30: When should you hire a book coach or editor?

30: When should you hire a book coach or editor?

In this episode of For Women Who Write, Mikaela answers one of the most important questions aspiring authors face: When should you hire a book coach or editor? Through a personal story about assembling furniture without following the instructions, Mikaela shares why having the right guidance from the beginning can save writers time, frustration, and unnecessary revisions. She explains the distinct roles of a book coach and an editor, how they support different stages of the writing journey, and why she believes coaching is most valuable at the start of the process. In this episode, you'll discover: * The difference between a book coach and an editor * Why early support can strengthen your book's foundation * Common mistakes writers make when trying to navigate the process alone * The importance of structure, strategy, and accountability * How to gain clarity and confidence in your book idea before you start writing Whether you're still exploring a book idea or already working on a manuscript, this episode offers practical insights to help you move forward with greater confidence and purpose. For more information about Mikaela's one-on-one strategy sessions, check out the links in the show notes.

29: So You Don't Know What to Write About

In this solo episode of For Women Who Write Podcast, Mikaela tackles one of the biggest struggles aspiring authors face: figuring out what to write about. If you’ve ever thought, “I want to write a book, but I don’t know what my book should be about,” or “I have too many ideas and no clarity,” this episode will help you move past the mental block and finally gain direction. Drawing from both coaching and parenting, Mikaela shares how asking the right questions can move you out of overwhelm, overthinking, and “freeze mode” and into clarity and action. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: *  The 7 powerful questions to ask before writing your book  *  How to uncover the deeper reason you want to write  *  Why anger and frustration can point you toward your strongest message  *  How to identify the problem your book is meant to solve  *  The difference between a legacy book and a marketplace book  *  How to narrow your topic so your message actually stands out  *  Why specificity matters if you want readers to find and trust you  *  How to know if your book idea has real transformation potential  Whether you’re overflowing with ideas or completely stuck, this episode will help you gain clarity, confidence, and momentum toward your book. Sometimes the breakthrough comes from asking better questions and giving yourself permission to explore the answers honestly.

28: Why Structure Changes Everything When Writing a Book | Interview with Kristin Haluch

In this episode of For Women Who Write Podcast, Mikaela sits down with leadership coach and strategist Kristen to talk about the real behind-the-scenes journey of writing and publishing her first book, The Mama Bear Leader: How Human Centered Leadership Can Reimagine the Way We Work. From navigating self-doubt and stop-start momentum to finding clarity through structure, Kristen shares how she went from “I think I want to write a book” to completing a manuscript that now serves as the foundation of her coaching business and speaking platform. Together, Mikaela and Kristen dive into: *  How to know if your ideas are meant to become a book  *  Why structure and outlining can completely change the writing process  *  Balancing writing with motherhood, work, and everyday life  *  Using your book to clarify your message and build your brand  *  The mindset shifts required to finally finish your manuscript  *  What it really feels like to prepare for your first book launch  If you’ve been sitting on a book idea, struggling to organize your thoughts, or wondering whether your story and expertise are “enough,” this conversation will encourage you to keep going. Because your book doesn’t just change your business — it changes you.

27: The Exact Questions I Use as a Book Coach to Help Writers Find Their Book Idea

In this live coaching session, Mikaela sits down with nervous system coach and mom of two, Shena Black, to help her narrow down her book idea. This episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the book-writing process as Mikaela coaches Shena through clarifying her book idea, identifying her message, narrowing her audience, and building a transformational framework designed to help overwhelmed moms experience more peace, presence, and confidence in motherhood.

26: How to Know What Book You’re Meant to Write

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to write a book… but I don’t know what to write about,” this episode is for you. Today, Mikaela walks you through the powerful questions that help aspiring authors move past overwhelm, overthinking, and mental blocks so they can finally gain clarity on their book idea. Drawing from parenting psychology, coaching principles, and years of experience helping women write and publish books, Mikaela explains why asking the right questions can unlock creativity and move you out of “freeze mode” and into action. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why your “why” matters more than you think * How anger can actually point you toward your message * The problem/solution framework behind compelling nonfiction books * How to know if your book idea will work in the marketplace * Why specificity matters when choosing your topic * The key question that helps determine whether your book has a clear transformation Whether you have too many ideas, no ideas, or you’re simply unsure what direction to take, this episode will help you uncover the message you’re truly meant to write. Plus, Mikaela shares practical exercises and journal prompts you can use immediately to gain clarity and confidence in your next step as an author. Join us for a workshop [https://www.mikaelamathews.com/workshop] here!