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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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Email us at podcast@talkingbookpublishing.today

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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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Have a topic or guest suggestion?
Email us at podcast@talkingbookpublishing.today

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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

Connect With Us

Have a topic or guest suggestion?
Email us at podcast@talkingbookpublishing.today

Join the conversation on Instagram: @writerspubsnet