Natalie grew up worshipping fiction and fiction writers like Roald Dahl, Douglas Adams, and Kurt Vonnegut. On many occasions she was in big trouble for reading all night as a child instead of sleeping, but that never stopped her. Fiction has been a sufficient substitute for reality on occasions when reality wasn’t cooperating. Natalie has been writing her entire life and has other completed works she hopes to publish. Natalie lives in Michigan with her daughter Annabelle, and her two cats; Bixy and Snax.   

Do not wait for the motivation. Motivation comes after action.

With school almost at an end, Alowen is ready to break free from her quiet life in the Arbor. She’s always wanted to travel the whole Element and write about her experiences. When she’s selected to attend the famous Element Party in underwater Baccha as a scribe, she wonders if she’s ready to step into her new life. Just as she begins her training, the visions come. Is she losing her mind? Or witnessing a terrible secret? What if the people they trust to lead their world are keeping the truth from them?  Follow Alowen as she uncovers the chilling answer.

Demi Michelle Schwartz is an author from Pittsburgh, PA, represented by Michelle Jackson at LCS Literary. She writes young adult fiction and enjoys the fantasy and thriller genres. Since reading and writing have always been  passions of hers, it’s no surprise she has stepped into the shoes of an author herself.

Fresh on the heels of securing literary representation, Demi received her first short story acceptance. Her Atlantis legend origin story, “The Scribe from the Lost City,” will be featured in Clio’s Curious Dash Through Time, an upcoming anthology by Wild Ink Publishing.

Demi earned BAs in Creative Writing and Music from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. With encouragement from her undergraduate English professors, she went on to pursue her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill and graduated with her degree in June of 2022.

Demi loves to engage with the writing community, and she was given a wonderful opportunity by NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) ahead of their 2023 Camp NaNoWriMo in July. As an author who took the annual November challenge for the first time in 2022, Demi was honored when she received an invitation to contribute to NaNoWriMo’s blog. She shared five tips for NaNoWriMo first-timers, and the article can be read on the blog here.

After signing with her agent, Demi was welcomed back by NaNoWriMo to write a second article for the blog. She spotlighted how the challenge played a role in her journey to literary representation and shared advice for other writers pursuing traditional publishing. This article can be read here.

In February, Demi appeared on the Rooting For U Pod to chat about her time in the query trenches. She had the best time sharing her journey with the hosts. From talking about her unique querying process to how she approaches cutting words from a manuscript and more, this unfolded into nearly an hour of sharing experiences, insights, and advice. Her interview on the show can be heard on Spotify.

Since studying in her MFA program, Demi has discovered her passion for critiquing other authors’ work, leading her to become a freelance fiction editor. She launched Amethyst Ink Editorial in March, where she focuses on developmental and line editing for full-length novels, novellas, and short stories.

Along with Amethyst Ink Editorial, Demi started another new adventure as the host of Literary Blend: A Publishing Podcast. Every other Sunday, she shares insightful conversations with authors, agents, editors, and other publishing industry professionals. The topic-based format of the show gives Demi and her guests the opportunity to cover the craft of writing, publishing business, and beyond. Through remaining inclusive, informative, and entertaining, Literary Blend has something for everyone, no matter where they are on their publishing journey.

When Demi isn’t working on her manuscripts and finding ways to further her involvement in the publishing industry, she’s busy chasing her other dream as an award-winning songwriter and recording artist. Whether Demi is writing a full-length novel or crafting her next song, she always aims to inspire and encourage others to shoot for the stars.

Natalie Broughm Socials – https://www.tiktok.com/@straightouttasalem

Demi Michelle’s Socials – https://demimschwartz.com/author-bio/

Why You Should Fictionalize Your Past Trauma

In this episode, I chat with literary agents Christine Goss at The Purcell Agency and Esty Downs of Art House Literary Agency.

This Shit No One Tells You About Writing

Writing Day Workshops

Christine’s Twitter

Christine’s Threads

Christine at The Purcell Agency

Christine Kelly Reads and Writes

Esty’s Twitter

Esty’s Manuscript Wish List

Esty’s Website

Esty at Art House Lit

I see myself as part scout and part bridge between what the publisher and their representatives are asking for and what the community is generating.

