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Linda Sivertsen, “Book Mama,” is in LOVE with books—reading, writing, and selling them. Her titles have won awards and hit all the lists as an author, co-author, and former magazine editor and ghostwriter. But her driving force has been to publish sustainably.

Naïve and optimistic enough to believe in magic, she’s on a mission to save forests via her role as a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Ambassador. When she’s not fostering literary love matches on her Beautiful Writers Podcast (a favorite stop for writers on tour), writing, and promoting Beautiful Writers, or midwifing books at her Carmel or virtual writing retreats, Linda can be found on the back of a horse or running with her dogs. 

In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, we had an amazing conversation about the ins and outs of writing, publishing (both traditionally and independently), and the thoughts we ALL have as writers (the ones we think no one else has!)

 Interview Highlights

[6:10] how she managed to combine 2 books into one

[11:08] the challenge of being in the “messy middle” when the support has waned and now people are starting to wonder whether we’ve lost our minds

[12:42] How Linda moves through her “messy middle” moments

[14:12] How Linda commits to her vision in order not to divert off course or question what she’s doing or why

[17:15] How Linda started offering book writing retreats

[19:35] How she helps people sort out which book idea to take further and what blocks show up for people for different reasons at different times.

[22:35] The importance of being truly behind your book from writing to marketing and the big misconception behind writing a fabulous book and word of mouth taking it to the top

[30:52] Interview with Hal Elrod and perspective on him self-publishing Miracle Morning (which he went on to sell 3 million+ copies of)

[34:20] How to determine which approach is the “best” one — for writing or publishing

[36:50] The incredible value of writing a book proposal — even if you don’t ever seek an agent or traditional publisher

[40:15] Linda’s words of wisdom for anyone who feels the tug to write a book but just doesn’t know where/how to start

 CONNECT WITH LINDA

BookMama.com

Order a copy of Beautiful Writers

Connect with Linda on Instagram 

Listen to Linda's podcast, Beautiful Writers

 

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Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.

*episode sponsor

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Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry. 

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Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com

The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.

To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth