On today's episode of the podcast, I'm thrilled to welcome back one of my favorite returning guests, author Sandy Day. The last time Sandy was on the show, we talked about her novel Odd Mom Out and the re‑release of Head on Backwards, Chest Full of Sand. This time, she's here to dive deep into her brand‑new book, Where the Night Winds Wail—a haunting Ontario noir inspired by the classic song "The Long Black Veil."

In our conversation, Sandy pulls back the curtain on the long and winding road this novel took to completion: from an early 30,000‑word NaNoWriMo draft to a fully realized 93,000‑word book rich with interiority, atmosphere, and character development. We talk about the dangers of writing a book in endless layers over many years, the painful process of killing your darlings, and how adding a single major character reshaped the entire story.

We also explore how music, obsession, and old wounds fuel Sandy's fiction. Sandy shares how the moody storytelling of "The Long Black Veil," her lifelong love of The Band, and films like Silver Linings Playbook influence her approach to love stories that are anything but neat "happily ever afters." From Jake, her musician protagonist struggling with buried talent and unresolved grief, to the storm at the heart of the book's setting, this is a conversation about art, pain, and learning how to live with the things that never fully heal.

Finally, Sandy and I dig into the business side of being an indie literary author—branding, cover design, Amazon categories, and the power of consistent, heartfelt communication through her weekly Substack newsletter. If you care about writing emotionally honest fiction, building a sustainable indie career, or simply love hearing a thoughtful author talk about her craft, you're going to get a lot out of this episode. Check it out now:

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with my client, author Linda Garnett to celebrate the release of her debut Gothic vampire novel, Red Falls.

Linda's journey is a fantastic reminder that writing a book is rarely a straight line from "idea" to "finished manuscript." Her novel evolved through outlining, drafting, revising, group feedback, one-on-one coaching, and a whole lot of faith in the process.

We talk about what it feels like to finally publish a book, the emotional roller coaster of launch week, the power of writing community, and how Linda went from wanting to simply prove she could finish a novel to seeing her debut climb the Amazon bestseller charts.

We also dig into the deliciously dark stuff: Gothic towns, dangerous vampires, found family, action scenes, messy first drafts, and why sometimes the best way into a story isn't through plot or character, but through atmosphere.

If you love vampires, Gothic fiction, indie author success stories, or practical craft talk with a bit of gothic charm this conversation is for you.

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I'm joined by Gabrielle Dolan, a leadership communication expert, keynote speaker, and the author of eight books on storytelling, including her latest, Story Intelligence: The Craft of Authentic Storytelling Made Smarter with AI.

Gabrielle shares how nearly two decades in senior leadership and change management at one of Australia's largest banks led her to a powerful realization: stories communicate strategy, change, and ideas far better than data and slide decks alone. That insight inspired her to leave corporate life and teach storytelling as a core leadership and communication skill.

Together, explore:

• Why logic alone doesn't persuade and how emotion really drives decisions
• The four key types of stories you can use—parables, public, professional, and personal
• Why personal stories are the most underused yet most powerful in building trust and credibility
• How specificity (like "red back spider" and "Copperhead snake") makes stories more vivid and memorable
• The biggest communication failures in large organizations and how story can fix them
• What Gabrielle means by "story intelligence" and why authenticity is at its core
• How to use AI as a creative partner to find and refine your stories—without losing your voice
• The growing distrust of AI-polished content and how writers can stay credible in a skeptical world

If you're a writer, coach, or leader wondering how to stand out in an AI-driven, trust-poor environment, this conversation will help you communicate with more clarity, impact, and authenticity—on the page and in person

Check out the episode now!

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I'm joined by Patty McGee, a nationally recognized literacy consultant, speaker, and educator who is passionate about transforming classrooms into spaces where language and learning come alive. With decades of experience as a teacher, coach, and advocate for joyful, practical literacy instruction, Patty has worked alongside educators across the country to help unlock the potential of their students. She is also the author of three books, including her newest release, Not Your Granny's Grammar.

