Many authors dream of becoming award-winning authors, but are book awards really worth pursuing?

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with Carol Abrahamson, founder of Book Award Mastery and former McGraw-Hill executive, to discuss how book awards can help authors build credibility, increase visibility, and create new opportunities long after publication. Carol shares insider insights from decades of experience helping authors navigate the world of book awards, avoid scams, and develop a strategy that supports their long-term goals.

In this episode:

• Are book awards worth the investment?

• How awards support book marketing

• Common myths about book awards

• How to identify legitimate award programs

• Why some authors win more awards than others

• Using awards to build authority and credibility

• The connection between intuition and business decisions

Connect with Carol Abrahamson

Book Award Mastery:
https://bookawardmastery.com/contact/finish

22 Free & Nearly Free Ways to Promote Your Award-Winning Book:
https://bookawardmastery.com/22-ways-award/finish

Watch the Full Episode

https://geni.us/fdb-carol-abrahamson

Reflection Moment

What would change if you stopped thinking of your book as a product. and started thinking of it as a platform?

Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finally complete the book they know they’re meant to write.

Hosted by Susie Schaefer, the podcast cuts through perfectionism, writer’s block, overwhelm, and publishing confusion with honest conversations about writing, publishing, book marketing, creativity, and the author journey.

Featuring authors, editors, ghostwriters, publishers, writing coaches, and industry professionals, each episode offers practical strategies to help writers finish, publish, and share meaningful books.

Topics include:
• Writing and revision tips
• Publishing and self-publishing guidance
• Book marketing and platform-building
• Creativity, confidence, and procrastination
• Encouragement for writers stuck in the messy middle

Many episodes close with Susie’s signature “Reflection Moment”, an intuitive conversation exploring creativity, identity, purpose, and the emotional side of becoming an author.

Whether you’re writing memoir, nonfiction, business, or personal development, Finish the Damn Book is here to help you trust your voice and finally bring your story to life.

Ready to move your book forward?
https://www.finishthebookpublishing.com/

Many authors spend years learning how to write, but very few learn how to edit.

In this episode, Susie Schaefer talks with editor and educator Katie Chambers about self-editing, working with professional editors, building a stronger manuscript, and the growing role of AI in publishing.

Katie shares how she transitioned from teaching English to running a successful editing business, why authors often submit manuscripts too early, and what writers can do to improve their books before hiring an editor.

They also discuss:

• Why self-editing matters

• Common mistakes first-time authors make

• Building systems that create creative freedom

• The future of self-publishing

• AI-generated writing and editing

• Why human creativity still matters

Connect with Katie

Website:
https://beaconpointservices.org

Watch the Full Episode
https://geni.us/fdb-katie-chambers

Books:
Self-Editing Essentials for Fiction
Self-Editing Essentials for Nonfiction

Reflection Moment

What would happen if you spent more time revising your manuscript than writing the next chapter?

Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finally complete the book they know they’re meant to write.

Hosted by Susie Schaefer, the podcast cuts through perfectionism, writer’s block, overwhelm, and publishing confusion with honest conversations about writing, publishing, book marketing, creativity, and the author journey.

Featuring authors, editors, ghostwriters, publishers, writing coaches, and industry professionals, each episode offers practical strategies to help writers finish, publish, and share meaningful books.

Topics include:
• Writing and revision tips
• Publishing and self-publishing guidance
• Book marketing and platform-building
• Creativity, confidence, and procrastination
• Encouragement for writers stuck in the messy middle

Many episodes close with Susie’s signature “Reflection Moment”, an intuitive conversation exploring creativity, identity, purpose, and the emotional side of becoming an author.

Whether you’re writing memoir, nonfiction, business, or personal development, Finish the Damn Book is here to help you trust your voice and finally bring your story to life.

Ready to move your book forward?
https://www.finishthebookpublishing.com/

What happens when technology becomes so advanced that it can imitate your voice?

