Maccabee is a husband of 19 yrs, father of two boys, Army vet, voice actor, writer, and podcast co-host of Beyond the Pen. Growing up in the theater and working as a voice actor, script analysis has been a critical skill he's been perfecting over the years. This skill has allowed him to look past what the author wants you to see and discover the truth between the words and the printed paper. Every story is unique, and so are the authors.
Marccella, a self-proclaimed bookworm, is an advocate for authors and their unique voices. Since learning to read at aged 6, Marccella could be found in the library with her nose in a good book. As an avid reader, Marccella recognized that there was untapped potential in the author community and was decidedly committed to creating valuable spaces to have conversations with writers of all genres. As a result, Marccella united with Maccabee (her brother from another mother) to further her vision of expanding the reach of authors and their audience.
Recent Content
In this episode, we delve deep into the art of character creation, discussing the significance of building dynamic and memorable characters. Learn how to use foil characters effectively and add quirks…
In this episode, we …
In this episode, we delve deep into the art of character creation, discussing the significance of building dynamic and memorable characters. Learn how to use foil characters effectively and add quirks to your personas, all to make your stories come alive. From Hollywood classics to modern literature, discover the secrets to crafting characters that resonate with your readers.Explore character dynamics across different genres while discussing the importance of historical context in character development and the research required for creating authentic historical personas. Whether you're writing…
Join hosts Maccabee and Chelse as they delve into the fascinating world of character perception with the acclaimed author A.K. Ramirez. Discover how understanding a character's perspective can transfo…
Join hosts Maccabee …
Join hosts Maccabee and Chelse as they delve into the fascinating world of character perception with the acclaimed author A.K. Ramirez. Discover how understanding a character's perspective can transform your writing. Dive deep into the complexities of the Marissa Ambrose Witness Series and its portrayal of characters and their worlds.Learn how to create compelling connections in your thriller writing that resonate with readers in A.K.'s first book, "Photographs and Secrets." Uncover the secrets of leaving your readers hanging on to every word by giving them false hope at the end of your book a…
Join Maccabee and Chelsea as they share invaluable tips and tricks to unlock your creative potential as an indie author. Discover how to make the most of your time at conventions, like Nightmare Weeke…
Join Maccabee and Ch…
Join Maccabee and Chelsea as they share invaluable tips and tricks to unlock your creative potential as an indie author. Discover how to make the most of your time at conventions, like Nightmare Weekend Richmond, to connect with fans and boost your sales. Plus, delve into the art of character development and perspective in your narrative.Dive deep into the world of character development with Maccabee and Chelsea. Explore the roles of protagonists, antagonists, deuteragonists, and tertiary characters, and understand how they shape your narrative. Learn from iconic characters like Sam Spade, Tha…
In This Episode In this two-part episode of Beyond the Pen, we're joined by Publishing Agent and Contracting Negotiator Cory Rice to unravel the mysteries of book publishing contracts. Discover the…
In This Episode I…
In This Episode In this two-part episode of Beyond the Pen, we're joined by Publishing Agent and Contracting Negotiator Cory Rice to unravel the mysteries of book publishing contracts. Discover the key elements every indie author should insist upon, protect your copyright rights, and gain insights into the evolving landscape of publishing agreements. Learn about the hidden clauses publishers often include, the importance of Clarity for both parties, and essential resources for indie authors. Get your pen and paper ready; this episode is your guide to a successful publishing contract. Get so…
In This Episode In this episode of Beyond the Pen, we're joined by Publishing Agent and Contracting Negotiator Cory Rice to unravel the mysteries of book publishing contracts. Discover the key elem…
In This Episode I…
In This Episode In this episode of Beyond the Pen, we're joined by Publishing Agent and Contracting Negotiator Cory Rice to unravel the mysteries of book publishing contracts. Discover the key elements every indie author should insist upon, protect your copyright rights, and gain insights into the evolving landscape of publishing agreements. Learn about the hidden clauses publishers often include, the importance of clarity for both parties and essential resources for indie authors. Get your pen and paper ready; this episode is your guide to a successful publishing contract. Get some valuabl…
In This EpisodeBeyond the Pen presents an essential episode on understanding contracts in the publishing industry. Maccabee and Chelsea share their experiences, insights, and cautionary tales to help …
