Julie and Ashleigh give a brief overview of how a book finds its editor, then chat with Executive Editor Anne Groell about her unusual path to publishing, her editing process, and knitting sponges. Senior Editor Sarah Peed interviews Micaiah Johnson, author of The Space Between Worlds, to discuss exploring social issues through a speculative lens,  balancing an academic and creative life, and groundhogs. 

Our audiobook excerpt this week is from The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson, read by Nicole Lewis.

For more nerdy books and discussion, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @DelReyBooks. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter at RandomHouseBooks.com/DelReyNewsletter.

This week, Julie and Ashleigh kick off our behind-the-scenes glimpse into the publishing industry with a look at how to get an agent and how to write a query letter. We check in with Assistant Director Daniel Wikey to chat about brand marketing, folklore, and failed Duolingo streaks. Editor Tom Hoeler interviews Madeleine Roux, author of Shadows Rising, to discuss being a part of the World of Warcraft universe (in more ways than one.)

Our audiobook excerpt this week is from Shadows Rising by Madeleine Roux, read by Susan Wokoma.

Got questions about book publishing? Be sure to send them to us @DelReyBooks! We'll answer as many as we can each episode of Del Reydio.

For more nerdy books and discussion, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @DelReyBooks. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter at RandomHouseBooks.com/DelReyNewsletter.

Got questions about book publishing? Be sure to send them to us @DelReyBooks! We'll answer as many as we can in a new segment on Del Reydio.

This week, Julie and Ashleigh discuss "Nora from Queens" and watching "Lost" for the first time in 2020. We check in with Daniel Christensen, Director of Online Content Strategy and Optimization, to discuss copyediting for web and the importance of family during uncertain times. Editorial Director Tricia Narwani interviews Josh Malerman, author of Bird Box and its sequel Malorie (coming 7/21) to discuss his writing process, inspirations, and teenage emo poetry.

Our audiobook excerpt this week is from Malorie by Josh Malerman, read by Cassandra Campbell.

For more nerdy books and discussion, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @DelReyBooks. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter at RandomHouseBooks.com/DelReyNewsletter.

After an extended hiatus, Julie and Ashleigh discuss the formative books that taught them empathy. We check in with Senior Art Director Scott Biel on parenting during a lockdown and rediscovering hip-hop. Creative Director Elizabeth Schaefer talks with Alexander Freed, author of Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron (out in paperback) and its sequel, Star Wars: Shadow Fall (out 6/23). 

Our audiobook excerpt this week is from Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed, read by Saskia Maarleveld.

For more nerdy books and discussion, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @DelReyBooks. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter at RandomHouseBooks.com/DelReyNewsletter.

Julie and Ashleigh talk about Grady Hendrix's new podcast Super Scary Horror Homeschool, as well as a tortilla press. We dial in senior vice president of digital strategy Matt Schwartz to discuss finding catharsis in horror films during uncertain times. Editorial director Tricia Narwani interviews Chuck Wendig to discuss coincidental premonitions and the unique process of writing his novel Wanderers, now out in paperback.

Our audiobook excerpt this week is from Wanderers by Chuck Wendig, read by Dominic Hoffman and Xe Sands.

For more nerdy books and discussion, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @DelReyBooks. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter at RandomHouseBooks.com/DelReyNewsletter.

Julie and Ashleigh talk about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Charles Yu's newest book Interior Chinatown, and the joy of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" returning to Netflix. We dial in Alex Larned, associate editor and publishing manager, and discuss finding moments of breath through Tolkein and Miyazaki. Editorial director Tricia Narwani talks with author Paul Krueger about how history, food, and anime inspired his novel Steel Crow Saga, out now in paperback.

Our audiobook excerpt this week is from Steel Crow Saga by Paul Krueger, read by Kim Mai Guest.

For more nerdy books and discussion, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @DelReyBooks. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter at RandomHouseBooks.com/DelReyNewsletter.

Julie and Ashleigh talk about two love stories set in the Pacific Northwest: The Half of It and Twilight. We check in with associate publicist Jordan Pace about finding comfort in the happily ever afters of paranormal romance. Executive editor Anne Groell interviews author Jenna Glass about writing her Women's War series, which continues this summer with Queen of the Unwanted.

Our audiobook except this week is from Kill the Farm Boy by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne, read by Luke Daniels.

For more nerdy books and discussion, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @DelReyBooks. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter at RandomHouseBooks.com/DelReyNewsletter.

This week, Julie and Ashleigh step away from screens to do some birdwatching, baking, and cross-stitching. We check in with sales marketing assistant manager Logan Balestrino to talk about video games and otome boyfriends. Senior editor Sarah Peed interviews Max Brooks about his upcoming novel, Devolution, and how his work teaches important lessons about survival.

Our audiobook except this week is from Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett, read by Tara Sands.

For more nerdy books and discussion, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @DelReyBooks. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter at RandomHouseBooks.com/DelReyNewsletter.

Ashleigh and Julie talk about Critical Role and N.K. Jemisin's new book, The City We Became. We dial in Del Rey's deputy publisher Keith Clayton to talk about the Uncharted video games. And for our feature interview, creative director Elizabeth Schaefer interviews author Delilah S. Dawson about Star Wars and what she has coming next. 

Our audio excerpt this week is from Emily Skrutskie's Bonds of Brass, read by James Fouhey.

For more nerdy books and discussion, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @DelReyBooks. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter at RandomHouseBooks.com/DelReyNewsletter.