Courtney Psak, author of The Tutor (2025), The Hostess (just released), and The Aunt (coming June 2026), shares her writing process, lessons of self-publishing, and we even get into a debate about pronunciation. You never know where our convos will go on TSWSY.

We don't apologize.

Resources from this episode:

Website: CourtneyPsak.com
Facebook: /Courtney.psak
Instagram: @courtneypsak_

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

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@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
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Jeanne and Ciara chat with author Leila Siddiqui—a Senior Manager of Digital Strategy at DK, a division of Penguin Random House—about her new gothic horror novel, The Glowing Hours.

"A mind-bending, revisionist gothic horror story about the fabled summer Mary Shelley began work on Frankenstein, as told by her Indian housemaid."

• A Publishers Weekly Top 10 Pick: Spring 2026 SF, Fantasy & Horror Preview
• Ms. Magazine Most Anticipated Feminist Reads of 2026
• CrimeReads 27 Horror Novels to Look Forward to in 2026

We dive into her inspiration, the challenges of historical research, and the joys of weaving in fiction. Plus, writing routines, being an evil twin ... and so much more!

Resources:

• Leila's Books
• "Come Play with Us" Podcast
• NY Public Library Event on March 3, 2026
• Leila's Symposium Sessions

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

Jeanne reunites with author Patricia Shanae Smith after first meeting years ago at a writer's conference. Patricia shares insights into speed pitching, getting her debut novel published—then republished by a different press—and pivoting into screenwriting, all while juggling running a restaurant and writing more novels.

And, yes, we talked about dead bodies. Of course we did.

Resources from this episode:
Patricia's novel, Remember, re-released by Parnassus Books
Trailer for Remember
Patricia on Instagram: @patriciashanaesmith

Patricia's Bio: At six years old Patricia Shanae Smith saw her first dead body, sparking a lifetime passion for writing that would lead to a career in crime fiction and screenwriting. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Smith was inspired by the power of escapism in television to begin writing stories worse than her personal life. As an adult Smith moved to Nashville where she continued her writing career at Belmont University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Motion Pictures with a focus in screenwriting. While at Belmont Smith directed two short films, finished her second novel, and wrote four pilot television scripts; of course, the majority of these publications included a dead body. Smith loves to be part of the storytelling process, whether that takes place on screen or page, and hopes to help consumers escape from their own chaotic lives through her work. Connect with her at www.patriciashanaesmith.com

Enter a Book Pipeline Competition:
Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
Symposium Events

Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists