HYBRID Author 2k506k

Can you believe we are mid-way through 2025! Where does the time go. But as always, we'll celebrate with a mashup of the fabulous guests we've had on The HYBRID Author Podcast since January! Episode 151 Overcoming the Shadows: John Walker Pattison on Triumph, Vulnerability and Inspiring Through Memoir Episode 152 Million-copy Bestselling Author Jacqueline Harvey on Creating a Thriving Career in Children’s Fiction and Navigating a Changing Publishing Landscape Episode 153 Relentless Pursuit: Junior Bernard on Overcoming Adversity and Turning Survival into Inspiration Episode 154 Dana Da Silva on Writing Erotica Episode 155 Living with Split: Maggie Walters on the Journey of Multiple Personality Disorder and the Power of Storytelling Episode 156 A.M Jaxon on Balancing Romance and Suspense and The Love Connection Series: Saoirse’s Story Episode 157 Suzi Samuel Revising a Bestseller and The Dark at the Threshold Episode 158 Uncovering Truths in Young Adult Fiction: Karen Cunningham on Writing and Self-Publishing ‘Missing Sarah Harris’ Episode 159 Shane Simonsen on Self-Publishing Books vs. Blogging on Substack Episode 160 How Poetry Serves as a Form of Healing and Self-discovery with Jessie Vong Episode 161 Stephen Whiteside on ‘Writing Narrative Non-fiction Australian History ‘Snow, Fire and Gold’ Episode 162 Deborah Pike on ‘What to do after your first novel is published’ Episdeo 163 The Power of Podcasts to Connect People Through Compelling Storytelling and Meaningful Conversations With Devin Blair Episdoe 164 Reigning in Regency: DG Rampton on Crafting Timeless Romance and Thriving as a Hybrid Author Episode 165 Sandi Parsons on ‘Self-Publishing Children’s Fiction Overseas’ Episode 166 Tackling Tough Topics: Christopher Cheng on Addressing Big Themes in Children’s Literature with Sensitivity Episode 167 Joanne Merrick on ‘empowering readers to make informed decisions’ Episode 169 Writing Good Mystery Books for Kids and Outback Noir with Rosie Schnoell Episode 171 Embarking on Adventures: Yarn Quest and the Magic of Children’s Fantasy with Brooke Scobie Episdoe 172 Retirement Money Secrets with Steven Selengut Episode 173 How to Elevate Your Life and Business to a Higher Level with Rich Kozak

Rich Kozak is The Voice of Impact Driven Branding. After decades languaging and launching brands, he founded RichBrands specifically to serve heart-centered entrepreneurs and professionals. At RichBrands, Rich guides individuals in elevating their unique gifts so their Brand makes higher level impacts, and in creating, writing and publishing books to move their brand forward. The wisdom he shares is:CLARITY for the IMPACTS You Will Make and STEPS for “The Brand YOU Will Become.” In the 173rd episode of The HYBRID Author podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Rich about: what it means to elevate a brand—and how that translates into elevating your life and business what role does clarity play in making a brand not only authentic but impactful how someone can begin identifying their gifts—and what’s the shift that happens when they build a brand around them with intention key mindset shifts or branding principles authors can adopt right now to begin operating at a higher level of impact, purpose and much more. https://authorspublish.com/30-magazines-publishing-hybrid-writing/

Steve Selengut is the #1 Amazon bestselling author of ‘Retirement Money Secrets’ (2023). He is an income independence coach with over 40 years of experience in the financial industry. As a retired private investment portfolio manager, Steve managed over 300 different portfolios at a time before selling his business in 2023 with over $110 million under management. He has introduced several proprietary concepts, including the QDI + PT, Smart Cash, The Investor's Creed, and Base Income. Further, he developed the Investment Grade Value Stock (IGVSI) identification system. Today, Steve coaches individuals and other professionals in creating retirement income independence for both themselves and their clients. In the 172nd episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Steven about: his book Retirement Money Secrets and how it differs from traditional retirement planning guides common misconceptions people hold about retirement planning, and how Steve's book aims to correct or clarify those misunderstandings the role authorship has played in building his authority and reach within the financial education world Steve's writing, publishing adventure and advice for authors and much more.  

