Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

In this week's episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ana del Valle Distasio, author, book coach, and host of The Novelist Studio podcast.

Ana brings a fascinating mix of creative writing chops and tech-savvy brilliance to the table — and she’s on a mission to help writers harness the power of AI without compromising their voice or creative control.

We talked about everything from her early love of storytelling (her first story was a love story… written in Spanish at age six!) to her journey through Silicon Valley and why she made the bold leap from fantasy YA under her pen name S.N. Blue to her upcoming humorous women’s fiction novel, Valley of the Dudes.

But where things really got juicy? When we dove into how Ana is using tools like ChatGPT to support novelists — not to replace their creativity, but to amplify it.

Ana’s take is refreshingly grounded. She reminds us that AI isn’t some evil robot out to steal your manuscript. Instead, she likens ChatGPT to a super-smart assistant — like a “robot librarian” that can help you brainstorm, organize, and refine your work… if you know how to guide it properly.

We got into the common fears writers have around AI — like privacy, copyright, and whether the output is even any good (spoiler: it can be, but only if you know how to prompt it well). Ana explained how she’s built a thoughtful framework for using ChatGPT to outline, edit, and develop character backstories — all while ensuring that the writer remains in full control of the story.

We also didn’t shy away from the big-picture stuff: bias in AI, its environmental impact, and whether we risk losing skills like summarizing or editing when we rely on tools like this. Ana had such a thoughtful and honest perspective — especially on how to train ChatGPT to work in a way that actually supports your process.

If you're curious about using AI as a co-creative ally — especially for outlining or developmental edits — this episode is a must-listen.

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Canadian author Alexis von Konigslow—and what a fascinating conversation it was.

Alexis is the author of The Capacity for Infinite Happiness, and her latest novel The Exclusion Zone is one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve put it down.

Set in the haunting and still-radioactive landscape surrounding Chernobyl, it follows a scientist grappling with fear—both personal and collective—and offers an atmospheric, anxiety-tinged exploration of what it means to confront the unknown.

We dug into the origin of Alexis’s obsession with the Exclusion Zone (spoiler: it started with a commute and a news article) and how her deep dives into science and nature sparked the seed of this novel.

Alexis brings a unique perspective as someone with a background in mathematical physics and a day job as a technical writer—she’s fluent in both the scientific and creative languages, and she uses that skill to craft stories that bridge the two.

I loved hearing about her writing process, which, as she humbly shared, involved a lot of “stolen moments”—from writing in the Notes app on her phone while standing in line at the grocery store, to letting scenes unfold in her mind during a daily commute.

This book took ten years from first draft to publication, and Alexis doesn’t shy away from how real life—work, parenting, and all the everyday details—complicated that process. But she kept going, one minute at a time.

We also talked about writing fear and tension into your setting and how emotional honesty—pulling off the band-aid, as Alexis put it—can help create that lived-in, visceral feeling for the reader. She shared some beautiful insights about being open to observation and about writing the kind of book only you can write, even if it takes longer, and even if it’s different from what the market “wants.”

If you’re someone who’s balancing writing with a busy life, wondering how to stay true to your creative voice, or just love a good science-meets-story moment, this episode is for you.

The Exclusion Zone is out in May 2025 from the always-fabulous Canadian indie press Wolsak & Wynn. Go grab your copy—and get ready to be unsettled in the best possible way.

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

What happens when your personal journey of healing and transformation inspires a novel?

That’s exactly what happened to this week’s podcast guest, award-winning author SL Clarke (Sherrie Lynn Clarke), whose debut novel, When He Returns, explores resilience, trauma, and redemption.

In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, Sherrie Lynn shares the fascinating backstory behind her novel’s evolution—from its first publication as True Strength to its rebranding and relaunch as When He Returns.

We discuss the deep emotional roots of the story, how martial arts played a crucial role in her personal growth, and why she ultimately decided to change the book’s title and cover to better fit the women’s domestic suspense genre.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

✨ How Sherrie Lynn channeled her own emotional transformation into her protagonist’s journey

✨ The challenges of self-publishing and why she decided to rebrand her book

✨ How she tackled cover design, book marketing, and genre alignment

✨ What it’s like to write about deeply personal experiences while keeping fiction fictional

✨ Her current memoir-in-progress about grief, faith, and self-discovery

If you’ve ever struggled with finding the right title, cover, or marketing approach for your book, this episode is packed with insights! Plus, you’ll love hearing about Sherrie Lynn’s creative journey—from marching band and martial arts to indie publishing and beyond.

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

In this episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I sat down with the wonderful Kat Caldwell — and let me tell you, it was such an energizing, heartfelt conversation that I just know you’re going to love.

Kat is the host of the Pencils&Lipstick podcast, a multi-genre indie author, and someone who’s passionate about helping writers like us stay creative and resilient.

She’s been on this writing journey for over a decade, and together, we dove into the realities of what that path actually looks like — spoiler alert: it doesn’t magically get easier after you publish your first (or third!) book.

Kat opened up about how she first fell in love with stories as a kid, rewriting endings and imagining new adventures. But like so many of us, she struggled to figure out how to “make writing a real thing” when it came to careers and degrees.

