What separates the writers who finish from the ones who don't?

In this episode of BookCraft, I sit down with Steven Puri — former film executive at DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox, entrepreneur, and producer of the Academy Award-winning visual effects for Independence Day — for a conversation I did not want to end.

Steven has spent decades in rooms with Hollywood's top writers and directors, and what he noticed about the ones who actually succeed might surprise you. Spoiler: it's not talent.

We talk about getting into flow state, designing your environment for deep work, how to take a "no" without crawling back into your hole, and the one question every creative eventually has to answer — not do you have something great inside you, but will you release it before it's too late?

Steven also shares his app Sukha (free for three days!) designed specifically to help creatives get into flow state and actually do the thing.

If you've been sitting on a manuscript, this one's for you.

Try out Suhka App for 3 days free:

https://www.thesukha.co/

(And Steven has a lot of amazing podcast interviews out there but if you want to deep dive into one of the topics we spoke about more just let me know. It would be amazing to have him back on the pod.)

And, my pre-launch for Kickstarter is finally out. Head over to the campaign and get notified when it goes live:

https://www.colleenheidecker.com/kickstarter

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Creativity and Productivity

04:12 The Importance of Creating and Overcoming Obstacles

07:10 Motivation and the Path to Completion

10:20 Procrastination and Distraction: Identifying the Barriers

13:20 Creating the Right Environment for Writing

16:28 The Role of Sound in Achieving Flow State

20:38 Tools and Techniques for Enhanced Productivity

21:42 Finding Your Flow State

27:47 The Balance of Success and Fulfillment

35:53 Tenacity Over Talent

In this episode of Bookcraft, I'm sharing my experience attending the Writers' Guild of Alberta conference and the lessons I brought home from a weekend of learning, networking, and talking books with fellow authors.

I have attended conferences in my old career in countries around the world, so I had certain expectations going in—and I'm happy to say this event was wonderful. From the inspiring keynote presentations ‌to the workshops, there was no shortage of valuable takeaways.

Whether you're an aspiring writer, a published author, or simply curious about what happens at a writers' conference, this episode offers an honest look at the experience and the presentations I attended.

So grab your favourite beverage, get comfortable, and let's talk about conferences, community, and continuing to grow as writers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Writers' Conference Experience

01:53 Conference Overview and Expectations

03:46 Diverse Presentations and Networking Opportunities

09:54 Insights on Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

19:21 Keynote Presentation by Francine Cunningham

22:44 Concurrent Sessions and Character Development Workshop

29:11 Building an Author's Audience and Networking

32:03 Free Writing and Productivity Techniques

39:01 Reflections on Future Conferences and Learning Opportunities

Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? If not, make sure to get on the list! As I get ready to launch my first Kickstarter there will be perks for subscribers.

https://www.colleenheidecker.com/

In this episode of BookCraft, I'm joined by debut author Zack Slingsby for a conversation about writing, publishing, and building a creative career in today's ever-changing media landscape.

Zack shares his journey from creating digital content to writing and publishing his upcoming crime drama novel, The Ballad of the Gangster's Daughter (Post Hill Press / Simon & Schuster, July 28, 2026). We talk about finding the right genre, developing memorable characters, and bringing your writing into the world.

We also dive into the realities of book marketing, reaching readers in a crowded marketplace, and how the rise of digital media and audiobooks is changing the publishing industry. Zack has unique insights into the creative process, the lessons he's learning along the way, and what it's like preparing to launch a debut novel, all while balancing the work of his King Jester digital comedy platform.

This was a fantastic episode to record and Zack’s perspective on why readers love to not only read books but make the choice to buy them is a refreshing take, especially with the competition in the online book spaces to stand out and create fans for your work.

Find Zack and his work online at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zackslingsby/

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/56mst49f

His comedic company is King Jester:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingjesterofficial/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kingjesterofficial

Human Factor Media - https://humanfactormedia.com

If you are in Nashville, he’ll be doing an event at Parnassus Books!

