How writers actually write! You might need to be a writer, but you don't need to struggle so hard. With internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron, learn how to embrace ease, reject perfectionism, and finally create your perfect writing process. (Formerly known as How Do You Write) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Howtowrite Podcasts
Most employees want to write a book but don’t have the time to write or don’t know where to start. This podcast will show you how to get your nonfiction book published while working a full-time job. You'll also get simple tips about launching and marketing your book.
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Each week, co-hosts, Alida Winternheimer, author and writing coach at Word Essential, and Kathryn Arnold, emerging writer, have conversations about the craft of writing fiction. They bring diverse experiences and talents to the table from both the traditional and indie worlds. Our goal is for each episode to be a fun, lively discussion of some aspect of story craft that enlightens, as well as entertains. Sometimes we have special guests. All episodes are available in video as well. Visit www ...
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Do you want to learn how to write for children? The Institute of Children's Literature has taught hundreds of thousands of aspiring writers, and the director of ICL is the host of Writing for Children. Bestselling children's author Katie Davis focuses on the craft of writing for children: how to write a children’s book, how to write for children’s magazines, how to get paid, and get published. There are listener questions, with answers from the experts at the Institute, plus hard-to-find res ...
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SWRT 333 | Exploring Women's History through Story with Jane Rubin
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1:01:52In this week's episode, Alida sits down with the inspiring Jane Rubin, who shares her remarkable journey from a healthcare executive to an accomplished author. Diagnosed with cancer, Jane turned to writing, ultimately leading her to pen a series of historical fiction novels that explore themes of immigration, women's rights, and the impact of war. …
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Why It’s Good that Words Will Always Fail Us, with Livia Sara
54:51
54:51
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54:51You don’t want to miss this one, in which we talk about how art is connection (to ourselves first) and why words will always let us down (and why that’s okay). Livia Sara is a neurodiversity advocate and eating disorder survivor who now helps others overcome their own mental barriers through her books, courses, and coaching programs. She is the cre…
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173 Seven Lessons from Publishing Book #24 (An Amazon Bestseller)
25:13
25:13
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25:13I share seven actionable lessons from publishing my 24th book, "AI Change Management Made Simple," which became an Amazon bestseller in five categories. Learn about repurposing content with AI, getting early reviews, creating audiobooks in under 5 minutes, and turning readers into email subscribers with high-value bonuses.…
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On Surviving and Thriving in Publishing, with Dr. Zoe Shaw
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43:36This has to be one of Rachael's favorite episodes in a long time - Dr. Zoe will blow you away with the story of her path to publication! Dr. Zoe Shaw is a licensed psychotherapist, author, speaker, podcast host, relationship coach, and proud mom of five. After fifteen years in traditional psychotherapy, Dr. Zoe left the therapy couch to create a mo…
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Rachael shares the big news she JUST got right before Sacha jumped on the call, and Sacha shares her new reading and outlining discoveries! 📕 OUT NOW! The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland: http://rachaelherron.com ❤️ Write in Italy May 2026: http://rachaelherron.com/italy2026 🏠 Ink Village! Check it out here: http://rachaelherron.com/inkvillage 🎉 …
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Are You a Writer? Try Therapy! with Annie Mare
46:35
46:35
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46:35Annie Mare (she/they) writes queer contemporary young adult romance and cowrites queer romance and mysteries with her wife, Ruthie Knox. Mare lives with her wife, two teenagers, two dogs, multiple fish, one cat, four hermit crabs, and a bazillion plants in a very old house with a garden. COSMIC LOVE AT THE MULTIVERSE HAIR SALON is her most recent r…
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SWRT 332 | Culture, Trauma, and Memory in Somia Sadiq's Gajarah
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1:05:12In this week's episode, Alida and Kathryn are honored to host Somia Sadiq, an award-winning entrepreneur and global peace negotiator, who shares her journey into the world of storytelling through her debut novel, Gajarah. Somia discusses the importance of exploring the complexities of identity, trauma, and belonging through literature, emphasizing …
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172 How 19-Year-Old Jay Yang Published His First Amazon Bestseller
28:06
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28:06How Jay Yang, a 19-year-old author shares how “permissionless action,” cold emails, and a focused writing routine helped him self-publish You Can Just Do Things and grow his audience.By Writer on the Side
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On Raiding the Scraps Pile, with Alexandria Bellefleur
30:13
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30:13In which we talk about a book dying on submission (and the pain of that!) as well as being STUBBORN enough to keep going. Alexandria Bellefleur is a bestselling and award-winning author of swoony contemporary romance often featuring loveable grumps and the sunshine characters who bring them to their knees. Her debut novel, Written in the Stars, was…
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171 Writing a Book as a Business Card on Steroids (Publishing Performance Podcast)
47:04
47:04
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47:04How to write a short, niche book in 4 weeks, repurpose it into courses and content, and use Amazon KDP, Udemy, and Gumroad to grow sales and authority. (From Teddy Smith's Publishing Performance Show).
