Gail Kerzner
WHO’S ON WITH US TODAY?
Host: Randy Chaffee – “the Hybrid Road Warrior” and face of Building Wins Live
Producer/Director: Wes Wyatt
Guest: Gail Kerzner – The Savvy Red Pen, professional editor, writing coach, and publishing consultant
ABOUT OUR GUEST(S)
Gail, known as The Savvy Red Pen, has built a career helping aspiring authors craft their stories into powerful, polished books. With a background in teaching English and decades of experience in publishing and editing, she specializes in nonfiction and prescriptive storytelling. Gail also offers coaching for writers, guiding them through every step of the book‑writing process—from early drafts to final manuscript development and marketing. She is passionate about helping authors find their voice, maintain authenticity, and create books that truly connect with readers.
MAIN POINTS
The Origin of The Savvy Red Pen: Gail transitioned from teaching English to a career in editing and publishing; her brand emphasizes precision, heart, and humor.
Why Writers Need Coaching: Writing a book isn’t just about words—it’s about staying focused, understanding structure, and pushing through roadblocks; know your “why.”
The Editing Process: Developmental editing shapes the story; line editing polishes sentences; technical review catches grammar and formatting issues.
Teamwork for Success: Surround yourself with designers, formatters, and marketers so the book stands out and resonates.
Title and Cover Development: A strong title/cover can make or break market appeal; collaboration led Randy to rename his book Asphalt and Algorithms.
Celebrating Milestones: From “shitty first drafts” to polished finals, every stage is worth celebrating.
Reading Out Loud: Authors should read manuscripts aloud to improve flow and prep for speaking or audiobook work.
Mindset & Persistence: Writing is a marathon; staying the course and trusting the process separates finished books from abandoned drafts.
NOTABLE QUOTES
“I wouldn’t know whether to wind my butt or scratch my watch when it comes to this process, but Gail knows it inside and out.” — Randy Chaffee
“There’s magic in these pens—The Savvy Red Pen doesn’t just mark mistakes, it helps bring stories to life.” — Gail Kerzner
“Unless you’re all in, maybe not every day, but a little piece of every day, it’s never going to happen.” — Gail Kerzner
“Sometimes the biggest challenge in writing a book is realizing you’re a sprinter trying to run a marathon.” — Randy Chaffee
“As an editor, my job isn’t to change your voice but to make sure your voice is heard in the clearest, strongest way possible.” — Gail Kerzner
“Visibility equals opportunity, and a book gives you visibility in ways nothing else can.” — Randy Chaffee