CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY with Evelyn Skye

Welcome back to Letters from the Creative Life. These occasional essays explore the quieter corners of living: small reflections on art, ambition, and the tender balancing act of building a meaningful life in a noisy world. Think of them as letters from my life to yours. If you’re listening to this on a podcasting platform rather than Substack, this will be the last episode of this podcast season. Feel free to dig into the podcast archives while I’m on break. During that time, I will still be writing more essays and behind-the-scenes content over on my Substack, so please come hang out with me there at creativeinspiredhappy.com . *** Virtual Launch Party + Origami Workshop You’re invited to my virtual Launch Party + Paper Rose Origami Workshop [https://lu.ma/41uqlcze] on Sunday, August 17th at 8pm ET / 5pm PT. Come learn to fold your own messages of hope—I’d love to see you there! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe [https://www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

My guest today is Simon & Schuster senior editor Lara Jones, who also happens to be my editor for The Incredible Kindness of Paper. Today, we talk about: * how she became an editor, * an explanation of Big 5 publisher structure and their imprints (like Atria and Emily Bestler Books, under the umbrella of Simon & Schuster) * the difference between women's fiction and romance genres, * what editors look for when acquiring books, * how she knows when a manuscript is "the One" and worth fighting for, * behind the scenes of an auction and the making of a can't-say-no book deal * Deeper dive: The Mechanics of How Book Auctions Work [https://www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/p/how-do-book-auctions-work] * the editorial process - how we worked together and what were our favorite parts * an editor's many hats: in charge of not only editing, but also quarterbacking/coordinating with production, publicity, marketing, sales, * the process of designing cover art, from conception to author input to sales team feedback, * behind the scenes of the publisher on book launch day, and so much more. You’re invited to my Launch Party + Paper Rose Origami Workshop In case you missed it, you can RSVP now [https://lu.ma/41uqlcze] (it’s free!) for my virtual launch party + origami workshop, where I’ll teach you to make two paper roses inspired by my book. We’ll also talk about the behind-the-scenes of writing The Incredible Kindness of Paper. 🟨 Looking for our community of readers and writers? Join 24,000+ at CreativeInspiredHappy.com [http://CreativeInspiredHappy.com] : - ask questions of upcoming podcast guests, - behind-the-scenes publishing insights, - Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, - and more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe [https://www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

My guest today is New York Times bestselling author Clare Leslie Hall. Her novel, Broken Country, was also a Reese's Book Club pick earlier this year. Today, we talk about: * what stories draw Clare's attention, * the importance of backlist and how those books can come back to surprise you * pen names and their purpose in publishing, * how she harnesses ideas once they appear, * blending genres: romantic suspense, courtroom drama, and domestic noir * writing class tension without slipping into cliche, * the storytelling advice that completely changed the way she thinks about research and writing, * and so much more. Connect with Clare: You can find Clare on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/clarelesliehall/?hl=en] and her website [https://clarelesliehall.com/]. Her novel, Broken Country [https://bookshop.org/p/books/broken-country-clare-leslie-hall/21530525?ean=9781668078181&next=t], is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer! 🟨 Looking for our community of readers and writers? Join 24,000+ at CreativeInspiredHappy.com [http://CreativeInspiredHappy.com] : - ask questions of upcoming podcast guests, - behind-the-scenes publishing insights, - creativity mini-challenges, - Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, - and more. Podcast booking inquiries: info@creativeinspiredhappy.com [info@creativeinspiredhappy.com] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe [https://www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Hello, Protagonists! My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Hattie Williams, a former book publicist whose debut novel, Bitter Sweet, is about... a book publicist who falls for a legendary author she's working for. Hattie has not only worked in publishing as a publicist but also in marketing and editorial, and before that, she was a musician and songwriter who has toured across Europe. Today, we talk about: * how Hattie fell into writing as a young mother, * her experience in the publishing world and how that informed the settings and stories in Bitter Sweet. * writing complicated, toxic relationships without veering into judgment of the characters, * how her background as a book publicist has helped her publicize her own book on both Instagram and Substack, * whether songwriting affects her novel writing, and so much more. Want more of Hattie? You can find Hattie on Substack [https://hattiewilliams.substack.com/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hattiewilliamswrites/]. Bitter Sweet [https://bookshop.org/p/books/bitter-sweet-hattie-williams/21874227?ean=9780593874202&next=t], is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer! 🟨 Looking for our community of readers and writers? Join 24,000+ at CreativeInspiredHappy.com [http://CreativeInspiredHappy.com] : - ask questions of upcoming podcast guests, - behind-the-scenes publishing insights, - creativity mini-challenges, - Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, - and more. Podcast booking inquiries: info@creativeinspiredhappy.com [info@creativeinspiredhappy.com] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe [https://www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Welcome to another episode of the Creative. Inspired. Happy. podcast—where we go behind the scenes with the storytellers shaping our culture. My guest today is Nikki Erlick, New York Times Bestselling author of The Measure, which was a TODAY Show/Read with Jenna book pick. Nikki's work has been translated into 24 languages worldwide, and her newest novel, The Poppy Fields, is out now. Today, we talk about: * Nikki's favorite childhood books, * Her experience first as a travel writer and ghost writer, before shifting to fiction, * Why she's drawn to big, existential questions in her novels, * How she is able to write without thinking about what her audience is expecting of her, * pouring herself into the characters of The Poppy Fields, and so much more. Want more of Nikki? You can find Nikki on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nikkierlick/] and her website [https://www.nikkierlick.com/]. Her newest novel, The Poppy Fields [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-poppy-fields-deluxe-limited-edition-nikki-erlick/22086358?ean=9780063349339&next=t], is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer! 🟨 Looking for our community of readers and writers? Join 24,000+ at CreativeInspiredHappy.com [http://CreativeInspiredHappy.com] : - ask questions of upcoming podcast guests, - behind-the-scenes publishing insights, - creativity mini-challenges, - Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers, - and more. Podcast booking inquiries: info@creativeinspiredhappy.com [info@creativeinspiredhappy.com] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe [https://www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]