Podcasts about book writing

In this episode of the Radical Radiance Podcast, Rebecca George and Tasha Calvert discuss the transformative power of living a holy life, the meaning of holiness, and practical ways to pursue community and holiness in everyday life. They also share insights on writing books, building community, and trusting God's timing.Keywords:Holiness, Community, Christian Living, Book Writing, Spiritual Growth, Longing, Sanctification, Holy Spirit, Christian Community, Personal GrowthTopics:The meaning of holiness as sacred otherness from GodPractical steps to pursue holiness through community and spiritual disciplinesThe importance of biblical definitions and understanding God's holinessNavigating longings, waiting, and trusting God's timingThe role of the Holy Spirit in transforming character and lifeAddressing difficult topics like finances and sex in the holiness journeyThe significance of community and relational equity in spiritual growthWriting books and building community as a form of spiritual motherhoodChapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:56 Defining Holiness: Sacred Otherness from God03:44 The Practical Pursuit of Holiness in Daily Life05:51 God's Holiness and Transformation Through the Holy Spirit07:52 The Invitation to Pursue Holiness, Not Just Blessings09:44 Understanding Set Apart: What It Means to Stand Out for God11:39 Addressing Difficult Topics: Finances, Sex, and Holiness15:38 Longings, Waiting, and Trusting God's Timing17:30 The Heart Behind Writing and Sharing Books19:32 Practicing Resilience and Waiting in Daily Life21:25 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Transformation27:25 Building Authentic Christian Community29:15 Walking Through Hard Seasons with Grace31:14 Encouragement for Pursuing God's Call and Longings33:11 The Power of Vulnerability and Relational Equity35:08 Responding with Grace and Wisdom in Daily Interactions37:00 God's Work in Our Desires and Future PlansSponsors:Christian Standard Bible:If you've ever read the Bible and thought, “I want to understand this more deeply”… this resource is for you. The CSB Christian Theology Handbook is such a beautiful companion for your study—it breaks down big theological concepts into clear, accessible insights with charts, summaries, and visual tools that actually help it stick. It's rooted in Scripture, easy to navigate, and designed to be something you come back to again and again. You can check out the CSB Christian Theology Handbook here.Live Oak Integrative Health:There's this thing that happens in summer where you're supposed to feel good — lighter, freer — but instead you're running on fumes and calling it fine. The mental load doesn't take a vacation. And your body notices. What if that bone-deep tired isn't just life? What if it's data? That's the question Rebecca Belch at Live Oak Integrative Health helps women actually answer so you're not just managing symptoms, you're understanding them. Visit liveoakintegrativehealth.com/radiance for a special listener offer.Links:Speaking: https://www.radicalradiance.live/speaking Creative Business Coaching: https://www.radicalradiance.live/coaching Camp for Creatives: https://www.radicalradiance.live/campforcreatives Listen to Radical Radiance on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radical-radiance/id1484726102?uo=4 Listen to Radical Radiance on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55N56VtU6q33ztgJNw7oTX?si=29648982bc91475f Take the FREE Waiting Personality Quiz: https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/676d5c2884dd1e00159563f6 Take the Why Are You Stuck in Your Calling? Quiz: https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/657326e6544f610014b40b67 Books:You're Not Too Late: Trusting God's Timing in a Hurry-Up World: https://amzn.to/44omO3kDo the Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption, and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl: https://amzn.to/43IaFpMBefore Dawn: Knowing God's Presence in the Dark Seasons of Life: https://amzn.to/4pdsZjv 

✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://yt.startwritingonline.com 

"Our our first job, job one, for anybody writing a book, for anybody writing a story of any kind, any length, is to get the reader to that last word. If you don't do that, it doesn't matter what pretty words you drop in the middle of the story. Doesn't matter how brilliantly conceived it is. The story has failed because you have failed to get the reader to the end," says Earl Swift, author of Up on Cove Mountain.It's Earl Swift with his tenth book. He's the New York Times bestselling author of Chesapeake Requiem, and he makes his fourth trip to the podcast to talk about Up on Cove Mountain: Adventure, Tragedy, and a Quest for Meaning on the Appalachian Trail. It's published by Mariner Books, and what a book it is as it recounts Earl's first hiking of the AT in 1990 and the happenstance, devoid-of-reason tragedy that befell two fellow southbound hikers in Molly LaRue and Geoff Hood. In that quest for meaning, Earl, now in his 60s, hikes the trail again to ponder the meaning of reason, luck, chance, and the enduring allure of the trail.What a joy to welcome Earl back to the show. This was a toe-tappin' good time. The toes were tapping. We start the conversation with: How to handle a book advance What drove Earl to return to the AT How Flip flopping the trail reflected the structure Making the AT chronicle feel fresh Trail angels Narrative wormholes The people he relies on for story help Luck How hiking the AT is like reading and writing Hiking your hike How he kept track of things on the trail Proportionality Getting the reader to the last word And how nonfiction is a constructYou can learn more about Earl at earlswift.com and follow him on IG @earl.swift.

Today on the Community podcast, Kristina is joined by bestselling author, book coach, and publishing expert Jake Kelfer to talk about how writing a book can help you build authority, create opportunities, and grow your business.Jake shares how writing his first book changed the direction of his career and why entrepreneurs don't need a huge audience, decades of experience, or a perfectly polished story to become an author.Tune in to hear:Why you don't need to be the world's leading expert to write a great book.How to move through imposter syndrome and confidently share your perspective.Why writing a book can be a powerful tool for business growth beyond book sales.Jake's ROI trifecta of purpose, platform, and profit.How a book can generate clients, speaking opportunities, visibility, and authority.The three things Jake believes every successful book needs.If you've ever thought about writing a book but questioned whether you're ready, this episode will give you the encouragement and practical advice to start.Tune in now and discover how writing a book can become a powerful asset for your brand and business growth!Connect with Jake:WebsiteFollow Jake on InstagramRead Big Idea To BestsellerMentioned in this Episode:Ready to make your marketing work harder? Partner with Merit Media to scale your growth with strategic paid ads at  https://www.meritmedia.com/Send me a text!PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For InterviewsSupport the showFor Your Information:• Host your podcast on Buzzsprout!•Join The High Vibe Women Online Community!• Join our favourite scheduling platform Later• FLODESK Affiliate Code | 25% off your first year!• Connect with Kristina  Don't forget to come say hi to us on Instagram @thesocialsnippet, join the Weekly Snippet or follow us on any social media platform! Website . Instagram . Facebook . Linkedin

✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://yt.startwritingonline.com 

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Joyce Maynard has been publishing books for fifty-three years. In Wonderland is her fourteenth novel, and it came out eight days before we recorded this. She still does not outline. She sits down knowing exactly who her characters are, what they want, what they're afraid of, what they can't stop thinking about, and then she lets them take her somewhere she didn't plan on going.We talked about the year she rented a little house on the shores of Lake Atitlán, and then bought a piece of land, which now serves as a retreat center where she's hosted well over a thousand women for memoir workshops. The question she gets there, every single time, from women only: How do I tell an honest story about my life without hurting the people in it? Other things we covered:Why she doesn't consider writing to be therapy, and what she thinks needs to happen before your story is ready for the pageThe difference between resilience and reinvention (she has a great analogy involving an inflatable clown)Going back to Yale at sixty-five, and the D- on a French exam that led to a diagnosis at an age when nobody in her generation got oneHer approach to writing as making a movie that plays inside the reader's head, and why she refuses to over-explainWrite what you know, and also the case for writing what you don't know

✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://yt.startwritingonline.com 

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Eli McCann never planned to write a novel. He wrote one chapter kind of, maybe, to prove to himself he couldn't. But when he handed it to his husband, who both laughed and cried reading it, his curiosity and determination grew.That chapter became Stitched, his debut novel about competitive quilting, unlikely friendships, and found family. The story of how it got published is required listening for any first-time author who's ever been told to change their book to make it more marketable.We talk about the year Eli spent building a storytelling following before he had a book to sell, the agent who warned him publishing has a bias problem against older women (and how unfortunately correct she turned out to be), why he refused to rewrite his book into something it wasn't just to land a deal, and what it was actually like to narrate his own audiobook, complete with dialogue-heavy scenes from multiple distinct voices.

How can ADHD writers overcome common roadblocks to achieve their dreams?Amy Liz Harrison delves into the challenges neurodivergent writers face, exploring how to navigate the roadblocks posed by ADHD, motherhood, and the constant juggling of personal goals. She shares personal anecdotes and strategies for balancing temporary life changes with long-term aspirations. KEY TAKEAWAYSAccept that current challenges are temporary and keep your eyes on long-term goals.Build systems that support your lifestyle and creative work.Clear, open communication with yourself and others is key to achieving your aims.If this conversation reminded you to slow down and breathe, share it with a friend who needs that same permission. Then subscribe to Eternally Amy for more truth-telling, laughter, and light.Eternally Amy is hosted by Amy Liz Harrison — author, memoir coach, sober mom of eight, and spiritual storyteller. Join her each week for honest conversations about recovery, motherhood, and meaning.Visit amylizharrison.com for books, coaching, and resources.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Ten books in, Meg Mitchell Moore still doesn't know what her plot is going to be when she starts writing.  Meg Mitchell Moore has published ten novels. And she still starts most of them with no idea what's going to happen. No outline, no plot, sometimes not even a reason her characters are in the room together. She figures it out as she goes, often with her agent's or editor's help.If that sounds like it shouldn't work, that's kind of the point of this conversation. It does work. It's worked ten times! And I love how honest Meg is about the fact that her first drafts are a mess and revisions are where it all comes together. We also get into the parts of book publishing that show up in very few highlight reels. Meg talks about learning, book by book, how much of a "big author moment" (the 10-city tour, the massive publisher push) is actually the author funding it themselves. She talks about the fear of writing a book with no contract attached to it, and how that fear doesn't necessarily go away with experience.We talk about the business-versus-art tension every working writer eventually has to make peace with, and why the current pace of the industry has authors feeling more frantic than they perhaps did fifteen years ago, even as the community itself has gotten more supportive.

