Empowering Women Writers with Liisa Kovala

In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful sits down with Finnish‑Canadian author and book coach Liisa Kovala, creator of the Substack community Women Writing. Together they explore the idea of sisu—the Finnish spirit of grit and quiet determination—and how it shapes the lives and stories of women who keep writing through doubt, scarcity, and competing responsibilities.Drawing on her latest novel, Like Water for Weary Souls, Liisa talks about Finnish immigration, utopian communities, and the fragile bonds of family during the Great Depression. The conversation moves from the icy shores and work camps of the North to the emotional interior lives of her characters, showing how history, faith, and hard choices echo across generations.Along the way, Liisa shares how she supports other writers through coaching and her Women Writing newsletter, why she’s drawn to stories of ordinary people carrying extraordinary burdens, and what it means to write from a place of resilience and care.In keeping with the mission of History Through Fiction, this episode weaves together rigorous historical research, empathetic storytelling, and a deep respect for the communities at the center of the narrative. If you’re drawn to stories of migration, working‑class life, women’s resilience, and the ethics of writing about the past, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.Discover more historical novels, author conversations, and community resources at https://www.historythroughfiction.com.