Unscripted with Lauren Marie Fleming

What does it mean to want to be an artist in the modern world?

In this episode, author, filmmaker, and story coach Lauren Marie Fleming reflects on a major life shift: letting go of the 20-year drive for fame and wealth to step fully into being an "artist in love."

From early internet fame, writing for Vice, and speaking at Ivy League universities to seeing her book in airports nationwide, Lauren shares why peak success left her feeling as unmoored as peak tragedy. Now, embarking on a 40-day Venus Retrograde in Scorpio journey, she invites you to explore what happens when we center love, community, and unarmored creative vulnerability over capitalistic hustle.

WORK WITH LAUREN 1:1:

Ready to build your book strategy, unblock your creative career, or get support writing your story? Book your VIP Story Coaching session or ghostwriting consultation:

https://laurenmariefleming.as.me/

ESCAPE THE HUSTLE AT A CREATIVE RETREAT:

Creativity is better in person and with community! Join us to leave the everyday grind behind and make art in a room together. Sign up for information on upcoming retreats:

https://forms.gle/yR9GBCy8g9vT22Kc9

BOOKS & PROGRAMS BY LAUREN:

- Queer romcom fiction Because Fat Girl: http://becausefatgirl.com

- Bawdy Love: 10 Steps to Profoundly Loving Your Body: http://bawdylove.com

- The Writer's Career Guide: How to Build a Sustainable Creative Life on Your Own Terms: https://laurenmariefleming.com/books/writerscareerguide

CONNECT WITH LAUREN & JOIN THE COMMUNITY:

Read the Substack: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmariefleming

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMarieFleming

IN THIS EPISODE:

- 00:00 - Wanting to be Rich & Famous Since Age 12

- 01:00 - Early Internet Success, Vice Columns, & Speaking at Yale

- 01:50 - The Loneliness of Fame & Corporate Power

- 02:30 - Why Making Money Couldn't Save Us From Bad Politics

- 03:30 - Peak Success vs. Peak Tragedy

- 04:40 - Realizing What I Want: Becoming an "Artist in Love"

- 05:50 - Why Writing About Love Scares the Crap Out of Me

- 06:40 - Letting Go of Spite & Choosing Art Over Commerce

- 07:45 - 40 Days of Venus Retrograde in Scorpio Deep Dive

- 09:50 - Join the 40-Day Rebel Journey

Because the world needs our stories now more than ever.

Have you ever had a moment where you felt completely, totally, and holistically yourself?

In this episode, author, filmmaker, and story coach Lauren Marie Fleming shares the behind-the-scenes realization from directing her latest indie film—and why it felt like the ultimate act of creative protest, queer revolution, and personal alignment.

From rejecting corporate leadership models and setting collaborative values on set to wearing a "Femme Daddy" shirt in the director's chair, Lauren breaks down what happens when you stop trying to "fix" or censor yourself and instead give everyone around you permission to be fully who they are.

✨ WORK WITH LAUREN 1:1:

Ready to build your book strategy, unblock your creative career, or get support writing your story? Book your VIP Story Coaching session or ghostwriting consultation:

https://laurenmariefleming.as.me/

🌴 ESCAPE THE HUSTLE AT A CREATIVE RETREAT:

Creativity is better in person and with community! Join us to leave the everyday grind behind and make art in a room together. Sign up for information on upcoming retreats:

https://forms.gle/yR9GBCy8g9vT22Kc9

📚 BOOKS & PROGRAMS BY LAUREN:

- Queer romcom fiction Because Fat Girl: http://becausefatgirl.com

- Bawdy Love: 10 Steps to Profoundly Loving Your Body: http://bawdylove.com

- The Writer's Career Guide: How to Build a Sustainable Creative Life on Your Own Terms: https://laurenmariefleming.com/books/writerscareerguide

CONNECT WITH LAUREN & JOIN THE COMMUNITY:

Read the Substack: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmariefleming

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMarieFleming

IN THIS EPISODE:

- 00:00 - Have You Ever Felt Completely Yourself?

