#53: How Pride and Prejudice Inspired 'Behind Five Willows' With June Hur

#53: How Pride and Prejudice Inspired 'Behind Five Willows' With June Hur

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author June Hur to discuss her journey from writing Pride & Prejudice fanfiction to publishing Behind Five Willows. They chat about countless rejections, finding her voice as a writer, the inspiration behind her latest novel, Korean history, libraries, and why she chose to slow down her publishing schedule. CHAPTERS:  00:00 Intro & Welcome 01:14 Pride & Prejudice Started Everything 05:30 Growing Up Between Korea, Canada & the U.S. 08:23 Working at the Library & Favorite Books 10:07 15 Manuscripts, 100+ Rejections & Finding Her Voice 16:28 Why She Writes Korean Historical Fiction 18:11 Motherhood Changed Her Writing Career 21:36 Her Writing Process & Writing Korean on the Page 24:27 How Her Books Have Evolved 27:42 Where to Start Reading June Hur 28:18 Behind Five Willows Explained 31:15 Turning Pride & Prejudice Into a Romance 33:36 Book Bans, History & Why Stories Matter 35:23 Writing the Romance & Darcy Inspiration 37:03 A Love Letter to Librarians & Bookstores 39:09 What's Next for June Hur FOLLOW US: Morgann Book TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook [https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook]  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook [https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook]  June Hur Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junehwrites [https://www.instagram.com/junehwrites] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@junehwrites [https://www.tiktok.com/@junehwrites] Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/june-hur?id=883069940 [https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/june-hur?id=883069940] Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/search?attributes.contributorId=20658423&contributorName=June%20Hur [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/search?attributes.contributorId=20658423&contributorName=June%20Hur] Off The Shelf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast]  Hosted by: Morgann Book Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston  Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston  Produced by: Stefanie Macchiusi Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#52: Elle Kennedy Reveals Which Off Campus Character She Almost Killed Off

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author Elle Kennedy, the writer behind the beloved Off Campus books. Elle shares how she knew she wanted to be an author at just six years old, what it felt like selling her first novel, and why she almost never self-published The Deal. They also dive into the biggest behind-the-scenes secrets from the Off-Campus series, including the original plans for Tucker, why Dean almost ended up with someone else, what it was like visiting the set of the TV adaptation, and more! CHAPTERS:  00:00 Intro & Welcome 02:35 Wanting to be an author at six years old 05:19 Selling her first book & publishing journey 08:41 How her writing process has evolved 12:41 Why The Deal was originally self-published 15:13 Creating Garrett, Hannah & the Briar universe 17:16 The original Off-Campus series plans 18:26 Tucker almost had a very different fate 21:07 Why Dean wasn't meant for Sabrina 24:34 Favourite scenes from the series 26:44 Which Off-Campus characters were easiest to write? 27:57 Expanding the Briar universe 30:45 Off-Campus character superlatives 32:14 Bringing Off-Campus to TV 34:43 Visiting the set & meeting the cast 39:22 Hidden Easter eggs & favourite filming moments 43:50 Season 2 teases 46:03 New YA thriller & returning to suspense 50:07 Outro FOLLOW US: Morgann Book TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook [https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook]  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook [https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook]  Elle Kennedy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellekennedyauthor/ [https://www.instagram.com/ellekennedyauthor/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellekennedyauthor [https://www.tiktok.com/@ellekennedyauthor] Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/elle-kennedy?id=825593661 [https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/elle-kennedy?id=825593661] Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/authors/elle-kennedy [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/authors/elle-kennedy] Off The Shelf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast]  Hosted by: Morgann Book Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston  Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston  Produced by: Stefanie Macchiusi Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#51: Why Matt Haig Reads 1-Star Reviews of The Midnight Library