Brooke Scobie is a queer, auDHD, First Nations mum, author and poet that lives on Darkinyung land. Ever since she was very little, Brooke has loved books and stories. Which, of course, makes sense since they grew up with a mum whose favourite thing was her overflowing bookcase and reading before bed. Brooke is most ionate about creating stories and worlds where weird, wonderful kids and adults of all shapes and sizes can see themselves in magical places, on extraordinary adventures! She hopes that one day every child who reads her stories will know they can be a storyteller too. In the 171st episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Brooke about: the inspiration to create her 'Yarn Quest' series and how she used her your own experiences to shape the story and its characters her process for developing the unique elements of the 'Yarn Quest' universe, and how it captivates young readers while remaining relatable balancing the need for engaging storytelling with important life lessons or themes and the messages she hopes young readers will take away from 'Yarn Quest' marketing, social media for authors and much more.

The HYBRID Author podcast is 4! And your host turns 40 today!  Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell for Episode 168 chatting all things hybrid, including why the podcast started and how it's changed over the years, lessons learned, personal and professional growth, what the next 4 years of the podcast looks like, tuning 40, fears hopes, dreams and much more.  www.hybridauthor.com.au 

We've hit 170 episodes of The HYBRID Author Podcast, and to celebrate, host and author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell chatting HYBRID social media strategies via: content stratregy (organic growth) paid promotion (boosting reach) community and collaboration  email and off-platform engagement and much more. 

Rosie Schonell is the author of her debut novel: Middle Grade Mystery, ‘Breaking School Rules is Easy … The hardest part is not getting caught.’ She has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Special Education and has taught English at all levels in schools and specialised in teaching students with learning difficulties. Rosie also volunteers at schools and organisations that teach reading, including teaching newly arrived adult migrants. Rosie lives with her husband and has three adult children she’s raised to love books as much as she does. She spends her time between Balmain and the Northern Beaches of Sydney, loves a game of Pickleball, outrigging on Pittwater, and volunteers as a crisis er at LIFELINE.  In the 169th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast, host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Rosie about: her debut middle grade mystery  developing these characters and what Rosie hopes young readers will take away from their personalities balancing creating a compelling mystery with ensuring it's age-appropriate for younger readers Outback noir and what draws Rosie to this setting, and how it shapes the tone and themes of her story Rosie's advice to aspiring children’s authors or debut authors or just authors in general looking to write in the mystery genre and much more.     https://careerauthors.com/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-make-it-in-publishing/

Joanne Merrick offers over 25 years of global experience in helping individuals and organisations thrive. She has delivered transformative leadership programs across five continents and 22 countries, combining her expertise in neuroscience with a ion for building management and leadership capabilities. As founder of The Leadership Recipe, LLC, Joanne designs impactful programs that enhance communication, emotional intelligence, and team performance. Her global perspective - shaped by living in Australia, Hong Kong, and now the USA - draws on her leadership roles at major organisations like Deloitte, Amazon, and Juniper Networks. This diverse background fuels her fresh, practical approach to leadership development. In her debut book, ‘Game On! Is Management Your Best Career Play?,’ Joanne empowers readers to make an informed decision about stepping into a management role. In the 167th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's ficton and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Joanne about:  what drove her to write her book 'Game On! Is Management Your Best Career Play' and why this conversation is so important right now key questions/tools introduced in the book to help people make more informed decisions about their career direction How 'Game On!' helps shift the pressure narrative to move into management and put the power back into the individual’s hands consulting through The Leadership Receipe and how Joanne sees books like hers playing a role in bridging the gap between career ambition and leadership readiness and Joanne's advice to authors and professionals looking to write their book based on their experiences to tie in with all they do. https://www.theleadershiprecipe.com/ 

