In this engaging conversation, Jess Taylor shares her journey of opening an online bookstore dedicated to young adult literature and her role as a literary agent. The discussion explores the evolution of YA fiction, the importance of addressing banned books, and the unique challenges of running a bookstore in a digital age. Jess emphasizes the joy of connecting with readers and authors alike, highlighting the need for more diverse representation in literature, particularly for younger audiences and male protagonists. The conversation concludes with insights into the current trends in YA literature and the significance of passion in writing and publishing.

Takeaways

• Jess Taylor opened an online bookstore to fill a gap in YA literature.
• The joy of seeing teens excited about books is validating.
• YA literature allows for creativity and exploration of complex themes.
• Banned books discussions highlight the importance of exposure to diverse topics.
• Personalization in online bookstores can differentiate from larger retailers.
• Social media content creation is a significant challenge for online sellers.
• Jess transitioned from publishing to agenting to advocate for authors.
• The YA audience is growing up, leading to a demand for new adult stories.
• There is a need for more books featuring younger protagonists in YA.
• Jess is open to queries for contemporary YA fiction.

Connect with Jess Taylor

• Shop The Reading Chamber
• Follow on TikTok
• Follow on Instagram

Discount Code

• Shop The Reading Chamber and use the code MARGS at checkout for 15% off your entire purchase including the first month of a subscription!

Querying Jess

• Jess is currently open to queries and can be found on Query Tracker

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Bookstore Dream

02:17 Inspiration Behind the Reading Chamber

03:39 Nostalgic Reading Experiences

05:11 The Appeal of YA Literature

07:53 The Journey of Opening a Bookstore

10:21 Current Trends in YA Literature

12:50 The Evolution of Young Adult Readers

13:40 Navigating Content in YA Books

14:29 Addressing Difficult Topics in YA Literature

17:20 The Need for Diverse Protagonists in YA

17:46 The Importance of Passion in Writing

18:38 Understanding Young Adult Literature

19:11 Curating a Bookstore: Personal Touches and Choices

21:08 Challenges of Running an Online Bookstore

23:59 The Journey to Becoming a Literary Agent

26:32 Open for Queries: Insights into the Agenting Process

26:41 Quirks that Capture an Agent's Interest

26:48 Expanding Genres: YA and Beyond

29:40 105-End Credits Animation .mp4

In this episode of Margs & Manuscripts, we’re joined by Alyssa K. Burns—journalist, author, MBA, elder emo, and one of the most supportive humans in the writing community. Alyssa’s debut novel releases April 1, and she’s sharing the real story behind how she got here… including the moment she decided she was done waiting for permission and went all-in on indie publishing.

We talk through the decisions debut authors actually face (trad vs indie, money vs time, ego vs autonomy), plus the behind-the-scenes logistics that nobody explains until you’re already stressed.

What we cover:

• The mindset shift: “I’m done with people telling me no” and choosing indie publishing
• Why indie publishing isn’t a “last resort” (and why readers often don’t care)
  The indie publishing checklist Alyssa built (because of course she did—MBA behavior)
• Beta readers vs developmental edits
• ARC readers: how many she aimed for, why, and what reviews do for a debut
• Hiring help: what Alyssa outsourced (and why it saved her sanity)
• Cover design: what went wrong, what she learned, and how to advocate for what you want
• Launch planning: making your book launch a real milestone (yes, like a mini wedding)

Connect with Alyssa:

• 🔗 Alyssa’s Website: https://www.alyssakburns.com/
• 📸 Alyssa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssakburns/

Connect with us:

• Follow Margs & Manuscripts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margsandmanuscripts/
• Subscribe for more real-talk conversations about writing, publishing, and building a bookish life with zero gatekeeping.

If you loved this episode, leave a quick rating + review—it helps more writers find the show.

We got put in Instagram jail… then spiraled into a Galentine’s deep dive on FMCs: agency, tropes, and ACOTAR takes.

We got put in Instagram jail (for extremely writer reasons)… and then pivoted into a Galentine’s Day episode about female main characters (FMCs): why so many female protagonists feel frustrating in fantasy romance, romantasy, and contemporary romance, and what actually makes a great FMC.

