My guest today is Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author and an icon in the historical fiction space.

Today we talk about:

* writing what you're drawn to and if/when marketability goes into that decision

* The Hero's Journey vs The Heroine's Journey for character development and plotting

* how to draw the line between fact and fiction when writing about real life people or historical events

* advice for both aspiring writers and writers who are a few books into their careers

* and so much more.

I hope you enjoy the show!

»Please leave a rating for me on Apple or Spotify 💛)

🤓 Are you serious about your writing?

Every Tuesday & Friday, you’ll get a new author interview, publishing insights, creativity mini-challenge, or something else to make you more creative, inspired, or happy. Subscribe now--it's free! CreativeInspiredHappy.com .

Want more of Kate?

The Briar Club and The Phoenix Crown are both on sale now.

You can also find Kate online on Facebook, Instagram, and her website (where you can also sign up for her newsletter and get the free Alice Network short story.)

Podcast booking inquiries:

Brittani@lavenderpublicrelations.com

My guest today is Taran Matharu, New York Times bestselling author with over 3 million copies sold. Taran is also co-founder of a small publishing house, Portal Books.

Today, we talk about:

* how Taran got his start on Wattpad during NaNoWriMo, and then landed multiple book deals with traditional publishers,

* advice for anyone participating in a novel writing challenge this month,

* why he decided to start his own publishing house

* what he's learned about the book industry since becoming a publisher

* how he balances his work as a writer and as a publisher,

* and so much more.

I hope you enjoy the show!

»Watch here, or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Podcasts! (please leave a rating for me on Apple or Spotify 💛)

🎥 Past episodes of the podcast live here!

»Interviews with New York Times bestselling authors including Alka Joshi, J. Courtney Sullivan, Alison Espach, National Book Award winner Sabaa Tahir, and many more.

Want more of Taran?

Taran is on X and Instagram, and you can find his books at your favorite retailer. For more information on his publishing house, you can visit Portal Books on their website.

🟨 Full video version of this interview is available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

Brittani@lavenderpublicrelations.com

My guest today is Sabaa Tahir, National Book Award winner, Printz Award winner, and New York Times Bestselling author.

Today we talk about:

* writing the stories unique to you

* maintaining self-esteem and confidence as a writer

* how the National Book Award and Printz Award have changed her career, and so much more

✍🏼 And don’t forget about our $1,000 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers (more info here).

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Want more of Sabaa?

Find her online:

Tiktok

Instagram

Facebook

Website

My guest today is Caroline Chambers, queen of a culinary media empire with her Substack What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking as the crown jewel with nearly 200k subscribers, as well as a popular podcast “So Into That” and an active social media presence (her Instagram rivals her Substack, with well over 200k followers, so I stopped counting, haha.)

Today we talk about:

* building an author platform,

* balancing motherhood and a creative career,

* infusing your personal voice into non-fiction,

* the process of writing (and photographing) a cookbook, and more!

I hope you enjoy the show!

And don't forget about our $1,000 and $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers. Applications now open! More information here.

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Podcast inquiries: publicity@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Caroline?

What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking Substack: whattocook.substack.com

Instagram: carochambers

Website and book tour info: carolinechambers.com

My guest today is Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, and The Perfumist of Paris. The Henna Artist was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick and is currently in development at Netflix as a series.

Today we talk about:

* beginning a writing career later in life

* what it's like to work with Reese Witherspoon and her book club team

* Alka's ideal writing schedule,

* advice for getting started as a writer, and so much more.

✍🏼 And don’t forget about our $1,000 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers (more info here). It’s meant exactly for writers who are already in a different career but want to study more about writing—through continuing education, community college courses, or elsewhere.

I hope you enjoy the show!1

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Podcast inquiries: publicity@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Alka?

You can find her in so many places online:

Website: alkajoshi.com

Instagram: thealkajoshi

YouTube: AlkaJoshi

Facebook: alkajoshi2019

Alka Joshi is the internationally bestselling author of the Jaipur Trilogy: The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur and The Perfumist of Paris. Her debut novel, The Henna Artist, immediately became a New York Times Bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Pick and was LongListed for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. It has been translated into 29 languages and is currently in development at Netflix as a tv series. In 2023, Forbes selected Joshi as one of 50 over 50 women empowering other women. Joshi was born in India and came to the U.S. with her family at the age of nine. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. She lives in California.

My guest today is the artist Sally Fama Cochrane, a classically trained painter whose gorgeous work was the inspiration for the paintings in my new novel, One Year Ago in Spain.

In this episode, we delve deeper into how creative careers are the same yet different in the worlds of writing and fine art.

We talk about:

🟨 our processes for making a book or painting from idea to finish,

🟨 balancing motherhood and art,

🟨 why artists have a hard time asking to be paid for their work,

🟨 the little Easter egg in One Year Ago in Spain that my long-time readers will find,

🟨 and so much more.

Afterwards, explore more of Sally’s incredible art on her website or Instagram.

I hope you enjoy the show!

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

🥳 My newest novel, One Year Ago in Spain, is out today!Thank you for buying copies for yourself or other readers in your life.

One Year Ago in Spain is available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook anywhere books are sold.

My guest today is Julie Soto, whose first novel, Forget Me Not, was a bona fide TikTok sensation last summer and became a USA Today Bestseller. Her latest novel, Not Another Love Song, just hit bookshelves everywhere.

Today we talk about

- Julie’s origins as a playwright,

- how to take fan fiction (or work on places like Wattpad) and re-publish it as a book

- the demands of social media on artists today.

✍🏼 And don’t forget about our $1,000 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers (more info here).

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Podcast inquiries: publicity@creativeinspiredhappy.com

My guest today is romantasy author Scarlett St. Clair, who has sold millions of copies of her books worldwide and is a #1 New York Times and international bestseller. We first met in France at le Festival du Livre de Paris (aka Paris Book Festival), where I got to witness firsthand the magnitude of her international fame.

Today we talk about:

* How she rose from a flop to become a global superstar in self-publishing, then later switched over to a traditional publisher

* Why “No” just means “Yes, but in a different way”

* Her unorthodox way of writing books

* Nurturing a genuine community of readers and fans, and much more!

Also, Applications are now OPEN for our $1,000 Scholarship for Aspiring Writers. Get more info at creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Scarlett?

Find her on Instagram @authorscarlettstclair or her website scarlettstclair.com

My guest today is Jeannine Ouellette, author of the award-winning memoir The Part That Burns and founder of the incredibly popular Writing in the Dark, an online writing community that offers online creative writing intensives as well as literary salons.

Today we talk about:

* separating art from commerce

* how paying attention to everyday life helps make creativity more easily accessible

* building a career through different income streams and types of writing

* and more.

We also touch on transparency in making money as a writer. After you watch/listen to the episode, here are two posts with even more detail:

* Making money as a writer

* Book Deal 101: How do authors get paid (traditional publishing)

I hope you enjoy the show!

$1,000 and $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers

CREATIVE.INSPIRED.HAPPY is pleased to sponsor scholarships for writers to further their writing education. More information here!

GIVEAWAY: 1-year paid subscription to Writing in the Dark

Jeannine and I are partnering to give away a 1-year paid subscription to Writing in the Dark!

To enter, just be a subscriber to CREATIVE.INSPIRED.HAPPY:

I will choose a random winner from my subscriber list on Sunday, July 7, 2024 and will update this post once the winner has confirmed via email.

Want more of Jeannine?

You can find her at Writing in the Dark, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Want more writing advice and career insight? Join thousands for free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com to go behind the scenes with bestselling authors, and get access to our Book Club for Writers, creativity challenges, and more.

I can't wait to see you there!

My guest today is Beth Spencer, a picture book author-illustrator, photographer, and founder of the staggeringly popular Introvert Drawing Club, an online community of 7,000 members she leads in ultra-relaxed drawing sessions.

Today we talk about how Beth succeeded in building a bestselling Substack platform even though she didn’t know what she was doing when she started, how to find fulfillment in your work, and tips for getting started in a creative pursuit, even if you’ve been told your whole life that creativity wasn’t for you.

Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

You can find Beth and her low-pressure, cameras-off club at introvertdrawingclub.com : ) It’s a lot of fun—especially if you like drawing animals.

The book she mentioned on the podcast: Attention Span by Gloria Mark

My guest today is Ali Hazelwood, whose latest novel, Not in Love, just hit bookshelves everywhere. She is a #1 New York Times bestseller multiple times over, and she’s also a former neuroscience professor.

Today we talk about how Ali was discovered by her agent, and why she doesn’t like the label “incredibly successful,” and her advice for anyone pursuing a creative career.

Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

You can learn more about Ali and all her other books on her website and Instagram.

My guest today is Pierce Brown, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Red Rising series, the latest of which—Light Bringer—recently came out in paperback.

Today we talk about how Pierce overcomes self-doubt, how success has changed his career, and whether writing makes him happy. (And we poke some good-natured fun at what authors are like.) We also debate creativity vs inspiration.

Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

You can find out more about Pierce on his website, Instagram, or X.

My guest today is Brian Weisfeld, co-author of four middle grade books—both fiction and non-fiction—as well as the founder of The Startup Squad Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to teaching kids about entrepreneurship.

Today we talk about:

* how a personal mission can drive your writing career

* the differences in writing fiction, nonfiction and graphic novels

* what Brian has learned through some ups and downs in publishing

* how to come up with out-of-the-box ideas for book events to promote your work, and so much more

I hope you enjoy the show!

» Past podcast episodes live HERE

Special swag and autograph offer:

Brian has generously offered to send autographed bookplates and some swag to anyone in our podcast community who purchases his books. To get an autographed bookplate and swag, just send an email to info@thestartupsquad.com and mention the CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY podcast in the subject line!

✍🏼 And don’t forget about our $1,000 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers (more info here).

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Coming Soon: The CREATIVE.INSPIRED.HAPPY podcast. Interviews with incredibly successful writers about how they rose from obscurity to build fulfilling careers. Learn something new each episode to make you more creative, inspired, and happy. Hosted by New York Times bestselling author and #1 Netflix film/literary collaborator Evelyn Skye. Full video podcast available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com

My guest today is Cait Jacobs, who is My guest today is Cait Jacobs, who is THE Original Booktooker--yes, Cait literally created that massive TikTok phenomenon that has completely changed the publishing industry. Cait is also the author of a novel slated for next year, called Medievally Blonde.

In this episode, we talk about:

* what led Cait to post their first video on TikTok, and whether they had any idea it would go viral and blow up the way it did,

* what Cait has learned from BookTok about what readers love, and how they have applied to their writing,

* why they chose traditional publishing over self-publishing,

* advice for writers both for their writing and their online marketing efforts,

* navigating social anxiety and fame, and so much more.

I hope you enjoy the show!

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Want more of Cait?

You can find them online as caitsbooks on TikTok / Instagram / X / YouTube / Tumblr

My guest today is Maureen Lee Lenker, who is a Senior Writer at Entertainment Weekly and also the author of two novels, It Happened One Fight. She also has a podcast, Hollywood-ography.

Today we take look at creativity on both sides, writing about books while writing books, and how she taps into her creative energy without burning out on either end.

We also talk about:

* what it's like to work at a magazine and how she pitches stories she wants to cover

* how to juggle a day job and writing fiction

* how the book industry has changed, from her perspective as a journalist,

* book-to-film production companies,

* and so much more

I hope you enjoy the show!

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

📚 Want more of Maureen?

You can also find her on her website, as well as writing about books, TV, film, and theater at Entertainment Weekly. Her podcast is Hollywood-ography.

My guests today are Sara Raasch and Beth Revis, both New York Times bestselling authors and co-authors of the YA fantasy duology, Night of the Witch and The Fate of Magic.

Today we talk about:

* the process of writing a book together, from ideation to revision

* diversifying your writing career, including publishing traditionally and through self-publishing at the same time

* tips for what works on social media, as well as what not to expect from it

* what to do if you hate the book cover your publisher gave you, and so much more.

It was such a pleasure to hang out with Sara and Beth because we've been friends for a long time and "grew up” together in this industry. So be forewarned that we laugh a lot in this episode.

I hope you enjoy the show!

✍🏼 And don’t forget about our $1,000 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers (more info here).

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Want more of Sara and Beth?

You can find their tour schedules and social media here:

Sara Raasch: Website / Instagram / TikTok

Beth Revis: Substack / Website / Instagram / Patreon / Wordsmith Workshops

My guest today is J. Courtney Sullivan, a New York Times bestselling author whose books have not only been Reese Witherspoon book picks twice, but have also been optioned by Reese's production company.

Today we talk about:

* how to know when an idea is "right"

* doing research, and writing stories in layers

* ignoring genre categories and instead, writing whatever you want

* the most important guiding principle to hold onto in a creative career

* the coolest, most unexpected things that have happened to Courtney in her writing career, and so much more

Courtney was so fun and easy to talk to. I hope you enjoy the show!

✍🏼 And don’t forget about our $1,000 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers (more info here).

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Want more of Courtney?

Her latest novel, The Cliffs, is available everywhere. You can also find Courtney on Instagram and X.

My guest today is Alison Espach, author of The Wedding People, which was a Read with Jenna /Today Show book club pick.

Alison is also a creative writing professor, and today we talk about:

* making the decision to turn writing from hobby to career?

* coming up with ideas and knowing when it's the right time to write it, or when to leave it be for a while

* where Alison was when she found out that her book had been chosen for Read with Jenna and what it was like actually being on The Today Show

* and how to continue believing in yourself in a career that requires years of patience and hard work, often in isolation.

This was a really meaty conversation full of wonderful anecdotes from Alison's writer side, and wisdom and guidance from her creative writing professor side.

I hope you enjoy the show!

✍🏼 And don’t forget about our $1,000 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers (more info here).

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

>>Want more of Alison?

Instagram: @alison.espach

Facebook: author page

My guest today is Danielle Walker, New York Times bestselling cookbook author who shot to fame with her first book, Against All Grain. Danielle was a Forbes 30 under 30, and has appeared many times on The Today Show. She is also an advocate for those with autoimmune diseases like hers. She's written many cookbooks, and her latest is Make it Easy.

Today we talk about:

* building community as a writer

* the intersection of book titles and branding

* behind the scenes of The Today Show

* the creative process of recipe creation, and so much more.

I hope you enjoy the show!

$1,000 and $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers. Applications now open! More information here.

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Podcast inquiries: publicity@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Danielle?

Make it Good newsletter & weekly recipes (Substack)

Instagram: daniellewalker

Website: daniellewalker.com

My guest today is TJ Klune. He is the New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Cerulean Sea and its upcoming sequel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea. He is also a Lambda Literary Award winner and a queer advocate, who believes fiercely in writing the stories for his community that he didn't have growing up.

Today we talk about:

* what makes a breakout hit novel?

* why he prefers writing standalone rather than series

* the importance of reader word-of-mouth in helping a book succeed,

* and TJ's important advice for finding and maintaining creative fulfillment.

Enjoy the show!

✍🏼 And don’t forget about our $1,000 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers (more info here).

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

The podcast is on a short break for Thanksgiving, so today I have a piece I wrote that was originally published on Beyond with Jane Ratcliffe.

We have a lot of new community members here at CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY, so I wanted to share a part of me that you might not know. Thank you for being here.

💛

~evelyn

My guest today is Suzanne Young, New York Times author of over 20 novels, including The Program series. She's also written a novel with a rock star.

But the dream I alluded to is that last year, Suzanne packed her bags, sold her house, and moved to Italy, where she now spends her days writing under the Italian sun and hosting writing retreats in gorgeous villas from Tuscany to Venice.

Today, we talk about:

- tips for weathering the ups and downs of publishing so you can have a long career,

- going on book tour with Blink-182 singer Tom DeLonge,

- her decision to move to Italy,

- designing the "Writing in Italy" retreats,

- D.I.Y. tips for how you can create your own great writing retreat (closer to home),

- and so much more!

Happy holidays, and enjoy the show!

🟨 Full video version available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with $1,000 & $2,500 Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Suzanne or Writing in Italy?

Suzanne Young is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Program series. Originally from New York, Suzanne is a dual US and Italian citizen, currently living in the breathtaking Veneto region of Italy. She has published more than 20 novels, including Girls with Sharp Sticks, In Nightfall, and What Stays Buried.

When not writing, Suzanne is a high school English teacher and the founder of Writing in Italy, hosting author retreats throughout Italy. You can also find Suzanne and her three photogenic dogs on Instagram at @authorsuzanneyoung.

Hello, Protagonists!

My guest today is J.C. Cervantes, New York Times Bestselling author. Her books for children, young adults, and adults have been published in more than twelve countries and have appeared on national lists, including the American Booksellers Association New Voices, Barnes and Noble’s Best Young Reader Books, as well as Amazon’s, Apple’s, and Audible’s Best Books of the Month.

Today we talk about:

* becoming an author without a fancy degree,

* listening to your intuition/gut when you’re writing,

* writing books for different target audiences,

* working with iconic author Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson series),

* and so much more.

I hope you enjoy the show!

>> Want more of J.C.?

J.C. currently resides in the Land of Enchantment with her family and spoiled pups, but keeps part of her heart in Southern California, where she was born and raised. When she isn’t writing, she is haunting bookstores and searching for magic in all corners of the world. Her books are available anywhere books are sold.

J.C. online: Website / Instagram

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Hello, Protagonists!

My guest today is Heather Demetrios, a critically acclaimed novelist and writing coach who specializes in guiding writers in finding their voice, bringing their ideas to their full written potential, mindfulness, mental health in creative practices, and more.

Today, we talk about:

* the differences between a writing coach and a freelance editor

* mental health practices that support your writing

* how to balance writing what’s true to your heart and “stories that sell”

* tips for getting over fear or self-doubt at the start of a project

* and so much more.

I hope you enjoy the show!

🟨 Full video version of this interview is available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Heather?

You can learn more about Heather’s writing coach services and her books at heatherdemetrios.com or her Substack, The Lotus and Pen.

Heather Demetrios is a critically acclaimed author, writing coach, and mindfulness facilitator based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Her publishers include Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, and HarperCollins. Her work has been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, German, Dutch, and Romanian.

She has an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and is a recipient of the PEN America Discovery Award for her debut novel, Something Real. Her novels include Little Universes, I’ll Meet You There, Bad Romance, as well as the Dark Caravan fantasy series: Exquisite Captive, Blood Passage, and Freedom’s Slave. Her non-fiction includes the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Code Name Badass: The True Story of Virginia Hall, and she is the editor of Dear Heartbreak: YA Authors and Teens on the Dark Side of Love.

Heather works with writers on integrating mindfulness into their writing practice, process, and life. In addition to being the Executive Director of Clouds in Water Zen Center, she is a Trained Mindfulness Facilitator through UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center. She is also the program director of Rebecca Dykes Writers in collaboration with the Highlights Foundation, where she works with writers who tell stories about trauma for young readers. She is currently pursuing her Master's in Clinical Social Work to further support creatives.

Hello, Protagonists!

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is author Gretchen Schreiber. She is also the Manager of Books at Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. Gretchen's latest novel, All the Stars Align, is out now!

Today, we talk about:

* how Gretchen landed the dream job at Hello Sunshine,

* reading for Reese's taste versus reading for her own

* what Gretchen has learned about the publishing industry from her work at Hello Sunshine

* advice for authors when working with their publishers

* writing about disability from personal experience

* and so much more.

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join 24,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- author interviews

- behind-the-scenes of writing life,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

🎤 Got questions for future podcast guests?

I ask for podcast Qs on our community chat (available via web browser or Substack app.) Pop in every so often to check for open calls for questions for upcoming guests!

Want more of Gretchen?

You can find Gretchen on her website, Instagram, and TikTok, and All the Stars Align is available now at your favorite bookstore or online retailer!

Hello, Protagonists!

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is a Emma Pattee, a climate journalist, playwright, and author of novel Tilt.

Today, we talk about:

* tapping into a character's vulnerability and using your personal experiences to deepen your work,

* using "writing containers" (like setting the story in one day) to structure your novel

* writer's block--what it really is and how to break through it

* the most surprising part of her journey as a debut author,

* and so much more.

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join more than 20,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Emma?

You can find Emma on Instagram and Substack, and Tilt is available now at your favorite bookstore or online retailer!

My guests today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY are Jennifer Acker and Emily Everett, the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor of literary magazine The Common. Jennifer and Emily are also both accomplished novelists.

Today, we talk about:

* what an editor at a literary magazine does

* how they find submissions and how they choose what to publish at The Common

* what makes a great writing mentor

* the differences in writing short fiction and non-fiction vs longer-form books

* advice for aspiring writers on how to decide what to write and the shape of your career

* advice for authors on the eve of their book's publication

* and so much more.

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join 24,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Emily, Jennifer, and The Common?

Check out The Common or submit your writing for consideration.

Emily Everett’s new novel, All That Life Can Afford, is available in bookstores or your favorite online retailer. You can also follow her on Instagram.

Jennifer Acker’s novel, The Limits of the World, is also available in bookstores or your favorite online retailer.

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Eowyn Ivey, Pulitzer Prize finalist and UK National Book Award winner for her novel, The Snow Child. Her latest book, Black Woods Blue Sky, is out now.

Today, we talk about:

* how her experience as a bookseller and a journalist helped when she began to tackle writing a novel,

* whether the Pulitzer nomination put pressure on her for her next book,

* transforming painful personal experience into beautiful, impactful fiction

* accepting rejection as part of the process of being a writer,

* and so much more.

