These Mums Write

Need some indie author marketing inspiration?

Bree Moore is a homeschooling mom of SIX from Iowa and urban fantasy author who has self-published multiple series, including Shadows of Camelot and Lost Souls. 

After publishing her first book with a hybrid or vanity publisher, she turned to indie publishing and hasn't looked back.

In today’s episode, she shares everything she has learned about selling books as an indie author as well as creating the conditions to write them (because, yeah, SIX kids).

Are you called to write about a past trauma? 

Odelia Elgarat first learned she was adopted at age 12 and spent the next several decades struggling to come to terms with this fact.

In today's episode she shares how, even after tracking down her biological mother in her 30s, it was writing a memoir about this experience, You are Allowed, which finally allowed her to heal from it, as well as how she navigated this deeply emotional process and what she learned about writing along the way.

Being a mom means not just learning how to take care of your small human, but also yourself.

Erin Canning is a writing coach and podcaster who knows what it's like to lose yourself to parenting. 

In this episode, Erin shares her own journey overcoming childhood trauma to become a better mom and happier person, and how she is now helping other moms reclaim themselves through writing, including tips and strategies you can start putting into practice today

Do you want to build up different revenue streams to help you transition into full time writing?

Sara Reilly is a mom who recently left her career as school teacher and is now building up a writing business through ghostwriting and editing.

In this episode, Sarah shares how she is building up her clients and how this new writing life is bringing new joy and purpose to her day-to-day.

Do you ever hear yourself thinking, "I could if only ..."

Darcie Naslund is here to remind you to let go of your "if only's." Darcie is a mom of three, teacher and picture book author living with multiple sclerosis. In this episode she shares how she is not only building a thriving writing life around her chronic illness, but also how she is using her condition to fuel her creativity.

Are you struggling to come to terms with something from your life?

Anya Wyers is a Canadian mom whose first book, a memoir called Letters to the Mountain, was about the loss of her best friend Rachel who disappeared on a hiking trip.

In this episode, Anya shares how her memoir writing journey helped her take some control over what had happened how she is now applying that same insight to pivot into world of fiction writing.

Why do you write?

For Kimberly Ann, bringing her home landscape of western Canada into the romance genre has been a driving force.

In this week's episode of the podcast, this homeschooling mom of two shares why she gave up her day job to write full time, and the strides she is making to not only build up her indie romance brand but also showcase the land she loves.

Do you need to kick your creativity in the ass?

News years resolutions and extended family time can take its toll on writing motivation.

So, maybe it's time to learn how to put that annoying mom in playgroup in a choke hold.

Libby Webber is a mother of two, action writer and self-defence teacher. 

In this episode she shares how learning the art of jiu jitsu changed her approach to writing fight scenes and has helped her become a boundary-setting bad-ass momma in general. 

Are you a mom who wants to pivot into a new career in creative writing so your stories can touch other humans?

Then you may have a lot more in common than your local indie book store owner than you realized. 

Julie Wilkins is a mom and the owner of The Little Book Shop in Squamish, BC. Julie is a relative newcomer to the book world, having recently given up a lucrative career in branding and marketing to follow her dream of bringing more diverse books to her mountain town.

In this episode, Julie shares how she made the jump and insights for indie authors interested in building relationships with stores like hers.

What do you learn about writing from talking to over 100 moms and women about writing?

You could binge listen this show (please binge listen the show) or you could listen me and Bookshelf Banter Heather Balog sum up what we've learned about how to be a successful mom writer despite all the challenges that come with children and husbands and day-jobs.

In addition to her podcast, Heather Balog is the author of more than a dozen rom coms and cozy mysteries, has a day job in health and is a mother of two.

In this episode, Jackie and Heather talk about how to maintain your creative drive and dedication so that you can survive all the crazy that life throws at you (think flooding dishwashers and cat poop in all the wrong places).

Never underestimate what moms can get done in the in-between moments.

If you have ever told yourself that you don't have time to write Sarah Dayan Mueller is here to set you set.

The mother and historical fiction author wrote her bestselling historical fiction novel, Home in a Hundred Places, in just six months writing almost exclusively during her toddler's afternoons naps.

In this episode, she shares her approach for finding time to write, as well as her strategies for getting readers invested in her amazing story.

How do you launch a book? Heck, how do you even find the time to write it in the first place?

As a mother of two sets of twins, Wendy Kok is no stranger to getting things done--even if that means getting them done a little messy at first.

In today's show, the indie paranormal romance author and podcast host shares what she has learned about book launching from the publication of two books in her A Grey Resort series and how she is finding her way through the publishing world, one gut-based decision at a time.

Are you interested in creating a writing business to serve other moms like you? We have talked to a number of incredible women on this show who are stepping up to create communities and businesses for writing moms (see episode lists below) and today we continue the conversation! 

Christina Walsh co-founded the Mom Babes with her sister, Carolyn Turkington, to help moms connect and share their stories. 

The BC-based program leads moms through the production of a non-fiction anthology. The third Mom Babes anthology will be released in May 2023. 

In this episode, Christina shares what she's learned about writing and story-telling, business-building and the awesomeness of moms.

Does being a mom mean you can't be a writer? How does motherhood enhance the creative process? Or challenge it?

Jen Sookfong Lee and Stacey May Fowles are moms, award winning writers and the editors of a recently released anthology which explores these questions. Good Mom on Paper: Writers on Creativity and Motherhood was published in May, 2022, by Book Hug Press.

In this episode Jen and Stacey share the challenges they have faced in the literary world as mom writers, how their writing has changed as a result of motherhood and wisdom for other navigating the tension between creativity and mumming.

Are you trying to build a reader platform for your author business on Instagram? 

Posting, engaging, commenting, DMs and more. It can be easy to get burned out by the demands of showing up on regularly on social media platforms like this one.

But you don't have to. 

In today's episode, social media coach and podcast host Jen Kolbuc shares tips and strategies for approaching your social media brand-building that can help you maintain your energy over the long-term.

When it comes to writing, you might think that the biggest challenge we moms face is finding time.

According to Megan Clancy, that's a lie.

Megan is a mom and women's fiction author who recently left behind a career as a high school English teacher to focus on her true passion: supporting moms as a writing coach.

In today's episode she explains that the biggest barrier her clients face isn't not having time to write, but overcoming "mom guilt" to make that time. As well, she shares tips on how make the most out of the writing time you do have.  

Do you ever feel like hitting the restart button on your life?

For Brooke Smith, the death of her mother and end of her marriage was the call from the universe she needed to rebuild her life from the ground up.

That journey eventually brought her to launch a new career in writing and life coaching, where she is helping other women using writing to understand past and present blocks and create the lives they want by writing and publishing non-fiction books.

In this episode, learn Brooke's tips for writing and living.

Are you a women in your middle age? Then maybe you should write a novel about one.

Alexandra Potter has published dozens of romcoms about 20 year olds finding love during her two decades as a women's fiction author. However she recently took a big leap of faith in her writing by focusing on the experience of a middle aged woman and that feeling that your life just isn't how you planned. Her book, Confessions of a 40-something F*** up is now being turned into a TV series.

Hear why she made the change and her tips for writing comedy in this episode.

Resources mentioned: 

Do you ever find yourself laughing (and sometimes crying) about the everyday life of being a mom?

Momcom is a newly emerging genre that centres on the humour and heart of motherhood and could be the perfect for the story inside you.

Lisa Roe's debut momcom novel, Welcome to the Neighbourhood, was named one of the best reads of 2022 by USA Today.

In this episode, she shares the highs of writing motherhood, tips for writing humour and her journey as a first-time author.

Connect with Lisa via her https://linktr.ee/Lisaroewrites and via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lisaroewrites/?hl=en

Resources mentioned: 

Welcome to the Neighbourhood https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Neighborhood-Heartfelt-Romantic-Fiction-ebook/dp/B09DTK7L2W

Women’s Fictions Writers Association: https://www.womensfictionwriters.org/

In his book, Third Door, Alex Banayan describes how the success of leaders like Bill Gates, Maya Angelou, and Steven Spielberg is due to their ability to find and unlock that third door, or unconventional access point to their industries.

If you are looking for a third door into the publishing world, A.N. Payton's story of how a single Tweet made her publishing dreams come true is for you. 

In today's episode, A.N. shares how, after growing frustrated with trying to get her debut manuscript in front of a literary agent, she started participating in a Twitter pitches--one of which got the interest from the editor of a small publishing press, City Owl Press. She also describes the specific strategies that she leveraged to not only find her "third door" but also to make the most out of this opportunity as a complete newbie to the publishing world.

Do you have a story about a struggle you have overcome that you want to share with others to help those facing the same challenge? 

Does non-fiction writing appeal to you as a way to get your story heard?

Stephanie Thompson is a mum from Australia who sustained a pelvic organ prolapse injury during childbirth that prevented her from going back to a job she loved. After trying to live with the condition for three years, she finally got so frustrated she decided to write a book about it.

That book marked the beginning of Stephanie's role as a women's pelvic health advocate, a role which has seen her helping thousands of women learn how live again with prolapse. 

In today's episode, Stephanie breaks down how a professed "non-writer" not only produced a successful non-fiction book, but also leveraged it into an array of digital community spaces, including a podcast and Facebook group.

In 2006, Time magazine called Jamaica the most homophobic place on earth.

Gianni Holmes is a single mum and indie author of gay or MM romance, with dozens of titles to her name and Facebook fan group of over 2.5 thousand. Although writing in this genre poses risks to her, it has also meant financial independence, creative freedom, and the opportunity to help marginalized readers feel seen and safe.

In this week's episode, Gianni shares how she built up her career in this unique genre, how she ensures her work authentically reflects her readers and how she keeps her personal and author lives separate while still building her writing and reading community.

Connect with Gianni on her website: https://www.gianniholmesauthor.com/books, through her Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/giannifirsts or via email at contact@gianniholmesauthor.com.

