How writers actually write! You might need to be a writer, but you don't need to struggle so hard. With internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron, learn how to embrace ease, reject perfectionism, and finally create your perfect writing process. (Formerly known as How Do You Write) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Howtowriteabook Podcasts

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Authors Who Lead - Learn to write a book from bestselling authors and leaders
Azul Terronez - Author, TEDx Speaker, Coach
If you want to know how bestselling authors find the time to write their books, the methods they use to be productive and how they find their ideas you will love this podcast. Writing coach Azul Terronez shares interviews with clients such as Pat Flynn, of the Smart Passive Income, Jon Vroman, of the Front Row Factor, and Dana Malstaff of Boss-Mom, Jadah Sellner of Simple Green Smoothies. Learn from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling authors. Want to get behin ...
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Helping storytellers ditch the starving artist cliché and thrive. Whether you want to write a book, harness the transformational power of journaling, or use storytelling to make more money, we've got the tools to help you go from part-time dreamer to full-time writer. Find all the resources you need to make money as a writer at BusinessSchoolForWriters.com.
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Want to write a book? How to be an Author is your secret weapon. Let professional writing coach Karena Akhavein inspire and motivate you as she teaches you the principles of good storytelling, using examples from her writing coaching practice and from the careers of bestselling authors. If you've been dreaming of finally writing, finishing, or publishing that book or screenplay for a long time now, you'll be inspired to write better, beat writer's block, and finally become an author with wee ...
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Isabelle Taylor writes sweet, steamy fantasy Romance under Isabelle Taylor, LGBT+ Horror/Paranormal Romance under I.S. Belle, and spicy MM Romance under Chase Moorcox. She works in a bookstore in New Zealand. If your local bookstore allows dogs, PLEASE bring them in. 📕 OUT NOW! The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland: http://rachaelherron.com ❤️ Writ…
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On Using Real Pain to Bring Life to Your Work, with Daphne Fama
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30:18
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30:18In which Daphne Fama has some incredible advice on how to open a wound in your heart in order to make your book really matter. Daphne Fama was born in the American South, embedded in its tight-knit Filipino community. When she’s not writing stories about monsters and the women who love them, she’s writing about video games. And when she’s not writi…
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Take Out the Apology, with Brian Selznick
1:27:21
1:27:21
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1:27:21Brian not only writes but also illustrates his incredibly popular books—this epic interview will blow you away! Brian Selznick’s books have sold millions of copies, garnered countless awards worldwide, and have been translated into more than 35 languages. He broke open the novel form with his genre-breaking thematic trilogy, beginning with the Cald…
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In which Sacha challenges Rachael to let go of some stuff and Rachael, unsurprisingly, balks. 🏠 INK VILLAGE! Click here for the details! 🎉 Unstuck is now available HERE! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too) Writing doesn't have to be so hard. With internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron, learn how to embrac…
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Turning Expertise Into Authorship | Dr. Amy McMichael
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40:05Send us a text When I think of someone too busy to write a book, Dr. Amy McMichael immediately comes to mind. She juggles her roles as a professor in the Department of Dermatology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, a practicing dermatologist, and a mentor to countless students. She has every reason not to add “author” to her already full plate. But…
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Is it Intuition or Anxiety? With Elizabeth Greenwood
36:38
36:38
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36:38How can you tell if what you’re worried about in your writing is your intuition being smart or your anxiety spiraling out of control? Don’t miss this episode to find out! Elizabeth Greenwood is the critically acclaimed author of Everyday Intuition, Love in the Time of Incarceration, and Playing Dead. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The…
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On the Long Road to Publication, with Virginia Evans
36:22
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36:22Don’t miss this gorgeous episode in which we talk about what it takes to stay on the road to publication (and what it feels like to get there). Virginia Evans is from the northeastern United States. She attended James Madison University for her bachelor’s in English literature, as well as Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, for her master’s of phil…
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Why Small Ideas Make Great Books | Dan Andrews
