While the pandemic was a difficult time for many, it reignited Ali’s passion for reading—and eventually, her own writing. She and I bonded over our mutual dislike of a certain MMC, and from there our Instagram friendship grew.
We discuss how no one really has their 20s figured out, and how making mistakes, learning from them, and taking accountability is part of the process. Ali has such a detailed and thoughtful approach to reviewing, balancing the expectations of ARCs with her personal reading preferences, and even navigating those tricky DNF decisions. And while I first invited her on as a Bookstagrammer, it turns out she’s also a romance author!
Unlike most, Ali isn’t a Chaol hater, and she has a well-thought-out reason for it that she shares in this episode. Our conversation touches on some big topics, from motherhood and the choices surrounding it, to why classifying romance as “clean” vs. “non-clean” can be harmful. Ali also shares her thoughts on reader preferences and why no one should be shamed for what they enjoy.
Spoiler warnings for the Throne of Glass series apply!
AJ’s debut novel Oblivion’s Hymn launches next week, and she’s giving female friendships the spotlight they deserve. But her story goes deeper—what happens when life doesn’t follow the plan you thought it would? Spoiler: very few of us have it all together.
In this episode, we chat about:
✨ The “supportive partners” era and why it matters.
✨ AJ’s experience living with endometriosis and how it’s shaped her journey.
✨ What really goes into commissioning a book cover.
✨ The honest inner monologue of an indie author gearing up for launch.
✨ Why finding the right readers matters more than chasing the masses.
✨ Her unconventional take on writing spice.
AJ’s refreshingly real perspective makes this episode a must-listen—just in time to celebrate her debut release.
You can find her on Instagram here.
Vanessa has been such an inspiration to me in the author space, and in this episode she’s as authentic as ever. We chat about tackling creative burnout, battling the comparison game, and the surprising moment she made me realize I actually do edit as I go.
Most authors won’t change their book covers mid series, but Vanessa had a very good reason for doing this, and she talks us through it. But also, how her faith influences the stories she writes, and small glimpse of what it looks like to juggle motherhood and authorship.
We also dig into subscription boxes, hybrid publishing, and why trying again doesn’t mean you’re behind—it means you’re still in the game.
Plus, my border collie puppy makes a guest appearance!
You can find her Instagram profile here.
If there’s one thing you’ll take away from this episode, it’s Kristen’s fearlessness. She’s not afraid to put herself out there, challenge the norm, and even write something as a joke—only to have it take off in the best way possible.
We dive into her debut Alex Bain series, her worldbuilding process, and the question every author faces: how do you put your own stamp on a story when nothing is truly “original” anymore?
Other highlights include:
✨ The struggle of drumming up commitment for later books in a series—and why standalones and duologies are on the rise.
✨ The growth of indie-to-trad or hybrid publishing, and how to decide what’s right for you.
✨ Why all of Kristen’s series may share fantasy roots, but each feels completely unique (even if they’re all connected!)
✨ Pen names, day jobs, and the reality of being “discovered.”
✨ Balancing motherhood, marriage, and a full-time job while still chasing your writing dreams.
And of course—we wrap it up with a good dose of girl power.
You can find Kristen's instagram account here.
Catie is a multi-genre author who’s carving out her own path in the indie space. We chat about everything from the challenges of getting podcast spots if you’re not writing romantasy, to why she started interviewing indie authors on her own page.
She pulls back the curtain on the financial realities of book events, how to decide whether a pen name makes sense, and just how far in advance authors can really plan their publishing schedules.
We also dive into:
✨ Making sci-fi and romantasy feel less intimidating (while keeping them immersive).
✨ Representation in her stories—including a fierce female lead in STEM.
✨ Why feedback is an art form, and how to ask for the kind you actually need.
✨ Giving “unlikable” characters a chance, and questioning what really makes someone good vs. bad.
Content warning: We do discuss Throne of Glass series spoilers!
If you want to connect with Catie, you can find her Instagram here.
Content Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics including child abuse, trauma in the medical field, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse.
Maddie is proof of the magic that happens when you put yourself out there and take a chance on the unknown. Her fascination with gothic literature opened the door to her interest in psychiatric medicine—something she taught me a lot about in this episode.
Drawing from her own experiences with trauma, Maddie has turned pain into purpose. We explore the nature vs. nurture debate—are monsters born, or do we create them?—and dive into her unique decision to create vampires with a soul in her debut novel, Mortals End.
She also shares the medical reasoning behind why we fear what we don’t understand, defines what it means to be a gothic literature romance author, and reflects on Anne Rice’s legacy—what modern urban fantasy authors can still learn from the trail she blazed.
You can connect with Maddie on her instagram here.
Loving the story you’re writing matters—especially when you're living with it for months (or years!). AJ’s debut was inspired by the fun of zodiac signs, which she knew would translate perfectly into a rich, character-driven story.
We chat about why more authors are leaning toward standalones and duologies, and AJ walks us through her decision to debut with a standalone. She shares her approach to handling conflicting feedback, identifying your ideal reader, and asking for what you need as an author.
Her worldbuilding? Deep and immersive. Her love for X-Men and superheroes? A shared obsession that led us both into the urban fantasy space.
We also dig into the power of comps—why they matter in marketing, and how inspiration can come from anywhere.
Content Warning: We discuss dark romance and romantasy themes that may be sensitive for some listeners. AJ emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for your reading choices while still pushing to explore the deeper layers of the human psyche.
You can follow AJ here.
Podcasts may be trendy—but they’re here to stay, especially with creators like Kara leading the charge. Kara’s all about building genuine community, and our own connection is proof of that. She’s a huge inspiration to my podcasting career.
In this episode, she shares how her journey into podcasting began, how being a military spouse shaped her path, and how daring to dream helped her build a life—and a show—on her own terms. From landing her dream guest to knowing what sets her podcast apart, Kara’s story is all about taking chances and showing up.
We talk about learning to trust your taste (it’s totally fine not to like a hyped book), how she curates her guest list, and why we need to think about visibility, marketing, and diversifying our platform in this social age.
Oh—and don’t miss a surprise cameo from my border collie puppy, Sasha!
You can connect with Kara, here.
We dive into the Ali Hazelwood situation and the lessons it left behind—yes, it’s been resolved, but it’s a powerful reminder: authors are human, and if something doesn’t serve you, it’s okay to walk away without cruelty. We’re all here because we love stories, even if we don’t all love the same ones.
Jen shares her journey writing The Veiled God series—spoiler: it’s not a pirate book, no matter what people think! She took the brave step of writing a quiet, introverted FMC, knowing not everyone gravitates to that character type, but standing by her choice anyway.
We talk about the unpredictability of author life, the absence of a rule book, and how sometimes you have to get it wrong before you get it right. From balancing life as a working mom to drawing character inspiration from her brothers (built-in research squad!), Jen brings humor and heart.
We also touch on grief, growth, and healing—how writing helps her process the loss of a loved one. As a multi-genre author flipping between fantasy and romance, she’s all about learning the craft, finding what works for you, and giving yourself the freedom to evolve.
You can follow Jen on instagram here.
In 2023, Shelby launched a powerful growth strategy for her Bookstagram—and discovered a talent for video content and community building along the way. Passionate about uplifting BIPOC and queer authors, she’s used her platform to amplify diverse voices and push herself in experimenting and trialling new forms of bookish content.
But Shelby’s story doesn’t start there. From her roots in cosplay (yes, you can cosplay outside your body type!) to her role as a teacher advocating for inclusive reading—even in the face of book bans—she brings creativity and conviction to everything she does.
We dive into her candid takes on spice, dark romance, purity culture, and the patriarchy—and how reclaiming sexual empowerment through literature is a step toward greater diversity and representation.
Shelby also worked on Harper L. Woods’ Coven series and reminded me of something important: you don’t have to do it all. Play to your strengths and build a support network, especially when it comes to feedback and creative burnout.
We talk honestly about burnout, life milestones, and why giving yourself permission is more important than ever. Plus, Shelby shares what she’s exploring next—like her work with The Bindery and how it aligns with her evolving business model.
Spoiler warnings: ACOTAR & Crescent City
You can follow Shelby here!