Christopher Cheng dwells in an inner-city Sydney terrace and writes fiction and non-fiction for children full time. He taught in city and outback schools for a number of years and at Taronga Zoo. He is Co-Chair of the International Advisory Board for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and has a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature. He presents to people of all ages at schools and festivals worldwide. His many picture books include 'Bear and Rat,' lovingly written for his amazing wife Binni, and illustrated by Stephen Michael King. 'OneTree,' illustrated by Bruce Whatley, shortlisted in the 2020 NSW Premier's Literary Awards, and is a CBCA Notable Book. In the 165th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short nonfiction for authors, chats to Christopher about:  his inspiration to address hard topics and how to approach presenting them in a way that's gentle and age-appropriate for young readers balancing complex themes with accessible storytelling, Christopher shares his creative process for developing narratives that resonate emotionally with children while ensuring they feel safe and understood received from parents and educators regarding treatment of big themes, and how that has influenced his writing and or future projects Christopher's tips and advice to writers looking to write for children and much more. https://www.chrischeng.com/   

Sandi Parsons lives and breathes stories, as a reader, writer and storyteller. Sandi's creative nonfiction has been published in MiNDFOOD, Frankie, Chicken Soup and the Growing Up Disabled in Australia anthology.  She currently lives in Western Australia with her favourite husband, some problem puppies and many teetering stacks of books. In the 165th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Sandi about her: latest children’s fiction book, Salty self-publishing author adventure: what motivated Sandi to take this route, and how her experiences differed when navigating printing options overseas compared to publishing locally unique challenges making print books and having them shipped from China Sandi’s advice for aspiring children's authors looking to self-publish internationally, creating the best product and much more. https://www.sandiparsons.com/#/

Bestselling author DG Rampton loves to create feelgood romantic comedy, featuring intelligent heroines, dashing men and sparkling banter. An engineer by training but a romantic by nature, she left her corporate career to follow the call of her artistic inclinations and write stories that bring joy and laughter into people's lives. DG Rampton lives in Sydney with her Mr Darcy, their cheeky teenager and emotionally needy fur-baby, and is currently working on a new historical romantic comedy series. In the 164th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to DG Rampton on: balancing historical accuracy with imaginative freedom to create compelling love stories that resonate with modern readers the regency romance niche hybrid authorship, effective strategies in growing and maintaining readership such as BookBub the challenges of marketing and self-promotion in such a competitive space across Amazon and Facebook DG Rampton’s advice for aspiring romance authors, particularly those looking to break into historical subgenres like Regency and much more. https://dgrampton.com/home

Devin Blair is a graduate in Chemical Engineering Technology and a proud member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. After a few life-changing experiences, he made the leap into the entertainment world. The journey wasn’t linear, but through trial and error, he found his way into podcasting—and that’s how Chemical Rocketeers was born. Today, Devin travels across cities and countries, pushing boundaries in the sci-fi audio space and working to leave a lasting mark through immersive, story-driven content.   In the 163rd episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Devin about: why podcasts are such a powerful medium for connection storytelling techniques used to weave compelling narratives and create immersive and meaningful experiences on Chemical Rocketeers standout podcast moments on Devin’s podcast that led to an unexpected or lasting connection his advice for authors and creatives looking to leverage podcasting as a storytelling tool on crafting engaging content that resonates with an audience and much more. https://open.spotify.com/show/2rBYK06wyjw8EMsm5IMkc3

