Simply Write w/ Polly Campbell

Polly talks with author and Indie Author Podcast host Matty Dalrymple about today’s changing publishing world and how indie and traditional routes are increasingly overlapping. Matty shares why indie publishing offers creative control, faster timelines, and long-term earning potential, while also noting how traditional publishers are adapting indie strategies. For more on writing craft and craftin...

How do you know when a piece is truly finished? In this episode of Simply Write, we talk through the signs that indicate that drafting and revising are done. Fatigue, intuition, and deadlines all play a part, and often, "good enough" is a good tell. For more on writing craft and crafting a writer’s life, join the Simply Write community at simplywrite.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices....

Award-winning novelist Alma Katsu joins Polly to talk about writing across genres, the intersection of real life and fiction, and how her years in intelligence work have shaped her thrillers. Alma shares insights on building tension, creating layered characters, and why writing horror doesn’t always mean blood and gore. They also discuss what it takes to sustain a long writing career, how to stay...

What if success wasn’t about external recognition and reward but alignment? Research shows our sense of success is shaped by our environment, but satisfaction comes when it matches our core values. In today's episode, Polly explores what it means to be a successful writer and how we can define success in a way that helps us improve, persist, and feel good about our work. When we our mindful of our...

Author Kathleen Barber joins Polly Campbell to talk about her transition from corporate law to full-time writing and the release of her new book, Both Things Are True. Kathleen shares how her structured writing routine helps her balance family, book coaching, and writing. She and Polly dive into the pros and cons of shifting from one business into the writing business, the solitude of storytelling...

Polly is working on a nonfiction proposal, and beginning this week, she'll explain her process and the role the Overview plays in the proposal. Then tune in every two weeks as Polly shares another key element of the proposal she's working on and how you can create your own to sell a nonfiction book. In the craft half of the podcast, we talk about scene building. What scenes are, what they must do,...

Former nuclear engineer turned novelist Alan Orloff joins Polly Campbell to talk about his path from short stories to published books. Alan shares how discipline and persistence shaped his writing process, why following your passions matters, and how inspiration often comes from unexpected places. He also opens up about the realities of publishing—the rejections, the surprises, and the highly subj...

How do you hook a reader from the very first line? Whether you’re writing an essay, article, or book, the opening does more than start the piece—it’s the invitation that convinces your reader to come along. In this episode of Simply Write, we talk about what a strong opening should do and how to craft one that makes readers lean in. For more on writing craft and crafting a writer’s life, join the...

On this episode of Simply Write, Polly talks with children’s author and retired teacher Terri Lilga about her creative journey from the classroom to the bookshelf. Terri shares how her years teaching second grade and working in gifted education shaped her approach to storytelling, character, and problem-solving in her books. Her latest release, There’s a Hubbard in My Cupboard, follows her debut S...

Hello Writers, had some technical issues with ad placement and sound quality last week, which a listener alerted me to. Thank You. I've cleaned that up and reissued this show for easier listening. Hope you enjoy and tune in next week for another new author Interview. In this episode of Simply Write, we’re talking pantsing (writing by the seat of your pants) and plotting (planning before you write)...

Polly and Toni dive deep into the twists and turns of their creative careers—navigating parenting, COVID, content writing, and shifting publishing trends—while reflecting on what it takes to stay adaptable and inspired in today’s writing world. For more on writing craft and crafting a writer's life, join the Simply Write community at simplywrite.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

The most powerful stories often begin with your own experiences. In this episode of Simply Write, Polly explores how writers can mine their daily lives—memories, emotions, and everyday moments—for rich, compelling story material. Whether you're crafting personal essays, memoirs, or fiction, your unique perspective is your greatest asset. For more on writing craft and crafting a writer's life, join...

What does it take to turn a real-life journey into a story readers can’t put down? In this episode of Simply Write, Polly talks with writer Glyn about how a harrowing transatlantic sailing trip tied in with his family history to spark his memoir, Crossing, and what it takes to shape memory into narrative. He talks about the power of taking careful notes—like the daily entries he made in a logbook...

To get the writing done, we must show up consistently and keep working—even when it feels difficult. But if we don’t take care of the other parts of our lives or step back when things become too overwhelming, the writing won’t matter anyway. In this episode of Simply Write, Polly Campbell explores how this paradox plays out in her own life and explains why trying too hard can actually stall your c...

In this episode of Simply Write, Polly talks with Amy Jones, Editor-in-Chief of Writer’s Digest Magazine, about how the 105-year-old magazine keeps writing fresh, what the role of an editor is, and the differences between writing and editing. Amy also shares tips writers can use to submit to the magazine and talks about how AI is changing the way editors work--and what that means for writers. Also...

Ever feel like you want to write, but just can’t get started? This episode is your motivation reset. Learn why action beats inspiration, how Skinner’s Law can get you unstuck, and simple tricks to outsmart your resistance. Get your gear ready. Make a plan. Let’s write—one small win at a time. For more on the writing craft and crafting a writing life join us on Simply Write https://simplywrite.subs...

Jennifer Dorsey, an expert in nonfiction publishing, discussed the value of writing nonfiction books for establishing credibility and elevating one's brand, while sharing insights into her typical workday as a developmental editor and publisher. She emphasized the importance of having professional credibility and a clear marketing plan when writing nonfiction books, recommending authors to conside...

Writing should be shared, which means dealing with feedback — the helpful, the harsh, and everything in between. In this episode, Polly talks about how to handle criticism without losing your creative voice. You’ll learn how to filter advice, recognize useful patterns, and know when to revise or stand firm. We’ll also explore how to stay grounded in your purpose and bounce back from tough notes wi...

In this episode, author Janis Thomas joins Polly to talk about her lifelong love of writing and the power of storytelling to uplift and inspire. Janis shares how she began writing at a young age and how her stories aim to offer readers escape, comfort, and hope--even when writing domestic suspense. When it comes to craft, Thomas says the best stories come from character and the conflicts they face...

Show Notes: Simply Write with Polly Campbell – Episode: Build the Writing Life You Want You don’t need a book deal or a side hustle to call yourself a writer. In this episode, Polly explores the heart of the writing life — one rooted in curiosity, expression, and personal growth. Whether you’re journaling, storytelling, or simply trying to make sense of the world, writing is enough. We’ll talk abo...

Author Ellen Meister's newest book Joyride was in a drawer for years, before she came back to it and finished the novel. In this compelling episode, Meister explains why she couldn't let go of the book, her process for plotting, how she experimented with POV and voice before deciding on her narrator, and why she loves a good writing challenge. Join our Simply Write community for more writing inspi...

Writing can be fun, meaningful, energizing. But it certainly isn't easy and often we make it harder than it needs to be. In this episode, I’m talking about the friction points that get in the way of our writing and our joy and how we can move through them with more ease. Whether it’s scheduling conflicts, self-doubt, or the distractions that drain your focus, identifying what’s not working can hel...

For USA Today bestselling author Ann Garvin, the story often starts with the peccadillo—the thing she's been working on her whole life--and then she has her characters confront it too. The result? Relatable, engaging characters and six books. In this insightful and lively episode, Author Ann Garvin shares how she builds compelling characters, writes with ADHD, and why empathy is at the heart of ev...

How do the seasons influence your creativity? In this episode we explore how seasonal changes impact our energy, emotions, and creative flow. From spring’s burst of inspiration to summer’s social buzz, fall’s introspective depth, and winter’s reflective quiet, each season offers unique creative opportunities. Learn how to harness these natural rhythms to fuel your writing and artistic projects. Do...

If you want to publish your work and build a sustainable writing career, you need to develop not only your writing skills but also your entrepreneurial savvy to thrive in today’s creator economy. That’s the advice of Jane Friedman—publishing expert, sought-after speaker, and author of The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition. In this special show, Friedman discusses the concept of platform a...