Debut Writers

What does it really take to land a traditional publishing deal—and is it worth it?In this episode of Debut Writers, Anne sits down with publishing expert Ami McConnell to break down the traditional publishing path from start to finish. From securing a literary agent to understanding advances, royalties, and contracts, this conversation uncovers the realities most authors don’t see until they’re already in the process.You’ll learn the true role of agents, why publishing is first and foremost a business, and how to determine whether traditional publishing aligns with your personal goals as an author. This episode is a must-listen for anyone considering the traditional route—or questioning if it’s the right fit.#traditionalpublishing #writingpodcast #amwriting #authors #publishing #bookwriting #debutwriters #writinglife #authorjourney #publishingtips

Debut Writers – Season 6, Episode 1Finding the Perfect Fit: Building Your Writing Support Team with Annalisa SummeaWhat does it really take to go from a finished manuscript to a publishable book—and who do you actually need in your corner to make it happen?In this season premiere of Debut Writers, we’re diving into one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of a writing career: building the right support team.I’m joined by Annalisa Summea to break down how writers can find, evaluate, and collaborate with the professionals who shape their work and their path to publication. From editors and agents to coaches and early readers, we talk about how to identify the right fit for your goals—and how the wrong fit can hold you back.In this episode, we cover:What a strong writing support team really looks like at different stagesHow to know when you’re ready for an editor, coach, or agentRed flags to watch for when hiring publishing professionalsThe difference between developmental support and industry accessHow to advocate for your vision while still growing your craftWhether you’re just starting your first draft or preparing to query, this conversation will help you make smarter, more confident decisions about who you bring into your writing journey.🎙️ If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I need help—and if so, from who?”—this episode is for you.—Listen, follow, and share with a writer who’s ready to take the next step.

In this episode, Anne Brooks interviews Amy Hendrickson, an award-winning writer and editor, about the intricacies of book coaching and ghostwriting. They discuss Amy's journey into the industry, the importance of capturing an author's voice, and the emotional aspects of writing, especially when dealing with trauma. The conversation also covers the differences between hiring a ghostwriter and a book coach, the editing process, and the significance of feedback in the publishing journey. Listeners gain insights into the writing process, the role of editors, and the value of accountability in writing.

🎙️ Would a Publisher Say YES to Your Manuscript? | Ami McConnell on Editing, Publishing & WriterFestIn this powerful finale to our Editing Season, we sit down with Ami McConnell, a veteran editor with 20+ years in traditional publishing. From her roles as Senior Acquisitions Editor at HarperCollins to Editor-in-Chief & VP at Simon & Schuster’s Howard Books, Ami has shaped New York Times bestsellers and award-winning books—and today, she’s here to answer the question every aspiring author asks: “Would a publisher say yes to my manuscript?”Ami shares insider insights on:✅ What publishers look for in a debut manuscript✅ How editing really works behind the scenes✅ The biggest mistakes first-time authors make✅ Her journey from corporate publishing to founding WriterFest Nashville and her own literary agency📚 Whether you’re just starting your writing journey or preparing to pitch your book, this episode is packed with must-know advice to help you write, revise, and publish like a pro.🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with your fellow writers!#AmiMcConnell #DebutWritersPodcast #WriterFest #PublishingTips #BookEditing #ManuscriptTips #HowToGetPublished #WritingAdvice #FirstTimeAuthor #TraditionalPublishing

In this episode, Amy dives into the crucial role of editing those first pages to gain a literary agent's attention. She explains why a polished manuscript isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential—and what level of editorial guidance writers can expect from an agent. You’ll also hear her practical advice for self-editing, assembling a strong submission packet, and getting your work truly ready for agent consideration. If you’re preparing to query—or just wondering how close your manuscript is to being “done”—you won’t want to miss this conversation. Let’s get into it.Amy has some amazing resources on her website for free!

In this episode of Debut Writers, we're joined by Deborah Froese, Executive Editor at Indigo River Publishing and award-winning author, to demystify the editing process for authors. With over 20 years of experience, Deb shares what writers need to know when hiring or working with an editor—from setting realistic expectations and timelines, to navigating editorial feedback and understanding costs.Whether you're self-publishing or working with a hybrid press, this episode is packed with insights on how to build a strong author-editor relationship and avoid common pitfalls. Deb also shares what she looks for in a manuscript and how authors can make the most of the revision process.🔹 Topics Covered:The editor's role in publishingHow to choose the right editorWhat to expect during revisionsCosts and timelines for editingTips for a successful author-editor collaboration🎙️ Plus, Deb talks about her own podcast Write, Writer, Write and her journey mentoring new editors.👉 Perfect for first-time authors, indie writers, or anyone curious about what goes on behind the scenes in the editing world!#AuthorTips #EditingProcess #IndiePublishing #WritingAdvice #DeborahFroese #DebutWritersPodcast

Learn how to find beta readers and editors as a first-time author. Tips for debut writers on getting quality feedback, choosing the right editor, and improving your book before publishing.

