Alexa DonneI fell into a bit of a reading slump so I only read seven books from February to early May! But it was a really interesting mix of semi-disappointing books and some TRUE BANGERS.
One note: in the section on The Push I do say "lesbian couple" where "same sex couple" is far more accurate.
Also I said the college in the Survive the Night is in PA but actually I think it's in NJ... but the bulk of the action takes place in PA!
00:00 Introduction 01:00 The Push by Claire McGowan 06:27 The Push Content Warnings 08:57 The Push Spoiler Discussion 19:17 Survive the Night by Riley Sager 25:11 Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney 30:14 When All the Girls Are Sleeping by Emily Arsenault 36:10 The Castle School (For Troubled Girls) by Alyssa B. Sheinmel 40:29 The Castle School Content Warning 45:37 A Dark And Secret Place by Jen Williams 51:42 An Accusation by Wendy James 54:45 An Accusation Spoiler Discussion
Books that LIE! (and some A+ upcoming thrillers) | Spring Reading WrapupAlexa Donne2021-05-07 | I fell into a bit of a reading slump so I only read seven books from February to early May! But it was a really interesting mix of semi-disappointing books and some TRUE BANGERS.
One note: in the section on The Push I do say "lesbian couple" where "same sex couple" is far more accurate.
Also I said the college in the Survive the Night is in PA but actually I think it's in NJ... but the bulk of the action takes place in PA!
00:00 Introduction 01:00 The Push by Claire McGowan 06:27 The Push Content Warnings 08:57 The Push Spoiler Discussion 19:17 Survive the Night by Riley Sager 25:11 Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney 30:14 When All the Girls Are Sleeping by Emily Arsenault 36:10 The Castle School (For Troubled Girls) by Alyssa B. Sheinmel 40:29 The Castle School Content Warning 45:37 A Dark And Secret Place by Jen Williams 51:42 An Accusation by Wendy James 54:45 An Accusation Spoiler Discussion
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon t6i Mic: Rode VideoMic Go Light Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProThe Corporate Grind of Publishing | (Or, Business Communication Norms & Tips for Authors)Alexa Donne2024-08-07 | Today, I'm talking about business norms in the publishing industry and some best practices for business communication to make your experience more fruitful.
Related links: Your Agent Isn't Your Friend (Nor is Your Editor): youtu.be/hnYean-4PIw
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProYour Agent Is Not Your Friend (Nor Is Your Editor) | Professional Boundaries in PublishingAlexa Donne2024-07-25 | Your agent is not your friend... or therapist. 😬 Neither is your editor!
But seriously: I'm talking about parameters and best practices for your key business relationships in publishing: with your agent and your editor. I'm going over what an agent's job really is, and what an editor's job really is, and why that necessitates that professional boundaries be maintained--for your best interest as well as theirs!
Take a shot every time I say "messy" or "friendly, not friend"!
00:00 Introduction 03:36 The Agent-Author Relationship 05:27 Friendship Pitfalls 07:31 Your Agent's Job 10:53 Emotional Boundaries 16:18 Your Editor's Job 18:12 The Corporate Funnel 21:45 Your Editor Is Not Your Friend 24:15 Conclusion
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProOverly Mechanical Writing (& How to Fix It)Alexa Donne2024-07-17 | Today I'm waxing whatever on overly mechanical writing, or line level writing that leans heavy on telling, plodding prose--overwhelmingly and to it's detriment. Or, boring, ineffective, bad (or at least mid) writing.
Whether you've picked up a book and just couldn't connect to/engage with the writing, or you're a writer who worries their writing is falling flat, I'm going to share how to identify overly mechanical writing, common pitfalls/facets of it, and some tips for fixes.
This is an aspect of telling and cousin topic to "show don't tell." Also related to narrate vs. dramatize, a topic I've covered before.
To that end, here are related videos you can watch as well
00:00 Introduction/When Writing Falls Flat 03:00 Bad Bestsellers & Reader Benchmarks 05:10 What is Mechanical Writing? 08:45 Facets of Mechanical Writing 13:01 Disclaimer: Everything In Moderation 14:21 Mechanical Writing Example & Analysis 19:30 Approaching Revision of Weak Writing 20:57 Revising (Part) of the Example 24:55 Sentence Rhythm & Flow 28:17 The Dance of Detail 30:03 Vague/Leading Examples & Fixes 35:17 Final Thoughts
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProMastering Multi-POV | How to Write A Multi-POV BookAlexa Donne2024-06-27 | How do you tackle writing a multi-POV book? I'm not an expert but I DID majorly level up writing The Bitter End, and came out with some tips & tricks to share.
