H.E.R. Amplified: Formerly Project Seed Money

Confidence comes after taking the leap! In this episode of H.E.R. Amplified (formerly Project Seed Money), host Sharissa Bradley sits down with author, CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), and advocate Maria Gallucci.

Maria opens up about her deeply moving journey to publishing her debut memoir, Raised in Silence. Growing up as a child of Deaf adults and dealing with a lifelong stutter, Maria felt double the insecurity and fear of not fitting in. For 15 years, writing a book sat on her New Year's resolutions list—until her young son's notes and encouragement sparked the courage to finally bring her story to life.

Maria shares the extraordinary story of how her son (at age 19) designed her book cover—the only author-provided cover her publisher ever accepted—and how her book became an Amazon #1 Bestseller, briefly outranking Michael J. Fox on the audio charts! If you've ever let self-doubt, speech insecurity, or the fear of standing out hold you back, Maria's message that "confidence comes after you start" will give you the exact push you need.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome to H.E.R. Amplified!
• 00:38 – Childhood Memories: Reading Under the Windowsill
• 01:13 – What is a CODA? Preserving Stories of the Deaf Community
• 02:10 – Living with a Lifelong Stutter & Creating a Safe Belonging Space
• 03:00 – Why Confidence Comes After You Start, Not Before
• 05:21 – The 15-Year Journey: From New Year's Resolution to Published Author
• 06:30 – A Legacy Cover: How Her 19-Year-Old Son Designed the Book Cover
• 08:00 – Becoming an Amazon #1 Bestseller (and Outranking Michael J. Fox!)
• 09:43 – The Marketing Reality: Overcoming Shyness on Podcasts and TV
• 10:23 – Her Core Motto: "Just Try"
• 13:42 – Wise Advice From Her Son: Celebrating the Journey Beyond Rankings
• 14:51 – Where to Find Maria's Book & Final Advice for Aspiring Authors

Connect with Maria Gallucci:

Website

https://galluccihomes.com/ & https://raisedinsilence.com/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/galluccihomes/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TopASLRealtor

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-gallucci-18725b9

HER Amplified—Hear Every Ripple—is a platform devoted to amplifying women's voices and helping their stories, work, ideas, and businesses create ripples in the world.

Formerly Project Seed Money.

Explore interviews, grants, resources, and community:

https://heramplified.com

Subscribe to HER Amplified:

https://www.youtube.com/@heramplified

Connect with us:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HERAmplified

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/h.e.r.amplified

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@h.e.r.amplified

Hosted by author, publisher, and educator Sharissa Bradley.

If this conversation stayed with you, share it with another woman and help keep the ripple moving.

Find your team! In this episode of H.E.R. Amplified, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with developmental editor and author Allyson Wilkins.

Allyson shares her unique journey into the publishing industry—from studying theater arts and working in transcription to discovering plot holes in Kindle ebooks and falling in love with developmental editing. She explains the distinct differences between developmental, line, and copy editing, why she specializes in fantasy and fairy tale retellings for self-published authors, and what every author should look for during a discovery call.

Allyson also discusses stepping into the author's shoes with her forthcoming book, Self Edit with Confidence: A First-Time Guide for Authors. She shares how consulting multiple editor peers, working with a book coach, and utilizing beta readers gave her a profound appreciation for the vulnerability authors feel—and why building a trusted publishing team is the single best investment an author can make.

In this video, you'll learn:

• How a background in theater and transcription translates directly into story structure and line editing.

• The essential differences between developmental, line, copy editing, and proofreading.

• What critical questions to ask an editor during a 30-minute discovery call (including AI policies and trigger topics).

• Why editors should book out 3–4 months in advance and offer sample edits.

• What it's like to write a guide on self-editing as a professional editor.

• Why having a network of editor referrals is a massive "green flag."

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome to H.E.R. Amplified!

• 00:37 – From Theater Arts & Transcription to Developmental Editing

• 02:18 – The Connection Between Theater Structure and Story Editing

• 03:05 – Specializing in Fantasy, Romantasy, and Fairy Tale Retellings

• 04:00 – The Onboarding Process: Discovery Calls & Free Sample Edits

• 07:00 – Booking Timelines: Why You Should Reach Out 3–4 Months Ahead

• 08:50 – Questions to Ask an Editor: Experience, AI Policies, & Trigger Topics

• 10:20 – Spotting Editing Red Flags & Communication Styles

• 12:50 – Stepping into the Author's Shoes: Writing Self Edit with Confidence

• 16:00 – The Vulnerability of Sending Work to Beta Readers

• 17:35 – Why Editors Hire Editors: Creating Your Publishing Team

• 19:00 – Green Flags in Editors & Why You Can't Proofread Your Own Book

• 21:00 – Where to Find Allyson's Services

• 22:15 – Words of Encouragement: Finding Your Team and Community

Connect with Allyson Wilkins:

Website

getitwrite-editing.com

Instagram

@getitwrite_editing

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/getitwriteedit

LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com/in/allyson-wilkins-563baa32

Scheduling Link

https://calendly.com/getitwrite-editing/30min

Watch this interview on youtube: https://youtu.be/w9M4qlzORAU

HER Amplified—Hear Every Ripple—is a platform devoted to amplifying women's voices and helping their stories, work, ideas, and businesses create ripples in the world.

Formerly Project Seed Money.

Explore interviews, grants, resources, and community:

https://heramplified.com

Subscribe to HER Amplified:

https://www.youtube.com/@heramplified

Connect with us:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HERAmplified

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/h.e.r.amplified

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@h.e.r.amplified

Hosted by author, publisher, and educator Sharissa Bradley.

If this conversation stayed with you, share it with another woman and help keep the ripple moving.

500 copies sold indie! In this episode of H.E.R. Amplified (formerly Project Seed Money), host Sharissa Bradley sits down with author, educator, and historical fiction writer Lise Mayne.

Lise shares her extraordinary publishing journey—from writing her very first novel at age 10 after learning to read with Dick and Jane, to spending 30 years persistently crafting her debut novel while balancing a career as a teacher, principal, and mother. She reveals how she faced dozens of rejections labeling her work "unmarketable," invested her own savings to self-publish 500 copies, and personally sold out every single book in 18 months across local markets.

Lise also opens up about battling cancer and COVID lockdowns while writing her second book, the heartbreak of nearly hitting "delete" on a 500-page manuscript, and how a life-changing mentorship with author Richard Van Camp saved her story. Now 69 and selling out at Chapters bookstores across Canada, Lise shares why real, human-created art will always beat AI slop and why it's never too late to share your dream.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome to H.E.R. Amplified!
• 00:36 – Learning to Read at 6.5 & Writing First Book at Age 10
• 02:08 – The 30-Year Manuscript: Writing with a Baby on Her Lap
• 03:00 – Facing "Unmarketable" Rejections & Printing 500 Copies
• 03:50 – Selling 500 Copies in 18 Months Through Grassroots Hustle
• 04:20 – Writing Book Two: International Research & 50 More Rejections
• 05:15 – Finding Her Dream US Publisher & Husband's Cover Art
• 06:00 – Selling Out at Chapters Bookstores Across Canada
• 07:45 – The Fight Against AI-Generated Covers & Cookie-Cutter Books
• 11:25 – Overcoming Cancer, Burnout, and Almost Deleting the Draft
• 12:00 – The Mentor Who Saved Her Book: Richard Van Camp's 6-Week Deadline

• 16:00 – Structuring Novels: Save the Cat & The Heroine's Journey
• 17:00 – Free Resources, Author Societies, and Social Media at Age 69
• 20:00 – Final Encouragement: Why You Must Keep Believing

Connect with Lise Mayne:

Website

https://www.lisemayne.ca

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/maynelise_author

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/lisemayneauthor/

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lise-mayne-lg-pomerleau-006130a4

Watch this on youtube: https://youtu.be/tRO8BjmijxA

HER Amplified—Hear Every Ripple—is a platform devoted to amplifying women's voices and helping their stories, work, ideas, and businesses create ripples in the world.

Formerly Project Seed Money.

Explore interviews, grants, resources, and community:

https://heramplified.com

Subscribe to HER Amplified:

https://www.youtube.com/@heramplified

Connect with us:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HERAmplified

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/h.e.r.amplified

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@h.e.r.amplified

Hosted by author, publisher, and educator Sharissa Bradley.

If this conversation stayed with you, share it with another woman and help keep the ripple moving.

