Adrienne and Elissa talk about rewriting (ugh!), as Elissa struggles to upgrade her manuscript. They also chat with Heather Dixon, who is publishing two books with two imprints this year (Burlington, with Rising Action; Last Summer at the Lake House, with Storm). They discuss what makes women's fiction women's fiction, and other genre-bending books. 

Adrienne and Elissa talk to Jamie Lilac, a YA author whose debut Bellegarde came out with HarperTeen this month. They discuss Barbie, 90s movies, and Jamie's experience as a debut with a new baby. 

Adrienne and Elissa talk to Jackie Khalilieh, whose YA debut Something More came out in June. Listen to what she says is "weird" about the day after pub, her thoughts on representation in novels not being a "lessons book," and more. 

Adrienne and Elissa talk to Yume Kitasei, whose debut novel, The Deep Sky (Flatiron Books) comes out in mid-July. They discuss being Japanese-American and straddling two cultures (something Elissa relates to as well), plus Yume's way of worldbuilding and writing her novels. 

Adrienne and Elissa talk to Laekan Zea Kemp, an Austin author who writes across age categories (YA, MG, PB), and how she structures her year financially. Laekan offers a debut author boot camp in the summer and fall; check out the next session starting October 2nd at laekanzeakemp.com with a 25% off discount for our listeners with code HITSEND2RFQ7DQ. 

Justine Pucella Winans (Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything, The Otherwoods) rejoins Adrienne and Elissa as they discuss what it's like to debut TWICE! (Once in YA; another in Middle Grade.) Also, when is a project done-done? Elissa and Adrienne talk about that, too. 

Elissa and Adrienne discuss critique partners and plotting vs. pantsing (again!). Then, Nicole Hackett, fresh off her pub week with The Perfect Ones, joins the hosts and discusses her pub day reflections. 

Adrienne and Elissa check in with Nicole Hackett, whose book The Perfect Ones is out in TWO DAYS. How is Nicole doing with her pre-pub jitters? Also, Adrienne and Elissa discuss more disappointments in publishing (our topic from the last time Nicole was on the podcast). 

Adrienne and Elissa talk to Jackie Khalilieh, whose YA debut Something More will be out on June 6. They discuss how they come up with titles, plus Jackie's twisty-turny path to publication, and why we shouldn't misuse the word toxic. 

Adrienne and Elissa discuss poetry and publication with Don Martin ("while i wait to be a god again"). They talk about how hard it is for poetry to find a place in the world, and some behind-the-scenes talk about how advances are split up in this post-pandemic publishing world.