In a too-long but hopefully-helpful video, I'm going over potential pitfalls of multis, thoughts on number of POVs and tense, and then finally offering as much concrete advice on WHERE and WHEN and WHY to switch POVs in your book, and HOW to differentiate character voice in multi.
As always, everything is time-stamped so it's easy for you to skip ahead or around to what you're interested in. I share a lot of examples from my writing process of The Bitter End to better contextualize... you can skip anytime I start blathering about my book :P Or, if you're here for the Alexa bookish content... this is a double feature!
I was recovering from illness when I filmed this, so forgive the slightly scratchy voice... and more edits in this one b/c I had to cut out all the coughing!
00:00 Introduction 01:38 Pros of Multi-POV 03:46 Pitfalls of Multi-POV 09:48 How Many POVs is Too Many? 12:19 Dual vs. Multi 18:01 1st vs. 3rd 22:38 Formatting & Character Weight 26:48 Choosing & Switching Between POVs 34:03 POV & Narrative Function 37:13 Inflection Points 40:14 Character Voice 42:09 The Fatal Flaw/Want 45:42 Biases 47:10 Word Choice & Thought Process 50:55 Humor 53:49 Hobbies & Background 01:01:05 Internalization 01:04:11 Fix it in the Edit 01:09:15 Good Crutches
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit Pro🇩🇪 CBYX 40th Anniversary reunion in Washington D.C. 🍺 #germanyAlexa Donne2024-06-21 | Did you know that I was a high school foreign exchange student to Germany? I spent my junior year as a CBYX participant, a scholarship program funded by the German Bundestag and U.S. Congress to foster international understanding and diplomacy. I recently attended the 40th anniversary of the program in Washington D.C. and has a blast! It triggered a lot of nostalgia, so for fun, included some photos of myself at 16/17 in Germany... I look like a BABY!!!
Anyone interested in CBYX, AMA!Pretty Dead Queens by Alexa Donne | From 1st to Final Draft | tl;drAlexa Donne2024-05-24 | At long last, I'm doing my extreme tl;dr post mortem on writing and editing my Edgar Award nominated YA thriller Pretty Dead Queens! Truly one only for the super fans because this video is wayyyyyyy too long. I'm so, so sorry.
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 01:52 Origin Story/Initial Inspo 07:24 MC & Dead Mom plot conceit 10:34 NorCal setting & Cold case vibes 16:50 Option Proposal & The Dead Mom's Club 20:20 Crafting Cecelia & Not Writing The Ivies 2.0 29:43 Rewriting After Sale & Act 1 Pacing 38:31 Editing Act 1 44:50 Finishing the 1st Draft 49:30 Crafting a Past Mystery/Act 2 57:45 The 3rd Act 01:01:15 Starting Dev Edits 01:07:19 Recasting Natalie's Party (RIP) 01:12:10 The Bitch Edit 01:16:17 Further Recasting in Act 2 & Editor Compromises 01:22:08 Rewriting the Ending 01:26:38 Copy Edits & My Twist Goal 01:29:25 Character Psychology Process 01:32:35 Writing Through Grief & COVID 01:39:48 Final Thoughts
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProControversial Opinions on Some Popular Celebrity Memoirs 👀| Monster Celebrity Memoir WrapupAlexa Donne2024-04-26 | I'm doing a monster wrapup of every celebrity memoir I've read in the last two years! I read so many of these buzzy memoirs right when they came out, but better late than never right?! And strap in b/c I have some potentially... unpopular opionions about several of these massive bestsellers/crowd-pleasers!