Start before you're ready! In this episode of H.E.R. Amplified (formerly Project Seed Money), host Sharissa Bradley sits down for a insightful conversation with author, book coach, and community builder Liisa Kovala.

Liisa shares how she transitioned from years of painstaking historical fiction research to crafting her delightful Hygge House Cozy Mystery Series. She details the magic of a six-hour road trip where an entire six-book series downloaded into her mind, how she balances a looming book deadline with organizing literary festivals, and why tracking what you've already accomplished is a game-changer for recovering perfectionists. Finally, Liisa delivers a powerful reminder for every woman waiting for the "perfect time" to write her book.

In this video, you'll learn:

• How to pivot between heavy historical writing and lighter contemporary genre fiction.
• The 6-hour road trip spark behind the Hygge House Cozy Mystery Series.
• How to manage writing deadlines while supporting community initiatives like Wordstock and Book Coaches Canada.
• A flexible time-tracking method that eliminates overwhelm for busy authors.
• Why waiting until you feel "ready" is a myth—and how starting creates your readiness.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome back to H.E.R. Amplified!
• 00:52 – What Liisa's been up to: Book 3, a new book deal, and literary retreats.
• 02:32 – Evolving into community leadership after leaving full-time teaching.
• 03:59 – Honoring the seasons of motherhood and creative capacity.
• 05:34 – The road trip inspiration behind the Hygge House Cozy Mystery Series.
• 08:45 – Balancing a 6-book series with new contracts and changing timelines.
• 09:54 – Practical time management: Time blocking vs. tracking what you've done.
• 12:21 – Giving yourself grace as a recovering perfectionist.
• 16:20 – Words of encouragement: Starting before you feel ready.

Watch this on youtube: https://youtu.be/WM2Iw987o5w

Connect with Liisa Kovala:

Website

https://www.liisakovalabookcoach.com/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/liisakovala/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/liisakovalawriter/

Substack:

https://liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/@LiisaKovala

HER Amplified—Hear Every Ripple—is a platform devoted to amplifying women's voices and helping their stories, work, ideas, and businesses create ripples in the world.

Formerly Project Seed Money.

Explore interviews, grants, resources, and community:

https://heramplified.com

Subscribe to HER Amplified:

https://www.youtube.com/@heramplified

Connect with us:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HERAmplified

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/h.e.r.amplified

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@h.e.r.amplified

Hosted by author, publisher, and educator Sharissa Bradley.

If this conversation stayed with you, share it with another woman and help keep the ripple moving.

In this episode of H.E.R. Amplified, host Sharissa Bradley welcomes author, playwright, and healer Kelly Watt.

Kelly shares her lifetime journey with story—from writing her first crayon book at age six to studying playwriting, being mentored by renowned Canadian author Timothy Findley on her debut Gothic novel Mad Dog, and navigating the turbulent release of her first book two days after 9/11.

She dives deep into her award-winning collection of poetry and flash prose, The Weeping Degree: How Astrology Saved Me from Suicide, explaining the astrological significance of the 29th degree and how a pandemic pivot led her to Wild Rising Press. Kelly also reveals her practical tools for overcoming author anxiety, including EFT tapping and her step-by-step Fear Inventory System for when her mind starts going crazy.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome to H.E.R. Amplified!
• 00:56 – Early Storytelling & Seeing Books as Gateways
• 02:39 – Dual Callings: The Intersection of Healing and Writing
• 04:20 – Mentorship with Timothy Findley & Writing Mad Dog
• 05:25 – Pandemic Pivot: The Weeping Degree: How Astrology Saved Me from Suicide
• 08:35 – Understanding the 29th Astrological Degree & Collective Healing
• 11:30 – Comparing Traditional vs. Indie Hybrid Publishing
• 15:00 – Award Validation & Marketing with Social Media Intention
• 18:09 – Overcoming Self-Doubt: EFT Tapping & The Fear Inventory System
• 22:27 – Courage is Action: Why Confidence Comes After You Take the Leap
• 24:58 – Remembering "You Are Not Your Book" & Where to Find Kelly

Connect with Kelly Watt:

Website

https://www.kellywatt.ca

Instagram

@kellywattauthor

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/kellywattauthor

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-watt-0b987958/

HER Amplified—Hear Every Ripple—is a platform devoted to amplifying women's voices and helping their stories, work, ideas, and businesses create ripples in the world.

Formerly Project Seed Money.

Explore interviews, grants, resources, and community:

https://heramplified.com

Subscribe to HER Amplified:

https://www.youtube.com/@heramplified

Connect with us:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HERAmplified

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/h.e.r.amplified

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@h.e.r.amplified

Hosted by author, publisher, and educator Sharissa Bradley.

If this conversation stayed with you, share it with another woman and help keep the ripple moving.

In this episode of H.E.R. Amplified, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with BJ Magnani, former pathologist, research scientist, teacher, and author of the Dr. Lily Robinson series.

BJ shares her remarkable path through four distinct careers, explaining how a request to write a fictional column for a major medical journal launched her novel-writing career. She discusses her debut novel, The Queen of All Poisons, which follows a Boston pathologist recruited as a covert government assassin. BJ also opens up about battling self-doubt, relying on community over technical tools, and the incredible moment a bookstore sidewalk sale led to a potential streaming series contract a year later.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome to H.E.R. Amplified!
• 00:46 – Four Careers: From Teacher to Scientist to Pathologist
• 01:55 – The Clinical Chemistry Column: Turning Toxins into Fiction
• 04:55 – The Queen of All Poisons & Dr. Lily Robinson
• 06:45 – Overcoming Writer's Self-Doubt & Launching a Pen Name
• 08:34 – Why Community is an Author's #1 Tool
• 09:10 – Publishing with Encircle Publications
• 10:04 – The Sidewalk Sale that Led to a TV Streaming Deal
• 13:23 – Where to Find BJ's Books & Poison Blog
• 14:51 – Final Inspiration: Lifelong Learning & Never Giving Up

Connect with BJ Magnani:

Website

https://www.bjmagnani.com/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/@bj_magnani

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/bjmagnaniauthor

LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com/in/barbarajean-magnani-phd-md-26659778

BLUSKY

https://bsky.app/profile/bjmagnani.bsky.social

HER Amplified—Hear Every Ripple—is a platform devoted to amplifying women's voices and helping their stories, work, ideas, and businesses create ripples in the world.

Formerly Project Seed Money.

Explore interviews, grants, resources, and community:

https://heramplified.com

Subscribe to HER Amplified:

https://www.youtube.com/@heramplified

Connect with us:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HERAmplified

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/h.e.r.amplified

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@h.e.r.amplified

Hosted by author, publisher, and educator Sharissa Bradley.

If this conversation stayed with you, share it with another woman and help keep the ripple moving.

What does it take to pivot from political journalism to running a destination wedding empire, starring in a reality TV show, and becoming a bestselling fiction author? In this episode of H.E.R. Amplified, host Sharissa Bradley chats with the multitalented Sandy Malone. Sandy takes us through her colorful life story, from reporting on police beats and writing for The Wall Street Journal to coordinating disaster relief after Hurricane Maria and leading the Police Tribune. She opens up about the vulnerability of publishing fiction, her Jekyll Island book series, her upcoming novel Thicker Than Blood, and her essential advice for aspiring female writers.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome to H.E.R. Amplified
• 00:43 – Early Writing Dreams & High School Newspaper Controversy
• 02:50 – Journalism at Ohio State, Georgetown & The Wall Street Journal
• 04:45 – Switching to DC Public Affairs & Discovering Vieques Island
• 06:20 – Running 19 Weddings a Month & TLC's Wedding Island
• 08:50 – Hurricane Maria, Emergency Evacuations, and Moving On
• 12:00 – Writing for Brides, HuffPost, and Becoming Editor-in-Chief of Police Tribune
• 18:00 – Transitioning to Fiction: Escape to Jekyll Island & Thicker Than Blood
• 23:15 – Advice for Female Authors: Knowing Your Ending & Ignoring Doubters

Connect with Sandy Malone:

Website: https://sandymalone.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandyMaloneWIV

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sandy.malone

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-malone-author/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SandyMaloneAuthor/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SandyMaloneBooks

X; https://x.com/SandyMalone_

Watch this on youtube: https://youtu.be/QH72ogV9AgA

What happens when writing your memoir changes your entire life? Today on H.E.R. Amplified, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with Elizabeth Wilson to celebrate the launch of her debut book, Lonely Girl: An Unexpected Love Story. Elizabeth gets raw about the emotional and logistical marathon of her publishing journey. She details why she threw out 95% of her original draft, how her writing process forced her to confront her marriage, and what happened when her publication date coincided with moving and her fiancé's major shoulder surgery. If you've ever faced creative burnout or felt like you're starting over, Elizabeth's inspiring "spiral staircase" analogy will give you the perspective shift you need.

