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In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Canadian author Alexis von Konigslow—and what a fascinating conversation it was.

Alexis is the author of The Capacity for Infinite Happiness, and her latest novel The Exclusion Zone is one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve put it down. 

Set in the haunting and still-radioactive landscape surrounding Chernobyl, it follows a scientist grappling with fear—both personal and collective—and offers an atmospheric, anxiety-tinged exploration of what it means to confront the unknown.

We dug into the origin of Alexis’s obsession with the Exclusion Zone (spoiler: it started with a commute and a news article) and how her deep dives into science and nature sparked the seed of this novel. 

Alexis brings a unique perspective as someone with a background in mathematical physics and a day job as a technical writer—she’s fluent in both the scientific and creative languages, and she uses that skill to craft stories that bridge the two.

I loved hearing about her writing process, which, as she humbly shared, involved a lot of “stolen moments”—from writing in the Notes app on her phone while standing in line at the grocery store, to letting scenes unfold in her mind during a daily commute. 

This book took ten years from first draft to publication, and Alexis doesn’t shy away from how real life—work, parenting, and all the everyday details—complicated that process. But she kept going, one minute at a time.

We also talked about writing fear and tension into your setting and how emotional honesty—pulling off the band-aid, as Alexis put it—can help create that lived-in, visceral feeling for the reader. She shared some beautiful insights about being open to observation and about writing the kind of book only you can write, even if it takes longer, and even if it’s different from what the market “wants.”

If you’re someone who’s balancing writing with a busy life, wondering how to stay true to your creative voice, or just love a good science-meets-story moment, this episode is for you.

The Exclusion Zone is out in May 2025 from the always-fabulous Canadian indie press Wolsak & Wynn. Go grab your copy—and get ready to be unsettled in the best possible way.

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What happens when your personal journey of healing and transformation inspires a novel? 

That’s exactly what happened to this week’s podcast guest, award-winning author SL Clarke (Sherrie Lynn Clarke), whose debut novel, When He Returns, explores resilience, trauma, and redemption.

In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, Sherrie Lynn shares the fascinating backstory behind her novel’s evolution—from its first publication as True Strength to its rebranding and relaunch as When He Returns.

We discuss the deep emotional roots of the story, how martial arts played a crucial role in her personal growth, and why she ultimately decided to change the book’s title and cover to better fit the women’s domestic suspense genre.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

✨ How Sherrie Lynn channeled her own emotional transformation into her protagonist’s journey 

✨ The challenges of self-publishing and why she decided to rebrand her book 

✨ How she tackled cover design, book marketing, and genre alignment 

✨ What it’s like to write about deeply personal experiences while keeping fiction fictional 

✨ Her current memoir-in-progress about grief, faith, and self-discovery

If you’ve ever struggled with finding the right title, cover, or marketing approach for your book, this episode is packed with insights! Plus, you’ll love hearing about Sherrie Lynn’s creative journey—from marching band and martial arts to indie publishing and beyond.

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In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I sat down with the wonderful Kat Caldwell — and let me tell you, it was such an energizing, heartfelt conversation that I just know you’re going to love.

Kat is the host of the Pencils&Lipstick podcast, a multi-genre indie author, and someone who’s passionate about helping writers like us stay creative and resilient. 

She’s been on this writing journey for over a decade, and together, we dove into the realities of what that path actually looks like — spoiler alert: it doesn’t magically get easier after you publish your first (or third!) book.

Kat opened up about how she first fell in love with stories as a kid, rewriting endings and imagining new adventures. But like so many of us, she struggled to figure out how to “make writing a real thing” when it came to careers and degrees. 

One thing that really stuck with me was how honest Kat was about the mental hurdles we face. She described the fear of finishing one project and worrying there might not be another idea after it. I could completely relate — I’ve been there too! 

But Kat reminded me (and all of us) that even when you switch genres or work on a new type of project, it’s always a fresh beast to tackle. Each book, each story, demands its own unique approach, and that’s part of what keeps this work exciting (and yes, sometimes maddening!).

We talked about the importance of joy in the writing process — how crucial it is to write what you love, without judgment. Kat encouraged writers to let go of the idea that every word or every story has to be “literary” or world-changing. 

Whether you’re passionate about romance, sci-fi, or even writing short flash fiction pieces just for fun, it’s all valuable. Not every word needs to be published — sometimes writing just for yourself is what keeps the spark alive.

Kat also shared some smart advice about learning to toss out what isn’t working (including, in her case, tossing a whopping 60,000-word draft!) and recognizing that not every review or piece of feedback matters. What truly matters is creating work you’re proud of.

She even gave us a sneak peek into her resource: 10 Ways to Bring Joy Back Into Your Writing Life — which you can grab at the link. 

