Beyond the Draft

Valerie Willis is an award-winning dark fantasy and paranormal romance author who's designed hundreds of book covers and interiors, co-founded 4 Horsemen Publications, and built a career living at the intersection of mythology, monsters, and modern book marketing.

In this episode, Valerie shares how she uses myth and folklore in her storytelling without letting it feel recycled or academic, what actually makes a strange or unusual book idea marketable instead of just weird, and why monster romance continues to resonate so powerfully with readers. She also breaks down what she's learned from direct sales and reader-facing events about what audiences truly want.

What We Talked About:

1. Turning mythology and folklore into unforgettable fiction
2. What makes a weird book idea marketable
3. Why monster romance works as a genre
4. Branding books that stand out to readers
5. Lessons from direct sales and reader events

Connect with Valerie Willis:

Website: willisauthor.com

Facebook, Twitter/X, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok & Threads: linked on her profile

Terry Whalin is an editor and author of more than 60 books, several of which have sold over 100,000 copies, and has written for more than 50 magazines. He's one of the top content producers in the world with over 1,700 blog entries on The Writing Life. His book, 10 Publishing Myths, was written to give authors realistic expectations and practical action steps for publishing success.

In this episode, Terry shares the wake-up moment he experienced as an author himself, breaks down the myth that "my book will make a lot of money," and explains why every author needs a platform, and what building one actually looks like. He also shares what a "Myth Buster Action" is and how authors can start applying one today.

What We Talked About:

1. Terry's personal wake-up moment as an author
2. The myth that a book will automatically make money
3. Why authors have unrealistic expectations about publishing
4. What a "Myth Buster Action" is and how to use it
5. Building an author platform from scratch
6. Why authors have the greatest passion for their own book

Connect with Terry Whalin:

Website: publishingoffer.com

Facebook, Twitter/X & LinkedIn: linked on his profile

Brigitta Dau began her professional life as an actress, starring on a Canadian television series before relocating to Los Angeles at 21. Today, she's a Reiki Master, life coach, and co-author of Landing on Your North Star: A Guide to Finding Your Life's Purpose, helping people reconnect with their inner wisdom through a fusion of energy healing, coaching, and creative expression.

In this episode, Brigitta shares how her early years as an actress shaped the resilience she brings to her coaching today, what healing her relationship with food after multiple eating disorders has actually looked like, and why she believes creativity belongs in the conversation about finding your life's purpose. She also opens up about her philosophy: change is inevitable, growth is a choice.

What We Talked About:

1. From Canadian TV actress to Reiki Master and life coach
2. Healing her relationship with food after multiple eating disorders
3. Why creativity and craft matter in the search for purpose
4. Writing Landing on Your North Star with Peggi Cooney
5. Releasing the need to constantly prove your worth

Connect with Brigitta Dau:

Website: brigittadau.com/in-person-workshops

Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn & Substack: linked on her profile

What happens when an engineer, farmer, conservationist, and poet looks at the world through the same lens?

In this episode of Beyond the Draft, Imma sits down with Matt Thomas, a poet, smallholder farmer, engineer, and author whose work explores awareness, nature, time, relationships, and the meaning hidden inside ordinary moments.

Matt built a 30-year career in software engineering before turning his attention more deeply toward poetry and land stewardship. His unique journey raises a fascinating question: what could engineering and poetry possibly have in common?

We explore curiosity, creativity, writing, farming, technology, nature, and why paying closer attention to everyday life can completely change the way we understand it.

Matt also shares insights into becoming a published poet and the writing practice behind his collections, including Cicada, Dog & Song and Disappearing by the Math.

Connect with Matt:

🌐 Website: Matt Thomas's website

📸 Instagram: Matt Thomas

🧵 Threads: Matt Thomas

What happens when we stop seeing disability through limitations and start seeing the person, the story, and the possibilities?

In this episode of Beyond the Draft, Imma welcomes Jennifer Chassman Browne, a writer, storyteller, speaker, educator, and disability advocate.

Jennifer has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since childhood and has spent years helping organizations better understand disability, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging.

We explore the power of storytelling, how personal stories can challenge assumptions, why representation matters, and how organizations can create spaces where everyone feels included.

