Finish the Book: Ilona Andrews on Hard Truths About Writing, Publishing and Persistence

Follow me on Instagram - @Mrkelly2uMy new book on Writing - REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT: What hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up is currently available to pre-order at a special pre-release only price  of £2.99/$3.99 and, for UK listeners, you can buy a special signed paperback version with limited edition postcard and bookmark - RIGHT NOW!Buy limited edition signed paperback herePre-order Kindle version hereIn this episode, I’m joined by bestselling husband-and-wife writing duo Ilona Andrews, who have been writing together professionally since 2007.We dive into what it really looks like to build a long-term writing career as a partnership, how they’ve navigated both traditional and self-publishing, and why removing ego from the creative process is essential if you want to produce your best work.We also talk about their latest novel This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me, a departure into epic fantasy, and how it came from an idea that simply wouldn’t leave them alone.Along the way, there’s plenty of honest insight into the realities of publishing, the importance of finishing what you start, and why writing is less about inspiration and more about showing up and doing the work.✍️ In This Episode, We Cover:How Ilona Andrews make co-writing actually work in practiceThe origin and concept behind This Kingdom Will Not Kill MeThe shift from urban fantasy into epic fantasyThe realities of traditional publishing vs self-publishingWhy self-publishing offers freedom but comes with trade-offsThe importance of finishing a book, not just starting one🧠 Best Advice from the Episode“If it works, do it.”“Give yourself permission to write badly so you can finish.”“You have to put your butt in the chair and make words.”“50 unfinished books equal zero finished books.”🌐 Find Out More About Ilona AndrewsWebsite: https://ilona-andrews.comThey’re particularly active on their blog, sharing writing insights, industry thoughts and the occasional slice of everyday life.This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is available now from all major retailers, including special editions through UK outlets such as Waterstones.