Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 84 of the podcast and it's September 14, 2022 as we record this. Main Topic: Production and Publication Schedules  PATREON:  No new patrons this weeks, but a big squeeze hug and Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast. This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a shout out on the podcast and we can make announcements for you on the podcast. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.    Just finished:   I'M READING:  Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor Being the First Jane Austen Mystery by Stephanie Barron Up Next::  Erick's Reading: Death Masks by Jim Butcher Joe Golem, the Occult Detective series graphic novels by Mike Mignola (Hell Boy guy)   Update: extra shifts at the bookstore, started working on new author website, and thinking about a short story for anthology Announcements: Erick's new book, Chasing Shadows, is out now!  Passion Planner launched their new line of annual dated planners for 2023. I've already received mine. And I'm thinking of more ways to use it and decorate it. Use my referral link https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx and discount code VALERIEO866. Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets are $900 this year and include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. Payment plans are available, and registration opens November 1st, 2022. Patrons receive a hefty discount AND can buy early, making their monthly payments even less expensive. Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information. Comments:  Show Notes: For Erick: Character voice comes first.  Needs the first line. Then golden. His plan: Three stories in two weeks, beta reader, line editor. Launch Patreon page in January. Treating the monthly stories (for the whole year) as the next writing project. (For January and February) He never writes to deadline; he finishes before.   Avoid comparing yourself to others UNTIL you know your process. Inside and out. (For instance: my plan for publishing two books a year didn't work and started off a spiral effect of "I can't" language. But then I learned to say, "I can, but not yet.")   Resources:  Contact Erick for business-starting advice. Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book.   Next Episode:  spousal and partner receptivity to your work Other Resources: Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Productivity for Creative People: How to Get Creative Work Done in an "Always on" World by Mark McGuiness Essentialism by Greg McKeown The Anatomy of a Bestseller by Sacha Black    Writing Scenes.: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/three-story-method-writing-scenes  The Author Life Community Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIEO866 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Find Us:   Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account   Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account  Writer Craft Facebook Group Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan   Some of the Books We've Read This Year:  Drinking Games A Prayer for the Crown-Shy.   How to be a Good Creature Billy Summers by Stephen King The Dude and t