The Whole Writer

Nicole Meier
  • 5.0 (50)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

The Whole Writer podcast with Nicole Meier creates space for writers to nurture both their craft and themselves, exploring what it means to write from a place of wholeness rather than depletion.  If you’re an emerging author seeking guidance, this podcast is for you!

  1. 4d ago

    115. Revision Doesn't Have to Break You

    A quick note before the new season starts: revision has no roadmap, and that's exactly the problem. Introducing Whole Revision, a ten-week cohort for my paid Substack subscribers, opening September 8th. I'd love to see you inside! To join, visit this link here. Email: nicole@nicolemeier.com

  2. Aug 25

    114. REPLAY: How to Find What's Meaningful in Your Novel (and Pitch It Like a Pro) with Karin Gillespie

    What if the secret to writing a compelling novel—and querying it successfully—starts with understanding what's deeply meaningful to you? In this episode, I sit down with author Karin Gillespie to explore how to identify the personal connection in your writing and translate it into a pitch that agents and editors can't ignore. Karin, author of nine novels and creator of the popular Substack "Pitch Your Novel," shares her 20+ year publishing journey—from traditional publishing with the Big Five to indie publishing and back again. She's seen the industry from every angle, and she's here to help you navigate today's competitive landscape with wisdom, warmth, and practical guidance. In this episode, we discuss: Why your personal connection to your story matters more than you thinkHow to write a novel with a clear desire line that drives your narrative forwardThe essential elements every query letter needs (including the one-sentence pitch most writers forget)How to identify and pitch your book's genre in today's marketWhat "comps" are and why they're crucial to your query successThe reality of submission in 2025—and why it's so different from even five years agoHow to create your pitch before you write your novel (and why this can save you heartbreak)Finding joy in the writing process, even when the business side feels overwhelmingWhether you're drafting your first manuscript or querying your fifth novel, this conversation offers both tactical advice on how to query a literary agent and gentle encouragement to stay connected to what makes your writing meaningful. Connect with Karin Gillespie: Substack: Pitch Your Novel Mentioned Resources: Publisher's MarketplaceQuery TrackerAmazon for comp researchIf you're ready to learn how to write a novel that matters to you and stands out in the marketplace, this episode is your roadmap. The Whole Writer is a podcast for fiction writers who want to nurture both their craft and their creative well-being. Hosted by Nicole Meier, multi-published author and book coach. Want more support on your writing journey? Visit nicolemeier.com to explore coaching programs for fiction writers. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review—it helps other writers discover the show! 🎙️Find Karin Gillespie here. 🎙️Find Nicole Meier here.

  3. Aug 11

    113. REPLAY: Shifts in the Publishing Industry with Jane Friedman

    Jane Friedman discusses the major shifts she's witnessed in publishing over the past ten years.  Inside this episode, we explore: the explosive growth of audiobooksthe new tools and platforms available to writers today the rise of the creator economy and its impact on authorsthe emergence of AI in writing and publishingJane brings her signature practical wisdom and market intelligence to help writers understand and navigate this transformed landscape. Tune in for more. 🎙️Find more on Jane Friedman here. 🎙️Find more on Nicole Meier here.

  4. Jul 28

    112. REPLAY: Building a Creative Life That Lasts with J.T. Ellison

    Bestselling author J.T. Ellison shares what it really takes to build a creative life that stands the test of time.  From honoring the seasons of your writing career to navigating burnout and rediscovering joy, J.T. offers candid insights into the mindset shifts, boundaries, and community connections that keep creativity sustainable. Whether you're in the trenches of a first draft or navigating the ups and downs of publishing, her wisdom is a reminder that longevity in the creative world isn't about hustle—it's about alignment, intention, and protecting what matters most. Find more on J.T. Ellison here and here. Find more in Nicole Meier here.

  5. Jul 14

    111. Resistance, Creativity, and Returning to Yourself on Cracking Open

    I'm sharing an interview I originally recorded for the Cracking Open podcast because the conversation feels just as relevant for our Whole Writer community. We talk about something I believe deeply: creativity isn't reserved for people with endless time, perfect circumstances, or extraordinary talent. It's a practice of returning to yourself—again and again. In our conversation, we explore: • How I found my way back to writing after years of raising three children and caring for family. • Why resistance so often disguises itself as "not enough time," perfectionism, or fear of being judged. • The small, consistent habits that helped me build a sustainable writing life. • Why confidence doesn't come before we begin—it grows because we begin. • How creativity supports not only our writing, but our sense of wholeness. Whether you're drafting a novel, revising a memoir, or simply trying to reconnect with the creative part of yourself, I hope this conversation encourages you to keep showing up for your work—and for yourself. If this episode resonates, I'd love to hear from you. You can find more encouragement, craft essays, and thoughtful reflections for novelists and memoirists in my Dear Whole Writer newsletter. To find Molly Carroll's podcast, Cracking Open, visit here.

