Off The Shelf with Morgann Book

Did you know Lily Chu found her agent through a Twitter contest? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Audible author Lily Chu to discuss her latest release, Just Kiss Already. Inspired by the hit television series Bones and her own archaeology background, Lily shares her research process, from interviewing a forensic anthropologist to filmmakers to craft the perfect story. She also shares what it’s like collaborating with actress and narrator Phillipa Soo and teases her next three books.CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome02:04 Finding Her Agent Through Twitter04:11 The Challenges Of Being A Writer05:50 The Journey From Auction To Audible07:45 Editing Novels for Audio and Print08:50 Swearing in Audiobooks10:04 How Audiobooks Have Changed The Writing Process12:00 Exploring The Audible New York Headquarters13:03 Lily’s Writing Process16:23 The Inspiration Behind  Just Kiss Already 17:46 Lily’s Archaeology Background Influence 20:00 Everyone Lily Interviewed 23:16 Collaborating With Phillipa Soo24:30 Changing The Perspective Of Narration28:13 Lily’s Involvement In Her Audiobooks30:20 What Is Lily Writing Next? 31:48 Rapid Fire Audio QuestionsFOLLOW US:Morgann BookTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbookInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook Lily Chu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilychuauthor/Find their books on Audible: https://www.audible.ca/author/Lily-Chu/B09BG1FBVXOff The ShelfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?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 Production Coordinator: Maggie IndovinaAssociate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Victoria S. Walsh to talk about turning a lifelong dream into reality with her debut fantasy novel, The Iron Hex. From manifesting and leaving her corporate job to building a fantasy trilogy, writing meaningful representation, and why book pre-orders matter more than you think, Victoria shares the story behind her journey to becoming a published author. Plus, she teases what's next for The Iron Hex series and beyond.CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome03:49 Dreaming of Becoming an Author05:08 Childhood Stories & Supportive Parents07:01 Why Competitiveness Led to YouTube09:54 Quitting Her Corporate Job14:21 The Story Behind The Iron Hex16:40 Landing Her Dream Literary Agent17:33 What The Iron Hex Is About18:41 Planning an Entire Trilogy20:11 Writing a Plus-Size Fantasy Heroine23:51 The Decade-Long Yearning Romance26:26 Memory Loss, Romance & Fantasy Tropes27:38 The High School That Changed Everything30:37 A Childhood Photo That Says It All35:11 Why Pre-Ordering Books Matters So Much41:42 Book Two, The Iron Oath & 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 Victoria S. WalshInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriashazTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@victoriashazFind her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/victoria-s-walsh?id=804750921Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/search?attributes.contributorId=32332325&contributorName=Victoria%20S.%20WalshOff 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

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with author Molly Fader, who's written more than 50 books under various pen names - including one that made its way into Suicide Squad. They talk about her latest release, Lady X, a vigilante girl gang story set in 1977 New York City that was partly sparked by Taylor Swift's "Vigilante Shit." Molly opens up about switching literary agents after 25 years, the research that shaped the book, and what keeps her chasing that "lightning strike" feeling after six decades' worth of stories.CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome02:38 Publishing Her First Book at 2504:05 Toronto, Harlequin & Learning the Craft04:37 The Cowgirl Phase06:20 From Harlequin to Single-Title Books08:52 The Pen Name Universe12:34 How Many Books, Really?17:00 The Suicide Squad Mystery22:38 Introducing Lady X24:29 The Spark Behind the Story27:38 Writing Female Rage & Friendship28:27 Plotter vs. Pantser29:52 Researching 1977 New York City31:18 Her Writing Space, Then and Now32:24 A New Agent, After 25 Years34:22 Selling Lady X & Canadian Rights34:48 What She Wants Readers to Take Away37:01 What's Next: 1980s Nashville37:35 The Lightning Strike FeelingFOLLOW 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 Molly FaderInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollyfaderauthor/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daydrinkingwithmollyFind her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/products/lady-xFind her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/search?attributes.contributorId=20010981&contributorName=Molly%20FaderOff 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

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

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

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

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

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