Deesha and Dawnie sit down with their own agents, Danielle Chiotti and PJ Mark, to chat about the publishing industry. What does it mean to be a white agent representing authors of color? What are the gold standards for blurbing? Where are the best places to find an agent and what are some common red flags with scammy “agents”? They discuss the significance of the agent-author connection, the questions that an author should ask of a potential agent, as well as what makes an agent say “hell yes” to a pitched book. 

Reading List: Authors, Stories, and Books Mentioned

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Produced by Ursa Story Company 

Hosted by Deesha Philyaw & Dawnie Walton

Executive Producers: Dawnie Walton, Deesha Philyaw, and Mark Armstrong

Associate Producer: Marina Leigh

Episode Editor: Kelly Araja

Thank you Ursa Members for your support! 

This week we’re excited to share a very special episode of Ursa Short Fiction — a Member Exclusive where Dawnie Walton chats with Deesha Philyaw about this week’s big news: Deesha has just signed a seven-figure book deal with Mariner Books for a new novel, THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF FIRST LADY FREEMAN, and short story collection, GIRL, LOOK. The novel is due out in 2025. 

Links

More from Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton:

Produced & edited by Mark Armstrong

Associate producer: Marina Leigh

Thank you for supporting Ursa! We're excited to share a special exclusive episode for our Members: Part Two in our ongoing conversation about the business of publishing.

In Part One of our series last season, Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton discussed all the aspects of building a career as a writer and artist. And now, in Part Two, they talk honestly and openly about what happens *after* you publish your first book.

Following the publication of Deesha's debut collection The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, and Dawnie's debut novel The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, they reflected on the roller coaster ride of publicity and promotion, film and TV deals, and the questions about "what's next?" 

Read more from Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton: 

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Episode editor: Kelly Araja

Associate producer: Marina Leigh

Producer: Mark Armstrong

Thank you Ursa Members for your support! As a special bonus episode for our subscribers, co-hosts Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton answer your burning questions about the craft of writing and storytelling, and finding that creative spark. 

Full episode transcript.

Got a question for Deesha and Dawnie? Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/ursa

Or send us an email at [email protected].

Ursa Members, thank you for supporting our show!

On this special Member Exclusive episode of Ursa Short Fiction, Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton offer a comprehensive guide to the business of publishing – from submitting short stories to literary magazines, to navigating rejection, and finding an agent. 

Deesha and Dawnie also share their own personal stories about the process, including working with editors and ultimately getting their books published. But before any of that, there’s the question of how a writer should think about the creative process vs. the business side of selling your work. 

Episode transcript.

Send Deesha and Dawnie your questions! Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/ursa