The Versatile Writer

Ep 78 Interview with Mark Thompson

Recently I was able to interview author and astronomer Mark Thompson to discuss one of his books that I reviewed last year. 101 Facts You Didn't Know About Space, published by White Owl Books was as informative as it was entertaining.

I interviewed Mark to find out about his thoughts on writing, astronomy, and some non-fiction writing tips plus found out a few extra titbits including a world record break attempt due in September and that Mark cannot write while wearing slippers!

Listen in and share your thoughts on the podcast's face book page - details in the show notes below.

 

Show Notes for Episode 78 Interview with Astronomer and Author Mark Thompson

Mark’s site MARK THOMPSON – STEM Broadcaster and Author (markthompsonastronomy.com) which includes his books, charity work, and his podcast.

Mark’s YT channel Awesome Science and Technology with Mark Thompson - YouTube

Pen and Sword Pen and Sword Books: 101+Facts+ Search (130) Results (pen-and-sword.co.uk)

(1) The Versatile Writer Podcast Group | Facebook

 

E77 Pt2 Writers' Block

The Versatile Writer rarely has part 1&2 of episodes but this week is one of them!

Part two continues looking at ways to avoid and prevent the block.

 

Show Notes for Writers Block

 

Show notes for today’s show had the following sites mentions:

Mentalfloss.com,

jeffgoins.com,

Twitter: @sjbwrites

(7) The Versatile Writer Podcast Group | Facebook

Writing Naked: Writing Without Boundaries eBook: Banham, SJ: Amazon.co.uk: Books

I’d be grateful if you liked and subscribed to The Versatile Writer, and share it with your family and friends.

Also, I’d love it if you headed on over to my website, there maybe something there that interests you: www.loveofbooks.co.uk

Thank you

sjb

Ep75 Gillian Walnes Perry MBE

This week's episode discusses the book, The Legacy of Anne Frank, by Gillian Walnes Perry MBE, and published by Pen and Sword Books.

I reviewed her book when it was first released in August 2019, and recently organised an interview with her through the publisher. This is the interview, via Zoom, in which we cover Gillian's connection to The Anne Frank Museum, and the legacy Anne, herself, left the world.

 

SHOW NOTES – Gillian Walnes Perry MBE

I hope you enjoyed this episode. Below are links to the sites Gillian and I talk about in this episode.

A lot of what Gillian spoke of can be found on these sites:

www.annefrank.org

www.annefrank.org.uk

www.gillianwalnesperry.co.uk

 

Pen and Sword Books: Military History and Nostalgia Book Publishers (pen-and-sword.co.uk) The publisher of The Legacy of Anne Frank.

The Legacy of Anne Frank: Amazon.co.uk: Gillian Walnes Perry: 9781526731043: Books Gillian’s book on Amazon

www.loveofbooks.co.uk To learn of the COMMUNITY GROUPS I lead, the services I offer, and everything about me/my business.

www.facebook.com/groups/theversatilewriter The Facebook group for this podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, you may enjoy others too so why not like, share, and subscribe to The Versatile Writer so it automatically appears in your feed.

I’d be grateful if you shared episodes on your preferred social media platforms too. When you do, please tag me in so I can thank you publicly on Facebook: Sarah Banham, Twitter: @sjbwrites and Instagram: s.j.banham

Thank you 😊

Ep76 Writers' Block Pt 1

Part 1 in a two-parter.

While you may not consider writers' block to be a real thing, it affects thousands of writers all across the globe and has done since before the name was even coined in 1945.

The Versatile Writer looks at famous writers it's affected to various online outlets who are dubious it even exists and looks at many ways to kickstart your writing again, using both tough-love and self care.

 

SHOW NOTES

Show notes for today’s show had the following sites mentioned:

Mentalfloss.com 

jeffgoins.com 

Twitter: @sjbwrites

The Versatile Writer Podcast Group | Facebook

Writing Naked: Writing Without Boundaries eBook: Banham, SJ: Amazon.co.uk: Books

I’d be grateful if you liked and subscribed to The Versatile Writer, and share it with your family and friends.

Also, I’d love it if you headed on over to my website, there maybe something there that interests you: www.loveofbooks.co.uk

Thank you
sjb

 

TVW Considers Newsletters

This week's episode looks at the decision to, the creation of, and the content surrounding business newsletters.

First deciding if you need or want one, then going about shaping it into what your brand is, are two of the most difficult questions you may have to answer.

In TVW this time, I go deeply into the tone and shape of what I wanted mine to convey, and how I chose a subscription method that suited both me and my subscriber. 

By sharing three examples of my monthly newsletters, I give a good understanding of the kind of kindred spirit who may subscribe to it.

 

SHOW NOTES for ‘Newsletters’

In this week’s episode, the following links were mentioned.

• The Versatile Writer Podcast Group | Facebook
• loveofbooks.co.uk
• To subscribe to the For The Love of Books newsletter, please email sarah@loveofbooks.co.uk with NEWSLETTER in the header. You can opt out at any time and, in line with UK GDPR regulations, your details won’t be saved or sold.
• Writing Naked: Writing Without Boundaries eBook: Banham, SJ: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Please subscribe to The Versatile Writer so it’ll magically appear in your feed each time an episode is published. You can also comment on it too. I will respond to every comment I get :)

I’d be grateful if you could share the podcast on social media too as it may resonate with one of your friends or family at just the time they need to hear it.

