PODCAST · education
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing
by Holly Totten: Books Editing Expert
Your story deserves to be told in your voice, not someone else's.The Edit is the podcast for writers, entrepreneurs, memoirists, and business owners who want to write a book that sounds unmistakably like them. Hosted by nonfiction editor and writing coach Holly Totten, this show explores the space between first draft and final version—the messy, magical middle where clarity, confidence, and authentic storytelling are shaped.If you have ever worried that working with an editor or following conventional writing advice will strip away your personality, flatten your tone, or turn your unique perspective into something forgettable and generic, you have come to the right place. Holly believes that editing is not about making you sound like everyone else. It is about helping you sound more like you, only clearer, tighter, and more powerful.This podcast is not a grammar lecture. It is not a list of rigid rules or a formula for writing what sells. Instead, each episode blends practical, acti
Episodes
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Finding Your Voice and Following Your Dreams with Celebrity Interviewer Adam Rothenberg | Part 1
What happens when you know what you want to do with your life, but the road to getting there looks nothing like you imagined? In this episode of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, I'm joined by my friend, author, and celebrity interviewer Adam Rothenberg, founder of Call Me...
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How To Turn Your Stories Into A Book
You have the stories. You've started getting them on the page. You've thought about what your story is really about, why it matters, and which pieces actually belong. Now what? In this final episode of my series on getting started writing your story, we're bringing everything together and talking...
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How To Decide What Belongs In Your Book (and What Doesn't)
How do you decide which stories belong in your book—and which ones don't? When you're writing your own story, everything can start to feel important. The people. The memories. The conversations. The backstory. But your life is bigger than your book, and not every meaningful memory belongs in the...
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Why Should I Tell My Story? 7 Reasons Your Story Matters
Why should you tell your story? Not how do you write it. Not where do you begin. But why does your story need to be told in the first place? After three different listeners asked me essentially that same question, I decided it was worth interrupting our current series on writing your story to...
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How To Find What Your Story Is Really About
"I write to discover what I know." — Flannery O'Connor You may know what happened in your life—but do you know what your story is really about? Those aren't always the same thing. A divorce may be what happened, but the story might really be about starting over. Building a business may be what...
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How to Start Writing Your Story When You Don't Know Where to Begin
If you want to write your story but keep getting stuck on one question—Where do I start?—this episode is for you. One of the biggest misconceptions about writing a personal story, memoir, or nonfiction book is that you have to begin at the chronological beginning. Your childhood. Your family...
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You Don't Have To Remember Everything To Write Your Story
Have you ever thought about writing your story and immediately stopped yourself because you don't remember enough? Maybe you remember the big moments, but not the dates. Maybe entire years feel fuzzy. Maybe you remember what happened but can't recall the exact conversation. Or maybe you've…
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How To Start Writing Your Story When You Don't Know Where To Begin
"You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step." — Martin Luther King Jr. You know you have a story to tell. You may have carried it with you for years. You've thought about writing it. You may have even told pieces of it to friends or family. But then you sit down in front…
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Sharing Your Story - Why Ordinary Stories Matter
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." — Maya Angelou What if the most meaningful part of your vacation wasn't the destination... but the people you met? After returning from Cozumel, Mexico, Holly realized she wasn't thinking about the beaches, the restaurants, or…
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Book Publishing, Editing, and Protecting Your Voice
"You are the actor or actress in your story... but it's not just for you." — Lesley George Last week, bestselling publisher and confidence coach Lesley George reminded us that every person has a story with power, a voice with purpose, and a message that can create movement. This week, we continue...
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Authentic Storytelling, Writing Confidence, and Finding Your Voice with Lesley George
"Every person has a story with power, a voice with purpose, and a message that can create movement when it is used with courage and clarity." — Lesley George What gives us permission to tell our stories? For many writers, it isn't a lack of ideas that keeps them stuck—it's a lack of confidence.…
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How To Read Your Book Like an Editor
"Easy reading is damn hard writing." — Nathaniel Hawthorne Finishing your first draft is a huge accomplishment—but it's not the finish line. It's the beginning of revision. In last week's episode, we celebrated typing The End. This week, we're opening that manuscript again and answering one of…
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You Finished Your First Draft - Now What?
Finishing your first draft is one of the biggest accomplishments in a writer's journey. Yet for many writers, those two words—The End—don't bring relief. They bring uncertainty. Now what? Do you start editing immediately? Rewrite the first chapter? Send it to beta readers? Hire an editor? Or...
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What a Third-Grade Story Stand Taught Me About Writing, Editing, and Voice
What can two third-grade girls, a card table, and a stack of handwritten stories teach us about writing? More than you might think. In this episode of The Edit, Holly shares a childhood memory that helped shape her beliefs about storytelling, editing, and authentic voice long before she knew…
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8 Lessons in Writing, Editing, and Publishing
In this special bonus episode of The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice, Holly takes a step back from her conversation with author Hadley Kibbe to explore the writing, editing, and publishing lessons hidden within Hadley's story. While Hadley's books were inspired by ranch life,...
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Writing From The Heart: Faith, Family, And Finding Your Voice
What happens when a ranch-raised cowgirl, rodeo competitor, songwriter, photographer, wife, mother, and follower of Jesus decides to write books for her son? In this heartfelt conversation, Holly sits down with Hadley Ann Kibbe, a former student-turned-author whose life is deeply rooted in faith,...
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Editing While Writing vs. Editing After The Story Is Written
Have you ever sat down to write and spent more time deleting words than actually putting them on the page? You're not alone. In this episode of The Edit, Holly explores one of the most common habits that keeps writers stuck: editing while they write. While it may feel productive, constantly...
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Am I Struggling To Write, Or Is It Impostor Syndrome?
Have you ever sat down to write and found yourself wondering if you're actually a writer at all? In this episode of The Edit, Holly tackles a question that stops countless writers before they ever finish a manuscript: Am I having trouble writing—or am I dealing with impostor syndrome? While…
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The Danger Of Writing For Everyone
In this episode of The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice, Holly explores one of the biggest mistakes nonfiction writers make: trying to write for everyone. What starts as a desire to reach more people often leads to writing that feels watered down, overly polished, and…
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What Writing A Hard Story Really Teaches You
Bonus Episode: What Writing a Hard Story Really Teaches You What happens after you finally decide to tell your story? In this bonus episode, Holly takes a deeper look at the writing and editing side of storytelling, inspired by her recent conversation with an author and coach. But this episode...
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Finding My Voice Again
Finding My Voice Again with Deborah Griffiths "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." — Maya Angelou What happens when writing your story becomes part of your healing? In this deeply honest and emotional episode of The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your…
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Why Your Story Matters (Even If You Think It Doesn't)
Episode 3: Why Your Story Matters (Even If You Think It Doesn't) Opening quote is very powerful and by Michelle Obama—"Your story matters—but if you don't see that, chances are no one else will either." So many people believe their story isn't "important enough" to tell. But often, behind those...
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Keep Your Voice In Your Writing
Episode 2: Keep Your Voice in Your Writing The quote at the beginning of the podcast is, "Finding your voice is mostly having the courage to speak and letting it be enough." This came from an article by Dan Cumberland on the website https://themeaningmovement.com/finding-your-voice/ , which is an...
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The Edit That Changes Everything
The Edit: Episode 1"The Edit That Changes Everything" Holly starts this podcast season with a powerful quote by Joseph Kanon, "When you're editing, you want to be the perfect appreciator, not another writer." Holly tells us that this quote changed her perspective on editing and made her fall in...
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Share Your Story - Write Your Story: The Transition
This episode explores the transition from Teaching Yourself to Learn to The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice through the lens of storytelling, nonfiction writing, and finding your authentic voice. If you've ever struggled with writing your story, editing your work, or feeling…
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The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice - Trailer
Welcome to The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice In this trailer episode, I'm sharing what this podcast is really about—helping writers, entrepreneurs, and business owners shape their stories without editing out the very thing that makes them powerful: their voice. If you've ever...
