We had a WONDERFUL time chatting with associate literary agent, Ameerah Holliday today! She is fun, funny, and beautifully genuine. Anyone would be lucky to have her as their agent. A bit more about Ameerah: (https://www.serendipitylit.com) Ameerah Holliday is a dancer and self-proclaimed poetess from San Diego, California. She received her Bachelor's degree in English Literature from San Diego State University. Holliday is a former editorial assistant intern for Poetry International and currently serves as editorial director for the San Diego Poetry Annual and editor for Kids! San Diego Poetry Annual. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoya_author & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer #OfthePublishingPersuasion #podcast

Today's guest is the absolute hero that is Laekan Zea Kemp. Laekan had so many amazing and profound things to say about her experience with both indie and traditional publishing, writer journey and mental health. A bit more about Laekan: Laekan Zea Kemp is a writer living in Austin, Texas. Her debut novel, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN BITTER & SWEET was a 2022 Pura Belpré Honor Recipient. In addition to writing she’s also the creator and host of the Author Pep Talks podcast, as well as a contributor to the Las Musas podcast. She has three objectives when it comes to storytelling: to make people laugh, cry, and crave Mexican food. Her work celebrates Chicane grit, resilience, creativity, and joy while exploring themes of identity and mental health. (http://www.laekanzeakemp.com) Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer #OfthePublishingPersuasion #podcast

Fan-girling forever about our interview today with THE Alexa Donne. Alexa has played a pivotal role in so many writer’s lives, including our own.  She had so many valuable nuggets of knowledge to share with us.  We can’t wait for you all to hear what she has to say!   A bit more about Alexa Donne: (https://alexadonne.com)   Alexa Donne is the author of young adult thrillers The Ivies and the forthcoming Pretty Dead Queens, both published by Crown/Random House. A graduate of Boston University, she works in TV marketing and has done pro bono college admissions mentoring since 2014. A true INFJ, in her “free” time she mentors with WriteGirl, runs the Author Mentor Match program, and manages one of the most popular writing advice channels on YouTube. She lives in Los Angeles and you can find her in most places @alexadonne. Alexa is represented by Elana Roth-Parker of Laura Dail Literary Agency. Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

What an honour, a pleasure, an absolute JOY chatting with author Ryan La Sala @theryanlasala today! Ryan is a dynamic force in the writing world and an all around amazing human being. Make sure to preorder his latest book THE HONEYS now! More about Ryan La Sala: (https://www.ryanlasala.com) Ryan La Sala writes about surreal things happening to queer people. Ryan resides in New York City, but only physically. Escapist to the core, he spends most of his time in the astral planes and only takes up corporeal form for special occasions, like brunch and to watch anime (which is banned on the astral planes). Ryan is the author behind the riotously imaginative Reverie, and the brilliantly constructed Be Dazzled. He has been featured in Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Tor.com, and one time Shangela from RuPaul’s Drag Race called him cute. Right in the middle of the road downtown! So. Pretty big deal all around, yes? His next book, The Honeys, will be publish with Scholastic on August 16, 2022. Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

Today we have the incredible Emily Thiede @ektwrites as our guest on the show! We had so much fun chatting with Emily who is just so full of wisdom and insights about all the highs and lows of this wild writer life. Emily is the author of soon-to-be released YA fantasy, THIS VICIOUS GRACE. (add it to Goodreads here) A bit more about Emily: (http://ekthiede.com) EMILY THIEDE is the author of This Vicious Grace. A former public school teacher, Emily teaches creative writing and serves on the board for Writer House, a local writing nonprofit, and co-hosts the Basic Pitches podcast. An alumnus of PitchWars and Author Mentor Match, she loves mentoring aspiring authors, fostering kittens, and getting lost in the woods near her home in central Virginia. Emily spent the first half of her life in New Jersey and the rest in Virginia, so she talks fast but knows how to use “bless your heart” effectively. After a childhood reading in trees and dreaming of riding dragons, she loves to write stories with high stakes, lots of heart, “that’s what she said” humor, and characters who cope with impending doom by bickering and bantering with friends and foe alike. Emily is represented by Chelsea Eberly at the Greenhouse Literary Agency Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

We had an absolute BLAST chatting with CALCULATED author Nova McBee !!! She is pure magic and had so many exciting things to say in our interview. We literally could have chatted with her for hours. A bit more about Nova: (Novamcbee.com) Nova McBee is an avid traveler and culture nerd who has lived and worked in Europe, the Middle East and Asia for half her life. She speaks multiple languages, including Mandarin, and lived in China for more than a decade. She thrives on complex plots, adventure, making cross-cultural connections and coffee. She currently resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and three children. ~ My literary works are represented by Amy Jameson of A + B Works. ~ Calculated is currently in development to become a major motion picture. Emmy Award winning screenwriter, Ann Peacock, especially known for "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, will adapt Calculated for the screen. Calculated’s film rights belong to One Door Studios. *Sequels have also been optioned. Please sign up for my newsletter for updates. ~ I’m the founder of the YA reader & writer blog – The Spinning Pen @thespinningpen ~ I’ve been both a PitchWars Mentor and Mentee. ~ Words are powerful—they move across borders, slip under skin, make us kind and brave. Words change lives. You can find Nova on Instagram: @nova_mcbee_author and Twitter @nova_mcbee Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

Such an honour to chat today with the absolute LEGEND that is Literary Agent Brent Taylor! Brent represents so many amazing authors, and has such wonderful insight into all things publishing and just life in general. Here’s a bit more about Brent from btaylorbooks.com: I am a senior literary agent and subsidiary rights manager at Triada US. Triada US was founded in 2004 by Dr. Uwe Stender. Since then, the agency has built a list of high quality fiction and non-fiction for readers of all ages. After years of interning in trade book publishing, I joined Triada US in 2014 to assist Uwe Stender while building my own list of fiction and non-fiction for readers aged 0-18. I was promoted to associate agent in November 2015, to agent in April 2017, and to senior agent in October 2020. In 2019, I was named a PW Star Watch Honoree. I am incredibly proud of my list—my clients’ books have won major awards, collected starred reviews, and hit the bestseller lists. In addition to my role as an agent, I manage the agency's subsidiary rights, licensing audiobook and foreign rights to our titles around the world and attending international rights fairs. I describe my reading tastes as upmarket: I'm passionate about books for young readers that are extremely well-written, robust with emotion, and appeal to a wide, commercial audience. Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

Of the Publishing Persuasion Episode #22 with the absolutely INCREDIBLE Jennifer Azantian!!!🎉 Jennifer is a FORCE in the literary world and agent to some of our favorite people and past guests of the show! Listen to the full episode for a very special offer just for our listeners!! You definitely won't want to miss it!!! A bit more about Jennifer: Jennifer Azantian established Azantian Literary in 2014 and focuses primarily on fiction across genres for mg, YA, and adult readers. She represents bestselling and award-winning writers, and is always on the lookout for new talent. Prior to ALA, Jennifer was at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency followed by a stint with the Paul Levine Literary Agency. Before publishing, she earned her B.S. in clinical and developmental psychology from UCSD where she was an executive editor for the Triton Psychology Report. She brings to her clients a passion for literature born of a writer's heart, an editorial eye honed from reviewing thousands of projects, and the connections to help bring wonderful books to life. Our special Of the Publishing Persuasion listener link to query Jennifer Azantian is: https://querymanager.com/query/AzantianLiterary/pubpersuasion Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

We are so excited to chat with marketing coach and just all round beautiful human, Danielle Wilkinson 🎉 Today we're talking reels, social media trends and Instagram engagement. Danielle is a YA writer and a Marketing Coach For Writers & Authors. She is a round 9 Author Mentor Match mentee and blogger for @weneeddiversebooks 🌟✨ She runs a 3-week Instagram Bootcamp Coaching Program (check it out at https://instagrambootcamp.my.canva.site/ ) You can find Danielle on Instagram: @daniellethewriter.co Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer #OfthePublishingPersuasion

