The Shared Desk

Pip and Tee host Michael Ventrella to talk about publishing, writing, and the 1st Amendment. The Shared Desk has tried to remain politics free, but then politics collided with writing and publishing. * 8:46 : Michael has been involved in the Tales from the Archives, but he is currently a practicing defense lawyer, and has taught the Constition. He is the author of How to Argue the Constitution with a Conservative.* Tee has some background with the 1st Amendment…. Pip has of course none. Well, one of us isn’t… * 05:55 : So of course, Pip reads the 1st Amendment…* Michael points out why the 1st is so short and succinct.* 08:22 : Tee brings up, why we are discussing this on the Shared Desk. A fresh senator got his book contract cancelled, and tries to use the 1st Amendment as a shield.* Michael points out, that there are plenty of dumb lawyers out there.* Many lawyers read the Constitution to be what they want it to say. * 11:03 : We touch on the other hot button 1st Amendment, people being blocked off social media.* Pip (the foreigner) points out the very first word.* Michael says a smaller publisher will probably pick his book up. (Addendum: He was right… Apparently the senator has found a new publisher.)* 14:33 : Isn’t it more about that sweet advance?* That’s part of it, but also playing to the base with an eye on a presidential run.* 15:21 : Pip wonders about ‘morality clauses’.* 16:12 : On the left side of the aisle, writers have run into those too.* Writers have to be aware of them, and understand that they also can’t claim oppression. Most contracts have provision these days to protect the image of the corporation.* 18:02 : Social media rights as far as the 1st Amendment.* Michael points out if you want to talk about regular conservative talking points you can.* What you cannot talk about is violence and racism. * All social media platforms have Terms of Service… even if people click through them without reading. They are there. * Michael points out the peaceably portion of the 1st Amendment.* 22:47 : Tee posits a question to Michael* Michael says not with the 1st, but contractually there are more grey areas depending on the situation.* 24:27 : Michael brings up how some authors make claims of being censored. * The government censors, but everything else is editing.* No Shirts. No Shoes. No Service. But it has to be applied in a non discriminatory fashion.* Shout out to the Legal Eagle * 34:58 : Tee, Pip and Michael discuss WandaVision on Disney+ NO SPOILERS!* Plenty of throwbacks to Bewitched and I Love Jennie, Pip enjoyed it* Michael enjoyed the first ten minutes, and then wanted a bit more to happen.* There were a lot of deep cuts for those deep into Marvel history. * Tee brings up the excellent HBO Max show Snowpiercer* More clues are revealed in the second episode.* Pip enjoyed how they used vintage feel to full advantage- including consulting Dick Van Dyke! Find Michael A Ventrella here, and pickup his book

(Podcasting for Dummies, the 4th edition is out in the wild today… pick up a copy from your favorite online store!) Pip and Tee take on the subject of blogging. Is it still useful? Relevant? 00: 58 Intro * Amanda J Surowitz sent us an email complimenting Social Media for Writers, which includes a Discord chapter (or you can do a deeper dive with Discord for Dummies.) 04:11 Tee Talks about his experience with blogging * Tee has worked professionally for universities, and the government. Writing blogs was part of what he did every day.* Amanda drops into chat* Tee was on a roll, then the world changed. Everyone knows that feeling * Tee then had back to back projects, but blogging is still his thing* Pip hasn’t blogged for awhile. Now she thinks the space is a lot more crowded, and now you have streaming competing.* Pip makes the internet noise and Tee joins in.* People like Chuck Wendig make a success of it, but has a very particular style.* Tee found he would spend days writing a blogpost on writing, and getting behind on his actual writing.* Pip feels like she never found her niche in blogging… and worried she just whined a lot.* Pip wonders about jumping on current events… say ‘Waffle House fights’* We mention Chris Evan’s… moment and how he turned it to his advantage * You can tap into what is trending, as Pip points out they have from time to time. Tee agrees as long as it is within your field, jumping on current issues is a good policy.* Pip tries to justify her next Waffle House fight blogpost…* When you sit down to write, have a point to it* Keep an eye on comments on the blog and your social media* Blogging for blogging sake is problematic 24:34 Pip has a question * So lists were popular a while go ‘top five’ or the ‘five worst’. Are they still popular?* People do still seem to want to read quick articles * Tee suggests setting a word limit. 27:07 Tee has a question * As pros, with other projects how do you manage blogging?* Add it to your weekly schedule.* Tee suggests some people are using Twitch, as a video blog.* But do all authors think on their feet quickly? A riff can easily become a ramble.* Bullet Alexander returns… and Pip is not impressed.* What are authors most comfortable doing?* Social Media for Writers is out now, and has new chapters, including one on crisis management.* It’s made trickier when you don’t have a book to promote, but publishers these day want you to have a platform before they’ll give you a book deal. * So figure out if you have a purpose and do you have the time for it?* But at the end of the day deadlines have to come before blogging.* If it is making you miserable, then you don’t have to blog.* Your platform should include blogging only if you enjoy doing it, and can remain consistent. If you have an event in 2021 and want The Shared Desk to appear there, or if you just want to share an opinion about the show, here’s where to find us… 703.791.1701pip@pjballantine.comtee@teemorris.com…and social media, of course. Show art by Candy Cane StudiosFind us on Twitter at either 

