- 32 minutes 5 seconds#64 Jeneva Rose: The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Her Horror Novel
What if a medium predicted you were pregnant before you told anyone else? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Jeneva Rose to chat about how her experience with a medium inspired her recent horror collection, Sometimes I Scare Myself. She also shares the inspiration behind the other two stories and the writing sprints that allow her plot twists to happen. As huge Office fans, Jeneva and Morgann also play a game of “The Office, but it’s a Thriller.” Jeneva also reveals what she is writing next in the thriller world!
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro & Welcome
00:40 Jeneva Almost Auditioned for The Traitors
02:05 How Motherhood Changed Her View of Success
03:19 The Secret to Writing a Great Thriller
04:14 Turning Writing Into a Competition
06:25 How The Perfect Marriage Found Its Readers
09:23 The Viral TikTok…
11:23 Do Authors Need to Be on Social Media?
12:42 Jeneva's Sneaky Signings
15:39 The Office But it’s a Murder Mystery
16:56 Inside Sometimes I Scare Myself
17:37 The Medium That Inspired a Horror Story
20:30 Turning Real-Life Experiences Into Horror
22:06 How Writing Horror Helped Jeneva Face Her Fears
23:41 Why Horror Has Fewer Rules Than Thrillers
26:53 Why Jeneva Writes to Entertain
28:05 Jeneva's Favourite Horror Movies
29:50 What's Next?
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Jeneva Rose
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Hosted by: Morgann Book
Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston
Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston
Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes
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22 October 2026, 10:00 am - 20 minutes 25 seconds#63 Daisy Edgar-Jones & George MacKay: Bringing Sense and Sensibility to Life
What does it take to bring one of Jane Austen's most beloved love stories to the big screen? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann travels to the UK to sit down with Daisy Edgar-Jones, George MacKay, and director Georgia Oakley to chat about their new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. Daisy and George share how they prepared to play Elinor Dashwood and Edward Ferrars and the memorable dance rehearsals on set. Then, director Georgia Oakley takes us behind the scenes of reimagining Jane Austen's classic for a new generation and what it was like working with a large number of animals on set.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro & Welcome
00:31 Preparing for Sense and Sensibility
03:30 Daisy's Premonition About Working With George
04:36 Filming Elinor & Edward's First Meeting
06:25 Why Daisy Relates to Elinor Dashwood
07:40 Daisy & George's Happy Places
08:32 Favourite Moments From Filming
11:07 Why Adapt Sense and Sensibility?
12:18 Making Jane Austen Feel Timeless
13:44 The Reality of Working With Animals on Set
16:38 Approaching a Character Without Reading the Book
17:44 Georgia's Favourite Scene to Film
18:30 Casting Daisy Edgar-Jones & Esmé Creed-Miles
19:56 What Book Should Be Adapted Next?
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Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston
Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston
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15 October 2026, 10:00 am - 34 minutes 16 seconds#62 B.K. Borison: Why She Started Writing Supernatural Romance
What makes a romance author want to write about death? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling romance author B.K. Borison to chat about her newest release, Grim Tidings, and why she decided to take her cozy romances into the supernatural world. B.K. shares how her husband's career in palliative care helped shape the story, why she wanted to write a female grim reaper, and what's coming next for the Department of Hauntings and Spirits. Plus, we look back at her self-publishing journey with Lovelight Farms, First Time Callers' upcoming adaptation, and her love for Heated Rivalry!
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro & Welcome
01:12 Self-Publishing Lovelight Farms
03:00 The Lore Behind B.K. Borison’s Book Covers
04:16 Her Husband, Fantasy Football & Romance
06:08 The Books That Made Her Fall in Love With Romance
07:05 Is a Brick Really Worth It?
08:35 Transitioning to First Time Caller
09:56 Bringing Sleepless in Seattle to Life
14:36 The First Time Caller Adaptation
16:41 The Heated Rivalry Obsession
18:13 Getting The Supernatural Spark
21:26 Inside Grim Tidings
22:08 How BK’s Husband Helped Shape the Story
25:08 Writing About Death & the Afterlife
26:28 Why Darcy Is the Grim Reaper
28:01 Building the Department of Hauntings & Spirits
30:06 Crafting the Perfect Opening Line
31:04 What is B.K. Borison Writing Next?
32:31 A Surprise Gift!
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B.K. Borison
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Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston
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8 October 2026, 10:00 am - 35 minutes 17 seconds#61 J.K. MacLaren: From Drive to Survive to Writing an F1 Romance
What happens after you watch F1: Drive to Survive and decide to write an entire F1 romance book series?! This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Watty Award–winning author JK Maclaren to chat about her adult romance debut, Full Throttle. JK shares what she learned from writing eight full-length novels on Wattpad, and the night she found out her book had sold. Plus, the two discuss the best frozen yogurt combination and the race car bed JK had growing up!
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro & Welcome
00:30 The Perfect Frozen Yogurt Bowl
04:45 How Drive to Survive Started It All
08:35 The Inspiration Behind Full Throttle
11:45 What Writing on Wattpad Taught Her
15:46 The Story Behind the Race Car Bed
16:52 The Night She Sold Full Throttle
18:48 Inside Full Throttle
19:57 Finding Juliette & Dominic
21:05 The Reality of Writing an F1 Romance
25:02 Writing About Women in Sports
28:00 The Meaning Behind Juliet’s Cowboy Boots
31:16 The Romeo & Juliet References
33:19 What’s Next: Shifting Gears
34:08 A Surprise Gift for JK
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JK MacLaren
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Hosted by: Morgann Book
Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston
Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston
Associate Post Producer and Editor: Ricki Biramontes
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1 October 2026, 10:00 am - 35 minutes 56 seconds#60 Claire Scanlon: Bringing The Love Hypothesis From Book to Screen
What happens when you turn one of BookTok’s biggest romances into a movie? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with director Claire Scanlon to chat about directing The Love Hypothesis. Claire shares what she learned from editing The Office, how she captured Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch’s chemistry in Set It Up, and what eventually led her down the rabbit hole of Star Wars Fan Fiction. She takes us behind the scenes of adapting the book, from bringing fan-favourite moments to life and balancing Adam’s character to filming the movie’s intimate scenes. Plus, Claire reveals the scene that made her realize they officially “had a movie.”
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro & Welcome
02:09 What The Office Taught Claire About Directing
04:22 The Secret Behind Jim & Pam’s Slow Burn
07:42 How Set It Up Came Together
10:10 Creating Glen Powell & Zoey Deutch’s Chemistry
15:13 Taking On The Love Hypothesis
18:21 Bringing The Book’s Biggest Moments To Screen
21:25 Changes From Book To Movie
23:56 Finding The Right Adam Carlsen
26:03 The Pressure Of Adapting A Book Fans Love
27:30 The Reality of Filming The Intimate Scenes
30:18 What Is A Nudity Rider?
32:50 The Scene That Made Claire Know They “Had A Movie”
33:33 What She Hopes Fans Take From The Movie
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Claire Scanlon
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Hosted by: Morgann Book
Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston
Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston
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24 September 2026, 10:00 am - 42 minutes 9 seconds#59 Jodi Picoult: The Secret That Inspired Her 30th Novel
What is the wildest thing an author has done for research? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Jodi Picoult to chat about her 30th novel, Hollow Bones, and the 29 novels before it. Jodi reveals how she collects research for her books and what it was like to interview a woman from jail or visit the Alaskan tundra. The two discuss what makes a good adaptation and what happened with My Sister's Keeper. They finish the episode with what Jodi is writing next for her 2028 book!
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro & Welcome
01:42 Are Writers Born or Made?