We unpack the traits that make readers root for her—agency, purpose, intellect, and meaningful choices—and why the hero’s journey can be a trap for women characters. Plus: ACOTAR vs Throne of Glass, the return of the manic pixie dream girl, and how writers can “dig deeper” to avoid defaulting to stereotypes.

Question: Who’s your favorite FMC of all time—and what FMC trope are you done with?

Four authors sit down to say the quiet part out loud: marketing yourself as an author is exhausting. We talk social media pressure, algorithm burnout, batching content, comparison spirals, and how to promote your book when you don’t even have a product yet. No gatekeeping—just honest writer chaos, big feelings, and a reminder that community is the point.

With special guests, friends of the pod, and authors: Nicole Yvette and Jo Bentley

This week, we’re not airing our scheduled episode.

We couldn’t.

In this unfiltered, off-schedule conversation, we talk honestly about why continuing as normal felt wrong and how writing, reading, and storytelling have always existed as responses to power, fear, and collapse.

We discuss:

• why silence isn’t neutral for creators
• writing during rage, grief, and political overwhelm
• books as resistance (even when they’re fantasy or romance)
• how to create without forcing productivity
• and why processing the moment matters, even if you never share the work

This episode isn’t polished. It isn’t profound. It’s real.

If you’re feeling frozen, angry, exhausted, or unsure how to keep creating while the world feels on fire...this conversation is for you.

Content note: This episode references current political realities and may be heavy for some listeners. If today isn’t the day for this kind of conversation, it’s okay to skip. We’ll return to our regular programming soon.

You’re not alone. And your voice, whatever form it takes, still matters.

Getting a literary agent is supposed to feel like the moment—but no one really talks about what it’s actually like when it finally happens.

In this bonus episode, we sit down with Crystal to talk through her real querying journey: nearly 90 queries, revise & resubmits, unexpected phone calls, multiple agent offers, and the emotional whiplash that comes with all of it.

We talk about the envy no one admits to, the panic of “I can’t not query,” and why so much publishing content feels performative and unhelpful. This is the version of the story most writers don’t hear—but desperately need.

If you’re querying, waiting on responses, revising yet again, or refreshing your inbox while trying not to spiral, this episode is for you.

🍸 A short bonus episode pulled from our Episode 8 conversation—because this story deserved its own space.

Romance Novels Are the #1 Bestselling Genre—Here's Why | Heated Rivalry Review, Book Recs & Publishing Trends

How did romance become the bestselling fiction genre? From bodice rippers to contemporary romance to romantasy—romance novels have evolved alongside feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and what readers want from love stories.

In this episode of Margs & Manuscripts, we talk with Crystal Leigh (@crystal.writes)—sapphic F1 romance writer—about:

📚 How Heated Rivalry became the best book-to-TV adaptation

📚 Romance sales: 21.5M to 51M copies in 8 years

📚 The history of romance novels and feminism

📚 Why romance outsells thriller, mystery, and sci-fi combined

📚 Book recommendations: Sarah Adams, Ali Hazelwood, Carly Fortune, Jessica Joyce

📚 The difference between romance, erotica, and smut

📚 LGBTQ+ representation and diversity in modern romance

Perfect for romance readers, BookTok fans, writers, and anyone who loved Heated Rivalry.

Subscribe for author interviews, writing advice, and book recommendations
Find us on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram @margsandmanuscripts

#RomanceBooks #HeatedRivalry #BookRecommendations #BookPodcast #ContemporaryRomance #BookTok

Traditional publishing vs indie publishing, how do you choose as a writer when you’re burned out, mid-edits, or stuck in the querying spiral?

In this episode of Margs & Manuscripts, we talk honestly about querying agents, full requests, developmental editors, self-publishing, creative control, money, and the emotional whiplash of publishing decisions.

We’re not experts...we’re writers in the middle of it. If you’re finishing a manuscript, questioning traditional publishing, or considering indie publishing, you’re not alone.

Subscribe for more honest author conversations
Find us on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram @margsandmanuscripts