Episodes
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Writing Faith Into Fiction Without Preaching: Josh Resinger – The Writing Coach Ep. 246
Welcome back to The Writing Coach podcast. What do you do when the ministry you always planned on doesn't turn out the way you pictured it? If you're Josh Resinger, you start writing stories. Josh grew up in a family of pastors. He served as a youth pastor, a worship pastor and a college…
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How to Work With Beta Readers: Mia Garay – The Writing Coach Ep. 245
Welcome back to The Writing Coach podcast. Today I'm talking with Mia Garay, a professional beta reader who has read for several of my own clients. Her feedback is some of the most thorough I've seen. Mia never set out to become a beta reader. She was born in Puerto Rico and didn't speak English...
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Lyrics First, Melody Second: Linda L. Garnett on Music, Playlists and Writing Red Falls – The Writing Coach Ep. 244
Listen on: Apple Podcasts ↗ · Spotify ↗ · YouTube ↗ · RSS ↗ Welcome back to The Writing Coach podcast. Today Linda L. Garnett, author of the gothic vampire thriller Red Falls, is back on the show. Linda was on the podcast earlier this year when her debut came out, and she's also one of my…
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A Ten-Year Journey to The Call to Witchery: Lorraine Johnston on Contemporary Fantasy, Story Structure, and Marketing a Debut – The Writing Coach Ep. 243
Welcome back to The Writing Coach podcast. Today I'm talking with my friend and client Lorraine Johnston about her debut contemporary fantasy novel, The Call to Witchery. We're talking about a story that wouldn't leave her alone, a world where witches are celebrities, and how to market a debut...
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Writer's Block, Recovery, and Hope: David Deane Haskell on Solarian Deep and Wounded Angels – The Writing Coach Ep. 242
Welcome back to The Writing Coach podcast. Today I'm joined from Japan by David Deane Haskell, an indie sci-fi and nonfiction author and a former professional drummer who once played trash cans at Tokyo Disneyland. We're talking writer's block, recovery, AI, and why hope belongs in science…
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Twenty Drafts, Three Books, One Character: Sherilyn Decter on Writing The Promise Trilogy – The Writing Coach Ep. 241
Welcome back to The Writing Coach podcast. Today I'm talking with my client Sherilyn Decter, a Canadian author of historical fiction, about her new release, The Promise Trilogy. This week's guest has a book that took three years, twenty-plus drafts, and, full disclosure, some help from yours…
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A Writing Coach & Client: Ellen Baker and Terence Sullivan on Alice of Oz, Summerland Cove, & Two Paths to Publishing – The Writing Coach Ep. 240
Welcome back to The Writing Coach podcast. Today's a first for the show: two guests at once. Novelist and writing coach Ellen Baker is here with her longtime client, Terence Sullivan, whose TikTok story series became the novel Alice of Oz. We're talking about seven rounds of edits, traditional...
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Writing Is Rewriting: Steven Puri Returns to Talk Flow States and Hollywood Screenwriting – The Writing Coach Ep. 239
Hey everyone, welcome back to the Writing Coach Podcast. I'm Kevin Johns. Today I'm bringing back a returning guest: Steven Puri, former Hollywood visual effects producer turned founder of Sukha, the flow-state company. We're talking cinema, screenwriting, and the actual neuroscience of getting...
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Pre-Made vs. Custom Book Covers, Explained | Usama Munir, Design Dusk - The Writing Coach Ep. 238
My guest this week on The Writing Coach podcast is Usama Munir, the designer behind Design Dusk, a book cover studio with more than 1,700 pre-made covers ready to go, plus custom covers, book trailers, and full interior typesetting. He designed his first book cover as a teenager, for an author…
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Writing Transgressive Fiction: Ron Black on 'Bleu' and the Character No One Has to Like – The Writing Coach Ep. 237
My guest is Ron Black on this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, and his debut novel Bleu: A Transgressive Tale follows Anthony, a struggling artist in a version of Ottawa most Canadian fiction doesn't go near — squats, addiction, an art world he doesn't feel he belongs in, and a marriage…
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Marketing Your Book Without Losing the Time to Write It: Marvin Wey of AuthorScale on AI, TikTok, and Selling More Books – The Writing Coach Ep. 236
If you've ever felt like promoting your book on social media is a second full-time job you never signed up for, this episode is for you. My guest is Marvin Wey, co-founder of AuthorScale, a tool that helps indie authors turn their own books into the social media posts that actually sell them....
