Behind the Publisher's Desk with Colin Mustful

In this episode of Behind the Publisher’s Desk , host Colin Mustful chats with Finnish-Canadian author and book coach Liisa Kovala. Liisa shares the inspiration behind her Substack, Women Writing , which celebrates the resilience and creativity of women authors. They discuss the concept of “sisu,” a Finnish term for determination in the face of adversity, and how it shapes her work. Liisa also div...

In this episode of Behind the Publisher’s Desk , Colin Mustful shares his journey of transitioning from a growth-focused mindset to building a sustainable, profitable business as an independent publisher. Colin reflects on his decision to leave his role as general manager of Lake Harriet Pizza to focus entirely on History Through Fiction, discussing the challenges of creating a steady income while...

In this episode of Fictional Footnotes , host Colin Mustful shares a behind-the-scenes look at his life as a publisher, entrepreneur, and soon-to-be full-time business owner. Colin discusses his decision to leave his role as general manager of Lake Harriet Pizza to focus entirely on growing History Through Fiction, reflecting on the challenges of balancing multiple roles, the importance of sustain...

In this episode of Fictional Footnotes , host Colin Mustful takes listeners behind the scenes of his daily life as a publisher and entrepreneur. From proofreading upcoming releases and developing workshops to managing freelance projects and organizing book promotions, Colin shares the many tasks that keep History Through Fiction running. He also discusses building a collaborative editing network,...

In this episode of Fictional Footnotes , host Colin Mustful shares exciting updates on the upcoming History Through Fiction Conference, set for March 2026. From opening registration and securing 40 in-person attendees to adding virtual options and new special sessions, Colin dives into the progress and challenges of organizing this landmark event. Learn about Prologue Day, a virtual-only session p...

In this episode of "Fictional Footnotes," host Colin Mustful sits down with Courtney Maum—author, founder of the popular Substack "Before and After the Book Deal," and a champion for writer transparency. Courtney shares her unconventional journey from comparative literature student to acclaimed novelist and literary guide, revealing the challenges, setbacks, and triumphs that shaped her career. To...

In this fast-paced update, host Colin Mustful pulls back the curtain on the whirlwind life of a small press publisher and entrepreneur. From prepping for the upcoming History Through Fiction Conference and collaborating with authors and agents, to launching new books, managing editorial projects, and building The Narrative Guild, Colin shares the many hats he wears each day. Hear about the latest...

In this episode of Fictional Footnotes , Colin Mustful shares the behind-the-scenes journey of organizing the inaugural History Through Fiction Conference, set for March 28-29, 2026, in Beverly, Massachusetts. From choosing the perfect venue and lining up special guests to navigating contracts, sponsorships, and virtual options, Colin dives into the challenges and excitement of hosting a major eve...

In this episode of Fictional Footnotes , Colin Mustful shares an inside look at the bustling world of History Through Fiction. From promoting backlist titles like South of Sepharad to preparing for the release of The Porcelain Menagerie and The Boy with the Jade , Colin walks listeners through the many projects underway. Learn about upcoming book tours, audiobook production, and the challenges of...

In this episode of Fictional Footnotes , host Colin Mustful shifts the focus to the heart of his work: the books. Colin highlights the compelling stories published by History Through Fiction this year, from the anthology An End of Troubles to the Southern Gothic The Wretched and Undone . Discover the historical depth of Notes from a Deserter , the cultural richness of The Boy with the Jade , the d...

In this episode of Fictional Footnotes , Colin Mustful offers a whirlwind update on the many projects underway at History Through Fiction. From organizing a short story contest and planning a book tour for The Porcelain Menagerie to designing custom bubble mailers and managing audiobook production, Colin shares the ins and outs of running an independent press. He also discusses upcoming releases,...

In this episode of Fictional Footnotes , Colin shares how lessons from a recent collaboration with the Rhino Keeper platform are shaping the promotional strategy for Jillian Forsberg’s upcoming novel, The Porcelain Menagerie . With the release date just five months away, hear how HTF Publishing is laying the groundwork for a successful launch—and long-term audience growth. Tune in for a glimpse in...

In this episode of "Fictional Footnotes," host Colin Mustful provides an exciting update on the latest happenings at History Through Fiction. Discover the upcoming novel releases, including "Go on Pretending" by Alina Adams, "The Boy with the Jade" by Charles Bush, and "The Porcelain Menagerie" by Jillian Forsberg. Colin also shares insights into ongoing projects like the short story contest and t...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit colinmustful.substack.com In this episode of "Fictional Footnotes," Colin Mustful pulls back the curtain on the complex world of royalties. As the founder of History Through Fiction, Colin shares his journey from navigating royalty contracts to implementing a streamlined process with Title Verso. Discover how he balances fair compensati...

In this episode of "Fictional Footnotes," host Colin Mustful chats with Alida Winternheimer, an author, developmental editor, and writing coach. They delve into Alida's journey from disillusionment with traditional publishing to embracing indie and hybrid paths. Alida shares her experiences navigating the complexities of the writing world, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of self-...

In Episode 7 of "Fictional Footnotes," Colin Mustful talks with Alina Adams, who shares her candid experiences with literary setbacks and how she embraces them. Learn her strategies for handling rejection and why she believes writing is for those who can't live without it. This episode offers an honest look at the writing world and inspiration from Alina's journey of perseverance and success. Than...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit colinmustful.substack.com In Episode 6 of "Fictional Footnotes," host Colin Mustful shares the latest happenings at History Through Fiction. From upgrading his workspace with a new desk to launching the Historical Readers Club, Colin provides a behind-the-scenes look at his busy life as a publisher. Discover the exciting new releases, i...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit colinmustful.substack.com Join Colin Mustful on "Fictional Footnotes" as he shares his journey from historian to fiction author, publisher, and editor. In this episode, Colin reflects on his transformation, discussing how he moved from writing historical essays to crafting engaging historical fiction. Discover how he learned to balance...

Join Colin Mustful and Melissa Makarewicz in a lively discussion on "Fictional Footnotes." Explore how Melissa, a literary assistant, collaborates with authors on social media, marketing, and more. Delve into the partnership between History Through Fiction and Melissa, and examine the balance between writing and business. Discover how they tackle challenges faced by authors and offer strategies fo...

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah PennerRelease Date: April 29, 2025Publisher: Park Row Review by Colin Mustful With a perfect mash-up of history, magical realism, and well-executed dual timelines, Sarah Penner has succeeded once again in creating a delightful read that is hard to put down. The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner takes readers to Positano, a small coastal village along—you guessed it—Italy's Ama...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit colinmustful.substack.com In this episode of "Fictional Footnotes," host Colin Mustful shares the journey of founding History Through Fiction, a small independent press dedicated to publishing historical novels. Colin discusses the challenges and evolution of his publishing approach, from starting with idealistic goals to embracing a hy...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit colinmustful.substack.com In Episode 2 of "Fictional Footnotes," host Colin Mustful takes you through a typical day in his busy life. From managing his hybrid press and editing manuscripts to running a pizza restaurant, Colin shares the ups and downs of juggling multiple roles. Tune in to get an inside look at his daily routine, upcomin...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit colinmustful.substack.com In this debut episode of "Fictional Footnotes," host Colin Mustful dives into the world of publishing, exploring the differences between hybrid and traditional publishing. Prompted by a recent Substack discussion between Jane Friedman and Brooke Warner, Colin shares his personal journey from vanity press pitfal...