Podcasts about right book

Melissa Fraterrigo talks about journaling as a judgement-free zone, about writing never being static, and how writing about ourselves can be the finest kind of self-care. Melissa Fraterrigo's memoir, The Perils of Girlhood was published by the University of Nebraska Press in Fall 2025, and named by Literary Hub as one of “100 Notable Small Press Books of 2025.” She is also the author of the novel Glory Days (University of Nebraska Press), which was named one of “The Best Fiction Books of 2017” by the Chicago Review of Books as well as the short story collection The Longest Pregnancy (Livingston Press). Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies from storySouth and Shenandoah to Notre Dame Review, Sou'wester and The Millions. She teaches creative writing at Purdue University, in the Butler University MFA in Creative Writing program, and is also the founder and executive director of the Lafayette Writers' Studio in Lafayette, Indiana, where she offers classes on the art and craft of writing. She lives with her husband and two daughters in West Lafayette, Indiana and can be found at melissafraterrigo.com. ⏰ DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING SLOTS AVAILABLE (limited): http://rachaelherron.com/edit

Sacha and Rachael are really having fun now! ⏰ DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING SLOTS AVAILABLE (limited): http://rachaelherron.com/edit

Everybody seems to be telling entrepreneurs to write a book.Write it in a weekend. Use AI. Upload it to Amazon. Become a bestselling author. Watch the clients roll in.Except…that's not quite how it works.This week on Casa De Confidence, Julie sits down with publishing expert Ally Machate, founder of The Writer's Ally, to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to write and publish a book that supports your business, serves your reader, and creates lasting impact.With experience that includes working at Simon & Schuster and helping authors navigate the publishing process, Ally challenges one of the biggest assumptions in entrepreneurship: just because you can write a book doesn't necessarily mean you should—or that the book you're planning is the right one.Ally explains why the first question shouldn't be “What should I write?” but rather “What do I want this book to do?”Do you want it to attract clients? Generate speaking opportunities? Grow your email list? Establish thought leadership? Change the way people think about an issue?That answer changes everything.Julie also gets personal about her own publishing experience, including what she would do differently, the emotional reality of receiving developmental edits, and why publishing her book ultimately opened doors far beyond book sales.In This EpisodeWhat You'll HearWhy not every entrepreneur needs to write a bookThe difference between publishing a book and publishing a book people actually want to readWhy identifying your reader comes before writingHow a book can support your larger business strategyWhy your book is a product—not your babyWhat developmental editing actually doesWhy copyediting alone isn't enoughWhere AI can help authors—and where it still falls shortHow to create a transformational journey for your readerThe “macrocosm and microcosm” approach to structuring nonfictionTraditional publishing vs. hybrid publishing vs. DIY self-publishingWhat Ally calls supported indie publishingWhy distribution, ISBNs, Amazon KDP, and IngramSpark matterWhy giving books away can sometimes be smarter than selling themHow books create opportunities for coaching, consulting, speaking, and visibilityWhy becoming a bestseller isn't the only—or even necessarily the best—definition of publishing successOne of Ally's most important reminders?“If you're talking to everyone, you're connecting with no one.”Before investing months—or years—writing your book, get clear about the person you're writing for and what you want the book to accomplish.Because the goal isn't merely to become a published author.It's to write the right book.

Amy Pennza talks about the ways indie differs from traditional publishing, as well as dishing about her favorite hack for getting rid of echoes in our writing! Amy Pennza is a USA Today Bestselling Author of steamy fantasy romance. After becoming a lawyer because everyone insisted writing wasn't a “real job,” she stubbornly wrote anyway—and is delighted to have proved them wrong. She's grateful to spend her days crafting dirty, swoony books about magic, swords, and unforgettable characters. She lives in the Great Lakes region with her husband and five children. DHAMPIRA is her most recent release. ⏰ DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING SLOTS AVAILABLE (limited): http://rachaelherron.com/edit

Naima Coster talks about how to trust that future writer self, about crafting beginnings that hold the seeds of the book, and about leaving behind the pages that we don't need anymore. Naima Coster is a New York Times bestselling author and a recipient of the National Book Foundation's 5 Under 35 honor. Her novel, What's Mine and Yours, was a Read with Jenna pick and named a best book of the year by Kirkus Reviews, Esquire, Marie Claire, and more. Her first novel, Halsey Street, was a finalist for the Kirkus Prize. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Elle, Time, and The Cut. She earned her MFA at Columbia University and has taught writing for over a decade. Naima lives in Brooklyn. Take What You Can is her most recent novel. The Cut article: https://www.thecut.com/article/learn-to-trust-writing-instincts.html⏰ DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING SLOTS AVAILABLE (limited): http://rachaelherron.com/edit

