Ep 162: From Academic to Fiction Author with Jennifer Brown episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 25, 2026 · 37 MIN

Ep 162: From Academic to Fiction Author with Jennifer Brown

from Write the Damn Book Already · host Elizabeth Lyons / Jennifer Brown

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Ever wonder what happens when an academic specializing in medieval women’s visions suddenly writes her first novel? In this episode, Jennifer Brown shares her unexpected leap from dusty manuscripts to publishing with St. Martin’s Press and how a canceled conference sparked her fiction journey—without a soul telling her she should.In this episode:How Jennifer’s fascination with medieval women and their visions inspired her novel, The Lost Book of Elizabeth BartonThe serendipitous week in London that kickstarted her writing processScrapping outlines and embracing the messy, fun process of discoveryThe unexpected ease of her path to publicationInsights into marketing a traditionally published book when the house does some of the heavy lifting (emphases on "some")Her thoughts on the complexity of writing multiple timelines and switching points of viewThe importance of embracing revision as part of the creative process🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINTGet back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers. 🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.*episode sponsor ✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMPYou've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time). 👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebookSupport the show******Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry.  Available wherever podcasts are available: Apple PodcastsSpotify YouTube Let's Connect! InstagramWebsite Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] comThe podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores.To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Ever wonder what happens when an academic specializing in medieval women’s visions suddenly writes her first novel? In this episode, Jennifer Brown shares her unexpected leap from dusty manuscripts to publishing with St. Martin’s Press and how a canceled conference sparked her fiction journey—without a soul telling her she should. In this episode: How Jennifer’s fascination with medieval women and their visions inspired her n...

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Ep 162: From Academic to Fiction Author with Jennifer Brown

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This episode was published on March 25, 2026.

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Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Ever wonder what happens when an academic specializing in medieval women’s visions suddenly writes her first novel? In this episode, Jennifer Brown shares her unexpected leap from dusty...

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