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with David Wolf, founder of Audivita Studios and longtime producer across radio, television, film, podcasts, and audiobooks, to explore one of publishing’s fastest-changing frontiers: audio.

Together they unpack:
• Why audiobooks are no longer optional for many authors
• How podcasting evolved into today’s version of on-demand radio
• The surprising limits of AI-generated voice
• What makes human storytelling impossible to replicate
• How intuition and creativity shape great work
• Why authors should think beyond the manuscript

This conversation moves beyond publishing strategy and into something deeper: connection, voice, trust, and the human experience behind the work.

If you’ve ever wondered whether AI can replace authors, speakers, narrators, or whether your own voice matters more than ever, this episode is for you.

Guest: David Wolf
Audivita Studios
https://audivita.com/

Subscribe and keep writing… so you can finish the damn book.

Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finally complete the book they know they’re meant to write.

Hosted by Susie Schaefer, the podcast cuts through perfectionism, writer’s block, overwhelm, and publishing confusion with honest conversations about writing, publishing, book marketing, creativity, and the author journey.

Featuring authors, editors, ghostwriters, publishers, writing coaches, and industry professionals, each episode offers practical strategies to help writers finish, publish, and share meaningful books.

Topics include:
• Writing and revision tips
• Publishing and self-publishing guidance
• Book marketing and platform-building
• Creativity, confidence, and procrastination
• Encouragement for writers stuck in the messy middle

Many episodes close with Susie’s signature “Reflection Moment”, an intuitive conversation exploring creativity, identity, purpose, and the emotional side of becoming an author.

Whether you’re writing memoir, nonfiction, business, or personal development, Finish the Damn Book is here to help you trust your voice and finally bring your story to life.

Ready to move your book forward?
https://www.finishthebookpublishing.com/

What happens when psychology, intuition, creativity, and storytelling collide?

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with Anne Bartolucci, PhD, psychologist, writing mentor, USA Today bestselling author, and founder of Psych Up Academy.

Anne shares how she blends psychology, mythology, intuition, and storytelling to help heart-centered entrepreneurs write books that truly connect with readers. From procrastination and imposter syndrome to creativity, spirituality, and even tarot, this conversation explores the deeper emotional and energetic side of writing.

In this episode:

• Why procrastination is often deeper than “lack of discipline”
• The connection between psychology and spirituality
• How intuition shapes the writing process
• Why nonfiction books need story structure too
• The “mushy middle” problem most authors face
• Creativity, mythology, past lives & the subconscious mind
• Writing advice for authors who feel overwhelmed or stuck

This is one of those conversations that reminds you writing a book is never just about the book.

Connect with Anne Bartolucci

Anne’s Tarot Reading Request Form:
https://forms.gle/UwMpaSN7abs9F1j57

Psych Up Academy:
https://psychupacademy.com

Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finally complete the book they know they’re meant to write.

Hosted by Susie Schaefer, the podcast cuts through perfectionism, writer’s block, overwhelm, and publishing confusion with honest conversations about writing, publishing, book marketing, creativity, and the author journey.

Featuring authors, editors, ghostwriters, publishers, writing coaches, and industry professionals, each episode offers practical strategies to help writers finish, publish, and share meaningful books.

Topics include:
• Writing and revision tips
• Publishing and self-publishing guidance
• Book marketing and platform-building
• Creativity, confidence, and procrastination
• Encouragement for writers stuck in the messy middle

Many episodes close with Susie’s signature “Reflection Moment”, an intuitive conversation exploring creativity, identity, purpose, and the emotional side of becoming an author.

Whether you’re writing memoir, nonfiction, business, or personal development, Finish the Damn Book is here to help you trust your voice and finally bring your story to life.

Ready to move your book forward?
https://www.finishthebookpublishing.com/

What if the reason you haven’t finished your book has less to do with talent…and more to do with the stories you tell yourself about who you are?

