Author Interview with Samantha Ward Smith

Why do writers need to get away to write? At the time of recording, I’m preparing for my very first writing retreat, in a beautiful converted grain mill in the Herefordshire countryside. So in this episode, I’m talking about why time away makes such a difference: the motivation, the inspiration, clearing your headspace (no washing, no school run, no dinner to cook) and being surrounded by writers who really get it. If you can’t get away just yet, I’ll also share how to stage your own writing retreat at home, so your writing gets the time and focus it deserves. And if you’d love to join me in April, keep your eyes peeled for the waitlist... places are first come, first served. (details will be shared on our social media channels @mabelandstanleypublishing) Got a question, or stuck on your work in progress? Email me at [email protected]

Ever thought about writing the book you’ve always wanted to write? Educational leader Alan Dunstan did just that… and it took him two years. In this episode of Write to Publish, I chat to Alan about his book, The Architecture of Quiet. It’s a guide for men especially, for finding peace in a very noisy world. We talk about his author journey, why he feels so proud of it, and publishing with Mabel and Stanley Publishing in July 2026. Buy The Architecture of Quiet on Amazon: [link] Thinking about publishing your book? Download my free guide, 10 Questions to Ask Before You Pay Any Publisher: [link]

Peter Whent is the brilliant author of Brandwank - a hugely entertaining book with a serious message. As an experienced copywriter who is passionate about brand voice, Peter explains the importance of recognising bad copy and demonstrates how to write the kind of copy that will set your brand on fire whilst maintaining authenticity. You can buy Peter's book Brandwank on Amazon. If you have any questions about writing or publishing, you know where to find me - [email protected]

Currently writing her third book, Sam is one of our inspirational Mabel and Stanley Publishing authors. By her own confession, Sam knew very little about promotion, social media or book marketing when she started her author journey, but she has really committed to the process - learning as much as she could and not being afraid to make mistakes along the way.  Her hard work is really paying off and her books are gaining more and more traction as a result.  You can buy Sam's latest historical (Gothic) fiction novel Ravenscourt on Amazon.

Matt White wrote his book Snack Monkey - how to stop eating the whole packet after a drastic diet and lifestyle reset during which he lost a large amount of weight and regained control of his overall health. His book is a guide for others to do the same. Matt's book is available on Amazon. What is interesting about Matt's author journey is the way in which he has built his author brand and made full use of his connections to help him promote his book. Many authors struggle with promoting their books and often fail to understand how important it is to treat their authorship like a business that needs to be built and grown. If you have any questions about buidling your author brand, please do get in touch - [email protected]  

A fabulous interview with Joseph Millson, an actor, scriptwriter, filmmaker, and author. The inspiration behind his novella, Miller Rose Roberts, is fascinating, and I cannot wait to read my copy. You can get yours on Amazon and from a whole host of bookshops. Joseph shares his writing and publishing journey (this isn't his first book) and the ways in which he promotes his book and himself as an author. If you need help with your writing and publishing journey please do reach and I'd love to help you  [email protected]

Writing a book takes time, commitment and dedication and let's face it we all have busy lives! This episode gives you some tips on creating writing deadlines, schedules, plans and accountability to make sure that your manuscript gets out of your head and onto the bookshelves! If you're stuck and you'd like some help...you know where to find me [email protected]

Maybe not the coolest publishing topic, but essential nonetheless. Understanding your rights and royalties means that you are at much less risk of falling for a dodgy publishing deal or losing control of your book. And if you want all the inside publishing info, you can download my book How to Publish a Book without getting ripped for just £1.99 HERE [email protected] 

The publishing landscape has changed enormously over the years, and where once a literary agent was the gatekeeper to traditional publishing, this is no longer your only option. This episode will clarify your options and if you want further reading you can buy my book How to Publish, without getting ripped off on Amazon for £9.99 which explains everything you need to know and more. Alternatively you can downlolad your copy for just £1.99 in PDF format with some bonus checklists HERE

You've done all the hard work...you've written the book, you've navigated the tricky waters of publishing, you've had a great launch and now...nothing! Book sales have dried up, and you are left wondering if all your efforts were in vain. In this episode, we explore why your sales may have dipped and the often simple fixes you can employ... As always, like and share if you enjoyed this episode - it really does help us! Any questions? [email protected]