Write the Damn Book Already

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Nadia Hashimi's newest novel (her seventh published book), City of Widows (William Morrow), releases in July 2026.  She's already published four books for adults: The Pearl that Broke Its Shell (which is an international bestseller), When the Moon in Low , A House Without Windows , and Sparks Like Stars , as well as two middle...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In this episode, Ann Garvin (who will release her 7th novel, Tell Two Friends , in September 2026 with Lake Union) discloses the often messy, unglamorous truth of how a story actually starts. For her, that's usually as some tiny thing Ann can't stop thinking about, long before it has a plot or even characters attached to it. ...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! The woman. The myth. The legend: Jordan Roter.  She's a TV writer, screenwriter, author, and one of the funniest and most genuine people I know. I truly could talk to her for days (and I'd like to, as it would preclude the need any sort of formal abdominal workout).  Her novel, Moms Like Us (2025, Little A), was recently optio...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In this heartfelt interview, author Cinelle Barnes shares her journey through writing A Way Home (Little A, June 9, 2026), a heart-wrenching memoir about remembering and rebuilding a life after everything known disappears in a flash.  Her latest memoir takes us alone with her as she recovers from a sudden ruptured brain aneurysm. But he...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In this episode, Elizabeth Lyons and Liz Lawson discuss Liz's journey from YA to adult fiction ( It Happened One Murder, July 2026), the realities of book launches, and insights into the publishing industry. She shares personal experiences, misconceptions about launch days, and the evolving landscape of genre categories. TOPICS INC...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In this episode, Joan F. Smith, author of Your Soulmail is Attached  (her debut adult novel), shares her journey through the publishing world, her writing process, and insights into navigating multiple editors, genres, and the realities of a writing career.  TOPICS COVERED Writing process and outlining techniques Navigating multiple edi...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Louise Marburg has spent years devoted to the short story form. So naturally, she accidentally wrote a novel. Her debut, Fancy Meeting You , features Laura Harrigan: a psychiatrist, mother of twin boys, and pathological liar who apparently had too much personality to stay confined to a short story. Louise and I talked about what it was...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! If you've ever thought "I could write a book about this" while watching a reality TV show at 10pm, you're going to love this episode!  Amy Mass spent years writing for TV (you might recognize "The Goldbergs" and "Last Man Standing" from her credits), and after relocating from LA to a charming smal...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Most authors don’t realize that publishing isn’t just about writing a book. Before long, it often becomes a full-on entrepreneurial rollercoaster.  In this episode, I talk with Allie Hill, author of the Girlfriend's Guide to Empty Nesting , about what really happens after you hit "publish." She reveals what surprised her,...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Rachel Beanland has written three novels (her newest, The Half Life, releases on July 14, 2026 from Simon & Schuster), and she's still surprised by how much each book teaches her.  In this episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to challenge yourself as a writer—specifically, her decision to write her latest novel, T...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Rachel Weaver wrote her memoir Dizzy at a seven-day writing residency in Wyoming where she was, by her own description, "the depressed one in the corner the whole time." The (ultimate) result? A beautifully structured, deeply honest book about chronic illness, power dynamics, and what it takes to keep living the life you want...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! If your book has been sitting in a half-finished state for longer than you'd like to admit, this episode is for you.  I'm in the middle of writing my seventh book — my first real attempt at fiction — and I'm not even going to pretend it's going smoothly. In this episode, I talk about what keeps stalling the manuscrip...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Lori is a traditionally published author of seven books whose latest novel, Kiss, Marry, Kill , releases April 7th with HarperCollins. Last time she was on the show, we talked about her novel, Romantic Friction . This time? We get into the business of publishing — the stuff most authors don't hear about until they're already i...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Ever wonder what happens when an academic specializing in medieval women’s visions suddenly writes her first novel?  In this episode, Jennifer Brown shares her unexpected leap from dusty manuscripts to publishing with St. Martin’s Press and how a canceled conference sparked her fiction journey—without a soul telling her she should. In t...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Many indie authors lose sleep over the idea of getting banned on Amazon. Honestly? That fear makes sense. It's not possible to guarantee that your account would be suspended or deactivated, but if it is, there are steps you can take to rectify the situation. In this episode, I'm breaking down what actually causes account suspe...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Creative careers look glamorous from the outside. The inside is usually…a little messier. In episode 160, I sit down with Liz Astrof , TV writer ("Stumble," "King of Queens," "Pivoting," etc.) and author of Stay-At-Work Mom , to talk about the real mechanics of building a career in entertainment and publish...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In this episode, I’m joined by Emma Grey , whose newest novel, Start at the End , publishes on April 7, 2026. We talk about writing brave stories and building a creative life that can withstand rejection. Emma shares how vulnerability fuels her fiction. Not for shock value, but how honest emotions earn their place on the page. We talk a...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In this episode, I’m joined by U.K.-based bestselling author Alexandra Potter , known for Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k-Up and her newest release, So, I Met This Guy ... We talk about her writing journey, the freedom (and risk) of genre versatility, and why she refuses to be boxed in (as should you!). Alexandra shares how she de...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Can you write a memoir without putting your name on it? In this episode, I tackle two of the most common questions I hear from aspiring memoirists: Can I stay anonymous? and What makes a book successful?  I break down why selling a memoir without a personal identity attached is tough. Readers connect to people, not just stories. And whe...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! It's critical to understand the dynamics of book distribution, the advantages of ebooks, and strategies for increasing sales, especially as an indie author. So in this conversation, I discuss recent updates in the self-publishing world, focusing on distribution platforms for authors, particularly the new option for ebook distributi...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Sarah Vacchiano’s journey from querying 100 agents to publishing with one of the industry’s top houses is a story of patience, "luck," and the power of building genuine relationships. In this episode, Sarah shares the behind-the-scenes details of her publishing journey, including how a chance reconnection with an editor led to...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! An elementary school librarian by day. A writer by night (and other spare moments). Somewhere in between, a whole book got written. In episode 154, I’m joined by Cassie Miller , author of the upcoming young adult contemporary sports romance Meet Me Under the Lights (Viking, March 2026). We talk about how she balanced teaching, writing,...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Fear of failure shows up early for most authors. And despite what you may think, it doesn’t magically disappear once you’re published. In this episode, I get honest about how fear, rejection, and unmet expectations quietly shape the writing process, especially in nonfiction and memoir. Drawing from years of editing experience (and my ow...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! In this episode, I discuss the significance of context in the author space, emphasizing the need for transparency in marketing. I also talk about that dreaded task: building an author email list.  EPISODE CHAPTERS 01:37 - The Power of Quiet Reflection 04:09 - When Navigating the Author Space: Context Matters 10:02 - Building Your Email...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! This episode starts with a question that’s been tapping me on the shoulder all year: What would it look like to choose ease without giving up momentum? I’m reflecting on the past year in book writing and publishing, and sharing what I’m carrying forward into 2026. Less hustle-for-hustle’s-sake. More sustainable progress that feels livab...