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Self-publishing isn’t a shortcut nor a consolation prize. It’s a publishing model that works well for some writers and not at all for others. Today, I’m joined by Libby Waterford, a prolific romance author and self-publishing educator with more than twenty books published across pen names. We break down what self-publishing actually involves: the costs writers don’t always anticipate, the level of control and responsibility it requires, and how marketing, timelines, and long-term goals factor into whether it’s a good fit for you. This episode is about education and understanding your options, asking questions, and making intentional decisions about your writing career based on your long-term goals Timestamps 01:43 Meet Libby Waterford 05:28 Why Libby chose self-publishing after being with a traditional publisher 08:47 Pros and cons of self-publishing 16:38 The advantages of being your own publisher 23:09 Budgeting and essential costs 27:09 Marketing, ROI, and sustainability 38:53 Advice for new authors 41:07 What Libby’s working on next and education resources Guest Bio: Libby Waterford is the author of Sawyer's Cove, the Reboot, and The Never A Bride Contemporary Romance Series, and under her other pen name, Elle Waters, writes steamy Small Town Gay Romance. A former president of the Connecticut Chapter of Romance Writers of America, Libby is also a self-publishing coach and instructor at the Westport Writers Workshop in Westport, Connecticut, where she teaches classes on genre fiction and self-publishing. Links https://libbywaterford.com/,  https://www.instagram.com/libbywritesromance/,  https://ellewatersbooks.substack.com/ https://westportwriters.org/   Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

“What does my character want?” Sounds like a simple question—until it isn’t.  If you’ve ever struggled to figure out the difference between your character's wants and needs, been confused by the language of conscious goals and unconscious goals or desires, this episode is for you!  Today, we simplify things so you never get confused again!   We look at how goals create momentum on the page to inform the plot, while desires drive the character's internal change.   You’ll also get practical ways to diagnose what’s missing when a character feels stuck—and how to fix it. Timestamps:  01:32 Why “what does my character want?” is a loaded question  03:14 Goals vs. desires: what’s the difference?  04:53 Examples of clear external goals  06:11 The messier truth of character desire  11:08 Using goals and desires to drive transformation  13:37 Practical tools for revision  15:29 Closing thoughts + book coaching note  16:37 Wrap-up Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

There’s a persistent myth that if writing feels hard, you’re doing it wrong.  This conversation with debut novelist Charlene Wang gently dismantles that idea. We talk honestly about messy drafts, perfectionism, long revision timelines, and the quiet persistence it takes to keep going when doubt creeps in. Charlene shares her path to publishing I'll Follow You, including years of revision, mindset shifts, and learning to trust the process even when progress felt slow. If you’ve ever wondered whether struggle means failure, this episode offers reassurance that struggle is often part of becoming the writer you’re meant to be. Timestamps:  01:27 Welcome + meet Charlene Wang  02:47 Charlene’s path to becoming a writer  05:11 Talking about I’ll Follow You  08:22 The realities of drafting and revision  14:43 Research and character development  20:29 Plotting, pantsing, and everything in between  21:38 Navigating self-doubt  24:33 Tools for sticking with the work  26:12 Productivity, perspective, and patience  29:18 Becoming a writer over time  36:26 Advice for writers in the thick of it  38:03 What Charlene is working on now Links mentioned Leigh Bardugo’s Ted Talk: The Art of Discomfort Ira Glass The Gap Charlene’s debut novel, I’ll Follow You, is out now. You can learn more and connect with her at charlenewangauthor.com or on Instagram @charleneshiyi Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

What happens when you stop trying to make your story palatable—and start making it true? Today, I'm joined by author Ivette Diaz for a powerful conversation about writing hopeful dystopian stories, the importance of representation on the page, and choosing integrity over marketability. We talk about writing through hard seasons, navigating self-doubt, and why community—not competition—is what sustains a writing life. If you’ve ever wondered whether your story belongs, felt pressure to soften your voice, or needed a reminder that you are doing enough, this episode is for you. Guest Bio: Ivette N Diaz is an author of dystopian sci-fi/fantasy novels, an entrepreneur, and a daydreamer who, through the gift of storytelling, strives to provide an element of hope in each story and help each person realize the unique purpose for their life. She has published Rise of Power, Choices of Power, and Struggles of Power, all part of the I Am Chronicles series. Her short story, Taino: An Untold Story, is featured in the Flame Tree Publishing Anthology Beyond & Within: Latin American Shared Stories, edited by V. Castro. To connect with Ivette and read her work: Website: ivettendiaz.com Instagram & Threads: @ivettendiazauthor Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Draft It Scared Group Coaching Real Talk: Writer to Writer Are you afraid of being judged for what you write?  You’re not alone. Me too. And in this episode, I get personal by sharing my writing updates, how publishing a short story felt exposing, and how I’m learning to navigate the fear of being seen for what I write. We also talk about changes to the podcast and setting writing intentions for 2026 that align with your life, not work against it.  Timestamps:  00:00 Personal reflection  01:23 Easing into the new year  02:02 The fear of being seen  03:53 Writing update  07:55 Writing intentions for 2026  10:48 Reflection + next steps  11:33 Closing Links Mentioned: Draft It Scared Group Coaching The Leave Still Fallow: An Anthology of Queer Love Big Thinking Publishing  Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Draft It Scared Group Coaching Open For Enrollment–Apply Here! If you’ve ever questioned how to find the right critique partner—or survive traditional publishing—this episode will feel like a deep breath. Fantasy author and book coach Gabrielle K. Byrne joins me to talk about building healthy critique relationships, navigating the realities of publishing, and learning to let go so you can fall back in love with your writing process.  It’s honest, grounding, and full of the writer-to-writer wisdom we all need. Timestamps  01:23 Meet Gabrielle K. Byrne  03:54 Gabby’s winding path to publishing  09:42 Evolving your writing process  21:11 Imposter syndrome + comparison  29:21 The truth about traditional publishing  32:12 What really happens in revisions  35:23 The Three Ps: practice, persistence, patience  40:23 How to work with critique partners  46:50 Finding your writing community  51:08 Gabby’s wish for writers Links:  Julie Artz CP Match Gabrielle Byrnes Books and Book Coaching  Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

What if you wrote one book in three days… and another in thirty years? That’s the creative range of today’s guest, Susan Sloate, and trust me—this conversation will make you breathe a little easier about your own writing timeline. In this episode, Susan and I get real about the messy, magical parts of the writing life: panic, procrastination, emotional landmines, unexpected breakthroughs, and the quiet confidence that your story is already finished in your head—you just have to mine for it. She also shares how music threads through her process, how she handles fear and imposter syndrome, and what keeps her coming back to the page after decades in the industry. If you need a dose of perspective, permission, or hope… this one’s for you. Episode Breakdown 01:11 — Meet Susan Sloate  05:21 — From screenwriting to novels  09:18 — The spark behind Scenes from a Song  15:02 — Panic, process, and creative problem-solving  24:03 — A book 30 years in the making  30:17 — Emotions + writing  32:22 — Doubt, fear, imposter syndrome  37:02 — Susan’s final wisdom for writers LINKS Website: www.susansloate.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanSloateAuthor X.com: @Susan_Sloate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan_sloate/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/233349.Susan_Sloate Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Don’t believe you’re cut out to be a writer? Think again.  Cozy mystery author Iris Applewood talks about how personal challenges and a whole lot of curiosity shaped her path to writing cozy mysteries and what she’s learned about the genre. We explore the creation of her magical town, Serenity Falls, how community is a character, and discuss what to do when your “whodunit” isn’t so clear.  It’s a grounded, encouraging conversation about following your heart and finding joy in the mystery of creating novels. Timestamps:  01:23 Meet Iris Applewood  02:44 Draft It Scared announcement  04:13 Iris’s writing journey  13:04 Writing process + challenges  17:57 Community as a character  19:36 Storytelling challenges  19:56 Internal narratives  20:34 First manuscript struggles  24:56 Plotting vs. pantsing  26:55 Building a routine  27:47 Turning real-life into a story  31:05 Creative vulnerability To connect with Iris and read her books, please visit her website: https://irisapplewood.com/ Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Info on Group Book Coaching with Write It Scared Working on a rom-com?  This conversation with bestselling author Kate Archer is packed with craft insights and the best mindset support! We get into what makes humor land, how to keep your characters authentic, and how to keep conflict fresh in a genre built on familiar beats. Kate also shares how she built her writing life, the routines that keep her grounded, and the strategies she uses to push past fear, resistance, and the inner critic.  It’s an honest, encouraging look at the realities of writing comedy, staying consistent, and showing up for your creativity. Timestamps:  01:23 Meet Kate Archer  03:58 Kate’s writing journey  07:32 Why Regency romcoms resonate  12:27 Crafting humor that feels true  22:23 Writing from the servant’s perspective  22:43 Revision + learning through mistakes  25:04 The power of a writing schedule  27:43 Overcoming psychological blocks  33:46 The struggle + joy of writing  36:14 Advice for aspiring writers  41:14 Final thoughts + where to find Kate Links: Visit Kate at: https://www.facebook.com/ and https://katearcher.weebly.com/ or get in touch at [email protected]. Check out Kate's books here  Draft It Scared Small Group Book Coaching  Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Could a gratitude practice be the reset your writing life needs? Gratitude can shift your mindset, ease the pressure you put on yourself, and bring you back to the heart of why you write.  You’ll hear how a simple practice helped me reconnect with my creative life, why it matters specifically for writers, and a challenge to help you create your own writing gratitude list. Timestamps:  00:00 The power of gratitude in writing  01:33 Why gratitude matters right now  02:23 Draft It Scared enrollment info  03:32 My gratitude list story  04:55 Benefits of a gratitude practice  05:49 Gratitude as action  06:42 Bringing gratitude into your writing  07:17 Your writing gratitude challenge  08:52 What this practice can shift  13:03 Closing + next episode preview Links Mentioned Elizabeth Gilbert: Big Magic, Creative Living Beyond Fear Gratitude Research January 2026: Draft It Scared Group Coaching  Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

In this episode, I chat with debut author Jean Ende, who published her first novel, Houses of Detention, at seventy-nine. Jean shares what inspired her to start writing, how she mined her family history for fiction, and what she’s learned about persistence, rejection, and finding community along the way. It’s an honest, uplifting reminder that it’s never too late to chase your creative dreams or to finally write the story that’s been waiting for you. Timestamps:  00:00 Finding your creative spark at any age  01:31 Meet Jean Indy  07:04 The inspiration behind Houses of Detention  16:40 Turning family stories into fiction  31:14 Rejection, resilience, and the long road to publication  36:37 The power of writing groups  39:17 What’s next for Jean Connect with Jean and read Houses of Detention  Links mentioned in the show:  Inquire about Draft It Scared Group Coaching for January 2026 Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Special Offer: Mini-Blueprint Strategy Session  Author Accelerator is running a Black Friday Book Coaching Sale, and I’m one of 80 certified coaches offering a limited-time Mini Blueprint Strategy Session to help 100 writers get unstuck before the year ends. If you’ve been spinning your wheels or second-guessing your story, this session is designed to help you find clarity and momentum. For $299 USD, you’ll get: Big-Picture Project AnalysisProfessional editorial feedback on your first 3,000 wordsA 50-minute private coaching call with meThis offer is ideal for commercial fiction writers—romance, mystery, thriller, speculative, and more—and it expires December 1. I only have space for three writers this winter, so if this sounds like what you need, head to writeitscared.co Or check out the other participating coaches on the Author Accelerator Black Friday Book Coaching Sale website.  Let’s get you unstuck and excited to write again.  See you Monday! Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Ever get feedback that your main character feels flat, reactive, or like things just happen to them? That’s because they lack agency, one of the main ingredients in narrative drive — the force that makes readers keep turning the pages and engage with the story.  In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, we’re digging into what real agency looks like on the page and how to give your characters the power to act, choose, and change their fate. I’ll walk you through the three key ingredients every active protagonist needs—motive, means, and opportunity—and show you how to use them to turn a passive story into a page-turner. Timestamps  00:00 – Why Some Characters Feel Passive (and How to Fix It)  00:19 – Welcome to Write It Scared  01:15 – What Is Character Agency, Really?  01:55 – Why Agency Is the Beating Heart of Story  05:10 – The Three Ingredients: Motive, Means, and Opportunity  07:54 – Creating Moments of Choice That Matter  09:27 – How to Spot When Your Character’s Lost Control  11:08 – Final Takeaways  Links mentioned in this episode: Episode 76: Narrative Drive: The Secret to Story Momentum and Reader Engagement Wire For Story by Lisa Cron.  Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Struggle to believe your work is good enough? Yeh. Me too. We all do.  Ever wonder what it takes to write in a language that isn’t your first—and still sound like you? In this episode, I sit down with writer and book coach Karmen Spiljak to talk about what it really means to write without borders. Karmen shares her journey from Slovenia to indie publishing in English, and the mindset shifts that helped her move past perfectionism, comparison, and imposter syndrome to find joy and freedom on the page. We talk about giving yourself permission, learning to trust your gut as a writer, embracing the messy drafts that lead to growth, and practical ways to keep your creative fire alive—like writing a letter to yourself about why you write and keeping a “Nice Things” folder for those encouraging words we all need to revisit sometimes. If you’ve ever doubted your voice or wrestled with the question, “Am I good enough?”—this conversation will remind you that progress matters more than perfection, and writing what you love is always worth it! Timestamps:  00:00 Starting the Journey: Writing Without Borders 14:59 Challenges of Writing in English 15:42 Mindset Shifts and Comparisons 18:49 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 21:26 Writing for Yourself and Reconnecting with Joy 24:31 Tools and Resources for Writers 28:40 Final Thoughts and Advice How to Connect with Karmen Short Story Blueprint (I've created it for the podcast listeners): https://storyallegiance.com/short/  author website https://karmenspiljak.com Other Links Mentioned: Karmen has also published articles on Jane Friedman’s blog, including how to use food as a character development tool and how to navigate writing in a second language. Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

What does it really take to write and publish more than forty books—and still love the process? In this episode of Write It Scared, I sit down with fantasy author Michelle Miles, who’s done exactly that. Michelle pulls back the curtain on the realities of indie publishing—how to manage burnout, balance creativity with deadlines, and build systems that let you keep writing for the long haul. We talk about shifting from traditional to indie publishing, finding joy in the work again, and learning when to push forward (and when to pause). If you’ve ever dreamed of a full-time writing career—or wondered how to make it sustainable—this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom, practical strategies, and heart. Episode Timestamps:  00:00 Rapid release strategies that actually work  01:25 Meet fantasy author Michelle Miles  03:29 From traditional to indie publishing  06:21 Lessons from 40+ books: challenges, triumphs, and persistence  17:31 Finding balance between writing and real life  24:17 Building sustainable publishing systems  31:01 Advice for aspiring indie authors  34:19 When to hire an editor (and when to trust yourself)  40:58 Dealing with doubt and staying motivated  48:38 Final thoughts and encouragement Links Holly Lisle  How To Think Sideways Liegh Bardugo’s TED Talk: The Art of Discomfort  Miles Beyond the Page Podcast  Michelle Miles Author Website Direct Store: http://www.michellemilesbooks.com Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you. Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here! To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears