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If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the querying process—you’re not alone.

In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, Kathleen and Adanna sit down with Patrick McDonald, the creator of QueryTracker—the platform that has become the gold standard for querying literary agents. What started as one writer trying to organize his own submissions has grown into one of the most trusted tools in the publishing industry today.

This conversation pulls back the curtain on the business side of writing—what’s really happening when you hit “send” on that query, and how authors can approach the process more strategically instead of just guessing.

In this episode, we cover:

• How QueryTracker became an essential tool for authors
• What data can tell you about agent behavior and response times
• Why querying feels so difficult (and how to make it more manageable)
• The biggest mistakes authors make with query letters and comp titles
• How QT Critique is helping writers get real, honest feedback
• Why persistence—and patience—matter more than you think

Patrick also shares insights from his upcoming book, The Modern Guide to Querying Literary Agents, built from 20 years of answering authors’ most common questions.

🎧 Listen now and take the guesswork out of querying.

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Are authors about to be replaced by AI — or empowered by it?

Publishing technology expert Thad McIlroy joins Talking Book Publishing to explain how artificial intelligence is already reshaping the publishing industry — and why authors who understand these tools now may have a major advantage.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the publishing industry — from writing and editing to marketing, translation, and audiobook production.

Kathleen and Adanna chat with publishing technology expert Thad McIlroy about how AI tools are influencing the way books are created, marketed, and distributed.

Key Takeaways in This Episode:

• How AI is transforming publishing workflows
• Why authors should spend 10 hours learning AI tools (even if they choose not to use them)
• How AI helps with book marketing and discoverability
• The ethics of AI in publishing
• Whether AI threatens authors or helps them

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
03:40 Why AI exploded in publishing
14:20 Using AI for book marketing
28:10 AI for book design and translation
41:30 Is AI a threat to authors?

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In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, hosts Kathleen and Adanna sit down with Naomi Kim Eagleson, writer, editor, and founder of The Artful Editor, for a deep dive into the full editing journey—whether you’re self-publishing or going the traditional route. Naomi takes us through her four-phase editing model and explains why many manuscripts spend too long in “line-edit purgatory” when what they really need is a developmental overhaul.

We talk manuscript critiques vs. developmental edits vs. line-editing vs. proofreading — Naomi breaks each one down, explains when they belong in your publishing timeline, and shows why waiting too long (or paying too early) can hurt your book. She also shares veteran insights on what agents look for in your first 5–10 pages, why voice matters more than perfect punctuation at query time, and how simple tactics like reading your work aloud or letting Word speak it back can reveal structural problems you’ll miss by eye alone.

Whether you're polishing your first draft or prepping your launch, this episode delivers practical, actionable advice to elevate your manuscript and position your book for success.

Resources:
• Website ArtfulEditor.com
• Instagram: @artfuleditor
• Facebook: @artfuleditor

About our guest:
Naomi Kim Eagleson is a Los Angeles-based writer and editor who founded The Artful Editor, an editorial agency dedicated to helping writers of all stripes elevate their manuscripts for publication. Originally from Hawai‘i, Naomi began her career at Manoa, an award-winning literary journal, where she honed her editorial expertise. After earning her MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, she moved to California in 2010 and launched her own agency offering full-service editing—developmental edits, copyedits, and query reviews. With more than a decade of experience guiding authors toward their publishing goals, Naomi brings deep respect for craft, clear process, and a compassionate edit-mindset to every project.

Related Episodes:
• Season 5 | Episode 8 • Kim Dower

• Season 5 | Episode 7 • Penny Sansevieri

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In this insightful episode of Talking Book Publishing, hosts Kathleen and Adanna welcome Mary Vensel White, author, editor, publisher, and Orange County president of the California Writers Club. Mary shares her multidimensional expertise in publishing and digs into one of the most elusive topics for authors: book marketing. She brings a refreshingly honest and practical perspective on the importance of market research, knowing your genre, identifying comparable titles, and how all of that plays into placing your book in the right hands.

Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how cover design influences buying decisions, the power of ebook promotions (even free ones!), and why setting a budget and timeline early in the writing process is crucial. Mary and the hosts also explore effective low-budget marketing, the evolving role of social media, and how to reach readers in both digital and physical spaces. Whether you're a debut indie author or a seasoned writer looking to update your strategies, this episode is packed with actionable advice that cuts through the noise.

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In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, hosts Kathleen and Adanna sit down with one of the industry’s most respected voices in author publicity and media coaching: Kim Dower. As the founder of Kim-from-L.A. Literary & Media Services, Kim has spent over 40 years helping writers become not just authors, but compelling public speakers. She’s also an award-winning poet and co-author of Life is a Series of Presentations, the book that introduced the 8 Presentation Practices—essential tools for anyone looking to connect with an audience.

Kim dives deep into the heart of media training, sharing why authors must separate the book from how they speak about it. She discusses the power of storytelling, how to overcome the fear of public speaking, and why humor and vulnerability are crucial in every author’s toolkit. Whether you're preparing for a book tour, podcast appearance, or public reading, this episode offers invaluable insight for turning your message into a magnetic presentation.

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In this jam-packed episode of Talking Book Publishing, hosts Kathleen Kaiser and Adanna Moriarty sit down with book marketing powerhouse Penny Sansevieri for a revealing discussion on how Amazon's evolving landscape affects authors today. Penny, a longtime expert in Amazon optimization, returns to the podcast with timely insights on her latest release, The Amazon Author Formula Workbook, and the strategic changes every author needs to understand—especially in light of Amazon's algorithm shift from A9 to A10.

From navigating AI-generated book scams to optimizing your author presence for visibility, Penny outlines both the opportunities and landmines in today's digital publishing world. Listeners will get actionable advice on platform building, the ethical use of AI for marketing, and how to prepare for Amazon's tightening restrictions on book uploads. Whether you're self-publishing your first book or looking to refresh your Amazon strategy, this episode is a must-listen.

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In this episode of Talking Book Publishing, Kathleen Kaiser and Adanna Moriarty chat with William Ramsey — true crime author, documentary filmmaker, and host of the top-ranked podcast William Ramsey Investigates. With over 1,300 episodes and five books to his name, William knows a thing or two about building a platform. He shares how he turned podcast guest spots into a thriving network, built his own show, and used it all to boost book sales and connect with new readers.

He opens up about what worked (and what didn't), why authors need to be more than just writers, and how embracing new formats like podcasting and video can fuel creativity — not just promotion. Whether you're just starting out or thinking about launching a podcast of your own, this episode is packed with real-world advice, a little tough love, and plenty of inspiration for the hybrid author life.

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In this eye-opening episode of Talking Book Publishing, hosts Kathleen and Adanna sit down with Ross Rojek, editor and publisher of City Book Review, to explore the inner workings of the book review industry. Ross shares the journey of launching City Book Review in Sacramento in 2008 and evolving it into a network of review sites across eight U.S. cities, plus a special platform for young reviewers, Kids Book Buzz. With candor and humor, he explains the real work behind publishing honest book reviews, from managing hundreds of reviewers to handling over 1,500 book submissions a month.

Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the review selection process, the distinction between editorial and reader reviews, and why professional presentation is essential. Ross also offers invaluable advice to authors—especially indie and self-published ones—about treating their writing as a business. From marketing tips to understanding what makes a book stand out to reviewers and libraries, this episode is packed with practical insights for anyone in the literary world.

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