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The Spiritual Side of Beating Writer's Burnout: Charlotte Donlon on Rituals, Rest, and Writing – The Writing Coach Ep. 235
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Charlotte Donlon. Charlotte spent years training as a spiritual director — the kind of one-on-one guidance usually reserved for matters of faith — and somewhere along the way, her clients turned out to be writers. Lots of them. Enough…
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Murder, Wormholes, and AIs in Your Head: Talking Sci‑Fi with J.E. Sheasby – The Writing Coach Ep. 234
What happens when an AI doesn't just assist you but lives inside your head? In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I sit down with my client, science fiction author J.E. Sheasby, to discuss his debut novel, Shared Sentience, and the first book in an ambitious seven-book series he has spent...
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For Once in My Life: Rob Cole on Arlinda Willis's Story - The Writing Coach 233
Welcome back to the Ready Coach Podcast. I'm your host, Kevin Johns, and today I'm sitting down with Rob Cole — a writer, an animal sanctuary founder in Hawai'i, and now, after thirty years, a published biographer. Rob's new book, For Once in My Life, opens with Arlinda Willis's birth in 1951 in...
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Five Days, Mullins Beach, and 40 Years of Friendship: The Barbados Writing Retreat with Nathan Lang – The Writing Coach Ep. 232
This week I'm joined by Nathan Lang, a longtime friend, Barbados resident, hospitality professional, and co-host of the Barbados Writing Retreat. This coming November, I'm taking a small group of writers to Barbados. Five days on the West Coast of the island. Mornings for writing, afternoons for...
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Book Marketing Is a Long Game: Passion, Positioning, and Podcasting with Susan Friedman – The Writing Coach Ep. 231
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,...
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From Editor to Novelist: Candace Johnson on Copyediting, Revisions, and the Author–Editor Relationship – The Writing Coach Ep. 229
On today's episode of The Writing Coach 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…
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Emil Wilson on Memory, Family, and Graphic Storytelling – The Writing Coach Ep. 229
In this episode of The Writing Coach 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 The Nightingales, a genre-blurring work that feels part graphic novel, part literary memoir, and part...
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Flow States, Dopamine Management, and Beating Procrastination with Oscar-Winning Producer Steven Puri – The Writing Coach Ep. 228
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…
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Susan Leon on Crime Fiction, Forgiveness, and the Ripple Effects of Loss – The Writing Coach Ep. 227
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...
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Where the Night Winds Wail: Sandy Day on Obsession, Grief, and Indie Authorship
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 Odd Mom Out and the re‑release of Head on Backwards, Chest Full of Sand. This time, she's here to dive deep into…
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How Linda Garnett Turned Her Debut Gothic Vampire Novel into an Amazon Bestseller
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…
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Using Story Intelligence to Stay Authentic in the Age of AI with Gabrielle Dolan – The Writing Coach Ep. 224
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, Story Intelligence: The Craft of Authentic Storytelling Made Smarter with AI. Gabrielle shares how...
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Patty McGee on How to Teach Writing Without Crushing Confidence – The Writing Coach Ep. 223
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...
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From Journals to Memoir: How Margot Stornelli Wrote The Big Red Suitcase — The Writing Coach Ep. 222
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...
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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
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...
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Book Brush for Authors with Kathleen Sweeney
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…
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Amy Suto on Writing for Money, Power, and Creative Freedom — The Writing Coach Ep. 219
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...
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6 Books in 2 Years: Anne Kane on Plotting, Productivity, and Motorcycle Romance — The Writing Coach Ep. 218
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...
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Gala Russ on How to Stop Doing Things the Hard Way — The Writing Coach Ep. 217
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…
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Writing, Resistance, and Neurodiversity with Monica Hay - The Writing Coach Ep. 216
In this week's episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with writing coach Monica Hay for a conversation that goes deep into the psychology of writing. We talk ADHD, resistance, perfectionism, brain science, messy first drafts, why story structure works for some writers and absolutely…
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From Zen Kid to Wiccan Priest: Ivan Richmond on Ritual, Ethics, and the Spiritual Practice of Oneness — The Writing Coach 215
On this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with my client, Ivan Richmond—a Wiccan priest, spiritual leader, and author of The Religion of Good. Ivan's journey is a fascinating one: raised in a Zen Buddhist monastery community, he eventually found his way to Wicca, blending ancient...
