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Today’s spotlight is on the incredible Write. Publish. Impact. Community — a vibrant, welcoming space for writers of all genres and experience levels.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a published pro, this group is all about support, structure, and showing up for one another — through plot holes, writing blocks, and those joyful “I hit my word count!” wins.
I sat down with founder Sophie Mitchell for an exclusive interview where we talk about their origins, their values, and how they’re helping writers go from idea to impact.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your business. How did your creative journey begin?
I have been working in the book industry for almost 10 years doing a variety of jobs and work experience. As an author I’ve currently been published 9 times: four novels, three short stories and two poems in anthologies. I write dark literary fantasy and gothic romance novels featuring very morally grey characters. I have also written within the horror, romance, science-fiction and historical genres as well as non-fiction and some poetry.
I began my academic stint in this industry with my Bachelor of Arts with Honours in English and Creative Writing (2015-2018) where I studied literature, creative writing and the publishing industry as well as some other very fascinating modules. It was here that my work began – I was published 4 times during my years of study in two anthologies. I also began a lifestyle blog, SOPHIE MELISSA. Whilst this blog has now been made private, it did provide me with years of experience in writing, blogging and marketing.
As I grew my skills and goals this then morphed into the website S. M. Mitchell - where my business sprouted from, as well as my foray into a second business - Little Crow Marketing (LCM) where I provide simple and sustainable social media marketing for small women-run businesses.
For the next few years after finishing my degree and publishing my first novel THE BLOODY MAIDEN, my focus was on LCM, building up my experience and portfolio as well as working with small businesses from a large variety of industries. While the industries vary greatly my main focus is always to provide strong social media marketing that help their businesses soar.
I officially went full-time self employed back in December 2021 and I’ve never looked back. I adore working for myself in both of my businesses and love seeing them grow to support more people. I now offer services in social media management, 1:1 coaching and mentoring, and VA work as well as workshops and The Simple Social Media Planner.
Then came the development of my writer services with S. M. MITCHELL. and Write. Publish. Impact. - a full year programme covering everything a writer needs to know to go from IDEA to PUBLICATION.
The support group included in the programme also then grew into a subscription community for writers of all levels to find support, kinship, advice, writing events, networking and more. While the full programme is currently undergoing an overhaul and re-brand, our community is growing into a wonderful little space.
In between writing my own novels and running LCM, I now work with writers providing coaching services, book formatting, marketing campaigns, workshops and guest talks. And I freaking love my job(s)!
What inspired you to start offering your current services or products?
I have wanted to be an author since I was 13 years old, and with my university degree it only further pushed me into the book industry. I love writing my own books, but it soon became very apparent that I also love working with other authors and in the industry as a whole. It was a rather natural progression with my qualifications and experience to move into the marketing and coaching space - and what better clients to have than authors! It permits me to be in a world of books for the vast majority of my day - who wouldn't love that?
What does a typical day look like for you in your creative business?
Where I am an author, run two businesses and am a single mother, I am mostly jumping from one thing to another - always busy with something or other. I tend to spend the work day at my desk with a variety of usual tasks - admin such as emails and conversing with clients, working on specific projects such as the latest book marketing campaign or coaching client with my business S. M. Mitchell, then move onto the usual work of social media planning and scheduling for my Little Crow clients. I try to fit in at least an hour of writing my own novels each day, though it isn't always possible, as well as some reading.
It's not always a guarantee - I'm disabled and chronically ill so frequently I have to spend a few hours in bed in the afternoon which often cuts into my 'free' time. But I do try to carve out time for it in between clients and spending time with my son. I am having to learn how to slow down a little bit though, which means at the moment my writing is taking more of a backseat so that I can continue to provide for my clients, giving them 100%.
What’s your favourite part of the creative process? And what’s the most challenging?
A very hard question indeed! I absolutely love the plotting process - I'm a big plotter, and by that I mean I tend to take it to the extreme with large story bibles I build up long before I start that first draft. It's a time for getting outside and absorbing all the inspiration I can. I love to spend time with my characters - getting to know who they are, what they think, how they talk.
And I adore worldbuilding, it's such a fun, creative process that really lets your imagination run wild!
The most challenging for me would definitely be the things that hold me back from getting the words down. I find that first draft the hardest part of the process. I much prefer editing and refining. That blank page can be especially daunting and my frequent lack of energy can get very demoralising which slows me down even further. But I'm working on it.
How do you stay inspired or motivated during busy or difficult times?
It can be hard and it would certainly be a lie to say that I have a clear answer that always works. But some of the things that help me are my friends - I'm very lucky to be close friends with some amazingly creative, talented people - most of whom are in the industry themselves, who totally understand how I feel and so speaking with them always makes me feel positive.
Reading and watching movies - or really any form on consuming stories - and even writing fanfiction really helps to get the creative juices flowing. I always advise authors and creatives to consume media from all sides - pick different mediums and genres outside of your own because you never know when inspiration will strike.
Finally, you'll likely laugh at me but I lean on my comfort characters for support. If ever I'm struggling or feeling down I think to myself 'What would Aaron Hotchner say?' I'm a huge Criminal Minds fan and Hotch has always been my favourite - if ever I'm beating myself up I consider what he'd tell me, what advice he'd give - it's always kinder than how I speak to myself and pretty practical too. I find it helps me to actually get up and do something that will help rather than just wallow.
Do you have a favourite project you’ve worked on recently? What made it special?
I'm currently working on a new gothic romance trilogy which I'm really loving - it's inspired by Shakespeare plays and is set in a world very similar to Regency England. It's actually a spin-off of a spin-off which always amuses me. These books seem to sprout from each other like some kind of bookish day of the triffids that will always keep me busy with a hundred projects.
What makes it special to me is the Shakespeare connection - certainly as a reader you don't need to read Shakespeare to enjoy them, you may not even notice the references. But Shakespeare is one of the reasons I fell in love with literature. Having watched Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet in drama class at the age of 12, I was completely drawn in. I then became a very pretentious teenager who chose to read Shakespeare during registration each morning while everyone else read something more modern and a bit easier to understand. It had me hooked right from the start though. So being able to come back to that massive passion and show my love for it through homage in my own work feels very special to me.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own creative or service-based business?
Trust yourself would be the first bit of advice - all of us who've done this before have had those moments where we've said 'am I crazy? I can't do this!' We've all doubted ourselves and panicked. You have to give yourself a bit of grace and trust that you can learn how to run a business.
Secondly, get out there and learn. Do market research to discover what your audience actually want and need. Research your industry and other businesses like yours - not only to help you grow, but to help with that imposter syndrome. Never stop learning. There's always more out there.
In what ways do you support the creative community?
I try to get out there as much as possible - primarily online - I'm alw
ays happy to have a chat! I offer free consultations for anyone who's interested, whether it's for a specific service or just to ask some questions. I run workshops and talks regularly either through my own business or guest speaking with others. I'm also hoping to book in some more in person events next year!
Are there any upcoming projects, launches, or goals you’re excited about?
I'm taking a little break from deadlines for my own books - after publishing 3 in 18 months I'm giving myself time to slow down and smell the roses for a bit. But soon enough my full programme Write. Publish. Impact. is being relaunched with updates and even more information for aspiring authors. This programme will include expert advice not only from me but others within the industry including editors and more! I can't wait to introduce it to everyone.
Where can people find you online and follow your work?
I'm rather chronically online so you can find me at @smmitchellauthor on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky. You can also find all the information about my services, helpful blog posts and more at www.smmitchell.com
Upcoming Workshop Alert!
Build Your Social Media Strategy
Wednesday 24th September @ 1:00pm (via Google Meet)
Learn how to launch, sell, and market your books effectively online. This one-hour workshop is perfect for writers of all levels and includes a live-fill workbook to guide your strategy.
https://book.stripe.com/aFacN5cwv4CsdkYdJi6AM05
