AM I WRITE?

58. Listen to Your Characters, Make Choices & Find Your Voice | Jeff Zetner

Host Sheridan Sharp is joined by bestselling author Jeff Zentner, known for his resonate and lyrical writing. Learn how he writes in small pockets of time, how to trust your creative instincts, and why filling your “creative well” matters just as much as drafting. If you’re looking for advice on craft, glean wisdom about Jeff’s character-driven process, thoughts on voice and first chapters, and practical advice for navigating publishing without chasing trends. If you’re looking to grow with intention and confidence as a writer–because you will grow–this is the episode for you! Resources www.jeffzentnerbooks.com [http://www.jeffzentnerbooks.com] @jeffzentner (Instagram and Threads) Jeff Zentner - Author on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/jeffzentnerauthor/ [https://www.facebook.com/jeffzentnerauthor/] Works By Jeff: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01CIKMRJ6 [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01CIKMRJ6] About Jeff Jeff Zentner is the author of The Serpent King, which Kirkus Reviews named one of the best books of the 21st Century, as well as In the Wild Light, Goodbye Days, Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee, Colton Gentry's Third Act, and Sunrise Nights, coauthored with Brittany Cavallaro. He has two books—Wayfarers and Love, Like Apples—forthcoming in 2026 Among other honors, he has won the ALA’s William C. Morris Award, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award twice, the Muriel Becker Award, the International Literacy Association Award, been longlisted twice for the Carnegie Medal, and is a two-time Southern Book Prize finalist. His books have been translated into fifteen languages and been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and in Vanity Fair and People Magazine. Before becoming a writer, he was a musician who recorded with Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and Debbie Harry. He lives in Nashville.

57. Beating on the Publishing Door + Plot, Characters, and Finding Your Voice | Mara Rutherford

In this episode of Am I Write?, Guest Marah Rutherford takes listeners inside her creative process and shares how travel, culture, and everyday life influence her fantasy worlds. She explains how small “story kernels” grow into full novels, and what helps her create vivid settings and believable characters.  She also reflects on building a sustainable creative life while juggling family, deadlines, & constant change, and talks honestly about burnout, productivity, and learning to focus on what she can control. Find balance and stay grounded in this unpredictable industry!   Resources Mara’s Website: https://www.mararutherford.com [https://www.mararutherford.com] Mara’s Books: https://www.mararutherford.com/all [https://www.mararutherford.com/all] The Night and the Moths by Rachel Gillig: https://a.co/d/0gsWdAMH [https://a.co/d/0gsWdAMH] Bear our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bury-our-bones-in-the-midnight-soil-v-e-schwab/1145782127 [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bury-our-bones-in-the-midnight-soil-v-e-schwab/1145782127] James by Percival Everett: https://a.co/d/03YSncIY [https://a.co/d/03YSncIY] Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry: https://a.co/d/0ab1aK3l [https://a.co/d/0ab1aK3l] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mararutherfordwrites/ [https://www.instagram.com/mararutherfordwrites/]   About Mara Mara Rutherford began her writing career as a journalist but quickly discovered she far preferred fantasy to reality. Originally from California, Mara has since lived all over the world with her diplomat husband and two sons. A triplet born on Leap Day, Mara holds a Master's degree in Cultural Studies from the University of London. Her favorite days involve books, tea, and Mishka (a small red muppet often mistaken for a dog). She is the author of YA fantasy novels including the Crown of Coral and Pearl duology, Luminous, The Poison Season, and A Multitude of Dreams (Inkyard Press). Her next book, A CURIOUS KIND OF MAGIC, releases Fall ‘25 from Wednesday Books.

