On the Write Track Podcast

In this episode of On the Write Track, Emily and Sarah sit down with Tigest Girma to talk about what it really takes to keep going as a writer. Tigest opens up about perseverance, writing through rejection, self-doubt, and long stretches of uncertainty, and why continuing to write and show up on the page mattered. We dig into her relationship with prose: how she developed and edited, and how she l...

In this episode, Sarah and Emily sit down with author Jill Tew for an unfiltered conversation about the dystopian genre and the hustle of writing. Jill shares how she’s making space in dystopian fiction by challenging white washed narratives, tropes and championing BIPOC voices, while weaving in romantasy. We dive into the misconceptions about the dystopian genre, what’s still missing on the shelv...

In this episode of On the Write Track, Sarah and Emily sit down with Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals, to talk about the journey behind her long career and “book of the heart.” Rebecca shares candidly about the perseverance it took to keep going through the ups and downs of publishing, changing teams, and even the health struggles of constantly being on deadline....

Join Emily and Sarah for a conversation with award-winning author Ken Liu — the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award–winning writer behind The Paper Menagerie and The Grace of Kings, whose work include both riveting short stories and novels. In this episode we dive into his journey, from making the leap to full-time writing, to navigating film and book industry opportunities, and explore how he b...

From a tech startup to bestselling fantasy author, James Islington joins hosts Sarah and Emily for an episode of On the Write Track for a deep dive into the discipline, worldbuilding, and creative instincts behind his craft and fantasy books. We explore how James made the leap from a tech career to full-time writing, how his indie beginnings shaped his career, and what changed when he transitioned...

In this episode of On the Write Track, Emily and Sarah sit down with Tina Mars, one of Bookstagram’s breakout stars turned debut fantasy author. Tina shares how a simple love for reading grew into a thriving online community, what inspired her to start posting in the first place, and the journey to full-time content creator. She opens up about the ups and downs of growing her platform and business...

This week, Sarah and Emily welcome bestselling romantasy author Nisha Tuli for an inspiring dive into building an authentic, sustainable career from indie to traditional publishing. Nisha opens up about her experience as an Indie author who has a South Asian heritage but also the fears of being boxed in, and how she hustled to grow her audience. We explore how she’s navigated the explosion of roma...

Sarah and Emily sit down to discuss what does it take to not only survive but thrive across decades in publishing? In this episode of On the Write Track , we’re joined by literary powerhouses Melissa de la Cruz and Margaret Stohl: bestselling authors, and co-founders of YALLFest and YALLWest, two of the largest youth literature festivals in the country. We dive deep into their journeys through the...

In this episode of On the Write Track, Sarah and Emily sit down with #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab for a conversation on what it really takes to build a long, sustainable writing career. From the breakout success of Vicious and the Shades of Magic trilogy to the beauty of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and now Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, Schwab has written across gen...

In this episode, co-hosts Sarah and Emily sit down with Katherine Arden, the critically acclaimed and NYT bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale, The Warm Hands of Ghosts. and Small Spaces , to explore her world of folklore, ghosts, and history . Katherine shares the inspirations behind her beloved Winternight Trilogy , how she wrote while traveling; the art of weaving magic and realis...

In this episode, Sarah and Emily sit down with Shelby Mahurin, New York Times bestselling author of Serpent & Dove and the Scarlet Veil, to dive into the world of romantasy. Shelby opens up about swoon-worthy romance, balancing the "spice" in her books amidst backlash; what romance means to people of different age groups, and her journey as a leading OG voice in the romantasy YA genre. She also di...

In this episode, Sarah and Emily sit down with bestselling author Olivie Blake to explore the intricacies of her routine and craft, the beauty in chaotic routines, and the power of authenticity. Olivie opens up about how she manages to write multiple books across different genres every year, offering insight into the importance of writing being her job. The conversation goes into her journey from...

In this episode, Sarah and Emily sit down with New York Times bestselling author Ava Reid of A Study in Drowning and Lady Macbeth, to dive into the art of multi-genre storytelling in speculative fiction. From exploring the grimdark corners of worlds to her chaotic writing routines, Ava opens up about the challenges and joys of writing retellings, and balancing multiple projects. She also discusses...

