Welcome back to Letters from the Creative Life. These occasional essays explore the quieter corners of living: small reflections on art, ambition, and the tender balancing act of building a meaningful life in a noisy world. Think of them as letters from my life to yours.

If you’re listening to this on a podcasting platform rather than Substack, this will be the last episode of this podcast season. Feel free to dig into the podcast archives while I’m on break.

During that time, I will still be writing more essays and behind-the-scenes content over on my Substack, so please come hang out with me there at creativeinspiredhappy.com .

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Virtual Launch Party + Origami Workshop

You’re invited to my virtual Launch Party + Paper Rose Origami Workshop on Sunday, August 17th at 8pm ET / 5pm PT.

Come learn to fold your own messages of hope—I’d love to see you there!

My guest today is Simon & Schuster senior editor Lara Jones, who also happens to be my editor for The Incredible Kindness of Paper.

Today, we talk about:

* how she became an editor,

* an explanation of Big 5 publisher structure and their imprints (like Atria and Emily Bestler Books, under the umbrella of Simon & Schuster)

* the difference between women's fiction and romance genres,

* what editors look for when acquiring books,

* how she knows when a manuscript is "the One" and worth fighting for,

* behind the scenes of an auction and the making of a can't-say-no book deal

* Deeper dive: The Mechanics of How Book Auctions Work

* the editorial process - how we worked together and what were our favorite parts

* an editor's many hats: in charge of not only editing, but also quarterbacking/coordinating with production, publicity, marketing, sales,

* the process of designing cover art, from conception to author input to sales team feedback,

* behind the scenes of the publisher on book launch day,

and so much more.

You’re invited to my Launch Party + Paper Rose Origami Workshop

In case you missed it, you can RSVP now (it’s free!) for my virtual launch party + origami workshop, where I’ll teach you to make two paper roses inspired by my book. We’ll also talk about the behind-the-scenes of writing The Incredible Kindness of Paper.

🟨 Looking for our community of readers and writers?

Join 24,000+ at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

My guest today is New York Times bestselling author Clare Leslie Hall. Her novel, Broken Country, was also a Reese's Book Club pick earlier this year.

Today, we talk about:

* what stories draw Clare's attention,

* the importance of backlist and how those books can come back to surprise you

* pen names and their purpose in publishing,

* how she harnesses ideas once they appear,

* blending genres: romantic suspense, courtroom drama, and domestic noir

* writing class tension without slipping into cliche,

* the storytelling advice that completely changed the way she thinks about research and writing,

* and so much more.

Connect with Clare:

You can find Clare on Instagram and her website. Her novel, Broken Country, is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer!

🟨 Looking for our community of readers and writers?

Join 24,000+ at CreativeInspiredHappy.com :

- ask questions of upcoming podcast guests,

- behind-the-scenes publishing insights,

- creativity mini-challenges,

- Book Club for Writers & Curious Readers,

- and more.

Podcast booking inquiries:

info@creativeinspiredhappy.com