Recorded live at day one of the National Writers’ Conference at the Emerging Writers Festival 2026, this special Book Deal Podcast “agony aunt” session features bestselling author Toni Jordan answering anonymous questions from emerging and early-career writers. Jordan reframes rejection as a business decision, advises writers to focus on becoming “undeniable,” keep producing new work, and avoid perfectionism. She suggests denying real-life inspirations in fiction, warns that publishers can “love bomb” then provide limited support, and urges writers to ask clear marketing/publicity questions. Jordan explains the purpose of genre and comparison titles, offers strategies for managing self-promotion and public speaking, outlines etiquette and contractual realities for changing agents, and stresses that quitting a day job often takes years and luck. In a rapid “Chaos Round,” the panel discusses social media, agents, courses, AI, pitching, reviews, and career highlights, then takes audience questions on hurdles, writing for market, chapter length, and self-publishing vs traditional.

00:00 Podcast Intro
00:56 Conference Welcome
01:56 Meet Toni Jordan
03:52 Handling Rejection
09:45 Writing Real People
11:58 Publisher Support Reality
16:36 Genre and Comps
20:43 Self Promotion Without Cringe
23:44 Switching Literary Agents
29:23 Quitting the Day Job
34:56 Chaos Round Setup
36:00 Social Media For Writers
36:39 Agents And Negotiation
38:09 Feedback And Writing Courses
39:07 Why Not Use AI
40:19 Pitching At Events
42:00 Reviews And Awkward Questions
43:01 Career Highlights To Audience Q&A
44:26 Top Tips For Emerging Writers
46:17 Biggest Career Challenges
50:22 Writing For Market Vs Self
54:46 Chapter Length And Structure
58:36 Self Publishing Vs Traditional
01:01:33 Final Top Tip And Wrap

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