Book Shop Chats: cover art

Book Shop Chats:

Book Shop Chats:

Written by: Victoria Hopkins
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Welcome to Book Shop Chats, your go to podcast for indie authors and learning insight into what it takes to write a book (HINT: You can do it too!!)

Join authors as they share their personal journeys, successes, and challenges, providing you with unique insights into the writing process. The discussions explore into various aspects of storytelling, from character development to plot structuring, ensuring you have a well-rounded understanding of the craft.


Whether you're just starting out or have published multiple works, this podcast is your companion in the pursuit of storytelling excellence. Tune in, gather inspiration, and let your passion for writing flourish alongside a community that celebrates the art of the written word.

© 2026 Book Shop Chats:
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Episodes
  • How A Soccer Love Story Survived Rejection And Found A Home with Tara Sexton
    Feb 25 2026

    About the author:

    Tara Sexton writes adult contemporary romance and fantasy. She can often be found with her nose in a book and a coffee at hand.

    Book Blurb:

    The hot new soccer romance for fans of Ted Lasso and She's the Man

    She's met her match. But will the winner take all or lose everything?

    Marcee Ackerman's dream job as head soccer coach at Pemberton Prep is turning into a nightmare. Her new boss has given her an ultimatum—win the state championship or she’s fired. To make matters worse, Pemberton's rival school hires hotshot ex-England player Remington Lockley as their new coach. How can she compete against a world-class pro?

    To keep her job and her reputation safe, Marcee will do whatever it takes. But one steamy encounter with Remy has thrown her plans off-course. Falling for the enemy may be just what Marcee's boss needs to get rid of her for good, yet she is powerless to resist as she gets to know the real Remy behind the tabloid scandals.

    Soccer is life, but love is the greatest game of all. Even Marcee’s competitiveness might not be enough for her to win…

    This steamy sports romance is perfect for fans of Meryl Wilsner, Amy Lea and Elena Armas.


    Connect with Tara HERE: LINKS


    About Victoria:

    Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together.

    Here’s how I can help:
    📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days.
    Grab it HERE

    📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters.
    ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice.

    Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality!

    📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria
    🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Why Finishing Your Draft Beats Waiting For Inspiration with Kimberly Christenson
    Feb 20 2026

    About Kim:

    Nothing makes me happier than when someone tells me a book I recommended expands their perspective, brings them joy, or makes them feel less alone.

    Aside from being a self-proclaimed bibliotherapist, I’m a mom and wife, book reviewer for Good Things Utah, and one of those people who call their Holland Lop bunnies “part of the family.”

    I graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in English, but apparently that wasn’t enough school nerdery for me, so I’m headed back to get my master’s degree in creative writing.

    I’ve practiced my writing skills as producer for the “Arts in Utah” segment on a local radio station, then as a book blurb writer, PR specialist, and audiobook narrator for publisher Covenant Communications, professional namer for Eat My Words, and associate editor for Utah Valley Magazine.

    I had the opportunity to turn my passion for writing and journaling into a business, Loom Journals, with my friends. We were acquired by Promptly Journals, where I now create prompted journals and educate people on the power and science behind writing for wellbeing.

    I’m working on two novels: A dual timeline women’s fiction based on a tiny village I fell in love with in the English countryside, and a contemporary romance set in a quaint New England bookstore.

    Some obsessions: Hiking, BBC dramas, and putting on my pajamas.

    I started Talk Wordy to Me in 2016 as a place to build community around reading and writing. So glad you’re here!


    Follow Kim HERE: LINKS

    About Victoria:

    Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together.

    Here’s how I can help:
    📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days.
    Grab it HERE

    📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters.
    ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice.

    Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality!

    📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria
    🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • How A Dark Fantasy Uses Storytelling To Challenge Exclusion And Inspire Belonging with Ryan Schulz
    Feb 18 2026

    About the Author:

    Born and raised in Perth, Western Australia. Ryan graduated from John Curtin College of the Arts before later taking on a career as a drag queen. Through drag, Ryan found a love for cabaret, burlesque and circus. Relocating to the United Kingdom (March 2017) to further pursue the arts, Ryan hit the cabaret scene with a bang, hosting sell-out shows at Edinburgh Fringe and producing his own weekly resident show in London’s Kings Cross, as his alter ego Vicious Von Vixen.

    He worked his way into programming on the West End for the world’s largest theatre company ATG and gave away hosting entirely, wrapped up and all-consumed in the glittering world of A-Lister star casts, both confronting classics and new world-class come five-star reviewed plays, alongside debuting global musical hits transferring from / to Broadway! After a couple of years Ryan found his way to the UK’s leading entertainment and production company Underbelly, where he still works today, representing its first and only permanent venue in central London — Underbelly Boulevard Soho!

    All Ryan’s written work is inspired and motivated by lived experience in the theatre and cabaret industries, as well as diversity… from his own situations as a pansexual, genderqueer deemed “man”, seven-years polyamorous but now happily married and monogamous — devoted to his non-binary wife — Ryan hopes to bring whatever little change he can to the world, by writing exciting, thrilling, magical and engaging yet horrific stories, to intrigue a wider range of readers before enlighten them with characters that expose and provide awareness to ways of life outside the patriarchal created world that has set society norms and showcase the possibilities to readers of the different paths they can take.

    Book Blurb:

    A lost soul.

    A vaudeville that comes with an extra price for entry.

    Grief. Love. Sex. Blood.

    All under the filament lights of the Big Top.

    When Thomas discovers the lights of the funfair at his lowest point, his life takes a different direction and continues on, in a liberating yet macabre way.

    He finds acceptance with a troupe that he meets, all from different walks of life, but now all on the same path and with the same curse. A curse that isn’t holding any of them back. In fact, it’s what brings each of them together.

    What if a curse could save, could mean finding family, and could give lost souls a new purpose and enjoyment of life?

    Follow Ryan: LINKS

    About Victoria:

    Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together.

    Here’s how I can help:
    📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days.
    Grab it HERE

    📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters.
    ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice.

    Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality!

    📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria
    🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
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