If you do share it, please tag me on Facebook: Sarah Banham, Twitter: @sjbwrites and Instagram: s.j.banham

Thank you in advance. 

sjb :)

 

TVW Considers Birthing a Difficult Book

Every time we write a book, whether that's a novel or non-fiction, so much goes into it; even more when we self publish it. Add to that the mental health aspects that go along with it. The fear, the anguish, the anxiety, the self-doubt. Writers really do put themselves through the mill!

This week's episode looks at fears and perceived worries of releasing a new book to the public. How will it be met? Will it be welcomed? Will it be torn to shreds by reviewers with imagined scores to settle?

Perhaps birthing a difficult book is really just launching a new novel but dressed in scary clothing? 

 

SHOW NOTES for BIRTHING A DIFFICULT BOOK

Below are the links to the businesses who helped me get my newest novel out there. Thanks again for listening, and don’t forget to hit subscribe so each episode magically pops up in your podcast feed without you looking for it. I’d be grateful if you could share it with your friends and family too. Who knows – it may speak to them right now? You never know what people could be waiting for and this could be it, better than that, you’ll have helped make it happen.

Thanks again. Sjb x

www.helenbaggot.co.uk This is Helen, who edited Livin’ and Lovin’ in Texas

www.jessicabelldesign.com This is Jessica who designed the Livin’ and Lovin’ in Texas cover

The Versatile Writer Podcast Group | Facebook link to the Facebook group

Livin' and Lovin' in Texas eBook: Banham, S J: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store Here’s hoping you’ll buy yourself a copy of this too. And while you’re there, I’ve got other books available. Why not look at those too? Please leave a (hopefully nice?) review too. :) 

Finally, please visit my website www.loveofbooks.co.uk where you can find my services including writing courses, ghost writing services, blogging and sales copywriting services too. There's also a multitude of community groups you can join, a newsletter you can subscribe to, and - oh yeah - this podcast :)  Thanks in advance. 

 

TVW Rewriting and Analysis

These are the SHOW NOTES for today’s episode of The Versatile Writer with me, Sarah Banham on the topic of REWRITING and ANALYSIS.

This week, I look at a specific novel of mine that was originally self published back in the olden days of 2007. I consider aspects of story telling that might not stand the test of time; things like tech, social trends, and character intentions.

Because I go quite deep into the creation of a specific novel and what might happen if I updated it for a current day audience, it becomes clear that the original story might be lost.

Spoilers are included.

Websites mentioned in the show were:

www.allianceindependentauthors.org

www.loveofbooks.co.uk

The Versatile Writer Podcast Group | Facebook

TVW Considers Stress

After a short hiatus, TVW is back and, in this episode, talking stress.

Stress comes at us in all different shapes and sizes. For me, this time it came in the form of 'inability to cope with tech'. 

Talking mental health, anxiety, and stress in the workplace - whether that workplace is in an office with others, in a factory or bank, or in your back room because you're self employed - stress is stress. It won't just go away, but having a break from it can help your mind cope with it better when you do come back.

 

Today's SHOW NOTES for The Versatile Writer episode ‘Stress’

Today’s show broke down the reasons why I took a couple of weeks away from podcasting, takes a look at mental health, and considers what we can do to alleviate our own negative thoughts.

The link for the group mentioned in today’s show is below- I hope you consider joining it.

The Versatile Writer Podcast Group | Facebook 

TVW considers Writing Residencies

Every so often the opportunity to become a Writer in Residence comes up. But if it doesn't, and you'd like to add 'Writer in Residence' to your literary CV, why not orchestrate your own residency by contacting venues near your base?

This week's episode looks in detail at what Sarah did to create a residency within Essex Libraries.

 

SHOW NOTES: The Versatile Writer - Help and support for like-minded writers

The Versatile Writer: Becoming A Writer in Residence

 

The websites for the venues mentioned in this week’s episode of The Versatile Writer.

University of Suffolk www.unicaf.uos.ac.uk

Essex Libraries www.essexlibraries.gov.uk

Essex County Council www.essexcounty.org

For The Love of Books www.loveofbooks.co.uk

Society of Authors www.societyofauthors.org

 

TVW Looks at BUILDING A COMMUNITY

On The Versatile Writer this week, TVW looks at what a community is. Some of us consider it your network of friends, or it might be something a bit more professional like those who associate themselves with your business, your social media presence or your podcast.

In this episode, I look at ways I've done it so far as well as highlight those who have pointed me in the right direction for further community building. I invite you to share your ways too.

I also mention the Face Book groups I run in case listeners might like to join them. :0)

Please subscribe to The Versatile Writer and please share it with your friends and family. It could be just what they're waiting to hear right now.

Happy listening :)

 

Show Notes:

On this week’s episode on BUILDING A COMMUNITY, these are the people I mentioned with their websites and Face Book groups.

For The Love Of Books www.loveofbooks.co.uk

The Casual Birder Podcast (1) Casual Birder Podcast group | Groups | Facebook https://casualbirder.com/

Podfest Expo 2021 www.podfestexpo.com

The Versatile Writer Podcast Group (1) The Versatile Writer Podcast Group | Facebook

Writers of Essex (1) Writers of Essex | Groups | Facebook

Shiny Firefly Fans (1) Shiny Firefly Fans | Facebook