What informs your decision to buy a book vs just borrowing it? Does it matter how successful an author is as to whether or not you purchase? This week we are diving into what it means to be a good literary citizen based on a clip from the Pen Pals podcast with hosts Kelton Wright and Krisserin Canary. How should we profile our buying choices? Is it important to purchase books? How do sales impact authors, book deals, and what remains in print? Can we support the publishing industry and our local library at the same time? Angela and Sarah give their thoughts on all of this and more.

Disclaimer: the thoughts expressed in this episode are based on a clip from the aforementioned podcast and not the entire episode. The clip was used as a thought-provoking conversation starter and not meant to be a critique on the Pen Pals podcast itself or full content from their show.

What are your thoughts? We'd love to hear form you! Finf us on the socials: Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. Or send us an email to thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Have you listened to the Pen Pals podcast?? Find them on Spotify and show them some love as well. https://open.spotify.com/show/4dfnjo9y1crwxLsACOiqEC?si=0ae989e694a84a05

Ever wondered how books get assigned to the shelves at your favorite bookstore? In this week's episode Angela gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Reading Rock Books and how they curate the titles on their shelves. Is it a simple task? How much influence do employees and community members have? Can the same book sit on multiple shelves? Angela and Sarah discuss all of this and more. Do you have a favorite bookshop? Let us know!

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads or send an email to thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Have you heard the buzz about Sarah Wynn-Williams' new memoir Careless People? This week we are taking a look at the case that's making headlines. To print or not to print? That's the question being posed in this high-profile case. Sarah Wynn-Williams is the former director of public policy for Facebook. In her new memoir Careless People, published by Flatiron Books, Wynn-Williams exposes what she claims are policies that promote growth and personal agendas at the expense of safety. In an earlier interview with NPR, Wynn-Williams said, "Mark Zuckerberg looks at the world as if it's a board game, like a game of Risk. And it's about occupying every territory, building an empire. Those are the things that concern him, not the sort of real-world impact of what that means." There is even an allegation of sexual assualt among many other alarming concerns.

Since the release of this bestseller, Meta has filed an injunction against Wynn-Williams claiming a violation of her severence agreement. She is currently banned from speaking about her book, but that isn't stopping Flatiron and Macmillan from continuing their publication of this whistleblowing memoir. Angela and Sarah dive into all of this and the implications it has on future books and authors, and whether there is ever an appropriate time to silence the written word.

NPR Interview:

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/14/nx-s1-5318854/former-meta-executive-barred-from-discussing-criticism-of-the-company

Let us know your thoughts! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Or send us an email at: thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back! This week Angela and Sarah chat with Pacific and Court publicist Kourtney Jason about what goes on behind the scenes in the months leading up to a book's release. What is the job of a publicist? Do authors need one? What expectations should authors have when partnering with a publicist? Kourtney dives into these questions and more as she sheds light on what it takes to create a successful book campaign and how to choose a publicist that's a good fit for you.

Kourtney Jason is the president and co-founder of Pacific & Court. With more than 14 years experience as a publicist, she has worked with and represented celebrities, world-renowned chefs, and bestselling authors. She led the in-house publicity departments at Ulysses Press and Time Inc. Books, and further honed her strategic communications skills at Bread & Butter and Smith Publicity agencies. Since its launch in 2021, P&C’s publisher clients have included Ulysses Press, Interlink Publishing, VeloPress, 80/20 Publishing, KeyPress Publishing, Jesse B. Creative, The Collective Book Studio, Rocky Nook, Dzanc Books, and more. She’s secured coverage for clients in top-tier national media that includes the TODAY show, Associated Press, People magazine, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CNN, Oprah Daily, Salon, Reader’s Digest, and much more. Her past work includes high-profile authors such as country music icon Martina McBride, actress Valerie Bertinelli, chef Todd Richards, TODAY’s Siri Daly, New York Times bestselling authors Syd and Shea McGee (of Studio McGee) among others. She is the author of five non-fiction books, including Lights Camera Booze: Drinking Games for Your Favorite Movies, which was included in the Academy Awards swag bags. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Let us know what you think! Find us Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, or send us an email at: thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Angela recently attended the Books, Authors, and Publishers Fair in Nashville where she hosted a workshop on how to build a relationship with a bookseller. In this week's epsiode we dive into why this is vitally important, not just building a relationship, but a healthy one and what that looks like. Angela and Sarah discuss shifting the focus of books toward readers and the Reading Rock Books mission to "champion local stories and authors."

A good, working relationship is one built on respect. Authors, what have been your experiences with booksellers? We want to know! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads or send us an email at: thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back to another episode! This week Angela and Sarah talk with Melissa Collings, author of The False Flat. Melissa is an incredible human with a keen insight into the written word. Exploring themes in multiple genres, Angela, Sarah, and Melissa discuss the power of connectivity in the written word, growth and happiness through dark times, and how fiction can make us more aware of the world around us.

Melissa's novel The False Flat has been described as having "the best meet-cute between two friends." In this episode she openly discusses her journey as a biracial woman and how that has informed the biracial characters she writes in her books. Melissa is truly a joy and we hope you'll gain as much from this discussion as we did.

Let us know your thoughts! Comment on our socials: Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Or send us an email at: thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

The month of love is still in bloom as we continue our genre series this week with a look at romance and women's fiction. What's the difference? Which one is trending? What are our favorites? If you're a fan of either genre, grab some coffee and hang out with Angela and Sarah as they explore what makes both genres unique and why we benefit from exploring deeper, more emotional topics and not just the lighthearted stories that make us smile.

We want to hear your thoughts! Let us know on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads or send us an email at thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Happy February! We are feeling the love vibes this month. Continuing our genre series, this week is all about romance and author Lauren Kung Jessen is here to discuss her latest novel Yin Yang Love Song, along with Jennifer Sellers from Southern Festival of Books. Jennifer is an avid reader and supporter of the romance genre and her story of how these books literally changed her life is both heartwarming and inspiring. Together, Jennifer and Lauren show us the beauty and value of this genre and how it can open doors for new readers, young and old alike.

Let us know what you think! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Or send us an email at: thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com