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#54: How the Lucky Adaptation Came to Life with Marissa Stapley
45:48|This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling Canadian author Marissa Stapley, whose novel Lucky became Reese's Book Club's first-ever Canadian pick and is now being adapted into an Apple TV+ series starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Drew Starkey, and Annette Bening. Marissa shares the heartbreaking story behind writing Lucky while caring for her mom, how Reese Witherspoon discovered the book, what it was really like keeping the Reese's Book Club secret, and why she always pictured Anya Taylor-Joy as Lucky. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome00:35 - Why Marissa always knew she'd be a writer03:25 - Her first novel that never made it to shelves04:40 - How journalism shaped her writing career06:02 - Ranking her wildest jobs (including cemetery gardener)09:06 - Why she writes under multiple pen names11:06 - How co-writing a novel actually works12:44 - TV writing vs. novel writing14:30 - The inspiration behind Lucky17:06 - Creating Lucky Armstrong20:22 - Writing Lucky while caring for her mom22:30 - Becoming Reese's first Canadian Book Club pick25:23 - Keeping the Reese's Book Club secret27:56 - How the Apple TV+ adaptation came together30:40 - Manifesting Anya Taylor-Joy as Lucky35:04 - Visiting the set of Lucky40:11 - The biggest changes from book to TV series42:09 - Which episode Marissa can't stop thinking about44:04 - What to expect from the Lucky sequelFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Marissa StapleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissastapley/Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/Marissa-StapleyFind her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/search?attributes.contributorId=16235074&contributorName=Marissa%20StapleyOff The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes
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#53: How Pride and Prejudice Inspired 'Behind Five Willows' With June Hur
40:22|This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author June Hur to discuss her journey from writing Pride & Prejudice fanfiction to publishing Behind Five Willows. They chat about countless rejections, finding her voice as a writer, the inspiration behind her latest novel, Korean history, libraries, and why she chose to slow down her publishing schedule.CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome01:14 Pride & Prejudice Started Everything05:30 Growing Up Between Korea, Canada & the U.S.08:23 Working at the Library & Favorite Books10:07 15 Manuscripts, 100+ Rejections & Finding Her Voice16:28 Why She Writes Korean Historical Fiction18:11 Motherhood Changed Her Writing Career21:36 Her Writing Process & Writing Korean on the Page24:27 How Her Books Have Evolved27:42 Where to Start Reading June Hur28:18 Behind Five Willows Explained31:15 Turning Pride & Prejudice Into a Romance33:36 Book Bans, History & Why Stories Matter35:23 Writing the Romance & Darcy Inspiration37:03 A Love Letter to Librarians & Bookstores39:09 What's Next for June HurFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook June HurInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/junehwritesTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junehwritesFind her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/june-hur?id=883069940Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/search?attributes.contributorId=20658423&contributorName=June%20HurOff The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes
#52: Elle Kennedy Reveals Which Off Campus Character She Almost Killed Off
50:10|This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author Elle Kennedy, the writer behind the beloved Off Campus books. Elle shares how she knew she wanted to be an author at just six years old, what it felt like selling her first novel, and why she almost never self-published The Deal. They also dive into the biggest behind-the-scenes secrets from the Off-Campus series, including the original plans for Tucker, why Dean almost ended up with someone else, what it was like visiting the set of the TV adaptation, and more!CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome02:35 Wanting to be an author at six years old05:19 Selling her first book & publishing journey08:41 How her writing process has evolved12:41 Why The Deal was originally self-published15:13 Creating Garrett, Hannah & the Briar universe17:16 The original Off-Campus series plans18:26 Tucker almost had a very different fate21:07 Why Dean wasn't meant for Sabrina24:34 Favourite scenes from the series26:44 Which Off-Campus characters were easiest to write?27:57 Expanding the Briar universe30:45 Off-Campus character superlatives32:14 Bringing Off-Campus to TV34:43 Visiting the set & meeting the cast39:22 Hidden Easter eggs & favourite filming moments43:50 Season 2 teases46:03 New YA thriller & returning to suspense50:07 OutroFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Elle KennedyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellekennedyauthor/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellekennedyauthorFind her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/elle-kennedy?id=825593661Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/authors/elle-kennedyOff The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes#51: Why Matt Haig Reads 1-Star Reviews of The Midnight Library
52:38|This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Matt Haig, bestselling author of The Midnight Library, The Midnight Train, and Reasons to Stay Alive. Matt opens up about the mental health crisis that changed the course of his life, how writing became part of his recovery, and why The Midnight Library was the most freeing book he's ever written. We also discuss the upcoming film adaptation starring Florence Pugh, the inspiration behind Nora Seed, social media, AI, creativity, and what he hopes readers take away from The Midnight Train.CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction01:16 Why Matt Reads His Own 1-Star Reviews04:06 Why Children Are Better Readers Than Adults06:24 Trouble at School, Neurodiversity & Finding Writing08:28 The Breakdown That Changed Everything11:56 How Books Helped Him Survive Depression14:05 Recovery, Rejection & Becoming an Author17:40 The Purpose Behind Reasons to Stay Alive20:17 Mental Health Advocacy & Writing Fiction27:26 Conquering His Fear of Public Speaking33:07 The Origin of The Midnight Library35:12 Writing Nora's Many Alternate Lives37:50 How Nora Seed Got Her Name38:52 The Midnight Library Movie Adaptation40:27 Florence Pugh as Nora & Behind the Scenes44:30 Inside The Midnight Train46:14 What Matt Wants Readers to Take Away49:20 The Dream of Opening a Bookstore51:24 What's NextFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Matt HaigInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattzhaig/Find his books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/matt-haig?id=811768428Find his books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/authors/matt-haigOff The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes#50: Lauren Kate Was Rejected 76 Times Before Writing 'Fallen'
50:21|This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author Lauren Kate to talk about the teacher who inspired her to keep writing, the 76 rejection letters she still has, and how Fallen became a global phenomenon. Plus, Lauren shares the latest on the Fallen TV series and why she returned to the world of angels with her newest novel, White Lights.CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction01:04 International Emmy & The Fallen Legacy02:04 Ballet, Books & Growing Up Creative04:12 The Teacher Who Changed Everything10:12 Discovering Writing in College13:08 76 Rejection Letters Before Success16:11 The Call That Changed Her Life17:52 Working at HarperCollins19:54 The Origins of Fallen23:14 Building Luce, Daniel & Cam30:44 The Fallen Movie Adaptation36:54 Bringing Fallen to Television40:04 Inside Lauren Kate's New Fantasy, White Lights42:53 Why She Returned to Angels After Rom-Coms46:06 Easter Eggs, Book Two & What's Next49:15 The Lasting Impact of Fallen Readers50:16 OutroFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Lauren KateInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenkatebooksTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenkatebooksFind her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/lauren-kate?id=889940567Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/series/lauren-kates-fallen-seriesOff The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes#49: Why Heartless Hunter Was Kristen Ciccarelli's Last Chance
46:56|This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling fantasy author Kristen Ciccarelli to talk about the journey from writing stories on her dad's old laptop with no internet to creating the global romantasy phenomenon Heartless Hunter. Kristen shares the inspiration behind Rebel Witch, the surprising moment she realized Heartless Hunter was taking off around the world, why the book has two different titles, and more!CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction1:19 - The Real Story Behind Rebel Witch2:43 - Writing Fantasy as a Kid9:13 - Life Before Publishing12:12 - The Writing Shed15:00 - Kristen's Writing Process18:18 - The Inspiration for Heartless Hunter23:33 - Creating Rune & Gideon29:06 - Writing the Book She Wanted to Write31:19 - The BookTok Success of Heartless Hunter34:10 - Heartless Hunter vs The Crimson Moth36:02 - Writing on an AlphaSmart Neo42:02 - The Meaning Behind the Dedication43:18 - What's Next for the Crimson Moth World44:13 - Vampires, Werewolves & Future Books45:59 - Final Thoughts & What's NextFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Kristen CiccarelliInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenciccarelli/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristenciccarelliFind her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/kristen-ciccarelli?id=875238864Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/authors/kristen-ciccarelliOff The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes#48: Why Brooke Averick Used Her Own Anxiety in Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It
47:24|This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Brooke Averick to talk about her debut novel Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It, going from teaching preschool to building a career online, and why writing a book felt more intimidating than going viral. Brooke opens up about imposter syndrome, pulling from her own experiences with anxiety, BookTok favourites, and the story behind bringing Phoebe to life. CHAPTERS: 0:30 - Introduction1:08 - What is Brooke obsessed with right now?2:35 - Brooke’s Teaching & Creator Career5:25 - Brooke and Connor Make A Podcast6:55 - Entering BookTok14:10 - Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It31:10 - FIRSTS Rapid Fire36:30 - Book Cover Design39:55 - Brooke’s Favourite Books46:00 - What’s Next?FOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Brooke AverickInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookeaverick/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ladyefronFind her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/products/phoebe-bermans-gonna-lose-itFind her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Brooke%20Averick%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchallOff The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast Hosted by: Morgann BookCreated by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston Produced by: Stefanie MacchiusiAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes