Interview Amy Bernstein Book Coach

Interview Amy Bernstein Book Coach

Author: Timothy Kimo Brien March 24, 2024 Duration: 29:53

Why You Need A Book Coach

Recently I had the privilege of speaking with Amy Bernstein, book coach and author, about what a book coach does for their clients. I was presently surprised about learning more about what how a book coach can help you in all stages of your work, not just with editing and marketing. We all need a coach in our lives to help move us along to reach the goals we want to reach, why not have someone in your corner. I hope you enjoy this talk that we had.

Amy Bernstein Bio


Amy L. Bernstein writes stories that let readers feel while making them think. Her novels include The Potrero Complex; the award-winning The Nighthawkers; Dreams of Song Times; and Fran, The Second Time Around. Her nonfiction book, Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration, will be published in the fall of 2024. Amy is an award-winning journalist, speechwriter, playwright, and certified nonfiction book coach. She also teaches workshops on various aspects of the craft of writing. She loves inspiring others to unlock their inner artist and explore all aspects of writing, publishing, and taking creative risks every day.


Questions Asked

  • What does an author coach bring to the game vs just an editor or a beta reader? 
  • What type of training does a good author coach have? 
  • Dealing with imposter syndrome, how do you deal with your inner critic? 
  • How can writers balance constructive criticism with maintaining their unique voice and style? 
  • How do you approach helping writers find and define their target audience or readership? 
  • Can you speak about your newsletter Monster Doubt on SubStack? How do you create that newsletter and is that a strategy authors should use? 
  • Any upcoming projects that you would like to talk about like a new book? 


Links for Amy Bernstein



Links Mentioned




Sign Up for the Create Art Podcast Newsletter




Reach Out To The Podcast


To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and let's start that conversation.





Special Message


If you have found value in this podcast, please share it with a friend as that is the best way to discover new podcasts. I want this to be a 5-star podcast in your eyes so let me know what you would like to see.

Speaking about sharing with a friend, check out my other podcast Find A Podcast About where I help you outsmart the algorithm and find your next binge-worthy podcast. You can find that podcast at findapodcastabout.xyz.


I am trying to utilize YouTube more, so make sure to check out my YouTube Channel to see me doing the episodes right in front of you.


Timothy Kimo Brien believes the impulse to make things is fundamental, yet so often gets buried under daily life and self-doubt. In Create Art Podcast, he draws from three decades of work across various artistic disciplines to gently dismantle those barriers. This isn't about lofty theory or inaccessible talent; it's a practical, companionable space for anyone who feels that quiet urge to build, paint, write, or perform but isn't sure where to begin or how to continue. You'll hear genuine conversations with creators about their processes and struggles, alongside Timothy's own commentary and ideas for projects designed to spark action. The core idea is simple but profound: to shift the balance from passively consuming to actively creating. Each episode serves as a reminder that the potential artist isn't a distant ideal, but a present reality waiting for permission to work. By focusing on the doing-the small, consistent acts of making-this podcast provides both the tools and the encouragement to move past creative blocks. It’s for hobbyists, aspiring professionals, and anyone in between who wants their leisure time to feel more purposeful and expressive. Tune in for a blend of thoughtful discussion and actionable advice that meets you exactly where you are in your creative journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Create Art Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Creating Art: From Silversmithing to Soulful Poetry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:25
Buckle up, folks! In this episode, we had an absolute blast chatting with the multi-talented Jenny Dickinson, who wears her poet and silversmith hats with flair. Imagine the sun shining in Texas as she shares her journey…
Find the Funny: How Humor Sparks Creativity! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:34
Let's dive into the fun zone, folks! This episode is all about injecting a splash of humor into our creative lives, because let’s face it, if we’re not having fun, what’s the point? I’m chatting about Michael Brennan's “…
Unlock Your Artistic Potential: Embrace the Savannah Bananas Spirit! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:13
The episode offers a refreshing perspective on creativity by challenging artists to think outside the box and make fun a core component of their artistic journey. Timothy references Mike Brennan's workbook, which serves…
Art Meets Business: Elevate Your Presentations with Emily Schneider [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:11
Timothy Kimo Brien engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Emily Schneider, a specialist in visual storytelling and PowerPoint design. Their discussion reveals how traditional art principles can be effectively i…
The Art of Being Happy: A Conversation with Andrew Matthews [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:22
Timothy Kimo Brien and Andrew Matthews engage in a thought-provoking dialogue that dives deep into the realm of creativity and resilience. Matthews, an internationally recognized author and speaker, shares his experience…
Take the Scenic Route: Exploring Creativity Through Road Trips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:11
Making Fun A Habit Series30 days to add fun to your creative practice. I will be going through Mike Brennan's Make Fun A Habit workbook and help you make fun a habit. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike on my other p…
Unlock Your Creativity: Use What You Have [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:40
Making Fun A Habit Series30 days to add fun to your creative practice. I will be going through Mike Brennan's Make Fun A Habit workbook and help you make fun a habit. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike on my other p…
Take a Break: How to Find Joy Amidst Life's Challenges [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:40
Take a Break: How to Find Joy Amidst Life's ChallengesThis episode of the Create Art Podcast centers around the theme of managing stress and rekindling creativity, inspired by Michael Brennan's workbook, "Make Fun a Habi…
Creating Art Through Adversity: Richard X. Bennett's Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:12
Timothy Kimo Brien engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Richard X. Bennett, a renowned pianist, composer, and filmmaker, who shares his artistic journey and insights into the world of music. Bennett's narrative b…
Spreading Kindness: The Art of Creating for Yourself and Others [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:26
This podcast episode focuses on the importance of spreading kindness in our artistic pursuits, inspired by Michael Brennan's workbook, "Make Fun a Habit." Timothy Kimo Brien emphasizes that kindness should not only be di…