Writing Middle Grade Historical Fiction: Shafaq Khan on Craft, Revision, and Persistence
Author Shafaq Khan joins me to talk about the long road from idea to publication for her debut middle grade historical fiction novel, Zania: Lost and Found. We discussed the challenge of balancing historical context with a fast-paced adventure story for kids, and what it means to keep writing through years of uncertainty and revision.
This conversation was a beautiful (and needed) reminder that books are often built slowly, imperfectly, and through tremendous persistence.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tips on Writing Dual Points of View from Author Alexandria Faulkenbury
Writing and publishing a novel isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s exhilarating, terrifying, exhausting, and rewarding—all wrapped up into one wild journey. I recently sat down with Alexandria Faulkenbury, whose debut novel, Somewhere Past the End, hits shelves in May 2025, and let me tell you—her story is as inspiring as it is relatable.