The Writing Way

In this episode of The Writing Way, we look at recent news related to writing, how AI is impacting authors and journalists, and the future of books. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowriteway.substack.com/subscribe

In a crossover episode between ‘The Writing Way’ and ‘Spoken Label’, Andy N interviews Amanda Nicholson about the re-release of her book ‘Ghost of Me’.‘Ghost of Me’ is now available to buy on Kindle and other eBook formats, audiobook, and in paperback from Amazon, and Waterstones, etc.amazon.co.uk/Ghost-Me-Amanda-Steel-ebook/dp/B07YNRH3FChttps://books2read.com/u/4jjevjhttps://www.waterstones.com/book/ghost-of-me/amanda-steel/9798231740178 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowriteway.substack.com/subscribe

Amanda and Andy talk about some of the works-in-progress and writing plans for the year, covering books, music projects, and much more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowriteway.substack.com/subscribe

In this crossover between Spoken Label and No Write Way, Andy N, Amanda Nicholson and Courtney ward talk about their books and interview each other. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowriteway.substack.com/subscribe

It’s almost time for the release of “Beneath the Manchester Lights” on November 3rd. So, here’s an extract.A second chance romance novella.When Stacey returns to Manchester 15 years after Danny cheated on her, she knows there’s a chance she might run into him. The last thing she expects is for that to happen in her temporary job as an elf.Danny has a new job as Father Christmas, working in the same grotto as Stacey. It’s only temporary, but can the two of them work together and get over their past?Or perhaps Stacey can find a way to forgive Danny, and they can have a second chance to get things right. After all, Christmas is a time for hope, and some gifts are worth unwrapping twice.Out 3rd November 2025 Order/pre-order fromhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Beneath-Manchester-Lights-Alicia-Nicholls-ebook/dp/B0F9P9BLCGAlso available through the Waterstones website, and as an eBook from most eBook platforms. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowriteway.substack.com/subscribe

Amanda and Andy talk about their experiences of people attempting to rip them off for their creative work.The conversation also sways off topic to include a short rant about AI, which is always fun! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowriteway.substack.com/subscribe

In episode 4 of The Writing Way, Amanda and Andy talk about high entry fees and whether these are worth it. Amanda talks about a recent contest she entered with a £29 fee that had over 2000 entries.The conversation also drifts into unpaid writing tests and the unreasonable demands that employers or clients place on writers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowriteway.substack.com/subscribe

Amanda and Andy talk about vanity, hybrid and unscrupulous publishers, and how to avoid them.They also share their own experiences, including Amanda’s publishing deal that led to over six months of the publisher stalking Amanda online when she tried to warn other authors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowriteway.substack.com/subscribe

This month, we open up the podcast to our first guest.Phil Woodford is an experienced trainer and lecturer, specialising in marketing communications, media, business psychology, copywriting and creativity. His company, Here Comes the Cavalry Ltd, helps to develop the potential of businesses and organisations across a variety of sectors.Phil writes/talks about the reality of AI and the risk to jobs on his Substack page Redundant Human and has written the book AI and The Redundant Human. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowriteway.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the first episode of The Writing Way, hosted by Amanda Nicholson and Andy N. In this episode, we discuss the process of changing genres and whether it’s easier to do this as an indie author, compared to if you’re more established and with a trad publisher. We also talk about the realities of ghostwriting fiction, and why it might make you hate writing. Finally, we look at some of the bad advice that is freely given out to authors. If you have writing or publishing questions that you want us to answer in a future podcast, drop us an email at: [email protected] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowriteway.substack.com/subscribe

Next week, I’ll be posting the first of my behind-the-paywall videos helping writers to write, self-publish, look for agents and publishers, and much more.This video gives you an idea of some of the topics I’ll be discussing, and if you have a specific question, let me know.Why am I charging?I spent years gaining experience and learning a lot of the information I’ll be sharing, and have student debt from my Creative Writing MA.Also, recording a video takes time, so yes, I have to charge, but I’ve done my best to make this as affordable as possible.Over the years, I’ve seen people pay a lot of money to vanity publishers or so-called self-publishing companies. Sometimes, they might get what they’re promised, like editing, cover design and marketing, but most often, they don’t. In all cases, it would be cheaper to do most of the work yourself, then outsource any services you need, like editing or cover design.This is how I’m trying to help you, by teaching you how to do as much of the work as possible, then pay someone to do the things you can’t.I offer one-on-one consultations for authors, proofreading, help with cover design, and looking over cover letters to agents or publishers, among other services, all at affordable rates, but you don’t have to hire me and can work with whoever you choose.How much does it cost?It’s just $5 a month to subscribe to my Substack page and watch all the videos I post. I’ll also be doing some online mini-webinars for £2 each on the topics I think will work in this format, and I’ll have a Q&A session afterwards.Another thing I’m looking into is a way of selling the link to each video for £2 to anyone who just wants to know one specific thing, like how to upload a book to Amazon, or some ways to edit their own book as much as possible to reduce how much they pay to an editor or proofreader.Eventually, all or most of the videos will be uploaded online as part of a bigger course, but that could be a long way off yet.So, whatever stage you’re at with your writing and publishing, I’ve tried to make it so nobody is excluded just because they don’t have thousands of £s (or dollars) to throw at someone to self-publish a book for them, or a guru who will share how to make six figures from your book. To be blunt, that’s unlikely to happen for most people. What I can help you with is improving your book or your writing in general, learning how to self-publish, or looking for an agent or publisher.One video I’m looking forward to recording and sharing with you is about how to avoid being scammed or just making the wrong choice. I’ve had two small publishers so far and both were negative experiences in different ways. So, I feel qualified to tell you what to look out for. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nowriteway.substack.com/subscribe