Connect with Elizabeth:

• Website: whisperedwisdompress.com
• Instagram: @ewilsonwrites
• Podcast: Inspired Writer Collective

Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.

Follow H.E.R. Amplified on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/h.e.r.amplified

Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jaJ7pTpPTlE

In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with author Lindsey Goldstein to discuss her inspiring journey to becoming a published novelist later in life.

Lindsey shares how getting a personal essay published in The New York Times finally gave her the confidence to write her first book. She opens up about the long, arduous reality of the querying trenches, the game-changing community she found through Pitch to Publish, and why parting ways with her literary agent was ultimately the best decision for her career.

Whether you are looking to submit directly to small presses, balance a busy life with writing sprints, or overcome the fear of rejection, Lindsey's practical wisdom is the ultimate guide to charting your own path.

In this video, you'll learn:

• How an external validation spark can build your confidence to write.
• The realities of query letters, beta readers, and page-one rewrites.
• How to find open, un-agented submission windows with small presses.
• Balancing 1-hour writing sprints with a busy career, family, and a demanding dog.
• Why setting concrete, external deadlines is the key to finishing your manuscript.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction to Lindsey Goldstein.
• 00:27 – The Confidence Spark: Getting published in The New York Times.
• 02:17 – The Query Trenches: Learning the hard way and the power of Pitch to Publish.
• 04:10 – The Page-One Rewrite: Tossing a draft to save the premise.
• 05:40 – Parting with an Agent & Landing Egret Lake Books.
• 07:56 – Hidden Resources: Finding free, un-agented publishing guides.
• 11:07 – Fitting Writing In: 1-hour slots vs. 4-hour refrigerator trips.
• 12:21 – Deadlines as Tools: Setting agent pitches to finish the book.
• 16:56 – Final Encouragement: Why it is never too late to start.

Connect with Lindsey:

• Website: lindseygoldsteinauthor.com
• Instagram/Threads: @GoldsteinLindsey
• Substack: lindseygoldstein.substack.com

In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with Jennifer Lieberman, the creative powerhouse behind the award-winning solo show and hit novel Year of the What? (originally titled Year of the Slut).

Jennifer pulls back the curtain on her multi-hyphenate career as an actor, producer, and author. She gets incredibly raw about the devastating "amateur mistakes" of her early publishing journey, why she shelved her manuscript for an entire year after a brutal editing critique, and how an encounter at a coffee shop completely changed her path. Learn how she navigated online censorship by internet algorithms, built her business Make Your Own Break, and why she believes self-doubt is actually a secret weapon that drives artists to excel.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Jennifer Lieberman.
• 00:31 – The Actor-Writer Shift: Creating your own opportunities.
• 01:08 – Erotic Poetry and the Fifty Shades catalyst.
• 01:54 – Bringing Year of the Slut from a 10-character solo show to a chick lit novel.
• 03:59 – The Crushing Critique: The unvetted editor who made her cry for a week.
• 05:52 – The Pivoting Trap: Bouncing between screenplays, web series, and books.
• 06:48 – Reclaiming Her Power: The boyfriend who pushed her to self-publish.
• 07:22 – Serendipitous Connections: Burning Man nails and The Nanny Diaries editor.
• 07:55 – Censored by the Bots: Rebranding to Year of the What?.
• 10:37 – Overcoming the "Icky" feeling of self-promotion.
• 12:11 – Writing First-Person: The "Carrie Bradshaw" fantasy vs. reality.
• 13:20 – The Artist's Rollercoaster: Why vulnerability makes us better creatives.
• 15:43 – Make Your Own Break & where to find Jennifer's books.
• 16:50 – Final Inspiration: Facing the "big matzah ball" of fear.

Connect more with Jennifer:

Website

www.MakeYourOwnBreak.com

Instagram

@iamjenlieberman

Facebook

@iamjenlieberman

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjenlieberman/

www.YearOfTheWhat.com

Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.

Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/

Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fplzSNjrynw