Connect with the These Mums Write Community

Have you ever questioned whether you deserve to be a writer? Or what you should be writing?

Anna Conathan never wanted to be a screenwriter, and yet found herself working in LA for some of the world's biggest production houses including Disney, Sony, Warner Brothers, and Paramount. 

Then motherhood hit and she not only felt like an imposter in her highly paid Hollywood role, but was totally drowning with medical complications and depression. The one thing that stayed consistent throughout her journey, helping her find her place and herself despite all of the challenges is her voice. 

Have you ever thought about doing stand up comedy? Or maybe you want to infuse a little more comedy in your sit down kinda writing?

Jacqui Pirl is a mom and writer who decided the only way to get over her post-divorce depression was to surround herself in comedy. She had zero background when she signed up for a stand up comedy class several years ago and is now touring the US entertaining audiences with humour about momming, middle age and all things women. 

Do you feel like you aren't getting the most out of your writing time? Or that your books aren't selling as well as they should?

Becca Syme is an author, coach, youtube/podcast host and creator of the Better-Faster Academy. She is a USA Today bestselling author of small-town romance and cozy mystery and also writes the 'Dear Writer' series of non-fiction books. She has also individually coached thousands of authors toward better success in their careers and lives.

Basically, that's a really long way of saying she knows a crap ton about helping authors write and sell more books.

In this episode, Becca responds to two questions posed by the These Mums Write Facebook group: how do I become a more productive writer?; and what can I do if my books aren't selling? The long and the short of it: it's all about understanding what kind of writer you are and where you are in the process.

So you want to get your picture book out in the world but you don't have the funds to pay for it yourself and the publishing industry is moving at a sloth-like pace?

Janey Merry is a mum who was facing this exact predicament after completing the manuscript of her debut picture book, Ready, Set, Sloth. So she decided to launch a kickstarter campaign. Not only did she raise enough funds to cover the production of the book, but she got to meet a baby sloth in the process. 

In this episode, learn all about this crowdfunding newcomer's winning strategy and the many spinoffs that have happened since.  

Have you ever considered writing Christian fiction? If you have passed it by because the genre rules seem too rigid, it may be time to look again. 

Allison Wells is mom of four and author of four traditionally published Christian fiction novels, and one self-published sweet romance novel, Two Princes (released last month).

Allison is not your typical Christian fiction writer. In this episode, she describes how she is challenging the genre to introduce themes not typically addressed, such as prostitution and rape to offer readers a more realistic experience. She also shares what she loves about the genre, what it means to her, and tips for anyone looking to push the boundaries of this or any other genre.      

Is it time to reinvent yourself into a published novelist?

Jessica Payne is a mum, author and the host of #MomsWritersClub on Twitter and YouTube. And just a few years ago, she wasn't any of that. 

Jessica came to writing after already building a career in healthcare as a nurse practitioner. Though she has created a pretty impressive new author life for herself in a fairly short amount of time, don't be fooled. Jessica's debut novel, Make Me Disappear, a psychological thriller releasing next month by Bookouture, wasn't her first crack at novel-writing. The book that landed her an agent was actually her fourth.

In this episode she shares the secret to her success: applying what didn't work in her earlier manuscripts to refine her genre and voice, leveraging her lived experience in healthcare and above all, never giving up on herself. She also shares tips on becoming a high-performing writer gleaned from her role supporting other mums through the #MomsWritersClub. 

Do you dream for more for you and your family, but you don't know where to start? KK Allen is a single mom and in 2014 she asked her boss for a raise. It turned out to be the best raise she didn't get because his refusal and her desire to earn more for her son motivated her to start trying out this KDP thing her friend had mentioned. Eight years later she has grown that experiment into a bestselling romance brand with over a dozen award-winning titles to her name and tens of thousands of followers on Tik Tok and Instagram.

In this episode she dishes on the habits and boundary setting she has developed in that time to maintain her impressive output, shares what skills from her previous career that continue to serve her, and how she developed her brand, including her approach to creating book-sales-generating content.

Being a mum can make writing a challenge, but it can also be a source of inspiration and drive. Lisa Bournelis is a mum and change management specialist who recently published a children's novella about her son’s experiences with OCD during the pandemic, Louie and the Dictator. 

In this episode she shares how her son's struggle motivated her to write her debut book and what she hopes to accomplish it. She also shares change management tools that she applied (and you can, too) to get the book done in an impressively short time-frame despite feeling overwhelmed as a newcomer to the publishing industry.  

Do you have a mom-friendly support network to help you get your words on the page? Frustrated with the added pressure of the 2020 COVID lockdown and the feeling of never being able to get to "me time" to write, English novelist, poet and magazine editor Nikki Dudley decided to do something to help other mums in her situation. Nikki founded a writing development program just for mums called Mumwrite which recently produced it's second anthology and has inspired countless mums in England and Europe to get back to the thing they love: writing. In this episode, Nikki shares the biggest challenges her Mumwrite students face and how she helps them overcome them.