The Self-Help Author's Playbook with Amy Hartsough

Amy Hartsough

Are you ready to turn your expertise into a self-help book that truly makes an impact? Welcome to The Self-Help Author’s Playbook. I’m Amy Hartsough — author, writing coach, and mindset mentor with over a decade of experience as a professional writer. Each week, you’ll hear practical writing strategies, honest conversations, and the mindset shifts that help women coaches stop circling their book and start writing it with clarity and confidence. Let’s get started. amyhartsough.substack.com

  1. Mar 18

    How Reading Self-Help Books Can Lead You to Writing One

    If you’ve ever read a self-help book and thought,“This is exactly what I needed…” …and then had the quiet thought:“I feel like I have something to say too…” This episode is for you.Self-help books don’t just change us.They shape how we see ourselves… our stories… and what’s possible for our lives. But at some point, for many of us, something shifts. We go from reading transformation…to wondering if we’re meant to create it. In this episode, I’m sharing my journey as a lifelong reader of self-help books—and how that path eventually led me to writing my own. We’ll talk about: • Why the people most impacted by self-help books are often the ones meant to write them• The moment I realized I had something meaningful to say• Why clarity—not talent—is what actually gets your book started• And how writing a self-help book transforms you before it ever impacts anyone else If you’ve been feeling the pull to write a book—but you’re not sure what it would be about or where to start—this will give you a new way to think about it.If you’re ready to go from “I think I want to write a book…”to “I know exactly what my book is about…” I’d love to help you get there. 👉 Book a discovery call We’ll talk through your idea, where you’re feeling stuck,and map out your next step with clarity.Not ready for a call yet? Start here: 👉 Get Clear on Your Self-Help Book in 60 MinutesFinally know what your book is about, who it’s for, and what it will transform.Your journey as a reader may be the beginning of your journey as an author. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amyhartsough.substack.com

    How Reading Self-Help Books Can Lead You to Writing One
  2. Mar 15

    The Moment I Realized I Was Meant to Write the Self-Help Book I Needed

    Welcome to The Self-Help Author's Playbook! In today's episode, I share the moment I realized that my passion for self-help books was also the call to write one myself. If you've been feeling called to write your own transformational self-help book, this episode is for you. We'll cover: - How to identify the call to write your own book - How to move forward when you're doing everything you know to do to get through your rock bottom experiences - The misconception about authors of self-help books that can hold you back and the truth that allows you to say "yes" to your dream of being an author Settle in for a conversation about callings, writing, and saying "yes" to your dream of writing a book. If you're feeling stuck, you'll feel moments of recognition and relief in today's episode. For more resources & to work with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyhartsoughink/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.k.hartsough  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyhartsough/  Free Gift: “Write Your Book’s Vision Statement in 1 Day” - PDF Guide https://amyhartsough.kit.com/free-start-your-book  1:1 Author Mentorship: https://amyhartsoughink.my.canva.site/the-1-1-author-mentorship  Work with Amy - book a discovery call: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3nc7xfHaAwlq1Aq67GIBBKiPm_AUaT36PTKcBV1bygIJc2w/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101917865298338181758  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amyhartsough.substack.com

    The Moment I Realized I Was Meant to Write the Self-Help Book I Needed
  3. Feb 27

    How to Live Your Purpose with Baiba Wisse

    In today's episode, I chat with Baiba Wisse, host of the Life in Technicolor podcast, about living your purpose and why expressing our Soul's essence, including through writing, is so essential to living our lives with integrity and authenticity.About Baibe: Baiba Wisse is the Live In Technicolor Podcast host and creator of The Era of You ™ method mentoring women to find & activate their unique purpose, life, and create their highest timeline. Baiba spent decades checking the external boxes while her essence, enthusiasm and energy were slowly dimming. She also felt drained, stressed, and feelings of  anxiety and overwhelm were constant companions not leaving her side despite the mindset, growth and self help work she was doing. All of this kept pushing her to seek for answers and solutions that would actually change her day to day experience. She became relentless about  reigniting the connection with her own essence and creating work and life that is energizing, nourishing, life giving and also fun.  Her mission is to inspire and guide others who feel the call on their heart that there must be something more to work and life than living only for weekends and vacations. You’re powerful, magnificent, and the magic is inside of you! IG www.instagram.com/liveintechnicolor_ Podcast on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-in-technicolor-activate-your-life/id1584835608  Podcast on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/034sss7E8ncD5RewpqkwZJ?si=dd58bd4a162c4e8a  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LiveInTechnicolorOfficial  __________________ Resources: Free Gift: “Write Your Book’s Vision Statement in 1 Day” - PDF Guide https://amyhartsough.kit.com/free-start-your-book Work with Amy - book a discovery call: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3nc7xfHaAwlq1Aq67GIBBKiPm_AUaT36PTKcBV1bygIJc2w/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101917865298338181758 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amyhartsough.substack.com

