Libsyn Directory

Ep178: How to Find Writing Community

Release Date: 02/26/2025

From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes that Feel True to You, with guest HR Cole (EP196)

Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic: From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes That Still Feel True to You (with guest HR Cole) PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind...

The Book You Were Born to Write: Legacy Crafting, Part 3 of 3 (Ep195)

Writer Craft Podcast

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): hard stuff at home (sharing that with my patrons, and a little on social media) (Erick): What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: Austin Kleon's (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book s (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October). (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; (Alexandra Horowitz) ; Julie Leong Erick: Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes:...

The Book You Were Born to Write: Where Ego Meets Soul, Part 2 of 3 (Ep194)

Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic: Today’s episode is all about Ego Meeting Soul (the inner vs outer world of writing) In our last episode of the mini podcast series The Book You Were Born to Write, we listened for the first whispers of the book inside you. We honored that quiet knowing — the call to finally write the book that’s been circling your spirit. And today… we’re stepping into the next phase. The moment when the whisper gets louder… And fear shows up, too. Because the truth is: Wanting to be seen… and fearing that visibility… Often live side by side in the writer’s heart. ...

The Book You Were Born to Write: Hearing the Call, Part 1 of 3 (Ep193)

Writer Craft Podcast

Today’s episode is all about Hearing the Call. That moment when the idea of writing a book stops being a far-off fantasy... and starts feeling like destiny. You might not feel ready. You might not know what you want to say yet. But if you're listening to this right now — I have a hunch that something is stirring. That stirring? That’s your soul whispering: It’s time. PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays...

Crowdfunding Your book: Why Kickstarter Might Be the Perfect Launchpad, with guest JP Rindfleisch IX (Ep192)

Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic: Crowdfunding Your Book: Why Kickstarter Might Be the Perfect Launchpad, with guest J.P. Rindfleisch IX PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind...

How to Start Your Author Business on a Budget (Ep191)

Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic: Start Your Author Business on a Budget ($0, $200, $500) Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public",...

Staying Productive While Embracing the Chaos and Boredom of Summer (Ep190)

Writer Craft Podcast

Episode 190 of the podcast and it's June 11, 2025 as we record this. Main Topic: Embrace the Chaos and Boredom of Summer Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all...

Using Unconventional Thinking to Tackle Creative Blocks with guest David Carson (Ep189)

Writer Craft Podcast

Using Unconventional Thinking to Tackle Creative Blocks with guest David Carson Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as...

Book Coaching is Next-Level Book Editing (Ep188)

Writer Craft Podcast

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. I just...

Anti-Hustle Culture with guest Rachel May and Emily Golden (Ep187)

Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic: Anti-Hustle Culture with guests , book coaches and editors at Golden May Editing, and podcast hosts of the Story Magic podcast. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery...

More Episodes

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

(Valerie) decluttering, pitching conferences, starting new projects
Aligned Author: A Workshop in Intuitive Planning and Strategy

"Using strategic principles, core values, and your desired feelings as a guide, you can create goals that feel good to pursue. Aligned Embodied Action is an intuitive and authentic way to approach goal-setting and strategic planning.

Join life coach and author Valerie Ihsan for this experiential, full-day workshop packed with hands-on exercises, practical tips, valuable resources, and live coaching opportunities.

By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with a personalized action plan—clear, aligned, and ready to implement—so you can take your next steps with confidence."

Use this link to register for the workshop: https://link.clover.com/urlshortener/L9cSGN

(Erick) client work, reorganizing my life around ghost-writing, new clients and project management coming up, process re-structuring.

What are you reading?

Valerie: In the Dream House (Carmen Maria Machado) You Will Find Your People: How to Make Meaningful Friendships as an Adult (Lane Moore)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
Erick: Mort Terry Pratchett

Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

Tidbit #1: comfortable chair for your office
Tidbit #2: Human Design chart; It'll validate so much about yourself!
Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):

Segment 4 (Main Topic):

Writing communities look different from one to another. There's: Writing friends, Critique group, Service Trade Friends, Organizations, Conferences, Writing groups, Colleagues you can chat with at meetings that understand the writing life (don't discount this!).

I'm a writer. We all have something in common.

Stay in contact

Do I want to make this MY community?

Like-mindedness.

Compatibility, flexibility, fits my value system.

And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Next episode:

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor