Margs & Manuscripts

Cait & Jenna
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The book world is bigger than any one corner of it. Margs & Manuscripts brings it all together — writers, authors, agents, editors, bookstore owners, and readers — for real, unfiltered conversation about writing, publishing, and the reading life. Hosted by Cait and Jenna, two writer friends who pour a drink and let the conversation flow.

  1. 1d ago ·  Bonus

    In the Lime Light with Rebecca Gould Baeurle

    This bonus episode's Lime Light shines on Rebecca Gould Baeurle, author of The Secrets Trilogy — a love-story-with-a-criminal-twist series following two sisters through hardship, betrayal, and danger in Philadelphia. We talk about writing a full first draft in two months, why she almost didn't publish at all, and the real-life roots behind her very fictional sisters. About Rebecca Rebecca Gould Baeurle spent her career in the nonprofit sector as an executive director and fundraiser before turning to fiction. She's the author of The Secrets Trilogy, a series that blends romance, suspense, family drama, and mystery — all anchored by the bond between two sisters navigating love, dangerous secrets, and life-changing choices. The Books Six Weeks of Love and Larceny — the debut. Two sisters in their early twenties, Lauren and Nikki, are dealing with life's ups and downs together in Philadelphia. Lauren is a cub reporter chasing an investigative story; Nikki's unexpected romance leads to confusion, betrayal, and danger.Twelve Weeks of Love and Loss — the sequel, out July 28th. Picks up three years later, offering a second chance at romance that takes a hard, sinister turn.Sixteen Weeks of Love and Lies — closes out the trilogy, releasing next year.All three novels are set in Philadelphia, where Rebecca lives — the books lean into local color, from Philly cuisine to sports fandom. What We Talked About How a "pet project" turned into a full trilogyWriting a complete first draft in two months (and what came after)Getting stalled by fear of the publishing world — and how she got unstuckThe real sisterhood behind her fictional sistersWhy agents are hungry for sister stories right nowNarrating her own audiobook (harder than it sounds)Writing what you know: Philadelphia, University of Delaware, and pulling from a real life"That's what makes it real. I mean, I know it's true." — Rebecca, on drawing from her own life for the books Where to Find Rebecca Buy the books: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are soldWebsite: https://www.rebeccagouldbaeurle.com/ Instagram: @beckybaeurleLoved this episode? Send it to the sister-story lover in your life. This is a sponsored Lime Light episode. Rebecca paid to be featured, but our thoughts and laughter are genuinely ours.

    In the Lime Light with Rebecca Gould Baeurle

  2. 3d ago

    She Wrote a Sexy Retirement-Home Romance. And Nailed It | Julie Murphy

    What if the retirement home wasn't the end of the story, but the beginning? This week, we sit down with #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy — of Dumplin fame — to talk about Vera Stein Is Fine, her first "adult, adult" solo romance. The idea started with a random fact about David Attenborough starting a retirement home for actors, spiraled into a synopsis Julie sent her agent back in 2016, and spent years becoming the book it needed to be. Julie joins Jenna and Cait to talk about writing across categories when publishers weren't used to authors jumping between them, what it took to finally finish this book, and the wild, true story of how the Dumplin movie almost didn't happen — until Jennifer Aniston and Dolly Parton stepped in. We also get into why every book is a handmade heirloom of who you were when you wrote it, and why more women need to be talking to each other about their health. For romance readers, this episode is a look behind one of the summer's most talked-about books — a Palm Springs retirement home full of scandal, second chances, and characters you won't want to leave. For writers, it's an honest conversation about trusting an idea for a decade, writing through the hardest years of your life, and coming out the other side with the book you're most proud of. In This Episode The real David Attenborough fact that sparked Vera Stein Is FineWhy Julie sent the first synopsis to her agent back in 2016Publishing across categories before it was common to jump between themWhat made this her first "adult, adult" solo romanceThe full story behind the Dumplin movie almost not happeningHow Jennifer Aniston and Dolly Parton both saved the dayWhy every book feels like a handmade heirloom of a specific version of yourselfThe reader review that became this book's unofficial taglineWhy Julie thinks women need to talk to each other more about their healthThe line from the book everyone's already quotingVera Stein Is Fine by Julie Murphy Vera Stein is forty, stuck in a dead-end job, and pretty sure her big life has already passed her by — until a visit to her grandmother's retirement community in Palm Springs turns into a fresh start she never saw coming. Funny, tender, and full of scandalous seniors, this is a story about second chances at every age.

    She Wrote a Sexy Retirement-Home Romance. And Nailed It | Julie Murphy

  3. Jul 21

    She Scrapped a Finished Manuscript to Write Yes, Chef | Grace Reilly

    What do you do when the book you're supposed to publish next is one you can't stand behind? This week, on release day for Yes Chef, romance author Grace Reilly tells us about the book she almost had to publish instead — 80,000 words she wrote, hated, and walked away from — and the restaurant-world romance that came out of starting over. From Kitchen Confidential and The Bear as research material to what it actually looks like to tell your editor "no," Grace gets honest about a year most authors don't talk about publicly. Grace joins Jenna and Cait to unpack the real timeline behind Yes Chef: a scrapped manuscript, a full year without a release, and the fear of being forgotten in a publishing landscape that rewards volume. From there, the conversation moves into the food-world research that shaped Fable and Jack's character, the real Treasure Coast restaurant that inspired the book's setting, and the specific tension of being both the artist and the marketer of your own work. For writers, this episode is a candid look at what it means to protect your name from a project that isn't working. For readers, it's a peek behind Yes Chef's grumpy-chef, forced-proximity romance and the real restaurant that inspired Fable. In This Episode Why Grace scrapped 80,000 words of a finished manuscriptTelling her editor she didn't want to publish the bookKitchen Confidential, The Bear, and researching restaurant cultureThe real Treasure Coast restaurant that inspired FableWriting Poppy and Jack's dynamic: the artist vs. the marketerWhy "content" and "art" are two different modes for authorsHow romance readers use trope labels to set expectationsBalancing multiple projects and subgenres at onceTrusting that a book's reception isn't a verdict on its qualityWhat it's like to release a book you have zero regrets about Yes, Chef Grace Reilly A disgraced chef returns to his hometown to save his family's restaurant — and finds himself forced into proximity with the sharp-tongued marketer determined to save it her way. Grumpy sunshine, found family, and a love letter to the misfits who find belonging in a kitchen.

    She Scrapped a Finished Manuscript to Write Yes, Chef | Grace Reilly

  4. Jul 14

    Season 2 Starts Now: Bigger Guests, Bigger Plans & Jenna's Book Update

    Season 2 is officially here. After 30 episodes of interviewing authors, learning the publishing industry alongside our listeners, and accidentally building an incredible community, we're kicking off a brand new season with a behind-the-scenes conversation about everything that's changing. From bigger author interviews to new ways to spotlight indie books, we're sharing where the podcast is headed, where Jenna is in her publishing journey, and why we're more excited than ever about what's next. If you've been with us since Episode 1—or you're just finding the show—welcome. In This Episode  Celebrating 30 episodes and launching Season 2  What publishing Cait's debut taught her about the industry  Why every book truly has its own publishing journey  Jenna shares a major update on her debut romantasy  How author confidence impacts marketing more than algorithms  Why no one will ever market your book better than you  Introducing Book Breaks—our new indie author book commercials  Announcing The Limelight, our Thursday mini-release interviews  Why we're saying no to traditional podcast advertising  Bringing more indie authors into the spotlight  The surreal experience of booking bestselling authors for Season 2  Why we're launching a community Discord  Our plans to moderate author events around the country  Everything we're excited about for the next season What We Mention  Book Breaks  The Limelight episodes  Indie author marketing  ARC campaigns  Author events  Discord community  Character art  Launch parties  Book merch  Spooky season reads Listener Call-to-Action If you're enjoying Margs & Manuscripts, we'd love your support.  Follow the show  Leave a rating and review  Share this episode with another writer or reader  Follow us on social media  Visit our website to learn about Book Breaks, The Lime Light, and everything coming in Season 2.

