Path to Published

Ashley Fenker
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

Author Ashley Fenker shares her insights into the publishing journey for writers of creative nonfiction. Listen in for a deep dive into the intersection between creativity and business. Every week, the #1 Top New Release on Amazon of "Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays" host Ashley Fenker brings you behind-the-scenes on her own path to publication, offering lessons learned, wisdom, and actionable advice on writing and publishing. If you're a writer ready to write, publish, and launch your book, you've come to the right place.

Episodes

  1. 08/04/2025

    Why You Can't Skip Hiring a Graphic Designer

    Is it really worth it to invest in hiring a professional graphic designer for your book cover design? Spoiler alert: YES! In this episode, I'm sharing behind-the-scenes details on the design process for the cover of my new book. Listen in for the meaning of my cover design and why we really do judge a book by its cover. I'm your host, Ashley Fenker, bringing you the Path to Published podcast with a solo episode about the importance of investing in a graphic designer. My new book, Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays, is available today wherever books are sold. Visit goodenoughmotherbook.com to order your copy. All the links mentioned in this episode are available in the FREE companion PDF for your own Path to Published: https://www.ashleyfenker.com/freebies. Think of this as your own personal workbook to follow along with each episode and start taking action on your writing and publishing journey. Subscribe to my Substack, Write My Story, as a free or paid subscriber: https://ashleyfenker.substack.com.  Grab my book, Good (Enough) Mother, wherever books are sold: https://goodenoughmotherbook.com.  Dive into my course, Journaling 101, for just $49: https://ashleyfenker.com/journaling101.  Let's connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleyfenkercreative.

    17 min

  2. 07/28/2025

    How to Effectively Switch Modes Between Online and Offline Creativity

    How can we stay focused and energized in loud spaces? How can we carve out space and time for quiet creativity? In this episode, I'm sharing how I've switched modes between engaging my creativity for online and digital creations, and retreating for offline creativity. Both modes—quiet and loud—are essential for business success as a working artist. Together, let's find ways to switch gears from public to private spaces that require different energy. I'm your host, Ashley Fenker, bringing you the Path to Published podcast with a solo episode about switching modes between online and offline creativity. My new book, Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays, is available today wherever books are sold. Visit goodenoughmotherbook.com to order your copy. All the links mentioned in this episode are available in the FREE companion PDF for your own Path to Published: https://www.ashleyfenker.com/freebies. Think of this as your own personal workbook to follow along with each episode and start taking action on your writing and publishing journey. Subscribe to my Substack, Write My Story, as a free or paid subscriber: https://ashleyfenker.substack.com.  Grab my book, Good (Enough) Mother, wherever books are sold: https://goodenoughmotherbook.com.  Dive into my course, Journaling 101, for just $49: https://ashleyfenker.com/journaling101.  Let's connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleyfenkercreative.

    22 min

  3. 07/21/2025

    5 Steps to Follow to Land Your Dream Endorsements

    What if I told you that there's one simple way to land your next big "YES"? I'm dramatically oversimplifying this, but seriously, there's one small thing you can do today that you don't want to skip. In this episode, I'm sharing 5 steps to follow when asking for endorsements or testimonials (also known as "blurbs") from authors and editors who agree to read your book before it's published. Listen in for a discussion about what endorsements can do for your confidence and authority. This episode is perfect for anyone who is ready to believe in their work and take the next step in building credibility. Plus, spoiler alert (!!), I'm announcing one endorsement for my book from an author who I truly admire. I'm your host, Ashley Fenker, bringing you the Path to Published podcast with a solo episode about how to land your dream endorsements for your book. My new book, Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays, is available today wherever books are sold. Visit goodenoughmotherbook.com to order your copy. All the links mentioned in this episode are available in the FREE companion PDF for your own Path to Published: https://www.ashleyfenker.com/freebies. Think of this as your own personal workbook to follow along with each episode and start taking action on your writing and publishing journey. Subscribe to my Substack, Write My Story, as a free or paid subscriber: https://ashleyfenker.substack.com.  Grab my book, Good (Enough) Mother, wherever books are sold: https://goodenoughmotherbook.com.  Dive into my course, Journaling 101, for just $49: https://ashleyfenker.com/journaling101.  Let's connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleyfenkercreative.

    22 min

  4. 07/14/2025

    Ready to Make a Plan and Hold Yourself to It? Here's How I Did It

    Ready to make a plan and hold yourself to it? In this episode, I'm sharing 4 steps to making your plan for your next creative project. Listen in for a discussion about understanding your "why," sketching out a plan, and tips for holding yourself accountable when no one is there to ensure you get it done. This episode is perfect for anyone on the path to publication, or looking to tackle any creative or business project with a fresh start mindset. I'm your host, Ashley Fenker, bringing you the Path to Published podcast with a solo episode about how to sketch out the plan for your new project. My new book, Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays, is available today wherever books are sold. Visit goodenoughmotherbook.com to order your copy. All the links mentioned in this episode are available in the FREE companion PDF for your own Path to Published: https://www.ashleyfenker.com/freebies. Think of this as your own personal workbook to follow along with each episode and start taking action on your writing and publishing journey. Subscribe to my Substack, Write My Story, as a free or paid subscriber: https://ashleyfenker.substack.com.  Grab my book, Good (Enough) Mother, wherever books are sold: https://goodenoughmotherbook.com.  Dive into my course, Journaling 101, for just $49: https://ashleyfenker.com/journaling101.  Let's connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleyfenkercreative.

    17 min

  5. 07/07/2025

    How to Build a Platform and Connection with Readers

    Have you ever felt like building a platform as a writer is a numbers game? Or, as a reader, have you been quick to unsubscribe to an email list because it simply clutters your inbox? In this episode, I'm diving deep into how we can reframe platform building as a connection with readers—and real humans on the other side of the screen. Listen in for 3 ways to think about connection with readers on your path to finding your people. Plus, I'll share the current tools that I'm using in my business to engage and stay in touch with people who are eager to follow my work as an artist. I'm your host, Ashley Fenker, bringing you the Path to Published podcast with a solo episode about forming lasting connections with readers. My new book, Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays, is available today wherever books are sold. Visit goodenoughmotherbook.com to order your copy. All of the links mentioned in this episode are available in the FREE companion PDF for your own Path to Published: https://www.ashleyfenker.com/freebies. Think of this as your own personal workbook to follow along with each episode and start taking action on your writing and publishing journey. Subscribe to my Substack, Write My Story, as a free or paid subscriber: https://ashleyfenker.substack.com.  Grab my book, Good (Enough) Mother, wherever books are sold: https://goodenoughmotherbook.com.  Dive into my course, Journaling 101, for just $49: https://ashleyfenker.com/journaling101.  Let's connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleyfenkercreative.

    22 min

  6. 06/30/2025

    Here's Your Permission Slip to Evolve as an Artist

    In this episode, I'm sharing a recent lightbulb moment that led me to walk away from a successful project. Listen in for your own permission slip to evolve and follow your creative energy. Why do we keep moving certain tasks further down on our to-do list? When is it time to walk away and admit that we've outgrown a project? I'm your host, Ashley Fenker, bringing you the Path to Published podcast with a solo episode about discerning when it's time to move on to a new creative project. My new book, Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays, is available today wherever books are sold. Visit goodenoughmotherbook.com to order your copy. You can learn more about Jenni Gritters and her work as a business coach at jennigritters.com. Grab your FREE companion PDF with tons of resources for your own Path to Published: https://www.ashleyfenker.com/freebies. Think of this as your own personal workbook to follow along with each episode and start taking action on your writing and publishing journey. Subscribe to my Substack, Write My Story, as a free or paid subscriber: https://ashleyfenker.substack.com.  Grab my book, Good (Enough) Mother, wherever books are sold: https://goodenoughmotherbook.com.  Dive into my course, Journaling 101, for just $49: https://ashleyfenker.com/journaling101.  Let's connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleyfenkercreative.

    15 min

  7. 06/23/2025

    Stop Sharing Your Work Immediately: How to Avoid Instant Gratification

    In this episode, I'm sharing the discipline that I've learned in following a slow publishing journey and 5 reasons why I've chosen to avoid the instant gratification that's available to us today with the help of technology. Many will teach that self-publishing is a quick way to share your work with the world instantly, but I'm arguing that we can slow down the process to invest in learning skills needed to learn all the ins and outs of publishing. I'm your host, Ashley Fenker, bringing you the Path to Published podcast with a solo episode about the importance of slowing down your publishing journey. My new book, Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays, is available today wherever books are sold. Visit goodenoughmotherbook.com to order your copy. Grab your FREE companion PDF with tons of resources for your own Path to Published: https://www.ashleyfenker.com/freebies. Think of this as your own personal workbook to follow along with each episode and start taking action on your writing and publishing journey. Subscribe to my Substack, Write My Story, as a free or paid subscriber: https://ashleyfenker.substack.com.  Grab my book, Good (Enough) Mother, wherever books are sold: https://goodenoughmotherbook.com.  Dive into my course, Journaling 101, for just $49: https://ashleyfenker.com/journaling101.  Let's connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleyfenkercreative.

    16 min

  8. 06/16/2025

    7 Ways a Good Editor Will Improve the Quality of Your Writing

    In this episode, we're discussing what happens once you've written your essay or piece of creative nonfiction. I'm sharing 7 things that a good editor will do for the quality of your work. Opening up and inviting feedback can feel incredibly scary, but it's a sign of maturity and growth in all areas of your life. I'm your host, Ashley Fenker, bringing you the Path to Published podcast with a solo episode about what to look for in a quality editor who will take your work to the next level. My new book, Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays, is available today wherever books are sold. Visit goodenoughmotherbook.com to order your copy. Grab your FREE companion PDF with tons of resources for your own Path to Published: https://www.ashleyfenker.com/freebies. Think of this as your own personal workbook to follow along with each episode and start taking action on your writing and publishing journey. Subscribe to my Substack, Write My Story, as a free or paid subscriber: https://ashleyfenker.substack.com.  Grab my book, Good (Enough) Mother, wherever books are sold: https://goodenoughmotherbook.com.  Dive into my course, Journaling 101, for just $49: https://ashleyfenker.com/journaling101.  Let's connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleyfenkercreative.

