Creative Writing Wizard Podcast - Author Interviews

Glen Weatherhead
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Ever read a book and wish you could chat with the author about it? Me too! If you want to listen to authors and learn - About them as people - About their books - About their writing process This is the podcast for you! Find more resources for Authors: https://creativewritingwizard.com/ Looking for your next read? Check out the latest in Indie Books via the Indie Release Radar: https://creativewritingwizard.com/2024/11/18/indie-release-radar/

  1. Oct 13

    #17 - Writing Romance That Feels Believable

    Support Danika's Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/danikalynnbooks/sweet-temptationRead Danika’s books: https://danikalynnbooks.com/sweetbriar-romance-series/Monthly Writer Encouragement: https://creativewritingwizard.com/On this episode of the Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, I’m joined by romance author and artist Danika Rose Lynn, author of the Sweet Briar romance series, including her latest release, *Sweet Redemption*.We explore:* Her journey from artist and graphic designer to published romance author* Building an interconnected world where characters continue to live beyond their individual stories* Why she develops characters and their backstories before building the larger plot* Her chaotic “Franken drafting” approach to piecing a story together* Keeping characters distinct across an interconnected romance series* Writing flawed, believable characters instead of romantic stereotypes* Creating romance stories with deeper plots, conflict, humour, and character growth* Representing chronic illness and cultures outside your own with care and sensitivity readers* Writing convincing perspectives and experiences you haven’t personally lived* How *Sweet Redemption* challenged her with a longer timeline and slower relationship development* Why support systems are especially valuable for writers with ADHD* Balancing writing, publishing, marketing, artwork, and a full-time career* Her plans to expand the Sweet Briar world into fantasy and portal romanceDanika shares why believable characters are at the heart of her stories, how her characters often seem to develop lives of their own, and why romance can be about much more than two people falling in love.We also talk about the importance of writing what you genuinely care about, creating characters who make mistakes and grow, and building stories that can make readers feel seen.📚 Explore Danika’s books and *Sweet Redemption*https://danikalynnbooks.com/sweetbriar-romance-series/📸 Follow Danika on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/danikalynnbooks✨ Enjoy these conversations? Subscribe for more author interviews, writing craft deep dives, and indie publishing perspectives.💡 Join the Creative Writing Wizard community:https://creativewritingwizard.com/2026/01/13/dawn-of-the-creative-wizard-community/📖 Discover new indie book releases:https://creativewritingwizard.com/2024/11/18/indie-release-radarKeywordsDanika, Sweet Redemption, Sweet Briar Romance, Romance Author Interview, Writing Romance, Writing Realistic Characters, Character Driven Romance, Writing Flawed Characters, Romance Writing Tips, Indie Romance Author, Writing Diverse Characters, Sensitivity Readers, Chronic Illness Representation, ADHD Writers, ADHD Author, Character Development, Franken Drafting, Immersive Storytelling, Indie Publishing, Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, Glen WeatherheadRecorded March 2026

  2. Sep 15

    #16 - The Power of Authentic Storytelling

    Read Nathan’s book, The UpSideDown Life: https://www.amazon.com/UpSideDown-Life-Nathan-Weselake/dp/1039101879/ Monthly Writer Encouragement: https://creativewritingwizard.com/On this episode of the Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, I’m joined by Nathan Weselake, author of The UpSideDown Life, longtime pastor, speaker, and storyteller whose writing experience includes roughly 1,000 sermons over 25 years.We explore:* How years of sermon writing shaped his approach to storytelling* Why stories can connect with people in ways information alone often cannot* Using storytelling to make nonfiction more engaging and accessible* Finding the balance between story, information, and clarity* Writing for readers who may not normally pick up a book* Using humour without distracting from the message* Responding to conflicting feedback from readers* Why staying true to your own creative voice matters* What he has learned through relationships with Indigenous communities and elders* Storytelling, land-based learning, and finding common ground* Choosing self-publishing and the creative freedom that can come with it* Why indie publishing doesn’t have to mean compromising on the story you want to tell* Rethinking creative success beyond sales, followers, and numbersNathan shares why people naturally connect through stories, how humour helped shape the voice of The UpSideDown Life, and why writers sometimes need to trust their own creative instincts even when readers respond differently.We also explore the freedom writers now have to put their work into the world without traditional gatekeepers and how success can ultimately be less about numbers and more about creating something authentic that connects with another person.📚 Explore Nathan Weselake’s book, The UpSideDown Lifehttps://www.nathanweselake.ca/🤝 Learn more about the Mitakuye Oyasin reconciliation initiativehttps://www.nathanweselake.ca/mitakuye-oyasin✨ Enjoy these conversations? Subscribe for more author interviews, writing craft deep dives, and indie publishing perspectives.💡 Join the Creative Writing Wizard community:https://creativewritingwizard.com/2026/01/13/dawn-of-the-creative-wizard-community/📖 Discover new indie book releases:https://creativewritingwizard.com/2024/11/18/indie-release-radarKeywordsNathan Weselake, The UpSideDown Life, Nonfiction Author Interview, Writing Nonfiction, Storytelling in Nonfiction, Finding Your Writing Voice, Authentic Writing, Indie Publishing, Self Publishing, Writing With Humor, Writing Advice, Storytelling, Creative Success, Indigenous Storytelling, Author Interview, Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, Glen WeatherheadRecorded 2026