    How to Live Your Purpose with Baiba Wisse
  4. Feb 16

    Fall in Love With Marketing with Cytel Schults

    Welcome to the Self-Help Author's Playbook, with Amy Hartsough.In today's episode, I sat down with Cytel Shults, a marketing astrologer and the host of the Soul Sound Marketing podcast. She helps coaches and mentors fall in love with marketing by connecting them to their natural marketing design—so their message sounds like them and naturally attracts their ideal clients.When you listen to today's episode, you'll connect immediately with Cytel's warm, empathetic presence and I know you'll resonate with her view of marketing when she shares how marketing can be a source of joy, instead of stress, in our lives and businesses. To connect with Cytel, check out these resources:Freebie: Want vs Need vs the Medicine you bring. Soul Sound Marketing Podcast: Apple and SpotifyConnect with me and check out these resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyhartsoughink/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.k.hartsough  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyhartsough/ Free Gift: “Write Your Book’s Vision Statement in 1 Day” - PDF Guide https://amyhartsough.kit.com/free-start-your-book  Work with Amy - book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/amyhartsoughink/30min Book: Radical Self-Trust https://a.co/d/daUPf87  Book: Sacred Journaling https://a.co/d/flXMZD4 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amyhartsough.substack.com

    Fall in Love With Marketing with Cytel Schults
  5. Feb 11

    Returning to Writing as a Working Professional with Marta Grutka

    Welcome to the Self-Help Author's Playbook podcast, with Amy Hartsough. In today's episode, we talk with Marta Grutka about her extensive corporate communications background and how that led to her desire to write her own memoir.You'll hear Amy give spot coaching for Marta about her topic, ideal reader, writing process, and more. If you're curious how you can take steps this week toward writing your self-help book, listen now.About Marta:Trusted for her straight-talking advice, and her strategic brand and business expertise, Marta is a sought-after mentor to the C-suite and celebrity leaders of fast-growing start-ups, family-run businesses, and Fortune 500 companies—positioning them for their next level of success on a global stage. An active member of various organizations championing women (the Alliance for Women in Media, Dress for Success, and Inspiring Women in Travel Asia), her story was featured in Women Empowering Women, published in 2025 by Sentiente (Dubai).Connect with Marta:www.martagrutka.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martagrutkaAbout Amy:Amy is the author of two books, Sacred Journaling and Radical Self-Trust, host of the Self-Help Author's Playbook podcast, and writing coach for women who are ready to write their self-help books. Her mission is to help raise the consciousness of the planet by getting more transformational books written by women into the hands of readers all over the world. Connect with Amy:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyhartsoughink/  Free Gift: “Write Your Book’s Vision Statement in 1 Day” - PDF Guide https://amyhartsough.kit.com/free-start-your-book  Work with Amy - book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/amyhartsoughink/30min This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amyhartsough.substack.com

    Returning to Writing as a Working Professional with Marta Grutka
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About

Are you ready to turn your expertise into a self-help book that truly makes an impact? Welcome to The Self-Help Author’s Playbook. I’m Amy Hartsough — author, writing coach, and mindset mentor with over a decade of experience as a professional writer. Each week, you’ll hear practical writing strategies, honest conversations, and the mindset shifts that help women coaches stop circling their book and start writing it with clarity and confidence. Let’s get started. amyhartsough.substack.com