• What it means to be a soul-led writer — and why your book might be part of your transformation, not just your reader’s
  
  
• Why writing from a place of should can quietly crush your joy
  
  
• How to navigate vulnerability (and unmet expectations) when your book meets the real world
  
  
• The silent bias still holding back female non-fiction authors — and what to do about it
  
  
• How the Unbound Press is rewriting the publishing experience — for good
  
  

• The Abundant Author Playbook
• The Unbound Press Website
• Nicola’s website
• Instagram

• My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.
  
  

What if your next right step feels completely out of character, yet completely right at the same time?

In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a decision that’s surprised even me: exploring traditional publishing for my next book.

Yes, me — the die-hard self-publishing advocate. Yes, the same person who tells you not to wait for permission. Have I had a personality transplant? No. Although I have had a very long think.

• Why I’m querying agents for my next non-fiction book — and what I hope to learn from the process
• How I’m navigating the “this happens to other people, not me” narrative
• What it really means to listen to your gut, especially when it tells you something unexpected
• Why I’m choosing to document the entire process — warts, wins, rejections and all.
• How I’m creating space for curiosity, detachment and real talk around the traditional publishing journey

If you’ve ever wondered whether traditional publishing is your path, thought it was off-limits for “people like you”, or you’re just a bit nosy, this episode is for you.

I hope you enjoy listening!

• Sign up for the FREE Write Stuff newsletter here.
• Get Clear on Your Book Idea Session Info
• Happy Writers Hub - The Happy Writers Hub - all info and link to join are here
• My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon and on my website.

Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform!

Have you ever felt like your life is too cluttered to make space for your writing? Do you wonder if there's a simpler way to live that would free up your creative energy? Well, this month’s guest and I talk about all of this - and so much more!

Elisabeth McKetta is a storyteller and the author of thirteen books across genres, including "Edit Your Life" (2023). Her work includes numerous published poems, and she delivered the TEDx Boise talk, "Edit Your Life Like a Poem."

Elisabeth holds degrees in literature from Harvard (B.A.), Georgetown (M.A.) and the University of Texas at Austin (Ph.d.). Her doctoral dissertation explored the fascinating intersections between memoir and myth, a concept that continues to inform her teaching, writing, and her entire approach to viewing the world.

She currently teaches for the Harvard Extension School Writing Program and Oxford University's Diploma in Creative Writing, and mentors a select group of writers each year through the Book Year Writers' Circle.

During our brilliant conversation, Elisabeth and I explore the concept of editing not just our writing, but our lives to create space for creativity and purpose.

We discuss:

• The natural back-and-forth between creative seasons and the practical, business side of a writer's life
• How simplifying our lives—from our living spaces to our commitments—can free us to focus on what truly matters - including how she and her family made a radical decision to downsize from their large American house to a tiny 375-square-foot backyard structure that was originally built as her writing shed!
• Finding your personal creative rhythm and the courage to follow it, even when it goes against what everyone else is doing
• The power of small, consistent writing practices (even just 30 minutes a day) versus the myth of needing endless hours
• How dealing with other people's reactions when making big life changes can actually help us get clearer on what we really want

I genuinely cannot wait for you to listen to this honest and insightful conversation about creating a life that supports your writing and creativity - it is, quite honestly, remarkable. Enjoy!

• Edit Your Life book
• Website

• My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.

Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:

Apple Spotify Amazon