If you’re feeling stuck or disconnected from your writing right now, this is the episode for you.

I walked away from this conversation feeling re-energized and reminded that we are resilient writers — we keep going, not because it’s easy, but because we love the process and the stories we’re here to tell. I hope you tune in and feel the same spark of inspiration I did!

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In today’s episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m absolutely thrilled to sit down with the incredible Canadian author Catherine Bush. 

Catherine has written five novels—including Blaze Island and The Rules of Engagement—and has racked up an impressive list of accolades along the way. But today, we're diving into something a little different: her very first collection of short stories, Skin.

I loved hearing Catherine talk about why she turned to short fiction after years of working in long-form novels. Like many of us, she found herself exhausted during the pandemic and needed a new creative challenge—something playful, something pleasurable. Short stories, flash fiction, and even novella-length pieces became her way back into joy.

Skin isn’t just a collection of new work either; it brings together pieces from across her writing life, reimagined and revisited with the wisdom she’s gained over the years. I loved hearing her describe it as a "fractured writer’s autobiography."

We also explore how Catherine’s work continues to weave in themes of climate change and environmental intimacy, from a man obsessed with extreme windstorms to a woman’s strangely moving encounter with a glacier. 

Catherine shares how she tries to reframe the typical “doom and gloom” narrative around climate change by writing about it in ways that are fresh, intimate, and full of wonder. Her reflections on finding new, non-cliché language to capture the natural world were so inspiring.

One of the things I found especially fascinating was how Catherine thinks about revision. Whether working on a novel or a short story, she approaches the process slowly, deeply, and with a fierce dedication to re-seeing the work each time she sits down. 

Revision isn’t just about tweaking words—it’s about returning to the heart of the story, again and again, to bring it closer to its fullest, most alive version. Hearing how she balances specificity with liveliness was a real reminder to be patient with our own messy drafts.

We also talked about tenderness—how important it is to bring a loving, attentive gaze to both our characters and our readers. Catherine’s thoughts on writing as a reciprocal act, a gift exchange between writer and reader, really stayed with me. It's not about judgment; it's about listening and offering something meaningful.

Catherine’s new collection Skin is published by Goose Lane Editions, and she shares a bit about what it was like working with them (hint: she’s thrilled with the stunning cover!). Plus, she talks about the gift of working with fellow writer André Alexis as an editor for this project—how his intense, detailed feedback pushed her stories to an even deeper level.

Whether you’re working on a novel, experimenting with short stories, or simply needing a boost of creative inspiration, this conversation is full of encouragement, wisdom, and heart.

Thanks for tuning in, Writer—I'm so glad you're here!

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I've got some news...this week I am going back to producing the show on a WEEKLY basis, instead of doing Seasons of 12 episodes. Expect more writerly goodness to come!

I’m so excited to introduce you to the wonderful Sarah Selecky — award-winning author, beloved teacher, and founder of the Sarah Selecky Writing School. In this heartfelt conversation, Sarah and I dive into the rich and beautiful connection between creativity, mindfulness, and the writing life.

Sarah shares how she’s come to see writing not just as an art form, but as a contemplative practice — a way of being present, tuning into curiosity, and connecting with wonder. 

We talk about her brand-new book, Story is a State of Mind: Writing and the Art of Creative Curiosity, where she distills decades of her teaching and personal writing practice into a thoughtful, encouraging guide for writers who want to nurture both their intellect and intuition.

During our conversation, Sarah and I explore something I know many writers struggle with — the balance between structure and creative freedom. She shares how her early writing grew from intuition rather than structured plotting, and what it looked like for her to learn how to bring structure into her storytelling without losing the sense of mystery and discovery that makes writing feel so alive.

Sarah even offered a simple, beautiful exercise you can try — using pen and paper to list words starting with a single letter — to help ease into creativity without judgment. It’s such a refreshing reminder that sometimes, the smallest rituals can gently open the door to deeper creative work.

We also talked about the power of community — and how important it is for us, as writers, not to try and do this alone. Sarah shared her journey from solitary writer to community builder, and how her online space, Centered, grew out of a desire to support writers in a way that feels nourishing, intuitive, and sustainable. 

I love how Centered invites writers into a creative life rooted in wonder, rest, and shared joy — not hustle or competition. I've been part of this community and can highly recommend it!

You can join in a workshop Sarah is offering through Centred on May 14th, with Amy T. Won, entitled Creative Contemplation Through Wonder, for just $20 as a drop-in fee.

Throughout our conversation, what touched me most was Sarah’s emphasis on giving ourselves grace. Writing creatively isn’t easy — it asks us to bridge the worlds of structure and imagination in a way that’s neurologically complex and deeply human. 

If you’ve ever struggled to trust your own creative instincts or felt overwhelmed by the pressure to “get it right,” this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. I hope you’ll find inspiration here to be gentler with yourself, reconnect with your love of words, and savor the deep, sustaining beauty of the writing life.

Welcome back to the podcast -- I'm so glad you're here!

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by the idea of building your author platform? Not sure where to start or how to connect with your readers? You’re not alone! 

In this week’s episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I sit down with author and certified book coach Nicole Meier to break it all down into simple, actionable steps.

Nicole is the author of The House of Bradbury, The Girl Made of Clay, and The Second Chance Supper Club, and her latest book, City of Books, is out now! She’s also a developmental editor and co-founder of Bookworks, where she helps writers create an engaging author platform that aligns with their goals.

In our conversation, Nicole shares why so many writers feel stuck when it comes to marketing themselves—and how to move past the overwhelm. If you’ve ever thought, Do I have to be on every social media platform? Do I need a newsletter? What kind of content should I even be sharing?—this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways:

✅ Start with Your “Why” – Before diving into social media or email marketing, take a moment to reflect on what you want from your platform. Do you want to connect with readers? Build credibility? Attract an agent? Understanding your purpose will help you make smarter choices.

✅ Go Where Your Readers Are – Not every platform is right for every author. Romance writers might thrive on Instagram, while nonfiction writers may find their audience on LinkedIn. Nicole shares how to identify the best place to focus your energy.

✅ Less is More – The biggest mistake writers make is trying to be everywhere at once. Nicole recommends choosing one platform and showing up consistently rather than spreading yourself too thin. Quality and consistency matter more than quantity!

✅ Be Authentic – You don’t have to dance on TikTok or create elaborate content if it doesn’t feel right for you. Share your writing journey, behind-the-scenes moments, and insights into your creative process—authenticity is what truly connects readers to authors.

✅ Newsletters Are Gold – Social media is great for visibility, but email lists convert better when it comes to book sales. Nicole explains why a newsletter (via Substack or another platform) can be a game-changer for your author career.

✅ Avoid Common Mistakes – Nicole highlights the top three mistakes authors make: not knowing their purpose, overcommitting to too many platforms, and feeling like they’re not “worthy” of having a platform. She reassures us that small, consistent efforts are what really matter.

If you want a step-by-step plan to grow your audience, this episode could be exactly what you need!

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This week on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I had an absolute blast chatting with sci-fi suspense author JC Spark about her thrilling debut novel, Dire Contact: No Brainer Book 1. 

JC is a recent graduate of my First Book Finish program, so it was a real delight to catch up!

If you love books that keep you up at night turning pages, this one’s for you! JC describes Dire Contact as “if Good Omens and Doctor Who had a baby.” (I mean, come on—how fun does that sound?) 

But beyond the book itself, we dive deep into her incredible journey from idea to published novel, including the challenges of outlining a complex, multi-POV sci-fi series and navigating the world of self-publishing.

Some highlights from our conversation:

📌 From Spreadsheet to Page-Turner: JC shares how she meticulously plotted her book using a detailed spreadsheet (yes, she’s a planner!) and how early on, she realized she had not one but three books in the making.

📌 Crowdfunding for Authors: Instead of taking the traditional publishing route, JC launched her book via a crowdfunding campaign on BackerKit’s Booktopia. She opens up about why she chose this path, the highs and lows of the campaign, and the joy of building a community around her book.

📌 Illustrated Special Editions: JC went the extra mile with her book by incorporating stunning character artwork inside her special editions. She shares how she worked with an illustrator and how she’s using these visuals across social media to build her book world.

📌 Publishing in Two Languages: Did you know Dire Contact was released in both English and German? JC walks us through the challenges of managing two versions of her book, from translation to marketing (and even a little spine-labeling mishap she learned the hard way!).

📌 Lessons from Self-Publishing: From finding the right printer to getting the perfect cover (after a few failed attempts), JC offers some hard-earned wisdom for anyone thinking about going indie with their book.

And exciting news—JC’s next book, Space Time: No Brainer Book 2, launches via crowdfunding on March 25th, alongside the wide release of Dire Contact on Amazon, Kobo, Apple, and more. 

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your book from an idea to a reality, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and real talk about what it takes to make it happen.

👉 Grab your copy of Dire Contact here!

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Do you ever find yourself wondering, “Am I really a writer?” or “Is my work even good enough?” If so, you’re not alone! 

Confidence is something so many writers struggle with, which is why I’m thrilled to bring you this week’s episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show featuring confidence coach and book editor, Kirsten McNeill.

Kirsten is the founder of Worthy Writers Editing and the host of the Worthy Writers Podcast. She helps writers break through self-doubt, embrace their creative journey, and build a writing life filled with passion and confidence. 

