Navigating Agents and Traditional Publishing

In this episode, I sit down with debut novelist and crisis communications consultant John David. His first novel, The Bystander, didn't just hit the market—it dominated it, being named one of the Best Thrillers of 2025 and winning the Page Turner Award.We move past the surface and get into the technicalities of the industry:The Agent Hunt: The specific process of finding and securing a literary agent in today's market.Commercial Fiction: How to bridge the gap between creative storytelling and a marketable product.The Publishing Path: Navigating the differences between traditional, self, and hybrid publishing models.John’s background in high-stakes PR gives him a unique lens on narrative tension and reputation. Whether you are an aspiring author or interested in the mechanics of the entertainment industry, this conversation provides a roadmap for the 2026 landscape.