One thing that really stuck with me was how honest Kat was about the mental hurdles we face. She described the fear of finishing one project and worrying there might not be another idea after it. I could completely relate — I’ve been there too!

But Kat reminded me (and all of us) that even when you switch genres or work on a new type of project, it’s always a fresh beast to tackle. Each book, each story, demands its own unique approach, and that’s part of what keeps this work exciting (and yes, sometimes maddening!).

We talked about the importance of joy in the writing process — how crucial it is to write what you love, without judgment. Kat encouraged writers to let go of the idea that every word or every story has to be “literary” or world-changing.

Whether you’re passionate about romance, sci-fi, or even writing short flash fiction pieces just for fun, it’s all valuable. Not every word needs to be published — sometimes writing just for yourself is what keeps the spark alive.

Kat also shared some smart advice about learning to toss out what isn’t working (including, in her case, tossing a whopping 60,000-word draft!) and recognizing that not every review or piece of feedback matters. What truly matters is creating work you’re proud of.

She even gave us a sneak peek into her resource: 10 Ways to Bring Joy Back Into Your Writing Life — which you can grab at the link.

If you’re feeling stuck or disconnected from your writing right now, this is the episode for you.

I walked away from this conversation feeling re-energized and reminded that we are resilient writers — we keep going, not because it’s easy, but because we love the process and the stories we’re here to tell. I hope you tune in and feel the same spark of inspiration I did!

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

In today’s episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m absolutely thrilled to sit down with the incredible Canadian author Catherine Bush.

Catherine has written five novels—including Blaze Island and The Rules of Engagement—and has racked up an impressive list of accolades along the way. But today, we're diving into something a little different: her very first collection of short stories, Skin.

I loved hearing Catherine talk about why she turned to short fiction after years of working in long-form novels. Like many of us, she found herself exhausted during the pandemic and needed a new creative challenge—something playful, something pleasurable. Short stories, flash fiction, and even novella-length pieces became her way back into joy.

Skin isn’t just a collection of new work either; it brings together pieces from across her writing life, reimagined and revisited with the wisdom she’s gained over the years. I loved hearing her describe it as a "fractured writer’s autobiography."

We also explore how Catherine’s work continues to weave in themes of climate change and environmental intimacy, from a man obsessed with extreme windstorms to a woman’s strangely moving encounter with a glacier.

Catherine shares how she tries to reframe the typical “doom and gloom” narrative around climate change by writing about it in ways that are fresh, intimate, and full of wonder. Her reflections on finding new, non-cliché language to capture the natural world were so inspiring.

One of the things I found especially fascinating was how Catherine thinks about revision. Whether working on a novel or a short story, she approaches the process slowly, deeply, and with a fierce dedication to re-seeing the work each time she sits down.

Revision isn’t just about tweaking words—it’s about returning to the heart of the story, again and again, to bring it closer to its fullest, most alive version. Hearing how she balances specificity with liveliness was a real reminder to be patient with our own messy drafts.

We also talked about tenderness—how important it is to bring a loving, attentive gaze to both our characters and our readers. Catherine’s thoughts on writing as a reciprocal act, a gift exchange between writer and reader, really stayed with me. It's not about judgment; it's about listening and offering something meaningful.

Catherine’s new collection Skin is published by Goose Lane Editions, and she shares a bit about what it was like working with them (hint: she’s thrilled with the stunning cover!). Plus, she talks about the gift of working with fellow writer André Alexis as an editor for this project—how his intense, detailed feedback pushed her stories to an even deeper level.

Whether you’re working on a novel, experimenting with short stories, or simply needing a boost of creative inspiration, this conversation is full of encouragement, wisdom, and heart.

Thanks for tuning in, Writer—I'm so glad you're here!

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

I've got some news...this week I am going back to producing the show on a WEEKLY basis, instead of doing Seasons of 12 episodes. Expect more writerly goodness to come!

I’m so excited to introduce you to the wonderful Sarah Selecky — award-winning author, beloved teacher, and founder of the Sarah Selecky Writing School. In this heartfelt conversation, Sarah and I dive into the rich and beautiful connection between creativity, mindfulness, and the writing life.

Sarah shares how she’s come to see writing not just as an art form, but as a contemplative practice — a way of being present, tuning into curiosity, and connecting with wonder.

We talk about her brand-new book, Story is a State of Mind: Writing and the Art of Creative Curiosity, where she distills decades of her teaching and personal writing practice into a thoughtful, encouraging guide for writers who want to nurture both their intellect and intuition.

During our conversation, Sarah and I explore something I know many writers struggle with — the balance between structure and creative freedom. She shares how her early writing grew from intuition rather than structured plotting, and what it looked like for her to learn how to bring structure into her storytelling without losing the sense of mystery and discovery that makes writing feel so alive.

Sarah even offered a simple, beautiful exercise you can try — using pen and paper to list words starting with a single letter — to help ease into creativity without judgment. It’s such a refreshing reminder that sometimes, the smallest rituals can gently open the door to deeper creative work.

