Book Shop Chats:

Lily Parker shares her journey from secret writer to published author with three rom-coms releasing in rapid succession in 2024. Her insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of writing communities, and embracing vulnerability provide inspiring guidance for aspiring authors. • Struggled with imposter syndrome before admitting her dream of becoming a published author • Formed essenti...

Victor Suthammanont shares his journey from aspiring playwright to debut novelist with "Hollow Spaces," a dual-timeline thriller about a man acquitted of murder and his children who, decades later, attempt to determine his true guilt or innocence. • Former actor and current lawyer who balanced creative writing throughout his career • Drew inspiration from a New York Times article about a...

Vicki Ann Bush returns to discuss her Alex McKenna paranormal YA series, exploring how she develops this gifted psychic protagonist through increasingly darker supernatural mysteries across multiple books. Author Bio Originally from New York, Vicki-Ann currently resides in the Pacific Northwest. Writing Young Adult paranormal, she finds inspiration from events that have been in her life for as lon...

Michelle Young unveils the extraordinary story of Rose Valland, an art historian and resistance spy who gathered intelligence for the Monuments Men during WWII Paris. She explores how this highly decorated war hero faded into obscurity despite her crucial role in tracking Nazi-looted art across Europe. Book Blurb:  A riveting and stylish saga set in Paris during World War II, The Art Spy uncovers...

Victoria and fantasy author Erica Rose Eberhart discuss the delicate balance between creating books, promoting them, and maintaining creative energy while avoiding burnout. • Erica shares details about her debut novel "Tarnished" and the upcoming releases in her Elder Tree series • The importance of scheduling intentional breaks and "blackout dates" to prevent creative burnout...

Selena Violet shares the journey of her romance trilogy "What We Can't Have," which started as a poem she wrote for her middle school students and evolved into a three-book series about characters connected by one life-changing song. • Story revolves around college students Sidney and Austin who reluctantly partner on a music project • The trilogy follows their "When Harry Met...

Danielle, author and visibility strategist, shares her journey of re-releasing her book "Beauty in the Breaking" with a new perspective gained from her own healing journey. Her approach balances heavy topics like trauma, domestic violence, and PTSD with hope, demonstrating how characters can overcome their past. • Revising a previously published book after personal growth and healing • U...

Victoria Jane speaks with fantasy author Brittany Renew about her new adult romantic fantasy series "Riley Jordan and the Fire Prophecies" and the creative process behind building magical worlds. Brittany shares how a dream in 2009 sparked her entire series concept, which she describes as "Percy Jackson meets Narnia, but for grown-ups." • Book one "Lion of Fire" featu...

Khushi T Saha joins Victoria to discuss her steamy romance novel "Free Fall" and her journey writing authentic stories that explore the South Asian-American experience. • Writing romance with South Asian representation that explores identity and finding love • Balancing between two cultures and navigating different expectations for women and men • The challenges of writing from a male pe...

Ashley Hawthorne reveals her journey from writing fan fiction during COVID lockdowns to becoming a published author of contemporary romantic suspense novels. She discusses how finding an online writing community transformed her passion into a sustainable career. • Found a supportive Discord server with experienced authors who guided her publishing journey • Writes contemporary romantic suspense wh...

Dustin Archibald takes us into the world of the Asha Anderson series, where a teen girl discovers she has superpowers in a world without superheroes and must learn through trial and error alongside her friends. • Teen protagonist Asha must navigate newfound powers without mentors or guides • Series combines superhero elements with relatable teenage struggles like bullying and family issues • Autho...

Lori Wren shares how a trip to Pompeii inspired her mythological retelling "Meddromeda," which she wrote primarily in her phone's notes app during her children's hockey practices. • Reimagining Medusa's story from a more compassionate perspective, showing humanity before monstrosity • Navigating the self-publishing process as a newcomer to the industry • Building unexpecte...

Nigerian Christian romance author Enewerome shares her journey from childhood stories to publishing her debut novel "Ready to be Loved by You" while navigating international publishing challenges. Her passion, persistence, and faith-based approach to storytelling demonstrate how indie authors can overcome obstacles through consistency and confidence in their unique vision. • Started writ...

Dan Desai Martin shares his debut fantasy novel "In the Shadow of the Sanctum" and discusses his ten-year journey from idea to publication with Gold Dust Publishing. • Dan's background in religious studies heavily influenced his world-building • Fantasy allows creators to explore complex religious and societal dynamics in unique settings • Rejection is part of the process and doesn&...

Victoria Jane welcomes author Amanda Stacey to discuss her reimagined Lilith story, the journey from stay-at-home mom to published author, and the unexpected self-discovery that came from creating a strong female protagonist. • Amanda's book features Lilith as a monster hunter in a dual-timeline narrative that explores her history and present • The real monsters in her story are often ordinar...

Victoria Jane welcomes Maggie Hoopis to discuss her debut novel "Grace of Dragons," a genre-blending Western romantasy featuring dragons instead of horses and a strong female lead who knows exactly who she is. • "Grace of Dragons" combines Western elements with fantasy and romance • Maggie created the book as a "palette cleanser" between heavier reads • Writing proces...

Victoria welcomes Jasmine C Caldwell to discuss her eleven published books and her mission to flip tired romance tropes on their head. Jasmine shares how frustration with the "nerdy girl makeover" narrative inspired her Geek Girl Squad series featuring confident women with their own fandoms who expect men to prove they're "nerdy enough" to date them. • Writing romance for...

Friends this episode is full of wisdom! Grab an iced coffee and get your steps in. J.M Frey shares the extraordinary journey of her latest novel "Time and Tide," a sapphic Regency romance that made the New York Times Best Romance Books of the Year list after a 16-year path to publication. • From idea to New York Times recognition: how a visit to the Jane Austen Center sparked a time-slip...

Victoria Jane welcomes fantasy and contemporary romance author KC Harper to discuss her publishing journey and creative process. Casey shares insider perspectives on traditional publishing, genre-switching, and character development techniques while revealing both the rewards and challenges of the author life. • From voracious reader to published author after a simple challenge from her husband •...

Collaboration can be a powerful catalyst for creativity, as Amanda and Lisa Marie share in this episode about their journey of writing a book together. They delve into the dynamics of co-authoring, navigating marketing challenges, and the importance of supporting each other in both writing and in-person events. • Exploring the process of co-writing and its benefits   • Discussing their unique char...

What if storytelling could be your path to healing and transformation? Amy's candid revelations about how writing has been her therapeutic outlet highlight the profound cathartic power of storytelling, and she offers insights into her prolific year, which also saw the release of "The Assist," a spicy soccer romance, and a novella within the Teleosis universe. We also discuss the uni...

Step into the shadowy world of horror writing as Rami Unger takes us on his spine-chilling journey from a young Stephen King enthusiast to a master of the macabre. Discover how a fateful encounter with "It" at the age of 11 ignited his passion for horror, setting him on the path to becoming a celebrated author. With his upcoming book, "Symphony for Walpurgis," on the horizon, l...

Join us as we chat with author Kelly Ohlert who shares her personal journey through both traditional and self-publishing. Discover the intricacies of these two paths and what it truly takes to maintain your connection with readers while juggling life's many responsibilities. Kelly highlights the invaluable role of critique partners and the growth that stems from mutual support and honest feed...

Victoria chats with Adam Bassett about his latest book release, focusing on the importance of community within the indie author space and the journey from short stories to full novels. Adam shares valuable insights on marketing, creative exploration, and the unique challenges indie authors face in the publishing world.   • Adam shares the evolution of his latest book from a short story collection...

Tom Tracy shares how his journey as a self-published children's book author has been driven by a desire for representation and authenticity in children's literature. He emphasizes the importance of community and emotional connectivity in storytelling, along with practical marketing strategies for independent authors.   • Importance of representation in children's books   • The impac...