In the Lime Light with Marissa Malson
August 20th, 2026
Some people dream of writing a book their whole lives. Marissa Malson wrote her first three chapters in her phone's Notes app after a yoga class and never looked back. This week we sit down with the author behind the cozy-adjacent Average Jane PI series to talk about writing on instinct, building an author business from scratch, and why indie publishing is so much more than finishing the manuscript.
Marissa's debut, The Not So Average Life of Average Jane, introduced Jane Smith, a private investigator whose greatest asset is being completely forgettable. Book two, The Consultants, is out now and sends Jane and her team to Spain to crack a cold case. Think Ocean's Eleven meets Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, with a mostly female cast and a whole lot of twists.
About Marissa
Marissa Malson is a marketer turned mystery author and the owner of Just A Good Book Publishing, where she helps indie authors learn to self-publish and market their work. She also writes the Plot Twist newsletter on Substack, sharing practical marketing ideas for authors.
In This Episode
How a book she never planned to write became a series (with a third now in progress)
Starting Just A Good Book Publishing with her cover-designer sister, Nicolle
What she wishes she'd known before her first launch, from finding editors to building an ARC team
Why author events and curated markets became her secret weapon (101 books sold in a single day)
Free writing vs. plotting, and where her best ideas actually strike
The bonus wine pairings, recipes, and book club kits she builds for every book
Where to Find Marissa
Instagram: @marissamalsonauthor
Website: justagoodbook.com
Substack: Plot Twist https://substack.com/@marissamalson
Books: The Not So Average Life of Average Jane and The Consultants
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Jenna G Judith (00:21)
We are so excited to welcome Marissa Malson to the Limelight episode this Thursday. She is the author of The Consultants, which comes out August 17th, which if we are on Thursday today when this podcast comes out...
would have been just a couple days ago. So congratulations to Marissa. She also has her own publishing company and author services. So definitely be sure to check that out and listen for more information about that. But the consultants follows Jane Smith, an average PI who discovers that solving murders is anything but average.
The average PI in Jane's series combines laugh out loud humor, suspense, lovable characters, and plenty of twists. Book one, The Not So Average Life of Average Jane, launched in 2025. And book two, The Consultants, as mentioned, arrives this week, taking Jane and her team all the way to Spain to solve a cold case.
I think Ocean's Eleven meets Stephanie Plum is probably the best way to describe this book series, a mostly female cast and a whole lot of mysteries. So welcome to the podcast. Marissa we are so excited to have you here to chat about not just the books, because those are so fun and interesting, but also your author services and your publishing journey. Because it sounds a lot like ours and a lot of indie authors and kind of how you've grown in that.
where you are now and your amazing sub stack that you've also launched.
Jenna G Judith (01:48)
I just have like so many questions meeting you for the first time, so sorry. But
did you
have it planned out from the beginning or was this like this is gonna be a series or how was how did it go from the concept to like where it is now?
Marissa Malson (02:00)
Yeah. Well, the first one, I was never intending to write a book, so this is this is number one. yeah,
Jenna G Judith (02:08)
my gosh.
Marissa Malson (02:09)
so the not so average life of average Jane, there she is. I like reading mysteries, but I never like had the desire to write a book. I never thought I could, never thought I would. It was like never a dream.
But I go to yoga regularly, so it's not like I did anything like wild that like unlocked like my creative brain. but I was just going about my night and like the prologue and like the first chapters were just like in my head. It was like so strange. It was like this voice, like, you know, that was just like there, which I've heard like songwriters say and you know, like creative people like that, but I've never experienced that. And so I was like, this is so weird, it wouldn't leave me alone. So I just started typing it in the notes app in my phone and
So I wrote the prologue and the first three chapters that night. And I was like, I'm writing a book. I don't know. And so like I sent it to I oldest of five sisters. So I sent it to my sisters and I was like, I don't know, like it might be writing a book, but like you guys can tell me if you don't like it. Like, I'm not offended. It's not my, you big dream. They're like, no, like, it's really good. Like, and be honest and, you know, tell you nicely. And I I know they would, if it wasn't like, you know, the direction to keep going in. So I quickly switched to my computer.
