Episode 20: Kate Zentall on Editing Timelines, Track Changes, and Publishing Expectations

Episode 20: Kate Zentall on Editing Timelines, Track Changes, and Publishing Expectations

Why do even the best writers need editors? In this episode, Jenna and Sara talk with veteran writer and book shaper Kate Zentall about the transformative role of editors in the publishing process. From developmental feedback to line-level polish, Kate shares how the right editorial guidance can elevate a manuscript—and help authors grow in the process.

Episode 19: Inside Traditional Publishing (with Bree Barton)

What’s it really like to get traditionally published? In this episode, Jenna and Sara sit down with Bree Barton—author of the Heart of Thorns trilogy from KT/HarperCollins—to share what it’s really like to be traditionally published. From submissions to post-pub realities, Bree draws on two decades of experience as a working writer in this candid conversation.

Episode 18: You’re Published! What Next?

Publishing your book is a huge milestone—but it’s not the end of your author journey. In this final reference episode, we help you plan what comes next. Learn how to keep your book relevant post-launch, build long-term momentum, and avoid the post-pub slump. From ongoing marketing to repurposing content and planning your next project, we’ll show you how to turn your finished book into a lasting asset for your platform, career, and readership.

Episode 17: Author Service Accounts

To successfully publish and maintain your book’s visibility, you’ll need to create and manage several essential service accounts. In this episode, we walk you through the most important ones—Amazon KDP, Goodreads, OverDrive, and more—and explain what each one does, why it matters, and how to optimize your presence. You’ll learn how these platforms help you control your book’s metadata, connect with readers, track sales, and keep your title relevant long after launch.

Episode 16: Marketing & PR for Your Book

Your book is done—now how do you get readers to actually find it? In this episode, we guide you through building a strategic marketing and PR plan tailored to your goals. We’ll revisit your BAGG (Book and Author Gameplan and Goals), help you define success post-launch, and explain how to time your release date, use pre-orders, and leverage ARCs effectively. We also unpack your promotional toolkit: media kits, press releases, podcast tours, blog outreach, social media, newsletter swaps, paid ads, publicists (do you need one?), and more.