So honoured to have literary agent Larissa Melo Pienkowski as our guest today on the podcast! Larissa is a literary agent at Jill Grinberg Literary Management with a list of talented authors in various genres, including our girl Angela 😍 A bit more about our guest: Larissa Melo Pienkowski grew up outside of Boston and attended Simmons University, where she earned her degree in Social Work and Sociology, performed poetry competitively and recreationally, and edited a number of literary magazines. Larissa later went on to receive her MA in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College, where she worked with the likes of Beacon Press and Barefoot Books before becoming the assistant publisher of an independent feminist press. She joined JGLM as an agent in 2020 and represents a wide range of adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction, with a deep-rooted passion for championing the stories of authors from historically excluded backgrounds. The daughter of Brazilian and Polish immigrants, Larissa speaks Portuguese and Spanish. She lives in Philadelphia with her fiancée and very fluffy husky, Olaf, and when she isn’t curled up with a good book or traveling the world, she can be found in her ceramics studio. Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

Welcome to our cheer squad session! These episodes are (supposed to be) shorter, (but we got carried away today 🤣) with just the two of us catching up and talking all things writing and publishing. We're basically just checking in and cheering each other on, on our writing journeys and hopefully cheering all of you on too! Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

Every now and then you meet someone who feels instantly like an old friend! Which is exactly how we felt in our interview with the absolutely wonderful, warm and wise, Sara Hashem. A bit about Sara: Sara Hashem is an American-Egyptian writer from Southern California, where she spent many sunny days holed up indoors with a book. Sara’s love for fantasy and magical realms emerged during the two years her family lived in Egypt. When she isn’t busy naming stray cats in her neighborhood after her favorite authors, Sara can be found buried under coffee-ringed notebooks. She is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor degree as well as the perfect banana bread recipe. Sara's debut novel, THE JASAD HEIR, releases in 2023. You can find her on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok @shashemwrites  Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

A short bonus episode where we chat all about the struggle of querying and the perseverance of writers.  Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

Y'all are not even ready for this AMAZING interview with WITCHLINGS author Claribel Ortega. Claribel is a total BOSS in the writing community and has so many wise and insightful things to say about the publishing journey. Make sure to preorder WITCHLINGS now! (out April 5th!!) by @scholasticinc 🐸 and don't forget to take the Witchlings quiz to find out what Coven you are in! WITCHLINGS COVEN QUIZ A bit more about Claribel: (www.claribelortega.com) New York Times Bestselling and award-winning author, CLARIBEL A. ORTEGA is a former reporter who writes middle-grade and young adult fantasy inspired by her Dominican heritage. When she's not busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic, and video games into books, she’s co-hosting her podcast Bad Author Book Club and helping authors navigate publishing with her consulting business GIFGRRL. Claribel is a Marvel contributor and has been featured on Buzzfeed, Bustle, Good Morning America and Deadline. Claribel’s debut middle grade novel GHOST SQUAD is out now from Scholastic and is being made into a feature film. Her forthcoming books include Witchlings (Scholastic) and the graphic novel Frizzy (First Second.) You can find her on Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok and on her website at claribelortega.com. Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

So excited to share this episode with THE Emily J. Taylor. Debut author of HOTEL MAGNIFIQUE🌙🗝(April ‘22 @penguinteen). Emily is one to watch. Her book sounds absolutely incredible. Magic, a travelling Hotel, sign us up!!! 🤩🤩🤩 A bit about Emily: (from Goodreads) Emily was born and raised in California and has since refused to stay put. She's lived in four states and two continents, all of which have conveniently given her an endless amount of story fodder. She currently works as a creative director in Minneapolis, where she spends the long winters dreaming up glittering worlds to spin into dark tales. You can find Emily on Twitter @emilycanwrite and Instagram @emilycanwrite Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

