Way-Word Writers Podcast

Way-Word Writers Podcast

A publishing podcast for every writer, illuminating the publishing industry with episodes focused on craft, marketing, business, and mental health for writers of all experience levels. waywordwriters.substack.com

Episodes

October 14, 2025 35 mins

In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer sit down with Sara Schonfeld, a senior editor at Harper Collins, to discuss the parallels between publishing and dating. Sara delves into her process of finding ‘the one’ manuscript, what she looks for in submissions, and how she balances personal taste with market demands. She shares her proudest moments, handling rejection, and off...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, senior literary agent Heather Cashman, and writing coaches Stephanie Bearce and Nicki Jacobsmeyer, delve into the intricacies of the acquisitions process in book publishing. They discuss the steps involved, the role of editors, and the potential outcomes when a manuscript goes to acquisitions. The hosts share their personal experiences, tips on how to manage the waiting period, and provide pract...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome New York Times bestselling author Marc J Gregson. They discuss Marc's journey from an aspiring writer to a successful author, offering insights on balancing a creative passion with the demands of a published career, managing day jobs, and coping with the pressures of success. Highlights include Marc's experiences with book re...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, literary agent Heather Cashman and authors Stephanie Bearce and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome author and indie bookstore owner Mandi Fugate Sheffel. Discussing her journey from discovering her passion for writing at the Appalachian Writer's Workshop to publishing her debut memoir 'The Nature of Pain' with the University Press of Kentucky, Mandi shares her unique experiences and challenges. She highl...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, the hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome Michelle I. Mason, author of Your Life Has Been Delayed, to discuss writing young adult (YA) fiction. The conversation explores Michelle's background in public relations, her transition to writing, and the evolution of her thematic interests. Listeners gain insight into Michelle's approach to character development, the im...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer discuss the challenges and solutions for tackling the 'murky middle' of a manuscript. They cover the importance of maintaining momentum, avoiding plot distractions, and ensuring character development remains engaging. Practical advice on utilizing beta readers, brainstorming sessions, and specific writing techniques are shared to help auth...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome Emily Settle, an editor from Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan), to discuss the nuances of point of view in writing. They explore whether third-person POV is disappearing, the challenges and advantages of different POVs, and specific examples of works that excel in using multiple perspectives. They also delve into the intricacies o...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer engage in a compelling conversation with author Michelle Collins Anderson about her journey through an MFA program. The discussion covers Michelle's background, the influence of her roots on her writing, her career in advertising and public relations, and her eventual pursuit of an MFA in creative writing. Michelle shares her experie...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, senior literary agent Heather Cashman, authors Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome western author Doug Osgood to discuss the art of writing Westerns. Doug, a lover of Western storytelling, talks about his journey from reading to writing, the inspiration behind his works, and his meticulous research process. They delve into themes, tropes, and the state of the Western genre today. Dou...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer discuss the significance of networking in the writing and publishing industry. They outline what networking is, why it's essential, and offer practical tips for writers at all stages of their journey. The conversation covers how to approach networking with authenticity, balance professionalism, and maintain meaningful connections. Th...

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In this Way-Word Writers episode, Senior Literary Agent Heather Cashman engages in an insightful conversation with Aje Roberts, a Senior Commissioning Editor at TOR Bramble, about the genre of Romantasy. They delve into her career journey, the emerging trends in Romantasy, the impact of TikTok on book popularity, the essential elements of viral book success, and the importance of intersectional diversity in publishing...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, literary agent and authors Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer discuss the six Ps of wellbeing in the publishing journey with special guest author and trauma therapist, Danielle Render Turmaud. They delve into topics such as the importance of pausing, patience, persistence, and building a supportive writer community. Danielle shares her insights on how listenin...

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This episode of Wayward Writers features senior literary agent Heather Cashman, authors Stephanie Bearce and Nicki Jacobsmeyer, and special guest Danielle Render Termeaud. The discussion focuses on the intersection between mental health and the writing journey. Danielle, a trauma therapist and author, introduces her six Ps framework, which aims to help writers maintain mental wellbeing amidst the pressures of the publ...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, senior literary agent Heather Cashman, along with authors and writing coaches Stephanie Bearce and Nicki Jacobsmeyer, discuss the exhilarating and often complex phase that follows signing with a literary agent. They emphasize the importance of celebrating this achievement while remaining realistic and proactive in one's writing career. Key topics include dealing with mixed emo...

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In this episode of Wayward Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome Wendy Dale, an acclaimed author and memoir writing coach. Wendy discusses her journey into memoir writing, emphasizing the complexities and common pitfalls writers face. The conversation highlights crucial topics like the importance of structure, the challenges of balancing personal vulnerability with craft, and ...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer discuss the key elements of author branding and platform building with special guests Nicole Meyer and Gretchen Schafer. Nicole and Gretchen, the brains behind 'Bookwork,' share their expertise in book coaching and branding strategies to help fiction writers stand out. The conversation covers topics such as th...

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OUR 75th EPISODE!!!

In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer discuss strategies for introverted writers to survive and thrive at writing conferences. The trio explores the differences between introverts and extroverts, shares personal experiences from their first conferences, and provides practical self-care tips. They also emphasize the importance of attending...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer are joined by Victoria Strauss, co-founder of Writer Beware. The discussion covers the origins and mission of Writer Beware, types of publishing scams they report on, common mistakes writers make, and steps to verify a potential scam. Victoria shares her experiences investigating scams, highlighting shocking cases, and ...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer delve into the controversial and rapidly evolving topic of artificial intelligence (AI) in the writing and publishing industry. They discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of AI tools, share personal insights, and consider the ethical implications related to creativity, job replacement, and originality. They also ...

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In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome prolific writer Leslie J. Wyatt to discuss her extensive career. Leslie shares her journey from writing inspired by her mother to publishing romance and middle-grade novels, as well as over 800 articles. Highlights include her initial inspiration, the shift from different genres, the process of writing acr...

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