The Write Podcast with Sarah Williams

Sarah Williams
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The Write Podcast helps aspiring and published fiction authors master creative writing, novel planning, book marketing, and self-publishing. Hosted by multi-bestselling author and CEO of Serenade Publishing, it delivers expert writing tips, publishing advice, interviews with authors and industry pros, and a monthly book club with special guests. Build your author platform, grow your writing career, and write books readers love. Subscribe to The Write Podcast today.

  1. 20h ago

    One Series, Five Income Streams — The Brigadier Station Story

    How does one book series make money in more than a dozen ways? In this solo episode, I break down how I turned my four-book cowboy romance series, Brigadier Station, into five separate author income streams: Ebooks and paperbacks — all four books, available wide Audio — three audiobooks narrated by Myles Pollard, plus a set that sells for a single Audible credit The ebook boxset — turning existing work into a brand new product The premium direct edition — a foil, sprayed-edge special edition I sell only direct, and why that's the most profitable move most authors never make Self-published translations — German, Italian, Spanish, and French, all of which I translate and upload myself This is catalogue thinking in action. Stop counting books, start counting income streams. It's also the work I do with women authors inside the Author CEO Private Mentorship. Learn more at serenadepublishing.com/the-author-ceo (link in show notes).

    23 min

  2. Jun 8

    The Advice I Give My Students That Actually Changes Things

    In this episode, I'm sharing the four investments I come back to again and again in my work with authors. These aren't things I learned from a course. They're the things I see actually move the needle for the women who are serious about building real, sustainable author careers. We cover: The money mindset shift that changes how you invest in your career Why I recommend getting a coach sooner than feels comfortable, and what it actually gives you What retreats offer that no online experience can replicate, and the connections that change careers Why showing up at conferences and industry events is one of the most strategic things you can do The manifesting practice I recommend to students and what it actually does for clarity and confidence The identity principle that connects all of it If you're ready to stop waiting and start building with real strategy and support, I'd love for you to look into The Author CEO Private Mentorship. Applications are open at www.serenadepublishing.com/the-author-ceo.

    19 min

  3. Jun 1

    What It Actually Means to Think Like an Author CEO

    If you're serious about building an author career — not just finishing a book, but actually turning your writing into a sustainable business — this episode is going to change how you think about everything. I've written ten novels, built Serenade Publishing from the ground up, and spent years coaching women fiction authors through the publishing decisions that make or break a long-term career. And the single biggest difference I see between authors who build something lasting and authors who stay stuck? It's not talent. It's not even hard work. It's how they think about their books. In this episode, I'm sharing the Author CEO mindset — the framework I've used in my own career and that I now teach inside The Author CEO Private Mentorship — including three specific mental shifts that will change how you approach every publishing decision you make from here. In this episode we cover: Why your books are employees — and what it means to give each one a job descriptionThe self-publishing strategy question most authors never ask (and why it's costing them)How to make money as an author beyond royalties, and why your back catalogue is your most underused assetThe ideal reader clarity practice that changes your book marketing, your covers, your content, and your incomeWhy publishing rights are a wealth decision, not just a contract detailThe money mindset shift that women authors are rarely given permission to makeHow manifestation and business strategy work together — and why you actually need bothThis episode is for you if: You're a fiction author who wants to build a real, financially sustainable writing careerYou've been self-publishing or considering it, and you want a clear strategy — not just more informationYou feel like you're making publishing decisions in the dark and you're ready for that to changeYou want to understand how indie authors actually build passive income from their books over timeYou're done treating your writing like a hobby and ready to run it like a businessResources mentioned: The Author CEO Private Mentorship — 4 months, 1:1, for women authors who are ready to build strategically: serenadepublishing.com/the-author-ceo Connect with Sarah: Website: serenadepublishing.comInstagram: @serenadepublishingThe Write Podcast: serenadepublishing.com/thewritepodcast If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review — it helps other women fiction authors find this podcast and the support they've been looking for.

    20 min

  4. May 27

    Unlocking Your ADHD Superpowers with Strengths Coaching

    Are you a writer or creative entrepreneur with ADHD—or suspect you might be? In this powerful episode of The Write Podcast, host Sarah Williams chats with certified Gallup Strengths Coach and author Samara Thorn about how understanding your unique strengths can transform your writing process, boost your productivity, and help you thrive as a neurodivergent creator. You’ll learn: How ADHD affects writers and entrepreneurs Why traditional productivity hacks often don’t work for neurodivergent brains How Gallup Strengths can help you write and work in alignment with your personality Real-life strategies for harnessing focus, confidence, and creativity—even with a busy brain Whether you’re struggling with motivation, consistency, or the overwhelm of running a creative business, this episode offers hope, encouragement, and actionable insights to help you embrace your ADHD and succeed on your own terms.

    37 min

  5. May 18

    Why I Chose to Publish Independently — And Why I'd Do It Again

    In 2016, I was offered a traditional publishing contract. I said no — and that decision shaped everything that came after it. In this episode I share the real reasons why: the royalty maths that didn't add up, the value of freedom that I wasn't willing to compromise, my honest lack of patience for a four-year timeline, and the bigger picture of wanting to build a sustainable business for myself and my family. This isn't a case against traditional publishing. It's a case for knowing yourself well enough to make the right decision for you.

    11 min

  6. May 11

    How One TikTok Video Changed Everything with Romance Author Lauren Jackson

    She went viral overnight, landed a Penguin deal, and is somehow doing it all as a brand new mum. Lauren Jackson is a Gold Coast romance author and BookTok creator whose path to publishing is one of the most exciting stories in Australian romance right now. She started by self-publishing, built a devoted readership one book at a time, and when Tierney Page featured her work on TikTok — everything changed. In this episode, Lauren and I talk about her journey from self-published author to Penguin Books, what it was like to go viral and have the industry suddenly come knocking, how she's built such a genuine and loyal community online, and what life looks like now that she's navigating a creative career with a newborn in the mix. This is a conversation about persistence, timing, and what happens when the right person discovers your book at the right moment.

    24 min

  7. May 4

    Why I Wish I'd Joined TikTok Earlier

    If you're an author who watched the BookTok wave from the sidelines — this episode is for you. I'm talking about what I missed, why I missed it, and whether it's too late to build a readership on TikTok in 2026. Spoiler: it's not. But the strategy has changed. We cover: The real BookTok numbers — 59 million books sold in the U.S. in 2024 alone Why TikTok's fastest-growing demographic is women aged 25–50 (your readers are already there) An honest platform breakdown: TikTok vs Instagram vs Threads — where romance readers actually are right now Why your social following is borrowed land, and your email list is the only audience you truly own The mindset shift that changes how you think about every post you'll ever make Whether you're a debut author or have been publishing for years — this episode will help you figure out where to show up, why, and what you're actually building toward.

    15 min

  8. Apr 27

    Why Readers Do Judge a Book by Its Cover

    What if your book cover isn’t just a marketing tool—but one of the most powerful storytelling elements you have? In this episode of The Write Podcast, I’m joined by cover designer Holly Dunn for a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes into creating a cover that sells your story. And here’s what makes Holly different: she actually reads the entire manuscript before she designs. (Yes—really.) Which means her covers aren’t just beautiful… they’re deeply aligned with the tone, emotion, and promise of the book itself. We dive into her creative process, how she translates story into visual language, and what she’s looking for as she reads a manuscript. We also talk about the rise of AI in design—what it means for authors, where it can help, and where human creativity still matters most. And of course, we explore the truth behind the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover”… and why readers absolutely do. If you’re an author who wants your book to stand out, connect with the right audience, and truly reflect the story you’ve written, this episode is a must-listen. ✨ In this episode, we cover: Why reading the book changes everything in cover design How to visually communicate tone, genre, and emotional promise The role of AI in publishing and creative work What makes a cover actually sell a book How to think about your cover as part of your storytelling Find Holly online at: https://www.hollydunndesign.com/

    25 min
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About

The Write Podcast helps aspiring and published fiction authors master creative writing, novel planning, book marketing, and self-publishing. Hosted by multi-bestselling author and CEO of Serenade Publishing, it delivers expert writing tips, publishing advice, interviews with authors and industry pros, and a monthly book club with special guests. Build your author platform, grow your writing career, and write books readers love. Subscribe to The Write Podcast today.

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