066: How to Write a Book When Life Is Busy

Welcome to Meet the Author, a show that takes you behind the scenes to meet the authors of today’s most impactful books. This is a show about stories and ideas that will educate, encourage, and inspire you to live a richer, more meaningful life. Today is a very special solo episode, and I’m giving you an inside look at how I actually get a book written. I’m working on my next book, Relational Equity, mostly in pockets of time, and I’m sharing what helps me find the time, drop into the work, and get past the blank page. I walk you through where I write, when I write, and the little rituals that get my head in the right place. I also share how a few authors I work with fit writing into very full lives, plus the books and ideas that have shaped my own process. If you have a book dream and haven’t started yet, I made this one for you.Your book can start in the life you already have, even if all you have today is five minutes.Links:Follow Allison Trowbridge & Copper Books on InstagramBooks Mentioned in this episode:The Artist’s Way by Julia CameronDeep Work by Cal NewportBird by Bird by Anne LamottThe Creative Act by Rick RubinThe Year of Yes by Shonda RhimesDownload the Copper Books App: https://author.love/appLearn more about Copper Books: www.copperbooks.comApply to publish with Copper: https://copperbooks.com/applyFollow Copper Books on Instagram: https://instagram.com/copper.booksFollow Allison Trowbridge on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliebridge

Welcome to Meet the Author, a show that takes you behind the scenes to meet the authors of today’s most impactful books. This is a show about stories and ideas that will educate, encourage, and inspire you to live a richer, more meaningful life. Today, we’re joined by novelist Andrew Forrester to discuss his debut novel, How the Story Goes. It’s a cozy, funny, big-hearted story about a grieving writer who has to finish his late wife’s beloved fantasy series, and the capable woman who comes in to help him. We also dig into his road to publication: ten years of writing and querying, a 100,000-word first manuscript that will “never see the light of day,” an agent who represents children’s books, and an out-of-the-blue email that turned into his book deal.About Andrew Forrester and How the Story Goes: Andrew Forrester started out as an English major in a fundraising job he hated, and he kept finding his way to the school library to talk books with the librarians. That sent him to grad school to study 19th century literature. In the summer of 2015, he sat down to prove to himself he could finish a manuscript, and he did. His third manuscript, written in his own voice, landed him his agent. Over the next several years, they tried to sell young adult and middle grade books together. Then Andrew wrote an adult novel about children’s publishing, and an editor who used to work in children’s books emailed his agent asking for exactly that kind of story.How the Story Goes grew out of Andrew’s own years trying to break into children’s publishing. It’s a story about grief, writing, and the people who help us finish what we started. Andrew talks about building his characters from the outside in, writing humor that feels warm instead of harsh, and the one editor’s note that made the book better. He also shares how he grew his Instagram from 2,000 to 20,000 followers in three weeks by talking about other people’s books, and why he chose traditional publishing over self-publishing.For aspiring authors, Andrew shares three pieces of advice: be patient and take your time, because nothing you write is wasted. Go “cookie to cookie” and write toward the scenes you’re most excited about. And if a bad review stings, read bad reviews of books you love.Links:Purchase How the Story Goes at your favorite retailerLearn more about Andrew at www.andrewforresterbooks.comFollow Andrew on Instagram: @andrewforresterFollow Allison Trowbridge & Copper Books on InstagramDownload the Copper Books App: https://author.love/appLearn more about Copper Books: www.copperbooks.comApply to publish with Copper: https://copperbooks.com/applyFollow Copper Books on Instagram: https://instagram.com/copper.booksFollow Allison Trowbridge on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliebridge

Welcome to Meet the Author, a show that takes you behind the scenes to meet the authors of today's most impactful books. This is a show about stories and ideas that will educate, encourage, and inspire you to live a richer, more meaningful life. Today I’m joined by Gabrielle Scout, the founder of Scouts Agency and the woman I think of as the queen of podcasting. In this conversation, Scout explains why podcasts work so well for authors, especially those who feel allergic to social media. She also shares how to time a podcast tour around your launch, how to pitch a host, and why the biggest shows aren’t always the best ones. If you’re writing a book, or dreaming of one, this is a masterclass in getting it in front of the right audience.About Gabrielle Scout:Gabrielle Scout is the founder of Scout's Agency, a podcast guesting and PR agency for authors, thought leaders, and founders. She started a podcast with her sister in 2018 and launched the agency in February 2019. Her team has booked clients on more than 6,000 podcast episodes and run well over 400 podcast tours. Scout's Agency offers a private podcast tour and the Placement Studio, a platform that helps authors pitch and book themselves on podcasts. Scout also hosts the podcast Review by Scout. She self-published her own book in 2021 (book title: confirm with client).Links:Book a call with Scout’s Agency - https://www.scoutsagency.com/Follow Gabrielle on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gabriellescoutmaio/Follow Allison Trowbridge https://www.instagram.com/alliebridge & Copper Books on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/copper.books/Download the Copper Books App: https://author.love/appLearn more about Copper Books: www.copperbooks.comApply to publish with Copper: https://copperbooks.com/applyFollow Copper Books on Instagram: https://instagram.com/copper.booksFollow Allison Trowbridge on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliebridge

Welcome to Meet the Author, a show that takes you behind the scenes to meet the authors of today’s most impactful books. This is a show about stories and ideas that will educate, encourage, and inspire you to live a richer, more meaningful life. This week, we’re re-airing one of our favorite conversations from the archives. Allison sat down in person in Nashville with author, writing coach, and podcast host Allison Fallon, known as Ally, around the launch of her book Write Your Story. After fifteen years of helping authors write their books, Ally had noticed that the writing process transformed every one of them, whether or not their book was ever published. Then a painful divorce led her to write her own story, and that experience became the eight-part framework she teaches in the book. If you’ve ever felt a nudge that you might have a book in you, this conversation is worth hearing again, or for the first time.About Allison Fallon and Write Your Story: Allison Fallon has helped thousands of writers find their voice and tell their truth, and now she’s sharing her most powerful tools in Write Your Story. This book is both a guide and a gentle nudge, encouraging everyone from first-time writers to seasoned pros to put pen to paper and embrace their unique narrative. Through reflective prompts, practical tips, and moving examples, Allison shows us how writing can help us make sense of our past, overcome creative blocks, and shape the future we want to live.Allison Fallon’s work in Write Your Story is a call to action for anyone who has felt the urge to write but didn’t know where to start. Whether it’s finding clarity on a personal journey or simply leaving a legacy for loved ones, Allison’s book reveals the incredible, universal impact of sharing one’s story with honesty and courage.Links:Purchase Write Your Story on AmazonLearn more about Allison Fallon and her work at https://www.allisonfallon.comFollow Allison Trowbridge & Copper Books on InstagramDownload the Copper Books App: https://author.love/appLearn more about Copper Books: www.copperbooks.comApply to publish with Copper: https://copperbooks.com/applyFollow Copper Books on Instagram: https://instagram.com/copper.booksFollow Allison Trowbridge on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliebridge

Welcome to Meet the Author, a show that takes you behind the scenes to meet the authors of today's most impactful books. This is a show about stories and ideas that will educate, encourage, and inspire you to live a richer, more meaningful life. Today, we're joined by Ami McConnell, founder of WriterFest Nashville and Ami McConnell Literary Agency, and the person Allison calls the greatest champion of writers she has ever met. Ami has sat in nearly every seat at the publishing table: acquiring editor, editor-in-chief, ghostwriter, and now literary agent. In this conversation she shares what makes her say yes to a project, how the balance of power between authors and publishers has shifted, and why she believes the best thing an aspiring author can do is start now.About Ami McConnell and WriterFest Nashville: Ami McConnell has spent more than three decades in publishing. She rose from associate editor to vice president and editor-in-chief at a major publishing house, working on a few thousand books along the way. She then co-wrote and ghostwrote 16 or 17 books, and in 2018 she started WriterFest to build the community that solitary writing was missing. Today she represents authors through her own literary agency, including authors who self-publish and authors who go hybrid.WriterFest Nashville is a two-day gathering for writers of books, songs, and screenplays. It runs November 20th and 21st at Belmont University, with keynotes from Karen Kingsbury, Tyler Thompson, and singer-songwriters Jamie Floyd and Maddie Diaz. Ami also shares the story behind her annual fundraiser for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which this year took place on September 11th, right after Dolly's passing.Links:Get tickets and learn more about WriterFest NashvilleLearn more about Ami McConnell Literary AgencyFollow WriterFest Nashville and Ami McConnell Literary Agency on Instagram Follow Allison Trowbridge & Copper Books on InstagramDownload the Copper Books App: https://author.love/appLearn more about Copper Books: www.copperbooks.comApply to publish with Copper: https://copperbooks.com/applyFollow Copper Books on Instagram: https://instagram.com/copper.booksFollow Allison Trowbridge on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliebridge

Welcome to Meet the Author, a show that takes you behind the scenes to meet the authors of today's most impactful books. This is a show about stories and ideas that will educate, encourage, and inspire you to live a richer, more meaningful life. Today, we're joined by author, speaker, and podcast host Monika Kirkland to discuss her new book, Ever With You: Becoming Fully Awake to the God Who Is Near. Monika wrote it after a season in 2020 when she was a working mom running on caffeine and cortisol, hit a wall, and found that the rest her soul was after came from slowing down and drawing close to God. We also dig into her road to publication: almost ten years of closed doors, a first proposal told it was too general, a second told it was too niche, and a two-book fiction deal she never planned.About Monika Kirkland and Ever With You: Monika Kirkland spent years in LA as an actor before she felt a call to write in 2017. She started with blogging and devotionals, self-published her first devotional through Amazon KDP in 2018, and kept building her audience while raising young children and working full-time at a church. Her book proposal for Ever With You went to pub board in 2021 and was passed on. She signed the deal in 2025, and the book was released in 2026.Ever With You is part personal story and part practical guide. Monika shares the rhythms that carried her through burnout, including walking, breath prayers, Lectio Divina, honest community, journaling, and gratitude. She also talks about her fiction, which grew out of writing "for funsies" while her first book was on submission, and her debut novel coming in September 2027.For aspiring authors, Monika shares two pieces of advice: at some point you have to stop studying the craft and sit down and write, and you should define what success looks like for you before you reach it so you don't miss it.Links:Purchase Ever With You at your favorite retailer (https://www.amazon.com/Ever-You-Becoming-Fully-Awake/dp/1684264790/ref=sr_1_1?crid=C043AD17CWOM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xmCuyhAO1WyfqLQpPwSPEQ.4-tVBISQgArse9DkFH94IYJYPBQHCWQzauMxSUkLvVQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=ever+with+you+monika+kirkland&qid=1781197561&sprefix=ever+with+you+%2Caps%2C371&sr=8-1&ascsubtag=srctok-bf25eb0457974b5d&btn_type=pt&btn_ref=srctok-bf25eb0457974b5d)Learn more about Monika at www.monikakirkland.comFollow Monika on Instagram: @monikakirklandListen to Monika's podcast, Inner Revival (https://tr.ee/axem9Dh0as)Follow Allison Trowbridge & Copper Books on InstagramDownload the Copper Books App: https://author.love/appLearn more about Copper Books: www.copperbooks.comApply to publish with Copper: https://copperbooks.com/applyFollow Copper Books on Instagram: https://instagram.com/copper.booksFollow Allison Trowbridge on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliebridge

Welcome to Meet the Author, a show that takes you behind the scenes to meet the authors of today's most impactful books. This is a show about stories and ideas that will educate, encourage, and inspire you to live a richer, more meaningful life. Today, we're joined by bestselling author, former president of Time Inc. Digital, and longtime Copper mentor Fran Hauser to discuss her third book, 20 Minutes Is The New Hour. After eight years of hearing the same thing from professional women everywhere she spoke, that there simply isn't enough time, Fran set out to answer a different question: not how do we find more hours, but how do we intentionally do less and reclaim the time we already have.About Fran Hauser and 20 Minutes Is The New Hour: Fran Hauser built the book's title around a discovery from her own career: cutting hour-long meetings down to twenty minutes made them sharper, more focused, and far more valuable, for her and for the people in them. The book's first half is organized around four behaviors she calls the four Ps: perfectionism, people-pleasing, procrastination, and padding, each explored through the specific lens of how it steals time. The fourth P, padding, came from an unplanned real-world experiment: Fran opened her own bookstore in just eight weeks instead of the standard six to nine months, and the process became the book's central case study for what's possible when you stop giving yourself more time than a task actually needs.The book's second half draws on the ancient Greek concepts of Chronos (linear, clock time) and Kairos (quality, present-moment time), making the case that real fulfillment comes not from mastering Chronos but from protecting space for Kairos, the walks, the pauses, the unstructured moments where clarity and creativity actually show up.Links:Order 20 Minutes Is The New Hour from your favorite retailer Learn more about Fran Houser at https://www.franhauser.com/Follow Fran Hauser on Instagram @fran_hauser, Substack, and LinkedInFollow Allison Trowbridge & Copper Books on InstagramDownload the Copper Books App: https://author.love/appLearn more about Copper Books: www.copperbooks.comApply to publish with Copper: https://copperbooks.com/applyFollow Copper Books on Instagram: https://instagram.com/copper.booksFollow Allison Trowbridge on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliebridge

Welcome to Meet the Author, a show that takes you behind the scenes to meet the authors of today's most impactful books. This is a show about stories and ideas that will educate, encourage, and inspire you to live a richer, more meaningful life. Today, we're joined by literary agent and author Joy Eggerichs Reed, live from Paris, to discuss her first children's book, Beega Gets a Do-Over, written with her father. The book grew out of bedtime stories Joy's dad told her as a little girl in Michigan, set in a world called the Land of Nuf ("fun" spelled backwards), and it turns his decades of research on communication into a story kids (and the grown-ups reading to them) can actually use.About Joy Eggerichs Reed and Beega Gets a Do-Over: Joy Eggerichs Reed has spent two decades in publishing as a literary agent, and Beega Gets a Do-Over is her first book as an author herself, co-created with her father, a pastor and bestselling author of over a dozen books on marriage, family, and communication. The book follows Beega and Dooga, two characters her father invented when she was a child, as they navigate a moment of hurt feelings using four questions from her father's book Speak Your Mind: is it true, is it kind, is it necessary, is it clear? At the center of the story is the idea of a "do-over," a phrase Joy hopes can give both kids and adults permission to mess up, repair, and try again.Joy talks candidly about the parts of traditional publishing that surprised her even after years in the industry, including not being allowed direct contact with her illustrator, and offers practical advice for aspiring children's book authors on working with agents, illustrators, and publishers.Links:Purchase Beega Gets a Do-Over at your favorite retailer Get downloadable coloring pages at landofnuf.comLearn more about Joy's agency at punchlineagency.comFollow Allison Trowbridge & Copper Books on InstagramDownload the Copper Books App: https://author.love/appLearn more about Copper Books: www.copperbooks.comApply to publish with Copper: https://copperbooks.com/applyFollow Copper Books on Instagram: https://instagram.com/copper.booksFollow Allison Trowbridge on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliebridge

Welcome to Meet the Author, a show that takes you behind the scenes to meet the authors of today's most impactful books. This is a show about stories and ideas that will educate, encourage, and inspire you to live a richer, more meaningful life. This week, we're doing something a little different. Instead of hosting, I am the one in the guest seat, sharing a conversation from my friend Julie Solomon's podcast, Woman of Influence.  Julie and I dig into the difference between power and influence, what actually separates a writer from an author, and why the word "publish" simply means to make something public, even though that step is often the most courageous part of writing a book.About Julie Solomon and Woman of Influence: Julie Solomon has spent over a decade helping bestselling authors, seven-figure coaches, and high-profile creators refine their message and build brands rooted in genuine alignment rather than performance. She's the author of the bestselling book Get What You Want and hosts Woman of Influence, a podcast that's been downloaded more than 10 million times across 320+ episodes and 175 countries. Julie built her own multi-million-dollar business from a small-town, blue-collar upbringing, and now works with clients on what she calls "energetic refinement," helping people whose visibility no longer matches who they've become.Links:Follow Julie on Instagram: @julssolomonPurchase Get What You Want at your favorite retailer Listen to Woman of InfluenceFollow Allison Trowbridge & Copper Books on InstagramDownload the Copper Books App: https://author.love/appLearn more about Copper Books: www.copperbooks.comApply to publish with Copper: https://copperbooks.com/applyFollow Copper Books on Instagram: https://instagram.com/copper.booksFollow Allison Trowbridge on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliebridge

Welcome to Meet the Author, a show that takes you behind the scenes to meet the authors of today's most impactful books. This is a show about stories and ideas that will educate, encourage, and inspire you to live a richer, more meaningful life. Today, we're joined by Caleb Campbell, former NFL player, West Point graduate, and now first-time author, to discuss his debut book, Unstriving: 12 Lessons on Authentic Success from a Recovering Overachiever. From a seven-year-old scoring the game-winning touchdown to the height of an NFL career built on a carefully perfected facade, Caleb spent decades believing his worth was measured by his performance. In Unstriving, he shares the journey from a life of endlessly striving to prove himself, to a much harder, much freer way of being.About Caleb Campbell and Unstriving: Caleb Campbell's path took him from a small town in the Texas Panhandle to West Point, and eventually to the NFL, along with a stint representing Team USA. But behind the accolades, Caleb describes a life built entirely on a "survival self," one that could help him achieve, but never let him actually live. A rock-bottom morning surrounded by the aftermath of a night he doesn't remember, and years of quietly hating who he'd become despite his outward success, eventually led him to walk away from professional football and toward a very different definition of a meaningful life.Unstriving is Caleb's account of that unraveling and rebuilding, exploring the difference between striving to make life happen and learning to participate in life's ongoing evolution. In the book, Caleb writes about grief, darkness, and the poet Rilke's own reflections on suffering as unexpected doorways back to a person's own deepest aliveness, arguing that what we're often searching for through achievement has been within us all along.Links:Pre-Order Unstriving available September 22nd Follow Caleb Campbell on Instagram: @caleb_campbellLearn more about Caleb at his website https://www.calebcampbell.me/Follow Allison Trowbridge & Copper Books on InstagramDownload the Copper Books App: https://author.love/appLearn more about Copper Books: www.copperbooks.comApply to publish with Copper: https://copperbooks.com/applyFollow Copper Books on Instagram: https://instagram.com/copper.booksFollow Allison Trowbridge on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliebridge