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Why No One Warns You About Book Launch Anxiety | ft. Meg Rosenthal
In this episode, we sit down with Meg Rosenthal to talk about the reality of book launch anxiety, imposter syndrome, and what it actually feels like to publish a book for the first time. From late-night spirals to the vulnerability of sharing your work, this conversation dives into the emotional side of writing that most authors aren’t prepared for. We also explore indie vs. traditional publishing, how to balance creativity with commercial expectations, and why building a strong writing community can make all the difference.
Nightmares, Plot Twists & Writing Psychological Thrillers | ft. Calvin Naraghi
From waking up in a cold sweat with a fully formed plot to building stories around music and cinematic moments, Calvin walks us through his creative process—and why horror writers might actually be the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
The Indie Author's Playbook with Debut Author Jourdana Webber (pt 2)
In Part 2 of our conversation with author Jourdana Webber, we go deeper into the reality of building an author career from the ground up—no gatekeeping, no shortcuts, just figuring it out as you go.
How an Indie Author Landed in Time Square (pt 1)
Jourdana joins us to talk about her journey from corporate life to writing swoony, heartfelt contemporary romance, and how she built her author career by learning the business side of publishing. From producing her own audiobook to cold-emailing bookstores and building industry relationships, Jourdana shares the strategies that helped her break through as an independent author.
Choosing Indie Publishing as a Debut Author with Alyssa K. Burns
In this episode of Margs & Manuscripts, we’re joined by Alyssa K. Burns—journalist, author, MBA, elder emo, and one of the most supportive humans in the writing community. Alyssa’s debut novel releases April 1, and she’s sharing the real story behind how she got here… including the moment she decided she was done waiting for permission and went all-in on indie publishing.
Marketing Yourself as an Author Is Exhausting (4 Authors, No Filter)
In this episode, Nicole Yvette and Jo Bentley join us to talk about the reality of marketing yourself as an author in today’s digital world. From social media pressure to content burnout, we unpack what it really takes to build a platform while still trying to write.
What It’s Really Like to Get a Literary Agent: ft. Crystal Leigh
In this episode, we break down what it’s really like to get a literary agent—from querying and full requests to the emotional reality of rejection and waiting. We also explore what agents are looking for, how to position your work, and what happens after you finally get that yes.
From Bodice Rippers to BookTok: How Romance Became the #1 Bestselling Genre
In this episode, we explore how romance became the bestselling genre in publishing—from its roots in “bodice rippers” to its current dominance on BookTok. Joined by Crystal Leigh, we break down the evolution of romance, the stigma surrounding it, and why readers continue to turn to love stories across every subgenre.
Imposter Syndrome: Why Writers Feel Like Frauds
In this episode, we’re joined by Lindsey to talk about imposter syndrome, negative feedback, and what it really feels like to put your writing out into the world. From harsh reviews and social media pressure to learning how to show up as an author, this conversation dives into the mental side of writing—and how to keep going even when self-doubt is loud.
From Book One to Book Two: The Emotional Whiplash
In this episode, we talk about the emotional whiplash of going from book one to book two—balancing querying, revisions, and marketing while trying to start something new. Joined by Susan Poole, we unpack what it really takes to move forward as a writer, from letting go of perfectionism to figuring out what your next story should be.