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PODCAST

Heartracers

A bookstore owner (Claire of Wild Sisters Books in Sacramento, CA) and an author (Sierra Godfrey) talk about reading, writing, and publishing--with a focus on romance and thrillers. You know, the books that get your heart racing. Episodes feature guest authors and a deep dive on tropes and what"s new in books.Visit us at https://heartracerspodcast.com/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/heartracerspodcast/

arts books

All Episodes

66:51

Children's author and illustrator Christy Mandin

Heartracers ·

2025/11/18

Christy Mandin is a New York Times bestselling children's book author and illustrator. She grew up in rural Georgia and credits her country life of solitude as an only child for much of her love of books and nature. You'll find this love of nature along with nostalgia, magic, and whimsy woven into the fabric of her art. When she isn't drawing she can be found gardening, beekeeping, or cozied up with a cup of coffee and the latest period drama on BBC or PBS. Christy currently lives in Georgia with

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47:39

All about preorders

Heartracers ·

2025/10/28

What are preorders? Why do they matter? What can readers do to pay attention to preorders? Claire and Sierra discuss this and what they mean for both authors, booksellers, AND readers!

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75:49

Author Alicia Thompson and breaking into the romance...

Heartracers ·

2025/10/14

Sierra surprises Claire with a ROMANCE AUTHOR MYSTERY GUEST (Alicia), and Claire tries hard to guess who it is. It's Alicia Thompson! She is the author of four hit novels, and graciously discusses author newsletters, her path to publishing, and how to break into publishing romance books.Buy her books:Love in the Time of Serial KillersWith Love, from Cold WorldThe Art of Catching FeelingsNever Been ShippedIn Every Possible Way (Preorder!!)

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56:26

Artist Myriam Strasbourg and book cover design

Heartracers ·

2025/10/07

We were delighted to welcome the cover artist behind books like BK Borison's First Time Caller, Myriam Strasbourg! She is an incredibly talented artist and you can see her work at @peaches.obviously on Instagram. She talks about how she got started in cover design, going from indie to becoming a very in-demand designer by Big 5 publishers. https://www.myriamstrasbourg.com/

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77:44

Author Andrea Bartz and how to survive trad publishing

Heartracers ·

2025/09/30

We talked to the incredible NYT bestselling author and Reese pick, Andrea Bartz, about her career trajectory including pandemic setbacks and what's next. We also touch on the landmark case, Bartz v. Anthropic. Buy Andrea's books!The Last Ferry OutThe Spare RoomWe Were Never HereThe HerdThe Lost Night

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68:47

Author Christina Dotson and the dark thriller

Heartracers ·

2025/09/23

Claire and Sierra talk about the recent Threads discussion among writers that suggested readers want shorter novels; Sierra brings the pacing and writing perspective while Claire brings the "what's selling" POV. We also talked to author Christina Dotson, whose novel Love You To Death is a dynamite, fast-paced thriller with Thelma and Louise vibes.Buy it:Love You To Death by Christina Dotson

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66:15

Author Liz Parker and author PR boxes

Heartracers ·

2025/09/16

We welcomed back our first return author guest - Liz Parker! Her new book, The Witches of Honeysuckle House, has special preorder goodies (order ahead of its October 21, 2025 pub date). We talk PR boxes, laugh a lot, and discuss why Claire isn't on the group chat!!Order Liz's books:The Witches of Honeysuckle HouseIn the Shadow GardenThe Other March Sisters

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74:31

Author branding with Bookworks

Heartracers ·

2025/09/09

Claire and Sierra discuss author PR boxes, and talk to Gretchen Schaffer and Nicole Meier from Bookworks, a boutique author branding firm with a ton of great ideas for every author at any stage of their career. Bookworks helps writers of all genres build an authentic author presence that gets their stories noticed. Combining book coaching and branding insight, they guide writers to expand their creative community and connect with ideal readers. Find Bookworks at bookworks.co, Instagram at

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74:20

Author Mark Waddell

Heartracers ·

2025/09/02

We talked to Mark Waddell, author of Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World!Mark Waddell grew up on the cold, windswept prairies of western Canada and later earned a Ph.D. in the history of science, medicine, and technology from the Johns Hopkins University. After teaching at Michigan State University for fifteen years, he and his husband moved to Vancouver Island. When not writing, he plays the viola in the Civic Orchestra of Victoria, walks his dogs on the beach, and slays fearsome monsters in

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63:16

Final episode of Season 1: look back, laughter, and...

Heartracers ·

2025/06/24

On this special SILVER ANNIVERSARY 25th episode, Sierra and Claire talk about their season, take listener questions, and talk a little about their process bookselling (Claire, obvs), and writing and publishing (Sierra, obvs). We'll be back in the fall and we can't thank you enough for listening, enjoying, and supporting us. Please leave a review if you can, feel free to send in questions to info@heartracerspodcast.com, and give us a rating on whatever podcast platform you use. Thank you!!!

