“I own every writing book ever written, and Linda Sivertsen has done the near-impossible: given writing itself a personality. There’s a reason we all say yes to coming on her literature podcast–and to being excerpted about our writing processes in this book. I feel like I’m in the very best company. And. Good God, can this woman write! I love Linda’s voice and her honesty. Her stories are cinematic, hilarious, heartfelt, and pitch-perfect—with energy and punch, so often lacking in nonfiction.”
—Terry McMillan, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist of Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and eight other bestsellers
“Beautiful Writers is The Artist’s Way for a new generation. The sheer number of years it took to compile all the wisdom in this book is staggering. I love it and think it will inspire many—not just to write, but to find the mystery and divine in their own creative journeys.”
—Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Iscariot and The Line Between
“With her Beautiful Writers Podcast and now this book, Linda’s created the salon we don’t have anymore—where really interesting writers like the A Movable Feast kind of people: Ezra Pound and Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald—are all comparing notes.”
—Patricia Cornwell, #1 New York Times bestselling author (26 Scarpetta novels + nonfiction)
“This is a REALLY good book that will help a LOT of people . . . When I was a guest on the Beautiful Writers Podcast, I told Linda it was one of my all-time favorite interviews. After reading how she’s masterfully interwoven her entertaining publishing stories with our interview excerpts, I feel the same way about being in this book!”
—Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of The Legend of Bagger Vance, Gates of Fire, and The War of Art
“Linda Sivertsen is someone everyone should know.”
—Martha Beck, New York Times bestselling author of The Way of Integrity, an Oprah’s Book Club selection
“This is such an original, encouraging, funny, and very helpful offering of a book. Anyone wanting to stoke their creativity will find nuggets of wisdom from many of our great writers and creatives, all wrapped in Linda’s marvelous storytelling. I hope the book flies into a gazillion hands!”
—Elizabeth Lesser, New York Times bestselling author of Broken Open and Cassandra Speaks, and cofounder of Omega Institute
“I stayed up all night reading Linda’s stories. The fact that her path is landscaped with celebrities, movie stars, gurus, shamans, and astrologers—well, pop some popcorn, you’re in for an entertaining ride.”
—Allison K. Hill, CEO of American Booksellers Association
“If Linda’s life were a movie, I’d call it a real-life, Hollywood female Horatio Alger story.”
—Leeza Gibbons, Emmy-Award winning talk-show host, and New York Times bestselling author of Take 2 and Fierce Optimism
“It doesn’t seem possible, what Sivertsen has accomplished with this book: masterfully braiding three genres: memoir, self-help for writers and creatives, and wisdom from the hearts and minds of our most beloved authors and industry pros. Beautiful Writers is practical magic for any writer, aspiring or experienced. You’ll feel a sense of belonging as it catapults your creativity and self-confidence and answers all your nitty-gritty questions from process to publishing. This book is a gift for readers and writers alike.”
—Steph Jagger, bestselling author of Everything Left to Remember
“The perfect nudge and source of inspiration for anyone looking to pursue a career in writing. Linda Sivertsen weaves her personal story with pertinent, relatable anecdotes from literary greats, detailing all of the highs and lows that come along with authoring a book. She provides all the tools to help harness your greatness and silence that pesky doubting voice in your head. Beautiful Writers far exceeds just being a “how-to” guide for authors, and instead serves as a funny, relatable reminder to everyone on how deeply rewarding it is to follow your passions, trust your gut, and create.”
—Brooke Baldwin, veteran journalist and bestselling author of Huddle
“Can’t put it down . . . I must put it down! I want to keep bingeing this addictive book, but it also makes me itch to get up and write. Between the motivating personal insights from celebrity authors and Linda Sivertsen’s own riveting path, Beautiful Writers is that rare combo: an instructive manual you want to bring to the beach. Wish I’d had it while I was writing my own book!”
—Laura Belgray, author of Tough Titties (2023, Hachette), founder of Talking Shrimp, and co-creator of The Copy Cure
“Brilliant, engaging, and conversational, with a palpable enthusiasm that feels like a letter from home.”
—Paul Williams, Oscar-, Grammy- and Golden Globe–winning Hall of Fame songwriter, ASCAP President, and New York Times bestselling coauthor of Gratitude and Trust
“When I look back on my career as a top book publicist, literary agent, author of eleven books, and sister of bestselling author Debbie Ford, the one person I’d call my literary soulmate is Linda Sivertsen. Whether editing one of my books, recommending writing books that transformed my work, or sharing a technique or story with me that altered my thinking, it’s Linda who has had the biggest influence on my writing career.”
—Arielle Ford, bestselling author of The Soulmate Secret and former book publicist to Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Wayne Dyer, and Neale Donald Walsch
“What a joy to read! I loved it. The conversational voice will make readers feel like one of Linda’s many friends. The stories, both personal and universal to the creative process, are accurate, articulate, and deeply inspirational.”
—Guru Singh, world-renowned yogi/spiritual teacher and author of Buried Treasures
“Linda Sivertsen is charming in the most magical sense of the word and this book is a flashpoint of enchantments. Writers you know and love open hidden doorways to pathways of inspiration and practical insight. Linda threads her own life story through the stories of others to illuminate from all directions what it means not just to write, but to transform yourself into a beautiful writer.”
—Justine Musk, novelist, essayist, three-time TEDx speaker on creativity