Dimitry Elias Léger is the author of God Loves Haiti, a finalist for the PEN Open Book Award. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Time, Fortune, Granta, The Miami Herald, Literary Hub, The Millions, and The Source. Beyond his writing, Léger studied geopolitics at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and served as an advisor to the United Nations for a decade. He lives between Brooklyn, Geneva, and Martinique. Death of the Soccer God is his most recent release. The Ishiguro article mentioned!

Jaclyn Moriarty talks about self-doubt, the difficulty of making decisions, and the fun of figuring out time travel in this delightful chat! Jaclyn Moriarty is the award-winning author of books for readers of all ages. One of the talented and popular Moriarty sisters (including Liane and Nicola), Jaclyn lives in Sydney, Australia, along with her teenage son. Time Travel for Beginners is her most recent release.

In which Sacha talks about her SOPs for writing, and Rachael marvels at how different the two of them are

Tiffany Crum's first novel is a breakout success, but it wasn't a straight line getting there. How did she do it? She tells us here. Tiffany Crum grew up on a dairy farm just down the road from a maximum-security prison. A longtime Californian, she now lives in Atlanta with her husband, two sons, and dogs, and spends her free time trying to keep her vegetable garden alive. Her debut novel, This Story Might Save Your Life, is a New York Times bestseller, an Amazon Best Book of March, a Book of the Month selection, and a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick. It will be published in twenty-three languages and is under option for television.

If you're wanting to make your writing stronger (immediately), don't skip this one! Better, stronger verbs will change everything! Sarah L. Kaufman is a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic, a writing teacher, and an award-winning author. Her newest book is VERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM: How to Master the Art of the Verb and Transform Your Writing. Sarah was the chief dance critic of The Washington Post, where she wrote about the arts, entertainment, and society for 27 years. She also writes for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Monocle magazine, among others. Her debut book, The Art of Grace, was a Washington Post Notable Book, and won the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award, and a Spirituality & Practice Award. Sarah was a 2024 Penn State Foster-Foreman Distinguished Writer, and she has taught at Harvard, American University, and Princeton, where she was a McGraw Professor of Writing. She has received journalism fellowships from the Nieman Foundation and French-American Foundation, and she is currently working on her next book. ⚙️ The Artist's Way Club: https://rachaelherron.com/taw/

Meredith Doench talks about how to move forward with a first draft (even when you think you should stop) and why it might be the most important thing you do! Meredith is the queer crime writer of the Luce Hansen sapphic thriller series and the stand-alone novels, Never Say Die and Whereabouts Unknown. She is an avid armchair detective and amateur web sleuth who loves all things mystery. Doench's works of short fiction and nonfiction have appeared in literary journals such as Hayden's Ferry Review, Women's Studies Quarterly and The Tahoma Literary Review. She was one of the founding associate prose editors of the literary journal Camera Obscura: Journal of Literature and Photography and teaches creative writing and literature at the University of Dayton in Ohio. Never Say Die is her most recent release.

Ember Mae talks about how to create a compelling character, and also talks about how to run a successful Kickstarter! Ember Mae writes books where found family thrives, pets scheme, and laughter is always off-leash. She writes cozy mysteries and holiday romcoms, and one day plans to mix those two genres together. She writes cozy and romantic books that will have you laughing, swooning, and crying with characters that feel more like friends. She can be found at embpublishing.com Kickstarter 101 with Ember Mae: https://www.authornation.live/kickstart-together-101?lid=12152

Darby Bozeman's first book has just come out, and this is a wonderful celebration of writing on the more chaotic side! Darby Bozeman grew up in Portland, Oregon, but she's spent the better part of her adult life in the South. She has a master's in teaching from the University of Georgia and she taught middle school English for five years. When she's not reading or writing, she loves acting in community theater and discussing pop culture. She lives in Knoxville with her husband, Bryan, and their cat, Claude. Summer's Never Over is her debut novel. Rachael's Patreon link to the scam post.⚙️ Writing in the Junkyard: July 11 & 12 - click HERE!

