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Hannah Selinger graduated with an MFA in fiction at 25, built a successful journalism career, got nominated for a James Beard Award, and still spent two decades wondering if she'd ever sell a book. She did. In this episode, Hannah discusses her acclaimed new literary thriller, Valley of the Moms, a sinister tale that plunges into the lives of wealthy, suburban moms (and dads) with deliciously dark secrets. Hannah also talks candidly about her winding road to publication, the difference between her memoir and fiction debuts, what she learned the hard way about book marketing, and the counterintuitive advice she has for debut authors that subverts conventional wisdom. In this episode, you'll learn: •Why the big advance isn't always the smart advance — and the career risk that almost no one talks about when debut authors earn out •How a real-life PTO kerfuffle became a literary thriller — and what it takes to transform everyday frustration into a compelling murder mystery •What actually sells books in today's market — hint: it's not The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, or any legacy media outlet you've been chasin •How Hannah wrote a novel in two months — her daily word count habit, her journalism-trained mindset, and why she doesn't recommend doing it quite that fast •The plotting vs. pantsing question — answered differently for every book — and why switching methods project to project might actually be the most honest approach •What a James Beard nomination has to do with getting a literary agent — and how one piece in the New York Times Magazine changed the trajectory of her entire career •The emotional difference between memoir and fiction — and why a bad review of your novel hits completely differently than a bad review of your life *To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop at https://shop.literaryprospects.com *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org, Literary Prospects Books: https://bookshop.org/shop/literaryprospects *More good stuff for writers and readers: https://literaryprospects.com Topics and Timestamps 0:28 – Welcome to Literary Prospects / Introducing Hannah Selinger 1:23 – What is *Valley of the Moms* about? 3:46 – The real-life PTO scandal that sparked the novel 7:28 – Craft: How Hannah builds richly drawn characters 9:26 – The dual POV, dual timeline structure — and why it works 12:05 – Hannah's writing process: 2,000 words a day, done in two months 13:29 – Plotting vs. pantsing — and switching between them book to book 17:06 – Why Hannah is drawn to the thriller genre (and what *Dateline* taught her) 21:21 – Fiction debut vs. memoir debut: a very different emotional experience 26:24 – The long road to publication: MFA at 25, book deal at 45 29:50 – How *Valley of the Moms* led to a two-book fiction deal 34:27 – Hannah's daily routine: juggling novels, freelance, and family 39:28 – What Hannah wishes she'd known: what sells books these days 42:02 – Hot take for aspiring authors: the big advance might not be the best advance 43:29 – The traditional last question: what's the *Valley of the Moms* theme song?

When Nicola Harrison graduated from college, her beloved professor told her NOT to write a novel because she had "nothing to say yet." So, she moved to New York, worked as a fashion journalist, and didn't publish her first novel until she was 40. Now, Nicola is a bestselling historical fiction author with four books and a devoted readership. In this episode of Literary Prospects, Nicola discusses her sun-soaked new novel The Island Club, set on Balboa Island, California in the 1950s. Nicola opens up about the winding road from fashion journalism to fiction, what it's like to write from three points of view for the first time, the 5 AM writing habit that transformed her productivity, and the real-life 1920s tennis star who inspired one of her central characters.   In this episode, you'll learn: •    How to find your writing community — why Nicola credits writing groups with keeping her accountable, sane, and moving forward •    The 5 AM Writers' Club — how waking up before the house stirs gave her two uninterrupted hours of pure creative output •    Research before you write — why she spends two full months researching before typing a single word, and why knowing more than you'll ever use is the key to authenticity •    Plotter vs. pantser — Nicola's honest take on why leaving room for surprise is actually a creative superpower •    Jumping into multiple POVs — what made her take the leap from single-narrator storytelling to three alternating perspectives, and how she pulled it off •    From journalism to fiction — how Nicola’s background in fact-based writing became an unexpected asset, and how she got past the fear of "just making things up" •    The road to publication — finding an agent, signing with St. Martin's Press, and why patience is non-negotiable in publishing •    Life experience is your raw material — the professor advice that stuck: get out, live your life, and then write  *To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop at https://shop.literaryprospects.com *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org, Literary Prospects Books: https://bookshop.org/shop/literaryprospects  *More good stuff for writers and readers: https://literaryprospects.com    Topics and Timestamps: 1:10 — Welcome & book introductions: *The Island Club* 2:00 — What is *The Island Club* about?  3:39 — How Nicola discovered tennis and found community as an adult 6:30 — Joining the 5 AM Writers' Club 8:47 — Why Balboa Island? The history, the frozen bananas, and "Bal Week" 11:19 — Real tennis legend Suzanne Lenglen, the inspiration behind Adele 13:57 — Nicola’s research process 16:54 — Nicola’s Writing process 18:41 — Plotter vs. pantser 21:34 — Why *The Island Club* demanded three POVs 26:20 — What draws Nicola to writing historical beach fiction 27:43 — From fashion journalism to fiction 29:16 — Growing up in England, and writing as a child 29:33 — The professor advice that changed everything: "You have nothing to say yet" 30:42 — Road to publication 34:03 — The Taylor Swift boost: how *The Showgirl* got a surprise viral moment 35:46 — What Nicola wishes she'd known before publishing 37:35 — Surviving book tours: why Nicola brings her mom along 38:24 — Nicola's new writing workshop for aspiring authors (nicolaharrison.com) 40:27 — Best advice for aspiring authors: find your writing community 41:39 — Theme song pick

