It's a full-time job is what I tell people.

Yes, it is.

It is.

And by the way, you know, I had all these Amazon reviews and blurbs and things with the previously published books.

So I didn't have to worry about that.

But with a new book, I would have to get blurbs and all of that kind of stuff.

So...

So if someone is starting their debut novel and they're thinking about what do they need to know before they start this publishing journey, what would you like to share with them?

yeah that's great advice that's great advice um i want to ask as well karen uh karen about your writing process as an author so um whenever you are writing a book uh what does that look like for you so the from the idea uh when the idea first lands in your head and you want to kind of capture it and then when you actually go about writing it what does it look like for you

well and i'm glad you asked that because i'm In the middle of writing a book, so it really feels, I'm really feeling the process.

First, the idea.

I test the idea a lot.

Do I think, you know, it has universal themes that other people will enjoy? And what's the genre? And I actually write a pitch for it, a one-sentence pitch, you know, to make sure it has all the elements that, is needed, like obstacles, stakes, and a strong desire line in the main character.

And then I don't write at all.

I just think about it every day in the morning.

very much um yes speaking of that actually uh karen when it comes to um getting your book out there in the world if you're trying to maybe get an agent and go through the traditional publishing route um let's talk about querying letters for a second so if you're writing a query letter for emma for an agent um what is your what's your best advice currently in 2026 for anyone who's trying to put together a letter right now for agents