Welcome to Debut Writers, the podcast that takes you on an inspiring journey through the world of writing and publishing. Each series serves as a guide with tips and strategics to help you work toward and achieve your author goals.
The First Book: Navigating the Path to Publication with Debut Author Patricia Shanae Smith
What does it really take to go from aspiring writer to published author?
In this episode of Debut Writers, host Anne Brooks sits down with debut author Patricia Shanae Smith to talk about the journey behind publishing her first book—the challenges, lessons, unexpected moments, and decisions that helped turn her manuscript into a published work.
Patricia shares an inside look at what she learned while navigating the path to publication and offers encouragement for writers who are still working toward seeing their own book on the shelf.
In this episode, we talk about:
📚 The journey from writing a first book to publication
✍️ Lessons learned as a debut author
📝 Navigating the publishing process for the first time
💡 What Patricia wishes she had known earlier
❤️ Staying committed to your story through the ups and downs
📖 Advice for writers hoping to become published authors
Whether you're drafting your first manuscript, preparing to publish, or simply wondering what happens between “I wrote a book” and “I’m a published author,” this conversation offers an honest look at the debut-author experience.
🎙️ Debut Writers brings together debut authors and publishing industry professionals to share the stories, strategies, and real-world advice writers need to navigate the publishing world.
Subscribe to Debut Writers for more conversations with authors, agents, editors, publishers, and other industry professionals.
#DebutWriters #PatriciaShanaeSmith #DebutAuthor #WritingCommunity #WritingTips #Publishing #HowToGetPublished #FirstTimeAuthor #AuthorInterview
1 Sept 2026
From Editor to Bestselling Author; Jennifer Moorman on Traditional Publishing
What does it really take to turn writing into a successful publishing career?In this BONUS episode of Debut Writers, Anne Brooks sits down with USA TODAY bestselling author Jennifer Moorman, whose career has taken her from editor to independently published author to traditionally published bestseller.Drawing on her experience as a former senior editor at HarperCollins and now a full-time author, Jennifer pulls back the curtain on what writers need to know before pursuing publication. We talk about the realities of traditional vs. self-publishing, how polished your manuscript should be before querying, what publishers actually do for authors, and why writers need to take an active role in building their careers.In this episode, you'll learn:✨ What publishers can—and can't—do for authors✨ Why you should ask questions instead of making assumptions✨ How to prepare your manuscript before querying an agent✨ The differences between traditional and self-publishing✨ Why knowing your genre and industry standards matters✨ How Jennifer turned self-publishing success into a traditional book deal✨ Why authors need to keep marketing their books long after release dayJennifer's biggest lesson? Write the book. Learn the business. Build the career.Whether you're preparing to query, deciding how to publish, or trying to build a sustainable author career, this conversation offers an insider's look at publishing from someone who has experienced it from both sides of the desk.🎙️ Debut Writers BONUS Episode: From Editor to Bestselling Author: Jennifer Moorman on Traditional Publishing, Craft, and Creative Magic
28 Apr 2026
Debut Writers Episode #4, Series 6 The Future of Publishing: Understanding Publishing Paths with Morgan James Founder David Hancock
What’s the best way to publish your book in today’s market? 📚
In this episode of Debut Writers, we sit down with David Hancock, founder of Morgan James Publishing and often called the father of hybrid publishing, to break down the three main publishing paths every writer should understand: traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid publishing.
We discuss the pros and cons of each route, why author ownership matters, how publishing has changed over the years, and what writers need to know before signing any deal. If you’ve ever wondered which publishing path is right for you, this episode is a must-watch.
✨ Whether you're writing your first book or preparing to publish your next one, this conversation will help you make smarter publishing decisions.
👇 Tell us in the comments: Which publishing path are you considering?
#DebutWriters #PublishingTips #HybridPublishing #SelfPublishing #TraditionalPublishing #AuthorLife #WritersCommunity #BookPublishing #AspiringAuthor #WritingPodcast #IndieAuthor #MorganJamesPublishing #BookWriting #AuthorTips #WritingJourney
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