  3. Aug 11

    #15 - The Uphill Climb of the Author Journey

    Read Marc's latest book: https://iammarcavery.com/ Monthly Writer Encouragement: https://creativewritingwizard.com/ On this episode of the Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, I’m joined by Marc Avery, crime thriller author, indie-author advocate, and the author of Discipline, a gritty, action-packed thriller following two mismatched homicide detectives pursuing a serial killer across Philadelphia. We explore: * His journey from self-publishing to signing with an agent and publisher * Learning from failed launches, rejected queries, and missed publishing opportunities* How Discipline evolved as a story * Writing from the perspectives of both detectives and the killer they are pursuing * How he lets stories develop organically * The challenge of writing natural character dialogue * Bringing to life through an audiobook* What it's like to sell books at a conference * Why authentic connection has made Threads his most successful platform * Building discoverability without constantly telling people to “buy my book” Marc shares how failure pushed him to rethink his approach to publishing and social media, why authors need to get out from behind their computer screens, and how small moments of visibility can eventually lead to readers, bookstore orders, event attendance, and unexpected opportunities. 📚 Explore Marc Avery’s books and find Disciplinehttps://iammarcavery.com/ 🧵 Follow Marc Avery on Threadshttps://www.threads.com/@author_marc_avery 📸 Follow Marc Avery on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/author_marc_avery/ ✨ Enjoy these conversations? Subscribe for more author interviews, writing craft deep dives, and indie publishing perspectives. 💡 Join the Creative Writing Wizard community:https://creativewritingwizard.com/2026/01/13/dawn-of-the-creative-wizard-community/ 📖 Discover new indie book releases:https://creativewritingwizard.com/2024/11/18/indie-release-radar 📈 Tips and Tricks for Growing on Threads https://creativewritingwizard.com/2024/04/08/tips-and-tricks-for-writers-on-social-media/ K Keywords Marc Avery, Discipline, Crime Thriller Author Interview, Philadelphia Crime Thriller, Writing a Serial Killer, Writing Detective Fiction, Indie Author Marketing, Threads for Authors, BookCon Author, Selling Books at Events, Writing Natural Dialogue, Audiobook Publishing, Author Discoverability, Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, Glen Weatherhead Recorded April 2026

  4. 12/22/2025

    #14 - The Heart Behind Writing for Kids w/ Frances Wong

    Monthly Encouragement in your inbox:https://creativewritingwizard.com/2025/10/28/how-i-consistently-get-into-a-writing-flow/Join the Creative Wizard Community:https://www.patreon.com/c/CreativeWritingWizardOn this episode of the Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, I’m joined by Frances Wong, children’s and middle-grade author, teacher, and indie publisher behind the Lexi Walker sci-fi adventure series and the holiday adventure Tasha’s Christmas Wish.We explore:- Her long road from discouraged young writer to confident indie author- Querying, self-publishing, and choosing the right publishing path- Why she edits with printed pages, pens, and a lot of Post-it notes- Using Save the Cat beats and flexible plotting for kidlit- Writing emotionally safe but high-stakes stories for children- Building resilience, agency, and relatability into young protagonists- How teaching shapes her storytelling and editing processFrances shares how a single image sparked the Lexi Walker series, why resilience is at the heart of all her stories, and how intentional storytelling can challenge young readers while still making them feel safe and supported.📚 Explore Frances Wong’s bookshttps://authorfranceswong.my.canva.site/home📸 Follow Frances Wong on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/author_frances_wong/✨ Enjoy these conversations? Subscribe for more author interviews, writing craft deep dives, and indie publishing perspectives.💡 Join the Creative Writing Wizard community:https://www.patreon.com/c/CreativeWritingWizard📖 Discover new indie book releases:https://creativewritingwizard.com/2024/11/18/indie-release-radarKeywordsFrances Wong, Lexi Walker, Children’s Sci-Fi, Middle Grade Author Interview, Indie Publishing, Save the Cat Writing, Plotting with Post-its, Writing for Kids, Resilience in Fiction, Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, Glen Weatherhead