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Stephen Weinstock on Music, Theater, and Writing -- The Writing Coach 214
Hey there, writers and writing coaches! Today, we have a truly fascinating guest joining us. If you love storytelling that bends genres, experiments with structure, and dives deep into the magic of narrative, you're in for a treat! Our guest is Steve Weinstock, a musician, educator, and author of...
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Douglas Vigliotti on Aristotle for Novelists — The Writing Coach 213
Welcome back to The Writing Coach! In our latest episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Douglas Vigliotti, author of the upcoming book Aristotle for Novelists. Douglas brings Aristotle's Poetics to life, showing how its ancient principles still resonate in modern storytelling. We...
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Michael Leonard on Religous Sci-Fi — The Writing Coach 212
Episode Spotlight: Michael Leonard on Pilgrims, Aliens, and a Journey from Tech to Fiction This week on The Writing Coach Podcast, I'm thrilled to welcome my client, Michael Leonard, to discuss his debut novel, Pilgrims. Michael's transition from a career in international business and tech to...
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Sandy Day on Re-Rleasing Books — The Writing Coach 211
In this latest episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with one of my superstar clients, the multi-talented author Sandy Day. If you're a fan of heartfelt and relatable stories set against rich Canadian backdrops, you're going to love this conversation. Sandy returns…
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Emma Dhesi on the Four Pillars of Author Success
In 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…
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Rhonda Douglas on Resilient Writing — The Writing Coach 209
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with Rhonda Douglas, a Canadian writer and writing coach who is passionate about helping women and non-binary authors complete their first books. Rhonda shares her journey as a writer, including the powerful impact that early feedback and...
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Unveiling Author Marketing Secrets with Kimberley Grabas — The Writing Coach 208
In 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...
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Sue Brown-Moore on Character-Driven Storytelling — The Writing Coach 207
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I chat with Sue Brown-Moore. Sue is a sought-after book revision coach and one of LA Weekly's 15 Book Coaches to Watch. Sue and I discussed various aspects of fiction writing, including the importance of character-driven storytelling, imagination,...
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Beth Barany on Unleashing Your Creativity — The Writing Coach 206
Looking for inspiration, guidance, and a fresh perspective on your craft? You are in the right place. In this week's episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I sit down with Beth Barany, a creativity coach, NLP expert, and accomplished author. Beth shares her fascinating journey from aspiring doctor...
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Brooke Adams Law on Writing Brave -- The Writing Coach 205
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with author and writing coach Brooke Adams Law.
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Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer on Writing, American Indians, and Dictation — The Writing Coach 204
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with author and writing coach Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer is an author and writing instructor who takes authors struggling to master the tools and knowledge of their author journey and help them…
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Marketing is About Small Actions (Not Big Lauches)
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns discusses the significance of small acts of kindness and their impact on his life, as well as the role of personality in shaping an artist's reputation. He explains how the behavior of various artists--from writers to comic...
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Writing is Magic -- The Writing Coach 202
In this episode of the Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns explores the power and magic of words. He discusses how words have the ability to shape our understanding of reality and perception. Through examples from language evolution, psychology, and literature, Kevin illustrates how the...
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Thoughts on 10 Writing Tips from Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Welcome to the latest episode of The Writing Coach podcast with Kevin T. Johns. In this episode, Kevin discusses writing tips from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator of the acclaimed TV show Fleabag. Kevin goes over 10 tips from Waller-Bridge on aspects like starting with funny personal…
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What Would Luke Skywalker Do? -- The Writing Coach 200
Celebrating the 200th episode of the show, along with Star Wars Day 2024, writing coach Kevin T. Johns explores his lifelong relationship with the Star Wars story and franchise.
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My Favourite Memoirs
Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns discusses some of his favourite books from the memoir genre.
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How to Land a Literary Agent with One Email - The Writing Coach 198
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns reveals how his client was able to land an offer of representation from a literary agent after sending a single email.
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Arrogance, Ignorance, and Apprenticeship – The Writing Coach 197
Inspired by a Simon Sinek quote about arrogance and humility, in this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns explores how the modern view of writing as a talent differs from its historical roots as a trade. He explores how ancient scribes and medieval monks approached writing…
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