Finish the Damn Book Podcast

What if the story you're meant to write finds you ? In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with debut author Brigid Kennedy , whose journey into writing began with an unforgettable dream, and a promise to preserve her family's extraordinary history. Brigid shares how a lifelong family legend about her Irish treasure-hunting great-grandfather became the inspira...

Many aspiring authors wonder the same thing: "Why would anyone care about my story?" In this episode, Susie Schaefer talks with award-winning author, memoir coach, and developmental editor Ally Berthiaume about why personal stories matter, how memoirs become meaningful to readers, and the difference between writing from a wound versus writing from a scar. Ally shares practical advice for...

Many people dream of writing a book. Few actually finish one. In this episode, Susie Schaefer sits down with copywriter, book coach, and author Rachel Catherine Allen to discuss why writers get stuck, how mindset impacts the writing process, and what it takes to finally get your book across the finish line. Rachel shares insights on authenticity, clarity, memoir writing, and the personal journey b...

What does it really take to move a book from idea to bestseller? In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with publishing strategist, bestselling author, and AI for Authors founder Tanya Brockett to discuss how authors can turn their expertise into books that create impact, credibility, and new opportunities. Tanya shares her INK Method, explains why understanding your id...

Many authors dream of becoming award-winning authors, but are book awards really worth pursuing? In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with Carol Abrahamson, founder of Book Award Mastery and former McGraw-Hill executive, to discuss how book awards can help authors build credibility, increase visibility, and create new opportunities long after publication. Carol shares...

Many authors spend years learning how to write, but very few learn how to edit. In this episode, Susie Schaefer talks with editor and educator Katie Chambers about self-editing, working with professional editors, building a stronger manuscript, and the growing role of AI in publishing. Katie shares how she transitioned from teaching English to running a successful editing business, why authors oft...

What happens when technology becomes so advanced that it can imitate your voice? In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with David Wolf, founder of Audivita Studios and longtime producer across radio, television, film, podcasts, and audiobooks, to explore one of publishing’s fastest-changing frontiers: audio.  Together they unpack:  • Why audiobooks are no longer option...

What happens when psychology, intuition, creativity, and storytelling collide? In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with Anne Bartolucci, PhD, psychologist, writing mentor, USA Today bestselling author, and founder of Psych Up Academy. Anne shares how she blends psychology, mythology, intuition, and storytelling to help heart-centered entrepreneurs write books that tr...

What if the reason you haven’t finished your book has less to do with talent…and more to do with the stories you tell yourself about who you are? In this episode, Susie Schaefer talks with author, educator, and publisher Sierra Melcher about intuition, creativity, imposter syndrome, women’s voices, and the transformational process of becoming a published author. Sierra shares how she went from bel...

Most authors believe once the book is written… everything else will follow. More visibility. More clients. More income. But what if that’s not how it actually works? In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with book marketing and monetization expert James Ranson to break down the missing link between writing your book and actually making money from it. After years on bot...

What if your book isn’t just something you write, but the key that unlocks everything else? In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with publishing expert, speaker, and author Jennifer Wilkov to explore how storytelling becomes the foundation for visibility, opportunity, and long-term impact. From navigating a failed publishing deal to rebuilding a successful book from t...

What if the reason your book isn’t working… isn’t the book? In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with publishing strategist Jenn T. Grace to unpack one of the most overlooked truths in authorship: 👉 Your book, your brand, and your business must work together. Jenn shares her journey from writing multiple books to building a hybrid publishing company, and how many aut...

What if your book isn’t failing because of your writing… but because of your strategy? In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with publishing strategist and former Simon & Schuster editor Ally Machate to break down what most authors get wrong before they ever hit publish. If you’ve ever wondered:  Why some books actually grow a business… and others don’t   Whether y...

What if your book wasn’t the finish line, but the beginning of something bigger? In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with publishing strategist and “bee lady” Judy M. Baker, founder of Buzzworthy Books. Judy shares her unique approach to helping authors create meaningful, sustainable visibility by aligning their book with their bigger mission. From her early days wor...

Struggling to finish your book, or feeling like your writing doesn’t sound like you anymore? In this episode of Finish the Damn Book Podcast , Susie Schaefer sits down with ghostwriter, developmental editor, and writing coach MJ Halberstadt to explore how writers can reconnect to their voice, build momentum, and navigate writing in an AI-driven world. MJ shares how he moved from copywriting into g...

If you’ve ever felt like your book has to be perfect before you can finish it… this episode is for you. In this conversation, Susie Schaefer sits down with author Janelle Strube to unpack the anxiety, pressure, and perfectionism that keep so many writers stuck. Janelle shares what it really felt like to write her novel Adelaide, Painter of the Revolution, from battling the fear of rejection to nav...

If you’ve been thinking about writing a book, but keep feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start… This episode is different. In this special behind-the-scenes conversation, Susie Schaefer joins International Award-Winning Author Coach Susan Crossman inside a live Build-a-Book Community Clinic, where aspiring authors open up about what’s really holding them back. And what unfolds is some...

What if your book didn’t just launch a message, but fueled an entire movement? In this episode, Kimberly Spencer shares the behind-the-scenes strategy that turned her book into the foundation for two thriving companies. From sprint writing in an Airbnb to securing dozens of legal case-study permissions in just days, Kimberly reveals what it really takes to move from idea to impact. We talk about t...

Pam Dwyer joins the Finish the Damn Book Podcast to share how a second-edition memoir evolved into a full podcast production business — and why authors must think beyond the book. In this episode, we explore how brand clarity, consistent publishing, and smart distribution transform a personal story into a sustainable platform. We discuss: • Turning a finished book into a discoverable brand  • Usin...

We talk with Dr. Jodi Blinko about finishing her book, rebuilding Zen Leader, and how authenticity, intuition, and simple mantras can carry real weight in business and creative life. A live card reading frames the year’s energy and offers a clear path to build with focus. • turning Inner Alchemy from idea to finished book • relaunching Zen Leader to serve holistic and corporate needs • choosing va...

A career doesn’t always start with a plan; sometimes it starts with a nudge you can’t ignore. We sit down with MeiMei Fox—two-time New York Times bestselling author, ghostwriter, and coach—to unpack the real mechanics of writing a book readers finish and share. From a surprise first deal to decades of editorial trenches, MeiMei shows why your brain trusts story more than stats, and how to turn liv...

In this episode, ghostwriter and developmental editor Charlie Daly reveals how to write stories that truly matter. He and host Susie Schafer dive into intuition, emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and why the deepest truths—messy, imperfect, and human—create the most powerful books. From navigating tough interviews to breaking through a writer’s emotional blocks, Charlie shares how real storyt...

In this episode, Susie sits down with ghostwriter and developmental editor Charlie Daly to explore the emotional, creative, and deeply human side of ghostwriting. Charlie shares how he helps authors—especially veterans and trauma survivors—“go there” with difficult stories, the healing that happens through storytelling, and why collaboration is at the heart of every great book. From his cottage on...

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , host Susie Schaefer sits down with leadership expert, author, and TEDx speaker Jennifer Reiser —a visionary who blends human-centered leadership with unexpected lessons from the natural world. Jennifer opens up about the emotional challenges behind creating her two leadership coloring workbooks, including releasing perfectionism, navigating boundaries, and...

In this inspiring episode, host Susie Schaefer talks with members of the Veterans Writing Group of San Diego about their mission to help veterans and their families share and preserve their stories. President Gary Garrettson and board members Armand Kian, Brian Sanchez, and Derek Barraza discuss their latest anthology, the power of storytelling for healing, and why capturing military experiences m...