Creating Happy Writers

Creating Happy Writers

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Creating Happy Writers episodes

  • S3 Ep106: Season 3 Wrap-Up: Why I'm Marie Kondo-ing My Business (And What's Next)
    In this final episode of Season 3, I’m taking you behind the scenes for a little business declutter - Marie Kondo style.

    This solo episode is part honest reflection, part permission slip. Because after a brilliant season of conversations with authors, creatives and publishing pros, I’ve found myself craving more space, more simplicity… and fewer 'shoulds'.

    So I’m tidying up. That includes how I work, how I show up - and yes, even how I podcast.

    Here’s what I’m unpacking in this final episode of the season:

    • Why I’m “Marie Kondoing” my business (and what’s getting the chop)
    • A round-up of Season 3, from standout guests to big lessons
    • What I’ve learned about showing up, being visible, and sustaining creativity
    • Why some offers are going in storage—and which ones are getting pride of place
    • What’s next for the podcast
      • I also share details of The Big Summer Write Along—a 30-day challenge starting August 1st to help you finally get that book moving. Think: daily audio coaching, bite-sized prompts, and serious momentum (without the burnout).

      If you’ve been feeling the nudge to simplify, step back, or just rethink how your book fits in your life—this one’s for you.

      I hope you enjoy listening.

      Further resources:

      • The Big Summer Writealong - info and sign up here
      • Sign up for the FREE Write Stuff newsletter here.
      • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon and on my website.
        • Connect with Steph:

        Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

        LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

        If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform!
        39 min
      • S3 Ep105: How to Keep Selling After Your Book Launch - with Sara Dalrymple
        Have you ever wondered what really happens after you publish your book, and how to keep the momentum going long after launch day?

        In this episode, I’m delighted to welcome Sara Dalrymple BACK to the podcast. My first-ever returning guest - and one of the most popular!

        Sara is a speaker, educator, and thought leader on the art of selling yourself as a personal brand.

        Recognised for her bold, forward-thinking approach to sales, Sara has spent over a decade helping ambitious women in creative entrepreneurship show up unapologetically. Her frameworks have empowered thousands of business owners to speak with conviction and make money without burning out.

        She’s the author of the bestselling book More Sales Please, and has delivered training in communities like Roundhouse, General Assembly and Found and Flourish. Sara is a sought-after guest on podcasts where she shares her refreshingly honest take on the power of self-promotion.

        In this conversation, we explore:

        • Navigating the first year after launch: Why Sara chose to think of her launch as a 12-month project, and how that mindset shift kept her motivated to keep promoting.

        • Unexpected opportunities: The surprising doors the book has opened — from speaking invitations to new client work Sara hadn’t even planned for.

        • Making it easy for supporters to help: How Sara created simple, step-by-step guides so her launch team knew exactly how to spread the word.

        • Longevity over hype: The importance of letting your book have a long tail, instead of feeling pressured to jump into the next big thing.

        • Creating spaciousness and clarity: Why stepping back from social media helped Sara reconnect with her message and see where her book sits in the bigger picture of her work.
          • If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your book visible - and how to let it keep working for you - this conversation will leave you feeling inspired, encouraged, and ready to take the long view.

          I hope you enjoy listening.

          Connect with Sara and her book:

          • More Sales Please (book)
          • Sara’s website
          • Instagram
            • Further resources from me

            • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.
            Connect with Steph:

            Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

            Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

            LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

            If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
            Apple Spotify Amazon
            1 hr 3 min
          • S3 Ep104: What To Do When You Feel Broken - with Dr Laura Williams
            When life falls apart, where do you begin putting yourself back together?

            In this episode of the Creating Happy Writers podcast, I chat to Dr Laura Williams. Laura is a clinical psychologist, private therapist, trauma specialist, online course creator, and media contributor. 

            She is also a widow and mum, who had to put all her psychological expertise into practice when faced with the sudden death of her much-loved husband.