We welcome our pal, Jack Mangan to the Shared Desk, and back into the writing gig. Jack’s new foray into creativity is a graphic novel. We dig deep into this process and how Jack’s getting it done with crowdfunding. 0:45 Jack Mangan introduction * Though he has no AKA name, we’re glad to see him.* You might know Jack from Spherical Tomi and Deadpan* From back in the days…. Podcasters from 15 years ago * Jack talks about his podcast trajectory… and then life intervened.* Known as a novelist, and podcast, we dive into how Jack’s moved into the new arena of graphic novels.* Pip and Tee discuss how much they loved having Jack in the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. Find it in the second collection of Tales from the Archives 7:29 What were the challenges of changing genre * Jack researched the masters of this new genre* At first he tried drafting out instructions to the graphic artist.* You have to form a relationship between writer and artist- collaboration!* Pip contemplates a Ministry graphic novel… 12:48 Pip asks ‘But what is this project?‘ * Jack’s history as a music journalist, brought him into contact with Diamond Head.* Yes, this project is so METAL! * Jack got all the relevant permissions* Am I Evil, is a song with a story to tell.* Now to the funding of it! Challenges Jack faced… well pandemic!* Kickstarter didn’t work out, but now I Am Evil is live on IndieGoGo* The idea is to make sure every professional gets paid* Meet the team! * This is Jack’s passion project, that he wants out in the world.* Marketing is always tough. But you have to find the right time to launch and promote.* Pip and Tee popped by to Jack’s live launch* Everyone delves into their metal credentials…* Jack has been writing as a journalist, but he is getting back to fiction—including coming back to Spherical Tomi* Many of the original podcasters, are going back to their original fiction worlds.* When you are part of a team, you don’t want to let people down.* Jack talks about being a mature writer* Check out the video! * Jack explains how he created the video.* Pip brings up stretch goals, and the dangers of pineapple related ones.* Jack teases us with royal connections…* Am I Evil campaign is live now! If you have an event in 2021 and want The Shared Desk to appear there, or if you just want to share an opinion about the show, here’s where to find us… 703.791.1701pip@pjballantine.comtee@teemorris.com…and social media, of course. Show art by Candy Cane StudiosFind us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,leave us a voicemail or questions for the show at 703.791.1701,or leave us a comment here at the blog.We’ll talk about it!And remember, you can find the show on Spotify,  

* Technology works, and we shout out to the live audience who joined us on Twitch* Our cat is recuperating from surgery, and we’re recuperating from the Hugos. Makes him rather grumpy…* Guess what made Pip and Tee grumpy* It’s not the gloves from Ritual Motion Pip and Tee can however…here we go… 2:31 Let’s talk about the Hugo Awards * The latest Worldcon was held in Pip’s hometown of Wellington, New Zealand, but the pandemic made it have to become virtual* The Hugo are fan voted, and are not strangers to controversy * Pip and Tee discuss that ‘golden age’ of science fiction* George RR Martin was asked to be toastmaster* Tee has been the MC at Pip’s brother’s wedding.* The role requires you talk about the people who the event is for.* The Hugo Awards were about the nominees, but GRRM didn’t get that memo* He then proceeded to pine for the good ole days of John W Campbell, Heinlein, Asimov et al * All of GRRM’s parts were pre-recorded* Tee asks Pip how she feels as a New Zealander and a writer * ConZealand was planned for many, many years* Pip was angry, disappointed and mortified… New Zealand is better than this* Even assuming GRRM was not sent pronunciation, that doesn’t let him off the hook* Pip and Tee remain unsurprised at how his recordings went down * The Hugo Awards have become more diverse but it has a history of being exclusionary* Lots of inside jokes, name dropping… all of these things make sure there is an ‘us’ and ‘them’* Making community means being welcoming* Harking back to an age GRRM has nostalgia about, brings a lot of baggage* Pip talks about the nature of fandom in New Zealand * Fandom needs to think about how they empower people by ignoring their behavior* The award winners were a diverse, world-wide group of people, but GRRM barely mentioned them* The always popular apology-non-apology* Pip dives into how women (especially of an older generation) are taught not to make a fuss in order to be part of the boy’s club * New Zealand’s specific national psyche may have fed into this.* Pip wonders what happened? Did they watch it? Were they afraid of GRRM?* Tee reminds every writer, that this is a professional setting.* Pip confirms New Zealand is massively passive aggressive * There is a way to own it though* But not just GRRM and the con organizers should own it.* We need to be better… as fans and writers.* The Hugo Awards are meant to celebrate about what is best during the last year* Young authors need to feel that they can be in the space of the Hugos. This is a place for them.* Hopefully good changes will come out of this. If you have an event in 2021 and want The Shared Desk to appear there, or if you just want to share an opinion about the show, here’s where to find us… 703.791.1701pip@pjballantine.comtee@teemorris.com…and social media, of course. Show art by Candy Cane StudiosFind us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,leave us a voicemail or questions for the show at 703.791.1701,or leave us a comment here at the blog.We’ll talk about it!And remember, you can find the show on Spotify,

