If you’ve ever felt like your book has to be perfect before you can finish it…
this episode is for you.

In this conversation, Susie Schaefer sits down with author Janelle Strube to unpack the anxiety, pressure, and perfectionism that keep so many writers stuck.

Janelle shares what it really felt like to write her novel Adelaide, Painter of the Revolution, from battling the fear of rejection to navigating the emotional weight of her personal story.

And one of the biggest takeaways?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why anxiety and perfectionism can quietly stall your writing
• How to stop rewriting and actually finish your book
• The difference between “good enough” and “never done”
• What it’s like to work with a hybrid publisher
• Why writing your book is only the beginning of the journey
• How to trust your voice (even when you doubt it)
• The surprising role intuition can play in storytelling

📚 Check out Janelle’s book:

👉 https://a.co/d/0bT737Ko

🔗 Connect with Janelle:

🌐 https://janellstrube.com/

📘 https://www.facebook.com/janell.strube

📸 https://www.instagram.com/janellstrube/

Ready to finish your book?

👉 https://finishthebookpublishing.com

Finish the Damn Book Podcast is for writers who know they have a book in them — and are ready to finally get it done.

Hosted by Susie Schaefer, this show cuts through perfectionism, overwhelm, and publishing myths to focus on what actually moves a book forward. Through honest conversations with authors, editors, ghostwriters, and industry insiders, Susie explores the craft, mindset, and real-world mechanics of writing books readers finish and share.

Each episode offers a blend of:

• Practical writing and revision strategies
• Clear-eyed insight into publishing, platform-building, and promotion
• Encouragement for writers stuck in the middle (or avoiding the hardest chapter)
• Permission to write imperfectly — and keep going

Whether you’re working on memoir, nonfiction, or a book that defies categories, Finish the Damn Book is here to help you stop circling the idea and start delivering the work.

Because the world doesn’t need another unfinished manuscript, it needs your finished book.

If you’ve been thinking about writing a book, but keep feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start…

This episode is different.

In this special behind-the-scenes conversation, Susie Schaefer joins International Award-Winning Author Coach Susan Crossman inside a live Build-a-Book Community Clinic, where aspiring authors open up about what’s really holding them back.

And what unfolds is something every writer needs to hear.

You’ll hear real questions, real struggles, and real breakthroughs around:

• The fear that keeps people from publishing
• How to stop rewriting and finally finish your book
• Why structure actually creates more creativity
• What authors get wrong about ISBNs, copyright, and ownership
• How to know when your book is “done enough”
• When to start marketing your book (hint: earlier than you think)

One of the most powerful moments?
When a writer admits they’ve rewritten their work over and over, and Susie responds:

This episode isn’t about perfection.
It’s about momentum.

If you’ve been circling your book… this might be the moment you finally move forward.

Finish the Damn Book Podcast is for writers who know they have a book in them — and are ready to finally get it done.

Hosted by Susie Schaefer, this show cuts through perfectionism, overwhelm, and publishing myths to focus on what actually moves a book forward. Through honest conversations with authors, editors, ghostwriters, and industry insiders, Susie explores the craft, mindset, and real-world mechanics of writing books readers finish and share.

Each episode offers a blend of:

• Practical writing and revision strategies
• Clear-eyed insight into publishing, platform-building, and promotion
• Encouragement for writers stuck in the middle (or avoiding the hardest chapter)
• Permission to write imperfectly — and keep going

Whether you’re working on memoir, nonfiction, or a book that defies categories, Finish the Damn Book is here to help you stop circling the idea and start delivering the work.

Because the world doesn’t need another unfinished manuscript, it needs your finished book.

What if your book didn’t just launch a message, but fueled an entire movement?

In this episode, Kimberly Spencer shares the behind-the-scenes strategy that turned her book into the foundation for two thriving companies. From sprint writing in an Airbnb to securing dozens of legal case-study permissions in just days, Kimberly reveals what it really takes to move from idea to impact.

We talk about the balance between intuition and structure, the importance of community when launching a book, and why podcast guesting can become one of the most powerful marketing engines for authors.

Kimberly also opens up about navigating criticism, letting go of perfectionism, and building a long-term roadmap for authors who want their work to create lasting change.

If you’re writing a book, or thinking about launching one, this conversation offers practical insights on how to align your message, business, and platform for real momentum.

In this episode we discuss:

• Aligning your book with clear business and impact goals
• Breaking a writing deadline with a focused sprint retreat
• Securing 32 case study releases in just five days
• Shifting perfectionism toward clarity and consent
• Turning a book launch from a “me goal” into a “we goal”
• Using podcast guest appearances to drive demand for your book
• Handling criticism while maintaining standards and boundaries
• Balancing faith, intuition, and due diligence in business decisions
• Planning writing and launches seasonally for sustainability
• Building a long-term roadmap of books and ideas
• The concept behind Kimberly’s upcoming book Money Bulimia
• How family, faith, and community can fuel creative work

Continue the conversation with Kimberly at CrownYourself.com and explore more episodes of her podcast.

Interested in learning how guest podcasting can generate serious revenue?
Reserve your spot for the 100K Profit From Guest Podcasting call at CommunicationQueens.com.

If you’re ready to move your book forward, schedule a consultation at
FinishTheBookPublishing.com to explore the next steps in your publishing journey.

Finish the Damn Book Podcast is for writers who know they have a book in them — and are ready to finally get it done.

Hosted by Susie Schaefer, this show cuts through perfectionism, overwhelm, and publishing myths to focus on what actually moves a book forward. Through honest conversations with authors, editors, ghostwriters, and industry insiders, Susie explores the craft, mindset, and real-world mechanics of writing books readers finish and share.

Each episode offers a blend of:

• Practical writing and revision strategies
• Clear-eyed insight into publishing, platform-building, and promotion
• Encouragement for writers stuck in the middle (or avoiding the hardest chapter)
• Permission to write imperfectly — and keep going

Whether you’re working on memoir, nonfiction, or a book that defies categories, Finish the Damn Book is here to help you stop circling the idea and start delivering the work.

Because the world doesn’t need another unfinished manuscript, it needs your finished book.