Absolutely over the moon to share this incredible episode with #LoveOzYA Fantasy Queen THE Astrid Scholte 🤩🤩🤩🇦🇺 Astrid has so many amazing things to say about publishing, the hardships of querying, her books, and Disney! A bit about Astrid: (www.astridscholte.com) Astrid Scholte was raised on a diet of Spielberg, Lucas and Disney, and knew she wanted to be surrounded by all things fantastical from a young age. She’s spent the last fifteen years working in film, animation and television as both an artist and manager. Career highlights include working on James Cameron’s Avatar, Steven Spielberg’s The Adventures of Tintin and Disney's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her fiancé and two cats, Lilo and Mickey. Her debut YA novel, Four Dead Queens, was an international bestseller and award winner. ​Her second novel, The Vanishing Deep, was released on the 3rd of March 2020. Her latest release, LEAGUE OF LIARS is available now! ​ You can find Astrid posting about books, cats and Disney on Twitter @AstridScholte and Instagram @AstridScholte Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

We are THRILLED to talk with our next guest today! Zoraida Córdova is a FORCE in the publishing world. And she’s one of Angela’s personal idols. 🙌 More about Zoraida: (Zoraidacordova.com) Zoraida Córdova is the acclaimed author of more than two dozen novels and short stories, including the Brooklyn Brujas series, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: A Crash of Fate, and The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina. In addition to writing novels, she serves on the board of We Need Diverse Books, and is the co-editor of the bestselling anthology Vampires Never Get Old, as well as the cohost of the writing podcast, Deadline City. She writes romance novels as Zoey Castile. Zoraida was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and calls New York City home. When she’s not working, she’s roaming the world in search of magical stories. For more information, visit her at zoraidacordova.com. You can find Zoraida on Instagram: @zoraidasolo and on twitter: @zlikeinzorro Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between.  HOSTED BY:   Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer Happy Listening and don't forget to subscribe!

THRILLED to have Tobias Madden author of ANYTHING BUT FINE, on the show! Our little, theatre-loving hearts had a blast chatting all about his amazing book and exciting career.   A bit more about Tobias: (www.tobiasmadden.net)  Tobias is an author and editor from Sydney, Australia. His debut young adult fiction novel, ANYTHING BUT FINE, is out now in Australia and New Zealand (Penguin Teen), and coming to the US March 29, 2022 (Page Street YA). His second YA novel, TAKE A BOW, NOAH MITCHELL, is coming to Aus/NZ in 2022 and the US in 2023. ​ Originally from Ballarat, Tobias worked for ten years as a performer, touring Australia and New Zealand with musicals such as Mary Poppins, CATS, Singin' in the Rain, and Guys and Dolls. In 2019, he edited and published UNDERDOG, the first #LoveOzYA short story anthology for previously unpublished Aussie young adult fiction writers. Also in 2019, he wrote the cabaret show Siblingship, which played to sold out audiences in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. Tobias is a passionate member of the #LoveOzYA and LGBTQ+ communities, and currently works in publishing as a Senior Marketing Executive.   You can find Tobias on instagram: @tobias_madden and on twitter: @tobias_madden Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between.    HOSTED BY:     Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer Happy Listening and don't forget to subscribe!

Today's guest is Lyssa Mia Smith, author of REVELLE!✨ A YA fantasy pitched as a “magical Moulin Rouge in the Prohibition era” by Harper Collins/Blazer&Bray (early 2023). Aside from just being an especially wonderful human, Lyssa's writer journey and industry knowledge are so raw and insightful, talking to her felt like writer therapy, a master class and food for the creative soul. Some more about Lyssa: (Lyssamiasmith.com) Lyssa Mia Smith writes stories with magic and kissing for young adult and crossover adult readers. She was selected for Pitch Wars twice (2018, 2020) for speculative stories with romantic twists, and is thrilled to be giving back to the organization that helped turn many of her dreams into reality by serving as a 2021 mentor. She is the winner of the YARWA Rosemary Award for Excellence in Speculative Fiction (2019). When she’s not writing (or staying up far too late reading), she’s eating all the best bagels in New York with her partner and their two young children. You can find Lyssa on instagram: @lsmittywrites and on twitter: @LSmittyWrites Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY:   Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

This week's guest on Of the Publishing Persuasion is none other than my incredible co-host, THE Angela Montoya!!!! Talking all about that INCREDIBLE BOOK DEAL NEWS!!!   Angela Montoya is a Round 5 Author-Mentor Match mentee and was selected to be a mentee in Pitch Wars 2020. She is the granddaughter of the celebrated activist and poet laureate Jose Montoya and lives in Northern California with her family. She is represented by Larissa Melo Pienkowski at Jill Grinberg Literary Management   Her 🌟🤩debut novel🤩🌟 is SINNERS ISLE (expected publication fall 2023) with Joy Revolution of Penguin Random House.   SINNER’S ISLE, is a dual-POV Latinx YA fantasy romance, bought at auction in a two-book deal and pitched as Pirates of the Caribbean meets Serpent & Dove, in which a powerful witch being held captive on a remote island will do anything to escape it before the Offering—a week-long fiesta for the wealthy to engage with Majestics like her—including blackmailing an infamous, charming pirate who washes up on shore.   You can find Angela on:   Instagram: @angelamontoyawrites Twitter: @montoyasangel   TikTok: @angelamontoyawrites   Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY: 🌟ANGELA MONTOYA🌟: @angelamontoyawrites  and Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

Today we talk to author Liselle Sambury about her incredible journey to publication, problematic books, and that time she cried over Pitch Wars. Liselle is the author of BLOOD LIKE MAGIC, BLOOD LIKE FATE (Available August 2022), and BUTCHERBIRDS (Spring 2023).   A bit more about THE Liselle Sambury (from lisellesambury.ca): Liselle Sambury is a Trinidadian-Canadian author who grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and her brand of writing can be described as “messy Black girls in fantasy situations.” In her free time, she shares helpful tips for upcoming writers and details of her publishing journey through a YouTube channel dedicated to helping demystify the sometimes complicated business of being an author. She’s represented by Kristy Hunter at The Knight Agency.   You can find Liselle on Instagram: @lisellesambury And on Twitter: @LiselleSambury  Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between.  HOSTED BY: Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

Today we chat with the total QUEEN that is Hannah Sawyerr 🤩👑   A little more about Hannah: (HannahSawyerr.com)   Hannah V. Sawyerr is a Sierra Leonean-American writer with a passion for people and poetry. Her debut novel, CALL HIM BY NAME, told through court transcripts, journal entries, and poetry is forthcoming from Abrams/Amulet in Fall 2023. For Hannah's literary and community involvement, she was recognized as the 2016 Youth Poet Laureate of Baltimore, an honor awarded by DewMore Baltimore, the Baltimore Mayor's Office, Urban Word NYC, and Enoch Pratt Libraries. For her original poem “For Girls Growing Into Their Hips”, she was awarded a National Medal in the NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) in the category of poetry. Her spoken word has been featured on the British Broadcasting Channel's (BBC) "World Have Your Say" program, as well as the National Education Association's "Do You Hear Us" Campaign for her original poem “A Salone Man’s Refuge.” Her written word has been featured in several publications such as ROOKIE, Sesi Mag, Theories of HER and more. Currently, she is A 2021 Pitch Wars mentor and is earning her M.F.A. in Creative Writing at The New School.   She is represented by Joanna Volpe and Jordan Hill of New Leaf Literary.   You can find Hannah on Instagram: @hannsawyerr And on Twitter: @HannSawyerr Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between.   HOSTED BY:     Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