In which Sacha admits a productive breakdown and Rachael talks about Italy!

In this episode of The Write Place, I'm joined once again by author Gemma Denham to talk about her new psychological thriller, The Inheritance.Kate and Patrick are struggling financially when an unexpected inheritance seems to offer the perfect escape: a Victorian townhouse on the north-east coast. But from the moment they arrive, things feel wrong. Objects disappear, footsteps sound in the night, and Kate begins to wonder whether someone is getting into the locked house, whether something more unsettling is at work, or whether she is losing her grip on reality. Gemma and I chat about the idea behind the book, balancing thriller and supernatural elements without tipping fully into horror, and why The Inheritance flowed so differently from the difficult second book she originally tried to write. We also talk honestly about second book syndrome, imposter syndrome, Goodreads reviews, publishing timelines, social media, marketing as an author, and the reality of building a writing career after your debut has gone out into the world. In this episode, we discuss: The creepy locked-house setup behind The Inheritance Writing suspense without crossing fully into supernatural horror  Why Gemma's original second book didn't quite work  The pressure that follows a debut novel  Plotting, character journals and visual references  Researching blessings and exorcisms with a local vicar  How reviews can feed imposter syndrome  The difference between writing for yourself and writing with a publisher waiting  Gemma's Darkest Hour and what she learned from pushing through a difficult project You can find out more about Gemma and her books at her website, GemmaDenham.com, and follow her on Instagram, Facebook and X. The Inheritance is available now in paperback and ebook.My book, Real Writers Never Quit, is out now: https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquitFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkelly2u/

Join us for this lovely episode in which Emily Wood talks about the magic of using a different format (scriptwriting!) for unlocking stuckness, as well as sharing about the best launch day ever! Emily Wood was born and raised in rural Southern Ontario, Canada, where her days were spent as a stereotypical horse girl and her nights as the quintessential bookworm. The former journalist and newspaper editor now works in library services by day, and spends her evenings spinning stories that will make you blush, filled with heat, humour, and found family. Her superpowers include having full conversations in movie quotes and responding to any text message with the perfect meme, and when she's not writing she enjoys reading, hiking with her husband and golden mountain doodle, and being lakeside with a blank page and a cup of tea. Just My Luck is her debut novel. ⚙️ Writing in the Junkyard: July 11 & 12 - click HERE!

What do you get when you take a huge risk? Everything. Don't miss this delightful chat with Jessica Payne about risk, ideas, and split keyboards! Jessica Payne lives in Washington State with her daughter, husband, and an internet search history that would raise eyebrows. A firm believer in strong coffee and stronger women, she writes about mothers who know how to handle a sniper rifle and a carpool schedule with equal precision. When she's not writing, you'll find her trail running through the forests of the Pacific Northwest as she plots her next fictional murder. She has been featured on Cosmopolitan.com and People.com and Somebody Worth Killing is her most recent release.

Rebecca Hunter talks about how to keep the reader and author experience separate (don't search that hard for flow), about dictation walks, and about the difference between trad and indie routes! Don't miss this lovely chat! Rebecca Hunter is an award-winning author, reader, traveler, occasional college professor, full-time chocolate lover, and keeper of a very messy desk. Her books have won the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award (NERFA), the HOLT Medallion and the VIVIAN Award. She writes witty, passionate stories about complex characters and intriguing destinations for Harlequin's Presents line. Find her here.

In which Sacha and Rachael talk about Sacha's move, Rachael's upcoming trip, and intentionality! ✏️ 90 Days to Done and 90 Day Revision NOW OPEN!

Don't miss this one, in which Laurie Frankel reveals the trick she uses while reading to aid her writing - it blew Rachael's mind! Laurie Frankel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of the novels Family Family, One Two Three, Goodbye for Now, The Atlas of Love, and the Reese's Book Club Pick This Is How It Always Is. Frankel lives in Seattle with her husband, daughter, and border collie. Enormous Wings is her latest novel. Laurie's site: https://www.lauriefrankel.net/And Butt in Chair substack: https://lauriefrankel8.substack.com/✏️ 90 Days to Done and 90 Day Revision NOW OPEN!

