Episodes
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Ch. 96 | Author Emma Knight on The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus
Show Notes It was an honour to speak with the talented, thoughtful, and truly lovely Emma Knight, author of the buzzy debut, THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS (just announced as Read With Jenna’s first book club pick of 2025). A Toronto-based writer and co-founder of Greenhouse Juice (with two...
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Ch. 95 | The #1 Hack to Becoming a Successful Author Today: Mastering the Act As If Technique
Show Notes In today's episode of the Word Weaver Podcast, I share the ONE THING you can do RIGHT NOW to start achieving your wildest writing dreams and become the successful published author you've always wanted to be. Becoming your future self involves the law of attraction, manifestation, and...
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Ch. 94 | Marguerite Sheffer, Winner of the Iowa Short Fiction Award, on The Man in the Banana Trees
Show Notes On today’s episode of the Word Weaver, I’m joined by New Orleans author Marguerite Sheffer, winner (!!!) of the Iowa Short Fiction Award, for her debut short story collection, The Man in the Banana Trees. The 18 works of speculative fiction veer toward the weird and whimsical and have...
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Ch. 93 | Top 5 Productivity Hacks to Become a More Efficient Writer
Show Notes In the latest episode of the Word Weaver, I share my top five productivity tips and tricks to help you become a more efficient writer. From the pomodoro technique to eat the frog to the eisenhower matrix to the 3-3-3 method to learning how to say no…there is a lot to unpack, but these...
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Ch. 92 | Anna Julia Stainsby on How Her University Thesis Became a Sought-After Debut Novel
Show Notes Honduran-Canadian Author Anna Julia Stainsby joins me on the pod to discuss her debut novel, THE AFTERPAINS, a tender and heartbreaking portrait of two families coping with grief, isolation, and the generational, multi-facets of motherhood. Stainsby shares how her manuscript, which…
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Ch. 91 | Bookshop Bucket List Live from Lisbon!
Show Notes This week's episode is coming to you live from Lisbon, Portugal where I dish on all things Bookshop Bucket List, including an exclusive teaser… Word Weaver Podcast Links Show Notes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly every Word Weaver...
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Ch. 90 | Chelsea Bieker on Madwoman, Motherhood, Matcha & So Much More!
Show Notes One of my favourite conversations to date! I adore Chelsea Bieker and her latest bestseller, MADWOMAN, is a masterpiece. Praised by the New York Times as a “brilliant depiction of the long shadows cast by domestic violence,” her new novel, which was selected as a Book of the Month and...
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Ch. 89 | The Secret Sauce to Writing Success: 3 Must-Have Traits for Aspiring Authors
Show Notes In this episode of the Word Weaver Podcast, I'm sharing the secret sauce to writing success (and no, it doesn't involve cooking pasta! lol) Tune in for the three key traits that I believe every aspiring author needs to cultivate to unleash your creativity and build a long-lasting,...
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Ch. 88 | Author Charlene Carr on Self vs. Traditional Publishing & How Her 10th Book Made it Big
Show Notes Join me for a candid chat with author Charlene Carr on self vs. traditional publishing, how her 10th book made it big, the mindset shift you need while querying literary agents, managing impostor syndrome, juggling motherhood and writing, maintaining your mental health while writing...
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Ch. 87 | How to Plan For a Successful Solo Writing Retreat
Show Notes In this episode, I dive into the essential steps for crafting your perfect solo writing retreat. Whether you're seeking solitude to brainstorm a new project or looking to complete a draft, I cover how to choose the right location, set achievable goals, and create a distraction-free...
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Ch. 86 | Literary It Girls + Inside the Sally Rooney Intermezzo Launch Party with Sophia June
SOPHIA JUNE is a culture writer in NYC (formerly NYLON magazine and the New York Times) and the co-founder of Language Arts, a literary newsletter about the books you actually want to read. We chat about her viral article, The Makings of a Literary It Girl, the best advice Ottessa Moshfegh and...
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Ch. 84 | #1 NYT Bestselling Author Carley Fortune is Taking the Literary World by Storm
New York Times Bestselling Author Carley Fortune is our generation's Taylor Swift of the literary world. She's taken the romance genre by storm with over 2 million books sold worldwide and 4 books in 4 years (plus, she rocks a red lip like nobody's business). Fresh off of her global book tour…
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Ch. 83 | VIRGO SEASON! What's in my Tote Bag? Writing Stationary & Back to School Supplies
It's Virgo Season! Happy September! The Fall Equinox isn't until September 22, so still time to enjoy the last gasps of summer, but to kick off my favourite month/season, I thought it'd be fun to do a "what's in my tote bag" edition of the podcast. In this episode, I share all of my favourite...
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Ch. 82 | I'm Struggling...An Honest Chat About Writer's Burnout and How to Get Through It
Show Notes I’ve been struggling behind the scenes to find my balance as a new mom and a solo “authorpreneur.” An honest chat about writer’s burnout, how it differs from writer's block, how to get through it, and how to prevent it (as much as possible)… Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram:...
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Ch. 81 | Bestselling Historical Fiction Author Bryn Turnbull on The Berlin Apartment, Dark Nights of the Soul, and the Best Fountain Pens
Show Notes I caught up with international bestselling author Bryn Turnbull at her cottage in the week leading up to the launch of her fourth historical fiction novel (and part psychological thriller), THE BERLIN APARTMENT, on August 27, 2024 (pre-order yours now!) Bryn's novels expertly blend...
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Ch. 80 | Why Do You Have Your Best Ideas In The Shower? (The Shower Thoughts Effect)
Show Notes Why is it that we often have our most creative ideas while in the shower? Or on the subway? Or while taking a walk? Well, apparently there is a name for this phenomenon and there are a few things we can do to invoke "the shower thoughts effect," sparking inspiration for creative...
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Ch. 79 | How to Overcome Shiny Object Syndrome
Show Notes On this episode of the Word Weaver Podcast, I chat about an affliction that affects almost every writer I know. I, myself, have succumbed to a bad case of shiny object syndrome on more than one occasion. Today, I'm talking about what is shiny object syndrome? Why does it happen? And…
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Ch. 78 | Can You Separate the Art from the Artist? On Alice Munro, Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling...
Show Notes In today's chapter of the Word Weaver podcast, I attempt to work through my own thoughts on the latest revelations that have rocked the literary landscape about Alice Munro following her daughter, Andrea Robin Skinner's, first person essay in the Toronto Star and allegations about Neil...
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Ch. 77 | How to Handle Criticism and Rejection Like the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Show Notes I’m sure you’re wondering what in the Dolly Parton do the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have to do with writing? Well, if you tune into today’s episode I’ll tell y’all how binge-watching America’s Sweethearts on Netflix was a lesson in how to respond to criticism and rejection as a…
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Ch. 76 | Sliding into Author DMs, the Brooklyn Literary Scene, Creativity & Motherhood with Lauryn Chamberlain
Show Notes Join me for a candid conversation with my friend, Northwestern grad and Brooklyn-based author of FRIENDS FROM HOME and WHO WE ARE NOW, Lauryn Chamberlain on how to build literary community by shooting your shot and sliding into author DMs, the literary scene in Brooklyn vs. Toronto,...
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Ch. 75 | Getting My Pink Back & How to Get Out of a Writing Slump
Show Notes Did you know that flamingos lose their pink colour while caring for their young, but as the children grow and mature they eventually get their pink back? In today's episode, I share how this (new to me) concept relates to my life lately and share my tips on how to get out of a writing...
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Ch. 74 | I Was Scared of Losing my Identity as a Writer When I Became a Mother
Welcome back to a brand new season of the Word Weaver Podcast! It's been a VERY hot minute since I last recorded an episode...and by hot minute, I mean it's been THREE YEARS since we last spoke. I'm excited to be joining the SickBird Productions roster, a female-founded Forbes 30 under 30 company...
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Ch. 73 | Three Things That Have Changed My Writing Life Lately
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share three things that have changed my writing life for the better lately including: 1. Kanban Board 2. Setting not only a daily, but also weekly word count target for my WIP (and of course, stickers!) 3. Scrivener (desktop version for writers ~ not...
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Ch. 72 | Use the Rule of Three to Write Compelling Characters
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share how using the rule of three in your writing to create compelling character arcs can help raise the stakes in your novel. The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram:...
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Ch. 71 | Defining Your Book's Premise, Logline, and Elevator Pitch
Today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast is short and sweet, but imperative for a great story. Learning how to write a book premise, logline, and define your book’s elevator pitch is the first step to writing a book. The second step is structuring, outlining, and plotting — but first, you need…
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Ch. 70 | Author Lindsay Zier-Vogel on Her Debut Novel LETTERS TO AMELIA
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I have the pleasure of chatting with author Lindsay Zier-Vogel about her debut novel, LETTERS TO AMELIA. In our conversation, we discuss (amongst many things): the transformative power of letter writing, what it’s like to launch your first book during…
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Ch. 69 | How to Handle Constructive Criticism as a Writer
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I chat about ways to handle constructive criticism and negative feedback as a writer. Writing and publishing books requires a level of vulnerability that can make the harsh sting of criticism hurt on a personal level, but learning how to deal with...
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Ch. 68 | Colby Sharma, Speaker and Author of The Curveball
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I chat with Colby Sharma, speaker and author of THE CURVEBALL: A Story of Grit, Adversity, and Winning the Game of Life. Colby discusses his debut book, the heroic vs. egoic self, and shares valuable insights on what it means to live a life of impact.…
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Ch. 67 | 5 Tips on Writing Great Book Blurb Descriptions
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share my top five tips on how to write a great book blurb. Your title and cover can grab a potential reader’s attention, but it’s your book description that does most of the heavy lifting in enticing a reader to buy your book. Think of your book...
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Ch. 66 | Bestselling Historical Romance Author Rachel McMillan
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I have the pleasure of chatting with bestselling historical romance (and mystery) author, Rachel McMillan. Rachel has published over 16 books and counting, including bestseller THE LONDON RESTORATION and THE MOZART CODE (available for pre-order,...
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Ch. 65 | Why Internal Conflict is Key to Writing a Good Story
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I give a very brief (we are talking the briefest of brief) life update before I delve into why internal conflict is a necessary ingredient to any good story and how it drives character development. I touch on the different types of internal conflict...
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Ch. 64 | Liselle Sambury Author of Blood Like Magic
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I chat with Liselle Sambury, the Simon & Schuster debut novelist of BLOOD LIKE MAGIC, also an Indigo Staff Pick. Liselle is a wealth of knowledge on the traditional publishing industry and I loved hearing her thoughts on publishing in a pandemic, her...
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Ch. 63 | Why Taking Writing Breaks is Important
Today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast is a short solo episode where I talk about why I’m currently taking a writing break and the importance of refilling your creative well. Available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website:...
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Ch. 62 | Liz Hauck Author of Home Made
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I reunite with a Harvard classmate, Liz Hauck, the author of HOME MADE: A Story of Grief, Groceries, Showing Up, And What We Make When We Make Dinner, published in June 2021 by Penguin RandomHouse. Reading HOME MADE brought me back to our nonfiction...
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Ch. 61 | How to Motivate Yourself to Write (Even When You Don't Want To)
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share a few tried and true tips 'n tricks on how to motivate yourself to write (even when you don’t want to). It’s summer and we’re slowly emerging from a long pandemic-induced season of hibernation, so it’s natural to feel unmotivated to sit at your...