  5. 12/16/2025

    #13 - How to Write Epic Fantasy w/ J.M. Testa

    Monthly Encouragement in your inbox: https://creativewritingwizard.com/2025/10/28/how-i-consistently-get-into-a-writing-flow/ Join the Creative Wizard Community: https://www.patreon.com/c/CreativeWritingWizardOn this episode of the Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, I’m joined by J.M. Testa. indie fantasy author of The Destined Road, book one of her trilogy rooted in classic, Tolkien-inspired storytelling with a modern heart.We explore:- How she went from nonprofit & corporate work to publishing epic fantasy- Her visual-first approach to building worlds- Creating new fantasy races- Developing an original Elven language (and how she built it)- Writing female-led fantasy without stereotypes- The freedom, and challenges, of the indie publishing path- Writer’s block, subconscious drafting, and trusting your brain to problem-solveJess shares her journey crafting a trilogy that blends classic fantasy vibes with modern themes of compassion, identity, and community, plus what she’s learned about writing in visual layers, discovering story mid-draft, and building languages that deepen world immersion.📚 Read The Destined Roadhttps://jtesta.com📸 Follow J.M. Testa on Instagramhttps://instagram.com/jmtesta✨ Enjoy these conversations? Subscribe for more author interviews, writing process deep dives, and indie fantasy spotlights.💡 Join the Creative Writing Wizard community:https://www.patreon.com/c/CreativeWritingWizard📖 Explore new indie book releases:https://creativewritingwizard.com/2024/11/18/indie-release-radarReferences & MentionsVulgarLang – language creation tool used for Elven structuresHarness Magazine interview with J.M. Testa - https://harnessmagazine.com/jess-testa/  @writermakesvideos  - J.M. Testa on YouTubeKeywordsJ.M. Testa, The Destined Road, Indie Author Interview, Fantasy Trilogy, Worldbuilding, Elven Language, Map-Based Writing, Creative Writing, Indie Publishing, Classic Fantasy, Tolkien Inspired, Noblebright Fantasy, Women in Fantasy, Queer Fantasy, Writing Tips, Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, Glen Weatherhead, BODY Novella

  6. 11/12/2025

    #12 - Empowering Writers & The Founding of StoryForge

    Voices Like These, StoryForge's First Anthology: https://storyforge.com/anthology Encouragement for Your Writing Journey: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1wt_ImXMFeZCjaHfykdZYN0nEVDdzH8dIn this episode of the Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, I’m joined by Sabrina Rucker, CEO and founder of StoryForge, a new publishing platform built to empower writers through community, transparency, and modern publishing tools.We explore:- Sabrina’s early journey as a writer and her challenges in traditional publishing- How those experiences inspired the creation of StoryForge- What makes StoryForge different from other indie platforms- The upcoming StoryForge Anthology Project and its purpose- The platform’s stance on AI in publishing and ethical considerations- Why community feedback is vital to writer growth- Sabrina’s advice for aspiring authors t- Sabrina shares her insights on building a community-first model for publishing, what’s next for StoryForge, and how writers can take control of their creative futures.📚 Explore StoryForge & updates: https://storyforge.com🎥 Follow StoryForge on YouTube:  @_storyforge  ✨ Like this conversation? Subscribe for more!💡 Support the Creative Writing Wizard efforts & indie author community:https://www.patreon.com/c/CreativeWritingWizard📖 Discover more indie fantasy & creative writing content:https://creativewritingwizard.comChapters00:00 Introduction to StoryForgeand Sabrina Rucker01:29 Sabrina's Journey as a Writer04:58 The Birth of StoryForge06:54 How StoryForge Supports Writers09:37 The Anthology Project12:20 Future Publishing Paths with StoryForge15:15 Differentiating StoryForge from Traditional Publishing19:50 The Stance on AI in Publishing26:10 Advice for Aspiring Writers31:10:26 Future Developments and Closing Thoughts🎵 Intro & outro music written & recorded by Glen WeatherheadKeywordsStoryforge, Sabrina Rucker, Writing Community, Publishing, Indie Publishing, Writer Support, AI in Publishing, Anthology, Feedback, Creative Writing, Author Interview, Creative Writing Wizard Podcast

