The month of love is still in bloom as we continue our genre series this week with a look at romance and women's fiction. What's the difference? Which one is trending? What are our favorites? If you're a fan of either genre, grab some coffee and hang out with Angela and Sarah as they explore what makes both genres unique and why we benefit from exploring deeper, more emotional topics and not just the lighthearted stories that make us smile.

We want to hear your thoughts! Let us know on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads or send us an email at thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Happy February! We are feeling the love vibes this month. Continuing our genre series, this week is all about romance and author Lauren Kung Jessen is here to discuss her latest novel Yin Yang Love Song, along with Jennifer Sellers from Southern Festival of Books. Jennifer is an avid reader and supporter of the romance genre and her story of how these books literally changed her life is both heartwarming and inspiring. Together, Jennifer and Lauren show us the beauty and value of this genre and how it can open doors for new readers, young and old alike.

Let us know what you think! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Or send us an email at: thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

This week we are tackling plagiarism. Sparked by the buzz of a recent court case where an author has accused her former agent of stealing her manuscript, Angela and Sarah discuss whether or not plagiarism can be proven and the ramifications on all sides.

Let us know your thoughts and opinions on this. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Or send us an email to: thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Books Mentioned in This Epsiode:

https://readingrockbooks.bookstoreloyalty.com/collection/5156922?data=MU1wanBoaDFCUXVoWVZuenh6ZDhOandCS0RleWNEZ1IwZmd1bzBkQzNRaUQ1bFBhd1kwdTE2TlNDS1J4WlRmTkEvb1JSbEFtclh3PQ==

Adam Rosenbaum joins the show this week to talk about his book The Ghost Rules and how middle grade books teach us empathy and bridge the gap between children and parents.

Adam Rosenbaum has operated a sawmill in Kentucky, stocked groceries in Los Angeles, and was a student draftsman at his local power company growing up in the suburbs of Nashville, where he currently lives with his wife and kids.

When he’s not writing things or reading things, you’ll probably find him running down a trail or trying to find the perfect blueberry donut.

The Ghost Rules

Twelve-year-old Elwood McGee never asked to have “ghost-sight,” and it involves a lot more drool-dodging than he expected. Ghosts are the WORST—and they’re all over the place in this sharp-witted middle grade debut novel.

Did you know that ghosts love coffee? They’re not trying to be scary. They’re just deprived of an appropriate amount of caffeine! They also bump into things by accident, are occasionally nosy, and get a little nervous when they’re seen by the living.

Elwood McGee knows these ghost facts because he’s one of those rare people with the gift of ghost-sight. And it turns out ghosts are everywhere! Especially in the small Tennessee town where Elwood and his family had to move following the death of his big brother Noah, which Elwood thinks was his fault.

Once Elwood figures out he can see ghosts, he becomes single-mindedly determined to use his powers to see Noah and talk to him once last time. With the help of two girls who live on his street, Elwood embarks on a journey through the surprisingly funny world of ghosts and faces the realities of letting go.

At once hilarious and heart wrenching, Adam Rosenbaum makes his middle grade debut with a supernaturalish novel about grief that’s perfect for fans of Gordon Korman and Dan Gutman.

This week it's all about getting more eyes on your work. Angela and Sarah dive into the differences between alpha and beta readers, why we need them, and the value that multiple eyes and voices bring to our writing. We also talk about how to know which feedback to keep and how to trust your gut.

Have you used alpha or beta readers? We want to know your experiences! Getting feedback can be difficult. It can also help us grow and see things differently. Let us know your approach to beta readers and what you thought of the cast!

Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. Or send an email to:

thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Continuing the genre series, Angela and Sarah discuss audiobooks and their place in our world. Are there pros and cons to listening vs actually reading? What are the benefits of audiobooks? Join us for a deep dive into audio reading and hear some of our favorites to listen to.

Do you prefer audio, paper, or digital? Let us know on the socials or send us an email:

thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Happy New Year! We are so excited to be diving into a fresh new year of reading, writing, and bookselling. We hope 2025 is off to a fantastic start for all of you.

In this episode we talk about what we've read, what we plan to read, and reading goals. What are you reading goals for this year? How do they compare from last year's? No matter where you are or how many books you're reading, we are thrilled to be on this journey with you.

Here's to a terrific, word-filled year. Cheers!

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thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Books/Authors mentioned in this episode:

This week we continue our genre series with a look at middle grade fiction. Guest Heather Giese joins us to talk about the beautifully written and thought-provoking books she's been reading and why people of all ages will love them. We discuss trends in this genre, concerns, and some of our favorite books both past and present.

Enjoy this podcast? Let us know! Find us on Instagram and Facebook or send an email (we respond to every one) at:

thewaywewordpodcast@gmail.com

Books mentioned in this episode:

https://readingrockbooks.bookstoreloyalty.com/collection/5139999?data=MU1wanBoaDFCUXVoWVZuenh6ZDhOb2RLM0hsYnVNZDYzTEUvZXVNZTVkcXlBc2cvcFZGNEIycm44eTBENWsvUzFBN2lFRHV2bnRDdVorYm1UNTl2R3c9PQ==