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Books, Business, & Mindset - A Podcast for Authors

Books, Business, & Mindset - A Podcast for Authors

By: Jen Graybeal Creative Coaching
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Running an author business is so much more than writing. Jen Graybeal (she/her) is a certified creativity coach, educator, and editor that has spent more than ten years helping authors create stories they are proud of and businesses that align with their individual vision of success. She empowers authors through encouraging feedback, collaborative problem solving, and gently-applied tough love. Visit her website for client testimonials at www.jengraybeal.com or follow her on the socials: @JenTheEditor.

© 2026 Books, Business, & Mindset - A Podcast for Authors
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Episodes
  • 40+ Books and Still Curious: Cathy Maxwell on Writing, Reinvention, and her Leap to Indie Publishing
    Jun 3 2026

    NYT and USA Today bestselling author Cathy Maxwell has written more than 40 historical romances — and her most exciting chapter is just beginning. In her very first podcast interview, Cathy sits down with me to reflect on three decades of writing, the friendships that shaped her career, and the creative freedom she found when she made the leap into indie publishing.

    This is a conversation full of hard-won wisdom, genuine warmth, and more than a few laugh-out-loud moments. Cathy talks about what romance has always gotten right, why she isn't afraid to fail, and how asking for help — even when it's uncomfortable — has been one of the defining moves of her career.

    Whether you're writing your first book or your fortieth, there's something here for you.

    Highlights include:

    • Finding your people: why author community isn't optional
    • The difference between the right and wrong people to vent to
    • What indie publishing taught a 30-year traditional author about joy
    • Reader relationships and why they change everything
    • The niche advantage and building your platform at any career stage
    • Coaching, critique partners, and building the right team
    • Why every author — at every level — has to be willing to be a beginner

    Loved this one? Follow the Books, Business, and Mindset podcast so you never miss an episode, and leave a review to help other authors find the show. Have a fabulous day!

    Where to find Cathy Maxwell online

    Website: www.cathymaxwell.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxwellcathy/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maxwellcathy

    If I Should Ever Love You by Cathy Maxwell: https://amzn.to/4o21Lw4

    Curves for the Rakish Duke by Cathy Maxwell: https://amzn.to/3PEG9cJ

    Other links

    The Busty Bodice Series: https://amzn.to/4u4Jjo5

    Author Stephanie Bond: https://stephaniebond.com/

    Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman: https://amzn.to/4a266d2

    Andre Norton: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Andre-Norton

    Robert McCammon: https://www.robertmccammon.com/

    Follow the Sun by Liz Locke: https://amzn.to/4x3R0h6

    Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid: https://amzn.to/4dWykal

    About Cathy Maxwell

    Cathy Maxwell has written forty some historical romances, hit the New York Times and USA Today lists, been nominated for--and won--some very nice awards, made dynamite writing friends, and has had the time of her life. To get into the weeds, go to www.cathymaxwell.com

    About Jen Graybeal, Creative Coach

    Jen Graybeal (she/her) is dedicated to empowering authors through encouraging feedback, collaborative problem solving and gently-applied tough love. In eleven years of coaching, workshops, and editing projects, she has helped over a thousand authors create stories they are proud of and businesses that align with their individual vision of success. Jen is an award-winning mindfulness-trained Creativity Coach, and international speaker with a degree in English, an ever-expanding TBR pile, and a furball assistant that is usually on her lap. Visit her website for client testimonials at www.jentheeditor.com or follow her on social media: @JenTheEditor. Listen to the Books, Business & Mindset podcast, now available on all your favorite podcast apps.

    Work It: A 6- Week Coaching Intensive for Authors

    Information, Wait List Sign Up, testimonials: https://www.jentheeditor.com/work-it

    Where to find Jen

    Website: https://www.jentheeditor.com/
    All the socials: @jentheeditor

    Subscribe to Jen's newsletter for Author Marketing and Mental Health tips

    https://www.jentheeditor.com/subscribe

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Pirate Queens, Reapers, and Joyful Chaos: Allison/ Alli Temple on Brand, Boundaries, and Big Creative Swings
    May 27 2026

    Author Allison Temple (aka Alli Temple) joins me to talk about writing what lights you up—even when it breaks the “rules.” From male/male small‑town rom‑coms to a smash hit sapphic pirate series and a weirdly wonderful trilogy about the Afterlife, Allison shares how she builds worlds around characters and built her brand around stories she loves. We dig into shelving projects without shame, writing across genres, and how to protect your joy.

    Highlights:

    • Character‑first worldbuilding (and why vibes matter)
    • Brand clarity without boxing yourself in
    • Indie pros/cons: control, speed, and realistic cadence
    • Visibility tactics: backlist marketing, niche positioning, in‑person connections
    • Celebrating milestones that actually feel good (drafts > release day)

    Looking for more in-depth conversations with authors? Subscribe to the Books, Business, and Mindset podcast for more practical, author‑friendly episodes—and tell me what you are doing to make your brain happy.

    Where to find Allison (Alli) Temple online

    Website: http://allitemple.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisontemplebooks/

    Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@allisontemplebooks

    Links to Allison (Alli) Temple’s books we talked about

    Vacation from Hell – Book 3 in the Afterlife, Incorporated series: https://amzn.to/4nQrPdD

    Afterlife Incorporated series – all three books in the series: https://amzn.to/4dKSP9X

    Uncharted: A Sapphic Pirate Romantasy – Book 1 in The Pirate & Her Princess series: https://amzn.to/4nZu8LG

    The Pirate and her Princess: The Compete Series – includes all three books: https://amzn.to/4a9Y2qA

    My Not-So-Super Blind Date: A Time Loop Rom-Com – part of the Subparheroes series: https://amzn.to/4vhPhDf

    Ski-Crossed Lovers – part of the Love on the Podium series: https://amzn.to/4uxXi6N

    The Pick Up – Single dad falls for his daughter’s teacher: https://amzn.to/4vgTTcS

    Other stuff mentioned in the podcast

    The Artisan Author: The Low Stress, High-Quality, Fan-Focused Approach to Escaping the Publishing Rat Race by Johnny B. Truant: https://amzn.to/4dLGSAy

    A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland: https://amzn.to/42Xbw5e

    About Allison Temple

    Allison lives in Toronto with her very patient husband and the world’s cutest team of rescue pets. She tries to split her time between writing, exploring Toronto’s parks, and traveling anywhere that has good wine. Tragically, this leaves no time to clean the house.

    About Jen Graybeal

    Jen Graybeal (she/her) is dedicated to empowering authors through encouraging feedback, collaborative problem solving and gently-applied tough love. In eleven years of coaching, workshops, and editing projects, she has helped over a thousand authors create stories they are proud of and businesses that align with their individual vision of success. Jen is an award-winning mindfulness-trained Creativity Coach, and international speaker with a degree in English, an ever-expanding TBR pile, and a furball assistant that is usually on her lap. Visit her website for client testimonials at www.jentheeditor.com or follow her on social media: @JenTheEditor. Listen to the Books, Business & Mindset podcast, now available on all your favorite podcast apps.

    Work It: A 6- Week Coaching Intensive for Authors

    Information, Wait List Sign Up, testimonials: https://www.jentheeditor.com/work-it

    Where to find Jen

    Website: https://www.jentheeditor.com/
    All the socials: @jentheeditor

    Subscribe to Jen's newsletter for Author Marketing and Mental Health tips

    https://www.jentheeditor.com/subscribe

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • Write, Publish, Profit: Moni Boyce’s Playbook for Career Resilience
    May 20 2026
    USA Today bestselling author, filmmaker, and poet Moni Boyce joins Jen to unpack what it takes to turn writing into a real, sustainable business. Moni traces her path from film producer to traveling nomad ghostwriter to full‑time indie author, sharing how she plans series that drive read‑through, builds a brand readers recognize, and balances creativity with smart marketing.Moni recommends courses worth paying for, and explains how to use newsletters, TikTok/BookTok, and ads strategically—without burning out. Moni also gets candid about time management, celebrating small wins, and why consistency doesn’t mean daily. Perfect for authors who want practical tactics and real‑world encouragement.What we cover:Making the move from film to fiction Series strategy that sells: building worlds for bingeable read‑throughNewsletter fundamentals that compound (and why you own this channel)Social media that works now: TikTok/BookTok, short video, and platform fitReality of paid ads, budgets, ROI, and why free might be best… for nowWhy every author needs a marketing allianceCourses and mentors worth the money Share this episode with a writer who needs a boost today! Make sure you’ve subscribed to the Books, Business, and Mindset podcast for great information each week. Where to find Moni Boyce onlineWebsite: https://moniboyce.comRedemption of the Heart by Moni Boyce: https://amzn.to/4nzwiRMAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/moniboyceBookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/moni-boyceGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/moniboyceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoniBoyceWritesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniboycePinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/moniboyceTikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJpAQjRV/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/moniboyce.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniboyceThe Author Spotlight Podcast with Kenya Goree-Bell and Moni Boyce: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QmPbbAYYZkTCNoSVVtqpg?si=68a4730199e84ee7 Connect with Moni in person! She will be at the following events in 2026:Romance Book Day at the Vineyard - Lancaster, SC - June 6thRSJ Convention – Virtual – July 9-112026 Sexy and Sassy Signing - Richmond, VA - July 25thBeating Hearts Romance Book Festival - Suffolk, VA - August 15thBookMark Her - Huntsville, AL - Nov. 13th - 15th Links to resources and stuffDanja Pittman - https://danjatales.comBryan Cohen - https://learn.bestpageforward.netSkye Warren - https://www.authoradsintensive.comTheodora Taylor, non-fiction - https://7figurefiction.comBecca Syme - https://betterfasteracademy.comMargie Lawson: https://www.margielawson.com/Theodora Taylor is the author of more than 70 romance novels! Here’s the link to her site so you can find your next favorite read: https://theodorataylor.com/reading-list/ First 1000 Superfans Course: https://authorgrow.teachable.comValent Chamber, the site where women of color post their original work is:https://www.valentchamber.comFan Fiction dot Net, the site where Moni posted Scandal fan fiction: https://www.fanfiction.netThree Teams Every Author Needs – Aug 20, 2025 Episode of Jen’s Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ZaQNMW6odLSJ3UEg2ozgB?si=0dfb2bef1aa04f19Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense: https://rwakissofdeath.org/kodcontest/The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: https://amzn.to/4tNPNaX The Autobiography of Malcom X: As Told to Alex Haley by Malcom X and Alex Haley, Audiobook narrated by Laurence Fishburne: https://amzn.to/3PL7Q3sFrederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight, Audiobook narrated by Prentice Onayemi: https://amzn.to/3PL7WYS Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine, Book 1 of the Stillhouse Lake Series: https://amzn.to/4unuTAu About Moni BoyceMoni Boyce is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance, a filmmaker, and a poet. A world traveler and former producer, she now creates stories with heat, heart, and HEAs—full time.About Jen GraybealJen Graybeal (she/her) is dedicated to empowering authors through encouraging feedback, collaborative problem solving and gently-applied tough love. In eleven years of coaching, workshops, and editing projects, she has helped over a thousand authors create stories they are proud of and businesses that align with their individual vision of success. Jen is an award-winning mindfulness-trained Creativity Coach, and international speaker with a degree in English, an ever-expanding TBR pile, and a furball assistant that is usually on her lap. Visit her website for client testimonials at www.jentheeditor.com or follow her on social media: @JenTheEditor. Listen to the Books, Business & Mindset podcast, now available on all your favorite podcast apps. Work It: A 6- Week Coaching Intensive for Authors Information, Wait List Sign Up, testimonials: https://www.jentheeditor.com/work-it Where to find JenWebsite: https://www.jentheeditor.com/All the socials: @jentheeditorSubscribe to Jen's ...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 10 mins
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