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This episode opens with an excerpt from A Murder at Midnight, book four in the Novel Detectives, releasing October 13th. Then The Tech Guy and I discuss the book, spoiler-free, of course.

When a popular ghost-hunting TV crew takes over the Secret Bookcase for an overnight shoot, Annie agrees because the publicity could be a wonderful for an indie bookshop. But when a crew member ends up dead, the haunting turns out to be the least of her worries. I describe this one as a grown-up Scooby-Doo with all the spooky Halloween atmosphere, but none of the jump-scares or nightmares. I also share the real haunted estate that inspired the Secret Bookcase, what it's like having a protagonist who is a licensed private investigator, and some series news I'm thrilled to announce.

Some links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.

Preorder A Murder at Midnight: https://link.amazon/B05gx0idP

Preorder A Fatal Frost (Book 5, January): https://link.amazon/B01HbuSXC

Subscribe, and tell us in the comments: what would you name a real-life detective agency? Ellie and The Tech Guy are taking submissions.

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Have you ever wondered what actually goes into making an audiobook? If so, you're in luck because this week I'm joined by my friend Victoria Lynn Arbor, a professional audiobook narrator. We talk about all the steps of audiobook narration, how authors and narrators find each other, and the incredible amount of work behind a single finished hour of audio. Victoria walks us through her whole process, from prep and casting character voices to punch-and-roll recording and professional proofing.

Guest bio: Victoria Lynn Arbor is a professional audiobook narrator with an acting background who has voiced science fiction, mystery, and romance titles, and appears on production-company rosters including Podium and High Gravity. She and Ellie met in their writers' group.

Victoria Lynn Arbor's website: https://www.victorialynnarbor.com/

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"What's the best way to get published?" This is a question I get most from new writers and my answer is always the same: there are several options and it depends.

In this episode, The Tech Guy and I map out the three routes open to writers today: traditional publishing with the big houses, hybrid presses, and going the indie route. We walk through the honest pros and cons of each, given real-world examples and cover everything from advances and royalty splits, to who actually controls your cover art, and how things like access to useful sales and ad data vary from path to path. Listen now for a look into how books get published and learn why you might (and probably should) choose a different path from one book to the next.

And, if you haven't already, be sure to enter the preorder giveaway from my publisher for The Pumpkin Vice Cafe: https://read.macmillan.com/promo/pumpkinvicesweeps

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