Reality Writes

Ellie Alexander
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Reality Writes Podcast stars bestselling mystery author Ellie Alexander and her Tech Guy husband as they reveal the ins and outs of writing. Ellie, who has written for big names like Macmillan and Simon & Schuster, and indie publishers like Storm, shares her journey from story ideas to publishing. Together, they dive into the highs, lows, and funny moments of creating captivating stories. With a blend of humor and honesty, Reality Writes offers a behind-the-scenes look at the writing world. So grab your coffee (or wine) and join Ellie and the Tech Guy for some story-spinning secrets.

  1. 5 HRS AGO

    Reader Feedback—When to Listen and When to Let It Go

    Writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum — readers are a huge part of the experience. But when it comes to reader feedback, not all of it carries the same weight.In this episode of Reality Writes, I’m talking honestly about reader feedback: when it’s genuinely helpful, when it’s not, and how writers can learn to tell the difference without spiraling.This episode is for writers navigating feedback at any stage and for readers who want to engage thoughtfully with the authors they love.✨ A Very Novel Murder, the first book in my new Novel Detectives series, is out now!

    36 min

  2. JAN 29

    Behind the Scenes—How a Cozy Mystery Series is Built to Last

    How does a cozy mystery series last for dozens of books—and what causes one to end early? Ellie Alexander and Tech Guy go behind the scenes to talk series writing, subplots, reader expectations, publishers, and the real-world happenings that shape long-running cozy mystery series.

    33 min

  3. JAN 22

    Plotting 2026—New Books, Projects, and Intentions

    Ellie Alexander is facing her most intense writing year yet—10+ books, multiple series, overlapping deadlines, and an endless stream of rewrites, page proofs, edits, and launches. In this candid kickoff to Season 3 of Reality Writes, she and the Tech Guy break down the real-life logistics of being a full-time working author in 2026. They talk about managing burnout, the reality of saying no, how Ellie plans her schedule (and when it falls apart), and what it takes to stay creative under pressure. Whether you’re a reader, a writer, or just someone trying to make your passion a career, this one pulls back the curtain.

    35 min

  4. 2025-11-20

    'Tis the Season (Already?)—Seasonal Book Trends in Reading & Publishing

    It’s officially peppermint mocha season…for some of us. In this episode, Tech Guy and I dive into the great holiday debate: when is the right time to start reading (or writing) holiday books? We’re talking about cozy autumn reading trends, the publishing realities of holiday releases, how to get in the festive spirit when it’s 75 degrees outside, and why your sales might spike and then nosedive with seasonal titles. We also want your recs! Tech Guy’s still on the hunt for his next favorite holiday book, so we’re counting on you, darlings. 🎄

    31 min

  5. 2025-11-14

    Ashland Mystery Fest Recap—Highlights, Behind-the-Scenes & T-Shirt Guns

    We’re recapping Ashland Mystery Fest 2025—aka my favorite weekend of the entire year! In this episode, we’re sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the third annual festival, including reader highlights, cozy chaos, mystery dinners gone wild, and why I still don’t have a t-shirt gun (yet). We’ll talk about what worked, what we’ll tweak for next year, and how it felt to hug hundreds of mystery-loving darlings from around the world. If you missed it, come live it with us. If you were there, get ready to relive all the joy.

    40 min

  6. 2025-10-02

    Cozy But Not Deadly—Changing Up Genres

    Join mystery author Ellie Alexander and The Tech Guy as they dive deep into Ellie's exciting venture into romance writing! In this episode, Ellie reveals her upcoming holiday rom-com duet, one of them featuring beloved characters from her Meg Reed mystery series. After writing dozens of mysteries, Ellie discovered that switching from plotting murders to plotting meet-cutes presented unexpected challenges. She shares behind-the-scenes stories about unlearning the mystery formula, creating emotional growth arcs instead of red herrings, and bringing back fan-favorite character Meg Reed for a cozy Christmas romance set in beautiful Bend, Oregon. Plus, hear about their romantic (and slightly disastrous) honeymoon bike adventure down a Hawaiian volcano, discussions of Portland's true beauty beyond media portrayals, and the possibility of turning fictional scavenger hunts into real-life events. Whether you're a cozy mystery fan or romance reader, this episode offers insights into genre-switching, character development, and the art of feel-good storytelling.

    42 min

  7. 2025-09-18

    Mystery Meets Art—Behind the Color & Sleuth Series

    What happens when a mystery author teams up with a talented artist to create something completely new? Join Ellie and the Tech Guy as they welcome Rebecca Demos, the artist behind the Color & Sleuth interactive mystery coloring book series. We'll dive into how this unique collaboration came together, explore the creative process of blending storytelling with visual art, and discuss the challenges of reaching both mystery readers and coloring book enthusiasts. Rebecca will share her artistic process and discuss what it's really like to co-create books across different creative disciplines. Whether you're curious about creative partnerships, love coloring books, or just want to see how two very different art forms can merge into something special, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at an innovative approach to mystery entertainment.

    38 min

  8. 2025-09-11

    Building a Mystery Community—A How-To Discussion

    How do you go from zero readers to thousands of engaged "darlings" who genuinely care about your writing journey? Join me and the Tech Guy as we break down the real strategies behind building an authentic mystery community. We'll share what actually worked (and our spectacular failures), discuss the balance between vulnerability and boundaries, and give you actionable steps for connecting with readers who become true supporters. Whether you're a published author struggling to find your tribe or an aspiring writer wondering how to start building relationships before you even have a book, this episode reveals the practical side of community building that goes way beyond social media follower counts. 😍

    43 min
See All (45)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Reality Writes Podcast stars bestselling mystery author Ellie Alexander and her Tech Guy husband as they reveal the ins and outs of writing. Ellie, who has written for big names like Macmillan and Simon & Schuster, and indie publishers like Storm, shares her journey from story ideas to publishing. Together, they dive into the highs, lows, and funny moments of creating captivating stories. With a blend of humor and honesty, Reality Writes offers a behind-the-scenes look at the writing world. So grab your coffee (or wine) and join Ellie and the Tech Guy for some story-spinning secrets.

Information

  • Creator
    Ellie Alexander
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ellie Alexander
  • Show Website
    Reality Writes

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