    Season 2 Starts Now: Bigger Guests, Bigger Plans & Jenna's Book Update

  5. Jun 24 ·  Bonus

    Why Indie Authors Feel Set Up to Fail | Bitty Balducci

    A conversation about publishing quickly turned into something bigger. After discussing author scams, we sat down with Bitty Balducci to talk about indie publishing, traditional publishing, BookTok, gatekeeping, and why so many authors feel like they're navigating the industry completely alone. We discuss:  Why Bitty chose indie publishing  Querying frustrations  Long traditional publishing timelines  Whether BookTok is really "ruining publishing"  Why indie authors are expected to figure everything out themselves  The importance of following creative inspiration when it strikes And yes, we also talk about the wild novella Bitty wrote in less than a week after a dream-inspired idea refused to leave her alone. In This Episode  How a dream-inspired idea became a published novella in less than a week  Why Bitty believes writers should follow creative momentum when it strikes  The inspiration behind Shades Drawn and its timely, Black Mirror-style premise  Querying frustrations and the challenges of fitting books into industry expectations  Why some authors choose indie publishing over the traditional route  The realities of marketing and selling books as an independent author  Whether BookTok is changing publishing—or simply exposing existing problems  The role of gatekeeping in today's publishing landscape  Why traditional publishing timelines can feel disconnected from modern readers  Creative freedom, risk-taking, and building a writing career on your own terms  The importance of transparency and information-sharing within the author community  Hot takes on publishing, creativity, and the future of books and authorship

    Why Indie Authors Feel Set Up to Fail | Bitty Balducci

  6. Jun 23

    The Scams Targeting Indie Authors Right Now | Bitty Balducci

    What happens when the scam emails stop looking like scams? This week we're joined by author Bitty Balducci to talk about the increasingly sophisticated scams targeting indie authors. From fake HarperCollins editors and fraudulent book clubs to AI-generated audiobook narrators and manuscript theft, the stories are far more convincing than most authors realize. Bitty shares scams she personally encountered, including one that cost her hundreds of dollars and another that nearly led to a major payment to an AI-generated narrator. We also discuss why authors are especially vulnerable, how scammers exploit the publishing industry's learning curve, and why more people aren't talking about these experiences. If you're querying, self-publishing, marketing a book, or simply trying to navigate the publishing world, this conversation could save you time, money, and a lot of frustration. What is the biggest scam you've encountered as an author—or in life? Let us know in the comments. Guest: Bitty Balducci In This Episode  The surprisingly sophisticated scams targeting indie authors today  Fake HarperCollins editors, fraudulent book clubs, and manuscript theft attempts  How scammers use real names, real companies, and AI-generated content to appear legitimate  The audiobook narrator scam that nearly cost hundreds of dollars  Why even experienced authors struggle to spot modern publishing scams  The emotional vulnerability scammers exploit in writers and creatives  Red flags to watch for when receiving publishing, marketing, or promotion offers  Why authors don't talk about scams often enough—and why that needs to change  Practical tips for protecting your work, money, and personal information  How the publishing industry could do more to educate and support authors  Why transparency and community may be the best defense against scams

    The Scams Targeting Indie Authors Right Now | Bitty Balducci

  7. Jun 16

    Discovery Writing, Outlining & Trusting Your Characters | Lauren Okie

    What happens when your characters know the story before you do? This week, we sit down with romance author Lauren Okie to talk about discovery writing, outlining, second drafts, and learning to trust your creative instincts. From writing Tropesick while querying her debut novel to protecting the creative spark in a publishing industry full of distractions, Lauren shares an honest look at the realities of writing books that surprise both the author and the reader. Lauren Okie didn't set out to write a book about tropes. She set out to write characters compelling enough to tell her where the story wanted to go. In this episode, Lauren joins Jenna and Cait to discuss the writing process behind Tropesick, her approach to discovery writing, and why she believes character should always come before plot. The conversation explores outlining versus improvisation, second drafts, deleting scenes you love, and the challenge of protecting creativity in an industry that often prioritizes metrics over art. For writers, this episode is packed with practical advice on trusting your instincts, identifying what belongs in your story, and finding your way through the messy middle of drafting a novel. For readers, it's a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the mind of an author whose stories blend romance, humor, grief, and literary ambition. In This Episode  How Lauren Okie developed the concept for Tropesick Writing a second novel while querying a debut  Discovery writing versus outlining  Why character should drive story  Learning to trust your creative process  The role of second and third drafts  Identifying duplicate scenes and unnecessary subplots  Craft books that changed Lauren's approach to writing  Romance as a vehicle for complex, meaningful storytelling  Protecting the creative spark in publishing Books & Authors Mentioned Tropesick — Lauren Okie The Best Worst Thing — Lauren Okie You Between the Lines — Katie Naymon Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow — Gabrielle ZevinRefuse to Be Done —  Matt BellMemorable Quotes "Every book I start is a partial lobotomy." "You can't understand the story until you've written the whole book." "At the end of the day, it's you and the blank page." "You need to romanticize the hell out of writing this book." About Lauren Okie Lauren Okie is the author of The Best Worst Thing and Tropesick. Known for emotionally layered romance, sharp humor, and character-driven storytelling, Lauren's work explores grief, love, creativity, and the stories we tell ourselves about happily ever after.

    Discovery Writing, Outlining & Trusting Your Characters | Lauren Okie

  8. Jun 9

    She Turned a Situationship Into a Bestselling Book with Author Alissa DeRogatis

    What happens when a five-year situationship finally ends and leaves you wondering what comes next? For author Alissa DeRogatis, the answer was writing the book she couldn't find on the shelf. In this episode, we chat with Alissa about turning heartbreak into storytelling, self-publishing Call It What You Want, selling tens of thousands of copies, signing with Sourcebooks, and building a career by showing up authentically online. We also dive into the realities of book marketing, why comparison is one of the biggest traps for writers, and how her writing community, Hot Girls Who Write, grew from a simple desire to help other authors feel less alone. Plus, we get a behind-the-scenes look at her upcoming novel, How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle, and the real-life experiences that inspired it. In This Episode  How a situationship inspired Call It What You Want Self-publishing without an editor—and why she has no regrets  Selling 50,000+ copies before signing with a traditional publisher  The journey from indie author to Sourcebooks author  Why comparison culture can derail writers  Using vulnerability as a marketing superpower  What actually worked on TikTok (and what didn't)  The realities of building an author brand online  Why authenticity is a major theme in How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle The story behind Hot Girls Who Write  Creating community in an industry that can feel isolating  Book covers, branding, and trusting your creative instincts About Alissa DeRogatis Alissa DeRogatis is the author of Call It What You Want and the upcoming How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle. After self-publishing her debut novel and building a passionate online readership, she signed with Sourcebooks and has become known for her honest, relatable storytelling about modern relationships, heartbreak, and personal growth. She is also the founder of Hot Girls Who Write, a writing community dedicated to helping authors connect, learn, and support one another through every stage of the writing journey. Books & Resources Mentioned Call It What You Want — Alissa DeRogatis How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle — Alissa DeRogatis Connect with Alissa Instagram: @alissade TikTok: @alissade Substack: Alissa DeRogatis Hot Girls Who Write Listen & Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Margs & Manuscripts wherever you get your podcasts. Leaving a rating or review helps more readers, writers, and publishing-curious creatives discover the show. And if you've ever turned a heartbreak into a creative project, we'd love to hear about it. Tag us on Instagram and join the conversation. 🍸📚

    She Turned a Situationship Into a Bestselling Book with Author Alissa DeRogatis
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About

The book world is bigger than any one corner of it. Margs & Manuscripts brings it all together — writers, authors, agents, editors, bookstore owners, and readers — for real, unfiltered conversation about writing, publishing, and the reading life. Hosted by Cait and Jenna, two writer friends who pour a drink and let the conversation flow.

Information

  • Creator
    Cait & Jenna
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Margs & Manuscripts
  • Show Website
    Margs & Manuscripts