If you write fiction, whatever your genre, you are likely to write about physical injury at some point. But how can you write in a realistic way that moves your plot forward and reveals character? In today's show, I discuss writing injuries with Samantha Keel. In the introduction, I mention Ingram Spark has introduced personalization with print-on-demand; PublishDrive signs a distribution contract with DangDang, China's largest ebook seller; ACX increases their bounty to $75 and provides affiliate links on the sales dashboard from 1 August 2018; and publisher Richard Charkin poses some difficult questions for the publishing industry. I talk about finding my books in a Blackwell's bookstore in Edinburgh – pic here on Twitter. Plus, if you are a Christian writer, check out Jerry B Jenkins writing course. (I'm an affiliate of the course because I read Jerry's books and respect his generous teaching and incredible work ethic. I get a small % commission if you do decide to buy through my link, but at no cost to you.) This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors. Samantha Keel is a 911 and critical care paramedic and has spent the last 10 years working in emergency medicine. She's also a medical consultant for writers running the ScriptMedic blog and has written brilliant books, including Blood on the Page, Maim Your Characters, and also writes LGBT speculative fiction. You can listen above or on iTunes or Stitcher, read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below. Show Notes * What is the attraction readers and consumers of entertainment have to violence? * Writing characters who go beyond the usual ‘alpha male' tropes e.g. Bond and Reacher. A discussion on writing trans characters. * Mistakes authors can make when injuring their characters * How injuring a character can improve plot and characterization * Tropes to avoid when injuring characters * Incorporating injury recovery time in our story timelines