Making It Up with Courtney Psak, author of The Hostess

“You're really investing in yourself. And when I actually do get a check, I'm like—wait, I got paid for this one?” —Courtney Psak

Courtney Psak is the author of two novels, and her third, The Hostess, is being released in April 2026. She graduated with a degree in Communications and Journalism with a master’s degree in Publishing. She is a member of the Crime Writers' Association, International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime and a board member for the Mystery Writers of America.

Among other things, Courtney and Carter discuss Courtney’s detailed outlining and writing process, having a UK publisher, and how mother-in-laws make great unreliable narrators. At the end of their conversation, they make up a gripping story using a line from Chris Pavone’s The Doorman.