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Ch. 60 | Marlowe Granados Author of Happy Hour
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I get the chance to chat with the beautiful and brilliant Marlowe Granados. She’s a writer, filmmaker, and author of the debut novel HAPPY HOUR. I loved getting to hear about her writing process, journey to publication, and the importance of trusting...
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Ch. 59 | Life Lately Post Publication of my First Book
Today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast is short, but sweet. I wanted to introduce the new updated podcast branding and design look ~ a little sleeker, chicer, simpler and give a general life update post publication of my first book. In a way, it feels like things are only just beginning! Word...
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Ch. 58 | BEHIND THE RED DOOR Book Launch Q&A
On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I’m fresh from the launch of my debut book, BEHIND THE RED DOOR, and giving you my raw, real, honest answers to your book launch Q&A. Thank you for asking such great questions — and for sharing & supporting BTRD. I love you all so much it hurts! Word...
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Ch. 57 | Why You Need a DONE LIST with your TO DO List to Recognize Small Wins
On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I explain why everyone needs a DONE LIST in their lives and how writing one has helped decrease my stress/overwhelm from my never-ending To Do List. My motivation and mood has been amplified by seeing the small wins in a neat list on a daily basis. It...
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Ch. 56 | 5 Ways to Come Up With Book Ideas
On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I’m sharing five ways to come up with book ideas and what to do with them when inspiration strikes! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey…
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Ch. 55 | How to Stop Self-Sabotaging Your Success
On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I’m giving a little author life update as I gear up for my book launch this spring. I also talk about why we self-sabotage right before we’re about to achieve a goal and how to stop getting in the way of our own success. Word Weaver Podcast Links...
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Ch. 54 | Avoiding Productive Procrastination and Moving the Needle to Achieve Your Writing Goals
On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I’m talking about how to stop procrastinating on writing your book and start prioritizing “To Do” tasks that move the needle closer to achieving your big goals. Preparing to write instead of actually writing can seem “productive,” but stems from fear…
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Ch. 53 | How to Become a New York Times Bestseller
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m diving headfirst into a highly Googled topic for most writers and aspiring authors, and that is how to land your book on the coveted New York Times bestseller list. For many of us, the credibility, ego boost, bragging rights, external validation…
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Ch. 52 | Tatum Dooley on Her Writing Life, How to Pitch Editors, and Curating an Artful Existence
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I chat with Toronto-based writer and art curator, Tatum Dooley. Her writing has appeared in the Globe & Mail, Artforum, The Walrus, Vogue UK, Lenny Letter, TeenVogue and more. She is also the founder of Canadian Art Forecast, showcasing upcoming and...
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Ch. 51 | How to Become a Bestselling Author in Canada
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m answering the burning questions every (Canadian) author asks themselves or types into Google: how many books do you have to sell to be a bestseller in Canada and how can you become a bestselling author? In next week’s episode I’ll do a deep dive...
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Ch. 50 | Book Club Monogamy
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing the second book club episode from The First Step Podcast where Calissa and I discuss the novel Monogamy by Sue Miller. We also discuss our favourite books from 2020. These book club episodes originally air on The First Step Podcast. Our…
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Ch. 49 | Should You Use a Pen Name?
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m talking all about pen names, aka. nom de plumes, and whether or not you should publish under a pseudonym. Overall, it’s a personal choice and there really is no right or wrong answer, but in this episode we’ll dissect some reasons why a writer…
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Ch. 48 | My Annual Review Process & How to Plan for a New Year
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing my personal annual review process for reflecting on the past year and my planning process for how I set and achieve goals (hint: think quarterly, not annually!) Can you believe we are in the last week of December 2020?! This year will go...
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Ch. 47 | 6 Ways to Read More Books in a Busy World
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing six ways you can read more with a busy life. It can be hard to get back into the habit of reading, especially with digital technologies like social media vying for our (vastly shortened) attention spans. We all only have 24 hours in a day...