A note that while discussing Colton Haynes' memoir, I mispoke CSA as childhood sexual assault. It's abuse, rather than assault.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction 01:28 Miss Memory Lane by Colton Haynes 04:39 The Woman in Me by Britney Spears 07:25 Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar & Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Duggar 11:41 Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton 13:20 The Beauty of Living Twice by Sharon Stone 14:10 Love, Pamela by Pamela Anderson 16:34 Spare by Prince Harry 20:35 Hello Molly by Molly Shannon 24:43 Friends, Lovers, & the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry 28:08 Dying of Politeness by Geena Davis 29:50 Dear Fatty by Dawn French 31:26 Beyond The Wand by Tom Felton 33:10 The Sporty One by Melanie C 35:15 Mean Baby by Selma Blair 37:22 Open Book by Jessica Simpson 39:57 I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy 47:53 Confessions of Prairie Bitch by Alison Arngrim
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit Projust a normal, non-famous author at a book festival! (author real talk edition!) #authorAlexa Donne2024-04-23 | Taking you with me to the LA Times Festival of Books this past weekend, where I did a signing at the Mysterious Galaxy booth, but sharing some real talk about the ebbs and flows of author opportunities and what it really can look like for a non-famous, midlist/mid-career author. Some events surprise you, and always always be good to the bookstores who are good to you! (if you want signed copies of my books, Mysterious Galaxy has a bunch in stock right now!)come with me to my Holly Jackson event in NorCal! #booksAlexa Donne2024-04-15 | I traveled to the San Francisco Bay Area to do an event with thriller author Holly Jackson in Corte Madera at Book Passage! I had an amazing time asking Holly all my burning questions!just an author w/ an ARC & a rustic background #booksAlexa Donne2024-04-11 | when you're on a writing retreat in NorCal with gorgeous, clean woodsy aesthetics... you take 8 months worth of promotional images for your next book in one weekend!~*writing retreat vibes*~ #writingabookAlexa Donne2024-04-08 | Got a jump start on my first adult thriller and enjoyed several local wineries near Placerville, CA!book aesthetic YA thriller The Bitter End 🏔️🔪 #books #yabooksAlexa Donne2024-04-05 | ...Guess whos back, back again... (Chuck Tingle made me do it!)Alexa Donne2024-04-03 | I'm back... ish! Again. Going to make a real effort to make some more content in 2024. So here's an update on how it took two years to write my next YA thriller The Bitter End and what else I've been up to (hobbies!).
One way you can tell it's been so long/that I really love The Bitter End ARC is I keep looking into the viewfinder instead of the lens. Sorry about that.
00:00 Hello 02:12 Social Media Balance & TikTok 04:30 The Bitter End ARC 08:45 TBE Cover Story & Blurb 15:12 Upcoming Video Topics 19:25 Randomish Life Updates 23:38 Gushing About Hobbies 26:29 Upcoming Events & Wrap-Up
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit Promet Chuck Tingle at #WonderCon & hes a fan of the channel & wants me to make more videos! 😂 #booksAlexa Donne2024-03-31 | Had an amazing day at WonderCon doing a horror/thriller panel and signing books at the Mysterious Galaxy booth.🎉 finally actually started writing my first adult thriller 🔪⛴️ #writingabookAlexa Donne2024-03-24 | ...E. Lockhart liked my book 😭😭😭 #books #author #yabooksAlexa Donne2024-03-20 | ...what thriller authors are saying about The Bitter End by Alexa Donne #books #yabooksAlexa Donne2024-03-14 | ...yall I ordered a hoodie to match my cover 😂🧥🏔️🔥Alexa Donne2024-03-11 | ...Unboxing my ARCs for my 3rd thriller, The Bitter End. 1st time Ive had ARCs for a thriller 😭Alexa Donne2024-03-08 | ...MURDER IS HARD, ACTUALLY | I finally finished my bookAlexa Donne2023-06-30 | You haven't heard a writing update from me in almost a year because I WAS WRITING THE WHOLE TIME. This book tried to kill me but now it's "done." Kind of. Almost. I'm sharing a tl;dr overview of finally finishing this darn book and why it took me so long.
Also I'm into cruises now?
00:00 Introduction 02:21 Life Update 05:32 Why this book took so long 10:19 Plot changes & compromise 13:15 Turning in 75% of a draft 14:53 Missing deadline & being bumped 18:58 Getting stuck/fixing the mess 24:20 Character work & final rewrites 31:30 Turning it in 35:48 Where TBE fits w/ my thrillers 37:25 Am I a Cruise Person now?/Conclusion
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProBad Business & Messy Families (Non-Fiction Reading Wrap-up)Alexa Donne2023-04-05 | Catching up reading wrapups, starting with general nonfiction I read between summer 2022 and Q1 2023.
