Exploring the Blank Page

We're back with the final episode for this season and we're talking about what you do when you have multiple deadlines when you have all the things going. We know you are going to enjoy this episode! Mentioned It Happened at Christmas | Christen Krumm Nadine Brandes on Instagram @NadineBrandes The Forest App If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

Today we're excited to be chatting with a new to us author, Anna Augustine. We chat about how she approaches writing, what her time management looks like, and her new book By Blood & Blade. Sit back and enjoy this conversation with Anna! Lisa T. Bergren is the reason I write romantic fantasy. — Anna Augustine Stories have always been part of Anna Augustine’s life—whether on the page, stage, or songs. She loves telling stories that speak truth, hope, and courage into the lives of her readers. She is the author of two novella collections—When You Found Me and A Love Like Ours—has been published on Havok Publishing and has been in multiple anthologies including Fool's Honor and Aphotic Love. When she's not writing, Anna loves spending time with her family, snuggling with her two dogs, trying to put a dent in her never-ending stack of books, and working as a teacher’s aide in a kindergarten classroom. Connect with Anna on her webiste (https://www.anna-augustine-author.com) and Instagram @anna_augustine_author. Mentioned By Light and Love | Anna Augustine By Blood and Blade | Anna Augustine The Inheritance Games | Jennifer Lynn Barnes If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

We were swept away by the first line in Ashley Bustamante's book Vivid "How do you keep a mentalist out of your head?" I mean ... How can you stop reading after that line! We so enjoyed chatting with Ashley. She drops so many little pieces of writing wisdom all throughout the episode. We know you are going to love our chat with Ashley! Only you can tell your story like you can." —Ashley Bustamante Ashley Bustamante is an author and illustrator, wife, mother, and daughter of God. She spent most of her life in Arizona but currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, their two daughters, and their son. Her tastes in literature are varied; She loves Jane Eyre and To Kill a Mockingbird, but also won't turn down The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a good graphic novel, or anything by Beatrix Potter. And of course, she has an unapologetic love for YA, particularly dystopian, fantasy, or sci-fi. Connect with Ashley on her website (https://www.ashleybustamante.com) and Instagram (@authorashleybustamante) Mentioned Vivid | Ashely Bustamante Radiant | Ashley Bustamante A Lamb and a Llama | Ashley Bustamante The Mermaid's Tale | L.E. Richmond If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

Whimsical, magical, and so sweet, you guys are going to love our conversation with Brittany Eden. She was so fun to chat with! We talked about how she got started writing, her new books Wishes and Hearts, and touch a little on her time in the circus — yes, the actual circus! Sit back and enjoy this conversation with Brittany Eden. The blank page is beautiful. — Brittany Eden A former Circus dweller, Brittany writes lyrical stories of heart transformation with a timeless, feminine voice. Find out more about her stories at brittanyeden.com and avoid social media pressure by subscribing to her newsletter From Eden To Eternity, where, as a free gift, you can choose from either a personalized book recommendation, a customized playlist for your work-in-progress or favorite book, or *most popular* constructive feedback on the first page of your manuscript! Connect with Brittany on her website (https://brittanyeden.com/) and Instagram (@brittanyedenauthor)! Mentioned Wishes | Brittany Eden Hearts | Brittany Eden Orthodoxy | G.K. Chesterton Rouge Pursuit | BL Dean Twilight | Stephanie Meyers Pride and Prejudice | Jane Austen Odyssey | Homer Calculated | Nova McBee Echo North | Joanna Ruth Meyer Wind Daughter | Joanna Ruth Meyer Rebel Seoul | Axie Oh The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea | Axie Oh If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

