Book Shop Chats:

Welcome to Book Shop Chats, your go to podcast for indie authors and learning insight into what it takes to write a book (HINT: You can do it too!!) Join authors as they share their personal journeys, successes, and challenges, providing you with unique insights into the writing process. The discussions explore into various aspects of storytelling, from character development to plot structuring, ensuring you have a well-rounded understanding of the craft. Whether you're just starting out or have published multiple works, this podcast is your companion in the pursuit of storytelling excellence. Tune in, gather inspiration, and let your passion for writing flourish alongside a community that celebrates the art of the written word.

Book Shop Chats: is a fiction podcast hosted by Victoria Hopkins, with 98 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Victoria Hopkins hosts Book Shop Chats:, a fiction show with 98 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #1

  Navigating Author life with Jenna Malin

  Aug 5, 202637 minS3

  In today's episode we are chatting with author Jenna Malin. Jenna shares tips and insight into what goes into writing, marketing and publishing a book. Book Blurb: Deviant Vandals ONE DETECTIVE RUNNING FROM HER PAST, ANOTHER RUNNING FROM HIMSELF. After faking her death and running for her life, Detective Evelyn Hale takes refuge in Defiance, Missouri, where a surge of violent crime has the town on edge. Suspicious of her circumstances and haunted by his own ghosts, her new partner, Conrad Kendry, wants her gone. But try as he might to convince everyone otherwise, he needs her help. A string of vandalisms promise two things: chaos and destruction. Kendry fears they’ll soon grow violent, and he’s out of leads—and chances. Rumors swirl around the precinct that the higher ups are looking for any excuse to fire the angry son of their late Police Chief, despite his stellar conviction rates. They both have one chance—one case—to put aside their differences and make this partnership work. Will they reconcile their differences and learn to trust each other before time runs out, and these crimes turn bloody? AUTHOR BIO: Jenna Malin is an author and music-lover from St. Louis. She turns all her pain and suffering into heart-hitting poetry and fiction that concerns her loved ones but makes her therapist proud. She’s written six books of poetry and a dark mystery romance novel. You can find her at a record store or concert, and her books on Etsy, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. SOCIALS/LINKS: Facebook: facebook.com/jennas.dilemmas Instagram, Threads, TikTok: @authorjennamalin Website/mailing list: jennasdilemmas.net About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping sensitive writers bring their stories to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together. Here’s how I can help: FREE Editing checklist : Grab it HERE Character Workshop : I NEED THIS Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality! IG: @editsbyvictoria LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

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  Episode #23

  How A Soccer Love Story Survived Rejection And Found A Home with Tara Sexton

  Feb 25, 202636 minS1

  About the author: Tara Sexton writes adult contemporary romance and fantasy. She can often be found with her nose in a book and a coffee at hand. Book Blurb: The hot new soccer romance for fans of Ted Lasso and She's the Man She's met her match. But will the winner take all or lose everything? Marcee Ackerman's dream job as head soccer coach at Pemberton Prep is turning into a nightmare. Her new boss has given her an ultimatum—win the state championship or she’s fired. To make matters worse, Pemberton's rival school hires hotshot ex-England player Remington Lockley as their new coach. How can she compete against a world-class pro? To keep her job and her reputation safe, Marcee will do whatever it takes. But one steamy encounter with Remy has thrown her plans off-course. Falling for the enemy may be just what Marcee's boss needs to get rid of her for good, yet she is powerless to resist as she gets to know the real Remy behind the tabloid scandals. Soccer is life, but love is the greatest game of all. Even Marcee’s competitiveness might not be enough for her to win… This steamy sports romance is perfect for fans of Meryl Wilsner, Amy Lea and Elena Armas. Connect with Tara HERE: LINKS About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together. Here’s how I can help: 📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days. Grab it HERE 📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality! 📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria 🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

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  Episode #22

  Why Finishing Your Draft Beats Waiting For Inspiration with Kimberly Christenson

  Feb 20, 202638 minS1

  About Kim: Nothing makes me happier than when someone tells me a book I recommended expands their perspective, brings them joy, or makes them feel less alone. Aside from being a self-proclaimed bibliotherapist, I’m a mom and wife, book reviewer for Good Things Utah, and one of those people who call their Holland Lop bunnies “part of the family.” I graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in English, but apparently that wasn’t enough school nerdery for me, so I’m headed back to get my master’s degree in creative writing. I’ve practiced my writing skills as producer for the “Arts in Utah” segment on a local radio station, then as a book blurb writer, PR specialist, and audiobook narrator for publisher Covenant Communications, professional namer for Eat My Words, and associate editor for Utah Valley Magazine. I had the opportunity to turn my passion for writing and journaling into a business, Loom Journals, with my friends. We were acquired by Promptly Journals, where I now create prompted journals and educate people on the power and science behind writing for wellbeing. I’m working on two novels: A dual timeline women’s fiction based on a tiny village I fell in love with in the English countryside, and a contemporary romance set in a quaint New England bookstore. Some obsessions: Hiking, BBC dramas, and putting on my pajamas. I started Talk Wordy to Me in 2016 as a place to build community around reading and writing. So glad you’re here! Follow Kim HERE : LINKS About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together. Here’s how I can help: 📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days. Grab it HERE 📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality! 📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria 🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #21