In our conversation, Patty and I explore what it really means to help writers grow. We talk about the kind of feedback that builds confidence instead of crushing it, the connection between grammar and voice, the importance of revision, and why so many writers carry lasting scars from being corrected rather than truly taught. We also dig into the challenge of teaching writing in online spaces, the role of play and inquiry in learning grammar, and how writers can protect their authentic voice in the age of AI.

Whether you're a teacher, a writing coach, a parent, or a writer trying to strengthen your craft without losing your humanity on the page, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and practical wisdom.

In this conversation, we cover:

• how to give feedback that helps writers improve without discouraging them
• why revision is essential to strong writing
• the relationship between grammar, voice, and artistic choice
• what teachers and coaches can learn from effective classroom practice
• how to make online writing instruction more engaging and human
• why a playful, inquiry-based approach to grammar can be so powerful
• how to think about AI without surrendering your voice as a writer

Check out the episode now!

Every writer has a moment when a story that was meant to stay private begins to ask for a wider audience.

Sometimes it starts with a notebook. Sometimes it starts with a question from your children. And sometimes it begins with a simple realization: If I don't write this down, these stories might disappear.

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with my client Margot Stornelli, a retired librarian who turned a personal journaling project into a full memoir. What began as a way to record her life for her children eventually grew into The Big Red Suitcase, a travel memoir filled with memories, reflections, and stories gathered over decades of living and exploring the world.

Margot's path to authorship is both inspiring and reassuring for writers at any stage. She didn't start with a grand publishing plan. She started with curiosity, a lifetime of experiences, and a desire to leave something meaningful for the next generation.

In our conversation, we talk about the surprising way her memoir began, how she slowly transformed scattered diary entries into a cohesive book, and what it's like to move from being a lifelong reader and librarian to becoming an author herself.

If you've ever wondered whether your own life stories might be worth writing down, this conversation will give you a powerful reason to start.

Check out the episode now!

Most writers don't burn out because they hate writing. They burn out because writing quietly becomes everything else.

Marketing. Tech. Algorithms. Platforms. Tools that promise leverage but demand constant attention. Somewhere along the way, the actual work—the slow, human, soul-driven act of storytelling—gets crowded out.

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I'm joined by author and industry veteran Kevin Tumlinson for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about what it really means to build a sustainable writing life in 2026 and beyond.

We talk about creative burnout, the myth of "doing it all yourself," and why AI isn't the monster it's often made out to be—unless you let it replace the very thing that makes writing matter. Kevin shares how slowing down, writing by hand, and embracing what he calls an "analog rebellion" helped him reconnect with the work after years of rapid release, daily livestreams, and nonstop output.

We also dig into something many writers are curious about—but hesitant to admit: getting help. Not automation. Not shortcuts. Real human assistance. We explore virtual assistants, delegation, leadership, and why letting go of the right tasks can actually give you more control over your author business—not less.

If you've ever thought, I just want to write… but I also want this to work, this conversation is for you.

Check out the episode now!

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the visual side of book marketing—cover mockups, social media graphics, reels, and everything in between—this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.

In this conversation, I'm joined by Kathleen Sweeney, co-founder of Book Brush, a visual marketing platform built specifically for authors. We talk about how Book Brush evolved by listening to writers, why so many authors struggle with consistency and branding, and how to think about marketing before your book launches—not after.

We also dig into the difference between DIY marketing and done-for-you support, when it makes sense to outsource, and how authors can stop trying to be "everything" and focus on what actually matters: writing great books.