Deborah Pike is a writer and academic based in Sydney. She grew up in Northam and Perth, Western Australia. She has an Honours degree in English from the University of Western Australia, and a PhD from the University of Sydney. She is an associate professor of English Literature at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, and is a winner of an Australian Government Award for University Teaching. Deborah has travelled widely and lived in Paris for several years, where she held positions at Shakespeare & Company Bookstore, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the University of Paris seven and the Paris Institute of Political Studies. She is the author of 'The Subversive Art of Zelda Fitzgerald,' which was shortlisted for the AUHE award in literary criticism. 'The Players,' published by Fremantle Press, is her first novel. In the 162nd episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Deborah about: her literary contemporary fiction work ‘the Players’ key steps authors can take to keep momentum going once their first novel is published strategies Deborah’s found most effective growing her readership after launching her debut book struggling with the ‘what’s next’ feeling after publication how authors can balance marketing their first book while working on their next project and much more. https://www.deborahpike.com/

Stephen Whiteside has been walking and skiing through the Australian mountains for most of his life. He has also been writing for many years - mostly rhyming verse, but also short stories, and articles about Australia's history and natural environment. Many of his poems have been published in magazines or anthologies, both in Australia and overseas, or won awards. In 2014, Walker Books published a collection of his poetry for children, "The Billy that Died with its Boots On and other Australian Verse." In 2015, the book won a Golden Gumleaf for "Book of the Year" at the Australian Bush Laureate Awards during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. In 2016 he judged the Secondary School Section of the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. Last year he self-published his first novella, 'Snow, Fire and Gold - the story of Bill Spargo and Evelyn Piper's life in the Australian mountains.' This year he is publishing another novella, 'Pearl Bradshaw - Princess of Hotham.' Whiteside works as a GP in Melbourne. In the 161st episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Stephen about: the inspiration to explore particular time periods and story in Stephen’s work Australian History Snow, Fire and Gold what research methods he undertook to bring authenticity to his novella while keeping the narrative engaging challenges in balancing historical fact with storytelling Stephen’s advice to writers looking to craft compelling historical narratives while staying true to the past and much more. https://snowfireandgold.com.au/

Jessie Vong is an emerging artist and poet, currently pursuing Art Therapy studies at the College of Complementary Medicine in NSW, Australia, a journey she began in October 2024. With a ion for creativity and mental health advocacy, Jessie's work bridges the worlds of art and healing, inspired by her deep belief that art is 'food for the soul'.  Her poetry journey began when art therapy lecturers recognised her talent and encouraged her to publish a book combining insightful verses with her personable hand-drawn illustrations. This creative endevour reflects her dedication to expressing abstract thoughts and emotions, encouraging readers to reflect, grow and discover new perspectives.  In the 160th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Jessie about:  exploring deeply personal themes in her work The Secret Poems — what first drew her to poetry as a form of self-expression and healing poetry as a powerful tool for self-discovery poems helping others on their own healing journeys Jessie's advice to individuals looking to use poetry as a form of self-reflection and emotional release and much more.  https://feelheartscounselling.com/

Shane is a biochemist turned teacher turned experimental farmer who decided to add author to the list. He writes weekly non-fiction essays about his ion for transformative agriculture on Substack (at Zero Input Agriculture) and released a short non-fiction book, “Taming the Apocalypse” on the enormous potential for novel domestications. Under the pen-name Haldane B. Doyle he has also released the world's first and only hard science fiction novel based purely on biological technology, called Our Vitreous Womb. He loved appearing on other people’s podcasts so much that he started two of his own- the Zero Input Agriculture podcast (launching any day now) and Sci Fi Hi Five (analysing and highlighting the best books in the fourth Self Published Science Fiction Competition). In the 159th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors, chats to Shane on: what the biggest contrasts Shane’s found between self-publishing and substack, particularly when it comes to building a readership and maintaining engagement the differences between self-publishing and Substack and how they impact creative process and the way one might structure writing projects Shane's advice to authors on what factors they should weigh in of long-term financial sustainability and audience growth how writers can strategically use both platforms to create a well-rounded and sustainable hybrid author model and much more. https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com/ https://www.amazon.com.au/Kindle-Store-Shane-Simonsen/s?rh=n%3A2490359051%2_27%3AShane%2BSimonsen  

