On the Write Track Podcast

44: Tina Mars: Following the Energy

In this episode of On the Write Track, Emily and Sarah sit down with Tina Mars, one of Bookstagram’s breakout stars turned debut fantasy author. Tina shares how a simple love for reading grew into a thriving online community, what inspired her to start posting in the first place, and the journey to full-time content creator. She opens up about the ups and downs of growing her platform and business, the lessons she’s learned about consistency and authenticity, and how she leveraged her audience to find an agent and secure a book deal for her upcoming fantasy novel. Tina also offers practical, heartfelt advice for aspiring creators, from building your personal brand to managing burnout and staying true to your voice online. Whether you’re a writer hoping to build your platform or a Bookstagrammer, or a writer aiming to have your own book deal, this episode is a motivating deep dive!   Tina Mars * Website [https://tinamarshallco.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tinamarsbooks/] * Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@bookedtildawn]   Dabble Timer [https://www.dabblewriter.com/]   Books Mentioned - We strongly encourage that listeners purchase these titles from their favorite indie bookstore [https://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder] * The Book of Azrael [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59986018-the-book-of-azrael] by Amber V Nicole * The Hurricane Wars [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75668288-the-hurricane-wars]by Thea Guanzon * Trial of the Sun Queen [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/191755077-trial-of-the-sun-queen]by Nisha Tuli * A Cruel Thirst [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60290692-a-cruel-thirst] by Angela Montoya * Carnival Fantástico [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216805701-carnival-fant-stico] by Angela Montoya * Emily Varga's books [https://linktr.ee/emilyvargabooks?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLksFNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABpwI9a393zZ7_tUBSxMZFfMDS-owwHG8cu5zDEme4iQZ_Ex8H91c-7U_FTcuj_aem_J7p6heTwXUQwzVaPrzoQQg] * Sarah Mughal Rana's books [https://linktr.ee/sarahmughalrana?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLksDlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpx81VWqZ1GZ7q9z8Nlo-pLTQOowYMPiK3S2osSJu7aicDE2NRQya7MNbqVPx_aem_0vdyUg4ehvcPkWH9epc1hw]   Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/user?u=82304964]where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee! Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review! It really helps the podcast, especially since we're just getting started. Follow the podcast @OntheWriteTrackPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/onthewritetrackpodcast/] on Instagram. Also connect with Sarah [https://www.instagram.com/sarahmughal769/]and Emily [https://www.instagram.com/emilyvargabooks/] on Instagram or TikTok! [https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyvargabooks] Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/user?u=82304964]where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!   Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!    Follow the podcast @OntheWriteTrackPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/onthewritetrackpodcast/] on Instagram. Also connect with Sarah [https://www.instagram.com/sarahmughal769/]and Emily [https://www.instagram.com/emilyvargabooks/] on Instagram or TikTok! [https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyvargabooks]

43: Nisha Tuli: Crowning Your Own Success on Romantasy, and Owning Your Author Journey

This week, Sarah and Emily welcome bestselling romantasy author Nisha Tuli for an inspiring dive into building an authentic, sustainable career from indie to traditional publishing. Nisha opens up about her experience as an Indie author who has a South Asian heritage but also the fears of being boxed in, and how she hustled to grow her audience. We explore how she’s navigated the explosion of romantasy, the pressures and perks of genre labels, and the business mindset that helps her stay focused amid the noise, including switching agents and taking on multiple projects to grow. From having a loyal readership to branching out in adult, and now YA, as well as multi-genre stories that blend romance, magic, and diverse FMC’s, Nisha shares really valuable wisdom for any writer ready to grow.   Nisha Tuli * Website [https://www.nishajtuli.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nishajtwrites/] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nishajtwrites] Becca Syme: Strengths For Writers 101 [https://betterfasteracademy.com/sfw101/]   Books Mentioned - We strongly encourage that listeners purchase these titles from their favorite indie bookstore [https://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder] * Not Safe for Work [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218372272-not-safe-for-work] by Nisha Tuli * Trial of the Sun Queen [https://www.goodreads.com/series/345984-artefacts-of-ouranos] by Nisha Tuli * Heart of Night and Fire [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/193898666-heart-of-night-and-fire] by Nisha Tuli * Wicked is the Reaper [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205043999-wicked-is-the-reaper]by Nisha Tuli * Love is a War Song [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220687884-love-is-a-war-song]by Danica Nava * Emily Varga's books [https://linktr.ee/emilyvargabooks?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLksFNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABpwI9a393zZ7_tUBSxMZFfMDS-owwHG8cu5zDEme4iQZ_Ex8H91c-7U_FTcuj_aem_J7p6heTwXUQwzVaPrzoQQg] * Sarah Mughal Rana's books [https://linktr.ee/sarahmughalrana?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLksDlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpx81VWqZ1GZ7q9z8Nlo-pLTQOowYMPiK3S2osSJu7aicDE2NRQya7MNbqVPx_aem_0vdyUg4ehvcPkWH9epc1hw]   Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/user?u=82304964]where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee! Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review! It really helps the podcast, especially since we're just getting started. Follow the podcast @OntheWriteTrackPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/onthewritetrackpodcast/] on Instagram. Also connect with Sarah [https://www.instagram.com/sarahmughal769/]and Emily [https://www.instagram.com/emilyvargabooks/] on Instagram or TikTok! [https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyvargabooks] Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/user?u=82304964]where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!   Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!    Follow the podcast @OntheWriteTrackPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/onthewritetrackpodcast/] on Instagram. Also connect with Sarah [https://www.instagram.com/sarahmughal769/]and Emily [https://www.instagram.com/emilyvargabooks/] on Instagram or TikTok! [https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyvargabooks]

42: Melissa de la Cruz & Margaret Stohl on Writing, Reinvention, and Building Creative Worlds

Sarah and Emily sit down to discuss what does it take to not only survive but thrive across decades in publishing? In this episode of On the Write Track, we’re joined by literary powerhouses Melissa de la Cruz and Margaret Stohl: bestselling authors, and co-founders of YALLFest and YALLWest, two of the largest youth literature festivals in the country. We dive deep into their journeys through the evolving landscape of publishing: from writing bestselling YA series, to crafting graphic novels, developing games, and even adapting their work for film and television. Melissa and Margaret share how working across mediums has challenged and expanded their creative lives, and what it takes to stay adaptable in an industry that’s constantly shifting especially in the era of romantasy. But at the heart of this episode is a rich conversation about community; how festivals like YALLWest grew out of a desire to democratize the author-reader connection, how mentorship and collaboration have shaped their own careers, and why building supportive literary communities is crucial for both writers and readers to survive. We also get candid about the behind-the-scenes of adaptations, juggling commercial pressures with creative vision, and why saying yes to new opportunities and formats—from prose to scripts—has kept their careers thriving. If you're a writer wondering how to build lasting community, or explore new storytelling mediums, this episode is packed with wisdom, blunt hard-earned advice from two women who’ve truly done it all.   Yall Fest [https://yallfest.org/] Yall West [https://www.yallwest.com/] Melissa de la Cruz [https://melissa-delacruz.com/about/] Margaret Stohl [https://www.instagram.com/margaret_stohl/?hl=en] Episode 06: G Willow Wilson: Co-creating Ms. Marvel, Writing for Comics & Having to Write your Marginalization [https://on-the-write-track-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/06-g-willow-wilson-co-creating-ms-marvel-writing-for-comics-having-to-write-your-marginalization]   Books Mentioned - We strongly encourage that listeners purchase these titles from their favorite indie bookstore [https://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder] * Margaret Stohl's books [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2895707.Margaret_Stohl] * Melissa de la Cruz's books [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21911.Melissa_de_la_Cruz] * Jo and Laurie [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48895207-jo-laurie] by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz * Beautiful Creatures [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6304335-beautiful-creatures]by Margaret Stohl * Super Visible: The Story of the Women of Marvel Comics [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58438512-super-visible]by Margaret Stohl * War and Peace [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/656.War_and_Peace] by Leo Tolstoy * The Dark is Rising [https://www.goodreads.com/series/44420-the-dark-is-rising]by Susan Cooper * Legends and Lattes [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61242426-legends-lattes] by Travis Baldtree * The Doorman [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217387696-the-doorman]by Chris Pavone * Emily Varga's books [https://linktr.ee/emilyvargabooks?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLksFNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABpwI9a393zZ7_tUBSxMZFfMDS-owwHG8cu5zDEme4iQZ_Ex8H91c-7U_FTcuj_aem_J7p6heTwXUQwzVaPrzoQQg] * Sarah Mughal Rana's books [https://linktr.ee/sarahmughalrana?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLksDlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpx81VWqZ1GZ7q9z8Nlo-pLTQOowYMPiK3S2osSJu7aicDE2NRQya7MNbqVPx_aem_0vdyUg4ehvcPkWH9epc1hw]   Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/user?u=82304964]where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee! Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review! Follow the podcast @OntheWriteTrackPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/onthewritetrackpodcast/] on Instagram. Also connect with Sarah [https://www.instagram.com/sarahmughal769/]and Emily [https://www.instagram.com/emilyvargabooks/] on Instagram or TikTok! [https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyvargabooks] Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/user?u=82304964]where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!   Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!    Follow the podcast @OntheWriteTrackPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/onthewritetrackpodcast/] on Instagram. Also connect with Sarah [https://www.instagram.com/sarahmughal769/]and Emily [https://www.instagram.com/emilyvargabooks/] on Instagram or TikTok! [https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyvargabooks]

41: V.E. Schwab: The Long Game on Writing Across Genres and Staying Inspired

In this episode of On the Write Track, Sarah and Emily sit down with #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab for a conversation on what it really takes to build a long, sustainable writing career. From the breakout success of Vicious and the Shades of Magic trilogy to the beauty of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and now Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, Schwab has written across genres, age categories, and era -- and she’s not slowing down. We explore how she balances creativity with consistency, what her simple daily writing routine looks like, how she protects her imagination, and why she deliberately reads outside her genre. Schwab also opens up about the emotional highs and lows of publishing, staying true to your voice through trends, and what she’s learned after more than a decade in the industry. Whether you’re just starting out or thinking long-term, this episode is filled with blunt hard truths , and encouragement to keep writing—and keep evolving.   V.E. Schwab * Website [https://www.veschwab.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/veschwab/] * Newsletter [https://40364130.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEALxaQL_65P8g8cqgkcjcDcNskpNCxeJ4vM430Bx3oR7Pb2fwF43rSToIyTYL9175vBFwsCTvDMuZBNdCEAKkWbo81qz-U4FVqpO9I9pLNu4hG4_DVqs0Y2anbO85dPE2kVwq-htHL_C85RqR1yuAi1gts-TafqDdHP1GDpUh4NWatPSWr0pz9r6G1SXm5HmLv9g1dxgNrPYL] * No Write Way Podcast [https://www.veschwab.com/podcast]   Books Mentioned - We strongly encourage that listeners purchase these titles from their favorite indie bookstore [https://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder] * Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215020997-bury-our-bones-in-the-midnight-soil] by V.E.Schwab * The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50623864-the-invisible-life-of-addie-larue]by V.E.Schwab * Shades of Magic [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22055262-a-darker-shade-of-magic] by V.E.Schwab * Vicious [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40874032-vicious] by V.E.Schwab * Gallant [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58064046-gallant] by V.E.Schwab * Emily Varga's books [https://linktr.ee/emilyvargabooks?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLksFNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABpwI9a393zZ7_tUBSxMZFfMDS-owwHG8cu5zDEme4iQZ_Ex8H91c-7U_FTcuj_aem_J7p6heTwXUQwzVaPrzoQQg] * Sarah Mughal Rana's books [https://linktr.ee/sarahmughalrana?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLksDlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpx81VWqZ1GZ7q9z8Nlo-pLTQOowYMPiK3S2osSJu7aicDE2NRQya7MNbqVPx_aem_0vdyUg4ehvcPkWH9epc1hw]   Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/user?u=82304964]where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!   Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review! It really helps the podcast, especially since we're just getting started. Follow the podcast @OntheWriteTrackPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/onthewritetrackpodcast/] on Instagram. Also connect with Sarah [https://www.instagram.com/sarahmughal769/]and Emily [https://www.instagram.com/emilyvargabooks/] on Instagram or TikTok! [https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyvargabooks] Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/user?u=82304964]where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!   Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!    Follow the podcast @OntheWriteTrackPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/onthewritetrackpodcast/] on Instagram. Also connect with Sarah [https://www.instagram.com/sarahmughal769/]and Emily [https://www.instagram.com/emilyvargabooks/] on Instagram or TikTok! [https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyvargabooks]

40: Katherine Arden on Romance, Ghosts, Winter, and Storytelling in Atmospheric Settings

In this episode, co-hosts Sarah and Emily sit down with Katherine Arden, the critically acclaimed and NYT bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale, The Warm Hands of Ghosts. and Small Spaces, to explore her world of folklore, ghosts, and history . Katherine shares the inspirations behind her beloved Winternight Trilogy, how she wrote while traveling; the art of weaving magic and realism, her methodology, and how she captures the mystical blend of history and magic and love in her stories. They also discuss the allure of winter as a setting, the balance of prose that feels natural and true to the book’s historical setting and wonder, and what it means to write in multiple genres. Perfect for emerging writers, fans of spellbinding tales in winter and history, this conversation will leave you feeling both chilled and inspired to write more.   Katherine Arden * Website [https://katherineardenbooks.com/]   Books Mentioned - We strongly encourage that listeners purchase these titles from their favorite indie bookstore [https://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder] * The Bear and the Nightingale [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25489134-the-bear-and-the-nightingale] by Katherine Arden * The Girl in the Tower [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34050917-the-girl-in-the-tower] by Katherine Arden * The Winter of the Witch [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36621586-the-winter-of-the-witch] by Katherine Arden * The Warm Hands of Ghosts [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/154462576-the-warm-hands-of-ghosts] by Katherine Arden * Small Spaces Series [https://www.goodreads.com/series/250762-small-spaces] by Katherine Arden * Black Woods, Blue Sky [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213243955-black-woods-blue-sky] by Eowyn Ivey * Sunshine [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8088.Sunshine] by Robin McKinley * The Hero and the Crown [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77366.The_Hero_and_the_Crown] by Robin McKinley * Deerskin [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8087.Deerskin] by Robin McKinley * The Blue Sword [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/407813.The_Blue_Sword]by Robin McKinley * Naomi Novik [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8730.Naomi_Novik] * Patrick O'Brien [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13423100.Patrick_K_O_Brien] * Dorothy Dunnett [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8361.Dorothy_Dunnett] * Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14201.Jonathan_Strange_Mr_Norrell] by Susanna Clarke * For She is Wrath [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61070523-for-she-is-wrath?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=oaOltw8HKo&rank=1] by Emily Varga * Hope Ablaze [https://linktr.ee/sarahmughalrana] by Sarah Mughal Rana   Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/user?u=82304964]where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee!   Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review!    Follow the podcast @OntheWriteTrackPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/onthewritetrackpodcast/] on Instagram. Also connect with Sarah [https://www.instagram.com/sarahmughal769/]and Emily [https://www.instagram.com/emilyvargabooks/] on Instagram or TikTok! [https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyvargabooks]