These Mums Write

Ever feel like your writing doesn't matter? Or your dreams, for that matter? Zibby Owens is here to remind all the mom writers that it does. Zibby is an author, publisher, award-winning podcaster, CEO, bookstore owner, and mom of four. The creator and host of the award-winning, daily podcast Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books, and  founder and CEO of Zibby Media, dubbed “the Zibby-verse” by the L.A. Times. which includes a publishing house, magazine, book club, an independent bookstore and so much more. The one theme running through all of Zibby's businesses and projects is her dedication and appreciation of writing and writers. I know know about you but there are many times as a writer when I feel like the work I do doesn't matter but this interview is an incredible reminder that writing matters, writers matter, and whatever you do, don't let the bastards grind you down.

Do you feel burned out? Overwhelmed by the duties of momming and your day job? Alisha Fernandez Miranda is a mom of twins, a former CEO and the author of a coming-of-middle age memoir, My What If Year, which was released in February 2023.  The books shares her journey trying to find her joy again by walking away from a successful career to fill water bottles on Broadway, clear tables in Scotland and generally embrace the spirit of being the least experienced person in the room again. In this episode, she shares what inspired her year of unpaid internships, what she learned from putting it on the page and tips for others interested in pursuing traditional publication. Connect with Alisha via her website at https://www.alishafmiranda.com/ or Instagram at @alishafmiranda. Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Need some indie author marketing inspiration? Bree Moore is a homeschooling mom of SIX from Iowa and urban fantasy author who has self-published multiple series, including Shadows of Camelot and Lost Souls. After publishing her first book with a hybrid or vanity publisher, she turned to indie publishing and hasn't looked back. In today's episode, she shares everything she has learned about selling books as an indie author as well as creating the conditions to write them (because, yeah, SIX kids). Connect with Bree via her website https://www.authorbreemoore.com or via Instagram @breenovels (https://www.instagram.com/breenovels/) oin the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Are you called to write about a past trauma? Odelia Elgarat first learned she was adopted at age 12 and spent the next several decades struggling to come to terms with this fact. In today's episode she shares how, even after tracking down her biological mother in her 30s, it was writing a memoir about this experience, You are Allowed, which finally allowed her to heal from it, as well as how she navigated this deeply emotional process and what she learned about writing along the way. Learn more about You are Allowed on Amazon (https://a.co/d/cAJ4Zxt). Resource mentioned: Thriving Authors Academy (https://www.dallaswoodburn.com/thriving-authors-academy) Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Being a mom means not just learning how to take care of your small human, but also yourself. Erin Canning is a writing coach and podcaster who knows what it's like to lose yourself to parenting. In this episode, Erin shares her own journey overcoming childhood trauma to become a better mom and happier person, and how she is now helping other moms reclaim themselves through writing, including tips and strategies you can start putting into practice today Connect with Erin via her podcast Parents Who Write (https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/parents-who-write/id1632632349) or via her website https://lifebeyondparenting.com/. Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you want to build up different revenue streams to help you transition into full time writing? Sara Reilly is a mom who recently left her career as school teacher and is now building up a writing business through ghostwriting and editing. In this episode, Sarah shares how she is building up her clients and how this new writing life is bringing new joy and purpose to her day-to-day. Connect with Sarah via her website at https://www.sarahreilley.com/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you ever hear yourself thinking, "I could if only ..." Darcie Naslund is here to remind you to let go of your "if only's." Darcie is a mom of three, teacher and picture book author living with multiple sclerosis. In this episode she shares how she is not only building a thriving writing life around her chronic illness, but also how she is using her condition to fuel her creativity. Connect with Darcie via Twitter at https://twitter.com/DarcieNaslund or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/darcies_picture_book_library/. Resources mentioned: 12 x 12 book challenge: https://www.12x12challenge.com/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Are you struggling to come to terms with something from your life? Anya Wyers is a Canadian mom whose first book, a memoir called Letters to the Mountain, was about the loss of her best friend Rachel who disappeared on a hiking trip. In this episode, Anya shares how her memoir writing journey helped her take some control over what had happened how she is now applying that same insight to pivot into world of fiction writing. Connect with Anya via her website (anyawyersauthor.ca). Resources mentioned: The SFU Writer's Studio: Creative Writing Certificate. Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Why do you write? For Kimberly Ann, bringing her home landscape of western Canada into the romance genre has been a driving force. In this week's episode of the podcast, this homeschooling mom of two shares why she gave up her day job to write full time, and the strides she is making to not only build up her indie romance brand but also showcase the land she loves. Connect with Kimberly Ann via her website: https://www.kimberlyannauthor.com Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you need to kick your creativity in the ass? News years resolutions and extended family time can take its toll on writing motivation. So, maybe it's time to learn how to put that annoying mom in playgroup in a choke hold. Libby Webber is a mother of two, action writer and self-defence teacher. In this episode she shares how learning the art of jiu jitsu changed her approach to writing fight scenes and has helped her become a boundary-setting bad-ass momma in general. Connect with Libby via her website at https://libbywebber.com/. Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Are you a mom who wants to pivot into a new career in creative writing so your stories can touch other humans? Then you may have a lot more in common than your local indie book store owner than you realized. Julie Wilkins is a mom and the owner of The Little Book Shop in Squamish, BC. Julie is a relative newcomer to the book world, having recently given up a lucrative career in branding and marketing to follow her dream of bringing more diverse books to her mountain town. In this episode, Julie shares how she made the jump and insights for indie authors interested in building relationships with stores like hers. Connect with Julie via the Little Book Shop or check out the Inclusive Culture Club. Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

What do you learn about writing from talking to over 100 moms and women about writing? You could binge listen this show (please binge listen the show) or you could listen me and Bookshelf Banter Heather Balog sum up what we've learned about how to be a successful mom writer despite all the challenges that come with children and husbands and day-jobs. In addition to her podcast, Heather Balog is the author of more than a dozen rom coms and cozy mysteries, has a day job in health and is a mother of two. In this episode, Jackie and Heather talk about how to maintain your creative drive and dedication so that you can survive all the crazy that life throws at you (think flooding dishwashers and cat poop in all the wrong places). Connect with Heather via her website at https://heatherbalog.com or listen to her podcast Bookshelf Banter: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/bookshelf-banter/id1525166875.

Never underestimate what moms can get done in the in-between moments. If you have ever told yourself that you don't have time to write Sarah Dayan Mueller is here to set you set. The mother and historical fiction author wrote her bestselling historical fiction novel, Home in a Hundred Places, in just six months writing almost exclusively during her toddler's afternoons naps. In this episode, she shares her approach for finding time to write, as well as her strategies for getting readers invested in her amazing story. Connect with Sarah via her website at https://sarahdayanmueller.com/. Check out Home in a Hundred Places: https://a.co/d/dMq7jbu Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

How do you launch a book? Heck, how do you even find the time to write it in the first place? As a mother of two sets of twins, Wendy Kok is no stranger to getting things done--even if that means getting them done a little messy at first. In today's show, the indie paranormal romance author and podcast host shares what she has learned about book launching from the publication of two books in her A Grey Resort series and how she is finding her way through the publishing world, one gut-based decision at a time. Connect with Wendy via her linktree at https://linktr.ee/willowwendy, via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wendykok4/ or her podcast, A Juicy Pear, at https://www.ajuicypearpodcast.com/ Resources mentioned: GoodReads webinar with Alessandra Torre: https://www.alessandratorreink.com/goodreads-webinar-registration Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Are you interested in creating a writing business to serve other moms like you? We have talked to a number of incredible women on this show who are stepping up to create communities and businesses for writing moms (see episode lists below) and today we continue the conversation! Christina Walsh co-founded the Mom Babes with her sister, Carolyn Turkington, to help moms connect and share their stories. The BC-based program leads moms through the production of a non-fiction anthology. The third Mom Babes anthology will be released in May 2023. In this episode, Christina shares what she's learned about writing and story-telling, business-building and the awesomeness of moms. Learn more about the Mom Babes via their website (https://www.themombabes.com) or via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/themombabes/ These Mums Write episodes mentioned Find your writing tribe: Allie Gravitt shares how she started a 5000+ Facebook group that is launching a movement of writing moms: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/find-your-writing-tribe-allie-gravitt-shares-how-she/id1590690580?i=1000559408233 Mom writing coach Megan Clancy on the power of prioritizing writing over playdates: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mom-writing-coach-megan-clancy-on-the-power/id1590690580?i=1000582892920 Your voice matters: English novelist and poet Nikki Dudley on her quest to inspire mums to write: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/your-voice-matters-english-novelist-and-poet-nikki/id1590690580?i=1000556188846 Persistence, pivots and leveraging what you know: Thriller author and MomsWritersClub founder Jessica Payne on getting agented https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/persistence-pivots-and-leveraging-what-you-know/id1590690580?i=1000558617663

How do you move from doing what you've always done to doing what lights you up? Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey is a coach, author, podcast host and professional pivoter. Clarissa has had multiple successful careers in her life and has never stopped questioning: is this making me happy?  In this episode, Clarissa shares her five step framework especially designed to help women in their forties and over pivot out of the familiar and into the future that their hearts truly desire.   Connect with Clarissa Instagram @ccr_sunshine or via her linktree. Listen to her podcast, Painting Your Path. Her books: Painting your Path: 21 Interviews with Extraordinary Women and Painting your Path journal. Resources mentioned: Book The Business: How To Make BIG MONEY With Your Book Without Even Selling A Single Copy by Adam Witty and Dan Kennedy  Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Does being a mom mean you can't be a writer? How does motherhood enhance the creative process? Or challenge it? Jen Sookfong Lee and Stacey May Fowles are moms, award winning writers and the editors of a recently released anthology which explores these questions. Good Mom on Paper: Writers on Creativity and Motherhood was published in May, 2022, by Book Hug Press. In this episode Jen and Stacey share the challenges they have faced in the literary world as mom writers, how their writing has changed as a result of motherhood and wisdom for other navigating the tension between creativity and mumming. Check out Good Mom on Creativity: Writers on Creativity and Motherhood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Good-Mom-Paper-Creativity-Motherhood Connect with Stacey on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/missstaceymay/ or on her website https://www.staceymayfowles.com Connect with Jen on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jenleefur/ or via her website http://sookfong.com/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you want to land a literary agent, but not sure how? Brandi Laroux is mom and full time nurse whose debut romantic suspense novel is currently on submission to publishing houses. Brandi is a relative newcomer to publishing, having only recently started writing novels. In fact, the manuscript that landed her an agent was the first one she actually completed. How did she do it? In this episode, Brandi shares her "good is good enough" approach for getting 'er done while juggling kids and a demanding day job. Connect with Brandi via Tik Tok at https://www.tiktok.com/@dyeranderson1 Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Are you trying to build a reader platform for your author business on Instagram? Posting, engaging, commenting, DMs and more. It can be easy to get burned out by the demands of showing up on regularly on social media platforms like this one. But you don't have to. In today's episode, social media coach and podcast host Jen Kolbuc shares tips and strategies for approaching your social media brand-building that can help you maintain your energy over the long-term. Connect with Jen via Instagram @socialwithjen or via her website at https://mountaintopconsulting.ca/ or linktree: https://linktr.ee/socialwithjen Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Have you ever felt like being a mom has meant putting your passion for writing to the side? Maybe in part due to pressure from you partner? Kathleen Foxx is a mother of five who knows what it's like to let go of yourself--and how to reclaim it. In this episode, she shares her struggle with mom guilt, the role her marriage played in keeping her away from her writing passion and how she is now channeling that realization into building an incredibly rich and diversified writing life. Connect with Kathleen via her at https://linktr.ee/kathleenfoxxwrites. Learn more about MoodPitch at https://linktr.ee/moodpitchers. Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

How do you get started as a writer while juggling the responsibilities of motherhood and mortgages? According to Jill Robinson, it's all about small steps and letting yourself get scared. A couple years ago, Jill pivoted from her 20 plus years in speech pathology into a career in professional writing and hasn't looked back. Since making that decision, she has begun earning an income through publishing stories in Kindle Vella, Chicken Soup for the Soul and other publications. In this episode she shares how she is building a thriving author life, including tips on leveraging Kindle Vella as an early career author. Resources mentioned: Her view from home: https://herviewfromhome.com/ and Chicago Story Studio: https://www.storystudiochicago.org/ Connect with Jill via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstdraftdotblog/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

When it comes to writing, you might think that the biggest challenge we moms face is finding time. According to Megan Clancy, that's a lie. Megan is a mom and women's fiction author who recently left behind a career as a high school English teacher to focus on her true passion: supporting moms as a writing coach. In today's episode she explains that the biggest barrier her clients face isn't not having time to write, but overcoming "mom guilt" to make that time. As well, she shares tips on how make the most out of the writing time you do have. Resources mentioned: Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere) by Lisa Cron: https://www.amazon.com/Story-Genius-Science-Outlining-Riveting/dp/1607748894 Connect with Megan via her website at http://www.meganaclancy.com/. Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Have you experienced a profound life-changing event? Writing can not only be a powerful way to help process your own feelings, but also help others going through the same thing feel seen. E.D. Hackett is a speech-language pathologist by day and a women's fiction writer. In 2020 she published her second novel, The Havoc in My Head, based on her own profound experience with a pituitary tumour (located at the base of her brain below the hypothalamus). In this episode, she shares how writing about her life long condition has been a gift not only to other women suffering from pituitary tumours but was also a defining moment for her writing career. Connect with E.D. Hackett via her website: https://www.edhackettwrites.com/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you love to write but sometime feel pulled into other creative pursuits? According to Alicia Peterson Baskel, leaning into those pulls can help take your writing to new levels. Alicia is a creative entrepreneur whose background includes being a professional dancer, choreographer, fibre artist and podcaster. In this episode, she shares how practicing these different forms of creative expression have influenced both her business and craft as a children's picture book author. Connect with Alicia by visiting her online at https://linktr.ee/aliciapetersonbaskel or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aliciapetersonbaskel/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you want to pivot into being a full time author, but worried that you won't be able to juggle kids, writing and the job that currently pays your bills? Don't. Marie Still is a mother of four, an executive VP at a major consumer electronics company and two years ago, decided she really wanted to give that writing thing a serious try. She now has three book contracts and her debut thriller, We Are All Lying, is now available on pre-order from Rising Action Publishing. Her secret? Knowing when to not give a damn. In this episode, Marie shares how she landed her publisher, how she balances between a big family, a demanding corporate job to produce not only a lot of words but an impressive social media presence--without totally losing her mind.   Connect with Marie via her website at https://mariestill.com/ or via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mariestillwrites/. Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you ever feel like hitting the restart button on your life? For Brooke Smith, the death of her mother and end of her marriage was the call from the universe she needed to rebuild her life from the ground up. That journey eventually brought her to launch a new career in writing and life coaching, where she is helping other women using writing to understand past and present blocks and create the lives they want by writing and publishing non-fiction books. In this episode, learn Brooke's tips for writing and living. If you are interested in working with Brooke, check out her Declare & Dedicate program, an eight week long group program for those who have an idea for a book, but have no idea how to start the writing process, which launches January 9. For more information, call/text her at 970-769-9638 or email her at brookesmithlifecoach@gmail.com. Learn about her other programs and services at brookesmithlifecoach.com Resources mentioned: The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Are you a women in your middle age? Then maybe you should write a novel about one. Alexandra Potter has published dozens of romcoms about 20 year olds finding love during her two decades as a women's fiction author. However she recently took a big leap of faith in her writing by focusing on the experience of a middle aged woman and that feeling that your life just isn't how you planned. Her book, Confessions of a 40-something F*** up is now being turned into a TV series. Hear why she made the change and her tips for writing comedy in this episode. Resources mentioned: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert: Catch up with Alexandra via her website at https://www.alexandrapotter.com/ or via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alexandrapotter/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you ever find yourself laughing (and sometimes crying) about the everyday life of being a mom? Momcom is a newly emerging genre that centres on the humour and heart of motherhood and could be the perfect for the story inside you. Lisa Roe's debut momcom novel, Welcome to the Neighbourhood, was named one of the best reads of 2022 by USA Today. In this episode, she shares the highs of writing motherhood, tips for writing humour and her journey as a first-time author. Connect with Lisa via her https://linktr.ee/Lisaroewrites and via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lisaroewrites/?hl=en Resources mentioned: Welcome to the Neighbourhood https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Neighborhood-Heartfelt-Romantic-Fiction-ebook/dp/B09DTK7L2W Women's Fictions Writers Association: https://www.womensfictionwriters.org/ The fifth semester https://www.the5thsemester.com/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you have anxiety? Does the idea of creating an Instagram reel send you into a panic? You may want to start writing horror. Candy D. Mitchell is a mom and fantasy and horror fiction author who recently published the second book in her Folengower series. In this episode, she talks about how writing horror is actually a release for her anxiety and how she has learned to open herself up to readers--despite a difficult past and identifying as an introvert--to build her author (and painting) business. Connect with Candy on Instagram (@thepeculiarfairy) or via her website: www.thepeculiarfairy.com. Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Writing isn't just about words, it's about reinventing yourself (and sometimes learning to be ok with the "C" word) After leaving her life as a nurse to stay at home with her son, Julia Jarrett realized that she didnt't really want to go back. On a whim, she decided to try her hand a writing the books she loved to read: romance. She has since built a thriving romance author biz and in this episode, she shares how she not only learned to write best-selling romance novels but also what she learned from her "throw it at the wall and see what sticks" strategy, which has included an highly successful cover collaboration with TikTok's Hot Boss. Connect with Julia via her website; https://www.authorjuliajarrett.com/ Resources mentioned: EdX UBC: How to write a novel: structure and outline: https://www.edx.org/course/how-to-write-a-novel-structure-outline Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Are you a mom pivoting into publishing for the first time? Maybe you have a career as a nurse or teacher or maybe you're a SAHM and have been chasing kids for the last ten years. It can be intimidating to know where and how to start and what to pay attention to when are trying to build an author brand with zero background in business. But luckily there are moms out there that do. Kate Shelton is a mom and the owner of a digital marketing agency who recently started pursuing her dream to be a thriller author. In this episode she shares how she is applying principles from her marketing background to develop both her books and her writer platform. Connect with Kate at her website: https://katesheltonauthor.com/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you love to write but not know the first thing about developing a profitable product? Does the idea of running a business feel as foreign as a buying a two-seater convertible? Caitlin Doemner is a mom of three with an MBC who founded a six-figure business in coaching and sales before deciding what she really wanted to do was write YA books (and travel the world with her family). In this episode, Caitlin shares how she is applying her business world lens to the world of self-publishing, including product-testing, sales forecasting and marketing, so that you can start thinking like an entrepreneur. Catch up with Caitlin on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/caitlin.doemner or vis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alloverthemapfamily/ or on her World Mystery Academy website at https://worldmysteryacademy.com Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Want to give your author biz a boost? The answer is simple: write a lot, and write what readers want. Sofia Aves is a mom of three, USA Today Bestselling romantic suspense author with over 25 titles and the marketing manager for the Romance Writers of Australia. In this episode of These Mums Write, she shares how she manages to get so many words written despite her busy mom schedule by writing by dictation. As well, she shares the key to her highly successful marketing strategy: knowing her readers. Connect with Sofia at her website, https://www.sofiaaves.com.  Resources mentioned: https://www.facebook.com/groups/20Booksto50k/about/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Want to start seeing real sales in your books? Then it's time to dabble into the world of digital book ads. In last week's episode, we learned how one mom author is using Facebook ads with amazing success and this week we hear about the two other big players in the book ad industry: Book Bub and Amazon. Krissyann Granger is a mom, fibre artist, and furniture refinisher who only recently started writing books. Despite her newcomer status, the historical romance author has earned thousands of dollars ins sales on her five-part series by learning how to leverage Amazon ads and Bookbub. In this episode, she shares her ups and down and top tips so you can start doing the same. Connect with Kristy LaBour/Krissyann Granger on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KrissyannGrangerBooks Connect with Jackie: Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get a one-page tip sheet on Facebook and Amazon ads by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

