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My First Book Story

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by Meredith Davis

5.0(5 reviews)
11 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview

Welcome to My First Book Story, where I interview successful authors about their journeys to their first published book. Whether you’re still chasing your first book contract, going after the next one, or pursuing some other dream, these short interviews will inspire you to keep going. Have you ever wondered how to break through an editor’s slush pile and breach the publishing wall? There are many paths to success, and each one is different. Mine was more than a decade in the making, others happened almost overnight. But the one thing each of these stories has in common is that it ends with a published book in the hands of readers. I’m Meredith Davis, a traditionally published children’s book author living in Austin, Texas, a hotbed of talented book writers and illustrators. I’ve been in this world for thirty years, I’ve heard some great stories, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

Language

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Publishing Since

10/13/2025

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Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for Carolyn Leiloglou

June 15, 2026

Carolyn Leiloglou

<p>Episode 10 – Carolyn Leiloglou</p><p>When her picture book about libraries launched in May 2020, when not a single library was open, Carolyn Leiloglou didn’t give up. </p><p>In this episode of My First Book Story, Meredith Davis talks with award-winning middle grade fantasy author Carolyn Leiloglou about the long road to her first published book, Library’s Most Wanted. Carolyn shares how childhood dreams of writing went dormant until motherhood reignited them, how a COVID launch when libraries were closed made her fear her publishing career was over, and how finishing her first novel on her 40th birthday opened the door to her award-winning series, The Restorationists. Carolyn shares her journey with candor, warmth, and hard-won wisdom.</p><p>Books mentioned</p><ul><li>Library’s Most Wanted (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Librarys-Most-Wanted-Carolyn-Leiloglou/dp/1455625175)</li><li>Beneath the Swirling Sky (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Swirling-Restorationists-Carolyn-Leiloglou/dp/0593579542)</li></ul><br/><p>Links</p><ul><li>Carolyn Leiloglou (https://www.carolynleiloglou.com)</li><li>Meredith Davis (<u><a href="https://meredithldavis.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://meredithldavis.com</a></u>)</li><li>Sarah Pogue (https://www.sarahpogue.com)</li><li>Society of Children’s Book Writers &amp; Illustrators (https://www.scbwi.org)</li><li>12x12 Picture Book Challenge (https://12x12challenge.com)</li><li>Cricket Magazine (https://cricketmedia.com)</li><li>Highlights Magazine (https://www.highlights.com)</li><li>NaNoWriMo (https://nanowrimo.org)</li><li>Read Aloud Revival (https://readaloudrevival.com)</li><li>Waterbrook (https://waterbrookmultnomah.com)</li><li>Episode Webpage (https://open.substack.com/pub/meredithdavis/p/carolyn-leiloglous-first-book-story)</li></ul><br/><p>Theme music by Nate Davis</p><p>Produced by Clay Davis</p>

Episode thumbnail for Varsha Bajaj

May 11, 2026

Varsha Bajaj

<p>Episode 9 – Varsha Bajaj</p><p>How did a bedtime game with her son and a flyer at the public library spark Varsha Bajaj's path to becoming a bestselling children's author?</p><p>In this episode of My First Book Story, Meredith Davis talks with New York Times bestselling author Varsha Bajaj about the journey that led to her first published book, How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?. A sweet counting game with Varsha’s young son became the heart of her debut picture book. Varsha shares how she sold the manuscript without an agent at an SCBWI Editor’s Day in Houston, and how the years of doubt, rejection, and slow-building craft that followed shaped her commitment to writing the kinds of stories all kids deserve. </p><p>Books mentioned</p><ul><li>Thirst (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Thirst-Varsha-Bajaj/dp/0593354397)</li><li>Count Me In (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Count-Me-Varsha-Bajaj/dp/0525517243)</li><li>Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Abby-Spencer-Bollywood-Varsha-Bajaj/dp/0807563633)</li><li>The Home Builders (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Home-Builders-Varsha-Bajaj/dp/0399166858)</li><li>How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/How-Many-Kisses-Want-Tonight/dp/0316067350)</li><li>Goodnight Moon (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-Moon-Margaret-Wise-Brown/dp/0064430170)</li><li>T is for Taj Mahal: An India Alphabet (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Taj-Mahal-India-Alphabet-Discover/dp/1585365041)</li><li>Roar (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Roar-Varsha-Bajaj/dp/059369905X)</li></ul><br/><p>Links</p><ul><li>Varsha Bajaj (https://www.varshabajaj.com)</li><li>Meredith Davis (https://meredithldavis.com)</li><li>Society of Children’s Book Writers &amp; Illustrators (https://www.scbwi.org)</li><li>Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (https://www.lbyr.com)</li><li>Sleeping Bear Press (https://sleepingbearpress.com)</li><li>Nancy Paulsen Books (https://www.penguin.com/nancy-paulsen-books-overview/)</li><li>Episode Webpage (https://open.substack.com/pub/meredithdavis/p/varsha-bajajs-first-book-story)</li></ul><br/><p>Theme music by Nate Davis</p><p>Produced by Clay Davis</p>

