Breaking Through Doubt and Embracing Your Unique Voice as an Author

How do you come back from the dead?

Recover from being told who you are and what you write is wrong?

From bending yourself around like a pretzel trying to fit someone else's writing mold only to figure out that it’s pointless because it sucked the joy and life out of what you stand for?

This is what Episode 8 of the Write It Scared Podcast is all about, and it’s off-the-hook inspiring.

If you write dark, spicy romance in the wheelhouses of sci-fi or fantasy, or if you struggle to express your voice in writing, you don’t want to miss this conversation.

It was my pleasure to interview AK Nevermore, the author of six published spicy, dark sci-fi romance and dark romantic fantasy novels. Two of these are traditionally published, and more to come on both sides of the publishing landscape. 

My relationship with AK goes back a couple of years to when she was working on her first novel, BREAKER.

Back then, she was combating massive self-doubt after being critiqued by the WRONG person–an esteemed literary editor who was not a fan of her genre fiction.

As a result, she struggled to embrace and incorporate her unique voice and writing tastes into that book. But she didn’t quit. No! She turned around and smashed through the gates. You’ll have to listen to learn how! It’s a great revenge story.

AK had a coaching call with me about six months after her heartbreaking experience with that editor. Though she’d written other books, she was still fighting with what this book was supposed to be.

I’m pleased to say that after our call, shit began to unlock with her book BREAKER.

Pinch me pink!

I cannot take all the credit, but I got to be her mirror for a moment, which allowed her to question some beliefs she’d been holding onto about what she was writing and who it was for.

BREAKER will be released in July of 2024, and I can’t wait for it!

We chat about her inspiring and unconventional journey to publishing success, which had a lot to do with being rejected and licking wounds but ultimately emerging to embrace her voice and authentic taste, turning “No” into “YES PLEASE” and “GIVE ME MORE!”

Our conversation also explored themes of rewriting internal narratives that prevent us from accepting who we are and making good on our goals, the intricacies of writing a dark romance series, and how the romance genre has evolved over the last thirty years—these are not your grandmother’s books.

We also hit on strategies for managing a writing career amidst a busy life. Trust me; AK is one of the busiest people I know. She homeschools and writes full-time! We dig into the various publishing pathways and expose some myths that can trap writers.

AK’s interview will inspire you to dig in and bet on yourself when things look bleak! I must say it pairs damn nicely with next week's craft focus which is all about voice! 

Write what you enjoy and want to see more of in the world. 

I hope you enjoy the episode. If you do, please leave a review and share it with friends!