In which Rachael’s mind is blown by Helen’s launch techniques , and she might just be able to get behind doing a real-live launch next time! Helen B. Scheuerer i s the bestselling fantasy author of the series, The Oremere Chronicles , Curse of the Cyren Queen and The Legends of Thezmarr . Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots. She also publishes advice for authors with her nonfiction series, Books For Career Authors . Helen’s love o...
Feb 22, 2024•35 min•Ep. 413
The always-vibrant Jen Louden rocks the podcast this week with her stories of moving bravely into amazing new worlds. She’s inspiring and exciting, and you don’t want to miss this fan favorite! For 28 years and counting, best-selling author and passionate teacher Jennifer Louden has been a leading voice on self-care and creative transformation. Jen has appeared on hundreds of media platforms, including The Oprah Winfrey Show. Her insights on wellness, mindfulness, creativity, and leading a meani...
Feb 15, 2024•35 min•Ep. 412
Why you might not want to wait TOO long to get (specific, good) feedback on your writing! Jenna Adams lives in London and writes from her third-floor flat which is covered in plants. She is a regular contributor at The Book Network and Can I Stray is her first novel. Jenna is passionate about exploring mental health, consent, and codependency in her writing. You can find out more about her work on Twitter (@JennaAdamsBooks), Instagram (@jennadamsbooks), TikTok (@jennadamsbooks)or her website, ww...
Feb 08, 2024•29 min•Ep. 411
In which Rachael and Sacha talk about how 2023 went (whew!) and how they're planning for an EPIC 2024! Don't miss this one! How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of working writers with bestselling author Rachael Herron. Want tips on how to write the book you long to finish? Here you'll gain insight from other writers on how to get in the chair, tricks to stay in it, and inspiration to get your own words flowing. ✏️ Can I email you som...
Feb 01, 2024•58 min•Ep. 410
Editor Damien Pitter blows Rachael’s MIND in this episode when he talks about the only way structure feels to a reader. She’s still reeling. Also on tap: what kind of editing is essential vs. skippable? And how the heck do you figure out when to hire an editor? After teaching students to understand and write stories for more than twenty years as an international educator and counselor, Damien Pitter now has a small business editing and coaching adult writers to help them find and tell their stor...
Jan 25, 2024•35 min•Ep. 409
Rachael talks about a shiny new idea that’s run her over with its wildness and scope and size, and then she chats with Leftie Aubé about how to enchant and beguile the muses. Don’t miss this one! Leftie Aubé i s a horror writer who lives near Québec city. Her flash fiction story, CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE, was published in the collection WHEREVER WE ROAM, where it was chosen as an honorable mention. She is the host of Leftie Aubé's Writing Podcast, where she shares her writing journey with vulnerab...
Jan 18, 2024•48 min•Ep. 408
Who said what, and WHY? Rachael talks with Jeff about how to write dialogue that readers will love. Also, she encourages you to join her in taking Monna McDiarmid’s course, Seven Rooms: Experiments in Delight-Taking and Peace-Making https://rachaelherron.com/sevenrooms. and if you’re a writer of color struggling to write your book, please reach out to Josee Smith on Instagram for free coaching! http://instagram.com/joseesmithbookcoach Jeff Elkins i s a writer, podcaster, and writing coach. He’s ...
Jan 11, 2024•55 min•Ep. 407
The ever-popular, annual "How Much Did Money Rachael Make This Year?" episode! With multiple streams of income, Rachael made money from traditional publishing, self-publishing, audiobooks, Patreon, and (the biggest category), HUSTLE. Exactly how much? She'll tell you today! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too) You might need to be a writer, but you don't need to struggle so hard. With internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron, learn how to embrace ease, re...
Jan 04, 2024•30 min•Ep. 406
In which Rachael and Sacha talk about Sacha’s INCREDIBLE experience at 20 Books to 50K, and how her latest launch went, as well as Rachael’s NaNoWriMo joy! How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of working writers with bestselling author Rachael Herron. Want tips on how to write the book you long to finish? Here you'll gain insight from other writers on how to get in the chair, tricks to stay in it, and inspiration to get your own words...
Jan 04, 2024•55 min•Ep. 405
A good (no, a GREAT!) excuse to watch reality TV? Yep. Honestly, you're going to love this conversation with Rachel Harrison on how to make our writing stronger and have fun at the same time. Rachel Harrison is the National Bestselling author of BLACK SHEEP, SUCH SHARP TEETH, CACKLE, and THE RETURN, which was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. Her short fiction has appeared in Guernica, Electric Literature's Recommended Reading, as an Audible Original, a...
