No Mess, No Magic

Monica Hay

No Mess, No Magic is a podcast for writers who want to embrace the messy, imperfect process of writing. Hosted by writing coach Monica Hay, this show is for writers who want to stop waiting for perfect conditions and start building a writing practice in the middle of busy lives, rough drafts, and creative resistance. You won’t find rigid writing rules or productivity perfectionism here. Instead, we talk about the real work of being a writer: showing up when you feel uninspired, writing through doubt, and learning how to keep going when the process gets uncomfortable. Because books aren’t written by people who feel magically inspired every day. They’re written by people who keep showing up in the mess. If you’re a writer who wants to stop waiting for perfect conditions and start building a writing practice that works in real life… You’re in the right place. Messy drafts welcome.

  1. Oct 19

    How to Reclaim the Joy of Writing with Zanni Louise

    When was the last time you wrote something just for the hell of it? Not because you were working on your manuscript Just because it sounded FUN? I don't know about you, but I find it surprisingly difficult to turn off the part of my brain that wants everything I do to be productive. Even when I'm writing for fun, there's often a little voice asking, "Okay, but is this actually going anywhere?" And I know I'm not the only writer who struggles with this. 😂 So for this week's episode of No Mess, No Magic, I invited my dear friend Zanni Louise, an award-winning children's author with over 50 published books, to talk about writing like a kid again. Zanni has spent years teaching creative writing to both children and adults, and one of the biggest differences she's noticed is how much easier it is for kids to just... CREATE. They don't worry nearly as much about whether their ideas are good. They don't need every story to become something. They just play. And somewhere along the way, a lot of us adults lose that. In this episode, we get into: Why kids approach creativity so differently from adults (and what we can learn from them).How to stop overthinking and get back into the actual FUN of writing.Why experimenting with stories that go nowhere is NOT a waste of time.How Zanni sometimes writes fast enough to outrun her own self-doubt.Why you don't have to listen to every piece of feedback you receive.How to start trusting your own creative instincts again.We also talk about Zanni's approach to nurturing creativity, which involves a gardening metaphor that I absolutely love, and she shares a pretty wild story about what happened when she finally stopped worrying so much about getting published. Find Zanni: Website: https://www.zannilouise.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zannilouise/ Zanni also shares details about her upcoming creative retreat in a French castle (yes, an actual CASTLE), where writers and illustrators will spend a week exploring their creativity together. Check out Zanni's retreat here: https://tinyurl.com/mv9v98px

  2. Oct 12

    The 7 Unpublished Novels That Led to Her Debut

    What if the books you never publish are just as important as the one that finally gets you a book deal? Rebecca Taylor McKay spent ten years writing, experimenting with different genres, and honing her craft before landing a literary agent and a publishing deal for her debut psychological thriller, The Honeymoon Suite. The Honeymoon Suite was her eighth full-length novel. In this episode of No Mess, No Magic, Rebecca and I chat about what those ten years actually looked like—from writing books that never saw the light of day to questioning whether publication would ever happen. We also talk about how Rebecca navigated writing while raising two young children, managing a chronic illness, and juggling work, all without forcing herself into the idea that "real writers" have to write every single day. In this episode, we explore: Why writing seven books that never got published wasn't a waste of timeHow experimenting with different genres helped Rebecca find her voiceWhat kept her going when she started questioning whether she'd ever get publishedWhy you don't need to write every day to be a "real" writerHow to keep making progress on your writing when life gets in the wayWhy sometimes the best thing you can do for a manuscript is put it away (and maybe come back to it later!)About Rebecca: Rebecca Taylor McKay lives in West Yorkshire with her husband and two teenage children. Her debut novel, The Honeymoon Suite came out this year and was longlisted for the Women's Prize Discoveries Prize and shortlisted for the Northern Writers Sid Chaplin Award. Website: https://www.rebeccataylormckay.com/ And check out her debut novel, The Honeymoon Suite, a historical psychological thriller set on the Amalfi Coast in the 1960s! Find her book here: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/rebecca-taylor-mckay-2/the-honeymoon-suite/9781408750018/

  3. Oct 5

    The Truth About Querying in 2026 with Literary Agent Linda Camacho

    Querying has never exactly been fun… but in 2026, it can feel especially not fun. Response times are longer, agents are overwhelmed. Publishing is changing. And once you hit send on that query, it can feel like you’re left alone. So for this episode, I invited senior literary agent Linda Camacho onto the podcast to give us an honest look at what querying actually looks like from the other side of the inbox. We talk about: What actually happens when an agent opens your query (and how quickly they may make that first decision)Why your query needs to sell your book, not just summarize itWhat’s changed in publishing and querying over the last few yearsWhy things are moving more slowly—and why silence doesn’t necessarily tell you what you think it doesWhat writers can actually control during the querying processHow to stay grounded when so much of publishing is completely outside your controlWhy learning the business side of publishing matters if traditional publishing is your goalAnd then we talk about something Linda and I have been quietly creating behind the scenes: The Query Lab. The Query Lab is a three-month, application-only beta program for fiction writers who are ready (or very close to ready) to query and want expert support while they’re actually in the query trenches. Learn more here: https://querylab.monicahaycoaching.com/ Instead of getting your query critiqued once and then being sent off to figure everything else out yourself, you’ll have three months of support from both Linda and me—including feedback on your submission package, monthly strategy calls with Linda, coaching with me, weekly office hours, and help navigating the inevitable wait, what the hell do I do now? moments that come with querying. This isn’t a promise that you’ll get an agent. Linda won’t be introducing you to agents, and participants cannot query Linda. What we can offer is a place to bring your questions, get feedback from someone who actually works inside the publishing industry, adjust your strategy when needed, and have support through a process that can otherwise feel incredibly lonely. We’re keeping this beta intentionally tiny: just 5–7 writers. If your fiction manuscript is polished (or very close), you’re preparing to query the North American market, and you want support navigating the process instead of trying to decipher Reddit threads at 1 a.m., apply for The Query Lab. Applications are open now and close October 12. We start October 26. Learn more here: https://querylab.monicahaycoaching.com/ Go straight to the application here: https://forms.gle/SVnn2UD8kM46jjjW6

  4. Sep 28

    Mundane Magic for Writers: Ritual, Resistance, & the Nervous System

    Check out Molly's free meditation here: https://www.mollydonlan.com/magic-meditations Find Molly's book Mundane Magic here: https://www.mollydonlan.com/mundane-magic In this episode, I’m talking with Molly Donlan, bestselling author of Mundane Magic and co-host of the Demystify Magic podcast, about what happens when we stop fighting ourselves and start making our creative practices actually work with our brains. We talk about how writer’s block can be a nervous system response, why “eat the frog” is terrible advice for some of us (especially ADHD brains), and why doing the easiest thing first might actually help you build the momentum you need to write. We also get into how to tell the difference between “I’m resisting writing” and “I genuinely need to rest,” why tiny rituals can help your brain shift into creative mode, and how things like tarot, candles, movement, music, scent—or literally just turning on a lamp—can become part of your writing practice. And, naturally, we end up talking about why you should probably half-ass more things. If writing has been feeling really freaking hard lately, this episode is your permission slip to stop making it harder than it needs to be. About Molly: Molly Donlan is a Reiki Master Teacher, crystal healing expert, yoga teacher, co-host of the Demystify Magic podcast, host of the Science of Reiki podcast, and bestselling author of Mundane Magic who has dedicated her life to helping others unlock the transformative power of energy work and alternative healing modalities. With a background as an advocate for survivors of sexual violence and as a former skeptic of all things woo, Molly emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed care while teaching through a blend of science and spirituality. Her approach is lighthearted and grounded in practicality, because life is stressful enough and these practices are meant to reduce the stress of life, not add to it!

  5. Sep 18

    Why ADHD Writers Need Experimentation, Not More Rules

    Curious about the summit? It runs October 16-19th! Sign up for the Basecamp to Brilliance Summit for ADHD Writers here: https://tickets.basecamptobrilliance.com/?sc=FFEYKdN7&ac=ZXzzDaWN Note: this is an affiliate link & helps me keep doing this work ✨ Thank you for your support, it means the world to me! What if the problem isn’t that you haven’t found the perfect writing routine—but that you keep expecting yourself to stick to one forever? In this episode, I’m joined by ADHD writing coach Susanne Schotanus to talk about what happens when we stop trying to force our creative brains into systems that were never designed for us. We explore why we compare our messy drafts to everyone else’s polished “living rooms,” why ADHD writers may actually thrive by changing up their tools and routines, and how experimentation and play can help us build a writing process that works with our brains instead of against them. We also get into the difference between necessary creative discomfort and unnecessary suffering, why taking your writing seriously doesn’t mean sucking all the joy out of it, and the power of seeing your own struggles reflected in other writers. As Susanne puts it: recognition first, equipment second. Plus, Susanne gives us a peek inside Basecamp to Brilliance: The Summit for ADHDers Who Write, happening October 16–18, where I’ll be speaking about parts work and self-compassion for ADHD writers. Check out Susanne here: https://passionatewritercoaching.com/ About Susanne: Susanne Schotanus is the world's first ADHD writing coach for adults — a role her clients handed her rather than one she went looking for. Five years and hundreds of writers later, her line hasn't changed: ADHD writers aren't failing at writing, the standard advice is failing them.

