The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston

Paula Lafferty used a successful kickstarter campaign to raise funds for her self-published debut (gorgeous deluxe editions included!), for which she later landed a trad-pub deal.

Her Queen Guinevere time travel fantasy, THE ONCE AND FUTURE QUEEN, came out first as a self-published novel and was later rereleased traditionally and became an instant USA Today and Indie Bestseller. The second and third books in The Lives of Guinevere trilogy will be traditionally-published.

• Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.
• Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.
• Send me an email at [email protected]
• To pitch to the podcast, go here
• Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangston
• The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/
• Long Road to Publishing Index on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdGvqV5FTIt/?img_index=1

• Website: PaulaLafferty.com
• tiktok: @paulalafferty
• instagram: @paulalafferty_writes
• threads: paulalafferty_writes

• Self-publishing A to Z on Medium by Travis Baldree
• The website where Paula found her cover designer is 99 Designs
• The instagram of the cover designer Paula used is Dauphine Dopamine https://www.instagram.com/dauphinedopamine/
• Books Mentioned: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey, Lightlark by Alex Aster
• Shoutouts to: Liz Gilbert, Alex Aster, Rebecca Thorne, Kensington, Travis Baldree, Dietrich Stogner, Kickstarter, Merrick Bookshop, Julia Whelan, Audiobrary

The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-love

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After racking up an impressive number of rejections, Chital Mehta’s manuscript won the AWP Novel Prize (judged by R.O. Kwon) and was published by University of Nebraska Press.

Chital and I discuss getting her MFA, setting herself a “rejection challenge,” and finding a balance between writing and motherhood.

HAVE YOU SEEN ROMIT? (out now!) is about a middle-aged Indian woman who sets out to find her missing son and discovers, in the searching, the full force of who she is.

• Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.
• Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.
• Send me an email at [email protected]
• To pitch to the podcast, go here
• Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangston
• The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/
• Long Road to Publishing Index on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdGvqV5FTIt/?img_index=1

• Website: https://chitalmehtajey.com/
• Substack: https://substack.com/@chitalmehta
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chitalmehta/
• Chital poses with her book: https://stumblingyetwriting.substack.com/p/book-photoshoot-chapter-one-sneak

• Courtney Maum's book and Substack are both called Before & After the Book Deal: https://courtneymaum.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips
• Jane Friedman's website: https://janefriedman.com
• Shoutouts to: AWP, Grubb Street, University of Nebraska Press, R.O. Kwon, McCormack Writing Center, James Alan McPherson Prize, Huxley and Hiro Bookstore

The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-love

License code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

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

Tara Goedjen has had three agents and has pivoted three times in her writing career. She had her YA debut in 2017, and now she’s getting to debut again with her adult gothic suspense novel, PLEASE ENJOY YOUR STAY.

In this episode we talk about her time in academia (she has an MFA and a PhD), finding inspiration in setting, and her experience doing a “launch team” for PLEASE ENJOY YOUR STAY. Plus so much more!

• Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.
• Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.
• Send me an email at [email protected]
• To pitch to the podcast, go here
• Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangston
• The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/
• Long Road to Publishing Index on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdGvqV5FTIt/?img_index=1

• Website: taragoedjenauthor.com
• Instagram: @taragoedjen www.instagram.com/taragoedjen/
• Facebook: Tara Goedjen - Author https://www.facebook.com/TaraGoedjenAuthor
• Substack: @TaraGoedjen https://substack.com/@taragoedjen
• PLEASE ENJOY YOUR STAY: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Please-Enjoy-Your-Stay/Tara-Goedjen/9781668217115

• Long Road to Publishing Index on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdGvqV5FTIt/?img_index=1
• Shoutouts to authors Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, Riley Sagar, Amy Tintera, Tiffany Crumb, Jessica Payne, and Gillian Flynn
• Books mentioned: The Haunting of Hill House, Listen for the Lie, Gone Girl, and This Story Might Save Your Life
• Other shoutouts to: ThrillerFest, Bouchercon, and Nichole Cunningham

The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-love

License code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

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

This episode with Irish author Oran Doyle is the most emotional and tear-filled so far!

Oran Doyle started out in screenwriting and script-editing before writing middle grade and YA. His debut YA novel, GIVE ME 'TIL MIDNIGHT is Before Sunrise meets Groundhog’s Day, set during a single day in Dublin.

In this episode Oran talks about “the wilderness years” when he felt stuck, and how he had to learn to get in touch with his own emotions in order to find the real emotional core of his stories– and how that has made all the difference.

• Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.
• Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.
• Send me an email at [email protected]
• To pitch to the podcast, go here
• Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangston
• The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/
• Long Road to Publishing Index on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdGvqV5FTIt/?img_index=1

• Website: www.orandoyle.com
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/doyle_oran/
• GIVE ME TIL MIDNIGHT from Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/give-me-til-midnight/oran-doyle/9781911427537

• The film Oran couldn't think of the name of is Rye Lane
• Other films mentioned: The Map of Tiny Perfect Things, Edge of Tomorrow, Palm Springs
• Shoutouts to: Everything with Words, Kirsty McLachlan, Darren Romney, the East Timor solidarity campaign, The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, CeCe Lyra, Lisa Jewell

The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-love

License code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

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

Amy True negotiated the contracts for her first two books (and explains why she wouldn’t recommend that!). We also discuss her long publishing journey over four different agents, “book bibles” for series writing, and her pivot from YA historical to adult romance.  

Amy wrote award-winning YA historicals under the name Amy Trueblood before pivoting to adult romance. She wrote the Ivy Falls series, and is now at work on the Harvest Moon series. Book 1, CLEARLY CHARMED (a Practical Magic inspired speculative romance), is out now.

• Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.
• Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.
• Send me an email at [email protected]
• To pitch to the podcast, go here
• Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangston
• The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/

• Website:  https://www.amytruebloodauthor.com/amy-true/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atruebooks/
• Newsletter: https://substack.com/@amytrueblood
• CLEARLY CHARMED: https://bookshop.org/p/books/clearly-charmed-an-enchanting-small-town-enemies-to-lovers-romance-amy-true/302a67da7ae70abb?ean=9798217270255&bkshp-astro=t

• Wonderland author showcase info: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeY0xi7yzwyeAhn71_JA-LkBWWCt6tfAy64zJF_2N5Tg8Z08g/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105952951926281779403
• Shoutouts to: The Author’s Guild, Flux (NorthStar Editions), and Courtney Maum

The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-love

License code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

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

Lisa Lee got both an MFA and a PhD in creative writing! Now, after many, many years (and many revisions!) her debut literary novel, AMERICAN HAN, is receiving oodles of accolades.

• Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.
• Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.
• Send me an email at [email protected]
• To pitch to the podcast, go here
• Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangston
• The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/

• Website: https://www.hellolisalee.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisaleehello/
• AMERICAN HAN: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/lisa-lee/american-han/9781643757254/

• Wonderland author showcase info and application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeY0xi7yzwyeAhn71_JA-LkBWWCt6tfAy64zJF_2N5Tg8Z08g/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105952951926281779403

The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-love

License code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

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

Kathleen Barber’s bestselling debut, TRUTH BE TOLD, was turned into a TV series with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine company. Her sophomore novel… didn’t do so well. But she kept on writing despite many disappointments, publishing books in both the thriller and romantic comedy genres. Her latest novel is SISTERHOOD ABOVE ALL: A #RUSHTOK NOVEL, with Amayah Shaienne.

• Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.
• Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.
• Send me an email at [email protected]
• To pitch to the podcast, go here
• Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangston
• The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/

• Website: kathleenbarber.com
• IG: instagram.com/katelizabee
• Substack: kathleenbarber.substack.com
• Sisterhood Above All by Kathleen Barber with Amayah Shaienne: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250400055/sisterhoodaboveall

• Amayah Shaienne IG: https://www.instagram.com/mayahshai/
• Eva's Babysitter's Club Fan-Fiction on IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcdbYj5FeRP/
• With shoutouts to Lisa Grubka, Ashley Spivey, Jennie Nash's Author Accelerator, Bouchercon, Mystery Writers of America, and Hello Sunshine
• Wonderland author showcase info and application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeY0xi7yzwyeAhn71_JA-LkBWWCt6tfAy64zJF_2N5Tg8Z08g/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105952951926281779403

The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-love

License code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

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

David Griffin Brown and Michelle Barker have both been on long journeys to publishing their novels. Now, in addition to being editors at The Darling Axe, they are successfully self-publishing their co-authored craft books. 

Between the two of them, David and Michelle write and publish in nearly every genre: picture books, YA, fantasy, sci-fi, satire, historical, nonfiction, and even poetry. We talk about their experiences with agents and traditional publishing, as well as their experiences with small presses and self-publishing. And, of course, we discuss David’s decision to found his company, The Darling Axe, which provides editing, novel development, and other services for writers.

• Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.
• Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.
• Send me an email at [email protected]
• To pitch to the podcast, go here
• Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangston
• The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/

• The Darling Axe: www.DarlingAxe.com (Michelle and David's co-authored books can be found here)
• Website: www.SeptimusBrown.com
• @SeptimusBrown and @DarlingAxe on most platforms

• Website:www.michellebarker.ca
• https://substack.com/@michbark
• https://michellebarker.ca/books/

• Book Broker Agent Interviews: https://darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/tagged/agent-interviews
• Book mention: Story Genius by Lisa Cron
• Shoutouts to Orca Books, Annick Press, Victory Co-op for Netgalley, Storygraph, Invisible Ink Editing, Gail Anderson Dargatz, and The University of British Columbia MFA

The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-love

License code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

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

Journalist Mimi Montgomery signed with the first agent she queried (!!), and is using her dog as part of the guerrilla marketing campaign for her debut novel, MURDER BITES, which is a satirical murder mystery on the set of a reality TV show about dogs.

• Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.
• Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.
• Send me an email at [email protected]
• To pitch to the podcast, go here
• Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangston
• The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/

• Website: https://www.mimimontgomerywriter.com/
• INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mimi_montgomery/
• SUBSTACK: https://mimimontgomery.substack.com/
• MURDER BITES: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/798842/murder-bites-by-mimi-montgomery/

• "Half the People Who See This DIY Promo Go On to Preorder My Book" by Jo Piazza (Substack article): https://andibartz.substack.com/p/guest-post-half-the-people-who-see
• Book recs: Story Genius by Lisa Cron, Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody, Before & After the Book Deal by Courtney Maum
• Movie and TV recs: A Simple Favor and Bad Sisters
• Shoutouts to: The Writer’s Center, Carl Hiassen, Virginia Evans, Courtney Maum, Emily Jane, Jo Piazza, Andrea Bartz, The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-love

License code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

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

After brainstorming over 100 ideas, Amy Tern came up with a Hitchcock-inspired premise for a middle grade novel… and finally landed both an agent and a book deal with Holiday House for her debut novel SNEAKS.

• Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.
• Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.
• Send me an email at [email protected]
• To pitch to the podcast, go here
• Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangston

• Website: amytern.com
• Sneaks: https://bookshop.org/a/91104/9780823461622

• Eva's interview with Rebecca Lehman on This Mama is Lit!: https://literarymama.substack.com/p/rebecca-lehmann-resurrecting-anne
• Eva's online Substack workshop, How to Catch and Keep a Reader: https://evalangston.substack.com/p/how-to-catch-and-keep-a-reader-workshop
• Shoutouts to: SCBWI, Sally Morgridge, Holiday House, Shanna Upchurch, Kids' Indie Next, American Booksellers Association, Indies Introduce program

The Long Road to Publishing is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-love

License code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

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