The Write Podcast with Sarah Williams

Money isn't just about pricing strategy or Amazon keywords. It's about the story you've carried since childhood, and most authors have no idea how much that story is running their business. In this solo episode, I get personal about the money wounds I grew up with, a feast or famine household where cash came in and went straight back out, and how that shaped years of my adult life. I u...

Most authors end up running a business built on obligation and momentum rather than intention. In this episode, Sarah draws on Natalie Ellis's The Freedom Based Business and the Pareto Principle to help writers get honest about where their time is really going — and what it actually looks like to build an author career that fits their life. In this episode: Why so many authors are busy but not mak...

From fantasy kingdoms to zookeeper rom-coms, A.K. Mulford has built an extraordinary multiverse of stories. This episode first aired August 2025, and I'm bringing it back because it's one of the most practical conversations I've had about writing fast and building a real author business, and because Ali is joining me at the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival this year. I sit down with A.K...

How does one book series make money in more than a dozen ways? In this solo episode, I break down how I turned my four-book cowboy romance series, Brigadier Station, into five separate author income streams: Ebooks and paperbacks — all four books, available wide Audio — three audiobooks narrated by Myles Pollard, plus a set that sells for a single Audible credit The ebook boxset — turning existing...

In this episode, I'm sharing the four investments I come back to again and again in my work with authors. These aren't things I learned from a course. They're the things I see actually move the needle for the women who are serious about building real, sustainable author careers. We cover: The money mindset shift that changes how you invest in your career Why I recommend getting a coach...

If you're serious about building an author career — not just finishing a book, but actually turning your writing into a sustainable business — this episode is going to change how you think about everything. I've written ten novels, built Serenade Publishing from the ground up, and spent years coaching women fiction authors through the publishing decisions that make or break a long-term car...

Are you a writer or creative entrepreneur with ADHD—or suspect you might be? In this powerful episode of The Write Podcast , host Sarah Williams chats with certified Gallup Strengths Coach and author Samara Thorn about how understanding your unique strengths can transform your writing process, boost your productivity, and help you thrive as a neurodivergent creator. You’ll learn: How ADHD affects...

In 2016, I was offered a traditional publishing contract. I said no — and that decision shaped everything that came after it. In this episode I share the real reasons why: the royalty maths that didn't add up, the value of freedom that I wasn't willing to compromise, my honest lack of patience for a four-year timeline, and the bigger picture of wanting to build a sustainable business for m...

She went viral overnight, landed a Penguin deal, and is somehow doing it all as a brand new mum. Lauren Jackson is a Gold Coast romance author and BookTok creator whose path to publishing is one of the most exciting stories in Australian romance right now. She started by self-publishing, built a devoted readership one book at a time, and when Tierney Page featured her work on TikTok — everything c...

If you're an author who watched the BookTok wave from the sidelines — this episode is for you. I'm talking about what I missed, why I missed it, and whether it's too late to build a readership on TikTok in 2026. Spoiler: it's not. But the strategy has changed. We cover: The real BookTok numbers — 59 million books sold in the U.S. in 2024 alone Why TikTok's fastest-growing demog...

What if your book cover isn’t just a marketing tool—but one of the most powerful storytelling elements you have? In this episode of The Write Podcast, I’m joined by cover designer Holly Dunn for a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes into creating a cover that sells your story. And here’s what makes Holly different: she actually reads the entire manuscript before she designs. (Yes—really.) W...

Some launches go exactly to plan. This one didn't — and I'm telling you everything. Heartbeat Song released on the 12th of April 2026, and in the lead-up to launch day, Amazon cancelled all of my preorders. Before I could even speak to a real person at KDP, I had to fight through a wall of AI bots — frustrating, time-consuming, and genuinely stressful when your launch window is closing in...

Have you ever thought about building a business in the book world… without actually writing a book? In this episode of The Write Podcast , I’m joined by Shara—the creative force behind Aura and Alchemy , a beautifully unique, book-inspired perfume brand that captures the magic of stories in scent form. What I love most about this conversation is how it expands what’s possible for you as a creative...

After 10 novels and building Serenade Publishing from the ground up, I'm getting honest about what actually shaped my author career -- the things I got right, the one thing I couldn't find, and why that gap is the reason the Author CEO Mentorship exists. What we cover: Why writing for yourself isn't the same as knowing your reader -- and how to make the shift How to make publishing dec...

In 2017, I published my first novel with no traditional deal, no connections, and no backup plan—just a decision to stop waiting. In this episode, I’m sharing how I went from writing during daycare hours as a mum of four to becoming a bestselling author and building my own publishing company from the ground up. This is the real story—what it actually takes to create a sustainable author career, pr...

What if writing your story could help heal you? In this inspiring conversation, romance author Lee Savino shares how creativity, courage, and community shape the writing journey. We talk about overcoming fear, claiming your identity as a writer, and why giving yourself permission to be wildly creative can change everything. Lee also explores the powerful role romance plays in storytelling and emot...

What happens when two bestselling fantasy authors get on stage together with a microphone and a room full of writers? Chaos. Laughter. And some surprisingly brilliant writing advice. In this special episode of The Write Podcast , I’m sharing a live conversation recorded at the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival between bestselling paranormal romance author Steffanie Holmes and bestselling fantasy and...

What does it really take to build a sustainable, future-proof writing career in today’s rapidly changing publishing world? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Joanna Penn —bestselling author, creative entrepreneur, and host of The Creative Penn Podcast —to talk about longevity, courage, creative freedom, and building a writing business on your own terms. Joanna has spent more than a dec...

In this episode of The Write Podcast, Sarah interviews Chris from IngramSpark for an inside look at printing and distributing your books like a professional publisher. ✨ In this conversation, they cover: 📚 How to print professional paperbacks with IngramSpark (trim sizes, paper choices, pricing, and setup) 🎨 What you need to know about forced edge special editions and how to create stunning spr...

If you’re an author wondering whether Shopify is the right platform for your website, this episode will give you clarity. In this conversation, Sarah takes listeners behind the scenes of Serenade Publishing’s website redesign and shares why she chose to move to Shopify. She’s joined by Ash, the creative strategist who built the new store, and together they explore what authors truly need when it c...

TikTok star turned debut author Tierney Page joins Sarah Williams live at the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival for a hilariously unfiltered conversation about writing, social media, and turning internet fame into a publishing deal. In this outrageous and laugh-out-loud interview, Tierney shares how she built her platform on TikTok, found her unique voice, and navigated the jump from influencer to f...

🔥 How do you build a full-time author career in today’s publishing world— without burning out ? In this episode, bestselling indie author Craig Martelle joins Sarah for a no-fluff conversation about what it really takes to succeed as an independent writer. From sharp strategy to grounded mindset advice, Craig breaks it all down with clarity, confidence, and a dose of tough love. 💥 You’ll learn:...

Thinking about creating an audiobook but not sure where to start? In this episode of The Write Podcast , host Sarah Williams chats with professional narrator Amy Soaks , who has voiced over 100 audiobooks across multiple accents and genres. Whether you’re curious about the process or ready to dive in, this episode will walk you through everything you need to know. You’ll learn: 🔹 How to find and...

Feeling stuck in self-doubt as a writer? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to stay there. In this empowering solo episode of The Write Podcast , bestselling romance author and book coach Sarah Williams shares practical strategies to help you keep writing, even when your inner critic is loud. With expert tips from Tim Coulson Councilor and Coach. You’ll learn: Why self-doubt is a normal part of t...

In this special episode, Sarah Williams sits down with bestselling crime author Candice Fox for a lively, laugh-filled, and deeply insightful conversation recorded live at the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival. Candice opens up about her writing process, her partnership with James Patterson, and what it really takes to build a successful career in crime fiction. 🔍 In this episode, you’ll hear: How...