The Write It Scared Podcast

 Authors want their books to succeed—and scammers know it.

Author and editor Rob Bignell joins me to talk about how book marketing scams target writers, the red flags to watch for, and some of the most common scams making the rounds, from fake publishers and agent impersonation to website hijacking and bogus marketing promises.

We also get into what authors actually need to market their books: an author-owned platform, strategies that fit you and your genre, and the understanding that book marketing is a marathon, not a sprint.

Timestamps:

00:00 Why writers are targets

02:01 Courage File: Carrie

04:18 Meet Rob Bignell

09:36 Why authors get targeted

19:04 How scammers find you

21:20 Common book marketing scams

26:48 Impersonation, website & social media scams

30:07 Beta reader & editing scams

31:15 What to do when scammers contact you

35:31 Book marketing basics that work

41:05 Marketing is a marathon

42:58 Spotting the red flags

48:31 Resources + where to find Rob 

To connect with Rob Bignell or purchase his books, please see his website

[email protected]

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

Submit to the COURAGE FILES! Be entered to win a free 10 page editorial assessment and a 30-minute Book Coaching Session with Stacy!

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: 

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide 

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

You’ve revised your novel to the best of your ability. Now what? 

Now you need outside eyes. 

But when is your manuscript ready for beta readers, where do you find the right ones, and what the heck do you do with all that feedback?

In this episode, mystery/thriller author and professional beta reader K.A. Wilde and I break down what beta readers do (and don’t do), how to find good ones, what questions to ask, and how to sort through their feedback without feeling like you need to change your entire book. 

We also talk about the vulnerability of handing your story over to someone else and why learning to receive feedback is part of growing as a writer.

Plus, this week’s Courage File celebrates a writer who returned to the page after nearly ten years and has now crossed 75,000 words!

Timestamps:

00:00 When to Use Beta Readers
02:00 This Week’s Courage File
04:40 Meet K.A. Wilde
06:33 Defining Reader Roles
09:55 Beta Myths & Manuscript Prep
11:26 Finding Beta Readers
19:33 How Many Betas Do You Need?
22:21 Questions to Ask
27:15 Handling Feedback
30:12 Mystery & Thriller Beta Tips
31:27 Vulnerability & Mindset

Links Mentioned: 

BetaFide

Spun Yarn

Bianca Marais’s (From The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast) Beta reader match-up service. 

KA Wilde Website: 

kawildeauthor.com

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

Submit to the COURAGE FILES! Be entered to win a free 10 page editorial assessment and a 30-minute Book Coaching Session with Stacy!

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: 

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide 

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

What happens when life changes your capacity to write?

Season Four begins with the story of how I went from feeling completely numb toward my fiction to finding my way back to the page—and eventually finishing the revision I thought I couldn’t finish. It’s a reflection on creative seasons, changing expectations, and allowing ourselves to begin again in whatever capacity we have.

I’m also sharing what’s changing on the podcast, celebrating our first Courage Files winner, Caleb, and opening the files for your fall writing wins.

Submit your moment of writing courage to the Fall 2026 Courage Files for a chance to win a free ten-page editorial assessment and a 30-minute book coaching session with me!

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

Submit to the COURAGE FILES! Be entered to win a free 10 page editorial assessment and a 30-minute Book Coaching Session with Stacy!

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: 

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide 

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

The podcast is on summer break, so please enjoy this vault favorite! 

And don't forget to submit a Courage File for a chance to be featured on the show and win a free editorial assessment and book coaching session in Fall 2026!

SUBMIT TO THE COURAGE FILES

Today, we're doing a deep dive into writing character interiority.

Discover what interiority is, how to use it effectively in your writing, and when to use it to convey your character's true emotions, motivations, and inner states.

I'll share examples to illustrate how offering readers glimpses into a character's inner world can transform your storytelling.

We'll also discuss common mistakes to avoid and how to stop worrying about showing vs. telling when it comes to interiority.

Plus, I'll provide practical exercises to help you practice this essential element of fiction writing.

Don't miss this insightful episode that promises to enhance your writing craft and bring your characters to life.

00:00 Introduction to Interiority
01:14 Episode Overview and Focus on Interiority
02:22 Defining Interiority in Fiction
04:10 Examples of Interiority
11:05 When to Use Interiority
16:15 Exercises for Practicing Interiority
17:59 Recap and Final Thoughts

Mentioned in the show:
Episode 5: Understanding the Macro Elements of Fiction
Episode 11: Understanding Voice in Fiction

The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

Submit to the COURAGE FILES! Be entered to win a free 10 page editorial assessment and a 30-minute Book Coaching Session with Stacy!