Episode thumbnail for Meghan Browne

April 21, 2026

Meghan Browne

<p>Episode 8 – Meghan Browne</p><p>How did signing up for the wrong class, and doing an interview in eighth-grade, lead Meghan Browne to her first published picture book?</p><p>Find out in this episode of My First Book Story, where Meredith Davis talks with award-winning Austin-based children’s book author Meghan P. Browne, who will soon add middle grade author to her resume with her debut novel The Edge of Forever. Meghan shares how nap time writing sessions as a stay-at-home mom, an accidental enrollment in a picture book intensive, and a long-ago eighth-grade interview with a Women Airforce Service Pilot collided to produce two book deals in 2018. She opens up about the four-year drought that followed her early success, the swimmer’s discipline that carried her through, and the tight-knit Austin kid lit community that kept her going. Meghan shares her story with warmth, candor, and deep gratitude.</p><p>Books mentioned</p><ul><li>The Edge of Forever (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Edge-Forever-Meghan-Browne/dp/1250410967)</li><li>Indelible Ann (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Indelible-Ann-Larger-Than-Life-Governor-Richards/dp/0593173279)</li><li>Dorothy the Brave (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Dorothy-Brave-Meghan-P-Browne/dp/0593116992)</li><li>The Bees of Notre-Dame (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Bees-Notre-Dame-Meghan-P-Browne/dp/0593374568)</li><li>Captain Whiz-Bang by Diane Stanley (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Captain-Whiz-Bang-Diane-Stanley/dp/0688062261)</li></ul><br/><p>Links</p><ul><li>Meghan P. Browne (https://meghanpbrowne.com)</li><li>Meredith Davis (https://meredithldavis.com)</li><li>Society of Children’s Book Writers &amp; Illustrators (https://www.scbwi.org)</li><li>The Writing Barn (https://www.writingbarn.com)</li><li>Writing Class Radio (https://writingclassradio.com)</li><li>Vermont College of Fine Arts (https://vcfa.edu)</li><li>BookPeople (https://www.bookpeople.com)</li><li>Austin Public Library (https://library.austintexas.gov)</li><li>Episode Webpage (https://open.substack.com/pub/meredithdavis/p/meghan-brownes-first-book-story)</li></ul><br/><p>Theme music by Nate Davis</p><p>Produced by Clay Davis</p>

11 total episodes available

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What is My First Book Story?

Welcome to My First Book Story, where I interview successful authors about their journeys to their first published book. Whether you’re still chasing your first book contract, going after the next one, or pursuing some other dream, these short interviews will inspire you to keep going.

Have you ever wondered how to break through an editor’s slush pile and breach the publishing wall? There are many paths to success, and each one is different. Mine was more than a decade in the making, others happened almost overnight. But the one thing each of these stories has in common is that it ends with a published book in the hands of readers.

I’m Meredith Davis, a traditionally published children’s book author living in Austin, Texas, a hotbed of talented book writers and illustrators. I’ve been in this world for thirty years, I’ve heard some great stories, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates daily.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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