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Bestselling romance author Zeo Axelrod takes listeners behind the scenes of contemporary romance writing in this candid, insightful conversation about creativity, publishing paths, and authentic storytelling.

Axelrod reveals her unique "ZeoVision" approach—visualizing characters and scenes like Netflix in her brain—which allows her to deeply inhabit her fictional worlds before writing. Her journey from rewriting a Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode she disliked to becoming a Target Book Club selection demonstrates there's no single path to publishing success.

The contrast between traditional and indie publishing experiences offers valuable perspective for authors navigating both worlds. As a hybrid author, Axelrod discusses how the "hurry up and wait" nature of traditional publishing challenges her creative process compared to the immediate gratification of self-publishing. She shares practical advice on formatting, distribution, and marketing across platforms while emphasizing the importance of building genuine community connections.

Most compelling is Axelrod's perspective on diversity in romance. As a Black female author, she advocates for stories that reflect real-world experiences of marginalized characters without reducing them to their struggles. "These are the same kissing books," she notes, "they just happen to have brown people in them." Her approach to contemporary romance balances acknowledging societal challenges while centering joy and authentic relationships where characters complement rather than complete each other.

For writers at any stage, Axelrod's core message resonates: "Write the book of your heart." Despite industry trends and publisher hesitations, authentic storytelling ultimately finds its audience. Whether crafting conflict, developing characters, or building worlds, the key is creating stories that feel true to your vision while engaging readers seeking both escape and emotional truth.

Ready to bring your romance writing to the next level? Visit jdmyall.com for workshops, show notes, and more resources to help you craft your own bestseller.

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=craftchat

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🎙️ Craft Chat Chronicles with J.D. Myall
Candid conversations on writing, publishing, and creative life — featuring bestselling authors, MFA students, and writers at every stage of the journey.

About J.D. Myall
J.D. Myall is the co-chair of Drexel University’s MFA Alumni Association and a publishing and library professional. She is the creator and host of Craft Chat Chronicles, where she interviews authors, agents, and industry insiders about the art and business of writing.

Her work has appeared in Ms. Magazine, Writer’s Digest, and HuffPost. Her debut novel, Heart’s Gambit, releases with Wednesday Books/Macmillan in February 2026.

When she’s not conjuring magic, murder, and mayhem on the page, J.D. mentors emerging writers through workshops and alumni programs, fostering community among aspiring and published authors alike.

💜 Connect with J.D. Myall
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🌐 Website & Media Kit

💌 Newsletter

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Watch episodes on YouTube as well.

💜 Level up your writing process with Scrivener — the ...

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Lee Ann Walling and the Silver Dragons of Drexel University's MFA Alumni Association invite you to dive into an unforgettable conversation with bestselling author Ann Garvin!

In this engaging episode, Ann shares her journey from academia—where she spent years studying exercise physiology and health psychology—to the world of literature. With humor as her guiding light, she navigates the complexities of writing beyond 50, tackling ageism in publishing, viral mishaps, and the power of storytelling to break barriers.

With the release of her latest works—seamlessly blending humor and poignancy—Ann proves that creativity knows no age. She candidly discusses the limitations society places on older authors and how she’s defied them with resilience and laughter. From her viral dating mishap to breaking into publishing later in life, Ann’s insights are both inspiring and thought-provoking.

Listeners will also discover the magic of community and collaboration as Ann delves into her role with the Tall Poppy Writers, a collective that uplifts women authors through support and shared success. In a competitive industry, their philosophy proves that rising together is far more powerful than standing alone.

Join us for this insightful conversation, where we challenge stereotypes, embrace creativity, and celebrate resilience in writing. Tune in now, and don’t forget to visit jdmall.com for more writing resources and workshops to fuel your passion!

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=craftchat

Ann Garvin, writing over 50, author interview, publishing industry, humor in writing, resilience in writing, how to become an author, Tall Poppy Writers, ageism in publishing, viral dating story, female authors, women in publishing, writing tips, publishing advice, how to write a book, bestselling authors, Anne Garvin books, creative writing, writing inspiration, book writing advice, writing community, writing journey, book industry secrets, storytelling tips, writer’s life, author career, writing process, breaking into publishing, humor in literature, writing for women, publishing success, book promotion, writer resilience, storytelling wisdom, book marketing, Craft Chat Chronicles, J.D. Myall, writer support groups. Silver Dragons, Drexel MFA Alumni

Support the show

🎙️ Craft Chat Chronicles with J.D. Myall
Candid conversations on writing, publishing, and creative life — featuring bestselling authors, MFA students, and writers at every stage of the journey.

About J.D. Myall
J.D. Myall is the co-chair of Drexel University’s MFA Alumni Association and a publishing and library professional. She is the creator and host of Craft Chat Chronicles, where she interviews authors, agents, and industry insiders about the art and business of writing.

Her work has appeared in Ms. Magazine, Writer’s Digest, and HuffPost. Her debut novel, Heart’s Gambit, releases with Wednesday Books/Macmillan in February 2026.

When she’s not conjuring magic, murder, and mayhem on the page, J.D. mentors emerging writers through workshops and alumni programs, fostering community among aspiring and published authors alike.

💜 Connect with J.D. Myall
📸 Instagram

🌐 Website & Media Kit

💌 Newsletter

🔗 Linktree

Watch episodes on YouTube as well.

💜 Level up your writing process with Scrivener — the ...

Send us Fan Mail

What makes a dystopian world feel terrifyingly real, and why is now the perfect time to write one? In this illuminating episode, we're joined by Rebecca Dazenbaker, debut author of the dystopian novel "Soul Match," who shares her winding path from initial inspiration to publication success.

Rebecca opens up about her surprising journey—how a random thought while passing a cemetery sparked a decade-long creative process that eventually became her debut novel. With remarkable candor, she details the 60 rejections that nearly broke her spirit, the pivotal moment when she almost quit, and the strategic changes that finally landed her an agent and book deal with Simon & Schuster.

The heart of our conversation explores the craft of creating dystopian worlds that resonate with both readers and publishers. Rebecca provides a framework for developing dystopian concepts based on problems you deeply care about, demonstrating how personal passion fuels the persistence needed in publishing. She reveals how to build worlds where things "go wrong in a very specific way," craft characters readers can root for, and balance the darkness with moments of hope and humanity.

For writers who've been told dystopian fiction isn't marketable, this episode delivers exciting news: the market has dramatically shifted. We explore the evidence of dystopian's resurgence, with established authors returning to the genre and romantasy writers pivoting to dystopian projects. Rebecca provides practical advice on positioning your work effectively in query letters and what terms agents are responding to right now.

Whether you're crafting your first manuscript or revising after rejections, this episode offers both technical craft insights and the emotional encouragement to keep going. As Rebecca powerfully reminds us: "Believe in yourself, believe in your story, and you've got this."

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=craftchat

Support the show

🎙️ Craft Chat Chronicles with J.D. Myall
Candid conversations on writing, publishing, and creative life — featuring bestselling authors, MFA students, and writers at every stage of the journey.

About J.D. Myall
J.D. Myall is the co-chair of Drexel University’s MFA Alumni Association and a publishing and library professional. She is the creator and host of Craft Chat Chronicles, where she interviews authors, agents, and industry insiders about the art and business of writing.

Her work has appeared in Ms. Magazine, Writer’s Digest, and HuffPost. Her debut novel, Heart’s Gambit, releases with Wednesday Books/Macmillan in February 2026.

When she’s not conjuring magic, murder, and mayhem on the page, J.D. mentors emerging writers through workshops and alumni programs, fostering community among aspiring and published authors alike.

💜 Connect with J.D. Myall
📸 Instagram

🌐 Website & Media Kit

💌 Newsletter

🔗 Linktree

Watch episodes on YouTube as well.

💜 Level up your writing process with Scrivener — the ...