Off The Shelf with Morgann Book

What happens after you watch F1: Drive to Survive and decide to write an entire F1 romance book series?! This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Watty Award–winning author JK Maclaren to chat about her adult romance debut, Full Throttle. JK shares what she learned from writing eight full-length novels on Wattpad, and the night she found out her book had sold. Plus, the two discuss the best frozen yogurt combination and the race car bed JK had growing up!

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro & Welcome

00:30 The Perfect Frozen Yogurt Bowl

04:45 How Drive to Survive Started It All

08:35 The Inspiration Behind Full Throttle

11:45 What Writing on Wattpad Taught Her

15:46 The Story Behind the Race Car Bed

16:52 The Night She Sold Full Throttle

18:48 Inside Full Throttle

19:57 Finding Juliette & Dominic

21:05 The Reality of Writing an F1 Romance

25:02 Writing About Women in Sports

28:00 The Meaning Behind Juliet’s Cowboy Boots

31:16 The Romeo & Juliet References

33:19 What’s Next: Shifting Gears

34:08 A Surprise Gift for JK

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JK MacLaren

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkmaclaren/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jkmaclaren

Find her book at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/products/full-throttle-28

Find her book at Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/full-throttle-jk-maclaren/1148031259?ean=9798217095476

Off The Shelf

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Hosted by: Morgann Book

Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston

Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston

Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you turn one of BookTok’s biggest romances into a movie? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with director Claire Scanlon to chat about directing The Love Hypothesis. Claire shares what she learned from editing The Office, how she captured Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch’s chemistry in Set It Up, and what eventually led her down the rabbit hole of Star Wars Fan Fiction. She takes us behind the scenes of adapting the book, from bringing fan-favourite moments to life and balancing Adam’s character to filming the movie’s intimate scenes. Plus, Claire reveals the scene that made her realize they officially “had a movie.”

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro & Welcome

02:09 What The Office Taught Claire About Directing

04:22 The Secret Behind Jim & Pam’s Slow Burn

07:42 How Set It Up Came Together

10:10 Creating Glen Powell & Zoey Deutch’s Chemistry

15:13 Taking On The Love Hypothesis

18:21 Bringing The Book’s Biggest Moments To Screen

21:25 Changes From Book To Movie

23:56 Finding The Right Adam Carlsen

26:03 The Pressure Of Adapting A Book Fans Love

27:30 The Reality of Filming The Intimate Scenes

30:18 What Is A Nudity Rider?

32:50 The Scene That Made Claire Know They “Had A Movie”

33:33 What She Hopes Fans Take From The Movie

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Claire Scanlon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairescanlon/

Off The Shelf

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast

Hosted by: Morgann Book

Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston

Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston

Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the wildest thing an author has done for research? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Jodi Picoult to chat about her 30th novel, Hollow Bones, and the 29 novels before it. Jodi reveals how she collects research for her books and what it was like to interview a woman from jail or visit the Alaskan tundra. The two discuss what makes a good adaptation and what happened with My Sister's Keeper. They finish the episode with what Jodi is writing next for her 2028 book!

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro & Welcome

01:42 Are Writers Born or Made?

03:53 How Publishing Has Changed Since 1992

06:05 Why Jodi Still Answers Every Reader Email

09:14 Being a Lifelong Student

10:21 How Jodi Knows an Idea Is Worth a Novel

13:44 The Wildest Things She’s Done for Research

16:10 How She Knows When the Research Is Done

17:24 What My Sister’s Keeper Taught Her About Adaptations

19:12 The Problem With “Women’s Fiction”

20:59 The Story Behind Jodi’s First Tattoo

24:08 Inside Hollow Bones

24:26 Bringing Jesse From My Sister’s Keeper Back

27:15 The Real-Life Secret That Inspired Hollow Bones

30:44 Exploring 9/11 Through a New Generation

31:27 Researching Postpartum Psychosis

34:07 The Letter That Changed Hollow Bones

36:59 Why Women Are Falling Through the Healthcare Cracks

38:57 What Jodi Hopes Readers Take From Hollow Bones

39:33 Jodi Reveals Her Next Novel

41:11 Gifting Jodi With…

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Jodi Picoult

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Jodipicoult/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jodipicoult

Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/search?q=jodi%20picoult

Find her books at Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hollow-bones-jodi-picoult/1149014562

Off The Shelf

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast

Hosted by: Morgann Book

Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston

Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston

Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you wondered why the second book is always harder to write than a debut? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits (back) down with Joss Richard to chat about her latest release, Let’s Kiss and Tell. Inspired by one of her favourite romantic comedies, Joss shares her writing and research process for a book rooted in sex positivity. She also shares what it was like to write after the success of her debut novel, It’s Different This Time, and what is coming next…

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 Intro & Welcome

00:39 Joss Weighs In On The Jeremiah vs. Conrad Debate

03:24 Why Authors Need A Life Outside Of Books

05:27 What Book Tour Is REALLY Like

07:14 Did Joss Expect It’s Different This Time To Blow Up?

