Heartracers

Our last author guest of season 1! Dianne Freeman has written an 8.5 book series and has a lot of insights about writing a series, Plus:

• Haunted hotels on Route 66
• How Claire sells a series in her store
• Sierra points out that Claire has not yet, yet again, read ACOTAR.

Dianne Freeman is a life-long book lover who left the world of corporate finance to pursue her passion for writing. After co-authoring the non-fiction book, Hau...

We spoke to author Meredith Schorr about the origins of chicklit, romcoms, WF, and contemporary romance. We also talked about marketing for authors from Sierra’s perspective and from Claire’s, how to navigate events for the socially awkward, and social media for authors.

Meredith's latest book, Roommating, is published today June 10, 2025 (happy book birthday!). A born and bred New Yorker and lifelong daydreamer, Meredith fueled her...

We get into the recent TikTok book deal for the Australian guy, hot Sacramento summers and how that affects business, and kid literacy. As usual, Claire gives her bookseller view and Sierra views her author view on those issues.

Then we welcomed author Mara Williams, whose debut novel The Truth is in the Detours pubs in August 2025, and the surprising little secret about your work that editors may looking for.

Mara Williams drafted h...

Lauren Parvizi is the author of Trust Me on This and La Vie, According to Rose, winner of the 2024 Women’s Fiction Writers Association STAR Award in the Debut category. She worked for more than a decade as a digital editor and content writer, and earned an MFA from San Francisco State University. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and sons.

Books discussed in this episode:

• La Vie, According to Rose by Laure...

We talked to Liz of My Secret Copy, who creates incredible, reader-centric book merch! We discuss what her inspiration was for starting the shop, challenges as a small business, and much more -- including TONS of book recs!

Shop stickers, bags, pins, bookmarks and more at https://mysecretcopy.com/

Books mentioned on this episode:

• The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks
• The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
• The Dagger and the Flame...

Author Maggie North joins us to talk about romances, second chance stories, Canadian wilderness, autism rep, and Sierra gushing over her.

Maggie writes deeply emotional, strangely hilarious novels about introverts at the end of their @#$% ropes, STEM, Canada, and other overlooked, underrated things you'd love to discover. She lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her spouse, The Kid, and a rotating cast of hypoallergenic aquarium friends.

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We talked about the reach of libraries their programs, imposter syndrome and how it never goes away and, themes in books. Listen to the end for bookshelf hacks!

Terah is an author and former librarian, who now writes upmarket fiction with bittersweet endings. She is the author of One Summer in Savannah and Long After We Are Gone. Her books have been chosen as a Target Book Club pick, LibraryReads pick, Kobo Best Book, Together We Re...

Jordan Morris is the author of graphic novel Youth Group, and a comedy writer with experience working in TV, features, comics, podcasts, digital comedy and video games. He's written for shows on Max, Disney Plus, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network and YouTube Originals. He also created and co-wrote the 2x Eisner nominated graphic novel Bubble. He has also written stories for Marvel, IDW’s Godzilla and Archie: Chilling Adventures.

He c...

We talked to children’s book author Bea Birdsong about what it takes to get traditionally published and how to pivot in a writing career.

Bea Birdsong is the author of I Will Be Fierce!, Sam’s First Word, How to Spot a Best Friend, Boop!, Goat Is the G.O.A.T., How to Grow a Family Tree (2025), That Is Not a Dog! (2026), You Did It! (2026), Me Too! (2027), and other forthcoming books for children.

Bea is also a former teacher who beli...

We talked 2025 book buying trends that Claire learned at ABA (American Booksellers Association). And we welcomed USA Today Bestselling author Xio Axelrod, who writes contemporary fiction and romance. Her award-winning novels have earned both critical acclaim and a passionate readership. Her Lillys series, including The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes and Girls with Bad Reputations, explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Xio...

In this episode, we welcomed New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory to talk about donuts, farmers markets, and origins of contemporary romance.

Jasmine is the author of six romance novels including The Wedding Date, The Proposal, and While We Were Dating. Her work has appeared in O, The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Bon Appetit, and Time. Her newest novel, Flirting Lessons, is out today (April 8, 2025)! She lives in Oak...

Claire and Sierra talk about what makes a good story, and whether a good story meets the hype. We talked about proven elements of a great story.

We also discuss the bookstore's space challenges as it relates to selling, and what happens at book industry events.

We discussed these books:

• Water Moon (again) by Samantha Sotto Yambao
• Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
• Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

Bu...

We spoke to freelance editor Erin McClary, who is Sierra's former editor at Sourcebooks, about traditional publishing's acquisition process, what editing really means, and some secrets every writer should know about editing, whether self-publishing or seeking traditional publication.

Find Erin at erinmcclary.com

Books discussed in this episode:

• A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey
• The Second Chance Hotel by Sierra Godfrey
• A litt...

We talked to NYT bestselling author Mike Chen about his books, publishing, hockey romance, and cool band memorabilia. Plus, do authors get a say in their covers and titles in traditional publishing?

Books discussed in this episode:

• Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen
• A Beginning at the End by Mike Chen
• We Could be Heroes by Mike Chen
• Light Years From Home by Mike Chen
• Vampire Weekend by Mike Chen
• Quantum Love Story by Mike Chen
• Star War...

Jessica Joyce is the author of the USA Today bestselling novels You, With a View and The Ex-Vows. She lives in the Bay Area with her family.

On this episode we discuss people pleasing, fan fiction, and finding your voice.

Books discussed:

• The Ex -Vows by Jessica Joyce
• You, With A View by Jessica Joyce
• Where You Are Planted by Melanie Sweeney
• The French Ingredient by Jane Bertch
• Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
• Heartbreak Hotel by ...

Author Lindsay Hameroff joins us to talk about her evolution of writing sweet to spicy romance.

Lindsay is the author of Till There was You and Never Planned on You!

Books discussed in this episode:

• Till There was You by Lindsay Hameroff
• Never Planned on You
• You With a View by Jessica Joyce
• You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
• The Notebook by Nicolas Sparks
• The September House by Carissa Orlando
• Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
• Name Y...

We talk about bookclubs in indie bookstores-- both starting one or joining one-- and are joined by Wild Sisters Books' romance bookclub manager, Gracie to talk about the interesting insights gained from the bookclub.

Books discussed in this episode:

• A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
• Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
• Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
• Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
• The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisash...