In this episode of Beyond the Plot, I sit down with author Lulu Morris to talk about her writing journey, career pivots, and the realities of being a published author.

Lulu opens up about her transition from historical romance to contemporary rom-coms, sharing the creative challenges and rewards that came with changing genres. We discuss the importance of finding your voice, trusting your instincts, and building a sustainable writing career.

We also dive into the value of community and networking, particularly through the Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA), as well as the challenges of balancing writing with family life and the growing need for self-promotion in today’s publishing landscape.

Lulu gives listeners a sneak peek into her upcoming novel, The Dating Pact, and shares how she develops story ideas, builds strong character arcs, and approaches writing without strict outlines.

This episode is a must-listen for writers at any stage and romance readers curious about what really goes on beyond the plot.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Beyond the Plot on Spotify, leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating, and share it with a fellow writer or reader. Don’t forget to check back for new episodes every week.

✨ Key Takeaways

✍🏽 Treat writing like a profession🤝 Community & networking are essential📚 Strong character arcs drive great stories⏳ Balance is one of the biggest challenges📣 Self-promotion is part of the job📝 Finish the book before worrying about marketing

In this episode, we’re joined by Hannah Evans, an author from South Wales, who shares her journey from childhood writing to publishing her debut novel, The Mapmaker’s Wife. Hannah discusses how family history inspired her storytelling, the realities of balancing writing with a full-time job, and what it’s like navigating the modern publishing landscape. She also emphasizes the importance of community, perseverance, and authentic storytelling for aspiring authors.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• ​How Hannah began writing at a young age
• ​The personal inspiration behind The Mapmaker’s Wife
• ​Balancing creative work with a full-time career
• ​Insights into the publishing and editing process
• ​Why community support matters for writers
• ​Advice for aspiring and emerging authors

Key Takeaways:

• ​Writing takes discipline, patience, and passion
• ​Publishing is a collaborative, multi-draft process
• ​Community can play a vital role in creative growth
• ​Perseverance is essential on the writing journey

In this episode, author Becca Mascull shares her fascinating writing journey across multiple genres, from historical fiction and saga fiction to rom-coms. She discusses the realities of publishing, the importance of persistence, and how financial considerations influenced her genre choices. Becca also opens up about her writing process, working with a supportive agent, and her plans to explore self-publishing for greater creative control.

This conversation offers honest insights into the evolving publishing landscape and valuable advice for emerging writers looking to build sustainable writing careers.

Key Takeaways:
• Writing across multiple genres and pen names
• How financial realities shape creative decisions
• Why persistence is essential for writers
• Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing
• Planning, plotting, and adapting as a writer

Keywords:
Becca Mascull, writing journey, historical fiction, saga fiction, rom-coms, publishing, writing process, self-publishing, persistence, genre selection

Remember to subscribe, like and share so I can keep bringing you these amazing author interviews.

In this warm and inspiring episode, bestselling author Cressida McLaughlin joins us to talk about her journey writing cozy romance novels and building a fulfilling creative career. From navigating rejection to finding joy in reader connections, Cressida shares honest insights into what it really takes to persevere as a writer.

Living in Norfolk and drawing inspiration from places like Cornwall, Cressida discusses the importance of setting in her novels, her unique blend of planning and spontaneity when writing, and why cozy, small-town stories continue to resonate with readers. She also opens up about the value of having a great literary agent, the role of social media, and her aspirations to expand her readership internationally.

✨ Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a romance reader, or simply curious about the creative process, this episode is full of encouragement, practical wisdom, and heart.

Key Topics Covered:

• Writing cosy romances and women’s fiction

• Overcoming rejection and building resilience

• The importance of perseverance in publishing

• Connecting with readers and hosting events

• How Norfolk and Cornwall inspire her settings

• Behind-the-scenes of her writing process

• Dreams of reaching an international audience

Takeaways:

• Perseverance is essential in a writing career

• Rejection is part of every author’s journey

• Reader connection brings immense joy

• Setting plays a powerful role in storytelling

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave a rating — it really helps support the show!

What happens behind the pen names?

In this engaging and honest episode, author Olivia Beirne joins the podcast to talk about writing across genres, navigating the publishing world, and what it’s really like managing multiple pen names.