If you’ve ever hesitated to share your work or doubted your ability to finish a book, this episode is packed with insights just for you!

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

✅ The real reason self-doubt keeps holding you back—and how to break free from it.
✅ Why embracing imperfection is a game-changer for your writing.
✅ How your why can fuel your confidence and motivation.
✅ The connection between craft and confidence—and why you don’t need to be an expert to start.
✅ Simple, practical strategies to boost your belief in yourself as a writer.

Kirsten also introduces her Feed Your Horses Confidence Thought Exercise, a fun and insightful workbook designed to help you reframe negative thoughts and build a more confident writing mindset. You can grab your free copy here!

If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself and want to feel more confident about your writing, don’t miss this episode.

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Hey there, Writer! Welcome back to another episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show.

This week, I had an inspiring conversation with Laura Jevtich—a writer, author, and social media creator with a fascinating journey that took her from geology to writing memoirs and beyond.

Laura’s story is anything but conventional. Originally trained as a geologist, she spent over a decade in the field before jumping ship during the Y2K era to become a computer trainer. This shift led her to start her own business in 2003, helping realtors with website content and blog posts. Little did she know that this early experience in writing would pave the way for her future as an author.

In 2005, Laura and her husband Sasha made a bold decision that would change their lives forever—they bought a truck camper and hit the road, embracing a nomadic lifestyle that was nearly unheard of in their Northern Virginia community. As they traveled, Laura began documenting their journey, which led to the creation of her memoir, Unusual Adventures Traveling Through Life: A Memoir of Frugalness to Financial Freedom.

Their journey wasn’t just about travel; it was about reclaiming their time and energy. The couple realized that homeownership was holding them back from the adventurous life they craved. So, in 2006, after a six-week sabbatical, they sold their house and nearly all their possessions, choosing instead to live full-time in their RV. Their travels took them to national parks across the U.S., where Laura worked as a park ranger in places like the Grand Canyon and Canyonlands. Along the way, she continued writing, capturing their experiences in long-form articles and blog posts.

By 2018, Laura decided to take a break from the road, settling in Pahrump, Nevada, where she and her husband built a home. But the writing never stopped. Encouraged by her father, she pivoted from writing about organization and minimalism to focusing on her memoir. 

We talked about how she dived into the writing world, reading memoirs, joining online communities, and learning the craft of storytelling. In 2022, she committed to finishing her memoir, winning NaNoWriMo by typing up her handwritten manuscript and completing the draft. After a rigorous self-editing process, she published the book in July 2023.

Laura didn't stop there. She returned to her unfinished book on organizing, completing and publishing it in early 2024. She has since been deeply involved in the writing community, attending conferences like 20 Books to Vegas (now Author Nation) and embracing direct sales and marketing strategies.

Now, Laura has once again jumped ship—this time from nonfiction to fiction. She’s currently writing a historical romance, sharing her journey on Ream Stories, and was even featured on their homepage for historical romance.

Throughout the episode, Laura shares valuable insights on following your passions, embracing change, and navigating the self-publishing world. She’s a true example of resilience and reinvention, proving that it’s never too late to chase a new dream.

Enjoy the episode!

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If you’ve ever worried about using tropes in your writing—wondering if they make your story predictable or overdone—this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show is here to change your mind. 

I’m joined by Jennifer Hilt, USA Today bestselling author, story consultant, and the brilliant mind behind The Trope Thesaurus series. She’s an expert in crafting compelling plots and characters using tropes in fresh, exciting ways.

We often hear about “tired tropes” or “overused storylines,” but Jennifer breaks down why tropes are actually the essential building blocks of storytelling. She explains how they create familiarity and connection with readers while still allowing for creativity and originality. But tropes are at play everywhere -- the trick is knowing how to twist them in unexpected ways so they feel new.

Jennifer shares how she first became fascinated by tropes during the pandemic, diving deep into books, movies, and TV shows to analyze what makes stories work. She also clarifies the difference between tropes and stereotypes—tropes are neutral storytelling tools, while stereotypes often come with negative connotations. By understanding this distinction, writers can use tropes effectively without falling into lazy or problematic storytelling.

Understanding how tropes function can be a game-changer, especially if you’re feeling stuck in the middle of your book. Jennifer shares practical ways to use tropes to guide your story forward. Instead of staring at a blank page, ask yourself: What tropes am I already using? Can I flip one on its head? Can I combine multiple tropes to create something fresh? This can help you revitalize your plot and character arcs, keeping both you and your readers engaged.

Jennifer also has a free trope list to help spark new ideas in your writing! You can find it in the show notes, along with links to her books, including The Trope Thesaurus, The Horror Trope Thesaurus, and The Trope Thesaurus: Romance.

So grab your notebook, tune in, and get ready to embrace the power of tropes in your storytelling!