CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY with Evelyn Skye

Hello, Protagonists!My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Hattie Williams, a former book publicist whose debut novel, Bitter Sweet, is about... a book publicist who falls for a legendary author she's working for.Hattie has not only worked in publishing as a publicist but also in marketing and editorial, and before that, she was a musician and songwriter who has toured across Europe.Today, we talk about:* how Hattie fell into writing as a young mother,* her experience in the publishing world and how that informed the settings and stories in Bitter Sweet.* writing complicated, toxic relationships without veering into judgment of the characters,* how her background as a book publicist has helped her publicize her own book on both Instagram and Substack,* whether songwriting affects her novel writing,and so much more.Want more of Hattie?You can find Hattie on Substack and Instagram. Bitter Sweet, 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 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe

Welcome to another episode of the Creative. Inspired. Happy. podcast—where we go behind the scenes with the storytellers shaping our culture.My guest today is Nikki Erlick, New York Times Bestselling author of The Measure, which was a TODAY Show/Read with Jenna book pick. Nikki's work has been translated into 24 languages worldwide, and her newest novel, The Poppy Fields, is out now.Today, we talk about:* Nikki's favorite childhood books,* Her experience first as a travel writer and ghost writer, before shifting to fiction,* Why she's drawn to big, existential questions in her novels,* How she is able to write without thinking about what her audience is expecting of her,* pouring herself into the characters of The Poppy Fields,and so much more.Want more of Nikki?You can find Nikki on Instagram and her website. Her newest novel, The Poppy Fields, 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 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe

Hello, Protagonists,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. Enjoy!The Invisible Thread: What Authors and Readers Offer Each OtherYears ago, when I was still unpublished and hungry for any connection to the literary world, I had the opportunity to be the conversation partner for a well-known author visiting our local bookstore. I spent hours preparing for the event, and on the day of, I asked thoughtful questions and felt genuinely excited about the discussion we had on stage.But afterward, when she didn’t follow me back on social media, I felt stung. Didn’t she appreciate what I’d done for her as host in our local community? Wasn’t I worth a simple follow?It wasn’t until years later, when I was published and began experiencing the reality of public-facing author life, that I understood. That well-known author wasn’t being snobby—she was protecting her sanity. The event we’d done together was just one stop on a long tour, one conversation among dozens, not to mention all the press and interviews online. It wasn’t mentally healthy for her to follow every bookseller, every conversation partner, and every reader who wanted a piece of her digital attention without drowning in the noise.Then vs. NowThere was a time when a novelist’s job was simply to write novels. Authors like J.D. Salinger and Harper Lee could disappear from public view entirely, letting their work speak for itself. Readers had to seek out authors through carefully crafted interviews or rare public appearances, if they encountered them at all.Today, the expectation is radically different. To sell books in the current market, authors are expected to be accessible, relatable, and constantly engaging. We share glimpses of our writing process and our daily routines, and some of us—like me here on Substack—build communities around our creative lives.This intimacy is beautiful, in many ways. But there’s also a shadow side to this accessibility.When Knowing Becomes ClaimingThe challenge with parasocial relationships—those one-sided connections where someone feels like they know a public figure personally—isn’t that they exist. Parasocial relationships have always existed. People have felt connected to actors, musicians, and even authors for as long as we’ve had public figures at all.The difference now is proximity and expectation, because digital platforms create the illusion of personal relationship. When an author shares a photo of their morning coffee or talks about their writing struggles, it feels like a text or video call from a friend. The human brain, which evolved for small communities where we actually knew each and every person we interacted with, struggles to distinguish between true intimacy and technologically-enabled accessibility.This confusion can sometimes lead to a sense of ownership over an author’s time and attention that feels different from other relationships. Almost every author I know has, at some point, been on the receiving end of a reader lashing out because they were disappointed/upset that the author didn’t respond to their email, DM, or social media post.But if we step back and try to look at this objectively, isn’t this strange? For example, if a friend recommends a restaurant to you, the friend doesn’t expect the chef to come out and personally thank them.Yet, in a world where technology creates a parasocial mirage, it’s easy to forget that authors might be fielding hundreds or even thousands of similar messages, or simply taking a much-needed break from being online.The New RealityI think about Suzanne Young, who told me about co-authoring a book with Tom DeLonge from the band Blink-182. During a book signing, a fan approached with scissors because he wanted to cut a piece of Tom’s hair to keep as a souvenir. Tom’s bodyguard intervened, and afterward, Tom turned to Suzanne and said something like, “Isn’t it crazy when that happens?” She laughed and told him that that doesn’t happen to authors, it only happens to rock stars.That conversation happened years ago. I’m not sure it would be as clearly true today.Recently, bookstores have had to implement security policies that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago. At some events, signs now explicitly state that authors “do not owe fans access, attention, or physical proximity simply by virtue of being public figures.” The fact that this needs to be spelled out shows how normalized certain expectations have become.What We Already Give Each OtherInstead of focusing on the negatives, though, I now want to turn this around and look at the wonderful things we all do for each other. I think it’s good to remember that, above all, we love books and we love storytelling. That beautiful common ground is what brings readers and authors together in the first place.What strikes me most about the author-reader relationship is how generous it is on both sides. Readers invest their precious time and emotional energy in our stories. They champion books they love, create communities around shared reading experiences, and offer the kind of support that sustains authors through the inevitable challenges of creative life. This generosity moves me every single day.And authors? We keep showing up to the page, sometimes when inspiration feels elusive, because we know there are readers who need the stories only we can tell. We share parts of ourselves through our work, trusting that these offerings will find their way to the people meant to receive them.The invisible thread between author and reader is real, and it’s powerful. Despite what I said before about parasocial relationships, platforms like Substack, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc. are great for allowing us to connect like never before. We just all need to remember to set and keep respectful boundaries of mutual admiration. When we honor both the magic of that connection and the humanity on both sides of it, something extraordinary happens. The stories we share and love become bridges between us—not because we know each other in real life, but because we recognize something true and universal in the work itself.What we offer each other—story and attention, creativity and care—is already enough. Everything else is simply a gift.What brings you the most joy in your reading life? I'm always curious about the moments that remind us why we fell in love with books in the first place. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Lisa Jewell, #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of 24 novels. Her latest psychological thriller, Don't Let Him In, is out now.Today, we talk about:* Lisa's preferred reading format—physical books, ebooks or audio books—and her “dark” secret as a reader,* Why she writes and what has kept her going in such a long and successful career,* behind the scenes of her writing process for Don't Let Him In,* how she keeps her stories fresh to make sure she's not repeating herself with each new book,* what the most misunderstood part of being a bestselling author is,* a few sneaky hints about her next book,* her favorite interactions with readers,* one thing that readers might be surprised to find out about her,and so much more.Want more of Lisa?You can find Lisa on X and Instagram. Her newest novel, Don’t Let Him In, 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 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe

How changing my perspective of ordinary moments became my quiet rebellion.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. Enjoy!This is the audio version of an essay I wrote. If you prefer to read it, it's at CreativeInspiredHappy.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is V.E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 25 books, including The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Her latest novel, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, is out now.Today, we talk about:* the curse of perfectionism and how Victoria copes with it,* fighting Imposter Syndrome,* why it's important to her to share both the victories and disappointments in publishing,* the part of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil that Victoria re-wrote at the last minute, to the chagrin of her publisher,* why defining books in genres is a box that writers and readers should actively fight against,* which part of writing is her most hated, and which is her favorite,* whether her poetic prose comes in the first draft or later in the editing phase,* reading reviews of her own books,* and so much more.»(Plus a guest appearance in the video from one of Victoria’s cats)Want more of Victoria?You can find Victoria on Instagram or check out her website to sign up for her newsletter. Her newest novel, Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer!🟨 Want more writing advice and community?Join 24,000+ writers 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 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe

How I found balance between big dreams and small, personal moments.Welcome to Letters from the Creative Life, a new feature on my podcast and Substack. 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. Enjoy!(If you'd like to read the essay instead, you can find it at CreativeInspiredHappy.com ) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe

Hello, Protagonists!My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Adam Met, multi-platinum recording artist (he's the A in the band AJR). He is also a professor, and now author of a new book, AMPLIFY.Today, we talk about:* the kinds of books Adam likes to read* the process of co-authoring a book with another writer* how to outline a non-fiction book* breaking rules to build fanbases* storytelling in songs vs in books* avoiding burnout in creative careers, and* how to find your personal happiness and fulfillment in life🟨 Want more writing advice and community?Join more than 20,000 writers 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.comWant more of Adam?For book tour information and more, you can find Adam on Instagram, X, and his website.Adam’s book Amplify is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe

My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Mike Sowden, the author behind the hugely popular Substack, “Everything is Amazing.” He is also a former archaeologist and travel writer, and one of the humblest writers I know. (Don't be fooled when he starts out the interview by telling you he has no idea what he's doing.)Today, we talk about:* What is Substack, and is it too late to get started there?* How Mike found his writing voice, a unique blend of scientific explanation and approachable humor* The joy of trying things even when you're not an expert on the topic* Growth on Substack - what works and what doesn't?* The concept of writing seasons (a.k.a. finding a publishing cadence that doesn't kill you)* What we can learn from Liz Gilbert's multimedia approach to writing,and so much more.Want more of Mike?Fill your life with more WOW at Everything is Amazing.🟨 Want more writing advice and community?Join 24,000+ writers 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 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe

Hello, Protagonists!My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Katherine Center, New York Times Bestselling author and one of the reigning queens of hopeful, feel-good fiction. She’s also had two books adapted into hit movies on Netflix. Her latest novel, The Love Haters, is out now.Today, we talk about:* finding inspiration which Katherine describes catching butterflies* discovering your place and mission in writing—a.k.a. what kind of author do you want to be?* maintaining a pace of publishing one book a year(Sample production timeline in traditional publishing)* her trick for writing deep characters* balancing "normal life" as a mom with being a professional writer* what does long-term success look like for a novelist* and so much more.🟨 Want more writing advice and community?Join more than 20,000 writers 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.comWant more of Katherine?You can find Katherine on Instagram, or check out her website to sign up for her email list. The movie versions of her books The Lost Husband and Happiness for Beginners are on Netflix.Katherine’s newest novel, The Love Haters, is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe