Jessica Knoll on Helpless, Erotic Thrillers, & Writing Through Fear | Women in Entertainment Podcast

Jessica Knoll is back with Helpless, a provocative, twist-filled return to the sharp, psychologically charged storytelling that made Luckiest Girl Alive unforgettable.In this episode of the Women in Entertainment Podcast, Jessica sits down for a candid conversation about the making of Helpless, a novel she describes as a spiritual successor to Luckiest Girl Alive. She shares how the idea began with her fascination around “forced proximity” stories, why she loves characters readers can root for on the page but might run from in real life, and how the book became her answer to the erotic thriller she wanted to read but couldn’t find.Jessica also opens up about the realities behind a successful writing career: the heavy revision process, the anxiety that comes before publication, the challenge of breaking through writer’s block, and what she has learned from adapting her work for the screen. From Bright Young Women’s limited series development to advice for authors hoping to stay involved in adaptations, this conversation is honest, generous, and deeply encouraging.Listen to learn:- Why Helpless feels like a return to form for Jessica Knoll- How forced proximity shaped the novel’s central relationship- Why erotic thrillers may be ready for a new era- What Jessica has learned from book-to-screen development- Her advice for writers navigating fear, ambition, and creative blocksThe Women in Entertainment Podcast presents thoughtful conversations with leaders across entertainment, from film and television to media and gaming, and everything in between, as we talk about what it takes to make your mark in the industry, lessons these incredible people have learned along the way, and how they have found their way in an ever-changing environment.With in-depth conversations and pre-submitted listener questions, each episode provides candid advice for navigating today’s entertainment industry, giving listeners an inside look at how key players got their start, and guidance for building the necessary toolkit to bring careers to life in film, TV, music, theater, graphics, writing, animation, and beyond.Listen on Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5AfPfPQ...Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..Listen on Audible: ⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a85..Purchase the book here: https://amzn.to/4fsgtdb#JessicaKnoll #Helpless #LuckiestGirlAlive #BrightYoungWomen #WomenInEntertainment #WomenInEntertainmentPodcast #EroticThriller #BookToScreen #WomenWriters #AuthorInterview