            Her book, ‘What to Do When You Feel Broken’, was published by Hay House in February 2025. In this brilliant book, Laura uses her own personal story to illustrate key psychological concepts we can all benefit from applying to our own lives.
            In this conversation, we explore:

            • Why writing can be such a powerful tool for healing and self-understanding

            • The hidden impact of generational trauma and how it shows up in our lives

            • What perfectionism is really trying to protect us from

            • How to create a writing practice that feels sustainable—even when life is messy

            • The realities of getting a traditional publishing deal and building momentum as a first-time author
              • Laura’s story is a beautiful reminder that you don’t have to be perfectly healed to help others - and that you are never as alone as you think.

              I hope you enjoy listening.

              Connect with Laura and her book:

              • What To Do When You Feel Broken (book)
              • Laura’s website
              • Instagram
                • Further resources from me

                • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.

                Connect with Steph:

                Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

                Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

                LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

                If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
                Apple Spotify Amazon

                1 hr 5 min
              • S3 Ep103: The Self-Publishing Show Live 2025: Top Takeaways
                Have you ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of a major indie publishing event — and what non-fiction writers can learn from the world of fiction authors?

                In this episode, I’m sharing my top takeaways from the Self Publishing Show Live in London. While the event is primarily aimed at fiction authors, I came away with so many ideas and insights that are just as valuable if you’re writing a business book or self-help title, especially around marketing, mindset, and staying connected to your readers.

                In this episode, you’ll hear about:

                • Why story is your greatest tool for hooking readers — and how to give people a reason to root for you or your clients

                • The many paths to publishing success, including hybrid deals, translation rights, and exclusive Amazon programmes like KDP Select

                • What to know about Kindle Unlimited, expanded distribution, and direct sales — and why it pays to think carefully about where you want your book to live

                • The importance of showing up where your readers already are (even if that means dusting off your Facebook login)

                • How authors are using AI tools to save time, organise content, and protect their intellectual property

                • Why TikTok has become such a powerful platform for selling books (and how to train the algorithm before you post your first video)

                • The power of boundaries, gratitude and habits when you want to write more and feel happier doing it

                • How one author is using direct sales and merchandise to build a thriving six-figure business
                  • If you’ve been thinking about publishing your own book — or you just love a behind-the-scenes peek at the writing life — I hope these insights will inspire you to explore what feels possible for you.

                  I hope you enjoy listening.

                  Further resources:

                  • Sign up for the FREE Write Stuff newsletter here.

                  • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon and on my website.

                  Connect with Steph:

                  Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

                  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

                  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

                  If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform!
                  39 min
                • S3 Ep102: Coaching Through Burnout - with Hazel Anderson-Turner
                  Have you ever felt like you’re running on empty, but still trying to write, create, and keep all the plates spinning?

                  In this episode of Creating Happy Writers, I chat with the brilliant Hazel Anderson Turner — psychologist, coach, and author of Coaching Through Burnout. Hazel brings a grounded, compassionate voice to a topic that so many of us quietly carry: burnout. 

                  Especially the kind that creeps in when we care deeply about our work, our people, and our purpose.

                  Hazel has worked extensively within the NHS and public sector, leading coaching programmes focused on resilience, wellbeing, and — eventually — burnout prevention. Her book was born out of lived experience and a deep desire to help others recognise the signs, intervene early, and stay well while doing meaningful work.

                  Hazel now supports individuals and organisations through coaching, workshops and consultancy — and in this conversation, she brings her full self to the mic: the psychologist, the business owner, the writer… and the human.
                  In this episode, we explore:

                  • Why burnout often shows up in high-achieving, values-led people (yes, even the ones who “should know better”

                  • The difference between regular stress and real burnout — and how to spot the warning signs early

                  • How coaching can support burnout recovery — and protect your energy as a writer or business owner

                  • The hidden emotional load of running your own business, and how boundary-setting can be a radical act of self-care

                  • How Hazel approached writing her book without burning out — including the writing habits that made it sustainable (and even joyful)

                  • What to do when imposter syndrome shows up with “Who am I to write this?” — and why the way you feel while writing matters just as much as what you write

                    • Hazel’s take on writing is refreshing, honest, and beautifully encouraging. If you’ve ever stared at a blank screen feeling completely detached from your creative spark, this episode will meet you right there — and gently remind you what’s possible when you create from a place of ease.

                    You’ll find links to Hazel’s book Coaching Through Burnout, her coaching work, and more in the show notes below.

