The Write Podcast with Sarah Williams

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...

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...