Heartracers
Episodes
Author Rex Ogle
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talked with prolific author, Rex Ogle (over 100 books!) about his career writing MG, YA, and graphic novels, and about finding and maintaining joy....
Audiobook narrator Megan Wicks
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Claire and Sierra talk about how authors can work with indie bookstores, including the author's perspective of walking into a bookstore, and the books...
Children's author and illustrator Christy Mandin
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christy Mandin is a New York Times bestselling children's book author and illustrator. She grew up in rural Georgia and credits her country life of so...
All about preorders
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What are preorders? Why do they matter? What can readers do to pay attention to preorders? Claire and Sierra discuss this and what they mean for both ...
Author Alicia Thompson and breaking into the romance market
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sierra surprises Claire with a ROMANCE AUTHOR MYSTERY GUEST (Alicia), and Claire tries hard to guess who it is. It's Alicia Thompson! She is the autho...
Artist Myriam Strasbourg and book cover design
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We were delighted to welcome the cover artist behind books like BK Borison's First Time Caller, Myriam Strasbourg! She is an incredibly talented artis...
Author Andrea Bartz and how to survive trad publishing
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talked to the incredible NYT bestselling author and Reese pick, Andrea Bartz, about her career trajectory including pandemic setbacks and what's ne...
Author Christina Dotson and the dark thriller
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Claire and Sierra talk about the recent Threads discussion among writers that suggested readers want shorter novels; Sierra brings the pacing and writ...
Author Liz Parker and author PR boxes
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We welcomed back our first return author guest - Liz Parker! Her new book, The Witches of Honeysuckle House, has special preorder goodies (order ahead...
Author branding with Bookworks
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Claire and Sierra discuss author PR boxes, and talk to Gretchen Schaffer and Nicole Meier from Bookworks, a boutique author branding firm with a ton o...
Author Mark Waddell
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talked to Mark Waddell, author of Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World!Mark Waddell grew up on the cold, windswept prairies of western Canada an...
Final episode of Season 1: look back, laughter, and what's next
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this special SILVER ANNIVERSARY 25th episode, Sierra and Claire talk about their season, take listener questions, and talk a little about their pro...
Author Dianne Freeman and writing a series
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our last author guest of season 1! Dianne Freeman has written an 8.5 book series and has a lot of insights about writing a series, Plus:Haunted hotels...
Author Meredith Schorr and the origins of romcoms and romance
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We spoke to author Meredith Schorr about the origins of chicklit, romcoms, WF, and contemporary romance. We also talked about marketing for authors fr...
Author Mara Williams and perseverence in writing
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We get into the recent TikTok book deal for the Australian guy, hot Sacramento summers and how that affects business, and kid literacy. As usual, Clai...
Author Lauren Parvizi and complicated family stories
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lauren Parvizi is the author of Trust Me on This and La Vie, According to Rose, winner of the 2024 Women’s Fiction Writers Association STAR Award in...
Bookish merch vendor My Secret Copy!
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talked to Liz of My Secret Copy, who creates incredible, reader-centric book merch! We discuss what her inspiration was for starting the shop, chal...
Author Maggie North and smart, character-rich romances
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author Maggie North joins us to talk about romances, second chance stories, Canadian wilderness, autism rep, and Sierra gushing over her. Maggie write...
Author Terah Shelton Harris, libraries, and imposter syndrome
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talked about the reach of libraries their programs, imposter syndrome and how it never goes away and, themes in books. Listen to the end for booksh...
Author Jordan Morris and zombie apocalypses
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jordan Morris is the author of graphic novel Youth Group, and a comedy writer with experience working in TV, features, comics, podcasts, digital comed...
Children's book author Bea Birdsong and how to write picture books
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talked to children’s book author Bea Birdsong about what it takes to get traditionally published and how to pivot in a writing career.Bea Birdson...
Author Xio Axelrod, book buying trends for 2025, and spredges!
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talked 2025 book buying trends that Claire learned at ABA (American Booksellers Association). And we welcomed USA Today Bestselling author Xio Axel...
Author Jasmine Guillory talks writing process and contemporary romance
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we welcomed New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory to talk about donuts, farmers markets, and origins of contemporary rom...
The secrets of a good story
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Claire and Sierra talk about what makes a good story, and whether a good story meets the hype. We talked about proven elements of a great story.We als...
Author Holly James on covers, pen names, and genre mashups
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talked to Holly James, aka Holly Michele, about how authors feel about our covers, genre mashups, and using pen names. Books discussed in this epis...
Editor Erin McClary and the one thing writers need to know about editing
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We spoke to freelance editor Erin McClary, who is Sierra's former editor at Sourcebooks, about traditional publishing's acquisition process, what edi...
Author Mike Chen, scifi, and the secrets behind covers and titles
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talked to NYT bestselling author Mike Chen about his books, publishing, hockey romance, and cool band memorabilia. Plus, do authors get a say in th...
Author Jessica Joyce and the art of finding your voice
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica Joyce is the author of the USA Today bestselling novels You, With a View and The Ex-Vows. She lives in the Bay Area with her family. On this e...
Author Tarah DeWitt on leading men
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talked to USA Today bestselling author Tarah DeWitt and her career and what's next!Tarah writes character-driven romances filled with laughter and ...
Author Lindsay Hameroff and the evolution of writing romance
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author Lindsay Hameroff joins us to talk about her evolution of writing sweet to spicy romance.Lindsay is the author of Till There was You and Never P...
All about bookclubs
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about bookclubs in indie bookstores-- both starting one or joining one-- and are joined by Wild Sisters Books' romance bookclub manager, Graci...
Author Liz Parker and magical realism
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talk all things magical realism and Tarot with author Liz Parker!Liz Parker is the author of HONEYSUCKLE HOUSE and IN THE SHADOW GARDEN and co-auth...
Author Lily Chu and fandoms
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talk with author Lily Chu about fandoms and writing.Lily Chu loves ordering the second-cheapest wine, wearing perfume all the time, and staying up ...
Author Ellie Alexander and the cozy mystery
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cozy mystery author Ellie Alexander joins us to talk about writing mystery, setting them in small towns, what's next for her, and how books give you s...
Author Julie Soto talks fanfic, querying, and more!
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Julie Soto is a USA Today bestselling author, playwright, and actress originally from Sacramento, CA. Her books include:Not Another Love Song (romance...
A book store owner and an author walk into a podcast...
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our inaugural episode! Claire and Sierra talk about who they are (a bookstore owner and an author), what they love to read, and how to read books when...
Trailer! Launching Jan 7, 2025!
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A short introduction to our podcast, Heartracers, a podcast about reading, writing, publishing, and selling books-- from a published author and a book...