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Book Writing & Publishing

{The Blog}

Ep 124: From Attorney to Romance Author with Audrey Ingram

In this episode, author Audrey Ingram shares what inspired her newest novel, The Summer We Ran (coming June 3, 2025, Zibby Publishing). Think: teenage love, political ambition, and a dual-timeline structure that spans 25 years and manages to hit you right in the gut and makes you think.

We also dig into how Audrey traded in her life as a practicing attorney for full-time writing and mom-life. The decision to pivot careers during a pandemic? Bold. Brave. And totally intentional. Plus, it’s given her a fresh lens on fulfillment, feminism, and what it really means to choose your own adventure.

INSIDE THE EPISODE:

🎙️ Why the publishing world is actually a surprisingly supportive crew—and how connecting with fellow writers can keep you sane

🎙️ How redefining feminism helped her embrace passion over pressure

🎙️ Her 12-week first draft practice, and why editing is where the magic happens

🎙️ The role of trusted early readers (and how she uniquely approaches this step)

🎙️ How she ups ...

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Ep 123: Reality TV and Romance with Neely Tubati-Alexander

She’s back! One of my all-time favorite guests, Neely Tubati-Alexander, returns to talk about her third novel, Courtroom Drama. As always, she brings a refreshing, no-nonsense take on staying creative and productive in the unpredictable world of publishing.

INSIDE THE EPISODE

📚 Why Neely sprints through her first drafts instead of obsessing over every word

📚 How she embraces her "pantser" style (yep, she often writes the beginning and end first, with no outline in sight)

📚 What it’s really like to write books in the cracks of everyday life, and how reality TV, genre-hopping, and real-life fascinations all sneak into her stories

📚 Using the writing of the next book to stay grounded when the release of the current one is causing stress

📚 Why research is her secret creative fuel, from courtroom procedures to video game design

📚 How the evolution of publishing is finally making room for authors to explore their full range of creativith

Neely’s approach is honest, energizing, and...

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Ep 122: From Nanny Diaries to The Best We Could Hope For, A Conversation with Nicola Kraus

What happens when your first novel becomes a global sensation, and your next one takes nearly a decade?

In this episode, bestselling author Nicola Kraus (of The Nanny Diaries fame) gets delightfully honest about what it really takes to write, edit, and publish a book in today’s ever-shifting landscape. From the high highs to the humbling in-betweens, she shares what she’s learned about trusting your process (even when it’s slooooow), navigating a traditional publishing world that’s barely recognizable, and why writing in the present tense might just save your story.

Inside the episode:

  • Why her latest novel took nearly a decade to write and release
  • How editing is actually where the magic happens (even if it feels like a root canal)
  • The sneaky power of tense, and why it matters more than you think
  • What authors really need to know about publishing today (spoiler: it’s not just “write the book”)
  • The simple truth about how readers find books they love 

ABOUT NICOLA KRAUS

Nic...

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Ep 121: Lights, Camera, Book Launch with Noël Stark

This week, I sat down with debut author Noël Stark, who went from wrangling chaos behind the scenes in the TV and film world to wrangling words on the page, often in 15-minute bursts. Her novel, Love Camera Action, flips the script on Hollywood romance by spotlighting the crew, not the stars (and the 3 peppers on the spice scale are sure to attract an audience quickly.

Inside the Episode:

  • Why NoĂ«l intentionally wrote a love story about the people behind the camera.
  • How it took her three years to finish her manuscript (and why that timeline is totally okay if not to be expected).
  • The rollercoaster of Pitch Wars, querying 40+ agents, and the 18-month wait from “yes” to launch day.
  • Choosing not to read reviews during launch (because sanity matters, and confidence is a fragile beast).
  • Why she tailors content differently for Instagram vs. TikTok, and how showing up as her real self resonates most.
  • What’s next: a sequel that turns the spotlight on the actors from book one, and an
  • ...
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Ep 120: Writing a Novel (While Your House Falls Apart) with A. Morini

What do a flooded house, a nine-month (and still going) renovation, and a debut novel have in common? Angelika Morini.

In this episode, Angelika shares what it actually looked like to finish her first novel, Do You See Me Now?—while living in chaos (read: house stripped to the studs). We talk about why character development can feel a lot like falling in love with someone mysterious and how launching a book is less of a finish line and more like Mile One of a marathon you didn’t know you signed up for.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

  • The (not so) glamorous reality of writing and editing during a home renovation from hell
  • Why marketing Book One while dreaming up Book Two can feel like a  bit of a tightrope act
  • The decision to write in English (even though she’s German) 
  • Weaving the complexities of post-reunification Germany into her novel
  • The way she allowed her characters to show up and surprise her (no outline, no problem!)

ABOUT ANGELIKA

A. Morini is an author from Germany, who w...

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Ep 118: Jordan Roter on her Journey From TV Writer to Novelist

Have you ever sat through a back-to-school night and thought, Wow, this could be a novel? Jordan Roter did—and then she actually wrote it. Moms Like Us (coming May 2025 from Little A) hilariously unpacks the cutthroat social hierarchy of LA moms, complete with all the messy, cringey, and oh-so-relatable moments of motherhood and friendship.

In this laugh-out-loud episode, we chatted about:

🔥 Jordan’s career hops from YA author to TV writer (American Housewife, The Watchful Eye) and back to novel writing.

🔥 The painfully awkward school event that sparked her book idea.

🔥 Why juggling multiple POVs is like hosting a dinner party where everyone wants to talk at once.

🔥 Hollywood vs. publishing: one’s a chaotic circus, the other’s...slightly less chaotic

🔥 Writing the real (sometimes dark, often hilarious) thoughts moms have but rarely admit

🔥 The shift toward "radical truth-telling" in motherhood writing (because perfection is overrated)

🔥 And also...how she ended up with an Am...

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Ep 116: Beta Readers, Plot Twists, and Audiobook Magic with Nanda Reddy

This week, I had a really fun conversation with Nanda Reddy about her journey from "secret writer" to novelist (her debut novel, A Girl Within a Girl Within a Girl, just hit the USA Today bestseller list!). 

Inside this Episode: 

  • Writing without being "formally trained" (read: no MFA) and navigating the industry through persistence and determination
  • Evolving from a pure "pantser" to incorporating more structure while maintaining creative flexibility
  • The way many authors discover the perfect title organically after beta reader feedback
  • Suggestions for strategically working with beta readers  
  • Nanda's great suggestion (first time I've heard this one!) for navigating those "I'm stuck" moments we all encounter
  • Collaborating with an audiobook narrator when you need them to authentically represent characters from different backgrounds

About Nanda

Nanda Reddy is a Guyanese-American writer, former teacher, and part of an enormous extended family who mostly live in Florida where...

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Ep 109: From TV Writer to Author with Michael Jamin

What happens when a seasoned television writer known for his work on irreverent comedies such as Beavis & Butthead, Just Shoot Me, and King of the Hill takes a leap into the author world?

In this episode, Michael Jamin reveals the more personal and vulnerable side of his writing through his release of A Paper Orchestra. From navigating the intricacies of the TV industry to exploring the art of storytelling and the decision to self-publish, Michael offers an unfiltered glimpse into the realities of a creative career.

Michael candidly discusses the contrast between writing for TV and writing for oneself. His reflections on creativity, inspired by authors like David Sedaris, offer insight into the importance of staying true to oneself in a world full of (neverending) expectations.

You'll also hear about the joys and hurdles Michael experienced with the self-publishing process, including the role of social media in building an audience (as well as what led to his decision to abandon his qu...

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Ep 106: Writing Rom-Coms with Jane Costello

An episode that celebrates the joys of writing and never-ending search for inspiration, this laughter-filled chat with the incredibly witty Jane Costello, bestselling author of romantic comedies and women's fiction, also features the prep for the release of her upcoming novel (her fifteenth), It's Getting Hot In Here (Zibby Books, Feb 2025). 

Peek behind the curtain into Jane's disciplined yet creative writing world, where structured planning and spontaneous inspiration meet. We reflect on the highs and lows of the publishing world, where timing and market trends often dictate a book's success. Jane's candid reflections on social media book events also bring a fresh perspective on connecting with readers and the creative community. 


ABOUT JANE COSTELLO

Jane Costello writes romantic comedy books that celebrate all that’s great about midlife - and make you laugh about anything that isn’t.  

She's the Sunday Times bestselling author of 15 novels, five of which were published under ...

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Ep 104: Writing Personal Essays with Amy Wilson

Amy Wilson, the brilliant co-host of the "What Fresh Hell" podcast and author of Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser (Jan 2025, Zibby Books), joins me for a fabulous conversation about owning your story through writing.

We dive right into the real stuff—like what it’s actually like to share personal essays (and how to spill your truth without accidentally blowing up your family’s group chat). Amy opens up about her journey from writing the hilarious chaotic When Did I Get Like This? on parenting to exploring deeper themes, like people-pleasing, that resonate with an audience far beyond parents.

And for anyone out there staring down an editing deadline or wondering what in the world the publishing gods are up to—Amy shares some hard-earned wisdom. From her writing routines to her secret recipe for mixing humor with “let’s get real” moments, she provides an inside look at what makes her stories connect with so many people.

So, grab your favorite drink (and maybe one of yo...

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