- 00:45 - Reassessing Life & Unlearning Taboos

- 01:30 - Directing a Movie as an Act of Artistic Protest

- 02:15 - Building a Queer Revolution on Set

- 02:50 - What Corporate America Gets Wrong About Leadership

- 03:50 - Balancing Comedy, Drama, & Aesthetic Brand Vision

- 05:00 - Bringing "Femme Daddy" Energy to the Director's Chair

- 05:40 - Creating an Accessible, Collaborative Set

- 06:20 - Realizing You Don't Need to "Fix" Yourself

- 07:15 - Letting Queers Be Queer & Making Revolutionary Art

Because the world needs our stories now more than ever.

I made a movie this weekend, and it was the most "me" I’ve ever felt in a very long time. In this episode, author, filmmaker, and story coach Lauren Marie Fleming walks through her physical, analog Director’s Binder—the exact tool that kept her grounded, organized, and creatively inspired on set.

From building a visual shot list without overwhelming spreadsheets to creating set rules, honoring past queer filmmakers, and redefining what success means, Lauren shares a raw look into making art on your own terms outside of AI, tech, and corporate pressure.

✨ WORK WITH LAUREN 1:1:

Ready to build your book strategy, unblock your creative career, or get support writing your story? Book your VIP Story Coaching session or ghostwriting consultation:

https://laurenmariefleming.as.me/

🌴 ESCAPE THE HUSTLE AT A CREATIVE RETREAT:

Creativity is better in person and with community! Join us to leave the everyday grind behind and make art in a room together. Sign up for information on upcoming retreats:

https://forms.gle/yR9GBCy8g9vT22Kc9

📚 BOOKS & PROGRAMS BY LAUREN:

- Queer romcom fiction Because Fat Girl: http://becausefatgirl.com

- Bawdy Love: 10 Steps to Profoundly Loving Your Body: http://bawdylove.com

- The Writer's Career Guide: How to Build a Sustainable Creative Life on Your Own Terms: https://laurenmariefleming.com/books/writerscareerguide

CONNECT WITH LAUREN & JOIN THE COMMUNITY:

Read the Substack: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmariefleming

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMarieFleming

IN THIS EPISODE:

- 00:00 - Show and Tell: Why I Created a Physical Director's Binder

- 01:00 - Staying Tangible in a Digital World

- 01:45 - The Amateur Cover & Defining Success On My Own Terms

- 02:15 - Books That Influenced Me (Break the Frame, George Cukor, & Katharine Hepburn)

- 04:05 - Standing on the Shoulders of Queer & Trans Filmmakers

- 06:00 - The Vision Board: Doing It for 18-Year-Old Me

- 06:35 - Building a Visual Shot List (Without Overwhelming Spreadsheets)

- 08:30 - Handwritten Cast, Crew, and Set Rules ("Don't Be an Asshole")

- 09:55 - Redefining "The Dream": Why Local San Diego Art Matters

- 11:35 - Making Tangible, Unapologetic Art Outside the Tech Noise

Because the world needs our stories now more than ever.

In this episode, Lauren shares why she's postponing her September publishing series — and what that decision taught her about being a kind boss to yourself instead of a relentless tyrant.

🎬 The cycle of doing so well that you take on more until you break — and why Lauren keeps falling into it

🎬 Why making a movie right now means the publishing deep dive has to wait

🎬 "You can do anything, but you can't do everything" — on focusing on what truly matters this season

🎬 How the Creative Life Blueprint helps Lauren make choices aligned with the boldly creative life she wants to live

🔗 The Making Money as a Writer series: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/t/making-money-as-a-writer

🔗 Learn more about the Creative Life Blueprint: http://creativelifeblueprint.com

🎥 SUPPORT MY SHORT FILM:

🔗 NoAnimalsHarmedFilm.com

✨ FOLLOW ALONG IN THE CREATIVE PROCESS:

✍️ Subscribe on Substack: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/

📷 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmariefleming

▶️ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMarieFleming

📚 READ MY BOOKS:

🔗 Escape into my queer romcom Because Fat Girl: http://becausefatgirl.com

🔗 Learn to profoundly love your body with my workbook Bawdy Love: http://bawdylove.com

🔗 Build a writing career with my Writer's Career Guide: https://laurenmariefleming.com/books/writerscareerguide

🚀 RESOURCES TO BUILD YOUR BOLDLY CREATIVE LIFE:

🔗 Learn more about the Creative Life Blueprint: http://creativelifeblueprint.com

🔗 Learn more about 33 Asks®: https://33asks.com

Because the world needs our stories now more than ever.