In this episode, Dana and I talk about Queer Joy Romance and what draws her to the genre. We also deep dive into her publishing journey.

Dana Hawkins is a queer mom of three humans and one Saint Bernard. When not searching the country for the perfect cup of piping hot Americano, she spends her time chasing her kids and rewatching ’90s movies with her spouse. After living for twenty years in Seattle, she recently relocated her family back to her hometown in Minnesota. She is a huge romance-genre book nerd and borderline obsessed with happy-ever-afters.

Free-spirited coffee shop owner meets uptight coffee addict. Is an opposites-attract match brewing… or burning?

Crushed under the weight of writer’s block and a looming deadline, Mack escapes from New York to Seattle. She meets Charlie, a beautiful, generous, nearly bankrupt coffee shop owner recovering from heartbreak. For the first time, Mack has a muse. And then Mack starts using Charlie’s private stories in her novel…

When a storm traps Mack and Charlie in the coffee shop, they share a mind-bending, knee-shaking kiss. But Charlie is an eternal optimist who sleeps with fairy-lights on, while Mack is an ironing-at-5am worrier who sleeps with… everyone. They could never turn this chemistry into something real, right?

And if Charlie finds out what Mack has been doing, turning Charlie’s most intimate secrets into a juicy page-turner, will they even have a chance to try?

A swoony, steamy queer romcom perfect for fans of Ashley Herring Blake, Casey McQuiston, and Alexis Hall.

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CHUCK SAMBUCHINO is a bestselling humor book writer, a freelance editor, and a former editor for Writer’s Digest Books for many years. During his time with WD Books (until 2017), he edited the GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS as well as the CHILDREN’S WRITER’S & ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET. His Guide to Literary Agents Blog was one of the biggest blogs in publishing, averaging more than 350,000 page views each month. He was named by Forbes as one of the top influencers in publishing in recognition of his personal Twitter.

He loves connecting with writers and helping them get published & sell more books. As of 2021, he is the executive director of Writing Day Workshops, which plans regional writers conferences all over the country (and some online conferences open to anyone, anywhere). Writing Day Workshops has helped dozens and dozens of writers find literary agents.

Besides that, he is a proud father of an adorable eight-year-old daughter (and her girl scout troop leader), a cover band guitarist, chocolate chip cookie addict, movie trivia geek, and owner of a flabby-yet-lovable dog named Graham.

In this episode, Riley and I talk about her upcoming MG debut Shay the Brave.

In addition to her 20 years as a firefighter, Kilmore’s been a cop and a homeschool mom. She’s leaped from an airplane or two, sailed around the world, and with her husband of 36 years has raised six kids. After earning her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction in 2022, she won the 2023 West Virginia Fiction competition judged by author Ann Pancake. Kilmore’s award-winning fiction and poetry appear in many anthologies. Today she and her husband enjoy their sequestered cabin home amid southern PA’s Appalachian mountains, where they watch over a persnickety mare, a dancing goat, their blabber-hound, Oji, and their tuxedo cat, Spooky Nook. She is the author of the upcoming middle grade story Shay the Brave, available now for pre-order.

Click on any of the covers to purchase these books today!

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I want every kid who picks up Shay to discover, hopefully to their delight, that someone has dedicated a book to them.

In this episode, J.K. and I talk about the buzz of launch day for a debut author. 

J.K. Raymond received her Bachelor of Arts from Fontbonne University in St. Louis in 1995 where she fell in love with everything in St. Louis and under it! Additionally, she obtained a Missouri teacher certification in 1995 for art K-12. J.K. continued her education at Fontbonne University in 2005 adding an additional teacher certification for elementary education for grades 1-6.

Morna JoAnn Stahr became the town pariah at age ten. Beyond her control, she managed to pull off a religious miracle, and try as she may, absolution never came. Sure, some things can be forgotten or outlived, but not this, especially if you’re a girl.

Just ask Mary of Magdalene.

Morna had been busy doing what seventeen-year-old lepers do best. She gathered what was left of the best pieces of herself and got the hell out of dodge with not a soul the wiser. No soul but Silla’s, who by all accounts would forever be included among the very best parts of her.

Now, one accomplice, and many miles later, Morna was slinging drinks at a local blues bar for tips.

New me, who dis, right? WRONG.

Beneath Morna’s newfound feet was a rag-tag horde of mythical beasties and one giant Judas furball of epic proportions. While they enjoyed it, they were not there for the music.

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Wild Ink Publishing

In this episode, Dana and I talk about Queer Joy Romance and what draws her to the genre. We also deep dive into her publishing journey.

Dana Hawkins is a queer mom of three humans and one Saint Bernard. When not searching the country for the perfect cup of piping hot Americano, she spends her time chasing her kids and rewatching ’90s movies with her spouse. After living for twenty years in Seattle, she recently relocated her family back to her hometown in Minnesota. She is a huge romance-genre book nerd and borderline obsessed with happy-ever-afters.

Free-spirited coffee shop owner meets uptight coffee addict. Is an opposites-attract match brewing… or burning?

Crushed under the weight of writer’s block and a looming deadline, Mack escapes from New York to Seattle. She meets Charlie, a beautiful, generous, nearly bankrupt coffee shop owner recovering from heartbreak. For the first time, Mack has a muse. And then Mack starts using Charlie’s private stories in her novel…

When a storm traps Mack and Charlie in the coffee shop, they share a mind-bending, knee-shaking kiss. But Charlie is an eternal optimist who sleeps with fairy-lights on, while Mack is an ironing-at-5am worrier who sleeps with… everyone. They could never turn this chemistry into something real, right?

And if Charlie finds out what Mack has been doing, turning Charlie’s most intimate secrets into a juicy page-turner, will they even have a chance to try?

A swoony, steamy queer romcom perfect for fans of Ashley Herring Blake, Casey McQuiston, and Alexis Hall.

Website

Twitter

Instagram

Jenny Hale is founder and director of the romantic fiction imprint Harpeth Road Press. Harpeth Road was named one of the eight best publishers in Nashville by Reedsy.com. Its very first title was a number one Clean and Wholesome romance on Amazon.com. Harpeth Road signed a TV film and shopping agreement for its second title, by a debut author. Since then, in their first three years, the publishing imprint has gone on to sell nearly 90,000 units of their books in all formats, hitting many bestseller lists; their Kindle Unlimited pages-read is well over a million, and their agents have sold foreign rights translations to six countries. Their books have been on SouthernLiving.com in their features “11 Small Town Romance Books That’ll Make You Feel Right At Home” and “Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now,” as well as Bookbub.com’s “15 Charming Small-Town Romances.” Their novel The Christmas Letters was selected as an Editor’s Pick for BookLife by Publisher’s Weekly for outstanding quality and The Magic of Sea Glass was chosen by Kirkus editors to be featured in their June 2023 print edition. Harpeth Road’s most recent debut author’s novel The Christmas Promise was a number one bestseller in Christmas. Harpeth Road is currently accepting submissions.

She is also a USA Today, Amazon, and international bestselling author of romantic contemporary fiction. Her books have sold over a million copies, have been translated into multiple languages worldwide, and adapted for television. Her novels Coming Home for Christmas and Movie Guide Epiphany Award winner Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses are Hallmark Channel original movies. She was included in Oprah Magazine’s “19 Dreamy Summer Romances to Whisk You Away” and Southern Living’s “30 Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now.” Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family. When she isn’t heading up her romantic fiction imprint Harpeth Road or writing, she can be found running around her hometown of Nashville with her husband, two boys, and their labradoodle, grabbing coffee, or taking pictures—her favorite pastimes.

In this episode, I have a conversation with picture book authors Jamie Bills and June Smalls.

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If you are an editor or publisher interested in either Jamie or June’s work, please use the contact form below.

In this episode, Dana and I talk about the benefits for writing short stories and submitting them for publication in anthologies and writing competitions.

Curiosity Never Killed the Writer

Wild Ink Publishing Anthology Submissions

The Writer’s Workout

If you want to ask us a question we can answer on the show, drop it below!