In this Write Big session of the #amWriting Podcast, Jennie Nash talks with author and book coach Janet Fox about a powerful decision: buying back the rights to her first novel and reissuing it on her own terms.

Janet shares her journey through traditional publishing, what it took to reclaim ownership of her work, and why legacy—not trends or permission—now guides her creative choices. This conversation is a clear-eyed, inspiring look at what it means to stop waiting and start owning your writing life.

In this episode:

* What it really means to buy back your book rights

* Why “out of print” doesn’t have to mean the end

* Publishing as a tool—not an identity

* Self-publishing, kid lit, and changing industry realities

* Ownership, legacy, and writing from the heart

This episode is a powerful reminder that your work belongs to you—and that writing big often begins with claiming what you’ve already made.

Mentioned in Episode

* Darcy Pattison

* 100 Covers

* BookFunnel

* Draft2Digital

* Jane Friedman newsletter

* Janet’s Substack

Guest Bio

Janet Fox has worn many hats—English teacher, oceanographer, rock band singer—but her favorite is “award-winning children’s author.” She’s written thirteen books for kids and teens, from science nonfiction to mysterious middle grade to swoony YA. Janet holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and is an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach. She lives in Montana with her husband, and their lively yellow lab. When she’s not writing, she helps fellow storytellers find their voice and bring their best work to life. Her stories are full of heart and always have just a touch of magic. Find her here: janetsfox.com

Join the Blueprint Sprint

Starting January 12 and rolling though February, KJ Dell’Antonia and Jennie Nash will lead you through the 14 foundational questions that every writer should ask of themselves and their book, whether you’re just getting started, are mid-draft or starting on on the whatever-number revision with weekly assignments, live events, workbooks and updated access to all the Blueprint resources. All you need to do is be a paid subscriber and stay tuned—we’ll let you know how to get signed up.

I NEED a January Blueprint!

What if you want even MORE? Then you could be one of a very few #AmWriting subscribers who join our first ever Blueprint Sprint cohort. 6 weeks of working together and write-alongs, 5 group-only live sessions, which will be recorded for anyone who can’t attend and a members-only community dedicated to helping you create a Blueprint that leads you to the book you want to write, ending with direct feedback from me and from Jennie on your flap copy and 3 page Inside-Outline.

We’re keeping this small on purpose—we max out at 10 and we might drop that down—so applications to join this group open today and will be evaluated on a first-come, first serve basis. Once we have 10 people, we will close down the application, so get yours in early! Early-bird pricing is $1000 until December 22, after that the price goes up to $1200 (if there are spaces left by then).

What are we looking for? 10 writers who are prepared to commit to the process and to the cohort, who do what they set out to do when they set out to do it, who welcome constructive feedback and are willing to do what it takes to build a blueprint for the book they want to create. Writers who know that sometimes you must look a hard truth in the face and cut your losses, that what goes in the scrap heap is rarely resurrected but that the scrap heap is a necessary part of the work. Writers who won’t take no for an answer, but can hear “not this” and feel both disappointment and a burning determination that the next effort will be the one that gets there.

Also: no a******s.

What will you need to apply? We want to hear about your professional and publishing backgrounds, but no publishing experience is necessary. We want to know where you are with this current project, but “still noodling” is a fine answer. The primary requirements are first, a readiness to do the work and second and more ephemerally, our sense of what makes a cohesive cohort.

If that sounds like you, here you go—the time to apply is now.

Links & Resources

* Learn more about the Blueprint tools

* Substack about how each genre has a different primary goal in the Blueprint

* #amwriting Episode about the Blueprint origin story and why it’s such a powerful tool.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe