thewritingcoach's podcast

Today on  The Writing Coach  podcast, I'm joined by author Susan Leon to discuss her debut novel,  If They'd Only Known . Susan's book is a dark, emotionally layered crime novel set in Northern Ontario, exploring the ripple effects of a child abduction and murder across a family, a community, and the decades that follow. But while the book uses the shape of a crime story, our conversation goes muc...

On today's episode of the podcast, I'm thrilled to welcome back one of my favorite returning guests, author Sandy Day. The last time Sandy was on the show, we talked about her novel  Odd Mom Out  and the re‑release of  Head on Backwards, Chest Full of Sand . This time, she's here to dive deep into her brand‑new book,  Where the Night Winds Wail —a haunting Ontario noir inspired by the classic song...

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with my client, author Linda Garnett to celebrate the release of her debut Gothic vampire novel, Red Falls. Linda's journey is a fantastic reminder that writing a book is rarely a straight line from "idea" to "finished manuscript." Her novel evolved through outlining, drafting, revising, group feedback, one-on-one coaching, and a whole lot o...

In this episode of  The Writing Coach  podcast, I'm joined by Gabrielle Dolan, a leadership communication expert, keynote speaker, and the author of eight books on storytelling, including her latest,  Story Intelligence: The Craft of Authentic Storytelling Made Smarter with AI . Gabrielle shares how nearly two decades in senior leadership and change management at one of Australia's largest banks l...

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast , I'm joined by Patty McGee, a nationally recognized literacy consultant, speaker, and educator who is passionate about transforming classrooms into spaces where language and learning come alive. With decades of experience as a teacher, coach, and advocate for joyful, practical literacy instruction, Patty has worked alongside educators across the countr...

Every writer has a moment when a story that was meant to stay private begins to ask for a wider audience. Sometimes it starts with a notebook. Sometimes it starts with a question from your children. And sometimes it begins with a simple realization:  If I don't write this down, these stories might disappear. In this episode of  The Writing Coach Podcast , I sit down with my client  Margot Stornell...

Most writers don't burn out because they hate writing. They burn out because writing quietly becomes  everything else . Marketing. Tech. Algorithms. Platforms. Tools that promise leverage but demand constant attention. Somewhere along the way, the actual work—the slow, human, soul-driven act of storytelling—gets crowded out. In this episode of  The Writing Coach Podcast , I'm joined by author and...

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the visual side of book marketing—cover mockups, social media graphics, reels, and everything in between—this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. In this conversation, I'm joined by  Kathleen Sweeney , co-founder of  Book Brush , a visual marketing platform built specifically for authors. We talk about how Book Brush evolved by listening to writers, why...

What if writing didn't have to mean struggling, waiting for permission, or giving away your best work to gatekeepers? In this episode of  The Writing Coach Podcast , I sit down with writer, freelancer, novelist, and creator of multiple six-figure writing businesses, Amy Suto, to talk honestly about what it means to  write for money and power  in today's creator economy. Amy's career started in Hol...

In this episode of  The Writing Coach Podcast , I'm joined by author  Anne Kane , who published  six books in two years —including her hit motorcycle romance series  ACE: Riptide MC —and is releasing  Spirit Bear Conspiracy . We talk about what changed in Anne's writing life over the last two years: how  plotting  sped up her drafting, why a  genre shift  helped her rediscover her love of writing,...

There's a persistent myth in the writing world: that great books are created by lone geniuses, toiling away in isolation, waiting for inspiration to strike. It's a compelling image. It's also wildly unhelpful and mostly untrue. In this episode of  The Writing Coach Podcast , I sat down with  Gala Russ  (author, editor, and writing coach) to talk about what  actually  helps writers grow: community,...

In this week's episode of The Writing Coach Podcast , I sit down with writing coach Monica Hay for a conversation that goes deep into the psychology of writing.  We talk ADHD, resistance, perfectionism, brain science, messy first drafts, why story structure works for some writers and absolutely sinks others, and the surprising power of taking up writing later in life.   Monica also shares the behi...

On this episode of  The Writing Coach Podcast , I sit down with my client, Ivan Richmond—a Wiccan priest, spiritual leader, and author of  The Religion of Good . Ivan's journey is a fascinating one: raised in a Zen Buddhist monastery community, he eventually found his way to Wicca, blending ancient philosophy with modern spiritual practice. In our conversation, we explore how ritual shapes meaning...

Hey there, writers and writing coaches! Today, we have a truly fascinating guest joining us. If you love storytelling that bends genres, experiments with structure, and dives deep into the magic of narrative, you're in for a treat! Our guest is Steve Weinstock, a musician, educator, and author of The Reincarnation Chronicles , a genre-blending fantasy series inspired by 1001 Nights. Steve's worked...

Welcome back to  The Writing Coach ! In our latest episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Douglas Vigliotti, author of the upcoming book  Aristotle for Novelists . Douglas brings Aristotle's  Poetics  to life, showing how its ancient principles still resonate in modern storytelling. We dive deep into the building blocks of a great narrative, from mastering the three-act structure to...

Episode Spotlight: Michael Leonard on Pilgrims, Aliens, and a Journey from Tech to Fiction This week on  The Writing Coach Podcast , I'm thrilled to welcome my client, Michael Leonard, to discuss his debut novel,  Pilgrims . Michael's transition from a career in international business and tech to becoming a speculative fiction author is as fascinating as his book. Our conversation dives deep into...

In this latest episode of  The Writing Coach Podcast , I had the pleasure of chatting with one of my superstar clients, the multi-talented author Sandy Day. If you're a fan of heartfelt and relatable stories set against rich Canadian backdrops, you're going to love this conversation. Sandy returns to the podcast to talk about her re-released novel,  Head on Backwards, Chest Full of Sand . This pro...

In this episode of  The Writing Coach Podcast , I had the pleasure of speaking with Emma Dhesi, a talented book coach who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the world of writing. We dive deep into her journey as a writer and coach, her unique approach to storytelling, and her personal and professional insights on crafting a fulfilling writing life. Emma shares her transformative journe...

In this episode of  The Writing Coach Podcast , I sit down with Rhonda Douglas, a Canadian writer and writing coach who is passionate about helping women and non-binary authors complete their first books. Rhonda shares her journey as a writer, including the powerful impact that early feedback and recognition had on her as a young writer. She also discusses her experience in MFA programs, where she...

In the ever-evolving world of self-publishing, standing out as an author requires more than just talent—it takes strategy, resilience, and a strong understanding of the business side of being a writer.  In the latest episode of The Writing Coach  podcast, I speak with Kimberley Grabas, founder of  Your Writer Platform  and a veteran in the author marketing world. Kimberley and I have crossed paths...

In this episode of  The Writing Coach  podcast, I chat with Sue Brown-Moore. Sue is a sought-after book revision coach and one of LA Weekly's 15 Book Coaches to Watch. Sue and I discussed various aspects of fiction writing, including the importance of character-driven storytelling, imagination, romance, and authenticity. We share our experiences and perspectives on these topics, emphasizing the ne...

Looking for inspiration, guidance, and a fresh perspective on your craft? You are in the right place. In this week's episode of  The Writing Coach  podcast, I sit down with Beth Barany, a creativity coach, NLP expert, and accomplished author. Beth shares her fascinating journey from aspiring doctor to published writer, and offers invaluable insights on nurturing creativity, finding joy in the writ...

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with author and writing coach Brooke Adams Law.

In this episode of  The Writing Coach  podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with author and writing coach Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer is an author and writing instructor who takes authors struggling to master the tools and knowledge of their author journey and help them become confident in writing their books. She has been featured on Joanna Penn's The Creative Penn podcast...

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns discusses the significance of small acts of kindness and their impact on his life, as well as the role of personality in shaping an artist's reputation. He explains how the behavior of various artists--from writers to comic book artists to musicians--have influenced his perception of their work and how some of the most powerfu...