Angie and Christie chat about our takeaways from our amazing collaboration interview with @strongwomen-strangeworlds author Valerie Valdes. In addition to being a copy editor and a freelance writer, Valerie Valdes is a co-editor of the acclaimed Escape Pod science fiction podcast. She is also the author of the Chilling Effect trilogy, which was shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award. Her writing has appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Magic: The Gathering, Nightmare Magazine, and numerous anthologies.Using the pen name Lia Amador, Valerie is now casting a spell in a whole new direction with her contemporary fantasy romance debut, Witch You Would. The sparkling tale is set in a magically modern Miami where a young witch competes on a spellcasting reality show and finds herself partnered with the one man she can’t stand but who might just be her perfect match.We can’t wait to talk about her journey from space operas to spellbinding romance and all the magic in between. We are honored to welcome Valerie Valdes to the podcast!Valerie Valdes website:https://candleinsunshine.com/To purchase "Witch You Would":https://www.harpercollins.com/products/witch-you-would-lia-amador?variant=43731552141346#booktrailer #author #authortube #authorvlog #authorpodcast #ancientcivilizations #novel #amwritingpodcast #alternativehistory #dragons #postapocalypse #dystopian #historicalnovel #authorreading #authorreads #writing #writer #author #writerslifewednesdays #writingtips #writingadvice #writingabook #amwritingpodcast #am-writing #sweetromance #romanceauthor #booktrailer #writingtips #writerslife #bookish #readerscommunity #romancenovels #indieauthor #fantasyromancePodcast Links Email: angiechristiewritenow@gmail.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiechristiewn Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/angiechristiewritenow Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AngieChristieWriteNow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angiechristiewn.bsky.socialThreads: http://www.threads.net/@angiechristiewritenow TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@angiechristiewritenow YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@AngieChristieWriteNow Website: http://www.angiechristiewritenow.wordpress.comAngie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiesandro FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/253044268078356Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Angie-Sandro/e/... YT: http://www.youtube.com/@angiesandrospondluv Christie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@christieberman FB page: http://www.facebook.com/christiebermanauthor Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/christie.berman Threads: http://www.threads.net/@christie.berman Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/christieberman.bsky.socialPhotographs used in the creation of the thumbnail can be purchased from their creator(s) from Deposit Photos: https://depositphotos.com Affiliate Disclaimer: This description may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from any of these links, the hosts of the Shelved Books Podcast or our guests may receive a small Commission at no extra cost to you. You can always choose to use different links. Thank you for supporting this channel so we can keep making amazing podcasts for you to enjoy.

In collaboration with @strongwomen-strangeworlds , dive into the captivating world of storytelling with an award-winning author, Valerie ValdesIn addition to being a copy editor and a freelance writer, Valerie Valdes is a co-editor of the acclaimed Escape Pod science fiction podcast. She is also the author of the Chilling Effect trilogy, which was shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award. Her writing has appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Magic: The Gathering, Nightmare Magazine, and numerous anthologies.Using the pen name Lia Amador, Valerie is now casting a spell in a whole new direction with her contemporary fantasy romance debut, Witch You Would. The sparkling tale is set in a magically modern Miami where a young witch competes on a spellcasting reality show and finds herself partnered with the one man she can’t stand but who might just be her perfect match.We can’t wait to talk about her journey from space operas to spellbinding romance and all the magic in between. We are honored to welcome Valerie Valdes to the podcast!Valerie Valdes website:https://candleinsunshine.com/To purchase "Witch You Would":https://www.harpercollins.com/products/witch-you-would-lia-amador?variant=43731552141346#booktrailer #author #authortube #authorvlog #authorpodcast #ancientcivilizations #novel #amwritingpodcast #alternativehistory #dragons #postapocalypse #dystopian #historicalnovel #authorreading #authorreads #writing #writer #author #writerslifewednesdays #writingtips #writingadvice #writingabook #amwritingpodcast #am-writing #sweetromance #romanceauthor #booktrailer #writingtips #writerslife #bookish #readerscommunity #romancenovels #indieauthor #fantasyromancePodcast Links Email: angiechristiewritenow@gmail.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiechristiewn Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/angiechristiewritenow Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AngieChristieWriteNow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angiechristiewn.bsky.socialThreads: http://www.threads.net/@angiechristiewritenow TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@angiechristiewritenow YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@AngieChristieWriteNow Website: http://www.angiechristiewritenow.wordpress.comAngie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiesandro FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/253044268078356Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Angie-Sandro/e/... YT: http://www.youtube.com/@angiesandrospondluv Christie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@christieberman FB page: http://www.facebook.com/christiebermanauthor Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/christie.berman Threads: http://www.threads.net/@christie.berman Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/christieberman.bsky.socialPhotographs used in the creation of the thumbnail can be purchased from their creator(s) from Deposit Photos: https://depositphotos.com Affiliate Disclaimer: This description may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from any of these links, the hosts of the Shelved Books Podcast or our guests may receive a small Commission at no extra cost to you. You can always choose to use different links. Thank you for supporting this channel so we can keep making amazing podcasts for you to enjoy.

Join us for a fun Q&A session with author and publisher Keisha Mennefee, founder of Honey Blossom Press. Are you an aspiring author looking to get published through traditional publishing or perhaps through a reputable boutique press like Honey Blossom Press? Look no further. Keisha Mennefee, author and founder of Honey Blossom Press, shares her journey to becoming a published author, editor, and publisher. This episode is packed with valuable tips for authors, covering the entire process from writing a novel first draft to editing and revising, and eventually submitting your work to a literary agent or directly to a publisher. We'll discuss the submission guidelines for Honey Blossom Press, including the importance of writing a synopsis that grabs the attention of literary agents and publishers alike. Whether you're part of the authortube or booktube community, or simply an emerging novelist seeking publishing advice, this video has got you covered. You'll learn about submission guidelines, query tips, and how to increase your chances of getting published by Honey Blossom Press. By the end of this video, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to take your writing to the next level and find a publisher that's right for you. So, if you're ready to turn your manuscript into a published book, keep watching for expert advice on how to get published and start your journey to becoming a successful novelist.Keisha Mennefee Tia Kelly books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tia-Kelly/author/B00B7AKXGI?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1770671242&sr=1-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueHoney Blossom Press Website:https://www.honeyblossompress.com/#bookrecommendation #authorpodcast #authortube #authorvlog #authorpodcast #writerslifewednesdays #writingtips #writingadvice #writingabook #amwritingpodcast #am-writing #afrocentric #blackauthors #blackromanceauthor #africanamericanromance Podcast Links Email: angiechristiewritenow@gmail.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiechristiewn Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/angiechristiewritenow Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AngieChristieWriteNow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angiechristiewn.bsky.socialThreads: http://www.threads.net/@angiechristiewritenow TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@angiechristiewritenow YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@AngieChristieWriteNow Website: http://www.angiechristiewritenow.wordpress.comAngie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiesandro FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/253044268078356Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Angie-Sandro/e/... YT: http://www.youtube.com/@angiesandrospondluv Christie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@christieberman FB page: http://www.facebook.com/christiebermanauthor Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/christie.berman Threads: http://www.threads.net/@christie.berman Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/christieberman.bsky.socialPhotographs used in the creation of the thumbnail can be purchased from their creator(s) from Deposit Photos: https://depositphotos.com Affiliate Disclaimer: This description may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from any of these links, the hosts of the Shelved Books Podcast or our guests may receive a small Commission at no extra cost to you. You can always choose to use different links. Thank you for supporting this channel so we can keep making amazing podcasts for you to enjoy.For more author interviews, check out our playlist: https://youtu.be/OYWsb9-U4AM?si=hWPng5x1hV_gZMgkTimestaps00:00 Intro00:20 Q1 Frequent Flyer miles or personal chef?00:44 Q2 Lazy Sunday?02:44 Q3 Do you read fiction or non-fiction?02:54 Q4 Texting or calling?03:31 Q5 T or F, you've stayed up all night to binge a TV show?03:41 Q6 Beach or mountain vacation?04:26 Q7 Fill in the blank, the best advice I ever received is ____?05:08 Q8 Favorite cuisine?06:25 Q9 On a scale of 1-10, how much do you enjoy surprises?06:52 Q10 Sing in the car?

Keisha Mennefee is a creative force in both publishing and storytelling and a champion of bold, culturally resonant stories. As an author and the visionary founder of Honey Blossom Press, a boutique publishing house dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and curating stories, Keisha strives to entertain, inspire, and make an impact. She’s worked with bestselling authors like Kennedy Ryan and Jada Pinkett Smith, and through her agency, Honey Magnolia Media, she’s nurtured the careers of both rising talent and household names.As a writer, Keisha has also published heartfelt contemporary and women’s fiction, sometimes under the name Tia Kelly, and is known for capturing the complexities of life, love, and relationships on the page, one story at a time. We are honored to welcome Keisha Mennefee to the podcast!Keisha Mennefee Tia KElly books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tia-Kelly/author/B00B7AKXGI?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1770671242&sr=1-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueHoney Blossom Press Website:https://www.honeyblossompress.com/#blackromanceauthor #tiye #authorpodcast #authortube #authorvlog #authorpodcast #writing #writer #author #writerslifewednesdays #writingtips #writingadvice #writingabook #amwritingpodcast #am-writing #honeyblossompress Podcast Links Email: angiechristiewritenow@gmail.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiechristiewn Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/angiechristiewritenow Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AngieChristieWriteNow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angiechristiewn.bsky.socialThreads: http://www.threads.net/@angiechristiewritenow TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@angiechristiewritenow YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@AngieChristieWriteNow Website: http://www.angiechristiewritenow.wordpress.comAngie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiesandro FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/253044268078356Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Angie-Sandro/e/... YT: http://www.youtube.com/@angiesandrospondluv Christie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@christieberman FB page: http://www.facebook.com/christiebermanauthor Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/christie.berman Threads: http://www.threads.net/@christie.berman Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/christieberman.bsky.socialPhotographs used in the creation of the thumbnail can be purchased from their creator(s) from Deposit Photos: https://depositphotos.com Affiliate Disclaimer: This description may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from any of these links, the hosts of the Shelved Books Podcast or our guests may receive a small Commission at no extra cost to you. You can always choose to use different links. Thank you for supporting this channel so we can keep making amazing podcasts for you to enjoy.

Keisha Mennefee is a creative force in both publishing and storytelling and a champion of bold, culturally resonant stories. As an author and the visionary founder of Honey Blossom Press, a boutique publishing house dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and curating stories, Keisha strives to entertain, inspire, and make an impact. She’s worked with bestselling authors like Kennedy Ryan and Jada Pinkett Smith, and through her agency, Honey Magnolia Media, she’s nurtured the careers of both rising talent and household names.As a writer, Keisha has also published heartfelt contemporary and women’s fiction, sometimes under the name Tia Kelly, and is known for capturing the complexities of life, love, and relationships on the page, one story at a time. We are honored to welcome Keisha Mennefee to the podcast!Keisha Mennefee Tia Kelly books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tia-Kelly/author/B00B7AKXGI?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1770671242&sr=1-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueHoney Blossom Press Website:https://www.honeyblossompress.com/#blackromanceauthor #tiye #authorpodcast #authortube #authorvlog #authorpodcast #writing #writer #author #writerslifewednesdays #writingtips #writingadvice #writingabook #amwritingpodcast #am-writing #honeyblossompress Podcast Links Email: angiechristiewritenow@gmail.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiechristiewn Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/angiechristiewritenow Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AngieChristieWriteNow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angiechristiewn.bsky.socialThreads: http://www.threads.net/@angiechristiewritenow TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@angiechristiewritenow YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@AngieChristieWriteNow Website: http://www.angiechristiewritenow.wordpress.comAngie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiesandro FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/253044268078356Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Angie-Sandro/e/... YT: http://www.youtube.com/@angiesandrospondluv Christie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@christieberman FB page: http://www.facebook.com/christiebermanauthor Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/christie.berman Threads: http://www.threads.net/@christie.berman Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/christieberman.bsky.socialPhotographs used in the creation of the thumbnail can be purchased from their creator(s) from Deposit Photos: https://depositphotos.com Affiliate Disclaimer: This description may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from any of these links, the hosts of the Shelved Books Podcast or our guests may receive a small Commission at no extra cost to you. You can always choose to use different links. Thank you for supporting this channel so we can keep making amazing podcasts for you to enjoy.

Shanna Hatfield is a USA Today Bestselling Author whose stories are brimming with heart, humor, and hope. She is known for crafting character-driven romances that readers describe as laugh-out-loud funny, a little swoony, and always deeply uplifting. Whether she’s writing contemporary romances that sparkle with charm or historical westerns reminiscent of Bonanza and The Virginian, her books capture the spirit of love, resilience, and second chances.Her newest release, The Bridge, is a heartwarming holiday novel about five strangers whose lives collide on Christmas Eve in an unforgettable story of courage, connection, and the magic of second chances. We are thrilled and honored to welcome Shanna Hatfield to the podcast!Shanna Hatfield website: https://shannahatfield.com/Read a Book Help a Cowboy (Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund)https://shannahatfield.com/give-back/To Purchase "The Bridge":https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bridge-shanna-hatfield/1147472702#authorpodcast #authorpodcast #authortube #authorvlog #authorpodcast #writing #writer #author #writerslifewednesdays #writingtips #writingadvice #writingabook #amwritingpodcast #am-writing #romance #romancebooks #romanceseries #shannahatfield Podcast Links Email: angiechristiewritenow@gmail.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiechristiewn Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/angiechristiewritenow Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AngieChristieWriteNow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angiechristiewn.bsky.socialThreads: http://www.threads.net/@angiechristiewritenow TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@angiechristiewritenow YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@AngieChristieWriteNow Website: http://www.angiechristiewritenow.wordpress.comAngie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiesandro FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/253044268078356Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Angie-Sandro/e/... YT: http://www.youtube.com/@angiesandrospondluv Christie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@christieberman FB page: http://www.facebook.com/christiebermanauthor Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/christie.berman Threads: http://www.threads.net/@christie.berman Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/christieberman.bsky.socialPhotographs used in the creation of the thumbnail can be purchased from their creator(s) from Deposit Photos: https://depositphotos.com Affiliate Disclaimer: This description may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from any of these links, the hosts of the Shelved Books Podcast or our guests may receive a small Commission at no extra cost to you. You can always choose to use different links. Thank you for supporting this channel so we can keep making amazing podcasts for you to enjoy.

Shanna Hatfield is a USA Today Bestselling Author known for crafting character-driven romances that readers describe as laugh-out-loud funny, a little swoony, and always deeply uplifting. Whether she’s writing contemporary romances that sparkle with charm or historical westerns reminiscent of Bonanza and The Virginian, her books capture the spirit of love, resilience, and second chances.Her newest release, The Bridge, is a heartwarming holiday novel about five strangers whose lives collide on Christmas Eve in an unforgettable story of courage, connection, and the magic of second chances. We are thrilled and honored to welcome Shanna Hatfield to the podcast!Shanna Hatfield website: https://shannahatfield.com/Read a Book Help a Cowboy (Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund)https://shannahatfield.com/give-back/To Purchase "The Bridge":https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bridge-shanna-hatfield/1147472702#authorpodcast #horrorstories #islandmystery #TonyWirt #authorpodcast #authortube #authorvlog #authorpodcast #writing #writer #author #writerslifewednesdays #writingtips #writingadvice #writingabook #amwritingpodcast #am-writing Podcast Links Email: angiechristiewritenow@gmail.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiechristiewn Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/angiechristiewritenow Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AngieChristieWriteNow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angiechristiewn.bsky.socialThreads: http://www.threads.net/@angiechristiewritenow TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@angiechristiewritenow YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@AngieChristieWriteNow Website: http://www.angiechristiewritenow.wordpress.comAngie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiesandro FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/253044268078356Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Angie-Sandro/e/... YT: http://www.youtube.com/@angiesandrospondluv Christie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@christieberman FB page: http://www.facebook.com/christiebermanauthor Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/christie.berman Threads: http://www.threads.net/@christie.berman Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/christieberman.bsky.socialPhotographs used in the creation of the thumbnail can be purchased from their creator(s) from Deposit Photos: https://depositphotos.com Affiliate Disclaimer: This description may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from any of these links, the hosts of the Shelved Books Podcast or our guests may receive a small Commission at no extra cost to you. You can always choose to use different links. Thank you for supporting this channel so we can keep making amazing podcasts for you to enjoy.

Join us for a fun Q&A session with bestselling romance author Tiye, known for her layered romance, "This Side of Beautiful" and her FANtasy Series. Tiye is a USA Today bestselling author whose books blend emotional depth, healing, and swoony escape. A storyteller at heart and a mental-health professional by day, she brings a rare empathy to her fiction and draws inspiration from travel, community, and time with family and friends. As a lifelong romance reader sneaking peeks at her grandmother’s Western love stories, haunting libraries and bookshops, and nursing ideas in cozy coffee shops, Tiye now writes about love in all its forms: romantic, familial, and self-love.Her latest novel, This Side of Beautiful which released in May 2025, follows fallen pop star Janae Warner, in the midst of a daring career comeback, when her path collides with Landon Hayes, a disciplined, quietly brilliant guitarist. What follows is a tender, high-chemistry, second-chance journey about vulnerability, resilience, and learning to be worthy of your own heart.Come listen to a journey in craft, self-care, and inspiration behind this love stories. We are honored to welcome Tiye to the podcast!Tiye's Website:https://www.tiyelovebooks.com/To purchase "This Side of Beautiful"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYRB4NLRA FANtasy Series:https://www.amazon.com/One-Week-Tiye-Love-ebook/dp/B07RHV4VNM#bookrecommendation #authorpodcast #authortube #authorvlog #authorpodcast #writerslifewednesdays #writingtips #writingadvice #writingabook #amwritingpodcast #am-writing #afrocentric #blackauthors #blackromanceauthor #africanamericanromance Podcast Links Email: angiechristiewritenow@gmail.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiechristiewn Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/angiechristiewritenow Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AngieChristieWriteNow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angiechristiewn.bsky.socialThreads: http://www.threads.net/@angiechristiewritenow TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@angiechristiewritenow YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@AngieChristieWriteNow Website: http://www.angiechristiewritenow.wordpress.comAngie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@angiesandro FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/253044268078356Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Angie-Sandro/e/... YT: http://www.youtube.com/@angiesandrospondluv Christie's Links Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@christieberman FB page: http://www.facebook.com/christiebermanauthor Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/christie.berman Threads: http://www.threads.net/@christie.berman Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/christieberman.bsky.socialPhotographs used in the creation of the thumbnail can be purchased from their creator(s) from Deposit Photos: https://depositphotos.com Affiliate Disclaimer: This description may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from any of these links, the hosts of the Shelved Books Podcast or our guests may receive a small Commission at no extra cost to you. You can always choose to use different links. Thank you for supporting this channel so we can keep making amazing podcasts for you to enjoy.For more author interviews, check out our playlist: https://youtu.be/OYWsb9-U4AM?si=hWPng5x1hV_gZMgkTimestaps00:00 Intro00:10 Q1 Would you rather write in a cozy coffee shop or on a quiet beach?00:28 Q2 How competitive do you get during game night?00:51 Q3 Would you rather binge watch a TV series or watch a movie?02:08 Q4 On a night out with friends, are you the first one to go home or the last one to leave?02:20 Q5 Do you ask permission or beg forgiveness?02:46 Q6 Who was your first celebrity crush?04:32 Q7 Fill in the blank, the one snack I absolutely cannot write without is ____?05:12 Q8 Have you ever read the ending of a book before finishing it?05:50 Q9 On a scale of 1-10, how much do you believe in love at first sight?06:10 Q10 Snickers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, or KitKat?