🎤 Got questions for future podcast guests?

I ask for podcast Qs on our community chat (available via web browser or Substack app.) Pop in every so often to check for open calls for questions for upcoming guests!

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join 24,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- author interviews

- behind-the-scenes of writing life,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Eowyn?

You can find Eowyn on her website, Facebook, Instagram, X, and Bluesky. Her books are available at your favorite bookstore or online retailer.

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Erin Crosby Eckstine, whose debut novel, JUNIE, is this month's Good Morning America book pick.

Today, we talk about:

* using family stories as inspiration for a novel

* deciding when to insert real history and when to make it flexible in historical fiction

* what happens behind the scenes on the set of Good Morning America for author interviews,

* how writers can prepare for media appearances and publicity events,

and so much more.

I hope you enjoy the show!

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join 25,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- author interviews

- behind-the-scenes of writing life,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Erin?

You can find Erin on Instagram, Bluesky, and her website, and her books at your favorite bookstore or online retailer!

My guests today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY are three massively popular creators in the book space on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Bindery: Jaysen Headley (a.k.a. Ezeekat), Zoranne Host, and Marines (Mari) Alvarez.

Today, we talk about:

* how they discover books and how they choose which books they promote on their social media channels

* weathering the changes that platforms like TikTok and others are undergoing

* what it's like being a full-time or part-time creator

* Bindery: a new way (beyond traditional publishing and self-publishing) for writers to connect with creators and publish books

* what Zoranne, Jaysen, and Mari are looking to publish (the kinds of books/authors they want to work with)

* how writers can submit their manuscripts to Bindery and the creators

* book trend predictions for 2025 and 2026, and so much more.

I hope you enjoy the show!

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join 24,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- author interviews

- behind-the-scenes of writing life,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Zoranne, Jaysen, and Mari?

You can find these amazing creators here:

Zoranne: TikTok, Instagram, Bindery (Fantasy and Frens)

Jaysen: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Bindery (Ezeekat Press)

Marines (Mari): TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Bindery (Mareas)

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Margarita Montimore, bestselling author of Oona Out of Order, which was a Good Morning America book club pick. Her latest novel, The Dollhouse Academy, is out now!

Today, we talk about:

* pep talks for yourself to get through the ups and downs of publishing

* how many rejections she weathered before landing a book deal

* dealing with professional jealousy of other writers (especially if they are friends!)

* writing tricky narrative structures (like multiple POVs or timelines)

* and so much more.

I hope you enjoy the show!

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join 25,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- author interviews

- behind-the-scenes of writing life,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Margarita?

You can find Margarita on her website, Instagram, and Bluesky, and her books at your favorite bookstore or online retailer!

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Olivia Wolfgang-Smith, whose latest novel, Mutual Interest, has been described as a witty and joyful, queer Edith Wharton in gilded age New York.

Today, we talk about:

* the most important benefit of having writer friends or critique partners

* finding the belief in yourself that you can write a full-length novel

* the difference between publishing a debut novel versus a sophomore novel, including whether it was easier to write a book the second time around

* why she chose to hire a freelance publicist, and so much more.

I hope you enjoy the show!

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join more than 25,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- author interviews

- behind-the-scenes of writing life,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Olivia?

You can find Olivia on Instagram—including her tour info—and you can pick up a copy of her new novel, Mutual Interest, anywhere books are sold!

Word-of-mouth, including through book clubs, is such an important way for readers to discover books, so I am very excited that my guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Mackenzie Newcomb, founder of the Bad B***h Book Club, which has 32,000 members.

Today, we talk about:

* what makes a great book club book? Aka what kind of books are more likely to be chosen for a book club?

* readers' surprising pet peeves about characters

* what makes an unlikeable character, likeable

* how authors can best connect with book club readers

* what makes a great book club meeting,

and so much more.

🟨 Full video version of this interview is available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of the Mackenzie or the Bad B***h Book Club?

You can find the main Bad B***h Book Club website here, or become a Patreon member to get extra community features like voting on their book club picks.

And for book reviews and recs, you can find Mackenzie at Mack in Style.

My guest today is Kate Fagan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of four non-fiction books and a brand new novel. She is also an Emmy Award-winning journalist who has worked at Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and more.

Today, we talk about:

* building a varied career with different kinds of writing,

* making a name for herself in the traditionally male-dominated field of sports journalism,

* her shift from non-fiction to fiction, and the differences in the writing, publishing, and publicity aspects of them,

* her unique craft tricks for writing a fictional memoir, The Three Lives of Cate Kay,

* and so much more.