What would happen if everyone in the world received an email (or telegram) at the exact same time, naming their true soulmate? This is the question Joan F. Smith explores in her thoughtful and original adult debut novel, YOUR SOULMAIL IS ATTACHED. But before Joan sits down to write, she has more than a simple question in mind. A self-confessed “extreme plotter,” Joan grounds wildly speculative elements and keeps readers turning pages with meticulous research and extensive structural outlining.  In this episode, Joan gets real about her process, the writing “rules” she refuses to follow, her obsession with TV pilot episodes, navigating publishing's unpredictability, and building a creative life that lasts. Whether you're drafting your first chapter or querying your tenth manuscript, Joan's practical, hard-won insights will meet you exactly where you are. In this episode, you'll learn: •The difference between an idea and a book concept — and why writing before you know which one you have is the most common (and costly) mistake aspiring authors make •How to make wildly speculative premises feel completely grounded — Joan's research-heavy, reader-first approach to world-building in Your Soulmail is Attached •Why extreme plotting works — how writing a 20,000-word outline before drafting a single scene can actually set you free •The unexpected craft lesson from screenwriting — why studying TV pilots and film structure gave Joan a story-shaping toolkit that fiction workshops couldn't •What reading in your genre actually means — and how recent your comps really need to be *To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop at https://shop.literaryprospects.com *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org, Literary Prospects Books: https://bookshop.org/shop/literaryprospects *More good stuff for writers and readers: https://literaryprospects.com Topics and Timestamps: 0:22 — Introduction & book blurbs for *Your Soulmail is Attached* 2:46 — About the book: the premise and Olivia Adler's story 3:23 — How Joan came up with the Soul Mail concept  5:05 — Would Joan open her Soul Mail? How her answer has changed 6:48 — Making speculative fiction feel grounded 10:55 — How Joan draws characters from real life…and then flips them 12:28 — Joan's writing process: extreme plotting, 20K outlines, and writing non-linearly 14:55 — Why the best ideas come in the shower (and what that says about our attention spans) 16:33 — Moving from YA to adult fiction; it’s not a “pivot” 19:14 — How a screenwriting course transformed the way Joan thinks about story structure 21:10 — Reverse outlining TV and film 24:18 — Has Joan always been a writer? (Spoiler: she submitted a story to Cosmo in 5th grade) 24:55 — The road to publication: MFA, Pitch Wars, and finding her writing partners 27:06 — What made her writing partnership the catalyst for everything taking off 29:44 — Dance as storytelling: how being a dance teacher informs Joan’s writing 30:28 — The Darling Killers podcast 32:07 — The difference between an idea and a book concept (and why it matters) 38:14 — What Joan knows now that she wishes she'd known before her debut 39:59 — Best advice for aspiring authors: read and reverse outline! 43:46 — The theme song for *Your Soulmail is Attached* (the movie/series)

After years of rejection, losing his agent and editor, and a creeping number of novels sitting on his hard drive, Amin Ahmad said he was writing one more book and then he was done. Good thing he did! Amin’s new book club thriller has critics and readers raving, and it’s been optioned for a limited series: proof that craft, persistence, and knowing your obsessions always pays off eventually. On today’s episode, Amin, a former architect and creative writing professor at Duke University, sits down to talk about his breakout thriller A Killer in the Family, a Gatsby-esque story of arranged marriage, family secrets, a wealthy New York dynasty, and a lurking serial killer. But just as compelling as the novel itself is the story behind it: years of failed drafts, lost agents, and hard-won lessons about what it really takes to become a successful author. In this episode, you’ll learn: •    Why failure isn't the enemy of good writing — it's the method •    The difference between a "discovery draft" and a finished manuscript (and why confusing the two stalls writers) •    How Amin uses index cards to outline without killing creative momentum •    Why building a writing community is as important as developing your craft •    The publishing industry realities no one warns you about — and how to navigate them •    How teaching writing accelerated his own growth as an author •    Why reading screenwriting books might be the best thing a novelist can do   *To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop at https://shop.literaryprospects.com  *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org, Literary Prospects Books: https://bookshop.org/shop/literaryprospects *More good stuff for writers and readers: https://literaryprospects.com   Topics and Timestamps: 1:22 — Welcome & introducing *A Killer in the Family* 3:16 — The elevator pitch: arranged marriage, wealth, and a serial killer 4:17 — The real family secret that inspired the novel 5:59 — The Great Gatsby connection & the Jersey Turnpike moment 7:22 — Writing under a new name & finding Amin’s subject matter 12:40 — Literary thriller vs. genre fiction: how does Amin label it? 19:37 — Place as the way in: New York, architecture & expensive tastes 23:21 — Craft: writing immersive settings without slowing the pace 26:35 — Managing time, POV, and suspense in the novel 31:10 — From immigrant to architect to writer: the origin story 34:59 — Finding (and keeping) a literary agent 36:59 — Writing is failure — and why that's the whole point 40:05 — What Amin wishes he'd known before his first book was published 44:44 — The limited series option & the dream theme song

Acclaimed author Lori Gold returns to discuss her new novel, KISS, MARY, KILL, and shares how rejection fueled her success, why she writes across genres, and the craft secrets behind her latest speculative novel. In this episode, Lori talks about the three-year journey of writing her most challenging novel yet—a speculative fiction story about three women who wake up living out the consequences of a party game. She reveals her process for managing multiple timelines and points of view, offers practical advice on novel planning, and shares how she navigated publishing setbacks by channeling rejection into "revenge writing." Plus, we talk about teaching writing, running retreats, and the reality of promoting books in today's demanding landscape. In this episode, you'll learn: • How to intertwine character arcs with plot to create emotionally resonant stories • Why planning your ending first saves time and creates more satisfying novels • Strategies for balancing multiple projects without creative burnout • How to develop fearlessness in the face of rejection and keep writing • What aspiring authors should know about the publishing industry before signing a deal • Practical tips for overcoming public speaking anxiety as an author *To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop at https://shop.literaryprospects.com  *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org, Literary Prospects Books: https://bookshop.org/shop/literaryprospects  *More good stuff for writers and readers: https://literaryprospects.com Topics Covered: • 2:09 - The Premise of Kiss Marry Kill  • 3:16 - How watching the teen TV show The Society sparked the idea for the book • 4:51 - The Appeal of Alternate Universes  • 5:56 - Female Friendship as a Through-Line in Lori’s work • 7:02 - Making the leap from YA fantasy to grounded adult speculative • 10:35 - The Craft Challenge - Managing three POVs, multiple timelines, flashbacks, speculative elements, AND a mystery with a dead body • 12:17 - Lori's Writing Process - high-concept premises, building character arcs, plotting the twist • 15:42 - Publishing Two Books in One Year  • 19:28 - Avoiding Burnout  • 22:17 - The Other Kiss Marry Kill - turning a title conflict into an opportunity • 25:19 - Novel Planning Essentials - The two most important things • 28:22 - Teaching as a Social Outlet - How instructing makes Lori a better writer by  • 29:35 - Revenge Writing - Using rejection to your advantage • 31:18 - Cultivating Fearlessness  • 32:46 - Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety  • 34:19 - Writing Retreats - Building community through weekend retreats  • 37:17 - Industry Advice  for Aspiring Authors  • 39:08 - Theme Song Selection for KISS, MARY, KILL

Olesya Salnikova Gilmore, author of The Fortune Tellers of Ru Daru, The Haunting of Moscow House, and The Witch and the Tsar, left a successful law career to write stories inspired by Slavic folklore, drawing from her own Russian heritage. In this episode, Olesya opens up about her path from attorney to published novelist, the role of curiosity in her creative process, and the family superstitions and immigrant experience that inspired her latest novel.  From the challenges of balancing motherhood with writing deadlines, to the reality of what happens after you land that first book deal, Olesya shares invaluable wisdom for writers at every stage of their careers.   In this episode, you'll Learn: •    Why curiosity—not just talent—is the secret ingredient to improving your craft •    How to know when your manuscript is ready to query (and why your first book might not be "the one") •    The real timeline from idea to publication, including the proposal process for multi-book deals •    Why rejection from an agent today doesn't mean rejection forever—even from that same agent •    How to balance research with creative freedom when writing historical fiction •    The power of writing what you're curious about rather than chasing market trends •    What actually happens after you get your first publishing deal (spoiler: the work isn't over) •    Why setbacks—big and small—are inevitable, and how to keep going anyway •    The importance of finding your unique voice by turning inward to your own culture and experiences •    How to structure your writing life around other responsibilities without losing momentum  *To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop at https://shop.literaryprospects.com  *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org, Literary Prospects Books: https://bookshop.org/shop/literaryprospects  *More good stuff for writers and readers: https://literaryprospects.com  Topics Covered:  2:44 - What is The Fortune Tellers of Ru Daru about?  4:43 - The spark that started the story  4:50 - Discovering fortune telling in Olesya’s own family's traditions 8:18 - Slavic folklore and superstition  12:25 - The journey from contemporary fantasy to gothic suspense  14:40 - Why historical fiction appeals to a former lawyer  14:51 - Using litigation skills to build complex stories  17:52 – The appeal of the 1920s   20:24 - "Women carry the brunt of survival"  20:47 - The strong women who inspired the novel  25:30 - Making immigration central to the story  25:54 – Olesya’s personal immigrant experience  28:50 - The research process for this book  29:13 - Finding academic sources  33:19 – Olesya’s writing process   39:20 – Becoming a writer  41:48 - Making the switch from law to writing   44:31 - The road to getting published  48:09 - What Olesya wishes she'd known before publishing   50:25 - Best advice for aspiring authors  52:58 - Theme song selection

What happens when a celebrated children's author decides to explore the messy, vulnerable truth of adult friendships and motherhood? Corey Ann Haydu takes us behind the scenes of her vulnerable leap into adult fiction with Mothers and Other Strangers, a dual-timeline story exploring friendship, motherhood, and the weight of secrets across generations. In this episode, Corey reveals the seven-year journey behind her stunning adult debut. She opens up about the fear of leaving her comfort zone, how writing for children prepared her to honor the gravity of childhood and adolescence, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your manuscript is walk away for months at a time.  Whether you're contemplating a genre shift, wrestling with point of view, or wondering how to balance creative freedom with craft discipline, this conversation offers wisdom earned through years of experience—and the courage to start over. In this episode, you'll learn: • How to transition between genres without losing your voice—and why constraint can be both limiting and liberating • The art of roving close third-person POV—techniques for seamlessly moving between multiple characters' perspectives • When to put a manuscript aside—how taking breaks and evolving as a person can strengthen your work • Character development strategies—finding the emotional entry point and building from small connections to fully realized people • The power of taking childhood seriously—why honoring adolescent perspectives creates deeper, more resonant adult fiction • Navigating vulnerability in a new market—what it's like to submit as an unknown after years of publishing success • Craft accountability tricks—why writing down your creative decisions (not just thinking them) transforms your work   *To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop at https://shop.literaryprospects.com  *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org, Literary Prospects Books: https://bookshop.org/shop/literaryprospects  *More good stuff for writers and readers: https://literaryprospects.com Topics Covered: [0:00] - Introduction [0:36] - Starred Reviews & Praise [2:09] - About Mothers and Other Strangers [3:05] - The personal inspiration behind the story  [4:42] - Transitioning to Adult Fiction [9:48] - Writing Childhood from an Adult Lens [12:05] - Mom Friends - the unique dynamics of parent friendships [14:45] - Point of View Choices - The roving close third-person POV and how Corey made it work seamlessly across four main characters [19:37] - Why May became Corey's entry point into the story  [22:08] – Corey’s Writing Process and the value of stepping away and returning with fresh perspective [27:55] - From Actor to Writer - Corey's journey from theater conservatory to realizing writing was her true calling [30:50] - Road to Publication [39:23] - Lessons Learned - What Corey wishes she'd known before publishing her first book  [43:56] - Teaching at Vermont College of Fine Arts - How teaching MFA students has clarified Corey's own craft and provided emotional grounding beyond publishing's uncertainties [49:26] - Advice for Aspiring Authors [52:26] - Theme Song choice