Parnassus Books - https://parnassusbooks.net

Timestamps: 

00:00 Introduction to Creativity and Comedy

03:03 The Journey of Writing and MFA Experience

05:58 Exploring the Crime Drama Genre

08:53 Writing Process: Pantsing vs. Plotting

12:04 Book Promotion and Marketing Strategies

15:06 The Role of Audiobooks in Modern Publishing

17:52 Finding Readers in a Saturated Market

21:08 Character Development and Literary Techniques

24:13 Conclusion and Author's Online Presence

In this episode of Bookcraft, I’m taking you behind the scenes of hosting a reading retreat and sharing everything I learned from creating a cozy, restorative experience for book lovers.

We talk about choosing the right location, planning the logistics, creating a relaxing atmosphere, and all the little details that make guests feel cared for — from meals and comfort touches to encouraging people to truly unplug and slow down for a weekend.

I also share why I think reading retreats are about so much more than just books. They’re an opportunity to reconnect with yourself, step away from the constant noise of everyday life, and spend intentional time resting, reading, and being present. Plus, of course, we add some fun extras like chocolate making - yum!!

If you’ve ever dreamed about attending a reading retreat, hosting one yourself, or simply creating more space for rest and creativity in your life, this episode is for you.

So grab your biggest mug of coffee or tea, get cozy, and let’s talk all things reading retreats.

Welcome back to Bookcraft and to another episode of Author Notes, where I share what I’m learning in real time as an indie author balancing writing, publishing, events, and all the moving pieces in between.

In this episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what’s been happening lately — from organizing literary retreats and planning future events, to exploring Kickstarter as a way to help fund and grow my book series. I talk about what I’m learning about crowdfunding for authors, why pre-launch support matters so much on Kickstarter, and some of the things indie authors should think about before launching a campaign.

I also share a few lessons from working on book two, the challenges of balancing writing with marketing and community-building. Plus some thoughts on the ongoing ARC and early review conversations happening in the publishing world right now.

This episode is honest, practical, and a little bit of a creative life update all rolled into one. If you’re an indie author, aspiring writer, or someone curious about the behind-the-scenes of publishing and literary events, I hope you’ll find something helpful here.

And I’m also very excited for more interviews coming up in Season 2. 💛

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Bookcraft Podcast
01:00 Events and Retreats: A Creative Journey
04:13 Kickstarter Insights: Crowdfunding for Authors
08:08 Writing Process: Lessons Learned from Book Two
11:56 Community and Networking: The Author's Dilemma
16:08 ARC Controversies: The Challenges of Early Reviews
24:00 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Podcast Updates

Resources

Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/
StoryGraph - https://app.thestorygraph.com/
Draft2Digital - https://draft2digital.com/
Barnes & Noble Publishing - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/
NetGalley - https://www.netgalley.com/

Don't have a copy of my debut novel yet? Never fear you can find it here:

https://www.colleenheidecker.com/

In this episode of Bookcraft, I’m sharing a little behind-the-scenes look at what’s been happening lately — from a cozy writing retreat to some very real lessons learned while editing a long manuscript.

I recently spent time at a writing retreat that I hosted, and it reminded me just how powerful it is to step away from everyday life and give yourself space to focus. No laundry, no distractions — just time to think, write, edit, and actually move your projects forward. I talk about what we worked on, why these environments are so impactful, and what I’m thinking about for future retreats.

We also dive into my editing process (including tackling a 75-chapter manuscript 😅), what’s working, what’s not, and how I’m approaching restructuring, plot inconsistencies, and writing out of order. I share some honest reflections on the mental load of big creative projects, plus a few practical things that are helping — like using dictation during long drives and staying consistent even when life gets busy.

This episode is a mix of cozy retreat vibes, real talk about the writing process, and a reminder that creativity doesn’t happen by accident, it happens when we make space for it.