I hope you enjoy the show!

Want more of Kate?

Her novel, The Three Lives of Cate Kay, is available now wherever books are sold.

You can also find Kate on her website and Instagram.

Kate Fagan is an Emmy-award winning journalist and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of WHAT MADE MADDY RUN, as well as THE REAPPEARING ACT and ALL THE COLORS CAME OUT. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her wife, Kathryn Budig, and their two dogs.

🟨 Full video version of this interview is available free at CreativeInspiredHappy.com, along with Scholarships for Aspiring Writers, a Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, behind-the-scenes insights into a bestselling authors' life, mini-creativity challenges, and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Lisa Jewell, #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of 24 novels. Her latest psychological thriller, Don't Let Him In, is out now.

Today, we talk about:

* Lisa's preferred reading format—physical books, ebooks or audio books—and her “dark” secret as a reader,

* Why she writes and what has kept her going in such a long and successful career,

* behind the scenes of her writing process for Don't Let Him In,

* how she keeps her stories fresh to make sure she's not repeating herself with each new book,

* what the most misunderstood part of being a bestselling author is,

* a few sneaky hints about her next book,

* her favorite interactions with readers,

* one thing that readers might be surprised to find out about her,

and so much more.

Want more of Lisa?

You can find Lisa on X and Instagram. Her newest novel, Don’t Let Him In, is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer!

🟨 Looking for our community of readers and writers?

Join 24,000+ at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

How changing my perspective of ordinary moments became my quiet rebellion.

Welcome back to Letters from the Creative Life. These occasional essays explore the quieter corners of living: small reflections on art, ambition, and the tender balancing act of building a meaningful life in a noisy world. Think of them as letters from my life to yours. Enjoy!

This is the audio version of an essay I wrote. If you prefer to read it, it's at CreativeInspiredHappy.com.

Hello, Protagonists!

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Téa Obreht, winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction, National Book Award Finalist, and international bestseller of The Tiger's Wife and other novels. Her latest book, The Morningside, is out in paperback now.

Today, we talk about:

* how being an immigrant influences her storytelling,

* writing in English while sometimes translating in her head from her first language,

* how she wove in a Serbian folktale into a novel about climate disaster

* why Téa dislikes writing in first person,

* her advice for writers on spending time on social media,

* where she discovers her next reads,

* and so much more.

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join more than 20,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Téa?

You can find Téa on Instagram and her website, and The Morningside and her other novels are available wherever books are sold!

Téa was born in Belgrade, in the former Yugoslavia, and grew up in Cyprus and Egypt before eventually immigrating to the United States. Her debut novel, The Tiger’s Wife, won the 2011 Orange Prize for Fiction, and was a 2011 National Book Award finalist and an international bestseller. She was the recipient of the Rona Jaffe fellowship from the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers at the New York Public Library, and a 2016 fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. She was a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree, and was named by The New Yorker as one of the twenty best American fiction writers under forty.

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is V.E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 25 books, including The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Her latest novel, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, is out now.

Today, we talk about:

* the curse of perfectionism and how Victoria copes with it,

* fighting Imposter Syndrome,

* why it's important to her to share both the victories and disappointments in publishing,

* the part of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil that Victoria re-wrote at the last minute, to the chagrin of her publisher,

* why defining books in genres is a box that writers and readers should actively fight against,

* which part of writing is her most hated, and which is her favorite,

* whether her poetic prose comes in the first draft or later in the editing phase,

* reading reviews of her own books,

* and so much more.

»(Plus a guest appearance in the video from one of Victoria’s cats)

Want more of Victoria?

You can find Victoria on Instagram or check out her website to sign up for her newsletter. Her newest novel, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer!

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join 24,000+ writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

How I found balance between big dreams and small, personal moments.

Welcome to Letters from the Creative Life, a new feature on my podcast and Substack. These occasional essays explore the quieter corners of living: small reflections on art, ambition, and the tender balancing act of building a meaningful life in a noisy world. Think of them as letters from my life to yours. Enjoy!

(If you'd like to read the essay instead, you can find it at CreativeInspiredHappy.com )

Hello, Protagonists!

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Adam Met, multi-platinum recording artist (he's the A in the band AJR). He is also a professor, and now author of a new book, AMPLIFY.

Today, we talk about:

* the kinds of books Adam likes to read

* the process of co-authoring a book with another writer

* how to outline a non-fiction book

* breaking rules to build fanbases

* storytelling in songs vs in books

* avoiding burnout in creative careers, and

* how to find your personal happiness and fulfillment in life

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join more than 20,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Adam?

For book tour information and more, you can find Adam on Instagram, X, and his website.

Adam’s book Amplify is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer!

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Mike Sowden, the author behind the hugely popular Substack, “Everything is Amazing.” He is also a former archaeologist and travel writer, and one of the humblest writers I know. (Don't be fooled when he starts out the interview by telling you he has no idea what he's doing.)

Today, we talk about:

* What is Substack, and is it too late to get started there?

* How Mike found his writing voice, a unique blend of scientific explanation and approachable humor

* The joy of trying things even when you're not an expert on the topic

* Growth on Substack - what works and what doesn't?

* The concept of writing seasons (a.k.a. finding a publishing cadence that doesn't kill you)

* What we can learn from Liz Gilbert's multimedia approach to writing,

and so much more.

Want more of Mike?

Fill your life with more WOW at Everything is Amazing.

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join 24,000+ writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Hello, Protagonists!

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Katherine Center, New York Times Bestselling author and one of the reigning queens of hopeful, feel-good fiction. She’s also had two books adapted into hit movies on Netflix. Her latest novel, The Love Haters, is out now.

Today, we talk about:

* finding inspiration which Katherine describes catching butterflies

* discovering your place and mission in writing—a.k.a. what kind of author do you want to be?

* maintaining a pace of publishing one book a year

(Sample production timeline in traditional publishing)

* her trick for writing deep characters

* balancing "normal life" as a mom with being a professional writer

* what does long-term success look like for a novelist

* and so much more.

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join more than 20,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Katherine?

You can find Katherine on Instagram, or check out her website to sign up for her email list. The movie versions of her books The Lost Husband and Happiness for Beginners are on Netflix.

Katherine’s newest novel, The Love Haters, is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer!

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Andrea Bartz, New York Times Bestselling thriller author. Her books have been a Reese’s Book Club pick, a Good Morning America Bonus Buzz pick, and a Marie Claire book club pick; one of them was optioned by Mila Kunis and another is in production at Netflix.

Andi’s latest thriller, The Last Ferry Out, is out next week.

Today, we talk about:

* who Andi considers the “greats” of thriller writing

* what she learned from being a Reese’s Book Club pick and how it changed the trajectory of her career

* understanding the market and how reader feedback might affect what to write

* tricks for building suspense and managing pacing, in any kind of fiction

* clear definitions of a “reveal” and a “twist” and why they're different,

* using Substack as a way to connect with other writers,

* and so much more.

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join more than 20,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Andi?

You can find Andi on Substack, Instagram, and her website.

The Last Ferry Out will be out next week (May 20, 2025) and available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer!

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Allegra Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of Sam and, more recently, Isola. Allegra's books have also been a National Book Award Finalist, a Reese's Book Club pick and a Read with Jenna/TODAY Show pick.

Today, we talk about:

* what Allegra would do if she won a book-shopping spree,

* how reading has influenced the way she writes,

* why writing in third person or first person changes the experience for both the author and the reader,

* writing historical fiction in a way that resonates with contemporary readers,

* whether celebrity book club endorsements (Reese Witherspoon and Jenna Hager Bush) has changed the way Allegra thinks about the audience for her books

* recent books she's read that surprised or delighted her

and so much more.

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join more than 20,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Allegra?

You can find Allegra on her literary Instagram or her website, and Isola and her other novels are available everywhere books are sold!

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Sarah Penner, New York Times Bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary, which has sold over 1 1/2 million copies. Her latest novel, The Amalfi Curse, is out now.

Today, we talk about:

* the books that influenced young Sarah as a reader, and later, as a writer,

* behind-the-scenes of Collector's Editions—how an author finds out about special endpapers and sprayed edges on their books,

* how she manages to write and weave together dual timelines,

* the importance of big "hooks" for her stories,

* the unknown book about the Cotswalds that she wrote during the pandemic that never got published,

* her dream book club menu,

and so much more.

🟨 Want more writing advice and community?

Join more than 20,000 writers at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com

Want more of Sarah?

You can find Sarah on Instagram, Facebook, or her website, and The Amalfi Curse and her other novels are available everywhere books are sold!