  How A Dark Fantasy Uses Storytelling To Challenge Exclusion And Inspire Belonging with Ryan Schulz

  Feb 18, 202636 minS1

  About the Author: Born and raised in Perth, Western Australia. Ryan graduated from John Curtin College of the Arts before later taking on a career as a drag queen. Through drag, Ryan found a love for cabaret, burlesque and circus. Relocating to the United Kingdom (March 2017) to further pursue the arts, Ryan hit the cabaret scene with a bang, hosting sell-out shows at Edinburgh Fringe and producing his own weekly resident show in London’s Kings Cross, as his alter ego Vicious Von Vixen. He worked his way into programming on the West End for the world’s largest theatre company ATG and gave away hosting entirely, wrapped up and all-consumed in the glittering world of A-Lister star casts, both confronting classics and new world-class come five-star reviewed plays, alongside debuting global musical hits transferring from / to Broadway! After a couple of years Ryan found his way to the UK’s leading entertainment and production company Underbelly, where he still works today, representing its first and only permanent venue in central London — Underbelly Boulevard Soho! All Ryan’s written work is inspired and motivated by lived experience in the theatre and cabaret industries, as well as diversity… from his own situations as a pansexual, genderqueer deemed “man”, seven-years polyamorous but now happily married and monogamous — devoted to his non-binary wife — Ryan hopes to bring whatever little change he can to the world, by writing exciting, thrilling, magical and engaging yet horrific stories, to intrigue a wider range of readers before enlighten them with characters that expose and provide awareness to ways of life outside the patriarchal created world that has set society norms and showcase the possibilities to readers of the different paths they can take. Book Blurb: A lost soul. A vaudeville that comes with an extra price for entry. Grief. Love. Sex. Blood. All under the filament lights of the Big Top. When Thomas discovers the lights of the funfair at his lowest point, his life takes a different direction and continues on, in a liberating yet macabre way. He finds acceptance with a troupe that he meets, all from different walks of life, but now all on the same path and with the same curse. A curse that isn’t holding any of them back. In fact, it’s what brings each of them together. What if a curse could save, could mean finding family, and could give lost souls a new purpose and enjoyment of life? Follow Ryan: LINKS About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together. Here’s how I can help: 📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days. Grab it HERE 📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality! 📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria 🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

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  Episode #20

  From Accidental Idea To Spicy, Layered Love Story with Kelly R. Nelson

  Feb 13, 202637 minS1

  Story Synopsis: The Devil & The Details is a dark, emotionally charged slow-burn romance that blurs the line between love and danger. After escaping a past built on control and silence, Bethany Martin is a woman learning to trust again when she meets Kevin Sinclair, whose calm warmth feels like redemption. Their connection is instant—magnetic, consuming, impossible to ignore. But the more she lets him in, the more the truth beneath his tenderness begins to surface. What begins as healing turns into something far more complicated. Boundaries blur, and the intensity that once felt safe begins to smother. Bethany, torn between desire and dread, realizes that some love stories aren’t meant to save you—they’re meant to destroy you. Told with haunting intimacy and cinematic tension, The Devil & The Details explores how easily passion can become possession and how survival sometimes means walking away from the person who swore to protect you. Because sometimes the devil doesn’t come to destroy you; he comes disguised as everything you ever wanted. About the Author — Kelly R. Nelson Kelly R. Nelson is an independent author who writes emotionally charged romantic suspense layered with realism, raw vulnerability, and characters that linger long after the final page. Drawing inspiration from music and human complexity, her stories explore the thin line between love and destruction, healing and heartbreak. When she’s not writing, Kelly works full-time and balances life as a mother, dreamer, and storyteller. She currently resides in California and is the author of The Devil & The Details , the first book in her riveting duology exploring the darker edges of love, trauma, and redemption. Social Media & Author Links Instagram, TikTok & Threads: @kellyrnelsonstoryteller Website: www.kellyrnelsonstoryteller.com Universal Book Links https://books2read.com/kellyrnelson About Victoria: Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together. Here’s how I can help: 📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days. Grab it HERE 📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters. ✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice. Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality! 📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria 🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial

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