Paper Trail
Episodes
Episode 28: On Becoming Less Ambitious (and Remembering to Touch Grass)
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we chat about the realities of going out of print, community as a path towards hope, and writing for your Id.Connect with Andrea Beatri...
Episode 27: The Dreaded Demotion and the Power of Not Yet
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we learn new and disappointing things about the publishing industry, discuss how our writing routines have changed over time, and adopt ...
Episode 26: Creative Resets (and Say Hello to Your Season 3 Round Table!)
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we reflect on an especially difficult 2025, discuss our hopes and goals for the year ahead, and commit to fighting for our creative joy....
Episode 25: Nothing is Selling (or What Happened to the Tastemakers?)
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we discuss publishers forfeiting their role as tastemakers and creators of culture, brainstorm ways to successfully promote a book these...
Episode 24: Can Publishing Survive Fascism?
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we celebrate the release of The Silenced, discuss book banning efforts in Texas, and question whether the U.S. publishing industry can s...
Episode 23: How to Be a Publishing Anti with Sami Ellis
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The one where âwe discuss the grief that comes with seeing behind the proverbial publishing curtain, using your day job as a way to stay hungry, and...
Episode 22: What Ever Happened to So-and-So? Or Publishing is a Game of Survivorâ (A Kidlit Happy Hour Crossover Episode) with Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we lament the shift away from lyrical picture books, mourn the synchronicity of writing something that already exists, and discuss âth...
Episode 21: Publishing is Not a Meritocracy (And Book Clubs Will Save Us All) with Alexandra Villasante
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The one where Alex shares what it's like publishing her sophomore novel six years after her debut, the gang discuss the Luke Bateman controversy and h...
Episode 20: Publishing is a Mountain Range with Jonny Garza Villa and Aaron H. Aceves
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we talk to authors Jonny Garza Villa and Aaron H. Aceves about strategies to pitch and sell our next projects, author career planning ye...
Episode 19: Meta Better Have My Money (An Of The Publishing Persuasion Crossover Episode) with Angela Montoya and Melanie Schubert
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we talk about Mark Zuckerberg stealing our books, how the chaos of this current administration is adversely affecting the publishing ind...
Episode 18: Pre-Nazi Germany But with Smart Phones with Vincent Tirado
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we discuss how we are staying artistically focused given the state of the world, how we manage our book cover reveals, and how to launch...
Episode 17: Hollywood is Another Planet with Laura Taylor Namey
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we lament the current state of the country, discuss the myriad routes to film and television adaptations, and remind ourselves that comp...
Episode 16: The Post-debut Blues with Jill Tew
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we discuss how publishers value some awards more than others, the behind-the-scenes manufacturing of a book's success, and what it feels...
Episode 15: American Dirt Part Deux
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we lament the mental torture of revisions, rage over the reemergence of Jeanine Cummins, and discuss how to set boundaries with family a...
Episode 14: Children's Publishing is a White Woman's Game with Dhonielle Clayton
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we welcome the indomitable Dhonielle Clayton to talk about the pressure on marginalized authors to perform in public, authorly cliques, ...
Episode 13: Is All Writing Political?
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The one where YA author Hien Nguyen joins the pod! We talk news consumption and how Laekan and Candace are olds (but, whatever, itâs fine), discuss ...
Episode 12: The Death of DEI in Publishing
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we discuss the death of DEI initiatives in publishing as well as the industry's infatuation with white female readers, and Laekan re...
Episode 11
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we talk about how to overcome a publisherâs low expectations for your book, how to make money as an author on TikTok, how to recognize...
Episode 10
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we calculate how many months we can live off our advance money, discuss the process of having rights reverted back to us on past books, ...
Episode 9
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we ponder what exactly determines "good sales numbers," get comfortable with starting over, and realize that publishing is bui...
Episode 8
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we discuss the pros and cons of festivals, examine why there are no BIPOC Romantasy phenoms, and critique the worst publishing advice we...
Episode 7
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we talk about balancing writing with full time work and being gentle to ourselves so that we can be kind to our creativity. We also exam...
Episode 6
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we reflect on our highs and lows of 2023, our seasons of productivity, and our hopes for 2024. We also introduce a new segment in which ...
Episode 5
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we chat about our goals for the end of the year, post-debut slumps, and our querying journeys. Resources mentioned: #DVpit Query Shark ...
Episode 4
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we talk with literary agent Monica Rodriguez about the agent/author relationship, setting boundaries, and maintaining our mental health ...
Episode 3
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we embrace the chaos of publishing, dig into author finances and LLC structures, and talk school visits. Charity gives words of wisdom. ...
Episode 2
28 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we talk about author branding and crossing genres. Resources mentioned: Tomes & Textiles breaks down Laekan's launch event â B...
Episode 1
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The one where we introduce ourselves. Connect with Candace Buford online: â Websiteâ Twitterâ â Instagramâ â Buy Candace's booksâ Conne...