I’m often asked how I do all the things—the books, the audiobooks, the podcast, the constant creation—without burning out.

And beneath that question is usually something deeper: Am I doing enough? Am I falling behind? Am I missing some secret?

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, I’m pulling back the curtain.

Not with hustle culture advice.

Not with productivity hacks.

But with the honest truth about what’s really happening behind the scenes—and why it looks like a lot when it’s actually very intentional.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why creative work often looks nonstop from the outside
• The seasons of creation no one sees
• How I layer projects instead of doing everything at once
• Why I stopped treating books as separate jobs
• How thinking like a business gave me more creative freedom
• What I don’t do—and why focus matters more than hustle
• Letting one good story become many doorways

If you’re an author, creator, or creative entrepreneur who feels pressure to do more, this conversation is for you.

This is the first From the Author’s Desk episode—where we go behind the book and talk honestly about creativity, publishing, and building a sustainable creative life.

You can find links to my books, audiobooks, and podcast resources in the show notes.

If this episode resonates, let me know in the comments—and tell me what you’d like to hear more about.

ABOUT ME:

MICHELLE MILES writes fantasy and paranormal stories full of magic, adventure, and swoony romance. From cursed princes to time-traveling rogues, her books feature fierce heroines, epic quests, and the kind of heroes worth falling for. She’s also a narrator and the host of Miles Beyond the Page, a podcast about the writing life. A Texas girl who loves books, movies, and wine, she believes every great story starts with a little bit of magic.

FIND ME ONLINE:

Direct Store | Website and Blog | Newsletter Sign Up

Amazon | Facebook | Instagram

Podcast Website

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles welcomes Mark Mustian—award-winning author of The Gendarme, The Return, and the newly acclaimed Boy With Wings. Mark’s work has been recognized internationally, with The Gendarme a finalist for the Dayton International Literary Peace Prize and published in ten languages. His latest novel, Boy With Wings, earned the Grand Prize for Fiction from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and continues his tradition of exploring humanity, memory, and redemption through powerful storytelling.

Beyond writing, Mark is the founder and president of the Word of South Festival of Literature and Music in Tallahassee, Florida—a celebration of the intersection between art forms—and also serves as president of Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, P.A., one of Florida’s largest local government law firms.

🎧 Join Michelle and Mark for a rich conversation about the craft of writing, the influence of history and culture, and the pursuit of peace through story.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring author interviews and creative insights on Miles Beyond the Page!

ABOUT MARK:

Mark Mustian is the author of the novels The Return and The Gendarme, the latter a finalist for the Dayton International Literary Peace Prize and shortlisted for the Saroyan International Award for Writing. It won the Florida Gold Book Award for Fiction and has been published in ten languages. The founder and president of the Word of South Festival of Literature and Music in Tallahassee, Florida (https://wordofsouthfestival.com/), his new novel, Boy With Wings, has been named the winner of the Grand Prize for Fiction from Next Generation Indie Book Awards, among other honors. Mark is also the president of Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, P.A., one of the largest local government law firms in Florida.

WHERE TO FIND HIM:

Website | Facebook | BlueSky

WHERE TO FIND HIS BOOKS:

Website

#MarkMustian #MilesBeyondThePage #AuthorInterview #WritingCommunity #LiteraryFiction #BoyWithWings #TheGendarme #Storytelling #Books #Podcast #WritingLife #Creativity #WordofSouth #AwardWinningAuthor

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles welcomes Christine Shuck—a multi-genre author, occasional artist, chaos gardener, short-term rental host, and mother of four. Christine’s creative life is as vibrant and multifaceted as the stories she tells.

Together, they discuss how Christine balances writing across genres, the inspiration behind her diverse projects, and how she channels life’s beautiful chaos into art. From exploring the craft of storytelling to finding harmony between creativity and everyday responsibilities, Christine offers a candid and inspiring look into her world.

🎧 Tune in for a lively conversation about imagination, persistence, and the joy of creating in every form.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful author interviews and creative discussions on Miles Beyond the Page!

ABOUT CHRISTINE:

Christine Shuck is a multi-genre author, occasional artist, chaos gardener, short-term rental host, and mother of four. When not busy with the aforementioned, you might find her shooting pool competitively in an APA league.

WHERE TO FIND HER:

Website | Facebook | X

WHERE TO FIND HER BOOKS:

Universal Buy Link

#ChristineShuck #MilesBeyondThePage #AuthorInterview #WritingCommunity #Storytelling #Creativity #IndieAuthor #MultiGenreAuthor #Podcast #WritingLife