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We have a powerhouse duo on the podcast today. Author, Producer and Editor at Blackstone Publishing, Brendan Deneen and Aussie Horror God Katya de Becerra, whose newly release Adult Debut was edited by Brendan. We can't wait for you to hear all the incredible things they both had to say. But first, here's more about BrendanAbout Brendan: Brendan Deneen is the author of the award-winning novel THE NINTH CIRCLE as well as THE CHRYSALIS,  a 2018 horror novel that was optioned by Paramount before it was published.  He's also the author of the bestselling, four-volume NIGHT NIGHT GROOT picture book series for Marvel; the original middle grade graphic novel GREEN ARROW: STRANDED for DC Comics; and the bestselling novels MORBIUS: BLOOD TIES and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: ANNIHILATION from Marvel/Titan, and ALIEN: UNCIVIL WAR from 20th Century Studios/Titan. His next novel is the post-apocalyptic romance/thriller TRACER, which comes out in 2025 from Blackstone Publishing. His other graphic novel work includes multiple volumes of FLASH GORDON, an original ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS book, a CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST reboot, PHOENIX (with Jim Krueger), SOLARMAN (a reboot of a Marvel/Stan Lee series), and the original graphic novel SCATTERBRAIN.  His short stories and essays have been published by St. Martin's Press, Reader's Digest Books, 13Thirty Press, and Necro Publications.  @brendandeneen @blackstonepublishing  https://www.brendandeneen.com/ About Katya: Katya de Becerra writes atmospheric horror and mystery featuring determined characters, complicated families and enigmatic places. Critics called her debut What The Woods Keep “a thoughtful and compelling horror fantasy” (The Bulletin) and “a narrative that will keep readers enthralled” (Booklist), while her second novel Oasis earned a starred review from Booklist. Katya regularly publishes short fiction in anthologies and literary magazines. She is also co-editor of the bestselling anthology This Fresh Hell, which reimagines and subverts horror tropes in new and unexpected ways. As a child, Katya wanted to be an Egyptologist, but instead she earned a PhD in Cultural Anthropology and now works at a university, where she teaches and researches as well as supervises graduate students in Anthropology, Creative Writing and Education. Katya is a short version of her real name, which is very long and gets mispronounced a lot. Her third novel, When Ghosts Call Us Home, received two starred reviews, Kirkus Reviews calling it “haunting, intense, and eerily spooky”. When Ghosts Call Us Home is also a Best of 2023 Book as named by Kirkus Reviews, as well as an Aurealis Awards WINNER for Best Young Adult Novel and a Finalist for Best Horror Novel. When Ghosts Call Us Home was also shortlisted for the Shadows Awards in the Novel category. Her new novel, They Watch From Below is forthcoming with Page Street YA. @katyadebecerra https://katyadebecerra.com/

We had the best chat with the glorious human that it THE Melissa R. Collings. We can't wait for you all to tune in. But first, here's more about Melissa: Before Melissa Collings started writing women’s fiction and romantic comedies, she worked as a surgical physician associate in Nashville, where one of her favorite procedures was reconstructing a lower-lumbar tattoo after a back surgery. Her stories, like her, are always a mix: light and dark, laughter and tears, outlandish and grounded, beautiful and ugly, glitter and charcoal smears. Her interests are way too varied; her imagination never fails to get her into trouble; and she lives by her life philosophy: nothing is impossible, and everything is better with glitter—except surgical wounds. Find Melisssa: https://www.melissacollings.com/about IG: https://www.instagram.com/melissarcollings/

We had the best chat with author and all round icon, THE Clare Edge!Clare's new book NATURAL SELECTION sounds like everything we need, and we absolutely loved how intentional she is about everything in her writing career! We cant wait for you all to tune in! But first, more about Clare: Clare Edge is an author (and witch) who was raised in the Rocky Mountains, where she learned to be “bear aware” before she was taught about “stranger danger.” She’s a huge theater nerd and a recovering academic and is rarely found without a tarot deck nearby. Clare’s cozy middle-grade fantasy series Accidental Demons was a New York Public Library Best Book for Kids and a Cybils Award finalist. Natural Selection is her debut novel for young adults. Find Clare: Website: https://www.clareedge.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarewonders/