  6. Jun 30

    110. AI, Agency Decay, and the Messy Draft Worth Writing

    Is AI quietly eroding your creative confidence? I’m sharing what I’m seeing in manuscripts as an editor, discussing the concept of “agency decay,” and making a case for why the messy, uncertain work of drafting is exactly where your writer’s voice gets made. In this episode: Why AI-generated pages are recognizable to agents, editors, and book coachesWhat “agency decay” is and how it chips away at your creative confidence over timeThe difference between using AI as a tool vs. letting it replace your creative work3 practical strategies to reclaim your voice and trust yourself on the pageFor fiction writers, memoir writers, and anyone who’s been tempted to outsource the blank page, this one’s for you. To find more on Nicole, visit nicolemeier.com

  7. Jun 16

    109. Should You Self-Publish? One Novelist's Journey from Traditional to Indie with Annie Cathryn

    What happens when traditional publishing stalls your career — and you decide to take matters into your own hands? In this episode, Nicole sits down with award-winning novelist Annie Cathryn (The Friendship Breakup, Eat the Cake) to talk candidly about her journey from querying 125 literary agents, landing a traditional publishing deal, and ultimately making the leap to self-publishing her latest novel. Whether you're a fiction writer wondering how to self-publish your first novel, or a traditionally published author weighing a move to indie publishing, Annie's story is full of hard-won wisdom and practical insight. They cover: What it really takes to query literary agents — and why 125 rejections isn't failureWhy traditional publishing didn't work for Annie's sophomore novel (and why it had nothing to do with her writing)How she launched an indie publishing business in a single day — LLC, website, pub date and allThe honest learning curve of self-publishing: book formatting, cover design, IngramSpark vs. Amazon, and what she'd do differentlyThe real benefits of being an indie author: creative control, real-time sales data, and choosing your own pub dateHow to decide whether traditional or self-publishing is the right fit for your author careerAnnie's debut novel Eat the Cake — a story of grief, unexpected hope, and a scavenger hunt through Florence — releases July 21st. Find her on Instagram @msanniecathryn and pre-order at bookstoread.com/anniecatherine. For more on Nicole Meier, visit nicolemeier.com

  8. Jun 2

    108. How to Know When to Shift

    That quiet, nagging feeling about your manuscript? It might be trying to tell you something important. In this episode, novelist and writing mentor Nicole Meier gets honest about one of the hardest decisions a writer can face: knowing when it's time to set a manuscript aside, pivot your publishing path, or start something new — and how to make that call from a place of clarity rather than fear or desperation. Nicole shares the personal story of shelving her own early novel after receiving rare, detailed agent feedback — a decision she credits as one of the most aligned choices of her writing career. Four published books later, she's here to help you ask the same honest questions she asked herself. In this episode, you'll learn: How to tell the difference between normal creative resistance and a deeper signal that something isn't workingThe 5 questions to ask yourself when your manuscript feels misalignedWhat to do if you've been querying literary agents for months (or years) without successWhy "switching it up" is not the same as quitting — and when it's actually the wisest creative moveHow to define your authorial identity before starting your next projectWhat alignment really means for novel writers and memoirists — and why it changes everythingThis episode is for you if: You're a novelist or memoir writer sitting with a manuscript that feels "off"You're deep in the query trenches and wondering whether to keep goingYou're considering alternative publishing paths like small press, hybrid, or self-publishingYou want to write books that feel true to who you are as a storytellerWhether you're working on your debut novel, revising a memoir, or deciding whether to keep querying — this conversation will help you move forward with intention. For more on Nicole Meier, visit here.

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About

The Whole Writer podcast with Nicole Meier creates space for writers to nurture both their craft and themselves, exploring what it means to write from a place of wholeness rather than depletion.  If you’re an emerging author seeking guidance, this podcast is for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Nicole Meier
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Whole Writer
  • Show Website
    The Whole Writer

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