I think it's funny I mispronounced Harvey Weinstein's name, too, y'all XD
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 02:03 She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey 06:27 Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow 10:27 Molly's Game by Molly Bloom 14:00 The Palace Papers by Tina Brown 19:17 Normal Family by Chrysta Bilton 23:46 Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley 29:06 Outsmarting the Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout 30:20 Confessions of a Sociopath by M.E. Thomas 32:00 The Cult of We by Eliot Brown and Maureen Farrell
00:00 Introduction 00:37 Award Nomination News 01:41 Award Nomination Details 05:00 NYC plans & vlogging 05:57 Leaving social media 08:50 Grief & burnout 10:34 Author career going forward 14:05 The Bitter End vs PDQ vs The Ivies 17:45 Re-prioritizing time/committments 21:14 Upcoming appearances/trips
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProThe AUDACITY of These Book Publicity ScamsAlexa Donne2023-03-24 | I've come across two particularly egregious book publicity scams that at first glance almost fooled me. With a bit of digging, I uncovered the shadiness... but the slickness of the execution compelled me to make a video to warn people what to look for.
An important disclaimer: I am not implying ANY fault on the part of any website builder or host for these fraudulent websites. These sites violate the terms of service of most website builders, so when you come across one, report them!
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction 02:15 A Rise in Scams Warning 03:15 An Overview of 2 Scams 05:59 Legit at 1st Glance 08:03 Website Builders 09:42 Case Study 1 Backstory 11:18 Fake Employees on LinkedIn? 15:03 Website Red Flags 17:18 Google SEO Red Flags 20:10 Instagram & Fake Coverage 25:21 Key Takeaways from Case Study 1 26:07 Case Study 2 Backstory 28:41 Initial Red Flags 30:32 The AUDACITY 36:51 Instagram Fake Followers, Stolen Posts, Made Up Podcast 42:55 Red Flag Review & Predatory Practices 47:48 Instagram Aesthetics 49:21 Too Cheap to Be True 50:30 Conclusion
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProPretty Dead Queens Audiobook Chapter 1 Sneak Peek!Alexa Donne2022-10-03 | Thank you Penguin Random House Audio for enabling me to share the first chapter of the audiobook for Pretty Dead Queens with you! Narrated by Phoebe Strole.
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProPretty Dead Queens hardcover tour! Yall it has an embossed cover!Alexa Donne2022-09-30 | ...A Chat with Audiobook Narrator Phoebe StroleAlexa Donne2022-09-29 | I had a fantastic chat with audiobook narrator Phoebe Strole, who narrated both The Ivies and Pretty Dead Queens, and so many other great books! Phoebe shares her process, how she got into audiobook narration, her favorite reading genres, and her recommendations to those interested in audiobook narration as a career.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction 00:54 The path to audiobook narration 03:11 Audiobook recording process 07:07 Deciding on character voices 11:14 Working in the studio 13:27 The physicality of audiobooks 18:53 Accent work & favorites 23:15 Reading for YA 24:47 Non-fiction book recs 28:44 Getting into audiobooks & knowing your worth 33:22 Interacting with authors & final thoughts
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProUnboxing my new book 😭 Seeing Pretty Dead Queens for the 1st time!Alexa Donne2022-09-18 | ...Confident, But Also A Mess! | Writing & Life UpdateAlexa Donne2022-07-29 | Hey! It's an update! From me! Where have I been, what have I been doing. I talk about Tiktok, my YA thriller draft, IRL stuff, and looking forward to my PDQ release!
00:00 Hello again & TikTok 02:31 Drafting my next book 05:53 YouTube plans 06:47 IRL updates 08:32 Pretty Dead Queens release 10:33 TikTok hot take 11:09 PDQ signed pre-orders 12:06 PDQ nervousness & final thoughts
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProMoney Mindsets in Indie vs. Trad PublishingAlexa Donne2022-06-01 | I'm talking about writing goals/expectations for your career when it comes to money. ie: earning enough from your books to support yourself. I've realized there's a framework/disconnect when we talk about trad vs. indie.
Namely: how do you make money?
I'm sharing why "making enough money to live off" ie: write full time is not at the top of the list of my priorities for trad pub, and why I don't fuss over lower royalty rates.
00:00 Introduction 02:32 Financial Mindsets & Privilege 04:30 Earnings-first goals 07:03 Royalties vs. Advances in Trad Pub 10:14 Making Money in Trad Pub 13:09 10% for Bestsellers & Pub Success 15:56 Full-Time As the Metric for Success 20:21 Would I quit my job? 24:07 Conclusion
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProBook Sales Dish: 1st Week #s & Sales TrendsAlexa Donne2022-05-18 | Book sales! What's normal... if you don't sell 1K copies your first week are you a failure? What should you expect after three months, six, a year? I'm sharing some thoughts and real numbers for the non-bestsellers/breakouts... which is most authors.
Mostly I want to reassure the average author out there--you're probably doing better than you think!
Obligatory disclaimers: I'm sharing as best I can from the perspective of a midlist author. I also have the most context for YA sales numbers, though some adult genre knowledge is mixed in (and some YA stats are applicable generally to adult).
00:00 Introduction 02:11 Background & Context 04:33 Sales Benchmarks & BookScan 07:29 1st Week Sales 09:30 Peak & Drop Sales Trend 12:14 Long Term Sales Tail 16:03 Release & Build Sales Trend 17:12 Earning Out & Publishers Making Money 19:06 Career Strategy & the Long Game 23:43 Conclusion
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProMurdering teens on a mountain... or my NEXT BOOK DEAL!Alexa Donne2022-05-10 | I have another book deal! I'm thrilled to announce my third YA thriller (and 5th book) will be published by Crown (Penguin Random House) in 2024!
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProApparently There Were Complaints... & other non-fiction Ive read recentlyAlexa Donne2022-04-27 | I'm back with a non-fiction only reading wrapup! This is a mix of celebrity memoirs, Old Hollywood biographies, true crime, and corporate whistleblowing/histories.
Some of these are REALLY GOOD! But you might be surprised which one I found slightly dry (and don't recommend to non-fiction newbies).
Correction: I say Me and My Shadows was a mini-series on CBS. It was on ABC in the US, actually.
References The Most Difficult Shot in Movie History (And Why It Matters) by Patrick (H) Willems: youtu.be/5POb5fQ4BYM
00:00 Introduction 01:06 The Devil's Candy by Julie Salamon 06:05 Me and My Shadows by Lorna Luft 09:22 You Can't Be Serious by Kal Penn 13:20 Three Cups of Deceit by Jon Krakauer 16:22 House of Gucci by Sara Gay Forden 24:53 Apparently There Were Complaints by Sharon Gless 29:03 At Any Cost by Rebecca Rosenberg & Selim Algar 32:19 Whistleblower by Susan Fowler 36:42 The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe by J. Randy Taraborrelli
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit Prothe troubling rise of publishing scams (and bad literary agents)Alexa Donne2022-02-23 | I've noticed a troubling rise in predatory and scammy behavior in publishing since 2020... the flip side of hustle culture, you might say. Be wary of the influx of new literary agents, "hybrid" publishers and freelance editors.
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProCOVER REVEAL! Pretty Dead Queens, my next YA Thriller!Alexa Donne2022-02-08 | It's here! The cover for Pretty Dead Queens, my next YA thriller, out October 4, 2022.
Cover credits Designed by Casey Moses (@_thebookcase on Insta; @_caseymoses on TikTok) Photographed by Maggie Holmgren (@margiee329 on Insta)
Publisher Blurb: Seaview High's homecoming queen is dead . . . and she's not the first. From the critically acclaimed author of The Ivies comes a nonstop thriller about a decades-old mystery, a copycat killing, and the teen who won't stop until she discovers the truth.
After the death of her mom (screw cancer), seventeen-year-old Cecelia Ellis goes to live with her estranged grandmother, a celebrated author whose Victorian mansion is as creepy as the murder mysteries she writes. On the surface, life is utterly ordinary in the California coastal town . . . until the homecoming queen is murdered. And she’s not Seaview’s first pretty dead queen.
With a copycat killer on the loose, Cecelia throws herself into the investigation, determined to crack the case like the heroines in her grandmother’s books. But the more Cecelia digs into the town’s secrets, the more she worries that her own mystery might not have a storybook ending.
