Pitching a literary agent in person sounds terrifying…until you survive it. In this post, I share exactly how I prepared for my first live pitch session, what the conversation with the agent was actually like, and what I learned after receiving a full manuscript. If you’re preparing to query, pitch at a conference, or simply trying to understand how the publishing process works, this behind-the-scenes look will help you approach pitching with more confidence.

Finding your ideal reader isn’t about limiting your audience; it’s about finding purpose. When you know exactly who your book is for, your writing becomes more focused, your decisions feel easier, and the pressure to please everyone starts to fall away.

Formatting your manuscript doesn’t have to wait until the end. In this quick guide, I’ll show you how to set up your novel in Google Docs using a simple, standard format with three short videos and a ready-to-use template.

Writing a novel is a long process, and it’s easy to forget how far you’ve come. In this post, I share why documenting your writing journey matters—and simple ways to start, even if you’re short on time. This small habit can help you stay motivated, build community, and create a record of your progress as a writer.

Returning to your novel after time away can feel harder than stepping away in the first place. If you’re unsure what to write next, the solution may not be more outlining or planning. This post explores a simple way to reconnect with your story by leaning on your characters to help you move forward again.

Between teaching, parenting, and everyday life, your writing time is limited, which makes choosing the right novel idea feel surprisingly high stakes. If you’re stuck between too many possibilities, this post will help you sort through the noise, clarify what matters most, and pick one story to begin.

Your novel ideas aren’t scattered because you’re disorganized — they’re scattered because you’re writing in the margins of a very full life. Sticky notes, Google Docs, random notebooks… it all counts. Here’s the simplest way to gather everything into one place so you can finally move forward with your novel.

If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll write your novel “when life slows down,” this might feel familiar. I used to think time was the problem too, until I realized guilt and a lack of structure were what actually kept me stuck. The good news? Both of those things can change.