The Write Podcast with Sarah Williams

Why I Chose to Publish Independently — And Why I'd Do It Again

In 2016, I was offered a traditional publishing contract. I said no — and that decision shaped everything that came after it. In this episode I share the real reasons why: the royalty maths that didn't add up, the value of freedom that I wasn't willing to compromise, my honest lack of patience for a four-year timeline, and the bigger picture of wanting to build a sustainable business for myself and my family. This isn't a case against traditional publishing. It's a case for knowing yourself well enough to make the right decision for you.

How One TikTok Video Changed Everything with Romance Author Lauren Jackson

She went viral overnight, landed a Penguin deal, and is somehow doing it all as a brand new mum. Lauren Jackson is a Gold Coast romance author and BookTok creator whose path to publishing is one of the most exciting stories in Australian romance right now. She started by self-publishing, built a devoted readership one book at a time, and when Tierney Page featured her work on TikTok — everything changed. In this episode, Lauren and I talk about her journey from self-published author to Penguin Books, what it was like to go viral and have the industry suddenly come knocking, how she's built such a genuine and loyal community online, and what life looks like now that she's navigating a creative career with a newborn in the mix. This is a conversation about persistence, timing, and what happens when the right person discovers your book at the right moment.

Why I Wish I'd Joined TikTok Earlier

If you're an author who watched the BookTok wave from the sidelines — this episode is for you. I'm talking about what I missed, why I missed it, and whether it's too late to build a readership on TikTok in 2026. Spoiler: it's not. But the strategy has changed. We cover: * The real BookTok numbers — 59 million books sold in the U.S. in 2024 alone * Why TikTok's fastest-growing demographic is women aged 25–50 (your readers are already there) * An honest platform breakdown: TikTok vs Instagram vs Threads — where romance readers actually are right now * Why your social following is borrowed land, and your email list is the only audience you truly own * The mindset shift that changes how you think about every post you'll ever make Whether you're a debut author or have been publishing for years — this episode will help you figure out where to show up, why, and what you're actually building toward.

Why Readers Do Judge a Book by Its Cover

What if your book cover isn’t just a marketing tool—but one of the most powerful storytelling elements you have? In this episode of The Write Podcast, I’m joined by cover designer Holly Dunn for a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes into creating a cover that sells your story. And here’s what makes Holly different: she actually reads the entire manuscript before she designs. (Yes—really.) Which means her covers aren’t just beautiful… they’re deeply aligned with the tone, emotion, and promise of the book itself. We dive into her creative process, how she translates story into visual language, and what she’s looking for as she reads a manuscript. We also talk about the rise of AI in design—what it means for authors, where it can help, and where human creativity still matters most. And of course, we explore the truth behind the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover”… and why readers absolutely do. If you’re an author who wants your book to stand out, connect with the right audience, and truly reflect the story you’ve written, this episode is a must-listen. ✨ In this episode, we cover: * Why reading the book changes everything in cover design * How to visually communicate tone, genre, and emotional promise * The role of AI in publishing and creative work * What makes a cover actually sell a book * How to think about your cover as part of your storytelling Find Holly online at: https://www.hollydunndesign.com/

A Confession About My Latest Book Launch

Some launches go exactly to plan. This one didn't — and I'm telling you everything. Heartbeat Song released on the 12th of April 2026, and in the lead-up to launch day, Amazon cancelled all of my preorders. Before I could even speak to a real person at KDP, I had to fight through a wall of AI bots — frustrating, time-consuming, and genuinely stressful when your launch window is closing in real time.But here's the thing. My book was also live on Apple Books, Kobo, and Google Play — and those platforms delivered. Being wide didn't just make business sense in theory. It literally cushioned my launch. In this episode I'm sharing the full story: what went wrong, what I didn't do, and exactly how I'm building the runway differently for Our Song later this year. What you'll learn in this episode: - Why preorders are about so much more than sales — and what losing them actually costs you - Why selling wide across multiple platforms is non-negotiable - The honest list of launch strategies I skipped — ARCs, street team, BookTok, Meta ads, email sequences - How to build an ARC team that generates reviews before launch day - Why your Shopify store (or direct sales channel) should lead your strategy, not follow it - What a proper email launch countdown sequence looks like - How to shift from creation mode to launch mode — before you finish the last chapter Links mentioned:Grab Songbird and Heartbeat Song from my website: https://serenadepublishing.myshopify.com/collections/songbird The Author CEO: https://www.serenadepublishing.com/the-author-ceo If this episode resonated, please leave a review or share it with a writer friend. It genuinely helps this show reach more people.