We have another agent baddie in the house!! We're so excited to share this episode with the absolute powerhouse that is THE Rita Veras!! Rita took us to writer class and we drank in every word! We can't wait for you to hear all the incredible things she has to say. But first, here's more about Rita: Rita Veras is an Associate Agent at Rosecliff Literary. She started writing short stories and poetry at a young age, inspired by her upbringing in the Dominican Republic. Rita is passionately dedicated to uplifting BIPOC voices, enhancing representation, and championing diverse narratives. For nearly twenty years, Rita has empowered countless entrepreneurs to become successful business owners. Now, with her results-driven approach, she has returned to the literary world to inspire aspiring authors on their journey to publication.  Rita is an award-winning published poet. Find Rita: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rita__veras/ Website: https://www.ritaveras.com/ Agency Website: https://www.rosecliffliterary.com/our-team

We have another absolutely badass literary agent/author interview for you, with the absolute ICON that is THE Jennifer Herrera! We can't wait for you all to tune in and hear all the amazing things she had to say, but first, here's more about Jennifer! Jennifer Michelle Herrera was born in northwest Ohio and has lived in Missouri, California, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania. She studied philosophy in graduate school before moving to New York City, where she became literary agent. She went on to represent New York Times bestsellers, IndieBound bestsellers, and winners of multiple prestigious awards. Jennifer lives in Philadelphia (go Birds!) with her husband, children, and two rambunctious kittens. She loves karaoke, making outlandish assumptions based on people’s charts, and, of course, taking care of her many plants. Find Jennifer: Website: https://www.jenniferherrerabooks.com/ Agency Website: https://www.davidblackagency.com/jennifer-herrera IG: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_herrera_books/

We had the best time chatting with the incredible human that is Danai Christopoulou! Author and Associate Literary Agent at The Tobias Literary Agency! We can't wait for you to tune in and hear all about Danai's incredible journey and wise words! But first, here's more about Danai: Danai Christopoulou is a Pushcart Prize nominated SFF author and editor. After a long career as a journalist and copyeditor (their articles and opinion pieces have featured in magazines such as Glamour, House & Garden and Marie Claire since 2004), Danai has been a freelance editor and new talent mentor for mentorships such as QueeryFest. Danai edits for Hugo-nominated magazine khōréō, and reviews short fiction for HavenSpec.Danai loves speculative fiction of all flavors, from horror and thriller to sci-fi, fantasy and romance, especially from marginalized voices. They are mostly focused on adult fiction, but are interested in Young Adult fiction with crossover appeal. Danai likes their fiction upmarket with nuanced plots, particularly from BIPOC, queer, neurodivergent and other traditionally marginalized groups.Originally from Greece, Danai currently resides in Sweden. Website: https://chronovoros.com/ Agency website: https://www.thetobiasagency.com/danai-christopoulou Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danaiwrites/?hl=en

We had the best time chatting with Aussie Fantasy Author Maithree Wijesekara! We can't wait for you to join in the fun, but first, here's more about Maithree: Maithree Wijesekara is an Australian-Sri Lankan author based in Melbourne. Graduating with a Master’s degree in Dentistry in 2021, she splits her time between telling people to please brush their teeth, and writing stories inspired by the fantastical and the real world. When she isn’t writing, you can find her attempting to finish her never-ending TBR pile and ingesting unhealthy amounts of coffee. If given the chance, she will slip in a mention of her dearly departed Labrador during conversation.  Find Maithree: WEBSITE: https://www.maithreewijesekara.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/maithreewrites/