Olivia shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of building different author identities, and how she stays true to her voice no matter the name on the cover. We also discuss the importance of support networks, handling reader reviews, overcoming creative blocks, and balancing writing with everyday life—all with plenty of laughs along the way.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a published author, or simply curious about the realities of author life, this conversation offers inspiration, practical insight, and a behind-the-scenes look at the modern publishing journey.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow the podcast for more conversations with authors and creatives.

Episode Takeaways

• Writing under multiple pen names comes with both creative freedom and unique challenges

• Staying true to your voice matters more than the name on the book

• Support networks play a vital role in an author’s journey

• Personal experiences strongly influence authentic storytelling

• Reader reviews can affect mindset and confidence

• Writer’s block is a common challenge—even for established authors

• Balancing creativity with real-life commitments is an ongoing process

• The publishing industry continues to evolve

• Social media can deepen connections between authors and readers

• Writing is about authenticity, consistency, and connection

In today’s episode, we welcome the brilliantly funny, wildly talented, and endlessly inspiring Lindsey Kelk — bestselling author, broadcaster, and all-round queen of wit.

Lindsey takes us on a journey from her childhood in a small mining village in South Yorkshire to building a thriving writing career in Los Angeles. With her signature humour and honesty, she opens up about the realities of the publishing industry: the highs, the heartbreaks, and the hustle it takes to build a life in books.

We dive into:
✨ How a book-obsessed kid became a bestselling author
✨ Why perseverance matters more than perfection
✨ The messy, wonderful truth about breaking into publishing
✨ How social media completely changed the game
✨ The role of agents, editors, and choosing your creative team
✨ Balancing writing with real life (and keeping the joy alive)
✨ The power of showing up authentically — on the page and online

Whether you’re an aspiring author, a lover of books, or someone chasing a big dream, Lindsey’s humour, heart, and hard-won wisdom will leave you feeling inspired — and ready to take the next step in your own creative journey.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Perseverance is everything — even (especially!) when things get tough.

• Your voice is your superpower: authenticity wins.

• Social media has reshaped publishing — and offers huge opportunities.

• Having a good agent makes a world of difference.

• Your path doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.

• Writing is personal — but publishing is a business.

• Balancing life and creativity is an ongoing journey.

• Embrace who you are and use it in your work.

👉 Enjoying the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a dose of inspiration!

In this inspiring and deeply honest episode, bestselling author Amy Andrews joins us to talk about her journey through the ever-changing world of publishing. Amy opens up about her early rejections, the persistence that kept her going, and how authenticity has become the heart of her connection with readers.

We dig into her writing process, the discipline behind creativity, and the role social media now plays in an author's career — both the blessings and the challenges. Amy also shares candid reflections on burnout, personal growth, and the importance of staying adaptable as the industry evolves.

Whether you're an aspiring author or simply love hearing the real stories behind the books you read, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humour, and practical advice.

Keywords: Amy Andrews, writing process, authenticity, publishing industry, social media, personal growth, creativity, burnout, networking, author journey

Takeaways:
– Rejection can spark resilience and ambition
– Authenticity builds true reader connection
– Publishing has changed dramatically with digital formats
– Social media can help but can also overwhelm
– Burnout is real and must be managed mindfully
– Networking matters more than most writers realise
– Inspiration can come from the smallest moments
– Writing requires both art and discipline
– Balance is crucial for long-term creative sustainability
– Growth happens when you embrace change

Get in touch with Amy

Website - https://amyandrews.com.au/about/

Instagram - @amyandrewsbooks

Writing Academy - @howtowriteacademy

Get ready for an honest and energising conversation with author Liv Matthews, who takes us inside the real world of modern publishing. Liv shares her journey from aspiring writer to published author, opening up about the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned, and the mindset that helped her keep going.

We talk about everything from marketing yourself as an author to navigating the changing publishing landscape — and why embracing imperfection might be the most powerful creative tool you have. Liv also discusses the role of social media, the importance of having a supportive network, and what truly matters when you’re chasing a book deal.

If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book, or you simply want a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry, this episode is packed with wisdom, heart, and encouragement.

Liv opens up about:
✔️ Her journey from aspiring writer to published author
✔️ The challenges she faced getting noticed in the industry
✔️ Why marketing yourself is essential for modern authors
✔️ The evolving publishing landscape — and how to keep up
✔️ How embracing imperfection fuels creativity
✔️ The role of social media in today’s book world
✔️ What really happens on the path to a book deal
✔️ The importance of community and trusting the experts around you

Remember to subscribe, like and share so we can keep bringing you these episodes!