00:00 Introduction 01:08 COVER REVEAL! 02:46 Cover concept process 04:40 The photoshoot 05:56 Title font & versions
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProJoin the Pretty Dead Queens Street Team!Alexa Donne2022-01-25 | I'm launching a street team for my 2nd YA thriller Pretty Dead Queens, which comes out October 4, 2022. I'm sharing the details.
You have until February 4 to apply and I'll notify all chosen members by February 6!
00:00 Introduction/What Is A Street Team? 01:25 What Does a Stret Team Do? 03:00 What Do You Get? 04:54 How To Apply 05:22 Cat Toy Break 05:34 Conclusion
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProAbout This Channel... & 2022 GoalsAlexa Donne2022-01-21 | I'm looking to 2022 with a fresh perspective, some heavy IRL life stuff, and plans to pull back a bit and find balance. I'm sharing my life update and 2022 goals.
00:00 Introduction 00:40 IRL Stuff 09:50 Social Media & This Channel 17:23 2022 Goals
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProWriter Goals, Sequels & Straddling Categories - LIVE with J. ElleAlexa Donne2022-01-02 | I'm excited to go live with author J. Elle for the New Year. We'll be talking about setting writing goals, writing series & sequels, and writing in multiple age categories--all things J. Elle is amazing at! Plus, I plan to ask her a million questions about book marketing and running a street team.
J. Elle's sequel to the 2020 bestselling YA novel Wings of Ebony, Ashes of Gold, is out January 11. Tune in for details on an exclusive book giveaway!Disappointing Books of 2021 | Disappointing ReadsAlexa Donne2021-12-26 | It's that time! I'm going over the most disappointing books I read in 2021. These really range from "still good but didn't meet my expectations" to "no really not great I cannot recommend at all."
Take a shot every time you catch my cats playing with a toy in the background!
00:00 Introduction 00:47 The Maidens by Alex Michaelides 03:21 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides 06:55 The Next Everest by Jim Davidson 09:49 Shiver by Allie Reynolds 13:33 Ten by Gretchen McNeil 15:43 The Push by Claire McGowan 17:30 The Last Resort by Susi Holliday
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProDoing YouTube Full-Time? Sponsorships? | Part Time YouTuber TagAlexa Donne2021-12-23 | I'm doing the Part Time YouTuber tag! I was inspired by @TheresaisDead's video: youtu.be/JebQYz4I_7w
And she linked Dion Luvs Makeup: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaiO... Video: youtu.be/nKbEkXBRSSs
In the video I only mentioned the latter, missing the first one--the first one is likely the original, so I want to give proper credit! This tag is all about those who do YouTube part-time.
00:00 Introduction 00:51 Q1: What's your main gig? 02:50 Q2: Why did you start YouTube? 06:29 Q3: What's your channel about? 06:57 Q4: Was YT always a side gig? 09:14 Q5: What's your schedule? 11:24 Q6: How do you stay organized? 12:25 Q7: Sponsorships 17:45 Q8: Biggest challenge?
The questions: 1. What is your main “gig”? Do you work full time? Are you a student? A parent? Spill the beans! 2. What made you want to start YouTube? 3. What is your channel about? Do you stick to one “niche’ or do you cover a few? 4. Did you always know YouTube would be a “side gig”, or did/do you ever want to be a full time YouTuber? 5. What is your schedule like? When do you film? When do you edit? 6. How do you keep your YouTube channel organized? Do you plan videos ahead or just film what you feel like? 7. How do you feel about sponsored videos on YouTube? Have you/would you ever do one on your channel? 8. What do you think is the biggest challenge of doing YouTube part time?
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProBest Books of 2021 | Thriller & Non-Fiction FavesAlexa Donne2021-12-21 | I'm sharing my favorite books I read in 2021. This is very much personal, and based on the limited mood reading I did this year. It's all non-fiction and thriller.
00:00 Introduction 01:35 The Third Pole by Mark Synnott 05:15 Savage Summit by Jennifer Jordan 08:40 The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore 12:07 Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe 15:07 A Familiar Sight by Brianna Labuskes 18:55 The Push by Ashley Audrain 23:00 People Like Her by Ellergy Lloyd 24:40 When All the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain 27:46 When All the Girls Are Sleeping by Emily Arsenault 30:50 Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney 33:23 Survive the Night by Riley Sager
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProThe Ivies: From 1st Draft to Final Book | SPOILERS EDIT DEEP DIVEAlexa Donne2021-12-16 | It's here! My deep dive into every draft of my third published book, The Ivies! Spoilers throughout so do not watch unless you've read the book and/or want to be spoiled.
00:00 Introduction 01:11 Drafting timeline & word count 03:16 1st draft: Olivia & tone 07:38 Cataldo & SAT scam 11:48 Other edits for submission 13:30 Original ending 18:02 Major changes from Crown 19:56 What never changed 22:45 Ivies, Margot, & Sierra 27:29 Changing names 29:25 Rewriting Olivia 33:02 Emma, Avery, and "the bitch edit" 35:29 Final edits & COVID-19 40:05 Brainstorming a new ending 44:36 Rewriting the ending part 1 47:05 Rewriting the ending part 2 50:42 Rewriting the ending part 3 55:29 Conclusion
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProALL THE WRITER GIFTS! Gift Ideas for 2021 | + Clever Fox Planner GIVEAWAY! [CLOSED]Alexa Donne2021-12-09 | What should you buy the writer in your life this holiday season (or year round)? Here are some ideas! This is your writer gift guide for 2021. There's also a GIVEAWAY for a Clever Fox Planner. Tis the season. I also, gasp, have MERCH now!
CLEVER FOX GIVEAWAY Comment on the video by 11:59 PM PT on December 14 and follow @cleverfoxplanner on Instagram to enter giveaway. 3 winners will be randomly selected from the comments and each one can choose one (1) Clever Fox planner from the list below (you can choose your color!). To win must be US-based.
In your comment, say which planner interests you most, and if you're in the U.S.
Clever Fox products shown (in order): Clever Fox Wellness Planner (in Mystic Blue) Clever Fox Recipe Book (in Amber Yellow) Clever Fox Budget Planner PRO (in Purple) Clever Fox PRO Hourly (with a 6AM-9PM Schedule) (in Periwinkle) Clever Fox Bill Organizer Large (in Dark Blue) Clever Fox Pro Premium (in Rose Gold)
Disclosure: Clever Fox planners were sent to me by the company for free to share in this video. I was not otherwise compensated for this giveaway.
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProIs #Pitmad Dead? | Agent Fatigue & Online/Twitter Pitch EventsAlexa Donne2021-12-06 | Oof. So someone asked this question on Reddit and here I am answering. It's, uh, not great. Get my opinions on the current state of the average online/Twitter pitch event.
00:00 Introduction 01:00 So... is Pitmad dead? 03:40 Noise + hit or miss quality 05:57 Agent feeding frenzy 09:05 And then a pandemic 10:57 Twitter & what's next 12:17 Pitch event saturation 14:07 DVPit doing it right 15:45 Getting worse & scammers 16:28 Talent pool trends 19:05 Querying works even though it's a hellscape 19:55 Final Thoughts
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProBad Art Friends, Plagiarism and Inspiration: Where Are the Ethical Lines?Alexa Donne2021-12-03 | I'm doing a live stream discussion with fellow YouTuber Brekke El! We hope to have a fun/lively discussion of all the wibbly wobbly ethical lines that come up in writing and publishing when it comes to inspiration, as well as who is taken to task vs. not when things go down. And, yes, we hope to explore WHY "Who is the Bad Art Friend" has been do divisive. But no it won't all be about that lol.
Brekke's channel: youtube.com/c/BrekkeElEaster Eggs in The Ivies! | Little Things You May Have MissedAlexa Donne2021-11-30 | I'm sharing 10 Easter Eggs You might have missed in my YA thriller The Ivies! Most of these are spoiler free, though two are semi-spoilery with a spoiler tag!
00:00 Introduction 01:30 Claflin Academy 02:14 School Dorms & Halls 03:30 Kara Thomas nod 04:00 Canadian inspiration 04:52 UMD & Maryland 05:58 Parental nonsense 07:14 Sephora haul 09:13 COVID mentions (deep sigh) 11:02 SPOILERS College strategy 13:36 SPOILERS Documentary inspo
00:00 Introduction 00:48 Love/hate my own books? 01:52 Ever recognized in public? 02:52 How old when you wrote your 1st book? 03:14 Need a social media following to publish? 04:05 Do your coworkers know you write books? 05:32 Other trad pub channel recs 06:26 Do you read fantasy or romance? 07:18 Do you fear your published writing is bad? 08:24 Worst part of authortube? 09:40 Would you co-author? 10:10 All young protag books YA? 10:45 Typecasting yourself as an author? 12:05 Are paid courses worth it? 13:46 Are your books doing as well as you expected? 14:51 Mark Twain & the finality of ideas 15:45 How do you take your coffee? 16:48 Which of your protagonists would you be friends with? 18:18 How many book ideas do you have? 19:01 Will you go back to sci-fi? 20:15 Any former projects you'd rework? 21:00 College for writing 22:20 When did you start writing? 23:08 Is fanfic a waste of time? 24:41 How long to "rest" draft before editing? 25:22 Tips to get through middle? 26:55 Tips for non-linear narratives? 28:24 Dead genre/trope you'd bring back? 29:15 Advice for debuts?
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProGrieving A Book | Mourning a Publishing ExperienceAlexa Donne2021-11-19 | Sometimes, you end up grieving a book. You end up facing strange, depressing emotions related to publishing (or shelving) a book. Disappointed expectations. A book dragging up real life grief. It's a strange thing. If you've had a book come out and you weren't happy about it--this video is for you.
00:00 Introduction 02:37 Publishing related grief 06:13 When a loved one dies pre-pub 07:59 Publishing during pandemic 09:13 Secret sad book feelings 11:20 Shelving vs. Pub Grief 15:00 Small wins & 2nd book syndrome 16:30 How to move on 19:12 Social media & book grief 20:47 Careful with venting 23:22 Conclusion
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProSurprise Writing Retreat + 10K Words Done | NaNoWriMo 2021 Week 1 VlogAlexa Donne2021-11-12 | Surprise! I went on a writing retreat last weekend for #NaNoWriMo! I managed to get 10K done in the first week, which, mind blown. But I'm a rebel though. Prepare yourself.
Featuring LOTS of b-roll of writing and retreating and scenery and dogs with music.
00:00 November 1 Intro 01:58 Surprise Writing Retreat + Travel B Roll 04:02 Retreat House Tour 05:28 Nov 5 NaNo Writing 07:25 Adding a 3rd POV? 08:50 Nov 6 Teaching & Writing 11:50 Nov 7 Writing 13:26 Abrupt ending & more b roll 14:24 Final REBEL update
+FILMING SPECS+ Camera: Canon 90D Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+ Lighting: Limo Studio Soft Kit Editing Software: Magix Movie Edit ProYall SPICY about Publishing | Reacting to Your Unpopular OpinionsAlexa Donne2021-11-03 | It's here! It's time! I'm reacting to a TON of your super spicy unpopular opinions on writing, books, authortube, and publishing.
00:00 Introductions 00:58 GEN WRITING META 01:01 Too many writers 03:02 Sequel before sale 04:01 Quick edit turnaround 04:47 Idea laziness 05:41 Talent w/o publication 06:12 Writing practice isn't enough 07:02 Story Genius shade 07:36 Query trench disagreement 10:29 BIPOC writer pressure 11:34 YA & BOOKISH OPINIONS 11:39 YA books shouldn't be for adults 13:43 Writers should read adult books 15:09 Moralizing bookish content 16:44 Pity rating bad books 17:39 Thriller labeling confusion 19:32 Great thrillers hard to find 20:07 Thriller vs horror mislabeling 20:37 TRAD PUB SHADE 20:43 Illustrated cover confusion 21:37 NYT bestsellers suck 23:12 1st book bomb, career over 24:46 Agents behaving badly 26:10 SELF PUB THOUGHTS 26:27 Self pub advice zealotry 26:39 Settling for self-pub 28:27 Self pub quality 29:59 Self pub MLM girlboss vibes 31:12 AUTHORTUBE SHADE 31:15 Scammy courses 33:35 Authortubers picking self over trad 34:14 Authortube bad writing 34:41 Book deals boosting channels 36:26 Chatty writing sprints 37:51 Lindsay Puckett 38:22 Post more vlogs!