Ink in Your Veins

Give Your Inner Critic an Important Job with AJ Harper

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is one of Rachael's favorite episodes of the year - don't miss this incredible chat with AJ Harper, author of the phenomenal Write a Must Read!&n...

Write a Book Based Only on a Title with Elyssa Friedland

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why writing a book based on just a title might be a great idea! Also, keeping track of details, struggling with reveals, character building, not readi...

How to Attend a Writing Conference - Solo Episode

17 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Considering whether (or why) to go to a writing conference? Let Rachael walk you through her best tips for getting the most from one! NOW OPEN: 💥...

The Black Herron 23

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as Sacha’s getting ready to come to New Zealand and Rachael’s been setting up her Shopify store for the first time! 🎉 Unstuck is n...

How to Set Up Author Stations to Make Writing Easier with Jessica Mehring

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever considered making author stations in your home or office to streamline your writing process? Don't miss this amazing idea with Jessica M...

The Joy of Writing a Younger Voice with Jennifer Lane

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How can you harness the joy and fun of writing in a younger voice? Join us today to find out! Jennifer Lane was born in NSW, Australia, which is ...

The Only Way Out is Through with Tasha Coryell

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We often want there to be an easier way to write, but hey, how about the best, fastest way? Let’s talk about going through it. Tasha Corye...

Writing Powered by Spite with Ashley Poston

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why shouldn’t spite be harnessed for its sheer power? Get on board this new methodology - you’ll love it! Ashley Poston (she/they) is th...

3 Tips on Effective World-Building with Ken Liu

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rachael dives into what she spent (and made) on her Kickstarter, and then has an amazing conversation with Ken Liu on world building and the Dao De Ji...

The Black Herron 22

30 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sacha Black and Rachael Herron talk about their next adventures! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too)Writing doesn't h...

How to Find Your Writing Voice with Polly Campbell

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You are going to love this incredibly inspiring interview with Polly Cambell and her story about having Ink in Your Veins might make you cry in the be...

How to Embrace the Sh*tty First Draft with Kristina Forest

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rachael answers some BONUS writing coaching questions and then she and Kristina Forest chat all things first draft! Kristina Forest is ...

How Is Neurodivergence a Superpower? with Holger Nils Pohl

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

An adult diagnosis of autism for Holger Nils Pohl has given him a unique view on living a full, creative life. You’ll love this gorgeous conversatio...

How to Recover from a Hard Revision Letter with Sarah Zachrich Jeng

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A hard revision letter can push a writer into despair—what can we do to make sure we don’t burn out, trying to make the book better? Find out in t...

The Black Herron 21

02 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sacha and Rachael talk about the wonderful success of Rachael’s Kickstarter and Sacha’s exploding sales! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actua...

Keep Doing What You WANT to Do - Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail talks about using the Try Jar (genius!) and the lily pad method to keep doing what you really WANT to be doing in your writi...

How Music Can Fight the Inner Critic, with Nicola Solvinic

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This lovely conversation had me buzzing (yes, a bee pun!). 🐝Nicola Solvinic has a master’s degree in criminology and has worked in and aroun...

443 | Using a Page Turn as Cliffhanger with Airlie Anderson

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to use the turn of a page as a cliffhanger, and hey, would you still write if you knew you weren't going to be published? Don't miss this awesome ...

442 | Why You Need To Take Breaks with Candra Anaya

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Savor this inspiring chat with Candra Anaya on why a break may be exactly what you need! Candra Anaya is a freelance writer best known for her monthly...

441 | Avoid a Catastrophic Scrivener Fail!

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, Rachael talks about her near miss with Scrivener destroying a WHOLE BOOK (spoiler: they also saved it and really, it was mostly...

440 | The Black Herron Ep 20

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Black Herron strikes again! As usual, plans for world domination from Sacha Black, and Rachael Herron paddles along just trying to keep up with he...

439 | What’s Keeping You From Writing with Donn King

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How did Rachael’s Kickstarter end up? IT IS EXCITING! And then dive into what’s keeping you from writing with Donn King! Donn King ...

438 | Getting Unstuck with Tiffany Yates Martin

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This last bonus Unstuck episode with Tiffany Yates Martin will get you to ask the impossible questions, especially if you’re not sure of the answer....

437 | Getting Unstuck with Anne Kemp

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Anne Kemp shares the wisdom of just doing SOMETHING to get yourself the slightest bit unstuck - it all adds up! Anne Kemp is a bestselling aut...

436 | Unstuck (The Inciting Incident)

20 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Trapped in a small room inside the country you’ve just moved to, unable to get out. Thank god for the bathtub. Bonus episode! Here's Rachael's ...

435 | Getting Unstuck with Nicole Peeler

20 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Perfectionism, man. Throw it back. How? Let’s talk about getting unstuck with Nicole Peeler! Nicole D. Peeler is an essayist and novelist, as w...

434 | Getting Unstuck with Carter Wilson

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On letting go and trusting your instincts to get unstuck, bonus episode with Carter Wilson! Carter Wilson is the USA Today bestselling autho...

433 | Getting Unstuck with Jason Craig Poole

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Special bonus episode with Jason (The Man With the Amazing Toolbox) Poole, who talks about mis-categorizing feelings of excitement with Rachael a...

432 | Getting Unstuck with Ines Johnson

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Another special bonus episode, this time with the amazing and SUPER inspiring Ines Johnson! Lover of fairytales, folklore, and mythology, Ines Jo...

431 | Getting Unstuck with Jennie Nash

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Getting unstuck in a BIG way with Jennie Nash, in which Jennie is brave AF, moving forward with beautiful integrity. If you’re stuck? Listen to this...

430 | Getting Unstuck with Toby Neal

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Award-winning, USA Today bestselling social worker turned crime novelist Toby Neal grew up on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Neal is a mental health t...

429 | Getting Unstuck with J. Thorn

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ride along as Rachael's mind gets BLOWN by J. Thorn talking about luck. J. Thorn has published more than two million words and has sold over 200,000 b...

428 | Getting Unstuck with A. K. Mulford

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A. K. Mulford knows a lot about saving themselves (and their whole family!) from being stuck. A. K. Mulford is a bestselling fantasy author and former...

427 | Getting Unstuck with KJ Dell’Antonia

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

KJ Dell'Antonia shares some amazing ways to get unstuck in her normal, down-to-earth, hilarious way. Here's Rachael's Kickstarter, Unstuck! KJ Dell’...

426 | Editing Audio and the Bloopers You Find

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Rachael’s sharing a favorite blooper from editing the audiobook Unstuck, plus, get a whole chapter on what it feels like to cull a household ...

425 | Getting Unstuck with Becca Syme - Special Episode

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Becca Syme on leaving home and never going back, on what it's like to be stuck, and how to get yourself out (even if you love-trick yourself to do it)...

424 | Getting Unstuck with Monna McDiarmid - Special Episode!

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Monna McDiarmid on what it's like to be stuck, and how to get yourself out (even if you're still stuck!)Rachael's Kickstarter, Unstuck: https://www.ki...

423 | Getting Unstuck with Joanna Penn - Special Episode!

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Joanna Penn on what it's like to be stuck, and how to get yourself out. Rachael's Kickstarter, Unstuck: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rachaelhe...

422 | Getting Unstuck with Sacha Black - Special Episode!

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rachael’s Kickstarter is FINALLY LIVE! And she's freaking out. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rachaelherron/unstuck-an-audacious-hunt-for...

421 | The Black Herron Ep 19 with Special Guest Joanna Penn

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

SPECIAL GUEST STAR! Joanna Penn joins Sacha Black and Rachael for a friends’ chat about publishing, Kickstarter fun, and how to find community while...

420 | 8 Years as a Full-Time Writer - Lessons Learned

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been 8 years since Rachael quit her day job to sail off into writing full time - what has she learned since then? Does she work hard enough? Do...

419 | Write Till You Cry with Ken Guidroz

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ken Guidroz is a debut memoirist. 14 years ago he wrote the go-to book for his profession, Beyond the 401(k). But this is his first personal work. And...

418 | How to Survive the Post-Publishing Crash with Sarah-Jane Collins

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the post-publishing crash, and why aren’t we talking about it more? Sarah-Jane Collins is a writer, editor, and journalist from&n...

417 | How to Not Quit Writing by Accident

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

EPIC bonus Q&A episode, featuring questions from Patrons: How do I write when I’m scared of screwing it all up? How many agents should I query? ...

416 | How to End Your Book with Jennifer Lang

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Two surprising and awesome ways to actually END your book! A California transplant in Tel Aviv, Jennifer Lang teaches writing and&...

415 | The Black Herron 18

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In which Sacha reveals to Rachael an amazing secret that she hasn't told anyone but her partner up till NOW. Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually W...

414 | Channeling the Muse with Renée Hartleib

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In which Rachael and Renée Hartleib talk about channeling the muse, but not in a weird way - more like a workaday way. Plus, why you SHOULD take a so...

413 | How to Use a Book Launch for Social Proof with Helen B. Scheuerer

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In which Rachael’s mind is blown by Helen’s launch techniques, and she might just be able to get behind doing a real-live launch next time! H...

412 | On Launching into the New with Jennifer Louden

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The always-vibrant Jen Louden rocks the podcast this week with her stories of moving bravely into amazing new worlds. She’s inspiring and exciting, ...

411 | Don’t Wait Too Long to Get Writing Feedback! with Jenna Adams

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why you might not want to wait TOO long to get (specific, good) feedback on your writing! Jenna Adams lives in London and writes from her th...

410 | The Black Herron Ep 17

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In which Rachael and Sacha talk about how 2023 went (whew!) and how they're planning for an EPIC 2024! Don't miss this one! How Do You Write Podcast: ...

409 | What Kind of Editing is ACTUALLY Essential?

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Editor Damien Pitter blows Rachael’s MIND in this episode when he talks about the only way structure feels to a reader. She’s still reeling. Also ...

408 | How to Lure Your Muses with Leftie Aubé

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rachael talks about a shiny new idea that’s run her over with its wildness and scope and size, and then she chats with Leftie Aubé about how to enc...

407 | The Dialogue Doctor Will See You Now

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Who said what, and WHY? Rachael talks with Jeff about how to write dialogue that readers will love. Also, she encourages you to join her in taking Mon...

406 | The Annual Money Episode! What I Made and How I Made it as a Writer

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The ever-popular, annual "How Much Did Money Rachael Make This Year?" episode! With multiple streams of income, Rachael made money from traditional pu...

405 | The Black Herron Ep 16

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In which Rachael and Sacha talk about Sacha’s INCREDIBLE experience at 20 Books to 50K, and how her latest launch went, as well as Rachael’s NaNoW...

Ep. 403: Reality TV as a Writer’s Tool with Rachel Harrison

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A good (no, a GREAT!) excuse to watch reality TV? Yep. Honestly, you're going to love this conversation with Rachel Harrison on how to make our writin...

Ep. 402: How Stunt Memoirs Can Change the World with Eve O. Schaub

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Live a whole year trash-free? Oh, yeah. Eve O. Schaub and Rachael take on changing the world, one memoir at a time. Eve is chock full of incredible ad...

Ep. 401: What’s Luck Got To Do With It? With Tori Anne Martin

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever thought that it really might NOT be you? You’re going to love this episode with Tori Anne Martin about luck vs. work, and what really ...

404 | Ink In Your Veins

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, you ARE in the right place! Ink In Your Veins is the new name for How Do You Write (we'll be rolling it all over in the New Year). New theme song...

Ep. 400: How to Heal a Tired Writer’s Heart with Kate Elliott

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Elliott and Rachael talk about healing, bullet journaling, and (ahem) how long is TOO long a book? This episode will inspire you to not only writ...

Ep. 399: Stocking the Word Graveyard with Sarah Hawley

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What's a word graveyard? When should you take a bath and let go of perfectionism? These are important issues, and you're going to love the answers.&nb...

Ep. 398: The Black Herron Ep 15

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Feelings, Nothing More Than Stupid FEELINGSIn which Sacha and Rachael talk about the utter sheer stupidity of feelings, what they mean, and how they c...

Ep. 397: All Ink, No Drink - with Barbara O’Neal

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

DON'T MISS THIS EPISODE! Internationally bestselling author Barbara O'Neal talks with Rachael about what quitting drinking has done for not only her w...

Ep. 396: How to Write 103 Books (and Counting!) with PD Workman

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

P.D. Workman is a working machine. 103 books and counting? Don't miss this! Plus: a chat with patron Jillian who has questions about Nano and morning ...

Ep. 395: How to Center the Memoir Reader with Jennie Nash

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jennie Nash KNOWS memoir, and more than that, she knows how to do the most important thing of all: to center the reader. Don't miss this one! Jennie N...

Ep. 394: Reclaim Your Brain From Social Media with Uzma Jalaluddin

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is it possible? Should we even try to detox from social media? What effect does it have on our writing if we do? Uzma Jalaluddin is the auth...

Ep. 393: The Black Herron Ep 14

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Imposter Syndrome, Ahoy! Sacha Black and Rachael Herron talk about plans for the next quarter, and about how to regain yourself after suffering impost...

NANO WITH ME! Time-sensitive! - Ep. 392: The Word Because with Nigar Alam

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Time-sensitive! Do you want to do NaNoWriMo with me? Go HERE: http://rachaelherron.com/nanowithme - we’ll write in Zoom together and have a PARTY at...

Ep. 391: On Owning a VERY Special Book with Qin Sun Stubis

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the past 15 years, Qin Sun Stubis has been a newspaper columnist and writes poems, essays, short stories, and original Chinese tall tales inspired...

Ep. 390: Premise Vs. Plot with Sarah Adler

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah and Rachael talk about premise (whee!) vs plot (uh-oh). Also, Rachael answers mini-coach questions on finding an editor and how to actually m...

Ep. 389: How to Face Your Writing Fears with Ashley Wilda

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Scared? Don't be (or really, that's okay). Being scared and writing around and toward it is where the magic happens. Enjoy this conversation with Ashl...

Ep. 388: Writing the Shadow with Joanna Penn

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A really exciting episode today! Joanna Penn and I talk about her NEW writing book about The Shadow, something she's a veritable expert in. This is fo...

Ep. 387: The Magic of Post-Its with Julie Carrick Dalton

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As a journalist, Julie Carrick Dalton has published more than a thousand articles in The Boston Globe, BusinessWeek, The Holl...

Ep. 386: The Black Herron Episode 13

01 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rest is hard... but is it worth it? Today, Rachael and Sacha talk about rest (and how to do it, lol) and about the book Smart Brevity, which they both...

Ep. 385: Find Your Book’s GPS with Katrina Kittle

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Katrina Kittle’s newest novel Morning in This Broken World, released September 1, 2023 and was an Amazon First Reads pick for August. Katr...

Ep. 384: When To Put Your Writing Down with Ren DeStefano

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ren DeStefano lives in Connecticut, where she was born and raised. When she’s not writing thrillers, she’s listening to true crime podcasts and cr...

Ep. 383: The Beauty of Lowering Your Standards with Jesse Q. Sutanto

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Indonesia, Singapore, and Oxford, and considers all three places her home. She has a Mas...

Ep. 382: Why to Not Show EVERYTHING with Shay Galloway

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A writer of slightly off-kilter and historically-interested fiction and contemplative non-fiction, Shay Galloway began journaling and writing stories ...

Ep. 381: How to Start Your Book with Jennifer Herrera

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jennifer Herrera is a former philosophy grad student turned literary agent, who is fascinated by the stories we tell ourselves to live and t...

Ep. 380: Lessons Learned from Failing to Sell a Book with Kitty Zeldis

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Born in Chadera, Israel, Kitty Zeldis is the pseudonym for an award-winning author of nine novels and over thirty-five books for children. Her essays,...

Ep. 379: Harness Writing Sprint Power with Jenn McKinlay

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jenn McKinlay is the award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several myste...

Ep. 378: Using Different Mediums to Help with Revision with Kristen Bird

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kristen Bird lives outside of Houston, Texas with her husband and three daughters. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music and mass medi...

Ep. 377: Bonus Episode - Should I Revise My Book for an Agent?

06 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What if an agent asks you to revise your book, but you're not working with them yet? Rachael has opinions! Also in this episode: * Narrative distance ...

Ep. 376: The Black Herron Episode Ep. 12

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s 1st anniversary episode, Sacha is a terrible human being who actually went back and listened to the goals we said we had at the beginning...

Ep. 375: How to Celebrate Every Shot You Take with Edward Giordano

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrating and shot-taking and AI, huzzah! MASTERCLASSES NOW OPEN! 90 Days to Done - http://rachaelherron.com/9090 Day Revision - http://rachaelherro...

Ep. 374: Why You Should Skip Ahead with Nalini Singh

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it a good idea to skip ahead sometimes (even when it feels awkward)? Nalini Singh shares tips about this, as well as an awesome timeline tracki...

Ep. 373: How to Beat Writer's Block with Jayne Ann Krentz

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jayne Ann Krentz is the author of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers. She has written contemporary romantic suspense novels under that name an...

Ep. 372: Your Writing Should Be Messy with Hanna Halperin

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hanna Halperin is the author of Something Wild, which won the Edward Lewis Wallant Award, was a finalist for the National Jewish Book A...

Episode 371: The Black Herron Episode 11

01 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Plans, planning, lovely lovely plans. Rachael backs out of an agreement (whoops!), Sacha plans world domination, and together, they chat about Rachael...

Ep. 370: Why You Should Write with Friends with Katlyn Duncan

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Katlyn Duncan is an award-winning, multi-published author of adult and young adult fiction, and has ghostwritten over 40 novels for children and ...

Ep. 369: Why Failing to Write is AWESOME (bonus episode)

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this mini-episode, Rachael talks about why failing to hit your goals (ANY of them) is a hugely important part of being a writer. If you’re failin...

Ep. 368: How to Give Yourself Permission to Write with Kelcey Ervick

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kelcey Ervick is the author and illustrator of the graphic memoir, The Keeper: Soccer, Me, and the Law That Changed Women's Lives, which is her third ...

Ep. 376: How to Surprise the Reader (BIG TIME) with David Ellis

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

David Ellis is a judge and an Edgar-award-winning author of ten novels of crime fiction, as well as eight bestselling books co-authored with James Pat...

Ep. 366: Monna McDiarmid on Love Tricks for Writers

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Monna McDiarmid is a Canadian writer and international school counselor who has lived in Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Thailand and Japan. Currently, she a...

Ep. 364: What Did That Rejection Letter REALLY Mean?

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

BONUS EPISODE, brought to you by Rachael’s patrons! Today, Rachael answers questions about what if you haven’t written in a while? What did that r...

Ep. 365: The Black Herron Ep 10

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today Rachael and Sacha talk about what financial freedom looks like to them. And Sacha wallops Rachael with an offer she can’t refuse. BOOM, don’...

Ep. 363: Using the Blank Page as a Power Tool with Caroline Kepnes

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Kepnes is the author of You, Hidden Bodies, Providence, You Love Me, and numerous short stories. Her work has b...

Ep. 362: On Making a Slide Deck of AWESOMENESS with Nikki Payne

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

By day, Nikki Payne is a curious tech anthropologist asking the right questions to deliver better digital services.  By night, she drea...

Ep. 361: You Might Need a Break - Emi Nietfeld

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Emi Nietfeld is a journalist, mental health activist, and author of Acceptance: A Memoir. After graduating from Harvard College in 2015, she worked as...