What really happens when a literary agent becomes an author?

In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman sit down with Kate McKean, literary agent, Substack writer, and author of Write Through It, to talk about the long road from aspiring novelist to publishing her first nonfiction book.

Kate opens up about the seven years it took to land her book deal, what she’s learned from failed projects, and why persistence often matters more than perfection. She shares the insider truths about query letters, proposals, and finding an agent, while also revealing how her newsletter, Agents and Books, helped her discover the audience she was meant to serve. Along the way, Kate offers advice on editing smarter, managing expectations, and keeping your passion alive in the often slow and messy process of publishing.

Resources:

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katemckean/
Connect with Kate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kate_mckean/

Follow Kate on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/katemckean.bsky.social

Check out Kate’s website: https://www.katemckean.com/

Subscribe to Kate’s newsletter Agents and Books: https://www.agentsandbooks.com/

Check out Kate’s book Write Through It: An Insider's Guide to Publishing and the Creative Life: https://bookshop.org/p/books/write-through-it-an-insider-s-guide-to-publishing-and-the-creative-life-kate-mckean/21872839

Check out Publisher’s Marketplace: https://www.publishersmarketplace.com
Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club
Download Bethany & Fran's e-book on how to craft a standout book proposal here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/e-book

Produced by Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/

• (00:00) - BB-Video-Kate McKean-V2
• (00:00) - Introduction to the Book Bound Podcast
• (01:13) - Meet Kate McKean: Literary Agent and Author
• (02:25) - Kate's Journey to Becoming an Author
• (04:09) - The Writing Process: Fiction vs. Nonfiction
• (07:17) - Finding the Right Literary Agent
• (17:32) - The Importance of a Book Proposal
• (18:19) - The Importance of a Strong Ending in Fiction
• (19:05) - From Proposal to Manuscript: The Writing Journey
• (21:08) - Editing and Revising: Key Strategies
• (22:53) - Marketing the Book: Strategies and Experiences
• (24:23) - Substack: A Platform for Writers
• (29:00) - Advice for Aspiring Authors
• (31:29) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman talk with Sophie Elmhirst, award-winning journalist and author of A Marriage at Sea (published in the UK as Maurice and Maralyn). Sophie shares how she moved from years of failed fiction attempts and abandoned nonfiction concepts to finding the singular story that became her debut book.

She explains why trusting one compelling narrative can be more powerful than building around a “big idea,” how she navigated proposal writing despite being a “pantser,” and what ultimately helped her land an agent and publisher. Sophie also opens up about her decision to avoid social media, the role of journalism in building her platform, and the unpredictable path from UK publication to US bestseller. This episode offers an honest look at persistence, process, and the winding road to a first book deal.

Visit Sophie’s official website: https://www.sophieelmhirst.com/

Check out A Marriage at Sea: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/771662/a-marriage-at-sea-by-sophie-elmhirst/

Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club
Download Bethany & Fran's e-book on how to craft a standout book proposal here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/e-book

Produced by Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/

What does it take to publish a book that sparks a cultural shift?

In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman talk with Neha Ruch, founder, CEO, and author of The Power Pause, about how she translated nearly a decade of grassroots advocacy into a bestselling book.

Neha shares how she went from blog to book deal, the surprising pressure of platform growth, and what it really takes to land a Big Five publishing contract for a nuanced topic. She explains how her meetings with publishers mirrored VC pitches, why her proposal phase included interviews and commissioned research, and how she balanced motherhood with building a movement. She also offers key insight into proposal writing, working with developmental editors, and managing the marketing marathon before and after launch.

Resources:
Connect with Neha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neha_ruch

Connect with Neha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehaleelaruch

Learn more about The Power Pause: https://www.thepowerpause.com

Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club
Download Bethany & Fran's e-book on how to craft a standout book proposal here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/e-book

Produced by Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/