This is the Beautiful Writers Podcast. I'm Danielle Lipport, and I'm here with Linda Sieverts,

where we are chatting with some of the most amazing authors, publishing leaders, and creatives.

Between the two of us, Linda and I have written something like 12 books, including our co-creation, your big beautiful book plan.

And we're here because we love this game.

We love everything about the publishing industry, about getting ideas out into the world and being as creative as you possibly can.

This all started with us interviewing some of our favorite agents and fellow authors

for a membership group that we have called The Beautiful Writers Group.

And because we don't believe friends should let their friends write alone,

we are sharing the interviews with you.

So for the next 45 minutes, because 45 minutes is a new hour, we will be digging deep and going for the light. Thank you. So for the next 45 minutes, because 45 minutes is a new hour, we will be digging deep

and going for the light. Welcome.

Hello, this is Linda Siebertson and Danielle Loport, and we are so excited to bring you

one of our literary heroes, Stephen Presfield, a Duke University grad who wrote for 17 years before getting his first paycheck as a writer.

Stephen is a bestseller of many books, both nonfiction and fiction, including The Legend of Bagger Vance, which became a movie starring Will Smith, Matt Damon and Charlize Theron, and my current Bible, The War of Art, and doing the work.

Stephen is a military man, considered the best military writer alive, and the world's foremost expert on the Spartan.

He believes in past lives and the muse, and his writing philosophy is a kind of

warrior code, internal rather than external, in which the enemy is self-sabotage or resistance.

And that is a topic that resonates with millions of creatives

who strive every day to overcome their inherent drive

to annihilate their own forward momentum.

We are so happy to have you here, Steve.

I'm giddy.

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