How to Make Better Decisions about Your Author Career with Becca Syme
There's no shortage of advice telling writers what they should be doing to build an author career—newsletters, social media, ads, audio, direct sales, and Kickstarter. But what if most of that advice doesn't apply to where you are right now? Author Success Coach Becca Syme joins the Write It Scared podcast to cut through the noise with one of the most clarifying frameworks for writers: the five phases of an author's career, and why making the right decision at the wrong phase can set you back more than doing nothing at all.
Remember Why You Started: Emy McGuire on Writing Through Doubt
Emy McGuire knew she wanted to be a published author at nine years old. By eighteen, she felt like a failure. Before her debut thriller No One Aboard, she wrote six full novels that never sold—and at one point, walked away from writing entirely to sail across the Atlantic and study marine biology. What brought her back, and what it took to finally publish, is a story every writer navigating doubt, burnout, and self-imposed pressure needs to hear.
Celebrating Episode 100 of the Write It Scared Podcast!
Episode 100! 100 conversations with writers, about writing, for writers. We’re celebrating this week—and announcing something new and a chance to win a free editorial assessment and book coaching session!
How to Start Writing Again When You Feel Stuck or Frozen: 5 Steps That Work
Feeling frozen with your writing—but it's not writer's block and it's not burnout? You're still connected to the story, still thinking about it, still caring. And yet, when it comes time to sit down and write, something in you just doesn't move? I’ve worked with a lot of writers in exactly this spot, and here are five steps I’ve found that work to get unstuck and back to the page.
How to Write Horror That Truly Unsettles with Author Nicole M. Wolverton
Horror isn't about shock value—it's about forcing readers to confront what scares them and imagine who they might become on the other side. In this conversation with horror author and educator Nicole M. Wolverton, we explore what makes horror fiction psychologically powerful, why deeply unsettling beats terrifying every time, and how writing from your own fear creates the kind of authenticity that stays with readers long after the last page.
When You Don’t Know What Happens Next in Your Story, Try This
Stuck in your draft and have no idea what happens next? Before you invent a new plot twist or force a scene that doesn't fit, try looking backward. The next moment in your story is almost always hiding in what just happened. Once you know how to find it, writer's block starts to lose its grip. Here's a simple framework to get your story moving again.
Writing with ADHD: Practical Strategies to Finish Your Novel - A Conversation with Nicole Bross
If traditional writing advice has never quite worked for you, you're not lazy or undisciplined—your brain might just need different tools. In this conversation with author, editor, and book coach Nicole Bross, co-author of The Novel Approach: Strategies for ADHD Writers, we dig into why so many neurodivergent writers struggle with consistency, motivation, and finishing projects—and what actually helps. If you've ever wondered “what's wrong with me?!”, this one's going to shift that question entirely.
What Literary Agents Look for in a Query Letter (with Ann Rose)
What does a literary agent actually want to see in your query letter? In this conversation with agent and author Ann Rose of The Tobias Literary Agency, we dig into what makes an agent stop scrolling and request more—from crafting a compelling hook to writing a synopsis that proves you understand story structure. Whether you're querying for the first time or deep in the trenches, Ann's insight from both sides of the desk is exactly what you need to hear.
From 197 Query Rejections to A Book Deal with Carmela Dutra
What do you do after 197 rejections on the same novel? If you're cozy mystery author Carmela Dutra, you keep going. In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, Carmela shares the full story behind her debut novel—from querying too soon and facing harsh feedback to navigating agent red flags and finally landing her dream representation. If self-doubt and rejection are making you question whether to quit, this conversation will give you what you need to protect your mindset and keep writing.
Writing Sex Scenes Without Cringe: What Actually Works in Fiction, Part 2 of 2
Writing a sex scene that actually works—without making you or your reader cringe—comes down to two things: knowing your characters and knowing the experience you want to deliver to your reader. In Part 2, we're diving into how much detail to include, the five types of sex scenes in fiction, and the do's and don'ts that make intimacy on the page feel real, emotionally resonant, and worth every word.
On Revision Magic and Not Quitting with Author Kate Broad
Struggling with novel revision and wondering if it gets easier? Author Kate Broad shares how she rewrote her entire novel in a new POV, overcame crushing self-doubt, and kept going when early readers didn't even finish. Learn why revision is where your book becomes itself and how to push through when quitting feels tempting. Essential listening for fiction writers working through difficult drafts.
Writing Sex Scenes Without Cringe: What Actually Works in Fiction, Part 1 of 2
Struggling to write sex scenes in your novel? Learn when intimate scenes actually serve your story, how to decide between explicit and fade-to-black approaches, and how to write sex scenes that advance plot and reveal character. Plus: guidance for YA vs adult fiction and a pressure-test framework to determine if your scene is necessary.
Should You Self-Publish Your Novel? Author Libby Waterford Breaks It Down
Wondering if self-publishing is right for your novel? Romance author and self-publishing coach Libby Waterford shares the real costs, marketing strategies, and decision-making framework you need to choose between indie and traditional publishing. Learn what it really takes to build a sustainable writing career on your own terms.
Editing vs. Revising (And Why the Difference Matters More Than You Think)
Do you edit your first draft or do you revise it? Is there a difference? Absolutely. And understanding it will save you countless hours and precious energy!
I’m breaking it all down for you this week!
Why Writing a Novel Feels So Hard (and How to Embrace the Struggle): A Conversation with Author Charlene Wang
I’m sharing a conversation this week that stuck with me long after the mics were off. I spoke with debut author Charlene Wang, whose dark academia novel I’ll Follow You is a gripping exploration of toxic friendship, ambition, and the seductive power of social media.
What stood out most? Charlene’s honesty about how hard it was to write this book—and how normal that struggle actually is. We talked about everything from long ass revision timelines and perfectionism to how hard it can really be to embrace the title of writer. This one’s for all of us in the thick of a messy draft, wondering if it’s supposed to feel this hard.
Writing Dystopian Stories with Hope and Representation with Ivette Diaz
Dystopian fiction often focuses on what’s broken in the world—but in my conversation with author Ivette Diaz, we talked about something way more important: hope.
Ivette writes young adult dystopian stories that center on representation, integrity, and resilience. Her work reminds readers—especially young readers—that even in difficult worlds, courage, compassion, and agency matter.
Setting Writing Intentions for 2026–The Year You Write Your Book
Learn how to set writing intentions for 2026 that help you write your book with consistency, grace, and realistic habits that work with real life.
What Writers Need to Know About Critique Partners & Traditional Publishing: A Conversation with Gabrielle K. Byrne
Some conversations feel like a reset button. My chat with fantasy author and book coach Gabrielle K. Byrne was exactly that — a reminder that writing doesn’t have to be rushed, measured, or constantly proven. It can be something gentler, steadier, and more human. If you’ve been wrestling with feedback, comparing yourself to other writers, or wondering whether your process is “right,” this one’s for you.
A 3-Day Book, a 30-Year Book, and the Emotional Truth of Writing with Susan Sloate
Author Susan Sloate shares lessons from writing books fast, slow, and everywhere in between—plus insights on doubt, deadlines, and emotional truth.
Embracing the Magic of Cozy Mysteries: A Conversation with Author Iris Applewood
Iris Applewood never set out to become a writer. In fact, like me, she once thought writers were mythical creatures—like unicorns or leprechauns. But something cracked open during a moment of self-reflection and suddenly, the pull toward storytelling became undeniable.
In this week’s conversation, Iris and I dive into her circuitous journey from research analyst to perfumery owner to published cozy mystery author.