                    I hope you enjoy listening.

                    Connect with Hazel and her book:

                    • Coaching Through Burnout (the book)
                    • Hazel’s website
                    • LinkedIn
                    • Instagram
                      • Further resources from me

                      • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.
                      Connect with Steph:

                      Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

                      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

                      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

                      If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
                      Apple Spotify Amazon
                      1 hr 5 min
                    • S3 Ep101: 10 Traits That Separate the Writers Who Finish from the Ones Who Don’t
                      You know the feeling. You’ve got a book inside you (maybe five), a business to run, and a to-do list that’s breeding overnight. But still, you want to write it. You want to finish it. You want to be that woman. The one who actually did it.

                      This episode is a love letter (and a bit of a kick up the bum) to that version of you. I’m sharing the 10 traits that I’ve noticed in the women I work with who actually finish their books. 

                      You’ll hear:

                      • Why self-discipline beats motivation every single time

                      • The exact traits that separate published authors from everyone else

                      • How to stop letting your emotions hijack your goals

                      • What real accountability looks like (spoiler: no more excuses)

                      • Why being honest with yourself is your biggest power move
                        • This isn’t another pep talk. It’s a mirror. If you’re tired of second-guessing, procrastinating, and waiting for the perfect conditions to create your best work, this is for you. Hit play, take what you need, and start leading yourself like you mean it.

                        I hope you enjoy listening!

                        Further resources:

                        • Sign up for the FREE Write Stuff newsletter here.

                        • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon and on my website.

                        Connect with Steph:

                        Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

                        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

                        LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

                        If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform!

                        40 min
                      • S3 Ep100: Celebration Special: My Writing Life - with Steph Caswell
                        This episode is a little different. And a little brilliant (if I do say so myself).

                        Because for Episode 100, I’m flipping the mic — and being interviewed by someone who knows me almost better than I know myself!

                        That someone is the utterly brilliant Kay Ribeiro — journalist, editor, scriptwriter, BAFTA judge and all-round creative powerhouse — and also one of my oldest (and dearest) friends. 

                        She was given free rein over the questions, and what unfolded was a rather marvellous conversation.

                        In this episode, we chat about:

                        • My earliest storytelling memories
                        • Leaving my career in teaching to chase the writing life
                        • The non-glamorous truth about writing book #1 
                        • What writing courses have taught me about rejection, resilience, and rewriting
                        • Why I went back to non-fiction when I’d lost my spark
                        • Imposter syndrome, perfectionism, comparisonitis — and how to wrangle them all with a pen
                        • Writing habits, word-count tracking, and my spreadsheet love affair
                        • My fiction WIP (yes, I’ve finally dusted it off)
                          • This isn’t just a podcast milestone — it’s a little time capsule of the last 100 episodes, the journey I’ve been on, and the creative lessons I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way).

                          A big thank you for being here on this journey - I’m beyond grateful.

                          I hope you enjoy listening.

                          Connect with Kay:

                          • Instagram
                          Further resources from me

                          • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.

                          Connect with Steph:

                          Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

                          Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

                          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

                          If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:

                          Apple Spotify Amazon

                          1 hr 4 min
                        • S3 Ep99: How to Stay Obsessed With Your Book
                          Writing a book is a long game. There will be highs, lows and a few “why did I even start this?” days.

                          But if you want to actually finish the thing (and enjoy the process a little more), there’s one thing that makes all the difference: your energy.

                          In this episode, I’m talking about the power of being obsessed with your book — not in a tattoo-the-title-on-your-arm kind of way — but in a grounded, focused, I actually want to write this kind of way.

                          In this episode, we explore:

                          • Why your energy literally shows up in your writing (and how readers can feel it)

                          • The neuroscience behind energy, focus and getting your book finished

                          • How to choose the right idea to stay emotionally connected to

                          • The big mindset shift that helped me pivot book #8 — and finally enjoy writing again

                          • Practical rituals, playlists and mood-boosting tricks to get back in the zone

                          • Why writing with other people (and not in isolation) is so important
                            • Whether you’re in the messy middle of your manuscript or still flirting with the idea of writing one, this episode is here to help you rekindle your spark — and maybe even fall back in love with your book a bit.

                            I hope you enjoy listening.

                            Further resources:

                            • Expert to Author - information
                            • Sign up for the FREE Write Stuff newsletter here.
                            • Happy Writers Hub - The Happy Writers Hub - all info and link to join are here
                            • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon and on my website.

                              • Connect with Steph:

                              Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

                              Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

                              LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

                              If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform!

                              34 min
                            • S3 Ep98: Are You in Your Author Era?
                              Is it burnout… or are you just ready for more?

                              If you’ve built the business, served the clients, shared your expertise on every platform going — but now you’re craving more space, more depth, more meaning — it might not be a crisis.

                              It might be your Author Era calling. 

                              In this episode, I’m diving into why so many experienced, midlife female founders are feeling this exact shift — and why writing a book might be the most aligned next step you haven’t said out loud yet.

                              We explore:

                              • The real reason short-form content is starting to feel stale
                              • Why it’s not that you’re out of ideas — it’s that your ideas need room
                              • How to know the difference between a passing thought and a true creative calling
                              • What your newsletters, podcasts and blog posts are quietly trying to tell you
                              • Why writing a book isn’t just about the message — it’s about who you become by writing it
                                • If you’ve been feeling that quiet-but-persistent nudge — to go deeper, to step up, to say what you really think — this one’s for you.

                                Listen now and find out if it’s time to step into your Author Era.

                                I hope you enjoy it!

                                Further resources:

                                • Expert to Author - all the information is here

                                • Sign up for the FREE Write Stuff newsletter here.

                                • Happy Writers Hub - The Happy Writers Hub - all info and link to join are here

                                • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon and on my website.

                                Connect with Steph:

                                Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

                                Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

                                LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

                                If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform!


                                30 min
                              • S3 Ep97: When Your Book Becomes a Calling - with Nicola Humber
                                Is your book quietly (or loudly) refusing to leave you alone? That might not be a coincidence — it could be your soul trying to get a word in.

                                In this episode of Creating Happy Writers, I chat with the brilliant Nicola Humber about what happens when writing a book becomes less of a strategic decision and more of a deep inner pull. 

                                Nicola is the author of four transformational books, Heal Your Inner Good Girl,
                                UNBOUND, Unbound Writing, and her most recent (published in 2025), ‘The Abundant Author Playbook’. She’s also the creator of the #unbound365 journal and founder of The Unbound Press, a soul-led publishing imprint for unbound women.

                                After playing the archetypal good girl up until her mid-thirties, Nicola left her 'proper' job in finance to retrain as a coach and hypnotherapist, and this leap of faith led her to what she does now: activating recovering good girls to embrace their so-called imperfections and shake off the tyranny of 'shoulds', so they can be their fullest, freest, most magnificent selves.

                                Nicola helps women write the book their Unbound Self is calling them to write, whilst
                                growing a community of soul-family readers and clients. She's also the host of The Unbound Writer's Club podcast.

                                In this episode, we explore:

                                • What it means to be a soul-led writer — and why your book might be part of your transformation, not just your reader’s

                                • Why writing from a place of should can quietly crush your joy

                                • How to navigate vulnerability (and unmet expectations) when your book meets the real world

                                • The silent bias still holding back female non-fiction authors — and what to do about it

                                • How the Unbound Press is rewriting the publishing experience — for good

                                  • Writing a book isn’t just about getting published. It’s about finding your voice — and trusting it enough to be heard.


                                  So, whether you’re mid-draft, circling an idea, or sitting on a Word doc that hasn’t been opened in three months, Nicola’s wisdom will remind you why you started — and why your voice matters.

                                  I hope you enjoy listening.

                                  Connect with Nicola and her books:

                                  • The Abundant Author Playbook
                                  • The Unbound Press Website
                                  • Nicola’s website 
                                  • Instagram

                                    • Further resources from me

                                    • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.

                                    Connect with Steph:

                                    Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

                                    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

                                    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

                                    If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
                                    Apple Spotify Amazon
                                    1 hr

                                  About Creating Happy Writers

                                  From the publisher's feed

                                  If you're writing a non-fiction or business book, The Creating Happy Writers Podcast is here to inspire, educate and empower you with the tools you need to make your writing journey a happy and successful one.