Hey there Voices of the Bench community, this is Trish Jones with Ivoclar. If you've been curious about fast-firing zirconia to improve efficiency but aren't convinced it can deliver predictable, high-quality results, I'd encourage you to connect with us. Our new IPS Emax Zirconia offers multiple fast-fire protocols designed to help save you valuable production time while maintaining consistent results. Time is money in every lab. Don't wait. Reach out to your local Ivoclar rep today and discover how IPS Emax Zirconia can help streamline your workflow. As full-arch dentistry continues to grow, so do the demands on today's dental laboratories. That's why Knight Dental recently launched SimplyARCH Studio, a dedicated production environment built exclusively for full-arch restorations. To support this specialized workflow, Knight invested in an XTCERA milling system and carefully evaluated multiple CAM software solutions before choosing hyperDENT. The decision came down to exceptional milling quality, minimal hand finishing, and impressive production efficiency. But what truly set hyperDENT apart was the implementation process. From the very beginning, the team provided more than software training—they shared the knowledge and experience needed to build an optimized workflow for complex full-arch cases. With proven expertise in advanced milling strategies and laboratory production, hyperDENT helped ensure SimplyARCH Studio was designed for long-term success from day one.Matt Everatt joins Elvis and Barb for a fascinating conversation that takes a deep dive into his journey through the dental laboratory industry and the story behind his book, The Invisible Profession. From discovering dental technology at 16 and specializing in maxillofacial prosthetics and orthodontics to working in hospitals, developing early sleep-apnea appliances, and nearly leaving the profession altogether, Matt's career has taken some seriously interesting turns. Eventually, he helped co-found S4S, building a successful business around sleep-apnea appliances, occlusal splints, orthodontics, and more before eventually stepping away from ownership. Matt Everatt joins Elvis and Barb for a fascinating conversation that takes a deep dive into his journey through the dental laboratory industry and the story behind his book, The Invisible Profession. From discovering dental technology at 16 and specializing in maxillofacial prosthetics and orthodontics to working in hospitals, developing early sleep-apnea appliances, and nearly leaving the profession altogether, Matt's career has taken some seriously interesting turns. Eventually, he helped co-found S4S, building a successful business around sleep-apnea appliances, occlusal splints, orthodontics, and more before eventually stepping away from ownership. But this conversation goes far beyond Matt's career. His book, The Invisible Profession, explores how the dental laboratory industry arrived at a place where technicians and laboratories are often undervalued, pushed into price competition, and expected to simply keep their heads down and produce. Matt shares his thoughts on the "million little things" that shaped the industry, the danger of becoming a "busy fool," and why laboratories need to stop competing solely on price and start becoming known for the value, expertise, and partnership they bring to the dental team. Elvis, Barb, and Matt also talk about the changing landscape of digital dentistry, AI, 3D printing, speed, service, and why the labs that embrace change and remain agile will be the ones positioned for the future. It's an honest, thought-provoking, and ultimately optimistic conversation about where the dental laboratory profession has been, where it is today, and where it can go next.Special Guest: Matt Everatt.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!This episode quickly got personal because I'm elbow-deep in my first novel after six nonfiction books, and Angela Brown writes the kind of fiction that makes one feel quite seen. Angela is the author of Olivia Strauss Is Running Out of Time, Some Other Time, and her newest, Ways to Find Yourself. And I will fully admit I read the prologue the night before we recorded and had a moment. Not a cute moment. A "why am I like this" moment. So we start there, obviously. But this conversation goes way past my feelings about her book (though we do talk about her characters, her sneaky habit of naming them after real people in her life, and the "what if" questions that kick off each of her novels). We get into the actual mess of writing fiction: how she doesn't always know where a story is headed when she starts it, the time an entire book arrived in the shower (why does all our best thinking happen there?) and she wouldn't leave her desk for two hours because she was afraid it would vanish, and the moment (mid-draft) when she realized the book wasn't broken—she was just writing from the wrong point of view.We also talk about her MFA (Was it worth it?), the myth that there's one right way to write a book, and how she's getting much better at saying one simple word: no.Oh, and stick around for the end. You'll walk away saying "no ploblem" for the rest of your week. You're welcome.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!TV writer, screenwriter, and author Eric Garcia has published six books (so far). He sold three of them to Hollywood and somehow still managed to write his latest novel entirely by accident. He set out to write a short story. Then it got longer. Then it was a novella. Then it was 80,000 words and he had to admit he'd written a whole book, mostly at night, while still juggling film and TV work. We also talk about what's  changed in publishing since his Random House days (Hint: mid-list used to mean stable; now everyone's terrified of it), why chasing trends is a losing game when a book takes years to reach shelves, and why there are no rules for how long a chapter should be, except the one that matters: Don't make me want to stop reading.We also bond hard over the Oxford comma as well as the correct use of "less" and "fewer." I nearly combust with joy over our shared grammar rage. 

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!In this episode, I chat with children's book author and illustrator Erin Thorburn. (She also happens to be my best friend.) We wax not so poetic on book writing, publishing, marketing children's books (her lane, not mine), and navigating the creative industry with humor and properly set expectations. CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS:Challenges of publishing (and marketing) children's booksMarketing strategies for authorsThe myths (and, of course, truths) of our experiences building both confidence and communityHow to navigate industry egos and rejection without making it mean you should quit (or just plain quitting) 

In this episode I'm chatting with Stacia Lowe about how she built an author career by combining her passions for storytelling, knitting, and financial literacy while raising four sons. She discusses writing middle grade novels inspired by her family, growing a loyal readership through her newsletter, and why embracing the "slow and steady" approach has helped her build a sustainable writing business. The conversation also explores practical marketing strategies for indie authors, the importance of budgeting for publishing expenses, and how Stacia and her husband now help other writers through their publishing company.Find Stacia here: https://staciaraelowe.com/Pre-order Ezekiel's Path from Amazon.com here: https://amzn.to/4gVXOrm Pre-order Ezekiel's Path from Barnes and Noble here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ezekiels-path-adam-alva-lowe/1150449427Lowe Budget Kid's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lowebudgetkids/videosLowe Budget Publishing Author QuestionnaireGet on Stacia's newsletter: https://staciaraelowe.com/newsletter-join-save/ And find Stacia's books: https://staciaraelowe.com/home-2/stacia-rae-writes/Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I'm reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Nadia Hashimi's newest novel (her seventh published book), City of Widows (William Morrow), releases in July 2026. She's already published four books for adults: The Pearl that Broke Its Shell (which is an international bestseller), When the Moon in Low, A House Without Windows, and Sparks Like Stars, as well as two middle grade novels, One Half from the East and The Sky at Our Feet. Our conversation was both fascinating and enlightening as we talked about Afghan culture, the importance of discipline in creative work, and Nadia's writing process. As a mom of four and pediatrician, her schedule most certainly doesn't allow for "easy" writing blocks, and her encouraging, honest words will no doubt reassure new and seasoned authors alike.

Philippa sits down with Lindsey Kelk — writing as Elle Kelk — to talk about her brand new novel Hit or Miss, the first in the Junior Year Abroad series. With over three million books sold, Lindsey is one of the UK's best-loved romance authors, and this conversation is funny, warm, and unexpectedly moving.In this interview, Elle and Philippa discuss:Why Lindsey chose a new pen name for this book — and why it's not exactly a secretWhat "new adult" fiction actually means (and why genres are, in her words, "all fake")The joy of writing a college romance series set at a fictional UK university — think Oxford meets American campus lifeMia and Ethan: two characters running in opposite directions until they collideAnxiety as a central theme — Lindsey opens up about her own late diagnosis at 32, how bad things got, and why she finally asked for helpToxic masculinity and the pressure on men to silently hold everything togetherWhy the bookish community seems disproportionately affected by anxiety ("it turns out, it's all of us")Dealing with bad reviews — especially when you suspect someone hasn't actually read the bookWriting in Vegas hotels at 2am, the importance of a bath, and why airports are the worstHer wrestling podcast Tights and Fights — now 10 years old — and whether a wrestling romance might be nextWhat she's reading right now: Dungeon Crawler Carl on audio and The Vampire Armand by Anne RiceThe life-changing biscuit discovery: McVitie's Jaffa Cake Digestives (with a strong recommendation to dunk)Hit or Miss is out now.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!In this episode, Ann Garvin (who will release her 7th novel, Tell Two Friends, in September 2026 with Lake Union) discloses the often messy, unglamorous truth of how a story actually starts. For her, that's usually as some tiny thing Ann can't stop thinking about, long before it has a plot or even characters attached to it. We talk about how to take that one nagging "kernel" of fascination and slowly build a book around it, and why your characters' flaws are usually what make readers care. Ann also walks through a deceptively useful trick for getting unstuck: asking, "What's the worst possible thing that could happen to this character right now?" (and then doing that to them).Whether you write memoir, self-help, or fiction, this conversation is really about the same question every writer eventually has to answer: What am I actually fascinated by, and am I brave enough to explore it further? No matter how you're published or what genre you're writing, the part about having to sit down and write the damn book is the same for everyone!

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!The woman. The myth. The legend: Jordan Roter. She's a TV writer, screenwriter, author, and one of the funniest and most genuine people I know. I truly could talk to her for days (and I'd like to, as it would preclude the need any sort of formal abdominal workout). Her novel, Moms Like Us (2025, Little A), was recently optioned for the screen, and she's back to give her hot takes on:Midlife transitions (welcome, all my fellow perimenopause travelers!)Self-publishing versus traditional publishingThe currently hot TV shows I was previously afraid to watch (Heated Rivalry, Off Campus, and Euphoria)Navigating publicity and marketing as an author The importance of remembering that you only need 1 "yes"

Be sure to check out Becky's website at https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/. Get on her newsletter and check out her free resources.Today we are talking about the things that you can do this summer to practice or start your marketing. Please tag Becky (@beckythebookcoach) and me (@author_katcaldwell) if you are trying social media this summer! We would love to support you!Here are some things that I use in my social media that you can check out. These are affiliate links through Amazon.Tripod: https://amzn.to/3Q3O2IZMicrophone: https://amzn.to/43EclQNLight for phone: https://amzn.to/4xrMGIESign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I'm reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!In this heartfelt interview, author Cinelle Barnes shares her journey through writing A Way Home (Little A, June 9, 2026), a heart-wrenching memoir about remembering and rebuilding a life after everything known disappears in a flash. Her latest memoir takes us alone with her as she recovers from a sudden ruptured brain aneurysm. But her journey was far more than physical. It's the healing of soul, of body, of identity. It's a woman/mother/daughter/immigrant/writer redrawing the map of herself. The mere existence of this book is a triumph, and the beautiful magic of it is a feat of awe. Cinelle is also the author of Monsoon Mansion: A Memoir and Malaya: Essays on Freedom. 

You only get one life.So what happens when you stop waiting for confidence, certainty and perfect timing... and decide to build the dream anyway?In this powerful conversation, Claire Byrt sits down with leadership strategist, keynote speaker, self-kindness expert and author Sophie Bretag to explore the messy, beautiful reality of creating meaningful work in the world.Together they talk about writing and publishing books, balancing motherhood and ambition, leading with kindness, building self-trust, navigating setbacks, and finding the courage to keep moving towards the things that matter most.This is a conversation about dreams, but it's also a conversation about life.About honouring the thing that won't leave you alone.About building something meaningful while still being present for the people you love.And about remembering that you don't need perfect conditions to begin.Inside this episode:• How to stop waiting for confidence and start taking action• Why obstacles don't mean stop• The truth about writing and publishing a book• Self-trust, courage and building momentum• Leadership, kindness and creating impact• Why your children are watching what you do, not just what you say• The importance of support, accountability and community• How to build a dream while still being present for the people you love• Why you don't need life to calm down before you begin• The power of one brave stepIf you've got a dream, vision, business, book, creative project or offer you know you're here to bring to life, this conversation is your reminder to stop waiting and start building.Because you only get one life.Guest: Sophie Bretag https://www.mettaleaders.com/ IG @sophiebretagAuthor of The Kind Way. Leadership Strategist | Keynote Speaker | Self-Kindness ExpertDream Maker Resources:

Matty Dalrymple (DAL-rim-ple) is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. ​Matty also podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author, and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors.Sign up for the Craft&Connect Live event June 12, 3pm here: https://tidycal.com/writeyourlife/craft-and-connect-live-q2Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I'm reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!In this episode, Elizabeth Lyons and Liz Lawson discuss Liz's journey from YA to adult fiction (It Happened One Murder, July 2026), the realities of book launches, and insights into the publishing industry. She shares personal experiences, misconceptions about launch days, and the evolving landscape of genre categories.TOPICS INCLUDE:- Transitioning from YA to Adult Fiction- Understanding Reader Expectations- The Differences in Writing YA vs. Adult- Navigating Genre and Audience- The Evolution of YA and Adult Fiction- The Challenge of Engaging Young Readers- The Complexity of Book Marketing

As your personal assistant, I look forward to helping plan your week ahead (stress-free) featuring soft-spoken ASMR, keyboard typing, page flipping, book sounds, paper sounds, and writing sounds. I hope that this helps you unwind and relax. Enjoy.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!In this episode, Joan F. Smith, author of Your Soulmail is Attached (her debut adult novel), shares her journey through the publishing world, her writing process, and insights into navigating multiple editors, genres, and the realities of a writing career. TOPICS COVEREDWriting process and outlining techniquesNavigating multiple editors and genre shiftsBalancing income and writing careerHandling feedback and critique partnersPublishing industry insights and author experiences

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Louise Marburg has spent years devoted to the short story form. So naturally, she accidentally wrote a novel. Her debut, Fancy Meeting You, features Laura Harrigan: a psychiatrist, mother of twin boys, and pathological liar who apparently had too much personality to stay confined to a short story. Louise and I talked about what it was like to finally write a character she didn't want to let go of, and why she'd actually consider a sequel (which, she says, she'd never say about anything else she's written).We also got into the bigger picture stuff: the current state of publishing, why small presses are having a real moment, and why luck is a bigger factor in this industry than most people want to admit. Louise is refreshingly clear-eyed about the money side of writing (hint: making loads of money isn't the point), and her take on what a publicist is actually for might shift the way you think about hiring one!Plus we talked AI, the two completely separate industries that both call themselves "the book world," and what Louise is reading right now—including one very famous book she was not a fan of (because no book is for everyone!).

