You have the ache.
You have what it takes.
Audiobook Available now!
Beautiful Writers:
A Journey of Big Dreams and Messy Manuscripts—With Tricks of the Trade from Bestselling Authors
“Beautiful Writers is The Artist’s Way for a new generation…”
—Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Iscariot and The Line Between
“This is a REALLY good book that will help a LOT of people…”
—Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of The Legend of Bagger Vance, Gates of Fire, and The War of Art
“I stayed up all night reading Linda’s stories…”
—Allison K. Hill, CEO of American Bookseller’s Association
“Can’t put it down… I must put it down! I want to keep bingeing this addictive book…”
—Laura Belgray, author of Tough Titties (2023, Hachette), founder of Talking Shrimp, and co-creator of The Copy Cure
“Linda Sivertsen is someone everyone should know.”
—Martha Beck, New York Times bestselling author of The Way of Integrity, an Oprah’s Book Club selection
“… a funny, relatable reminder to everyone on how deeply rewarding it is to follow your passions, trust your gut, and create.”
—Brooke Baldwin, veteran journalist, and bestselling author of Huddle
You have the ache.
You have what it takes.
Audiobook Available now!
Beautiful Writers:
A Journey of Big Dreams and Messy Manuscripts—With Tricks of the Trade from Bestselling Authors
“Beautiful Writers is The Artist’s Way for a new generation…”
—Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Iscariot and The Line Between
“This is a REALLY good book that will help a LOT of people…”
—Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of The Legend of Bagger Vance, Gates of Fire, and The War of Art
“Linda Sivertsen is someone everyone should know.”
—Martha Beck, New York Times bestselling author of The Way of Integrity, an Oprah’s Book Club selection
“I stayed up all night reading Linda’s stories…”
—Allison K. Hill, CEO of American Bookseller’s Association
“Can’t put it down… I must put it down! I want to keep bingeing this addictive book…”
—Laura Belgray, author of Tough Titties (2023, Hachette), founder of Talking Shrimp, and co-creator of The Copy Cure
“… a funny, relatable reminder to everyone on how deeply rewarding it is to follow your passions, trust your gut, and create.”
—Brooke Baldwin, veteran journalist, and bestselling author of Huddle
Welcome! I’m Linda Sivertsen, and you’re at BookMama, where birthing book babies is easier than the human kind.
Featured in…
Latest from the Blog
Beautiful News! We Made SpotFeed’s “Top 70 Writing Podcasts of 2025.” 🎧✨
I woke up to a sweet surprise: Beautiful Writers Podcast just landed on SpotFeed’s list of the Top 70 Writing Podcasts for 2025! As someone who lives to connect kindred spirits through stories, this recognition feels like a hug from the literary universe. The pod is...
My last Carmel Retreat + new testimonials
(Update: We're full. But join the waitlist.) Due to the LA fires, two retreaters can no longer join us Feb. 3-7, 2025 in gorgeous Carmel-by-the-Sea. If you can see yourself tucked into your own gorgeous room at the luxurious La Playa Hotel overlooking the ocean, with...
Yikes! Scared & excited, I’m pulling the plug on my future writing retreats.
Love bugs! I wanted to share news of a random turn of events. Mama’s taking an indefinite break from hosting writing retreats—online and in person. This Tuesday’s Virtual Retreat and my Feb. 3rd Carmel Retreat at the gorgeous La Playa Hotel will be my last ones for...
Hurricanes got you triggered? When the world f*cks with your focus.
Did anyone else find yourself triggered last week between hurricanes? Since I was nowhere near the storms, I obsessed about telling a few clients I’d been unable to focus on their manuscripts. Would they see me as unprofessional if I admitted I’d been so worried for...
5 Ways My Virtual Writing Retreat Could Rock Your World
The world will never make it easier for you to write your masterpiece. You know this. Halloween’s coming in spooky fast. And the year’s end will be here before you’ve digested all that candy corn. Rather than starting 2025 wishing you were further in on your writing...
LOVE before publishing. Follow these steps & save your tears.
"Do NOT publish your book unless you LOVE it," I warned. Simple enough, right? The women staring back at me from their Zoom squares nodded in unison. Of course, they wouldn't publish books they didn't adore. Except, I knew some of them absolutely would, hence my plea....
Want to Write for Success? Insider Tips for Getting Published
Download my free audio right now for:
- THE #1 secret I’ve ever found for taking writing from good to unignorable—fast!
- The top 3 little-known mistakes I see most new writers make, preventing them from landing that coveted book contract.
