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 published multiple works, this podcast is your companion in the pursuit of storytelling excellence. Tune in, gather inspiration, and let your passion for writing flourish alongside a community that celebrates the art of the written word.

  1. 10 OCT.

    From Fantasy Realms to Swoony Rom-Coms: A Conversation with Shameez Patel

    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 • Publishing journey included both independent and traditional publishing paths • Rejection is part of the process and often leads to improved writing and new opportunities • NaNoWriMo and writing communities provide vital support and confidence for new writers • Marketing books requires active social media engagement regardless of publishing method • Finding joy in reader connections makes the publishing journey worthwhile • South African author perspective brings unique challenges to publishing internationally • The best sign of success is making readers feel deeply emotional about your characters For more information about Shamiz's books, visit ShamizWrites.com or find her on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads at @ShamizWrites. About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together.  Here’s how I can help: 📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days. Grab it HERE 📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality! 📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria 🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

    36 min
  2. Coffee-Fueled Confessions of romance author Rebecca Wrights

    8 OCT.

    Coffee-Fueled Confessions of romance author Rebecca Wrights

    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 and the people they fall in love with. She writes with the soft-hearted readers in mind who crave to feel seen, heard, and supported in the stories they enjoy. The stories she writes are ones that are meant to stick with you well after you’ve read ‘The End’. Each of her books is written with you in mind and mirrors real-life possibilities while also giving you hope for your own happily ever after. Read her best-selling novel and the first book of the Nat. 20 Series, Mending Me!  🪖 Mexican-American MMC 🤍 meet cute 💪🏼 he pretends to be her boyfriend 🪖 they help each other heal 🤍 he speaks Spanish to her while they ❤️‍🔥 💪🏼 she says “who did this to you?” 🪖 found family 🤍 he drives a motorcycle SOCIAL HANDLES (PLEASE PUT @ + LINK TO IT DIRECTLY): IG: @RebeccaWrightsAuthor TT: @RebeccaWrightsAuthorWebsiteAmazonGoodReads  Email ListBook Blurb: When Hank Martínez landed back in Charleston after being gone for eleven years, there were only two things he wanted: to find a gym he could easily get to from his apartment and to hang out with his three best friends as much as possible. He hadn’t seen them since he enlisted in the Army at just eighteen to escape the hand of an abusive father and they were more of a family to him than his dad ever was. That was until he saw the blonde girl at the gym every morning, reading between her sets. Who reads at the gym? When she called out to him one morning, pretending he was her boyfriend to rescue her from some creep who couldn’t take a hint, it was game over. About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together.  Here’s how I can help: 📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days. Grab it HERE 📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality! 📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria 🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

    51 min
  3. Finding Your Genre Is Like Coming Home to Yourself with Amanda Casile

    3 OCT.

    Finding Your Genre Is Like Coming Home to Yourself with Amanda Casile

    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 her work. But, instead of finding comfort there, Clara develops a growing obsession with one patient, a young woman accused of murdering her boyfriend on a remote hiking trail. Desperate to discover what happened and to mend the bonds between her and her estranged daughters, Clara makes an ill-fated decision: to hike that very same trail, with her family in tow. Once they hit the trail, however, violent visions plague her dreams, and when a close encounter with a mysterious presence splits them apart, what began as a family bonding trip becomes a battle for survival. Clara must confront her own demons and the thing that prowls the forest to find her family and get them out alive, before the forest claims them all for good. Releases Dec 2025 LINKS: Follow AMANDA About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together.  Here’s how I can help: 📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days. Grab it HERE 📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality! 📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria 🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

    34 min
  4. Chess Moves: Political Intrigue in Fiction with Mary A. Odekunle

    1 OCT.

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

    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 • Conceived "The Eight Pawn" during freshman year of university out of a passion for chess • Follows a methodical writing process: character development first, then worldbuilding, then plotting • Planned a four-book series divided into two duologies with different protagonists • Faced writer's block despite detailed outlining, proving even plotters need flexibility • Building community has been essential to finding readers seeking non-romance fiction • First-time feedback experiences taught valuable lessons about giving and receiving critiques • Compares first drafts to initial layers of artwork—necessarily messy but foundational Mary recommends writing "as if nobody's going to see it ever" to give yourself freedom to explore your story without judgment. Links: Linktree (all my links): https://linktr.ee/maryaodekunle Instagram and Threads: @m.aduraodekunle About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together.  Here’s how I can help: 📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days. Grab it HERE 📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality! 📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria 🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

    41 min
  5. Building Worlds and Finding Character Voice with Whitney Welsh Gibbs

    26 SEPT.

    Building Worlds and Finding Character Voice with Whitney Welsh Gibbs

    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 Intelligence and Security Studies from the University of Leicester, and has cultivated her writing skills through years of professional academic writing and personal creative endeavors. When not writing, Whitney enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with friends, which often serve as inspiration for her stories. She currently resides in Burbank, California. The Land of Frost blurb:  Princess Maeve Moran’s wedding day was supposed to be a day she had dreamed of. When a violent coup breaks out in the capital city, her life is turned upside down as she witnesses the murder of her father, The King, her mother, her brother, Heir to the Throne, and her fiancé, Rian Doherty. Stripped of her magic and left for dead, Maeve is rescued by Dedra Blos, a royal seamstress, and Tiernan Demaris, an army alchemist. Determined to recapture all she has lost, Maeve vows revenge against the usurpers who stole all but the breath from her lungs. Under Tiernan’s guidance, Maeve is sent to the infamous Báscogar Prison, nestled deep within the Romiodóg mountains, to train alongside Gálgalesh, the faerie Warden. However, in a world where even her identity must be kept secret, she finds her life hanging in the balance at every moment. When she encounters Eoghan Kael, a fiery Tinemallacht warrior who harbors a deep-seated hatred for her, she truly learns just how precarious her fight for survival and retribution has become. As Maeve immerses herself in her training, she discovers shocking truths about her heritage and the deceptive nature of her upbringing within the castle walls.  Can she make it through with her head—and her heart—to retrieve all she has lost and restore her place in the castle once more? Or will the price of love and secrets cost more than death ever could? LINKS: Follow Whitney Here: Instagram & Threads @WhitneyWritesStuff   TikTok @WhitneyWelshGibbs.  About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together.  Here’s how I can help: 📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days. Grab it HERE 📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality! 📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria 🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

    41 min
  6. Why It's Never Too Late to Chase Your Creative Calling with Libby Tanner

    24 SEPT.

    Why It's Never Too Late to Chase Your Creative Calling with Libby Tanner

    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. She wishes she would have studied creative writing instead of playing it safe, but also remembers she had student loans to pay off. She is the mother of four sweet hooligans and is married to the world’s sexiest accountant (the world’s only sexy accountant?). Her dream date would be eating crab legs in a hot air balloon over a vineyard.  Website: https://www.libbytannerauthor.com/ Instagram/Threads: @libbytannerauthor Facebook: Libby Tanner Author About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together.  Here’s how I can help: 📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days. Grab it HERE 📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality! 📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria 🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

    45 min
  7. Crafting Worlds and Killers: The Journey of Fantasy Author Rhiannon Rollness

    27 JUIN

    Crafting Worlds and Killers: The Journey of Fantasy Author Rhiannon Rollness

    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 gods-blessed magic, vigilante justice, sisterhood, and unexpected romance, Black and Blue Widow will have you rooting for rage, revenge, and somehow, love. She’s killed every husband she’s ever had. He wants to marry her anyway. Luella Amulius identifies and marries the worst men in the republic. Then she murders them on their wedding night. When the Emperor’s brother, Cassius, discovers her next target, he doesn’t turn her in. He proposes. As their wedding approaches, Luella must decide: is he her partner or her prey? Rose Octavius needs a husband. Desperate to escape her fathers’ plans to sell her to the cruelest brothel in the city and find a way to protect her sister, Rose accepts a proposal. As her nuptials loom, she realizes safety is more relative than she thought, and marriage doesn’t guarantee anything. As each woman navigates an empire that would keep them obedient, they must determine whom to trust with their love–and their lives. Black and Blue Widow is a dark romantasy intended for adult audiences (18+). It contains explicit content and darker elements. Author bio Rhiannon Rollness is a fantasy author, nurse, wife, and mother. When not balancing all of these, you can find her reading, obsessively listening to the same song on repeat, baking muffins, lounging by her pool, and daydreaming. In her stories, you’ll find a mix of fantasy, myth, and science. If you like books that remind us that the human experience is sometimes best explored in magical places, you’ve come to the right place. Links Connect with Rhiannon Etsy for signed copies  About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Editing doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth—it's the magic that transforms your story from “meh” to masterpiece! Here’s how I can help: 📖 FREE Manuscript Prep Workbook: Take the stress out of editing with simple steps to organize your revisions. Grab it HERE 📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. ✍️ 1:1 monthly support Writer's Haven: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. 📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria 🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

    35 min
  8. The Messy Journey to Publishing: Crafting Rom-Coms & Finding Your Voice with Lily Parker

    25 JUIN

    The Messy Journey to Publishing: Crafting Rom-Coms & Finding Your Voice with Lily Parker

    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 background in psychology and marketing to develop authentic characters and compelling stories • Found unexpected success when a chance meeting at a self-publishing conference led to a three-book deal Author Bio: Lily Parker is a full-time romance writer, former professional matchmaker, and an avid seeker of absurd adventures. After helping other authors bring their stories to life, she decided it was time to write the kinds of books she’s always wanted to read. With a knack for blending humor, heart, and unforgettable characters, Lily creates stories that pull readers in and leave them believing in love—no matter the odds. When she’s not writing, you can find her planning her next venture with her husband or daydreaming about just one more happily-ever-after. THE BEST WRONG MOVE (book 1 in the Off-Limits series) LINKS & BOOK DETAILS Connect with Lily Blurb:  Fake-dating has never been so hot. Celebrity news anchor Olivia’s live-streamed marriage proposal ends in public humiliation — her almost-fiancé Rex says no. Desperate to escape, Liv flees to Hawaii. Stunning sunsets and ocean views will help her plan her next move. Only to find Rex there too . . . with his new girlfriend! And when Liv locks herself out of her rental, wearing nothing but red lacy underwear, she knows things definitely can go from bad to worse. Until she’s rescued by gorgeous and mysterious surfer, Dom, who looks like he’s walked straight out of the ocean and into Liv’s fantasies! Their not-so-meet-cute turns out to be the perfect solution to get back at Rex — a fake date. The plan is foolproof. Dom needs a distraction. Liv needs revenge. But the more Liv and Dom fake it, the more the kisses start to feel a little too real — and in paradise, playing pretend has never been so tempting . . . TROPES: ❤️ Spicy Romance 🌶🌶🌶🌶 ❤️ Friends-to-lovers ❤️ Fake-dating ❤️ Cinnamon roll hero ❤️ Forced proximity ❤️ Opposites attract ❤️ Holiday romance About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Editing doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth—it's the magic that transforms your story from “meh” to masterpiece! Here’s how I can help: 📖 FREE Manuscript Prep Workbook: Take the stress out of editing with simple steps to organize your revisions. Grab it HERE 📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. ✍️ 1:1 monthly support Writer's Haven: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. 📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria 🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

    36 min

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À propos

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 published multiple works, this podcast is your companion in the pursuit of storytelling excellence. Tune in, gather inspiration, and let your passion for writing flourish alongside a community that celebrates the art of the written word.