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94. The Roses Are Rosein' with Holly Totten
When we think about the stages of a rose from seed, to bud formation, to swelling and anthesis, until it finally wilts. Through each stage of the lifecycle it can be a slow and steady journey that can test the patience of even the most advanced gardeners. Today I want to share with you a…
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The Power is Within You with Professor Theresa Agostinelli
It does not matter what you have been through, where you have been or what has happened up to the third half of your life, you can make a change. And my guest today is Professor Theresa Agostinelli who shares her story of resilience, grit and fortitude. Join with me as I chat with Theresa about:...
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Shining in the Darkness with Beth Brown
Beth Brown has had her fair share of 'life' and all its happenings. Depression, divorce, starting all over again with 3 kids and panic attacks, lead to a catalyst for change when she could hardly leave the house living alongside fear. Even through all the ups and downs she has experienced, she...
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The Other Side of Fear with Gwen Parker
Sometimes we may think we know someone who we've witnessed in our life, yet find out it isn't all it appears to be to the outside world. Today I sat down with another retired English teacher, Gwen Parker. Gwen has been an inspiration to me over the years, specifically when it comes to her...
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What Do I Believe is Possible for Me? With Diane Martinez
Our guest today is Diane Martinez, and she brings a certain energy to this conversation that is electrifying, and I reckon you'll love it as much as I do. Diane starts with the famous quote from Abraham Hicks, 'Everything is always working out for me,' and from there, the conversation really…
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What Do I Believe is Possible for Me? With Diane Martinez
Our guest today is Diane Martinez and she brings a certain energy to this conversation which is electrifying and I reckon you'll love this conversation as much as I do. Diane starts with the famous quote from Abraham Hicks 'everything is always working out for me' and from there the conversation...
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What Do I Believe is Possible for Me? With Diane Martinez
Our guest today is Diane Martinez and she brings a certain energy to this conversation which is electrifying and I reckon you'll love this conversation as much as I do. Diane starts with the famous quote from Abraham Hicks 'everything is always working out for me' and from there the conversation...
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Happiest of Mother's Day with Jerry Hale and Pete Hale
Even as a writer, there are times when I struggle to find the words to express how much certain moments in my life mean to me. All the way from my earliest childhood memories until now, there has been one particular person who has been there every step of the way, and that is my mom. Today we…
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Tomatoes By the Dozen with Kim Stecher
Y'all know that I love a good quote: after all, it's one of the opening questions I have asked each one of my guests for the podcast, and today is no different. However, I'd love to throw in a bonus quote for you today from a famous movie that includes fried green tomatoes, the Whistle Stop Cafe,...
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Being Fully Awake to Everything About You with Holly Totten
This episode piggybacks off last week's solo episode - although without so much of a Walton reference inside. If you've listened along with the Podcast for a while now you know Holly loves a good quote or few and today is no different. She opens with the quote from Jackson Pollock which says…
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What Is It That You Keep Coming Back To? With Holly Totten
I'm a self-confessed sentimental, nostalgic type of person and over the years have loved to sit down with the Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch, to name a few, and today's episode is actually inspired by a Waltons episode! The episode has a pivotal…
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I am Working on What I Can Do Better with Debbie Griffiths
*Trigger warning. This episode contains talk of attempted suicide and may be confronting for some listeners. If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in your local area. There is help available for you. There are often…
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Poisons in the Pantry with Suzanne Roth Paul
There comes a point in time when you know what you're doing doesn't work, it hasn't gotten good results and you want to take steps to make it better. This rule can definitely be applied to our health and today's guest is an advocate for feeling good through our food choices. Former wellness...
