Literary Blend: A Publishing Podcast

As authors, we find light and hope through writing, and Mickey Black joined me for chapter seventy-nine of Literary Blend to cover this relatable topic. From putting words on the page to process experiences and emotions to working on new stories to reignite our love for writing when publishing gets tough, Mickey and I had an open and honest conversation about the beauty of writing in all its forms, and specifically for us, fiction, poetry, and songs. I absolutely loved having Mickey on the show, so I hope you enjoy listening and feel inspired to search for the light in the darkness when life is hard and the publishing industry casts shadows over your dreams.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

On the heels of World Poetry Day and with National Poetry Month coming in April, there’s no better time to cover poetry on Literary Blend. Alana Avellino joined me for chapter seventy-eight to pull back the poetry curtain. From being concise and intentional with word choice to penning poems that resonate with readers, our conversation is a fabulous glimpse into the process of a poet. I hope you love listening and feel inspired to write honest poetry of your own.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

You want readers to discover your books, right? Sure you do! In chapter seventy-seven of Literary Blend, Leah Paulos joined me to cover book publicity in today’s media landscape. No matter what path to publication you’re pursuing, promoting your books is key to reach your audience and get your stories in the hands of readers. Leah and I shared so much golden advice for PR in the publishing world, so I hope our conversation inspires you to put on your publicist hat and get the word out about your books.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Are you ready to go back in time and solve a mystery? Sure you are! I’m delighted to share chapter seventy-six of Literary Blend with Norman Woolworth all about writing historical mystery. During our fabulous chat, we talked about blending history and mystery, dual timeline narratives, writing a mystery or thriller as a plotter or pantser, choosing settings, and much more. Whether you write historical mysteries or not, this chapter of the show is full of gems for all authors. I loved having Norman on Literary Blend, so I hope you have a blast listening and learn more about historical mystery along the way.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Happy almost Valentine’s Day! There’s no better time to talk about romance, so I’m super excited to share chapter seventy-five of the show with Thea Landen all about romance reader expectations. From the craft to marketing, we explored key aspects of the romance genre and how to best meet reader expectations. Whether you write romance or not, I hope you’ll walk away from this chapter with more knowledge about the genre and how to keep these readers happy. Huge thank you to Thea for joining me on the show for such a fabulous conversation. Grab some candy hearts, hit play, and live happily ever after!Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Do you like writing more than one genre? Are you interested in both traditional and self-publishing? Well, you’re in luck, because Rebecca Minelga sat down with me for chapter seventy-four to cover being a multi-genre and hybrid author. We chatted about the pros and cons of writing in more than one genre and pursuing a hybrid career, and Rebecca shared personal experiences from her own publishing journey. I really enjoyed having Rebecca on the show for this conversation, so I hope you love listening and gain insight into the life of a multi-genre and hybrid author.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Step aside, hero’s journey, Emily Rozmus joined me for chapter seventy-three to shine the spotlight on the heroine’s journey. During our chat, we covered the differences between the hero’s journey and heroine’s journey, key characteristics of the heroine’s journey, tips for following a story framework, and more. If you have ever wanted to explore the heroine’s journey in your own writing, this chapter is for you. I can’t thank Emily enough for coming on the show to share her knowledge. I learned so much from her and hope you will, too.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Are you ready to plunge into the story inspiration pool? I hope so, because I’m kicking off this year’s Literary Blend chapters with my fabulous author friend, Adele Liles, for chapter seventy-two all about inspiration. From discussing where inspiration comes from to sharing tips for finding the spark to work on stories when we’re not feeling inspired, this conversation is full of personal experiences, insights, and shiny advice. Also, Adele’s plot twist is absolutely hilarious, so you don’t want to miss that. I hope you love listening to our conversation and feel inspired to chase your publishing dreams this year.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Surprise! I’ve decided to end 2025 with another interlude, and let me just say you are in for a very fun ride with this one. Michelle Sanchez and Z. T. Fairfax joined me on the show to chat about choosing between story ideas. Since a new year is right around the corner, this is a great time to think about what stories you want to write in 2026. From reflecting on what projects you feel you can see through to the end to being aware of the market, I hope our conversation gives you golden advice for how you can pick between your WIPs. This interlude is the perfect blend of insightful, entertaining, and a little chaotic, and I’m delighted it’s finally yours. Thank you so much to Michelle and Zack for being superstar guests and for wrapping up another fabulous year of Literary Blend with me.To all my listeners and guests, thank you for making 2025 an incredible year for the show. Hosting Literary Blend is such a gift, and I’m grateful for all the memories the podcast gave me this year. I’m looking forward to more amazing conversations and even wilder plot twists in 2026.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to 2026, happy reading and writing!

Snow flurries and love are in the air, because chapter seventy-one of the show with S.R. Hartley is all about penning Christmas romance. From tips for writing this genre to the unique aspect of marketing holiday books, Sheena and I had a blast unwrapping the wonders of Christmas romances. I hope you love listening, and maybe you’ll even feel inspired to write a Christmas romance of your own. Also, be sure to check out Sheena’s book, 13 Wishes, this holiday season.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Are you ready to step outside your comfort zone? I hope so, because Michelle Sanchez, a loyal listener of Literary Blend and one of my author friends, joined me for chapter seventy to chat all about writing unexpected genres. From blending the familiar with the unfamiliar and mixing different genre elements to create something fresh, our conversation is packed with our own experiences, insights, and advice for authors eager to take a trip down a new genre path. Also, Michelle’s plot twist is one of the most complex and unhinged on the show so far, and now, she’s haunted by salad. Listen to find out why. All around, this chapter is the perfect combination of fun and informative, so I hope you love my chat with Michelle and feel inspired to explore unfamiliar genres in your own writing.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Dear Diary, what is it like being a new literary agent? A.J. Van Belle joined me for chapter sixty-nine of the show to chat all about being a new agent. From doing an internship and networking with editors to finding perfect partnerships with authors, we covered it all. I loved having A.J. on the show, so I hope our conversation gives you a glimpse into what it’s like in the early days of being a literary agent.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Are you ready for some time traveling? Well, not literally, but historical fiction comes close enough. USA Today bestselling author Alyson Richman joined me for chapter sixty-eight of Literary Blend to chat about crafting authentic historical fiction. Whether you write historical fiction or not, our conversation is packed with golden wisdom for all authors. I’m so honored I got the chance to have Alyson on the show because she truly inspired me. I hope you love listening as much as I enjoyed chatting with her.If you would like to check out Alyson’s books, upcoming events, and more, head over to her website: https://www.alysonrichman.com/about-alyson-richmanAre you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Halloween is just around the corner, and in the spirit of the spookiest holiday, chapter sixty-seven of Literary Blend is all about bringing magic into the writing process. Grab some crystals and light a candle, because Ciara Smith returned to the show to share her witchy wisdom. While we wove spirituality and the writing process together, we talked about rituals, color association, astrology, intention, and much more. Also, make sure to stick around for the plot twist, which is a Tarot reading that completely helped me finish the rough chapter outline of my young adult gothic thriller. I loved having Ciara back on the show for such a fascinating conversation, so whether you’re spiritual or not, I hope you find our chat interesting and learn something you can apply to your own author journey.If you would like to check out Ciara’s writing and witchy services, head over to her website for Witch and Words: https://witchandwords.com/Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Gather round, friends, because chapter sixty-six of Literary Blend is an extra special one with Jennifer L. Armentrout. She’s truly flourishing in the romantasy landscape, but you can’t have flowers without rain, and she got super candid about the highs and lows of her publishing adventure. Whether you’re a reader of Jennifer’s books or an author eager to hear golden wisdom from someone who has found tremendous success in publishing, this chapter is one you don’t want to miss. Also, if you’re a fan of the Blood and Ash series, you’ll especially love the plot twist. Jennifer is an absolute gem, and I’m so grateful she took the time to have such a fun and insightful conversation with me on the show.If you would like to stay updated with Jennifer’s author journey, head over to her website: https://jenniferlarmentrout.com/Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

AI has become a constant presence in the publishing industry, and it’s time to address the elephant in the room on Literary Blend. Katrina Lemaire joined me for chapter sixty-five of the show for a truly fantastic conversation about AI from the agent perspective. Both Katrina and I don’t support the use of AI, and we wanted to have a professional, informative, and insightful chat about the impact AI has on the querying process and artistic creation in general. Our conversation couldn’t have gone more perfectly, so I hope you enjoy listening and feel encouraged to fully embrace the creative process without the assistance of AI as you chase your author dreams.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Love is in the air because chapter sixty-four of Literary Blend with Gail Lynn is all about writing and submitting romance flash fiction. From tips for crafting compelling flash romance to the submission process and what editors look for, Gail and I shared so much amazing information. If you have never written romance flash fiction before, I hope our conversation inspires you to give it a try, and if you have, I hope you learn something new you can keep in mind on your journey.If you’re interested in submitting to Micromance Magazine and its various anthologies, head over to the website: https://micromancemagazine.substack.com/Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

Welcome to the cozy mystery coffee shop! I’m so glad you stopped by. Grab a drink and take a seat because you’re in for a treat. Carmela Dutra joined me for chapter sixty-three of Literary Blend to talk about the cozy mystery genre. From breaking down cozy mystery elements to giving a glimpse into the querying process, we covered it all. Whether you write cozy mysteries or not, I hope you take something valuable away from our conversation. I can’t thank Carmela enough for coming on the show to share her cozy mystery wisdom.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

If you’re a pantser, put your hand up. This is your time to shine. I’m so excited to share chapter sixty-two of Literary Blend with Desirae Gracyn all about the joys and obstacles of being a pantser. Since Desirae is a pantser and I’m a plotter, we had such a unique conversation, sharing the pros and cons of pantsing, revision tips, and more. Whether you’re a pantser or not, this chapter has something for every writer. I hope you love listening.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!

It’s outlining time! Grab a pencil and paper because you’ll want to tap into student mode and take notes during chapter sixty-one of Literary Blend with Mylee J. Miller all about outlining. Mylee and I chatted about why we became plotters, the benefits of outlining, and the downsides of plotting our stories before we draft. Also, we shared ten golden outlining tips from our own experiences as plotters. This chapter is packed with amazing insights and advice, so whether you’re a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between, I hope you take something meaningful away from our conversation.Are you enjoying Literary Blend? Do you have a topic suggestion for a chapter? Would you like to be a guest on the show? I would love to hear from you.Show Email: literaryblendpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: http://demimschwartz.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartzInstagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social Thank you so much for listening. Until we flip to the next chapter, happy reading and writing!