

The Secret Library Podcast
Caroline Donahue
Most people believe that books are created in cabins all alone, where authors pound away on some manner of keyboard. Then they hand this masterpiece off to a publisher and it feels very much like it goes down a tube and comes out the other side as a book. By speaking to authors and other book lovers, I'm diving into the mystery that is the book world today. www.thetattooedgoverness.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 22, 2022 • 44min
The Messy Middle | Chloe Benjamin
I’m so excited to have SLP veteran, Chloe Benjamin on the show to kick off the seventh season of the podcast. Chloe is sharing what life has been life after the unexpected success of The Immortalists — including how she chose the topic for her next novel. We talk about the messy middle of writing and how to move through it while continuing to love your novel. Enjoy! Visit this episode's blog post here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carodonahue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Apr 14, 2022 • 43min
Evelyn Steinthaler | Austrian Publishing Lessons
Today we discuss Austria‘s approach with author and editor, Evelyn Steinthaler. Evelyn has worked for and with multiple independent publishing houses and is bringing all of that experience to our conversation today. You’ll hear the journey of independent publishing abroad, the signs of a good agent, and how to stay positive amidst rejections. Enjoy!Visit this episode's show notes page here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carodonahue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Apr 7, 2022 • 47min
Mary Laura Philpott | Publishing from the Bomb Shelter
I’m so excited to have another friend of the show on the podcast again this week, Mary Laura Philpott. In our conversation, you’ll hear about the writing process for her second book, Bomb Shelter, which follows on the heels of her previous book, the bestseller I Miss You When I Blink. So many amazing lessons drawing from her readers, the way she positions herself in the memoir and reading widely across many genres. Enjoy!Visit this episode's show notes page here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Mar 31, 2022 • 36min
Renée Belliveau | Publication, Canadian Style
It’s easy to believe that the publishing model in the US and UK are the only models out there, given how much coverage they get. Renée Belliveau joins me on the SLP to share her publishing journey in Canada. This conversation is special not only because of Renée’s insight, but because she revised her novel with the Next Draft course. Always a joy to see my students’ books reach publication. Enjoy! Visit this episode's show notes page here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram @carodonahue.Connect with Renée on Instagram @rcbelliveau. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Mar 24, 2022 • 56min
Jacqueline Winspear | Publishing a Series
Can you imagine writing 17 books with the same characters? Jacqueline Winspear is the queen of series writing and she’s on The Secret Library podcast today to share her process of not only writing on publication deadlines, but also how she stays connected with her ensemble of characters. We touch on everything from writing in a different time period to writing through trauma. If you’re looking for a new series to read or you’re embarking on creating a series of your own, this episode is for you. Visit this episode's show notes page here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Mar 17, 2022 • 58min
Danielle Lazarin | Writing in the Dark
It’s easy to believe that when we send our book off to publishers that we’ll receive at least one, or maybe multiple offers. But what happens when we don’t hear anything besides rejection? This is a topic that needs to be discussed more because it can be really hard to deal with that feeling. Danielle Lazarin is living this experience right now, and it was a catalyst for her to write her newest essay, The Ambiguous Loss of (Probably) Not Selling My Novel. I’m excited to have her on today to talk through this really tough seasons, the lessons she’s going to take with her, and how her view on publishing has changed. This isn’t the easiest topic, but we’ve made it juicy for you. Promise. Visit this episode's show notes here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Mar 10, 2022 • 40min
Melissa Fu | Transformation via Traditional Publication
One of the best things about The Secret Library is getting to be in relationship with writers from the time their book is just an idea to getting to see it through publication. Today’s guest, Melissa Fu, is one of those amazing people. Her work on her upcoming book, Peach Blossom Spring, started back in 2018 and is now about to hit the shelves in 2022. She’s sharing how her agent found her, the way she stayed engaged with writing during the pandemic, and the hopes that she has for her book. This one is a joy!Visit this episode's show notes page here.Stay up to date with Caroline and the show on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Mar 3, 2022 • 38min
A.L. Berggren | The Publication Project
It can take a lot more than courage to bring your writing to life. This week on the Secret Library, A.L. Berggren (Louise) is joining us to share a pandemic-activated self publishing journey that crescendoed with the release of her book, The Secret of Crying Minds. Visit this episode's show notes page here and connect with Caroline and The Secret Library Podcast on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Feb 24, 2022 • 48min
Kemi Nekvapil | Empowered Publication
I’m so excited to have Kemi Nekvapil back on the podcast to kick of season six of The Secret Library Podcast. Kemi has found herself on the side of self publishing and traditional publishing. Today, she’s sharing her publishing journey of her newest book, Power. We’re highlighting the power of story, listening to your intuition, and more. Enjoy!Visit this episode's show notes page here and connect with Caroline and The Secret Library Podcast on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Nov 25, 2021 • 24min
Rewards of Writing
Here we are at the end of season 5 of the podcast where we've focused on making a writing life. Today we're discussing the topic that has changed my life arguably the most out of everything we have talked about this season. Last week we talked about risk, so this week we have to talk about the rewards of writing. Many people say that writing is its own reward, but what if we don't feel this every time we sit down to write? That's what we're chatting about today.Visit this episode's show notes page here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/s5-ep10 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe


