Books, Business, & Mindset - A Podcast for Authors
Jen Graybeal, a certified creativity coach and editor, hosts this podcast for authors who want to build a business around their writing. She offers encouragement, collaborative problem-solving, and tough love to help authors create stories they're proud of and align their business with their vision of success. The podcast covers topics like writing, publishing, and author entrepreneurship.
Episodes
40+ Books and Still Curious: Cathy Maxwell on Writing, Reinvention, and her Leap to Indie Publishing
NYT and USA Today bestselling author Cathy Maxwell has written more than 40 historical romances — and her most exciting chapter is just beginning. In her very first podcast interview, Cathy sits down with me to reflect on three decades of writing, the friendships that shaped her career, and the creative freedom she found when she made the leap into indie publishing.This is a conversation full of h
Pirate Queens, Reapers, and Joyful Chaos: Allison/ Alli Temple on Brand, Boundaries, and Big Creative Swings
Author Allison Temple (aka Alli Temple) joins me to talk about writing what lights you up—even when it breaks the “rules.” From male/male small‑town rom‑coms to a smash hit sapphic pirate series and a weirdly wonderful trilogy about the Afterlife, Allison shares how she builds worlds around characters and built her brand around stories she loves. We dig into shelving projects without shame, writin
Write, Publish, Profit: Moni Boyce’s Playbook for Career Resilience
USA Today bestselling author, filmmaker, and poet Moni Boyce joins Jen to unpack what it takes to turn writing into a real, sustainable business. Moni traces her path from film producer to traveling nomad ghostwriter to full‑time indie author, sharing how she plans series that drive read‑through, builds a brand readers recognize, and balances creativity with smart marketing.Moni recommends courses
On Your Shoulders - A Mindful Moment
Today on the podcast, we are doing something a little bit different.We're going to take a couple of minutes for peace and stillness while Jen walk you through a mindfulness exercise. You can do this sitting at your desk, sitting on the couch, lying down on your bed, anywhere that is comfortable and your body feels supported.Work It: A 6- Week Coaching Intensive for Authors Information, Wait L
Rock Shows, Rescue Pets, and Radical Creativity: R.L. Merrill on the Choices Authors Make
In this wide‑ranging conversation, award‑winning author R.L. Merrill joins Jen to talk about creativity, resilience, and finding joy in the writing life. Ro shares how music shapes her stories, how she writes across multiple genres (from contemporary romance to paranormal to horror), and why hope and acceptance are at the core of her work.She opens up about writing through personal hardship, carin
Art, Patreon, and Pirates with Lin Lustig: A Discussion About Authenticity and Ill-Fitting Shoes
Author and illustrator Lin Lustig joins creativity coach Jen Graybeal to explore what it really means to live—and write—authentically as a creative. From blending art and fiction to building found-family pirate adventures and heartfelt queer fantasy, Lin shares how embracing her “delightful oddball” side became both her superpower and survival tool.This thoughtful, funny, and deeply honest convers
Level Up Your Author Business: Rights, Royalties, and Real Talk with Lisa Rayne
Award‑winning author and intellectual property attorney Lisa Rayne joins host Jen Graybeal to deliver a masterclass in writing, business, and author empowerment. Lisa pulls back the curtain on what every writer needs to know about contracts, grants of rights, and copyrights—including the pitfalls many authors miss until it’s too late.She shares her journey from corporate law to award-winning roman
Email Marketing for Authors and the Many Benefits of Being a Nerdy Romantic with Y.M. Nelson
How do you make email marketing work for your author business—not against it? In this episode, creativity coach Jen Graybeal talks with Y. M. Nelson, author of The Accidental Swipe and host of the Nerdy Romantics podcast. Together, they dive deep into building a sustainable writing career—we talk about knowing who you are and what you want, and how that translates to better newsletters and marketi
Romantic Suspense, Writer Community, and Pivoting with Data — Loucinda McGary on Staying in the Game
What does it take to keep writing — and thriving — across decades of publishing? Host Jen Graybeal sits down with Loucinda McGary, romantic‑suspense author and creative globe‑trotter, to talk about writing gothic‑tinged love stories, finding community, and treating your author career like a business.Loucinda shares how she went from a government job to full‑time novelist, the power of supporting w
Romance, Murder, and Community: Tobi Doyle on Cozy Mysteries, Marketing Mindset, and GenreCon
What does it take to build a lasting career as a fiction author? In this episode, host Jen Graybeal sits down with Tobi Doyle—award-winning romance and cozy mystery author of over a dozen books.Tobi shares her journey from first putting words on the page in 2007 to publishing her upcoming cozy mystery series Pour Decisions. The conversation covers essential topics for authors at every stage:Craft
Queer Romance, Supervillain Shenanigans, and Writing Found Family with Author Kelly Farmer
Author Kelly Farmer talks with Jen Graybeal about writing queer contemporary romance filled with snark, heart, and authentic connection. She shares her journey from early storytelling to publishing inclusive love stories that help readers feel seen.Kelly spotlights her Vector City Supers trilogy—a superhero romance series about found family, second chances, and chasing dreams—with Book 3 launching
Season 2 Trailer
This is the Book's Business and Mindset podcast where we talk about creating stories you love and building a career that works for you. This season, I'm sitting down with some incredible authors for honest conversations about what it takes to thrive.We talk about managing creative anxiety and staying motivated when the words just aren't flowing. You'll get smart, honest marketi
The 4Ps of Marketing
In this episode of the Books, Business, and Mindset Podcast, certified creativity coach Jen Graybeal delves into effective marketing strategies for authors. Focusing on the four Ps—Product, Price, Place, and Promotion—Jen highlights the importance of distinguishing between strategies and tactics. The discussion includes practical tips on diversifying product offerings, setting appropriate pricing,
Three Teams Every Author Needs
In this episode of the Books Business and Mindset Podcast, hosted by creativity coach Jen Graybeal, the focus is on the importance of building three distinct teams crucial for any author's success. Jen emphasizes the collaborative nature of the writing process, debunking the myth of the solitary author. She details the need for support during story development, including sprint groups and cri
Planning with Clarity, Confidence, and Focus Part 2
In this episode of the Books Business and Mindset Podcast, host Jen Graybeal, a certified creativity coach, discusses effective planning strategies for authors. Jen continues from episode six, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive brain dump to organize and manage tasks. She advocates for personalizing the planning process and using action-oriented language to enhance productivity. The episode
Planning with Clarity, Confidence, and Focus - Part 1
In this episode of the Books, Business, and Mindset Podcast, Jen Graybeal, a certified creativity coach, delves into planning and goal setting for authors. She discusses her unique approach to planning that eschews traditional methods like SMART goals and strict schedules, emphasizing flexibility and a personalized system that works for her. Jen introduces her six-step planning system which includ
Outsmart Your Inner Critic: Surprising Lessons from the Voices in Your Head
In this episode of the Books, Business, and Mindset Podcast, hosted by certified creativity coach Jen Graybeal, listeners learn about the impact of negative self-talk and how it affects creativity and productivity. Jen explains how the brain's repetition of negative thoughts leads to deeply ingrained beliefs, resulting in struggles with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. She emphasizes the imp
Intro to Editors and Different Types of Editing
Understanding the Role of Editors in the Publishing ProcessIn this episode of the Books, Business, and Mindset Podcast, certified creativity coach Jen Graybeal delves into the crucial role that editors play in the publishing process. Jen explains the different types of editors, including developmental, line, copy, and proofreaders, and their specific functions throughout the stages of writing and
Mapping a Strategy for Change
Creating Effective Change Strategies for AuthorsIn this episode of the Books, Business, and Mindset Podcast, host Jen Graybeal, a certified creativity coach, delves into the importance of creating a change strategy for authors. Jen offers detailed insights on strategic thinking, including key steps for forming a change framework. She highlights three critical questions to guide authors in their go
DIY Developmental Editing
In this episode of the Books, Business, and Mindset podcast, certified creativity coach Jen Graybeal delves into the intricacies of developmental editing. She outlines the different phases of editing—developmental, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading—and emphasizes the importance of investing in a good developmental editor. Jen provides a comprehensive checklist for evaluating stories, di
Facing our Story Issues
How Neuroscience and Creativity Intersect to Solve Story IssuesIn this episode, Jen explores the roots of story problems and how external factors like life stressors can impact the creative process. She discusses how various neurochemicals affect motivation and frustration. Through practical advice for overcoming writer's block, this episode encourages writers to reframe negative thoughts and
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