What does it mean to be a whole writer? For me and for so many of the writers I work with, it means expanding our definition of success.

It means creating a writing life that includes, yes, the craft of storytelling, but also a creative rhythm that honors your energy and life season. A community of other writers who get it and who share your values. A curiosity about your ideal reader, not from a marketing lens first, but from a connection lens.

Tune in to find out more.

Links and resource from this episode:

Website | Substack

In this heartfelt episode, we chat with debut novelist Jennifer O'Brien, whose publishing journey took a surprising and inspiring turn. After a real-life dream of buying a fixer-upper didn’t pan out, she turned the experience into fiction—crafting a novel rich with themes of love, self-discovery, and the true meaning of home.

We explore how real-life experiences influence story development, the deeper messages she hopes readers will carry with them, and the pivotal moments she leaned on intuition to guide her path—from finding the right literary agent to choosing the best publishing home for her book. 

If you’re a writer chasing your dream or a reader who loves stories grounded in emotional truth, this episode will leave you inspired.

Find more on Jennifer O'Brien here.

Find more on Nicole Meier here.

For the next three episodes, I'm doing something special. Recently I had the Joy of gathering with 15 of my book coaching friends, an inspiring group of thoughtful, compassionate coaches and editors who are all deeply invested in helping writers like you bring their stories to life. We spent time setting intentions supporting one another and talking about the many ways we can uplift the writers we work with.

And as we talked, I couldn't help but think, what if I could bring their wisdom and encouragement straight to you? So that's exactly what this three part series is all about. Over the next three episodes, in these round table style conversations, you'll hear insights, guidance, and heartfelt advice to help you write forward with clarity and confidence.

You'll notice a variety of skill sets and focuses among the group. Some specialize in memoir, some specialize in children's books and others while coaching adult fiction. Bring a unique perspective to the work. I hope you'll grab a notebook, settle in, and soak up the wisdom these writing coaches have to share.

Links to guests from this episode:

Kerry Savage

Monica Cox

Abigail Raeke

Nicole Meier

For the next three episodes, I'm doing something special. Recently I had the Joy of gathering with 15 of my book coaching friends, an inspiring group of thoughtful, compassionate coaches and editors who are all deeply invested in helping writers like you bring their stories to life. We spent time setting intentions supporting one another and talking about the many ways we can uplift the writers we work with.

And as we talked, I couldn't help but think, what if I could bring their wisdom and encouragement straight to you? So that's exactly what this three part series is all about. Over the next three episodes, in these round table style conversations, you'll hear insights, guidance, and heartfelt advice to help you write forward with clarity and confidence.

You'll notice a variety of skill sets and focuses among the group. Some specialize in memoir, some specialize in children's books and others while coaching adult fiction. Bring a unique perspective to the work. I hope you'll grab a notebook, settle in, and soak up the wisdom these writing coaches have to share.

Links to guests from this episode:

Suzy Vadori

Stephanie Dethlefs

Joanne Haines

Dani Abernathy

For the next three episodes, I'm doing something special. Recently I had the Joy of gathering with 15 of my book coaching friends, an inspiring group of thoughtful, compassionate coaches and editors who are all deeply invested in helping writers like you bring their stories to life. We spent time setting intentions supporting one another and talking about the many ways we can uplift the writers we work with.

And as we talked, I couldn't help but think, what if I could bring their wisdom and encouragement straight to you? So that's exactly what this three part series is all about. Over the next three episodes, in these round table style conversations, you'll hear insights, guidance, and heartfelt advice to help you write forward with clarity and confidence.

You'll notice a variety of skill sets and focuses among the group. Some specialize in memoir, some specialize in children's books and others while coaching adult fiction. Bring a unique perspective to the work. I hope you'll grab a notebook, settle in, and soak up the wisdom these writing coaches have to share.

Links to guests from this episode:

Susan DeFreitas

Suzette Mullen

Julie Artz

Samantha Skal

Janet Fox

Nicole Meier

Today I'm discussing one of the most crucial parts of your novel: the first pages. You've heard it a million times, your opening pages need to quote hook readers, but why is that so important? Well, these first pages are your novels, handshake. They set up expectations, pose story questions, establish tone.

And if you're aiming for traditional publishing, they might just be your one shot at impressing literary agents or editors at publishing houses. In this episode, I'll unpack why those first pages matter so much and how to make them work hard for your story.

Website | April Workshop

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 | Book Coaching | Developmental Editing

Today we're talking about that one thing: the mysterious, nagging problem in your novel that you just can't seem to fix. Every writer hits this wall, and today I'm going to help you find a way through.

Join me as I discuss four effective methods for overcoming story writing struggles.

Website | VIP Day Coaching | Substack

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 help with agent query strategy, visit bookworks.co

In today’s publishing world, authors aren’t just storytellers—they’re also the CEOs of their own brand. That responsibility can feel overwhelming, but the good news is, you don’t have to do everything all at once.

In this episode, Gretchen Schaffer and I break down the three core "Why’s" of building your author platform. Our goal is to help writers take intentional next steps in connecting with the right audience—without the stress of trying to be everywhere at once.

Here’s what we’ll share:

• Why you need a platform (before you publish)
• Why a platform isn’t what you think it is
• Why it’s important to start with what you have

For more on Gretchen & Nicole, visit bookworks.co