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On the Write Track Podcast

Sarah Mughal Rana, Emily Varga
Ken Liu
Publishing
Dystopian Fiction
Book Marketing
Yallwest
James Islington
Marketing In Publishing
BIPOC Authors
Publishing Industry
Craft and Writing Craft
VE. Schwab
Indie Publishing
Will Of the Many
Tiktok
Licanius Trilogy
Reader Communities
Influencer Marketing
Conferences and Festivals
Black Vampires

On the Write Track is a podcast from debut authors Sarah Mughal Rana and Emily Varga that address the little known secrets of traditional publishing and behind the scenes, from guests in different stages in the industry, to provide our listeners an insider's look. Guests include New York Times, International bestselling, and critically acclaimed authors, agents, Big 4 publishing editors, successfu... more

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Artwork for On the Write Track Podcast

Latest Episodes

In this episode of On the Write Track, Emily and Sarah sit down with Tigest Girma to talk about what it really takes to keep going as a writer. Tigest opens up about perseverance, writing through rejection, self-doubt, and long stretches of uncertain... more

In this episode, Sarah and Emily sit down with author Jill Tew for an unfiltered conversation about the dystopian genre and the hustle of writing. Jill shares how she’s making space in dystopian fiction by challenging white washed narratives, tropes ... more

In this episode of On the Write Track, Sarah and Emily sit down with Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals, to talk about the journey behind her long career and “book of the heart.” Rebecca shares candidly about the pers... more

Join Emily and Sarah for a conversation with award-winning author Ken Liu — the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award–winning writer behind The Paper Menagerie and The Grace of Kings, whose work include both riveting short stories and novels. In this... more

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Recent Guests

Tigest Girma
Number one New York Times bestselling author of Immortal Dark; Ethiopian-Australian writer
Immortal Dark
Episode: 49: Tigest Girma on Perseverance, Black Vampires, and Using TikTok to Break Through
Jill Tew
Award-winning, critically-claimed author of Dystopian Romance and middle-grade novels
Author (Dystopian Romance, middle-grade)
Episode: 48: Jill Tew: Dystopian Worlds & Bringing Business on Hustle, Romantasy, and Reinventing Dystopian Fiction
Rebecca Ross
New York Times, USA Today, and Sunday Times bestselling author of fantasy books for teens and adults
Self-published author / HarperCollins imprint (publisher history discussed)
Episode: 47: Rebecca Ross: on Writing Her Book of the Heart, Perseverance, Health, and Longevity
Ken Liu
American author of speculative fiction
Independent/Author
Episode: 46: Ken Liu: Imagination, Invention, and the Future of Fantasy
James Islington
Best selling author of the Licanius Trilogy and the Hierarchy series
Orbit (publisher)
Episode: 45: James Islington on Craft, Career, and Creating The Will of the Many
Tina Mars
Fantasy author and book marketing entrepreneur
Self-employed / book marketing business
Episode: 44: Tina Mars: Following the Energy
Nisha Tuli
USA Today and international bestselling author; author of Trial of the Sun Queen and Not Safe for Work
Author
Episode: 43: Nisha Tuli: Crowning Your Own Success on Romantasy, and Owning Your Author Journey
Margaret Stohl
New York Times bestselling author, cofounder of YallWest
Author, YallWest co-founder
Episode: 42: Melissa de la Cruz & Margaret Stohl on Writing, Reinvention, and Building Creative Worlds
Melissa de la Cruz
New York Times / USA Today bestselling author, founder of Melissa de la Cruz Studio
Author, Disney/Studio founder
Episode: 42: Melissa de la Cruz & Margaret Stohl on Writing, Reinvention, and Building Creative Worlds

Hosts

Emily Varga
Host of On the Write Track Podcast, co-host with a focus on publishing journeys and author development
Sarah Mughal Rana
Host of On the Write Track Podcast, co-host with a focus on publishing journeys and author development

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 42 ratings
  • Fantastic!

    Great interview subjects and fantastic interviewers!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ZiggyZoeZ
    United States2 years ago
  • Highly recommend!

    I have loved listening to this podcast and always look forward to the upcoming episodes. Not only are the conversations down to earth and fun (I feel as though I’m there hanging out with friends) but I learn SO MUCH!! There is so much in the publishing world that is not out in the open and through this podcast (thanks to the amazing hosts and guests) I’ve gained insight into some of the inner works and how to navigate through them. Brilliant podcast. I highly recommend to writers!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zanamarch
    United States3 years ago
  • Informative and entertaining!

    Emily and Sarah are both great interviewers, and each episode feels like a fun conversation that we listeners are just lucky to eavesdrop on. The wealth of knowledge from authors, agents, editors, and many people in other aspects of the publishing industry in these episodes is amazing. And so helpful. I feel like I’ve already learned so much.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MorganRae1014
    United States3 years ago
  • Smart and Informative!

    I’m enjoying this new podcast by Emily Varga and Sarah M Rana where they interview authors and industry pros and ask them the real questions. The hosts have great rapport and the guests are lively and full of insider stories of publishing. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AngelDiZ
    Canada3 years ago
  • Honest and smart and a pleasure to listen to!

    There’s only one episode out and already I love this podcast. Honest, smart, and no-nonsense publishing tea? Yes, please! In the first episode Sarah and Emily talk about their own publishing journeys (both have novels coming out in 2024), giving an honest and thorough look at the journey from writing a novel to getting into a mentorship program, getting an agent, and getting a book deal - in two very different ways.

    I absolutely cannot wait to listen again.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Luna-g1000
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Engaging, authentic discussions with insider publishing info.
Guilty pleasure for writers who crave practical tips and candid industry stories.
Hosts foster a friendly, conversational vibe that makes industry topics approachable.
First episodes already establish honest, no-nonsense publishing tea and practical takeaways.
Smart, insightful interviews with a strong emphasis on craft and career longevity.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

48: Jill Tew: Dystopian Worlds & Bringing Business on Hustle, Romantasy, and Reinventing Dystopian Fiction
Q: What top tips would you give for writing and marketing dystopian fiction today?
Focus on building a loyal reader community, find your 'people' who share your interests, and use authentic, timely themes rather than chasing trends. Print some ARCs, engage with niche influencers, and consider moderating events to raise visibility while staying true to the book's core message.
45: James Islington on Craft, Career, and Creating The Will of the Many
Q: What advice would you give to listeners for planning out fantasy series, epic fantasy, and kind of putting the thought into making it this arc as opposed to just thinking about each novel on its own?
Plan with the end in mind—know the final scene and the major milestones, then allow for discovery during drafting. Keep a skeleton of the overarching arc, but give yourself room to adapt and revise as you write, ensuring foreshadowing and cohesion across installments.
43: Nisha Tuli: Crowning Your Own Success on Romantasy, and Owning Your Author Journey
Q: How do you approach balancing multiple projects and genres without burning out?
I treat writing as my full-time job now, implement structured drafting sprints (20-25 minutes) with strict routines, and protect time for rest and family. Coordinating with publishers under the same umbrella also helps manage multi-series pacing and avoid overload.
43: Nisha Tuli: Crowning Your Own Success on Romantasy, and Owning Your Author Journey
Q: What do you wish you had negotiated differently the first time you went to traditional publishing?
I would have pushed for deluxe hardcover editions and retailer editions, aiming for stronger bookstore placement, as well as a realistic plan to secure a USA Today list, which would have amplified visibility and financial upside.
43: Nisha Tuli: Crowning Your Own Success on Romantasy, and Owning Your Author Journey
Q: What were the pivotal moments that helped you gain attention from traditional publishers after indie success?
A combination of sustained indie momentum, advertising, PR campaigns, and especially a viral TikTok presence that helped push my work into the spotlight, followed by strategic engagements with foreign rights and a move to a new agency that aggressively shopped opportunities, culminating in advantageous offers from trad publishers.

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Frequently Asked Questions About On the Write Track Podcast

What is On the Write Track Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two late-stage debut authors host a behind-the-scenes look at traditional publishing, interviewing a rotating cast of bestselling authors, editors, agents, and industry insiders. Episodes center on publishing journeys, craft, marketing strategies, and how social platforms—especially TikTok—impact visibility and deals. Listeners get practical advice on querying, pitching, world-building, and building author platforms, along with candid conversations about burnout, health, and long-term career longevity in a shifting market. The show stands out for its down-to-earth hosts who share their own publishing paths and for featuring guests across fantasy, YA, romance, and genre-blending fiction, offering actionable insights for aspiring authors, mar... more

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Which podcasts are similar to On the Write Track Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On the Write Track Podcast:

1. PLOT TWIST
2. Turning to Story
3. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
4. Print Run Podcast
5. Writing Excuses

How many episodes of On the Write Track Podcast are there?

On the Write Track Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 50 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on On the Write Track Podcast?

Recent guests on On the Write Track Podcast include:

1. Tigest Girma
2. Jill Tew
3. Rebecca Ross
4. Ken Liu
5. James Islington
6. Tina Mars
7. Nisha Tuli
8. Margaret Stohl

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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