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!
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.
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.
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.
Writing Romantic Comedies with Heart and Humor: A Conversation with Author Kate Archer
What do butlers, Regency settings, and hilarious romantic misunderstandings have in common? Kate Archer.
In this week’s episode of The Write It Scared podcast I sat down with Kate to talk about her journey as a Regency rom-com author, how she blends humor with character truth, and what it really takes to write stories that make readers swoon and laugh simultaneously.
How a Gratitude Practice Can Reset Your Writing Life
What would happen if you paused after every writing session—not to criticize what didn’t go well, but to appreciate what did? What if you made space to reflect on what writing gives you, not just what it demands? This week, I’m revisiting a practice that’s been pivotal in both my personal recovery and my writing life: Gratitude.
And yes, we’ve talked about this before. But some topics never run out of steam—and this one’s worth pulling out of the vault.
It’s Never Too Late to Write Your Book: How a 79-Year-Old Debut Novelist Jean Ende Proves Your Writing Dream Has No Expiration Date
Meet Jean Ende, a debut novelist who published her first book at 79. In this conversation, she shares how she mined family history for fiction, found her voice later in life, and proved that your writing dream has no expiration date.
From “Am I Good Enough?” to “I Believe in My Work” with Book Coach Karmen Špiljak
This week on the Write It Scared podcast, I sat down with Karmen Špiljak—an indie author, developmental editor, and book coach who helps emerging writers trust their voice and finish the stories that linger with readers.
And trust me, this episode and article are packed with gems—especially if you’ve ever wrestled with imposter syndrome, perfectionism, or the extra hurdles of writing in a language that’s not your own.
How Fantasy Author Michelle Miles Built a Thriving Indie Publishing Career
What does it really take to write and publish more than forty books—and still love the process? Fantasy author Michelle Miles has done just that, carving out a sustainable indie career through persistence, patience, and a fierce refusal to quit. Her story is a reminder that there’s no one right path to publication—just the one that keeps you writing.
Writing For Yourself First: A Conversation with Graphic Novelist Stan Yan
The first guest episode of season three is up on the podcast and it was a blast! I chatted with graphic novelist Stan Yan about how to write (and draw) horror that holds humor, why representation matters, and how it took nearly a decade—along with a total reimagining of the story—for his debut middle grade graphic novel The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang to come to life.
If you’re a writer, illustrator, or creative of any kind trying to figure out how to allow a vision to evolve and learn to trust it, this interview is a gold mine.
The Write It Scared Podcast is Back for Season 3
If you’ve been missing The Write It Scared podcast and need a little help with story development or your mindset…I’ve got you, writer! I’m sharing all the details for season 3, as well as the top five episodes on story development and mindset!
Lessons on Hope for Writers on Season 2 of the Write It Scared Podcast
As Season 2 of The Write It Scared Podcast comes to a close, I want to leave you with something that feels a bit like a love letter.
Because this season wasn’t just about interviews or craft or even mindset. It was about staying in it. About not giving up when things get hard. About remembering why we write, especially when it’s messy or slow or full of doubt.
Worldbuilding, Fantasy, and Courageous Writing with Author A.M. Deese
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by worldbuilding, intimidated by your messy draft, or unsure how to keep readers engaged in a long-running series—today’s episode is for you.
I sat down with fantasy author A.M. Deese (also known as Alexis Marrero Deese) to talk about how she builds immersive magical worlds, navigates the challenges of writing multi-POV fantasy series, and faces the fears that come with putting your words into the world.
How to Trust the Process and Stick with Your Story with Author Kristin Offiler
What if the story you’re working on right now is the one, not because it’s perfect, but because you refuse to give up on it?
In this week’s episode of The Write It Scared Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with debut author Kristin Offiler to talk about the long, winding, messy, beautiful process of writing her psychological suspense novel The Housewarming — a story she started in 2018 and rewrote many times before it finally sold. And thank goodness she did, because it’s SO GOOD.
How to Write Brave: A Powerful Conversation with Author Brooke Adams Law
Let's be real, writing can be terrifying. It's vulnerable, messy, and incredibly brave. But what if instead of letting fear hold us back, we embraced it and used it to fuel our creativity?