We welcome Savan Gupta to the show, but Tee is audio only… and it had nothing to do with Pip! * Savan kicks it off, and the party begins. * Having a company is apparently just as stressful as kids We welcome Savan and all his universes 3:07 Savan begins to unravel all his creative endeavors * Steam-funk Studios– a multi-media and marketing firm* From that came the Living Multiverse, a cross-media fiction project… and World Domination* The Unconventional champions journalist and academic excellence in fandom—The Rolling Stone of Fandom. Fanthropolgy* Sepia Riot, a project in development, championing Indian, Arab and Asian representation in fandom* The Unconventional will be coming this year! 8:03 Tee asks Savan how he manages all these amazing projects * Savan keeps a regular schedule, military like* Manage expectations with those that are working with you* Savan vets everyone and gives them an orientation so that people are ramped up* Communicate any problems that crop up in life* Tee throws himself under the bus, but also owns his problems* Savan points out that when you act like a professional everything is simpler We call it that too! 12:29 Pip asks Savan just how many people he’s collaborated with over the years * Savan remembers another collaboration, Geeks Gone Wild* Collaborating means having standards and processes to encourage others who want to work with you* Savan comes to this from a financial market* Pip gets jealous of Savan’s organization* Tee points out the collaboration with Galileo Games was very well organized* Savan mentions that he’s spent years all over the country, finding talent* Savan says past and present he’s worked with hundreds of people 17:41 Tee asks, so what do they all do? * Everything began as a performance troupe* In 2014 critical mass happened. Slick-brass and the Crew of the A.S.S. Titilus was joined by Rohan and the Dogs of War. Then more… and more… and consulting for others* It got so big, that they needed residuals to support the performance, so Savan changed tack.* Rebooting the brand, they turned inward to evaluate what goods and services work best, to make money* The Unconventional is free, because its aim is to make a community- but it gives plenty of attribution, and a bio * Attribution is something we need more of* Savan answers the question about how many people who work in the company* Shout out to Savan’s teams!* Pip’s mind is blown 27:01 Tee asks Savan how he handles when collaboration goes bad * Savan makes clear what expectations are, and how much time it will take to his collaborators * His exceptions clauses are; your health (you don’t have to disclose what those are, legally as well), day job/school (hell weeks do happen in both), and finally your family.* Everyone needs paperwork!* Tee, Savan and Pip discuss about deadlines* Savan describes his ‘break glass’ situation No one wants to do this, but sometimes it is necessary… * Now the Hobbit comes up… we have all been forged by fire* Savan calls back to his father, for his fortitude and persistence

The video stream * We’re still social distancing, but we can still be social!* We welcome Aly Grauer and Drew Mierzejewski—another collaborating couple! Such an epic couple! * We’ve know each other… Aly and Drew are ‘like us but younger!’* Collaborators in life and art!* Aly produced two short stories for Tales from the Archives* Pip tries some new words from the youth! Vibe and dabbing are no allowed. 6:05 Tee asks the hard question of Aly and Drew; Where’d this all start? * Like many collaborators, editing and brainstorming often comes off* Aly and Drew started on a project from the Renaissance Faire* Starting off sharing creative projects can be fun… but the rewards are worth it You can share it! * For a start, there are no rules* Writers are often imagined solitary- but they don’t have to be! Sad writer contemplates writing all alone… * People tend to think ideas are precious, and can be easily lost… but the truth is there are a lot out there* Tee admits thinking never to write another podcasting book.* …and is currently working on 4th edition of Podcasting for Dummies Pip and Tee fear becoming Taylor and Burton * Tee brings back the story of the Silver Pharaoh.* Aly and Drew share their own tense moment.* The truth of the matter is, everyone looks back at their first book critically. 21:00 How do you navigate criticism between partners? * Talk about specifics, good and bad* It can be bad when you take criticism too much to heart, and let it break your confidence* Aly and Drew poured energy into Warda, and it became a podcast and a tabletop game* Aly finally found a way back in with Drew’s support* Drew points out, building a collaboration takes years* Pip recounts the path of collaboration for the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences* The couples talk about the strengths that make their collaborations work 38:42 Let’s talk Skyjacks:Courier’s Call * Aly and Drew have a new podcast collaboration, Skyjacks: Courier’s Call* Skyjacks is a wider collaboration, but it wasn’t child friendly, hence the spinoff* Pip gets excited by large birds… especially large kiwis!* We touch on the advantages the Kickstarter campaign had* The nature of the podcast and the storytelling is very collaborative.* Tee waxes lyrical on the latest wave of roleplaying* Art is not created in a vacuum!* Pip and Tee call out some of the wonderful folks they’ve collaborated with in the past!* Pip talks about her own roleplaying fun with George the Dinosaur Ashimei and George- art by Candy Cane Studios * Aly and Drew’s Patreon* Aly Twitter and webpage. Aly teaches accent and dialect.* Drew Twitter and Courier Call. Drew also consultation on world-building, DMing, and acting for roleplaying. If you have an event and want The Shared Desk to appear there...

