For literally thousands of years, readers have enjoyed stories in the form of printed books. Like me, you probably have lots of novels, poetry books, or collections of short stories lying around your house or office.

One of the most interesting developments in fiction is taking place in the world of audio—specifically, podcasting. Of course, audio drama has been around since the invention of the radio, so it’s nothing new. But with the popularity of podcasting since the mid-2000s, listeners can now access a huge library of audio fiction.

My guest today is Sarah Rhea Werner. She is a writer, professional speaker, and executive producer of Girl In Space, a multiple award-winning sci-fi mystery podcast, the host of the excellent Write Now podcast, and the executive producer of the fantasy audio drama Omen.

Sarah’s Girl in Space podcast in particular has blown up, with nearly 2,000 ratings on Apple Podcasts. In our conversation, Sarah shares her story behind creating the podcast, how sci-fi reflects cultures, and how to know if you’re successful as a writer and creator. Hint: the answer is not so simple.

Learn more about Sarah and check out her podcasts below:

Listen to the Write Now Podcast

Subscribe to the Girl In Space Podcast

Learn more about Write Now, LLC

Check out SarahWerner.com

Connect with Sarah on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

The post Sarah Werner on Audio Fiction Podcasting, Storytelling, and Success appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

Dixie is a coach, consultant, and firestarter who is transforming leadership, culture, and creative productivity. She is the author of the fantastic book, Just Blow It Up: Firepower for Creating an Unlimited Life. Dixie is also a contributor at Forbes and Entrepreneur magazines.

I first got to know Dixie when I was writing and editing for The Good Men Project. She is an amazing encourager and coach who helped me learn the ropes of writing for a large online publication like GMP. Since that time, I have continued to see her impact through her writing, coaching, and influence in so many other ways. She has a truly unique way of connecting with people on a real, personal level that is rare in our hectic world.

In this conversation, we talk about the power we have as writers, how to deal with fear, and how writers provide the medium for how we make sense of the world. In other words… you are immensely more powerful as a writer than you can possibly know!

You can connect with Dixie on Facebook and LinkedIn, or ReturnToYourPower.com. Also, make sure to check out her amazing book, Just Blow It Up: Firepower for Creating an Unlimited Life, as well as her articles at The Good Men Project, Forbes, and Entrepreneur.

The post Dixie Gillaspie: The Art of the Heart in Writing appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

Some writers came from a supportive environment where his or her parents and extended family nurtured their talent. They were encouraged to write and express themselves.

Others were not so lucky. They had a much harder climb to writing success. They had to break out of a family system that didn’t encourage writing, saw it as a worthless pursuit, or worst of all, was abusive.

In his book The War of Art, Steven Pressfield makes a keen observation: “Often couples or close friends, even entire families, will enter into tacit compacts whereby each individual pledges (unconsciously) to remain mired in the same slough in which she and all her cronies have become so comfortable. The highest treason a crab can commit is to make a leap for the rim of the bucket.”

It’s hard, probably nearly impossible, to break out of a dysfunctional family system. If you grew up in this kind of environment, or perhaps you’re still there, find other writers who can support you. You have bigger goals and brighter dreams than the cold, gray nothingness that surrounds you.

They may be your family or friends, but they don’t define you. You have the power to define yourself.

So, make the leap for the rim. It is easy? Of course not. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

The post Make the Leap appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

The thing I want to tell you is that going forward, you will see more of a business focus on the podcast. There are a couple of reasons for this. 

First, it’s the direction my own life and business are going. You probably already know that I’m a full-time ghostwriter. I’m also working on my next couple of books, and I have the Daily Writer podcast, as well as the Daily Writer Community. There are several different business activities happening in my realm. 

Second, I want you to think of your writing as a business. I know for some of you that comes naturally, and for others, it feels like a stretch. And that’s OK. Wherever you are on this journey, I want you to be aware of things like book marketing, sales, copywriting, networking, productivity, and all the other things that go into a business. Why? Because if you want to sell books, you’re not only an author and an artist—you’re also a business person. 

With all that being said, let me introduce my guest, Mitch Gray, who is here to help us understand an important aspect of running a successful business: hiring an assistant. 

Mitch Gray has combined over two decades of experience as a former pastor, life coach, entrepreneur, community developer, and creator to develop a brand of leadership that is at its deepest level… human.  

Taking his heart for inspiring others and his passion for empowering leaders, Mitch creates the space needed to consider a new way of leading. He is the creator and host of The Mitch Gray Show podcast, author of multiple inspirational books, and a highly regarded speaker.  

Mitch has a new book coming out very soon, which is called How to Hire and Keep Great People. The book focuses on designing great culture, where to find great people, the art of interviewing, how to develop employees once they are hired, and how to invest in your employees so they are fulfilled and want to build your company with you.  

That’s the very topic I wanted to ask Mitch about because, at the time of this recording, I was considering hiring an assistant. In this conversation, we actually turned the tables and Mitch did a coaching session with me about why I needed an assistant and the process for hiring someone. 

Mitch offered a lot of great suggestions, which I followed, and I’m thrilled to say I am now working with a fantastic assistant! If you are considering hiring someone for your team, you’ll find a lot of value in this interview. 

You can connect with Mitch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or through his website. 

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