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73:16

Author Dianne Freeman and writing a series

Heartracers ·

2025/06/17

Our last author guest of season 1! Dianne Freeman has written an 8.5 book series and has a lot of insights about writing a series, Plus:Haunted hotels on Route 66How Claire sells a series in her storeSierra points out that Claire has not yet, yet again, read ACOTAR.Dianne Freeman is a life-long book lover who left the world of corporate finance to pursue her passion for writing. After co-authoring the non-fiction book, Haunted Highway, The Spirits of Route 66, she realized her true love was fiction,

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72:21

Author Meredith Schorr and the origins of romcoms and...

Heartracers ·

2025/06/10

We spoke to author Meredith Schorr about the origins of chicklit, romcoms, WF, and contemporary romance. We also talked about marketing for authors from Sierra’s perspective and from Claire’s, how to navigate events for the socially awkward, and social media for authors.Meredith's latest book, Roommating, is published today June 10, 2025 (happy book birthday!). A born and bred New Yorker and lifelong daydreamer, Meredith fueled her passion for writing everything from restaurant reviews, original

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71:35

Author Mara Williams and perseverence in writing

Heartracers ·

2025/06/03

We get into the recent TikTok book deal for the Australian guy, hot Sacramento summers and how that affects business, and kid literacy. As usual, Claire gives her bookseller view and Sierra views her author view on those issues.Then we welcomed author Mara Williams, whose debut novel The Truth is in the Detours pubs in August 2025, and the surprising little secret about your work that editors may looking for.Mara Williams drafted her first novel in third grade on a spiral notebook—a love story about

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73:33

Author Lauren Parvizi and complicated family stories

Heartracers ·

2025/05/27

Lauren Parvizi is the author of Trust Me on This and La Vie, According to Rose, winner of the 2024 Women’s Fiction Writers Association STAR Award in the Debut category. She worked for more than a decade as a digital editor and content writer, and earned an MFA from San Francisco State University. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and sons. Books discussed in this episode:La Vie, According to Rose by Lauren ParviziTrust Me on This by Lauren ParviziAn Island Strange and Wild by

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63:46

Bookish merch vendor My Secret Copy!

Heartracers ·

2025/05/20

We talked to Liz of My Secret Copy, who creates incredible, reader-centric book merch! We discuss what her inspiration was for starting the shop, challenges as a small business, and much more -- including TONS of book recs!Shop stickers, bags, pins, bookmarks and more at https://mysecretcopy.com/Books mentioned on this episode:The Wife Between Us by Greer HendricksThe Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine DoyleLost and Lassoed by Lyla sageSay You’ll Remember Me by

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83:26

Author Maggie North and smart, character-rich romances

Heartracers ·

2025/05/13

Author Maggie North joins us to talk about romances, second chance stories, Canadian wilderness, autism rep, and Sierra gushing over her. Maggie writes deeply emotional, strangely hilarious novels about introverts at the end of their @#$% ropes, STEM, Canada, and other overlooked, underrated things you'd love to discover. She lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her spouse, The Kid, and a rotating cast of hypoallergenic aquarium friends. Books mentioned in this episode:Rules for Second Chances by Maggie

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61:30

Author Terah Shelton Harris, libraries, and imposter...

Heartracers ·

2025/05/06

We talked about the reach of libraries their programs, imposter syndrome and how it never goes away and, themes in books. Listen to the end for bookshelf hacks!Terah is an author and former librarian, who now writes upmarket fiction with bittersweet endings. She is the author of One Summer in Savannah and Long After We Are Gone. Her books have been chosen as a Target Book Club pick, LibraryReads pick, Kobo Best Book, Together We Read pick, Publisher’s Marketplace Buzz Book, and a Goodreads Choice

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68:52

Author Jordan Morris and zombie apocalypses

Heartracers ·

2025/04/29

Jordan Morris is the author of graphic novel Youth Group, and a comedy writer with experience working in TV, features, comics, podcasts, digital comedy and video games. He's written for shows on Max, Disney Plus, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network and YouTube Originals. He also created and co-wrote the 2x Eisner nominated graphic novel Bubble. He has also written stories for Marvel, IDW’s Godzilla and Archie: Chilling Adventures.He co-hosts Jordan, Jesse, Go!, a podcast with Jesse Thorn (NPR) and Free

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76:09

Children's book author Bea Birdsong and how to write...

Heartracers ·

2025/04/22

We talked to children’s book author Bea Birdsong about what it takes to get traditionally published and how to pivot in a writing career.Bea Birdsong is the author of I Will Be Fierce!, Sam’s First Word, How to Spot a Best Friend, Boop!, Goat Is the G.O.A.T., How to Grow a Family Tree (2025), That Is Not a Dog! (2026), You Did It! (2026), Me Too! (2027), and other forthcoming books for children.Bea is also a former teacher who believes in the awesome power of books to educate, entertain, and

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87:50

Author Xio Axelrod, book buying trends for 2025, and...

Heartracers ·

2025/04/15

We talked 2025 book buying trends that Claire learned at ABA (American Booksellers Association). And we welcomed USA Today Bestselling author Xio Axelrod, who writes contemporary fiction and romance. Her award-winning novels have earned both critical acclaim and a passionate readership. Her Lillys series, including The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes and Girls with Bad Reputations, explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Xio actively connects with her readers through social media, fostering a

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35 results

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