A Bookshelf Binge
By A Bookshelf Binge
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Host: Jessica (@bookshelfbinge)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
A Bookshelf BingeFeb 23, 2022
Ep. 48 - Writing for the Fandom ft. Daevastanner (@ReadTheseFics)
Do you read fanfic? Have you ever wondered what goes on in the mind of a fanfic writer? How do fanfic writers stay close to cannon while also providing such interesting stories that we wish existed? What draws fanfiction writers to certain fandoms and series? Well you are in luck! I sat down with Izzy (Daevastanner on AO3) who has written several fanfiction pieces. Most of her writing is within the world of ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas with a few other fandoms thrown in! We talk all about cannon, our favorite fanfics, why we think fanfic is so incredibly popular and so much more!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Izzy (@readthesefics)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 47 - Fighting Imposter Syndrome ft. Ayana Gray
Have you read Beasts of Prey and are extremely excited for Beasts of Ruin? Well you should be excited then because I got to sit down with Ayana Gray and discuss the rich history and mythology that inspired this story, how it felt to get a Netflix deal before even publishing the Beasts of Prey, and how we are all fighting imposture syndrome at all times. Ayana is an incredible human and I cannot recommend her series enough!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Ayana Gray (@AyanaGray_)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 46 - The Rollercoaster of Publishing ft. Lexi Ryan
Have you read These Hollow Vows and want to know how Lexi Ryan came up with this extremely well written world? Did you know that she didn't have an outline? Are you cheering for Sebastian or Finn? Are you dying to know if we will return to this world? In today's episode, Lexi Ryan and I sat down to discuss everything about the These Hollow Vows duology and its EPIC conclusion, These Twisted Bonds. We discuss it all: how to balance a love triangle, major lessons she has learned about the industry, why Lexi decided to traditionally publish this duology while self publishing her romance novels, and more!
These Twisted Bonds is out now! You can order a copy here!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Lexi Ryan (@writerlexiryan)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 45 - The Art of Translation ft. Open Letter Books
Did you know less than 3% of books are translated into English? That not including text books and things, that number is actually closer to 600 books? Total. I was blown away by this in today's discussion with Chad Post. Chad is the publisher at Open Letter, the University of Rochester's nonprofit, literary translation press, and is one of only a handful of publishing houses dedicated to increasing access to world literature for English readers. Chad talks all about why we don't see very many translated works these days, what causes a spike in translated works, other interesting trends!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Chad Post (@openletterbooks)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 44 - The Dynamic Duo of Summer ft. Ali Brady
What happens when two author BFFs are inspired by a new twist on The Parent Trap? You get the amazing book, The Beach Trap! Ali Brady knocked this book out of the park! It has everything you could ever want in a fun summer read. You have sisters, love, a feud, heavy topics, light topics, the beach. Everything. I am in love with this book and I adored this conversation with Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey! We talk about it all in today's episode! From writing as a duo, how they developed a story that felt so seamless you would have no idea it was written by two people rather than one, their own writing careers, and more! Their book is amazing and I hope you preorder it!
The Beach Trap is out July 14th! Preorder it here.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Ali Brady (@alibradybooks)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 43 - The PR of it All ft. Kathleen Carter Communications
Why would an author hire an outside publicist? How do PR professionals cultivate their relationships with the media and social media folks? Who gets an Advanced Reader Copy and how? If you have asked yourself any of these questions, you'll love today's interview with Kathleen Carter! Kathleen is the CEO and Founder of Kathleen Carter Communications and is the Public Relations person for many of the guests we have had on the podcast!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Kathleen Carter (@kccpr)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 42 - The Mariachi Romeo and Juliet ft. Priscilla Oliveras
What would happen if Romeo and Juliet was set in modern day Texas and instead of just feuding families, they were competing mariachi bands? How would the battle against gentrification affect their relationship? If you are curious about this dynamic, you will be excited to read West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras. In today's episode, I sat down with Priscilla to discuss her newest release, how she teaches a course on romance writing, how she balances everything and so much more! We talk all things Mariana and Angelo, how Priscilla felt touching topics such as gentrification and the foster system, and how Selena was stuck in my head the entire time I read this book!
West Side Love Story is set to release on June 1st!
You can order West Side Love Story Here!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Priscilla Oliveras (@prisoliveras)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 41 - Editing Best Sellers ft. Maria Gomez from Amazon Publishing
What does an editor actually do? How do they help our favorite books come to our bookshelves? Are there any real quality checks when publishing books? Are publishing houses anything like the show Younger? If you have asked yourself any of these questions, you will love my guest today! I got to sit down with Maria Gomez, editor at Montlake (an imprint of Amazon Publishing) to discuss all things editing! From if the table filled with manuscripts exist to how publishing is so subjective to the timelines many of her books are on! It was a fantastic discussion and I loved hearing about this side of the literary industry!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Maria Gomez from Amazon Publishing
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 40 - The Tenacity of Publishing ft. Claire Legrand
Have you read The Empirium Trilogy yet? Did you know that Furyborn was the first book Claire Legrand tried to get published, yet it was published years into her writing career and required a ton of faith and tenacity to get on bookshelves? In today's episode, I got to sit down with Claire and hear all about the processes of writing, how soundtracks help her write her stories, who her favorite Star Trek captain is, and so much more! I loved chatting with Claire and hearing so much more about Eliana, Rielle, Audric, and the Empirium Trilogy world!
Also, shoutout to @elleisbooked for helping me write some of The Empirium Trilogy questions!
Click here to connect with Claire's Spotify!
Click here to purchase The Empirium Trilogy!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Claire Legrand
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 39 - From The Side of an Agent ft. John Cusick
How do agents decide who to pick up? How does querying work? Are agents involved in the editorial process or the marketing process for authors? How does the mass exodus we are seeing in publishing affect the industry and are agents worried? If you have asked yourself any of these questions, you will love today's episode with special guest, John Cusick! John is a Senior Vice President at Folio Literary Management and the agent to many well known authors, such as Laura Sebastian, Joan He, Julie Murphy and so many others!
As a warning: We had some slight audio problems for the first two questions but we fixed it 4 min in. I didn't realize we needed to rerecord the first two questions until after the interview, but it was all fixed and wonderful from about the 4 min mark on!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: John Cusick
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 38 - Hockey and Me Too ft. Kathleen West
Have you picked up Home or Away by Kathleen West yet? If you haven't, today's episode will absolutely convince you to! I sat down with Kathleen to discuss her newest release, along with the Me Too movement, how book popularity is completely based on timing, and the pressure we put on kids and athletes! This book is a poignant look at both how far parents will go to help their kid succeed at their goals while also taking a look at less than ethical relationships and abuse of power.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Kathleen West (@KathleenWestWrites)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 37 - The Narration Of It All ft. Eva Kaminsky
Do you listen to audiobooks? Have you wondered what goes into the narration of one? Well, I sat down with actress and narrator Eva Kaminsky to discuss all of the behind the scenes aspects that go into audiobook narration! We talk about all things from developing tone, if genre affects that, how the Big 5 is different from indie author narration, and more. Eva was a wonderful guest and I loved hearing all about the process of bringing our favorite books to life via audiobooks.
See books Eva has narrated here
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Eva Kaminsky (@evakaminsky1)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 36 - Big Reveals, Mates, and How Is It Still Danika's Show ft. @jessielovenelit
Have you read Crescent City 2: House of Sky and Breath? Were you blown away by all of the major reveals? Well, Jessie and I were so we HAD to sit down and discuss all of the various reveals, the new mates, and amazing new characters! If you haven't read House of Sky and Breath, I would skip this episode, but if you have, Jessie and I go over Ruhn and his arc, complain about how we are still getting Danika reveals, how Hunt was bullied into every decision this book, and how Sarah J Maas is an epic writer and I don't think I would survive in her brain. SJM is the master at hiding leads and threads and we were blown away!
