Read And Write With Natasha

Natasha Tynes
  • 5.0 (18)
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

This podcast discusses writing life, reviews books, and interviews authors and industry professionals.  It's run by author, journalist, and ghostwriter Natasha Tynes, a Jordanian-American.

  1. Why Learners Write Better Books

    1D AGO

    Why Learners Write Better Books

    In this episode I sit down with author and speaker Douglas Schmidt to discuss his upcoming book, The Power of Self-Leadership: The Path to Unleash Your Talents, Strengths, and Superpowers. We talk about the connection between learning and leadership, why habits matter more than motivation, and how small daily decisions can shape your future. Douglas shares insights from books like Atomic Habits and Learning How to Learn, explains the neuroscience behind procrastination, and reveals why he believes “learning is a superpower.” We also dive into his publishing journey, building writing habits, using tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly, and the importance of surrounding yourself with mentors and lifelong learners. If you’re a writer, reader, creator, or anyone trying to grow personally and professionally, this conversation is packed with practical insights and encouragement. Send us Fan Mail Support the show 🥒 NEW! The Lonely Cucumber — Natasha's latest children's book A multicultural illustrated story that teaches kids about healthy eating in a fun, heartwarming way. Perfect for elementary school children, gift-giving, and classroom read-alouds. 👉 Get your copy on Amazon ⭐ Loved it? Leave a review — it helps more kids discover the book. About Natasha Natasha Tynes is a Jordanian-American author, journalist, and book coach based in the DC area. Beyond children's books, she writes literary fiction (They Called Me Wyatt, Karma Unleashed) and helps aspiring authors pu...

    30 min
  2. How A Near Fatal Crash Sparked A Fiction Podcast

    MAY 19

    How A Near Fatal Crash Sparked A Fiction Podcast

    A head-on crash took author Laura Van Wormer out of the writing life she knew and forced her to rebuild from scratch, including her voice.  What she did, though, was that she didn’t just return to storytelling; she invented a new lane for herself through a serialized fiction podcast.  Laura, a best-selling novelist and former Doubleday editor, joined me to explain how The Class of 74 became a narrative “soap opera” told week by week, complete with cliffhangers, research, and a listening experience that feels intensely personal. Laura broke down how she grew her audience through word of mouth, why she created a Patreon community (the Detention Club), and what actually makes membership feel worth it: behind-the-scenes notes, period research, bonus media, ad-free listening, and live Q&A.  Laura went on to explain how consolidation changed traditional publishing, why backlist rights are so valuable, and what that means for authors weighing self-publishing vs getting an agent.  If you’re an author looking for book marketing ideas, audience growth strategies, or a clearer view of modern publishing, this conversation will give you both perspective and next steps. Subscribe, share this with a writer friend, and leave a review so more book lovers can find the show. Send us Fan Mail Support the show 🥒 NEW! The Lonely Cucumber — Natasha's latest children's book A multicultural illustrated story that teaches kids about healthy eating in a fun, heartwarming way. Perfect for elementary school children, gift-giving, and classroom read-alouds. 👉 Get your copy on Amazon ⭐ Loved it? Leave a review — it helps more kids discover the book. About Natasha Natasha Tynes is a Jordanian-American author, journalist, and book coach based in the DC area. Beyond children's books, she writes literary fiction (They Called Me Wyatt, Karma Unleashed) and helps aspiring authors pu...

    42 min
  3. Thirty-One Books In Six Months

    APR 27

    Thirty-One Books In Six Months

    Thirty-one children's books. Written in a creative sprint. Published within months. When Kelly Anne Manuel tells that story, the most surprising part isn't the speed; it's the clarity of purpose behind it.  Her mission is to give kids a steady stream of comfort, confidence, and language that feels fun to live in. In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Anne Manuel, a children's book author whose modern nursery rhymes often arrive uninvited.  She "hears" them while walking the dog, drifting off to sleep, or moving through a hard moment. We dig into how she flips familiar phrases to help children see the world differently, and how her stories stretch from playful early learning to bigger themes like endings, loss, and personal boundaries. If you care about early childhood development, literacy, or positive self-talk, you'll hear how entertainment and emotional support can share the same page. What we cover: The creative process behind writing 31 books in a single sprintWhy she chose hybrid publishing with Balboa Press over traditional or self-publishing routesHow to write synopses that actually land with parents, teachers, and librariansBuilding an author platform through audiobooks, digital libraries, video read-alouds, and focused PRQuieting the inner critic long enough to createWhy momentum often comes from saying yes to the next right opportunityKelly shares what's worked, what's still unfolding, and the mindset that keeps her writing. Who this episode is for: Children's book authors, writers weighing self-publishing vs. hybrid publishing, and anyone trying to silence their inner critic long enough to put words on the page. You'll walk away with practical ideas — and a mindset reset. Send us Fan Mail Support the show 🥒 NEW! The Lonely Cucumber — Natasha's latest children's book A multicultural illustrated story that teaches kids about healthy eating in a fun, heartwarming way. Perfect for elementary school children, gift-giving, and classroom read-alouds. 👉 Get your copy on Amazon ⭐ Loved it? Leave a review — it helps more kids discover the book. About Natasha Natasha Tynes is a Jordanian-American author, journalist, and book coach based in the DC area. Beyond children's books, she writes literary fiction (They Called Me Wyatt, Karma Unleashed) and helps aspiring authors pu...

    35 min
  4. Self-Publishing With Real Control

    APR 10

    Self-Publishing With Real Control

    He started writing at 16 during lockdown, finishing a massive first draft he’ll never publish, but instead of stopping there, he kept going. That persistence turned into real momentum for Harrison Stockland, a rising crime-thriller author known for his “twisted originality” and willingness to embrace the gritty choices that traditional gatekeepers often want softened.  His debut novel, Watch It Burn, sets the tone for the kind of dark, character-driven stories he’s building his career on. In this episode, we talk candidly about protecting your voice as you grow as a writer—and why “the deal has to be right” if you ever sign with a publishing house.  We also get practical about self-publishing and Amazon KDP: querying agents, turning down an offer, hiring an editor and cover designer, and even learning to format a book in Microsoft Word. Harrison shares how he approaches Amazon ads, explaining why his goal is often reach and breaking even rather than immediate profit, and how a short course plus consistent experimentation can outperform expensive monthly retainers with ad agencies. Marketing isn’t just a buzzword here. We dig into what actually moved the needle: building genuine relationships, hosting local bookstore events and signings, growing an email list, and using an author website with email automations to nudge readers toward preorders and reviews. We also talk craft and research, how nonfiction like Mindhunter and conversations with detectives and legal professionals can elevate crime fiction, making it feel authentic without copying real cases. If you care about writing discipline, creative control, and modern publishing strategy, this episode is packed with insights. Subscribe to Read and Write with Natasha, share this with a writer friend, and don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more book lovers discover the show. Send us Fan Mail Support the show 🥒 NEW! The Lonely Cucumber — Natasha's latest children's book A multicultural illustrated story that teaches kids about healthy eating in a fun, heartwarming way. Perfect for elementary school children, gift-giving, and classroom read-alouds. 👉 Get your copy on Amazon ⭐ Loved it? Leave a review — it helps more kids discover the book. About Natasha Natasha Tynes is a Jordanian-American author, journalist, and book coach based in the DC area. Beyond children's books, she writes literary fiction (They Called Me Wyatt, Karma Unleashed) and helps aspiring authors pu...

    43 min
  5. The Story You Keep Repeating, and How to Replace It with Dr. Angela Longo

    APR 3

    The Story You Keep Repeating, and How to Replace It with Dr. Angela Longo

    You've probably been told to "just let it go." Dr. Angela Longo says that's the wrong instruction and offers an alternative: replace it. I'm joined by Dr. Longo, a UC Berkeley–trained biochemist with decades of experience spanning stress biochemistry, acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and holistic healing — and the author of Relationshifting: Tools for Living Quantum Resplendence.  We dig into what she means by quantum waves and why she treats them as information you can update through what you believe, feel, say, and do. She shares the personal moment that changed her path, then explains how her tools aim to shift patterns behind stress, worry, pain, and the stories we repeat about ourselves. We also get practical. Dr. Longo walks us through how she helps someone uncover their life purpose using their own proud moments and language, then shows how "Bath Wave" works as an embodied practice that uses the five senses to face a pattern and install a replacement in the present tense. Along the way, we explore relationships as mirrors — a concept at the heart of Relationshifting — along with "entinglement" as her plain-language spin on entanglement, and why connection can matter more than chasing happiness. We even talk about manifestation and the law of attraction, and why she believes you manifest what you live, not what you want. If you're curious about quantum healing, mind-body wellness, purpose-driven living, and simple tools you can actually try, listen through to the guided exercise near the end.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show 🥒 NEW! The Lonely Cucumber — Natasha's latest children's book A multicultural illustrated story that teaches kids about healthy eating in a fun, heartwarming way. Perfect for elementary school children, gift-giving, and classroom read-alouds. 👉 Get your copy on Amazon ⭐ Loved it? Leave a review — it helps more kids discover the book. About Natasha Natasha Tynes is a Jordanian-American author, journalist, and book coach based in the DC area. Beyond children's books, she writes literary fiction (They Called Me Wyatt, Karma Unleashed) and helps aspiring authors pu...

