ICP 093 Joanna Penn on Writing and Creating a Living As An Independent Author

Listen

0:00

...

ICP 093 Joanna Penn on Writing and Creating a Living As An Independent Author

Apple Podcasts Leave a Review Spotify

Right Click Here To Download This Episode Now

Scroll down for detailed episode notes and quick access timings

In this episode you’ll learn:

How Joanna left her corporate job to become an independent author
3 big lessons learned as an indie author
Applications essential for digital authors
Tips on hiring people to help you publish
Why people want creative and independent artists

“Even though I had a very good job I just was very empty inside” – Joanna Penn

It’s hard to believe that at one time, best-selling independent author and founder of thecreativepenn.com, Joanna Penn, did not believe she was creative.

From a corporate career in IT to a thriving lifestyle as a writer of fiction and non-fiction she is now selling her work in 68 countries (and counting).

Today, voted as one of The Guardian UK’s top 100 creative professionals, and as a speaker on creative entrepreneurship, she makes a living doing what she loves.

In this episode, you’ll learn why Joanna is fanatical about proving that a living being creative is a proper job.

Learn what Joanna loves about stickers and colouring books for adults and why sharing pictures of graveyards on Pinterest is important to her audience.

Joanna also reveals the power of hiring freelancers and virtual assistants as well as sharing tips on hiring people to help you publish.

You’ll also hear why she believes the Scrivener application is essential for writers and why authors should never do their own book covers.

“If you want to make a living with your writing, or with whatever your art is, you have to consider running a business” – Joanna Penn

Items mentioned in this episode (quick access):

On writing

[0:01:02] Introducing Joanna Penn.

[0:01:43] Joanna describes herself in context of her fiction and non-fiction writing.

[0:03:00] How Joanna balances her workload and schedule.

[0:04:40] Stephen King. The muse.

[0:05:10] Being there versus being in the mood to write.

“It’s one of those mysteries of creativity – you just have to be there and it will happen” – Joanna Penn

Rewarding the inner child

[0:06:23] Discipline versus fun.

[0:06:40] Adult colouring books. Rewarding the inner child.

[0:07:26] Formatting books for publication.

[0:08:01] Stickers.

“Before I sit down to write I’ll do some colouring” – Joanna Penn

Travel, notebooks, applications and preparing for editing

[0:08:16] Where Joanna finds her inspiration. Her new book, Risen Gods.

[0:09:10] New Zealand.

[0:09:24] Her forthcoming book, Destroyer of Worlds.

[0:09:40] Mobile application called Things. Moleskin Journal

[0:10:00] Joanna’s book Stone of Fire book.

[0:10:34] How Joanna uses her notebooks and prepares for editing.

[0:11:10] Why Joanna loves the application Scrivener.

[0:11:30] Reordering the scenes of her novel.

[0:12:08] Outputting for Kindle, iBooks, Kobo and Nook from Scrivener.

“Trust emergence…it’s just trusting the process” – Joanna Penn

Trust emergence

[0:12:39] What it feels like to finish a book.

[0:14:19] Going to Japan.

[0:14:49] Where Joanna gets her confidence.

[0:15:54] Earning 70% royalties. Forecasting income.

[0:16:35] Being an introvert.

[0:16:50] Raised in a traditionally literary way. Oxford. Australia.

[0:17:26] Authors, Dan Brown and Umberto Eco.

[0:17:49] Joanna’s Arkane book series.

“You may think there’s nothing in there but if you trust emergence and you sit down and put the time in…” – Joanna Penn

Physical versus digital and audio books

[0:18:18] Kindle, iBooks, Kobo and Nook.

[0:19:09] Two big lessons Joanna has learned. Print on demand.

[0:21:03] Making a lot more profit with e-books. Selling books in 68 countries.

[0:21:40] The demographic shift of print to digital.

[0:22:00] The rise of audio book sales.

“I’m not someone who believes in writer’s block” – Joanna Penn

Marketing and pictures of graveyards

[0:22:26] Why Joanna believes creative people find sales and marketing tricky.

[0:22:46] Taphophiles.

[0:23:26] Giving books away for free.

[0:23:48] Making a decision on what type of life you want. How to be an author-entrepreneur.

[0:24:10] Why it’s not just about the product.

[0:24:34] Getting noticed. Being determined to make a success of being a creative.

[0:25:30] How Joanna left her corporate job to become an independent author.

[0:27:30] The blogs before thecreativepenn.com. Another mistake Joanna made.

[0:28:20] How many novels Joanna had written before she resigned.

“I was determined to make a change” – Joanna Penn

Building a team and a body of work

[0:29:00] The time when self-publishing went mainstream.

[0:29:30] Why consistency is important.

[0:29:40] Working with virtual assistants, freelancers and editors.

[0:30:31] Why authors should never do their own book covers.

[0:31:00] Tips on hiring people to help you. Outsourcing cover design and email.

[0:33:23] Building a body of work.

“I get ten times the amount of money than most authors going through a traditional publisher” – Joanna Penn

The maker movement

[0:34:00] What Joanna is most passionate about proving.

[0:34:45] Why people want creative, independent artists.

[0:36:10] The Author’s 2.0 Blueprint.

[0:36:38] How a Naam techno-thriller has inspired Joanna recently.

[0:37:54] What Joanna is grateful for.

[0:38:30] Why it is a viable time for creatives to make a living.

“You can make a living being a creative in the internet age” – Joanna Penn

Rising Gods

[0:39:20] Co-writing and collaboration.

[0:39:38] Mummified monks.

[0:39:50] How Joanna measures her life.

[0:40:12] Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Big Magic.

[0:40:40] When Joanna did not believe she was creative.

“Most of my family just think we’re crazy. They can’t believe that this is possible” – Joanna Penn

Impulse and curiosity

[0:41:20] How to connect with others by being open as to what interests you.

[0:42:16] Having more in common with a reader in Burkina Faso.

[0:43:00] Why advice from your family and friends might be completely wrong.

[0:43:32] Where you can find out more about Joanna and her work.

“Once you learn to listen to those impulses…that’s what will lead you into more creativity” – Joanna Penn

Books mentioned in this episode:*

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoyed this podcast, you’ll also like:

Thanks for listening

If you enjoyed the show, please share your honest review with others on iTunes by clicking here and rating the show. It will help folks to figure out if this show is for them.

Enjoy the show!

*Inspirational Creatives may be compensated, at zero cost to you, if you choose to buy one of these books. We love books! Thank you for your support.