Women Writing

Women Writing

By Liisa KovalaArtsBooksFiction
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Women Writing episodes

  • Coffee Break with Stephanie Weaver

    Welcome to the Women Writing podcast. In this episode, I’m taking a coffee break with author Stephanie Weaver.

    ​Stephanie Weaver, MPH embodies resilience and transformation. With a rich career spanning museum storytelling, public health, and speaker coaching, she has worked across diverse landscapes – from The San Diego Zoo to The White House. A world traveler who embarked on a solo journey through Southeast Asia at 28, Weaver has curated TEDxSanDiego, coached hundreds of speakers, and authored five books that illuminate the power of personal narrative. She lives in Oceanside, CA with her husband and their golden retriever.

    Bitter, Sweet: How to Heal Yourself When Your Family Is Broken (published on April 7, 2026)

    📚 Women Writing Circle

    The Women Writing Circle meets every Monday from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. Join us to get focussed writing done in the company of a supportive group of women writers.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/subscribe
    35 min
  • Coffee Break with Samantha Evans Tschritter

    Welcome to the Women Writing podcast. In this episode, I’m taking a coffee break with author Samantha Evans Tschritter.

    With 20 years of leadership experience and contributions to over 40 books, multi-award-winning author S. E. Tschritter (Shridder) writes content that sticks with readers long after they close the cover. Tschritter grew up in Chicagoland and has also lived in Minnesota and Oregon. She currently resides in Simpsonville, South Carolina with her husband, their three teen and preteen daughters, cats named Pitter and Patter, and their Siberian husky whom she lost the vote to name Onomatopoeia. Find her books and social media links at LoveUnedited.com or Linktr.ee/LoveSamEvans.

    📚 Women Writing Circle

    The Women Writing Circle meets every Monday from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. Join us to get focussed writing done in the company of a supportive group of women writers.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/subscribe
    35 min
  • Coffee Break with Emily Andrews

    Welcome to the Women Writing podcast. In this episode, I’m taking a coffee break with author and radio host Emily Andrews.

    Emily Andrews is a Northern Ontario writer. She has stories in books such as Redwing Speculative Fiction and Painted Voices, as well as full length publications such as Danni Fundy: Occult Babysitter and The Fates of Three. She can be found hiding in her home in rural Sudbury or online at Emily Andrews Author on Facebook.

    📚 Women Writing Circle

    The Women Writing Circle meets every Monday from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. Join us to get focussed writing done in the company of a supportive group of women writers.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/subscribe
    38 min
  • S2, Ep. 59: Coffee Break with Kim Lengling

    Welcome to the Women Writing podcast. In this episode, I’m taking a coffee break with author Kim Lengling.

    If you spot someone walking through a field with a coffee mug in one hand and a dog leash in the other, it’s probably Kim Lengling. A multi-published author, podcast host, and veteran, Kim is the voice behind Let Fear Bounce, sharing stories that prove hope is real and kindness matters. She’s the lead author of six anthologies, including Paw Prints on the Kitchen Floor, and the author of Nuggets of Hope: Cultivate Kindness and 15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness. When not writing or podcasting, Kim’s with her dog Dexter, coffee in hand, soaking up nature’s peace.

    Kim’s online spaces:

    WebsiteAmazon GoodReads SpotifyYouTube Facebook Facebook LinkedIn Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok

    Writers of all stripes—fiction, nonfiction, memoir—this one’s for you! Write On 2026 is a free online series hosted by Book Coaches Canada, with sessions designed to help you plan, draft, revise and publish like a pro, with zero stress and max creativity.

    With lessons from over a dozen experts in all things writing and publishing, you’ll get craft advice that will make your story shine and mindset tips that will keep you going when the words won’t. It’s like a virtual coffee date with the world’s nicest book coaches, who’ve all come together to support your literary aspirations.

    Come as you are and bring your questions, your half-finished drafts and your dreams of authorship (and your favourite mug!). By the end, you’ll have practical tools to improve your craft and fresh momentum to make real progress on your book.

    Are you ready to take your story to the next level? Write On!

    📚 Women Writing Circle

    The Women Writing Circle meets every Monday from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. Join us to get focussed writing done in the company of a supportive group of women writers.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/subscribe
    1 hr 6 min
  • S2, Ep. 58: Coffee Break with Glenda Benevides

    Welcome to the Women Writing podcast. In this episode, I’m taking a coffee break with author singer-songwriter and author Glenda Benevides.

    Glenda Benevides is an award-winning singer-songwriter celebrated for her soulful vocals and deeply resonant lyrics that inspire audiences around the globe. As a GRAMMY®-nominated artist and Recording Academy voting member, Glenda actively contributes to honoring and elevating excellence in the music industry.

    Beyond her remarkable musical achievements, Glenda is a passionate mentor committed to empowering women to discover their authentic voices, embrace freedom, and unlock their full potential. Through her transformative performances, retreats, and her best-selling book, Courage: Find Your Fire and Ignite Action in Your Life, she guides individuals on a journey of clarity, courage, confidence, and community, inspiring them to lead empowered, purpose-driven lives.

    Additionally, Glenda champions environmental stewardship, blending her love for nature and creativity by planting trees and fostering a sustainable future. Her work reflects a harmonious blend of artistry, mentorship, and activism, leaving an indelible mark on every stage she graces and every life she touches.

    WRITE ON 2026!

    With lessons from over a dozen experts in all things writing and publishing, you’ll get craft advice that will make your story shine and mindset tips that will keep you going when the words won’t. It’s like a virtual coffee date with the world’s nicest book coaches, who’ve all come together to support your literary aspirations.

    Come as you are and bring your questions, your half-finished drafts and your dreams of authorship (and your favourite mug!). By the end, you’ll have practical tools to improve your craft and fresh momentum to make real progress on your book.

    Are you ready to take your story to the next level? Write On!

    📚 Women Writing Circle

    The Women Writing Circle meets every Monday from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. Join us to get focussed writing done in the company of a supportive group of women writers.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/subscribe
    43 min
  • S2, Ep. 57: Coffee Break with J. M. Shaw

    Welcome to the Women Writing podcast. In this episode, I’m taking a coffee break with author J. M. Shaw.

    J. M. Shaw is a Canadian author of fantasy fiction who lives in Alberta with her husband and two young children. She’s been writing since childhood, building worlds from raw imagination and quiet observation, but it took years before she found the courage to share them. For Shaw, storytelling has always been more than a passion. It’s a compass. A sanctuary. A way to make sense of the chaos.In 2019, Shaw was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, a turning point that brought clarity to a lifetime of feeling “too much” or “too different.” Her intense focus, emotional depth, and ability to live inside fictional worlds became not flaws but the superpowers of a neurodivergent mind. These qualities shape her stories, infusing them with realism, heart, and meaning, and giving her the courage to finally share her creative works. Her worlds may be fantastical, but her characters—flawed, searching, and deeply human—resonate on a personal level.In 2021, Shaw released The Ascension, the first book in her fantasy-adventure series The Callum Walker Series. She has since published three sequels, with more in the works. When she’s not writing, Shaw enjoys connecting with nature, curling up with a good book, and dreaming up new worlds. She also finds joy in encouraging young writers to pursue their own passions.

    REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

    Join Book Coaches Canada, a group of Canadian Author Accelerator certified fiction, memoir, and non-fiction book coaches, for a weekend of webinars on writing, publishing, mindset, and strategies. Sign up for as many (or all the sessions) and check out the freebies and special offers. Write On 2026 takes place on May 30-31, 2026.

    Register for free at write-on-2026.heysummit.com. And don’t forget to join “Prompt or Perish: Book Coaches Debate AI and the Future of Writing” and my session “The Sisu Method: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Writers.”

    And did I mention? It’s free!

    📚 Women Writing Circle

    The Women Writing Circle meets every Monday from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. Join us to get focussed writing done in the company of a supportive group of women writers.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/subscribe
    45 min
  • S2, Ep. 56: Coffee Break with Canadian Book Coaches

    Welcome to the Women Writing podcast. In this episode, I’m taking a coffee break with my fellow book coaches, Natalie Poulson and Nicole Bross, from Book Coaches Canada. We’re chatting about our upcoming online (free) event, Write On 2026 on May 30-31, 2026. Check out the schedule and register here.

    “With lessons from over a dozen experts in all things writing and publishing, you’ll get craft advice that will make your story shine and mindset tips that will keep you going when the words won’t. It’s like a virtual coffee date with the world’s nicest book coaches, who’ve all come together to support your literary aspirations.

    Come as you are and bring your questions, your half-finished drafts and your dreams of authorship (and your favourite mug!). By the end, you’ll have practical tools to improve your craft and fresh momentum to make real progress on your book.

    Are you ready to take your story to the next level? Write On!”

    📚 Women Writing Circle

    The Women Writing Circle meets every Monday from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. Join us to get focussed writing done in the company of a supportive group of women writers.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/subscribe
    26 min
  • S2, Ep. 55: Coffee Break with Kristine Jensen

    Welcome to the Women Writing podcast. In this episode, I’m taking a coffee break with author Kristine Jensen.

    Kristine Jensen is a lifelong writer whose work has spanned scripts, screenplays, and storytelling for brands and organizations. She has spent her career shaping narratives, crafting voices, and distilling complex ideas into language that connects. Born and raised in South Dakota, Kristine drew inspiration for her first novel from the minutes of her grandmother’s real-life women’s club, which met for more than sixty years. She now lives in Oregon, where she writes fiction that celebrates women’s inner lives, unlikely friendships, and the quiet power of small towns.

    You can learn more about the real Wednesday Club that inspired the novel at www.wednesday-club.com.

    Facebook: Wednesday Club Novel

    Instagram: Wednesday_club_novel

    REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

    Join Book Coaches Canada, a group of Canadian Author Accelerator certified fiction, memoir, and non-fiction book coaches, for a weekend of webinars on writing, publishing, mindset, and strategies. Sign up for as many (or all the sessions) and check out the freebies and special offers. Write On 2026 takes place on May 30-31, 2026.

    Register for free at write-on-2026.heysummit.com. And don’t forget to join “Prompt or Perish: Book Coaches Debate AI and the Future of Writing” and my session “The Sisu Method: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Writers.”

    And did I mention? It’s free!

    📚 Women Writing Circle

    The Women Writing Circle meets every Monday from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. Join us to get focussed writing done in the company of a supportive group of women writers.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/subscribe
    58 min
  • S2, Ep. 54: Coffee Break with Randi-Lee Bowslaugh

    Welcome to the Women Writing podcast. In this episode, I’m taking a coffee break with author Randi-Lee Bowslaugh.

    Randi is a mental health advocate, author, and YouTube host of the Write or Die Show. She started writing at 14 years old as a coping strategy for her depression. Twenty years later she is now a mom, grandma, and thriving creative individual.

    Visit @randileebowslaugh

    WRITE ON 2026 (MAY 30-31,2026)

    Presented by Book Coaches Canada

    With lessons from over a dozen experts in all things writing and publishing, you’ll get craft advice that will make your story shine and mindset tips that will keep you going when the words won’t. It’s like a virtual coffee date with the world’s nicest book coaches, who’ve all come together to support your literary aspirations.

    Come as you are and bring your questions, your half-finished drafts and your dreams of authorship (and your favourite mug!). By the end, you’ll have practical tools to improve your craft and fresh momentum to make real progress on your book.

    Are you ready to take your story to the next level? Write On!”

    📚Women Writing Circle

    The Women Writing Circle meets every Monday from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. Join us to get focussed writing done in the company of a supportive group of women writers.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/subscribe
    38 min
  • S2, Ep. 53: Coffee Break with Nora Gold

    Welcome to the Women Writing podcast. In this episode, I’m taking a coffee break with author Nora Gold.

    Dr. Nora Gold is the prize-winning author of six books, as well as the founder and editor-in-chief of the prestigious online literary journal Jewish Fiction, which has published 650 stories never before published in English, that were originally written in 23 languages. Gold’s first book, Marrow and Other Stories, won a Vine Canadian Jewish Book Award and was praised by Alice Munro. Her second book, the novel Fields of Exile, won the inaugural Canadian Jewish Literary Award for best novel, and was acclaimed by Ruth Wisse and Irwin Cotler. Her novel The Dead Man received glowing reviews, including in the Los Angeles Review of Books, and won a Canada Council for the Arts translation grant. Her fourth book, 18: Jewish Stories Translated from 18 Languages, an anthology of translated works, was praised by Publishers Weekly, Cynthia Ozick, and Dara Horn; was a finalist for a Foreword Indies Award; and was featured in the New York Times Wirecutter in both 2023 and 2024 as a recommended Chanukah gift. Gold’s fifth book, In Sickness and In Health/Yom Kippur in a Gym (two novellas) received international acclaim, and was one of the five books that Hadassah Magazine chose to feature in Fall 2025. Her latest book, the novella Doubles, will be published on May 1st, and has already received rave advance reviews.Gold, who lives in Toronto, has received considerable media attention, and has appeared as a featured guest on podcasts and videocasts based in India, Australia, the United States, and Canada. She is active on social media, including Facebook and Instagram, and on LinkedIn she has over 100,000 followers.

    Her website is www.noragold.com and she can be found on social media at:FacebookInstagram X LinkedIn

    📚 Women Writing Circle

    The Women Writing Circle meets every Monday from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. Join us to get focussed writing done in the company of a supportive group of women writers.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/subscribe
    1 hr 3 min

About Women Writing

From the publisher's feed

Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a discussion about all things writerly. I'm a Finnish Canadian author and book coach and I love my coffee, and I love talking about all things writerly. In this…