I would love to hear from you!

The fastest way to kill a dream is to assume you missed your chance. Javier sits down with Shirley Novak, an interior designer turned published author who didn’t write her first book until she was 75 and still managed to land readers, reviews, and real momentum. Her origin story starts with a fourth-grade teacher who told her she’d be a writer someday, then detours through decades of work and life until the pandemic finally opens the door. What comes out is not a “cute” late start. It’s a hard-edged, unforgettable story rooted in her father’s immigrant past and the kind of trauma families often keep buried.

We also get real about the publishing industry. Shirley breaks down what hybrid publishing looked like for her, why a traditional publishing deal can still go wrong, and how she ultimately found an independent publisher who communicates and moves quickly. If you’re an aspiring author trying to figure out how to publish a book, how to choose a publisher, or how to avoid shady contracts, this conversation gives you practical signals to watch for and resources worth bookmarking, including Angela Hoy, BookLocker, and Writers Weekly.

Then we go deeper into craft and creativity: Shirley explains synesthesia, her instinct-first writing process with no outline, and why she refuses to let AI write for her even as the tech explodes across media. We connect that to crime fiction, including her human trafficking thriller Stolen Lives, and why the best stories hook you on page one. If you’ve been waiting for permission to start, consider this your nudge. Subscribe, share this with a writer friend, and leave us a review with the bold thing you’re starting next.

Support the show

For listeners looking to deepen their engagement with the topics discussed, visit our website or check out our devotionals and poetry on Amazon, with all proceeds supporting The New York School of The Bible at Calvary Baptist Church. Stay connected and enriched on your spiritual path with us!