Behind the Publisher's Desk with Colin Mustful

Behind the Publisher's Desk

In this episode of Behind the Publisher’s Desk, Colin Mustful shares a candid look at the realities of independent publishing through his recent trip to Atlanta for the release of Jungle of Ashes by Brynn Barineau [https://substack.com/profile/60664528-brynn-barineau]. What begins as a celebration of a new historical novel becomes a thoughtful reflection on the persistence, unpredictability, and emotional investment required to support authors and books in today’s publishing landscape. Colin discusses traveling by bus from Minneapolis to Atlanta, attending bookstore events with both strong and disappointing turnout, and the importance of simply showing up for authors during vulnerable moments in their careers. He also pulls back the curtain on the business side of publishing, explaining how promotions like BookBub features can help propel a novel to bestseller status while simultaneously creating significant financial risk for small presses. Along the way, Colin shares updates on upcoming History Through Fiction titles, advance review campaigns, current editorial projects, and the growing demands of freelance publishing work. He also reveals an exciting new opportunity involving filmmakers interested in adapting historical material connected to his novel Grace at Spirit Lake. This episode is an honest and insightful exploration of what independent publishing really looks like behind the scenes—the long hours, the financial challenges, the personal relationships, and the enduring belief that stories matter. Thanks for reading History Through Fiction with Colin Mustful! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe [https://colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Office Hours with Melissa Makarewicz and Brynn Barineau

In this special Office Hours replay, Melissa Makarewicz is joined by Brynn Barineau [https://substack.com/profile/60664528-brynn-barineau], author of Jungle of Ashes [https://www.historythroughfiction.com/store/p/jungle-of-ashes-paperback], while Colin Mustful travels home from Brynn’s launch-week events. What begins as a conversation about a new book release quickly opens into a candid discussion about the real work behind author visibility: setting realistic expectations, rebuilding momentum, and finding sustainable ways to show up online. Brynn reflects on the launch of Jungle of Ashes, a historical novel set against the rise and collapse of Fordlandia in the Brazilian Amazon, and shares how her own background in Brazil shaped the story she wanted to tell. From there, the conversation turns to the realities of launching a book as a working parent, including the challenge of re-entering literary community after time away, reconnecting with readers, and choosing marketing efforts that actually fit the season of life you’re in. Melissa brings a practical coaching perspective throughout, emphasizing that the best platform strategy is not the most ambitious one—it’s the one an author can sustain. Together, she and Brynn explore what it means to build an authentic author brand, why creators need to lean into the formats they genuinely enjoy, and how visibility grows when writers stop trying to force themselves into strategies that drain them. They also talk about podcasts, reels, Substack, launch events, and the importance of showing up in ways that feel human rather than performative. The deeper takeaway is clear: consistency matters, but so does honesty. If you can find a way to share your work that energizes you instead of exhausting you, you’re far more likely to keep going. If you’re a writer trying to balance creativity, family, work, and the demands of book marketing, this conversation offers practical encouragement, grounded insight, and a refreshing reminder that sustainable growth is often built one honest step at a time. If this conversation resonates with you, consider picking up a copy of Jungle of Ashes by Brynn Barineau. It’s a vivid, thoughtful historical novel set against the rise and unraveling of Fordlandia in the Brazilian Amazon—and a perfect companion to many of the themes discussed in this Office Hours replay. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe [https://colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Behind the Publisher's Desk

In this episode of Behind the Publisher’s Desk, Colin Mustful shares a candid update on what life looks like inside History Through Fiction during a season of momentum. He talks about traveling to Atlanta to support Brynn Barineau [https://substack.com/profile/60664528-brynn-barineau] at her book launch, reflects on how vulnerable it can be for authors to put their work into the world, and explains why showing up in person matters. From there, Colin opens up about the press’s recent growth: new author signings after a stretch of slower submissions, the importance of expanding carefully rather than too quickly, and early plans for a future book festival that brings together readers, writers, librarians, and publishing professionals. He also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the day-to-day work filling his calendar—freelance editing, book coaching, proofreading Death of Driftwood by Rick Hodges, marketing conversations around Jessica McCann’s All Different Kinds of Free, cover design meetings, and the steady work of maintaining an author platform. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to support writers while building an independent press, this episode offers an honest snapshot of the work in motion. History Through Fiction with Colin Mustful is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe [https://colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Office Hours with Colin Mustful and Melissa Makarewicz

In this Office Hours replay, Colin Mustful and Melissa catch up on a season of growth at History Through Fiction—from new author signings and a wider range of submissions to the long-term vision for future events, including a virtual book festival, a possible writers’ retreat, and the next conference. Colin also shares more about the launch of the Narrative Guild and the strong response to the recent Ask the Editors [https://youtu.be/DhOSGKuWZMY?si=GaZEIKHRfeE9dRqh] live Q&A, [https://youtu.be/DhOSGKuWZMY?si=GaZEIKHRfeE9dRqh] which opened up an honest conversation about editing, writer concerns, and the questions authors often feel too unsure to ask. The conversation then turns toward the creative challenges writers are facing right now: how age and life experience can become an advantage in building an audience, why readers are increasingly drawn to honest and human-centered content, and how authors can lean into their strengths when deciding how to show up online. Colin also offers a preview of his upcoming workshop on point of view, touching on narrative distance, authorial intrusion, and the subtle craft choices that help keep readers immersed in a story. They close with a candid reflection on the drafting process itself—why writing messy pages is still real progress, how hard it can be to quiet the inner editor, and why getting the words down matters more than getting them perfect the first time. If you’re a writer trying to balance craft, visibility, and the emotional realities of making new work, this conversation is full of practical insight and encouragement. History Through Fiction with Colin Mustful is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe [https://colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Office Hours with Colin Mustful and Melissa Makarewicz

In this Office Hours conversation, Colin Mustful and Melissa Makarewicz move from the mechanics of storytelling to the realities of building a sustainable writing life. They unpack the difference between interiority and foreshadowing, why subtlety matters on the page, and how writers can trust readers more while still guiding emotion and tension. From there, the discussion turns to something just as essential: support. Melissa shares why authors and creatives thrive when they build intentional communities—through coaching, peer groups, Substack connections, and collaborative spaces like History Through Fiction’s team time. Colin reflects on recent events as well, including a conversation with Rob Hardy, a BIPOC historical fiction panel, and the ongoing challenge of balancing literary values, diversity, and sustainability in publishing. They also preview upcoming workshops, events, and opportunities for writers and readers to connect more deeply with the History Through Fiction community. If you’re thinking about craft, community, publishing, or the future of historical fiction, this conversation offers practical insight, honest reflection, and encouraging next steps. History Through Fiction with Colin Mustful is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe [https://colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]