kept writing, wrote the first one, and one of my sisters is also a designer, so she's my cover designer. My background's in marketing, so I
Jenna G Judith (03:28)
that's
Marissa Malson (03:29)
was like, I never have dreamed of writing a book. Like, let's just see if we can like do this ourselves. and so I started my own publishing company, Just A Good Book Publishing, and yeah, I was like surprised so many people really liked the first book. and I really enjoyed the process, so I was thinking, like, okay, I left the
The first book open for a sequel and I thought it probably would be a series. so I always intended it to be that, but it's like very nice that like people were asking for a second book too. So it's just all very surprising. Yeah. Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (04:03)
That's awesome. I get s I get really woo-woo, so totally
like I d like I think that like it stri like when it strikes, it strikes, right? Like the channel's open, you're ready to
Marissa Malson (04:11)
Yeah. yeah. Absolutely. Like mm-hmm.
Jenna G Judith (04:15)
like receive the messages. I don't know. I get very woo woo about it. So
Marissa Malson (04:19)
No, I agree. I
mean it was just like all the things lined up at like the right time. I happened to be like down at visiting University of Dayton where I went to school. They host the Erma Bomback Writers Workshop. and so they it's every other year. So they had one that year. It was sold out in person, so I joined it online. So it was like
All right, well I'm writing this thing, but like that workshop helped me know like what to do next and like how to actually like get it to market. So like yeah, I mean all the things just like lined up at exactly the right time, I guess.
Jenna G Judith (04:52)
Literally and I think too like these things like we get those like messages or that like call to write the book, but then we don't realize at the time how much is gonna change our life or like affect like literally every day after that.
Marissa Malson (05:06)
Yeah.
Yeah. I mean, every person I think I've probably ever met in my entire life has like, you know, been like reaching out like out of the woodwork, which is like so nice, but it's just like, you know, you like just never know like what's going to happen. And yeah, so many people are, you know, just like sending messages. It's been nice like reconnect with people in that way too and make new connections and meet fun new, you know, people like you through the writing community. So yeah, it's awesome.
Jenna G Judith (05:32)
It's so true. And and then like but now so it sounds like you've started this whole author services part
Marissa Malson (05:38)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (05:38)
of your publishing company too and helping other people on that journey. So tell me more about that because that seems like to go from like never even thinking about writing a book to like now having this whole business.
Marissa Malson (05:48)
Yeah.
Well, yeah, so there were two things. So I did a program through UCLA online, their extension program. So it was an editing and publishing. along with the Erma workshop, writing, like that program really helped me kind of like just get to know
publishing, editing, the industry like as a whole, because I'm coming at publishing from like a marketing perspective, which like in some ways is helpful because you know some authors are shy about promoting their work or you know, you just kind of like have to think about marketing as you're writing it too. So that kind of helps me get up to speed in the like book world. But I mean I spent so much time like doing my own research, you know, doing these like programs, webinars, connecting with people, finding all my editors, you know
Like, where do you even do that? Like that can be a scary process for a lot of authors too, where it's just like you're just handing over your baby to someone and you know they're gonna
Tier to shreds very nicely. you know, editors are great, but I learned like so much through that process. So in my first launch day too, which was much more stressful than my second launch day, you know, I was just thinking like back like it'd be nice if I had a checklist or you know, like here are the things you need to think about, here's the time, like, you know, what are all these things that you need to do like outside of just writing the book. And so yeah, now that's something I've, you know, started working with other authors on, whether it's, you self paced guides that I have on my website or, you know, if they wanna do something
more one-on-one, like kind of structuring that out, but it's you know goes from like how do you even publish it on like KDP or Ingram Spark? Like what does that look like? How do you find an editor? Where do you design? What's an ARC team? So it's all the things I wish I knew. kind of like built out like for hopefully making it easier for other authors in the future.
Jenna G Judith (07:33)
It's so complicated, and there's like this soul like there's this huge culture surrounding like indie publishing and like yeah,
Marissa Malson (07:39)
Yeah. yeah.
Jenna G Judith (07:41)
like the ARC team. That's such a great point. That was something I had nothing like no idea about releasing a book. so that's awesome. So we can promote those services and like let everybody know that you are out there to offer your help and support, because it's so important. I I can't like stress how
significant it is to have somebody on your team behind you, like supporting you who knows what they're doing. Like mentorship and stuff is priceless.
Marissa Malson (08:07)
Yeah. my gosh, I know. It just it takes
a lot of the stress off. And then just like for the peace of mind being like, Okay, like I've done all the things I needed to do, you know, and then we're ready to go. Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (08:19)
Then you're ready to go. Yeah, with
confidence too. so tell me about the book. Like the first one came to you after yoga. What's what's the premise? Like what's what's the difference between going from book one to book two, storyline, what's the pitch?
Marissa Malson (08:35)
So book one starts with Jane. So she is, you know, a woman who is very plain looking, just falls into the background, which she used to not like about herself, but then she realizes because she's a private investigator, this is a skill that's very useful. So we meet Jane in the first book. she's about 24, kind of struggling in her love life, struggling in her business a little bit. and so
Her mother, nosy, busybody,
Takes advantage of her services and says, you know, hey, I want you to investigate these new neighbors in our neighborhood. So Jane does it kind of begrudgingly. but what she doesn't realize is she's opening a whole can of worms, including unlocking like some big family secrets. so that kind of plays into it. So we have a little bit of like, it's a little of everything. So like just a good book publishing. The reason I need my company that is because I like just good books, my sisters like just good books. So
It's kind of like cozy adjacent because it's, you know, got a little bit more like attitude than a cozy, a little more edge. but it's got like the humor, it's got a little bit of a romance element, it's got, you know, the mystery, of course, and the suspense. And so it's all these things kind of together told from Jane in first person, which yeah, is a little unusual, I know, but then you get to kind of get inside her head and
Jenna G Judith (09:58)
Yeah.
Marissa Malson (09:59)
you know, hear her her inner voice, her inner humor, her inner dialogue. but the first one alternates between
Between the anonymous villain. So you get to hear from the villain as well. So she's kind of chasing these threads and takes her on a little bit of an adventure. So she starts it's Midwestern, so I'm from Michigan, went to school in Ohio. So Jane's from Ohio.
A case that she gets through her best friend who's a detective takes her to Florida and then France, but she doesn't realize it's all connected to the mysterious neighbors. So she maybe should listen to her mom. But yeah, so kind of some twists and turns along the way. and she kind of becomes part of like a team through some family members that I won't spoil, but maybe they have, you know, something to do with her profession.
That she didn't know about. So it ends with the kind of the opening from the next book that, you know, hey, maybe Jane might be taking over a little bit more in this like family business. And that's where the second book kind of comes in.
Jenna G Judith (11:03)
Got it.
Marissa Malson (11:06)
also following a cold case that's related to, you know, family member in the first book, but it's like a case that kind of comes back to haunt them a little bit. again on a a venture, but this one's in Spain. So I studied in Spain. I have family in France, so it's kind of
Jenna G Judith (11:20)
Yeah.
Marissa Malson (11:21)
Find you know, mix in some of those places that I like and you know, have the reader go on a journey as well. So yeah, without giving too much away.
Jenna G Judith (11:30)
Yeah, for
sure. And do you feel like that readers could pick up the second one independently from the first one?
Marissa Malson (11:36)
They could, however, I will say like one of the big things in the first one is just like this big family secret that comes to light. So if you
Jenna G Judith (11:45)
Okay.
Marissa Malson (11:45)
read the second one first, you'll know what it is. but you can read them backwards if you want. But I would advocate reading, you know, the first, then moving right into the second one. Yep. Yep.
Jenna G Judith (11:56)
Okay, so grab the first one first, and then we'll get the second one.
that's super cool. I love that there is like world travel involved. There's like mystery, but also this woman who's like very kind of like seemingly like starts out as kind of a homebody or like somebody who's like very unremarkable.
