Authors Who Lead - Learn to write a book from bestselling authors and leaders

Azul Terronez - Author, TEDx Speaker, Coach

If you want to know how bestselling authors find the time to write their books, the methods they use to be productive and how they find their ideas you will love this podcast. Writing coach Azul Terronez shares interviews with clients such as Pat Flynn, of the Smart Passive Income, Jon Vroman, of the Front Row Factor, and Dana Malstaff of Boss-Mom, Jadah Sellner of Simple Green Smoothies. Learn from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling authors. Want to get behind-the-scenes insights about how first-time authors overcame their fears and found the courage to write? Are you curious about how successful bestselling authors write or learn how to publish and market a book? Have you thought, "I'd like to write a book," but I don't know where to start? I explore authors' journeys, how they craft their stories, become published, and share their art of writing books with the world. You are meant to write the book now and be inspired by those who have done it. 

  1. 2d ago

    Your Book Idea Is Already Leaving Clues

    Send us Fan Mail What if your book idea is not something you need to search for outside yourself? In this solo episode, Azul shares how a recent conversation with screenwriter and writing coach Brooks Elms helped him see something surprising. A simple list of favorite movies became a mirror for the deeper themes, questions, and patterns that have shaped him as a writer, teacher, and book coach. This episode is an invitation to look at your own life differently. The stories you love, the questions you keep asking, the work you have done, the struggles you have faced, and the things you notice that others miss may all be pointing toward the book inside you. Azul explores why your book is not just a topic. It is a way of seeing the world. And when you begin to trust your viewpoint, your message becomes clearer. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your favorite stories may reveal what you care about mostHow life patterns can point toward your deeper messageWhy your viewpoint matters more than more informationHow to begin noticing the clues your book may already be giving youWhy clarity starts with understanding who you are writing for and why your message mattersYour book may already be speaking. This episode will help you listen.Timestamp: 00:00 | A conversation that sparked a deeper question 03:00 | Your favorite stories may be clues 06:00 | Why life patterns matter when writing a book 10:00 | A book idea is not just a topic 13:00 | Questions to help you find your message 16:00 | Why people come to write a book 19:00 | Your viewpoint matters 22:00 | Clarity comes from message, reader, and perspective 25:00 | Your book may already be speaking Full show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write and Publish your book 🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start ⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book CONNECT 📷 Instagram 🎬 TikTok 👫🏻 Facebook 💼 LinkedIn 🐦‍⬛ Twitter 🤝🏻 Apply to be a Guest LEAVE A REVIEW ✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts ✍️ Review on Spotify 🖱️ Episode Webpage

    14 min
  2. Jun 5

    Secrets of Crafting Fast-Paced YA Thrillers with April Henry

    Send us Fan Mail It’s not every day that a bestselling author invites you into the secret world behind their creative process. In this episode, I sit down with April Henry, acclaimed writer of thirty-two mysteries and thrillers, to discuss how she crafts her gripping stories—making them both intricately plotted and beautifully accessible. Here, we dive into the wisdom and practical strategies April shared about writing, resilience, and reaching all readers. Timestamp: 00:00 Finding Inspiration for Story Ideas 03:34 Blending Plotting with Pantsing 09:12 Tessa's DNA discovery and implications 12:56 Ensuring accuracy in medical details 15:20 Overcoming writing roadblocks 20:04 Persistence leads to publishing success 23:10 Writing books with teen protagonists 24:43 Making books exciting for readers 30:18 Starting a New Book 33:05 Writing through challenges and goals 37:03 Editing and revising chapters 40:21 Collaborating with an editor 43:23 Finding writing community and resources 47:44 Concerns about book censorship 48:55 Where to find April's work Full show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write and Publish your book 🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start ⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book CONNECT 📷 Instagram 🎬 TikTok 👫🏻 Facebook 💼 LinkedIn 🐦‍⬛ Twitter 🤝🏻 Apply to be a Guest LEAVE A REVIEW ✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts ✍️ Review on Spotify 🖱️ Episode Webpage

    51 min
  3. May 1

    Healed Enough: Navigating Complex Trauma, Dissociation, and the Journey of Writing a Memoir

    Send us Fan Mail Writing a memoir is never an easy feat—especially when the story being told explores the deeply personal terrain of trauma, healing, and the reclamation of one’s agency. In this episode of the "Authors Who Lead" podcast, I sit down with Chelsey Valeri—licensed clinical social worker, trauma therapist, and debut memoirist—as she offers an honest glimpse into how she crafted her book, Healed Enough. Through our conversation, you'll get a multidimensional understanding of complex trauma—from both clinical and lived perspectives—and what it takes to turn such experiences into a story that resonates. Timestamp: 00:00 Deciding to write a memoir 05:12 Complex PTSD not in DSM 07:08 Understanding trauma's impact on mental health 10:29 Discussing personal healing journey 14:45 Feeling vulnerable but understood 19:34 Writing during health challenges 21:29 Navigating a patriarchal society 26:06 Healing Foundation and trauma care 29:12 Editing process for publishing 33:12 Discussing book feedback and approach 37:18 Writing a clinician's hand guide 39:40 Challenges in trauma therapy training 43:36 Discussing a valuable trauma book Full show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write and Publish your book 🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start ⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book CONNECT 📷 Instagram 🎬 TikTok 👫🏻 Facebook 💼 LinkedIn 🐦‍⬛ Twitter 🤝🏻 Apply to be a Guest LEAVE A REVIEW ✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts ✍️ Review on Spotify 🖱️ Episode Webpage

    45 min
4.9
out of 5
100 Ratings

About

If you want to know how bestselling authors find the time to write their books, the methods they use to be productive and how they find their ideas you will love this podcast. Writing coach Azul Terronez shares interviews with clients such as Pat Flynn, of the Smart Passive Income, Jon Vroman, of the Front Row Factor, and Dana Malstaff of Boss-Mom, Jadah Sellner of Simple Green Smoothies. Learn from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling authors. Want to get behind-the-scenes insights about how first-time authors overcame their fears and found the courage to write? Are you curious about how successful bestselling authors write or learn how to publish and market a book? Have you thought, "I'd like to write a book," but I don't know where to start? I explore authors' journeys, how they craft their stories, become published, and share their art of writing books with the world. You are meant to write the book now and be inspired by those who have done it. 

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