Tom Avitabile talk about his new JFK assassination thriller, Ask Not, and his new WIP about the Reagan shooting back in 1981. We also delve into his new short film venture for book promos of which Bear Media was one of the first recipients.

Episode 883: That One Book and Kindle Vella Update

Vin talks about the one or two or three books you need in your arsenal which you can use to count not only on sales, but a good sales spike every now and again. he also talks about the Kindle Vella bonuses and how they appear to be improving.

Episode 881: Writer as Businessperson or Businessperson as Writer

Vin talks about Patterson and Dawson who appear to have used writing primarily as a means to get rich. I too write to make good money, but the love of writing comes first and always will.

Episode 880: Bestselling Author Troy Lambert Tells All

Bestselling author and President of the Idaho Writer's Guild, Troy Lambert, graces us with his monthly "finger on the publishing pulse" Writer's Life episode. I'm not going to lie, there's some breaking news in this one that's gonna knock your socks off. Check it out.