After spending four years crafting her novel and a full year querying agents only to hear "great writing, no market vision," Ariel Slick made the bold decision to self-publish her novel, THE DEVIL TAKE THE BLUES, a Southern Gothic tale set in 1920s Louisiana. The result? Her book now sits in 15 bookstores and has garnered stellar reviews. In this episode, Ariel shares her research-intensive writing process, the emotional journey of writing about complicated family relationships, her deep dive into blues music and Southern folklore, and, most importantly—the exact steps she took to successfully self-publish, from finding the right editor to getting that crucial review that opened bookstore doors. You’ll learn: •    How to transition from "aspiring writer" to published author without waiting for traditional publishing gatekeepers •    The step-by-step self-publishing process: editing, cover design, launch strategy, and the tools that actually work •    How to get your self-published book into bookstores and libraries using editorial reviews and personalized outreach •    Why you should skip Facebook ads when starting out (and what free marketing to focus on instead) •    The outlining method that syncs character development with plot (Story Genius by Lisa Cron) •    Why Kirkus Reviews matter and how to leverage them to gain credibility with bookstores •    How to overcome the stigma of self-publishing (spoiler: quality writing trumps everything)  *To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop at https://shop.literaryprospects.com *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org, Literary Prospects Books: https://bookshop.org/shop/literaryprospects  *More good stuff for writers and readers: https://literaryprospects.com  Topics Covered: [02:35] What The Devil Take the Blues is about [03:26] The spark behind the story [04:28] Why the 1920s Louisiana setting [05:33] Writing as a love letter: Processing a complicated sister relationship  [07:31] Research deep dive: blues history and Southern culture [09:26] From fantasy to Southern Gothic: Why Ariel switched genres  [11:12] Southern folklore and mythology [13:11] The devil character [14:38] Writing process part 1: Brainstorming, asking "why," and finding the theme [16:00] Writing process part 2: Outlining with Story Genius by Lisa Cron [18:17] Becoming a writer [19:56] Ariel's road to publication [20:46] Agent rejection: a year of querying with no bites [21:48] The self-publishing decision: Creating Hell or High Water Books [22:34] Self-publishing process: Editing, hiring specialist cover designers, and launch resources [24:27] Book launch strategy: Using Joanna Penn's How to Market a Book and APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur [25:03] Getting into bookstores: The Kirkus review strategy that opens doors [25:48] Bookstore outreach: Using NetGalley, editorial reviews, and personalized emails to pitch bookstores [27:21] Marketing mistakes to avoid: Why Facebook and Instagram ads aren't worth it for unknown authors [28:54] Advice for aspiring authors [31:17] Theme song pick: "Crossroad Blues" by Robert Johnson

Malcolm Kempt spent 17 years as a criminal lawyer in the remote Canadian Arctic before trading the courtroom for full-time writing. His journey from law to literature led to his critically acclaimed debut crime novel, A Gift Before Dying. In this episode, Malcolm shares how isolation in one of the world’s harshest landscapes shaped his atmospheric storytelling, why he chose to write crime over horror despite his love for the genre, and the unconventional path that led him from a $500 ice cream trailer to a two-book deal with Penguin Random House. He opens up about his "waste books" writing method, the importance of deep focus in a distracted world, and why aspiring authors should put down their phones and pick up their pens.  In this episode, you'll learn: •    How lived experience fuels authentic storytelling – Malcolm's 17 years in the Arctic provided the foundation for his debut novel's setting and themes •    The "waste books" method for overcoming writer's block – A historical approach to capturing ideas without pressure •    How Malcolm balanced his love of horror with his background in criminal law •    How online workshops and critique groups helped Malcolm develop his craft in isolation •    Why eliminating phone distractions is essential for deep creative work •    The reality of the publishing journey – From winning an unpublished manuscript award to landing a major book deal *To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop at https://shop.literaryprospects.com *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org, Literary Prospects Books: https://bookshop.org/shop/literaryprospects *More good stuff for writers and readers: https://literaryprospects.com Topics covered: [0:00] Introduction to Malcolm Kempt and A Gift Before Dying [2:28] What is A Gift Before Dying about? Crime novel meets ghost story [4:30] The spark: A spate of suicides in Cape Dorset that haunted Malcolm [6:45] Why the Arctic? Places where "the veil is thin"  [9:15] Balancing horror influences with crime fiction [11:30] How Malcolm ended up as a lawyer in the Canadian Arctic [15:00] Creating characters: Sergeant Cole and 10-year-old Malik [19:45] The moral complexity of justice in isolated communities  [23:00] Malcolm's writing process: Cinematic thinking and "tent pole" images  [27:15] The "waste books" method for capturing ideas  [30:00] Architect vs. archeologist: Finding structure in chaos  [33:45] Malcolm's creative origin story: Music, art, and writing [38:00] Finding community through Lit Reactor workshops [42:15] The pandemic decision: Leaving law to write full-time  [45:30] Financing the dream: Running an ice cream trailer while writing [49:00] The road to publication: From award to agent to two-book deal [54:00] Current writing routine with a 3-year-old [56:30] The unexpected joy of reconnecting with people from your past [58:45] Best advice for aspiring authors: Get off your phone  [1:05:00] Balancing social media demands with deep creative work [1:11:30] Dream casting and theme song for the adaptation [1:14:45] Closing thoughts

What happens when you weave together three centuries of women's stories, religious trauma, and a curse that won't let go? Author Kristi DeMeester takes us deep into the haunting world of DARK SISTERS—a multi-generational horror epic that explores shame, rage, and the power of accepting all parts of ourselves.  In this episode, Kristi opens up about her personal journey growing up in fundamentalist religion and mega churches, and how those experiences shaped the themes of religious persecution, purity culture, and feminine rage in her work. She also shares her path to publication, from years of querying and rejection to a life-changing book deal, why she fought writing horror for so long, and why the term "literary horror" isn’t her favorite.  In this episode, you'll learn: • How journaling became the foundation for Dark Sisters • How Kristi developed three timelines (the maid, the mother, and the crone) to tell the complete story she needed to tell • Why accepting all parts of yourself means being willing to see what's wrong and apologize—not just blindly accept • How Kristi ended up with a "life-changing" book deal after years of rejection • How horror can offer comfort: even in the most horrific situations This episode is your sign that you don't need permission to write what scares you, and never give up! *To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop at https://shop.literaryprospects.com  *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org, Literary Prospects Books: https://bookshop.org/shop/literaryprospects *More good stuff for writers and readers: https://literaryprospects.com   Show Notes: Guest: Kristi DeMeester Books Discussed: •    Dark Sisters (latest novel) •    Such A Pretty Smile (Georgia Author of the Year finalist) •    Beneath •    Everything That's Underneath (short fiction collection)   Topics Covered: •    [00:00] Introduction and welcome •    [00:43] Overview of Dark Sisters and its three-timeline structure •    [04:28] The spark that started the story •    [06:38] Growing up in fundamentalist religion and mega churches •    [08:07] Purity culture and purity balls •    [08:19] How Roe v. Wade's overturning influenced the book •    [10:25] The three timelines and working with Kristi's agent •    [13:38] Writing process: alternating timelines vs. writing them separately •    [15:58] Camilla as the character Kristi might have become •    [17:47] Mary as Kristi's favorite character •    [20:09] Themes of anger, acceptance, and compassion •    [23:38] The importance of accepting uncomfortable truths about ourselves •    [26:13] The lore of the Dark Sisters entity •    [32:03] Coming to writing and horror •    [36:39] The comfort found in horror •    [37:21] Thoughts on "literary horror" as a term •    [39:17] The long road to publication •    [42:06] The life-changing book deal for Such A Pretty Smile •    [49:38] Advice for aspiring authors: don't be afraid to keep going •    [51:27] Theme song choice: Eartha Kitt's "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" •    [52:40] Dream casting for a Dark Sisters adaptation

Could a random scroll through Instagram turn into a debut novel? That's exactly what happened to Michelle Merrick when she spotted an Etsy ad for a 1920’s martini glass and immediately thought, "What if a person died holding this…and left their energy in the glass?" Four months later, she had a complete manuscript for her debut speculative thriller The Found Object Society.   In this episode, Michelle gets real about the writing life—the good, the messy, and the terrifying. She talks about waking up every morning to face the blinking cursor with a bit of terror, writing 2,000 words before lunch, and trusting her acting improv background to let the story unfold without rigid outlines. Her approach? Write the first draft fast and messy, take notes in your phone constantly, don't overthink it, and never give up. In this episode, you'll learn: •    How to trust your creative instincts even when you don't have it all figured out •    How Michelle wrote a first draft in 3-4 months without burning out (and why messy is better) •    Why attending writing conferences is the single most important thing Michelle did for her career •    How to build genuine relationships in the writing community (even if you're an introvert) •    How to keep going after rejection and use each manuscript as a stepping stone •    How to balance research with momentum so you don't get stuck in the details •    Why your supernatural or speculative idea might be exactly what readers need right now  This episode is an invitation to stop second-guessing yourself, release the pressure to write "the right way," and remember that you don't need an MFA or a perfect outline to build a writing career. *To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop at https://shop.literaryprospects.com  *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org, Literary Prospects Books: https://bookshop.org/shop/literaryprospects *More good stuff for writers and readers: https://literaryprospects.com Topics Discussed: •    [0:00] Introduction and book blurbs from Julia Barts, Fiona Davis, and Danielle Tristani •    [2:04] Plot overview: Greta Davenport and the mysterious Found Object Society •    [4:52] The spark: How a vintage Etsy martini glass inspired the entire novel •    [7:16] Character development and choosing historical objects (French perfume bottle, Elton John sunglasses, 1920s cigarette lighter) •    [12:04] Writing structure: Experiencing voyages chronologically with Greta •    [14:17] Research process for different time periods and 1920s slang •    [17:30] Childhood obsession with the supernatural and influence of her father •    [22:23] Themes of privilege, addiction, and wealth disparity in New York City •    [25:17] Daily writing process and using Scrivener •    [29:06] Origin story: From childhood poems to "I Hate Tuna" to short stories •    [31:49] Road to publication: Writing conferences, querying, and signing with an agent •    [37:30] Cover design process and fighting for the perfect visual •    [38:17] Best advice: Get out of the writing cave and attend conferences •    [40:33] Theme song choice: "New York Narcotic" by The Knocks

On this episode of Literary Prospects, we're talking with author Karen Winn about her sophomore novel, THE SOCIETY, the sordid Boston history behind the story; the secret society she, herself, may or may not have been a part of (wink, wink); balancing nursing and writing careers; the challenges of selling a novel before it’s written; and much more. * To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop. *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org,  Literary Prospects Books. *More good stuff for writers and readers at LiteraryProspects.com.

Comedian and writer Aaron Leidecker talks with Kelley about his debut children’s book BOWIE’S BACKYARD, his beloved blind dog that inspired the book, self-publishing and marketing children’s books, dealing with imposter syndrome, how his stand-up comedy informs his writing, and much more.  *Purchase a copy of BOWIE’S BACKYARD here * To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop. *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org,  Literary Prospects Books. *More good stuff for writers and readers at LiteraryProspects.com.

On our 99th episode, I sit down with the brilliant Marisa Silver to talk about her new novel, At Last, the strange interaction with her own grandmother at age 4 that sparked the novel, leaving film for literature, writing about “ordinary” moments, the enduring importance of art, and so much more. * To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop. *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org,  Literary Prospects Books. *More good stuff for writers and readers at LiteraryProspects.com.

Author Margaux Eliot (aka Julia Fine) talks with Kelley Vick about her new novel Honeymoon Stage, the early aughts reality TV culture that inspired the story, creating a literary alter ego, publishing in the post-covid age, and much more. * Support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch. Check out the Literary Prospects Shop. *For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org,  Literary Prospects Books. *More good stuff for writers and readers at LiteraryProspects.com.