Are you a controller or a perfectionist? What if you lowered the bar, and just let it all unfold as you go, as you support yourself in your writing? Meghan Cathlin is a writer, speaker, and founder of Considerate Ventures. For over 25 years, she has been a trusted advisor to authors, celebrities, CEOs, and dignitaries, in high-stakes environments and heart-centered missions. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her son Greyson and their two dogs, Lucy and Django. Leading with the Heart is her first book. ✏️ 90 Days to Done and 90 Day Revision NOW OPEN!

DON'T SKIP THIS ONE! Portia Elan has written Rachael's favorite book in recent years, and THIS is the story of how her debut novel has come to be released with such gorgeous (and deserved) fanfare! Portia Elan earned an MFA from the University of Victoria before returning home to California, where she has worked as a teacher and public librarian. She is a former Lambda Literary Fellow and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her wife and an abundance of cats. Homebound is her first novel.✏️ 90 Days to Done and 90 Day Revision NOW OPEN!

In which Sacha is moving (and making moves!) and Rachael is in a bit of a panic!Links mentioned re: Claude:https://rebeccabultsma.substack.com/p/before-you-use-claude-code-buildand then:https://substack.com/home/post/p-186996234✏️ 90 Days to Done and 90 Day Revision NOW OPEN!

Moorea Corrigan is a master at lunch hour writing, getting her books written on her breaks at her the publishing house where she works. She talks about done being better than perfect, and gives Rachael a life-changing phrase she won't soon forget! Moorea Corrigan holds a bachelor's degree with honors in English literature from the University of Edinburgh, where she studied modern British history and the fall of the “manor house” after WWI, which served as inspiration for Thistlemarsh Hall. She also holds a master of publishing degree from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver. She currently works at Lynne Rienner Publishers, an academic press in Boulder, Colorado. When she is not writing, you can find her singing, spending time with her menagerie of pets, or attending Jane Austen conventions in full Regency regalia. Thistlemarsh is her debut novel.

Kelly Yang knows that if she lets the world get in the way of her writing, it will, so she is relentless about protecting her practice. Join us for this amazing conversation! Kelly Yang is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the YA Front Desk series. In addition to being a novelist, she has written screenplays and television pilots for Netflix, CBS Studios, and the CW. Kelly immigrated to the United States when she was six years old and grew up in Southern California. She went to college at the age of 13 and is a graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School, an experience that provides her a unique perspective on aging. The Take is her first adult novel.Storykind Podcast: HERE. ✏️ Writing in the Junkyard, April 18 & 19: http://rachaelherron.com/junkyard

Are you hard on yourself? Ever? You need to listen to this gorgeous chat about following the pleasure in your writing (and your life). Alicia Jo Rabins is a writer, musician, filmmaker, and feminist Torah teacher. The San Francisco Chronicle calls her writing “a poetry page-turner, both sexy and humble.” Rabins is the author of five books, most recently the spiritual memoir When We're Born We Forget Everything. As a singer-songwriter, Rabins tours internationally with Girls in Trouble, her indie-folk song cycle about Biblical women. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her family and too many houseplants.✏️ Writing in the Junkyard, April 18 & 19: http://rachaelherron.com/junkyard

What's the question that's most useful to Ashley Herring Blake as she sets up her characters? Who hurt you? And why? And how? Follow along! Ashley Herring Blake (she/they) is an award-winning author. She loves coffee, cats, melancholy songs, and happy books. She is the author of six novels for young adult and middle grade readers, as well as the Bright Falls adult romance novels, the holiday romance Make the Season Bright, and the Clover Lake adult romance novels. She lives on a very tiny island off the coast of Georgia with her family. Get Over It, April Evans is her most recent release. www.ashleyherringblake.com✏️ Writing in the Junkyard, April 18 & 19: http://rachaelherron.com/junkyard

In which we talk about being intentional!

What do you do when your first book dies on sub? You write the most fun thing you can imagine, just for yourself. Maria J. Morillo tells us how! (And Rachael shares a hard story of recent publishing woes.) Maria J. Morillo is a born and raised Venezuelan ESL teacher, translator, and author of love stories featuring Venezuelan women getting absolutely everything they've always wanted. When she's not writing, you can find her leading the choir at her local church. She currently lives in Maturin, Venezuela, with her family. The Ex-Perimento is her debut release.

You'll adore this episode where the Pens to Paycheck Authors wax lyrically and hilariously about all things writing, business, and mindset! Samantha B. Cummings writes gripping young adult fantasy novels and atmospheric dark academia mysteries for teens.Matilda Swift writes culinary cozy mysteries that are quintessentially British. Her books offer more twists than a country road, pairing them with quirky characters who feel like old friends.The Pen to Paycheck Authors Podcastis hosted by Sam & Matilda, two indie authors with over a dozen books between them, but still working towards the ‘quit the day job' dream. They're documenting all the steps they're taking to reach success, and pulling back the curtain on indie publishing.

Lauren Novak wrote the book she needed to read, and in this episode we talk about how to uncover your next book (or how to wait for it!) as well as asking for help and dropping your reader into the middle of action! Lauren Novak is an award-winning Australian journalist whose work has been published in News Corp newspapers, magazines and websites for the past two decades. Lauren specialises in coverage of child safety, gender and family violence and is a three-time winner of the South Australian Press Club's journalist of the year award. She lives on Kaurna (Gar-nah) land, in Adelaide, with her partner and their two lively kids, born less than two years apart during a global pandemic. Meltdown: Why motherhood makes us angry and what to do about it is her first book, out now from HarperCollins Publishers.

Rachael and Sacha are planning for the new year! And Sacha's had her most stressful month ever. IMAGINE.

Sure, you can drive the whole way there in the beam of just the headlight, but what IS that headlight, anyway? Virginia knows! New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra is the author of almost thirty novels. She is married to her college sweetheart, a coffee shop owner who keeps her well supplied with caffeine and material. They make their home in North Carolina, where they raised three (mostly adult) children. She is a firm believer in the strength of family, the importance of storytelling, and the power of love. Anne of a Different Island is her most recent novel.

Jacque Gorelick looks at life like a pie chart — what's going to fit, and what won't? Don't miss this fabulous conversation on how to rely on yourself as a writer! Jacque Gorelick's essays about family, motherhood, estrangement, education, and health have appeared or are forthcoming in The New York Times, Salon, Los Angeles Review of Books, The Kenyon Review, Pithead Chapel, X-R-A-Y, Healthy Women, The Washington Post, HuffPost and more. Map of a Heart: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Finding the Way Home is her debut memoir. A California native, Jacque has lived all over the West Coast from Santa Barbara to Alaska. Now firmly rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area, she lives beside a creek under redwood trees with her husband, two boys, and a mélange of rescues. To find out more about Jacque and her work visit her website at www.jacquegorelick.com Cold Turkey Writer: https://getcoldturkey.com/writer/Map of a Heart: https://amzn.to/4arXT1bThe Byline Bible, Susan Shapiro https://amzn.to/4arXT1bNewsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/husband-newborn-hike-stopped-breathing-cpr-11514533

Many nonfiction authors believe the first milestone of writing a book is finishing a draft.It's not.In this episode of Your Path to Book Publishing, we explore the often-overlooked stage that determines whether your writing flows, your publishing decisions make sense, and your marketing actually connects.If you've ever felt overwhelmed by too many book ideas…If you've rewritten the same chapter multiple times…If you're unsure who your book is really for…This episode addresses the real issue underneath those frustrations.Because most authors don't have a productivity problem.They have a positioning problem.And without solving that first, the rest of the author journey — from book development to publishing to marketing — becomes harder than it needs to be.Inside this episode, you'll discover:Why “having too many ideas” is often a warning signThe hidden phase of the author journey most writers skipHow lack of clarity quietly slows down writing and decision-makingA simple way to test whether your book concept is strong enough to move forwardIf you want to write faster, publish smarter, and build a nonfiction book that actually lands with readers, this episode will help you rethink where the journey truly begins.Learn more about Your Path to Book Publishing by visiting Juxtabook.com and discover if traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing is right for you. Liked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabkLove the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Don't look away - if you keep looking at those hard questions, the answers come. Listen as we chat about this today! Diana Hongcha is a Chinese American author whose debut thriller, If You Don't Go, earned a silver medal at the Global Book Awards and reached Amazon Bestseller status. Born and raised in China, Diana emigrated to the United States as a teenager. A frequent traveler to China and a self-appointed culture attaché, she aims to write compelling stories that bridge the gap between the China she knows and the one depicted in the headlines. Diana dreams of one day splitting her time between Chengdu and Bozeman, Montana. For now, she's happily immersed in family life and the next story waiting to be told. Find out more at www.dianahongcha.com

In which Sacha and Rachael share their words of 2026, and their thoughts about their wins and losses from 2025, and where 2026 is taking them! Hint: Sacha's world dominating, and Rachael's waking up from a nap.

