Author Interview: Esha Patel on Writing Through College, Dual Publishing Paths & Crafting Joyful, Diverse Stories

In this episode of Daggers & Daydreams, we sit down with YA and contemporary romance author Esha Patel—a full-time student, prolific writer, and voice behind Florida’s Finest, Offtrack, Overdrive, and her latest release Cross My Heart. Esha is known for her fresh take on identity, connection, and character-driven storytelling, and she’s just getting started.

We talk about what it’s like balancing college and creativity, the realities of navigating both self-publishing and traditional publishing, and the emotional rollercoaster of launching books while still figuring out your place in the industry. If you’ve ever wondered how to make writing work in the middle of real life or how to keep writing joyful and sustainable, Esha’s story offers a refreshingly grounded look at what’s possible.

From first drafts scribbled between classes to marketing strategies that connect with real readers, this episode is packed with insights, encouragement, and the kind of honest advice we wish we’d had starting out.

Timestamps:
00:18 – Intro: Meet Esha Patel
03:35 – Behind the scenes of Offtrack and earlier books

06:54 – Writing during college and finding a creative rhythm
13:35 – Part Two: Navigating indie and traditional publishing
18:40 – Surprises and lessons from Esha’s publishing journey
20:52 – What changed between debut and latest release
22:53 – Strategies for marketing and building a reader base
31:05 – Casting choices, character dinners, and writing rituals
40:22 – Esha’s advice to her past self (and new authors)

Keywords: beginner writing, writing advice, debut authors, YA books, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing and studying, book marketing, indie authors, women writers

Whether you’re writing between shifts, classes, or chaos, Esha’s experience proves that there’s no one “right” way to build a writing career. All you need is persistence, passion, and maybe a few sticky notes.