Creating Happy Writers

Something I’m asked in almost every interview I do or when I’m working with authors is: When is the right time to call yourself an author? It’s a tricky one because a lot of it comes down to our own confidence levels - and that sneaky imposter syndrome we can all feel from time to time. But I believe we all need to take ownership of our narratives. So, I’ve dedicated this podcast episode to unpick...

Selling books goes far beyond launch week - but you know that, right? The challenge can be sustaining momentum and enthusiasm for your book so it continues to sell way past the first few months of its life.  It’s something I see time and time again from authors I work with - but it’s also something I’ve struggled with myself. In this episode, I share some of my best strategies for long-term sales...

What’s it like to be published by a ‘big 5’ publisher? How can you find time to write when you have a job, a young family…and a global pandemic to contend with? These are just a few of the questions I ask this month’s guest - Dr Emma Hepburn - aka @thepsychologymum.  Emma is a clinical psychologist with expertise in neuropsychology who has over 20 years of experience working with and treating ment...

Are you a non-fiction writer looking to leverage the power of AI to enhance your writing process? From research to editing, AI-powered tools can help you streamline your workflow and create better content faster. In this episode, I share my top picks for AI tools to assist you at every stage of the writing journey. During it, you'll discover: How AI can help you find relevant information quickly d...

Once you’ve finished your first draft, you might be wondering what on earth to do next! Do you send it straight to your editor? How can you refine it down to a draft you can be proud of?  In this episode, I share my step-by-step guide to self-editing your manuscript before you send it to a professional. During it, you’ll discover: Why it’s important to self-edit your work and how to get your manus...

If there’s one thing that matters above all others when it comes to writing, it’s mindset. You could be the greatest writer ever, but if you can’t get past your blocks and put the right head on your shoulders, it means diddly squat.  So, I’ve dedicated this episode to helping you shift your thinking and develop an approach that will move you forward. During it, you’ll discover: How to embrace the...

Today is a milestone episode, and to celebrate, I thought we’d talk about something I think has the most profound impact on writers I work with - good writing habits! After all, they make the difference between ‘thinking’ about writing a book and actually writing one.  But what do good writing habits actually look like? Well, that’s where Atomic Habits comes in - a book that’s proved to be a game-...

Does social media overwhelm you? Are you struggling to attract new readers on your platforms? Well, have I got the guest for you! Nicola Washington is a social media strategist who specialises in teaching writers how to use Instagram to build their readership. After 12 years as a secondary school teacher, Nicola retrained as a social media manager and spent seven years working with small businesse...

It’s all too easy to lose confidence when writing - after all, we’re putting our work out into the world for people to read, and that can test anyone’s courage!  But a lack of confidence becomes a problem when it stops you from writing or publishing your work - which leads to frustration and disappointment for you, the aspiring author. Well, that’s where this episode swoops in to help! During it,...

Creative energy can make or break your book-writing process - when it’s lacking, things become frustrating. You lose enthusiasm for your project. It can also lead to burnout. So what can we do as writers to look after our energy? How can we avoid losing motivation to write and cope when our enthusiasm levels dip? This episode is here to help you.  You’ll discover: My own struggles with maintaining...

What makes a non-fiction book successful? What are the essential elements you need to consider before you write a single word? Well, for me, there are three and I’ll be sharing them in this week’s episode.  You’ll discover: The three pillars that make for a strong foundation when writing non-fiction - and why you need all of them in place to hold your book together. One of the common mistakes aspi...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to publish multiple books? Perhaps your first one has given you a taste of how exciting the writing journey can be. On this week's podcast, I talk to multi-published author Shelley Wilson. She's a self-confessed word nerd with a passion for storytelling, a love of exclamation marks, and a mission to inspire and entertain. She’s an English multi-genre author of...

Let’s get honest for a minute - who else sabotages their author goals by endlessly putting their writing off?  🙋‍♀️I see you - and I feel you!  So the question is, how about we take back control and stop putting off what we really want to do? It’s time for some procrastination solutions with a little tough love in the mix! In this episode, you’ll discover: The incredibly bonkers ways I’ve avoided...

Before you write a single word of that book you’ve been dreaming about, you need a strong proposal in order to get the green light from a publisher. So, what do you need to include, and how can you showcase your expertise in a way that will get the attention of the right people when it comes to publishing your book?  This episode is your beginner’s guide to writing and understanding what a book pr...

With more authors embracing independence, having a practical guide on successfully self-publishing is vital to avoid the overwhelm and frustration that many new writers can feel.  So, if you’ve been struggling with what the process actually is, as well as what you need to do and when, this episode is for you.  Listen to learn more about: Evaluating major platform options - weighing benefits of Kin...

Often, for authors, promoting and marketing a book can often feel more intimidating than the writing process itself. However, making meaningful connections with your readers is key in today’s publishing landscape.  In this episode of the Creating Happy Writers podcast, I chat with expert publicist Isabelle Knight about methods you can use for strategically sharing your stories and voice with wider...

The stats speak for themselves. When it comes to published non-fiction, female writers are still at a disadvantage. Only 35% of non-fiction prizes are awarded to female writers. Just 26.5% of non-fiction book reviews go to women. Advances tend to be lower, and we’re often left off end-of-year ‘bestseller lists’. Research shows that we’re often told to ‘leave the big subjects to the men’, too! Howe...

You want to write a book to grow your business, but when the heck do you find the time to actually write it? It’s a struggle, right?  Not only are you running a business, but you’ve got that other little thing called ‘life’ that also eats up your time - be it kids, hobbies or caring for elderly relatives. You don’t want to lose sight of your business goals either.  It’s a juggle, that’s for sure....

Have you ever wanted a sneak peek into how a published author's writing process actually works? Or what key phases they go through, and the order in which it all needs to happen?  Well, step on in because today I’m giving you an exclusive look at my proven step-by-step process for writing and publishing my non-fiction books. Here's what you'll discover: The 10 essential stages I use to take a book...

I’m thrilled to welcome this week’s guest author onto the Creating Happy Writers podcast - the rather marvellous Sara Dalrymple. Sara is a sales and business mentor and strategist for small business owners who need more sales, more consistency and more ease.  Her 20 years of sales experience and simple, actionable advice have helped hundreds of business owners transform the way they feel about sel...

At the start of the new year, I wanted to give you some lessons I’ve learned that will help you as you move forward with your writing in 2024. Ten years in the writing chair has taught me a lot, and in this episode, you’ll discover: The one piece of advice that has enabled me to write seven books in eight years - and it’s a method I still use to this day! Why I believe writing doesn’t have to take...

It's the end of 2023, and for the first time ever, I'm giving you an honest overview of my writing year - what's gone well, what hasn't quite gone to plan and what I hope to achieve in 2024. It's full of reflection and lessons learned, as well as stories about my writing process, events I've been to and the books you can hope to see from me in 2024. I really hope you enjoy this episode and it give...

Have you ever wondered what an editor actually does? Do you worry about sending your book for editorial review? Are you unsure as to which editor to work with? All perfectly normal things to ask about the editorial process. That’s why I’m delighted to welcome this week’s guest to the podcast - my editor, Jessica Brown. Jessica is an experienced non-fiction editor - having worked on over 100 titles...

Writing the introduction to your business or non-fiction book is one of the hardest parts of the writing process. How do you do it? What should you include? When is the best time to write it?  When working with authors, it’s often the introduction that we work on the most because it’s so important to get it right!  In this episode, I share some advice to help YOU with yours so you can avoid being...

Often, when we hear the phrase ‘market research,’ it sounds as appealing as a trip to the supermarket to do the weekly food shop. You know you have to do it, but it’s not the most exciting way to spend a Tuesday.  However, when it comes to writing a successful non-fiction book in your niche, it’s crucial. After all, you want to write a book your readers will love, right? So, how can you complete y...