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57:58Send us a text In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Dan Andrews—writer, entrepreneur, and founder of the Dynamite Circle—to dig deep into what it means to write and lead in today’s creative landscape. Our conversation is a goldmine for aspiring authors who wrestle with the pressure to be original, the fear of starting, and the all-t…
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On the Benefit of Writing Retreats, with Ben C. Davies
37:18
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37:18Should you take a writing retreat? If so, how do they work? Ben and Rachael also talk about the all-consuming vortex of writing as well as battling imposter syndrome. Ben C. Davies is a Californian-based author whose debut short story collection, And So I Took Their Eye, will be published by Bridge House, July 17 2025. Originally from the UK, his s…
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The Avoidance Journey and How it Changed Everything for Jen Butler
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44:32You HAVE to hear this episode. How did doing just one thing change everything for Jen Butler? Listen, and be amazed, friends. And then go be amazing, too. Jen Butler is a Barnes & Noble bestselling author, dark comedy screenwriter, and one of ISA’s Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch. Her work blends absurdity, emotional truth, and big existential questi…
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Family Stories to Fiction | Azul Terronez & Steve Vannoy
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29:49
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29:49Send us a text When the world slowed during the pandemic, Steve Vannoy and I found an unexpected gift in that stillness. We began recording stories from his father, Smokey Vannoy—vivid tales of a bygone West Virginia filled with cinder-bottom towns, red-light districts, and river adventures. What started as a collection of oral history soon grew in…
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On Bringing Your Characters to Life, with Emma Knight
36:18
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36:18Emma Knight tells us how to bring character’s to life by inhabiting their bodies to make them more real, as well as how the written word can have shocking, real-world consequences! Emma Knight is an author, journalist, and entrepreneur. Her writing about books, maternal health, and more has appeared in Literary Hub, British Vogue, The Globe and Mai…
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In which we talk about nervous system regulation, Rachael’s desire for ease, and Sacha’s desire to GET HER BOOK DONE! 🏠 INK VILLAGE! Click here for the details! 🎉 Unstuck is now available HERE! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too) Writing doesn't have to be so hard. With internationally bestselling author Rachael Her…
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The Last Book Written by a Human | Jeff Burningham
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46:11Send us a text What does it mean to be human in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence? This existential question pulses at the heart of episode 358 of the Authors Who Lead podcast, where I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, and now author Jeff Burningham. Our conversation, anchored in Burningham’s newly released book, The Last B…
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How to Get Over the Biggest Hurdle in Writing, with Rosie Evylin
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44:37What’s the hardest part of writing? Putting on those running shoes! Join us in this delightful chat about trusting your subconscious, leaving yourself breadcrumbs and following your joy, with Rosie Evylin. A kiwi currently living in Australia, Rosie Evylin escapes from the chaos of the world by diving into a magical world of witches and romance. Sh…
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How to Find Your Truest Voice, with Greta Morgan
38:22
38:22
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38:22Rachael's been dying to share this interview with you! No one knows voice better than Greta Morgan, and today, she shares the wisdom she's learned the hard way. Greta Morgan is a musician, songwriter, and storyteller who began her career at age 16 and has since performed worldwide. She was a touring member of Vampire Weekend, accompanied Jenny Lewi…
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How to Start Your Scenes with Dialogue, with Aime Austin
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50:49Aime Austin is the author of the Casey Cort and Nicole Long legal thriller series, weaving sharp social commentary into gripping crime fiction. Born in Brooklyn, Aime graduated from Smith College and Cornell Law School before practicing family and criminal law in Cleveland, Ohio. She now splits her time between Los Angeles and Budapest, writing thr…
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The Real Reasons You Haven’t Written Your Book—And How to Move Past Them | Azul Terronez
10:40
10:40
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10:40Send us a text Have you ever felt like you had a book inside you, but just couldn’t get started? 81% of North Americans believe they have a book in them—but only a tiny fraction ever see that dream to completion. In this episode, I explore the real reasons people don’t write their books, debunk common myths, and share actionable steps to help you f…
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Send us a text In the world of authorship and digital entrepreneurship, few names carry as much respect as Pat Flynn. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I share the story of my apprenticeship under Pat—a journey rooted in service, vulnerability, and taking fast, decisive action. Our conversation delved deep into the principles at the core of Pat’…