08:49 Adam Harper POV 

10:45 Romance Books On Canada Reads

12:16 The Story Behind Let’s Kiss And Tell

13:34 The How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days Inspiration

14:11 Is The Second Book Harder Than The First?

16:42 Joss’s Writing Process

18:28 Why Joss Wanted To Write Let’s Kiss And Tell

20:51 What Joss Learned From OnlyFans Creators

23:35 Therapy, Dirty Talk & Writing Spicy Scenes

25:06 Defending The Third Act Breakup

27:16 Is Miscommunication Actually A Bad Trope?

29:42 The Story Behind The Let’s Kiss And Tell Cover

31:07 The Kind Of Love Joss Wanted To Write About

32:07 Joss Teases Her Next Romance

32:58 We Surprise Joss With Her Favourite Thing

34:05 The Diet Coke vs. Coke Zero Debate

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook 

Joss Richard

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joss.richard/ 

Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/products/lets-kiss-and-tell-a-novel

Find her books at Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/its-different-this-time-joss-richard/1146830426 

Off The Shelf

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast 

Hosted by: Morgann Book

Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston 

Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston 

Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know Lily Chu found her agent through a Twitter contest? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Audible author Lily Chu to discuss her latest release, Just Kiss Already. Inspired by the hit television series Bones and her own archaeology background, Lily shares her research process, from interviewing a forensic anthropologist to filmmakers to craft the perfect story. She also shares what it’s like collaborating with actress and narrator Phillipa Soo and teases her next three books.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 Intro & Welcome

02:04 Finding Her Agent Through Twitter

04:11 The Challenges Of Being A Writer

05:50 The Journey From Auction To Audible

07:45 Editing Novels for Audio and Print

08:50 Swearing in Audiobooks

10:04 How Audiobooks Have Changed The Writing Process

12:00 Exploring The Audible New York Headquarters

13:03 Lily’s Writing Process

16:23 The Inspiration Behind  Just Kiss Already 

17:46 Lily’s Archaeology Background Influence 

20:00 Everyone Lily Interviewed 

23:16 Collaborating With Phillipa Soo

24:30 Changing The Perspective Of Narration

28:13 Lily’s Involvement In Her Audiobooks

30:20 What Is Lily Writing Next? 

31:48 Rapid Fire Audio Questions

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook 

Lily Chu 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilychuauthor/

Find their books on Audible: https://www.audible.ca/author/Lily-Chu/B09BG1FBVX

Off The Shelf

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast 

Hosted by: Morgann Book

Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston 

Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston 

Production Coordinator: Maggie Indovina

Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Victoria S. Walsh to talk about turning a lifelong dream into reality with her debut fantasy novel, The Iron Hex. From manifesting and leaving her corporate job to building a fantasy trilogy, writing meaningful representation, and why book pre-orders matter more than you think, Victoria shares the story behind her journey to becoming a published author. Plus, she teases what's next for The Iron Hex series and beyond.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 Intro & Welcome

03:49 Dreaming of Becoming an Author

05:08 Childhood Stories & Supportive Parents

07:01 Why Competitiveness Led to YouTube

09:54 Quitting Her Corporate Job

14:21 The Story Behind The Iron Hex

16:40 Landing Her Dream Literary Agent

17:33 What The Iron Hex Is About

18:41 Planning an Entire Trilogy

20:11 Writing a Plus-Size Fantasy Heroine

23:51 The Decade-Long Yearning Romance

26:26 Memory Loss, Romance & Fantasy Tropes

27:38 The High School That Changed Everything

30:37 A Childhood Photo That Says It All

35:11 Why Pre-Ordering Books Matters So Much

41:42 Book Two, The Iron Oath & What's Next

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Victoria S. Walsh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriashaz

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@victoriashaz

Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/victoria-s-walsh?id=804750921

Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/search?attributes.contributorId=32332325&contributorName=Victoria%20S.%20Walsh

Off The Shelf

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Hosted by: Morgann Book

Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston 

Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston 

Produced by: Stefanie Macchiusi

Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with author Molly Fader, who's written more than 50 books under various pen names - including one that made its way into Suicide Squad. They talk about her latest release, Lady X, a vigilante girl gang story set in 1977 New York City that was partly sparked by Taylor Swift's "Vigilante Shit." Molly opens up about switching literary agents after 25 years, the research that shaped the book, and what keeps her chasing that "lightning strike" feeling after six decades' worth of stories.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 Intro & Welcome

02:38 Publishing Her First Book at 25

04:05 Toronto, Harlequin & Learning the Craft

04:37 The Cowgirl Phase

06:20 From Harlequin to Single-Title Books

08:52 The Pen Name Universe

12:34 How Many Books, Really?

17:00 The Suicide Squad Mystery

22:38 Introducing Lady X

24:29 The Spark Behind the Story

27:38 Writing Female Rage & Friendship

28:27 Plotter vs. Pantser

29:52 Researching 1977 New York City

31:18 Her Writing Space, Then and Now

32:24 A New Agent, After 25 Years

34:22 Selling Lady X & Canadian Rights

34:48 What She Wants Readers to Take Away

37:01 What's Next: 1980s Nashville

37:35 The Lightning Strike Feeling

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Molly Fader

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollyfaderauthor/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daydrinkingwithmolly

Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/products/lady-x

Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/search?attributes.contributorId=20010981&contributorName=Molly%20Fader

Off The Shelf

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast 

Hosted by: Morgann Book

Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston 

Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston 

Produced by: Stefanie Macchiusi

Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling Canadian author Marissa Stapley, whose novel Lucky became Reese's Book Club's first-ever Canadian pick and is now being adapted into an Apple TV+ series starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Drew Starkey, and Annette Bening. Marissa shares the heartbreaking story behind writing Lucky while caring for her mom, how Reese Witherspoon discovered the book, what it was really like keeping the Reese's Book Club secret, and why she always pictured Anya Taylor-Joy as Lucky. 

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 Intro & Welcome

00:35 - Why Marissa always knew she'd be a writer

03:25 - Her first novel that never made it to shelves

04:40 - How journalism shaped her writing career

06:02 - Ranking her wildest jobs (including cemetery gardener)

09:06 - Why she writes under multiple pen names

11:06 - How co-writing a novel actually works

12:44 - TV writing vs. novel writing

14:30 - The inspiration behind Lucky

17:06 - Creating Lucky Armstrong

20:22 - Writing Lucky while caring for her mom

22:30 - Becoming Reese's first Canadian Book Club pick

25:23 - Keeping the Reese's Book Club secret

27:56 - How the Apple TV+ adaptation came together

30:40 - Manifesting Anya Taylor-Joy as Lucky

35:04 - Visiting the set of Lucky

40:11 - The biggest changes from book to TV series

42:09 - Which episode Marissa can't stop thinking about

44:04 - What to expect from the Lucky sequel

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Marissa Stapley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissastapley/

Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/Marissa-Stapley

Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/search?attributes.contributorId=16235074&contributorName=Marissa%20Stapley

Off The Shelf

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast 

Hosted by: Morgann Book

Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston 

Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston 

Produced by: Stefanie Macchiusi

Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author June Hur to discuss her journey from writing Pride & Prejudice fanfiction to publishing Behind Five Willows. They chat about countless rejections, finding her voice as a writer, the inspiration behind her latest novel, Korean history, libraries, and why she chose to slow down her publishing schedule.

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 Intro & Welcome

01:14 Pride & Prejudice Started Everything

05:30 Growing Up Between Korea, Canada & the U.S.

08:23 Working at the Library & Favorite Books

10:07 15 Manuscripts, 100+ Rejections & Finding Her Voice

16:28 Why She Writes Korean Historical Fiction

18:11 Motherhood Changed Her Writing Career

21:36 Her Writing Process & Writing Korean on the Page

24:27 How Her Books Have Evolved

27:42 Where to Start Reading June Hur

28:18 Behind Five Willows Explained

31:15 Turning Pride & Prejudice Into a Romance

33:36 Book Bans, History & Why Stories Matter

35:23 Writing the Romance & Darcy Inspiration

37:03 A Love Letter to Librarians & Bookstores

39:09 What's Next for June Hur

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook 

June Hur

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junehwrites

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junehwrites

Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/june-hur?id=883069940

Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/search?attributes.contributorId=20658423&contributorName=June%20Hur

Off The Shelf

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast 

Hosted by: Morgann Book

Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston 

Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston 

Produced by: Stefanie Macchiusi

Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author Elle Kennedy, the writer behind the beloved Off Campus books. Elle shares how she knew she wanted to be an author at just six years old, what it felt like selling her first novel, and why she almost never self-published The Deal. They also dive into the biggest behind-the-scenes secrets from the Off-Campus series, including the original plans for Tucker, why Dean almost ended up with someone else, what it was like visiting the set of the TV adaptation, and more!

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 Intro & Welcome

02:35 Wanting to be an author at six years old

05:19 Selling her first book & publishing journey

08:41 How her writing process has evolved

12:41 Why The Deal was originally self-published

15:13 Creating Garrett, Hannah & the Briar universe

17:16 The original Off-Campus series plans

18:26 Tucker almost had a very different fate

21:07 Why Dean wasn't meant for Sabrina

24:34 Favourite scenes from the series

26:44 Which Off-Campus characters were easiest to write?

27:57 Expanding the Briar universe

30:45 Off-Campus character superlatives

32:14 Bringing Off-Campus to TV

34:43 Visiting the set & meeting the cast

39:22 Hidden Easter eggs & favourite filming moments

43:50 Season 2 teases

46:03 New YA thriller & returning to suspense

50:07 Outro

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook 

Elle Kennedy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellekennedyauthor/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellekennedyauthor

Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/elle-kennedy?id=825593661

Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/authors/elle-kennedy

Off The Shelf

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast 

Hosted by: Morgann Book

Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston 

Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston 

Produced by: Stefanie Macchiusi

Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.