The Write Start – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Write Start

Lisa Iannucci

Business

Arts

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/42d. Total Eps: 39

The Write Start teaches you everything you need to know to start and build a successful and profitable freelance writing career. In jam-packed episodes, professional writer Lisa Iannucci will chat with other professional non-fiction, fiction, essay, and memoir writers who will share secrets to their success and discuss the pitfalls and obstacles to having a successful writing career. Lisa will also share her personal experiences from her own career. You'll learn so much in this podcast and you'll keep coming back for more! It's time for The Write Start!

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🇨🇦 Canada - careers
06/02/2025
#96

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https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/supporters/new
42 shares
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/supporters/new.
42 shares
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/support
41 shares

https://the-writer-start.teachable.com/
4 shares
https://diversebooks.org/
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Score global : 48%

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Best-selling Novelist Caitlin Weaver Talks About Career Balance

Monday, February 10, 2025 • Duration 30:10

Welcome to The Write Start podcast.

I'm your host, Lisa Iannucci, and today my guest is Caitlin Weaver. Caitlin is the author of the best-selling novels Such a Good Family, and Things We Never Say. In addition, she's a writer and editor covering topics including health, style, parenting, and business for outlets like Well Plus Good, Business Insider, HuffPost, Scary Mommy, and more. When she's not writing, you can find her on the tennis court, struggling with the New York Times crossword puzzle, which I can relate to, or reading just one more story to her kids.

I hope you enjoy this interview. Please share it with other writers and follow me on Instagram @thewritestartpodcast. THANKS!

Support the show

If you like what you've listened to and would like to support The Write Start podcast, please visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/supporters/new. I'll give you a shoutout on the show! Thanks!

Support the show

If you like what you've listened to and would like to support The Write Start podcast, please visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/supporters/new. I'll give you a shoutout on the show! Thanks!

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Susan Hartzler and Writing Dog-Friendly Travel and Lifestyle Content

Monday, February 3, 2025 • Duration 39:45

Welcome to The Write Start podcast. I'm your host, Lisa Iannucci, and today my guest is Susan Hartzler. Susan is a full-time freelance writer and author who says that her journey as a writer has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. Honestly, I think like pretty much everything. Every writer can say that because it's that kind of a career, but I can't wait to hear about her journey and why she says that.

Now I'm going to shorten her bio a bit because it's extensive, and I'll let Susan talk a little more about her life. But her latest book, The Peace Puppy, a memoir of caregiving and canine solace, published by McFarland Publishing, explores the profound impact of canine love Companionship as a rescue dog named Baldwin instinctively assumes the role of interim caregiver to his caregiver owner and her ailing father. Her debut memoir, I'm Not Single, I Have a Dog, Dating Tales from the Bark Side was also published by McFarland Publishing. She has a thriving career as a freelance writer, specializing in dog-friendly travel and lifestyle content.

I hope you enjoy this interview. Please share it with other writers and follow me on Instagram @thewritestartpodcast. THANKS!

Support the show

If you like what you've listened to and would like to support The Write Start podcast, please visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/supporters/new. I'll give you a shoutout on the show! Thanks!

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Julie Sturgeon Gets Real About Freelance Success!

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 • Duration 47:07

Hello and welcome to the latest episode of The Write Start podcast.

It’s the right time for the write start.

Today's guest is Julie Sturgeon a longtime friend of mine and current owner of Freelance Success (known as FLX). Honestly, Julie and I did this interview a few months ago, but the information is timeless. She talks about her writing career success, why she decided to take over as owner of FLX, and what the membership site can do for YOUR freelance writing business today. Just so you know I was not paid for this interview nor am I paid when you sign up for FLX, but trust me it's very affordable. I’ve known Julie for years and just thought this would be a great resource to talk about. Enjoy!

Please leave me a review if you liked the episode, thanks!

Support the show

If you like what you've listened to and would like to support The Write Start podcast, please visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/supporters/new. I'll give you a shoutout on the show! Thanks!

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How to Use Facebook to Make Money and What I Learned As a Contest Judge

Thursday, November 9, 2023 • Duration 34:18

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of The Write Start podcast. I’m Lisa Iannucci and I have been a full-time freelance writer for more than 20 years. This podcast is where you learn how to navigate a freelance writing career and how to make more money. Maybe you are just starting and want to understand how you can be a successful freelance writer or you want to take your current career to the next level. On The Write Start podcast, I provide advice and suggestions delivered by myself and other experienced writers. It’s the right time for the write start.

In case you missed it, here is the link to the essay by Nicole Brinkley that I mentioned on the show, here are 24 things publishing should change in 2024. It is well worth a read and a share with anyone you know in the publishing industry, including fellow writers. Nicole is a bookseller at Oblong Books in Rhinebeck New York, is a book reviewer, a speaker at numerous book conferences, and the co-host of the fun Novelstalgia podcast with the New York Times bestselling author Ashley Poston.

In this episode, I talk about how the writing industry is hard and getting harder. Writers are facing lower wages, less rights to our work and laws that affect where and how we work.