I patiently waited 20 years for traditional publishing to give me a book deal, and I was rewarded with seeing my novel in airports and bookstores across the nation. But looking back on my 13 manuscripts, waiting was probably the wrong move—and it’s not a mistake I want you to make.

In this episode, author, filmmaker, and story coach Lauren Marie Fleming breaks down the un-gatekept reality of traditional publishing versus taking ownership of your creative work. From a 2006 heartbreak and free tea at a coffee shop to navigating Big Five corporate backlash, Lauren shares why waiting for permission suffocates artists—and how to build a lasting legacy on your own terms.

WORK WITH LAUREN 1:1:

Ready to build your book strategy, unblock your creative career, or get support writing your book? Book your VIP Story Coaching session or ghostwriting consultation:

https://laurenmariefleming.as.me/

ESCAPE THE HUSTLE AT A CREATIVE RETREAT:

Creativity is better in person and with community! Join us to leave the everyday grind behind and make art in a room together. Sign up for information on upcoming retreats:

https://forms.gle/yR9GBCy8g9vT22Kc9

BOOKS & PROGRAMS BY LAUREN:

- Queer romcom fiction Because Fat Girl: http://becausefatgirl.com

- Bawdy Love: 10 Steps to Profoundly Loving Your Body: http://bawdylove.com

- The Writer's Career Guide: How to Build a Sustainable Creative Life on Your Own Terms: https://laurenmariefleming.com/books/writerscareerguide

CONNECT WITH LAUREN & JOIN THE COMMUNITY:

Read the Substack: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmariefleming

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMarieFleming

IN THIS EPISODE:

- 2004: Heartbreak, Female Assassins, and Free Tea

- Film school warnings & entering the publishing world

- Writing 13 books and the "not enough following" catch-22

- What 'Because Fat Girl' had that my other books didn't

- The reality of gatekeeping and conservative corporate backlash

- Self-publishing wins: Bawdy Love & The Writer's Career Guide

- Why you should stop waiting for approval and publish your story now

Because the world needs our stories now more than ever.

Can you actually make a living as an author on Substack without getting trapped in social media burnout?

In this episode, join author, filmmaker, and story coach Lauren Marie Fleming for a live VIP coaching session with author and freelance consultant Caroline Fowler Davis. Together, they break down the financial and creative realities of turning two sci-fi manuscripts into an 8-book series, letting go of traditional publishing ego traps, and using Substack as a calm, thoughtful alternative to Instagram algorithms.

If you have ever wondered how to monetize your writing, transition to self-publishing, or build a paid readership on your own terms, this episode offers a front-row seat to strategic story coaching in action.

BOOK YOUR OWN VIP STORY COACHING SESSION:

Ready to build your book strategy, unblock your creative career, and monetize your writing? Work with Lauren 1:1:

https://laurenmariefleming.as.me/

IN THIS EPISODE:

- Live VIP Coaching: How to make money writing

- The dilemma: Turning 1 book into 4 (or 8) books

- Trad Publishing vs. Self-Publishing: The ego and numbers check

- Hugh Howey, Fourth Wing, and the self-pub success route

- The Substack question: Why leave Instagram algorithms behind?

- Troll protection, paid comments, and thoughtful community building

- Using Substack to fund your next book project

THE FULL MONEY AND CREATIVITY SERIES:

- Part 1: The Real Cost of Crowdfunding an Indie Film: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/p/crowdfunding-numbers-breakdown

- Part 2: How Authors ACTUALLY Make Money: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/p/how-authors-actually-make-money

- Part 3: Is the Pursuit of Money Killing Art?: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/p/does-the-pursuit-of-money-kill-art

- Part 4: Why I am Shutting Down a 250,000 Dollar Income Stream: https://open.substack.com/pub/laurenmariefleming/p/shutting-down-250k-income-stream

GET THE BLUEPRINT TO BUILD YOUR CAREER:

Grab your copy of The Writer's Career Guide: How to Build a Sustainable Creative Life on Your Own Terms: https://laurenmariefleming.com/books/writerscareerguide

CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND JOIN THE COMMUNITY:

Read the Substack: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmariefleming

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMarieFleming

BOOKS AND PROGRAMS BY LAUREN:

Queer romcom Because Fat Girl: http://becausefatgirl.com

Radical self-love with Bawdy Love: http://bawdylove.com

The 33 Asks Framework: https://33asks.com

Story Coaching and Work with Lauren: http://schoolforwriters.com

Because the world needs our stories now more than ever.

