Craft Chat Chronicles

Send us Fan Mail Bestselling YA fantasy author and native Floridian Bethany Baptiste takes us inside her extraordinary journey—from dropping out of high school at 16 to becoming a nationally recognized voice in young adult fantasy. Her debut novel, The Poisons We Drink —described as Practical Magic meets Breaking Bad —follows a young witch brewing love potions in Washington, D.C., where magic, pol...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a historian of medicine writes fantasy fiction? In this illuminating conversation, debut author Lindsay Bird takes us behind the scenes of her upcoming novel "The Sun-Blessed Prince," a story where immortal Givers who resurrect life clash with deadly Reapers in a world divided by opposing philosophies on life and death. Lindsay reveals how her academic...

Send us Fan Mail Bestselling romance author Zeo Axelrod takes listeners behind the scenes of contemporary romance writing in this candid, insightful conversation about creativity, publishing paths, and authentic storytelling. Axelrod reveals her unique "ZeoVision" approach—visualizing characters and scenes like Netflix in her brain—which allows her to deeply inhabit her fictional worlds...

Send us Fan Mail Lee Ann Walling and the Silver Dragons of Drexel University's MFA Alumni Association invite you to dive into an unforgettable conversation with bestselling author Ann Garvin! In this engaging episode, Ann shares her journey from academia—where she spent years studying exercise physiology and health psychology—to the world of literature. With humor as her guiding light, she na...

Send us Fan Mail What makes a dystopian world feel terrifyingly real, and why is now the perfect time to write one? In this illuminating episode, we're joined by Rebecca Dazenbaker, debut author of the dystopian novel "Soul Match," who shares her winding path from initial inspiration to publication success. Rebecca opens up about her surprising journey—how a random thought while pas...

Send us Fan Mail When crafting the perfect story climax, what's your character's greatest fear or deepest wound? According to New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz, that's exactly what they must face in your finale. In this compelling conversation, Gratz reveals his formula for powerful endings: establish early what a character would never do, then force them to do exactly th...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to success in the world of educational publishing with our special guests, Sandra Athens and Mike Downs, authors of "Sell a Children's Book Now: Quick Success in the Educational Market." Discover how they transitioned from teaching and reigniting dormant writing passions to becoming influential voices in this niche market. Hear their personal stor...

Send us Fan Mail Immerse yourself in our latest episode as we explore the intriguing journey of a literary agent turned author. This captivating discussion reveals firsthand insights on how the writing, publishing, and marketing landscape has evolved through the years. Our special guest dives into the unique challenges she faced while transitioning from a publicist to a successful literary agent a...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into an inspiring conversation with Josh Silver, an award-winning author who has transitioned from the world of acting to writing poignant fiction that resonates with the complexities of mental health and identity. In this episode, we explore Josh’s journey of self-discovery, which is woven intricately with threads of struggle, creativity, and the quest for authenticity. He r...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it’s like to write for major franchises? Join us in this captivating episode as we explore the world of Intellectual Property (IP) writing with Jamie D'Amato and Annie Davenport, experienced authors who share their journeys and insider tips. Discover how authors can blend their passion for beloved narratives with professional writing, providing unique persp...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a bestselling author crafts a story that captivates from the very first line? Join us as we sit down with New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, who takes us through her journey from an avid reader to a celebrated writer. Holly shares candid insights about the challenges of being a writer today, including balancing creativity with structure and the unexpe...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, New York Times bestselling author Dhonielle Clayton shares her inspiring journey from aspiring doctor to a literary force amplifying diverse voices in publishing. Dhonielle opens up about overcoming countless rejections, navigating the highs and lows of the industry, and how her background as a teacher and librarian fueled her passion for inclusive storyt...

Send us Fan Mail New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz takes us on a captivating journey from the struggles of an unagented writer to achieving literary success. Discover the vital lessons Alan learned while navigating the traditional publishing industry, including the pivotal role of attending conferences and joining organizations like SCBWI. Gain insights into the challenges and triumphs...

