Write the Damn Book Already
Want to write, publish, and market your book, but feel overwhelmed by where to start?
Write the Damn Book Already breaks down the writing process, self-publishing, and traditional publishing so you can move from idea to finished book with clarity and confidence.
Hosted by Elizabeth Lyons—author, book writing coach, book editor, and self-publishing expert—this show untangles the often-confusing world of writing and publishing. From first draft to finished manuscript, indie publishing to traditional publishing, Amazon strategy to long-term book visibility, you’ll get practical guidance and honest conversations about what it really takes to get a book into the world.
Through solo episodes and interviews with both traditionally published and indie authors—across fiction and nonfiction—Elizabeth brings a well-rounded, no-hype perspective to the publishing industry. Whether you’re working on memoir, nonfiction, or a novel, you’ll walk away with clearer next steps and fewer mental roadblocks.
Episodes
167 episodes
Ep 166: Writing the Book That Scares You a Little (with Rachel Beanland)
Rachel Beanland has written three novels (her newest, The Half Life, releases on July 14, 2026 from Simon & Schuster), and she's still surprised by how much each book teaches her. In this episode, we talk about what it actually ...
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Ep 165: How to Write a Memoir That Actually Lands With Rachel Weaver
Rachel Weaver wrote her memoir Dizzy at a seven-day writing residency in Wyoming where she was, by her own description, "the depressed one in the corner the whole time." The (ultimate) result? A beautifully structured, deeply honest bo...
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Ep 164: Why Your Manuscript Stalls (and What Actually Helps)
If your book has been sitting in a half-finished state for longer than you'd like to admit, this episode is for you. I'm in the middle of writing my seventh book — my first real attempt at fiction — and I'm not even going to pretend...
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Ep 163: The Truth About Traditional Publishing Nobody Tells First-Time Authors
Lori is a traditionally published author of seven books whose latest novel, Kiss, Marry, Kill, releases April 7th with HarperCollins. Last time she was on the show, we talked about her novel, Romantic Friction. This time? We g...
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Ep 162: From Academic to Fiction Author with Jennifer Brown
Ever wonder what happens when an academic specializing in medieval women’s visions suddenly writes her first novel? In this episode, Jennifer Brown shares her unexpected leap from dusty manuscripts to publishing with St. Martin’s Pr...
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Ep 161: How to Avoid Getting Banned on Amazon: 5 Essential Tips for Indie Authors
Many indie authors lose sleep over the idea of getting banned on Amazon. Honestly? That fear makes sense. It's not possible to guarantee that your account would be suspended or deactivated, but if it is, there are steps you can take to rectify ...
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Ep 160: The Hidden Struggles of TV and Book Success with Liz Astrof
Creative careers look glamorous from the outside. The inside is usually…a little messier.In episode 160, I sit down with Liz Astrof, TV writer ("Stumble," "King of Queens," "Pivoting," etc.) and author of Stay-At-Work Mom...
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Ep 159: Start at the End with Emma Grey
In this episode, I’m joined by Emma Grey, whose newest novel, Start at the End, publishes on April 7, 2026. We talk about writing brave stories and building a creative life that can withstand rejection.Emma shares how vul...
Ep 158: Inside Alexandra Potter's Writing Process
In this episode, I’m joined by U.K.-based bestselling author Alexandra Potter, known for Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k-Up and her newest release, So, I Met This Guy... We talk about her writing journey, the free...
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Ep 157: The Challenge of Anonymity in Memoir Writing
Can you write a memoir without putting your name on it?In this episode, I tackle two of the most common questions I hear from aspiring memoirists: Can I stay anonymous? and What makes a book successful? I br...
Ep 156: New Ebook Strategies for Indie Authors (2026)
It's critical to understand the dynamics of book distribution, the advantages of ebooks, and strategies for increasing sales, especially as an indie author. So in this conversation, I discuss recent updates in the self-publishing world, focusin...