After countless hours, your book is finally ready--so how do you let readers know it exists? And, better yet, get them to buy it. Sedona Ashe is a homeschooling mom of three who grew a six-figure author business in fantasy romance after seeing a half-written novel she posted on WattPad blow up in 2020. In this episode, Sedona shares how Facebook ads played a huge role in building her amazingly successful author brand, as well as specific tips and strategies that you can apply right away to start increasing sales on your books. Connect with Sedona by visiting her site at www.authorsedonaashe.com, by email at sedonaashe@gmail.com or via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sedonaashe/. Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get a one-page tip sheet on Facebook and Amazon ads by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you want to use Tik Tok to connect with readers but not sure how to get started? Tik Tok can be a powerful tool for authors but before you spend your precious writing time doing something other than writing, it's important to have a strategy. Soda Khan is a mom, speculative fiction author and the founder of Author Moms Who Tik Tok. In this episode of These Mums Write, Soda shares everything the writing mum needs to know to build a reader following in the most effective and efficient way possible. Connect with Soda Khan by joining her Facebook group Author Moms Who TikTok: https://www.facebook.com/groups/198550235642287/permalink/298385658992077, following her on TikTok (@lesodakhan) at https://www.tiktok.com/@lesodakhan, or visiting her at https://linktr.ee/tagteampublishing. Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

ARC reviews and pre-order purchases are a big part of the indie book launch process, but how do you get people to care enough about your book to do either? Ellie Holland is a mom and fantasy author who, despite being a first-time author and self-professed introvert, had over 250 people sign up to read her ARCs thanks to her Tik Tok account. In this episode, Ellie shares how she built up her Tik Tok account by being open about the mistakes and blunders she has made along the way, while also investing in marketing elements such as her cover and blurb to present her work in the best light possible. Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you feel stuck in getting your writing life started, or getting it to the next level? Jo Buer is a gothic suspense author, podcaster and school teacher from New Zealand who supports indie authors to foster mindset and manifestation approaches to invite abundance into their lives. In this episode, she shares techniques you can use to reframe limiting beliefs around time and money scarcity, as well as resources you can use to start identifying some of the blocks holding you back from building your own thriving author life. Resources mentioned: Get Rich Lucky Bitch by Denise Duffield-Thomas: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078HW6H7K/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1 Connect with Jo via her website, https://jobuer.com/, or her Alchemy for Authors podcast, https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/ Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

In his book, Third Door, Alex Banayan describes how the success of leaders like Bill Gates, Maya Angelou, and Steven Spielberg is due to their ability to find and unlock that third door, or unconventional access point to their industries. If you are looking for a third door into the publishing world, A.N. Payton's story of how a single Tweet made her publishing dreams come true is for you. In today's episode, A.N. shares how, after growing frustrated with trying to get her debut manuscript in front of a literary agent, she started participating in a Twitter pitches--one of which got the interest from the editor of a small publishing press, City Owl Press. She also describes the specific strategies that she leveraged to not only find her "third door" but also to make the most out of this opportunity as a complete newbie to the publishing world. A.N.'s debut novel, Hellfire and Honey, releases tomorrow, June 21, 2022,. Connect with her via her website, anpayton.com, or Instagram at anpayton.author. Resources mentioned: The Shit No one Tells You About Writing Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-shit-no-one-tells-you-about-writing/id1530250126 and Query Shark: https://queryshark.blogspot.com/ and Query Tracker, https://querytracker.net/. A.N.'s blog posts on querying and getting an agent: https://anpayton.com/how-to-write-a-query-letter-and-helpful-resources/ and https://anpayton.com/online-resources-for-authors-to-get-an-agent/. Twitter pitch contest: #hivepitch @write_hive Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you have a story about a struggle you have overcome that you want to share with others to help those facing the same challenge? Does non-fiction writing appeal to you as a way to get your story heard? Stephanie Thompson is a mum from Australia who sustained a pelvic organ prolapse injury during childbirth that prevented her from going back to a job she loved. After trying to live with the condition for three years, she finally got so frustrated she decided to write a book about it. That book marked the beginning of Stephanie's role as a women's pelvic health advocate, a role which has seen her helping thousands of women learn how live again with prolapse. In today's episode, Stephanie breaks down how a professed "non-writer" not only produced a successful non-fiction book, but also leveraged it into an array of digital community spaces, including a podcast and Facebook group. Connect with Stephanie through her podcast, The Lowdown with Bravemumma: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-lowdown-with-bravemumma/id1583166245 on Instagram at tttps://www.instagram.com/bravemumma/ or via her Facebook group, Tips and Tricks for Women Living with Organ Prolapse: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tipsandtricksforlivingwithPOP Resources mentioned: Writing coach Andrew Griffiths: https://www.instagram.com/agauthor/ and John Chao's (https://www.instagram.com/thejohncollective/) podcasting course, the Podcast Creator Course https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podcast-creator-course-meet-greet-tickets-356656849237 Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

In 2006, Time magazine called Jamaica the most homophobic place on earth. Gianni Holmes is a single mum and indie author of gay or MM romance, with dozens of titles to her name and Facebook fan group of over 2.5 thousand. Although writing in this genre poses risks to her, it has also meant financial independence, creative freedom, and the opportunity to help marginalized readers feel seen and safe. In this week's episode, Gianni shares how she built up her career in this unique genre, how she ensures her work authentically reflects her readers and how she keeps her personal and author lives separate while still building her writing and reading community. Connect with Gianni on her website: https://www.gianniholmesauthor.com/books, through her Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/giannifirsts or via email at contact@gianniholmesauthor.com. Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Have you ever questioned whether you deserve to be a writer? Or what you should be writing? Anna Conathan never wanted to be a screenwriter, and yet found herself working in LA for some of the world's biggest production houses including Disney, Sony, Warner Brothers, and Paramount. Then motherhood hit and she not only felt like an imposter in her highly paid Hollywood role, but was totally drowning with medical complications and depression. The one thing that stayed consistent throughout her journey, helping her find her place and herself despite all of the challenges is her voice. In this episode, Anna shares this journey and how she is supporting other moms and writers find their own voice and place in the world as a writing and life coach and chief creative officer at LUMO Leadership (https://www.lumoleadership.com/) and Luscious Mother (https://www.lusciousmother.com/). Connect with Anna on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annaconathancoaching, on her website: http://annaconathancoaching.com, on Instagram at annaconathancoaching or email her at anna@annaconathancoaching.com. Resources mentioned: Anne Lamont's Bird By Bird Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Have you ever thought about doing stand up comedy? Or maybe you want to infuse a little more comedy in your sit down kinda writing? Jacqui Pirl is a mom and writer who decided the only way to get over her post-divorce depression was to surround herself in comedy. She had zero background when she signed up for a stand up comedy class several years ago and is now touring the US entertaining audiences with humour about momming, middle age and all things women. In this episode she shares how she took the plunge and what she has learned about writing for the stage in the process, as well as how her process differs from her other work writing fiction and non-fiction. Connect with Jacqui on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/jacqui.pirl.1, or Instagram @pirljacqui Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you feel like you aren't getting the most out of your writing time? Or that your books aren't selling as well as they should? Becca Syme is an author, coach, youtube/podcast host and creator of the Better-Faster Academy. She is a USA Today bestselling author of small-town romance and cozy mystery and also writes the 'Dear Writer' series of non-fiction books. She has also individually coached thousands of authors toward better success in their careers and lives. Basically, that's a really long way of saying she knows a crap ton about helping authors write and sell more books. In this episode, Becca responds to two questions posed by the These Mums Write Facebook group: how do I become a more productive writer?; and what can I do if my books aren't selling? The long and the short of it: it's all about understanding what kind of writer you are and where you are in the process. Connect with Becca through the Better Faster Academy at https://betterfasteracademy.com/You can also listen to her share more writing advice through her youtube/podcast channel, The Quitcast: https://betterfasteracademy.com/podcast/# Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

So you want to get your picture book out in the world but you don't have the funds to pay for it yourself and the publishing industry is moving at a sloth-like pace? Janey Merry is a mum who was facing this exact predicament after completing the manuscript of her debut picture book, Ready, Set, Sloth. So she decided to launch a kickstarter campaign. Not only did she raise enough funds to cover the production of the book, but she got to meet a baby sloth in the process. In this episode, learn all about this crowdfunding newcomer's winning strategy and the many spinoffs that have happened since. Connect with Janey on her website: https://www.janeymerry.com. Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Have you ever considered writing Christian fiction? If you have passed it by because the genre rules seem too rigid, it may be time to look again. Allison Wells is mom of four and author of four traditionally published Christian fiction novels, and one self-published sweet romance novel, Two Princes (released last month). Allison is not your typical Christian fiction writer. In this episode, she describes how she is challenging the genre to introduce themes not typically addressed, such as prostitution and rape to offer readers a more realistic experience. She also shares what she loves about the genre, what it means to her, and tips for anyone looking to push the boundaries of this or any other genre. Connect with Allison via her website: http://www.allisonwellswrites.com/ Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Is it time to reinvent yourself into a published novelist? Jessica Payne is a mum, author and the host of #MomsWritersClub on Twitter and YouTube. And just a few years ago, she wasn't any of that. Jessica came to writing after already building a career in healthcare as a nurse practitioner. Though she has created a pretty impressive new author life for herself in a fairly short amount of time, don't be fooled. Jessica's debut novel, Make Me Disappear, a psychological thriller releasing next month by Bookouture, wasn't her first crack at novel-writing. The book that landed her an agent was actually her fourth. In this episode she shares the secret to her success: applying what didn't work in her earlier manuscripts to refine her genre and voice, leveraging her lived experience in healthcare and above all, never giving up on herself. She also shares tips on becoming a high-performing writer gleaned from her role supporting other mums through the #MomsWritersClub. Connect with Jessica via website (https://jessicapayne.net) or on Twitter @authorjesspayne. Connect with the These Mums Write Community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you dream for more for you and your family, but you don't know where to start? KK Allen is a single mom and in 2014 she asked her boss for a raise. It turned out to be the best raise she didn't get because his refusal and her desire to earn more for her son motivated her to start trying out this KDP thing her friend had mentioned. Eight years later she has grown that experiment into a bestselling romance brand with over a dozen award-winning titles to her name and tens of thousands of followers on Tik Tok and Instagram. In this episode she dishes on the habits and boundary setting she has developed in that time to maintain her impressive output, shares what skills from her previous career that continue to serve her, and how she developed her brand, including her approach to creating book-sales-generating content. Connect with KK via her website (kkallen.com), on Instagram (kkallen_author), on Tik Tok (kkallenauthor) or through her Facebook group (Forever Young with KK). Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Being a mum can make writing a challenge, but it can also be a source of inspiration and drive. Lisa Bournelis is a mum and change management specialist who recently published a children's novella about her son's experiences with OCD during the pandemic, Louie and the Dictator. In this episode she shares how her son's struggle motivated her to write her debut book and what she hopes to accomplish it. She also shares change management tools that she applied (and you can, too) to get the book done in an impressively short time-frame despite feeling overwhelmed as a newcomer to the publishing industry. Connect Lisa via her website: https://makeoneshift.com or via Instagram: @makeoneshift. Lisa will be hosting a book signing at the Chapters / Indigo in downtown Vancouver (1033 Robson Street), on Saturday, 21st May from 1-3 pm. Learn more about the genesis of Louie and the Dictator in Lisa's recent TedX talk, Three Questions that will Change Your Life, https://youtu.be/-phsazjlhkc. Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get my freebie guide on creating more time to write: https://www.subscribepage.com/tipsforfindingtimetowrite Find out about upcoming workshops on creativity and writing for mums by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you have a mom-friendly support network to help you get your words on the page? Frustrated with the added pressure of the 2020 COVID lockdown and the feeling of never being able to get to "me time" to write, English novelist, poet and magazine editor Nikki Dudley decided to do something to help other mums in her situation. Nikki founded a writing development program just for mums called Mumwrite which recently produced it's second anthology and has inspired countless mums in England and Europe to get back to the thing they love: writing. In this episode, Nikki shares the biggest challenges her Mumwrite students face and how she helps them overcome them. Connect with Nikki via her website, https://www.nikkidudleywriter.com/ or via Twitter @nikkidudley20. You can also learn more about upcoming Mumwrite workshops and programs at https://www.mumwrite.com/ Connect with Jackie and the These Mums Write community: Learn more about my April 7 workshop on overcoming writer burnout and procrastination Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/

Have you ever questioned whether you have anything worth saying? What if it didn't matter what you said, but how you said it? Jen Mann is a mother of two and author of the hilarious New York Times best-selling book People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop Off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges as well as her most recent book Midlife Bites: Anyone Else Falling Apart, Or Is It Just Me? published in January 2022. Jen has a long history of sharing her thoughts about momming and being a woman in a way that is uniquely her own and in this episode she describes how she discovered her voice and the impact that sharing her voice has had on her own life and the lives of countless others. You can connect with Jen via her website, https://www.jenmannwrites.com and her blog, https://www.peopleiwanttopunchinthethroat.com. Connect with Jackie and the These Mums Write community: Learn more about my April 7 workshop on overcoming writer burnout and procrastination: https://thesemums.myfunnelstreams.com/sales-page---creative-reboot-for-busy-mums-workshop-april Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/