On the Write Track is a podcast from debut authors Sarah Mughal Rana and Emily Varga that address the little known secrets of traditional publishing and behind the scenes, from guests in different stages in the industry, to provide our listeners an insider's look. Guests include New York Times, International bestselling, and critically acclaimed authors, agents, Big 4 publishing editors, successful Tik Tok book influencers, marketers, and everything in between. Follow our socials and subscribe for the latest updates. Consider signing up to our Patreon page, even a small help goes a long way, to support the podcast, receive unique perks, and get exclusive Q&A access and writing advice from us!
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40: Katherine Arden on Romance, Ghosts, Winter, and Storytelling in Atmospheric Settings
Season 3 · Episode 40
Thursday, January 23, 2025 • Duration 41:40
In this episode, co-hosts Sarah and Emily sit down with Katherine Arden, the critically acclaimed and NYT bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale, The Warm Hands of Ghosts. and Small Spaces, to explore her world of folklore, ghosts, and history . Katherine shares the inspirations behind her beloved Winternight Trilogy, how she wrote while traveling; the art of weaving magic and realism, her methodology, and how she captures the mystical blend of history and magic and love in her stories. They also discuss the allure of winter as a setting, the balance of prose that feels natural and true to the book’s historical setting and wonder, and what it means to write in multiple genres. Perfect for emerging writers, fans of spellbinding tales in winter and history, this conversation will leave you feeling both chilled and inspired to write more.
Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!
39: Shelby Mahurin: Fantasy, Spice, and Staying True on Navigating Romantasy and Authenticity
Season 3 · Episode 39
Thursday, January 9, 2025 • Duration 51:26
In this episode, Sarah and Emily sit down with Shelby Mahurin, New York Times bestselling author of Serpent & Dove and the Scarlet Veil, to dive into the world of romantasy. Shelby opens up about swoon-worthy romance, balancing the "spice" in her books amidst backlash; what romance means to people of different age groups, and her journey as a leading OG voice in the romantasy YA genre.
She also discusses the pressures of social media, the benefits of a digital detox, resetting her Instagram, and how to stay authentic as an author in an industry driven by trends. If you're a fan of love, romantasy , and keeping it real, this conversation is a must-listen!
30: Ehigbor Okosun: Crafting Worlds without being Boxed In: A Dive into Adult Fantasy
Season 2 · Episode 30
Thursday, April 11, 2024 • Duration 59:04
Join hosts Sarah and Emily as they sit down with Ehigbor Okosun, the #1 Sunday times bestseller of Forged by Blood known, captivating adult fantasy . In this episode, Ehi shares insights into their creative process, discussing the inspirations behind their books and their atypical way of receiving their publishing deal. For those of you querying, Ehi talks about agenting, her journey, and difficult lessons learned.
Whether you're an aspiring writer seeking advice or a fantasy fan, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on the intersection of imagination and publishing in the realm of adult fantasy.
29: Foreign Rights Agent Taryn Fagerness: Exploring International Publishing
Season 2 · Episode 29
Thursday, March 14, 2024 • Duration 56:00
Join hosts Sarah and Emily as they dive into the fascinating world of foreign sales and publishing with special guest Agent Taryn Fagerness, a seasoned foreign and international rights agent. In this episode of they explore the intricacies of selling and acquiring book rights across borders, international trends country-to-country, what is hot and what is hard to sell, and the challenges and opportunities that come with bridging cultures through literature.
From negotiating deals to navigating cultural nuances, Taryn shares her insights and experiences gained from years of working in the global publishing scene including key global book fairs. Whether you're a writer, author, aspiring agent, reader, or tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how stories travel the world and the role of international agents like Taryn in shaping the literary landscape.
Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
28: Gretchen Schreiber Breaking Barriers: A Conversation on Disabilities in Fiction
Season 2 · Episode 28
Thursday, February 29, 2024 • Duration 58:26
Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Gretchen Schreiber a prominent voice in the world of YA contemporary and romance and celebrity book club curation. Known not only for their writing but also for their advocacy for disability awareness through fiction, Gretchen delves into the intricacies of portraying disabilities in books, advocacy, and what the publishing industry is missing when it comes to disability rep. From crafting authentic characters to navigating the challenges and opportunities she’s faced writing numerous drafts, persevering in the face of rejection, we explore the importance of diversity and inclusion in writing.
Moreover, Gretchen shares insights into their role as a celebrity book club curator for Reese Witherspoon’s book club, using their platform to elevate marginalized voices in one of the most well known book clubs in America. Tune in to hear about how she selects books, how she reads books and scripts for a living, how film writing inspired her craft and more!
27: Rani Shah & Lilly Singh’s Library: From Words to Representation and Elevating South Asian Books
Season 2 · Episode 27
Thursday, February 15, 2024 • Duration 59:26
In this episode, Sarah and Emily have the pleasure of interviewing Rani Shah, a South Asian author and the curator of Lilly Singh's library. Join us as Rani takes us through her writing career, which ignited her advocacy for diverse storytelling and led her to become an advocate for brown voices. Rani delves into her personal gripes of navigating identity as a South Asian woman in the publishing world and the need for representation from different ethnicities in the subcontinent — not stereotypes and how these experiences have shaped her writing. We also delve into her role as the curator of Lilly Singh's library, exploring her mission to select South Asian books and amplify marginalized voices within the publishing world.
26: Austin Public Library Behind the Stacks: Book Bans, Library Management and Inclusive Spaces with Sean Godfrey & Kathleen Houlihan
Season 2 · Episode 26
Thursday, February 1, 2024 • Duration 01:01:17
In this episode, hosts Sarah and Emily dive deep into the world of library management, book curation, events, and creating inclusive spaces. Joining them are two librarian guests, Sean and Kathleen, from the Texas Public Library system, who share their invaluable insights and experiences.
Sean, an interim division library manager, takes us behind the scenes, shedding light on the art of managing a library system. From overseeing collections and coordinating events to ensuring smooth operations, Sean shares his expertise on the multifaceted role of library management. He also delves into the challenges faced by libraries and how they adapt to the ever-changing political landscape of information access.
Kathleen, a passionate advocate for inclusivity in libraries, discusses the importance of creating welcoming spaces for all patrons especially teenagers of diverse backgrounds and disabilities. She shares her strategies for curating diverse book spaces and events that reflect the community's needs and interests.
Whether you're an author curious about how to do the best book events, a library enthusiast, a book lover, or simply curious about the inner workings of these invaluable institutions, this episode offers a glimpse into the world of library management and the power of inclusive spaces.
25: Victoria Aveyard: Unveiling A Longterm Career, TikTok and an Author’s 5 Year Plan
Season 2 · Episode 25
Thursday, January 18, 2024 • Duration 01:14:17
Join hosts Sarah and Emily as they delve into the extraordinary world of bestselling author Victoria Aveyard. In this intimate interview, Sarah and Emily explore the details behind Victoria's remarkable book career, her social media, writing inspirations, and the keys to her longevity in the industry.
Victoria Aveyard's electrifying debut novel, "Red Queen," captivated readers worldwide, propelling her to the forefront of the YA scene. Sarah and Emily will unravel the story behind her sudden rise, from the initial spark of the idea to the publishing phenomenon that took the world by storm; to Realm Breaker and maintaining consistency with external expectations.
Listeners will gain insight into Victoria's unique perspective on storytelling, character development, and the art of crafting unforgettable narratives.
Listeners will also learn advice on perseverance, adaptability, and staying true to one's creative vision, even in the face of obstacles. Stay tuned in the end for spicy questions on tropes, ships and favorite villains!
24: LitJoy Crate Co-Founders Alix & Kelly: Secrets of Innovating Book Boxes and Special Editions
Season 2 · Episode 24
Thursday, December 21, 2023 • Duration 55:58
In this exciting episode, Sarah and Emily host the first and largest US based book box with the brilliant co-founders Alix and Kelly! LitJoy Crate is a quarterly book box subscription that offers exclusively curated items for Young Adult and Magical enthusiasts!
In this episode, we find out about the founding and consecutive strategies that Alix and Kelly employ to continually innovate and excite their subscribers. We discuss how creating a reader experience with a book club before shifting to a book box was key to their success — and keeping the core values of readership feedback, ideas, dynamic genre inclusions, and a fun magical experience has led to their immense success! They also reveal tips about how authors and agents and editors have pitched books to the company in the past, and hints at the future of LitJoy Crate.
Tune in to hear what LitJoy looks for in their crates, inspirations, and future plans!
23: Co Founding Book Festivals: Imaginarium's Co-founder Nadège Richards
Season 2 · Episode 23
Thursday, December 7, 2023 • Duration 54:08
Join Sarah and Emily in a riveting episode as they sit down with Nadège Richards, one of the brilliant minds behind Imaginarium, the fantasy book festival that has captured the hearts of readers across America. Uncover the inspiration, challenges, and sheer magic that went into building this brilliant fest that bridges famous indie and traditionally published author while celebrating diverse voices. From the inception of the idea to the enchanting execution, this conversation with the co-founder offers a unique glimpse behind the scenes of Imaginarium, which enriches the reader experience and where fantasy comes to life. We talk about expenses, outreach, selecting authors and speakers, marketing, and how to co found a festival, and the challenges especially as Black co founders. Prepare to be transported into the realm of book fests!
Come back every second Thursday for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review! It really helps the podcast, especially since we're just getting started.
Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!
Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!
Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!
Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!
Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!
Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!
Come back every second Thursday for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review! It really helps the podcast, especially since we're just getting started.
Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!
Come back every second Thursday for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review! It really helps the podcast, especially since we're just getting started.
Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!
Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!
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