  6. Sep 2

    She Built a Writing Career by Mailing Short Stories

    Curious about Ink and Mist Society?? Check it out here! https://inkandmistsociety.com/ Find them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/inkandmistsociety/ What if becoming a full-time writer didn’t mean waiting years for a book deal? Less than a year ago, Tahnee Walters had an idea: write original fantasy short stories, package them into beautiful physical letters, and send them directly to readers through the mail. Today, her Ink & Mist Society has grown to more than 900 subscribers, and Tahnee is figuring out what it means to build a writing career in a very unconventional (and very analog) way. In this episode of No Mess, No Magic, Tahnee and Monica talk about the behind-the-scenes reality of running a short story mail club: writing a new 4,000–5,000 word story every month, printing and packing hundreds of letters, navigating viral growth, learning marketing through trial and error, and occasionally discovering the hard way that your envelopes are too thick for the postal system. But they also dig into something even cooler: what happens to your writing when you actually let yourself write, finish, experiment, and move on. Tahnee shares why some of her favorite stories were the ones she struggled with most, what she’s learned from scrapping thousands of words, how deadlines have changed her creative process, and why short stories have given her permission to play with her writing instead of trying to make every word perfect. They also talk about the growing desire for analog experiences, creating genuine connection with readers, marketing creative work without overexplaining it, and the strange reality that your art may be affecting people who will never tell you. If you've ever wondered whether there are unconventional ways to build a life around your writing (or needed permission to make something before you completely know what you're doing!) this episode is for you.

  7. Aug 20

    Why Movement Matters for Writers with Doctor Chelsea

    Us writers are good as disconnecting from our bodies. We surface from a writing session in shrimp posture. This week, I'm joined by Chelsea of Chelsea Fit & Flex to all about movement. Chelsea breaks down exactly what happens in your body when you sit and type for hours (compression of the diaphragm, chest breathing, restricted blood flow) and what even small movements can do for your creativity. This is NOT a hustle culture, "body maxxing" conversation. F**k that. It's about how all movement is good movement. In this episode we go into: Why writers are so good at leaving their bodies behind The science of sitting: breathing, the vagus nerve, blood flow, and brain fogDopamine and BDNF (the "steroid for helping your brain write better")Why your best ideas come on walks, in the shower, and at the sink (boredom is a feature)The honest difference between avoiding your writing and fueling itChelsea's five-minute reset between writing sprints: calf raises, squats, push-ups, shoulder blade squeezes, chin tucks, and breath workThe most common writing-related injuries — carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, and what's happening to your spineDesk setup when you're very tall or very short, and the truth about standing desks and walking pads We also have a lil mid-episode squat, talk Enneagram types, and more. About Chelsea: Writer, audiobook narrator, and Doctor of Physical Therapy, Chelsea fuses adventurous storytelling and fitness expertise in Chelsea Fit & Flex, an online platform for writer wellness. After many conversations with fellow writers about their writing-related injuries, she founded a space for their physical and mental needs because she believes creativity thrives when we care for our ourselves intentionally. Find Chelsea: Website: chelseafitandflex.com StoryFit Studio: https://storyfitstudio.vhx.tv/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseafitandflex/

  8. Aug 12

    Everything Is Writing Time: How Creative Play Fuels Your Stories

    Your other hobbies aren't distracting you from writing! They might actually (almost certainly) help your writing. This is THE episode to listen to when you have guilt around PLAY. In this episode of No Mess, No Magic, I’m joined by author and story coach Megan Fuentes to talk about experimenting with other creative mediums, and why stepping away from your WIP might actually help you come back to it with more ideas, energy, and excitement. We talk about the discomfort of being a beginner (and being very, very bad at things), why creative hobbies aren't necessarily a distraction from your writing, and how everything from baking and Canva to crochet, drawing, short stories, and solo journaling RPGs can feed your storytelling. We also get into finishing projects, using your own hobbies to understand your characters, borrowing expertise from the people around you, and what to do when sitting at your desk and trying harder simply isn't working. Plus: chess-induced tears, pancake-mix banana bread, Dutch honesty, Dungeons & Dragons, hard-won dopamine, and the realization that sometimes the best way to get unstuck creatively is to go do something completely different. Because as Megan reminds us: your creativity doesn't only exist when you're sitting down to write. About Megan: Megan Fuentes is an author and story coach who teaches writers how to craft the kind of character arcs that make books compulsively readable. With over a decade of pulling stories apart and reworking them from the inside out, her one-on-one clients describe her as electric in a brainstorm, with a sixth sense for asking the question that cracks the whole book wide open. Learn more about Megan here: https://subscribepage.com/storycoachingbymeganfuentes

See All (24)

4.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

No Mess, No Magic is a podcast for writers who want to embrace the messy, imperfect process of writing. Hosted by writing coach Monica Hay, this show is for writers who want to stop waiting for perfect conditions and start building a writing practice in the middle of busy lives, rough drafts, and creative resistance. You won’t find rigid writing rules or productivity perfectionism here. Instead, we talk about the real work of being a writer: showing up when you feel uninspired, writing through doubt, and learning how to keep going when the process gets uncomfortable. Because books aren’t written by people who feel magically inspired every day. They’re written by people who keep showing up in the mess. If you’re a writer who wants to stop waiting for perfect conditions and start building a writing practice that works in real life… You’re in the right place. Messy drafts welcome.

Information

  • Creator
    Monica Hay
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Monica Hay

You Might Also Like