These Mums Write

Ever feel like your writing doesn't matter? Or your dreams, for that matter? Zibby Owens is here to remind all the mom writers that it does. Zibby is an author, publisher, award-winning podcaster, CEO, bookstore owner, and mom of four. The creator and host of the award-winning, daily podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books, and  founder and CEO of Zibby Media, dubbed “the Zibby-verse” by the L.A. Times. which includes a publishing house, magazine, book club, an independent bookstore and so much more. The one theme running through all of Zibby's businesses and projects is her dedication and appreciation of writing and writers. I know know about you but there are many times as a writer when I feel like the work I do doesn’t matter but this interview is an incredible reminder that writing matters, writers matter, and whatever you do, don’t let the bastards grind you down.

Do you feel burned out? Overwhelmed by the duties of momming and your day job? Alisha Fernandez Miranda is a mom of twins, a former CEO and the author of a coming-of-middle age memoir, My What If Year, which was released in February 2023.  The books shares her journey trying to find her joy again by walking away from a successful career to fill water bottles on Broadway, clear tables in Scotland and generally embrace the spirit of being the least experienced person in the room again. In this episode, she shares what inspired her year of unpaid internships, what she learned from putting it on the page and tips for others interested in pursuing traditional publication. Connect with Alisha via her website at https://www.alishafmiranda.com/ or Instagram at @alishafmiranda. Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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). Connect with Bree via her website https://www.authorbreemoore.com or via Instagram @breenovels (https://www.instagram.com/breenovels/) oin the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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. Learn more about You are Allowed on Amazon (https://a.co/d/cAJ4Zxt).  Resource mentioned: Thriving Authors Academy (https://www.dallaswoodburn.com/thriving-authors-academy) Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4  

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 Connect with Erin via her podcast Parents Who Write (https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/parents-who-write/id1632632349) or via her website https://lifebeyondparenting.com/. Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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. Connect with Sarah via her website at https://www.sarahreilley.com/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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. Connect with Darcie via Twitter at https://twitter.com/DarcieNaslund or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/darcies_picture_book_library/. Resources mentioned: 12 x 12 book challenge: https://www.12x12challenge.com/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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. Connect with Anya via her website (anyawyersauthor.ca). Resources mentioned: The SFU Writer’s Studio: Creative Writing Certificate. Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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. Connect with Kimberly Ann via her website: https://www.kimberlyannauthor.com  Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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.  Connect with Libby via her website at https://libbywebber.com/.  Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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. Connect with Julie via the Little Book Shop or check out the Inclusive Culture Club. Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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). Connect with Heather via her website at https://heatherbalog.com or listen to her podcast Bookshelf Banter: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/bookshelf-banter/id1525166875.

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. Connect with Sarah via her website at https://sarahdayanmueller.com/. Check out Home in a Hundred Places: https://a.co/d/dMq7jbu Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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. Connect with Wendy via her linktree at https://linktr.ee/willowwendy, via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wendykok4/ or her podcast, A Juicy Pear, at https://www.ajuicypearpodcast.com/ Resources mentioned: GoodReads webinar with Alessandra Torre: https://www.alessandratorreink.com/goodreads-webinar-registration Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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.  Learn more about the Mom Babes via their website (https://www.themombabes.com) or via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/themombabes/  These Mums Write episodes mentioned  Find your writing tribe: Allie Gravitt shares how she started a 5000+ Facebook group that is launching a movement of writing moms: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/find-your-writing-tribe-allie-gravitt-shares-how-she/id1590690580?i=1000559408233  Mom writing coach Megan Clancy on the power of prioritizing writing over playdates: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mom-writing-coach-megan-clancy-on-the-power/id1590690580?i=1000582892920  Your voice matters: English novelist and poet Nikki Dudley on her quest to inspire mums to write: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/your-voice-matters-english-novelist-and-poet-nikki/id1590690580?i=1000556188846  Persistence, pivots and leveraging what you know: Thriller author and MomsWritersClub founder Jessica Payne on getting agented https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/persistence-pivots-and-leveraging-what-you-know/id1590690580?i=1000558617663

How do you move from doing what you've always done to doing what lights you up? Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey is a coach, author, podcast host and professional pivoter. Clarissa has had multiple successful careers in her life and has never stopped questioning: is this making me happy?  In this episode, Clarissa shares her five step framework especially designed to help women in their forties and over pivot out of the familiar and into the future that their hearts truly desire.   Connect with Clarissa Instagram @ccr_sunshine or via her linktree. Listen to her podcast, Painting Your Path. Her books: Painting your Path: 21 Interviews with Extraordinary Women and Painting your Path journal. Resources mentioned: Book The Business: How To Make BIG MONEY With Your Book Without Even Selling A Single Copy by Adam Witty and Dan Kennedy  Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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. Check out Good Mom on Creativity: Writers on Creativity and Motherhood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Good-Mom-Paper-Creativity-Motherhood Connect with Stacey on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/missstaceymay/ or on her website https://www.staceymayfowles.com Connect with Jen on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jenleefur/ or via her website http://sookfong.com/ Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Do you want to land a literary agent, but not sure how?  Brandi Laroux is mom and full time nurse whose debut romantic suspense novel is currently on submission to publishing houses. Brandi is a relative newcomer to publishing, having only recently started writing novels. In fact, the manuscript that landed her an agent was the first one she actually completed.  How did she do it? In this episode, Brandi shares her "good is good enough" approach for getting 'er done while juggling kids and a demanding day job. Connect with Brandi via Tik Tok at https://www.tiktok.com/@dyeranderson1  Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

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. Connect with Jen via Instagram @socialwithjen or via her website at https://mountaintopconsulting.ca/ or linktree: https://linktr.ee/socialwithjen Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4

Have you ever felt like being a mom has meant putting your passion for writing to the side? Maybe in part due to pressure from you partner? Kathleen Foxx is a mother of five who knows what it's like to let go of yourself--and how to reclaim it. In this episode, she shares her struggle with mom guilt, the role her marriage played in keeping her away from her writing passion and how she is now channeling that realization into building an incredibly rich and diversified writing life. Connect with Kathleen via her at https://linktr.ee/kathleenfoxxwrites. Learn more about MoodPitch at https://linktr.ee/moodpitchers. Connect with the These Mums Write community Join the These Mums Write Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesemumswrite/ Get freebie episode handouts by joining my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/c1z8b4