Dec 28, 2023•34 min•Ep. 403
Live a whole year trash-free? Oh, yeah. Eve O. Schaub and Rachael take on changing the world, one memoir at a time. Eve is chock full of incredible advice for both writing and living - don’t miss this one! Eve O. Schaub is an internationally published author and humorist. The author of Year of No Suga r (2014) and Year of No Clutter (2017); her forthcoming third family memoir is Year of No Garbage (April 22 Earth Day, 2023). She has been featured on the Dr. Oz Show, Fox & Friends, USA Today,...
Dec 21, 2023•42 min•Ep. 402
Have you ever thought that it really might NOT be you? You’re going to love this episode with Tori Anne Martin about luck vs. work, and what really matters. Tori Anne Martin lives in New England where she collects pen names, tattoos, and hoodies in shades of gray and black. Previously, she collected degrees, including a doctorate in psychology where she studied interpersonal power, consent, and sexual assault. She much prefers writing romance. If you can't find her online, it's because she's los...
Dec 14, 2023•29 min•Ep. 401
Yes, you ARE in the right place! Ink In Your Veins is the new name for How Do You Write (we'll be rolling it all over in the New Year). New theme song - WOO! Bonus miniepisode: How to know what book to work on How to know when to quit working on a book Sign up for 90 Days to Done here: https://rachaelherron.com/90daystodone Sign up for 90 Day Revisio n here: https://rachaelherron.com/revision Recommended: Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, by Annie Duke: https://amzn.to/46RVfhz How Do...
Dec 13, 2023•23 min•Ep. 404
Kate Elliott and Rachael talk about healing, bullet journaling, and (ahem) how long is TOO long a book? This episode will inspire you to not only write (a lot of words!) but also to take good care of that gorgeous writer’s heart of yours (by writing). Kate Elliott has been publishing science fiction and fantasy for over thirty years with a particular focus in immersive world building and epic stories of adventure & transformative cultural change. She’s written epic fantasy, space opera, scie...
Dec 07, 2023•55 min•Ep. 400
What's a word graveyard? When should you take a bath and let go of perfectionism? These are important issues, and you're going to love the answers. Sarah Hawley is an author of romance and fantasy novels. She was a winner of #RevPit 2018, and her short stories and articles have been published by Hooked, Slackjaw, the Belladonna Comedy, and Points in Case. She co-hosts the Wicked Wallflowers Club podcast about romance fiction, which was featured on Entertainment Weekly. Sarah has both a BA and an...
Dec 04, 2023•34 min•Ep. 399
Feelings, Nothing More Than Stupid FEELINGS In which Sacha and Rachael talk about the utter sheer stupidity of feelings, what they mean, and how they can (maybe?) be managed. Don’t miss this one! Heartfelt and sweary! How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of working writers with bestselling author Rachael Herron. Want tips on how to write the book you long to finish? Here you'll gain insight from other writers on how to get in the chai...
Nov 30, 2023•52 min•Ep. 398
DON'T MISS THIS EPISODE! Internationally bestselling author Barbara O'Neal talks with Rachael about what quitting drinking has done for not only her writing but her life. It's rare to pull back these kinds of curtains as artists. Pull up a chair and your drink of choice (we won't judge, ever). And if you're looking for resources on quitting drinking, there's an AA meeting near you: https://www.aa.org/aa-around-the-world or check out The Luckiest Club here: https://www.theluckiestclub.com/ Barbar...
Nov 23, 2023•34 min•Ep. 397
P.D. Workman is a working machine. 103 books and counting? Don't miss this! Plus: a chat with patron Jillian who has questions about Nano and morning routines! P.D. Workman is a USA Today Bestselling author, winner of several awards from Library Services for Youth in Custody and the InD’tale Magazine’s Crowned Heart award, and has published over 100 mystery/suspense/thriller and young adult books. Workman loves writing about the underdog, who the reader may love or hate. She has been praised for...
Nov 17, 2023•38 min•Ep. 396
Jennie Nash KNOWS memoir, and more than that, she knows how to do the most important thing of all: to center the reader. Don't miss this one! Jennie Nash is the founder and CEO of Author Accelerator, a company on a mission to lead the emerging book coaching industry with rigorous training, high standards for certification, and ongoing support for coaches while they launch and build their businesses. Jennie’s own clients have landed top agents, six-figure book deals, and spots on the New York Tim...
Nov 16, 2023•51 min•Ep. 395
Is it possible? Should we even try to detox from social media? What effect does it have on our writing if we do? Uzma Jalaluddin is the author of Ayesha at Last and Hana Khan Carries On. A high school teacher, she is also a Toronto Star columnist and a contributor to The Atlantic. Her first novel was optioned for film by Pascal Pictures and her second novel was optioned for film by Kaling International and Amazon Studios. She lives in Toronto with her family. Learn more online uzmajalaluddin.com...