Today we chat with the creative genius that is Aty Behsam. Aty is an Iranian/Persian writer, artist, translator, editor, TEDx speaker, and Pitch Wars 2021 mentor. She is a full-time writing mentor currently working on multiple story projects including a fantasy YA novel, a historical fantasy manga, and a sci-fi comic.   She is talented beyond belief and a genuinely amazing person! We chatted about art, manga, and her current project (which sounds FANTASTIC).   You can find Aty on here: @aty_s_behsam  And on Twitter: @ASBehsam  Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between.   HOSTED BY:      Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites   & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

Today we chat with the incredible human that is Kyla Zhao about Pitch Wars, adulting and Kyla's epic book THE FRAUD SQUAD (@penguinrandomhouse, Jan ‘23 — add it on Goodreads✨)  Born and raised in Singapore, Kyla Jiayi Zhao graduated in 2021 from Stanford University with an MA in Communications (Media Studies) and BA in Psychology. This year, she was a fashion and lifestyle writer at Vogue Singapore. While she still does freelance writing for Vogue, her day job is marketing at a tech company in Silicon Valley  Besides novel-writing, Kyla’s editorial portfolio includes bylines in the Singapore editions of Harper’s Bazaar and Tatler, covering the Asian Television Awards, and interviewing personalities such as singer Nathan Sykes. (Source: kylazhao.com)   You can find Kyla on IG: @kylajzhao  And on Twitter: @kylazingaround  Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY:      Angela Montoya: @angelamontoyawrites & Melanie Schubert: @melanie_schubert_writer

Today we talk with Pitch Wars Mentor and Debut Author: Margie Fuston Margie is the Author of the all new YA: VAMPIRES, HEARTS & OTHER DEAD THINGS !!**OUT NOW**!! Margie lives in California but dreams of being in New Orleans, eating thin-cut, fried catfish or a muffuletta for every meal. (Followed by beignets for dessert of course.)  She has an MA in Creative Writing. Her poetry has appeared in Writer’s Digest, Gargoyle, and Late Peaches: An Anthology of Sacramento Poets, among others.  She does a little bit of everything to make a living, but she mostly flips houses to support her very spoiled cats.  When she’s not working, writing, or wrangling cats, she’s getting lost in the forest, wandering the beach, or curling up on the couch to watch The Vampire Diaries one more time.   Margie is represented by Rebecca Podos of Rees Literary Agency. (Bio credit: margiefuston.com)✨   You can find her here: https://www.instagram.com/margiefuston/  Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between.   HOSTED BY:   Angela Montoya: https://www.instagram.com/angelamontoyawrites/ & Melanie Schubert: https://www.instagram.com/melanie_schubert_writer/

Today we talk with dreamy, steamy romance author, THE Courtney Kae. Courtney writes the sweet and steamy happily ever afters she wants to see in the world. She lives in Southern California with her husband, child, and thoroughly spoiled Shiba Inu. Some of her favorite things include: family movie nights, breakfast for every meal, devouring romance books, and attempting to keep her succulents alive. Courtney Kae's debut novel, IN THE EVENT OF LOVE, will release in fall 2022 with Kensington and Headline Eternal. She can be found on Twitter and Instagram at @court_kae. (All information can be found at https://www.courtneykaebooks.com/) Courtney is represented by Claire Friedman of InkWell Management. Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY:   Angela Montoya: https://www.instagram.com/angelamontoyawrites/ & Melanie Schubert: https://www.instagram.com/melanie_schubert_writer/

Today we talk with up-and-coming YA contemporary writer, Jessica Parra. Jessica is a @lasmusasbooks hermana and @pitchwars 2020 mentee. She’s a lawyer and mother of a small horde of adorable animals. In her free time, you might catch her doing Pilates, writing amazing stories featuring #latinx characters, or piloting the Millennium Falcon at Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge. ✨ Jessica is represented by Jennifer Azantian of Azantian Literary. Of the Publishing Persuasion is a podcast for writers at all stages, shedding light on the journey to publication and beyond. The ups, the downs and everything in between. HOSTED BY:   Angela Montoya: https://www.instagram.com/angelamontoyawrites/ & Melanie Schubert: https://www.instagram.com/melanie_schubert_writer/