In this episode, Sarah and Emily sit down with Adalyn Grace, the New York Times bestselling author of the Belladonna series, to explore the journey of building a successful and sustainable writing career. Adalyn opens up about the challenges of preserving your creative vision through the editing process, sharing invaluable insights on how to stay true to your story while embracing feedback; her ea...

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Rachel Strolle, a dynamic teen librarian, programmer, and the communications director for YALLFest and YALLWest, two of the biggest young adult literary festivals in the U.S. Rachel shares her journey into the world of librarianship, where she not only organises engaging events with authors, but also talks about book curation, her inspiration that reson...

In this inspiring episode, hosts Sarah and Emily sit down with Mychal Threets, a dedicated librarian whose passion for books and community has made a profound impact with millions of viewers on social media. Mychal shares his journey into librarianship, exploring how his love for literature started and evolved into a career with his library; and PBS. He opens up about his advocacy for mental healt...

In this episode, Sarah and Emily sit down with Breanne Randall, the New York Times bestselling author renowned for her magical realism novels and going viral. Breanne shares her remarkable journey from aspiring writer to going on sub, signing with a press, to viral sensation, revealing the pivotal role social media played in her success. Breanne discusses her innovative strategies for leveraging T...

In this episode, Emily and Sarah sit down with the prolific author Gigi Griffis, renowned for her YA novel "The Wicked Unseen" and her groundbreaking IP novel and hit Netflix "The Empress." Gigi shares her insights into how to balance writing IP projects with the books of her heart. She delves into the world of marketing, the art of seamlessly blending multiple genres, and her lightning-fast draft...

Join us on this episode as Sarah and Emily delve into the world of subscription boxes and publishing with Daphne Tonge, the founder of Illumicrate and Daphne Press. Learn about the making of Illumicrate, the challenges and triumphs of running a subscription box service in the UK, the selection process, networking with publishing, it’s rapid growth, and the unique insights Daphne gained about the b...

Join hosts Sarah and Emily as they sit down with Ehigbor Okosun, the #1 Sunday times bestseller of Forged by Blood known, captivating adult fantasy . In this episode, Ehi shares insights into their creative process, discussing the inspirations behind their books and their atypical way of receiving their publishing deal. For those of you querying, Ehi talks about agenting, her journey, and difficul...

Join hosts Sarah and Emily as they dive into the fascinating world of foreign sales and publishing with special guest Agent Taryn Fagerness, a seasoned foreign and international rights agent. In this episode of they explore the intricacies of selling and acquiring book rights across borders, international trends country-to-country, what is hot and what is hard to sell, and the challenges and oppor...

Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Gretchen Schreiber a prominent voice in the world of YA contemporary and romance and celebrity book club curation. Known not only for their writing but also for their advocacy for disability awareness through fiction, Gretchen delves into the intricacies of portraying disabilities in books, advocacy, and what the publishing industry is missi...

In this episode, Sarah and Emily have the pleasure of interviewing Rani Shah, a South Asian author and the curator of Lilly Singh's library. Join us as Rani takes us through her writing career, which ignited her advocacy for diverse storytelling and led her to become an advocate for brown voices. Rani delves into her personal gripes of navigating identity as a South Asian woman in the publishing w...

In this episode, hosts Sarah and Emily dive deep into the world of library management, book curation, events, and creating inclusive spaces. Joining them are two librarian guests, Sean and Kathleen, from the Texas Public Library system, who share their invaluable insights and experiences. Sean, an interim division library manager, takes us behind the scenes, shedding light on the art of managing a...

Join hosts Sarah and Emily as they delve into the extraordinary world of bestselling author Victoria Aveyard. In this intimate interview, Sarah and Emily explore the details behind Victoria's remarkable book career, her social media, writing inspirations, and the keys to her longevity in the industry. Victoria Aveyard's electrifying debut novel, "Red Queen," captivated readers worldwide, propellin...