The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston

Casey Sciezka runs the Spruceton Inn, a Catskills Bed & Bar, as well as its annual Artist Residency that hosts world-renowned painters and bestselling and award-winning authors. Now on her third agent (who happens to be my agent as well!), she has finally published her debut novel, The Fountain, which is pitched as Tuck Everlasting for adults.The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston:Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.Send me an email at longroad.pub@gmail.comTo pitch to the podcast, go hereFind books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonCasey Scieszka:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sprucetoninn/Substack: https://sprucetoninn.substack.comWebsite: https://www.caseyscieszka.comThe Fountain: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-fountain-casey-scieszkaShow Notes:Spruceton Inn & Artist Residency Website: https://www.sprucetoninn.comJami Attenberg and #1000WordsofSummer: https://1000wordsofsummer.substack.com/aboutCredits:The Long Road to Publishing is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-loveLicense code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

Wendy Tokunaga has weathered bad book sales and agent break-ups. She’s published with a Big 5 publisher and self-published, and in this episode she makes a strong case for why most writers should at least TRY for the traditional book deal. She was the oldest person in her MFA program, and her latest novel, Brenda Barker’s Next Chapter, features a 64-year-old aspiring author as the protagonist.The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston:Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.Send me an email at longroad.pub@gmail.comTo pitch to the podcast, go hereFind books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonWendy Tokunaga:Website: https://www.wendytokunaga.com/Bluesky: @wendytokunaga.bsky.socialTwitter: @Wendy_Tokunaga Buy Brenda Barker’s Next Chapter: https://bookshop.org/a/91104/9798218774769Show Notes:Eva's article on Jane Friedman's Blog: https://janefriedman.com/after-my-second-book-died-on-submission-i-took-these-4-crucial-steps/Stanford's Novel Writing Certificate Program: https://continuingstudies.stanford.edu/writing-certificate/overviewMaiden, Mother, Crone Substack Article: https://substack.com/home/post/p-185776582Credits:The Long Road to Publishing is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-loveLicense code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

Suspense author Marisa Walz uses her intuition when making writing and publishing decisions. After many manuscripts she “just knew” Good Intentions would be the one to finally get published. In this episode we talk about Marisa’s drafting process, how she broke up with her first agents, and a tarot card reader who predicted a major moment in Marisa’s author career.The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston:Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.Send me an email at longroad.pub@gmail.comTo pitch to the podcast, go hereFind books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonMarisa Walz:Website:  https://www.marisawalz.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marisacwalz/GOOD INTENTIONS: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/good-intentions-9781250397409/Show Notes:Instagram post that made me want to interview Marisa: https://www.instagram.com/p/DT_tfMMjabq/?img_index=1The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast: https://www.theshitaboutwriting.com/Credits:The Long Road to Publishing is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-loveLicense code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

When traditional publishers didn’t think there was a market for historical fiction featuring black female leads, Vanessa Riley bet on herself, and won big! After finding success with self-publishing, she is now traditionally publishing her historical fiction, romance, and mystery books with the Big 5 Publishers.Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author of over twenty-nine novels including Island Queen (a GMA buzz pick), Queen of Exiles (ABC’s The View’s Lit Pic), and the Lady Worthing Mystery Series (which won the 2024 Georgia Author of the Year for Mystery). With a doctorate from Stanford University and other engineering degrees from Penn State, Vanessa brings a research-oriented approach to her inclusive storytelling which spotlights hidden narratives of Black women and women of color, emphasizing power, sisterhoods, and family sagas across historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres.The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston:Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.Send me an email at longroad.pub@gmail.comTo pitch to the podcast, go hereFind books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonVanessa Riley:Website: Vanessariley.comFire Sword & Sea: https://bookshop.org/a/91104/9780063271043Show Notes:Eva Rutland: https://romancehistory.com/2022/04/05/eva-rutland-1917-2012/Credits:The Long Road to Publishing is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-loveLicense code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

Michelle Maryk has had a long career in acting and sketch-writing, and her debut novel, The Found Object Society, was just been released from Disney Hyperion. Michelle and I discuss how her acting background informs her writing, how she got hooked on writing conferences, and, of course, her writing and publishing journey.The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston:Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.Send me an email at longroad.pub@gmail.comTo pitch to the podcast, go hereFind books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonMichelle Maryk:Website: https://www.michellemaryk.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellemmaryk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellemmaryk/The Found Object Society: https://oblongbooks.com/michellemarykhttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803997/the-found-object-society-by-michelle-maryk/Show Notes:Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.comConferences mentioned: AWP, Thrillerfest, Bouchercon, Hampton’s Whodunit, Murder by the BookAuthors mentioned: Fiona Davis, Ashley Winstead, Danielle Girard, Angie Kim, Jean Kwok, Rebecca Makkai, Georgina Cross, Claire McIntosh, Vera Kurian, Laura McHugh, Kathleen Barber, Jennifer McMahon, Jennifer Fawcett, Jason AllisonAudiobook narrator mentioned: Saskia MaarleveldPublicist mentioned: Kathleen CarterCredits:The Long Road to Publishing is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-loveLicense code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

