The Writer as Human

Gold Leaf Literary’s series THE WRITER AS HUMAN series explores what it means to be a human who is also a creative. So much of our humanity can be found within our own writing and those kernels of inspiration to write in the first come from the human experience. To be a writer is to be a human.

Check out our previous sessions below. You can purchase the recordings of these courses for $10 each.

GROUNDING THE ARTIST
With Bryan E. Robinson, author of #Chill and Daily Writing Resilience

Too often the demands of our days take us away from our writing practices and separate us from our creativity. In this session with Bryan E. Robinson, we'll dig into what we can do to prioritize ourselves without the looming threat of burnout and explore ways to channel deeper focus and stronger resilience into our daily lives. We'll also get to learn some of the common issues he sees with creatives and his inside tips for unlocking your inner calm.

Bryan E. Robinson is a licensed psychotherapist and an award-winning author of over forty books. He applies his experiences to crafting insightful nonfiction self-help books and psychological thrillers. His most recent releases #Chill: Turn Off Your Job and Turn On Your Life and Daily Writing Resilience: 365 Meditations and Inspirations for Writers explore how to ground oneself in their own life. Bryan's newest book, Chained to the Desk in a Hybrid World: The Guide to Work-Life Balance, will be published in spring 2023. He has written for prominent magazines, appeared on major television networks, and has even hosted the PBS documentary, Overdoing It: How to Slow Down and Take Care of Yourself. Bryan brings years of wisdom and insight both to his clients and to his writing. You can find out more about Bryan at bryanrobinsonbooks.com.

NAVIGATING THE UNKNOWN
With Beth Revis, author of The Princess and the Scoundrel

Traditional publishing, self publishing, hybrid publishing... Where exactly is one supposed to start and how do you figure out what path is right for you? In our second fall session, we'll get to chat with Beth Revis, who has truly seen every side of publishing as an author. She'll share with us her experiences of navigating the various paths of publishing and we will dig deep together to discover ways to combat anxiety while marketing oneself.

Beth Revis is the NYT Bestselling author of over a dozen books including the Across the Universe trilogy, A World Without You, the Give the Dark My Love duology, Star Wars: Rebel Rising, and The Princess and the Scoundrel. Beth is the co-owner of Wordsmith Workshops and the author of the nonfiction Paper Hearts series, both of which aid aspiring authors. A tried and true veteran of the publishing industry, Beth brings immense knowledge and experience to the table. You can find out more about Beth at bethrevis.com.

BALANCING THE PURSUIT
With Emily Varga, debut author of For She is Wrath

Perhaps the hardest part of being a writer who is also a human is balancing the rest of your life with your writing career. In our last fall session, we'll chat with debut author Emily Varga all about pursuing a writing career even when the odds seem stacked against you. She will share with us her unique journey to publication, her writing rituals, and her secret to keeping all the roles in her life — mom, lawyer, and writer — balanced. We will also get an exclusive sneak peek at her debut novel, For She is Wrath, publishing in winter 2024.

Emily Varga is a YA Fantasy author with a fondness for getting lost in bookstores, eating copious amounts of rice, and watching a lot of terrible reality tv. She has lived all over the world, but currently calls the Rocky Mountains of western Canada home, where she lives with her family and their menagerie of pets. When she’s not writing, Emily works as a family lawyer, where she learned more about storytelling than she ever expected. You can find out more about Emily at emilyvargabooks.com.

INSPIRATION FROM THE QUIET 
With Maia Toll, author of The Night School

Sources of inspiration abound from everywhere, but who has time to notice them all in such a busy world. This session with Maia Toll will gently guide us to look at the quietest moments for the biggest insights using the nighttime as our guide. Together we'll learn new ideas for writer self-care, spiritual creative practice, and using your inner energies as a guide. We'll also get an exclusive sneak peek look at Maia Toll's forthcoming book The Night School: Lessons in Moonlight, Magic, and the Mysteries of Being Human releasing this August. 

Maia Toll is the award-winning author of the best selling Wild Wisdom Series which has inspired readers worldwide to explore their human nature through the magical lens of the natural world. Maia’s latest endeavor, The Night School, explores the edges of the universe and the depths of the self, all through the lens of philosophy, divination, and astrology. Maia also owns The Herbiary, a brick-and-mortar store with locations in Asheville and Philadelphia, as well as online. For years she has hosted well-attended and beloved workshops for those inclined to connect with their magic side. You can find out more about Maia at maiatoll.com.

TRANSFORMATION OF THE PROCESS
With Monica Hay, spiritual writing coach

How long have you been saying one day I'll write this story? Do your own limiting beliefs get in the way of having the writing practice you want? Are you worried that deep down your dream to be a writer might be a little silly? In our last summer session, spiritual writing coach, Monica Hay, answers all the questions that we're too scared to ask about how we get in our own way as writers and authors. We'll dive into how to set affirmations and attainable goals for ourselves, how to reimagine our daily practices, and how to nurture both our souls and our writing. We'll also get a special inside look at Monica's spiritual writing coach business and her secret tips to success that she gives her clients.

Monica Hay is a spiritual writing coach who brings years of combined professional experience in social work and the publishing industry. She earned her B.A. from University of California Berkeley and her Masters in Publishing from Portland State University. Combining her love of helping others, her spiritual practices, and her love of books and writing, her coaching business was born. Monica specializes in ADHD/ADD support and mental health support. She pushes her clients to dream bigger and to show up for their art. You can find out more about Monica at monicahay.com.