I also talk about how important it is to use as many of the tools and resources that are available to help move the needle forward on your career. For me, one of those tools is Facebook. What works for you?

I also talk about how the publishing industry needs to stop focusing on about social media numbers when deciding to take on someone’s book.

Finally, I share tips that come from my experience as a judge in a major publishing contest. If you're looking to submit your work to a contest, these tips might help!

Thank you so much for listening! Join me next time when my guest is Julie Sturgeon of Freelance Success. If you liked this episode of The Write Start, please give me a few stars and a review wherever you are listening to it. It does help me to grow this podcast and get it in front of more listeners. If you have questions, send them to me and I’d be happy to answer them here.

How One Writer Gave Up a 'Safe' Stable Career to Build a Successful Writing Career

Thursday, October 26, 2023 • Duration 43:19

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of The Write Start Podcast! This is where you learn how to build a successful freelance writing career and, of course, how to make more money. The Write Start Podcast provides advice and suggestions delivered by experienced writers who have successful freelance writing careers. I’m Lisa Iannucci and I’ve been a full-time freelance writer for more than 20 years.

It’s the right time for The Write Start.

Here is the link to the essay by Nicole Brinkley that I mentioned on the show, here are 24 things publishing should change in 2024. It is well worth a read and a share with anyone you know in the publishing industry, including fellow writers. Nicole is a bookseller at Oblong Books in Rhinebeck New York, is a book reviewer, a speaker at numerous book conferences, and the co-host of the fun Novelstalgia podcast with the New York Times bestselling author Ashley Poston.

This episode's guest is Jennifer L.W. Fink, a former nurse who built a successful full-time freelance writing career after a divorce and who used her experience as a mom of four boys to write the book, Building Boys: Raising Great Guys in a World that Misunderstands Males. We talk about how Jennifer guided her career to become what she wanted it to be while raising her children.

Today, she’s an award-winning freelance writer; her byline has graced Parents, American Baby, Pregnancy, Boys’ Life, Ladies’ Home Journal, MyMidwest, Scholastic Instructor, Home Education Magazine, Proto, RN, Advance for Nurses, and other regional and national publications. She’s written for a variety of websites, including iVillage, scrubsmag.com, and bestnursingdegree.com, and creates print and online content for a variety of healthcare organizations.

I hope you enjoy this interview with Jennifer.

Next week I’ll be back with another episode on what I learned as a judge in a writing contest, how publishing companies and agents are using social media numbers to decide if your book is worth taking on and why this needs to change, and how Facebook makes me money.

How to Get Assignments When You Haven't Been Published

Season 2 · Episode 2

Sunday, June 18, 2023 • Duration 01:05:52

One of the most common questions I get asked is, "How do I get assignments (or a book contract) when I've never been published before?" First, you don't give up. You find ideas to write about and the right market to pitch them. Second, you listen to this episode of The Write Start. My guest is Pauline Bartel, and she gives you so much great advice while sharing her own journey as a successful freelance writer.

Pauline Bartel has more than four decades of experience as an award-winning professional writer. She provides article writing coaching, book writing coaching, developmental editing and ghostwriting services to clients. She is the author of nine nonfiction books, including Gone With the Wind: 1939 Day by Day and The Complete GONE WITH THE WIND Trivia Book (2nd edition). Her byline has appeared in Seventeen, Mademoiselle, Woman’s Day, Writer’s Digest, and other national publications. As a book writing coach, she has helped more than 25 clients achieve their book publication dreams. She teaches the secrets of writing for publication in courses offered through Hudson Valley Community College, SUNY Adirondack and SUNY Schenectady. She is a member of the prestigious American Society of Journalists and Authors. Learn more at her website www.paulinebartel.com.

Thank you all for listening. Please follow me on Instagram at @thevirgintraveler as well as @thewritestartpodcast. If you like what you heard on this podcast, please share it and leave me a rating or a review wherever you listen to The Write Start. Thanks again and I’ll see you next time.

Support the show

If you like what you've listened to and would like to support The Write Start podcast, please visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/supporters/new. I'll give you a shoutout on the show! Thanks!

Let's Get Real About Life, Mental Health and Doing Better Interviews

Season 2 · Episode 1

Sunday, June 11, 2023 • Duration 35:32

(There were a few audio issues that I addressed and to fix them, I took out the original intro, so it jumps right to the start of the episode. My regular intro will return in the next episode!)

Welcome to The Write Start podcast. I’m Lisa Iannucci, and this podcast is all about becoming a successful full-time freelance writer. I’ve had a very long career where I’ve written for many local and national magazines and newspapers and written, co-written, and ghostwritten more than 25 books. This podcast is where I share the lessons – both good and bad – that I’ve learned and give you tips on finding more work and making more money. I also bring on amazing guests who have had successful freelance writing careers too. Let’s get started!

In this episode, I talk about what I've been doing over the last year. I thought I would have been back last July, but life took me in a different direction, and I needed to step back and regroup. I am brutally raw and honest about grief, anxiety, depression, and mental health in this episode because I think there are so many other writers going through the same thing. I'm sure you feel alone, and I don't want you to.

