Fictional Footnotes with Colin Mustful Podcast

About Fictional Footnotes with Colin Mustful Podcast

Welcome to Behind the Publisher’s Desk with Colin Mustful, a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the world of independent publishing. As an author, editor, and publisher, Colin shares candid insights into the daily realities of running a press, working with authors, and building a career in storytelling. In each ten-minute episode, you’ll discover practical lessons, hard-earned experiences, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on the challenges and rewards of publishing. Whether you’re an aspiring author, a fellow publisher, or simply curious about the business of books, this podcast offers a thoughtful look at the industry from the other side of the desk. colinmustful.substack.com (https://colinmustful.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Exploring the art and business of storytelling.

Category

business · fiction

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Jan 2025

Latest episode

22 May 2026

Latest episodes

27 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 May 2026

   Office Hours with Melissa Makarewicz and Brynn Barineau

   In this special Office Hours replay, Melissa Makarewicz is joined by Brynn Barineau (https://substack.com/profile/60664528-brynn-barineau), author of Jungle of Ashes (https://www.historythroughfiction.com/store/p/jungle-of-ashes-paperback), while Colin Mustful travels home from Brynn’s launch-week events. What begins as a conversation about a new book release quickly opens into a candid discussion about the real work behind author visibility: setting realistic expectations, rebuilding momentum, and finding sustainable ways to show up online. Brynn reflects on the launch of Jungle of Ashes, a historical novel set against the rise and collapse of Fordlandia in the Brazilian Amazon, and shares how her own background in Brazil shaped the story she wanted to tell. From there, the conversation turns to the realities of launching a book as a working parent, including the challenge of re-entering literary community after time away, reconnecting with readers, and choosing marketing efforts that actually fit the season of life you’re in. Melissa brings a practical coaching perspective throughout, emphasizing that the best platform strategy is not the most ambitious one—it’s the one an author can sustain. Together, she and Brynn explore what it means to build an authentic author brand, why creators need to lean into the formats they genuinely enjoy, and how visibility grows when writers stop trying to force themselves into strategies that drain them. They also talk about podcasts, reels, Substack, launch events, and the importance of showing up in ways that feel human rather than performative. The deeper takeaway is clear: consistency matters, but so does honesty. If you can find a way to share your work that energizes you instead of exhausting you, you’re far more likely to keep going. If you’re a writer trying to balance creativity, family, work, and the demands of book marketing, this conversation offers practical encouragement, grounded insight, and a refreshing reminder that sustainable growth is often built one honest step at a time. If this conversation resonates with you, consider picking up a copy of Jungle of Ashes by Brynn Barineau. It’s a vivid, thoughtful historical novel set against the rise and unraveling of Fordlandia in the Brazilian Amazon—and a perfect companion to many of the themes discussed in this Office Hours replay. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe (https://colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

2. 

   22 Feb 2026

   Craft Over Convenience: Why I’m Writing My Next Novel by Hand

   A recent The New York Times article profiled author Coral Hart, who reportedly published 200 AI-assisted romance novels in a single year. The story has reignited debate about artificial intelligence in writing and publishing. In this video, I share my perspective—not from a place of fear or outrage, but from a commitment to craft. As I begin drafting a new novel—by hand, in a notebook—I explain why I’m choosing to engage fully with the writing process rather than outsource it. For me, storytelling is not merely about output. It’s about growth, discipline, artistic development, and respect for readers. If you care about the future of authorship, the integrity of storytelling, and what it means to truly learn the craft, this conversation is for you.What do you think?Is AI a useful tool for writers—or a shortcut that costs us something essential? Leave a comment and join the conversation. History Through Fiction with Colin Mustful is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe (https://colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

3. 

   9 Jan 2026

   Office Hours

   In this Office Hours session, Colin and Melissa dig into the real work behind building a sustainable writing and publishing career. Drawing from audience questions, they explore the foundations of self-publishing, the importance of setting realistic expectations around audience size and marketability, and why authors need to think about marketing and community-building earlier than they often expect. The conversation covers when—and how—to start marketing a book, why newsletters remain one of the most valuable tools for authors, and how platforms like Substack fit into a long-term strategy despite growing saturation. Colin and Melissa also discuss balancing writing, marketing, and life obligations; avoiding burnout; and making intentional choices about what to share publicly as an author. Throughout, the emphasis remains on honesty, experimentation, and patience—recognizing that no two publishing paths look the same, and that success is built over time through consistent, focused effort rather than quick wins. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe (https://colinmustful.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.