What if writing your story could help heal you?

In this inspiring conversation, romance author Lee Savino shares how creativity, courage, and community shape the writing journey. We talk about overcoming fear, claiming your identity as a writer, and why giving yourself permission to be wildly creative can change everything.

Lee also explores the powerful role romance plays in storytelling and emotional healing—for both writers and readers. As she says, “The romance is doing the work.” Through love, connection, and vulnerability, stories can become a space for transformation.

If you’ve ever struggled with doubt, creativity, or believing in your voice, this episode will remind you why your stories matter.

In this episode:

• Overcoming fear and embracing your creative voice

• The healing power of storytelling

• Claiming your identity as a writer

• Why community is essential for authors
  

“Choose love over fear every time.”

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✍️ Writers: Want help building a real writing career?Join my free weekly email for tips on writing, publishing, and growing your readership.→ https://www.serenadepublishing.com— — — — — — — — — —👋 About This ChannelHi, I’m Sarah Williams. I help writers turn their books into sustainable careers.Here we talk about:• writing and finishing books• publishing and the book industry• author marketing• building a long-term writing careerWhether you're writing your first book or already publishing, you're welcome here.— — — — — — — — — —🚀 Ready to go deeper?✦ The Author CEO – for writers ready to treat their books like a real business ✦ Author Retreats – immersive strategy and writing retreatsLearn more:https://www.serenadepublishing.com— — — — — — — — — —📌 Connect With MeInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/serenadepublishingTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@serenadepublishing

What happens when two bestselling fantasy authors get on stage together with a microphone and a room full of writers?

Chaos. Laughter. And some surprisingly brilliant writing advice.

In this special episode of The Write Podcast, I’m sharing a live conversation recorded at the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival between bestselling paranormal romance author Steffanie Holmes and bestselling fantasy and rom-com author A.K. Mulford.

Their conversation is funny, candid, and wonderfully unfiltered. Expect plenty of laughs, behind-the-scenes insights into the writing life, and the kind of honest author conversation you usually only hear after hours at a writing conference.

And if you find yourself wishing you were in the room with us…

The Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival is happening again this October, bringing together readers, writers, and bestselling authors for a weekend of inspiration, craft, and community.

🎟 Get tickets and learn more: www.sunshinecoastfictionfestival.com.au

— — — — — — — — — —✍️ Writers: Want help building a real writing career?Join my free weekly email for tips on writing, publishing, and growing your readership.→ www.serenadepublishing.com— — — — — — — — — —👋 About This ChannelHi, I’m Sarah Williams. I help writers turn their books into sustainable careers.Here we talk about:• writing and finishing books• publishing and the book industry• author marketing• building a long-term writing careerWhether you're writing your first book or already publishing, you're welcome here.— — — — — — — — — —🚀 Ready to go deeper?✦ The Author CEO – for writers ready to treat their books like a real business ✦ Author Retreats – immersive strategy and writing retreatsLearn more:www.serenadepublishing.com— — — — — — — — — —📌 Connect With MeInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/serenadepublishingTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@serenadepublishing

What does it really take to build a sustainable, future-proof writing career in today’s rapidly changing publishing world?

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Joanna Penn—bestselling author, creative entrepreneur, and host of The Creative Penn Podcast—to talk about longevity, courage, creative freedom, and building a writing business on your own terms.

Joanna has spent more than a decade at the forefront of indie publishing, and she brings incredible clarity to the big questions many writers are quietly asking:

• How do you transition from hobbyist to professional author?
  

• What does it mean to think long-term about your creative career?
  

• How can writers embrace new technology (including AI) without losing their voice?
  

• What does it look like to build multiple streams of income as an author?
  

• And how do you cultivate courage when confidence feels shaky?
  

This episode is both strategic and deeply encouraging. If you’ve been craving a bigger vision for your writing life—one rooted in sustainability, ownership, and creative independence—this conversation will spark something in you.

Make sure to check out Joanna’s books, podcast, and Patreon community (all linked in the show notes).

• • Joanna’s website: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/
  • The Creative Penn Podcast

And if you’re ready for your next step—whether that’s finding clarity, getting organized, or finally hitting publish—head over to serenadepublishing.com.

Share this episode with a writing friend and subscribe so you never miss a moment of encouragement and inspiration on The Write Podcast.

In this episode of The Write Podcast, Sarah interviews Chris from IngramSpark for an inside look at printing and distributing your books like a professional publisher.

✨ In this conversation, they cover:

• 📚 How to print professional paperbacks with IngramSpark (trim sizes, paper choices, pricing, and setup)

• 🎨 What you need to know about forced edge special editions and how to create stunning sprayed-edge books

• 🌍 How to set up your IngramSpark account for global distribution

• 🏪 Getting your books into libraries and bookshops around the world

• 💼 The key decisions (discounts, returns, metadata) that make your book bookstore-ready

This episode is packed with practical insight to help authors confidently step into the publishing side of their business and elevate their books to the next level.

If you’re an author wondering whether Shopify is the right platform for your website, this episode will give you clarity.

In this conversation, Sarah takes listeners behind the scenes of Serenade Publishing’s website redesign and shares why she chose to move to Shopify. She’s joined by Ash, the creative strategist who built the new store, and together they explore what authors truly need when it comes to website design, SEO, and selling books online.

They discuss:

• Why Shopify can be a powerful platform for authors

• The importance of having one streamlined website for stronger SEO

• How to simplify tech and maintain control over book sales

• What makes a website convert visitors into buyers

• The organized, efficient process behind a professional website build

• Why authors should feel empowered — not intimidated — by their online presence

Ash also shares her journey from retail and visual merchandising into web design, along with details about her signature packages, Empire Creator and Magic Makeover, and her course Booked and Banked, designed to help creatives confidently manage their own websites after launch.

If the business side of being an author has ever felt overwhelming, this episode offers practical insight and encouragement to move forward with confidence.

To explore writing resources, courses, and tools designed to help authors write better, publish smarter, and grow sustainable careers, visit serenadepublishing.com.

TikTok star turned debut author Tierney Page joins Sarah Williams live at the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival for a hilariously unfiltered conversation about writing, social media, and turning internet fame into a publishing deal.

In this outrageous and laugh-out-loud interview, Tierney shares how she built her platform on TikTok, found her unique voice, and navigated the jump from influencer to fiction writer. Expect bold advice, a few f-bombs, and plenty of inspiration for writers looking to grow their audience and own their story—no matter how wild.

⚠️ Mild language warning: this episode contains some crude and cheeky language. You’ve been warned!

🎧 Perfect for:

• Aspiring authors building a brand online

• Writers curious about BookTok and social media

• Fans of bold, funny, real-life publishing journeys

• Anyone needing a creative confidence boost
  

🌟 Want to boost your writing ideas? Grab Sarah’s free Brainstorming Funsheet at serenadepublishing.com

🔥 How do you build a full-time author career in today’s publishing world—without burning out? In this episode, bestselling indie author Craig Martelle joins Sarah for a no-fluff conversation about what it really takes to succeed as an independent writer.

From sharp strategy to grounded mindset advice, Craig breaks it all down with clarity, confidence, and a dose of tough love.

💥 You’ll learn:

• Why most indie authors stall out—and how to avoid it

• The habits that separate full-time writers from the rest

• How to make smart decisions about marketing, releases, and your writing time

• What Craig wishes he knew when he was starting out

• A grounded take on AI, burnout, and what’s coming next in publishing
  

If you’re serious about turning your writing into a career—or just want to cut through the noise—this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Hit play and get ready to take notes.

Thinking about creating an audiobook but not sure where to start? In this episode of The Write Podcast, host Sarah Williams chats with professional narrator Amy Soaks, who has voiced over 100 audiobooks across multiple accents and genres. Whether you’re curious about the process or ready to dive in, this episode will walk you through everything you need to know.

You’ll learn:

🔹 How to find and hire the right narrator for your book

🔹 What to expect in terms of cost, timeline, and production

🔹 The pros and cons of royalty share vs. paying per finished hour

🔹 What narrators look for in an author project

🔹 How to know if audiobooks are financially viable for your genre

🔹 The business and marketing side of audiobooks for indie authors

Plus, Sarah shares her own experience auditioning narrators and offers a peek into her upcoming audiobook projects.

🎁 Resources mentioned:

👉 narratorlist.com – Find professional audiobook narrators

👉 Free Brainstorming Funsheet – Available at serenadepublishing.com

👉 Fiction Writing Academy – Learn to write page-turning fiction at serenadepublishing.com/academy