Welcome back to Debut Writers! In this series, we’ve been talking about how to structure your book from beginning to end. Today we are joined by DL Jennings, author of the Highglade series, an epic fantasy trilogy of gods and magic. He’s joins us to discuss his process for writing a successful 3 book series. Find DL Jennings on his website and follow him on Instagram! Watch now on our ⁠YouTube Channel ⁠and subscribe to our ⁠Substack Newsletter ⁠so you never miss an episode.

Welcome back to Debut Writers! In this series, we’ve been talking about how to structure your book from beginning to end. We have focused on the 3 Act structure, as outlined in "Save the Cat Writes a Novel" (my personal favorite), but we also want to touch on other story structures out there. This episode, we go through a few of these and discuss which one is best for your genre. Watch now on our YouTube Channel and subscribe to our Substack Newsletter so you never miss an episode.

In this series, we've been discussing structuring and writing your book, start to finish. This is more than just a plot; it’s a structure in which events need to happen in your story. In the previous episodes we introduced the Beat Sheet and Three Act Structure from the popular "Save the Cat Write’s a Novel." Using this beat sheet is like following a road map. In last episode, we discussed Act 2, or the dreaded middle as many of us author’s call it. Today we will be writing the finale, the big moment, the point in which your character has gone through real change. Subscribe to our Substack Newsletter

Hey writers! In this series, we're discussing structuring and writing your book start to finish. This is so much more than just a plot; it’s a structure in which events need to happen in your story. In the episode about Act I, we introduced the Beat Sheet from the popular SAVE THE CAT WRITES A NOVEL. We talked about Act 1, in which you will need that opening scene and most importantly your theme statement. Go listen if you missed it! Today we're diving into Act 2, or what most authors call "the dreaded middle." Watch our full series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DebutWriters Subscribe to our Substack Newsletter: https://substack.com/@debutwriters?utm_source=top-search

We’re so excited to welcome Sloan Harlow, bestselling author of Everything We Never Said, to today’s episode. Sloan’s debut book released earlier this year, and we’re honored to have her on the show to talk to us about her writing, becoming a published author, and more.

So, basically everyone wants to write a bestseller. In fact, most author’s we talk to say this is one of their main goals. But how does that actually work? Is there a proven strategy to writing a bestselling novel, or is it luck? In this episode we explore what it takes to write a bestseller and it's not what you'd think...

In this episode we explore strategies and techniques designed to keep you motivated, productive, and focused on reaching that crucial milestone—the completion of your debut novel. Whether you're navigating plot twists, fine-tuning characters, or tackling the challenges of daily writing, let's discuss ways to maintain momentum and achieve your writing goals on schedule.

In this episode we explore the age-old debate of planning versus pantsing—deciding whether to meticulously outline your story or dive right into the writing process. Establishing your unique writing pattern is key not only to completing your debut novel but also to shaping your journey as an author. Missed our earlier episodes? Find them all at ⁠http://www.youtube.com/@DebutWriters⁠.

This is episode five in our second series, Creating a Vision for your book. In this episode, we talk with bestselling author Ginny Myers Sain, who joins us to talk about her writing journey and becoming a traditionally published author. Make sure to check out our Substack Newsletter to learn more about Ginny Myers Sain. Follow Ginny Myers Sain on Instagram and check out her website

This is episode four in our series, Creating a Vision for your book. Today we’re pulling it all together by talking about your vision as an author. We've talked about all the things you need to consider in order to create a vision for your book and why it’s important to keep your purpose, goal, and target audience in mind when writing your first novel. Now, let's talk about how this lays a foundation for your career as an author.

Figuring out your target audience is crucial for tailoring your book's content, style, and marketing strategies to the people most likely to read and enjoy it. Today’s episode is all about identifying your target audience. There are steps and considerations to help you do this: such as defining the purpose of your book (which we discussed in a previous episode). Don't forget to subscribe to our Substack Newsletter

This is episode two in our series, "Creating a Vision" for your book, and today we’re talking about knowing your goal. An author’s goal will dictate the type of publishing they need to pursue, and knowing your ultimate goal for wanting to publish a book can be vital to understand prior to or during the writing process. As much as you write that first book for yourself, you need to keep your goal in mind otherwise you might not be able to achieve success with the book down the road. Setting clear goals before beginning to write a book can help authors stay focused, overcome obstacles, and ultimately achieve what they set out to do with their writing. Also make sure to subscribe to our Substack Newsletter

Welcome back to Debut Writers! We’re starting series two today, all about creating a vision for your book. There are several compelling reasons why someone might decide to write a book. Today we are going to talk about how you can identify your purpose for writing, why you should, and how this will help you in creating your vision.