S2 Ep56: S2 Ep56: The Author Label: When to Own It and Why
Something I’m asked in almost every interview I do or when I’m working with authors is: When is the right time to call yourself an author? It’s a tricky one because a lot of it comes down to our own confidence levels - and that sneaky imposter syndrome we can all feel from time to time. But I believe we all need to take ownership of our narratives. So, I’ve dedicated this podcast episode to un...
18m May 26, 2024
18m
S2 Ep55: S2 Ep55: Sell More Books! Maintaining Sales Momentum Beyond Your Launch
Selling books goes far beyond launch week - but you know that, right? The challenge can be sustaining momentum and enthusiasm for your book so it continues to sell way past the first few months of its life. It’s something I see time and time again from authors I work with - but it’s also something I’ve struggled with myself. In this episode, I share some of my best strategies for long-term sa...
29m May 19, 2024
29m
S2 Ep54: S2 Ep54: Crafting Books That Make a Difference - with Dr Emma Hepburn
What’s it like to be published by a ‘big 5’ publisher? How can you find time to write when you have a job, a young family…and a global pandemic to contend with? These are just a few of the questions I ask this month’s guest - Dr Emma Hepburn - aka @thepsychologymum. Emma is a clinical psychologist with expertise in neuropsychology who has over 20 years of experience working with and treating m...
51m May 12, 2024
51m
S2 Ep53: S2 Ep53: AI-Powered Authors: Tools to Enhance Non-Fiction Writing
Are you a non-fiction writer looking to leverage the power of AI to enhance your writing process? From research to editing, AI-powered tools can help you streamline your workflow and create better content faster. In this episode, I share my top picks for AI tools to assist you at every stage of the writing journey. During it, you'll discover: How AI can help you find relevant information qui...
23m May 05, 2024
23m
S2 Ep52: S2 Ep52: Self-Editing: A Guide to Polishing Your Manuscript
Once you’ve finished your first draft, you might be wondering what on earth to do next! Do you send it straight to your editor? How can you refine it down to a draft you can be proud of? In this episode, I share my step-by-step guide to self-editing your manuscript before you send it to a professional. During it, you’ll discover: Why it’s important to self-edit your work and how to get your ...
22m Apr 28, 2024
22m
S2 Ep51: S2 Ep51: Author Mindset: No Nonsense Advice for Writers
If there’s one thing that matters above all others when it comes to writing, it’s mindset. You could be the greatest writer ever, but if you can’t get past your blocks and put the right head on your shoulders, it means diddly squat. So, I’ve dedicated this episode to helping you shift your thinking and develop an approach that will move you forward. During it, you’ll discover: How to embrace...
24m Apr 21, 2024
24m
S2 Ep50: S2 Ep50: Using Atomic Habits for Writing
Today is a milestone episode, and to celebrate, I thought we’d talk about something I think has the most profound impact on writers I work with - good writing habits! After all, they make the difference between ‘thinking’ about writing a book and actually writing one. But what do good writing habits actually look like? Well, that’s where Atomic Habits comes in - a book that’s proved to be a ga...
30m Apr 14, 2024
30m
S2 Ep49: S2 Ep49: Social Media Success for Authors - with Nicola Washington
Does social media overwhelm you? Are you struggling to attract new readers on your platforms? Well, have I got the guest for you! Nicola Washington is a social media strategist who specialises in teaching writers how to use Instagram to build their readership. After 12 years as a secondary school teacher, Nicola retrained as a social media manager and spent seven years working with small busin...
56m Apr 07, 2024
56m
S2 Ep48: S2 Ep48: 7 Ways to Boost Your Writing Confidence
It’s all too easy to lose confidence when writing - after all, we’re putting our work out into the world for people to read, and that can test anyone’s courage! But a lack of confidence becomes a problem when it stops you from writing or publishing your work - which leads to frustration and disappointment for you, the aspiring author. Well, that’s where this episode swoops in to help! During...
34m Mar 31, 2024
34m
S2 Ep47: S2 Ep47: Looking After Your Creative Energy
Creative energy can make or break your book-writing process - when it’s lacking, things become frustrating. You lose enthusiasm for your project. It can also lead to burnout. So what can we do as writers to look after our energy? How can we avoid losing motivation to write and cope when our enthusiasm levels dip? This episode is here to help you. You’ll discover: My own struggles with mainta...
27m Mar 25, 2024
27m
S2 Ep46: S2 Ep46: 3 Foundational Pillars of Writing Successful Non-Fiction
What makes a non-fiction book successful? What are the essential elements you need to consider before you write a single word? Well, for me, there are three and I’ll be sharing them in this week’s episode. You’ll discover: The three pillars that make for a strong foundation when writing non-fiction - and why you need all of them in place to hold your book together. One of the common mistakes ...
22m Mar 18, 2024
22m
S2 Ep45: S2 Ep45: Publishing Multiple Books - with Shelley Wilson
Have you ever wondered what it takes to publish multiple books? Perhaps your first one has given you a taste of how exciting the writing journey can be. On this week's podcast, I talk to multi-published author Shelley Wilson. She's a self-confessed word nerd with a passion for storytelling, a love of exclamation marks, and a mission to inspire and entertain. She’s an English multi-genre author...
44m Mar 11, 2024
44m
S2 Ep44: S2 Ep44: Overcome Procrastination and Write Your Book
Let’s get honest for a minute - who else sabotages their author goals by endlessly putting their writing off? 🙋‍♀️I see you - and I feel you! So the question is, how about we take back control and stop putting off what we really want to do? It’s time for some procrastination solutions with a little tough love in the mix! In this episode, you’ll discover: The incredibly bonkers ways I’ve avo...
25m Mar 04, 2024
25m
S2 Ep43: S2 Ep43: How to Write a Brilliant Book Proposal
Before you write a single word of that book you’ve been dreaming about, you need a strong proposal in order to get the green light from a publisher. So, what do you need to include, and how can you showcase your expertise in a way that will get the attention of the right people when it comes to publishing your book? This episode is your beginner’s guide to writing and understanding what a boo...
21m Feb 26, 2024
21m
S2 Ep42: S2 Ep42: A Deep Dive into the Self-Publishing Process
With more authors embracing independence, having a practical guide on successfully self-publishing is vital to avoid the overwhelm and frustration that many new writers can feel. So, if you’ve been struggling with what the process actually is, as well as what you need to do and when, this episode is for you. Listen to learn more about: Evaluating major platform options - weighing benefits of...
25m Feb 19, 2024
25m
S2 Ep41: S2 Ep41: Building a Successful Author Brand - with Isabelle Knight
Often, for authors, promoting and marketing a book can often feel more intimidating than the writing process itself. However, making meaningful connections with your readers is key in today’s publishing landscape. In this episode of the Creating Happy Writers podcast, I chat with expert publicist Isabelle Knight about methods you can use for strategically sharing your stories and voice with wi...
41m Feb 12, 2024
41m
S2 Ep40: S2 Ep40: The Future is Female: Own Your Niche and Write Your Book
The stats speak for themselves. When it comes to published non-fiction, female writers are still at a disadvantage. Only 35% of non-fiction prizes are awarded to female writers. Just 26.5% of non-fiction book reviews go to women. Advances tend to be lower, and we’re often left off end-of-year ‘bestseller lists’. Research shows that we’re often told to ‘leave the big subjects to the men’, too! ...
30m Feb 05, 2024
30m
S2 Ep39: S2 Ep39: How to Make Time to Write Your Business Book in 2024
You want to write a book to grow your business, but when the heck do you find the time to actually write it? It’s a struggle, right? Not only are you running a business, but you’ve got that other little thing called ‘life’ that also eats up your time - be it kids, hobbies or caring for elderly relatives. You don’t want to lose sight of your business goals either. It’s a juggle, that’s for sur...
21m Jan 29, 2024
21m
S2 Ep38: S2 Ep38: My Writing Process: A Sneak Peek Behind the Scenes
Have you ever wanted a sneak peek into how a published author's writing process actually works? Or what key phases they go through, and the order in which it all needs to happen? Well, step on in because today I’m giving you an exclusive look at my proven step-by-step process for writing and publishing my non-fiction books. Here's what you'll discover: The 10 essential stages I use to take a...
24m Jan 22, 2024
24m
S2 Ep37: S2 Ep37: More Sales Please - with Sara Dalrymple
I’m thrilled to welcome this week’s guest author onto the Creating Happy Writers podcast - the rather marvellous Sara Dalrymple. Sara is a sales and business mentor and strategist for small business owners who need more sales, more consistency and more ease. Her 20 years of sales experience and simple, actionable advice have helped hundreds of business owners transform the way they feel about...
54m Jan 15, 2024
54m
S2 Ep36: S2 Ep36: 10 Lessons I've Learned From 10 Years of Writing
At the start of the new year, I wanted to give you some lessons I’ve learned that will help you as you move forward with your writing in 2024. Ten years in the writing chair has taught me a lot, and in this episode, you’ll discover: The one piece of advice that has enabled me to write seven books in eight years - and it’s a method I still use to this day! Why I believe writing doesn’t have to...
24m Jan 08, 2024
24m
S2 Ep35: S2 Ep35: My Writing Year in Review 2023
It's the end of 2023, and for the first time ever, I'm giving you an honest overview of my writing year - what's gone well, what hasn't quite gone to plan and what I hope to achieve in 2024. It's full of reflection and lessons learned, as well as stories about my writing process, events I've been to and the books you can hope to see from me in 2024. I really hope you enjoy this episode and it...
27m Dec 18, 2023
27m
S2 Ep34: S2 Ep34: Understanding the Role of an Editor - with Jessica Brown
Have you ever wondered what an editor actually does? Do you worry about sending your book for editorial review? Are you unsure as to which editor to work with? All perfectly normal things to ask about the editorial process. That’s why I’m delighted to welcome this week’s guest to the podcast - my editor, Jessica Brown. Jessica is an experienced non-fiction editor - having worked on over 100 ti...
50m Dec 11, 2023
50m
S2 Ep33: S2 Ep33: Irresistible Introductions: Hooking Your Reader From Page One
Writing the introduction to your business or non-fiction book is one of the hardest parts of the writing process. How do you do it? What should you include? When is the best time to write it? When working with authors, it’s often the introduction that we work on the most because it’s so important to get it right! In this episode, I share some advice to help YOU with yours so you can avoid bei...
15m Dec 04, 2023
15m
S2 Ep32: S2 Ep32: Market Research for Non-Fiction Books
Often, when we hear the phrase ‘market research,’ it sounds as appealing as a trip to the supermarket to do the weekly food shop. You know you have to do it, but it’s not the most exciting way to spend a Tuesday. However, when it comes to writing a successful non-fiction book in your niche, it’s crucial. After all, you want to write a book your readers will love, right? So, how can you complet...
13m Nov 27, 2023
13m
S2 Ep31: S2 Ep31: Bringing Book Ideas to Life with Vicki Weinberg
Do you struggle to sit down and write consistently? Are you forever trying to make the words flow perfectly on the very first attempt? If that’s you, you’ll love this week’s episode with my brilliant guest, Vicki Weinberg. Vicki offers product creation support and specialises in selling on Amazon.  She is also the host of a weekly podcast for product-based entrepreneurs - Bring Your Product Id...
28m Nov 20, 2023
28m
S2 Ep30: S2 Ep30: How to Receive Feedback on Your Writing
As an author, getting feedback on your writing is arguably one of the hardest things to do. What happens if it’s awful? How can you get the most out of your editorial experience? What if you disagree with your editor or beta reader? Oh, it’s a tricky one, that's for sure. But I’ve got some advice up my sleeve to help you accept feedback with ease and actually use it to your advantage. During ...
16m Nov 13, 2023
16m
S2 Ep29: S2 Ep29: Email Marketing for Authors - Making It Work For You
Email marketing is one of - if not the - most important parts of your writer brand. To effectively sell books over the long term, you can’t just rely on social media. Building a list of fans and readers away from these popular platforms is necessary if you want long-term success. But what should your author newsletter cover? What should it be about? How often should you send emails to your lis...
17m Nov 06, 2023
17m
S2 Ep28: S2 Ep28: Using AI to Write Your Non-Fiction Book
AI has been a hot topic in recent months for all of us - whether in the business world or in the writing world. We can’t avoid it, and, in my opinion, neither should we. But the question remains: how can we use it to write our books, and, most importantly, how can we use it responsibly and ethically to feel good about the process? In this episode, you’ll learn: About the surge in AI technolog...
21m Oct 30, 2023
21m
S2 Ep27: S2 Ep27: Your Writing Potential with Anna Zannides
I'm thrilled to welcome Anna Zannides onto the podcast for my very first author interview - and what a conversation we had! Anna is a published author, a UK-listed Mindfulness Teacher, and an accredited Life Coach with a background in education. She specialises in working with young people and individuals facing the challenges of cancer, loss and bereavement. Her book ‘How Did I Get Here?’ wa...
39m Oct 22, 2023
39m
S2 Ep26: S2 Ep26: Using Your Personal Story to Write a Great Business Book
Knowing how much of your personal story to use in your business book or self-help book is a tricky one. You’re not writing a memoir, after all. But if you don’t include it, your book can lose that connection to the reader. So what’s the answer? Luckily for you, this week’s episode is going to cover all that and more. You’ll learn: How to get the right balance between telling your story to m...
17m Oct 15, 2023
17m
S2 Ep25: S2 Ep25: Using Social Media to Sell More Books
Social media is an overwhelming beast at times. Which platforms should you be on if you want to sell your books? Are there any you shouldn’t be on? How can you create a community of avid readers? So many questions that it’s no wonder authors struggle to know where even to begin. But don’t worry; I’ve got you covered with this episode devoted to all things social media. We’ll dive deep into: ...
20m Oct 08, 2023
20m
S2 Ep24: S2 Ep24: Overcoming Writer's Block
Ah, writer’s block. Seen as a curse or a disease on many unsuspecting writers, it’s actually, more often than not, procrastination in disguise - and that’s something we’ve all experienced in one way or another. But I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be this way, and in this episode, you’ll discover five ways to beat the block, take action and get some consistency back into your writing li...
17m Oct 01, 2023
17m
S2 Ep23: S2 Ep23: How to Write and Embrace Your Shitty First Draft
Writing the first draft of your business book is often an overwhelming thought. How should you do it? What if it sucks? How can you keep going when it all feels rather shitty? Yes, yes. All of those feelings - and more. Well, this episode is here to stop all that and to give you the confidence you need to tackle your first draft like a pro. In it, you’ll discover: What famous authors have d...
19m Sep 24, 2023
19m
S2 Ep22: S2 Ep22: Is Your Business Book Idea a Good One?
One of the questions I’m asked the most about writing is whether the idea someone has for a business book is a good one. It’s natural to worry about whether the hard work you’re putting into your writing will pay off in the long run. So, I’ve put together some advice for you so you can be sure your book has the best chance of success. And while there’s no guarantee of sales or people’s glowing...
15m Sep 17, 2023
15m
S2 Ep21: S2 Ep21: Setting Writing Goals: Is it Time for a Different Approach?
Welcome back to Season 2 of the podcast, and we’re kicking off with a bang! Often, September feels a bit like January for business owners and writers alike - we’ve hopefully had a bit of a break over the summer, and we’re now ready and raring to go. It’s natural to set some goals - including ones for your writing. But what if you took a slightly different approach to this process? In this se...
14m Sep 10, 2023
14m
S1 Ep20: S1 Ep20: Q+A Special - Your Writing and Publishing Questions Answered!
It’s the end of Season 1 of the Creating Happy Writers podcast, and I asked listeners to write in with some of their questions about writing and publishing their non-fiction books. And you guys didn’t disappoint! In this season finale, you’ll find out more about: The secrets to successful book launches - using my experience of working on the campaign for a Sunday Times’ Bestseller… What hybr...
27m Jul 16, 2023
27m
S1 Ep19: S1 Ep19: From Chaos to Clarity: Crafting an Outline for Your Non-Fiction Book
Outlining really is the best way to plan and structure your book - it stops you from facing the blank page each time you write, and it also means you get your message across in the right way for your reader. For me, it’s an essential step of the writing process and one that all non-fiction writers should take to get the best possible book written. But how do you create an outline? Don’t worry...
15m Jul 09, 2023
15m
S1 Ep18: S1 Ep18: The Science of Storytelling in Non-Fiction: Build Connection and Inspire Your Readers
Think storytelling has no place in non-fiction - think again! In this episode, I’m diving into the science of storytelling and why I believe it’s an essential part of any business or self-help book. You’ll learn: Why stories are hard-wired into the human brain and how you can use this to your advantage when inspiring and motivating your readers. The science behind storytelling and its effect...
12m Jul 02, 2023
12m
S1 Ep17: S1 Ep17: The Procrastinator's Toolkit: Stop Stalling and Finish Your Book!
In this episode, we’re delving into the frustrating world of procrastination. Something we all struggle with from time to time - and not just with our writing! It can take many disguises. From convincing yourself today is the day you must sort your Tupperware to find the matching lids to reorganising your clothes into seasonal sets, you’ve done them all to avoid sitting down to write. Perhap...
20m Jun 25, 2023
20m
S1 Ep16: S1 Ep16: Empathy in Ink: Understanding Your Reader's Journey When Writing Non-Fiction
Writing a book without really knowing your reader’s journey is a bit of an insult to them - and can be THE thing that means they finish your book and love it… or they don’t. When you’re writing, sometimes you’re so wrapped up in what YOU want to write about you almost forget the reader exists. Now I’m pretty confident you’re not like that. But it’s easy to slip into writing a book without con...
17m Jun 18, 2023
17m
S1 Ep15: S1 Ep15: Embracing the Journey: Growth Mindset Principles for Writers
How would you describe your writing mindset? Are you someone who believes that your ability to write is fixed? That you’ll only ever be able to write at a certain level or with a certain amount of skill? Or are you someone who adopts a growth mindset? Believing that abilities aren’t fixed and that finding things hard is an opportunity for improvement? In this week’s episode, you’ll discover w...
15m Jun 11, 2023
15m
S1 Ep14: S1 Ep14: Building Your Dream Team: Who You Need to Make Your Self-Published Book a Success
Publishing your non-fiction book is an exciting time - there’s no doubt about it. However, you can’t do it all by yourself - even if you think you can. You’ve got to build your book team. But who should be part of it? During this episode, you’ll find out just who you need to make your book as successful as possible. You’ll learn: What you can learn from Henry Ford about building a book team...
19m Jun 04, 2023
19m
S1 Ep13: S1 Ep13: The Write Balance: Avoiding the Goldilocks Trap With Your Writing Environment
Are you determined to get everything ‘just right’ when it comes to your writing environment? Want to make sure it will help rather than hinder your process? In this episode, I’m here to help you create your perfect writing environment - something that doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, the simpler you can make it, the better. Often, when you procrastinate over having the right pen, noteboo...
17m May 28, 2023
17m
S1 Ep12: S1 Ep12: Embracing the Blank Page: What to Do When You’ve Lost Your Writing Mojo
In this episode, we look at what you can do if you’ve lost the motivation to write. It happens to all of us - from independent writers like me to the big guns who line the shelves in your local bookshop. You see, writing when you’ve lost motivation is a bit like cleaning the oven. Something you keep putting off because you know it’s going to be hard work and, frankly, sitting down with a cuppa...
19m May 21, 2023
19m
S1 Ep11: S1 Ep11: From Entrepreneur to Author: Expert Strategies for Planning Your Business Book
In this episode of the Creating Happy Writers podcast, we dive deep into the world of business book planning and uncover the expert strategies that can transform you from a successful entrepreneur into a successful (and happy!) author. Because I get it. You have all the ideas; perhaps you even have a mountain of content from a podcast or a course that you want to distil into a book. But where ...
16m May 14, 2023
16m
S1 Ep10: S1 Ep10: Breaking Free from Comparison: Embrace Your Unique Writing Journey
Do you find yourself comparing yourself to other writers? Perhaps wishing that you had the success/ability/popularity they have? It’s very common when doing anything creative to look at what others do and berate ourselves for not doing things ‘as well as they do.’ It’s exhausting, right? Well, it’s time to stop the endless comparison to other writers, and in this episode, you’ll learn how to ...
12m May 07, 2023
12m
S1 Ep9: S1 Ep9: Write Your Way to Success: The Benefits of Writing a Business Book in Your Niche
If you’ve been thinking about writing a book for your business for a while now, you might be wondering what the benefits are. Is it worth all that time, effort and energy? Time that, as a busy business owner, you don’t always have. It’s also an investment - in mentoring, editing and design. You’ve probably got a voice niggling away inside, suggesting it’s just too much of an investment in time...
15m Apr 30, 2023
15m
S1 Ep8: S1 Ep8: Choosing the Right Path to Publishing: A Guide for Non-Fiction Authors
As a non-fiction author, you have a range of publishing options to choose from - but which one is right for you? It can feel overwhelming to even know where to start. Will you choose self-publishing or traditional publishing? What about hybrid? What the heck is hybrid publishing anyway? We’ll cover all that in this episode…and more. You’ll learn: The pros and cons of traditional and self-pu...
19m Apr 23, 2023
19m
S1 Ep7: S1 Ep7: Why Knowing Your Niche Matters: The Key to Writing a Bestselling Non-Fiction Book
Writing a book is tough. It requires you to dig deep and draw on all your resources. But it also requires you to really know who you’re writing for. Yes, you may well have a niche that you work in on a daily basis, but the niche your book sits in might be slightly different. If you really want to be seen as an expert, getting this bit right is vital. In this episode, we’ll explore how you can...
12m Apr 16, 2023
12m