The Writing Coach

Follow The Writing Coach
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Author and writing coach Kevin T. Johns interviews the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors that help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. If you enjoy podcasts like I Should Be Writing, Grammar Girl, and

Kevin T. Johns, author and writing coach

Ottawa, Canada


    • Feb 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 24m AVG DURATION
    • 82 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from The Writing Coach with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Writing Coach

    Stephen Weinstock on Music, Theater, and Writing — The Writing Coach 214

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2025 41:15


    In the latest episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with musician, educator, and author Steve Weinstock.

    Douglas Vigliotti on Aristotle for Novelists — The Writing Coach 213

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 53:39


    In this The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Douglas Vigliotti about his new book, Aristotle for Novelists.

    Michael Leonard on Religion & Science-Fiction — The Writing Coach 212

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2024 71:23


    In this latest episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I have the pleasure of chatting with one of my superstar clients, the multi-talented author Sandy Day. If you're a fan of heartfelt and relatable stories set against rich Canadian backdrops, you're going to love this conversation.

    Sandy Day on Re-Releasing Books — The Writing Coach 211

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 33:17


    In this latest episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I have the pleasure of chatting with one of my superstar clients, the multi-talented author Sandy Day. If you're a fan of heartfelt and relatable stories set against rich Canadian backdrops, you're going to love this conversation.

    Emma Dhesi on the Four Pillars of Author Success — The Writing Coach 210

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 40:23


    In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I speak with writing coach Emma Dhesi about journey as a writer and coach, her unique approach to storytelling, and her personal and professional insights on crafting a fulfilling writing life.

    Rhonda Douglas on Resilient Writing — The Writing Coach 209

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2024 43:13


    In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with Rhonda Douglas, a Canadian writer and writing coach who is passionate about helping women and non-binary authors complete their first books.

    Unveiling Author Marketing Secrets with Kimberley Grabas — The Writing Coach 208

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2024 49:59


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Kimberley Grabas, founder of Your Writer Platform and a veteran in the author marketing world.

    Sue Brown-Moore on Character-Driven Storytelling — The Writing Coach 207

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 51:42


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with writing coach Sue Brown-Moore.

    Beth Barany on Unleashing Your Creativity — The Writing Coach 206

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2024 34:26


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with creativity coach, NLP expert, and accomplished author Beth Barany.

    Brooke Adams Law on Writing Brave — The Writing Coach 205

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with author and writing coach Brooke Adams Law.

    Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer on Writing, American Indians, and Dictation — The Writing Coach 204

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2024


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with author and writing coach Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer.

    Marketing is About Small Acts of Kindness (Not Big Launches) — The Writing Coach 203

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 21:53


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns discusses the significance of small acts of kindness and their impact on his life, as well as the role of personality in shaping an artist's reputation. He explains how the behaviour of various artists--from writers to comic book artists to musicians--has influenced his perception of their work and how some of the most powerful acts of marketing involve small, personal actions.

    Writing is Magic — The Writing Coach 202

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 21:20


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns explores the power and magic of words. He discusses how words have the ability to shape our understanding of reality and perception. Through examples from language evolution, psychology, and literature, Kevin illustrates how the introduction of new words and terms can completely change cultural conversations and perspectives over time.

    magic writing coach kevin t johns
    Thoughts on 10 Writing Tips from Phoebe Waller-Bridge — The Writing Coach 201

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 21:07


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses 10 writing tips from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator of the acclaimed TV show Fleabag.

    What Would Luke Skywalker Do? — The Writing Coach 200

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2024 37:21


    Celebrating the 200th episode of the show and Star Wars Day 2024, writing coach Kevin T. Johns reflects on the profound impact that Star Wars has had on his life and career as a writer. In a personal exploration spanning his childhood memories to his current thoughts on the franchise, Kevin charts how Star Wars shaped his imagination, morality and storytelling over the decades. Listeners are treated to insightful reflections on nostalgia, character identification and the challenges of maintaining an iconic property over multiple owners. The episode offers resonant perspectives on fandom, disappointment, and the power of stories to influence our lives.

    My Favourite Memoirs – The Writing Coach 199

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 35:46


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares his thoughts on various memoirs he has enjoyed.

    How to Land a Literary Agent with One Email – The Writing Coach 198

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2024 25:21


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns reveals how his client was able to land an offer of representation from a literary agent after sending a single email.

    Arrogance, Ignorance, and Apprenticeship – The Writing Coach 197

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 19:22


    Inspired by a Simon Sinek quote about arrogance and humility, in this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns explores how the modern view of writing as a talent differs from its historical roots as a trade.

    How to Plot a Killer Final Act – The Writing Coach 196

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 17:22


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains the story beats you can use to plot a fantastic final act for your book.

    Lorraine Johnston on Writing Fiction with ChatGPT – The Writing Coach 195

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2024 38:58


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with Amazon bestseller author Lorraine Johnston.

    On Offence, Disabilities, and Introversion – The Writing Coach 194

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2024 22:10


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns discusses the important topic of offending people through creative expression and communication. He acknowledges that with any public work, there is a risk of unintentionally offending some audiences.

    My Top Ten Tips for Writers – The Writing Coach 193

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 29:50


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares the top ten pieces of advice he most often gives to writers.

    How to Use AI to Improve Your Environmental Descriptions – The Writing Coach 192

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2024 21:52


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains how authors can harness the power of ChatGPT to improve the environmental descriptions in their writing.

    How School Messes Up Writers – The Writing Coach 191

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2024 19:17


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns argues many beginner authors struggle because our public school and high school education systems fail to teach students the revision skills, experimentation, and risk-taking necessary to create art.

    6 Types of Editors – The Writing Coach 190

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2024 17:58


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns describes the 6 different types of editors and the roles they play in the publishing and book production process. Listen now!

    Pathetic Fallacy Explained – The Writing Coach 189

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 22:51


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains how to effectively use the literary technique of pathetic fallacy.

    Sandy Day on Community and Accountability — The Writing Coach Episode 188

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024 51:22


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the fascinating way that chaos and serendipity inform our lives, our careers, and our art.

    Stories of Chaos and Serendipity — The Writing Coach Episode 187

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 16:17


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the fascinating way that chaos and serendipity inform our lives, our careers, and our art.

    You’re Not Too Old to Write a Book — The Writing Coach Episode 186

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 12:34


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains why age isn't a hindrance to becoming an author and argues that it is, in fact, an advantage.

    There is No End State for Writers — The Writing Coach Episode 185

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2024 15:00


    writing coach Kevin T. Johns acknowledges the importance of setting goals, but then asks the question, what if goals aren't really what we should be focused on?

    Practical Goal Setting Techniques for Writers — The Writing Coach Episode 184

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2023 22:22


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines the mistakes writers often make when setting their project goals and timelines, describes why small achievable goals are essential, and breaks down half a dozen key performance indicators writers should be tracking in order to monitor their progress.

    The 20 Best Books I Read in 2023 — The Writing Coach Episode 183

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2023 34:41


    As the year draws to a close, writing coach Kevin T. Johns looks back on the fiction, nonfiction, business, and writer's craft books he read this year.

    A Writer’s Guide to Three, Four, and Five-Act Story Structures — The Writing Coach Episode 182

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2023 27:28


    In episode 182 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains, three, four, and five-act story structures, as well as circular structures, and more!

    The Incredible Importance of Knowing Your Genre — The Writing Coach Episode 181

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 19:12


    In episode 181 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns breaks down the incredible importance of writers knowing their genre.

    8 Writing Activities for When You Are Feeling Low Energy — The Writing Coach Episode 180

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 19:28


    In episode 180 of The Writing Coach podcast you'll discover eight writing activities designed to kickstart your creativity and help you make significant strides in your book, even when the energy tank feels low.

    Creative Work and the Conservation of Momentum — The Writing Coach Episode 179

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2023 19:07


    The principle of the conservation of momentum is important in physics because it is a key quantity that helps describe and predict the motion of objects. That said, it is also a hugely important principle in the world of imagination, creative output, and productive writing.

    The Unique Power of a Writing Coach — The Writing Coach Episode 178

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 24:56


    Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns explains exactly how a writing coach works with their clients to transform the writing process.

    The Problem with National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) — The Writing Coach Episode 177

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2023 24:39


    Thinking of participating in NaNoWriMo this year? Listen to the latest episode of The Writing Coach podcast first.

    Author Anne Kane on Writing Sci-Fi, Romance, Erotica, and more! — The Writing Coach Episode 176

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2023 31:57


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns speaks with his client, award-winning romance author Anne Kane about the launch of her new book.

    Eight Things Writers Can Learn From a Drummer — The Writing Coach Episode 175

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2023 30:31


    This episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns identifies 8 key things writers can learn from a drummer.

    Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist – Part 4 — The Writing Coach Episode 174

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2023 26:35


    This episode of The Writing Coach podcast is the final part in a series where writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses elements of his new Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool.

    Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist – Part 3 — The Writing Coach Episode 173

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 21:07


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast is the third part in a series where writing coach Kevin T. Johns reviews of the Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool.

    Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist – Part 2 — The Writing Coach Episode 172

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 19:48


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns continues his review of the Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool.

    Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist – Part 1 — The Writing Coach Episode 171

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2023 21:06


    In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns introduces his new scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool.

    Common Beginner Mistakes (That I Made!) — The Writing Coach Episode 165

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 24:18


    In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines half-a-dozen common mistakes he sees in the manuscripts of aspiring authors.

    The 8 (or 9) Literary Elements — The Writing Coach Episode 164

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 17:27


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the "literary elements" he considers the building blocks of a scene. He covers the four external literary elements and the four internal literary elements, and then asks whether a ninth should be included.

    Writing is Iterative — The Writing Coach Episode 163

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 17:05


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains why no writer gets it right on the first try and how writing is always iterative. He also explores the joys and benefits of the revision process.

    Perfection vs. Desperation — The Writing Coach Episode 162

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2023 13:32


    In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses Star Wars, punk rock, and how writers should consider desperation as a preferable alternative to perfection.

    Goodbye Story Grid Podcast — The Writing Coach Episode 161

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2023 25:22


    writing coach Kevin T. Johns says goodbye to The Story Grid Podcast, which published its final episode last week. Kevin discusses the importance of the podcast, and his admiration for its hosts Shawn Coyne and Tim Grahl, and explains how their podcast was a profound act of generosity for both writing coaches and students of writer's craft.

    In Praise of Lists — The Writing Coach Episode 160

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 16:54


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains how to-do lists, checklists, standard operating procedures, and calendars can help writers and artists get organized, stay motivated, track progress, prioritize tasks, and achieve a flow state easier.

    The Doctrine of the Mean — The Writing Coach Episode 159

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2023 19:23


    Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explores Aristotle's "Doctrine of the Mean," and how it can help us understand why both living a virtuous life and writing a fantastic book are so difficult to achieve.

    Claim The Writing Coach

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel