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Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)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

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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Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)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:
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It was a pure delight to speak with Nancy Doyne, screenwriter of What Maisie Knew—an insightful character film, starring Julianne Moore. Now, Nancy's debut novel, Ten Swamps, will be out on November 25th (published by Pointed Leaf Press).

We dive into writing the topic of childhood trauma, and real-life stories, as well as her transition from writing for film to writing novels.

Pre-order Ten Swamps.

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Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

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Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
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Matt and Jeanne chat with middle-grade author and graphic novelist, Karina Evans about her writing routine, juggling genres, navigating writing advances ... oh, and the days when she was an intern for Pipeline!

Lots of great writing advice that we all need to hear.

Resources from this episode:
Karina's website
Karina on IG: @karinaewrites
Karina's Linktree

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
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Chantelle Aimée Osman shares advice on queries, editing, and the first 50 pages. And there's talk of upholstery. Just listen. You won't regret it.

Resources:

• Chantelle's Symposium "Beyond the Query: The First 50 Pages" (on Wednesday, July 23rd ... all registrants receive a copy of the recording)
• Chantelle's Symposium Host Page
• Chantelle's Website
• 22 Literary (for Chantelle's consulting services)

Chantelle on Socials:

• IG: @SuspenseSiren
• X: @SuspenseSiren
• BlueSky: @suspensesiren.bsky.social

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Book Pipeline (Unpublished and Adaptation)

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
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Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
@SPMJM
@pipelineartists

Matt and Jeanne chat with Clay Stafford—author, producer, actor, poet, and liver of life. Honestly, the list of his talents is longer than this episode.

Listen to Clay's story of breaking in, the importance of networking, the power of the hustle, and tips for writing in multiple mediums and working with mentors. The advice might just change your perspective on the craft of writing.

Check Clay’s site, and sign up for his Success Points newsletter. He also has an educational platform, The Balanced Writer.

Of course, mystery and thriller fans should check out Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference, and sign up for Killer Nashville Magazine (free)

Follow Clay on social media:
Facebook
X: @ClayStafford
IG: @claystafford

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

Need critique?
Submit to Book Pipeline's Workshop

Join a Symposium session:
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Follow us on X:
@StoryWillSaveU
@CDugganBooks
@jeannevb
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The story indeed can save you ... from corporate hell ... but you have to be more creative then ever these days to financially survive as a writer. Jeanne and Ciara talk with New York Times bestselling author, J.D. Barker, about quitting a job to dive head first into a writing career ... and so much more!

J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is an international bestselling American author
whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating
elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.

Resources from this episode:

J.D. Barker's website
J.D. Barker on X: @jdbarker
J.D.'s new book, We Don't Talk About Emma
J.D. Barker's Books
Something I Keep Upstairs contest: Win an overnight stay in a haunted house on a secluded island!
Author Nation Conference in Las Vegas
"Writer's, Ink" podcast by J.D. Barker

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