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Bestselling author Eliza Knight self-publishes romance novels and traditionally publishes historical fiction and contemporary thrillers. Her latest novel TRADWIFE, coming out in August under the pen name Michelle Brandon, will be her 99th published title!
In this episode we talk about her latest historical noel, LOST IN THE SUMMER OF ‘69, the changes she’s seen in self-publishing over the past 15 years, and how she manages to successfully publish and promote an amazing 3-4 books a year.
Not only is today my birthday, but The Long Road to Publishing is now one year old! On July 3, 2025, I published Episode 1 with Courtney Maum. Now there are 34 episodes (with lots more to come)!
I love making this show. It means SO much to me, and it truly saved me from a devastating time in my own writing career.
If you want to get me something for my birthday, I’d love more listeners! Check out some episodes, and/or spread the word about The Long Road to Publishing on social media, or in real life.
I know there are lots of writers out there who need the encouragement and advice and camaraderie the show provides. Writers need to know they are not the only one struggling, and that persistence will pay off in the long run (though it may not look the way you imagined!).
Elin Hilderbrand is often called the Queen of the Beach Read. I one-hundred percent agree with that statement. Her novels are fun, juicy, page-turning family dramas set in beach locations. I read a lot of them when I was postpartum and sleep-deprived and craving something easy and compelling that would help me escape the spit-up-covered reality of having a newborn.
However, Elin has stepped down from the throne. She hasn’t retired from writing, but she says she’s done writing her Nantucket novels. Now she’s co-authoring boarding school novels with her daughter. I’m guessing these could still be good beach reads, despite the fact that they’re not set at the beach...
Let’s examine the idea of a “beach read.” Does it have to be set at a beach or vacation location? Does it need to be light-hearted or an “easy read?”
Personally, I agree with Elle Reads Library Books in her post about beach reads:
“Here is my actual definition of a beach read: a book I cannot put down. That is the entire test. A beach read is any book so good that I will sit in direct sun past the point of sunburn rather than go inside and lose my place.”
That’s my definition, too. Which means something that’s the perfect beach read for me may not be the perfect beach read for you, especially if we like different genres.
I’m not going to the beach this summer, but we do have a swimming lake in my town that I take my kids to every afternoon. I need something to read at the lake that is so engrossing I will not be distracted by the joyful screaming of children* or the gossipy talking of neighbors** or the obnoxious whine of mosquitos***.
Look, it’s hot and I’m exhausted (one word: children), so I need a book that’s compelling and propulsive and doesn’t make me work too hard for a good story.
*Lest you think I’m a bad mom, there are lifeguards on duty, my kids can swim, and I will be looking up from my book at regular intervals to check on them.
**Actually, I’m not against eavesdropping on neighborhood gossip. But I have to avoid getting roped into never-ending conversations because then I won’t get to read at all.
***The real trick is finding a book so absorbing I can ignore the mosquito bites. Speaking of, anyone want to recommend some good, all-natural bug spray?
What type of book is YOUR go-to “beach read?” I like a dark psychological suspense or thriller, or a literary page-turner, or an intimate coming-of-age or contemporary novel. But, honestly, a beach read for me is any book I can’t put down, which I realize is very particular to my tastes, and what I happen to be in the mood for at the moment.
For example, I’m not a big reader of historical fiction or fantasy, but I took both the historical novel The Signature of All Things and the fantasy novel Daughter of Smoke and Bone with me on my honeymoon, and they were both so engrossing that I spent hours reading on the beach when I probably should have been canoodling with my husband. (It’s fine, he had a book, too.)
Of course I can’t always be sure based on the genre or description that a book is going to capture my attention. I might bring a whole pile of psychological suspense novels with me on vaycay only to find that none of them are doing it for me.
So which author do I reach for when I want to be SURE I’ll be captivated for hours?
The answer: Lisa Jewell, the New York Times bestselling author of suspense novels and family/neighborhood dramas (and many that are a combination of the two, like one of my favorites: The Girls in the Garden).
Lisa Jewell writes fast-paced, multi-POV novels that explore the darker sides of humanity and the more complicated aspects of people and relationships.
A Lisa Jewell novel always captures my attention right away and holds it tightly until the end. And not just with her suspenseful plots; her complex and fully-realized characters keep me fascinated as well. Jewell goes deep inside her characters and often makes us feel compassion and curiosity for those we might otherwise scorn. (For example the hoarder mom in The House We Grew Up In and the socially-awkward misogynist teacher in Invisible Girl.) If I want a book that will completely absorb me, I know Lisa Jewell will deliver.
Plus, she’s published a ton of books and seems to be on a book-a-year schedule, so there’s always a new Lisa Jewell, ready for my next vacation. (Or my next trip to the town lake, which will be, checks watch, later today.)
P.S. Lisa Jewell is coming to the U.S. on book tour!
#BluePit a hype/pitch event for storytellers to uplift, encourage, and connect with one another (and connect with industry professionals) is happening on BlueSky on July 13. All works are welcome, regardless of the stage they are in (drafting, querying, on sub, etc.)
#questpit is another writer hype/connection event that welcomes industry participation; any stage of your WIP can be pitched. Happening on Blue Sky on July 24.
55+ fee-free AND paying/funded opportunities for writers from Erika Dreifus
Future Bestselling Author ( Sandhya Jain-Patel) is seeking a cohost for her new podcast!
Shut Up and Write is a global writing community that offers free online and in-person writing groups to keep you motivated.
NovelBound First Chapters contest is open! Deadline: July 31.
How to pitch yourself to bookstores — fascinating and helpful article from Kate Broad
Helpful article from Nathan Bransford: A guide to social media for authors. (He decides not to include Substack, FYI, which is, IMO, one of the best places to hang out online.)
Applications are now open for the Literary Arts Fund’s 2026 innovation project grants. Deadline: August 17
Follow Angelique Fawns for short story submission suggestions!
If you are an author with a polished manuscript that’s ready for publication, check out the annual contests for novels and short stories from Dzanc Books. Winners will be published by Dzanc Books and receive $. Deadline Sept. 30.
Find a writers group (online or in person) using the Poets&Writers searchable database!
The Writer’s Center website is a GREAT resource for finding grants, fellowships, residencies & retreats, publishers, and literary journal opportunities.
Writing Workshops offers lots of online classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, and the business of writing.
Traditional publisher EK Books is inviting both agented AND un-agented authors and author/illustrators to submit picture book manuscripts through August 1.
Traditional publisher NorthSouth Books is currently accepting queries from both agented AND un-agented PB authors and author/illustrators.
Writing Irresistible Picture Books: Free online workshop from Good Story Company on July 9.
The Boyds Mill (formerly the Highlights Foundation) offers tons of programs, workshops, and events for children’s writers and illustrators.
Literary Rambles has information on kidlit agents and agent interviews. Plus contests and giveaways.
Check out SCBWI (The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for events, conferences, critique partners and more. (Picture book through YA.)
#SmallPitch is the first pitch event to focus on small presses. The goal is to help authors find a home for their work and to promote small presses as an important actor of the publishing industry. Pitch your completed, unpublished manuscripts through the form on the Small Pitch website, July 13 - July - July 19.
#PitchDis is a pitch event for writers who self-identify as disabled, neurodivergent, and/or chronically ill and have a complete, polished manuscript. Pitch through the PitchDis website September 8 - 10.
Incredibly helpful article from Devon Halliday for anyone in the query trenches
A set of helpful agent interviews from The Darling Axe — perfect for query research!
Follow Writing Day Workshops on BlueSky for New Agent Alerts with new agents actively seeking submissions!
Here’s a list of small publishers that do not require agents. And here’s another such list.
Andrea Bartz has a list of successful query letters (including mine!).
The Writer’s Retreat at Good Contrivance Farm north of Baltimore is open year-round as an affordable writer’s retreat. Only requirement: that you use the time to work on writing. Spaces normally book about two months in advance.
Thinking about going to a conference or applying for a residency? Check out the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences are affordable and helpful. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents. For online conferences, attend from anywhere in the world! Check out the upcoming conferences:
Writers Digest offers virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.
For more writing conferences, check out this list or the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
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