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: 

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide 

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

The podcast is on summer break, so please enjoy this vault favorite! 

And don't forget to submit a Courage File for a chance to be featured on the show and win a free editorial assessment and book coaching session in Fall 2026!

SUBMIT TO THE COURAGE FILES

Free Download: Understand Story Structure and Character Arcs

Today, we’re diving deep into the magic of character arcs and how they intertwine with story structure and plot.

I'll share insights on developing authentic characters so readers will empathize with them and want to know more.

We'll chat about different character arcs—positive, negative, and flat—and how understanding these can enrich your storytelling. 

Plus, I'll debunk myths about story structure being formulaic and show you how it’s essential for guiding your characters' emotional journeys. 

By the end of this episode, you’ll have practical tips to develop compelling characters and a story your readers will love!

00:00 Introduction to Character Arcs
02:29 Exploring Story Structure
06:27 Diving into Character Arcs
09:19 Understanding Character Development
19:31 Practical Tips for Writers
20:36 Conclusion and Resources

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

Submit to the COURAGE FILES! Be entered to win a free 10 page editorial assessment and a 30-minute Book Coaching Session with Stacy!

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: 

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide 

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

The podcast is on summer break, so please enjoy this vault favorite! 

And don't forget to submit a Courage File for a chance to be featured on the show and win a free editorial assessment and book coaching session in Fall 2026!

SUBMIT TO THE COURAGE FILES

Are you feeling frustrated with your writing? Do you struggle with setting up unrealistic expectations of yourself and your words?  

You’re not alone, and today, I will offer up a mindset shift. 

Join me as we unpack the importance of embracing gratitude for every part of the writing process—ESPECIALLY the words that don’t make it into your manuscript. 

Remember, every word contributes to your growth, no matter how discarded it may feel.

NO WORDS ARE WASTED. 

Writing is a practice. 

With the holiday season upon us, it’s the perfect time to slow down and appreciate our efforts. 

Remember to be patient with yourself and celebrate your efforts and all the words you write, even the ones you delete. 

00:00 Introduction: The Myth of the Perfect First Draft

01:30 Mindset Shift: Gratitude for Unused Words

02:21 Thanksgiving Reflection: Slowing Down and Showing Gratitude

03:47 Embracing the Writing Process: Practice Does Not Make Perfect, It Makes Improvement.

07:49 Encouragement for Writers: You Matter More than You Know. So Does Your Story.

09:21 Conclusion: Keep Writing and Keep Practicing Gratitude!

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

Submit to the COURAGE FILES! Be entered to win a free 10 page editorial assessment and a 30-minute Book Coaching Session with Stacy!

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: 

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide 

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

The podcast is on summer break, so please enjoy this vault favorite! 

And don't forget to submit a Courage File for a chance to be featured on the show and win a free editorial assessment and book coaching session in Fall 2026!

SUBMIT TO THE COURAGE FILES

Download Your Free Novel Planning Guide! 

In this episode of Write It Scared, I’m sharing my interview from the Be a Bestseller 6.0 Back to Basics Summit hosted by Emma Dhesi and we discuss practical strategies for planning and outlining your novel in a way that works for you. 

The highlights:

📌 The fundamentals of storytelling—character, conflict, plot structure, and theme
📌 Why mindset matters and how to set realistic expectations for your writing journey
📌 How to connect with your story’s purpose so you stay motivated
📌 The balance between planning and discovery—because not every writer thrives with a strict outline

And I talk about my own journey—from feeling like a repressed creative soul to fully stepping into my identity as a fiction writer and book coach.

If you’ve ever struggled with turning a story idea into something structured, this episode will give you the tools and confidence to get started.

Episode Breakdown

📌 01:19 – Special episode announcement
📌 02:28 – Interview with Emma Dashie
📌 04:37 – My journey from repressed creative to fiction writer & coach
📌 09:03 – Why mindset is everything in writing
📌 15:19 – Understanding story structure (without overcomplicating it)
📌 20:51 – Finding your story’s purpose—why this story, now?
📌 23:25 – The core foundations of storytelling
📌 25:06 – What makes a compelling story
📌 27:31 – Building conflict & stakes readers care about
📌 28:36 – Writing strong character arcs & believable antagonists
📌 30:50 – The role of theme in storytelling (and how to use it naturally)
📌 32:34 – Plotting vs. Pantsing—which approach is best for you?
📌 36:07 – Inciting incidents, plot points & keeping your story moving
📌 42:17 – Supporting writers through the messy middle
📌 45:04 – Final thoughts + resources to help you plan your novel

Final Thoughts

Writing a novel isn’t about forcing yourself into a one-size-fits-all process. It’s about finding what works for you—a balance between planning and allowing space for discovery.

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

Submit to the COURAGE FILES! Be entered to win a free 10 page editorial assessment and a 30-minute Book Coaching Session with Stacy!

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: 

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide 

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

The podcast is on summer break, so please enjoy this vault favorite! 

And don't forget to submit a Courage File for a chance to be featured on the show and win a free editorial assessment and book coaching session in Fall 2026!

SUBMIT TO THE COURAGE FILES

Are you procrastinating when you want to be writing your novel? 

You are not alone and we can fix it! 

Join me on the Write It Scared podcast, where we delve into the art of beating procrastination and finding the courage to write your novel. This episode is packed with practical strategies and insightful discussions that will help you overcome your writing hurdles!

In episode two of the 'Write it Scared' podcast, we chat about the challenges writers face, particularly procrastination. It's not because of poor time management but rather an emotional coping mechanism that has gone astray and a response to the stress or perceived stress of writing. 

Self-criticism won't help. Instead, I suggest practical methods for understanding and overcoming procrastination and other forms of resistance, such as re-evaluating one's beliefs and fears about writing and taking small but consistent steps to set and achieve writing goals. 

If you want more help overcoming resistance and moving past creative blocks, download my free guide: The Write Mindset.  www.writeitscared.co/thewritemindset

01:03 Understanding Procrastination in Writing

01:41 The Real Cause of Low Writing Productivity

02:31 The Role of Stress in Writing

02:49 The Impact of Fear and Self-Doubt

03:17 The Cost of Procrastination

03:34 Understanding Procrastination as an Emotion-Focused Coping Habit

04:38 The Truth about Procrastination and Resistance

05:35 Strategies to Overcome Procrastination

06:22 The Role of Fear in Procrastination

07:41 The Power of Action in Overcoming Procrastination

08:07 A Simple Process to Overcome Resistance

08:48 Questions to Ask Yourself to Overcome Procrastination

11:08 The Power of Belief and Action in Overcoming Procrastination

12:10 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

12:44 Resources to Help You Overcome Procrastination

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

Submit to the COURAGE FILES! Be entered to win a free 10 page editorial assessment and a 30-minute Book Coaching Session with Stacy!

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: 

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide 

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Submit your writing win to the Courage Files for Season 4! 

In this season finale, the host, Stacy Frazer, shares a deeply personal writing update and reflects on what happens when life interrupts creativity. This episode explores anticipatory grief, uncertainty, creative numbness, and what courage looks like when you can't find your way forward. 

Stacy also shares plans for the podcast's summer hiatus and a reminder about the Courage Files for Season 4. 

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

Submit to the COURAGE FILES! Be entered to win a free 10 page editorial assessment and a 30-minute Book Coaching Session with Stacy!

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: 

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide 

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Submit your writing win to the Courage Files for Season 4!

What keeps a writer going through fifteen years of rewrites, rejection, and uncertainty?

Middle-grade author Sara F. Shacter joins me to talk about the long journey behind her debut novel, Georgia Watson and the 99% Campaign, and how revision became less about “fixing” the story and more about uncovering its emotional heart.

We discuss resilience, imposter syndrome, comparison, and the challenge of staying connected to joy while navigating the publishing process. Sara also shares practical revision strategies, the importance of community, and why progress—not perfection—is what really moves a writing life forward.

If you’re stuck in the messy middle of revision or questioning whether your story is worth continuing, this episode is a reminder that persistence matters more than getting it right the first time.

Timestamps

00:00 – Why Revision Matters

10:09 – The Premise of Georgia Watson and the 99% Campaign

13:48 – The 15-Year Road to Publication

22:23 – Revision Tools and Strategies

26:49 – Doubt, Comparison, and Staying the Course

31:52 – Making Time to Write

35:44 – Identity Beyond Publishing

40:44 – Progress Over Perfection

44:07 – Current Projects and Where to Find Sarah 

To connect with Sara and read her debut novel, go to her website

Links Mentioned: 

SCBWI: Society of Book Writers and Illustrators

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

Support the show

Submit to the COURAGE FILES! Be entered to win a free 10 page editorial assessment and a 30-minute Book Coaching Session with Stacy!

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: 

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide 

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears