So, I wrote a book... Now What?

So, I wrote a book... Now What?
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Writers chatting about writing. If you’ve written a book and are wondering what do I do now, this is the podcast for you. Anywhere you are in your publishing journey from just thinking about writing a book or about to publish your tenth novel, this podcast is full of inspiration, tips and tricks to get you writing and get your book into the world. Host Nicole Barton, an emerging author with a few books under her belt, interviews authors from all parts of the publishing (both self and traditional) journey.

  1. Oct 1

    Jess Mey: From First Draft to Pub Day

    Jess Mey shares her journey of how a late ADHD diagnosis ultimately led to her writing a book. She shares her path from being a marketing copywriter to writing and selling her debut mystery novel Grace and Jo Have Never Solved a Murder. We talk about her writing process, querying, being on sub and what sh’e working on now.  If you want to connect with Jess you can check out her website https://jessmey.com/ Or find her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessmeywrites/ Or Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jessmeywrites.bsky.social You can preorder Grace and Jo Have Never Solved a Murder here: https://angryrobotbooks.my.canva.site/datura-books-grace-and-jo-landing-page If you’d like to connect with me I’m most likely scrolling when I should be writing on one of these platforms. IG https://www.instagram.com/ncbartonwrites TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ncbartonwrites?_r=1&_t=ZT-99VcIJWT2v0 Website https://ncbartonwrites.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Jess Mey's background 03:25 Original idea for the book and character agency 06:09 Plotting mysteries: knowing whodunit 07:31 Writing without knowing the killer 08:40 Experimenting with mystery structures 09:25 Querying and selling the debut novel 10:47 The quick sale and publishing experience 12:18 Choosing a publisher and cover design 14:20 Marketing, promotion, and community building 16:51 Balancing multiple projects and genres 18:37 Inspiration from other mystery writers 20:20 Why cozy mysteries appeal to Jess Mey 22:07 Subgenres of cozy mysteries and modern voices 23:50 Favorite cozy mystery series and authors 24:53 Children's exposure to mysteries and play 25:48 Series plans and future books 26:18 Deciding on traditional publishing 28:47 The value of self-editing and free resources 41:17 Jess Mey's advice for new writers 42:21 Upcoming book release and future goals

    Jess Mey: From First Draft to Pub Day

  2. Sep 17

    Katie Jung. Creativity doesn’t thrive in a box.

    Author Katie Jung shares her journey from a childhood love of stories to publishing her debut novel, You’re the One That I Haunt. She discusses her writing process, navigating the publishing industry, and balancing creativity with life as a parent. You’re the One That I Haunt comes out September 22nd! You can connect with Katie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katiejungwrites/ Or you can check out her website. https://www.katiejung.com/ If you’d like to connect with me I’m most likely scrolling when I should be writing on one of these platforms. IG https://www.instagram.com/ncbartonwrites TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ncbartonwrites?_r=1&_t=ZT-99VcIJWT2v0 Website https://ncbartonwrites.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Katie Jung and her writing journey 02:16 Katie's path from hobbyist to published author 03:14 Previous writing experiences and lessons learned 04:23 Deciding between traditional and hybrid publishing 05:44 Managing writing with a busy family life 08:03 Writing routines and finding inspiration 10:08 Outline vs. discovery writing process 11:27 Getting an agent and the submission process 14:37 Working with an editor and revisions 17:29 Book release, marketing, and social media presence 20:07 Cover design and publisher collaboration 21:18 Book deal details and future projects 23:45 Writing with deadlines and creative flow 26:29 Support system: critique partners and community 30:30 Balancing life, work, and writing 35:55 Finding quiet moments and inspiration 41:42 Building tension and stakes in storytelling 45:00 Creating likable yet complex characters 47:00 Final thoughts and upcoming events

    Katie Jung. Creativity doesn’t thrive in a box.

  3. Sep 10

    Christie Curry. From querying to published author.

    Christie Curry shares her journey from deciding to write a book to published author. Her debut novel Love Between the Lectures comes out September 22nd! In this interview she shares her insights into writing, revising, and navigating the publishing industry, making this a must-listen for aspiring writers. You can connect with Christie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ChristieCurryWrites/ And TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@christiecurrywrites Or you can check out her website. https://www.christiecurrywrites.com/ If you’d like to connect with me I’m most likely scrolling when I should be writing on one of these platforms. IG https://www.instagram.com/ncbartonwrites TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@ncbartonwrites?_r=1&_t=ZT-99VcIJWT2v0 Website https://ncbartonwrites.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Christie Curry’s background 01:56 From poetry and fan fiction to writing a book 04:04 The challenges of querying and rejection 08:06 The importance of critique partners and feedback 11:59 Revising, rewriting, and finding your voice 15:53 Building the plot and using story structure frameworks 20:09 Outlining backwards and discovery writing 23:54 The journey to publication and agent offers 30:08 Working with mentorship and industry professionals 34:01 Final revisions and preparing for submission 37:58 Writing style, POV choices, and inspiration 43:09 Upcoming projects and social media presence

    Christie Curry. From querying to published author.

