Every once in a while, someone comes along who reminds you what’s possible in this wild publishing world—and in our latest Marketing Tips session, that someone was Sofia Aves. If you missed the live call, here’s a recap you’ll want to save, share, and refer back to. Sofia offered a treasure chest of real-world strategies, the kind that don’t just sound good… they work. This Aussie author writes across six pen names, raises three kids, runs an alpaca farm, and still manages to maintain a thriving career with over 160 books and a 33,000-subscriber newsletter. Yes, thirty-three thousand. And she does it without fancy tricks or flashy ads—just smart systems, consistent habits, and a deep understanding of her readers. Let’s dig in. The Secret Behind 33,000 Subscribers: Write to ONE Reader Sofia’s biggest “aha” moment was so simple it feels almost too easy. She doesn’t write to 33,000 people.She writes to one person—the way you’d write to an old pen pal. That mindset keeps her newsletters warm, conversational, and human.Readers reply. They engage. They stay. And guess what happens when people reply?Your emails stop landing in spam. Sofia calls this whitelisting by relationship—and it works. Bonus Epilogues: Her #1 Growth…

We had an absolute blast during our Fresh Fiction Video Book Club with the witty and wonderful Jessica Anya Blau, author of SHOPGIRLS—a charming, chaotic, and delightfully fashionable novel inspired by her real-life experiences working at the iconic I. Magnin department store in the late 1980s. Set in the glittering world of luxury retail, SHOPGIRLS takes readers behind the scenes of a San Francisco department store full of unforgettable saleswomen, loyal customers, and a main character named Zippy who’s just trying to keep it all together—while making paper dolls on the side. Yes, that part’s true. Jessica really did that. From praying in the fitting room to surviving on rice and buying her first blouse with a commission check, Jessica shared the real stories that inspired her novel—including tips from cosmetic counter queens (always moisturize up!) and a sweet tribute to her favorite co-worker, Miss Nina, who helped her see the magic in the madness. We also dove into her screenwriting work (Love on the Run, MARY JANE), her unique storytelling voice, and the challenges of writing fiction that’s rooted in truth. And if you’re wondering about her glam beauty routine, just know it involves night cream and good lighting……

What happens when a stubborn MAGA father, his progressive bookseller daughter, and the ghost of his centrist wife collide in a battle over family, finances, and grudges? In LOUIE ON THE ROCKS (SparkPress, February 4, 2025), author Meredith O’Brien delivers a darkly comedic exploration of political division, generational conflict, and reluctant caregiving. We talked with O’Brien to discuss the inspiration behind her novel, the secrets families keep, and what’s coming next. The Inspiration Behind LOUIE ON THE ROCKS When asked about the setting for LOUIE ON THE ROCKS, O’Brien explained that she pulled from her own surroundings:“I wrote what I know, so I rooted the story in central Massachusetts in communities near me.” But what truly drives the novel is its characters—three very different protagonists: While O’Brien admits she’d probably only hang out with Helen in real life, she built the characters to reflect the complexity of family relationships—where love and resentment exist side by side. Family Secrets and Political Divides As she wrote LOUIE ON THE ROCKS, O’Brien realized just how much people keep from each other:“People rarely share their truths and often have no idea what others are really thinking. We hide more than we share. And that’s…

Fresh Fiction: Welcome, B.F. Peterson! We’re excited to chat with you about your latest book. Let’s start with the basics—what’s the title of your newest release? B.F. Peterson: Thanks for having me! My latest release is THE LAND BEYOND THE WASTE. FF: That sounds intriguing! Can you give us the elevator pitch for the book? BFP: Absolutely. The story follows Rydara, the mixed-race bastard daughter of a tribal king, who discovers that the queen of a neighboring country is sacrificing tribespeople in dark magic rituals. Her father refuses to believe her and banishes her to avoid war. Determined to find a way to stop the queen, Rydara and her loyal brother Aander set off through a desert wasteland to seek the fabled land of elves and dragons, hoping to find magic powerful enough to defeat their enemy. But even if they find the elves, will Rydara be able to convince them to save a tribe of prejudiced, short-sighted humans? And if her people are worth saving, what is she willing to sacrifice to do so? FF: That’s a compelling setup! How did you decide on the setting for the book? BFP: THE LAND BEYOND THE WASTE actually stems from a…

1–What is the title of your latest release? QUEEN OF DIAMONDS 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Peaky Blinders but with women thieves, who discover a life of crime in 1920s London is about love, loss and loyalty to the gang. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Alice Diamond and The Forty Thieves belong in London so that was easy! The timeline of the 1920s is to reveal how she put her gang together – plus, the Roaring Twenties in London has such a great juxtaposition of poverty and glamour, it’s just irresistible. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes, and it would be a wild ride. Although, I’d draw the line at stealing, so I probably wouldn’t last long in Alice Diamond’s criminal gang. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Dangerous, determined, diva 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? The secrets of the gang’s true criminal history in Victorian London and in the 1920s. These women were notorious! 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I tend to edit as I go along, writing chronologically, combing back…

