In this authentic, heartwarming podcast episode, hosts Aims and Sophia welcome Your Bookish Bestie modmin, Paige. Paige shares about her literary experiences and studies, and the way her tastes have changed over time, as well as her favorite things about the YBB group, her most unhinged reads, and her favorite books of 2025. As always, tangents occur and cover topics like submarines in Mexico.

Question for this episode: are you a 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie fan, or a Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice tv series fan? Inquiring besties want to know.

"How weird can I do this? How weird can it get?"

In this much-awaited episode of Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties, hosts Aims and Katey welcome author January Rayne to discuss her journey as a writer, her popular Monster Smut series, and the intricacies of her creative process. January shares insights into her writing inspirations, the challenges of balancing personal life with a writing career, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. January even shares a glimpse of the upcoming monster in her next installation of the Shallow Cove Dimensions series and what he may be like.

Keywords

January Rayne, Monster Smut, writing journey, indie publishing, reader support, creative process, vulnerability, authenticity, storytelling, indie authors, honeysuckles, hollyhocks, nightshade

In this wildly, wonderfully weird episode of Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties, author Molly Pereda shares about her writing journey with hosts Aims, Shiloh, and Katey (who was forced to abandon her current read to appear on the podcast). Molly's debut novel, Joy Ride, recently released and she shares insight from her writing journey, sources of inspiration, and a glimpse at what her life is like. Hosts share about the joys of reading and their favorite current reads.

You can find Joy Ride here: Joy Ride

https://a.co/d/9rPBZM5

Become a bestie here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ybbcommunity

Tell us in the comments, what's the most unhinged book you've ever read?

In this episode of Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties, hosts Aims and Katey welcome Gabrielle, affectionately known as Gabalicious, to share her journey with the Your Bookish Bestie (YBB) community. The conversation flows from light-hearted introductions to deeper discussions about Gabrielle's background in dance and law, her recent travels to Lisbon and Morocco, and the cultural insights she gained from her experiences. The hosts explore themes of community, sharing, and the importance of connection, all while maintaining a fun and friendly atmosphere. The episode wraps up with reflections on personal growth and the joy of friendship. It is a gift to be known so well and loved by others.

If you loved this episode and want to join in on the bookish bestie camaraderie, you can join our Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710929697612776

In this engaging episode, hosts Aims and Katey highlight Your Bookish Bestie modmin, Aubrey. They dive into favorite reads of 2025, with Aubrey sharing her love for books like The Knight and the Moth and Shield of Sparrows. The conversation takes a humorous turn as they discuss the quirks of book series naming conventions and the joys of reading with friends. Aubrey also reflects on her journey back into reading, sparked by titles like "Mistborn" and "Where the Crawdads Sing," and shares her appreciation for historical fiction, particularly the works of Kristin Hannah. The episode wraps up with personal anecdotes about parenting, community building, and the unexpected surprises of life.

Our question to the besties: do you like contemporary, historical fiction, or fantasy reads better?

Join us over on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19zHY7hK7E/

"Creativity is what fuels my role as an admin."

Join hosts Aims and Katey for an inspiring conversation with Jodi, our featured admin, as she shares her journey from joining a local book club to co-founding a gemstone bracelet business with her daughter. Discover how Jodi's passion for community and creativity has shaped her role as an admin, and learn about the personal stories and connections that fuel her dedication. Whether you're interested in small business insights, book genre debates, or a message about the power of community, this episode offers a heartfelt glimpse into Jodi's world. Tune in for a blend of bookish laughter, wisdom, and inspiration!

Tell us, listeners, what your favorite part about the Your Bookish Bestie community is!

Keywords: Your Bookish Bestie, admin, community, books, tbr list, crystals, bracelets, photography, Elladi Bracelets, From Blood and Ash, Flowers for Algernon, The Fabric of the Realm.

"Embrace your uniqueness."