In This EpisodeBeyon…
In This EpisodeBeyond the Pen presents an essential episode on understanding contracts in the publishing industry. Maccabee and Chelsea share their experiences, insights, and cautionary tales to help indie authors protect their creative work. Learn the art of negotiating terms, deciphering legal jargon, and standing up for your rights. Discover the hidden loopholes in contracts, the impact of non-compete clauses and non-disclosure agreements, and the financial intricacies, especially concerning Amazon. Don't embark on your publishing journey without this invaluable knowledge.For More Informati…
In this episode of "Beyond the Pen," hosts Maccabee and Chelsea unravel the mysteries of book blurbs. Learn why your book blurb is your first pitch to potential readers and why taking shortcuts or rel…
In this episode of "…
In this episode of "Beyond the Pen," hosts Maccabee and Chelsea unravel the mysteries of book blurbs. Learn why your book blurb is your first pitch to potential readers and why taking shortcuts or relying on AI is a recipe for disaster. Get actionable tips for crafting book blurbs that align with your book's genre and attract readers like a magnet. Discover overcoming the challenge of condensing your masterpiece into a few compelling sentences. Discover why managing your expectations and mental well-being are crucial in this journey. If you're an indie author, this episode is your roadmap to b…
Join us in this captivating episode of "Beyond the Pen" as we sit down with indie author Shirley Novak. Discover her incredible journey through the world of hybrid publishing, her success with The Ful…
Join us in this capt…
Join us in this captivating episode of "Beyond the Pen" as we sit down with indie author Shirley Novak. Discover her incredible journey through the world of hybrid publishing, her success with The Fulton Press, and valuable insights into the challenges she faced during her book's research process. Explore the emotional rollercoaster of unveiling hidden family struggles and her unique approach to exposing evil characters. Don't miss this enlightening discussion on indie publishing.Learn more about us and our guests at BeyondthePenPodcast.com.
In This EpisodeCalling all indie authors! In this episode of "Beyond the Pen," hosts Maccabee and Chelsea deep-dive into the art of genre-specific marketing. From horror to dark fantasy and tragic rom…
In This EpisodeCalli…
In This EpisodeCalling all indie authors! In this episode of "Beyond the Pen," hosts Maccabee and Chelsea deep-dive into the art of genre-specific marketing. From horror to dark fantasy and tragic romance, learn how to effectively promote your indie book across different genres. Uncover the pitfalls of ad scams and the importance of genuine reviews and feedback. Don't miss this valuable discussion on how to captivate your audience, promote various book formats, and build a long-term indie author brand. Stay ahead of the game with actionable strategies and insider tips.For More Information …
In This EpisodeJoin hosts Maccabee and Chelsea in this captivating "Beyond the Pen" episode as they delve into the intricate world of author branding and marketing platforms. Discover the secrets to c…
In This EpisodeJoin …
In This EpisodeJoin hosts Maccabee and Chelsea in this captivating "Beyond the Pen" episode as they delve into the intricate world of author branding and marketing platforms. Discover the secrets to crafting a cohesive brand that perfectly mirrors your literary work while reaching the right audience and platforms for maximum impact. Uncover the art of selling books at conventions strategically tailored to genre and themes.In a lighthearted twist, the hosts pay homage to their trusted editor, Frank, hinting at an exciting guest appearance. Amidst laughter, they explore the humorous side of bein…
In This EpisodeIn this captivating episode, hosts Maccabee Griffin and Chelsea sit down with acclaimed author, Diane Bergner, diving deep into her spicy romance novel, "The Royal Coconut Beach Lunch C…
In This EpisodeIn th…
In This EpisodeIn this captivating episode, hosts Maccabee Griffin and Chelsea sit down with acclaimed author, Diane Bergner, diving deep into her spicy romance novel, "The Royal Coconut Beach Lunch Club." Shifting from nonfiction to a vivid world of romance, mystery, and workplace drama, Diane unravels her unique approach to blending genres, revealing tidbits from the book's glamorous, chaotic world. We uncover the protagonist's moral compass, get insights into the changing definition of an independent woman across generations, and discuss intriguing choices made in the manuscript. From under…
In This EpisodeDive deep with Maccabee Griffin and C.R. Rice as they unravel the intricate tapestry of romance novels in this episode of "Beyond the Pen." From the allure of dual and third-person pers…
In This EpisodeDive …