Marissa Malson (12:17)
Yeah,
yeah, and she is and she's is unremarkable, but she's I think confident and like, you know, likes who she is and she's just like, you know, this this is who I am and you know, she knows how to like work it now to her advantage. you know, where she's kind of just in and out of different places and yeah, being underestimated I think is you know, helps her succeed because people, you know, don't really you know, expect that from her. So in the first book,
There is a heist and she outsmarts everybody, which I think is fun. So
Jenna G Judith (12:49)
Wait, is how do you write that? That this is like what fascinates me about people who write like mystery or like crime
Marissa Malson (12:55)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (12:56)
stuff and everything like where do the ideas come from or like where do you do your research how do you how do you know how to write a heist? Like this is it's so impressive to me.
Marissa Malson (13:04)
Thank you. Yeah. I, you know, have like my browser history has, you know, some kind of like scary searches in it. So like I wanted to be
Jenna G Judith (13:11)
Yes, yes.
Marissa Malson (13:13)
authentic. But so you know, I have like looked up, you know, some stuff like that where I was like, how do I get something through a metal detector? You know, that was like something I needed like for the heist.
Jenna G Judith (13:21)
Yeah.
Marissa Malson (13:21)
And so there's some things like that. But it was kind of just like part of the story where I was like, okay, you know, I know that they need to like as part of this case, they're recovering something. So like how can she
Managed to do that and then kind of like outsmart everyone. So there's like little pieces along the way, and the heist is kind of told in real time, but then also in a flashback. So it's kind of like you the Oceans 11 kind of vibe where you see it happening in real
Jenna G Judith (13:46)
Okay, yeah.
Marissa Malson (13:47)
time, but then you get the full picture through, you know, kind of the wrap-up and then her internal dialogue afterwards, too. but I mean I free write, so like I don't really like plot, I don't really like you know, story word. I kind of have
you know, where I know where I wanna go and then I just let myself
Jenna G Judith (14:07)
Yeah.
Marissa Malson (14:07)
and my characters kinda take me there. But the heist was like a really fun one to write. It was just kinda you know, one of those moments where it's just like all flowing together and I was like, okay, like, you know, this is where we wanna go. Like this is it. So yeah she gets to kind of shine in that part.
Jenna G Judith (14:23)
That's so exciting. And I yeah, I totally understand the free writing aspect of it, which if Jenna was here, she would have a an absolute heart attack hearing
Marissa Malson (14:30)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (14:31)
like that you just sit down and and write without plotting. but it makes sense like
Marissa Malson (14:35)
I know? Yeah, I know.
Jenna G Judith (14:37)
yes. I feel like the funniest, like most like unpredictable things happen when you do that.
Marissa Malson (14:42)
Yeah, my gosh, yeah. I mean and when I like go for a walk or like, you know, come out of like yoga, I like grab my phone, I'm like, you know, writing my notes in my app, like 'cause that's where like the ideas come to me and then I like put it in and then I put all, you know, the structure around it too. But yeah, I think like it's nice to have like just a dedicated block to write, but then like those little like moments when you're not thinking about it, I think is when a lot of like your really good ideas hit you.
Jenna G Judith (15:07)
Absolutely. Do you feel like that happens at yoga? Like do you like genuinely come out of yoga and you're like, I have it? my gosh.
Marissa Malson (15:13)
Absolutely, yeah. Like I grab my phone and
like I I usually go to yogi with my sister. So like in Shivasana, sometimes I'm like sitting there and like writing like, you know, a chapter in my head. I'm like, I have to remember that, I have to remember that. So like as soon as we come out I grab my phone, I'm like, all right, like here's all my like just debrief in my notes. but like it's just a good time to like let your mind wander, you know.
Jenna G Judith (15:33)
Yes, I know I gotta start I have to get back into yoga then because
Marissa Malson (15:36)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (15:36)
that is such a good point. And like I it makes sense because if you are like opening you're like putting your antenna up at yoga and you're like saying like okay I'm here like I'm ready to like be
Marissa Malson (15:48)
Yeah, yeah.
Jenna G Judith (15:49)
creative. that's really cool. That actually gives me like a lot of hope and ideas for myself when I'm stuck.
