We talked to Holly James, aka Holly Michele, about how authors feel about our covers, genre mashups, and using pen names.

Books discussed in this episode:

• Nothing But the Truth by Holly James
• The Deja Glitch by Holly James
• Name Your Price by Holly James
• The Big Fix by Holly James
• Last Night Was Fun by Holly Michele

Also:

• All I Want Is You by Fallon Ballard
• Swiped by LM Chilton
• You Can Trust Me by Wendy Heard

We spoke to freelance editor Erin McClary, who is Sierra's former editor at Sourcebooks, about traditional publishing's acquisition process, what editing really means, and some secrets every writer should know about editing, whether self-publishing or seeking traditional publication.

Find Erin at erinmcclary.com

Books discussed in this episode:

• A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey
• The Second Chance Hotel by Sierra Godfrey
• A little something different by Sandy Hall
• The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon
• Thrill Me by Benjamin Percy
• 1000 Words by Jami Attenberg
• From a Certain Point of View: Empire Strikes Back
• Blades of Furry by Emily Ardos (check name)
• Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray
• Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren

We talked to NYT bestselling author Mike Chen about his books, publishing, hockey romance, and cool band memorabilia. Plus, do authors get a say in their covers and titles in traditional publishing?

Books discussed in this episode:

• Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen
• A Beginning at the End by Mike Chen
• We Could be Heroes by Mike Chen
• Light Years From Home by Mike Chen
• Vampire Weekend by Mike Chen
• Quantum Love Story by Mike Chen
• Star Wars: Brotherhood by Mike Chen
• From a Certain Point of View: Empire Strikes Back featuring Mike Chen
• Star Trek Deep Space 9: The Dog of War
• Good Pop, Bad Pop by Jarvis Cocker

Find Mike at https://www.mikechenbooks.com/

Jessica Joyce is the author of the USA Today bestselling novels You, With a View and The Ex-Vows. She lives in the Bay Area with her family.

On this episode we discuss people pleasing, fan fiction, and finding your voice.

Books discussed:

• The Ex -Vows by Jessica Joyce
• You, With A View by Jessica Joyce
• Where You Are Planted by Melanie Sweeney
• The French Ingredient by Jane Bertch
• Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
• Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover
• First-time Caller by B.K. Borison
• Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
• Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra
• Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel

Buy them all at Wild Sisters Book Co on Bookshop.org.

We talked to USA Today bestselling author Tarah DeWitt and her career and what's next!

Tarah writes character-driven romances filled with laughter and big feelings. She loves stories centered around perfectly imperfect characters, especially those with just enough trauma to keep them funny, without ever being forcefully cavalier.

Books discussed:

• Funny Feelings
• The Co-Op
• Savor It
• Left of Forever

Author Lindsay Hameroff joins us to talk about her evolution of writing sweet to spicy romance.

Lindsay is the author of Till There was You and Never Planned on You!

Books discussed in this episode:

• Till There was You by Lindsay Hameroff
• Never Planned on You
• You With a View by Jessica Joyce
• You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
• The Notebook by Nicolas Sparks
• The September House by Carissa Orlando
• Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
• Name Your Price Holly James
• The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
• The magic of lemon drop pie by Rachel Linden

We talk about bookclubs in indie bookstores-- both starting one or joining one-- and are joined by Wild Sisters Books' romance bookclub manager, Gracie to talk about the interesting insights gained from the bookclub.

Books discussed in this episode:

• A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
• Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
• Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
• Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
• The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai
• Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

We talk all things magical realism and Tarot with author Liz Parker!

Liz Parker is the author of HONEYSUCKLE HOUSE and IN THE SHADOW GARDEN and co-author of THE OTHER MARCH SISTERS. An herbalist and a witch, Liz loves gardening, a good cup of tea and the kind of story that sinks it hooks into you and refuses to let go.

Find Liz at https://www.lizparkerwrites.com/

Books discussed in this episode:

• In The Shadow Garden by Liz Parker
• The Other March Sisters
• The Gentle Tarot
• The Wild Unknown Tarot

We talk with author Lily Chu about fandoms and writing.

Lily Chu loves ordering the second-cheapest wine, wearing perfume all the time, and staying up far too late with a good book.

Four of her books have been released in audio as Audible Originals, performed by Phillipa Soo (The Stand-In, The Comeback, The Takedown, and Drop Dead) and John Cho (Drop Dead). Lily’s best-selling stories are critically acclaimed and have spent multiple weeks at number one in Audible Top Plus Listens, and have been named in Best of the Year lists.

Find her at https://lilychuauthor.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/lilychuauthor/

Books discussed in this episode:

• The Stand-In
• The Comeback
• The Takedown
• The Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz
• Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
• Fang Fiction by Kate Stayman-London
• I'm Starting to Worry about This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin

Cozy mystery author Ellie Alexander joins us to talk about writing mystery, setting them in small towns, what's next for her, and how books give you strength and opportunity.

Ellie Alexander is a voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. Ellie believes that stories have the power to transport and transform us. With over thirty novels published and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.

Ellie loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers through every phase of the process from brainstorming an initial idea to brand building and helping new writers find their path to publication.

Find her at https://www.elliealexander.co | IG: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexander

Books discussed in this episode:

• Ellie's books
• We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
• Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes
• Broken by Karin Slaughter