In This EpisodeDive deep with Maccabee Griffin and C.R. Rice as they unravel the intricate tapestry of romance novels in this episode of "Beyond the Pen." From the allure of dual and third-person perspectives to the enthralling mystery of storytelling, we examine the cliches that pull our heartstrings and the blurred lines between fantasy and reality. Discover the diverse voices within romance, including the LGBTQ+ community, and delve into the misconceptions and subgenres that often confuse readers. Have you ever wondered about the misleading world of book covers or the delicate balance of ex…
In this EpisodeIn this captivating podcast episode, Maccabee and Chelsea unveil a special guest: Ryan Estrada, the brilliant co-author behind the groundbreaking graphic novel "Banned Book Club." Prepa…
In this EpisodeIn th…
In this EpisodeIn this captivating podcast episode, Maccabee and Chelsea unveil a special guest: Ryan Estrada, the brilliant co-author behind the groundbreaking graphic novel "Banned Book Club." Prepare to be transported into the tumultuous world of Hyung Sook Kim as she navigates the treacherous landscape of South Korea during a time of political repression. Join them as they delve into the power of storytelling and the relentless fight for freedom of expression.Discover the fascinating reasons behind Ryan's decision to convey this gripping narrative through the medium of a graphic novel and …
In This EpisodeDive into the debut episode of "Beyond the Pen" as Maccabee and Chelsea delve deep into the intricate relationship between society and literature. From the curious journey of hot topics…
In This EpisodeDive …
In This EpisodeDive into the debut episode of "Beyond the Pen" as Maccabee and Chelsea delve deep into the intricate relationship between society and literature. From the curious journey of hot topics like Ryan Estrada's graphic novel "Banned Book Club" to the historical and modern-day implications of banned books, we shed light on age-appropriate content, censorship, and the nuances of the book-banning phenomena. Texas takes the spotlight as the leader in book bans. At the same time, classics like Harry Potter are revisited for their recurring controversy with religious groups and ever wonder…
In This Episode Join Maccabee and Chelsea on a captivating journey with Jeff Hoffman, the pioneering force behind innovations like Booking.com and UBid.Com. From the genesis of "Scale" to the intr…
In This Episode …
In This Episode Join Maccabee and Chelsea on a captivating journey with Jeff Hoffman, the pioneering force behind innovations like Booking.com and UBid.Com. From the genesis of "Scale" to the intricacies of marrying business with personal Relationships, this episode offers a comprehensive blueprint for entrepreneurs and authors alike. Dive into the art of time management, the value of diverse feedback, and the transformative power behind scaling ambitions. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned veteran, Jeff's insights will inspire you to elevate your endeavors and nurture mea…
In This EpisodeDelve into the captivating realm of the publishing industry in this must-watch episode! Unravel the art of author branding, from crafting a distinct logo to honing in on your target aud…
In This EpisodeDelve…
In This EpisodeDelve into the captivating realm of the publishing industry in this must-watch episode! Unravel the art of author branding, from crafting a distinct logo to honing in on your target audience. Dive into the intricate world of copyrighting names, and join the heated discussion on book covers versus cosplay. Have you ever pondered the secrets behind bestselling authors' time management and their ascent to stardom? Discover the hurdles in book sales, the value of appreciating one's own work, and the finesse of multitasking. Understand that writing is but a chapter in an author's ody…
In this EpisodeDive deep with Lauren Erickson, acclaimed publishing strategist and author of "The Finer Things Club," as she reveals the transformative power of journaling in memoir writing. …
In this Episode…
In this EpisodeDive deep with Lauren Erickson, acclaimed publishing strategist and author of "The Finer Things Club," as she reveals the transformative power of journaling in memoir writing. Uncover the mysteries of the chameleon effect, the allure of international markets, and the pulse of the publishing industry – from bestseller lists to the Nielson BookScan. Whether you're a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in-between, Lauren's insights on self-awareness, the fear of writing, and the balance between accolades and authentic storytelling will resonate with every writer's journey. …
In This EpisodeDive into the enigmatic world of publishing with "Exposed: The Surprising Truth About Bestseller Lists, Publishing Mishaps, and the Realities of Bookstore Success." Unravel the secrets …
In This EpisodeDive …
In This EpisodeDive into the enigmatic world of publishing with "Exposed: The Surprising Truth About Bestseller Lists, Publishing Mishaps, and the Realities of Bookstore Success." Unravel the secrets behind bestseller lists and discover why getting a book into physical bookstores might be tougher than you think. Ever heard of Nielsen BookScan? We break down its significance for authors and how it's become a game-changer in the industry. Plus, ever wondered about the rumors of buying a spot on those coveted bestseller lists? We delve into the implications and the potential backlash it can gener…