On the Write Track Podcast Sarah Mughal Rana, Emily Varga

Join us on this episode as Sarah and Emily delve into the world of subscription boxes and publishing with Daphne Tonge, the founder of Illumicrate and Daphne Press. Learn about the making of Illumicrate, the challenges and triumphs of running a subscription box service in the UK, the selection process, networking with publishing, it’s rapid growth, and the unique insights Daphne gained about the book market along the way.

Discover the journey of founding Daphne Press, a revolutionary independent publishing press, and the vision behind bringing diverse voices to the forefront of literature. Whether you're a book lover, aspiring entrepreneur, or curious about the behind-the-scenes of the publishing industry, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration from the fantastic Daphne!

Join hosts Sarah and Emily as they sit down with Ehigbor Okosun, the #1 Sunday times bestseller of Forged by Blood known, captivating adult fantasy . In this episode, Ehi shares insights into their creative process, discussing the inspirations behind their books and their atypical way of receiving their publishing deal. For those of you querying, Ehi talks about agenting, her journey, and difficult lessons learned.

Whether you're an aspiring writer seeking advice or a fantasy fan, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on the intersection of imagination and publishing in the realm of adult fantasy.

Join hosts Sarah and Emily as they dive into the fascinating world of foreign sales and publishing with special guest Agent Taryn Fagerness, a seasoned foreign and international rights agent. In this episode of they explore the intricacies of selling and acquiring book rights across borders, international trends country-to-country, what is hot and what is hard to sell, and the challenges and opportunities that come with bridging cultures through literature.

Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Gretchen Schreiber a prominent voice in the world of YA contemporary and romance and celebrity book club curation. Known not only for their writing but also for their advocacy for disability awareness through fiction, Gretchen delves into the intricacies of portraying disabilities in books, advocacy, and what the publishing industry is missing when it comes to disability rep. From crafting authentic characters to navigating the challenges and opportunities she’s faced writing numerous drafts, persevering in the face of rejection, we explore the importance of diversity and inclusion in writing.

Moreover, Gretchen shares insights into their role as a celebrity book club curator for Reese Witherspoon’s book club, using their platform to elevate marginalized voices in one of the most well known book clubs in America. Tune in to hear about how she selects books, how she reads books and scripts for a living, how film writing inspired her craft and more!

In this episode, Sarah and Emily have the pleasure of interviewing Rani Shah, a South Asian author and the curator of Lilly Singh's library. Join us as Rani takes us through her writing career, which ignited her advocacy for diverse storytelling and led her to become an advocate for brown voices. Rani delves into her personal gripes of navigating identity as a South Asian woman in the publishing world and the need for representation from different ethnicities in the subcontinent — not stereotypes and how these experiences have shaped her writing. We also delve into her role as the curator of Lilly Singh's library, exploring her mission to select South Asian books and amplify marginalized voices within the publishing world.

In this episode, hosts Sarah and Emily dive deep into the world of library management, book curation, events, and creating inclusive spaces. Joining them are two librarian guests, Sean and Kathleen, from the Texas Public Library system, who share their invaluable insights and experiences.