When former FBI agent Jerri’s crime novel died on submission, she “accidentally” started self-publishing. And after a long and emotional road (and some work as a TV consultant!), she’s finally landed her first traditionally-published contract: a two-book deal with Sourcebooks: Poisoned Pen Press.  

Jerri produces and hosts the podcast FBI Case File Review, and her popular FBI for Armchair Detectives nonfiction series debunks misconceptions about the FBI found in books, TV, and movies. Her work helps authors, true crime enthusiasts and aspiring FBI agents learn how the FBI investigates crime.

• 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: https://jerriwilliams.com/ 
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jerriwilliams1/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JerriWilliamsAuthor/
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jerriwilliamsauthor
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@FBICaseReview

• Shoutouts to International Thriller Writers (and ThrillerFest), Sisters in Crime, and Mystery Writers of America
• Shoutouts Isabella Maldonado and Joseph Wambaugh
• Craft Books Mentioned: The First 50 Pages, Story Trumps Structure, Plot and Structure, The Anatomy of Story by John Truby, Conflict and Suspense by James Scott Bell, Story Engineering by Larry Brooks, The Story Grid by Shawn M. Coyne, and Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas

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

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Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau started out writing books for teens in French for a French publisher. She now writes in English, and has had four novels published in the US: two YA rom-coms and two adult thrillers. In this episode we talk about her experiences with book packagers, her three different literary agents, her love of screenwriting, and so much more. Anne-Sophie’s latest book is We Would Never Tell.

• 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: https://www.asjouhanneau.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asjouhanneau/
• Substack: https://asjouhanneau.substack.com/

• Shoutouts to: Gotham Writers, Austin Film Festival, Alloy Entertainment
• Eva as a background extra: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZhlxVxFava/?img_index=1
• My Somewhat Bonkers Publishing Journey Part 1: https://asjouhanneau.substack.com/p/my-somewhat-bonkers-publishing-journey
• " " Part 2: https://asjouhanneau.substack.com/p/my-somewhat-bonkers-publishing-journey-ca9
• " " Part 3: https://asjouhanneau.substack.com/p/my-somewhat-bonkers-publishing-journey-191

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.

Bestselling author Eliza Knight self-publishes romance novels and traditionally publishes historical fiction and contemporary thrillers. Her latest novel TRADWIFE, coming out in August under the pen name Michelle Brandon, will be her 99th published book! Her journey has been long and twisty… and wildly prolific! 

We talk about her latest historical noel, LOST IN THE SUMMER OF ‘69, and how she manages to successfully juggle so many publishing balls at once!

• 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:  https://elizaknight.com
• Instagram and FB handle: @ElizaKnightFiction 
• Podcast: https://historybooksandwinepodcast.buzzsprout.com
• Lost in the Summer of '69: https://bookshop.org/a/91104/9781464255113
• Tradwife: https://bookshop.org/a/91104/9780063470538

• Middlemen: Literary Agents and the Making of American Fiction: https://bookshop.org/a/91104/9780691256160
• Mentions of Novelists, Inc; Romance Writers of America; Historical Novel Society; Women’s Fiction Writers Association
• Vellum Software: https://vellum.pub/?utm_source=google-ads&utm_campaign=vellum_search&utm_agid=141737776969&utm_term=vellum&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17767505168&gbraid=0AAAAAowUQB2cN9QMg6n9bFOxx7x4m9Pki&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_vnQBhCxARIsADcZyxLQnUHaLI2rxVvGdET9G-qzUVvOFRSS5jlT5BjP-c1GPpdZHgB8iqcaAlz_EALw_wcB

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.

Lawyer and bestselling author Emily Jane has penned an incredible pile of genre-bending manuscripts, and her publishing journey is just as unconventional as her books. 

It wasn’t until her 6th manuscript that Emily landed her amazing agent, and her debut novel was actually the 17th book she wrote. Plus… you won’t believe the mind-blowing reveal that comes towards the end of this episode! 

Her latest novel, MR. YAY, released on June 2, 2026, and her fifth novel, GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT, OR HOW OUR DAD CAUSED THE FUNPOCALYPSE, is coming out in March of 2027. 

• 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: https://www.emilyjaneauthor.com. 
• Books: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2282824/emily-jane/ 
• Instagram: @emilyjane.author  
• threads: @emilyjane.author
•  Bluesky: @emilyjaneauthor.bsky.social
• GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT, OR HOW OUR DAD CAUSED THE FUNPOCALYPSE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/give-the-people-what-they-want-emily-jane/1150359820?ean=9781368116053&irclickid=WvBSwhwl-xyZWiQwKeQDZ3sCUkuTyMWNsSwYwM0&sharedid=&irpid=128773&irgwc=1&afsrc=1

• Emily’s camper van IG video: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYSbsnbR7BI/

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.

Moniza Hossain had FOUR middle grade novels die on submission before landing two picture book deals. Now she also has a middle grade horror novel coming out. After a brutal 10-year journey, it’s finally her time to shine!

Her two picture books, Street Puppy, Masjid Cat and Ritu in the Sun, are out now. Her middle grade novel Bad Things Happened Here is coming out this September. 

• 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: monizahossain.com
• Ritu in the Sun: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740790/ritu-in-the-sun-by-moniza-hossain-illustrated-by-merce-lopez/
• Bad Things Happened Here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/825012/bad-things-happened-here-by-moniza-hossain/
• @monizahossain on Instagram 

• We Need Diverse Books: https://www.diversebooks.org/
• Triada US Literary Agency: https://www.triadaus.com/

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.

April Henry goes to extreme lengths to research her mystery/thriller novels, like allowing herself to get kidnapped! 

She has published 31 mysteries and thrillers for teens and adults, with more to come. Her latest YA novel is called IN THE BLOOD.

In this episode we talk about where she finds inspiration, her adventures in co-writing, and, of course, the ups and downs on her long road to publishing.

• 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: aprilhenry.com
• Instagram and Threads: @aprilhenrybooks
• Facebook: @aprilhenry 
• BlueSky: @aprilhenry
• TikTok: @aprilhenrywritingadvice and @aprilhenrybooks 
• IN THE BLOOD: https://annieblooms.com/april-henry-signed-books

• Rules for Liars by April Patten and Debra Garfinkle

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

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Tara Sexton landed a 3-book deal with her sports romance series... but it didn’t come easy! She had a 10-year marathon of close calls, TONS of unpublished manuscripts, and a crazy submission process before scoring this big win! The first book in the End Game series, THE GREATEST GAME, was just released in the UK and will be published in the US on May 19.

• 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: www.tarasexton.com
• Preorder The Greatest Game: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/833386/the-greatest-game-by-tara-sexton/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writerta13/
• Find her on other socials at @writerta13

• Tara's unboxing video on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXiDzG8jfNK/

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.

After Amin Ahmad lost his agent and his editor, his crime novel series was cut short. But now he’s back in the game with a brand-new thriller called A KILLER IN THE FAMILY. In this episode Amin talks about teaching creative writing, and how he writes his novels the same way he used to design buildings.

• 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: https://www.aminahmadbooks.com/
• IG: @aminahmadbooks
• A KILLER IN THE FAMILY: https://bookshop.org/a/91104/9781250394897

• Writer's Center in DC: https://writer.org/
• New School in NYC
• StoryStudio Chicago
• Grub Street in Boston

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

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.

Ruth Knafo Setton was told there was “no chance” her book would get published, but after parting ways with her agent, she sold the book on her own and won some awards for it along the way!

Ruth writes her novels the way a magician creates an illusion, and she combines creative intuition with a regular writing practice, lots of revision, and a healthy dose of tenacity. Her novel Zig Zag Girl, about a sisterhood of female magicians, was released in the UK in the fall of 2025 and in the U.S. in March 2026. It won Grand Prize for ScreenCraft's Most Cinematic Book, and the screenplay for a pilot episode of Zig Zag Girl won 1st prize in the LA Crime & Horror Film Festival. 

In this episode, we talk about Ruth’s long road to publishing her two novels, her fascinating creative process, and how she fell in love with screenwriting.

• 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: www.ruthsetton.com/  
• Substack: www.ruthsetton.substack.com/ 
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/rksetton/ 
• Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/list/122004.Ruth_Knafo_Setton
• ZigZag Girl: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/ZigZag-Girl/Ruth-Knafo-Setton/9781917788038

• Substack article by Vicky Weber: https://vickyweberbooks.substack.com/p/what-nobodys-telling-querying-writers
• VCCA: https://www.vcca.com/
• Andrea Bartz's article about Ruth: https://andibartz.substack.com/p/guest-post-being-sawed-in-half-taught
• Black Spring Press's Crime Series: https://blackspringpressgroup.com/collections/black-spring-crime-series
• Manuscript Academy: https://manuscriptacademy.com/

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.

Beekeeper and kidlit author Shanna Upchurch got orphaned by her editor and dumped by her agent within a 48-hour period. But she kept things professional and a few weeks later landed a 6-figure deal at auction! 

Shanna has always taken her writing and publishing career seriously, even during her many (many!) years of rejection. Her debut picture book, The Honeybee Highway, was just released in April 2026, and she has two middle grade novels coming out in 2027 and 2028.

• 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: https://www.shannaupchurch.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sdupchurch4/
• The Honeybee Highway: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-honeybee-highway-shanna-upchurch/7526ed79e126c673?ean=9781368116022&next=t

• Highlights Foundation (now called Boyds Mills): https://boydsmills.org/
• SCBWI: https://www.scbwi.org/
• The Manuscript Academy: https://manuscriptacademy.com/

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.