We have been wanting to get Tamara Girardi on the podcast for over a year now, and we are so excited she's chatting with us today! Not only is Tamara an awesome author, but she also happens to be an English teacher. In this episode, she shares how so teaches her creative writing classes, a little about her new duology with WiseWolf, and she may mention her favorite cupcake flavor that will have everyone's mouths watering. We know you are going to enjoy this episode! "It is so critical that you surround yourself with people who will push you and lift you up." — Tamara Girardi Tamara Girardi writes books for children and teens. Her award-winning debut young adult novel, Gridiron Girl, tells the story of Julia Medina who quits the volleyball team to compete against her boyfriend for the starting quarterback position. Three additional sports novels in the Iron Valley Vikings series followed in 2022. Above the Fold is the first book in Tamara’s second series, all about teens exploring their dreams and their true selves through exhibits at a popular, mardi-gras-esque hotspot called Carnivalesque. Above the Fold released in January of 2023, and its sequel, Behind the Mask followed in February, both from Wise Wolf Books. Tamara’s debut board book, Why, Daddy? Why? was named a 2022 Editor’s Pick by Amazon. Also an academic, Tamara is a college English professor. She lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and four adorably rambunctious children. Connect with Tamara on her website (https://www.tamaragirardi.com/), TikTok (@TamaraGirardiAuthor), Instagram (@girarditamara), Facebook (@TamaraGirardiAuthor), and Twitter (@TamaraGirardi) Mentioned Above the Fold | Tamara Girardi Behind the Mask | Tamara Girardi Iron Valley Series | Tamara Girardi Calculated Series | Nova McBee Why Daddy Why? | Tamara Girardi Save the Cat | Blake Snyder Mayo Angelo Poetry Collection If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

We have a fantastic episode for you today! In this episode, we chat with the multi-genred, multitalented author Becky Dean (or BL Dean). She's written both contemporary and sci-fi and is such a powerhouse (we lost count midway through the episode of how many books she has released this year alone). Also, get ready to add some destinations to your travel wish list after listening to this episode — we loved hearing about Becky's adventures. We know you are going to enjoy this episode. "Be at peace with not being able to do it all." —Becky Dean Becky Dean is a fan of adventures both real and fictional. When she’s not writing or traveling, she can be found drinking tea, watching science fiction shows, or quoting The Lord of the Rings. Though she lives in Texas with her husband, she remains a Southern California girl at heart. Connect with Becky on her website and Instagram (@beckydeanwrites) Mentioned Shades of Starlight series | BL Dean Love & Other Great Expectations | Becky Dean Picture-Perfect Boyfriend | Becky Dean Remington Steel The Stardust Thief | Chelsea Abdullah Six of Crows | Leigh Bardugo If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

You are in for a treat! In this episode, we chat with author Candace Kade about her amazing debut Enhanced. We'd chat about Candace growing up in China and her inspiration behind Enhanced (which, in itself is inspiring). Sit back and enjoy this episode! "Writing is a long game and it's about perseverance." — Candace Kade Candace Kade is a recovering over-achiever who spends her time dreaming up stories typically involving tech, psychology, culture, and/or swords. She’s a certified Krav Maga assistant instructor and loves writing action-packed martial art scenes. A third culture kid, she considers Chengdu and Austin to be her homes. When she’s not exploring new countries, she enjoys hiking in national parks, moving, teaching her husband Mandarin, and keeping a baby human alive. She can be bribed with boba tea, fluffy puppies, and breakfast tacos. Connect with Candace on her website or Instagram. Mentioned Enhanced | Candace Kade Wishtress | Nadine Brandes Recruit of Talionis | CJ Milacci The Eternity Gate | Katherine Briggs If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

This episode with Haylie Hanson was so much fun! We spend so much time geeking out over our favorite fandoms, talking about how writing feels like home, and the importance of fan fiction (no really). Haylie shares about maybe a not-quite-so-embarrassing fan fiction run when she was a teen and all about her Luminaut series. Sit back and enjoy this episode! "Make a plan, but be prepared for the plan to change and shift." — Haylie Hanson Haylie Hanson writes YA fantasy about quirky kids with superpowers, portals to magical new worlds, and finding your destiny--also, robots are involved. She dreams of having adventures in a galaxy far, far away, but she'll settle for those closer to home, especially if dirty chai is involved. Connect with Haylie on her website, Instagram (@therealhayliehanson), and sign up for her newsletter. Mentioned The Luminaut Series | Haylie Hanson The Aurora Cycle | Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff Sorcery of Thorns | Margaret Rogerson Long Live the Pumpkin Queen | Shea Ernshaw If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

You guys are not ready for this episode. I know we say that literally every single episode, but this episode ... oh this episode. We are chatting with the powerhouse that is C.J. Redwine and Mary Weber. They share their heart behind The Writer's Sanctuary and The Red Herring Society, and they drop so much wisdom in this episode we know you are going to be itching to find your tribe and write by the end of our conversation. "There's only so much of the blank page you can stare at before you have to grab hold of it and jump in." — Mary Weber "There is no one right way to produce the book, as long as you produce the book." — CJ Redwine C.J. Redwine is a New York Times bestselling author, public speaker, publishing and marketing consultant, ghostwriter, and coach with twelve years experience in teaching all areas of creative writing, publishing, and marketing. She’s especially passionate about helping writers level up their skills and their careers. She’s a diehard fan of going to the movies, keeps a 6-foot-tall Loki figure in her office, and will debate the merits of Batman over Superman with anyone she meets. She once punched herself in the face on a ride at Disneyland. She doesn’t recommend it. Connect with C.J. on Instagram @cjredwine. Mary Weber is a freelance editor, marketing strategist, and ghostwriter who's worked with NYT bestselling authors, Hollywood film producers, the Big 4 publishers, and multi-million dollar entrepreneurs on fiction, nonfiction, developing powerhouse marketing plans, author brands, film pitches, and proposals. She’s also the bestselling author of six books, including the Storm Siren Trilogy and the award-winning To Best the Boys. In her spare time, Mary sings 80’s hairband songs to her three muggle children and lives in California, where she and her husband stalk aging superstars while wearing fanny packs and sweatpants. Connect with Mary on her website at ⁠MaryWeber.com⁠ or on Instagram @MaryWeberAuthor. Mentioned on This Episode The Writer's Sanctuary YouTube of Cj + Mary Playing Beanboozled The Red Herring Society Lux The University The Guest List | Lucy Foley One Dark Window | Rachel Gillig How I'll Kill You | Ren DeStefano Find Him Where You Left Him Dead | Kristen Simmons If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

We are so excited about this episode with New York Times Bestselling author Scott Reintgen. We have been long been fans of Scott's and were floored when he agreed to come on Exploring the Blank Page as a guest. He shared the amazing story of how his newest book, A Door in the Dark, almost wasn't, how he keeps going after rejection and gives some amazing tips on juggling both an author career and fatherhood. You are going to be so fired up to write after listening to this episode. Enjoy! "I start every writing day with yesterday." — Scott Reintgen Scott Reintgen is an author of science fiction and fantasy books. He wrote the Nyxia trilogy, the Ashlords series, the Talespinners series, and The Problem with Prophecies. His next book is the young adult fantasy thriller—A Door in the Dark. He began his career as an English and Creative Writing teacher in North Carolina. He strongly believes that every student who steps into the classroom deserves to see themselves, vibrant and victorious and on the page. It’s his hope to encourage a future full of diverse writers. You can find him working in coffee shops, speaking in schools around the country, or teaching writing courses online. He currently lives in North Carolina with his wife Katie, and their three wild children. Connect with Scott on his website, Instagram @reintgen, and Twitter @Scott_Thought Mentioned on This Episode Nyxia | Scott Reintgen A Door in the Dark | Scott Reintgen Twitter thread on how A Door in the Dark almost wasn't Ashlords Duology | Scott Reintgen Scott's Interview on Authors & Audiences The Problem with Prophecies | Scott Reintgen The Drama with Doomsday | Scott Reintgen Under the Whispering Door | TJ Klune House on the Cerulean Sea | TJ Klune Scott's Writing Class If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

You are going to love our chat with Hayley Reese Chow! She's had such amazing adventures and we loved hearing about them in this episode. She dropped so many truths and encouragement that we know you are going to walk away from this episode ready to write! "Learn to rest. Not to quit." — Hayley Reese Chow, author of Into the Churn Hayley Reese Chow is the author of Odriel's Heirs, the 2020 winner of the Florida Author Project, Wishing Shelf Book Award Bronze Medalist, and 5th place finalist in the 2021 Book Blogger Novel of the Year Awards. She is also the author of Into the Churn, a romantic YA sci-fi coming from Whimsical Publishing in April 2023. Until recently though, she’s mostly done a lot of things that have nothing at all to do with writing. Her hat collection includes mother, wife, engineer, USAF veteran, reservist, four-time All-American fencer, 100-mile ultramarathoner, triathlete, world traveler, book inhaler, and super nerd. Hayley currently lives in Florida with two small wild boys, her long-suffering husband, and her miniature ragehound. But at night, when the house is still, she writes. Connect with Hayley Reese Chow on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @HayleyReeseChow Mentioned in This Episode Into the Churn | Hayley Reese Chow Odriel's Heirs | Hayley Reese Chow Save the Cat | Blake Snyder Revenge of the Queen Rose | Valinora Troy The Wretched of Muirwood | Jeff Wheeler Defend the Dawn | Brigid Kemmerer If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

If you've been thinking about kickstarting a project, this episode is for you! Even if you aren't thinking about Kickstarter, you'll still get so much out of this episode. We're chatting with author and Kickstarter queen CJ Milacci. CJ shares so much wisdom on writing and Kickstarter — you don't want to miss this episode! "Writing is such a nice, enjoyable, crazy process." —CJ Milacci, author of Recruit of Talionis CJ Milacci writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As a referee, she’s always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance. Connect with CJ and sign up for her newsletter on her website: https://cjmilacci.com or follow her on Instagram @cjmilacci Mentioned in this Episode Recruit of Talionis Fugitive of Talionis Kickstarter The Snowflake Method | Randy Ingermanson The Story Equation | Susan May Warren Save the Cat | Blake Snyder Silver Bounty | Victoria McCombs The Change | Bradley Caffee Renegade Skyfarer | RJ Metcalf Calculated Series | Nova McBee If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

We're officially back with season three! We give a quick update on where in the world we've been for the past two years (a lot of all over the place) and gush about what we've been reading and what we have coming up this season (we're so excited!) We hope you enjoy this episode (and season) as much as we have. Have a question for Emilie or Christen? Leave us a message by clicking the "message" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage Mentioned in This Episode Suspended in the Stars | EA Hendryx Expired Promise | Emilie Haney On the Golden Cliffs | Christen Krumm Ashlords | Scott Reintgen Nyxia | Scott Reintgen The Damned | Renee Ahdieh The Beautiful | Renee Ahdieh Stars and Smoke | Marie Lu Critical Mass | Daniel Suarez Secrets So Deep | Ginny Myers Sain The Inheritance Games series | Jennifer L. Barnes I Must Betray You | Ruta Sepetys Activated | Nova McBee Rebel Brave and Brutal | Shannon Dittemore Skyward series | Brandon Sanderson Nothing More to Tell | Karen McManus Defy the Night | Brigid Kemmerer Defend the Dawn | Brigid Kemmerer Beyond the Wand | Tom Felton Namesake | Adrienne Young The Last Legacy | Adrienne Young Saint | Adrienne Young A Million Junes | Emily Henry Hello Girls | Emily Henry & Brittany Cavallaro Good Girls Guide to Murder | Holly Jackson Good Girl, Bad Blood | Holly Jackson Five Survive | Holly Jackson Vampire Hearts and Other Dead Things | Margie Fuston If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

Tracy Andreen was born in Southern California but raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in Journalism and Professional Writing then promptly moved to Los Angeles where she spent many years in the world of film development, employed at Amblin/DreamWorks and Mandalay Pictures, among others. She began her paid writing career when she took it upon herself to revise some properties in development at Mandalay and ultimately left that side of the film world to pursue writing full time. In her spare time, she enjoys staring at her fantasy football lineup, hiking, gardening, perusing homes on Zillow, and making some amazingly cool candles that you totally would buy if only she would at long last set up that website. For links on everything we mentioned in this episode visit: https://www.exploringtheblankpage.com/

