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PODCAST

Book Shop Chats:

Victoria Hopkins

Welcome to Book Shop Chats, your go to podcast for indie authors and learning insight into what it takes to write a book (HINT: You can do it too!!)Join authors as they share their personal journeys, successes, and challenges, providing you with unique insights into the writing process. The discussions explore into various aspects of storytelling, from character development to plot structuring, ensuring you have a well-rounded understanding of the craft.Whether you"re just starting out or have

fiction books

All Episodes

37:27

Magic, Mystery, And Making A Debut Novel with Sara J....

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/10/31

We sit down with Sarah J. Lillenfeld to explore the journey from fanfiction to a finished debut, blending urban fantasy with a small-town murder mystery and the courage it took to complete the book after a cancer diagnosis. We also dig into edits, naming pitfalls, sustainable marketing, and resisting the comparison trap while building a genuine reader community. Author bio: Sara J. Lilienfeld is an urban fantasy author and lifelong reader, often spending days getting lost in books. She start...

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44:37

How A Sleepless Night And Fortnite Sparked A Fantasy...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/10/29

In today's episode we sit down with author Nicole Beatty to explore Forge, a romantasy where magic is an artifact, councils hoard medallions, and a revenge-driven heroine steps into an open challenge that could reshape a corrupt system. BOOK BLURB: In Rae Airynn's world, magic is reserved only for those strong enough to earn it, or powerful enough to wield it unchallenged for generations, the most lethal Medallions firmly in the grasp of Hierathynn's most elite. For centuries, the Coun...

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36:43

How A Scientist-Turned-Novelist Blends Tarot With...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/10/24

We cozy up with A.L. Sterling to explore Forseyth Conservatory, a dark academia gothic mystery where tarot, science, and an anxious heroine collide. Official Blurb: Dahlia Blackburne is a failing bookstore keeper and Tarot reader who relies on deductive reasoning—not magick—to cast her fortunes. When a stranger calling himself the Meister walks into her shop after closing and offers three times her normal rate for a reading, curiosity and her growing debts compel her to accept. But the read...

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36:18

From Fan Fiction To Fantasy: Building Soulmateless...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/10/22

What if a kingdom promised true love to everyone—except its two protagonists? We sit down with author Morgana Sandpiper to unpack Soulmateless, a fantasy where a prince longs for a forbidden match and a shapeshifter princess must hide who she is to survive. Their paths collide at the fault line between fate and choice, and we explore how that tension mirrors the emotional realities of modern dating, belonging, and being heard. Author Bio: She lives in New York state with her family and cat. ...

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35:32

From Fantasy Realms to Swoony Rom-Coms: A...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/10/10

Shamiz Patel shares her journey of writing across different genres, from a fantasy trilogy to a flirty rom-com, highlighting how each book has its own unique development process and timeline. • Writing a trilogy requires understanding character arcs across multiple books while maintaining flexibility • Fantasy and romance have different requirements but both benefit from character-driven storytelling • Shamiz wrote her entire fantasy trilogy while her rom-com was still being developed • Publ...

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50:49

Coffee-Fueled Confessions of romance author Rebecca...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/10/08

Romance author Rebecca Wrights shares her journey from accidental writer to successful indie publisher, discussing how her viral marketing strategy led to rapid growth and meaningful reader connections. She writes "real and raw" romance novels featuring flawed characters dealing with authentic issues while maintaining a refreshing approach to self-publishing that prioritizes joy over pressure. BIO: Rebecca Wrights is a Charleston-based romance author writing stories about swoon-worthy men an...

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33:31

Finding Your Genre Is Like Coming Home to Yourself...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/10/03

Amanda Casile shares her journey writing a woodsy grief horror novel called "Broken Trail" about a mother fighting to protect her daughters from malevolent spirits in the wilderness of British Columbia. Her story reveals how finding the right genre transformed her writing process, completing her first horror manuscript in just two months after struggling with a fantasy novel for over a decade. Book Blurb: After criminal psychologist Clara's divorce shatters her family, she retreats into...

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41:22

Chess Moves: Political Intrigue in Fiction with Mary...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/10/01

Author Mary A. Odekunle joins us to discuss her debut novel "The Eight Pawn," a political intrigue and strategy-focused book that offers readers an alternative to romance-dominated fiction. We explore Mary's writing journey from childhood journaling to published author, revealing how she developed her chess-inspired series about a young man navigating political machinations to gain power. • Started writing through journaling, which helped develop skills in conveying human emotions • Conceive...

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41:22

Building Worlds and Finding Character Voice with...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/09/26

Whitney Welsh Gibbs shares her journey of creating the Steel Citadel series, a four-book fantasy romance about a princess who loses everything and embarks on a quest for revenge in a magical kingdom. Author Bio: Whitney Gibbs is a dedicated author with a passion for history and discovering new worlds. She was born and raised on the Central Coast of California where the sea air and heavy fog created a world of wonder for her ever-imaginative spirit. She holds a Master's Degree in Intell...

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45:22

Why It's Never Too Late to Chase Your Creative...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/09/24

Debut author Libby Tanner shares her journey from writing fan fiction to landing a three-book deal with City Owl Press and reveals how she transformed her experience as a nanny in Italy into her upcoming novel "Better Than Gelato." Bio: Libby Tanner grew up in a small town in Northern California that would be charming in a novel, but felt suffocating as a teenager. Yes, she left as fast as she could, and yes, she misses it very much. In college Libby earned a degree in Communications. ...

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34:45

Crafting Worlds and Killers: The Journey of Fantasy...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/06/27

Fantasy author Rhiannon Rollness takes us on a journey through the creation of her dark fantasy novel "Black and Blue Widow" - a story about a female serial killer who targets the worst men in her society on their wedding night. Drawing inspiration from the TV show Dexter but set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Rome, Rhiannon crafts a protagonist you can't help but root for. Book blurb: Gild by Raven Kennedy meets a female version of Dexter in this gritty dark romantasy. With g...

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35:37

The Messy Journey to Publishing: Crafting Rom-Coms &...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/06/25

Lily Parker shares her journey from secret writer to published author with three rom-coms releasing in rapid succession in 2024. Her insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of writing communities, and embracing vulnerability provide inspiring guidance for aspiring authors. • Struggled with imposter syndrome before admitting her dream of becoming a published author • Formed essential writing partnerships by sharing early chapters with trusted beta readers • Used her backgroun...

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25:25

Behind the Pages: Legal Drama to Literary Debut with...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/06/20

Victor Suthammanont shares his journey from aspiring playwright to debut novelist with "Hollow Spaces," a dual-timeline thriller about a man acquitted of murder and his children who, decades later, attempt to determine his true guilt or innocence. • Former actor and current lawyer who balanced creative writing throughout his career • Drew inspiration from a New York Times article about a man whose life was ruined despite being acquitted of murder • Explores intergenerational trauma and what ...

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39:08

Paranormal Chronicles: Inside the Alex McKenna Series

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/06/18

Vicki Ann Bush returns to discuss her Alex McKenna paranormal YA series, exploring how she develops this gifted psychic protagonist through increasingly darker supernatural mysteries across multiple books. Author Bio Originally from New York, Vicki-Ann currently resides in the Pacific Northwest. Writing Young Adult paranormal, she finds inspiration from events that have been in her life for as long as she can remember. Inheriting the sensitivity to the supernatural from her family, they con...

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33:13

Uncovering Rose Valland: The Forgotten Fighter Who...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/06/13

Michelle Young unveils the extraordinary story of Rose Valland, an art historian and resistance spy who gathered intelligence for the Monuments Men during WWII Paris. She explores how this highly decorated war hero faded into obscurity despite her crucial role in tracking Nazi-looted art across Europe. Book Blurb: A riveting and stylish saga set in Paris during World War II, The Art Spy uncovers how an unlikely heroine infiltrated the Nazi leadership to save the world's most treasured m...

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40:15

Where Do Stories Come From? A Chat with Fantasy...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/06/11

Victoria and fantasy author Erica Rose Eberhart discuss the delicate balance between creating books, promoting them, and maintaining creative energy while avoiding burnout. • Erica shares details about her debut novel "Tarnished" and the upcoming releases in her Elder Tree series • The importance of scheduling intentional breaks and "blackout dates" to prevent creative burnout • How stepping away from social media can actually spark creativity and new book ideas • Embracing the natural evolu...

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32:05

Write Now or Never: Publishing Through Pandemic &...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/05/28

Selena Violet shares the journey of her romance trilogy "What We Can't Have," which started as a poem she wrote for her middle school students and evolved into a three-book series about characters connected by one life-changing song. • Story revolves around college students Sidney and Austin who reluctantly partner on a music project • The trilogy follows their "When Harry Met Sally" dynamic with a guaranteed HEA at the end • Features a plus-size protagonist who faces self-image challenges w...

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29:26

Book Magic: Writing, Marketing, and Finding Your...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/05/23

Danielle, author and visibility strategist, shares her journey of re-releasing her book "Beauty in the Breaking" with a new perspective gained from her own healing journey. Her approach balances heavy topics like trauma, domestic violence, and PTSD with hope, demonstrating how characters can overcome their past. • Revising a previously published book after personal growth and healing • Using storytelling to show readers they're not alone in their trauma • Creating relatable characters who mo...

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26:22

Behind the Fantasy: Creating Magic and Monsters with...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/05/21

Victoria Jane speaks with fantasy author Brittany Renew about her new adult romantic fantasy series "Riley Jordan and the Fire Prophecies" and the creative process behind building magical worlds. Brittany shares how a dream in 2009 sparked her entire series concept, which she describes as "Percy Jackson meets Narnia, but for grown-ups." • Book one "Lion of Fire" features college-age characters, slow-burn romance, elemental magic, and dragons • Main character Riley Jordan is a wizard about t...

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34:52

Author Khushi T Saha on Breaking Cultural Barriers in...

Book Shop Chats: ·

2025/05/16

Khushi T Saha joins Victoria to discuss her steamy romance novel "Free Fall" and her journey writing authentic stories that explore the South Asian-American experience. • Writing romance with South Asian representation that explores identity and finding love • Balancing between two cultures and navigating different expectations for women and men • The challenges of writing from a male perspective for the first time • How a vivid dream during a personal crisis sparked her writing career • T...

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83 results

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