A monthly writing and publishing podcast featuring authors Laekan Zea Kemp, Candace Buford, Emily Inouye Huey, Jamie Ofelia, and Charity Alyse.
The one where Alex shares what it's like publishing her sophomore novel six years after her debut, the gang discuss the Luke Bateman controversy and how publishing loves a safe bet, and Laekan celebrates her five-year anniversary of being a full-time author by going back to teaching.Connect with Alexandra Villasante online:WebsiteConnect with Vincent Tirado online:Website TikTok Instagram Buy Vincent's booksConnect with Diana Rodriguez Wallach online:Website TikTok Instagram Buy Diana's booksConnect with Laekan Zea Kemp online:Website Instagram TikTok Bluesky Threads Buy Laekan's books
The one where we talk to authors Jonny Garza Villa and Aaron H. Aceves about strategies to pitch and sell our next projects, author career planning years into the future, and a fundraiser for the Queer Liberation Network.Check out the auctionConnect with Jonny Garza Villa online:WebsiteConnect with Aaron H. Aceves online:WebsiteConnect with Diana Rodriguez Wallach online:Website TikTok Instagram Buy Diana's booksConnect with Laekan Zea Kemp online:Website Instagram TikTok Bluesky Threads Buy Laekan's books
The one where we talk about Mark Zuckerberg stealing our books, how the chaos of this current administration is adversely affecting the publishing industry, and embracing the creative pivot.Connect with Angela Montoya online:WebsiteConnect with Melanie Schubert online:WebsiteConnect with Laekan Zea Kemp online:Website Instagram TikTok Bluesky Threads Buy Laekan's booksConnect with Diana Rodriguez Wallach online:Website TikTok Instagram Buy Diana's books
The one where we discuss how we are staying artistically focused given the state of the world, how we manage our book cover reveals, and how to launch a fiction podcast.Connect with Vincent Tirado online:WebsiteConnect with Diana Rodriguez Wallach online:Website TikTok Instagram Buy Diana's booksConnect with Laekan Zea Kemp online:Website Instagram TikTokBluesky ThreadsBuy Laekan's booksConnect with Hien Nguyen online:Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Add Twin Tides to Goodreads
The one where we lament the current state of the country, discuss the myriad routes to film and television adaptations, and remind ourselves that comparison is the thief of joy.Connect with Laura Taylor Namey online:WebsiteConnect with Laekan Zea Kemp online:Website Instagram TikTokBluesky ThreadsBuy Laekan's booksConnect with Hien Nguyen online:Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Add Twin Tides to GoodreadsConnect with Diana Rodriguez Wallach online:Website TikTok Instagram Buy Diana's books
The one where we discuss how publishers value some awards more than others, the behind-the-scenes manufacturing of a book's success, and what it feels like to finally get a peek behind the veil post-debut. Resources Mentioned: Roots. Wounds. Words. Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award NCTE The MacArthur Genius Grant Connect with Jill Tew online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Jill's books Connect with Hien Nguyen online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Add Twin Tides to Goodreads Fahmidan Journal Issue 17 Connect with Diana Rodriguez Wallach online: Website TikTok Instagram Buy Diana's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session
The one where we lament the mental torture of revisions, rage over the reemergence of Jeanine Cummins, and discuss how to set boundaries with family and friends who don't always consider writing to be a "real job." Resources Mentioned: Stephen King's On Writing 2023 Writers' League of Texas Book Awards Jeanine Cummins' New Book PubTips Reddit Diana's advice thread for querying writers Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Diana Rodriguez Wallach online: Website TikTok Instagram Buy Diana's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2024 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session Connect with Hien Nguyen online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Add Twin Tides to Goodreads Fahmidan Journal Issue 17
The one where we welcome the indomitable Dhonielle Clayton to talk about the pressure on marginalized authors to perform in public, authorly cliques, and publishing feminism's failure to be intersectional in combatting sexism (with a shout out to Papa Pope from Scandal). Connect with Dhonielle Clayton: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Dhonielle's books Connect with Diana Rodriguez Wallach online: Website TikTok Instagram Buy Diana's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2024 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session Connect with Hien Nguyen online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Add Twin Tides to Goodreads Fahmidan Journal Issue 17 Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books
The one where YA author Hien Nguyen joins the pod! We talk news consumption and how Laekan and Candace are olds (but, whatever, it's fine), discuss whether there should be a Glassdoor for publishers, and dive deep into whether or not all writing is political. Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Diana Rodriguez Wallach online: Website TikTok Instagram Buy Diana's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2024 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session
The one where we discuss the death of DEI initiatives in publishing as well as the industry's infatuation with white female readers, and Laekan reflects on being chased off the internet by the fans of a white male author. Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2024 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Diana Rodriguez Wallach online: Website TikTok Instagram Buy Diana's books
The one where we talk about how to overcome a publisher's low expectations for your book, how to make money as an author on TikTok, how to recognize when your writing stress is affecting your physical health, and how to determine what type of agent is best for you at different stages of your career. Resources mentioned: Writing In Italy run by YA Author Suzanne Young Angela Montoya TikTok: @angelamontoya_author Kelsie Gonzalez TikTok: @kelsiesheridangonzalez Victoria Aveyard TikTok: @victoriaaveyard Nara Smith TikTok: @naraazizasmith Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Diana Rodriguez Wallach online: Website TikTok Instagram Buy Diana's books Connect with Charity Alyse online: Website Instagram TikTok Buy Charity's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2024 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-paper-trail-podcast/message
The one where we calculate how many months we can live off our advance money, discuss the process of having rights reverted back to us on past books, and rejoice in the way finding the right research materials can end writer's block. Resources mentioned: Highlights Foundation Retreat Highlights Whole Novel Genre Course Writing In Italy Retreats for writers in all career stages-hosted by YA author Suzanne Young Author Pep Talks podcast Connect with Charity Alyse online: Website Instagram TikTok Buy Charity's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2024 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Diana Rodriguez Wallach online: Website TikTok Instagram Buy Diana's books --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-paper-trail-podcast/message
The one where we ponder what exactly determines "good sales numbers," get comfortable with starting over, and realize that publishing is built on the compost pile of failure. Resources mentioned: National Education Association Read Across America Scholastic Book Fair Tomes and Textiles: Tiktok A Crown for Corina Spanish Translation Claribel's Twitter Thread Jean Flynn Award Walter Awards Connect with Hannah V. Sawyerr online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Hannah's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2024 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Charity Alyse online: Website Instagram TikTok Buy Charity's books --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-paper-trail-podcast/message
The one where we discuss the pros and cons of festivals, examine why there are no BIPOC Romantasy phenoms, and critique the worst publishing advice we've ever received. Connect with Jennifer Chen online: Website Instagram Twitter Buy Jennifer's books Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Charity Alyse online: Website Instagram TikTok Buy Charity's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2024 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session Connect with Emily Inouye Huey online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Emily's books --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-paper-trail-podcast/message
The one where we talk about balancing writing with full time work and being gentle to ourselves so that we can be kind to our creativity. We also examine burnout and awards season highs and lows. Connect with Adrianna Cuevas online: Website Instagram Twitter Buy Adrianna Cuevas' books Connect with Jamie Ofelia online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Jamie's books Connect with Charity Alyse online: Website Instagram TikTok Buy Charity's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2024 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session Connect with Emily Inouye Huey online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Emily's books Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-paper-trail-podcast/message
The one where we reflect on our highs and lows of 2023, our seasons of productivity, and our hopes for 2024. We also introduce a new segment in which we spill the publishing tea regarding a white author who targeted authors of color with one-star reviews. Resources mentioned: Teen Book Fest by the Bay TLA Conference Pacemaker.press Connect with S. Isabelle online: Website Instagram Twitter Buy S. Isabelle's books Connect with Charity Alyse online: Website Instagram TikTok Buy Charity's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2024 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session Connect with Emily Inouye Huey online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Emily's books Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Jamie Ofelia online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Jamie's books --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-paper-trail-podcast/message
The one where we chat about our goals for the end of the year, post-debut slumps, and our querying journeys. Resources mentioned: #DVpit Query Shark Eric Smith query tips Latinx Pitch Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2024 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session Connect with Emily Inouye Huey online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Emily's books Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Jamie Ofelia online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Jamie's books Connect with Charity Alyse online: Website Instagram TikTok Buy Charity's books --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-paper-trail-podcast/message
The one where we talk with literary agent Monica Rodriguez about the agent/author relationship, setting boundaries, and maintaining our mental health as authors. Resources mentioned: Margins Writing Conference Find a Lovely Life (Monica's Blog) Monica's Manuscript Wish List Pacemaker Planner #FinishUrBookFall NaNoWriMo Connect with Emily Inouye Huey online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Emily's books Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Jamie Ofelia online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Jamie's books Connect with Charity Alyse online: Website Instagram TikTok Buy Charity's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2024 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-paper-trail-podcast/message
The one where we embrace the chaos of publishing, dig into author finances and LLC structures, and talk school visits. Charity gives words of wisdom. Resources mentioned: The Best Kept Book Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2023 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session Connect with Emily Inouye Huey online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Emily's books Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Jamie Ofelia online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Jamie's books Connect with Charity Alyse online: Website Instagram TikTok Buy Charity's books --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-paper-trail-podcast/message
The one where we talk about author branding and crossing genres. Resources mentioned: Tomes & Textiles breaks down Laekan's launch event Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott Connect with Emily Inouye Huey online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Emily's books Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Jamie Ofelia online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Jamie's books Connect with Charity Alyse online: Website Instagram TikTok Buy Charity's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2023 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Sign up for a School Visit Brainstorming Session --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-paper-trail-podcast/message
The one where we introduce ourselves. Connect with Candace Buford online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Candace's books Connect with Jamie Ofelia online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Jamie's books Connect with Charity Alyse online: Website Instagram TikTok Buy Charity's books Connect with Laekan Zea Kemp online: Website Twitter Instagram TikTok Buy Laekan's books Register for Laekan's Debut Author Boot Camp 20% discount code: PAPERTRAIL2023 Debut Author Boot Camp Scholarship form Connect with Emily Inouye Huey online: Website Twitter Instagram Buy Emily's books --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-paper-trail-podcast/message
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