In this episode, we meet Olivia in the days just before her second novel Little One is published. As a distraction from her pre-publication anxiety about success and sales, Olivia goes back to the beginning of her life to try to understand why, exactly, she started writing in the first place.

"Little Pod" is produced with help from James Cave.

If you'd like to support our work, please review this series or share it on your social platforms! Your support makes a huge difference.

Click here to purchase Little One

Listen to Bad on Paper podcast

See Olivia on her book tour

Follow Olivia @oliviamuenter

Follow James at @jamescave

Little Pod is a six-part limited series hosted by novelist Olivia Muenter, created in the weeks leading up to the release of her new novel, "Little One," out on February 3.

Instead of focusing on the anxieties of a book launch, Little Pod asks a more fundamental question: Why choose the life of a novelist at all?

Across six episodes, Olivia traces the motivations, pressures, and decisions that shape a writing life today. Through a mix of memoir and reporting, Olivia will take you through conversations about creativity and candid examinations of the modern publishing industry.

Along the way, she speaks with a successful novelist, a major publishing executive, an independent bookstore owner, as well as her parents and a childhood school teacher to try and understand the personal meaning behind choosing to make work (and a life) out of words.

"Little Pod" is produced with help from James Cave.

If you'd like to support our work, please review this series or share it on your social platforms! Your support makes a huge difference.

Click here to pre-order or purchase "Little One"

Listen to Bad on Paper podcast

See Olivia on her book tour

Follow Olivia at @oliviamuenter

Follow James at @jamescave