The Write Spxt Landline ☎️

A weekly newsletter by a publishing professional with a decade of experience. This is for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.I sat down with Kristy Woodson Harvey, a New York Times bestselling author I’ve pointed to for years when people ask me what it takes to build a career as an author. Not only is she versatile in her skills, but she is also a great collaborator with her publisher. This means that she is not solely dependent on what the publisher can do for her, but rather alongisde her. Kristy didn’t come from a single viral moment or a lucky break. She built her readership the long way, through relationships, consistency and a genuine understanding of the people on the other side of her books.She treats every book like its own ecosystem that isn’t just something to write and release, but something to nurture, connect and grow over time. And after 13 books, what becomes clear is this: there is no secret formula just a willingness to keep showing up.In this conversation, we dive into…* why chasing trends will always leave you behind* how to build a readership through community, not virality* what authors get wrong about bookstores, libraries, and local supportIf you enjoyed this, listen to theseWays You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.* If you can’t afford to become a paid monthly/yearly subscriber, but would like to leave a one-time tip, please click the below button!You can find me here, too:Instagram | FacebookThe Write Spxt is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Current associate director of marketing at Pantheon and Doubleday Books, imprints at Penguin Random House. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

A weekly newsletter by a publishing professional with a decade of experience. This is for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.I sought Victoria Wood out because I really enjoyed the aesthetic of her Instagram feed and the variety of information she shared. If you take a look, you will notice that Victoria shares short book reviews using the carousel feature, she invites her community in by letting them see her engaging hobbies, she showcases her bookish humor and more. She used this consistency to build trust that publishers now rely on.What stands out most about Victoria’s journey is not speed, but patience. She spent years posting before the first paid opportunity; years of learning what works and what connects. If you are trying to figure out how to become a bookstagrammer, this is the chat you should prioritize. In this conversation, we dive into…* how to start on bookstagram* what publishers are looking for when partnering with influencers* how to grow an audience without burning out or chasing the algorithmIf you enjoyed this, listen to theseSubstack for Writers Workshop in collaboration with Tarpon Springs Book FestivalI am excited to share that I will be hosting a Substack for Writers workshop in collaboration with Tarpon Springs Book Festival! If you are in the area, would love to see you. The workshop is free for all.Ways You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.* If you can’t afford to become a paid monthly/yearly subscriber, but would like to leave a one-time tip, please click the below button!You can find me here, too:Instagram | FacebookThe Write Spxt is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Current associate director of marketing at Pantheon and Doubleday Books, imprints at Penguin Random House. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

A weekly newsletter by a publishing professional with a decade of experience. This is for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.Anyone who has ever lifted a book to their nose and inhaled the scent of paper knows where the publishing capital is. For generations, those who wanted to be close to the source of those printed pages, to take part in their making and release into the world, made their way to the concrete jungle.It has long felt like a quiet industry rule: if you want to work in books, you have to be in New York.Except Viviana Moreno didn’t.In an industry that still carries strong geographic assumptions about where opportunity lives, Viviana has built her path from outside the city, in the Sunshine State no less. Her story stood out to me because not only does it challenge a familiar narrative, but because it speaks directly to the many aspiring publishing professionals who believe proximity is the only way in.In this chat, we dive into…* how she entered the largest publishing house in the world without relocating to New York* what a publicist really does behind the scenes* how campaigns take shape months before publicationIf you enjoyed this, listen to theseSubstack for Writers Workshop in collaboration with Tarpon Springs Book Festival I am excited to share that I will be hosting a Substack for Writers workshop in collaboration with Tarpon Springs Book Festival! If you are in the area, would love to see you. The workshop is free for all.Ways You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter and upgrade to paid.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.* If you can’t afford to become a paid monthly/yearly subscriber, but would like to leave a one-time tip, please click the below button!You can find me here, too:Instagram | FacebookCurrent associate director of marketing at Pantheon and Doubleday Books, imprints at Penguin Random House. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

A weekly newsletter by a publishing professional with a decade of experience. This is for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.At a moment when creative careers are being reshaped in real time by contraction, consolidation and constant demands to “pivot,” Neima Patterson offers a perspective rooted in range, intention, self-trust and using the community around you.She is a writer working across television, film, novels and Substack, currently revising her debut novel through the We Need Diverse Books and Penguin Random House Revision Workshop, while continuing to build a creative life that isn’t dependent on a single industry or format.Neima speaks plainly about what it takes to sustain a multi-form writing practice today because that is the recipe for todays survival: your work must live in more than one place, you must ask for what you want without apology, and you must remain creatively porous while the industry itself becomes more rigid.This is a conversation about adaptability without dilution and about building a career that can actually carry and hold you.Ways You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter and upgrade to paid.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.You can find me here, too:Instagram | FacebookCurrent associate director of marketing at Pantheon and Doubleday Books, imprints at Penguin Random House.The Write Spxt is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

A weekly newsletter by a publishing professional with a decade of experience. This is for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.There are many things about PRH that I love, but one of my favorites is a program called CoffeeChats. It’s an automated system that pairs employees across the company for 30-minute introductory calls. Before the bot sets you up with someone, you fill out a short bio with your interests, just enough information for it to match you with someone who might have similar interests. Once a pair is made, you are able to view the other person’s bio as well. CoffeeChats is especially valuable for anyone who’s remote or outside New York, people who don’t have the luxury of roaming the halls and poking their head into random offices the way I used to. (Truly, I was a friendly menace.)A couple of months ago, the bot matched me with Maya Ono. I quickly knew I wanted to feature her in The Write Spxt. Talking with her confirmed something I’ve sensed for years in this industry: the people who do the most impactful work are the ones who resist the noise. The ones who remember that marketing is not trickery or trend-chasing, it’s storytelling, human behavior and sincerity.Our world is obsessed with algorithms at the moment and Maya’s approach feels like ten toes down. She believes curiosity still matters. Community still matters. Showing up with honesty still matters. And she has the career receipts to back it up. When you are done listening, head over to her Substack, The Spiegel Files. In this chat, we dive into…* why authentic marketing still outperforms algorithm-chasing* how to cultivate curiosity as a creative and professional advantage* the power of community-driven campaigns and what most get wrongMedia mentioned while chatting with Maya * Audition by Katie Kitamura READIf you enjoyed this, listen to theseWays You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter and upgrade to paid.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.* If you can’t afford to become a paid monthly/yearly subscriber, but would like to leave a one-time tip, please click the below button!You can find me here, too:Instagram | FacebookCurrent associate director of marketing at Pantheon and Doubleday Books, imprints at Penguin Random House. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

A weekly newsletter by a publishing professional with a decade of experience. This is for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.I discovered Jem Erith by accident. I was fed a collaborative post she published that included the doctors featured in this women’s health round table by The Diary of a CEO. I follow Dr. Stacy Sims because I am a fan of the work she is doing to help women like me maximize our workouts while understanding our hormonal fluctuations. I want to age with intention and learning how to work alongside my menstrual cycle has truly been life changing. Jem is the Executive Producer of The Diary of a CEO where she shapes the rhythm, emotional architecture and intentionality behind the world’s most influential podcast. Her touch is subtle but unmistakable: if you’ve ever felt moved, softened or unexpectedly seen by an episode, Jem was part of the reason why. As someone who spent 2025 devouring DOAC episodes (my YouTube Recap even crowned it my top channel), speaking with Jem felt surreal. It’s not every day I sit with the producer of a show that complements the independent study I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember.When you are done listening, head over to Jem’s Substack, Studio Thoughts, because she is more than just an executive producer of the largest podcast on the planet right now. She’s a human searching for meaning and balance in her own life and that is something every one of us can relate to. In this chat, we dive into…* her philosophy of producing* the unseen labor of making conversations feel alive* why discipline and balance matterDOAC episodes mentioned while chatting with Jem * Wim Hof WATCH* Women’s health round table Part 1 WATCH* Women’s health round table Part 2 WATCH * Neuroscientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor WATCH* Brené Brown WATCH * The Glucose Goddess WATCH * Jocko Willink, retired U.S. Navy SEAL WATCH Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! This post is public so feel free to share it.Ways You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter and upgrade to paid.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.* If you can’t afford to become a paid monthly/yearly subscriber, but would like to leave a one-time tip, please click the below button!You can find me here, too:Instagram | FacebookThe Write Spxt is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Current associate director of marketing at Pantheon and Doubleday Books, imprints at Penguin Random House. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.Originally published March 2018 via Minorities in Publishing | Original transcriptIn 2018, I was working at Atria Books, an imprint at Simon & Schuster. That year, I joined Jennifer Baker, host of the Minorities in Publishing podcast, for what became my very first public conversation about representation, marketing and the realities of navigating publishing. Alongside me was Jalissa Corrie, who at the time was working in marketing and publicity at Lee & Low Books.Listening back now, I can hear so many things I didn’t yet have the words for: the excitement, the uncertainty and the deep desire to make a difference.Today, Jennifer Baker is the Editorial Director of Storehouse Voices at Penguin Random House, where she leads an imprint focused on commercial fiction and nonfiction for adult readers. She’s also the author of Forgive Me Not and continues to champion marginalized voices through her editorial work, teaching and public speaking.Jalissa Corrie is now the Senior Growth Marketing Manager at the Institute of Culinary Education and and a contributing writer to A Phoenix First Must Burn. Revisiting this moment reminds me how every step, even the uncertain ones, prepares you for where you’re going. I was 29 when this episode aired. Today, at (almost) 37, I can see how that conversation planted the seeds for The Write Spxt, a space built to keep these kinds of dialogues alive.Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Ways You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.You can find me here, too:Instagram | Facebook Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.Ameer Collier is a literary manager and the founder of Dirt Road Productions. But before that title, before the credits and the client roster, he was just a kid from Maryland who loved stories and wanted to help the people around him shine.In this conversation, we talk about what it really means to build a creative career that lasts. He shares his journey from radio to production sets, from working at FX and Epic Records to finding his calling in management helping writers and directors develop work with endurance and patience.He breaks down the realities of representation, the balance between art and commerce, and why some of the most meaningful work happens far away from the spotlight.In this chat, we dive into…* what it means to network across instead of networking up* how to build momentum when the system isn’t built for you* the difference between agents and managers (and why you might need both)* why the real work of success starts long before anyone’s watchingIt’s one of those conversations that reminds you there’s no straight line to creative success. There’s just the dirt road: uneven, unpredictable and deeply personal.Media mentioned while chatting with Ameer:* Powerhouse: The Untold Story of Hollywood’s Creative Artists Agency by James Andrew Miller READ * Really Love feature film WATCH* The Honorable Shyne documentary WATCH* Nina Lee Films WATCH * Atlanta tv series WATCH * Insecure tv series WATCH * Gabby’s Dollhouse universe EXPLORE * Bradford Young, first Black cinematographer to have Oscar nomination for Arrival* They Cloned Tyrone WATCH* Neima Patterson and The Black Creatives Revision Workshop EXPLORE* Queen Mother by Dr. Ashley D. Farmer READ * The Chit Show WATCH Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Ways You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.You can find me here, too:Instagram | Facebook Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.Linda Korn is a Senior Executive Producer at Penguin Random House Audio. Her work has won Grammys and Audie Awards, shaping the sound of the modern audiobook. But over her 38-year career, she has been more than a producer. She has been a collaborator, a coach, a creative partner, a musician. . . someone who sees the voice not just as a tool, but as an instrument of healing and connection.In our conversation, Linda takes us from reel-to-reel tapes stacked in hallways to today’s booming audiobook industry, reminding us that behind every story is not just a narrator, but a team committed to honoring the author’s voice. She speaks about the healing frequencies of sound, the delicate act of coaching authors through difficult material, and why learning to fall in love with your own voice might be one of the most powerful creative tools we have.In this chat, we dive into…* the early days of audiobooks and how the industry grew into what it is today* the healing power of the human voice and how sound affects our bodies* what it means to collaborate with authors, narrators, and stories in the studio* how to listen to yourself, love your voice, and discover its superpowersMedia mentioned while chatting with Linda:* Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones EXPLORE* America (The Book) by Jon Stewart and The Daily Show EXPLORE* Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens EXPLORE * Soundtrack by Jason Reynolds EXPLOREThanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Ways You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.You can find me here, too:Instagram | Facebook Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.Today, Amanda Armstrong-Frank serves as the Senior Director of Workplace Culture & Diversity Initiatives at Simon & Schuster. But over the course of her 30-year career in book publishing, she has filled many roles, transforming many lives. More than ten years ago, I found Amanda on LinkedIn. I was living in South Florida, trying to figure out how to work with books. My approach back then was simple: find familiar faces in publishing and ask if they’d be open to me asking them a few questions. It didn’t work. No one knew who I was and time is precious. So, I packed my bags and moved to the publishing capital of the world: New York. I told my husband, “I need to put a face to my name!” A year of hustling later, when I finally walked through the doors of a Big Five publisher, it was Amanda’s office I went looking for.In this conversation, Amanda speaks the kind of truth that changes lives, including my own. It’s the work done behind the scenes: patiently and intentionally.In this chat, we dive into…* what real DEI work looks like behind the scenes* how to build a purpose-driven career that lasts* why staying can be as powerful as speaking upMedia mentioned while chatting with Amanda * “Worse than Slavery” by David M. Oshinsky READ * The Coldest Winter by Sister Souljah READ * 50 Cent Publisher Page BROWSE* Spike Lee Publisher Page BROWSEThanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Ways You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.You can find me here, too:Instagram | Facebook Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.I met Libby Tanner while managing my booth at the Summer 2025 Oxford Exchange Book Fair in Tampa. She approached with a bright smile, curious about why I was giving books away for free (I wanted to spark conversations about The Write Spxt). When she learned that I worked in book publishing and was passionate about creating resources and learning opportunities for other creatives, she immediately said she’d love to be involved—especially as she was preparing to release her debut novel, Better than Gelato.In this chat, we dive into…* what it’s like to pursue a creative dream while raising four kids* how taking yourself seriously invites others to do the same* ways to fuel your creative spirit—no matter the season you’re inMedia mentioned while chatting with Libby * Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Phd READ * Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert READ * Save the Cat! Write the Novel by Jessica Brody READ* On Writing by Stephen King READ* Libby Tanner’s Newsletter SUBSCRIBEThanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Ways You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.You can find me here, too:Instagram | Facebook Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.What a joy it was to sit down with Ebony LaDelle on The Write Spxt to talk about book marketing, transitioning into an author and finding moments of pause through it all. Ebony and I met 10 years ago, when I was a wide-eyed assistant at Simon & Schuster. Since then, we’ve never lost touch nor have we stopped rooting for each other. Today, she is the author of 3 books, linked below, and has no intention of slowing down any time soon. In this episode, you’ll learn…* why word of mouth is the best thing for your book * how to feel the fear and do it anyway* trusting your intuition is your greatest ally Books by Ebony * Love Radio READ * This Could Be Forever READ* You’ve Got a Place Here, Too READ Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Ways You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.You can find me here, too:Instagram | Facebook Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.In this episode, journalist, poet, and multimedia storyteller Wilkine Brutus shares how Haitian heritage, global travel, and his guiding “Four P’s”—purpose, planning, persistence, and patience—have shaped his creative path. We revisit his years living in South Korea, including one unforgettable moment when a crowd of locals, fascinated by his locks, reached out to touch his hair. Rather than taking offense, Wilkine turned it into a joyful, cross-cultural exchange and a teaching moment for everyone.From building a career that spans YouTube and NPR to navigating identity across cultures, Wilkine offers lessons on staying grounded, resisting burnout, and turning alignment into action. You’ll learn how to…* approach storytelling with curiosity* design a creative life that can evolve with you* find the courage to start even when you don’t have all the answersBooks Mentioned while Talking with Wilkine * Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler READ * Dawn by Octavia Butler READ * Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson READ* The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates READThanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Ways You Can Support My Work* Visit my Stan Store and buy one of the workbooks or other resources I have available.* Subscribe to my newsletter.* Share this newsletter with someone you think would enjoy reading it.* Send an email to [email protected] if you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt for a feature.You can find me here, too:Instagram | Facebook Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.This week on The Write Spxt, I sat down with Daria Gocal, the founder of Sznurki Studio and third-place winner of the Stan Store Challenge.Daria’s story is one of trust and tenacity: she left home alone at 19 to build a new life in Barcelona and turned crochet into a thriving business. So much so that the support her studio receives from the community landed her as top 3 in the Stan Store Challenge, beating 16K others from around the globe - including me. Utilizing a creative obsession that started when she was in primary school, she created a space where young women in Barcelona can find connection and belonging. Her path is a reminder that there’s no single way to build a creative life. And, sometimes, the launch of an adventure may start by being out on your own. I am inspired by what she has been able to solidify for herself at just 22-years-old and I believe you will be, too. Listen in for lessons on courage, building community, and why the “traditional” route isn’t the only path.Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Books for crochet beginners * A Stitch Dictionary with Step-by-Step Illustrations and 10 Easy Projects by Arica Presinal READ* Crochet Cute Critters: 26 Easy Amigurumi Patterns by Sarah Zimmerman READ* Bookies: Bookmarks to Crochet by Jonas Matthies READ Platform Clarity Workbook To support you in your creative rituals, I just released a new free resource through my Stan Store. A Platform Clarity Workbook for anyone who is in the process of creating their own social channel. Figure out what you’re building—and why.Do you believe your work is aligned with The Write Spxt?Send an email to [email protected] Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.I first met Anabel Jimenez back when we were both navigating the early waves of our bookish careers at Simon & Schuster. Watching her evolution online has been nothing short of inspiring. From her cozy, joy-filled posts on @anabelscorner to her incredible work behind the scenes as the Social Media Manager for Random House, Anabel has always had a gift for connecting people through stories. Her presence is gentle, genuine, and grounded—and I hope, as you listen, you feel as if you’re sitting in the room with friends you’ve known for years. Because that’s exactly what this conversation was. I can’t wait for you to hear it.To support you in your creative rituals, I just released a new free resource through my Stan Store. A Platform Clarity Workbook for anyone who is in the process of creating their own social channel. Figure out what you’re building—and why.Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Are you open to being featured on The Write Spxt?Send an email to [email protected]!Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.In 2021, I was working at Gallery Books as the publishing industry faced a long-overdue reckoning. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the global uprisings of 2020, conversations around equity, access, and representation were finally gaining traction inside publishing houses.Our team began exploring new ways to elevate underrepresented voices—voices that had long been sidelined. From those conversations, the Books Like Us First Novel Contest was born.Alongside an incredible group of colleagues, I helped bring that vision to life and managed the contest directly.In January 2022, we selected our inaugural winner: Elba Iris Pérez, for her powerful debut The Things We Didn’t Know.This conversation with Elba is part catch-up, part creative deep dive. I’ve been cheering her on from the sidelines ever since, and I’m so glad we finally found time to talk.We discuss her journey to publication—including the rejections, the breakthroughs, and the pressure of writing after winning. We also talk about her process, what grounds her storytelling, and why having something to say still matters more than chasing trends.Media mentioned while chatting with Elba* War Against All Puerto Ricans by Nelson A. Denis READ * The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong READ * Canada by Richard Ford READ * The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros READ * Scrivener writing tool LEARN * Call Her Freedom by Tara Dorabji READ Are you open to being featured on The Write Spxt?Send an email to [email protected]!Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.Sejoe sits down with me to talk about his new AI generated animation series, Time Capsule with Sejoe. In it, he asks dead people questions. These ghosts, though, are not average citizens. These people are historical figures who have shaped the course of human history. If you could sit in front of one of your ancestors, what questions would you ask? Here is our opportunity to debate with the past. Today, we explore creativity and the new tools available to manifest ideas.Media mentioned while chatting with Sejoe1. Dawn by Octavia Butler READ 2. Time Capsule with Sejoe WATCHThinking about writing a nonfiction book?I made a free starter guide to help you begin with purpose. Download it here.Are you open to being featured on The Write Spxt? Send an email to [email protected]! Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.Michelle Lecumberry is a bookstagrammer under @berrybookpages and inspires me at every turn. I sat down with her on the heels of Mothers Day to talk all things book publishing. We also touched on her journey from Mexico to the United States. I learned that she was setting up her life to become an engineer. But the desire for books was too strong. Her adventure to New York City turned into a transformation that sounds a little bit like magic. Media mentioned while chatting with Michelle * City of Bones by Cassandra Clare READ* The Book was Hotter Podcast, hosted by Rain McNeil & Michelle Lecumberry for Avon Books WATCHAre you open to being featured on The Write Spxt? Send an email to [email protected]! Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.At least once a week, Mitchelle and I venture to the park to allow our children the time and space to enjoy nature together. Between the two of us, there are 4 children ranging from one-years-old to eight. Three out of the four were carried in Mitchelle’s body. If you’re a parent, you know what that means: Mitchelle is tired! In this audio, we decompress and chat about writing while mothering with a grand entrance from Elijah, Mitchelle’s middle child.Media mentioned while chatting with Mitchelle * Archer & Olive stationary BROWSE* All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque READ * The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner READ Are you open to being featured on The Write Spxt? Send an email to [email protected]! Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.In this audio, I sat down with my closest cousin, Jessica Bosques. She opens up about shedding judgment, finding peace, and finally healing—after heartbreak, burnout, and chronic illness. This conversation is the soft reset your spirit might need. 🎧Media mentioned while chatting with Jess* Finding Me by Viola Davis READ* Women Who Run with the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés READ* How to Do the Work by Dr. Nicole LePera READ* A Radical Awakening by Dr. Shefali Tsabary READ* Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab READ* Dr. Lisa Miller visits The School of Greatness podcast to explore the science behind synchronicities WATCHAre you open to being featured on The Write Spxt?Send an email to [email protected]!Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

The Write Spxt is a weekly newsletter from a book marketer with a decade of experience at two Big Five publishers. It’s for writers seeking publishing tools, readers looking for great recs, and humans who love to journal, observe, and reflect.I walk around a very loud and busy Brooklyn with Alison Hinchcliffe, who is a senior publicity manager at Atria Books. We discuss Ali’s journey leaving a small town in Minnesota for the Big Apple in pursuit of a career in book publishing.Media mentioned while chatting with Ali* There’s More to Life Than This by Theresa Caputo READ* Imminent by Luis Elizondo READ* Luis Elizondo, former Pentagon official, visits The Diary of a CEO podcast to talk UAP/UFO secrets WATCHAre you open to being featured on The Write Spxt?Send an email to [email protected]!Thanks for reading The Write Spxt! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe

In this short episode, I sat down with my daughter to ask how she handles learning new things. Often times, the perspective of a child can open doors of opportunity because they are not tied down by societal standards. Her answer will make you fall out of your chair, trust me! In the comments, I’d love to hear from you: what is the first thing you do when you’ve committed to learning something new? Get full access to The Write Spxt at thewritespxt.substack.com/subscribe