Chelsea Bobulski was born in Columbus, Ohio, and raised on Disney movies, Broadway musicals, and Buckeye pride. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in history and promptly married her high school sweetheart. As a writer, she has a soft spot for characters with broken pasts, strange talents, and obstacles they must overcome for a brighter future. She now lives in Northwest Ohio with her husband, her daughter, and one very emotive German Shepherd/Lab mix.  For links on everything we mentioned in this episode visit: https://www.exploringtheblankpage.com/

Rektok Ross is the pen name of Liani Kotcher, a trial attorney turned award-winning young adult author and book blogger. An avid reader since childhood, Liani writes exactly the kind of books she loves to escape into herself: exciting thrillers with strong female leads, swoon-worthy love interests, and life-changing moments. She graduated from the University of Florida School of Journalism and obtained her juris doctorate at the University of Miami School of Law. Originally from South Florida, she currently splits her time between San Francisco and Los Angeles with her husband, stepkids, and her dogs. You can find her online just about anywhere at @RektokRoss, as well as on her website, www.RektokRoss.com, where she blogs about books and writing. For links on everything we mentioned in this episode visit: https://www.exploringtheblankpage.com/

Tif Marcelo is a veteran US Army nurse and holds a BS in Nursing and a Master’s in public administration. She believes and writes about the strength of families, the endurance of friendship, heartfelt romances, and is inspired daily by her own military hero husband and four children. She hosts The Stories to Love Podcast, and is the USA Today bestselling author of In a Book Club Far Away, Once Upon a Sunset, The Key to Happily Ever After, which was a Target Diverse Book Club pick, The Holiday Switch, and the Heart Resort and Journey to the Heart series. She and her books have been featured in The Today Show, Shondaland, Real Simple Magazine, The Asian Journal and more! Her website, which includes a link to her newsletter, is www.TifMarcelo.com For links on everything we mentioned in this episode visit: https://www.exploringtheblankpage.com/

Merry Christmas! We are so excited to be back for a mini holiday season. This week we will be releasing an episode every day interviewing YA authors about their holiday novels!  Grab a cup of your favorite holiday drink and enjoy this episode!  For links on everything we chatted about in this episode visit: https://www.exploringtheblankpage.com/

We have come to the end of season 2! Emilie and Christen give a quick writing update (they are busy writers!) + reflect over what they learned this season. As always, for links to what we chatted about in this episode, visit: exploringtheblankpage.com

Lorie Langdon is one half of the author team that writes the best-selling DOON series, a young adult reimagining of the musical Brigadoon. A few years ago, she left her corporate career to satisfy the voices in her head. Now she spends her days tucked into her office, Havanese puppy by her side, working to translate her effusive imagination into the written word. Lorie has been interviewed on Entertainment Weekly.com and several NPR radio programs, including Lisa Loeb’s national Kid Lit show. The DOON series has been featured on such high-profile sites as USAToday.com, Hypable.com, and BroadwayWorld.com. Lorie’s solo debut, GILT HOLLOW, a YA romantic thriller, released September 27th, 2016. GILT HOLLOW was recently named by Redbook Magazine as one of the “Books By Women You Must Read This Fall.” website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest Links for what we chatted about in this episode:  Doon Series — https://amzn.to/3uKWhsn Gilt Hollow — https://amzn.to/3pkTXHM  Olivia Twist — https://amzn.to/3vSbjOG Original Oliver Twist Movie — https://amzn.to/3g5jrVl Oliver Twist — https://amzn.to/3vNJ5of Truly Devious | Maureen Johnson — https://amzn.to/2Saxr85 Caraval series | Stephanie Garber — https://amzn.to/3phudf7 Lorie Langdon Playlists — https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb5sN9ENXPjr488AxPyq3mw/playlists