Way-Word Writers Podcast

Send us a text This episode of Way-word Writers, hosted by Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nikki Jacobsmeyer, dives into the challenging topic of breaking up with a literary agent. The hosts, along with their personal experiences, discuss the emotional and professional aspects of ending agent relationships, whether initiated by the agent or the writer. They highlight reasons for breakups, i...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, the hosts are joined by married duo Haleh and Chris Massey, who are both marriage and family therapists as well as psychologists, to discuss the intersection of mental health and writing. The discussion highlights how writing can improve mental health by allowing introspection, reducing stress, and aiding in emotion regulation, citing studies tha...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, co-hosts Heather Cashman and Nicki Jacobsmeyer introduce Miffie Seideman, a former newborn ICU pharmacist turned author, who combines her extensive knowledge of drugs with her passion for writing. Seideman shares insights from her novel, 'The Grim Reader: A Pharmacist's Guide to Putting Your Characters in Peril', which helps writer...

Send us a text This episode features Karen Boss, an editor at Charlesbridge Publishing, as she discusses creating standout, realistic characters in publishing. Karen, holding an MA in children's literature and an MA in higher education administration, shares insights from her extensive publishing and editorial experience, alongside personal anecdotes from her travels. The discussion includes...

Send us a text In this episode of the Way-Word Writer's Podcast, romance author Mia Brody shares her journey from marketing professional to bestselling author. Mia, known for her Courage County series, often incorporates characters with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or who are neurodivergent, drawing inspiration from her own experiences with muscular dystrophy and anxiety. She emphasizes t...

Send us a text Disclaimer: Anything stated in this episode is for educational purposes only and not to be used as legal advice. In this episode of 'Way-Word Writers', hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nikki Jacobsmeyer address the critical scenario of receiving a book deal without having an agent, a topic prompted by discussions observed on Twitter. The episode covers the dile...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts along with guest author Nikki Lenz, explore the intricacies of character development in writing. Nikki Lenz shares her journey from teaching to becoming a published author of middle-grade books, highlighting the role her teaching experience and personal life played in her writing. The discussion delves into the challenges of conveying stron...

Send us a text Self-Care for Writers: Chiropractic Insights and Essential Oil Tips This episode of Way-Word Writers features Dr. Erica Patton, a chiropractor who discusses the importance of self-care, especially for individuals who spend extended periods sitting and writing. Dr. Patton shares her background, her journey into chiropractic care motivated by personal experiences with migraines, and t...

Send us a text Unlocking Creativity: The Impact of the Descriptive Thesaurus Collection with Becca Puglisi This episode of Way-word Writers features Becca Puglisi, co-author of the Descriptive Thesaurus collection and a passionate educator in the writing community. Becca shares her unconventional journey into writing, which began at 30, initially as a means to earn extra income, leading her to exp...

Send us a text Understanding Ghosting in the Publishing World: Discourse with Way-word Writers This script covers an interactive dialogue in which the hosts of 'Way-word Writers' discuss ghosting in the publishing industry. The conversation is triggered by questions about ghosting sent by their fans via Twitter. Emphasis is placed on the numerous factors that contribute to ghosting, such...

Send us a text The script is a comprehensive interview with Susan Chang, a former editor at HarperCollins who then shifted to freelancing. Susan talks about her fascinating journey in the publishing industry. The interview covers a wide range of topics including her experience working with traditional publishing houses and the essential qualities needed for a successful book. Susan also sheds ligh...

Send us a text In this episode of the Way-word Writers podcast, we welcome Dr. Tasha Golden, the director of research at the International Arts and Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Golden discusses the connection between mental health and the arts, and shares her journey from a professional singer-songwriter to a researcher studying the therapeutic properties of art. During the conversati...

Send us a text On the Way-word Writers podcast, guest Lee Tobin McClain, New York Times best-selling author, discusses her journey as a hybrid author - writing books for traditional publishers and independently publishing her work. She delves into the advantages of being a hybrid author, like multiple sources of income and control over backlist, while highlighting the extensive time commitment and...

Send us a text The episode includes dynamic Bridget E. Baker as the guest, a highly productive and successful indie author. Beginning with an entertaining look into her personal life, filled with family, farm animals, and kickboxing, Baker then dives into the particulars of her writing journey. She talks about her initial attempts at traditional publishing with agents, her transition to self-publi...

Send us a text In this episode, acclaimed author Tamara Grantham discusses her journey to success in her path with small (but mighty) publishers, detailing how she started writing, faced rejections, and attended writing classes and conferences before finally publishing her work. Tamara Grantham, author of numerous award-winning fantasy novels, candidly shares her experience with publisher issues a...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-word Writers, the hosts enthusiastically welcome listeners back and express their gratitude for their audience's response to their first episode. They discuss the traditional path to publishing, acknowledging their potential bias and highlighting the reasons each of them has chosen this path. The hosts underline the importance of understanding why one cho...

Send us a text In the first episode of the Way-word Writers Podcast, hosts Heather Cashman, Nicki Jacobsmeyer, and Stephanie Bearce discuss their unique paths to writing, and the joys and challenges they've encountered along the way. They also explore the reasons why they continue to write, emphasizing the therapeutic, communicative, and perspective-giving power of storytelling. Looking forwa...

Send us a text Announcing the launch of the Way-Word Writers Podcast, with cohosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waywordwriters.substack.com