How do you feel about the different publishing options out there? Do you feel confident or intimidated?

As writers and creative entrepreneurs, we are told the traditional publishing route is the way to go if you want to be taken seriously in the writing world. Want to be a legitimate author? Go pitch yourself to one of the big five, they say…But what if we took all the ego and false beliefs out of the equation and instead focused on bringing our art to life while showing up authentically in our writing?

Today’s profound conversation is delivered by the inspiring Roxan McDonald. 
In this episode, Roxan and Lauren dive deep into the craft of writing. They chat about how the publishing world is changing and the immense opportunity this represents to new authors. Roxan also shares her beautiful definition of craft as well as her journey as a writer and influencer.

Thank you so much for tuning in today! If you haven’t listened to episode 52 where Lauren talks about the importance of creating tension and conflict in your story, then go back and check it out!

We want to know who you are and where you’ve been! Come join the School for Writers Academy and connect with Lauren over on Instagram @laurenmariefleming. We can’t wait to chat with you there!

You can also stay tuned for new weekly episodes @schoolforwriters, and if you want to spread the love even further, consider following, rating, and reviewing!

In this episode, we cover:
-How Spiritual AF got started.
-Common struggles when attending writing conferences.
-The stigmas associated with self-publishing.
-Roxan’s teaching style.
-The meaning of craft.

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Check out Roxan’s website at www.roxanmcdonald.com and connect with her over on Instagram @writersresource and @spiritual_AF, Facebook @Spiritual AF, and TikTok @Spiritual_AF.
-Sign up for Roxan’s Writing and Mindfulness Workshops here!
-Check out the Spiritual AF card decks.
–Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
-Get on the waitlist for the Write Your Friggin’ Book Already™! We open back up in February.
-Jumpstart Your Writing Routine in Just 10 Minutes a Day for 10 Days. Join the Write More Challenge today!

Book recommendation of the week:
–Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story by Jacob Tobia.

Love audiobooks? Listen on Libro.fm and support independent bookstores. Plus, use this link and we both get a free audiobook: http://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm116869

Wondering why we don’t link to Amazon? Check out Episode 2 of the Business School for Writers Podcast to hear all about how supporting independent bookstores helps you see more stories like yours out in the world.

About Roxan:

Roxan McDonald has dedicated herself to helping people find their voice both on the page and in their lives. She currently leads writing groups and personal development retreats in Santa Cruz, Carmel, and Monterey. 

Roxan co-teaches with Ellen Bass at Esalen Institute and 1440 Multiversity. For fourteen years Roxan was on the management team of two alternative high schools focused on serving at-risk youth. Roxan taught creative writing, poetry, and memoir writing in alternative schools and produced eleven anthologies of student writing. She has studied with Ellen Bass, Marcy Allencraig, Joseph Stroud, Barbara Bloom, Jessica Brown, and Andy Courturier. She is an alum of the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley, Breadloaf Sicily and is a member of Cheryl Strayed’s Writers Camp. 

Roxan won the Mary Lonnberg Smith Award in poetry and her short stories, memoir excerpts, and poetry have been published in The Porter Gulch Review. She won the Eshleman Scholarship for the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley. Roxan received an honorable mention in nonfiction for the San Miguel de Allende Writers’ Conference Writing Contest for an excerpt from her memoir. She was longlisted in The 2021 First Pages Prize and is a finalist in the 2021 Sandra Carpenter Prize for Creative Nonfiction. Roxan is the author of the best selling self-help decks Spiritual AF and Grateful AF published by Knock Knock Publishing. Roxan holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Education from California Institute of Integral Studies and an MFA in Creative Writing from Pacific University.