Karen Cunningham is a graphic designer by day, and a closet writer at all other times. An overthinker from way back, she always has a story in her head and is known to become quite panicky when she doesn’t have at least a small stack of books waiting to be read.  Karen is the author and illustrator of Jenny Spaghetti (writing as KarenMargaret), a 2001 independently-published picture book. She was awarded a mentorship from the Australian Society of Authors for her YA manuscript, Missing Sarah Harris, which was independently published in 2024 and is now available in WA book stores and libraries Australia-wide. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Writing WA. She has a manuscript in progress for YA readers which won the inaugural Buzz Words Page Turner Writing Competition, along with more picture book texts, and plenty of other stories to keep her awake at night. In the 158th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Karen about: tackling themes that resonate deeply with young adult readers, such as identity and belonging. the inspiration behind ’Missing Sarah Harris’ Karen’s self-publishing author adventure her advice to aspiring young adult authors and much more. https://www.karenmcunningham.com.au/ https://authorspublish.com/lessons-from-my-most-prolific-year-of-writing-and-getting-published/

Suzi Samuel is the author of The Unintentional Medium and the soon to be published An Unintentional Journey.  This is her first foray into fiction and draws largely on her knowledge of and her own personal experience of the spirit world. Born in England, Suzi spent a large part of her life in Wimbledon where she worked as a French tutor and translator.  After the death of her beloved Grandmother, her first husband and an old clairvoyant lady, Mrs Butterfield, she started to get very bizarre but accurate messages from the other side and thus commenced her pyschic work which spans almost forty years. In 1997 she married her Australian husband David and they later moved to Sydney where she still practices her work as a medium and clairvoyant. In the 157th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non-fiction for authors chats to Suzi on the challenges and triumphs of releasing a revised edition of a bestseller her captivating new book The Dark at the Threshold, and how Suzi's own experiences guided her fiction Suzi's advice to writers looking to revise their published works and write in the supernatural thriller genres and much more.  

 A.M. Jaxon is a romantic suspense writer who grew from tropical Queensland small town wild child to become a pharmacist in Brisbane before attaining a PhD in Business from the University of Western Australia.   Her ion for women’s hockey led her to coaching internationally in Barcelona, Rotterdam and the UK, and also on Australia’s Gold Coast and Perth. In 2014, Allison decided to leave her pharmacy career, and has written six novels since. She lives with her husband and wily Westie Terrier in Perth, Western Australia. In the 156th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non fiction for authors chats to A.M Jaxon (Allison) on the romance suspense genre balancing high stakes action and deep emotional connection techniques used to maintain a fast-paced, gripping narrative writing a trilogy pacing to keep readers engaged and much more. https://www.amjaxon.com/    

Maggie Walters lives in the Northern Rivers of NSW, where she spends her days developing her writing skills and raising three teenagers. After meeting her husband, she immigrated to Australia from the US, and spent the bulk of her career in various marketing roles before returning to her long-held love of the written word.  Expression through words has become a driving ion in Maggie's life, a tool for healing her own abusive past.  Maggie is an active member of Byron Writers Festival and a member of several writing groups that meet regularly and continue to nurture her craft. As a trauma survivor, she shares her courageous commitment to wholeness, while confronting stereotypes surrounding Multiple Personality Disorder also known as Dissociative Identity Disorder. She educates and encourages others to break down the barriers and stigma around mental health. In the 155th episode of The HYBRID Author Podcast host Joanne Zara Ellen Morrell, author of young adult fiction, women's fiction and short non fiction for authors, chats to Maggie about: what motivated Maggie to write 'Split' and share her story: a very intimate look at living with Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) how she approached writing about such a personal and complex experience balancing being open about her struggles and crafting a narrative that would also educate readers about the realities of this condition she's received from readers who may be dealing with similar experiences and how sharing her story has impacted her own healing journey and much more.  https://www.maggie-walters.com/