Rochelle Weinstein is a successful and talented author known for her emotionally charged novels. After leaving a career in the music industry in 2000, she started writing and has produced eight novels, with the latest coming out on Oct. 20th. Rochelle's writing explores topical issues and draws inspiration from her own experiences and emotions. What’s more, she is a leading example of generosity, camaraderie and community in the world of women’s fiction!

In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Rochelle about how and why, after two wildly successful self-published books, she landed an agent and publishing contract that is still going strong. They discuss hitting bestseller status by trusting instincts, Rochelle’s writing process, where she finds inspiration (real-life emotions, timely, topical subjects, and places she loves) and the impact of platforms like TikTok.

In this episode, Lynne and Rochelle discuss: 

• Why being a voracious reader makes you a better writer

• Launching a writing career while raising twin sons

• Why every book publishing story is unique

• The importance of a strong, professionally-edited self-published book 

• The shift from self-publishing to finding an agent

• Inspiration for book ideas

• Plotter vs. Pantser

• Rochelle's role as a book influencer

• Changes in the publishing industry

• The importance of supporting other authors

• How AI is affecting authors

• The importance of having a writing community & support system

• Rochelle's vision for her writing future

• Advice for aspiring writers

Links and Resources: 

• Danielle Steele

• Sidney Sheldon

• Judy Blume

• What We Leave Behind

• The Mourning After

• Merle Saferstein

• Where We Fall 

• Lake Union Publishing

• Somebody's Daughter 

• Publishers Marketplace

• USA Today Bestseller List

• GSD - Glycogen storage diseases

• What You Do To Me 

• Woman of Valor

• NBC 6 South Florida

• Barbara Bos, Women Writers, Women’s Books

• Jen Herrera

• Lauren Margolin, Good Book Fairy

• Jamie Rosenblit 

• Renee's Reading Club

• Zibby Owens

• Connie Ogle

• Edinburgh Writers Museum

• Miami Book Fair

• Colleen Hoover 

• BookTok

• Camille Di Maio

• Samantha Greene Woodruff

• Lisa Barr

Find Rochelle Weinstein:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:

• Episode 135 – Camille Pagan – Making Writing Your Career

• Episode 131 – Weina Randel – The Last Rose of Shanghai

• Episode 130 – Merle Saferstein – Journaling & Legacy

• Episode 128 – Becky Robinson – Building Reach for Books

• Episode 127 – Ly Tran – Writing Unapologetically