If you’re a writer, a reader, or somewhere in between, I think you’ll find something in here for you.

Find my debut novel Undercurrents of Love on my website:
https://www.colleenheidecker.com/

Hello Book Crafters!

Today I wanted to chat about reader events, how to think about them and create them.

I have been offering events for years as I've always worked in Hospitality. But, I had to put myself into the mind of a reader that wanted to invest in an event like a retreat and find a way to better communicate all the exciting things that will happen at the event.

Plus, we're going international next year! May 2027 we're going on a Reading Retreat to the Bahamas. I can't wait to be your guide for an epic adventure!

Let me know too, what are some events that you love.

Welcome back to Book Craft podcast and another episode of Author Notes, where I share what I’m learning in real time as an indie author building a book career from the ground up.

This week I’m talking about something that every indie author eventually has to figure out: book distribution and discoverability. After publishing my debut novel Undercurrents of Love, I’ve been learning a lot about how different platforms actually work — and why relying on just one marketplace, especially Amazon, can really limit your reach.

In this episode, I break down what it means to “go wide” with your book distribution, why platforms like Kobo, Draft2Digital, and library systems can open up entirely new audiences, and some of the common pitfalls new authors run into when they’re navigating publishing decisions for the first time.

We’ll also talk about the importance of reader reviews, building trust with your audience, and why constantly moving your book between platforms can do more harm than good.

If you’re an indie author, an aspiring writer, or just curious about what happens behind the scenes in the publishing world, this episode is a candid look at the strategy side of self-publishing and what I’m learning along the way.

Welcome to the first episode of Author Notes, a new solo series where I’m pulling back the curtain on my writing life and sharing what I’m learning in real time as an indie author.

As I work on my second novel, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really means to navigate the publishing world. It’s not just about writing the book. It’s also about distribution, strategy, visibility, and building real connections with readers. In this episode, I talk about what I’ve learned from publishing my debut, Undercurrents of Love, and how I’m thinking differently about platforms like Amazon, Kobo, and going wide.

We’ll dive into why building your own newsletter is crucial (because Kindle Unlimited pays pennies per page and platforms don’t give you reader data), how I approach series bingeability, and the importance of developing strong character voice guides. I also share what I’m learning about audiobook production and rights management because that’s a whole other layer of decision-making as an indie author.

I’m also exploring in-person events and direct sales, because visibility matters but so does sustainability. Indie publishing is a balancing act, and I’m figuring it out one decision at a time.

If you’re an indie author, an aspiring writer, or a reader curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode is honest, practical, and meant to help you think strategically about your own author journey.

Sound Bites

"Building your own newsletter is crucial."
"Kindle Unlimited pays pennies per page."
"Series bingeability keeps readers hooked."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Author Notes
05:48 The Challenges of Indie Publishing
11:56 Writing Process and Discovery Drafting
17:55 Audiobook Production and Rights Management

Resources:

Book Funnel https://bookfunnel.com/
Draft2Digital https://draft2digital.com/
Libby by Overdrive https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby
Kobo Writing Life https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/p/writinglife
Amazon KDP https://kdp.amazon.com
Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/

Buy my eBook or paperback book:
https://www.colleenheidecker.com/

In this episode of Book Craft, I’m joined by author and event organizer Cathrine Swift, and this conversation was such a joy.

Cathrine started her journey at an early age; her love of storytelling and event planning turned into a career as a multi-genre indie author, event organizer, and passionate community builder.

She shares how discovering the indie publishing world changed her path, what it was like returning to writing after becoming a mom, and why supporting other writers has become such an important part of her work.

We also dive into the realities of self-publishing, balancing writing with marketing, and why focusing on the creative work still matters most.

If you’re an indie author, aspiring writer, or curious about publishing and community-building, this episode is full of insight and encouragement.

Find Cathrine on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/authorcathrineswift/

Or her business page:

https://www.instagram.com/talesandtrinketsevents/