It's Literary Agent season on the pod! And we are coming in HOT with the absolutely iconic queen that is THE Kiana (Kiki) Nguyen! Kiana (Kiki) Nguyen is a literary agent at Donald Maass Literary Agency. Kiki Nguyen started in publishing in 2015 with an internship with Wunderkind PR, independent book publishing PR company, working on campaigns with authors such as Ernest Cline. There, she discovered a practical industry for her codependent love of fiction. She joined Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2016 as an intern and is now an agent building her own list. Kiki represents young adult and adult fiction across genres, with a particular hunger for Horror and genre-Thrillers and a focus on queer and BIPOC authors. She has represented New York Times, USA Today, Sunday Times bestsellers, and award winning titles. We were obsessed with all the incredible things Kiki had to say, and we know you will be too. The episode is out now! On YouTube, Spotify, Apple podcasts and more! We can't wait for you all to tune in, But first, here's more about Kiki: Find Kiki:IG: knguyenbooks Agency Website: https://maassagency.com/kiana-nguyen/ substack: kiananguyen.substack.com - Have A Little Kiki On...an inconsistent, snack sized series where Literary Agent Kiana Nguyen shares her highly opinionated and unsolicited thoughts on the publishing industry, books, and tv/film.

We had the best chat with the author queen that is THE Dana Swift!! We can't wait for you all to tune in! But first here's more about Dana: DANA SWIFT started making up fantasy worlds when she was eleven years old and hasn’t stopped since. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned degrees in English and Advertising. Dana currently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and goldendoodle, Kala, who’s antics inspired the dragons in When Dealing With Dragons. Her debut, Cast in Firelight, and its sequel, Bound by Firelight, were published with Delacorte Press. https://www.danaswiftbooks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/danaswiftbooks/

We had the best time chatting with the absolute icon that is THE Barbara Perez Marquez! We can't wait for you all to join us, but first, here's more about Barbara: Barbara Perez Marquez was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, now she lives in the USA. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and writes short and long-form fiction. During her career, she has also been an editor, translator, and even a sensitivity reader for several publications and projects. Her work was first featured in a student collection in the 7th grade, which inspired her desire to become a writer. Since then, she's been featured in a number of literary journals, as well as anthologies. You can find her among the creators behind The Cardboard Kingdom, the Eisner-nominated graphic novel series about a neighborhood of kids having amazing adventures with cardboard. Her next graphic novel, The Library of Memories, is out in 2026. Find Barbara: https://www.mustachebabs.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/mustachebabs/

We can't stop thinking about our incredible chat with Grandpere's Ghost Swamp Author Rachel M. Marsh! We can't wait for you to tune in! But first, here's more about Rachel! Rachel M. Marsh grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she took field trips to Alligator Bayou and assumed the entire United States celebrated Mardi Gras. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University in New Orleans, where she studied English and Psychology and minored in Spanish. After graduating, she moved to Boston where she earned her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing for Children from Simmons University. There, she studied under smart and supportive professors. She made a strong group of friends who continue to write together long after graduation. She had the opportunity to work in publishing and learn under the mentorship of editors at independent publishing houses. However, she missed her home. She missed her family and now-husband. She missed crawfish boils and thunderstorms and every get-together brewing a fresh pot of coffee. And did you know, winter in Boston lasts about half the year!? She’s back in New Orleans now, where she eats the world’s best food and stays busy with her almost-hundred-year-old house. She works for the New Orleans Public Library, and her writing is represented by Larissa Melo Pienkowski at Azantian Literary Agency. https://rachelmmarsh.com/about

