452: The Gift of Failure: Author Version

Karen Dukess’s first book, The Last Book Party, was wildly successful by any measure—sold at auction, Indie Next pick, Discover New Writers pick… you probably read it. The second…

Didn’t sell. Not as in, not very many people bought it but as in, no publisher published it. She spent the requisite couple years or so, her agent signed on but… no takers. She felt like she was the only person in the whole entire world that that happened to… until she started asking around. Turns out, you know how people say writing books is hard? And publishing is tough? They’re right!

Never fear, Karen lived to tell the tail. Her next novel (do we call it second or third?), Welcome to Murder Week, is wonderful and available in a bookstore near you (and as you’ll hear, I loved it and it’s the perfect page-turner but not-anxiety-producing read for a swimming pool, beach, airplane ride or couch). But the real joy is that Karen is willing to dish. You’ll hear:

What happens when you want to be a bullet journal sticker getting writer with your butt in the chair but you’re just … not.

How to have fun writing a book that maybe no one will want (and why you’d better).

How Karen found the right mindset to keep going.

Karen’s one rule as a beginning writer who couldn’t quite get the hang of 1000 words a day.

Links from the Pod:
LauraPalooza

Karen Dukess, The Last Book Party

Zibby Events

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

#AmReading

Karen: The Original, Nell Stevens 

KJ: Welcome to Murder Week

Karen’s Substack 

Keep Calm and Carry On, a Substack from Karen Dukess or find her on Instagram 
@karendukess, or her website www.karendukess.com
Did you know Sarina’s latest thriller is out NOW? 



Rowan Gallagher is a devoted single mother and a talented architect with a high-profile commission restoring an historic mansion for the most powerful family in Maine. But inside, she’s a mess. She knows that stalking her ex’s avatar all over Portland on her phone isn’t the healthiest way to heal from their breakup. But she’s out of ice cream and she’s sick of romcoms. 

Watching his every move is both fascinating and infuriating. He’s dining out while she’s wallowing on the couch. The last straw comes when he parks in their favorite spot on the waterfront. In a weak moment, she leashes the dog and sets off to see who else is in his car. 

Instead of catching her ex in a kiss, Rowan becomes the first witness to his murder—and the primary suspect.

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