Podcast Summary: "Balancing Creativity With Building A Business, And Author Nation With Joe Solari"

The Creative Penn Podcast for Writers
Host: Joanna Penn
Guest: Joe Solari
Release Date: January 13, 2025
Duration: Approximately 63 minutes

1. Introduction to the Episode

In episode 790 of The Creative Penn Podcast for Writers, Joanna Penn engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Joe Solari. The primary focus revolves around balancing creativity with building a sustainable and profitable business as an author. Additionally, the episode delves into the successes and challenges of the Author Nation Conference, the largest event for indie authors worldwide.

2. Balancing Creativity and Business

Joanna opens the discussion by emphasizing the importance of balancing creative endeavors with business strategies to ensure long-term success for authors.

Quote:
Joe Solari at [19:58]: "I suggest that authors start to build into their process in 2025 more time to tap into that default mode network and spend time thinking about how they can spend some real quality time and protect that space. Because that's where all your good ideas come from."

Key Points:

• Creative vs. Business Time Blocks: Joe advocates for segregating time dedicated solely to writing and creativity from time allocated for business and marketing tasks. This separation ensures that authors can maintain their creative flow without the constant pressure of business demands.

• Default Mode Network: Joe introduces the concept of the default mode network—the brain's state when daydreaming and generating ideas. He emphasizes the necessity of nurturing this network by allocating specific times for creative thinking and idea generation.

• Flow State: Achieving a flow state, where creativity and productivity merge seamlessly, is crucial. This state is often disrupted when authors try to juggle both creative and business tasks simultaneously.

3. Author Nation Conference Highlights

The conversation transitions to the Author Nation Conference, exploring its inaugural year, feedback received, and the strategies employed to make it a success.

Quote:
Joe Solari at [39:33]: "We ended up with 866 reviews of sessions. And we reviewed on two things. Were the objectives clear and were the objectives met? And we had on the first one, it was like a 4.6 out of 5."

Key Points:

• Event Atmosphere: Contrary to common expectations, the conference was likened to hosting a party or a wedding, focusing on creating an open and inviting environment rather than a high-stress event center.

• Feedback Mechanism: Author Nation implemented a robust feedback system, collecting 866 reviews that rated session objectives and their fulfillment, both averaging over 4.5 out of 5.

• Session Diversity: The conference catered to a wide range of author needs, from those seeking in-depth information to others looking for networking opportunities. Features included conversation pits, collaborative worktables, and specialized sessions.

• Technical Enhancements: Plans for future conferences include improving group communication platforms and automating manual processes to enhance the attendee experience.

4. Financial Planning for Authors

Joanna touches upon the crucial aspect of financial management for authors, referencing Rachel Heron’s podcast episode where she discusses income sources, financial planning, and taxation challenges.

Quote:
Joe Solari at [33:51]: "What could we do to make 2025 better? It's like, how do you build a recovery process? How do you give yourself that space to let the well refill?"

Key Points:

• Income Diversification: Authors often rely on multiple income streams, including book sales, teaching, podcasting, and affiliate marketing. Diversifying income helps mitigate financial risks and ensures stability.

• Financial Tools: Utilizing multi-currency accounts like Wise and accounting systems like Xero can streamline financial management, especially for authors dealing with international income and expenses.

• Mindset and Fear: Addressing the fear of financial instability is vital. Authors are encouraged to adopt a mindset that embraces financial planning and security.

5. AI in Writing and Community Reactions

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the writing process and the industry's mixed reactions to its adoption.

Quote:
Joe Solari at [26:08]: "We have to tap into and learn to say no, otherwise you can burn out."

Key Points:

• AI Integration: AI tools are becoming ubiquitous in writing and publishing, from spell checkers to content generation. Traditional publishers and workplaces are increasingly embracing AI, making it a staple in the industry.

• Community Resistance: Despite its advantages, some authors resist AI adoption due to fears of being overshadowed or concerns about creativity being compromised. Joe expresses hope that this resistance will diminish as AI becomes more integrated into standard tools.

• Supportive Communities: Joanna highlights the existence of supportive AI writing and art communities, emphasizing the importance of joining groups that encourage curiosity and experimentation with AI.

• Future Outlook: The host remains optimistic about AI’s role, anticipating its rapid adoption and integration into various aspects of the creative process.

6. Joanna’s Personal Projects and Live Experiences

Joanna shares updates on her personal projects, including her upcoming thriller, "Death Valley," and her experiences with live theatre.

Quote:
Joanna Penn at [37:00]: "The story is essentially set at a luxury eco lodge in Death Valley, California... I'm attempting a mainstream, fast-paced, highly cinematic thriller."

Key Points:

• "Death Valley" Project: Joanna is deep into writing her first draft of "Death Valley," a thriller set in a luxury eco lodge that descends into chaos. She plans to launch this project via Kickstarter, offering various editions, including ebooks, audiobooks, and exclusive bundles.

• Live Theatre Experience: Joanna recounts attending "The Tempest" starring Sigourney Weaver in London, drawing parallels between live performances and the value of live experiences in creative businesses. This experience underscores the importance of incorporating live elements into her own business strategies, such as live Q&A sessions and workshops on Patreon.

7. Community and Support Systems (Patreon, Kickstarter)

The episode underscores the significance of building and nurturing a supportive community through platforms like Patreon and Kickstarter.

Quote:
Joe Solari at [49:43]: "How do we get you to the ones that are going to have the highest impact, low effort."

Key Points:

• Patreon Engagement: Joanna emphasizes the value of live office hours, Q&A sessions, and exclusive content available on Patreon, fostering a sense of community and providing additional support to her patrons.

• Kickstarter Strategies: Using Kickstarter for launches allows authors to offer diverse editions and engage directly with their audience. Joanna plans to include interactive elements like narrating her audiobook and designing exclusive editions.

• Author Nation After Party: The conference includes an after-party featuring recorded sessions, Q&As, and networking opportunities, enhancing community bonds and providing continued value beyond the main event.

• Efficient Content Consumption: Implementing strategies like planning in advance and reviewing content post-event helps authors prioritize initiatives that align with their business and creative goals without feeling overwhelmed.

8. Conclusion and Future Plans

As the episode wraps up, Joanna and Joe reflect on the successes of the Author Nation Conference and discuss future improvements and plans.

Quote:
Joe Solari at [56:01]: "It was only year one, you know, it was year one."

Key Points:

• Continuous Improvement: Learning from the first year’s challenges, such as technical issues and content alignment, the Author Nation team is committed to enhancing future conferences by introducing new features and refining existing systems.

• Future Speakers and Sessions: Plans for 2025 include bringing in diverse and influential speakers like Kevin Smith, who share personal and professional experiences to inspire authors.

• Community Building: The focus remains on fostering a cohesive and supportive author community, leveraging technology and feedback to meet the evolving needs of indie writers.

• Personal Development: Joanna announces her live Q&A sessions and upcoming talks, further integrating community engagement into her business model.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Joe Solari at [19:58]:
  "I suggest that authors start to build into their process in 2025 more time to tap into that default mode network and spend time thinking about how they can spend some real quality time and protect that space. Because that's where all your good ideas come from."

• Joe Solari at [39:33]:
  "We ended up with 866 reviews of sessions. And we reviewed on two things. Were the objectives clear and were the objectives met? And we had on the first one, it was like a 4.6 out of 5."

• Joe Solari at [26:08]:
  "We have to tap into and learn to say no, otherwise you can burn out."

• Joanna Penn at [37:00]:
  "The story is essentially set at a luxury eco lodge in Death Valley, California... I'm attempting a mainstream, fast-paced, highly cinematic thriller."

• Joe Solari at [49:43]:
  "How do we get you to the ones that are going to have the highest impact, low effort."

• Joe Solari at [56:01]:
  "It was only year one, you know, it was year one."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Creative Penn Podcast for Writers offers a comprehensive exploration of the delicate interplay between creativity and business acumen for authors. Through the insights shared by Joe Solari, listeners gain valuable strategies for fostering their creative processes while building a sustainable business model. The discussion on the Author Nation Conference provides a blueprint for successful author events, emphasizing community building and continuous improvement. Additionally, the conversation touches upon modern challenges such as AI integration and the importance of financial planning, making it a must-listen for indie authors aiming to thrive in a competitive landscape.

For a deeper dive into the topics discussed, listeners are encouraged to access the full transcript and additional resources available on The Creative Penn.