The video stream * We’re in the middle of a pandemic.* Tee and Pip didn’t have the ‘rona, we had a cold each. * Shout out to all the magnificent health care works who are working and helping society through this.* Tee and Pip are raising money for No Kid Hungry, while streaming. They provide meals to children who otherwise would depend on school lunches. You don’t have to watch to donate. 5:23 How to stay creative in a pandemic * How things have changed since Smoky Writers in North Carolina. We were so lucky to get it in before COVID-19* If you’re a long time listener to the show, you’ll be familiar with our yearly writing retreat* A beautiful house by the beach, with some of our favorite people in the world* The retreat this year was shorter, but we stayed in Wilmington, NC* We returned home, carrying a heavy cold each Much like this… * We recorded this episode once before, but we sounded awful.* Shortly after Virginia closed schools for the whole year* Now we are on lockdown. Grocery shopping is the only trip we make* We are getting comfort from New Zealand’s Prime Ministry, Jacinda Arden* Pip reminds Australia they can’t have her Let’s begin * Let’s talk projects.* Pip and Tee have the rights back for Social Media for Writers* There are going to be re-writes in the next edition. Quite a few things have changed in the social media landscape.* Tee is working with Chuck Tomasi on a 4th edition of Podcasting for Dummies* Discord for Dummies is coming out in May. Pre-order now!* Secret of the Monkey God is on the docket too. Tee is not going to be left out.* Pip is working on Ride or Die, as well as Fierce Dead 2* Polishing up a few old projects too* Bear in mind, the current pandemic situation has a lot of consequences, not just health, but mental and economic* We’re all being creative with getting things done Working from home.. be like… * We need to look out for each other* And know, it’s OK to not be OK.* Use technology to check in on people, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from those that care about you.* Writers may need solitude, but we’re not used to not being able to go out to cafes… or libraries.. or anywhere Do not.. do not… go to a cabin in the woods.. At least this cabin. * Writers online, writing together while ignoring each other.* Being kind, also applies to yourself. Be kind to yourself* Have a routine. Take showers.* Get up, get dressed (except for those odd pj days)* If you feel you can’t write, then find another creative project.* Pip and Tee are currently working on their bathroom. It’s been needing an update for about… 10 years…* Clearing out the house, and organizing your books. * Gardening is great… and if you’re lucky you get fresh food* Pip bought supplies online from Lowe’s, and used contactless pickup* Give your mind a break, rather than forcing it to pump out content all the time* Pip thinks getting back to baking, brewing, gardening is great.* Limit your diet of news. Don’t spend too long scrolling through Facebook* Pip gets on her hobby horse of history.* The message from John Rhys Davies* Pip tries to post positive things.

New Show Art by Candy Cane Studios * They said we couldn’t make it… whoever they are…* Pip and Tee chose Birds of Prey for their Valentine’s movie!* We get cheers from chat! 3:04 Let’s Look Back * Pip tried to count Dog Days of Podcasting that Tee did in 2018* Consistency… well not so much our thing….* Episode 1… we started off pretty exclusively about the craft!* And we started with the idea of half hour episodes… 7:23 Types of episodes * We’ve done craft and business episodes* But our most downloaded episode was Episode 59, about Penny Dreadful from a writer’s point of view* Then we’ve covered, marketing, had guests in show, and recorded from events* Then there are the odd ones…* And the evergreen content ‘writers did what now?’ 9:29 Let’s talk about guests * Guests… we’ve been very lucky!* Piper J Drake and K T Bryski duke it out for most on show* Nick and Stacia Kelly also been on there quite a few times* Lauren ‘Scribe’ Harris has stopped on by a bit too!* The WINNER IS KT Bryski! (Also involved in beer talk)* Episode 30… what is a writer’s intern? K T came and stayed for quite a while.* We’ve had MK Backstrom, Alex White, Tim Dodge, Spence, Nobilis on the show 14:02 We Tracked Smoky Writers * From the beginning, our beloved retreat was covered. Either there, or a post-retreat review* Our largest guest episode, with all the microphones!* Pip reflects on the fun stuff represented by the Shared Desk 14: 55 Consistency? What’s that?? * Sometimes we slipped…* Editing is a thing… we don’t like to just release into the wild* Deadlines and families to come first… podcasting fell by the way side* Some years have been easier than others* We started streaming in 2018, episode 90.* Streaming has kept us more on track 17:28 Memories of past segments * Eagle vs kiwi — limited options after a point* Crazy Uncle Charlie — his time passed (Pip was happy about that) Charlie went to do his own thing… 20:32 Picking out some favorite episodes and topics * Pip mentions episode 23, where we talked about a writer’s kit and giveaway swag* Tee diverts into Penny Dreadful side rant…* Pip and Tee discuss some of the changes to swag people expect* Pip mentions the 99c book promo choices authors make* The infamous way Goodreads reviewers mark books before they’ve even been released* Giving away your work, you need to be careful how you do it* The short story market has changed over the course of ...

00:00 Introduction We can smell episode 100! We had to stream this twice though…. 01:22 Into 2020 * Tee and Pip have plenty of plans* Time for prohibition?* Check out where we will be in 2020* Tee helped found RavenCon. So we will be there this year!* Escape Velocity in Washington DC Tee’s Dream… * Tee guesses wrong* Gencon bound!!* We had a time a great time last year, looking forward to more shenanigans in Indy* Next up Key City Steampunk Festival which is now in Gettysburg, PA* And then venturing into Florida, as Guests of Honor at Necronomicon in Tampa Florida!* Tee heads back to TwitchCon* Twitch for Dummies is now a year old!* These old bones can manage this schedule* Tee and Pip have a few requirements for traveling to events…* …but they will do a Shared Desk LIVE!* Asking the organizers of events works- but get in advance* Our writers’ retreat is coming up… and this year, we’re heading to the beach! 16:49 Talking Publications * Pip has a schedule… with a nebulous section* Didn’t work out so well last year, but that is why we go with nebulous* Chuck Wendig’s post on write what you want, because everything is falling apart.* Pip and Tee put a lot of expectations and pressure on writing last year.* However Tee’s 2020 started off with a bang.* Podcasting for Dummies is going* Discord for Dummies is currently under construction, but Tee just lost a month* So let’s write what we want to write.* Pip *sigh** The Weald, is Pip’s current WIP. A fantasy novel set in Regency England* At the same time, she’s editing the first book of the Spectral Protectors. The Fierce Dead– now available for pre-order* Pip and Tee argue about The Secret of the Monkey God release date* Pip also plans book Two of the Spectral Protectors.* Death and the Falcon or Falcon and the RAVEN, the story of Henrietta Falcon and Sophia del Morte are planned for the end of the year.* Tee’s heart is calling him to write, Villainy LLC, a story of the B List superheroes. Setting it in Richmond, VA* Check in with us at the end of the year* Pip wants Tee to get back to enjoying the pure creativity of just writing* Tee is still thinking about retooling Dope story.* Pip suggests putting away a project for awhile to give perspective Feeling 2020 like… * Pip is resetting, by making sure to read every day.* No faux Jane Austen though. 31:35 Writers Off the Clock: The Witcher * Pip wants to find a show where Henry Cavill takes a bath* Tee brings an ear worm * Based on the books from Poland* Prepare for the cosplaying!!* Party City wig was replaced… thank goodness!!* The separate timelines took a bit to work out* Episode 4 was a little wobbly… but we forgive them* Pip starts streaming Philippa’s Freaky Friday playing Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. Check in on Friday nights for fun times…* Stealing from peasants is part of the story… morally wrong as that is. If you have an event and want The Shared Desk to appear there, or if you just want to share an opinion about the show, here’s where to find us… 703.

00:00 Introduction Pip and Tee are ready for the New Year, and we’re kicking off with a show many tongues are wagging about: The RWA Bruhaha Extraordinaire! Follow or subscribe to https://twitch.tv/theteemonster Above you got the live open mic segments and tangents a-plenty, and we’d love to see you come by and visit us when EPISODE 100 rolls around. Be there for the fun and we will gladly take your questions LIVE on stream. Join us for a good time as we take a good look at what is going on with the RWA. 01:05 The Romance Writers of America * Tee and Pip are not romance writers, but they have an RT Award, and write stories with romantic elements* America is changing and so should its writing.* Check out Claire Ryan’s ongoing chronicling of the situation* It all kicked off when Suzan Tisdale filed an ethics complaint against Courtney Milan* It spiraled from there into resignations, cancelling of events, and people cancelling their memberships* Just own your mistakes.* Now the original complainant says she only ever wanted an apology* But at the same time threatened legal action!* Karen wants to see the manager!!* Another example of keeping your receipts…* Presidents have toppled… * Chuck Tingle got involved. Nora Roberts got involved* Pip The best disinfectant is sunshine.* Hopefully there will be good things from this* SFWA offers a safe haven for those with spec fic elements* The whole affair has esculated akin to the Thing Everyone wants to get the hell away from this…. * Our genre has had plenty of its own problems too…* But what will rise from the ashes…* But wait… the original complainant has remembered something differently* What is the takeaway from all this?* Diversity and representation does matter* Pip is dealing that right now. The Fierce Dead coming in February. * Sensitivity readers are important.* Also check out Writing the Other* The balance is delicate* Keep your receipts* And we’ll see how this all plays out 27:38 We’re in the Kitchen * Don’t freak out, we’re detoxing* Yes, we’re aware we have livers, but this is for something else Gotta have em * Stevia is not Tee’s thing* Monkfruit all the things!!* Tee is caffeine free… for now, but it’ll be first up!* Lots… and lots… of water… 36:50 Wrap Up * Thanks again to Claire Ryan for chronicling all the RWA shenanigans* Don’t forget to join us live on Twitch, we have a post show not in the podcast If you have an event and want The Shared Desk to appear there, or if you just want to share an opinion about the show, here’s where to find us… 703.791.1701pip@pjballantine.comtee@teemorris.com…and social media, of course. Find us on Twitter at either Tee’s or Pip’s account,leave us a voicemail or questions for the show at 703.791.1701,or leave us a comment here at the blog.We’ll talk about it!And remember, you can find the show on Spotify,  

00:00 Introduction * Tee and Pip are in a metal mood thanks to Halloween* Their velvet purple skull Twitchy is here for the season.* Welcome to new listeners 02:30 The James River Writers Convention * Ways to read signs ahead* The James River Writers Conference is an example of a well run convention. Others should take note of some of the things they do.* Pip can’t leave Twitchy alone.* JRW Conference has been going for many years.* JRW provide year round support to local writers.* Pip recalls with relish the first contact where Tee was her +1 Pip be like… * Tee tried to stream… and failed…* Conventions have to fork out a lot of money for wi fi* Seriously Pip leave the skull alone!* Follow Tee on Twitch to find out when we go live.* JRW make an effort to have a diversity of writers, agents and publishers* Tee missed out on the Dating Game What, my name got called? * Tee did a pitch and met some agents* How many people attended?* Pip feels a little out gunned* Not just chairs—tables too!* Moderators are prepared and know who their panelists are* Shout out to Bill Blume* Panel on podcasting moderated by Sharvette Mitchell was a good time* Tee’s Shop Talk was about writing what you don’t know* Writing outside your experience? Reach out to those who are in the community* Pip feels uncomfortable writing from a first person POV outside her community* The importance of beta readers* Tee recounts a tale from his theatre days* The naming of a podcast… like the Shared Desk?* Tee really gets into what the theme music is. It’s important!!* Tee did a branding panel. Why does branding matter to authors?* World building… important but not everything World building is important… but so is writing! * Your world can change… and that’s OK* The James River Writers Convention is worth attending as a panelist, or if you want to improve your writing. 28:50 Pip and Tee go into the Kitchen * Pip and Tee stayed at the Linden Row Inn supposedly haunted, but no ghosts came to visit* Pip has a crazy idea…* Richmond has speakeasies… with 100% less poisonous bath tub gin* Grandstaff and Stein Booksellers. Felt like this… * A bookseller, a secret password, and there you are! Flaming Youth * Tee and Pip enjoyed a flight!* Some interesting history behind speakeasies, helped along with some well dressed servers.* Not just drinks, the food was also excellent* The whole thing was streamed* Seriously, Richmond has it all! 43:19 Wrap up * What shall we do for our 100th episode?* Tee is working with Steve Saylor for the month of October to raise money for Able Gamers. Go here to donate. See if two knuckleheads can beat Mountain Dew!* Tee shaved his beard for this… and Pip is still recovering… * If you have an event and want The Shared Desk to appear there, or if you just want to share an opinion about the show, here’s where to find us… 703.791.1701pip@pjballantine.comtee@teemorris.com…and social media, of course.

00:00 Introduction * Tee has some new dropins for us from Aggretsuko* previous 96 audio wasn’t good enough, so it is a lost episode now. Spooky!* Pip comes out from behind the mic* Shout out to Key City Steampunk. You’re still awesome. Our patronus 02:53 A Writer Beware Moment * Ways to read signs ahead* Marie Bilodeau’s blogpost to read* Anyone we know through Katie is a good egg* Our sore point gets triggered… not getting paid* You need to be getting statements at least every six months* Do check out SFWA’s Writer Beware* Examine your contract before signing… a trick for new and eager writers* Tee was smarter than the average author, and checked out his first contract throughly* Pip did not* Tee recommends research and get a lawyer to check it out.* Make sure the lawyer is one versed in contract law and Intellectual Property * Be as serious about your contract as you are about your writing career* Pip confesses to grabby hands… and that rare time when Tee is smarter than she was New authors be like… * Make sure your contract specifies how you can get out of it.* Tee admits he did make other mistakes* Don’t make your author copy transactions too complicated* Keep yourself in charge of pricing when working conventions and events* Small press has the most varied of contract, but every contract needs to checked* Small presses also far less likely to pay advances and agents therefore usually won’t get involved on your behalf Maybe not follow this guy to legal advice… 19:07 Trust Your Gut Too * Tee dives into some bad memories from the past… and Pip points out that was ancient times* A party makes an impression* An uncomfortable conversation where Pip gets a vibe* If you can’t get a straight answer out of someone, ask yourself if you want to be in business with them* Be alert for red flags* Check with author groups (some good ones on Facebook) on the reputation of the publisher* When a contract is broken, it still takes money to fight* Legal fights in different states and countries can be tricky* Tee did have to threaten legal action to get paid… but he did get there eventually. But he was in the same state as the company who hadn’t paid.* Tee got a great birthday present!* Professional organizations can help you get your money, often without needing to resort to courts* Also, without statements you don’t know how well your books are selling* Wiley statements showed a renewed interest in Podcasting for Dummies—so new edition happened* Such are the nuts and bolts of the business 34:20 Writers off the Clock: Binge Worthy Media * We have a plan for a certain Amazon Original* Time for Mindhunter on Netflix. Just as good as Season 1!* Being typecast as Manson* Serial killers doing audiobooks* A nice look at expanding a series* The Boys on Amazon Prime* New Zealanders FTW Kiwis have the best ideas… 48:38 Wrap up * Find Tee at

This is the third attempt at an episode 95. Honestly, it seems like the universe doesn’t want us to get one of these out! But we shake our fist in front of those barriers. We are now streaming the Shared Desk live on Tee’s Twitch stream. Following costs nothing, and you’ll get an alert that we are going live. Not only do you get firsties on listening to the show, and the chance to comment live… but also we do a little half hour chit chat after the main show. Membership has its privileges as they say… The show as it was streamed 00:00 Introduction * We think we remember how to do this.* Trapped in a car together all the way to Indiana, but we made it back alive. * We met new people, saw some familiar faces. 02:17 What is Gen Con? * The best four days of gaming.* Tee wants to edit the episode, but Pip actually is doing this!* Check out the history of Gen Con* It takes over Indiana and Indy itself!* 70,000-80,000 people* So many neat people have stands there, but for authors Cherie Priest was the Guest of Honor* GAWR was at Gen Con, but we missed them. No surprises considering how big it is!* Pip and Tee compare Gen Con and DragonCon as far as treating writers… 07:27 The Gen Con Writers Symposium * Well laid out, with authors events in one of the hotels. Not even having to cross into the street.* So well organized, with tickets, a green room, and 50 minute panels. This gives everyone a chance to get between panels, and panelists a chance to set up.* The morgue, for those writers who need some real quiet* The green room was a place to chit chat. Pip loved having a place to chill. Would recommend.* Kicking it off with a nice free meal, but Indy had more treats in store… 11:32 The long drive * A nine hour drive, straight to Indy. * Tee hates driving through Ohio freeways, and needed emergency caffeine.* Thank you Wayze for Cookie Monster. He got us there! Pip and Tee imitate him…* 13:12 Corralling Authors * Authors all housed in Marriott East, about 10 miles from Indy. * The shuttle was brilliant* No hotels for 50 miles around Gen Con 14:05 Pip and Tee wax lyrical about the con badges * Melanie Meadors and Kelly Swails put on a heck of a symposium* Nice convention pouch with your events on the back. * No dodgy pin primed to break and come loose!* Pip says it is the best she’s ever seen 15:04 Thursday panels * Tee brings the Big Score, and despite technical difficulties managed it* Tee found a fellow trombone player!* Tee stumped many con goers than usual.* Tee did a podcasting panel with Anton Strout and Cat Rambo* Tee (and Pip) are both OP (original podcasters)* Tee Morris from the Dawn of Time….* So we went out for dinner with local friend Kevin. Bluebeard was amazing.* We ate and drank well. There may have been bread pudding. 21:23 Friday * Pip and Tee worked separate panels.* Pip talked about being your own boss. Trials and tribulations meant we could have been there for hours.* Pip disagreed with someone!* Tee ended up on a panel about Scrivener (a great piece of...