In this episode, Lauren shares why she's shutting down one of her biggest income streams — $250,000 in online course revenue — and turning her programs into books, Substack content, and in-person retreats instead.

🎬 The $250,000 income stream Lauren is walking away from — and why

🎬 A decade of online courses: what she loved, what changed, and the Zoom fatigue that shifted everything

🎬 How Jenna Kutcher shutting down her podcast inspired Lauren to look at what she's doing just for money vs. what actually fulfills her

🎬 Turning 33 Asks®, Creative Life Blueprint, and Write Your Friggin' Book Already® into books — at a fraction of the course price

🎬 Why she'd rather have a $20 book on your shelf than a $3,000 course you never open

🎬 What's coming instead: books, Substack, YouTube, one-on-one coaching, ghostwriting, and in-person retreats

🎬 The scary part: making significantly less money. The exciting part: leaning into the art.

🎥 SUPPORT MY SHORT FILM:

🔗 NoAnimalsHarmedFilm.com

✨ FOLLOW ALONG IN THE CREATIVE PROCESS:

✍️ Subscribe on Substack: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/

📷 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmariefleming

▶️ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMarieFleming

📚 READ MY BOOKS:

🔗 Escape into my queer romcom Because Fat Girl: http://becausefatgirl.com

🔗 Learn to profoundly love your body with my workbook Bawdy Love: http://bawdylove.com

🔗 Build a writing career with my Writer's Career Guide: https://laurenmariefleming.com/books/writerscareerguide

🚀 RESOURCES TO BUILD YOUR BOLDLY CREATIVE LIFE:

🔗 Learn more about the Creative Life Blueprint: http://creativelifeblueprint.com

🔗 Learn more about 33 Asks®: https://33asks.com

🔗 Learn more about Write Your Friggin' Book Already®: http://writeyourfrigginbookalready.com

Because the world needs our stories now more than ever.

Is the pursuit of money killing art? On one hand, capitalism can crush creativity. On the other hand, artists deserve to get paid.

In this video—the third in my series on creative finances—I’m opening up about the nuanced reality of being an author, filmmaker, and story coach. I share why I spent 10 years trying to build an online following to appease traditional publishers, the homophobia and fatphobia I faced in the publishing industry, and why trying to scale my company to 7 figures almost pulled me completely away from making art.

If you’ve ever felt caught between building a business and protecting your artistic voice, this video is a permission slip to stop waiting for gatekeepers and greenlight yourself.

📖 GET THE BLUEPRINT TO BUILD YOUR CAREER:

Grab your copy of The Writer's Career Guide: How to Build a Sustainable Creative Life on Your Own Terms

🔗 https://laurenmariefleming.com/books/writerscareerguide

✨ CONNECT WITH LAUREN & JOIN THE COMMUNITY:

✍️ Read the Substack: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/

📷 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmariefleming

▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMarieFleming

📚 BOOKS BY LAUREN MARIE FLEMING:

🔗 Queer romcom Because Fat Girl: http://becausefatgirl.com

🔗 Radical self-love with Bawdy Love: http://bawdylove.com

🚀 CREATIVE RESOURCES & COURSES:

🔗 Learn how to build a creative career: http://schoolforwriters.com

🔗 The 33 Asks® Framework: https://33asks.com

🕒 TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Is the pursuit of money killing art?

01:15 The lie of "creative entrepreneurship" & scaling to 7 figures

02:15 20 years, 4 agents, and 1,000s of rejections

03:30 Queerphobia & fatphobia in traditional publishing

05:10 The 10-year trap: Content creator vs. Artist

07:00 The 33 Asks® alternative to complicated sales funnels

08:20 What if you stopped being an entrepreneur and leaned into being an artist?

10:40 Why I tried to build an empire instead of prioritizing craft

13:50 The most direct path to being an artist

15:10 Journal Prompts: Where are you waiting for permission?

17:30 What happens when you optimize for simplicity over scale?

