In this solo episode, I explore the delicate balance between external writing resources (craft books, courses, workshops) and your internal creative intuition. I'm talking to writers who feel overwhelmed by all the advice out there while trying to maintain their authentic voice.

What I'm sharing:

Resources and intuition aren't opposites—they're dance partners that should work together. I want you to think of craft books and courses as offerings from other writers' journeys, not commandments you must follow. Creative intuition isn't "winging it"—it's sophisticated intelligence drawing on everything you've experienced.

Four gentle practices I've discovered:

1. Learning and Letting Go: Sit with advice before applying it; let your project tell you what it needs
2. Internal Compass Check: Feel whether advice makes your work more alive or less alive
3. Selective Bibliography: Choose 1-2 craft resources that consistently nourish your creative spirit
4. Conversation Practice: Engage with craft advice as dialogue, not gospel

What I want novel writers to remember:

Trust your creative ecosystem—you're already a complete creative being. Create resource boundaries, honor your creative seasons, and remember that your novel is a living thing that grows through collaboration between conscious learning and unconscious knowing.

You don't have to choose between being studious and intuitive—you can be a "whole writer" who honors both craft knowledge and creative authenticity.

📚Learn more about my coaching and editing services at nicolemeier.com

In this episode, I sit down with my literary agent Abby Saul for a deep dive into the querying process, the realities of an agent’s role, and what makes a submission stand out. 

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the thought of querying, you won’t want to miss her top advice for catching an agent’s eye in a crowded inbox.

We also debunk common myths about what agents actually do, break down what grabs their attention in a query letter, and explore current market trends—plus, how to balance industry awareness with staying true to your unique voice. And for writers facing rejection, Abby shares words of encouragement to help you keep going.

Whether you’re just starting to query or refining your pitch, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the path to representation with more confidence!

For more on Abby Saul, visit larkwords.com

For more on Portland Book Festival, visit PDXBOOKFEST.ORG

I'm pulling back the curtain in today's episode and talking about what it's really like to be an author in today's market. With me, are two of my author friends to help with a healthy and honest discussion around the business of being an author. Tracey Lange and Kerry Chaput join me to discuss:

• Balancing writing time and publishing responsibilities
• Working on a deadline
• The benefits of writing groups
• Feedback and revisions
• The journey of draft to publication
• The ever-changing market

You can find more on Tracey Lange here.

You can find more on Kerry Chaput here.

For more on Nicole: Website | Books | Substack

Today we’re diving into a topic that every novelist encounters sooner or later: how to handle feedback without losing your voice. Inside this episode, I'll cover the different types of feedback you might receive, how to process it with grace and clarity, and how to make changes while staying true to the story only you can tell.
To find more on Nicole: Website | Substack

Today, I want to talk about one of the hardest parts of writing: embracing the imperfection of that first draft. I know it can feel like you’re slogging through a swamp of clunky dialogue, meandering plots, and sentences that don’t quite shine. You might even wonder if you’re wasting your time.

But here’s what I want you to know: Your so-called flawed first draft is actually a gift. It’s a sign that you’re showing up to the page with courage and letting the story unfold, no matter how messy.

In this episode, I’m diving into why those imperfect drafts are so valuable—and how to shift your mindset to embrace them. I think by the end of it, you’ll see what I mean.

Website

In this episode I explore what happens when writers feel creatively restless—when the work that once excited us begins to feel too safe or familiar. 

I dive into the intimate process of following new themes and subject matter that truly call to you, even when they feel risky or don't fit expectations. I also share my own vulnerable journey of stepping outside my comfort zone, offer practical 15-minute exercises for gentle creative exploration, and address the fear that comes with being a beginner again. 

This is for writers feeling that gentle tug toward something new and different, this episode offers permission to try things that might not work while discovering new rooms in the house of your imagination. Tune in to learn more.

Website | Substack

Join me for an illuminating conversation with literary agent and doctoral researcher Erin Niumata about the past, present, and future of women's fiction as a genre. 

With nearly 20 years at Folio Literary Management and ongoing PhD research into women's publishing history, Erin shares her unique perspective on how the genre has evolved over time to today's market challenges. She discusses the fluid nature of women's fiction, the rise of cross-genre storytelling, and how her academic research has influenced her approach to working with authors. 

Erin also offers practical advice for writers on positioning their work, the importance of perseverance, and why authors should write for themselves first. Tune in to hear more!

Find more on Erin Niumata: Website | Substack

Find more on Nicole Meier: Website | Substack

In this episode, I sit down with author Amanda Vano. After receiving a workplace grant for her creative goals, Amanda shares how having dedicated time and accountability accelerated her writing journey from someone with no formal creative training to a writer who secured literary representation.

Our conversation explores how shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of creative freedom allowed Amanda to take risks, immerse herself in the writing community, and focus on craft development rather than financial pressure. She's also sharing some well-earned tips for writers. Tune in to hear more.

Find more on Amanda Vano here.

Find more on Camille Pagan here.

Find more on Nicole Meier here.

Join me for an intimate living room chat with author Kelly Kearsley, who shares her remarkable journey from seasoned nonfiction writer to debut novelist with a Big Five book deal. 

In this candid conversation, Kelly reveals the realities of the query process, the importance of building literary community, and how her journalism background both helped and hindered her fiction writing. She offers practical wisdom on treating your writing like a job and understanding that the journey of becoming a writer transforms your entire creative life—not just your manuscript.

Find Kelly at her Substack and Website.

Find Nicole here.

In this transformative episode, I sit down with Gabriela Blandy—writer, life coach, breathwork facilitator, and shamanic practitioner—to explore the deeper reasons behind creative resistance and procrastination. 

Gabriela reveals that most of us weren't taught that our dreams are our most precious possession, leading to automatic patterns of looking away from our creative urges. She explains how childhood conditioning creates physical tension in our bodies that literally blocks creative energy from flowing, and why traditional productivity tips often fail when deeper emotional and energetic wounds haven't been addressed. Through practical techniques like chakra-based body diagnostics, specific movement practices, and reconditioning journaling prompts, Gabriela offers accessible ways for writers to identify where they're holding tension and learn to welcome creative energy back into their bodies. 

This conversation goes beyond surface-level writing advice to address the root causes of creative blocks, helping writers understand that procrastination isn't about lack of commitment—it's about safety and the need to heal our relationship with creativity itself.

For more on The San Francisco Writers Conference, visit here.

For more on Gabriela: Website | Substack

Find more on Nicole : Website | Substack