After that, I dive deep into better interviewing skills. I'm often told that interviewing is a strong skill of mine, and, to be honest, it wasn't always that way. So I talk about how I got there, what I do to make the interview enjoyable while still getting the information I need, and more.

I'm so happy to be back, and I would love to hear more about what you want to know. Follow me on Instagram, and please rate this podcast. It really does help. Thanks! And see you next time!

Before you go, I do mention Happy Planner a lot in this episode, including their stickers. I'm not an affiliate (yet) but I do suggest you look into their products. My name is Lisa, and I have a (Happy) planner problem.

https://thehappyplanner.com/

Support the show

If you like what you've listened to and would like to support The Write Start podcast, please visit I'll give you a shoutout on the show! Thanks!

Let's bust through Imposter Syndrome and take your career to the next level!

Season 1 · Episode 24

Monday, July 4, 2022 • Duration 41:15

My guest is Jen Coken, a leadership coach and speaker who helps people bust through imposter syndrome. You can find her at JenCoken.com where you can also take her quiz to see if you are impacted by imposter syndrome. Before you do that though, enjoy this interview with Jen Coken, and then when you’re done, go take the quiz.

Thank you all for listening. Please follow me on Instagram at @thevirgintraveler as well as @thewritestartpodcast. If you like what you heard on this podcast, please share it and leave me a rating or a review wherever you listen to The Write Start. Thanks again and I’ll see you next time. 1

Support the show

If you like what you've listened to and would like to support The Write Start podcast, please visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/supporters/new. I'll give you a shoutout on the show! Thanks!

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How to find really good ideas to write about!

Season 1 · Episode 23

Wednesday, February 2, 2022 • Duration 26:31

Welcome to The Write Start podcast. I’m Lisa Iannucci, and this podcast is all about becoming a successful full-time freelance writer. I’ve had a very long career where I’ve written for many local and national magazines and newspapers and written, co-written to, and ghostwritten more than 250 books. This podcast is where I share my experiences and tips and bring on amazing guests who have had successful freelance writing careers too. Let’s get started!

In this episode, I talk about finding ideas. One of the most common comments I have ever had about my writing is “Lisa you’re writing about so much…how do you come up with all of these ideas?” So I wanted to talk about that because there’s more to it than you might think.

There are so many ways to find ideas. I’m going to give you some, but I’m hoping that you go to my website – thewritestartpodcast.com and you’ll see a link to a PDF that provides 25 ways to get ideas. You’ll get some of them in this podcast, but there’s a bunch there too. I’d also love to hear from you if you have other ways of finding ideas for your writing. There is a code in there for a discount on my upcoming course and I will send that out again once I get it up on the site.

Well, that’s it for this week’s edition of The Write Start podcast. thank you all for listening. Please follow me on Instagram at @thevirgintraveler as well as @thewritestartpodcast and If you like what you heard on this podcast, please share it and leave me a rating or a review wherever you listen to The Write Start. Thanks again and I’ll see you next time.

Support the show

If you like what you've listened to and would like to support The Write Start podcast, please visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/supporters/new. I'll give you a shoutout on the show! Thanks!

Kate Hanley, author of How to Be a Better Person: 401 Simple Ways to Make a Difference in Yourself

Saturday, January 1, 2022 • Duration 28:37

(Let me know if this sounds familiar – audio issues, but Merry Christmas to me because I invested in a new microphone and this will be the last poor quality podcast episode. So my sincerest apologies to you, the listeners, and especially to my guest and friend Kate Hanley but please I can’t recommend it strongly enough that you try to listen to the podcast because Kate gives some great advice and shares some great tips.)

Welcome to The Write Start. I’m Lisa Iannucci, and this podcast is all about becoming a successful full-time freelance writer. I’ve had a very long career where I’ve written for many local and national magazines and newspapers and written, co-written, and ghostwritten more than 20 books. This podcast is where I share my experiences and tips and bring on amazing guests who have had successful freelance writing careers too. Let’s get started!

My guest on this edition of The Write Start is Kate Hanley, New York Times-bestselling ghostwriter, and personal development coach. Her books include Stress Less, A Year of Daily Calm, and The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide. She is also the author of How to Be a Better Person: 401 Simple Ways to Make a Difference in Yourself helps you live your best life (in 5 minutes a day).—and the World and she also is the founder of the How to Be a Better Person podcast (and man, in this world, we need that podcast). Her articles have been published in dozens of national publications, including Real Simple, Parents, Yoga Journal, and Martha Stewart’s Whole Living, and she’s been quoted in the Harvard Business Review blog, the New York Times, and Fortune.com.

Kate thank you so much for being on the show and thank you all for listening. Please follow me on Instagram at @thevirgintraveler as well as @thewritestartpodcast and If you like what you heard on this podcast, please share it and leave me a rating or a review wherever you listen to The Write Start. Thanks again and I’ll see you next time.

Support the show

If you like what you've listened to and would like to support The Write Start podcast, please visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/supporters/new. I'll give you a shoutout on the show! Thanks!