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Ep 155: A Lawyer's Flawed Characters Challenge the Idea of "Happily Ever After" (with Sarah Vacchiano)
Sarah Vacchiano’s journey from querying 100 agents to publishing with one of the industry’s top houses is a story of patience, "luck," and the power of building genuine relationships.In this episode, Sarah shares the behind-the-scenes de...
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Ep 154: Cassie Miller's Path to "Meet Me Under the Lights" (YA Contemporary Romance)
An elementary school librarian by day. A writer by night (and other spare moments). Somewhere in between, a whole book got written.In episode 154, I’m joined by Cassie Miller, author of the upcoming young adult contemporary sports...
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Ep 153: Authors: Overcoming the Fear of Failure
Fear of failure shows up early for most authors. And despite what you may think, it doesn’t magically disappear once you’re published.In this episode, I get honest about how fear, rejection, and unmet expectations quietly shape the writi...
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Ep 152: Building Your Author Email List
In this episode, I discuss the significance of context in the author space, emphasizing the need for transparency in marketing. I also talk about that dreaded task: building an author email list. EPISODE CHAPTERS
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Ep 251: 2026: The Year of Ease, Not Hustle
This episode starts with a question that’s been tapping me on the shoulder all year: What would it look like to choose ease without giving up momentum?I’m reflecting on the past year in book writing and publ...
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Ep 150: Author & Book Marketing in 2026 with Jenn Hanson-dePaula
Episode 150 provides the reset many authors quietly crave as Jenn Hanson-dePaula returns to help us modify (if not outright rebuild) our expectations, systems, and perspectives when it comes to book sales.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
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Ep 149: Favorite Reads of 2025
In this episode, I share 8 books that reshaped how I parent, relax, and think about storytelling in 2025.Books:Just Do Nothing (for Parents) by Joanna HardisThe Summer We Ran by Audrey Ingram...
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Ep 148: 5 Self-Publishing Mistakes First-Time Authors Make
In this episode, we walk through 5 mistakes that quietly undermine first-time self-publishers and show how to fix each one with practical, doable steps.We start by tightening your audience with a one-sentence framework that keeps every c...
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Ep 147: 5 Editing Rules that Instantly Improve Any Nonfiction Manuscript
If you’re writing a nonfiction book or memoir and your draft feels messy, scattered, or “not quite ready,” this episode will help you clean it up fast. I’m sharing 5 editing rules that instantly improve any nonfiction manuscript — the sa...
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Ep 146: I Wanted To Be Wonderful with Lihi Lapid
Wanting life to be wonderful and wanting to be wonderful aren’t the same thing, and that gap is where today’s conversation lives.Israeli journalist and author Lihi Lapid joins me to talk about motherhood’s messy truths, t...
Ep 145: Quick Wins For Self-Publishing Authors
Today I'm sharing 5 quick wins that make self-publishing feel simple, not scary, and show how small moves can build sustainable momentum. By the end of these 5 steps, you will have:• locked in a clear (and easy to pronounce over and ove...
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Ep 144: What I'd Tell You About Book Writing (If I Wasn't Afraid You'd Block Me)
Ever felt like everyone else has the secret playbook for publishing while you’re just winging it? Same.In this episode, I spill everything I'd tell you as the author of six books (and having published 50+ for others) if I wasn't afraid y...
Ep 143: From Starbucks Barista to Thriller Novelist with Julie Doar
A single question on a cold Hudson Valley walk: What if there’s a body in that hunter’s tent? sparked the debut thriller The Gallagher Place by Julie Doar. In this episode, we chat about how she wrote the first dra...
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Ep 142: Writing, Endings & Publishing Myths with Novelist Turner Gable Kahn
What happens when a traditionally published debut novel suddenly appears on Kindle Unlimited while still showing wide? That unexpected twist opens into a bigger conversation about publishing decisions (and what’s actually within an author’s con...
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