  4. 08/21/2025

    Ep 31. NC Barton. It takes a village to write a book.

    In this engaging conversation, NC Barton shares her journey as a writer, discussing her early experiences with writing, the challenges she faced during the pandemic, and her transition from writing mysteries to romance. She delves into the intricacies of crafting her latest book, 'The Now and Forever,' including the dual timeline structure and character development. The discussion also covers the editing process, the importance of feedback, and her future writing projects, highlighting the emotional and creative aspects of being an author. In this conversation, Lindsay and Nicole discuss the transition from traditional publishing to self-publishing, exploring the challenges and triumphs of each path. They delve into the creative process, the importance of community among writers, and the joy of receiving feedback from readers. Nicole shares her experiences with self-publishing, including the learning curve and the excitement of having her work read by strangers. The discussion highlights the significance of finding one's voice and the unique journey every author undertakes in their writing career. That you so much Lindsay Barrett. You can buy the Savannah Royals now!  And The Dravenhearst Brides comes out October 9th. You can preorder here  or there’s still time to sign up for an Advance Reader Copy Nicole’s debut novel is out now. You can get it on ebook or KU here Or order a signed copy here.  If you's like to sign up to be an arc reader on her Banksy inspired romance you can sign up here. If you want to connect with me I’d love to hear from you. Website. https://ncbartonwrites.com/ Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/ncbartonwrites/ Threads.  https://www.threads.net/@ncbartonwrites Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-i-wrote-a-book-now-what/id178189433 NC Barton | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/NCBartonWrites or my ⁠Substack https://nicolebartonwrites.substack.com/ Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Writing a Book 04:16 Overcoming Challenges in the Writing Process 07:09 The Evolution of Nicole's Writing Style 10:07 Exploring the Setting of 'The Now and Forever' 13:10 The Transition from Mystery to Romance 15:57 Crafting Complex Characters 18:58 The Dual Timeline Structure 21:16 Editing and Refining the Manuscript 24:07 The Evolution of a Story 26:37 Deciding When a Book is Done 29:21 Trusting Your Gut in Publishing 31:06 The Journey to Self-Publishing 34:45 Navigating Traditional Publishing Challenges 38:42 The Freedom of Self-Publishing 41:18 Learning from Mistakes in the Publishing Process 46:10 The Drive to Create: A Writer's Journey 48:07 Diverse Writing Processes: Plotters vs. Pantsers 49:01 Finding Inspiration: Sources of Creativity 50:57 The Editing Process: Revising and Refining 54:31 The Challenges of Rapid Releasing 58:10 The Joy of Reader Feedback 01:02:24 Building Community in Writing 01:04:46 Final Thoughts and Book Recommendations

    Ep 31. NC Barton. It takes a village to write a book.

  5. 08/07/2025

    Ep. 30 Arini Vlotman. Don’t let anyone else dictate the reality of your writing career.

    In this engaging conversation, Arini Vlotman shares her journey to becoming an author, detailing her initial inspiration to write a novel on her 39th birthday. She discusses her writing process, the evolution of her craft, and the importance of reading as a source of inspiration. Arini also delves into her editing techniques, the role of beta readers, and her experiences with publishing. Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes the significance of community and connection in the writing world, as well as her aspirations for future projects. If you’d like to connect with Arini her website is https://arinivlotman.co.za/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@arinivlotman TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arini_author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arinialwaysbeyou You can buy her latest book Pretty Bossy here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pretty-bossy-arini-vlotman/1146623701 If you want to connect with me I’d love to hear from you. Website. https://ncbartonwrites.com/ Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/ncbartonwrites/ Threads.  https://www.threads.net/@ncbartonwrites Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-i-wrote-a-book-now-what/id178189433 NC Barton | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/NCBartonWrites or my ⁠Substack https://nicolebartonwrites.substack.com/ Chapters 00:00 The Birth of a Writer 04:20 Writing Process Evolution 07:02 Editing and Feedback 09:32 Reading Influences and Preferences 12:09 Writing Habits and Mindset 15:00 Crafting Ideas and Inspiration 18:33 The Birth of a Book: Pretty Average 21:15 Navigating Writer's Block and Emotional Spaces 24:58 The Power of Reading: Fueling Creativity 25:44 Crafting the Fame Facade Series 29:09 The Journey to Publication: From Querying to Acceptance 32:47 Defying Industry Norms: Staying True to Your Voice 37:26 Connecting with the Writing Community 39:18 Copy of Andie Smith Pink and White Cute Modern Cartoon Subscribe Bell Button YouTube Intro.mp4

    Ep. 30 Arini Vlotman. Don’t let anyone else dictate the reality of your writing career.

  6. 07/24/2025

    Ep 29. Andie Smith. Allow Your Creativity to Blossom.

    In this conversation, Andie Smith shares her journey as an author and literary agent, discussing her writing process, the importance of beta readers, and navigating the publishing landscape. She reflects on her experiences with Wattpad, the challenges of querying, and the balance between her writing and agency work. Andie also emphasizes the significance of finding inspiration and overcoming creative blocks, while providing insights into what she looks for in queries and the role of a literary agent. If you's like to know connect with Andie here are here contacts. Books. Editing.MSWL.Podcast If you want to connect with me I’d love to hear from you. Website. Instagram. Threads.  Podcast. NC Barton | Patreon or my ⁠Substack Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Authorship 04:15 Navigating the Publishing Process 06:43 The Role of Beta Readers 09:15 Writing Process and Outlining 11:48 Balancing Writing and Literary Agency Work 14:19 Finding Inspiration and Overcoming Blocks 17:06 The Querying Landscape 19:39 The Role of a Literary Agent 22:34 Final Thoughts and Advice

    Ep 29. Andie Smith. Allow Your Creativity to Blossom.

  7. 07/17/2025

    Ep 28 Catherine Mann & Haley Catherine Don’t forget to expreince you life while writing about other lives

    In this engaging conversation, Catherine Mann and her daughter Haley Catherine (both amazing writers and lovely humans) discuss their journeys as writers, the challenges they faced, and the importance of finding one's voice. They explore the impact of learning disabilities on their writing processes, the significance of feedback and critique, and the intricacies of the querying process. Both share insights on their writing routines and the excitement surrounding Catherine’s upcoming works, emphasizing the power of storytelling in fostering empathy and connection. You can purchase Lightning in a Mason jar here. And Charming the Cowboy here. If you’d like to connect with Catherine you can find it all here.  If you’d like to connect with Haley you can find her here.  If you want to connect with me I’d love to hear from you. Website. https://ncbartonwrites.com/ Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/ncbartonwrites/ Threads.  https://www.threads.net/@ncbartonwrites Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-i-wrote-a-book-now-what/id178189433 NC Barton | Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/NCBartonWrites or my ⁠Substack https://nicolebartonwrites.substack.com/ Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Writing: Overcoming Fear and Doubt 04:13 Finding Your Voice: The Importance of Mentorship 06:58 Embracing Learning Disabilities: A Path to Creativity 09:39 The Writing Process: From First Draft to Publication 12:21 Plotting vs. Pantsing: Different Approaches to Storytelling 14:57 The Role of Feedback: Navigating Critique Relationships 17:58 The Importance of Positive Reinforcement in Writing 20:16 Finding the Right Critique Partner: A Personal Journey 30:31 The Importance of Feedback in Writing 30:46 Choosing the Path of Traditional Publishing 32:17 Exploring New Releases and Themes 33:26 Balancing Multiple Projects 37:36 Establishing a Writing Routine 41:42 Navigating the Querying Process 51:24 Reflections on the Writing Journey

    Ep 28 Catherine Mann & Haley Catherine Don’t forget to expreince you life while writing about other lives

  8. 07/10/2025

    Ep. 27. Maggie Eckersley. Falling back in love with writing

    In this conversation, Maggie Eckersley shares her journey from a young reader to a published author, discussing her writing process, the challenges of navigating the publishing world, and the balance between her medical career and her passion for writing. She emphasizes the importance of writing for joy, the role of feedback in her creative process, and her excitement for her upcoming book launch. Maggie also reflects on the significance of reaching a wider audience through translations and the emotional journey of dealing with reviews. You can purchase Back in the Saddle now.  https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/back-in-the-saddle-maggie-eckersley?variant=54955686920571 Here’s Maggies reaction to hearing her audiobook ❤️ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLCpMABoSvq/?igsh=ZTUyZDU2OGFrMWFt If you want to connect with me I’d love to hear from you. Website. Instagram. Threads. NC Barton | Patreon or my ⁠Substack Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Writing a Book 04:27 The Evolution of 'Back in the Saddle' 07:15 Navigating the Publishing Process 09:49 The Role of Feedback and Revisions 12:17 Finding an Agent and the Querying Experience 15:04 Balancing Writing with Medical Studies 21:18 Balancing Writing and Medical Studies 23:56 Writing Process and Time Management 27:54 Overcoming Writer's Block 31:17 Navigating the Publishing Process 34:17 Family Dynamics and Author Life 36:13 Celebrating Publication Day 38:07 The Excitement of Publication Day 40:06 Music as a Writing Companion 42:36 Navigating Ideas and Writing Process 45:14 The Challenge of Reviews and Feedback 51:06 Finding Joy in Writing 55:41 Upcoming Releases and Translations 01:02:35 Copy of Copy of Lindsay Barrett Pink and White Cute Modern Cartoon Subscribe Bell Button YouTube Intro (1).mp4

    Ep. 27. Maggie Eckersley. Falling back in love with writing
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About

Writers chatting about writing. If you’ve written a book and are wondering what do I do now, this is the podcast for you. Anywhere you are in your publishing journey from just thinking about writing a book or about to publish your tenth novel, this podcast is full of inspiration, tips and tricks to get you writing and get your book into the world. Host Nicole Barton, an emerging author with a few books under her belt, interviews authors from all parts of the publishing (both self and traditional) journey.

Information

  • Creator
    So, I wrote a book... Now What?
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © So, I wrote a book... Now What?
  • Show Website
    So, I wrote a book... Now What?