Marissa Malson (15:56)
Yeah. I
know. You just have to kinda like go and do something else. Like I was doing the dishes like one night and I didn't want to. But then I was like, you know, just doing the routine thing and I was like, I solved my plot point. Like, you know, I did it. Like, so it's just kinda like once you just kinda stop thinking about it, I feel like, and you do something, you know, just different, or you know, where you just like let your mind be. that's helped me a lot. But it is hard, you know, when it's like, you know, you you want that inspiration to hit and you're like, Come on. Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (16:23)
Yeah, and when lightning strikes, it strikes. But
Marissa Malson (16:26)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (16:26)
and a lot of people say like driving helps them or stuff like that.
Marissa Malson (16:29)
I know a lot of people that do that too. Yeah. Yup.
Jenna G Judith (16:32)
For sure. talk to me about your publishing journey. so you went from starting the book, writing the book, doing some workshops and stuff, and did you always know that you were going to publish this yourself? Did you have any sort of plan or like how did you get into that decision?
Marissa Malson (16:49)
Yeah.
because like this was not something I was expecting to do. you know, and since I do have, you know, some people in my corner, like, you know, designer sister and like marketing my background, I thought, you know, instead of trying to go the traditional process and query and like have it, you know, maybe take quite a long time to even like, you know, reach readers, I was like, why not just like, you know, do it myself and just see what happens. And if people like it, great. And if not, then you know, well, like I did something fun. So that was kind of always my path forward.
And and I did the same with the second book. So yeah, I've really enjoyed that and it's it's kinda fun because you know, I got to build my own team. So now I have like you know, the editors that I worked with for the first book kinda like added, you know, t for the second one as well. So now I've got like my group in place. and of course, you know, my sister, very creative and you know, great to have her like on my team. but then also like, you know, e being able to like do a lot of like reader events and like, you know, meet people like, you know, just
where they are. Like I think that's like kind of a cool thing that, you know, I can decide like you know if I wanna like do some of these events and you know, it's been really nice like to meet like readers face to face and like online sales are great, but like I was like, you know, just like seeing who's reading and you know talking to them and going to book clubs. And so yeah, it kinda like the freedom that comes with it.
Jenna G Judith (18:11)
For sure. I think that that's not like talked about enough and I really wanna do like a full episode on author events and like how to build them and and how to
Marissa Malson (18:21)
my gosh.
Jenna G Judith (18:22)
act at them. Or like I say for me, I have so much anxiety about being in person,
Marissa Malson (18:27)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (18:28)
and meeting readers in person or like having to like pitch my book. So I feel like that it's kind of foreign to a lot of people to to really get involved in in events.
Marissa Malson (18:37)
If you do let me know because I have found it's like not even what you would think. It's like curated markets,
Jenna G Judith (18:41)
Really?
Marissa Malson (18:43)
like are the events. So like I've done like I've done like author events, I've done book festivals. I sold 101 books in one day, like at a curated like market kind of event. So it's just like, I mean, I was the only author there, like people were like interested in talking. And so like I learned like a lot from that. And you know, even just how to like bring people in and engage with them and like what do you talk about? And like, so now it's like okay, no.
Now I have a second book and I've got some like book merch and you know like just like the ways that you kinda do that. So like those have been huge for me. and I've kind of focused a lot more
Jenna G Judith (19:16)
Okay. Yeah.
Marissa Malson (19:17)
on those and like the holiday markets coming up and different things like that. So I feel like that's like one that there's like if authors don't know about it, like I'm like that's the one, you know, to do. So
Jenna G Judith (19:30)
Okay, that's really good to know it here, 'cause yeah, I'm I'm like I gotta talk about events more, but especially with the second book, I'm really curious to hear when you have more than one book at the table.
Marissa Malson (19:41)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (19:42)
that must be a really exciting new thing to be able to offer.
Marissa Malson (19:45)
It is, it's cool. Yeah. So say here's book number two. So you can maybe guess what happens in one. She's got a she's got a partner now. But see
Jenna G Judith (19:52)
Yeah.