#CreativeEntrepreneur #AuthorLife #SelfPublishing #TradPublishing #StoryCoaching #NoGatekeeping #IndieFilmmaking

How much does it ACTUALLY cost to crowdfund an independent film? Most filmmakers hide their financial numbers and campaign failures, but on this show, there are no gatekeepers.

In this episode, Lauren is opening up the books with complete financial and emotional transparency about the recent crowdfunding campaign for her short film, No Animals Harmed. Whether you’re an indie filmmaker preparing your first launch or a supporter curious about where money actually goes behind the scenes, this breakdown reveals the real costs, hidden fees, and unexpected surprises of funding independent art.

🔗 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

👙 How Learning to Love My Body in a Bikini Helped Me Make a Movie

Read it: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/p/body-positivity-filmmaking

Watch it: https://youtu.be/vayelou8_lE

💸 IN THIS EPISODE:

• The hidden platform and credit card processing fees that immediately cut into your film budget.

• Seed&Spark vs. Kickstarter: Why Lauren chose Seed&Spark and the major 25% fee warning nobody tells creators about.

• The real physical and emotional toll of running a 30-day crowdfunding campaign.

• Full breakdown of the actual money raised: Donors, self-investment, and loans of services.

• How to define success vs. failure on your own terms in a gatekept industry.

🎥 FOLLOW OUR INDIE FILM JOURNEY:

🔗 http://NoAnimalsHarmedFilm.com

✨ CONNECT WITH LAUREN & JOIN THE COMMUNITY:

✍️ Read the Substack: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/

📷 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmariefleming

▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMarieFleming

📚 BOOKS BY LAUREN MARIE FLEMING:

🔗 Escape into the queer romcom Because Fat Girl: http://becausefatgirl.com

🔗 Practice radical self-love with Bawdy Love: http://bawdylove.com

🔗 Build your creative career with the Writer's Career Guide: https://laurenmariefleming.com/books/writerscareerguide

🚀 CREATIVE RESOURCES & COURSES:

🔗 Creative Life Blueprint: http://creativelifeblueprint.com

🔗 The 33 Asks® Framework: https://33asks.com

🔗 Write Your Friggin' Book Already®: http://writeyourfrigginbookalready.com

Because the world needs our stories now more than ever.

How much does it ACTUALLY cost to crowdfund an independent film? Most filmmakers hide their financial numbers and campaign failures, but on this show, there are no gatekeepers.

In this episode, Lauren is opening up the books with complete financial and emotional transparency about the recent crowdfunding campaign for her short film, No Animals Harmed. Whether you’re an indie filmmaker preparing your first launch or a supporter curious about where money actually goes behind the scenes, this breakdown reveals the real costs, hidden fees, and unexpected surprises of funding independent art.

🔗 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

👙 How Learning to Love My Body in a Bikini Helped Me Make a Movie

Read it: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/p/body-positivity-filmmaking

Watch it: https://youtu.be/vayelou8_lE

💸 IN THIS EPISODE:

• The hidden platform and credit card processing fees that immediately cut into your film budget.

• Seed&Spark vs. Kickstarter: Why Lauren chose Seed&Spark and the major 25% fee warning nobody tells creators about.

• The real physical and emotional toll of running a 30-day crowdfunding campaign.

• Full breakdown of the actual money raised: Donors, self-investment, and loans of services.

• How to define success vs. failure on your own terms in a gatekept industry.

🎥 FOLLOW OUR INDIE FILM JOURNEY:

🔗 http://NoAnimalsHarmedFilm.com

✨ CONNECT WITH LAUREN & JOIN THE COMMUNITY:

✍️ Read the Substack: https://unscripted.laurenmariefleming.com/

📷 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmariefleming

▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMarieFleming

📚 BOOKS BY LAUREN MARIE FLEMING:

🔗 Escape into the queer romcom Because Fat Girl: http://becausefatgirl.com

🔗 Practice radical self-love with Bawdy Love: http://bawdylove.com

🔗 Build your creative career with the Writer's Career Guide: https://laurenmariefleming.com/books/writerscareerguide

🚀 CREATIVE RESOURCES & COURSES:

🔗 Creative Life Blueprint: http://creativelifeblueprint.com

🔗 The 33 Asks® Framework: https://33asks.com

🔗 Write Your Friggin' Book Already®: http://writeyourfrigginbookalready.com

Because the world needs our stories now more than ever.