We also talked about the power of community — and how important it is for us, as writers, not to try and do this alone. Sarah shared her journey from solitary writer to community builder, and how her online space, Centered, grew out of a desire to support writers in a way that feels nourishing, intuitive, and sustainable.

I love how Centered invites writers into a creative life rooted in wonder, rest, and shared joy — not hustle or competition. I've been part of this community and can highly recommend it!

You can join in a workshop Sarah is offering through Centred on May 14th, with Amy T. Won, entitled Creative Contemplation Through Wonder, for just $20 as a drop-in fee.

Throughout our conversation, what touched me most was Sarah’s emphasis on giving ourselves grace. Writing creatively isn’t easy — it asks us to bridge the worlds of structure and imagination in a way that’s neurologically complex and deeply human.

If you’ve ever struggled to trust your own creative instincts or felt overwhelmed by the pressure to “get it right,” this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. I hope you’ll find inspiration here to be gentler with yourself, reconnect with your love of words, and savor the deep, sustaining beauty of the writing life.

Welcome back to the podcast -- I'm so glad you're here!

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the idea of building your author platform? Not sure where to start or how to connect with your readers? You’re not alone!

In this week’s episode of The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I sit down with author and certified book coach Nicole Meier to break it all down into simple, actionable steps.

Nicole is the author of The House of Bradbury, The Girl Made of Clay, and The Second Chance Supper Club, and her latest book, City of Books, is out now! She’s also a developmental editor and co-founder of Bookworks, where she helps writers create an engaging author platform that aligns with their goals.

In our conversation, Nicole shares why so many writers feel stuck when it comes to marketing themselves—and how to move past the overwhelm. If you’ve ever thought, Do I have to be on every social media platform? Do I need a newsletter? What kind of content should I even be sharing?—this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways:

✅ Start with Your “Why” – Before diving into social media or email marketing, take a moment to reflect on what you want from your platform. Do you want to connect with readers? Build credibility? Attract an agent? Understanding your purpose will help you make smarter choices.

✅ Go Where Your Readers Are – Not every platform is right for every author. Romance writers might thrive on Instagram, while nonfiction writers may find their audience on LinkedIn. Nicole shares how to identify the best place to focus your energy.

✅ Less is More – The biggest mistake writers make is trying to be everywhere at once. Nicole recommends choosing one platform and showing up consistently rather than spreading yourself too thin. Quality and consistency matter more than quantity!

✅ Be Authentic – You don’t have to dance on TikTok or create elaborate content if it doesn’t feel right for you. Share your writing journey, behind-the-scenes moments, and insights into your creative process—authenticity is what truly connects readers to authors.

✅ Newsletters Are Gold – Social media is great for visibility, but email lists convert better when it comes to book sales. Nicole explains why a newsletter (via Substack or another platform) can be a game-changer for your author career.

✅ Avoid Common Mistakes – Nicole highlights the top three mistakes authors make: not knowing their purpose, overcommitting to too many platforms, and feeling like they’re not “worthy” of having a platform. She reassures us that small, consistent efforts are what really matter.

If you want a step-by-step plan to grow your audience, this episode could be exactly what you need!

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

This week on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I had an absolute blast chatting with sci-fi suspense author JC Spark about her thrilling debut novel, Dire Contact: No Brainer Book 1.

JC is a recent graduate of my First Book Finish program, so it was a real delight to catch up!

If you love books that keep you up at night turning pages, this one’s for you! JC describes Dire Contact as “if Good Omens and Doctor Who had a baby.” (I mean, come on—how fun does that sound?)

But beyond the book itself, we dive deep into her incredible journey from idea to published novel, including the challenges of outlining a complex, multi-POV sci-fi series and navigating the world of self-publishing.

Some highlights from our conversation:

📌 From Spreadsheet to Page-Turner: JC shares how she meticulously plotted her book using a detailed spreadsheet (yes, she’s a planner!) and how early on, she realized she had not one but three books in the making.

📌 Crowdfunding for Authors: Instead of taking the traditional publishing route, JC launched her book via a crowdfunding campaign on BackerKit’s Booktopia. She opens up about why she chose this path, the highs and lows of the campaign, and the joy of building a community around her book.

📌 Illustrated Special Editions: JC went the extra mile with her book by incorporating stunning character artwork inside her special editions. She shares how she worked with an illustrator and how she’s using these visuals across social media to build her book world.

📌 Publishing in Two Languages: Did you know Dire Contact was released in both English and German? JC walks us through the challenges of managing two versions of her book, from translation to marketing (and even a little spine-labeling mishap she learned the hard way!).

📌 Lessons from Self-Publishing: From finding the right printer to getting the perfect cover (after a few failed attempts), JC offers some hard-earned wisdom for anyone thinking about going indie with their book.

And exciting news—JC’s next book, Space Time: No Brainer Book 2, launches via crowdfunding on March 25th, alongside the wide release of Dire Contact on Amazon, Kobo, Apple, and more.

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your book from an idea to a reality, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and real talk about what it takes to make it happen.

👉 Grab your copy of Dire Contact here!