Listen to our first Crescent City chat
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Jessie Lovene (@jessielovenelit)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 35 - Going Above and Beyond for Book Clubs ft. @rosebudmode
Have you seen a rise in virtual book clubs in the last year or two? Have you considered what happens behind the scenes and how they get off the ground? Well, I sit down with Sarah (@rosebudmode) who goes above and beyond for her book clubs! Coming from a gaming background, she started a book club on Twitch and has since created two more book clubs, a patreon, and has moved them to live streams on YouTube! From creating hundred pages of guides for books, moderating a discord, and going live for hours to go through all of the points of a book, Sarah really created a wonderful book club community!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Sarah (@rosebudmode)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 34 - Biryani, Jane Austen, and Mental Health ft. Farah Heron
I was honored to be invited to sit down with Farah Heron to discuss her newest release, Kamila Knows Best! From the story being a contemporary retelling of Emma by Jane Austen to how diverse characters don't need to live in a world of adversity, we discuss it all! I loved discussing the heavier topics while also discussing puppies, biryani parties, and how women who are seen as vapid because they take extra time with their appearance or want to host parties doesn't mean they don't have added depth.
Kamila Knows best is available for preorder and is set to be released on March 8th!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Farah Heron (@farahheronauthor)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 33 - Creating Covers ft. Amazon Publishing
Earlier this year, we heard from Emily Wittig Designs about creating book covers as a freelancer. Today, I got to sit down with Courtney Dodson, creative director of Amazon Publishing, about creating book covers on the more traditional side of the publishing industry! Courtney and I talk all things cover design, such as how much authors have as input, how you decide what trends to embrace vs push away from, and how to really engage readers who are shopping for books! We also talk about understanding language and the best way to represent that along with simplifying is almost always a good choice! Courtney is one of the most eloquent people I have ever spoken to and I am straight up obsessed with her!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books mentioned on the podcast here!
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Courtney Dodson from Amazon Publishing (@amazonpublishing)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 32 - Living for Centuries with Addie LaRue ft. @theliteraturellama2.0
Have you read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab? Did you cry your eyes out? Do you think Luc really loves Addie? Well, my dear friend Tatyana and I sat down to discuss all things Addie LaRue! From whether we think Henry would have been able to survive Addie's curse to how we both peaked at 23 and its all down hill from here, we break down why we love this story and why it made us incredibly emotional.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Tatyana (@theliteraturellama2.0 and @thebookishbanterpodcast)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 31 - The Ghosts in Writing ft. Dan Gerstein
Why is ghostwriting such a secretive aspect of the literary world? How do you even find a ghostwriter? Do they only work with one author at a time? Do they get upset that they aren't credited? If you have ever asked yourself these questions, then you will find great enjoyment out of today's guest! I got to sit down with Dan Gerstein, CEO of Gotham Ghostwriters, a company that helps pair ghostwriters to projects and is "a one-stop solution for any author or speaker looking for help telling and selling a story."
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Dan Gerstein from Gotham Ghostwriters (@gotham_ghosts)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 30 - Reading Savagely ft. Stacey Marie Brown
Have you read Savage Lands or any books by Stacey Marie Brown? Are you curious how these characters came to her head? Do you wonder why her book feel so real and tangible? Well, you're in luck, because I got to sit down with Stacey and ask her all of these questions! From her writing process, her history in Hollywood, to the future of the Savage Lands series, we cover it all!
I will warn you, there were some technical difficulties with this episode, so I am super sorry if the audio quality is annoying. I loved this episode, so I wanted to release it despite there being slight microphone issues.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Stacey Marie Brown (@staceymariebrown)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 29 - The Art of Being a Critique Partner ft. Jordan Gray
Have you listened to Shelby Mahurin's instagram lives and heard all about her fabulous critique partner, Jordan? Have you ever heard someone mention a critique partner and have wondered "what's that?" or "how do I find one of those to look at my novel?" Well, you're in luck because I sat down with Jordan Gray and discussed all things critique partnering! We break down how she started in the business, how the industry as a whole can sometimes suck, how to find a critique partner if you don't want to pay someone, and why the industry is a rough world but surrounded by the most amazing people! There are also some fun Serpent and Dove antidotes, and a fun discussion about Passionflix. Come for the knowledge, stay for the smut adaptations.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Jordan Gray (@authorjordangray)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 28 - What Comes First: Publishers or Bookstores ft. @TheNewAdultBookClub
Have you heard about the New Adult Category? Do you think it deserves to be its own bookshelf in bookstores? Danielle (@TheNewAdultBookClub) and I sat down to discuss everything about it. From Jezebel saying that the New Adult Category is just a marketing gimmick, to who has to embrace the genre first - the publishers or the booksellers, to why we think New Adult really resonates with millennials. Authors like Jennifer L Armentrout and Danielle Jensen are really pushing for their books to be classified as New Adult, but is that possible? What makes them fall into a category like that rather than Adult or Young Adult?
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Danielle (@TheNewAdultBookClub and @FlorallyMarked)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 27 - Manifesting Book Covers ft. Emily Wittig
Have you ever been curious how a book gets its cover? What the process is with working with an artist? Why are there sometimes a couple different covers for a book? Why is this cover more artistic while this cover is a photo? Well, you're in luck because I sat down with Emily Wittig from Emily Wittig Designs to talk all about what it means to be a book cover artist! Emily is one of the sweetest people and I know I loved learning more about this side of the book world, so I hope you do too!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Emily Wittig (@emily_wittig_designs)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 26 - Trust the Red Flags ft. Raven Kennedy
Happy New Year! We are starting 2022 off with a bang by starting with one of my favorite authors. Have you seen the Plated Prisoner series everywhere? Are you in love with Auren and Rip and Slade? Did you cry your eyes out in Gleam? Are you equally obsessed with Raven Kennedy as I am? Well I got to sit down with Raven and ask her all about the magic systems, Auren's ribbons, how real her characters feel, and more. I am in love with Raven and I hope you love learning more about this deep multifaceted world like I did. Stay tuned through the end of the episode for a fun Patreon announcement!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Raven Kennedy (@ravenkennedybooks)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 25 - Bonus! Favorite and Deleted Scenes
Surprisingly little gets left on the cutting room floor for this show. I try to keep as much as I can to give listeners a truly authentic look at these people that keep the literary world turning. However, sometimes the stuff that does get deleted is hysterical and I am truly sad to see it get removed either for time or because its so off topic it doesn't belong in the episode. I also almost always have a favorite clip in each episode, so I really took my time to find some of them and compiled it all here! Normally, bonus episodes belong on the Patreon, but I really wanted everyone to enjoy some of these clips. I hope everyone had a happy holiday if you celebrate anything this season, that you are taking time to rest and relax, and that you enjoy this shorter episode!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 24 - Answering Your Questions ft. @TheNewAdultBookClub
Who is this woman that comes on a podcast every week to ask questions about the literary industry? If you have ever asked that, then this is your episode! I put a question box on Instagram and man did you deliver. You asked some fantastic questions that showed I have 0 credibility to be doing this podcast, but all of the obsession and drive to bring it to your ears! I answered questions about my favorite books, my favorite tropes, what I do for a living, why this podcast even exists, and more! Really you learn that I have 0 control over my ideas and must execute them with the finesse of a bull driving through a wall!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Danielle (@TheNewAdultBookClub)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 23 - The Theory of From Blood and Ash ft. @BookishBaddy and @TheNewAdultBookClub
If you have hung around the podcast for a while, you know I love From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout. So today, I sit down with two of my best book friends to discuss all our theories we have for the series! We discuss everything from how Poppy is a god and what happened to Cora to how the fandom feels toxic at times. This chat is longer and chaotic but was so much fun to record!
TW: We discuss plus sized Poppy and the Joining, so if either of those topics are uncomfortable or triggering in any way, please be aware and listen as your comfort level dictates!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: Jessica (@BookishBaddy) and Danielle (@TheNewAdultBookClub)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 22 - Trust Booksellers ft. East City Books, Mysterious Galaxy Books, and Savoy Bookstore & Café
What is this supply chain issue? Why can't I always get the book I want at an indie bookstore? What does it mean to be an indie bookstore? Is pre-ordering really a thing? Well, all these questions and more get answered on today's episode! I had a wonderful time sitting down with booksellers from East City Books in DC, Mysterious Galaxy Books in San Diego, and Savoy Bookstore & Café in Rhode Island. They really give you a behind the scenes look at buying books to be in stock on Indie Bookstore shelves and I found the entire chat fascinating!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guests: East City Bookshop (@eastcitybookshop), Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore (@mystgalaxybooks), and Savoy Bookshop & Café (@savoybookshopcafe)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 21 - From Persephone to Vampires ft. Scarlett St. Clair
Have you read A Touch of Darkness and have wondered about the wonderful woman behind the series? Have you seen the teasers for King of Battle and Blood and are extremely intrigued? Well, I was, so I sat down with Scarlett St. Clair to discuss everything relating to these two series! From handling bad reviews on Instagram, to the research behind her series, to some nice vague mentions about what to expect with her new series, we got deep and covered a lot in this chat! Scarlett is wonderfully down to earth and answered all of my questions about joining Bloom Books, going viral, writing in dual perspectives and more. We also dive into King of Battle and Blood, which I could not be more stoked to read when it is released on November 30th.
You can preorder King of Battle and Blood here
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Scarlett St. Clair (@authorscarlettstclair)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 20 - Embracing Self Love ft. Steamy Lit
Steamy Lit and the Steam Box are all about embracing self pleasure and whatever form that takes. It's wonderful and something I wish more companies pushed. Whether that's vibrators or candles, we should all be embracing what makes us feel good! As an added bonus, the Steam Box includes romance novels written by authors that are BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ (along with other marginalized communities). I got to sit down with the owner of Steamy Lit, Mel, and talk about the origin story of Steamy Lit, why she focuses her box on romance, how starting a company that caters self pleasure is a risk on so many different levels, as well as her what she loves to read!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Mel (@steamylit and @thesteamboxco)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 19 - The Genre of Angst and Identity ft. @KaseyBeReading
Do you read young adult novels or are you like me and struggle with 15 year old kids saving the world? I sat down with my friend Kasey (@Kaseybereading on instagram) to discuss one of her favorite genres, YA. We go over fun and obscure history of the genre, some of our favorite authors and books, topics and tropes we love and hate, and more! We also slightly go off topic about my love to spoil books for myself and why she questions my sanity.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Kasey (@Kaseybereading)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 18 - Trolls and Fan Accounts ft. @KingdomofMaas
I am so excited for today's episode. I sat down with Ava from @KingdomofMaas and @Maastastic and the podcast Fandomtastic and discussed all things fan accounts! We start with how the handle @kingdomofmaas got started and everything she wanted to create with it (hint it had a lot to do with one of her favorite water boys), and then dive into some of her more "controversial" choices with the page and the backlash that came with that. We also discussed her podcast, and I highly recommend you guys check it out if you love Sarah J Maas content!
Some trigger warnings for today's episode: We talk about the backlash behind her choosing to post only "Plus Size Bryce" and we talk about the death threats she has received. We don't go into much detail about it all but it is mentioned, so as always prioritize your mental health rather than this podcast! If either of those topics are triggering in any way, I will not be insulted if you skip this week's episode.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books from the podcast!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Ava (@KingdomofMaas)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 17 - Listening to the Voices ft. Kate Canterbary
If we have ever talked on bookstagram about book recommendations, you should know this week's guest well! Kate Canterbary (probably one of my favorite authors) and I sat down to discuss how she visits witches in Salem and how the voices in her head tell her stories. We also talk about how I am obsessed with her books, how these characters come to her fully formed, her rehabilitation from the corporate world, and more! I love this chat! Kate was so open and honest, so I cannot wait for everyone to become just as obsessed with her as I am.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
Shop the books from the podcast!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Kate Canterbary (@katecanterbary)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 16 - An Artist's Perspective ft. Sasha Lee Coleman
Have you ever wondered how an artist gets inspiration for their fanart? Well this week, I sat down with artist Sasha Lee Coleman to discuss inspiration, growth, partnerships, and more! We dive dep on how she started doing fan art, what she has learned about running a business, and dream commissions. Each piece of hers takes about 15-20 hours of work and is incredible. You might recognize some of her pieces from A Touch Of Magic Designs and each piece is just more and more incredible!
