In this engaging crossover episode, my good friend Mylee J. Miller interviews me! We discuss our journeys in the podcasting world and share our inspiration, how we manage guests, and the tools we use. We touch on the importance of sound quality, the joy of connecting with others, and the challenges of balancing podcasting (and social media) with writing. We also discuss our goals for our podcasts and conclude with some awesome book recommendations.

Find the headphones I use here

Find the microphone I use here

My Writerly Musings is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Mylee J. Miller is an author of fantasy, mystery, horror, and retelling novels, and is represented by Rachel Estep at D4EO Literary Agency for all of her literary works. She’s a freelance editor, a reader for the literary magazines Uncharted Magazine and Fractured Lit, a book reviewer with SFF Insiders, the host of the literary podcast Books And Beyond, and she is pursuing her BS in English in the hopes of becoming an agent or editor someday. When not walking her cats or adding books to her endless TBR, she’s screaming along to Imagine Dragons and eating too much Italian food.

In this engaging conversation, we sit down with bestselling author Stacy Willingham to discuss her writing journey, the significance of setting in her novels, and how she put “southern suspense” on the map. She shares her creative process, how she goes about character development, and crafting twists in her stories. Stacy offers valuable advice on how aspiring writers can develop their own voice and reflects on her own experience in the literary world.

The Prose Pros is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Stacy Willingham is the New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of psychological suspense. Her books include A Flicker in the Dark, All the Dangerous Things, Only If You’re Lucky and Forget Me Not. Her debut, A Flicker in the Dark, has sold over one million copies in North America alone. It was the winner of Strand Magazine’s Best Debut Award and a finalist for the Book of the Month’s Book of the Year award, Goodreads Choice Best Debut award, Goodreads Choice Best Mystery & Thriller award, and ITW’s Best First Novel award. Her work has been translated in more than thirty languages. Before turning to fiction, Stacy was a copywriter and brand strategist for various marketing agencies. She earned her B.A. in magazine journalism from the University of Georgia and M.F.A. in writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, daughter, and dog.

Welcome to the Prose Pros podcast, your go-to source for the art, the craft, and the business of publishing.

The Prose Pros is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Lauren Khan joined FinePrint Literary in 2025 as an Associate Agent following an internship at Triada US Literary Agency. She first entered the publishing world as an author. Prior to transitioning to agenting, she worked for over seven years as a corporate lawyer in New York City. Lauren brings both editorial and transactional expertise to her clients.Lauren lives with her family in her small beach hometown in Florida. She wrote her first novel while pregnant with her son and began agenting while pregnant with her daughter. A graduate of Duke University and Fordham University School of Law, she loves podcasts, long walks with her dog, and all things Nora Ephron. As a former theatre kid, Lauren is a lifelong champion of storytelling, subjecting her loved ones to her songs, stories, and plays from the moment she could talk.​An avid reader across genres, Lauren is particularly interested in adult and YA commercial fiction, especially women’s fiction, romance, mysteries, and thrillers, as well as select non-fiction titles. She is an editorial agent with a strong interest in developing fulfilling and long-lasting careers for her authors.I​nstagram: @laurenjpkhanX: @laurenjpkhan

Tali Shammas is a literary intern at CMA Literary. Her work is represented by Marilyn Biderman and Brenna English-Loeb at Transatlantic Literary Agency. Prior to writing, Tali practiced corporate law at a large multinational firm for a number of years, then shifted to academia with an eye to completing her PhD. While on maternity leave, she dabbled in fiction writing, and was immediately hooked.

Tali gives back by offering mentorship to up-and-coming writers and running workshops on legal issues writers should consider. Tali is the chair of a large writer’s organization and her award-winning short fiction has been published in an anthology. She currently lives in Canada with her husband, two children, and a very spoiled (and handicapable) cockapoo with wheels.I​nstagram: @talishammasX: @talishammas

Exciting news for The Prose Pros: literary agent Lauren Khan joins the show as a co-host!

In this episode, hosts Tali Shammas and Lauren Khan reflect on some key headlines that made publishing news in 2025. They discuss their accomplishments for the year and their goals for 2026. They also touch on the evolving role of authors and the trends shaping the industry as we move into 2026, sharing their predictions for the future of publishing.

My Writerly Musings is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Lauren Khan joined FinePrint Literary in 2025 as an Associate Agent following an internship at Triada US Literary Agency. She first entered the publishing world as an author. Prior to transitioning to agenting, she worked for over seven years as a corporate lawyer in New York City. Lauren brings both editorial and transactional expertise to her clients. Lauren lives with her family in her small beach hometown in Florida. She wrote her first novel while pregnant with her son and began agenting while pregnant with her daughter. A graduate of Duke University and Fordham University School of Law, she loves podcasts, long walks with her dog, and all things Nora Ephron. As a former theatre kid, Lauren is a lifelong champion of storytelling, subjecting her loved ones to her songs, stories, and plays from the moment she could talk. ​An avid reader across genres, Lauren is particularly interested in adult and YA commercial fiction, especially women’s fiction, romance, mysteries, and thrillers, as well as select non-fiction titles. She is an editorial agent with a strong interest in developing fulfilling and long-lasting careers for her authors. I​nstagram: @laurenjpkhan X: @laurenjpkhan

Tali Shammas is a literary intern at CMA Literary. Her work is represented by Marilyn Biderman and Brenna English-Loeb at Transatlantic Literary Agency. Prior to writing, Tali practiced corporate law at a large multinational firm for a number of years, then shifted to academia with an eye to completing her PhD. While on maternity leave, she dabbled in fiction writing, and was immediately hooked.

Tali gives back by offering mentorship to up-and-coming writers and running workshops on legal issues writers should consider. Tali is the chair of a large writer's organization and her award-winning short fiction has been published in an anthology. She currently lives in Canada with her husband, two children, and a very spoiled (and handicapable) cockapoo with wheels.I​nstagram: @talishammasX: @talishammas

My Writerly Musings is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode, Andie Smith shares her unconventional journey to becoming a literary agent. We touch on her early experiences in publishing, the traits she looks for in authors, and the importance of collaboration in the author-agent relationship. We also discuss the emerging genre of eco-fiction, and Andie offers advice for writers in this space.

Check out Kern’s Substack.

In this episode, Kern Carter shares his extensive writing journey, from self-publishing to working with major publishers. We discuss the importance of building a community around writing, cultural trends influencing the industry, and the balance of maintaining an online presence while engaging with readers in person. Kern emphasizes the significance of authenticity in writing and offers practical advice for new writers on how to start building their own communities.

In this episode, literary agent, bestselling children’s book author, and publishing industry expert Vicky Weber shares her journey from self-publishing to becoming an agent. She discusses the evolving landscape of publishing, the importance of marketing strategies, and the nuances of the querying process. Vicky emphasizes the significance of building a supportive community in the publishing industry and offers valuable advice for aspiring authors.

My Writerly Musings is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Vicky Weber is a literary agent, bestselling children’s book author, and publishing industry expert with years of experience helping authors navigate both traditional and self-publishing. As the founder of At Home Author, she has guided countless writers through the process of crafting, publishing, and marketing successful books. With a background in education, Vicky is passionate about breaking down complex industry concepts into actionable steps. Whether securing book deals for her clients or sharing insights on the ever-evolving publishing market, she is dedicated to helping authors turn their creative dreams into reality.

In this episode, I’m joined by author Katie Gergel, whose rom-com, WORTH PLAYING FOR, was recently acquired by Bantam Dell in a pre-empt. We discuss Katie’s path to securing a book deal, the editing process, and her experience with her agent and submission. She discusses the importance of persistence, professional relationships in publishing, and the lessons she learned querying. Katie also reflects on her marketing career and her passion for entertainment and reality TV.

My Writerly Musings is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Katie Gergel lives in Hoboken, NJ, and works as a senior marketing manager for Hearst Magazines in Manhattan. From writing books for her friends in elementary school to earning Film and Political Science degrees at Penn State University, she’s always been a storyteller at heart. When she’s not forcing her characters into messy scenarios, Katie can be found hunting down the best spicy margarita, gobbling up the latest reality dating show, or planning elaborate themed parties that will force her friends to dress up or vote each other out (or both).