Jennifer also shares the inspiration behind her upcoming book, See Us, Know Us: Profiles of Disability, which brings together stories, portraits, biographies, and poetry from people living with disabilities.

This is a conversation about empathy, identity, courage, and the power of being truly seen.

Connect with Jennifer:

🌐 New Ground Educational Consulting⁠

💼 LinkedIn⁠

LinkedIn

What if the person who helped create a bestselling book was never named on the cover?

In this episode of Beyond the Draft, Imma sits down with Dr. Marcia Layton Turner, one of the leading voices in professional ghostwriting and the founder of the Association of Ghostwriters.

Marcia has written more than 80 nonfiction books and has worked with CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, and experts to transform their knowledge into powerful books that can create visibility, credibility, speaking opportunities, and new business.

We explore what ghostwriting really is, why successful professionals hire ghostwriters, whether ghostwriting is ethical, how writers can build a career in the industry, and what AI could mean for the future of professional writing.

If you've ever dreamed of becoming an author—or you're a writer wondering how to turn your skills into a business—this conversation is for you.

Connect with Marcia:

🌐 Website⁠

💼 LinkedIn⁠

LinkedIn

What is staying invisible really costing you?

In this episode of Beyond the Draft, Imma sits down with Ange Dove, The Unchained Coach, copywriting expert, personal brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of one of Singapore's longest-standing copywriting agencies.

After spending years helping other people find their voice, Ange realized she had been hiding behind her own business. She eventually broke free, took her business fully online, dramatically reduced her overhead, and built a business designed around freedom and lifestyle.

We talk about personal branding, visibility, confidence, copywriting, Gen X entrepreneurship, and why experienced professionals can no longer afford to hide behind their expertise.

Ange shares what it really means to become unchained, unapologetic, and unstoppable—and how entrepreneurs can turn their experience into authority, visibility, and business growth.

Connect with Ange:

🌐 Website⁠

💼 LinkedIn⁠

Authority Accelerator⁠

sg.linkedin.com

Is there a book inside you—or is your ego simply telling you there should be?

In this episode of Beyond the Draft, we sit down with Dr. Judith Briles, bestselling author of 49 books, book publishing expert, mentor, and founder of The Book Shepherd.

With more than one million books sold, over 70 book awards, and decades of experience helping authors succeed, Judith shares the truth about writing, publishing, marketing, and building a successful author platform.

We explore publishing mistakes, publishing predators, self-publishing versus traditional publishing, finding your voice, and how to create a book you will never regret.

Connect with Judith:

The Book Shepherd⁠

What does it take to keep moving when life keeps testing you?

In this episode of Beyond the Draft, Imma welcomes Ryan Reichert, professional speaker, mindset trainer, executive coach, bestselling author, and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel.

Ryan served 23 years in the U.S. Army, including 42 months in combat, before transitioning into Fortune 500 leadership and eventually building a career centered on mindset, purpose, faith, and transformation.

But his story isn't only about military leadership or professional success. Ryan openly shares his journey through alcohol addiction, recovery, divorce, personal challenges, and the experiences that shaped his "never quit" mentality.

We explore faith, emotional intelligence, leadership, limiting beliefs, recovery, purpose, and what it means to turn painful seasons into opportunities for transformation.

Ryan's mission through Our Protector Development is simple: help people restore hope, unlock their potential, and move toward meaningful change.

Connect with Ryan:

🌐 Our Protector Development⁠

💼 LinkedIn: Ryan Reichert

📘 Facebook: Ryan Reichert

📸 Instagram: Ryan Reichert

🎵 TikTok: Ryan Reichert

𝕏 X/Twitter: Ryan Reichert

What do you do when the dream you've spent years chasing starts to feel impossible?

In this episode of Beyond the Draft, we sit down with Greig Watts, bestselling author, songwriter, publisher, music producer, mentor, and A&R professional.

Greig shares his incredible journey from discovering songwriting in the 1980s to building an internationally successful songwriting and publishing team, working across Japan, Korea, and Eurovision.

We talk about rejection, persistence, the music business, finding your niche, neurodivergent creatives, building the right team, and why talent alone isn't enough.

At the heart of the conversation is a powerful message: your dream isn't dead—it may simply need you to keep showing up.

Connect with Greig:

Greig Watts's Website⁠