NEW EPISODE AND NEW YA Romantasy Anthology alert!!! We were so lucky to get to chat to both the editor, Shari B. Pennant, and contributing authors Jill Tew and Angela Montoya about their incredible stories and process for their anthology THESE KINDRED HEARTS. About the anthology: Not even a deadly curse can stop these Happily Ever Afters “Tenderhearted and filled with sweeping magical adventures, These Kindred Hearts vividly captures the beauty of love, promising thrills, hope, and happily ever afters. From first kisses to second chances, every story in this anthology is a must read for romance readers of all ages. Truly unforgettable.”—Ayesha Curry, Sweet July Books Seventeen authors from varied backgrounds come together to showcase the diversity of romance and celebrate the wild hearts of teens in this timeless, sweeping YA Romantasy anthology edited by Shari B. Pennant.A princess of the underworld is tasked with murdering her betrothed and questions the meaning of fate. An aspiring writer accidentally summons her own book character and struggles to send her new crush back to her fantasy world. An orphaned thief and a "Chosen One" must go on the run from a tyrannical empire. Two friends confess their feelings for each other in the middle of an earth-shattering apocalypse. A mix of cozy, high-stakes, and action-packed fantasy, and everything in between fill these seventeen tales that explore the power and magic of love.These Kindred Hearts includes stories by Alexene Farol Follmuth, Angela Montoya, Brent Lambert, Chelsea Padilla, Cheryl Isaacs, Jamar J. Perry, Jennifer Helen, Jill Tew, Kalynn Bayron, Kwame Mbalia, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Nia Davenport, Nikki T. Grant, Shari B. Pennant, Sophie Li, Vanessa Montalban, and Zoraida Córdova. These Kindred Hearts is “a necessary anthology” and “highly recommended” School Library Journal (February 2026)This “well-written collection” is “authentically rendered” and “shines in its creative magic systems and worldbuilding” Kirkus Reviews (March 2026)These Kindred Hearts is a “beguiling offering” of romance Publisher’s Weekly (March 2026)“With a variety of settings, situations, and sorcery…17 romantasy tales that we couldn’t resist!” The Honey Pop (June 2026)These Kindred Hearts “delivers a breathtaking journey from cover to cover.” BookTrib. (June 2026)OUT NOW from @zandoprojects! Get your copy here: http://sharipennant.com/these-kindred-hearts Find it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/242252635-these-kindred-hearts

We went on allll the side quests, chatting with the absolute queen that it THE Anna Mercier!! We can't wait for you to tune in, but first, here's more about Anna: Anna Mercier is an adventurer and life-long learner. After a decade of teaching, she's developed a raucous sense of humor as well as an intense love of connecting with others. She carries this into her books which often tackle heavy subjects with a promise of hope in the end- and there's always kissing. She channels her love of learning by co-hosting the writing podcast, Turning to Story. When she’s not cocooned around a laptop, you can find her baking, adventuring, or taking long walks with her dog named Duck. Her debut YA fantasy romance, ALL WE HUNGER FOR, releases from Henry Holt June 23rd, 2026. https://annamercierauthor.com/ @annamercierwrites

We were so lucky to get to chat with the one and only Tracy Yong this month about all things marketing, printing and community. We love hearing all the behind the scenes things, and we know you will too! We can't wait for you all to tune in. But first, here's more about Tracey: Tracy is a strategist and marketing communications leader based in Naarm/Melbourne. As the brand manager of FolioFox, she leads the content, brand, and marketing strategy for the business, writing with the purpose of guiding aspiring authors and small businesses toward their goals in print. About FolioFox:  FolioFox is a Melbourne-based commercial printer specialising in high-quality book and publication printing. Built on more than eight years of proven craftsmanship, FolioFox combines local production with modern technology to help authors, publishers, and businesses create books that inspire and endure. Guided by the tagline Print Your Potential, FolioFox delivers personalised service, outcome-driven solutions, and a commitment to keeping exceptional printing proudly Australian. https://www.instagram.com/foliofoxaustralia /https://www.foliofox.com.au/

We had the best time going deep and chatting with the magical human that is debut Author: THE Loretta Chefchaouni! We can't wait for you to join us as we talk about persistence in publishing, found family, and grieving living parents. But first, here's more about Loretta! Loretta Chefchaouni is a former early childhood educator from Florida who writes for teens. Her fantastical tales turn grief and fear into myth and monsters and explore all the scary parts of being human within the safe space of stories. Her work has placed in contests such as The Blue Pencil Novel Award and Voyage YA’s First Chapter Contest. She is an alum of the Pitch Wars mentorship program and the Highlights Foundation’s Muslim Storyteller Fellowship. The mother of mixed-race young adults, she is committed to seeing more authentic Muslim representation on the shelves. The Lustrous Dark is her debut novel, the first book in a YA fantasy duology and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, coming May 19, 2026. Her short story, The Little Sister, is included in the anthology A Thousand Nights, coming Sept. 8, 2026. Find Loretta: https://lorechefwrites.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lorechefwrites/