Listen to a podcast, please open Podcast Republic app. Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Here's what no one tells you about writing: the hardest part isn't the words. It's believing you're allowed to write them.
Get Writing with Liz Mugavero exists because writers shouldn't have to figure this out alone.
Liz Mugavero — also known as Cate Conte, author of the beloved Cat Cafe Mystery series — has written 20 novels and coaches writers who are ready to stop waiting and start writing.
Every episode goes somewhere real. Craft and publishing. Mindset and blocks. The inner work that nobody warns you about when you start. Guest conversations and solo sessions all centered on one thing: finishing the book you've been carrying — and finding out that the community of writers doing exactly that is bigger than you ever imagined.
A little woo? Yes. Tarot cards occasionally? Also yes. Apologies? None.
You are not behind. You are not too late. You are exactly where you're supposed to be.
Let's get writing.
Find out more at cateconte.com Find out more at www.cateconte.com.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
|
Episode 147: Genre Hopping: On Range, Risk, and the Query Trenches with Matt Witten
|
May 14, 2026 |
|
Episode 146: Writers who don’t stop, and the “smile file” with suspense novelist Laura Frost
|
Apr 30, 2026 |
|
Episode 145: Alyson Richman on The Missing Pages, Writing Ghosts, and Research That Gets Sewn Onto Your Skin
|
Apr 23, 2026 |
|
Episode 144: The Words that Raise Us with Naeem Turner-Bandele
|
Apr 16, 2026 |
|
Episode 144: If You Don't Design Your Life, Someone Else Already Has — with Nathaniel A. Turner
|
Apr 09, 2026 |
|
Episode 143: Writing From the Inside Out — Process, Mindset, and the Long Game with Rhonda Douglas
|
Apr 02, 2026 |
|
Episode 142: Back to the Work — Writing, Resistance, and the “What’s Next” After Launch
|
Feb 05, 2026 |
|
Episode 141: Dark Academia, Toxic Obsession & Sorority Secrets with author Heather Colley
|
Dec 19, 2025 |
|
Episode 140: How to Land a Traditional Book Deal in 2025: Inside the World of a Book Broker with Randy Peyser
|
Dec 11, 2025 |
|
Episode 139: The Book That Wouldn’t Die: Thriller Author Cindy Fazzi on Persistence, Rewrites & Fate
|
Nov 20, 2025 |
|
Episode 138: A Hundred Words at a Time: with author Katerina Stoykova
|
Nov 13, 2025 |
|
Episode 137: Yes I am dying on that hill - with Alex Mell-Taylor
|
Nov 06, 2025 |
|
Episode 136: Trust Your Gut, Rewrite the Rules and Other Writing Advice: Liz Alterman
|
Oct 30, 2025 |
|
Episode 135: Getting Through the Middle: A Candid Conversation with Korina Moss
|
Oct 23, 2025 |
|
Episode 134: Too Sensitive? Good. That’s Where the Magic Starts—with Gloria Battini
|
Oct 16, 2025 |
|
Episode 133: You’re not the boss of me: On fear, with Amy Koford, the “Happy Hypnotist”
|
Oct 10, 2025 |
|
Episode 132: Old Grandmother’s Tree, Trickster Spirits & Writing Where You Come From with Joseph Bolton
|
Oct 03, 2025 |
|
Episode 131: Writing Through the Dark—Reproductive Justice, Law and Story with Jacqueline Friedland
|
Sep 26, 2025 |
|
Episode 130: How to use your day job to write that novel today with author Brad Elder
|
Sep 18, 2025 |
|
Episode 129: That time I got kicked out of dance class, and more on creative embodiment with Alexandra Beller
|
Sep 11, 2025 |
|
Episode 128: Social media: Time suck or creativity lab?
|
Sep 07, 2025 |
|
Episode 127: Nuns, Novels and Mindful Writing: with authors Kim Gray and Kathie Shoop
|
Aug 28, 2025 |
|
Episode 126: Turning Pain into Pages: Cathelina Duvert’s 25-Year Journey to Publication
|
Aug 22, 2025 |
|
Episode 125: Map Your Mystery: 6 Narrative Structures That Keep Readers Turning Pages
|
Aug 14, 2025 |
|
Episode 124: World-Building for Mystery Writers: Make Your Setting Work Overtime
|
Aug 07, 2025 |
|
Episode 123: The Blueprint Before the Body: 5 Story Decisions That Make—or Break—Your Mystery
|
Jul 31, 2025 |
|
Episode 122: Mindset Meets Mechanics: 5 Sacred Systems That Make Writing Inevitable
|
Jul 24, 2025 |
|
Episode 121: Producing Your Own Life with Shannon Russell
|
Jul 11, 2025 |
|
Episode 120: Coming out of the creative closet with Michael Isaac Shokrian
|
Jun 26, 2025 |
|
Episode 119: Creativity Isn’t the Goal, It’s the Way Back to You—with author Clementine Moss
|
Jun 19, 2025 |
|
Episode 118: He Lost 21 Years—Then Took the Mic Back. Deon Patrick on The Hazel Boyz: The Trials of Four Innocent Men
|
Jun 12, 2025 |
|
Episode 117: Inside the Heist: Writing Caravaggio and the Art of Historical Fiction with Author Margaret Philbrick
|
Jun 05, 2025 |
|
Episode 116: Getting Out of Your Own Way with Creativity Coach Bonnie Garvin
|
May 29, 2025 |
|
Episode 115: What if you couldn’t trust your own memories? A conversation with Author Audrey Lee
|
May 22, 2025 |
|
Episode 114: Plot Twists, Publishing, and the Writer’s Life with Mystery Author Nancy Coco
|
May 15, 2025 |
|
Episode 113: Off the Beaten Path with Author Eloise Corvo: Celebrating a Debut Cozy Mystery!
|
May 08, 2025 |
|
Episode 112: Embracing Confusion, Creativity and the Magic of the Unknown with author Giovanna Silvestre
|
May 01, 2025 |
|
Episode 111: From Poetry to Animation with Samuel Chambers: Building Community, Storytelling, and ‘The Timid Bunny’
|
Apr 24, 2025 |
|
Episode 110: Rock & Roll, Rejection & Reinvention with Sarah Seltzer
|
Apr 17, 2025 |
|
Episode 109: The The prescription for a great thriller with author Cristina LePort
|
Mar 27, 2025 |
|
Episode 108: In the Line of Fire: Andrew Serra's Path from Firefighter to Author
|
Mar 20, 2025 |
|
Episode 107: Understanding the complexity of modern journalism: A conversation with Poynter Institute President Neil Brown
|
Mar 13, 2025 |
|
Episode 106: How to network without the cringe (and without hiding in the bathroom) with author and entrepreneur Devin Sizemore
|
Mar 06, 2025 |
|
Episode 105: Which animal personality are you? with Eric Gee
|
Feb 25, 2025 |
|
Episode 104: Escaping the Christian patriarchy with author Tia Levings
|
Feb 20, 2025 |
|
Episode 103: “Keep writing forward and don’t look back.” Author Carolyn Wilkins on persistence and resilience.
|
Feb 11, 2025 |
|
Episode 102: From romance to thrillers with author Adele Royce
|
Feb 04, 2025 |
|
Episode 101: The Reality of the Publishing Industry with Daryl Wood Gerber
|
Jan 28, 2025 |
|
Episode 100: The Art of Southern Gothic with Faye Snowden
|
Jan 21, 2025 |
|
Episode 99: How to keep the play alive in your writing with author Catriona McPherson
|
Jan 14, 2025 |
|
Episode 98: Mysteries, Faith, and Art: Author Margot Douaihy and the Rebel Nun Sleuth You’ll Love
|
Jan 07, 2025 |
|
Episode 97: How Writers Begin: Jonathan Small on Stories That Inspire
|
Dec 24, 2024 |
|
Episode 96: All Good Things...
|
Dec 18, 2024 |
|
Episode 95: How to reinvent yourself as a writer with author Mollie Cox
|
Dec 10, 2024 |
|
Episode 94: Quitting your day job with author Alyssa Jarrett
|
Dec 03, 2024 |
|
Episode 93: “Writing is a marathon, not a race,” and more inspo from author Kellye Garrett
|
Nov 26, 2024 |
|
Episode 92: The truth about persistence with author Daniel Palmer
|
Nov 19, 2024 |
|
Episode 91: From diplomat to detective novelist: A conversation with author Delia Pitts
|
Nov 12, 2024 |
|
Episode 90: Committing to a year of intentional creative living with author Arden Coutts
|
Nov 05, 2024 |
|
Episode 89: How to get back to your creativity with poet Anastasia Lindsey
|
Oct 29, 2024 |
|
Episode 88: How to take lessons from Hollywood and turn them into a successful fiction career with author Kay Oliver
|
Oct 22, 2024 |
|
Episode 87: How a journalism career led to a political thriller with author Peter Sacks
|
Oct 15, 2024 |
|
Episode 86: From healthcare leader to published author with Gina Calder
|
Oct 08, 2024 |
|
Episode 85: How to create a dream writing life as a digital nomad with author and ghostwriter Amy Suto
|
Oct 01, 2024 |
|
Episode 84: Why connection with other creatives is so important author, poet and teacher Elisabeth McKetta (part 2)
|
Sep 24, 2024 |
|
Episode 83: Why writing means staying on the bus with author, poet and teacher Elisabeth McKetta
|
Sep 17, 2024 |
|
Episode 82: How to overcome your fear and just do the thing with author Charlie Barclay
|
Sep 10, 2024 |
|
Episode 81: How to achieve more with small steps with author Josee Smith
|
Sep 03, 2024 |
|
Episode 80: How to capture the magic of the creative process with author Kirsten Rudberg
|
Aug 27, 2024 |
|
Episode 79: Genre-bending, mom assassins and edge-of-your-seat suspense - a conversation with Elle Cosimano, author of the Finlay Donovan series
|
Aug 20, 2024 |
|
Episode 78: Are your limiting beliefs holding you back? How to get control of your thoughts and create a nurturing environment for your creativity
|
Aug 13, 2024 |
|
Episode 77 - How to build a world readers will be dying to come back to
|
Aug 06, 2024 |
|
Episode 76: The 5 decisions you need to make BEFORE you start writing your mystery
|
Jul 30, 2024 |
|
Episode 75: The systems that helped me write (and publish!) 18 novels
|
Jul 23, 2024 |
|
Episode 74: Cozies, coffee and Halloween in July with author Emmeline Duncan
|
Jul 16, 2024 |
|
Episode 73: Crafting the twistiest thrillers with author Peter Swanson
|
Jul 09, 2024 |
|
Episode 72: Uncovering your authentic self through writing with author Karen Coccioli
|
Jul 02, 2024 |
|
Episode 71: Turning off your brain and writing with your heart with author Jacqueline Fisch
|
Jun 25, 2024 |
|
Episode 70: How a tweet led to a debut book deal with an Amazon imprint with author Angela Crook
|
Jun 18, 2024 |
|
Episode 69: How to Learn to Play Again in Your Writing with Leigh Shulman
|
Jun 11, 2024 |
|
Episode 68: Coining the “quozy” and publishing on your own terms with Rob Osler
|
Jun 04, 2024 |
|
Episode 67: Behind “A Day in the Life” with blogger and book champion Dru Ann Love
|
May 28, 2024 |
|
Episode 66: Chance encounters—how an unexpected conversation turned into a long-running fantasy series with Danielle Orsino
|
May 21, 2024 |
|
Episode 65: The twisty world of thriller and suspense with author Edwin Hill
|
May 14, 2024 |
|
Episode 64: Creating a cozy second career with author Edith Maxwell/Maddie Day
|
May 07, 2024 |
|
Episode 63: Overcoming the mindset hurdles keeping you stuck in your writing with author and coach Trisha Loehr
|
Apr 30, 2024 |
|
Episode 62: How to master genre-bending fiction with author Lale Davidson
|
Apr 23, 2024 |
|
Episode 61: Should writers invest in writing conferences?
|
Apr 16, 2024 |
|
Episode 60: Writing through the ghosts of the past with Max Friedman
|
Apr 09, 2024 |
|
Episode 59: Living as a multi-passionate creative with author Veronica Kirin
|
Apr 02, 2024 |
|
Episode 58: How to turn life experiences into fiction with investigator and author John Nardizzi (Part 2)
|
Mar 26, 2024 |
|
Episode 57: Behind the scenes: A look into the real world of private investigators with investigator and author John Nardizzi (Part 1)
|
Mar 19, 2024 |
|
Episode 56: How to write your way to confidence with author Teri Brown
|
Mar 12, 2024 |
|
Episode 55: Magical pets, fortune cookies and cozy mysteries with author Jen Chow
|
Mar 05, 2024 |
|
Episode 54: How to overcome any challenge life throws at you with author Tracee Garner
|
Feb 27, 2024 |
|
Episode 53: Get Writing turns one!
|
Feb 21, 2024 |
|
Episode 52: Why it’s critical to schedule daydreaming time with author Emily Winslow
|
Feb 20, 2024 |
|
Episode 51: How to write character intimacy—even if you’re not writing romance—with Trisha Loehr
|
Feb 13, 2024 |
|
Episode 50: Young, Fearless, and Prolific: Lessons from a 16-Year-Old Multi-Published Author
|
Feb 06, 2024 |
|
Episode 49: Why creatives need each other with musician Gabe Bolkosky
|
Jan 30, 2024 |
|
Episode 48: How to cultivate a life-changing mindset with author Stephanie Cansian
|
Jan 23, 2024 |
|
Episode 47: From stand-up to genre-bending fiction with author Dick Wybrow
|
Jan 16, 2024 |
|
Episode 46: How to remember your writing dreams with author Steph Katzovi
|
Jan 09, 2024 |
|
Episode 45: Is writing a song really like writing a novel? With singer/songwriter Zach Comtois
|
Jan 02, 2024 |
|
Episode 44: How art promotes self-discovery with artist and writer Cindy Ingram
|
Dec 19, 2023 |
|
Episode 43: “My first NaNoWriMo:” Two NaNo newcomers success stories
|
Dec 12, 2023 |
|
Episode 41: How to keep creating when life throws you curveballs
|
Nov 28, 2023 |
|
Episode 40: Everything you really wanted to know about cozy mysteries with author Barbara Ross
|
Nov 21, 2023 |
|
Episode 39: How building your community helps you become a better writer with Julie Hennrikus
|
Nov 14, 2023 |
|
Episode 38: How to use mindset to create a life you love with Natasha Tynes
|
Nov 07, 2023 |
|
Episode 37: How to keep your writing career moving forward during times of uncertainty with Daryl Wood Gerber
|
Oct 31, 2023 |
|
Episode 36: How to break the rules and have a joyful (and productive) NaNoWriMo
|
Oct 24, 2023 |
|
Episode 35: How the Enneagram helps - or hinders - your writing with Claire Taylor
|
Oct 17, 2023 |
|
Episode 34: How to take back the fun in your writing practice
|
Oct 10, 2023 |
|
Episode 33: The most important tool in a writer’s toolbox
|
Oct 03, 2023 |
|
Episode 32: How to bring your story to life through audio with Becky Parker Geist
|
Sep 26, 2023 |
|
Episode 31: The art of the heist: From films to novels with author Tyler Schwanke
|
Sep 19, 2023 |
|
Episode 30: Search Engine Optimization for writers with Brandon Leibowitz
|
Sep 12, 2023 |
|
Episode 29: An inside look at journalism in fiction with LynDee Walker
|
Sep 05, 2023 |
|
Episode 28: How to draw your way to your next novel (even if you can’t draw) with Ashton Rodenhiser
|
Aug 29, 2023 |
|
Episode 27: Perseverance, practice and putting down the remote with author Kathy Otten
|
Aug 22, 2023 |
|
Episode 26: The nomadic writing life with author Paul Trammell
|
Aug 15, 2023 |
|
Episode 25: Chance encounters with author Christine Keyes
|
Aug 08, 2023 |
|
Episode 24: What it’s like to be a mystery author’s “first reader” with Jason Allen
|
Aug 01, 2023 |
|
Episode 23: Finding your people with Jessica Speer
|
Jul 25, 2023 |
|
Episode 22: Community and co-writing with LynDee Walker
|
Jul 18, 2023 |
|
Episode 21: How to write and publish a book at any age with author Shirley Novack
|
Jul 11, 2023 |
|
Episode 20: How to know if you have a creative block - and how to dissolve it
|
Jul 04, 2023 |
|
Episode 19: How to help a ghost with Tina Erwin
|
Jun 27, 2023 |
|
Episode 18: Why you should never give up on your story with author Raquel Drosos
|
Jun 20, 2023 |
|
Episode 17: How a love of books turned into a friendship with Marcia Clark with writer and reviewer John Valeri
|
Jun 13, 2023 |
|
Episode 16: The real value of romance novels with Trisha Loehr
|
Jun 06, 2023 |
|
Episode 15: How to be a serious self-published author with Alexa Nazarro
|
May 30, 2023 |
|
Episode 14: What it’s really like in a writer’s room with author and TV writer Matt Witten
|
May 23, 2023 |
|
Episode 13: How to master multiple genres with author Amy L. Bernstein
|
May 16, 2023 |
|
Episode 12: How to talk to your mother (or not) with Karen C.L. Anderson
|
May 09, 2023 |
|
Episode 11: Mobsters, car thieves, and Catholic high school: Behind the scenes with former NYPD Detective Vic Ferrari
|
May 02, 2023 |
|
Episode 10: How to find your Glitter Frequency with author Lovisa Alsen
|
Apr 25, 2023 |
|
Episode 9: How to be a self-publishing superstar (part two) with author Tonya Kappes
|
Apr 18, 2023 |
|
Episode 8: How to be a self-publishing superstar with author Tonya Kappes
|
Apr 11, 2023 |
|
Episode 7: How to use crystals to up-level your life with Eric Gendron
|
Apr 04, 2023 |
|
Episode 6: It’s book launch day! Celebrating with cozy author Korina Moss
|
Mar 28, 2023 |
|
Episode 5: A manuscript’s journey to becoming a book
|
Mar 21, 2023 |
|
Episode 4: How to mine your life for stories with memoir author Dave Singleton
|
Mar 14, 2023 |
|
Episode 3: How to plot even when it’s not your superpower with Jessica Ellicott
|
Mar 07, 2023 |
|
Episode 2: How to project manage your writing with Christine Carron
|
Feb 28, 2023 |
|
Episode 1: Let's get writing!
|
Feb 21, 2023 |