Book Marketing Is a Long Game: Passion, Positioning, and Podcasting with Susan Friedman – The Writing Coach Ep. 231
The Writing Coach
Today on the show, I’m welcoming back book marketing strategist and veteran podcaster Susan Friedman, 10 years after her first appearance on this podcast. Susan has hosted over 500 episodes of Book Marketing Mentors and has spent decades helping nonfiction authors turn their books into authority, speaking opportunities, and real business results. In this conversation, we talk about why book marketing is a long game, how fiction and nonfiction are “two different animals” when it comes to promotion, and why so many authors would rather hide behind social media...
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From Editor to Novelist: Candace Johnson on Copyediting, Revisions, and the Author–Editor Relationship – The Writing Coach Ep. 229
The Writing Coach
On today’s episode of I’m joined by someone who has spent decades on the front lines of publishing, helping writers turn rough drafts into real, reader-ready books. Candace Johnson is a long-time editor, now a first-time novelist, with deep experience in traditional publishing and years of success as a freelance editor working primarily with indie authors. In our conversation, Candace pulls back the curtain on how traditional publishing really works, what editors are actually looking for in a manuscript, and why it’s so important for writers to remember that...
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Emil Wilson on Memory, Family, and Graphic Storytelling – The Writing Coach Ep. 229
The Writing Coach
In this episode of podcast, I sit down with Emil Wilson to talk about how a former advertising and design professional who didn’t grow up reading comics ended up creating , a genre-blurring work that feels part graphic novel, part literary memoir, and part sketchbook of memory itself. We dig into the book’s bold formal choices (no panels, mixed media, pages that feel torn from a working artist’s notebook) and how those decisions grew directly out of the question, “What does memory actually look like on the page?” We also explore how Emil’s background in...
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Flow States, Dopamine Management, and Beating Procrastination with Oscar-Winning Producer Steven Puri – The Writing Coach Ep. 228
The Writing Coach
Welcome to The Writing Coach Podcast, the show where I talk to the people whose job it is to help writers actually get the work done, including coaches, editors, marketing experts, and the folks building the tools behind the craft. I’m your host, Kevin Johns. Today’s guest, Steven Puri, spent years as a studio executive at Fox and DreamWorks, producing digital effects on around fourteen films, working alongside James Cameron, David Fincher, and Mel Gibson, and picking up an Academy Award along the way for Independence Day. But somewhere in there, he got tired of sequels and...
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Susan Leon on Crime Fiction, Forgiveness, and the Ripple Effects of Loss – The Writing Coach Ep. 227
The Writing Coach
Today on The Writing Coach podcast, I’m joined by author Susan Leon to discuss her debut novel, If They’d Only Known. Susan’s book is a dark, emotionally layered crime novel set in Northern Ontario, exploring the ripple effects of a child abduction and murder across a family, a community, and the decades that follow. But while the book uses the shape of a crime story, our conversation goes much deeper than plot. We talk about: grief, trauma, forgiveness, acceptance, and what it means to write dark material from a place of wisdom rather than despair. Susan shares how her...
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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,...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Emma Dhesi, a talented book coach who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the world of writing. We dive deep into her journey as a writer and coach, her unique approach to storytelling, and her personal and professional insights on crafting a fulfilling writing life.
Emma shares her transformative journey from actress to librarian to accomplished book coach, describing the moments that shaped her passion for storytelling. Her story reminds us of the power of perseverance and the importance of finding joy in the process, even when the path isn’t always straightforward.
Emma also describes the “Four Pillars of Author Success”—a roadmap she developed through her own experiences and coaching practice. Whether you’re penning your first chapter or navigating the complex world of publishing, these pillars offer valuable insights to help you find clarity, stay motivated, and, importantly, enjoy the ride.
Tune in to hear Emma’s thoughts on navigating the ups and downs of writing, the joy of community and mentorship, and why having fun along the way is essential for a sustainable and fulfilling creative career. This conversation is packed with warmth, insight, and practical wisdom—a must-listen for anyone committed to growing as a writer.
Listen now!