Nov 10, 2023•39 min•Ep. 394
Imposter Syndrome, Ahoy! Sacha Black and Rachael Herron talk about plans for the next quarter, and about how to regain yourself after suffering imposter system. Is it possible? If so, how do you start? Join us! How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of working writers with bestselling author Rachael Herron. Want tips on how to write the book you long to finish? Here you'll gain insight from other writers on how to get in the chair, tric...
Oct 31, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 393
Time-sensitive! Do you want to do NaNoWriMo with me? Go HERE: http://rachaelherron.com/nanowithme - we’ll write in Zoom together and have a PARTY at the end, when we all WIN NANO! Come join us! Also, enjoy this fabulous episode with an amazing writer!! Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Nigar Alam spent her childhood in Turkey, Nigeria, Italy, Kenya, Indonesia, and the United States before returning to Karachi. With an MBA and CPA, she has worked in both brand management and auditing. Currently, Alam te...
Oct 30, 2023•33 min•Ep. 392
For the past 15 years, Qin Sun Stubis has been a newspaper columnist and writes poems, essays, short stories, and original Chinese tall tales inspired by traditional Asian themes. Her writing is inflected with both Eastern and Western flavors in ways that transcend geography to touch hearts and reveal universal truths. Her memoir, Once Our Lives , is her most recent release. How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of working writers with...
Oct 26, 2023•45 min•Ep. 391
Sarah and Rachael talk about premise (whee!) vs plot (uh-oh). Also, Rachael answers mini-coach questions on finding an editor and how to actually manage Scrivener and Word documents so that you don’t get confused! Sarah Adler writes romantic comedies about lovable weirdos finding their happily ever afters. She lives in Maryland with her husband and daughter and spends an inordinate amount of her time yelling at her mischievous cat to stop opening the kitchen cabinets. Mrs. Nash’s Ashes is her de...
Oct 19, 2023•39 min•Ep. 390
Scared? Don't be (or really, that's okay). Being scared and writing around and toward it is where the magic happens. Enjoy this conversation with Ashley! Ashley Wilda is an author living in eastern Virginia. She particularly enjoys writing young adult fiction and poetry but loves reading any work whose words sing and whisper magic to the reader. Her debut novel The Night Fox, a YA magical realism tale written in poetry and prose, comes out with Penguin Random House in 2023. In addition to writin...
Oct 12, 2023•29 min•Ep. 389
A really exciting episode today! Joanna Penn and I talk about her NEW writing book about The Shadow, something she's a veritable expert in. This is for you if you want to go deep with your writing (and yourself). Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F. Penn. She’s also an award winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. Writing the Shadow is her next non-fiction f...
Oct 12, 2023•43 min•Ep. 388
As a journalist, Julie Carrick Dalton has published more than a thousand articles in The Boston Globe, BusinessWeek, The Hollywood Reporter, Orion Magazine, Electric Literature, and other publications. A Tin House and Bread Loaf alum, and graduate of GrubStreet’s Novel Incubator, Dalton holds a master’s degree in literature and creative writing from Harvard Extension School. She is a frequent speaker on the topic of writing fiction in the age of climate crisis. A mom to four kids and two dogs, D...
Oct 05, 2023•30 min•Ep. 387
Rest is hard... but is it worth it? Today, Rachael and Sacha talk about rest (and how to do it, lol) and about the book Smart Brevity, which they both recommend. Whether they’ll put the principles into practice, though, remains to be seen. Enjoy! How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of working writers with bestselling author Rachael Herron. Want tips on how to write the book you long to finish? Here you'll gain insight from other writ...
Oct 01, 2023•59 min•Ep. 386
Katrina Kittle’s newest novel Morning in This Broken World, released September 1, 2023 and was an Amazon First Reads pick for August. Katrina is the author of four other novels for adults—Traveling Light, Two Truths & a Lie, Kindness of Strangers, and The Blessings of the Animals—and one novel for tweens, Reasons to Be Happy. The Kindness of Strangers was a BookSense pick and was the Fiction winner for the 2006 Great Lakes Book Awards. She teaches creative writing in the Dayton area and onli...
Sep 28, 2023•39 min•Ep. 385
Ren DeStefano lives in Connecticut, where she was born and raised. When she’s not writing thrillers, she’s listening to true crime podcasts and crocheting way too many blankets. Learn more at laurendestefano.com and follow Ren on Instagram (@laurendestefanoauthor). How I'll Kill You is her most recent novel. How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of working writers with bestselling author Rachael Herron. Want tips on how to write the book you long to finish? Here you'll gain insight fro...
Sep 21, 2023•37 min•Ep. 384