What started as a competition brought us together—but it was the shared love of books (and some serious FOMO) that made Danni’s Bookstagram journey take off. Like so many of us, she just wanted to find people who got the stories she loved. Cue lifelong friendships, never-ending TBRs, and deep dives into theory threads.
Fun fact that totally threw me? Danni was in the army—and yes, we talk about it! We also dive into The Empyrean series and how she's surviving the wait for book four by devouring every theory social media can offer. (Let’s be honest—Fourth Wing hasn’t hurt us enough yet, right?)
We chat pen names and if they really matter, especially as indie authors like Briar Boleyn make waves crossing into traditional publishing (Bloodwing Academy, anyone?).
Danni knows exactly what she wants—starting with a magical sidekick full of banter, please and thank you. From cover reveals to ARC teams, we gush over the joy of hyping new releases and why this community is the real deal.
SPOILER WARNING: Onyx Storm
You can find her on Instagram here.
Sam’s got an impressive backlist, a passion for storytelling, and a big heart for the indie author community. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to shift from writing under a pen name to owning your voice with your real name. Her advice? If you’re scared, do it anyway.
Sam doesn’t believe in failure—only learning. She follows her passion, writes what she loves, and has built a recognizable brand by doing just that. From her love of Teen Wolf (both the ‘80s and the reboot) to her bittersweet goodbye to the werewolf series she adores, we chat about writing less popular subgenres, embracing sustainability in your career, and what it really feels like to finish a series.
We also dive into the inspiration behind her own podcast and why she’s committed to sharing everything she’s learned as an indie author. Breaking the algorithm may feel impossible, but Sam reminds us: community and visibility matter.
Her next series? Think The Craft meets teen rebellion, soaked in magic and nostalgia for the Buffy, Charmed, and Angel era we all still crave.
You can find her on Instagram here.
If you’ve followed Ve for any length of time, you’ve seen the real-life romance unfolding between her and Tony—it’s a love story worthy of its own novel. Like many of us, Ve joined the community because her friends didn’t share her reading tastes—and what she found was a space full of connection, authenticity, and lifelong friendships.
In this episode, we talk about how Ve sets bold goals, pushes herself outside of her comfort zone, and has built a bookish brand that includes services for authors and co-creating a book tour company. She reminds us that we shouldn’t be afraid to put ourselves out there - we’re only competing with the person we were yesterday.
We also chat about her predictions for the book space, including her Throne of Glass predictions (will we finally learn what Lorcan did?!), how traditional publishing is eyeing the indie space, and why representation matters—paired with the responsibility to educate yourself and do the work.
You can find here on Instagram here.
Spoiler warning for the Kindred Curse Saga
Romantasy rekindled Evelyn’s love for reading, but after making her way through the typical Romantasy books, they decided to create the stories they wanted to see more of. Enter: feminine rage, morally complex characters, and fierce independence. It’s a brand they wear proudly.
After getting some interest while querying, Evelyn chose to go indie for one major reason: retaining control of their story. In this episode, we unpack why they made that call, what it’s really like navigating indie publishing, and the thoughtful decision behind writing under a pen name. We also talk about the growing problem of book pirating in the author world, and Evelyn shares their take—plus ethical ways to access free books that actually support creators.
This is an episode for anyone reclaiming their voice, writing with purpose, and building the career they truly want. You can connect with her here.
Let’s be honest—we could’ve just called this the Bonnie Bennett Appreciation Episode. Sim and I go full fangirl over The Vampire Diaries (Damon + Bonnie forever, IYKYK), and we dig into how more urban fantasy authors are using iconic TV shows as comps for their books. Warning: spoilers ahead for The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Legendborn!
Sim shares how embracing his love for TVD helped him let go of old biases—and why representation should never feel forced. We talk about the importance of centering main characters from marginalized backgrounds, not just sticking them in as sidekicks.
One of the most meaningful parts of this episode? Connecting over our shared South African heritage and seeing how a dual heritage shows up more and more on Bookstagram. We all have more in common than we realise.
We also dive into Tracy Deonn’s Legendborn series and how it’s reshaped modern urban fantasy, plus the difference between morally white, grey, and black characters—and why readers deserve more nuanced women characters (stop giving men all the passes, Nesta discourse incoming!)
This one’s full of hot takes, heart, and a whole lot of supernatural love.
Aileen is a bit of a rockstar in my eyes. She went indie back in 2012—before it was cool—and never looked back. In this episode, we talk about why she chose the indie route over traditional publishing, why she’s sticking with it, and how her research and backlist-building helped her create a sustainable full-time author career (AKA the dream for most indies!).
I was a huge fan before I ever hit “record,” so you can imagine how thrilled I was when she said yes to being on the show! We bond over our love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, and Aileen shares how a misunderstanding during her MFA led to the creation of her popular Alpha Girl series.
We also dig into the real side of author life—setting boundaries (especially when people don’t treat writing like a “real job”), balancing full-time work with being a mom, and the wild ride of producing audiobooks. Plus, Aileen discusses her inspiration for her Days of Iron and Clay series-a gritty, magical series she describes as “a female John Constantine”—inspired by her dual heritage.
You can view Aileen's website with all her information here.
Gretchen’s got Swiftie energy, purple hair, and a passion for storytelling—and in this episode, we get into all of it. We chat about how her dual heritage influences her writing and why authentic representation in fantasy matters to her.
After publishing her debut in 2012, life happened: marriage, kids, an ADHD diagnosis (not necessarily in that order); and this led to an unexpected hiatus from both reading and writing. But with the break, she eventually found her way back to reading, and with that, her passion to write again. Her journey is a reminder that taking a break isn’t the end… it’s just a plot twist. We also talk about the behind-the-scenes grind that doesn’t always make it to social media, especially around her latest release, Smoke & Scar. Gretchen keeps it real—and we love her for it.
If you want to connect with Gretchen, you can follow her here.
If there’s one thing I took away from my conversation with Jordan, it’s just how much attention to detail goes into the worldbuilding of epic fantasy—often long before a single word is written. What began as inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons Campaign has grown into the immersive world of her Nightmare Novellas.
Like many of us, Jordan started writing because she had a story to tell. But she quickly discovered that the publishing world can sometimes feel like a numbers game. Still, she’s determined not to let that take the joy out of her process. Instead, she taps into her passions—like her love for the band Sleep Token—and we talk about how that connection weaves into her stories and helps attract the right readers.
Jordan is currently earning her master’s degree in English, and chats to us about how she made the leap into academia, how it’s impacted her writing, and even gives me a crash course in second-person POV.
If you want to connect with Jordan, follow her here and reach out to her. She would love to chat!
If there’s one thing I learned from this conversation with Kate, it’s that allowing yourself to dream is something we should all do more often—because when we do, we’re able to achieve incredible things.
When I first started working with Kate, it was under stressful circumstances, but now, a year later, she’s one of the best things to happen to me in my author journey. And I know I’m not the only one—several of her clients feel the same way.
Editor-author relationships are a lot like a marriage: behind every successful author, there’s often an amazingly supportive editor. With authenticity at the core of her values, Kate’s priority is always supporting an author’s vision while providing the editing guidance they need. Her approach is flexible, adaptable, and deeply rooted in partnership.
We also dive into the importance of setting boundaries in business, the realities behind editing rates, and the reminder that while editing is an investment, editors are simply trying to earn a livable wage. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, it’s a conversation we need to keep having and creating awareness for.
If you want to connect with Kate, you can find her Instagram page here.
Relationships formed on Bookstagram aren’t always linear—just like life itself. That’s especially true for Rebecca and me, but that hasn’t stopped her from being one of the most fascinating people I know. In this episode, she breaks down what makes a beta reader stand out and why critical feedback is an important part in creating our manuscripts.
We also dive into representation in female main characters, how Latin and Roman history (literally) is Rebecca’s Roman Empire, and the influence of world history on storytelling. Plus, we discuss the evolution in male dominated epic fantasy and why that matters more than ever.
Rebecca’s journey has been anything but predictable—her double STEM degree, her career pivots, and even her approach to reading (tropes? No thanks, just give her the blurb!). She shares her love of poetry, even if it’s not for everyone, and opens up about her deeply personal cancer journey. Since recording, she has officially finished chemo(!), and we reflect on what it means to face one’s own mortality.
She inspires me everyday, and I hope you take a bit of inspiration from her journey too.