In this episode, Susie Schaefer talks with author, educator, and publisher Sierra Melcher about intuition, creativity, imposter syndrome, women’s voices, and the transformational process of becoming a published author.

Sierra shares how she went from believing she wasn’t a writer to publishing 19 books and building Red Thread Publishing, a collaborative publishing house devoted to helping authors amplify meaningful stories and create impact.

Together, they explore:
• why imposter syndrome never fully disappears
• how community helps writers heal and grow
• the spiritual and emotional side of storytelling
• why writing doesn’t have to feel painful
• trusting intuition in creativity and business
• how anthologies help aspiring authors begin

Plus, Susie pulls cards for Sierra and the audience in a powerful conversation about intuition, legacy, and trusting the next step.

Connect with Sierra Melcher:
Red Thread Publishing

Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finally complete the book they know they’re meant to write.

Hosted by Susie Schaefer, the podcast cuts through perfectionism, writer’s block, overwhelm, and publishing confusion with honest conversations about writing, publishing, book marketing, creativity, and the author journey.

Featuring authors, editors, ghostwriters, publishers, writing coaches, and industry professionals, each episode offers practical strategies to help writers finish, publish, and share meaningful books.

Topics include:
• Writing and revision tips
• Publishing and self-publishing guidance
• Book marketing and platform-building
• Creativity, confidence, and procrastination
• Encouragement for writers stuck in the messy middle

Many episodes close with Susie’s signature “Reflection Moment”, an intuitive conversation exploring creativity, identity, purpose, and the emotional side of becoming an author.

Whether you’re writing memoir, nonfiction, business, or personal development, Finish the Damn Book is here to help you trust your voice and finally bring your story to life.

Ready to move your book forward?
https://www.finishthebookpublishing.com/

Most authors believe once the book is written… everything else will follow.

More visibility. More clients. More income.

But what if that’s not how it actually works?

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with book marketing and monetization expert James Ranson to break down the missing link between writing your book and actually making money from it.

After years on both sides of the industry, as a ghostwriter, editor, and now a strategist, James shares why so many authors struggle to see results, and how to build a system that connects your book directly to your business.

If you’ve ever wondered why your book isn’t creating the opportunities you expected… this conversation will change how you think about it.

Inside this episode:

• Why writing the book is NOT enough
• The biggest misconception authors have about success
• How to connect your book to a real sales pipeline
• Why most books don’t generate income (and how to fix it)
• The role of intuition in business decisions
• What it really takes to see ROI from your book

Connect with James Ranson:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-ranson

A note for listeners:

Stay through the end for a powerful closing reflection, often where the biggest insight connects back to the conversation in unexpected ways.

Ready to finish your book?

Visit: https://finishthebookpublishing.com

Don’t forget:

Subscribe, share, and keep writing, so you can finally finish the damn book.

Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finally complete the book they know they’re meant to write.

Hosted by Susie Schaefer, the podcast cuts through perfectionism, writer’s block, overwhelm, and publishing confusion with honest conversations about writing, publishing, book marketing, creativity, and the author journey.

Featuring authors, editors, ghostwriters, publishers, writing coaches, and industry professionals, each episode offers practical strategies to help writers finish, publish, and share meaningful books.

Topics include:
• Writing and revision tips
• Publishing and self-publishing guidance
• Book marketing and platform-building
• Creativity, confidence, and procrastination
• Encouragement for writers stuck in the messy middle

Many episodes close with Susie’s signature “Reflection Moment”, an intuitive conversation exploring creativity, identity, purpose, and the emotional side of becoming an author.

Whether you’re writing memoir, nonfiction, business, or personal development, Finish the Damn Book is here to help you trust your voice and finally bring your story to life.

Ready to move your book forward?
https://www.finishthebookpublishing.com/

What if your book isn’t just something you write, but the key that unlocks everything else?

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with publishing expert, speaker, and author Jennifer Wilkov to explore how storytelling becomes the foundation for visibility, opportunity, and long-term impact.

