Unveiling Author Marketing Secrets with Kimberley Grabas — The Writing Coach 208
Release Date: 10/05/2024
Where the Night Winds Wail: Sandy Day on Obsession, Grief, and Indie Authorship
The Writing Coach
On today’s episode of the podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome back one of my favorite returning guests, author Sandy Day. The last time Sandy was on the show, we talked about her novel and the re‑release of . This time, she’s here to dive deep into her brand‑new book, —a haunting Ontario noir inspired by the classic song “.” In our conversation, Sandy pulls back the curtain on the long and winding road this novel took to completion: from an early 30,000‑word NaNoWriMo draft to a fully realized 93,000‑word book rich with interiority, atmosphere, and...
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How Linda Garnett Turned Her Debut Gothic Vampire Novel into an Amazon Bestseller
The Writing Coach
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with my client, author Linda Garnett to celebrate the release of her debut Gothic vampire novel, Red Falls. Linda’s journey is a fantastic reminder that writing a book is rarely a straight line from “idea” to “finished manuscript.” Her novel evolved through outlining, drafting, revising, group feedback, one-on-one coaching, and a whole lot of faith in the process. We talk about what it feels like to finally publish a book, the emotional roller coaster of launch week, the power of writing community, and how Linda went...
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Using Story Intelligence to Stay Authentic in the Age of AI with Gabrielle Dolan – The Writing Coach Ep. 224
The Writing Coach
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I’m joined by Gabrielle Dolan, a leadership communication expert, keynote speaker, and the author of eight books on storytelling, including her latest, . Gabrielle shares how nearly two decades in senior leadership and change management at one of Australia’s largest banks led her to a powerful realization: stories communicate strategy, change, and ideas far better than data and slide decks alone. That insight inspired her to leave corporate life and teach storytelling as a core leadership and communication skill. Together,...
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Patty McGee on How to Teach Writing Without Crushing Confidence – The Writing Coach Ep. 223
The Writing Coach
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I’m joined by Patty McGee, a nationally recognized literacy consultant, speaker, and educator who is passionate about transforming classrooms into spaces where language and learning come alive. With decades of experience as a teacher, coach, and advocate for joyful, practical literacy instruction, Patty has worked alongside educators across the country to help unlock the potential of their students. She is also the author of three books, including her newest release, Not Your Granny’s Grammar. In our conversation, Patty and I explore what it...
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From Journals to Memoir: How Margot Stornelli Wrote The Big Red Suitcase — The Writing Coach Ep. 222
The Writing Coach
Every writer has a moment when a story that was meant to stay private begins to ask for a wider audience. Sometimes it starts with a notebook. Sometimes it starts with a question from your children. And sometimes it begins with a simple realization: If I don’t write this down, these stories might disappear. In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with my client Margot Stornelli, a retired librarian who turned a personal journaling project into a full memoir. What began as a way to record her life for her children eventually grew into The Big Red Suitcase,...
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Writing, Burnout, and the Long Game: Kevin Tumlinson on Building a Sustainable Author Life with VAs — The Writing Coach Ep. 221
The Writing Coach
Most writers don’t burn out because they hate writing. They burn out because writing quietly becomes everything else. Marketing. Tech. Algorithms. Platforms. Tools that promise leverage but demand constant attention. Somewhere along the way, the actual work—the slow, human, soul-driven act of storytelling—gets crowded out. In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I’m joined by author and industry veteran Kevin Tumlinson for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about what it really means to build a sustainable writing life in 2026 and beyond. We talk about...
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Book Brush for Authors with Kathleen Sweeney
The Writing Coach
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the visual side of book marketing—cover mockups, social media graphics, reels, and everything in between—this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. In this conversation, I’m joined by Kathleen Sweeney, co-founder of Book Brush, a visual marketing platform built specifically for authors. We talk about how Book Brush evolved by listening to writers, why so many authors struggle with consistency and branding, and how to think about marketing before your book launches—not after. We also dig into the difference between DIY...
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Amy Suto on Writing for Money, Power, and Creative Freedom — The Writing Coach Ep. 219
The Writing Coach
What if writing didn’t have to mean struggling, waiting for permission, or giving away your best work to gatekeepers? In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with writer, freelancer, novelist, and creator of multiple six-figure writing businesses, Amy Suto, to talk honestly about what it means to write for money and power in today’s creator economy. Amy’s career started in Hollywood, where she followed the traditional path many writers are told is the dream… and then walked away from it. What she built instead is a writing career rooted in autonomy,...
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6 Books in 2 Years: Anne Kane on Plotting, Productivity, and Motorcycle Romance — The Writing Coach Ep. 218
The Writing Coach
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I’m joined by author Anne Kane, who published six books in two years—including her hit motorcycle romance series ACE: Riptide MC—and is releasing Spirit Bear Conspiracy. We talk about what changed in Anne’s writing life over the last two years: how plotting sped up her drafting, why a genre shift helped her rediscover her love of writing, and what it’s like working with a small publisher that offers real support (covers, editing, marketing, and community). If you’re trying to finish...
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Gala Russ on How to Stop Doing Things the Hard Way — The Writing Coach Ep. 217
The Writing Coach
There’s a persistent myth in the writing world: that great books are created by lone geniuses, toiling away in isolation, waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s a compelling image. It’s also wildly unhelpful and mostly untrue. In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sat down with Gala Russ (author, editor, and writing coach) to talk about what actually helps writers grow: community, feedback, structure, emotional intelligence, and learning when to stop doing everything the hard way. Gala’s journey into writing didn’t follow a neat, linear path. She...
info_outlineIn the ever-evolving world of self-publishing, standing out as an author requires more than just talent—it takes strategy, resilience, and a strong understanding of the business side of being a writer.
In the latest episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Kimberley Grabas, founder of Your Writer Platform and a veteran in the author marketing world. Kimberley and I have crossed paths numerous times over the past decade, and this conversation was the perfect chance to explore the biggest shifts in author marketing we’ve experienced.
Kimberley and I both launched our careers in the early days of social media—when platforms like Twitter were new and figuring out how to market yourself online was the Wild West. Over the years, we’ve both learned that sustainable success in this industry requires more than just fleeting social media trends.
During the interview, we discuss:
- What has changed in author marketing over the last decade
- How authors can build a foundation for long-term success
- The importance of knowing your target reader
- How to make marketing feel authentic, not forced
- Why you need to know your brand values before you start marketing
- And much more!
This episode is packed with actionable insights into how the author marketing landscape has changed and how you can set yourself up for success. Kimberley’s advice will resonate with any writer looking to build a sustainable, thriving career, so listen now!