If you want book marketing to feel clearer, lighter, and more manageable, this episode is for you.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How authors can stop trying to do everything and focus on writing, without their marketing falling apart
• How Book Brush accidentally became one of the most author-focused marketing tools by listening to what writers actually wanted
• Why visual marketing feels so overwhelming for authors—and how to simplify it without losing quality
• The biggest social media mistakes authors make (including the infamous random cactus post)
• Why consistency and brand clarity matter more than posting every day
• When authors should start thinking about marketing (hint: way earlier than launch day)
• The difference between DIY marketing, à la carte help, and full-service support—and how to know which one is right for you

Check out the episode now!

What if writing didn't have to mean struggling, waiting for permission, or giving away your best work to gatekeepers?

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with writer, freelancer, novelist, and creator of multiple six-figure writing businesses, Amy Suto, to talk honestly about what it means to write for money and power in today's creator economy.

Amy's career started in Hollywood, where she followed the traditional path many writers are told is the dream… and then walked away from it. What she built instead is a writing career rooted in autonomy, audience ownership, and creative control through freelancing, paid newsletters, self-publishing, and smart focus.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• How writers can escape the "starving artist" myth
• Freelancing without burning out or underpricing yourself
• Why focus beats doing "all the things"
• How AI actually affects writers (and where it doesn't)
• Writing as deep thinking not content churn
• Charging more so you can do better work
• Building sustainable income without selling your soul

This is a wide-ranging, grounded conversation for writers who want to take their craft seriously and build a life that works—whether you're a novelist, freelancer, editor, coach, or somewhere in between.

Check out the episode now!

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I'm joined by author Anne Kane, who published six books in two years—including her hit motorcycle romance series ACE: Riptide MC—and is releasing Spirit Bear Conspiracy.

We talk about what changed in Anne's writing life over the last two years: how plotting sped up her drafting, why a genre shift helped her rediscover her love of writing, and what it's like working with a small publisher that offers real support (covers, editing, marketing, and community).

If you're trying to finish a draft faster, write more consistently, or find the right genre "fit," this conversation will give you practical insights—and a big dose of momentum.

In this episode, we cover:

• Anne's new release: Spirit Bear Conspiracy
• Publishing 6 books in 2 years (and what sparked the streak)
• Plotting vs pantsing (and why plotting made drafting faster)
• Why "motorcycle romance" is a powerful two-word pitch
• Action + romance: making the genre fun to read and write
• Small press publishing: support, process, and collaboration

Listen now!

There's a persistent myth in the writing world: that great books are created by lone geniuses, toiling away in isolation, waiting for inspiration to strike.

It's a compelling image.

It's also wildly unhelpful and mostly untrue.

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sat down with Gala Russ (author, editor, and writing coach) to talk about what actually helps writers grow: community, feedback, structure, emotional intelligence, and learning when to stop doing everything the hard way.

Gala's journey into writing didn't follow a neat, linear path. She started publishing fiction on Wattpad, learned to write in a serialized format with live reader feedback, was eventually hired by the platform, and later moved into book coaching and developmental editing. Along the way, she studied linguistics, taught ESL, worked as a strategic consultant, collaborated with co-authors, and trained as a coach—bringing all of that experience into how she now helps writers.

In our conversation, we dig into:

• Why so many writers struggle alone for years before asking for help
• How community and collaboration accelerate growth (without taking away your voice)
• The real difference between pantsers and plotters—and why it mostly disappears after draft one
• Why perfectionism is often a misunderstanding of how writing skill actually develops
• What co-authoring really requires (hint: it's a lot like improv—and a lot like dating)
• How learning to write is more like learning a language than finishing a single project
• Why "DIY" doesn't mean "do it alone," whether you're talking about punk rock or publishing

We also talk about Gala's approach to coaching, how she blends structure with intuition, strategy with somatics, and teaching with long-term support, plus what she's working on next, including courses for beginner novelists and writers looking to integrate romance subplots into non-romance stories.

Listen to the full episode below, and consider this your reminder that becoming a better writer doesn't require more suffering—it requires better systems, better support, and a willingness to learn alongside other humans who care about the work as much as you do.