From navigating a failed publishing deal to rebuilding a successful book from the ground up, Jennifer shares what it really takes to create a book that works for you, not just on paper, but in your business and your life.

This is a powerful conversation for any author who knows they have a story… but wants to make sure it actually reaches the people it’s meant to serve.

✨ Inside this episode:

• Why your book is more than a product, it’s a platform
• What “Your Book Is Your Hook” really means
• The truth about writing for trends vs writing with purpose
• How to recover from publishing setbacks
• The role of intuition in building your author path
• What makes a book actually work in the real world

Connect with Jennifer Wilkov:

Website: https://yourbookisyourhook.com

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jenniferwilkov

✨ A note for listeners:

Stay through the end for a closing reflection, often where the biggest insight shows up and connects back to the conversation in surprising ways.

Ready to take the next step?

If you're serious about finishing your book, visit: https://finishthebookpublishing.com

Don’t forget: Subscribe, share, and keep writing, so you can finish the damn book!

Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finally complete the book they know they’re meant to write.

Hosted by Susie Schaefer, the podcast cuts through perfectionism, writer’s block, overwhelm, and publishing confusion with honest conversations about writing, publishing, book marketing, creativity, and the author journey.

Featuring authors, editors, ghostwriters, publishers, writing coaches, and industry professionals, each episode offers practical strategies to help writers finish, publish, and share meaningful books.

Topics include:
• Writing and revision tips
• Publishing and self-publishing guidance
• Book marketing and platform-building
• Creativity, confidence, and procrastination
• Encouragement for writers stuck in the messy middle

Many episodes close with Susie’s signature “Reflection Moment”, an intuitive conversation exploring creativity, identity, purpose, and the emotional side of becoming an author.

Whether you’re writing memoir, nonfiction, business, or personal development, Finish the Damn Book is here to help you trust your voice and finally bring your story to life.

Ready to move your book forward?
https://www.finishthebookpublishing.com/

What if the reason your book isn’t working… isn’t the book?

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with publishing strategist Jenn T. Grace to unpack one of the most overlooked truths in authorship:

👉 Your book, your brand, and your business must work together.

Jenn shares her journey from writing multiple books to building a hybrid publishing company, and how many authors unintentionally create disconnect between their message and their impact.

They dive into:

• why so many authors feel stuck after publishing
• how misalignment affects your book’s success
• the difference between self-publishing, hybrid, and traditional models
• how to avoid predatory publishing companies
• what actually makes a book a powerful business asset

If you’ve ever wondered why your book isn’t creating the momentum you expected… this conversation will change how you think about the entire process.

Websites:

• https://publishyourpurpose.com
• https://authorgrowthandimpact.org
  
  

Books:

• Publish Your Purpose
• Promote Your Purpose

🎧 Listen now and take one step closer to finishing your book with clarity and purpose.

🔗 Listen on all platforms:

https://geni.us/fdb-jenn-t-grace

Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finally complete the book they know they’re meant to write.

Hosted by Susie Schaefer, the podcast cuts through perfectionism, writer’s block, overwhelm, and publishing confusion with honest conversations about writing, publishing, book marketing, creativity, and the author journey.

Featuring authors, editors, ghostwriters, publishers, writing coaches, and industry professionals, each episode offers practical strategies to help writers finish, publish, and share meaningful books.

Topics include:
• Writing and revision tips
• Publishing and self-publishing guidance
• Book marketing and platform-building
• Creativity, confidence, and procrastination
• Encouragement for writers stuck in the messy middle

Many episodes close with Susie’s signature “Reflection Moment”, an intuitive conversation exploring creativity, identity, purpose, and the emotional side of becoming an author.

Whether you’re writing memoir, nonfiction, business, or personal development, Finish the Damn Book is here to help you trust your voice and finally bring your story to life.

Ready to move your book forward?
https://www.finishthebookpublishing.com/