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Matt Haig, bestselling author of The Midnight Library, The Midnight Train, and Reasons to Stay Alive. Matt opens up about the mental health crisis that changed the course of his life, how writing became part of his recovery, and why The Midnight Library was the most freeing book he's ever written. We also discuss the upcoming film adaptation starring Florence Pugh, the inspiration behind Nora Seed, social media, AI, creativity, and what he hopes readers take away from The Midnight Train. CHAPTERS:  00:00 Introduction 01:16 Why Matt Reads His Own 1-Star Reviews 04:06 Why Children Are Better Readers Than Adults 06:24 Trouble at School, Neurodiversity & Finding Writing 08:28 The Breakdown That Changed Everything 11:56 How Books Helped Him Survive Depression 14:05 Recovery, Rejection & Becoming an Author 17:40 The Purpose Behind Reasons to Stay Alive 20:17 Mental Health Advocacy & Writing Fiction 27:26 Conquering His Fear of Public Speaking 33:07 The Origin of The Midnight Library 35:12 Writing Nora's Many Alternate Lives 37:50 How Nora Seed Got Her Name 38:52 The Midnight Library Movie Adaptation 40:27 Florence Pugh as Nora & Behind the Scenes 44:30 Inside The Midnight Train 46:14 What Matt Wants Readers to Take Away 49:20 The Dream of Opening a Bookstore 51:24 What's Next FOLLOW US: Morgann Book TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook [https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook]  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook [https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook]  Matt Haig Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattzhaig/ [https://www.instagram.com/mattzhaig/] Find his books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/matt-haig?id=811768428 [https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/matt-haig?id=811768428] Find his books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/authors/matt-haig [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/authors/matt-haig] Off The Shelf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast]  Hosted by: Morgann Book Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston  Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston  Produced by: Stefanie Macchiusi Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#50: Lauren Kate Was Rejected 76 Times Before Writing 'Fallen'

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author Lauren Kate to talk about the teacher who inspired her to keep writing, the 76 rejection letters she still has, and how Fallen became a global phenomenon. Plus, Lauren shares the latest on the Fallen TV series and why she returned to the world of angels with her newest novel, White Lights. CHAPTERS:  00:00 Introduction 01:04 International Emmy & The Fallen Legacy 02:04 Ballet, Books & Growing Up Creative 04:12 The Teacher Who Changed Everything 10:12 Discovering Writing in College 13:08 76 Rejection Letters Before Success 16:11 The Call That Changed Her Life 17:52 Working at HarperCollins 19:54 The Origins of Fallen 23:14 Building Luce, Daniel & Cam 30:44 The Fallen Movie Adaptation 36:54 Bringing Fallen to Television 40:04 Inside Lauren Kate's New Fantasy, White Lights 42:53 Why She Returned to Angels After Rom-Coms 46:06 Easter Eggs, Book Two & What's Next 49:15 The Lasting Impact of Fallen Readers 50:16 Outro FOLLOW US: Morgann Book TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook [https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook]  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook [https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook]  Lauren Kate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenkatebooks [https://www.instagram.com/laurenkatebooks] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenkatebooks [https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenkatebooks] Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/lauren-kate?id=889940567 [https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/lauren-kate?id=889940567] Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/series/lauren-kates-fallen-series [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/series/lauren-kates-fallen-series] Off The Shelf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast]  Hosted by: Morgann Book Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston  Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston  Produced by: Stefanie Macchiusi Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#49: Why Heartless Hunter Was Kristen Ciccarelli's Last Chance

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling fantasy author Kristen Ciccarelli to talk about the journey from writing stories on her dad's old laptop with no internet to creating the global romantasy phenomenon Heartless Hunter. Kristen shares the inspiration behind Rebel Witch, the surprising moment she realized Heartless Hunter was taking off around the world, why the book has two different titles, and more! CHAPTERS:  0:00 - Introduction 1:19 - The Real Story Behind Rebel Witch 2:43 - Writing Fantasy as a Kid 9:13 - Life Before Publishing 12:12 - The Writing Shed 15:00 - Kristen's Writing Process 18:18 - The Inspiration for Heartless Hunter 23:33 - Creating Rune & Gideon 29:06 - Writing the Book She Wanted to Write 31:19 - The BookTok Success of Heartless Hunter 34:10 - Heartless Hunter vs The Crimson Moth 36:02 - Writing on an AlphaSmart Neo 42:02 - The Meaning Behind the Dedication 43:18 - What's Next for the Crimson Moth World 44:13 - Vampires, Werewolves & Future Books 45:59 - Final Thoughts & What's Next FOLLOW US: Morgann Book TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@morgannbook?lang=en]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/morgannbook/?hl=en]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook [https://www.youtube.com/c/MorgannBook]  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook [https://www.goodreads.com/morgannbook]  Kristen Ciccarelli Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenciccarelli/ [https://www.instagram.com/kristenciccarelli/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristenciccarelli [https://www.tiktok.com/@kristenciccarelli] Find her books at Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/kristen-ciccarelli?id=875238864 [https://www.indigo.ca/pages/contributor/kristen-ciccarelli?id=875238864] Find her books at Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/authors/kristen-ciccarelli [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/authors/kristen-ciccarelli] Off The Shelf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/offtheshelf.podcast/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@offtheshelf.podcast?lang=en]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@Off.TheShelfPodcast]  Hosted by: Morgann Book Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston  Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston  Produced by: Stefanie Macchiusi Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.