Shows / The Writing Coach

The Writing Coach
Author and writing coach Kevin T. Johns interviews the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors that help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.
Episodes
The Writing CoachLyrics First, Melody Second: Linda L. Garnett on Music, Playlists and Writing Red Falls – The Writing Coach Ep. 244
Red Falls author Linda L. Garnett returns to talk music: writing lyrics and fan fiction at fourteen, trading mixtapes with pen pals, building Spotify playlists…
The Writing CoachA Ten-Year Journey to The Call to Witchery: Lorraine Johnston on Contemporary Fantasy, Story Structure, and Marketing a Debut – The Writing Coach Ep. 243
Lorraine Johnston's debut contemporary fantasy, The Call to Witchery, began in a morning journal in 2016. She talks about the ten-year journey to publication…
The Writing CoachWriter’s Block, Recovery, and Hope: David Deane Haskell on The Solarian Deep and Wounded Angels – The Writing Coach Ep. 242
Sci-fi and nonfiction author David Deane Haskell talks about the five-year writer's block that followed his sobriety, the floodgates that opened with The…
The Writing CoachTwenty Drafts, Three Books, One Character: Sherilyn Decter on Writing The Promise Trilogy – The Writing Coach Ep. 241
Sherilyn Decter spent two years and over twenty drafts turning a minor character from her Moonshiner Mysteries series into The Promise Trilogy. Here's how a…
The Writing CoachA Writing Coach and Her Client: Ellen Baker and Terence Sullivan on Alice of Oz, Summerland Cove, and Two Paths to Publishing – The Writing Coach Ep. 240
Novelist and writing coach Ellen Baker joins her longtime client Terence Sullivan, whose viral TikTok series became the novel Alice of Oz, to talk about seven…
The Writing CoachWriting is Rewriting: Steven Puri Returns to Talk Flow States and Hollywood Screenwriting – The Writing Coach Ep. 239
Steven Puri, founder of Sukha and a former Hollywood visual-effects producer, returns to talk about the neuroscience of flow states, what separates writers who…
The Writing CoachPre-Made vs. Custom Book Covers, Explained | Usama Munir, Design Dusk – The Writing Coach Ep. 238
Usama Munir of Design Dusk on pre-made vs. custom book covers, genre conventions, and how AI is (and isn't) changing cover design for authors.
The Writing CoachWriting Transgressive Fiction: Ron Black on Bleu and the Character No One Has to Like – The Writing Coach Ep. 237
Ron Black's debut novel Bleu: A Transgressive Tale takes a hard look at addiction, the art world, and domestic violence — with the abuse running in a direction…
The Writing CoachMarketing 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
Marvin Wey, co-founder of AuthorScale, on the two proven social media formats selling books right now, how to find the scenes in your own manuscript worth…
The Writing CoachThe Spiritual Side of Beating Writer’s Burnout: Charlotte Donlon on Rituals, Rest, and Writing – The Writing Coach Ep. 235
Spiritual director Charlotte Donlon on the rituals, permission, and belonging that keep writers out of burnout and the two-minute practice she uses daily.
The Writing CoachMurder, Wormholes, and A.I.s in Your Head: Talking Sci‑Fi with J.E. Sheasby – The Writing Coach Ep. 234
J.E. Sheasby joins The Writing Coach to explore AI, sentience, futuristic crime, worldbuilding, and the decade-long journey behind his ambitious sci-fi series.
The Writing CoachFor Once in My Life: Rob Cole on the Biography of Arlinda Willis – The Writing Coach Ep. 233
After thirty years and 140 rejected literary agents, Rob Cole self-published the authorized biography of Arlinda Willis, a story of Jim Crow Alabama…
The Writing CoachFive Days, Mullins Beach, and 40 Years of Friendship: The Barbados Writing Retreat with Nathan Lang – The Writing Coach Ep. 232
Kevin T. Johns interviews Nathan Lang, Barbados resident, hospitality expert, and co-host of the November 2026 Barbados Writing Retreat, about what writers can…
The Writing CoachBook Marketing is a Long Game: Passion, Positioning, and Podcasting with Susan Friedman – The Writing Coach Ep. 231
Book marketing strategist and podcaster Susan Friedman joins Kevin Johns to talk about why marketing is a long game, how fiction and nonfiction require…
The Writing CoachFrom Editor to Novelist: Candace Johnson on Copyediting, Revisions, and the Author–Editor Relationship – The Writing Coach Ep. 230
Longtime editor and first-time novelist Candace Johnson joins The Writing Coach Podcast to share insider insights on traditional publishing, what copy editors…
The Writing CoachEmil Wilson on Memory, Family, and Graphic Storytelling – The Writing Coach Ep. 229
Graphic novelist Emil Wilson joins Kevin Johns to discuss his stunning debut, The Nightingales, a sketchbook-style, semi-autobiographical story about family…
The Writing CoachFlow States, Dopamine Management, and Beating Procrastination with Oscar-Winning Producer Steven Puri – The Writing Coach Ep. 228
Oscar-winning producer Steven Puri shares Hollywood storytelling lessons, flow states, and dopamine management tactics to help writers beat procrastination and…
The Writing CoachSusan Leon on Crime Fiction, Forgiveness, and the Ripple Effects of Loss – The Writing Coach Ep. 227
Author Susan Leon discusses her debut novel If They’d Only Known, crime fiction, grief, forgiveness, Northern Ontario, and the ripple effects of loss.
The Writing CoachWhere the Night Winds Wail: Sandy Day on Obsession, Grief, and Indie Authorship – The Writing Coach Ep. 226
In this episode, Kevin sits down with author Sandy Day to discuss her new Ontario noir novel WHERE THE NIGHT WINDS WAIL, a haunting story inspired by the…
The Writing CoachHow Linda Garnett Turned Her Debut Gothic Vampire Novel into an Amazon Bestseller – The Writing Coach Ep. 225
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, Kevin T. Johns speaks with author Linda Garnett about the release of her debut Gothic vampire novel, Red Falls…
The Writing CoachUsing Story Intelligence to Stay Authentic in the Age of AI with Gabrielle Dolan – The Writing Coach Ep. 224
Storytelling expert and author Gabrielle Dolan joins writing coach Kevin T. Johns to reveal how writers, coaches, and leaders can use “story intelligence” (and…
The Writing CoachPatty McGee on How to Teach Writing Without Crushing Confidence – The Writing Coach Ep. 223
Kevin Johns talks with literacy expert Patty McGee about grammar, feedback, revision, voice, and how to help writers grow with more confidence and skill.
The Writing CoachFrom Journals to Memoir: How Margot Stornelli Wrote The Big Red Suitcase — The Writing Coach Ep. 222
Kevin chats with his client Margot Stornelli, a retired librarian who turned a personal journaling project into a full travel memoir, The Big Red Suitcase.
The Writing CoachWriting, Burnout, and the Long Game: Kevin Tomlinson on Building a Sustainable Author Life with VAs — The Writing Coach Ep. 221
Author Kevin Tumlinson joins The Writing Coach Podcast to talk burnout, AI, virtual assistants, and how writers can build a sustainable, human-centered author…
The Writing CoachBook Brush for Authors with Kathleen Sweeney — The Writing Coach Ep. 220
Kathleen Sweeney of Book Brush shares how authors can simplify visual marketing, stay on brand, and choose DIY vs done-for-you support.
The Writing CoachAmy Suto on Writing for Money, Power, and Creative Freedom — The Writing Coach Ep. 219
Amy Suto on freelancing, paid newsletters, self-publishing, pricing, AI, and building a writing career with real autonomy—without gatekeepers.
The Writing Coach6 Books in 2 Years: Anne Kane on Plotting, Productivity, and Motorcycle Romance — The Writing Coach Ep. 218
Anne Kane returns to The Writing Coach Podcast to share how plotting helped her write faster, publish more books, and build a real writing career—without…
The Writing CoachGala Russ on How to Stop Doing Things the Hard Way — The Writing Coach Ep. 217
Author and writing coach Gala Russ joins Kevin T. Johns to discuss community, revision, perfectionism, and why DIY writing doesn’t mean doing it alone.
The Writing CoachWriting, Resistance, and Neurodiversity with Monica Hay — The Writing Coach Ep. 216
Writing coach Monica Hay joins writing coach Kevin T. Johns to discuss ADHD, resistance, messy drafts, and why community helps writers finish their books.
The Writing CoachFrom Zen Kid to Wiccan Priest: Ivan Richmond on Ritual, Ethics, and the Spiritual Practice of Oneness — The Writing Coach 215
Join writing coach Kevin T. Johns as he talks with author and Wiccan priest Ivan Richmond about the connection between ritual, flow, and writing. Discover how…
The Writing CoachStephen Weinstock on Music, Theater, and Writing — The Writing Coach 214
In the latest episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with musician, educator, and author Steve Weinstock.
The Writing CoachDouglas Vigliotti on Aristotle for Novelists — The Writing Coach 213
In the latest episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Douglas Vigliotti about his new book, Aristotle for Novelists.
The Writing CoachMichael Leonard on Religion & Science-Fiction — The Writing Coach 212
In this latest episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I have the pleasure of chatting with one of my superstar clients, the multi-talented author Sandy Day. If…
The Writing CoachSandy Day on Re-Releasing Books — The Writing Coach 211
In this latest episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I have the pleasure of chatting with one of my superstar clients, the multi-talented author Sandy Day. If…
The Writing CoachEmma Dhesi on the Four Pillars of Author Success — The Writing Coach 210
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I speak with writing coach Emma Dhesi about journey as a writer and coach, her unique approach to storytelling…
The Writing CoachRhonda 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…
The Writing CoachUnveiling Author Marketing Secrets with Kimberley Grabas — The Writing Coach 208
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Kimberley Grabas, founder of Your Writer Platform and a veteran in the author marketing world.
The Writing CoachSue Brown-Moore on Character-Driven Storytelling — The Writing Coach 207
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with writing coach Sue Brown-Moore.
The Writing CoachBeth Barany on Unleashing Your Creativity — The Writing Coach 206
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with creativity coach, NLP expert, and accomplished author Beth Barany.
The Writing CoachBrooke 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.
The Writing CoachSarah 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.
The Writing CoachMarketing is About Small Acts of Kindness (Not Big Launches) — The Writing Coach 203
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…
The Writing CoachWriting 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…
The Writing CoachThoughts on 10 Writing Tips from Phoebe Waller-Bridge — The Writing Coach 201
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses 10 writing tips from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator of the acclaimed TV…
The Writing CoachWhat Would Luke Skywalker Do? — The Writing Coach 200
Celebrating the 200th episode of the show and Star Wars Day 2024, writing coach Kevin T. Johns reflects on the profound impact that Star Wars has had on his…
The Writing CoachMy Favourite Memoirs – The Writing Coach 199
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares his thoughts on various memoirs he has enjoyed.
The Writing CoachHow 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.
The Writing CoachArrogance, 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…
The Writing CoachHow to Plot a Killer Final Act – The Writing Coach 196
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains the story beats you can use to plot a fantastic final act for your book.
The Writing CoachLorraine Johnston on Writing Fiction with ChatGPT – The Writing Coach 195
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns speaks with Lorraine Johnston about her Amazon bestselling book, which combines traditional writer's craft techniques with modern…
The Writing CoachOn Offence, Disabilities, and Introversion – The Writing Coach 194
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns discusses the important topic of offending people through creative expression and…
The Writing CoachMy Top Ten Tips for Writers – The Writing Coach 193
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares the top ten pieces of advice he most often gives to writers.
The Writing CoachHow to Use AI to Improve Your Environmental Descriptions – The Writing Coach 192
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains how authors can harness the power of ChatGPT to improve the environmental descriptions in their writing.
The Writing CoachHow School Messes Up Writers – The Writing Coach 191
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns argues many beginner authors struggle because our public school and high school…
The Writing Coach6 Types of Editors – The Writing Coach 190
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns describes the 6 different types of editors and the roles they play in the publishing and book production process. Listen now!
The Writing CoachPathetic Fallacy Explained – The Writing Coach 189
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains how to effectively use the literary technique of pathetic fallacy.
The Writing CoachSandy Day on Community and Accountability — The Writing Coach Episode 188
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns speaks with his client, author Sandy Day, about her new novel, ODD MOM OUT.
The Writing CoachStories of Chaos and Serendipity — The Writing Coach Episode 187
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the fascinating way that chaos and serendipity inform our lives, our careers, and our art.
The Writing CoachYou’re Not Too Old to Write a Book — The Writing Coach Episode 186
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains why age isn't a hindrance to becoming an author and argues that it is, in fact, an advantage.
The Writing CoachThere is No End State for Writers — The Writing Coach Episode 185
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns acknowledges the importance of setting goals, but then asks the question, what if goals aren't really what we should be focused…