Writing a book does not have to take years when the right structure, tools, and writing process are in place.In Episode 82 of the Published and Paid Podcast - 7 Tools I Use to Make the Book Writing Process Easier! Jasmine breaks down the seven tools she uses to make the book-writing process easier, more organized, and more productive for experts, speakers, leaders, coaches, and consultants.In this episode, viewers will learn:→ Why writing a quality book does not have to take years→ How Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or Pages can help organize a full manuscript→ Why chapters should be compiled into one continuous manuscript file→ How calendar blocking helps protect writing time→ Why dictation tools like Otter can help experts talk through their book content→ How a microphone can improve transcription clarity→ Why Jasmine's Signature Book Blueprint helps clients organize their ideas strategically→ How the Notes app can capture stories, examples, and ideas in real time→ How AI tools can support research without replacing the author's voiceThis episode is for coaches, authors, consultants, speakers, and leaders who are ready to stop overcomplicating the book-writing process and start using tools that support clarity, structure, and momentum.Takeaways:• Writing a book does not have to take years• A manuscript should be organized in one continuous file• Calendar blocking helps protect writing progress• Small writing windows still create momentum• Dictation can help experts move faster through content creation• Clear audio improves transcription quality• Strategic planning makes writing easier before the first draft begins• AI can support research, but it should not write the bookNotable Quotes from Jasmine:• “Writing a book should not have to take years.”• “Any progress towards the project is progress made.”• “Do not write your chapters in separate files.”• “Editing as you write can slow your progress down.”• “Use qualified data and statistics to back up what you're saying.” • Join - A 5-Day Live (Virtual) Training to Help Experts Turn Their Book Into Coaching, Speaking, Consulting, and Event Profits: → https://www.jasminewomack.com/monetize• Interested in working with us? Apply now - https://www.jasminewomack.com/apply• Subscribe - Jasmine Womack | Book Coach & Business Strategist → https://www.youtube.com/@TheJasmineWomack• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thejasminewomack• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thejasminewomack• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejasminewomack/• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theejasminewomack00:00 - Writing a Book Shouldn't Take Years00:45 - Welcome to Published and Paid01:15 - 7 Tools Jasmine Uses to Make Writing Easier01:29 - Jasmine's Writing and Publishing Experience03:09 - Helping Authors Go From Idea to Book03:37 - Monetize Your Book Challenge Invitation04:29 - Tools That Accelerate the Writing Process04:47 - Why Books Do Not Need to Take Years05:32 - Tool 1: Google Docs06:33 - How to Organize a Manuscript07:33 - Stop Writing Chapters in Separate Files08:10 - Why Google Docs Helps With Cloud-Based Writing08:54 - Tool 2: Calendar Blocking09:48 - Why Writing Does Not Require a Retreat10:17 - How to Schedule Writing Time11:31 - Start Small With Writing Sessions12:42 - Tool 3: Otter for Dictation13:49 - Tool 4: Microphone for Better Transcription14:20 - Tool 5: Signature Book Blueprint15:27 - Tool 6: Notes App16:15 - Tool 7: ChatGPT or AI for Research Support17:38 - Why Experts Need Credible Sources18:23 - Recap and Monetize Your Book Invitation#bookwriting #thoughtleadership #publishedandpaid

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!If you've ever thought "I could write a book about this" while watching a reality TV show at 10pm, you're going to love this episode! Amy Mass spent years writing for TV (you might recognize "The Goldbergs" and "Last Man Standing" from her credits), and after relocating from LA to a charming small town outside Atlanta during COVID, she channeled all of that storytelling experience into her debut novel, Reality Bites, out May 12, 2026 from Harper Perennial.In this episode, Amy and I talk about what it actually looked like to make the leap from TV writer to novelist, including writing three books and two movies in four years, going out on submission, shelving her first manuscript, and finally landing a deal with a major publishing house. We also get into her writing process (she's both a pantser and a plotter), why she writes dialogue first, and how she keeps a running collection of joke scraps and character notes scattered across her phone, her laptop, and random Post-its around the house.We also talk about what it was like getting notes from her agent and her editor, and how to push back on notes without being precious about it. Her phrase "find the note behind the note" is one to hold onto! And then we get into the part that surprises most authors: how much marketing is still on you. Amy was genuinely caught off guard by how much time, energy, and social media hustle a book launch requires—even with a publicity team in your corner. 

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Most authors don't realize that publishing isn't just about writing a book. Before long, it often becomes a full-on entrepreneurial rollercoaster. In this episode, I talk with Allie Hill, author of the Girlfriend's Guide to Empty Nesting, about what really happens after you hit "publish." She reveals what surprised her, what flopped, and what secretly skyrocketed her confidence. This episode is perfect for first-time authors, seasoned writers, or anyone curious about the gritty truth behind that glossy book cover.(And just wait until you hear her book recommendation from the "What I'm Reading Now" segment!) 

Jim Edwards and Stew Smith discuss the steps to writing and selling a book as well as using it to improve your business. See how Jim and Stew walk you through the process that most people get stuck on an easy piece because you do not thoroughly understand the process. What do they need? What info do you have that you need to share?    Check out the Facebook Group – Sales Copy and Content Marketing Hacks at  https://www.facebook.com/groups/copywritingandcontenthacks and for more information on the wizards used to make outstanding sales copy check out  https://www.CopyandContent.ai

Dr. Paul Conti, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and an expert in how to improve mental health and increase your sense of agency and wellbeing. He is also an expert in trauma treatment. We discuss practical tools you can use to gain insight into your natural strengths and to make better life choices on your own behalf. We explore how these tools can help overcome low motivation, intrusive thoughts and self-destructive bad habits. We also discuss how to balance internal reflection and external action to ensure you move your life forward in the right directions. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Rorra: https://rorra.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Paul Conti (00:02:51) Self View; Tool: What's Going Right?; State Dependence (00:10:03) Sponsors: Helix Sleep & BetterHelp (00:12:44) Tool: Compassionate Curiosity; Falseness; Social Media (00:21:00) Doing vs Thinking; Self-Reflection (00:29:55) External vs Internal Processing, Balance (00:40:42) Sponsor: AG1 (00:42:26) Quiet vs Verbal; Questions to Learn About Self (00:53:17) Examined Life & Reflection; Changing Unwanted Behavior (01:02:54) Making Positive Changes, Problem Solving (01:07:26) Sponsor: Function (01:09:03) Behavior Pattern Insight & Reclaiming Agency (01:17:06) Agency & Control; Getting in Your Own Way (01:22:49) Trauma, Living Intentionally; Internal Turmoil (01:29:08) Intrusive Thoughts, Tool: Self Talk Awareness; Dreams (01:34:10) Sponsor: Rorra (01:35:23) Trauma & Emotions; Healing Childhood Trauma (01:43:32) Photographs, Positive Climate for the Mind; Spirituality, Good & Evil (01:52:53) Happiness & Expectations; Death, Living a Good Life (02:03:10) Book Writing; Acknowledgements (02:07:25) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Rachel Beanland has written three novels (her newest, The Half Life, releases on July 14, 2026 from Simon & Schuster), and she's still surprised by how much each book teaches her. In this episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to challenge yourself as a writer—specifically, her decision to write her latest novel, The Half-Life, in first person for the first time. (As I've recently learned while working on my own novel, it's harder than it sounds, and Rachel has the perfect explanation as to why.)We also get into how personal history shapes fiction (her first novel grew out of a family tragedy from nearly a century ago), why a strong sense of place isn't optional, and what happens when you trust your instincts even when the process feels messy as hell.

Jim Edwards and Stew Smith discussed how to create and start writing the book. Why and how do you get to develop a book idea? See how Jim and Stew think through the process that most people get stuck on a easy piece because you do not thoroughly understand the audience of who you are writing for. What do they need? What info do you have that you need to share?   Check out the Facebook Group – Sales Copy and Content Marketing Hacks at  https://www.facebook.com/groups/copywritingandcontenthacks   and for more information on the wizards used to make outstanding sales copy check out  https://www.CopyandContent.ai

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Rachel Weaver wrote her memoir Dizzy at a seven-day writing residency in Wyoming where she was, by her own description, "the depressed one in the corner the whole time." The (ultimate) result? A beautifully structured, deeply honest book about chronic illness, power dynamics, and what it takes to keep living the life you want even when your body has other plans.In this conversation, we dig into the craft and business of writing memoir. Rachel talks about why she swore she'd never write one, what finally changed her mind, and the specific structural problem that kept the book feeling like "just a story about me" for years.We also get into the pitch that got her on this podcast (four sentences, total), what it actually means when agents say a genre is "hard to sell," why bringing in outside eyes too early can kill your momentum, and what her writing group friend Erika Kraus said about her early draft that I am going to be repeating for the rest of my life.If you're writing a memoir and you've wondered how to make it about something bigger than yourself without losing your own story in the process, this episode's for you.

Everything has become algorithmic in today's digital age – even your author platform. If you don't know how to utilize the right tools, navigate the vast internet space, and adapt to ever-changing customer demands, you will be left behind. For the first panel discussion of 2026, Juliet Clark gathers Tracy Hazzard of Podetize, Adanna Moriarty of ProBookLaunch, and Gary MacDermid, the Cash Flow Engineer. Together, they discuss how to expertly use AI technology to build an enduring author brand and expand your platform without losing human authenticity or draining your creative juices. They also explain how to determine your ideal clients, pinpoint your biggest competitors, and maintain a reliable author website anyone can easily visit.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://superbrandpublishing.com/podcast/

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!If your book has been sitting in a half-finished state for longer than you'd like to admit, this episode is for you. I'm in the middle of writing my seventh book — my first real attempt at fiction — and I'm not even going to pretend it's going smoothly. In this episode, I talk about what keeps stalling the manuscript, what finally got me moving again, and what happened when I locked herself in a hotel room for a weekend to try to power through it (the pool situation was a distraction I did not anticipate).This episode covers the writing retreat reality check. In other words:why booking the coziest hotel might actually work against youwhy having even a loose plan beats having nonewhat it means to "zoom out" and add anchors to your story instead of obsessing over any one scene or chapterI also talk about working with my critique partners (Neely Tubati Alexander and Ann Garvin), why their blunt feedback on a certain Ferris wheel scene was exactly what I needed, and how being too close to your own work is just an unavoidable part of the process.Whether you're writing memoir, nonfiction, or fiction, and whether you've been at it for three months or three years, stalling is not failure. It's writing. And this episode is a reminder that literally every author goes through it.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Lori is a traditionally published author of seven books whose latest novel, Kiss, Marry, Kill, releases April 7th with HarperCollins. Last time she was on the show, we talked about her novel, Romantic Friction. This time? We get into the business of publishing — the stuff most authors don't hear about until they're already in the thick of it.Plus, what Lori does (and questions) when it comes to her own marketing hustle, and why she goes all in every launch season even when she's not sure the return is worth it.

Curtis enjoyed a childhood surrounded by family and centered on Christ. It was idyllic...mostly. But Curtis also experienced trauma very young - events he didn't consider a big deal, until decades later, as a biblical counselor, the heaviness of his work finally collided with his own personal heaviness. He was forced to confront his trauma and work toward healing.During his healing journey, Curtis began seeing gaps in trauma care, particularly for military veterans with PTS (also known as PTSD). This prompted him to write the book, I Have PTSD: Reorienting After Trauma. It also fueled his research for his doctorate, which helped him identify the need for empirical research within the field of biblical counseling.Today, Dr. Curtis Solomon is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Sentinel Institute, a ministry that supports the wellbeing of populations impacted by trauma through empirical research and biblical scholarship. He serves as Program Coordinator & Assistant Professor for Biblical Counseling at Boyce College. This episode is well-rounded, with a little something for every kind of helper professional - those who love personal story, and for those who love science. Listen in! To purchase Dr. Solomon's books go here. To learn more about the Sentinel Institute go here. To contact Dr. Solomon: https://thesentinelinstitute.org/contact/

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Ever wonder what happens when an academic specializing in medieval women's visions suddenly writes her first novel? In this episode, Jennifer Brown shares her unexpected leap from dusty manuscripts to publishing with St. Martin's Press and how a canceled conference sparked her fiction journey—without a soul telling her she should.In this episode:How Jennifer's fascination with medieval women and their visions inspired her novel, The Lost Book of Elizabeth BartonThe serendipitous week in London that kickstarted her writing processScrapping outlines and embracing the messy, fun process of discoveryThe unexpected ease of her path to publicationInsights into marketing a traditionally published book when the house does some of the heavy lifting (emphases on "some")Her thoughts on the complexity of writing multiple timelines and switching points of viewThe importance of embracing revision as part of the creative process

Leanne Hughes wrote the name of a podcast she didn't have on a blue Post-it note, dropped it in a hat, and when her name was called — walked on stage and described the show as if it existed. It didn't. A few months later, the First Time Facilitator was born. That's also how she landed a Wiley publishing deal, and sold out a 50-person consulting conference in eight days.The pattern is always the same: claim it first, build it second. Resourcefulness shows up after commitment, not before it. Waiting until you're ready is the riskier move.In this episode: why tight deadlines are a gift, what happens when you fuse your identity with your work, and why disliking failure and fearing it are two very different things.Links to learn more about Leanne:Website: https://www.leannehughes.comWork Fame Substack: https://workfa.meLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannehughes/Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanneHughesYouTube: https://www.instagram.com/leannehughes/Any thoughts? Share them with us!Support the show✨✨✨If you miss the "workshops work" podcast, join us on Substack, where Myriam builds a Podcast Club with monthly gatherings around old episodes: https://myriamhadnes.substack.com/

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Many indie authors lose sleep over the idea of getting banned on Amazon. Honestly? That fear makes sense. It's not possible to guarantee that your account would be suspended or deactivated, but if it is, there are steps you can take to rectify the situation.In this episode, I'm breaking down what actually causes account suspensions (things you can absolutely control), the tactics some authors use to game visibility that end up backfiring spectacularly, and what to do if you find yourself on the wrong end of Amazon's AI-based decisions.We'll cover keyword stuffing, category gaming, review-related red flags, and the not-so-obvious mistakes that put accounts at risk. Plus, what a real appeal process looks like and when it might be worth diversifying your distribution altogether.Because here's the thing: There's almost always a way forward. If you're self-publishing and want to stay legit, steady, and sane, this one's for you.

Welcome back to Called to Create! In this deeply inspiring episode, hosts Scott and Darla Brandley sit down with BYU business professor, author, and Praiseworthy Award winner BJ Allen to explore a powerful and often overlooked aspect of the Savior's atonement—His compensating power.BJ shares the story behind his book, The Compensating Power of Christ: How the Atonement Rights the Wrongs of an Unfair World, and how a single line of doctrine sparked years of study, reflection, and ultimately a published work that is touching lives. From writing chapters in the parking lot during his kids' soccer practices to experiencing profound spiritual insights, BJ offers a relatable and faith-filled perspective on how Christ is involved in our everyday lives.Together, they discuss how the Savior not only strengthens and forgives—but also compensates for life's unfairness, our personal weaknesses, and even the shortcomings of others that affect us. This conversation is filled with hope, practical insight, and a renewed understanding of how deeply personal and present Jesus Christ truly is.Whether you're navigating a difficult season or simply seeking to deepen your relationship with the Savior, this episode will leave you feeling seen, uplifted, and reminded that nothing in your life is beyond Christ's reach.Key Topics DiscussedWhat “the compensating power of Christ” really meansThe inspiration behind BJ Allen's bookWriting a book in the middle of a busy family lifeHow Christ compensates for our personal weaknessesHow Christ makes up for the impact of others' imperfectionsFinding peace in life's unfair and painful experiencesRecognizing God's hand—often in hindsightStrengthening your relationship with Christ through small, daily habitsAdvice for aspiring writers, especially in the faith-based spacePersonal Takeaway:One of the most powerful reminders from this episode is that Jesus Christ is not distant—He is actively involved in the details of our lives. Even when we don't see it in the moment, His grace is working to compensate, strengthen, and restore. Often, it's only in looking back that we recognize just how present He has been all along.Resources & Links:The Compensating Power of Christ by BJ Allen (available at Deseret Book and Amazon)Learn more or connect with BJ: bjallen.netFollow, Share & Stay Inspired:If this episode uplifted you or gave you a new perspective, don't keep it to yourself—share it with a friend or loved one who may need this message.Be sure to follow Called to Create so you never miss an episode filled with faith, creativity, and purpose.And if you enjoyed this conversation, we'd love your support—leave a review or rating to help more listeners discover the show and be inspired.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Creative careers look glamorous from the outside. The inside is usually…a little messier.In episode 160, I sit down with Liz Astrof, TV writer ("Stumble," "King of Queens," "Pivoting," etc.) and author of Stay-At-Work Mom, to talk about the real mechanics of building a career in entertainment and publishing. Not the highlight reel. The actual process.Liz shares what it's like to write for television while also stepping into the world of books. Different mediums. Different pressures. Same core truth: Good work takes time to find its footing.We talk about the long stretch between idea and green light. The pitches that don't land. The projects that stall. And why collaboration is both the magic and the madness of working in TV (and being an author!).She also shares a candid look at her version of resilience. Not the motivational-poster version but the practical version, where you keep showing up, keep refining, and keep creating—even when the timeline isn't cooperating (which, let's face it, is the one constant).If you've ever wondered how creative careers actually unfold—or questioned whether persistence alone is enough—this conversation will feel familiar and encouraging in the best possible ways.***** This episode is sponsored by Atticus, the all-in-one writing and book formatting software for self-publishing authors. From drafting to professional ebook and print layout, Atticus makes it easy to format your manuscript for KDP, IngramSpark, and beyond. Learn more at Atticus.io. WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy. 

Tom Junod sits down with me to talk about his fatherhood journey. He shares the life lessons he learned from his daughter. We talk about the process of adoption as well. After that we talk about his new book, In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man. Tom shares the inspiration for this book and his relationship with his father. In addition, I ask him about how he looked at fatherhood while writing this book. Plus we talk about his famous interview he did with Fred Rodgers. Lastly, we finish the interview with the Fatherhood Quick Five.  About Tom Junod  Tom Junod is a senior writer for ESPN, where his work has won an Emmy and the Dan Jenkins Medal for Excellence in Sportswriting. He is a two-time winner of the National Magazine Award for Feature Writing and a winner of the James Beard Award for essay writing. Previously, he was a staff writer at GQ and Esquire. The film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood was based on his article in Esquire. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and daughter. Make sure you follow Tom on Instagram at @tom_junod. Also make sure you pick up his book, In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man wherever you purchase books.  About The Art of Fatherhood Podcast  The Art of Fatherhood Podcast follows the journey of fatherhood. Your host, Art Eddy talks with fantastic dads from all around the world where they share their thoughts on fatherhood. You get a unique perspective on fatherhood from guests like Bob Odenkirk, Hank Azaria, Joe Montana, Kevin Smith, Danny Trejo, Jerry Rice, Jeff Foxworthy, Patrick Warburton, Jeff Kinney, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Kyle Busch, Dennis Quaid, Dwight Freeney and many more.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!In this episode, I'm joined by Emma Grey, whose newest novel, Start at the End, publishes on April 7, 2026. We talk about writing brave stories and building a creative life that can withstand rejection.Emma shares how vulnerability fuels her fiction. Not for shock value, but how honest emotions earn their place on the page. We talk about how she approaches structure, how she stays grounded in character, and why the process of storytelling keeps evolving right alongside the writer.We also get into rejection. The real kind, the kind that stings. Emma's take? It's part of the path, and it's not a verdict on your talent.And then there's what's next for Emma—TV adaptation plans and the shift from prose to screen. What changes? What stays? And how do you protect the emotional core of a story when new collaborators step in?If you're writing something that feels personal—or wondering whether you're resilient enough to keep going—this conversation is a must-listen. *****This episode is sponsored by Atticus, the all-in-one writing and book formatting software for self-publishing authors. From drafting to professional ebook and print layout, Atticus makes it easy to format your manuscript for KDP, IngramSpark, and beyond. Learn more at Atticus.io. WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy. 

