The 5 Hidden Mistakes That Keep First-Time Novelists Stuck

The 5 Hidden Mistakes That Keep First-Time Novelists Stuck

by | Jan 14, 2026

Struggling with your novel? Whether you haven’t started yet or lost in the middle, this free class breaks down the five hidden mistakes that derail 97% of writers. And how to avoid them so you can finally type, ‘The End!’

In This Free 60-Minute Training, You’ll Discover:

  • The genre mistake that makes your story feel “off” to readers and how to fix it so your book feels alive.
  • Why “plot-first” thinking leaves your characters flat and your story hollow, and how to create a plot that breathes life into your protagonist.
  • The stakes blind spot that makes readers stop caring about your protagonist halfway through, and how to keep them obsessed until the final page.
  • Why writing and editing at the same time is like driving with the brakes on, and the simple shift that doubles your writing speed to finish months sooner.
  • The perfectionist trap that kills your momentum every time you stop to research one tiny detail, and how to stay in flow without sacrificing accuracy.

Savannah Gilbo is a developmental editor, book coach, and host of the top-ranked Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast (3M+ downloads). Known for her approachable, no-fluff teaching style, Savannah helps aspiring fiction authors confidently write, edit, and publish stories readers can’t put down.

Register free here! (affiliate link)

3-Day Writer Breakthrough Bootcamp

3-Day Writer Breakthrough Bootcamp

by | Jan 14, 2026

 

From January 19th–21st, Women in Publishing Summit speaker and community member Savannah Gilbo is hosting a live 3-Day Writer Breakthrough Bootcamp to get you out of overthinking and into writing pages. Show up for 30 minutes a day and you’ll leave with a simple plan, a realistic writing rhythm, and your personal draft completion date.

Your $27 ticket includes:

  • 3 days of live training (30 min/day)
  • Direct access to Savannah for Q&A
  • Your roadmap from idea to draft
  • The confidence and clarity to write

 

Savannah hosts the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast (3M+ downloads) and has guided 900+ writers from idea to finished draft in her Notes to Novel program. This bootcamp is your chance to learn her proven step-by-step approach—don’t miss out!

In just 30 minutes a day, you’ll discover:

  • Why “waiting until you’re ready” is keeping you stuck (and the simple mindset shift that changes everything)

  • The exact framework that helped her student Emily go from 10 years of endless outlining to a complete draft in just 8 weeks

  • How to find 30 minutes in your day to write—even with work, family, and life’s chaos

  • How to calculate your personal draft completion date (yes, you’ll do this together!)

Get your ticket here! (affiliate link)

2025 Book Finishers Summit

2025 Book Finishers Summit

by | Oct 23, 2025

📚 Join me at The Book Finishers Summit! Starting November 7th!

If you’ve been working to finish a book, I have a great event for you.

It’s called The Book Finishers Summit, and it’s hosted by Rhonda Douglas over at Resilient Writers. 

I’m excited to be speaking at this event and would love it if you’d join me there.

👉 Sign up for your FREE Summit ticket here

This Summit is designed to get you to the finish line with your book faster and with more ease and joy along the way.

There will be over 20 speakers over the 4-day Summit period, including me—Alexa Bigwarfe. I’ll be speaking on Day 4 on the topic of Collaborative Marketing for Authors.

When you register for your free Summit ticket, you’ll also hear from these amazing speakers:

  • Ana del Valle with a live demo showing How to Use ChatGPT for Predrafting
  • Summit host Rhonda Douglas on How to Think About Book Structure
  • Gabriela Pereira on The VITAL Framework for Writing Process Experiment
  • Daniel David Wallace on When Your Darlings Don’t Love You Back 
  •  

And sooo much more! There are over 20 presentations to choose from, including live sessions every day.

The Summit also includes a daily Community Co-Writing Session, so you can put what you learn into practice immediately.

👉 Sign up for your FREE Summit ticket here

The Book Finishers Summit promises to be helpful for any writer with “finish my book” on their To-Do list. I think it will help you, too.

Hope to see you there!

P.S. After  you register for your free Summit ticket, there’s an option to upgrade to the All Access Pass, which will give you an entire year’s access to the Summit recordings plus over $1200 in additional bonuses from the Summit speakers. (If you do decide to upgrade your ticket, I do receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

👉 Sign up for your FREE Summit ticket here

See you at the Book Finishers Summit!

November Writing Lives On with Novel November

November Writing Lives On with Novel November

by | Sep 22, 2025

November Writing Has Been Saved!

With NaNoWriMo no longer running, many writers are feeling the loss of that annual challenge to keep them motivated and accountable.

This November, ProWritingAid is launching Novel November—a month-long challenge designed to help writers turn blank pages into finished drafts. The goal: write 50,000 words in 30 days (about 1,667 words per day). It’s ambitious, but you’ll have an entire community writing alongside you … including the Women in Publishing Summit! We’re delighted to be supporting it as a sponsor.

What Can Writers Expect?

Expect daily writing sprints, Q&As, craft webinars, and community support, all designed to keep you motivated. The line-up features some of today’s most inspiring voices in publishing, including:

  • Madeline Miller (Circe)
  • Onyi Nwabineli (Someday, Maybe)
  • Rufi Thorpe (The Knockout Queen)

They’ll be joined by a host of bestselling authors, editors, and writing coaches offering expert advice throughout the month.

Who Can Participate?

Whether you’re chasing your first novel or your next one, Novel November is your chance to write with guidance, energy, and inspiration.

And the Best Part?

Participation is free—and your words will also support Room to Read, a global nonprofit bringing literacy and education to children in underserved communities.

Sign Me Up!

Learn more about the process, discover Preptober events and helpful resources, and add your name to the ranks of inaugural NovNov participants.

Learn More

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Podcast 148: Monetizing Your Book: Strategies to Build Impact, Revenue, and Long-Term Success with Nikki Nash

Podcast 148: Monetizing Your Book: Strategies to Build Impact, Revenue, and Long-Term Success with Nikki Nash

by | Jan 15, 2025

Marketing expert and Hay House author Nikki Nash shares her journey from corporate success to entrepreneurship, offering actionable insights on leveraging books for big-picture impact and monetization. You will learn how to align your writing with your vision, think beyond book sales, and take bold steps to create lasting change by monetizing your book.

This episode encourages listeners to step back, dream big, and take intentional actions toward creating a lasting impact.

 

Listen Now:

Subscribe to the podcast:

Apple PodcastsAudibleSpotifyYouTube

 

In this podcast episode, Alexa and Nikki discuss:

  • Nikki Nash’s journey to becoming a Hay House author and marketing expert: From wanting to be a journalist to becoming a Fortune 100 marketer and finally starting her own entrepreneurial journey after a wake-up call about family health, Nikki’s inspiring story highlights the power of following your purpose.
  • The power of big-picture thinking: Nikki emphasizes creating a bold vision and leveraging your book as a tool to connect with larger audiences, organizations, or opportunities. For example, positioning your book as a vehicle for massive impact rather than focusing solely on individual clients.
  • Monetization strategies for authors like: Beyond book sales: Acknowledge that most authors don’t become wealthy from book sales alone. As a feeder: Use the book to introduce coaching, memberships, or courses. For leverage: Build a brand and vision that attracts collaborations, large-scale deals, or other major opportunities.
  • Practical advice for dream building and impact creation: Dedicate specific time each week to think big, whether that’s reaching out to influencers, pitching large-scale collaborations, or refining your vision. Limit working hours for “lifestyle money” (e.g., 25 hours per week or less) to focus on generational wealth and impactful projects.
  • Key tips for writing and aligning your book with your vision: Get on the playing field: Understand your audience’s pain points and write a book that solves their problems. Utilize beta readers: Share your drafts with a group who can comment on clarity, resonance, and areas for expansion. Ensure alignment with your big vision while focusing on practical solutions you’ve already mastered.
  • Nikki’s actionable mindset shift: Don’t get stuck in survival mode. Pay your bills, but allocate time and resources to dream-building and thinking beyond the day-to-day grind.

Guest Bio

Globe-trotting Jersey girl, Nikki Nash is a Hay House Author and marketing expert. Her bestselling book Market Your Genius has helped thousands of entrepreneurs turn their experiences and expertise into a profitable online business. A lover of superheroes, sci-fi, and British murder mysteries, she’s your go-to gal for Marvel marathons, card games, and globetrotting adventures with family and friends. When she’s not guiding entrepreneurs how to get more dream clients, she’s working on her next books.

Important Links:

Episode Highlights

[00:05:50] Nikki’s Journey into Marketing
Nikki shares how she transitioned from wanting to be a journalist to becoming a marketing expert and eventually starting her entrepreneurial journey.

[00:09:32] Deciding to Write a Book
Nikki explains how a Brendan Burchard course inspired her to finally start writing her book, and the steps she took to secure a Hay House publishing deal.

[00:17:07] What Does It Mean to Monetize Your Book?
Nikki discusses the concept of book monetization, focusing on how books can be used to feed into larger programs, create revenue streams, and build a lasting impact.

[00:25:17] Thinking Bigger About Book Monetization
Nikki introduces the idea of leveraging books for large-scale collaborations and partnerships, using bold strategies to increase influence and impact.

[00:31:31] Balancing Immediate Income and Big Picture Goals
Nikki shares practical tips for authors to balance earning income through time-based services while dedicating time to building bigger, long-term visions.

 

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

  • Special resource for listeners: Nikki offers scholarships to a university program sharing strategies for thinking big, creating opportunities, and leveraging your book. How to apply: DM Nikki the word “Alexa” on Instagram @NikkiNashOfficial for details.
  • Check out her bestselling book, Market Your Genius, for strategies to turn your expertise into a profitable business.

 

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