In this episode of Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties, hosts Aims and Shiloh join author Nico Harlakenden. Nico is an accomplished author, editor, and artist. They discuss Nico's latest anthology project, Forbidden Fruit, which explores themes of the forbidden through a collection of dark speculative fiction stories from eighteen different authors. The conversation delves into Nico's creative process, influences from metaphysical practices like tarot, and the challenges of running a Kickstarter campaign. The hosts and Nico offer personal anecdotes, discuss natal charts, share insights into writing journeys, and highlight the importance of self-advocacy and community support.

Connect with Nico (and buy copies of The Forbidden Fruit) here: https://nicoharlakenden.carrd.co/

Keywords

Plotter, Pantser, Writing Styles, Creative Process, Storytelling, Humor, Insights, Writing Journey, Author Discussion, Writing Techniques, Metaphysics, Astrology, Anthology, Forbidden Fruit, Nico Harlakenden, Newton Press, Publishing houses, indie publishing, trad publishing

"I have always been a story maker in my head."

In this engaging podcast episode, E.K. Dusk shares her journey as an indie author, discussing the challenges and triumphs of publishing her first book with hosts Aims and Katey. She reflects on her writing process, the inspiration behind her characters, and the emotional connections she has with her work. The conversation also touches on the impact of reader reviews, the loneliness that can accompany the writing journey, and the importance of community support. E.K. emphasizes the need for authenticity in storytelling and the cathartic nature of writing, while also sharing her excitement for future projects and the release of her upcoming book.

Purchase Written in Sin here: https://a.co/d/d0pQJ97

Tell us in the comments if you've added Written in Sin to your TBR yet, and what your stance is on alligators!

Takeaways

• Written in Sin Released October 16th.
• Indie publishing is a challenging yet rewarding journey.
• Community support is vital for indie authors.
• Writing can be both cathartic and re-traumatizing.
• E.K. Dusk plans to continue her series with more interconnected stories.

Keywords

E.K. Dusk, indie publishing, writing process, character development, book release, author interview, emotional connection, reader expectations, personal experience, community

In this episode, hosts Aims and Shiloh highlight Katey, a Your Bookish Bestie Admin. Katey is dubbed the "backbone of YBB," and her behind-the-scenes work to keep the group organized and engaging are discussed at length. Together, they chat about some of their recent reads, explore podcast sound effects, compare the differences in geography and language across US regions, and share about the effort it took for Katey to agree to her very own podcast episode. As always, the besties bring humor, fun, and warmth to their talk about real-life, the books they've bonded over, and their heart for all things related to Your Bookish Bestie.

Chime in on the bookish bestie conversation: Share your thoughts on house slippers and your British Literature recommendations.

Would you like to join the bookish fun? You can participate in daily book-related camaraderie here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710929697612776

Keywords: Books, Your Bookish Bestie, January Rayne, Book Recommendations, Monster Books, Friendship, Laughter, Indie Authors, Author PA

"The books are the rehab."

In this episode of Coffee Talk with the Besties, Aims, Katey, and Shiloh welcome Cassie, known as The Bibliophagist, to discuss her journey in the indie author space. Cassie shares her lifelong love for books, her experiences as a proofreader and reviewer, and her mission to support indie authors. The discussion touches on the challenges indie authors face, the importance of community support, and Cassie's personal story of writing a book. The conversation also explores the dynamics of the book community on platforms like TikTok, the integrity required in author interactions, and a deep dive into various genres, particularly dark fantasy. In this engaging conversation, the speakers explore the therapeutic nature of reading, particularly in the context of indie books. They discuss personal experiences with relationships and self-discovery, emphasizing the importance of community and connection among readers and authors. The conversation highlights the creation of resources for indie readers and the unique accessibility of indie authors, fostering a deeper connection between them and their audience. The speakers also share their excitement about engaging with authors and the power of community in the literary world.

Connect with The Bibliophagist: https://linktr.ee/thebibliophagist?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Takeaways

• Cassie believes in providing free support to authors without charging for reviews.
• Cassie's personal experiences with chronic pain have shaped her perspective on life and literature.
• Community support is vital for indie authors to thrive.
• Reading can help navigate complex relationships and emotions.
• Indie authors are more accessible and open to reader feedback.
• Community engagement is vital for both readers and authors.
• Indie books often provide emotionally charged narratives.
• Readers can discover new genres and authors through indie resources.