In this episode of Romance at a Glance, hosts Bridget and Shani interview Bianca Gillam, debut author of Bad Publicity, which follows senior book publicist Andy and her tumultuous, enemy-to-lovers relationship with author Jack Carlson. The discussion dives into Bianca's transition from romance editor to author, the challenges of separating the editorial voice while writing, and the process of making her protagonist competent in her job. The novel also touches on themes of grief, and Bianca shares how her own experiences with loss influenced the book. The episode wraps up with a sneak peek into Bianca's upcoming project, 'Off Script.'

00:00 Introduction and Guest Announcement

00:12 Book Overview and Themes

01:03 Author's Journey and Writing Process

01:33 Challenges of Being an Author-Editor

02:15 Balancing Writing and Editing

04:16 Working with Editors

07:18 Querying Process and Finding an Agent

09:48 Transition to Full-Time Writing

17:38 Character Development and Crafting the Protagonist

19:44 The Importance of Edits and Research

20:54 Balancing Professionalism and Personal Relationships

22:46 Insights from Publicists and Celebrity Stories

24:27 Navigating Public Persona and Social Media

25:27 Sales, Marketing, and Book Distribution

28:10 Emotional Impact and Reader Connections

30:55 The Power of Romance Novels

34:34 Upcoming Projects and Future Plans

36:30 Conclusion and Farewell

ABOUT BAD PUBLICITY

Andie’s first day at her new job could very well be her last when she discovers she has to work with literary darling Jack Carlson. While the rest of the world may adore him and his perfect hair, Andie has despised this man ever since he ruined her life five years ago. But to keep her job, she must execute a flawless campaign. To make matters worse, the centerpiece of this career-defining campaign is a book tour. For an entire month, Andie will have to travel across Europe with the man she’d secretly love to hit with her car. But she refuses to lose this opportunity, especially not because of him. One month on tour with Jack Carlson, visiting some of the most romantic spots in Europe. Deep breath. She can do this.

ABOUT BIANCA GILLAM

Bianca Gillam is a London-based author and armchair expert on ’80s and ’90s rom-coms whose poetry has been published in a variety of publications. She formerly worked in publishing, where she had the joy of editing a wide variety of brilliant authors; she was inspired by the books she published to write her own. Bad Publicity is her debut.

 ABOUT ROMANCE AT A GLANCE

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Welcome to Romance at a Glance, a podcast that uses romance novels to dive into candid conversations about life, relationship dynamics, and sexual desires. 

As hosts Bridget and Shani review books and interview some of romance's biggest authors, they explore the breadth of the genre, openly embracing the sex, diverse couplings, and taboos to create a safe space for listeners to be exposed to different lifestyles, fantasies, and to pique their naughty curiosity.

Expect 100% honest reviews, spontaneous singing, life lessons, indecent anecdotes, and bawdy humor.

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