Writing a book takes more than talent, it takes persistence.

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with novelist, poet, and writing professor H.A. Callum to discuss imposter syndrome, social media, publishing, intuition, and why the writers who succeed are the ones who simply refuse to quit.

In This Episode

• Overcoming imposter syndrome

• Building an authentic author platform

• Why persistence matters more than talent

• The importance of writing every day

• Trusting your intuition

• The publishing journey

• Teaching the next generation of writers

Connect with H.A. Callum

Website:
https://hacallumwrites.com/

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

X:
https://x.com/ha_callum

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/18pkxwKvEh/

Watch the Full Episode

https://geni.us/fdb-HA-Callum

Reflection Moment

The writers who finish aren't always the most talented.

They're the ones who keep showing up.

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 story you're meant to write finds you?

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with debut author Brigid Kennedy, whose journey into writing began with an unforgettable dream, and a promise to preserve her family's extraordinary history.

Brigid shares how a lifelong family legend about her Irish treasure-hunting great-grandfather became the inspiration for her bestselling novel Lost, the first book in her Irish Myths and Incan Legends series.

Together, Susie and Brigid discuss:

• Why perfectionism keeps so many writers stuck
• How discipline beats inspiration every time
• Building believable characters and unforgettable worlds
• Querying literary agents and navigating today's publishing industry
• The evolving role of AI in writing and marketing
• Trusting your intuition when your creative calling won't let go

Whether you're writing your first book or your fifth, this conversation is a reminder that the stories we're meant to tell rarely arrive when we feel ready, they simply ask us to begin.

🎧 Keep writing...and 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/

Many aspiring authors wonder the same thing:

"Why would anyone care about my story?"

In this episode, Susie Schaefer talks with award-winning author, memoir coach, and developmental editor Ally Berthiaume about why personal stories matter, how memoirs become meaningful to readers, and the difference between writing from a wound versus writing from a scar.

Ally shares practical advice for first-time memoirists, common mistakes writers make, and how storytelling can create connection, healing, and even social change.

They also discuss:

• Why your personal story is more universal than you think
• The biggest memoir-writing mistakes authors make
• Writing for the reader, not just yourself
• How stories create movements and drive change
• Cause-driven publishing and advocacy
• Intuition, creativity, and following the nudge to write
• Why every story deserves to be told

If you've ever wondered whether your story matters, this conversation is for you.

Connect with Ally Berthiaume

Website: https://thewriteplacerighttime.com/

Instagram: @ayberthiaume

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayberthiaume/

https://www.youtube.com/@thewriteplacerighttime

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/