The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston

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

In this special end-of-year episode, Eva reflects on the first 16 episodes of The Long Road to Publishing, hints at what's to come on the podcast in 2026, and awards some "superlatives" to a few of the episodes and guests. She also talks about her podcast goals and how listeners can qualify to win a free copy of Courtney Maum's book: BEFORE AND AFTER THE BOOK DEAL!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/evalangstonShow Notes:Link to Superlatives post:Link to index post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSnBFL8lRir/?img_index=1Link to information about the book giveaway contest: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSp67pxicQf/?img_index=1Credits: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

Darlene P. Campos is the author of a YA novel, two middle grade novels, and a picture book. Earlier this year, only a month before the release of her middle grade historical novel, she suffered “the worst rejection of her life.” In this episode we learn about Darlene’s publishing journey, as well as this shocking rejection and how she survived it.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/evalangstonDarlene P. Campos:Website: https://www.darlenepcampos.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenepcampos/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarlenePCamposBuy The Center of the Earth: Bookshop: https://tinyurl.com/bduf9avr or Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-center-of-the-earth-darlene-p-campos/1147493966?ean=9781955058285Shownotes:Eva's essay on the Brevity blog: https://brevity.wordpress.com/2025/08/04/long-road-to-publishing/Darlene's essay on the Brevity blog: https://brevity.wordpress.com/2025/03/19/rejection-is-a-piece-of-cake/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

Lindsey Goldstein got serious about her writing career at the age of 40, and her debut novel Gap Year is a middle-age coming-of-age story. Lindsey talks about revising Gap Year many, many times, parting ways with an agent who wasn’t a good fit, and signing with a small, indie publisher. 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 https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangston-Unfortunately Lindsey's book Gap Year is currently unavailable on bookshop, but you can order it here: https://egretlakebooks.com/gap-year-a-novel/Lindsey Goldstein:Website:www.lindseygoldsteinauthor.com, IG: @goldsteinlindsey Substack newsletter: lindseygoldstein.substack.com TikTok:@lindseygoldsteinauthorPreorder GAP YEAR: https://egretlakebooks.com/gap-year-a-novel/Shownotes:Lindsey mentions the following: Pitch to Published (P2P): https://www.facebook.com/groups/pitchtopublished/JoyPitch: https://joypitch.wordpress.com/Women's Fiction Writers Association: https://www.womensfictionwriters.org/Writer's Digest Online workshops: https://writersdigestuniversity.mykajabi.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

Rebecca Thorne is the instant USA Today, Indie, and Sunday Times bestselling author of the Tomes & Tea series. She started out pursuing traditional publishing for many years. With great strategy and timing, she ended up finding huge success with self-publishing… then the traditional publishers came a-knocking! She now has two series being re-published with the Big Five imprint Tor.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 https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonRebecca Thorne:Website: https://rebeccathorne.net/This Gilded Abyss: https://bookshop.org/a/91104/9781250422125Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccathornewrites/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

Kate Broad published ten romance novels with Entangled (and wrote a LOT of books that didn’t sell) before publishing GREENWICH, her literary debut, with St. Martin’s Press. Kate's publishing journey is WILD and she has so much great advice to share about writing and publishing.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 https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonKate Broad:Website: katebroad.comInstagram: instagram.com/katebroadbooksSubstack: https://katebroad.substack.com/Buy Greenwich: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250363046/greenwich/ 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

David Lane Williams always knew he wanted to be two things: a cop and a writer. He started out writing excellent police reports before publishing two nonfiction books. And now, after many detours, his debut novel, Carousel Grift, is out in the world. David’s path to publication has more twists and turns than an amusement park ride, from going to film school, to finding himself on the board of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association!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 https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonDavid Lane Williams:Website: https://www.davidlanewilliams.com/Order CAROUSEL GRIFT: https://bookshop.org/p/books/carousel-grift/187efb12ab80f6fc?ean=9781685136666&next=tCredits: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

Middle grade author Sarah Allen checks a lot of boxes when it comes to bumps in the road to publishing: a long querying journey, parting ways with her first agent, and being orphaned by her editor. But she’s also gotten to check a lot of the good boxes, too: heartfelt letters from readers, a school visit involving a limo ride, and two two-book deals with Macmillion Children’s. Learn about her path to publishing her four middle grade novels (so far!), including her two most recent “spooky” books, Monster Tree and The Nightmare House. And hear her advice on how kidlit authors can connect with teachers and plan great school visits.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 https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonSarah Allen:Website: https://www.sarahallenbooks.com/ Newsletter: https://sarahallen.substack.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

Jennifer Fawcett landed her agent somewhat easily but got stuck in a never-ending cycle of revisions and submissions before finally selling her debut horror novel, Beneath the Stairs. We also discuss her work as a playwright and her new thriller novel, Keep This for Me.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 https://bookshop.org/shop/evalangstonJennifer Fawcett:Website: https://jenniferfawcettauthor.com/Order Keep This for Me: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Keep-This-for-Me/Jennifer-Fawcett/9781668050644Instagram: @JenniferFawcett_AuthorTikTok: tiktok.com/@jenniferfawcett_authorSubstack: https://jenniferfawcett.substack.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