    12 min

  9. 06/09/2025

    How to Move from Journal Processing to Structured Essays

    In this episode, I'm sharing a few signs for you to look for to know if you're ready to move beyond writing in your private journal into a space of crafting a piece of work that you intend to publish. I'm also walking through the different approaches that I use to move from brainstorming to writing a first draft. I reveal some of the hard decisions that I've had to make on my own path to published. I'm your host, Ashley Fenker, bringing you the Path to Published podcast with a solo episode about when you know it's time to move from your journal to a more structured and polished piece of writing. My new book, Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays, is available today wherever books are sold. Visit goodenoughmotherbook.com to order your copy. Grab your FREE companion PDF with tons of resources for your own Path to Published: https://www.ashleyfenker.com/freebies. Think of this as your own personal workbook to follow along with each episode and start taking action on your writing and publishing journey. Subscribe to my Substack, Write My Story, as a free or paid subscriber: https://ashleyfenker.substack.com.  Grab my book, Good (Enough) Mother, wherever books are sold: https://goodenoughmotherbook.com.  Dive into my course, Journaling 101, for just $49: https://ashleyfenker.com/journaling101.  Let's connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleyfenkercreative.

    18 min

  10. 06/02/2025

    A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Start of My Journey to Publishing My Book

    In this episode, I'm imagining we're meeting at a party for the first time and you ask me, "What do you do for a living?" I'm revealing why I dread this question, how I wish I would answer it, how many years I've been working on my essay collection, and why this feels like the perfect time to publish and share this body of work with the world. I'm your host, Ashley Fenker, kicking off the Path to Published podcast with a solo episode about the start of my journey to publish my essay collection, Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays, available today wherever books are sold. Visit goodenoughmotherbook.com to order your copy. Grab your FREE companion PDF with tons of resources for your own Path to Published: https://www.ashleyfenker.com/freebies. Think of this as your own personal workbook to follow along with each episode and start taking action on your writing and publishing journey. Subscribe to my Substack, Write My Story, as a free or paid subscriber: https://ashleyfenker.substack.com.  Grab my book, Good (Enough) Mother, wherever books are sold: https://goodenoughmotherbook.com.  Dive into my course, Journaling 101, for just $49: https://ashleyfenker.com/journaling101.  Let's connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleyfenkercreative.

    11 min

  11. Trailer

    TRAILER

    Hi! I'm author Ashley Fenker. The Path to Published podcast is where I'm sharing my insights into the self-publishing journey for writers of creative nonfiction. Listen in for a deep dive into the intersection between creativity and business. My book, Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays, released on March 11, 2025 as a #1 Top New Release on Amazon. Kirkus Reviews Magazine distinguished it as a recipient of Awards & Accolades and featured it in the May 1st issue. Several bestselling authors endorsed the book calling it their "must-read of the year" and saying they "inhaled it in one sitting" and "couldn't stop thinking about it." My work has been previously published in O, The Oprah Magazine, Upworthy, Fathom Magazine, Scary Mommy, Coffee + Crumbs, and more. Over the next few months, I'll be taking some time offline to welcome our new baby girl—but I didn't want the book launch excitement to end. So I've repackaged some of my favorite episodes from the Path to Published series, featuring real talk on writing, creativity, and publishing. Every week, I'm bringing you behind-the-scenes on my own path to publication, offering lessons learned, wisdom, and actionable advice on writing and publishing. We're diving deep into topics like journaling, structuring essays, inviting feedback from editors, building a platform, connecting with readers, securing endorsements, hiring graphic designers, preorders, launch teams, reviews, selling your book in local bookstores, and planning a book tour. I learned so much on my publishing journey that I want to pass to you as your own permission slip to start on your own path to published. If you're a writer ready to write, publish, and launch your book, you've come to the right place. Grab your FREE companion PDF with tons of resources for your own Path to Published: https://www.ashleyfenker.com/freebies. Think of this as your own personal workbook to follow along with each episode and start taking action on your writing and publishing journey. Subscribe to my Substack, Write My Story, as a free or paid subscriber: https://ashleyfenker.substack.com.  Grab my book, Good (Enough) Mother, wherever books are sold: https://goodenoughmotherbook.com.  Dive into my course, Journaling 101, for just $49: https://ashleyfenker.com/journaling101.

    2 min

Trailer

About

Author Ashley Fenker shares her insights into the publishing journey for writers of creative nonfiction. Listen in for a deep dive into the intersection between creativity and business. Every week, the #1 Top New Release on Amazon of "Good (Enough) Mother: Stories and Essays" host Ashley Fenker brings you behind-the-scenes on her own path to publication, offering lessons learned, wisdom, and actionable advice on writing and publishing. If you're a writer ready to write, publish, and launch your book, you've come to the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Fenker
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Path to Published