Remember The Shared Desk? That was a pretty cool podcast. Too bad it podfaded, right? Well, no — we didn’t go anywhere! Well, hold on, actually, yeah, we did go somewhere. It was Clockwork Alchemy and it was a right blast! The Shared Desk, now recorded LIVE on Twitch at Tee’s Twitch Channel, finally got behind the mics after the dust from a government furlough and a trip out west finally gave them a chance to catch their breaths and record. What are we talking about, you wonder? Well, we’re specifically talking about writers consuming media. Sometimes, writers need to relax. Thing is, that can be hard when we’re always critically looking at how other writers do things. Can writers effectively turn their brains off, relax and enjoy the show? Let’s find out. 00:00 —  Introduction * Well yeah, there was another Episode #94, but Tee never got to the editing part of it…* the audio may sound a little weird. Wait until you find out why! (At the end of episode, of course.)* Adult beverages all around?* Kill All the Golfers for Tee* Pip has a drink, but she wants Tee’s drink instead.* When is Game of Thrones coming back? Oh yeah…* Tee is not hip, but he is old.* Addressing the stream and a changing of the guard.* A nod to Destiny and Happy Hour from the Tower* Sorry, Katie! Maybe we can do something special with that episode? Maybe drop it into Pip’s Patreon?* The original bell will not go quietly! 05:18 —  Episode #94: Writers Consuming Content  * So where did this all start?* As many ideas comes from, it started with a series of rants on Facebook…* Pip defines “turning your brain off” as a writer.* What inspired the show topic … * Tee and Pip have really been enjoying Star Trek: Discovery. * Is it worth the cost of CBS All Access?* This will be a spoiler-free episode, we promise!* Going back to Season One, we meet THIS CHARACTER…* We want to know MORE about THIS CHARACTER.* The, in Season Two, we get an episode dedicated to THIS CHARACTER…* …so we could watch THIS CHARACTER die.* Then we get Discovery’s next stop in the galaxy: Talos IV.* A bit of Star Trek history* Some nods throughout the series coping with canon* Where Tee is triggered in all this* The writing crew of Discovery handles canon with real reverence, but the new, original stuff is slightly clumsy.* Sprinkling seeds throughout chapters or episodes versus cramming it all into one moment* After a moment’s rant, Tee asked “Maybe I’m expecting too much from these writers?”* Pip thinks writers make terrible media consumers.* Pip’s current read is dickering around with time jumps, and she’s got issues.* Writing passages in time are not always easy.* Tee still believes he can relax and enjoy it, but Pip is struggling…* The dice-roll in reading another’s book for the purpose of blurbing it* Tee loves a slow burn, and it triggers him when shortcuts are taken.* A good example of new canon and a slow burn done right… * Massive shout-out to Ethan Peck who gives great Nimoy without doing an impersonation of Leonard Nimoy.* As a writer and an actor, Tee’s got a jelly on.* Want a glimpse at

We are kicking off 2019 the only way we know how at The Shared Desk. We’re bringing in a special guest who has never been on the show, but is practically art of the family. Welcome to The Shred Desk author Tim Dodge. Tim Dodge is a regular fixture at the Smoke Writers Retreat, and is taking first steps into professionally writing fiction, but he is no stranger to writing professionally as he writes technical documents on a freelance basis. The Shared Desk, now recorded LIVE on Twitch at Tee’s Twitch Channel, after looking back on a year that was very 2018, turns its attention to what is coming this year, as well as looks at the not-so-simple life of a writer when writing is a 9-to-5 occupation. 00:00 —  Introduction * Oh yeah, we’re kicking off the new year right…with a show recorded last year. (See what I did there?)* It is a night of firsts!* A mild spoiler from Bandersnatch* It’s a night of adult beverages and seamless plugs. * From one of the authors behind Podcasting for Dummies, Twitch for Dummies (advance copies) has arrived! 02:56 —  Episode #93: Looking Ahead to 2019 (with Tim Dodge)  * Meet Tim Dodge* He was passing through and decided to spend some time with us.* Did you know that there is more to New York than just a big city?* Head north for some beautiful country* Tim is a writer of many backgrounds. * The Life of a Working Writer * How does writing “day job” content affect productivity with fiction projects?* Tim’s initiation into The Shared Desk.* Tee’s own work with Code.gov and writing for them while working with other projects.* How does working on “day job” stuff affect your creativity?* The lure (and dangers) of a day job writing gig* ….and juggling projects.* Tim’s got both indie and professional publishing credits under his belt. Take a look at what he’s got available.* Tim Dodge goes back home in his steampunk tale for Tee & Pip.* Looking ahead to 2019* We already looked back to 2018. * So, what’s next? Well, we’re doing something special for Writers Digest.* Okay, exactly what did Tee mean?* What exactly is the Smoky Writers Retreat?* HUGH O’DONNEL IN CHAT!!! (The man behind the Legend of Lazerdick)* A brief tangent on New Zealand entertainment* Tee’s looking even further ahead to a writing retreat he wants to do when he turns 55… * Back on track and looking ahead…* RavenCon* Clockwork Alchemy* GenCon* …and somewhere in there, Tee, Pip, and Tim get together again at Balticon.* Experiencing the K.T. Bryski Editing Experience* The freedom of arriving to a writing retreat with a clean slate* Still looking ahead…* Aiming for a return to the Maryland Renaissance Festival* Tee targets TwitchCon.* Writing Goals for 2019* More Ministry spinoffs planned* Dope needs a home. This means, Tee needs to find an agent.* The dangers of writing in Romance* Just accept it — Pip is right.* And Pip is aiming to return to The Books of the Order in 2019.