This is a podcast for authors by authors! (And also readers who want the scoop on what authors are REALLY thinking.) Join Valerie Biel and T.K. (Tracey) Sheffield as we share topics to help our fellow writers as well as fun tidbits on what we’re reading and where we’re roaming. Our inaugural year, 2024, had 10 episodes on topics like agent searching (episode 1), indie vs traditional publishing (episode 4), book launch basics (this episode), helpful writing conferences (episode 2), why we write what we write (episode 3) and our last episode listing our angels and assets of 2024.
In 2025, we focused on the process of indie/self publishing from getting started, to how to approach the tasks indie publishing requires—reviews, editing, formatting, cover design, marketing and more!! (We took a deep dive into defining hybrid publishing and discussed ways to repurpose content you’ve already created to increase revenue.)
Now, in 2026 we’re starting off with how to get started on TikTok. T.K.’s been on this platform for a while, but Valerie’s been avoiding it. So come along for the ride as Valerie finally dives into TikTok with T.K.’s help in Season 3: Episode 1 & Episode 2.
ABOUT US—YOUR PODCAST HOSTS:
Valerie Biel is the author of the award-winning Circle of Nine series and mystery-suspense novel, Beyond the Cemetery Gate, and middle-grade novel, Haven. She’s also a publicity professional who aids other authors with their book launches and marketing. You can find her here on Substack at Reading, Writing, & Roaming or at ValerieBiel.com.
Tracey writes stories for readers who want to laugh and escape. She is the author of the award-winning Backyard Model comic culinary cozy mysteries, and other feel-good humorous books. She is found at her website, T.K. Sheffield Writes, and her Instagram, The Backyard Model.
ABOUT SEASON THREE: EPISODE 3
In this episode, we talk about tropes, those recurring plot device, incidents, and character types we see over and over again. We talk about the comfort of using and reading these familiar types of frameworks, but emphasize the importance of twisting them a little to make them uniquely yours.
Here are links to help you out with tropes along with a few books / resources we mention:
PODCAST MENTIONED:
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
BOOKS MENTIONED:
The Breakfast Jury by Ken Humphrey
Death Takes a Knight by Sharon Lynn
TROPE ARTICLE LINKS:
And ongoing help on TikTok:
TikTok trends for authors from the Urban Writers blog
How to Promote Your Book on TikTok from the BookBub Partners Blog
TK Sheffield_Books on TikTok
ValerieBiel_Books (Val’s new account)
And don’t forget — drop us your TikTok handle in the comments!
TIMING NOTES:
Our reading writing and roaming chit chat from the beginning until 27:20, when we begin our trope discussion, then at 45:00 we start a brief update on TikTok.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Our most popular podcast of 2024: Traditional vs Independent Publishing
Our most popular podcast of 2025: Hybrid Publishing: What Exactly Is It?
Val’s Substack — Full of indie publishing advice
Send Us Your Questions in the Comments!
Don’t hesitate to comment below if you have questions about any of the topics we’ve covered. We’re happy to answer questions directly to you via email and in subsequent episodes to help everyone! And don’t forget to drop your TikTok handle in the comments so we can find you over there.
See you in April! - Valerie & T.K.
