School for Writers with Lauren Marie Fleming The benefits of a North Star How one piece of paper can help you make decisions and bring more joy and fun into your life Hey Reader, This week on my Substack, I shared the six-step creative alignment ritual behind my biggest shifts and greatest moments. You can read the whole post here. Today, I wanted to focus on one bit of that process: the North Star. This is not another to-do list item to add to your already overwhelmed life! This is a...
4 days ago • 3 min read
School for Writers with Lauren Marie Fleming What does it take to get a book deal? And how can you make sure you don't lose yourself along the way? Hey Reader, How do you know if the book you're writing is the right one? I get this question all the time – so when Meghan Stevenson asked me to come on her Kind of a Big Book Deal podcast and answer it, I was an immediate yes. More often than not, I see waiting for "the right book" as just another excuse we use to silence voices, including our...
11 days ago • 1 min read
School for Writers with Lauren Marie Fleming A small, supportive practice for overwhelmed brains. I’m offering one of my favorite tools for free. It's gentle and science-backed. Dear Reader, How is your nervous system right now? Everyone I talk with, especially in the USA, is scared, frazzled, and overwhelmed. Understandably so. I wrote on my Substack this week about how I really, truly, don't want to be an activist right now. I want to just be in Mexico writing my next novel. But the state...
25 days ago • 2 min read
School for Writers with Lauren Marie Fleming Why published is better than perfect The myth of "good" writing – and what to aim for instead. Hey Reader, I am the world’s worst writer. No, don’t you go and try to steal that title from me, it’s mine. Okay, fine, we can share. We live in abundance around here after all, there are enough “World’s Worst Writer” awards to go around. 🏆🏆🏆 Years ago, I quit trying to be a good writer. It was way too much pressure. Every time I sat down to write, the...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
School for Writers® with Lauren Marie Fleming Free support for your writing life (holiday edition) Because your creativity deserves care — not pressure — this season. Hey Reader, The end of the year can easily feel overwhelming. Schedules get packed. Budgets get tight. Creative energy gets depleted. But it can also be a beautiful moment of slowing down. Time with loved ones. Delicious treats. Feel good songs and movies on repeat. Either way, I've got some great resources to support you. And,...
3 months ago • 2 min read
School for Writers® with Lauren Marie Fleming Give yourself the gift of focused time, community, and momentum. Because you don't need more cheap crap, but the world does need your story now more than ever. Hey Reader, what are you doing Friday? Want to join me for a virtual writing retreat? Every year, Black Friday asks us to buy more, hurry more, and lose ourselves in the noise of capitalism. This year, I’m choosing something different — and I’m inviting you to join me. Instead of scrolling...
3 months ago • 1 min read
School for Writers with Lauren Marie Fleming 📚 Big changes for self-publishing A quiet shift in the publishing world means more freedom for self-published authors. This might change everything for your book. Hey Reader, The publishing world just saw a quiet but powerful shift that will change the game for authors. Amazon KDP publishing is now allowing authors to make their books available in public libraries, even when they're exclusive to Amazon. This is a game-changer for two key reasons:...
6 months ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader, There are only 2 weeks left to enroll in Write Your Friggin' Book Already®! So if you've been on the fence about joining, now is the time! I think a lot about today's topic: Why so many people start writing books but so few actually finish them. I've been helping people write books for over 20 years, and I can tell you it's not what most people think. It's not lack of talent. It's not lack of time. It's not even lack of good ideas. The real reason most people don't finish their...
7 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, Let’s talk about something some of my writing colleagues find controversial: You can start making money from your book before it’s even published. This is controversial for two reasons: Some people believe you’re supposed to write for the love of it, not for money. And yes, passion matters. But you know what also matters? Being able to pay your bills while you pursue your creative dreams. It can distract you from finishing the actual book. But with a coaching program like Write...
7 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, There are literally thousands of writing coaches and programs out there – how do you know which one is right for you? In my 20+ years as a professional writer, I've been through dozens of writing programs – including a bachelors in screenwriting – but never found the one that worked right for me. That's why I built Write Your Friggin' Book Already® to be centered around what I needed: Collaboration over competition Diverse and supportive community with inclusive values Coaching,...
7 months ago • 3 min read