- How to script your Book Proposal’s success so that you land your dream agent and dreamier book deal.
You’ll also be added to my monthly newsletter for all the latest intel.
Beautiful News! We Made FeedSpot’s “Top 70 Writing Podcasts of 2025.” 🎧✨
I woke up to a sweet surprise: #BeautifulWritersPodcast just landed on FeedSpot’s list of the Top 70 Writing Podcasts for 2025. As someone who lives to connect kindred spirits thru stories, this feels like a hug from the literary universe.💕
The show’s my love letter to the writing life—filled w/ intimate chats w/ beloved authors & agents. My guests give a masterclass in creativity, craft, and staying sane while chasing big dreams.
What an honor to be with such inspiring shows in SpotFeed’s list, including fan favorites like:
🎙️The Sht No One Tells You About Writing
🎙️The Writer Files
🎙️Grammar Girl
🎙️First Draft with Mitzi Rapkin
🎙️DIY MFA Radio
And so many more gems.
Each pod brings something unique to the table—whether it’s practical how-tos, motivational mojo, or behind-the-scenes gold from the publishing trenches. I’m grateful to see our show among them, especially knowing how many brilliant voices are out there sharing their wisdom and heart.
And of course, Beautiful Writers wouldn’t be what it is without YOU—our wonderful listeners. Whether you’ve been with me since the early days or recently discovered the show, thank you for tuning in, sharing episodes, and sending the most thoughtful notes. Your support means the world.
Since pausing my #CarmelWritingRetreats, I’ve been having the best time writing, playing with family & friends, hosting twice-weekly #writeins in the #beautifulwritersgroup, and doing client book edits. But I’m chomping to return to the podcast chair, so more soon! In the meantime, there are 75 episodes for you to revisit + the best of the best wisdom from the show in the #beautifulwritersbook 📗.
I’m excited to keep making magic together. 💫
With love and gratitude, write on! Linda
#beautifulwriterspodcast (Link to the article in my bio 🔗.)
On this beautiful Easter morning, I wanted to send love to one of the most faithful, big-hearted writers I know—and to celebrate her new book, The Light from a Thousand Wounds. 🙏
You may have seen that I posted @coreyhatfieldauthor’s gorgeous book trailer on the 12th (watch if you missed it!). 🎥
Here’s to a blessed day and supporting books
that change lives. 💜
From the book’s bio: Corey Hatfield never imagined that motherhood would lead her through such extraordinary depths of joy and suffering.
In her poignant and unflinchingly raw memoir, this mother of five navigates the overwhelming challenges of raising a violently autistic child and grappling with her oldest son’s heartbreaking substance abuse. When a devastating rollover accident leaves her son in a coma, she and her husband are thrust into a foreign world of traumatic brain injuries and their child’s slow, uncertain recovery. The cumulative weight of one harrowing event after another threatens to destabilize their marriage and everything they cherish.
Yet, amid relentless trials and grief, Corey discovers an ancient tradition of faith that inspires her to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery. After years of drowning in despair, she encounters goodness, beauty, and resilience where she least expects it—obscured within the darkness. Corey gently invites her family to journey alongside her as she heals, and their gradual rebuilding proves that even the deepest wounds can give rise to abundant light and life.
#CarmelWritingRetreat #CoreyHatfield #autism #autismmom #lovestory #beautifulwriters #autismawarenessmonth #motherhood #memoirs #memoir #booksbooksbooks
#LightFromAThousandWounds #Carmelies
Wish I’d been there to celebrate you, @lauramunsonauthor (and hug #carmelies @theshelleypaxton!). 🎉 What a BEAUTIFUL book and offering to the world—in such a spectacular venue. 👏🥰📚#thewildwhy #Repost from @lauramunsonauthor
Laura is an exceptional writer, teacher, & friend. It was my total JOY to support her in starting her retreats years ago, and her words & writing stories on my #beautifulwriterspodcast & #beautifulwritersbook are some of my most cherished. 🥰😘
•
Dream night at a dream place: The American Writers Museum in Chicago, my hometown. I love watching my book’s message give itself to this worried world from coast to coast and the great inbetween. Thank you to the wonder-full author and illuminator @theshelleypaxton for your pitch perfect questions! And what an honor to hug my friend, the bookselling icon, Roberta Rubin of @the_book_stall! @americanwritersmuseum #thewildwhy #wonder #chicago @shewritespress @simonandschuster
Linda Sivertsen
Author 🌿 Beautiful Writers Podcast & Book! 🎧FSC Ambassador🌲
Carmel & Virtual Writing Retreats📚
