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This episode opens with an excerpt from A Murder at Midnight, book four in the Novel Detectives, releasing October 13th. Then The Tech Guy and I discuss the book, spoiler-free, of course.

When a popular ghost-hunting TV crew takes over the Secret Bookcase for an overnight shoot, Annie agrees because the publicity could be a wonderful for an indie bookshop. But when a crew member ends up dead, the haunting turns out to be the least of her worries. I describe this one as a grown-up Scooby-Doo with all the spooky Halloween atmosphere, but none of the jump-scares or nightmares. I also share the real haunted estate that inspired the Secret Bookcase, what it's like having a protagonist who is a licensed private investigator, and some series news I'm thrilled to announce.

Some links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.

Preorder A Murder at Midnight: https://link.amazon/B05gx0idP

Preorder A Fatal Frost (Book 5, January): https://link.amazon/B01HbuSXC

Subscribe, and tell us in the comments: what would you name a real-life detective agency? Ellie and The Tech Guy are taking submissions.

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Have you ever wondered what actually goes into making an audiobook? If so, you're in luck because this week I'm joined by my friend Victoria Lynn Arbor, a professional audiobook narrator. We talk about all the steps of audiobook narration, how authors and narrators find each other, and the incredible amount of work behind a single finished hour of audio. Victoria walks us through her whole process, from prep and casting character voices to punch-and-roll recording and professional proofing. 

Guest bio: Victoria Lynn Arbor is a professional audiobook narrator with an acting background who has voiced science fiction, mystery, and romance titles, and appears on production-company rosters including Podium and High Gravity. She and Ellie met in their writers' group.

Victoria Lynn Arbor's website: https://www.victorialynnarbor.com/

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"What's the best way to get published?" This is a question I get most from new writers and my answer is always the same: there are several options and it depends.

In this episode, The Tech Guy and I map out the three routes open to writers today: traditional publishing with the big houses, hybrid presses, and going the indie route. We walk through the honest pros and cons of each, given real-world examples and cover everything from advances and royalty splits, to who actually controls your cover art, and how things like access to useful sales and ad data vary from path to path. Listen now for a look into how books get published and learn why you might (and probably should) choose a different path from one book to the next.

And, if you haven't already, be sure to enter the preorder giveaway from my publisher for The Pumpkin Vice Cafe: https://read.macmillan.com/promo/pumpkinvicesweeps

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We open this episode with an actual excerpt from The Pumpkin Vice Café, book 23 in my Bakeshop Mystery Series, releasing September 29th. Then The Tech Guy and I give a spoiler-free (of course) overview of this latest installment. We're back in Ashland during the fall in this one, from Lithia Park to the bustling plaza, the setting is picturesque and the perfect place to set a murder. Also, listen for a hint at a returning face that longtime readers are really going to love and for the reason that The Pumpkin Vice Café didn't originally have a single pumpkin recipe.

Preorder now and enter the publisher's giveaway for a Pumpkin Vice Café bundle and Torte goodies. Link below.

Preorder and enter the giveaway: https://read.macmillan.com/promo/pumpkinvicesweeps?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio
Ashland Mystery Fest (Oct 8-11): https://www.ashlandmysteryfest.com

Preorder, subscribe, and drop a comment with your best guess at who's making a guest appearance in this book. 

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A Fall to Remember is out this week. YAY! So, it's the perfect time to talk marketing. Are you writing a book? Congrats! However, did you know that the real work begins once you've finished? The Tech Guy and I dive into what marketing an author's book really looks like, busting some pretty common myths as we go. We're also sharing actual lessons from over 15 years of signings, giving a peek into what publishers really do for your as an author, and explain why readers who show up are so amazing. 

A Fall to Remember: https://elliealexander.co/a-fall-to-remember

If you're a writer, let us know what your marketing questions and challenges are? And for the readers out there, let us know what resonates with you when it comes to book marketing? 

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To AI or not to AI? For me, it's not really a question and, in this episode of Reality Writes, I tell you why.

The Tech Guy and I get behind the mics for an honest look at AI as seen from both writer's and reader's lenses and how it is impacting both worlds. I tell you why I feel that using an LLM to "improve" your writing isn't going to help you in the ways you think it will. Finding your voice is what writing is all about and no automated system is going to do that for you.

If you're worried you can't ever become a writer without using AI tools, this episode is for you. You absolutely can, darlings, and we'll talk you through the why and how. 

Where do you stand on AI use in the writing and reading worlds? Subscribe and leave us a message.

Happy writing!

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Summer is flying by, darlings, so I'm calling this one the Last Chance Summer Dance. The Tech Guy and I share what we've been reading plus the towering TBR stacks sitting on our nightstands. We've got some thrillers, a mystery favorite, indie bookstore recommendations, and some surprises. Plus, I talk a little bit more about my two upcoming fall releases: A Fall to Remember and The Pumpkin Vice Cafe.

What's on your end of summer reading list? Have you read any of the books we mention in this week's episode? Let us know in the comments or send us a message. Happy reading!

Find all the books from this episode here:
https://bookshop.org/shop/elliealexander

What Ellie's been reading

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberly
A Is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
The Examiner by Janice Hallett
Behind Every Face by Charlie Donlea

What The Tech Guy's been reading

The Gate of the Feral Gods by Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl #4)
The Third Rule of Time Travel by Philip Fracassi
Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman
The Only Way Out Is Up by Django Wexler
Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney
He Who Fights with Monsters by Travis Deverell

Ellie's fall releases

A Fall to Remember (September 1)
The Pumpkin Vice Café — Bakeshop Mysteries #23 (end of September)

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, Ellie may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's one easy way to support the podcast, and we only ever link to books and things we genuinely love.

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Fall is my favorite season, darlings, so of course I set a whole book there. With A Fall to Remember arriving September 1st, The Tech Guy and I sat down for a spoiler-free deep dive into my new rom-com. I share why this one feels so different from my holiday rom-coms, how I found Miranda Brown, an accidental influencer who goes viral for all the right reasons, and the real (and reimagined) charm of Half Moon Bay, California. We talk about the hardest shift from writing mysteries to romance, weaving four points of view and multiple love stories, and one gorgeous first for me: sprayed edges. Grab a warm drink and settle in, then tell us: are you a lover of spice or no spice?

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We're back from our travels, darlings, and my inbox was overflowing, so we did the only sensible thing and turned your questions into an episode. This one is a true grab bag, pulled from the messages and DMs that landed while we were away. I share my honest take on querying agents now that AI has flooded the marketplace, why I fully humanize my own creative process, and how you develop a writing voice that's unmistakably yours. Then we give the readers some love, answering why a few books aren't on audio or Kobo, why Trouble Is Brewing will never be in print, where to find the recipes, plus my very particular writing quirks. 

Tune in and let us know what you think. Do you have a question we didn't answer in this episode? Send us a message!

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Picture yourself stepping into a real-life cozy mystery — stunning fall foliage, charming streets, and 14 authors who can't wait to meet you. That's the Ashland Mystery Festival.

In this episode, we're giving you the full 4th Annual Ashland Mystery Fest preview—everything you need to plan your trip to Ashland, Oregon this October 8–12. We cover the full author lineup including debut authors and some beloved returning favorites, brand-new additions like escape rooms, audiobook narrators, and individual day passes, plus the reveal of this year's dinner theme. Spoiler: masks required.

Links:
Ashland Mystery Fest: https://www.ashlandmysteryfest.com
Oregon Shakespeare Festival: https://www.osfashland.org
Oregon Cabaret Theatre: https://www.oregoncabaret.com

Don't miss a single bookish moment — subscribe to Reality Writes and leave us a comment below. We'd love to know: are you coming to Ashland this year?

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