Write the Damn Book Already

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Elle Evans is an anesthesiologist and a novelist whose debut novel, Wedding Issues, comes out April 2, 2024 with Zibby Books.  And was this ever a fascinating conversation! EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS The first book Elle wrote (that was never officially published, even with the best title ever)  Elle's writing process, including how she set...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In the latest episode of  Write the Damn Book Already, I spoke with Julie Chavez, author of the incredibly well-received memoir, Everyone But Myself   (January 2024, Zibby Books). After Julie's life experience turned into a book idea,  she wrote 30,000 words and thought that surely it was a complete, publishable book. Newsflash: It...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Transitioning between genres can feel like learning a new dance with the same set of feet. In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, Zibby Owens shares her experience shifting from memoir ( Bookends , July 1, 2022, Little a) to fiction ( Blank , March 1, 2024, Little a). We discuss what it takes to draft a compelling "base la...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! With the book publishing industry overflowing with titles vying for attention, I aim to guide  aspiring authors through the important steps of writing and publishing high-quality books that get noticed.  In this episode of Write the Damn Book Already, we'll a few reminders every author (including myself) can benefit from hearing (o...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Jessica Saunders's debut novel, Love, Me , was released on January 16, 2024 (Union Square & Co.) In the latest episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, Jessica and I chatted about the power of pursuing a literary dream as she discussed her debut novel, Love, Me , (January 2024, Union Square & Co) with raw and cap...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I unveil my 6 predictions for 2024 in the world of self-publishing. I hope to continue to lend transparency to the self-publishing process and the growing opportunities available while helping you determine whether self-publishing is the right approach for your first (or next)...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Have you ever wondered how authors juggle character's voices when writing from multiple perspectives? In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, it's just one aspect of the creative labyrinth I chat through with Sarahlyn Bruck, author of Light of the Fire (Lake Union Publishing, January 2024) as well as Daytim...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Interested in creating a companion journal or workbook to complement your book? In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I dive into the true cost and labor involved in creating a companion guide (don't panic; I have multiple solutions!) as well as the importance of a ready-made audience before heading down this...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Are you ready for an honest conversation about what skill authors will most require in 2024?  In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I tackle the sometimes harsh realities of the creative industry while stressing the importance of patience and persistence.  No author's success is an overnight miracle. Instead,...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Struggling to keep the creative flame burning? I hear it a lot: "Elizabeth, where do YOU get accountability? How can I get back to this being fun? I’ve lost the joy." In this episode, I'm sharing four personal strategies that have kept me disciplined and accountable as an author. But make no mistake, it's not just ab...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Every novel writer has a different process, a fact I love because it reminds me that my own process is neither "right" nor "wrong." This gives me comfort for a whole eleven seconds before I again automatically wonder, "Am I doing this right?" Talking with Donna Hemans, author of The House of Plain Truth (Zi...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Ann Garvin writes books for "women to do too much in a world that asks too much." Enough said; take all my money already! She published her first book in her late forties, even though one of her professors/mentors used to say to her on a regular basis, “You’re the worst writer I’ve ever met.” (He wasn’t being funny.) During th...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In Episode 63 of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I had the opportunity to chat with Pamela Gwyn Kripke, a journalist and author whose writing has appeared in dozens of publications, including  The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Huffington Post, Slate, Salon, and Parenting. Pamela's novel, At the Seams (Open Books...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! When The Last Love Note by Emma Grey showed up on my doorstep, I knew we had a problem. A book with a cover that good had to have a story even better within its pages. And I wasn't wrong! I could've talked to Emma for hours (if not days), and in the latest episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we discussed: ⭐️ T...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! A little over a decade ago, Bethany Clemenson, author of Ditching the Dream: How to Live Life on Your Terms (Finn-Phyllis Press, 2022), found herself in a place where, on the outside, it looked like she was killing it. But on the inside, it was killing her. She had climbed the corporate ladder and was an award-winning leader in the comp...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Alix Strauss recently reissued The Joy of Funerals, 20 years after its initial release (with St. Martin's Press). This fascinated me, as so often I hear authors wonder, "Can I still promote my book? It's been out for a year!" In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we chatted about: what compelled...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! I love a good string of lessons learned. Given the popularity of my post detailing the 9 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Sooner on Instagram, I thought I'd expand upon a few of them (and add one more!). It's been a wild and wonderful 19+ years in this space, and while I wouldn't change a thing, knowing some of this earlier...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! I was thrilled to get the opportunity to speak with Kristen McGuiness, 2x author and founder of both Rise Books and Ascent Publishing, in the latest episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast. Kristen shares the incredibly relatable rollercoaster of emotions and experiences that come with navigating the book publishing realm as...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! When seeking a publisher, it can feel downright impossible to know who to trust and where to invest should you decide to pursue hybrid publishing. Of course you want to do everything possible to ensure that you're getting exactly what you sign up (and pay) for.  Reputable hybrid publishing houses are wonderful! They're providi...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! What happens after the book is published is often not what authors expect. We expect the inevitable "dip" in sales. We expect to spend time coming up with new strategies for getting the book in front of new readers. But we often don't expect a post-publication "funk."  In this episode of the Write the Damn Book...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Every time I tell Joanna Hardis how much her book, Just Do Nothing: A Paradoxical Guide to Getting Out of Your Way , has impacted me, her jaw drops. She truly can’t seem to believe how deeply her unique approach and perspective to getting out of one’s way is resonating with readers. Join us for this episode of the Write the Damn Book Al...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In the latest episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, debut novelist Mary Belle and I talked about her going all in on her writing career (while raising a 3-year-old). Mary knew exactly what she needed from her first beta readers (and it wasn't just critique), and with her background in social media marketing and event...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In this episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, we simplify the sometimes complicated landscape of book editing, clarifying the various editing stages.  From developmental editing that shapes the overarching structure to line editing that refines prose to copyediting that makes sure grammar and syntax are correct, you'l...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! The ISBN (International Standard Book Number)---it's one of the lesser-understood components of book publishing, but it's incredibly important to understand ( especially if you're an indie author).  In the latest episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, I simplify exactly why the ISBN is important, why you need...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! When Neely Tubati-Alexander started working on her first novel ( Love Buzz ; HarperPerennial, May 2023), she wished someone could give her a straightforward understanding of the steps she'd need to take, from writing her first draft to properly querying agents to getting that often-sought-after publishing deal.   In this episode of...