Karin Gillespie has had FIVE literary agents and has published in all the ways: Big 5, small indie press, & self-publishing. With 20+ years of experience in publishing, she knows how to pitch a novel and what it takes to sell a book. She is the author of the popular southern fiction Bottom Dollar Girls series, and her most recent novel, The Pitch Queen, is a satire of the publishing industry.*Please note that many of Karin's books are NOT found on my bookshop shop, but you can find them here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001HCVXHY?ingress=0&visitId=f635e3bd-82e6-4b1d-8801-59eef6329175&ref_=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&ccs_id=2b2e06d5-a67a-4cf7-970c-147eb9b2e948The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston:-Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.-Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.-Send me an email at longroad.pub@gmail.com-To pitch to the podcast, go here-Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonKarin Gillespie:Website: https://karingillespieauthor.comSubstack: https://pitchyournovel.substack.comShow Notes:Joanna Penn: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/Kindlepreneur: https://kindlepreneur.com/Cynthia Swanson’s episode: https://shows.acast.com/the-long-road-to-publishing/episodes/694afa4009314afbec4973bcWomen's Fiction Writers Association (WFWA): https://www.womensfictionwriters.org/Credits:The Long Road to Publishing is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-loveLicense code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

Author Lincoln Michel talks about teaching, freelancing, being a lit mag editor, and writing his popular Substack newsletter, Counter Craft. We also discuss short story collections, AI in publishing, and why authors should write weird things. Lincoln's latest genre-blending novel is METALLIC REALMS, and he is the author of THE BODY SCOUT, which was named one of the 10 Best Science Fiction Books of 2021 by The New York Times and one of the 75 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time by Esquire. The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston:-Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.-Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.-Send me an email at longroad.pub@gmail.com-To pitch to the podcast, go here-Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonLincoln Michel:Website: https://lincolnmichel.com/Substack: https://countercraft.substack.com/ METALLIC REALMS at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/88357/9781668058671Show Notes:Electric Literature: https://electricliterature.com/Tony Tulathimutte's book, REJECTION: https://bookshop.org/a/91104/9780063337886The Substack Article about "The Golden Age of Weird" : https://www.hapitalist.com/p/the-golden-age-of-weird-is-here?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=440539&post_id=179456650&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1bdoot&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=emailCredits:The Long Road to Publishing is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-loveLicense code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

Raidah Shah Idil’s middle grade fantasy novel, HOW TO FREE A JINN, was first published in Australia before being picked up by a U.S. Big 5 publisher. Raidah and I talk about writing and publishing, and bond over being writer-moms with Type A personalities. Australian author Raidah Shah Idil was born in Singapore, grew up in Sydney, worked in Jordan, and now lives in Malaysia with her husband, three children and mother-in-law. Raidah earned her BA in English and BS in Psychology from the University of New South Wales, and her Diploma of Counselling from the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. Raidah's debut middle grade fantasy novel, How To Free A Jinn, was highly commended by the Victorian Literary Premier Awards and won the Readings Children's Prize in 2025. Salaam Reads (an imprint of Simon & Schuster) has published and distributed the book in the US, Canada & the UK. Raidah loves ginger tea and noodle soup, and dreams of uninterrupted sleep.The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston:-Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.-Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.-Send me an email at longroad.pub@gmail.com-To pitch to the podcast, go here-Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonRaidah Shah Idil:Website: www.raidahshahidil.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/raidahwritesHOW TO FREE A JINN: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/How-to-Free-a-Jinn/Raidah-Shah-Idil/9781665982627Credits:The Long Road to Publishing is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-loveLicense code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ

Cynthia Swanson’s Harper Collins debut, The Bookseller, was a NYT bestseller with a film option from Julia Roberts. Less than a decade later, after struggling to find a publisher for her third book, Cynthia decided to self-publish her psychological suspense novel Anyone But Her and was named Indie Author of the Year. The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston:-Follow me on Substack or subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for Writers.-Find me on Instagram and Blue Sky.-Send me an email at longroad.pub@gmail.com-To pitch to the podcast, go here-Find books by guests and books mentioned on the podcast at the Long Road Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonCynthia Swanson:Website:https://cynthiaswansonauthor.com/Substack: https://thewhatifjournal.substack.com/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cynswanauthor.bsky.socialANYONE BUT HER: https://bookshop.org/p/books/anyone-but-her-cynthia-swanson/974d6c0c0e31c3ecShow Notes: Jane Friedman article: https://janefriedman.com/self-publishing-after-a-bestseller/The Author’s Guild: https://authorsguild.org/Indie Author Project: https://indieauthorproject.com/Credits:The Long Road to Publishing is produced and edited by Eva Langston, and the intro/outro music comes from the artist Soundroll on #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/lost-in-loveLicense code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