    57 min
  6. A Working Poet Explains How He Writes, Performs, And Pays The Bills

    MAR 26

    A Working Poet Explains How He Writes, Performs, And Pays The Bills

    He calls himself Virus the Poet, and the name is the point: take something with a negative meaning and flip it into art that spreads in a better way.  I sat down with Viral Gore to talk about what it looks like to build a modern poetry career that lives both online and on real stages, with real people, and real stakes. We got into why poetry became his most natural channel for expression, how spoken word connects to music and rap lyrics, and why he keeps most poems short to match today’s attention span.  We also talked about the platforms shaping discovery right now, including TikTok poetry, Instagram poets, and BookTok, plus the quiet trend I keep hearing about: Gen Z feeling phone fatigue and drifting back to physical books and bookstores. Then we went behind the scenes on the business of being a working poet: pitching venues, booking speaking engagements, teaching workshops, applying for grants, negotiating performance fees, and expanding beyond book sales with merchandise.  Virus also shared his creative workflow for catching ideas fast using iPhone voice notes, the Notes app, and drafts on his computer, along with his belief that relatability is the thread that helps readers feel less alone.  We wrapped with what’s next for him, including Volume Two, more poetic visuals, and continued experimenting across audio platforms. Send us Fan Mail Support the show 🥒 NEW! The Lonely Cucumber — Natasha's latest children's book A multicultural illustrated story that teaches kids about healthy eating in a fun, heartwarming way. Perfect for elementary school children, gift-giving, and classroom read-alouds. 👉 Get your copy on Amazon ⭐ Loved it? Leave a review — it helps more kids discover the book. About Natasha Natasha Tynes is a Jordanian-American author, journalist, and book coach based in the DC area. Beyond children's books, she writes literary fiction (They Called Me Wyatt, Karma Unleashed) and helps aspiring authors pu...

    34 min
  7. How Crankiness Can Make You a Better Writer

    MAR 16

    How Crankiness Can Make You a Better Writer

    Crankiness might be the most honest creative fuel we all share, and Stephen Joseph has built an entire writing life around it. I sat down with Stephen, a first-generation American, practicing attorney, seasoned negotiator, and 53-time marathon finisher, to talk about how irritation can become humor, clarity, and surprisingly practical life lessons for writers and readers. We trace his “cranky” origin story from a travel mishap in Rome to a children’s book idea that snowballs into blogs and multiple titles, including his Cranky Superpowers approach to embracing life's cranky corners.  Then we zoomed out to the writing process itself: how he thinks about building “normals” that hold, why running helps him hear his characters, and what it looks like to keep creating even when time is tight. If you’re curious about self-publishing and the business side of children’s books, Stephen gets specific. We talked about hybrid publishing, distribution, ISBNs, warehousing, and why print-on-demand can make illustrated books nearly impossible to price.  He also shared how he found high-quality offset printing in China, what it changed financially, and how better unit economics can open real marketing options. You’ll leave with concrete book marketing ideas, a clearer view of author branding, and a reminder that writing is a long game you get better at by doing.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show 🥒 NEW! The Lonely Cucumber — Natasha's latest children's book A multicultural illustrated story that teaches kids about healthy eating in a fun, heartwarming way. Perfect for elementary school children, gift-giving, and classroom read-alouds. 👉 Get your copy on Amazon ⭐ Loved it? Leave a review — it helps more kids discover the book. About Natasha Natasha Tynes is a Jordanian-American author, journalist, and book coach based in the DC area. Beyond children's books, she writes literary fiction (They Called Me Wyatt, Karma Unleashed) and helps aspiring authors pu...

    30 min
  8. How A Ghostwriter Turns Lived Experience Into A Book People Want To Read

    MAR 9

    How A Ghostwriter Turns Lived Experience Into A Book People Want To Read

    What does it take to turn real life into a book readers can’t put down? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Amanda Edgar, award-winning author, ghostwriter, and founder of Page and Podium Press, about the craft and business of memoir and prescriptive nonfiction.  Amanda shares how she helped document firsthand stories from the summer of 2020 for a follow-up to her 2018 Black Lives Matter book, and why she measures success not just in sales, but in impact and ongoing conversations. We also get practical. Amanda explains what ghostwriting really involves—from interviews and research to collaborative outlining and preserving a client’s voice. She discusses timelines, her 3,000-words-per-week writing cadence, tools like Scrivener, and why her press avoids AI-generated prose to protect authenticity and trust. For aspiring ghostwriters, Amanda shares business advice: start with a few projects, set up your contracts and LLC, and choose a marketing channel you actually enjoy—her YouTube strategy brings in steady organic leads. Finally, we talk about the emotional side of memoir writing: interviewing people about painful experiences, honoring their stories, and knowing which projects align with your values. Amanda also previews two upcoming books, including a guide to her Memoir Method and her own deeply personal memoir about surviving a hidden abusive relationship. If you’re interested in memoir, ghostwriting, or writing books that make an impact, this episode is for you. Send us Fan Mail Support the show 🥒 NEW! The Lonely Cucumber — Natasha's latest children's book A multicultural illustrated story that teaches kids about healthy eating in a fun, heartwarming way. Perfect for elementary school children, gift-giving, and classroom read-alouds. 👉 Get your copy on Amazon ⭐ Loved it? Leave a review — it helps more kids discover the book. About Natasha Natasha Tynes is a Jordanian-American author, journalist, and book coach based in the DC area. Beyond children's books, she writes literary fiction (They Called Me Wyatt, Karma Unleashed) and helps aspiring authors pu...

    37 min
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

This podcast discusses writing life, reviews books, and interviews authors and industry professionals.  It's run by author, journalist, and ghostwriter Natasha Tynes, a Jordanian-American.

Information

  • Creator
    Natasha Tynes
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Read And Write With Natasha
  • Show Website
    Read And Write With Natasha