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When We Rest, We Rust with Kathy Magan Smith
There is a certain atmosphere in the conversation contained in this episode of the Teaching Yourself to Learn Podcast. Holly is joined with Kathy Magan Smith from aray wellness and blown away with the nuggets of wisdom, expertise and learnings within her ears. Kathy is passionate about embracing…
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Spring Has Sprung with Holly Totten
Join Holly for this solo episode as she learns and recognises the importance of the spring and in particular the cleaning and cleansing process. This time of year, is one of migration, the weather is starting to get warmer, days longer as we open the windows to let the fresh air swirl. Listen as...
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You Gotta Give to Get with Lisa Holzberger
Lisa Holzberger took a leap of faith which has come back to repay her in ways she never imagined. At 50, she found herself needing to branch out and start her own business, Prestige Realty and Property Management Services. As you listen to her talk about how that happened and the stepping stones...
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Finding What Makes You Come Alive with Cathy Dersken
Holly and Cathy are like two peas in a pod, and, in fact, two is the amount of times Cathy has now appeared on the Podcast. Returning inspired, tenacious and more life in her than ever – Cathy shares the changes since appearing on the Podcast in October 2021. Cathy is now a five-time Amazon #1...
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Dreams and Coffee Beans with Jennifer Ryan
There is something quite enduring and spectacular about one's closest and most cherished friend. Holly is joined with one of her greatest friends, Jennifer Ryan, for a memorable and 'inspire you to do better' conversation. Even Holly is surprised that they haven't joined together after so many...
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Can You Do For Me What You've Done For You? With Debbie Saviano
As many of us approach our third half of life we want to be able to say we have no regrets, we gave it our all. A big part of being able to embrace that philosophy is welcoming transitions and learning how to deal with difficult change. Today's guest has done exactly that. A fellow Texan, Debbie...
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Finding Happiness in Your Third Half of Life with Holly Totten
There are so many fallacies we are fed about ageing and what that looks like for our third half of life. Holly is on a mission to combat myths such as letting ourselves wither away and sit around doing nothing. Today she talks about happiness and ageing and how important it is to embrace our...
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The Space Between No Longer and Not Yet with Karen Hoffman (Part 2)
We're back for Part 2 of an absolutely enjoyable and heartfelt conversation with Karen Hoffman. Karen continues where she left off last week with her Words That Matter cards which have now extended to include cards for adults, teens and children alike. Listen as Holly and Karen continue in…
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A Period of Sabbatical with Karen Hoffman (Part One)
What happens when two Texans meet in conversation and nerd out on words that matter? A purposeful, motivational and insightful conversation! Karen Hoffman joins Holly on the Teaching Yourself to Learn Podcast today. When she turned 60 at the end of 2020, Karen left her professional position as an...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Your story deserves to be told in your voice, not someone else's.The Edit is the podcast for writers, entrepreneurs, memoirists, and business owners who want to write a book that sounds unmistakably like them. Hosted by nonfiction editor and writing coach Holly Totten, this show explores the space between first draft and final version—the messy, magical middle where clarity, confidence, and authentic storytelling are shaped.If you have ever worried that working with an editor or following conventional writing advice will strip away your personality, flatten your tone, or turn your unique perspective into something forgettable and generic, you have come to the right place. Holly believes that editing is not about making you sound like everyone else. It is about helping you sound more like you, only clearer, tighter, and more powerful.This podcast is not a grammar lecture. It is not a list of rigid rules or a formula for writing what sells. Instead, each episode blends practical, acti
HOSTED BY
Holly Totten: Books Editing Expert
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing have?
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing currently has 123 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing about?
Your story deserves to be told in your voice, not someone else's.The Edit is the podcast for writers, entrepreneurs, memoirists, and business owners who want to write a book that sounds unmistakably like them. Hosted by nonfiction editor and writing coach Holly Totten, this show explores the space...
How often does The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing release new episodes?
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing publishes regularly with 123 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing?
You can listen to The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing?
The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing is created and hosted by Holly Totten: Books Editing Expert.
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