Marissa Malson (19:53)
who it is. but yeah, it's in really like exciting to have a second book. It's exciting to have like people, especially at events, like come up like to the table and be like, they know what they want. Like they read the first book, they're excited for the second one. and like it's nice that, you know, you kinda don't have to do the whole explanation, you know, all that. Like, you know, they're already a fan, which is like
cool to see people that I've seen at, you know, events, you know, a couple months ago, a year ago, and now they're back for the second one. I'm writing the third one. So, you know, it's kind of building that pipeline, which is like cool. And it's just like nice to see the story keep going. and like just that people are so excited like to read it. And you know, when you ask if like, do you want it signed for you? Like people are like, yes. Like they're thrilled by that. And like, yeah, it's just like such a cool feeling. I think like both ways, you know.
Jenna G Judith (20:44)
For sure. And I like we it's very something I didn't realize going into being an indie author how excited people would be about about it. Yeah, it was
Marissa Malson (20:53)
Me too. Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (20:54)
like it's that's a some complete surprise. Anybody listening
Marissa Malson (20:57)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (20:58)
who's about to publish, like, be prepared to like yeah, like get people are genuinely ex genuinely excited for you and happy for you. and it's a weird it's for whatever reason it's weird. Exactly.
Marissa Malson (21:08)
Yeah, and most people are like, my gosh, I've never met an author. Like, you know, that's like something cool.
And the first few times people said that, I was like, Where's the author? And I was like, wait, it's me
Jenna G Judith (21:15)
Yes.
For sure, in the
whole signing books, people get very particular about wanting their book signed. And I was that was something
Marissa Malson (21:24)
Yes.
Jenna G Judith (21:24)
I never thought of happening either. So it's yeah. I love
Marissa Malson (21:28)
Yeah. Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (21:29)
that you brought that up because it was that both of those things were very big surprises, for sure, as a new author.
Marissa Malson (21:33)
Yeah, yeah.
Jenna G Judith (21:37)
so we talked about the first book. I is there anything you want to add about the second book? Because I feel like I don't know, I don't want you to give away any spoilers, that's not what it's about, but like I just want to make
Marissa Malson (21:44)
No Yeah. Well
Jenna G Judith (21:47)
sure we g cover everything.
Marissa Malson (21:48)
Yes, yeah. So, the second book is a like continuation. So the mystery wraps up in the first book. So you're not left on a cliffhanger, but the second book kinda picks up, there is a three year jump. So, Jane's been working with her team for, you know, a little bit. She's got a rhythm down, but now like a case that she's always been curious about, like with you know, related to kind of her family history, kinda comes to light. and so it's the team taking on
A new case, new villains, new location, but same like core group of characters. and each book, too. So I also have like a menu that's like a download on my website. So there's wines featured in each book and then recipes from each book, and so discussion questions. So each one has like a little like something extra that comes with it. So the first book, they're big adventures in France. So there's like a French wine, and then the second book, they're big adventures in Spain. So it's a Spanish wine, and then like a recipe that comes with it. So yeah.
Yeah, those are kinda little just like fun bonuses that like each one has. So that's like a little bit more than the story. So you know, some people I've seen readers like, you know, send a picture of like the wine while they're reading it or like they're making their recipe. And so yeah, that's like that's like kind of fun. Yeah, like a little extra.
Jenna G Judith (23:04)
So cute. Yeah.
That's super that's a really good idea. Not that you didn't come for marketing, like clearly.
Marissa Malson (23:13)
Yeah.
Yep. And then each
one has discussion questions too. So it's like at the back of the book and then each book that someone buys from my website or in person, there's a link to a book club kit on my website. So and then I join book clubs too. So in person or I've done on Zoom. but yeah, that's like just another fun way to like connect with readers and like some of the book clubs are just they're just so fun, you know. no matter like I've done it with like a bunch of you know, retired teachers and you know, like like younger people.
And so it's like a whole spectrum. but yeah, it's fun to like kind of have it like themed, you know, to the story. And I always like to hear what people think, like what their take is, like on all the questions. So Yeah. Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (23:55)
my gosh, what a dream. Yeah, that sounds so fun.
that's just so engaging and so nice to be able to like have a relationship with readers that's more than just trying to market your book to them.
Marissa Malson (24:07)
Yeah, absolutely.
I mean like and yeah, it's they're so genuine, so nice. And like some of my art creators like I've gotten to meet in person, others like, you know, live halfway across the world. but yeah, it's just it's so nice like to like have that relationship with them and like know that, you know, they enjoyed the story like as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Jenna G Judith (24:29)
That is so fun. the other question that came to me too was how is it working with your family? I like so like designing, Janno. This would be the first question
Marissa Malson (24:39)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (24:41)
Jenna would ask. She would be like, cause she's a designer, she'd be like, What's it like working with your sister and doing designs and all
Marissa Malson (24:43)
Okay, yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (24:47)
of that? I'm so curious.
Marissa Malson (24:50)
She's very, like, very creative. So I just kind of gave her like for the first one a mood board. I was like, all right, here's kinda what I'm thinking, like, you know, do you just go and do it? we had minimal changes, like, you know, the only thing we were just kind of deciding on was like, alright, like what kind of like font are we gonna go with? But she had kind of like the
Jenna G Judith (25:06)
Mm-hmm.
Marissa Malson (25:07)
you know, the silhouette premise.
The second one, I kind of told her again, I was like, all right, you know, like maybe we want the silhouettes. this one's actually even more like with the family. So that's my brother-in-law in the silhouette. And then that's my body, but Jane's like head from the first book. So like she took this head and then put it on my body. And so,
Jenna G Judith (25:32)
This is so cool.
Marissa Malson (25:33)
so yeah, so that was funny. She's like very creative in that way. And so
Jenna G Judith (25:36)
Yeah.
Marissa Malson (25:37)
I
really have like, you know, like little direction and feedback. So that's like awesome. Of course, yeah, you know, I have like little tweaks and stuff, but she's yeah, she's very good at taking direction, but she doesn't need much. So it's really just kind of fun. Like not stressful at all. Just fun.
Jenna G Judith (25:56)
That's that's really cool 'cause I feel like I didn't have a vision for my cover, but I was yeah, like I felt more comfortable sending it back and getting it back than to somebody I didn't know than maybe a family member, but it sounds like it really worked out for you. And the brand is branding. It is
Marissa Malson (26:09)
Yeah. Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (26:13)
like so cohesive and beautiful.
Marissa Malson (26:15)
Thank
you. Yeah, we wanted the two of them to work well together and so we kept kinda like the shadowy and she had like the idea for like the spotlight. So yeah, it's really just I kinda give her this is kinda what I'm thinking and then she like just makes something great and I'm like, that looks great, let's let's do it.
Jenna G Judith (26:33)
so cool. I know Jenna will like not design for friends. She is like, nope, I will do it for the pad. I will do it for this, but like I cannot get into a relationship.
Marissa Malson (26:42)
It is hard.
It is hard. Yeah. I feel like you have to have the right relationship with your designer, like the right relationship with your editors. Because like some people like, you know, just the tough love editing where it's like, just tell me what I need to fix. And you know, others are like, okay, well, like tell me what's working, tell me what's not working. So like you need both of them, like, you know, to give you the feedback in like that way that's right for you. So I feel really good, you know, with this book now with a third, I'm like, okay, like my team is set, my designer.
my editors, you know, got, you know, a good group and I think like we all just like work really well together and have similar kind of like styles.
Jenna G Judith (27:21)
Yeah, that's really I mean, that seems like the best thing you could ask for from like book one to book three. Just like
Marissa Malson (27:26)
Yes.
Jenna G Judith (27:26)
having everyone in place. Everyone's worked on every book. That's really, really cool.
Marissa Malson (27:31)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (27:31)
I'm excited for you. This is so it's so n like refreshing to hear
Marissa Malson (27:34)
Thank you.
Yeah, I'll show you I'll show you one last thing because we are on Mars
Jenna G Judith (27:35)
And covered everything. Ooh.
Marissa Malson (27:38)
and Manuscripts. cool. We've got we've got
Jenna G Judith (27:40)
Did you bring a bar? my gosh. You're writing juice.
Marissa Malson (27:44)
writing juice. So yeah, my my sisters got me that for my birthday because I was like, you know, like just pour a little like glass, you know, theme to the book and like you know, write a little bit. And so there's there's the inspiration. I was like, it's appropriate for those podcasts. I had to bring it.
Jenna G Judith (27:58)
Yes. And just freaking
enjoy the process. Like let yourself enjoy it. Yeah.
Marissa Malson (28:02)
Yeah. Yeah. I mean it is fun. Like it should be fun. You know, like your first
draft is like gonna be way different than, you know, your last one. So it's like just get it all out and, you know, let your editors handle the rest and then make make all your changes.
Jenna G Judith (28:15)
Exactly. True. I appreciate
I appreciate it because that's yeah, we all need we all need a marg especially release week. So you drink the margs. Enjoy it.
Marissa Malson (28:24)
Yes, yeah. Yes. Well and congrats on your release too.
Jenna G Judith (28:30)
thanks. Yeah. I mean honestly it it's like now it it the the pod takes up way more time and
Marissa Malson (28:38)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (28:39)
stuff than it's it's like nice to have something in the world.
Marissa Malson (28:42)
Yes.
Jenna G Judith (28:43)
And that was the point, right? Like it was like, just put something out into the world. Something that
Marissa Malson (28:47)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (28:48)
you can say that you you wrote and you have. so yeah, after ten years finally put it out and after all that, it's like the podcast that's actually like the thing, you know. So weird.
Marissa Malson (29:01)
Isn't that funny? Like you just like you truly
never know like what's gonna take off.
Jenna G Judith (29:06)
That's what I was saying about with you. It's like, isn't it funny that you just like one day you were like, I'm gonna do this, but now it's like crazy how much it changes everything, takes over, determines your friendships and like your community. Like so
Marissa Malson (29:16)
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I know. It It's
it's wild. Yeah. Could never have like predicted it. Absolutely. So
Jenna G Judith (29:28)
I know
literally that would have never guessed that I would be here. So totally.
Marissa Malson (29:32)
Yeah, yeah.
Jenna G Judith (29:34)
but it's so fun. It's so fun to like get to meet different authors and like
Marissa Malson (29:37)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (29:37)
get to do this every week, two times a week now. and
Marissa Malson (29:40)
my gosh, yeah, you guys are busy.
Jenna G Judith (29:43)
we're guessing, but it's so good. Like it's great, you know. and it's growing all the time. So it's just it's nice to even focus the energy here sometimes when like the writing stuff can be lonely and a lot.
Marissa Malson (29:57)
Yes, yes, absolutely. I know. Yeah, yeah,
Jenna G Judith (30:00)
So
Marissa Malson (30:01)
you need other people, you know, in the space. you saying.
Jenna G Judith (30:04)
Yeah, so it's it's been g it's been it's been
really helpful. But I might email you about events and stuff 'cause I act I do like I really don't do any and I have questions 'cause I'm like terrified of them.
Marissa Malson (30:16)
yeah, let me know. I actually yeah, wrote a couple articles on my Substack too about events.
Jenna G Judith (30:22)
cool.
Marissa Malson (30:23)
so yeah I can share those, but I'm happy to chat more as well. I mean, they've been like so awesome. And it was like just another thing that I kinda like stumbled into and
Jenna G Judith (30:32)
Yeah.
Marissa Malson (30:33)
but yeah, I mean they've they've really been great and like it's just like makes like just I really loyal fans, you know?
Jenna G Judith (30:40)
I mean it's so cool. The way you talk about it I feel less anxious about doing but
Marissa Malson (30:45)
That's the
thing. I know. I think a lot of people are anxious about starting it or just like striking up a conversation with people, but like I've tried a lot of like different kind of like tactics. So I think like, you know, there's things you can kind of learn to like bring people in or just like start the conversation where it's not like it doesn't feel salesy, you know, it's just kinda like you're just having a conversation with people who like to read. So it's not as scary as it seems.
Jenna G Judith (31:10)
Okay, that's good to hear. I'll I'll get in touch with you and like maybe
Marissa Malson (31:14)
Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (31:14)
we can get another maybe like one more person on, maybe local to like New England or something, and we can all kind of have like an events chat for an episode. I think it'd be super useful too.
Marissa Malson (31:21)
Yeah, that'd be cool. Yeah.
Jenna G Judith (31:27)
so yeah, I'll probably get in touch with you sometime in the fall when we have some when I'm like, okay, we need a new episode. but yeah, so look out for that.