Send us Fan Mail What do jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald and Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe have in common? Join us as we uncover the remarkable bond that transcends time and explores their authentic selves within the often unforgiving entertainment industry. This episode promises to take you behind the curtain of our book project that brings their stories to life with a unique narrative twist—Ella’s s...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered if media coverage alone can drive book sales? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we welcome Corinne Mulder, Vice President of Business Development at Smith Publicity, who is here to unravel the complex world of book publicity. Corinne shares her extensive experience, explaining the crucial difference between publicity and marketing. While publicity can sign...

Send us Fan Mail Ariel Vinson joins us to share her fascinating journey from the world of journalism to becoming a creative writer. With a background that combines journalism, creative writing, and even apparel merchandising, Ariel's story is full of unexpected twists and valuable lessons. Her time as an intern in New York City was eye-opening, shifting her focus from reporting news to crafti...

Send us Fan Mail Award-winning author Jordan Taylor takes us on a thrilling journey from her days as a tech reporter to becoming a best-selling novelist. Learn how her witty reality TV show recaps caught the eye of literary agent Danielle Burby, setting her on the path to writing her debut novel. Jordan shares the intriguing inspiration behind her latest thriller, "Wicked Darlings," draw...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling stuck in your writing? Struggling with writer’s block, creative burnout, or that relentless voice of imposter syndrome telling you you’re not good enough? You’re not alone—and it’s not a talent problem. In this raw, honest conversation, three working writers pull back the curtain on what actually causes writer’s block at every stage of a writing career—from first-draft beg...

Send us Fan Mail Send us a text Curious about managing multiple writing projects while preparing for author talks and book tour presentations? Tune in as we chat with award-winning author Heather Christie, who reveals her strategies for balancing a prolific writing career, including two novels and plays. With a deep background in Literary Studies and Creative Writing, Heather offers valuable tips...

Send us Fan Mail New York Times bestselling author Samira Ahmed joins us for an eye-opening episode that challenges the status quo of the publishing world. As a Muslim author writing about critical themes such as Islamophobia, Samira offers a unique perspective on the hurdles faced by marginalized writers. She discusses her unorthodox journey from education and activism to literature, shedding lig...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ How Fourth Wing & Heart’s Gambit Were Recorded | Audiobook Narrator Tips, Auditions, PFH Rates & Multicast Secrets The circus lights flare. The band swells. Two voices step forward to turn ink into electricity. In this behind-the-scenes audiobook deep dive, we go inside the booth with Eric Lockley and Kyra Frates (narrator of Fourth Wing ) to unpack how Heart’s Gambit b...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to making the most of your MFA Creative Writing program with insights straight from Drexel University's Alumni Association co-chairs, Jamie, Mo, and JD. This episode promises to guide you through the intricate packet exchange process, shedding light on how to prepare for it, navigate it during both years of study, and maintain effective communication with y...

Send us Fan Mail The curtain lifts on circus magic, high-stakes romance, and the unfiltered reality of publishing a debut fantasy novel. In this candid, behind-the-scenes conversation, we sit down with J.D. Myall, author of Heart’s Gambit, to unpack how the book grew from a proposal into a full-scale launch, complete with preorders, a regional book tour, library-hosted events, and an immersive aud...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what really goes on behind the scenes of a Master of Fine Arts program? Today, we sit down with Drexel University's MFA alumni, Jamie Jenette, Mo, and Tori, who share their transformative journeys through the world of writing and publishing. Jamie talks about her leap from high school teaching to the creative freedom of novel writing, fueled by intellectual curios...

Send us Fan Mail What if a book could change the entire course of your career? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with literary agent Sarah Younger, who shares her transformative journey from a reluctant reader to a champion of authors. Discover how a serendipitous encounter with "Ella Enchanted" ignited Sarah's passion for books and led her through a whirlwind of exper...