1–What is the title of your latest release? LAST TWILIGHT IN PARIS 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? In 1953 London, Louise finds a half heart necklace in a thrift shop which she recognizes as the one she saw her friend Franny, an entertainer, holding hours before she was killed when Louise was volunteering in Europe with the Red Cross during World War II.  Louise traces the necklace’s origin in a desperate attempt to find out the truth about what happened to Franny and discovers a mysterious connection to a department store in Paris with a tragic wartime past. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? When I learned the history of Levitan, the furniture store in central Paris where Jews were imprisoned and forced to sort, and in some cases sell, plunder from Jewish homes to the Germans, I was astounded. I knew the location would be central to my next book. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Definitely. But would she hang out with me?? 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Searching. Curious. Determined. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? In addition to…

In this week’s Jen’s Jewels, bestselling author Robin Jones Gunn takes us on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Africa with her latest novel, TEA WITH ELEPHANTS. Join us as Robin shares the inspiration behind the enduring friendship of Fern and Lily, the magic of Kenya’s tea fields and wildlife, and the profound spiritual growth that comes from navigating life’s uncertainties. From personal reflections to travel adventures, Robin’s words offer a heartfelt exploration of faith, friendship, and the beauty found in life’s wildest moments. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation that beautifully blends faith, adventure, and the power of lifelong friendships!   Jennifer Vido: Fern and Lily have shared a close friendship for over two decades. How did you approach writing their relationship, and what do you think makes their bond so enduring despite the distance and life changes? Robin Jones Gunn: I receive a lot of mail from readers, and I pay attention to the life issues they share with me. I kept those heart-felt challenges in mind when I crafted Fern and Lily. The bond of the two characters over the years and over the miles is based on two women I know who managed to remain close…

Welcome back, book lovers, to another sparkling edition of Jen’s Jewels! This week, we’re diving into the world of Kit Tosello‘s novel, THE COLOR OF HOME. Get ready for a heartwarming journey through small-town charm, personal redemption, and the power of faith. Kit opens up about crafting compelling characters, weaving sensitive themes, and finding inspiration in real-life experiences. Whether you’re a fan of contemporary women’s fiction or simply love a good story about second chances, you won’t want to miss this insightful interview. So grab your favorite beverage, settle into your coziest reading nook, and join us as we uncover the gems behind this award-winning author’s work.   Jennifer Vido: Audrey Needham is such a compelling character, balancing her high-stress career with deeply personal challenges. How did you develop her character, and what aspects of her journey do you think readers will relate to the most? Kit Tosello: I’ve had a taste of the career pressure Audrey faces, as I’m sure many of us have. At some point we have to consider: How much of my stress is self-inflicted due to ambition and/or perfectionism? Am I where I’m truly meant to be? Do my go-to coping strategies still serve me,…

Romance readers, take note: this week’s Jen’s Jewels interview brings you an exclusive look into Kristen Ashley’s latest novel, EMBRACING THE CHANGE. Part of the captivating River Rain series, this book promises a compelling blend of love, loss, and unexpected twists. Ashley opens up about the creation of Nora Ellington and Jamie Oakley, two characters whose journey from friendship to romance is anything but straightforward. With hints of family secrets, New York high society, and the shadows of past heartbreaks, Embracing the Change delivers the emotional depth Ashley’s fans have come to expect. Dive in with us as we uncover the story behind the story and get a tantalizing peek at what’s next in the River Rain saga.   Jennifer Vido: What inspired you to create the characters of Nora Ellington and Jamie Oakley? Kristen Ashley: They came about in the telling of the River Rain Saga, when Judge’s story came up (CHASING SERENITY – book 2). Considering how that story went, we met his dad, and then I fell in love with Jamie. As per pretty much every book I’ve written, my heroine has to have a best bud (or more than one). So when I wrote Tom and…

Prepare to be captivated by the bittersweet brilliance of THE GOODBYE PROCESS in this week’s Jen’s Jewels author interview! Ever wondered what happens when a luxury realtor falls for someone helping him detach from years of plastic surgery? Or how about a professional mourner spicing up a funeral? Mary Jones’s debut short story collection is a delightful rollercoaster of emotions, blending tender moments with dark humor in the most unexpected ways. Join us as we chat with the author about her quirky characters, surreal situations, and the art of finding laughter in the face of loss. Trust me, you won’t want to say goodbye to this interview!   Jennifer Vido: In THE GOODBYE PROCESS, you explore a range of emotional landscapes, from tender to darkly funny. What drew you to these particular tones, and how do they interact within the collection as a whole? Mary Jones: Tenderness is what you would expect to find in a collection about loss, and my characters do experience these emotions: sadness, longing, anxiety, desperation. I also use humor to cope in my real life, and that comes through in these stories, too, I think. Sometimes when something bad happens, right there next to it—if…