We spent a lot of time complaining about the Sarah J Maas fandom, but we are both admittedly huge fans of hers, so don't take too much of the complaining to heart! We also discuss some of our favorite fantasy books. Come for the art talk, stay to add to your TBR!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Sasha Lee Coleman (@sashac_art)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 15 - Knowing What Stories to Tell ft. Sajni Patel
Today I am talking to author Sajni Patel to discuss all things about her new release First Love, Take Two! We sat down and talked about her nerves of sharing her culture with the world in a book, who should tell what stories, and how no matter how successful we become, we will consistently fan girl over our favorite authors!
TW: We discuss racism, mental health, and touch on sexual assault as it is a topic of her novel The Trouble with Hating You.
Order First Love, Take Two here!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Sajni Patel (@sajnipatelbooks)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 14 - Customers and Book Recommendations ft. The Bookish Box
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a book box? Have you wondered why some books get special editions and some don't? Well, I got to sit down and chat with Justine, the creator of The Bookish Box! We talked all about how The Bookish Box got started, the process of getting special edition books, handling competition in the book box sector, and more!
Tune in to hear about The Bookish Box and stay for the book recommendations to listen to Justine rave about her team, to the point where I would now kill to work for her!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Justine (@thebookishbox)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 13 - Genres Embracing Culture ft. Sara Desai
Have you read The Marriage Game and the Dating Plan yet? Have you embraced reading about other cultures in romance? Are you curious about desi culture in general? Well, in today's episode I talk with author Sara Desai and discuss how the publishing industry is embracing new voices, and I really try to sell you on preordering The Singles Table, which comes out November 16th!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Sara Desai (@saradesaiwrites)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 12 - Narcissus and the Poetic Nature of Writing ft. A. Natasha Joukovsky
Have you heard of the myth of Narcissus? Do you love a good love square? Is Gossip Girl one of your favorite guilty pleasures? If so, you will love the book and subject of today's episode. I sat down with Natasha Joukovsky to discuss her debut novel The Portrait of a Mirror! We discuss her writing process, her inspirations, and geek out over literary fiction, Joan Didion, and Jane Austin.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: A. Natasha Joukovsky (@joukovsky)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 11 - Caffeinating Bookstagram ft. Fable Grounds Coffee
Have you tried Fable Grounds Coffee yet? This week, I sit down with the owner, Katelyn (@balancingbooksandcoffee), and discuss all things coffee roasting, running a small business, our shared love of Danielle Jensen and the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Fable Grounds Coffee (@fablegroundscoffee)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 10 - Fantasy, Retellings, and Female Leads are Having a Moment ft. @bookishbaddy
Have you ever wondered about fantasy? What makes it fantasy? Did you know there are different categories of fantasy? What is the history of the genre? Well, this week Jess (@bookishbaddy) and I dive in to the history and various aspects of fantasy that we both love and can do without. We talk about how we got started loving fantasy books, what our favorite tropes are, what we dislike in a fantasy novel, and more!
Trigger Warning: We talk about Harry Potter a bit in this one, especially at the beginning! If you find Harry Potter and JKR triggering in ANY way, please skip this episode. Your wellbeing is more important to me than you listening to this week's episode.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Jess (@bookishbaddy)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 9 - The Black Box of Publishing ft. 1001 Dark Nights (@1001darknights_blueboxpress)
Have you ever wondered what happens when a book goes to a publisher? Are you in love with authors like Jennifer L. Armentrout, Dylan Allen, Tessa Bailey, and Lauren Blakely? In today's episode, I sit down with Jill Stein from 1001 Dark Nights and Blue Box Press and discuss what happens when a story gets to them, what it means to be a publisher, major lessons she's learned being 1/3 of the owners of 1001 Dark Nights, and fun books about to be published!
