The Long Road to Publishing with Eva Langston

Paula Lafferty used a successful kickstarter campaign to raise funds for her self-published debut (gorgeous deluxe editions included!), for which she later landed a trad-pub deal.Her Queen Guinevere time travel fantasy, THE ONCE AND FUTURE QUEEN, came out first as a self-published novel and was later rereleased traditionally and became an instant USA Today and Indie Bestseller. The second and third books in The Lives of Guinevere trilogy will be traditionally-published.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/evalangstonThe Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/Long Road to Publishing Index on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdGvqV5FTIt/?img_index=1PAULA LAFFERTY:Website: PaulaLafferty.comtiktok: @paulalaffertyinstagram: @paulalafferty_writesthreads: paulalafferty_writesShow Notes:Self-publishing A to Z on Medium by Travis BaldreeThe website where Paula found her cover designer is 99 Designs The instagram of the cover designer Paula used is Dauphine Dopamine https://www.instagram.com/dauphinedopamine/Books Mentioned: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey, Lightlark by Alex AsterShoutouts to: Liz Gilbert, Alex Aster, Rebecca Thorne, Kensington, Travis Baldree, Dietrich Stogner, Kickstarter, Merrick Bookshop, Julia Whelan, AudiobraryCredits:The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show 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

After racking up an impressive number of rejections, Chital Mehta’s manuscript won the AWP Novel Prize (judged by R.O. Kwon) and was published by University of Nebraska Press.Chital and I discuss getting her MFA, setting herself a “rejection challenge,” and finding a balance between writing and motherhood. HAVE YOU SEEN ROMIT? (out now!) is about a middle-aged Indian woman who sets out to find her missing son and discovers, in the searching, the full force of who she is. 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/evalangstonThe Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/Long Road to Publishing Index on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdGvqV5FTIt/?img_index=1CHITAL MEHTA:Website: https://chitalmehtajey.com/Substack: https://substack.com/@chitalmehtaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chitalmehta/Chital poses with her book: https://stumblingyetwriting.substack.com/p/book-photoshoot-chapter-one-sneakShow Notes:Courtney Maum's book and Substack are both called Before & After the Book Deal: https://courtneymaum.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips Jane Friedman's website: https://janefriedman.comShoutouts to: AWP, Grubb Street, University of Nebraska Press, R.O. Kwon, McCormack Writing Center, James Alan McPherson Prize, Huxley and Hiro BookstoreCredits:The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show 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

Tara Goedjen has had three agents and has pivoted three times in her writing career. She had her YA debut in 2017, and now she’s getting to debut again with her adult gothic suspense novel, PLEASE ENJOY YOUR STAY.In this episode we talk about her time in academia (she has an MFA and a PhD), finding inspiration in setting, and her experience doing a “launch team” for PLEASE ENJOY YOUR STAY. Plus so much more!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/evalangstonThe Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/Long Road to Publishing Index on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdGvqV5FTIt/?img_index=1TARA GOEDJEN:Website: taragoedjenauthor.comInstagram: @taragoedjen www.instagram.com/taragoedjen/Facebook: Tara Goedjen - Author https://www.facebook.com/TaraGoedjenAuthorSubstack: @TaraGoedjen https://substack.com/@taragoedjenPLEASE ENJOY YOUR STAY: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Please-Enjoy-Your-Stay/Tara-Goedjen/9781668217115Show Notes:Long Road to Publishing Index on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdGvqV5FTIt/?img_index=1Shoutouts to authors Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, Riley Sagar, Amy Tintera, Tiffany Crumb, Jessica Payne, and Gillian FlynnBooks mentioned: The Haunting of Hill House, Listen for the Lie, Gone Girl, and This Story Might Save Your LifeOther shoutouts to: ThrillerFest, Bouchercon, and Nichole CunninghamCredits:The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show 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

This episode with Irish author Oran Doyle is the most emotional and tear-filled so far!Oran Doyle started out in screenwriting and script-editing before writing middle grade and YA. His debut YA novel, GIVE ME 'TIL MIDNIGHT is Before Sunrise meets Groundhog’s Day, set during a single day in Dublin.In this episode Oran talks about “the wilderness years” when he felt stuck, and how he had to learn to get in touch with his own emotions in order to find the real emotional core of his stories– and how that has made all the difference.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/evalangstonThe Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/Long Road to Publishing Index on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdGvqV5FTIt/?img_index=1ORAN DOYLE:Website: www.orandoyle.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/doyle_oran/GIVE ME TIL MIDNIGHT from Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/give-me-til-midnight/oran-doyle/9781911427537Show Notes:The film Oran couldn't think of the name of is Rye LaneOther films mentioned: The Map of Tiny Perfect Things, Edge of Tomorrow, Palm SpringsShoutouts to: Everything with Words, Kirsty McLachlan, Darren Romney, the East Timor solidarity campaign, The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, CeCe Lyra, Lisa JewellCredits:The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show 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

Amy True negotiated the contracts for her first two books (and explains why she wouldn’t recommend that!). We also discuss her long publishing journey over four different agents, “book bibles” for series writing, and her pivot from YA historical to adult romance.  Amy wrote award-winning YA historicals under the name Amy Trueblood before pivoting to adult romance. She wrote the Ivy Falls series, and is now at work on the Harvest Moon series. Book 1, CLEARLY CHARMED (a Practical Magic inspired speculative romance), is out now. 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/evalangstonThe Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/AMY TRUE: Website:  https://www.amytruebloodauthor.com/amy-true/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atruebooks/Newsletter: https://substack.com/@amytruebloodCLEARLY CHARMED: https://bookshop.org/p/books/clearly-charmed-an-enchanting-small-town-enemies-to-lovers-romance-amy-true/302a67da7ae70abb?ean=9798217270255&bkshp-astro=tShow Notes:Wonderland author showcase info: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeY0xi7yzwyeAhn71_JA-LkBWWCt6tfAy64zJF_2N5Tg8Z08g/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105952951926281779403Shoutouts to: The Author’s Guild, Flux (NorthStar Editions), and Courtney MaumCredits:The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show 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

Lisa Lee got both an MFA and a PhD in creative writing! Now, after many, many years (and many revisions!) her debut literary novel, AMERICAN HAN, is receiving oodles of accolades. 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/evalangstonThe Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/Lisa Lee:Website: https://www.hellolisalee.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisaleehello/AMERICAN HAN: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/lisa-lee/american-han/9781643757254/Show Notes:Wonderland author showcase info and application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeY0xi7yzwyeAhn71_JA-LkBWWCt6tfAy64zJF_2N5Tg8Z08g/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105952951926281779403Credits:The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show 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

Kathleen Barber’s bestselling debut, TRUTH BE TOLD, was turned into a TV series with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine company. Her sophomore novel… didn’t do so well. But she kept on writing despite many disappointments, publishing books in both the thriller and romantic comedy genres. Her latest novel is SISTERHOOD ABOVE ALL: A #RUSHTOK NOVEL, with Amayah Shaienne.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/evalangstonThe Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/Kathleen Barber:Website: kathleenbarber.comIG: instagram.com/katelizabeeSubstack: kathleenbarber.substack.comSisterhood Above All by Kathleen Barber with Amayah Shaienne: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250400055/sisterhoodaboveallShow Notes:Amayah Shaienne IG: https://www.instagram.com/mayahshai/Eva's Babysitter's Club Fan-Fiction on IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcdbYj5FeRP/With shoutouts to Lisa Grubka, Ashley Spivey, Jennie Nash's Author Accelerator, Bouchercon, Mystery Writers of America, and Hello SunshineWonderland author showcase info and application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeY0xi7yzwyeAhn71_JA-LkBWWCt6tfAy64zJF_2N5Tg8Z08g/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105952951926281779403Credits:The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show 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 Griffin Brown and Michelle Barker have both been on long journeys to publishing their novels. Now, in addition to being editors at The Darling Axe, they are successfully self-publishing their co-authored craft books. Between the two of them, David and Michelle write and publish in nearly every genre: picture books, YA, fantasy, sci-fi, satire, historical, nonfiction, and even poetry. We talk about their experiences with agents and traditional publishing, as well as their experiences with small presses and self-publishing. And, of course, we discuss David’s decision to found his company, The Darling Axe, which provides editing, novel development, and other services for writers.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/evalangstonThe Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/David Griffin Brown:The Darling Axe: www.DarlingAxe.com (Michelle and David's co-authored books can be found here)Website: www.SeptimusBrown.com@SeptimusBrown and @DarlingAxe on most platformsMichelle Barker:Website:www.michellebarker.cahttps://substack.com/@michbarkhttps://michellebarker.ca/books/Show Notes:Book Broker Agent Interviews: https://darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/tagged/agent-interviewsBook mention: Story Genius by Lisa CronShoutouts to Orca Books, Annick Press, Victory Co-op for Netgalley, Storygraph, Invisible Ink Editing, Gail Anderson Dargatz, and The University of British Columbia MFACredits:The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show 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

Journalist Mimi Montgomery signed with the first agent she queried (!!), and is using her dog as part of the guerrilla marketing campaign for her debut novel, MURDER BITES, which is a satirical murder mystery on the set of a reality TV show about dogs. 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/evalangstonThe Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books: https://www.wonderlandbooks.com/Mimi Montgomery:Website: https://www.mimimontgomerywriter.com/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mimi_montgomery/SUBSTACK: https://mimimontgomery.substack.com/MURDER BITES: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/798842/murder-bites-by-mimi-montgomery/Show Notes:"Half the People Who See This DIY Promo Go On to Preorder My Book" by Jo Piazza (Substack article): https://andibartz.substack.com/p/guest-post-half-the-people-who-seeBook recs: Story Genius by Lisa Cron, Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody, Before & After the Book Deal by Courtney MaumMovie and TV recs: A Simple Favor and Bad SistersShoutouts to: The Writer’s Center, Carl Hiassen, Virginia Evans, Courtney Maum, Emily Jane, Jo Piazza, Andrea Bartz, The Shit No One Tells You About WritingCredits:The Long Road to Publishing is sponsored by Wonderland Books. The show 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-love License code: EEKRDQPCTGSBM5LZ