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How a Secret Blog Created a Writer, with Dana K. White
47:28
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47:28Dana K. White had always wanted to be a writer, but she never could have predicted how she’d get there or how she would reach so much success. Dana K. White is a blogger, podcaster, speaker, and (much to her own surprise) a decluttering expert. She taught both English and theatre arts before leaving her job to make her family her life's work. In an…
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SWRT 331 | Taking Up Space with Susan Swan
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1:22:06In this week's Story Works Round Table, Alida welcomes Susan Swan, an acclaimed novelist and professor emerita at York University, to join us and discuss her new memoir, Big Girls Don't Cry. As Susan reads an excerpt from her book, she invites us into her world of growing up as a tall girl in a society that often discourages women from taking up sp…
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How to Define True Success, with Evelyn Skye
46:45
46:45
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46:45On vampires, and deep work, and what it means to actually be (and feel) successful. Evelyn Skye is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including The Hundred Loves of Juliet and The Incredible Kindness of Paper. A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, her books have been published worldwide and translated into …
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Sacha and Rachael talk about some REAL stuff. Don't miss it! 🍎 90 Days to Done: http://rachaelherron.com/90daystodone 🍎 90 Day Revision: http://rachaelherron.com/revision 🏠 Ink Village! Check it out here: http://rachaelherron.com/inkvillage 🎉 Unstuck is now available here: https://rachaelherronbooks.com/ Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Writ…
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I HIT THE USA TODAY BESTSELLER LIST! and a warning
27:16
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27:16My new book just hit the USA Today Bestseller list, and I AM SO HAPPY. And also, I want to tell you a story about scammers who are scamming! (The list, though, is not a scam, don't worry!) 📕 OUT NOW! The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland: http://rachaelherron.com ❤️ Write in Italy May 2026: http://rachaelherron.com/italy2026 🏠 Ink Village! Check it…
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SWRT 330 | Writing Ancient Historical Mysteries with NL Holmes
56:45
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56:45This week, Alida and Kathryn sit down with N.L. Holmes, an archaeologist turned novelist, who crafts mysteries set in ancient Egypt. Join us as we explore her unique journey, the challenges of writing about a distant culture, and the art of blending historical accuracy with engaging storytelling. Whether you're a fan of her novels or an aspiring wr…
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Isabelle Taylor writes sweet, steamy fantasy Romance under Isabelle Taylor, LGBT+ Horror/Paranormal Romance under I.S. Belle, and spicy MM Romance under Chase Moorcox. She works in a bookstore in New Zealand. If your local bookstore allows dogs, PLEASE bring them in. 📕 OUT NOW! The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland: http://rachaelherron.com ❤️ Writ…
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On Using Real Pain to Bring Life to Your Work, with Daphne Fama
30:18
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30:18In which Daphne Fama has some incredible advice on how to open a wound in your heart in order to make your book really matter. Daphne Fama was born in the American South, embedded in its tight-knit Filipino community. When she’s not writing stories about monsters and the women who love them, she’s writing about video games. And when she’s not writi…
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SWRT 329 | Staging Your Action Scenes with CC Robinson
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50:50In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn have a lively discussion with award-winning author CC Robinson about the art of staging action scenes in writing. Drawing from her theater background, CC shares insights on blocking fight scenes and how to orient readers within the physical space of a story effectively. With real-tim…
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Take Out the Apology, with Brian Selznick
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1:27:21Brian not only writes but also illustrates his incredibly popular books—this epic interview will blow you away! Brian Selznick’s books have sold millions of copies, garnered countless awards worldwide, and have been translated into more than 35 languages. He broke open the novel form with his genre-breaking thematic trilogy, beginning with the Cald…
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In which Sacha challenges Rachael to let go of some stuff and Rachael, unsurprisingly, balks. 🏠 INK VILLAGE! Click here for the details! 🎉 Unstuck is now available HERE! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too) Writing doesn't have to be so hard. With internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron, learn how to embrac…
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Is it Intuition or Anxiety? With Elizabeth Greenwood
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36:38How can you tell if what you’re worried about in your writing is your intuition being smart or your anxiety spiraling out of control? Don’t miss this episode to find out! Elizabeth Greenwood is the critically acclaimed author of Everyday Intuition, Love in the Time of Incarceration, and Playing Dead. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The…
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SWRT 328 | Creating Writing Rituals & Celebrations with Elizabeth Barbour
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51:37In this enlightening episode, Alida and Kathryn welcome Elizabeth Barber, a life and business coach, shamanic practitioner, and joyful ritualist, who shares her journey of transforming chaos into clarity through sacred celebrations. Elizabeth discusses her award-winning book, 'Sacred Celebrations,' and how rituals can be woven into our writing prac…
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On the Long Road to Publication, with Virginia Evans
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36:22Don’t miss this gorgeous episode in which we talk about what it takes to stay on the road to publication (and what it feels like to get there). Virginia Evans is from the northeastern United States. She attended James Madison University for her bachelor’s in English literature, as well as Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, for her master’s of phil…
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On the Benefit of Writing Retreats, with Ben C. Davies
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37:18Should you take a writing retreat? If so, how do they work? Ben and Rachael also talk about the all-consuming vortex of writing as well as battling imposter syndrome. Ben C. Davies is a Californian-based author whose debut short story collection, And So I Took Their Eye, will be published by Bridge House, July 17 2025. Originally from the UK, his s…
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SWRT 327 | Embracing The Heroine's Journey with Danielle Anderson
1:07:54
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1:07:54In this episode, Alida welcomes Danielle Anderson, a seasoned nonfiction book coach and editor, as we delve into the concept of the heroine's journey. Drawing from Maureen Murdoch's influential work, Danielle shares her personal experiences and insights on the internal journey women often face, contrasting it with the traditional hero's journey. Di…
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170 How Nat Eliason Wrote His First Fiction Book with AI Tools
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50:08A deep-dive with author Nat Eliason on writing his first novel Husk, transitioning from nonfiction to fiction, using AI for editing, and choosing self-publishing over traditional routes.
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The Avoidance Journey and How it Changed Everything for Jen Butler
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44:32You HAVE to hear this episode. How did doing just one thing change everything for Jen Butler? Listen, and be amazed, friends. And then go be amazing, too. Jen Butler is a Barnes & Noble bestselling author, dark comedy screenwriter, and one of ISA’s Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch. Her work blends absurdity, emotional truth, and big existential questi…
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On Bringing Your Characters to Life, with Emma Knight
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36:18Emma Knight tells us how to bring character’s to life by inhabiting their bodies to make them more real, as well as how the written word can have shocking, real-world consequences! Emma Knight is an author, journalist, and entrepreneur. Her writing about books, maternal health, and more has appeared in Literary Hub, British Vogue, The Globe and Mai…
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SWRT 326 | Writing Through Chronic Illness with Beth Biss
43:03
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43:03In this episode, Alida and Kathryn explore the intersection of writing and chronic illness with author Beth Biss. Beth shares her personal journey of navigating her health challenges while pursuing her passion for writing. We discuss the themes of identity, acceptance, and empowerment in her work, and how her experiences shape her characters and st…
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A new course about how to write a book in 4 weeks (using AI to write in your own voice): https://course.writerontheside.com/ Some thoughts on what I've been doing behind the scenes to relaunch it.
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In which we talk about nervous system regulation, Rachael’s desire for ease, and Sacha’s desire to GET HER BOOK DONE! 🏠 INK VILLAGE! Click here for the details! 🎉 Unstuck is now available HERE! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too) Writing doesn't have to be so hard. With internationally bestselling author Rachael Her…
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