Also enjoy hearing me just try to become best friends with Jill.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Jill Stein from 1001 Dark Nights and Blue Box Press (@1001darknights_blueboxpress)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 8 - The Business of Writing Ft. Danielle L. Jensen (@danielleljensen)
Have you ever wondered what the business side of writing is? Do you love The Bridge Kingdom, The Malediction Series, and the Dark Skies Series? Have you seen my 700 posts featuring Danielle L. Jensen? Well, today I am joined by USA Today Best Selling Author Danielle L. Jensen! I could not be more excited about you hearing today's episode. Danielle is one of my favorite authors of all time and I am so fortunate that she was able to sit down with me to discuss all things writing.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Danielle L. Jensen (@danielleljensen)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 7 - Where Feyre and Harley Quinn Meet ft. @peachyqueencosplay
Have you seen the bookish cosplayers on Instagram or Bookstagram? Have you ever wondered how intensive the process is getting into character or where their inspiration comes from? Have you ever wondered what spurs bigger accounts to post about social causes and about events in the news? Georgia (@peachyqueencosplay) and I discuss all of this in today's episode! Georgia was one of the first people I followed upon joining bookstagram, so I could not be more excited to introduce her to all of you!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Georgia @peachyqueencosplay
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 6 - We Will Riot for Hunt ft. @jessielovenelit
Crescent City by Sarah J Maas is probably one of my favorite novels and I got to sit down with one of my favorite bookstagrammers Jessie Lovene (@jessielovenelit) to discuss it! Do you think Bryce and Hunt are end game? Will you riot with us if Hunt isn't end game for Bryce? What was the biggest plot twist for you? Do you think Aidas is just around to push the plot forward? I am super excited for you to hear this week's episode!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Jessie Lovene @jessielovenelit
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 5 - Shop Bookish ft. Get Happy Tees (@GetHappyTees)
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite bookish shop? Are you a giant fan of Get Happy Tees like I am? Well in today's episode I sit down with the owner of Get Happy Tees, Jess, and we talk all things inspiration, tiktok, how orders go out, and more.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Get Happy Tees (@gethappytees)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 4 - Writing Through a Pandemic ft. Henley J. Alexandre (@henleyjalexandre)
Have you ever considered self publishing? Henley J Alexander recently self published his first novel, 98.2 and sat down with me to discuss the process, how he went about writing his first novel, and all about his new book.
98.2 is a coming of age novel that set in two timelines, looking at the impact of a global pandemic - one timeline in the year that the pandemic began, and one timeline 50 years later.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Henley J Alexandre (@henleyjalexandre)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 3 - The Podcast within a Podcast ft. Books 'N Betches (@books_n_betches)
Want to hear what goes on behind the scenes of a podcast? Join me and Books 'N Betches on today's episode! We talk about what it means to have a fast growing account on Instagram, how Books 'N Betches came to be, and more.
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Books 'N Betches (@books_n_betches)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 2 - Being Judged by the Wall Street Journal ft @thenewadultbookclub
Have you read historical romance? Do you have a favorite trope? Do you know the history of the genre and how it was started by men and only 15 historical romance books are published in hardcover every year? Danielle (@thenewadultbookclub) and I dive into all of that and more on today's episode!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Danielle (@thenewadultbookclub)
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Ep. 1 - Straight from Bookstagram ft. @3starsandup
What is bookstagram? How has it affected the literary world? Do bookstagrammers hate it when you slide into their DMs? Naomi (@3starsandup) cover all of this and more in today's episode!
This episode is sponsored by Audible! Follow this link to get a free 30-day trial for Audible.
https://www.patreon.com/abookshelfbinge
We have merch! Click here to shop the podcast's merch!
Credits:
Host: @bookshelfbinge
Guest: Naomi @3starsandup
Cover art: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)
Welcome!
Welcome to A Bookshelf Binge! Here is everything to expect from this podcast and a little bit about your host, Jessica! Be sure to give A Bookshelf Binge a follow on your preferred listening platform and on Instagram!
Cover art by: SaraSomethingCo (@sarasomething.co)