Times are hard, y'all. So here's a hopeful story. In this solo episode, Rachael shares about the time Madeleine L'Engle wrote to her. ✏️ 90 Days to Done NOW OPEN! http://rachaelherron.com/90daystodone✏️ 90 Day Revision NOW OPEN! http://rachaelherron.com/revision

Feeling like every promo is uphill? We unpack why marketing stalls when a book is presented to the wrong readers — and how smart positioning turns traffic into sales. Penny and Amy break down the signals that shape buying decisions in under five seconds: category choices, keywords that actually guide Amazon, cover conventions that telegraph sub-genre, and hooks that speak to what readers want right now.We share real-world shifts that changed outcomes fast, including a romance that soared after moving from an overly spicy label to a truer contemporary slot and a mystery that found its people by swapping “cozy” for “amateur sleuth.” You'll hear how to diagnose a mismatch when ads get clicks but no buys, why “too unique” covers quietly repel your ideal audience, and how to use reviews as free market research to refine your description and promise.This conversation is a roadmap for authors who want to sell more without burning everything down. You'll learn to niche with confidence, align title and subtitle with retail reality, refresh descriptions with language readers already use, and adopt the 1% rule: small, targeted improvements that compound. If you've been trying to reach everyone, it's time to reach the right ones.Ready to fix the foundation and stop wasting ad spend? Listen now, then text podcast to 888-402-8940 to share your positioning challenge, subscribe for upcoming deep dives, and leave a review to help more authors find this show.Send us your feedback!Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll!

Michelangelo said, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free" - How do you do that in your own work? And how do you bring a place to life, even if you haven't ever been there? Traveler and archaeological-thriller writer Luke Richardson is our guide today! Luke Richardson is the author of international thrillers that blend history, mystery, and adventure in exotic locations. A former English teacher and lifelong traveller, he brings his real-life adventures to the page—and to podcasts—sharing insights on storytelling, creativity, and far-off places. ✏️ 90 Days to Done NOW OPEN! http://rachaelherron.com/90daystodone✏️ 90 Day Revision NOW OPEN! http://rachaelherron.com/revision

Money AND power? We're allowed to want those things? Heck, yes, we are. Don't miss this dynamic conversation about how to do it! Amy Suto is a freelance memoir ghostwriter, bestselling author, and the writer behind the top-ranked Substack, Make Writing Your Job. As a ghostwriter, Amy has written memoirs on behalf of Olympians, CEOs and NBA players. Her Substack, Make Writing Your Job, has more than 23,000 subscribers, providing a job board and practical tips for writers. In addition to her ghostwriting business and Substack, Amy published her debut romantasy novel, The Ash Trials, in 2025. Write for Money and Power is her most recent release. https://www.amysuto.com/write-for-money-and-power✏️ 90 Days to Done NOW OPEN! http://rachaelherron.com/90daystodone✏️ 90 Day Revision NOW OPEN! http://rachaelherron.com/revision

Sacha and Rachael get real in their annual Lessons Learned show! Don't miss it! Write in the Junkyard! https://rachaelherron.com/online-writing-retreat-2026/

Finally, someone's written the book for creative people who need to use their time to care for loved ones. How do you set aside perfectionism and guilt? Fan favorite Donn tells us how! Donn King is an author, podcaster, and communication coach who helps writers and speakers say what they really mean without losing the personality that makes them worth listening to. A longtime professor turned publishing sherpa, he blends clear storytelling with a warm, wry voice that leans more Anne Lamott than corporate handbook. Through his books, his podcast The Alignment Show, and his teaching, he helps people live and create in courageous alignment with their values. His latest book is entitled Creating While Caring: Practical Tips to Keep Creating While Caring for a Loved One.Links mentioned: The Alignment Show: http://thealignmentshow.comAnd creating a care community: donnking.com/creatingcarecommunity Donn also appeared on episode 439 of this podcast! ✏️ Writing in the Junkyard Online Writing Retreat! Join us! http://rachaelherron.com/retreat