56. Staying Teachable & Staying Stubborn! | Becky Dean

Multi-published author Becky Dean joins host Sheridan Sharp to talk about the real process behind becoming a stronger writer: the practice books that build your skills, the rejections that teach resilience, and the everyday moments that shape your stories (like those magic moments in the shower). She shares simple, actionable insights for writers who want to understand the craft beyond the page.   If you’re looking for clarity and encouragement in your own writing journey, this episode is for you!  About Becky Becky Dean is a fan of adventures both real and fictional. She writes young adult contemporary romance books full of travel and banter, and as B.L. Dean, writes science fiction books full of travel and banter in space. When she's not writing, she can be found drinking iced tea, watching science fiction shows, planning travel adventures, or spending time with her family. Resources Love Unmasked, [https://a.co/d/3V6vbZq] Becky's Latest Book! Website: https://beckydeanwrites.com/ [https://beckydeanwrites.com/] Substack: https://beckydean.substack.com/ [https://beckydean.substack.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckydeanwrites/  [https://www.instagram.com/beckydeanwrites/ ]

55. The Real Path to Publication: Persistence, Rewrites, and the Power of Support | Amy Buchanan

In this episode of Am I Write?, debut romance author Amy Buchanan joins Sheridan to talk about the winding, emotional, and ultimately inspiring path to publication. Amy opens up about writing her first draft in secret, finding clarity through mentorship, navigating the querying trenches, and learning to trust her creative instincts. She also shares the importance of community, how small acts of support can make a big difference for authors, and why writing dreams are never out of reach—even when life is chaotic. Whether you're drafting your first chapter or preparing to query, this conversation offers encouragement, honesty, and the reminder that your story deserves to be told. About Amy Amy Buchanan’s affair with romance and books started at three, when she watched Beauty and the Beast and couldn’t decide if she was more obsessed with the prince or the library (Obviously, the library). After decades of devouring love stories written by others, she finally decided to share the ones pinging around in her brain. She writes fun and spicy contemporary romances with relatable heroines, swoonworthy heroes, and loving found families. Her debut, Let's Call a Truce, released in January 2025. She lives in Central Florida with her three littles, two pups, and one husband. On top of writing, she uses her Masters in Higher Education Administration to run a scholarship foundation for first-generation college students. When not working, she trolls travel sites for luxury rentals outside of her travel budget and–poorly–trains for half-marathons. Resources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amybuchananbooks/ [https://www.instagram.com/amybuchananbooks/] Substack:  https://amybuchananbooks.substack.com/ [https://amybuchananbooks.substack.com/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amybuchananbooks [https://www.tiktok.com/@amybuchananbooks] Website: https://www.amybuchananbooks.com/ [https://www.amybuchananbooks.com/] Let’s Call a Truce  [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Let%27s+Call+a+Truce+Amy+Buchanan]by Amy Buchanan The New Romantics Bookstore [https://www.thenewromanticsbooks.com/]

54. From Academic Papers to Creative Fiction: Nothing You Write is Wasted | Amy S Kaufman

What happens when a medieval scholar trades academic papers for storytelling?  In this episode, Am I Write? Host Sheridan Sharp sits down with Amy S. Kaufman to talk about her bold leap from teaching medieval history to writing fiction. Amy shares how her background shaped her reimagining of Robin Hood—and why no word you write is ever wasted. If you’ve ever felt like it’s too late to chase your dream or worried your first draft isn’t “the one,” this episode will remind you: every story, sentence, and struggle matters.   Resources Amy’s Official Website: amyskaufman.com [https://www.amyskaufman.com/] Substack Newsletter: Amy S. Kaufman on Substack [https://amyskaufman.substack.com/] Instagram: @as_kaufman [https://www.instagram.com/as_kaufman/] Bluesky: @askaufman.bsky.social [https://chatgpt.com/c/6900147d-4e74-832e-8aa9-c000db28a7f5#:~:text=Bluesky%3A-,%40askaufman.bsky.social,-Google%20Drive%20(Author]   About Amy Amy S. Kaufman is the author of THE TRAITOR OF SHERWOOD FOREST, a Robin Hood retelling based on the medieval ballads (Penguin Books, 2025). Amy holds a PhD in medieval literature and has written about the Middle Ages for both academic journals and popular venues, including The Washington Post. She is co-author of The Devil’s Historians: How Modern Extremists Abuse the Medieval Past (University of Toronto Press, 2020).