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How to Know Your Dream is Worth Pursuing, with Holly Bowen
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37:22How do you know that dream of yours is worth pursuing? And when do you take yourself seriously? When is a retreat worth it? Holly Bowen is an emerging author of young adult fantasy and contemporary women’s fiction. By the Moon is Holly’s debut novel. Holly lives in the lakeside town of Taupō, New Zealand, with her partner, two young sons, and a sad…
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In which Sacha makes a truly shocking announcement! Don’t miss this one! Also mentioned: https://heidimcintyre.com/coach/ 🏠 Ink Village! Check it out here: http://rachaelherron.com/inkvillage 🎉 Unstuck is now available here: https://rachaelherronbooks.com/ Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too) Writing doesn't have to …
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How to Sell Your Book Without an Agent, with Savannah Carlisle
34:06
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34:06In which Savannah and Rachael talk about selling a book without an agent, and moving from non-fiction to fiction and using podcasts as research for jobs you haven’t had (so smart!) Savannah Carlisle writes heartwarming romance novels with idyllic beach settings. Her stories transport readers to fun and quirky small towns where friends feel like fam…
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Building Author Platforms and Handling Critique | Scott Miller
52:54
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52:54Send us a text Many aspiring authors feel a pull to share their wisdom—especially about something as universal yet challenging as parenting. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, Scott Jeffrey Miller offers a refreshingly candid perspective. Miller, an eight-time Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestselling author, recently co-authored "Parenting: Wro…
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Top 10 Fears Writers Face and How to Overcome Them | Azul Terronez
18:38
18:38
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18:38Send us a text Anyone who’s ever thought about writing a book knows the feeling: a mix of excitement, hope, and, yes—fear. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I dive deep into the emotional realm of writing, pulling back the curtain on the ten most common fears that keep writers from taking the next step. Timestamp: 00:00 Overcoming book-writing c…
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Using Insomnia as a Super Power, with Elisabeth Dini
37:25
37:25
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37:25Insomnia, helpful? Elisabeth and Rachael chat about how insomnia can be something good, instead of something dreaded, as well as how overwriting can give you exactly what you need to work with! Elisabeth Dini is a lawyer and former prosecutor of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. Born in Nevada, Elisabeth cu…
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Send us a text In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Deborah Hammett, author of Salty at 60: Becoming Better Than Retired. Deborah’s story is the bold, honest tale of how she left her thirty-three-year career in education in pursuit of a freer, purpose-filled second act—sailing solo aboard her boat and, eventually, writing a book abo…
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There Are No Rules with Rachel May and Emily Golden
47:18
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47:18Emily Golden and Rachel May are the founders of Golden May: https://goldenmayediting.com/ Their joint love of amazing stories and mutual fascination with writing craft evolved into a book coaching business devoted to helping tenacious writers develop the unique writing craft, process, and mindset that works for them—because every writer is differen…
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How to Reframe What Writing Success Is (and When to Do It) with Nicole Graev Lipson
45:29
45:29
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45:29Nicole and Rachael talk about what success might look like on any given (changing) day, as well as how to find trust in ourselves as writers, accessing solitude, and how taking ourselves seriously is a deep kindness. NICOLE GRAEV LIPSON is the author of the memoir-in-essays Mothers and Other Fictional Characters. Her writing has been awarded a Push…
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Inside the World of Jack Ryan’s Newest Writers | Andrews & Wilson on Co-Writing, Thrillers & Dark Rising
41:46
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41:46Send us a text In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, the powerhouse writing duo behind the riveting thriller Dark Rising. Both veterans with storied pasts—Brian, a former submarine officer with business acumen, and Jeffrey, a trauma surgeon and Navy veteran—found common ground far from the battlefiel…
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In which Sacha is in a MUCH better place than she was last time (Kickstarter success! but it’s more than that) and Rachael talks us through a thought ladder exercise, manifesting for people who don’t love that word (which Sacha does). 🏠 INK VILLAGE! Click here for the details! 🎉 Unstuck is now available HERE! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually…
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