V. F. Mejia has a process for writing that might change the way you show up for your writing! And she's just funded her first Kickstarter, and Rachael can't be more excited about this one! V. F. Mejia is a sapphic fantasy author dedicated to writing for all the Latine sapphics out in the world. With a focus on Peruvian folklore, history, and mythology, her books transport readers to immersive new worlds outside the Western sphere.When she's not writing she's hiking through ruins or reading sapphic fantasy/sci-fi or both simultaneously (thank god for audiobooks). Her debut novel The Glory of Gold is fully funded on Kickstarter and will be released March 2026. Find everything here: https://linktr.ee/vfmejiaThe Glory of Gold Kickstarter here! http://rachaelherron.com/valeria✏️ Writing in the Junkyard Online Writing Retreat! Join us! http://rachaelherron.com/retreat

Lisa Dailey had a sideways entry into writing fiction, and she's been having a ball ever since. Don't miss this super fun interview! Lisa Daily is one of the top nonfiction and self-help book coaches in the US, coaching everyone from first-time writers to 7-figure authors. She's a USA Today bestselling author of more than 15 romance and non-fiction books herself, including HOW TO WRITE A SELF-HELP BOOK in 14 DAYS. She's the founder of Author (dot) coach and the Bestseller Academy, and hosts a popular publishing YouTube channel, Bestselling Author Writing Coach. Bestselling Author Writing Coach publishing and writing advice on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe36_egPO62qjzjF-cNO44g?sub_confirmation=1Lisa Daily's book publishing resources: www.author.coachUse code IWROTETHAT (25% off, good thru 12/31/2026)Lisa's contemporary romance: LisaDailyBooks.com✏️ Writing in the Junkyard Online Writing Retreat! Join us! http://rachaelherron.com/retreat

This is one of Rachael's favorite episodes, ever — join Paul as he tells us about Cai Emmons's new book The Bells. Paul Calandrino is a playwright, educator, and actor based in Eugene, Oregon, where Cai and he lived until she died. Since she passed, he has been curating her literary legacy with the release of this book, and he is currently collecting her blog content into book form. Cai Emmons (1951-2023) was the author of seven novels and a story collection, Vanishing. The Bells, is her final novel. She held a BA from Yale University and two MFAs, one from New York University in film and the other from the University of Oregon in fiction. Before turning to fiction, Emmons wrote plays and screenplays. Winner of a Student Academy Award, an Oregon Book Award, and the Leapfrog Global Fiction Prize, and finalist for the Narrative, The Missouri Review, and the Sarton awards, she taught at a variety of institutions, most recently in the creative writing program at the University of Oregon. She died in 2023 from Bulbar-onset ALS, a fast-progressing form of the disease that had taken her voice. The Bells, which features a protagonist with ALS, has just been released by Red Hen Press. Her final years are also the focus of an award-winning documentary Vanishing: A Love Story, directed by Sandra Luckow. ✏️ Writing in the Junkyard Online Writing Retreat! Join us! http://rachaelherron.com/retreat

In which we catch up on two months! Sacha's new goals, her amazing Shopify success, and Rachael's new book idea (plus a challenge from Sacha).

I ADORE this episode, in which I talk to Louisa about making things by hand, including books! Louisa Owen Sonstroem considers garment-making skills to be deeply empowering. Louisa writes and teaches about patternmaking and hand stitching clothing. For most of a decade, she worked in technical design and patternmaking, most recently for Macy's and Eileen Fisher. Previous projects have included a self-published book called Hand Sewing Clothing: A Guide, as well as two seasons of “Patternmaking in Public Places,” an outreach project she started to democratize access to patternmaking skills. This year, Louisa is celebrating the August release of her newest book, The Handsewn Wardrobe: A Complete Guide to Making Your Own Clothes, from Patternmaking to the Finishing Stitches, in collaboration with Storey Publishing.https://theclothpurpose.substack.com/https://www.louisamerry.com/✏️ Writing in the Junkyard Online Writing Retreat! Join us! http://rachaelherron.com/retreat

Samantha Browning Shea is an agent who knows about selling books, and we talk about how it felt when her first book didn't sell on submission, and how she started again. Also: on the struggle of the middle, on touring, and on how to keep readers reading (hint: it's about those open loops). Samantha Browning Shea is an author and the vice president of Georges Borchardt, Inc. literary agency. A graduate of Colgate University, Samantha lives in Connecticut with her husband and their two daughters. Marrow is her debut novel.