Helen Corvis and Steaphan Kay discuss how their co-authoring process evolved across two book volumes, shifting from a highly structured first-book approach with frequent check-ins and outlining to a looser second-book workflow aimed at increasing writing speed, including initially assigning different POV characters to each author. They compare their writing styles (Steaphan's more poetic dialogue and Helen's more precise, economical approach) and describe how developmental editing revealed persona drift due to differing mental models of character behavior. They review tools for maintaining consistency—character bios that must be updated, character voice guides, visual references for characters, and timelines of emotional states—citing examples from multi-author projects like Star Trek: The Fall and co-author teams with varying degrees of structure. They close by considering a hybrid approach for a third book with fewer meetings than book one but better use of existing character-tracking tools.

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Helen's Bio Site (bio.site/helencorvis)

Steaphan's Bio.Site (bio.site/steaphankay)

Other Content:

• For indie authors at: IndieAuthors.Social
• For readers at steaphankay.com/blog
• For authors at steaphankay.com/authors
• For art lovers at deviantart.com/authorsteaphankay

After a long hiatus, the hosts return with a pretty good excuse: they've been writing. In this episode, they talk about completing two books together and what they learned from moving deeper into a shared series.

The conversation gets into the practical side of co-authoring—keeping worldbuilding and continuity straight across books, deciding how a series should be structured and named, revisiting details you created months ago, and knowing when to stop tweaking and move forward. They also discuss how the workload shifts between two writers, how collaboration can help when one person hits writer's block, and why trust and respect matter when you're building the same fictional world together.

Along the way, they talk fantasy series, David Eddings, canon, perfectionism, and some increasingly questionable ideas for future book titles.

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Helen's Bio Site (bio.site/helencorvis)

Steaphan's Bio.Site (bio.site/steaphankay)

Related Content For This Episode:

• K.A. Riley, 9 volumes in 3 series, and 1 universe starting with The Resistance Trilogy Book 1
• KDP 10% change in page count rule for new editions (KDP Editions)

Other Content:

• For indie authors at: IndieAuthors.Social
• For readers at steaphankay.com/blog
• For authors at steaphankay.com/authors
• For art lovers at deviantart.com/authorsteaphankay

This episode of The Co-authoring Chronicles Podcast explores the paths of traditional and independent publishing. We examine the effort involved in each, from the rigorous journey of traditional publishing to the comprehensive work undertaken by indie authors. We also discuss the financial realities and perceived legitimacy within the publishing world, asking whether one path truly offers an easier route.

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Helen's Bio Site (bio.site/helencorvis)

Steaphan's Bio.Site (bio.site/steaphankay)

Co-Authored Serial Fiction: In the Arms of the Void

Other Content:

• For indie authors at: IndieAuthors.Social
• For readers at steaphankay.com/blog
• For authors at steaphankay.com/authors
• For art lovers at deviantart.com/authorsteaphankay

On this episode of the Co-Authoring Chronicles, Helen and Steaphan have a conversation with author Nathan Lowell. With over 40 years of writing experience, Nathan discusses the fundamentals of marketing for authors, emphasizing the distinction between marketing and simple sales or promotion. Topics include identifying your market and niche, the importance of differentiation, and viewing the author's journey as a business endeavor. Nathan also reflects on recent life challenges and how they've shaped his approach to writing and maintaining a consistent practice.

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Helen's Bio Site (bio.site/helencorvis)

Steaphan's Bio.Site (bio.site/steaphankay)

Co-Authored Serial Fiction: In the Arms of the Void

Related Content For This Episode:

1. Nathan Lowell's Bio Link (bio.link/nlowell)
2. Nathan's 'The View From Here' Essays (nathanlowell.com/view/)

Other Content:

• For indie authors at: IndieAuthors.Social
• For readers at steaphankay.com/blog
• For authors at steaphankay.com/authors
• For art lovers at deviantart.com/authorsteaphankay

How much of an author lives within their characters? Helen and Steaphan consider the spectrum, from borrowing experiences for authenticity or healing, to exploring alternate life paths, and even the dangers of the "Mary Sue." They reflect on how their own lives seep into their collaborative fiction.

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Helen's Bio Site (bio.site/helencorvis)

Steaphan's Bio.Site (bio.site/steaphankay)

Co-Authored Serial Fiction: In the Arms of the Void

Other Content:

• For indie authors at: IndieAuthors.Social
• For readers at steaphankay.com/blog
• For authors at steaphankay.com/authors
• For art lovers at deviantart.com/authorsteaphankay

Expanding vocabulary is the topic of today's Co-Authoring Chronicles. The hosts discuss methods for vocabulary building and how word choice impacts writing. Authors such as Faulkner, Twain, Frost, and Stephen King are referenced. Connotation, denotation, strategic word use, target audience, and word creation are also mentioned.Expanding vocabulary is the topic of today's Co-Authoring Chronicles. The hosts discuss methods for vocabulary building and how word choice impacts writing. Authors such as Faulkner, Twain, Frost, and Stephen King are referenced. Connotation, denotation, strategic word use, target audience, and word creation are also mentioned.

Please Like & Follow us wherever you listen to this podcast and on social.

Helen's Bio Site (bio.site/helencorvis)

Steaphan's Bio.Site (bio.site/steaphankay)

Co-Authored Serial Fiction: In the Arms of the Void

Other Content:

• For indie authors at: IndieAuthors.Social
• For readers at steaphankay.com/blog
• For authors at steaphankay.com/authors
• For art lovers at deviantart.com/authorsteaphankay

In this episode, Helen and Steaphan discuss how to keep the joy in your writing, even when it feels like a grind. They share insights from famous authors like Seuss, Hemingway, and King, and offer tips for celebrating accomplishments, finding inspiration in everyday life, and making your writing a safe space for your unique voice.

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Helen's Bio Site (bio.site/helencorvis)

Steaphan's Bio.Site (bio.site/steaphankay)

Co-Authored Serial Fiction: In the Arms of the Void

Other Content:

• For indie authors at: IndieAuthors.Social
• For readers at steaphankay.com/blog
• For authors at steaphankay.com/authors
• For art lovers at deviantart.com/authorsteaphankay

This episode dives into AI, exploring its use as a collaborative tool, copyright concerns, and the importance of maintaining the human element in writing. The hosts discuss the varying levels of AI acceptance among authors, its potential for marketing and idea generation, and the possibility of using AI for writing assistance. They also touch on AI's potential to expedite research.

Please Like & Follow us wherever you listen to this podcast and on social.

Helen's Bio Site (bio.site/helencorvis)

Steaphan's Bio.Site (bio.site/steaphankay)

Co-Authored Serial Fiction: In the Arms of the Void

Other Content:

• For indie authors at: IndieAuthors.Social
• For readers at steaphankay.com/blog
• For authors at steaphankay.com/authors
• For art lovers at deviantart.com/authorsteaphankay