  7. 09/30/2025

    #11 - From Indie Author to NYT Bestseller - J.D. Barker

    On this episode of the Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, I’m joined by J.D. Barker - New York Times and internationally bestselling author, co-writer of Dracul with Dacre Stoker, and a former ghostwriter turned thriller master.We dive deep into:- Going from ghostwriter & “book doctor” to bestselling author- How writing with James Patterson changed his process- Pantsing vs. plotting (and how blurbs guide his novels)- Lessons from Dracul, The Noise, and Flatliners: Resurrection- The rise of rapid-release publishing and hybrid author models- Advice from Dean Koontz on blending genres with a common threadJ.D. shares his journey from finance and 60+ hour workweeks to taking an all-in gamble on writing, plus what he’s learned about sustaining a creative career, paying it forward, and finding co-authors with the “storyteller gene.”📚 Explore J.D. Barker’s books & updates: https://jdbarker.com🎥 Watch more from J.D. on YouTube: @jdbarker_author✨ Like this conversation? Subscribe for more interviews with authors and writers! 💡 Support the Creative Writing Wizard efforts & indie author community:https://www.patreon.com/c/CreativeWritingWizard📖 Discover more indie releases:https://creativewritingwizard.com/2024/11/18/indie-release-radarReferences & MentionsFlatliners: Resurrection – upcoming reboot & publishing buzz:https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/05/30/3091166/0/en/J-D-Barker-s-FLATLINERS-RESURRECTION-Complete-and-Expected-to-Generate-Major-Bidding-War.htmlDracul (with Dacre Stoker) – interview via LAPL:https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/blogs/lapl/interview-author-dacre-stoker-jd-barkerEarly career as a Ghostwriter/Book Doctor – Meet the Thriller Author:https://get.thrillingreads.com/jd-barker-interview/#:~:text=cover%20when%20I%20was%20working,a%20book%20on%20my%20ownWriting with Autism & blurb-first approach – The Art of Autism interview:https://the-art-of-autism.com/new-york-times-international-bestselling-author-j-d-barkers-insight-on-writing-autism/#:~:text=16,between%20thriller%2C%20suspense%2C%20and%20horrorRolling Stone article on Pantsers vs. Plotters:https://www.rollingstone.com/culture-council/articles/great-writing-divide-inside-creative-battle-between-plotters-pantsers-1235275412/@thecreativepenn Podcast – casting a wider net:https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2025/06/09/casting-a-wider-net-jd-barker/🎵 Intro & outro music written & recorded by Glen WeatherheadKeywordsJ.D. Barker, Creative Writing, Thriller, Suspense, Horror, Writing Process, Outlining vs. Pantsing, James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Ghostwriter, Book Doctor, Dracul, Flatliners, Publishing Industry, Hybrid Author, Indie Publishing, Writing Tips, Storytelling, Character Development, Creative Career, Creative Writing Wizard Podcast

  8. 06/09/2025

    #10 - Realizing the Author Dream w/ Shaye Wick

    In this episode of the Creative Writing Wizard Podcast, we chat with thriller author Shaye Wick, who at just 24 has already published multiple books with another on the way! Shaye shares her rapid writing process (40,000 words in just two days!), navigating dark themes, and her journey from hobby writer to published author.We cover:- Transitioning from casual reading to rapid-fire writing- Crafting psychological thrillers from a villain's perspective- Balancing intense themes with engaging storytelling- The challenges and triumphs of self-publishing- Leveraging social media to build an audience📚 Connect with Shaye Wick:TikTok & Instagram: Follow Shaye for thriller content and updates!📚 Connect with Shaye Wick:TikTok & Instagram: Follow Shaye for thriller content and updates! - https://www.tiktok.com/@shaye_wick - https://www.instagram.com/shaye_wick/ - Book 1: The Realtor: Demi’s Misfortune https://a.co/d/9bJXJth - Book 2: https://www.amazon.com/Realtor-Ellas-Execution-Book-ebook/dp/B0DZ3NNLQY?ref_=ast_author_dp 🔔 Enjoyed this episode? Like, comment your questions for Shaye, and subscribe for more author insights!✨ Support the podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/c/CreativeWritingWizard

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About

Ever read a book and wish you could chat with the author about it? Me too! If you want to listen to authors and learn - About them as people - About their books - About their writing process This is the podcast for you! Find more resources for Authors: https://creativewritingwizard.com/ Looking for your next read? Check out the latest in Indie Books via the Indie Release Radar: https://creativewritingwizard.com/2024/11/18/indie-release-radar/

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