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!In this episode, I'm joined by U.K.-based bestselling author Alexandra Potter, known for Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k-Up and her newest release, So, I Met This Guy... We talk about her writing journey, the freedom (and risk) of genre versatility, and why she refuses to be boxed in (as should you!).Alexandra shares how she develops characters with depth and momentum. A friend calls her the “cork board queen,” and once you hear her plotting process, you'll understand why. We also dive into the heartbeat of her current books: female friendships. The kind that carry you through heartbreak, reinvention, and the messy middle of midlife. She makes a strong case for why we need a female equivalent of the word “bromance.” (I've been contemplating an appropriate term ever since!)We touch on the role of timing, the importance of community, and the ever-unpredictable path to bestseller status. ***************************************************************

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Can you write a memoir without putting your name on it?In this episode, I tackle two of the most common questions I hear from aspiring memoirists: Can I stay anonymous? and What makes a book successful? I break down why selling a memoir without a personal identity attached is tough. Readers connect to people, not just stories. And when the story is personal, anonymity adds a level of friction you can't ignore.I also share why the best memoirs often read like fiction. Strong scenes. Real tension. Clean narrative arc. Which is why, if anonymity feels non-negotiable, writing the story as fiction might actually be the smarter move.Then there's the success question.Is it bestseller lists? Revenue? Or simply finishing a draft you once thought you couldn't write?If you've been circling your story but stuck on fear, privacy, or what “counts” as success, this conversation will help you ground your next step.

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of writing a book, feeling like you should be further along? Like everyone else writes faster, thinks clearer, and somehow has it all figured out? You're not alone—and you're probably measuring the wrong things.In this episode, Kathi Lipp and Roger Lipp introduce a powerful framework from Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy's book The Gap and the Gain and explore how it applies specifically to the writing journey. If you've ever felt stuck in the "messy middle" of your book, this conversation will help you understand why—and give you a new way to measure your progress.The Hidden Emotional Cost of Writing a BookWriting a book takes more than time and energy—it takes a chunk of your life. The thinking, clarifying, discarding, revising, editing, and waiting all carry an emotional weight that most writers don't talk about enough. And when you're in the thick of it, it's easy to feel perpetually behind.Understanding the Gap vs. the GainThe gap is the space between where you are and where you want to be—all those unchecked boxes, unwritten chapters, and comparisons to other writers. The gain is everything you've learned, clarified, and accomplished along the way. Most writers focus on the gap, but the gain is where the real progress lives.Why Writers Quit in the Messy MiddleMost writers don't quit at the beginning or the end—they quit in the middle, where the effort is high and the affirmation is low. This is where the gap mindset can sabotage you, leading to constant restructuring, over-editing, or starting over entirely. Recognizing this danger zone is the first step to pushing through.Key Takeaways for Your Writing JourneyBy the time you write your first word, you may already be 20-30% done—all that research, speaking, and thinking countsClarity is progress, even when you can't measure it on a spreadsheetDiscernment about what doesn't belong in your book is just as valuable as what doesNothing has to be wasted—content that doesn't fit your book can become social media posts, speeches, or future projectsAsk yourself weekly: What do I understand now that I didn't before?Four Questions to Track Your GainKathi Lipp shares four powerful questions to help you see your own progress:What do I understand now that I didn't understand before?Is there a part of my message that feels clearer?What false version of this have I released?How have I grown as a writer, not just someone producing words?If you're in the midst of writing a book and feeling stuck, this episode offers the perspective shift you need. Stop measuring yourself against the book you haven't finished—and start celebrating the writer you're becoming.

In this thought-provoking episode of "Crafting a Meaningful Life," host Mary Crafts welcomes Sara Stibitz, an esteemed author and book coach, to discuss the intricate journey of writing and publishing a book. With more than 13 years of experience in the publishing industry, Sara sheds light on the transformative nature of storytelling and how it can lead to both personal and professional growth. Sara explores the essential components of writing a book that resonates deeply with both the author and the audience. She delves into the common misconceptions about the publishing industry and emphasizes the importance of defining one's audience and purpose when embarking on the book-writing journey. Together, Sara and Mary offer invaluable insights into creating meaningful content that extends beyond personal catharsis to touch the lives of others. About the Guest: Sara Stibitz Sara Stibitz is a distinguished author and book coach known for her expertise in guiding aspiring writers to transform their narratives into meaningful books. With over 13 years in the publishing industry, she has supported numerous clients in navigating the complex path to publishing, whether through self-publishing or traditional channels. Sara is particularly passionate about helping individuals discover deeper personal insights through their writing process, allowing their stories to evolve into impactful and enduring literary works. Key Takeaways: Understanding the difference between writing for personal catharsis and creating a book meant for publishing is vital in the writing process. Defining a specific audience is crucial for authors; books are more successful when targeted to a clear demographic. The publishing market is highly competitive; understanding realistic expectations about book sales and marketing is essential. Audiobooks are a growing trend, providing access to a different audience than traditional print books. Personal storytelling has the power to instigate personal transformation and broader connection with readers.   Resources: Sara Stibitz's Book: Writing on Purpose Sara Stibitz's Website: Information on book coaching and publishing support.