A Writer's Journey: Inside the Making of Heart’s Gambit: Circus Magic, Time Travel, and the Real Truth About Publishing a Debut

Send us Fan MailThe curtain lifts on circus magic, high-stakes romance, and the unfiltered reality of publishing a debut fantasy novel.In this candid, behind-the-scenes conversation, we sit down with J.D. Myall, author of Heart’s Gambit, to unpack how the book grew from a proposal into a full-scale launch, complete with preorders, a regional book tour, library-hosted events, and an immersive audiobook cast that brings music and magic to the page. This is the kind of publishing conversation most writers crave and most readers never get to hear, equal parts celebration, strategy, and confession.We dive into the emotional whiplash of the publishing process, from quiet stretches filled with doubt to the sudden rush of deadlines, finished copies arriving in boxes, and calendars packed with launch events. J.D. shares how a library-centered launch, a focused preorder campaign, and circus-themed influencer mailers helped keep the heart of the story front and center amid the noise.Craft takes the spotlight as we talk revision decisions that changed everything, including how a sharper prologue reframed the stakes, why the ending evolved for the better, and how a plotter-pantser process allows execution to shift while the big beats stay true. We dig into favorite scenes like battle training, time-bending romance, and dates shaped by magic, and why time travel through a Black perspective transforms questions of risk, agency, history, and place.There’s also a frank discussion of author life and visibility, from navigating social media without burnout to balancing a day job, family, and creative work while choosing connection over performative content. Featuring a special excerpt read by Khaya Fraites, narrator of Heart’s Gambit and the Fourth Wing series. If you love fantasy novels, time travel stories, Black historical fantasy, circus aesthetics, and romance with a bite, Heart’s Gambit belongs on your list. If you’re a writer, you’ll walk away with practical insight into editing, cover design, audiobooks, book marketing, and the courage it takes to put your work into the world.Follow, share this episode with a friend who loves book craft and publishing real talk, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview?fpr=jennette18 Support the show🎙️ Craft Chat Chronicles with J.D. Myall Candid conversations on writing, publishing, and creative life — featuring bestselling authors, MFA students, and writers at every stage of the journey.About J.D. Myall J.D. Myall is the co-chair of Drexel University’s MFA Alumni Association and a publishing and library professional. She is the creator and host of Craft Chat Chronicles, where she interviews authors, agents, and industry insiders about the art and business of writing.Her work has appeared in Ms. Magazine, Writer’s Digest, and HuffPost. Her debut novel, Heart’s Gambit, releases with Wednesday Books/Macmillan in February 2026.When she’s not conjuring magic, murder, and mayhem on the page, J.D. mentors emerging writers through workshops and alumni programs, fostering community among aspiring and published authors alike.💜 Connect with J.D. Myall 📸 Instagram 🌐 Website & Media Kit 💌 Newsletter 🔗 LinktreeWatch episodes on YouTube as well. 💜 Level up your writing process with Scrivener — the ...