Ep 71: From Attorney to Author with Novelist Jessica Saunders

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Jessica Saunders's debut novel, Love, Me, was released on January 16, 2024 (Union Square & Co.)In the latest episode of the Write the Damn Book Already podcast, Jessica and I chatted about the power of pursuing a literary dream as she discussed her debut novel, Love, Me, (January 2024, Union Square & Co) with raw and captivating honesty. We also discussed the delicate balance between rigorous careers and the pull of creative passions, the catalysts that drive us to write, and the sacrifices made along the way—including, sometimes, a brief hiatus from all things Netflix! INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTSFinalizing the title, from the initial idea to the final decisionJessica's writing process, what prompted her to (finally) write the damn book already, and her approach to plotting versus pantsingWhich writers' workshop helped her get her first draft outHow she decided between traditional and self-publishing and found her agent, Elizabeth Bewley (Sterling Lord Literalistic)Her experience connecting with the author community and planning for the book's launch and ongoing marketingABOUT JESSICAJessica Saunders is a lawyer, who, after years of writing scintillating legal briefs, was finally able to fulfill her lifelong dream of writing fiction. A graduate of Cornell University and St. John’s University School of Law, where she was a St. Thomas More Scholar, Jessica currently lives in Westchester, New York with her husband and two daughters. Love, Me is her first novel.CONNECT WITH JESSICAInstagram: @jessicasaundersbooks Website: jessicasaundersbooks.comOrder Love, Me (via Bookshop.org, which supports indie bookstores) OTHER MENTIONED RESOURCESGotham Writers WorkshopLeo PR 🧭 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 WANT TO SELL MORE BOOKS (WITHOUT THE SELF-PROMO CRINGE)?The Author Visibility Bundle gives you 200+ done-for-you email templates, social media graphics, and other book promo tools designed to help authors build buzz and drive sales, without feeling pushy. 👉  PublishAProfitableBook.com/bookvisibility ✍️ 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