The Write Podcast with Sarah Williams

Have you ever dreamed of creating stunning special editions of your books—foil covers, sprayed edges, custom merch, even plushie characters—but wondered how to fund it all? In this episode of The Write Podcast, I’m joined by the amazing Steffanie Holmes (a.k.a. Steff Green), bestselling author of the Nevermore Bookshop series and a true expert in Kickstarter for authors. Steff has successfully cro...

What do publishers really look for in a manuscript? Is it still possible to break into traditional publishing in 2026? And how has BookTok changed the game for authors? In this special episode of The Write Podcast, I sit down with Sophie Hamley—publisher at Hachette Australia and bestselling author under the name Sophie Green—for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry. We talk...

This has been my biggest year yet—as an author, a publisher, and a woman. In this deeply personal solo episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes of 2025: how I wrote and published Songbird, a novel based on my real-life experience with emotional abuse; how I battled chronic fatigue while building my author business; and how launching The Write Podcast, hosting retreats, and organising the Sunshin...

In this inspiring episode of The Write Podcast , I chat with urban fantasy and paranormal romance author H.M. Hodgson, creator of the Witch Wars series. They dive into the real journey of becoming a self-published author—from the spark of an idea to building a loyal readership through special editions, character art, and social media. H.M. opens up about why she walked away from traditional publis...

At every book event lately, I’ve been seeing it—gorgeous special editions flying off tables. Think sprayed edges, foil, bonus art... and readers love them. Even if they don’t plan to read the book right away (guilty!), they still want it on their shelf. In this episode, I’m joined by Fiona—who also writes as Amelia Shaw—an indie author who’s been ahead of the special edition trend for years. We’re...

In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing USA Today bestselling author TL Swan. Recorded live at the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival in November 2025, TL shares her incredible journey of turning life's challenges into storytelling success. We delve into her unique approach to writing, the obstacles she has overcome, and her invaluable advice for aspiring authors. Whether you're...

What do publishers really look for in a manuscript? Is it still possible to break into traditional publishing in 2026? And how has BookTok changed the game for authors? In this special episode of The Write Podcast , I sit down with Sophie Hamley —publisher at Hachette Australia and bestselling author under the name Sophie Green —for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry. We t...

Are you stuck in the hustle of trying to do all the things as a writer—and wondering why some advice just doesn’t work for you? In this inspiring episode of The Write Podcast, I chat with author success coach Becca Syme about the different phases of building an author business, why quitting can actually be the smartest move, and how knowing your strengths can transform your writing career. We also...

In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by my partner Tim as we share the true story behind creating the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival—an event that grew 100 times bigger and better than I ever imagined. We talk about what it really took to bring a brave idea to life: the fears we faced, the strengths we leaned on, and the pride we feel in the community we built together. You’ll hear how courage a...

This week, I chat with romance author Emma Mugglestone about her traditionally published novel In the Long Run —a slow-burn, fake-dating romance set in a Melbourne run club. We dive into how her experience self-publishing gave her the confidence to keep going, and how a fellow writer putting her name forward led to her big break. If you're navigating a winding writing path, this episode is pac...

In this episode of The Write Podcast , I’m joined by the amazing Georgia Harper—author of What I Would Do to You , which just won Best Debut Book at the 2025 Davitt Awards. Georgia’s background blew me away: she’s worked as a psychologist with serious violent offenders and victim-survivors of crime, and also as Senior Inspector Prosecutions for RSPCA Queensland. We talked about how her real-life e...

In this special bookclub-style episode, Sarah is joined by her friend Franny—new to the world of spicy fiction and already running a bookclub that brings women together for laughter, connection, and a few blush-worthy reads. Together, they dive into Kat T. Masen’s How To Break My Heart —a cozy, small-town romance that’s equal parts heartfelt and steamy. Expect lots of laughs, honest reactions, and...

🎙️ This Isn’t a Comeback. It’s a Continuation. (What Fiction Writers Can Learn from Taylor’s Showgirl Era) ✨ What if your next big moment isn't a reinvention—but a continuation of everything you've already layered? In this solo episode, Sarah channels fangirl energy and creative fire to unpack what Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl era can teach us about storytelling, identity, and bu...

It’s time to get your Halloween romance fix! In this special episode of The Write Podcast , I chat with author Amy Hutton , whose hilarious and heartwarming paranormal rom-com Ghosted is the perfect spooky season read. We dive into the inspiration behind the book (yes, there’s a ghost!), the delicate balance of humour and heart in paranormal romance, and how Amy crafted such lovable, laugh-out-lou...

In this heartwarming episode of The Write Podcast , I’m joined by journalist-turned-author Tanya Nellestein, who shares her journey of learning to write fiction from scratch—and how writing her first novel became a deeply cathartic and healing experience. We dive into her shift from journalism to Viking romance, the ups and downs of writing as a beginner, and her fearless approach to trying new th...

n this special bookclub edition, I’m joined by fantasy superfan and all-around book lover Tim Coulson to dive into the spellbinding world of The Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan. We’re talking all things magic, mayhem, and emotional rollercoasters! Tim and I had so much fun unpacking the rich world-building, the intricate magical system, and of course—that juicy love triangle. We especially love...

In this inspiring episode of The Write Podcast , Sarah Williams chats with crime fiction author Fiona Tarr about the realities of building a writing career and connecting with readers. Fiona shares her insights on: Learning what the market wants without losing your creative spark The value of speaking at libraries and building community connections Why having writer friends is essential for motiva...

What if the reason you haven’t finished (or even started) your novel isn’t because you’re not good enough — but because no one ever taught you the secret? In this on-demand video, I’m revealing the truth that only successful authors know — the one thing that sets bestselling books apart from ones that go unfinished or unread. This isn’t another class about grammar or outlining. This is about unloc...

In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work closely with one of my incredible authors, Tanya Renee. Tanya first submitted her novel Prairie Sky to Serenade Publishing over two years ago—and since then, we’ve built a strong, collaborative relationship that’s resulted in a new book every three months. We talk about the trust and communication that go into our auth...

This week on The Write Podcast Book Club , I’m joined by debut author Elise Helliwell—whose novel Within the Space of a Second is coming soon! Together, we dive into Problematic Summer Romance , the latest romcom by Ali Hazelwood. We chat all things summer love, sizzling chemistry, and the joy of seeing STEM heroines finally take center stage in romance. From the richly painted Sicilian setting to...

This week’s episode is something a little different—I’m sharing a special live training I ran for the attending authors and vendors of the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival. In this session, we dive into how to use Beventi to manage book signings, streamline preorders, and make the most of your author events. Even if you’re not attending, this training is packed with practical tips that will help yo...

From fantasy kingdoms to zookeeper rom-coms, bestselling author A.K. Mulford has built an extraordinary multiverse of stories—and in just four years, they’ve published 26 books (with more on the way!). In this inspiring and wildly entertaining conversation, Sarah Williams sits down with A.K. Mulford—fantasy novelist, rom-com writer, cozy paranormal creator, and TikTok sensation—to explore their un...

When was the last time you let yourself be a beginner? In this heartfelt solo episode, host Sarah Williams—bestselling romance author, book coach, and mum of four—shares the surprising inspiration she found at her son’s university open day. Joshua, her eldest, is preparing to become the first in their family to attend university, and the experience of walking that campus with him opened up a wave...

Calling all lovers of paranormal fantasy, sassy heroines, brooding (fang-tastic) love interests, and small-town gothic charm! In this special book club episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Meg from The Candle and Quill bookshop to sink our teeth into Fangs for Nothing by Steffanie Holmes — and trust me, we had thoughts. 😈📚Whether you’re a die-hard fan of supernatural romance or an author curious...

Are you waiting for the perfect moment to start your novel, launch your author brand, or finally share your writing? In this episode, I open up about my own struggles with perfectionism—including how I delayed starting this very podcast for over a year—and why I finally chose to hit record before I felt ready. We’ll talk about the power of imperfect action, how failure is actually your First Attem...