03:53 How Publishing Has Changed Since 1992
06:05 Why Jodi Still Answers Every Reader Email
09:14 Being a Lifelong Student
10:21 How Jodi Knows an Idea Is Worth a Novel
13:44 The Wildest Things She’s Done for Research
16:10 How She Knows When the Research Is Done
17:24 What My Sister’s Keeper Taught Her About Adaptations
19:12 The Problem With “Women’s Fiction”
20:59 The Story Behind Jodi’s First Tattoo
24:08 Inside Hollow Bones
24:26 Bringing Jesse From My Sister’s Keeper Back
27:15 The Real-Life Secret That Inspired Hollow Bones
30:44 Exploring 9/11 Through a New Generation
31:27 Researching Postpartum Psychosis
34:07 The Letter That Changed Hollow Bones
36:59 Why Women Are Falling Through the Healthcare Cracks
38:57 What Jodi Hopes Readers Take From Hollow Bones
39:33 Jodi Reveals Her Next Novel
41:11 Gifting Jodi With…
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Hosted by: Morgann Book
Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston
Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston
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17 September 2026, 10:00 am - 35 minutes 25 seconds#58 Joss Richard: Why Romance Needs A Third Act Breakup
Have you wondered why the second book is always harder to write than a debut? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits (back) down with Joss Richard to chat about her latest release, Let’s Kiss and Tell. Inspired by one of her favourite romantic comedies, Joss shares her writing and research process for a book rooted in sex positivity. She also shares what it was like to write after the success of her debut novel, It’s Different This Time, and what is coming next…
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro & Welcome
00:39 Joss Weighs In On The Jeremiah vs. Conrad Debate
03:24 Why Authors Need A Life Outside Of Books
05:27 What Book Tour Is REALLY Like
07:14 Did Joss Expect It’s Different This Time To Blow Up?
08:49 Adam Harper POV
10:45 Romance Books On Canada Reads
12:16 The Story Behind Let’s Kiss And Tell
13:34 The How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days Inspiration
14:11 Is The Second Book Harder Than The First?
16:42 Joss’s Writing Process
18:28 Why Joss Wanted To Write Let’s Kiss And Tell
20:51 What Joss Learned From OnlyFans Creators
23:35 Therapy, Dirty Talk & Writing Spicy Scenes
25:06 Defending The Third Act Breakup
27:16 Is Miscommunication Actually A Bad Trope?
29:42 The Story Behind The Let’s Kiss And Tell Cover
31:07 The Kind Of Love Joss Wanted To Write About
32:07 Joss Teases Her Next Romance
32:58 We Surprise Joss With Her Favourite Thing
34:05 The Diet Coke vs. Coke Zero Debate
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Joss Richard
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Hosted by: Morgann Book
Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston
Executive Producers: Morgann Book & Thomas Johnston
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10 September 2026, 10:00 am - 36 minutes 32 seconds#57 Lily Chu: How Audiobooks Have Changed Her Writing Process
Did you know Lily Chu found her agent through a Twitter contest? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Audible author Lily Chu to discuss her latest release, Just Kiss Already. Inspired by the hit television series Bones and her own archaeology background, Lily shares her research process, from interviewing a forensic anthropologist to filmmakers to craft the perfect story. She also shares what it’s like collaborating with actress and narrator Phillipa Soo and teases her next three books.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro & Welcome
02:04 Finding Her Agent Through Twitter
04:11 The Challenges Of Being A Writer
05:50 The Journey From Auction To Audible
07:45 Editing Novels for Audio and Print
08:50 Swearing in Audiobooks
10:04 How Audiobooks Have Changed The Writing Process
12:00 Exploring The Audible New York Headquarters
13:03 Lily’s Writing Process
16:23 The Inspiration Behind Just Kiss Already
17:46 Lily’s Archaeology Background Influence
20:00 Everyone Lily Interviewed
23:16 Collaborating With Phillipa Soo
24:30 Changing The Perspective Of Narration
28:13 Lily’s Involvement In Her Audiobooks
30:20 What Is Lily Writing Next?
31:48 Rapid Fire Audio Questions
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Lily Chu
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Hosted by: Morgann Book
Created by: Bookish Media, Morgann Book, and Thomas Johnston
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1 September 2026, 10:00 am - 43 minutes 55 seconds#56: Victoria S. Walsh Reveals What Everyone Gets Wrong About Writing Plus Size Heroines
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Victoria S. Walsh to talk about turning a lifelong dream into reality with her debut fantasy novel, The Iron Hex. From manifesting and leaving her corporate job to building a fantasy trilogy, writing meaningful representation, and why book pre-orders matter more than you think, Victoria shares the story behind her journey to becoming a published author. Plus, she teases what's next for The Iron Hex series and beyond.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro & Welcome
03:49 Dreaming of Becoming an Author
05:08 Childhood Stories & Supportive Parents
07:01 Why Competitiveness Led to YouTube
09:54 Quitting Her Corporate Job
14:21 The Story Behind The Iron Hex
16:40 Landing Her Dream Literary Agent
17:33 What The Iron Hex Is About
18:41 Planning an Entire Trilogy
20:11 Writing a Plus-Size Fantasy Heroine
23:51 The Decade-Long Yearning Romance
26:26 Memory Loss, Romance & Fantasy Tropes
27:38 The High School That Changed Everything
30:37 A Childhood Photo That Says It All
35:11 Why Pre-Ordering Books Matters So Much
41:42 Book Two, The Iron Oath & What's Next
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Victoria S. Walsh
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Hosted by: Morgann Book
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30 July 2026, 10:00 am - 40 minutes 1 second#55: How Taylor Swift Inspired Molly Fader's 'Lady X'
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with author Molly Fader, who's written more than 50 books under various pen names - including one that made its way into Suicide Squad. They talk about her latest release, Lady X, a vigilante girl gang story set in 1977 New York City that was partly sparked by Taylor Swift's "Vigilante Shit." Molly opens up about switching literary agents after 25 years, the research that shaped the book, and what keeps her chasing that "lightning strike" feeling after six decades' worth of stories.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro & Welcome
02:38 Publishing Her First Book at 25
04:05 Toronto, Harlequin & Learning the Craft
04:37 The Cowgirl Phase
06:20 From Harlequin to Single-Title Books
08:52 The Pen Name Universe
12:34 How Many Books, Really?
17:00 The Suicide Squad Mystery
22:38 Introducing Lady X
24:29 The Spark Behind the Story
27:38 Writing Female Rage & Friendship
28:27 Plotter vs. Pantser
29:52 Researching 1977 New York City
31:18 Her Writing Space, Then and Now
32:24 A New Agent, After 25 Years
34:22 Selling Lady X & Canadian Rights
34:48 What She Wants Readers to Take Away
37:01 What's Next: 1980s Nashville
37:35 The Lightning Strike Feeling
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Hosted by: Morgann Book
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23 July 2026, 10:00 am - 45 minutes 48 seconds#54: How the Lucky Adaptation Came to Life with Marissa Stapley
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling Canadian author Marissa Stapley, whose novel Lucky became Reese's Book Club's first-ever Canadian pick and is now being adapted into an Apple TV+ series starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Drew Starkey, and Annette Bening. Marissa shares the heartbreaking story behind writing Lucky while caring for her mom, how Reese Witherspoon discovered the book, what it was really like keeping the Reese's Book Club secret, and why she always pictured Anya Taylor-Joy as Lucky.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro & Welcome
00:35 - Why Marissa always knew she'd be a writer
03:25 - Her first novel that never made it to shelves
04:40 - How journalism shaped her writing career
06:02 - Ranking her wildest jobs (including cemetery gardener)
09:06 - Why she writes under multiple pen names
11:06 - How co-writing a novel actually works
12:44 - TV writing vs. novel writing
14:30 - The inspiration behind Lucky
17:06 - Creating Lucky Armstrong
20:22 - Writing Lucky while caring for her mom
22:30 - Becoming Reese's first Canadian Book Club pick
25:23 - Keeping the Reese's Book Club secret
27:56 - How the Apple TV+ adaptation came together
30:40 - Manifesting Anya Taylor-Joy as Lucky
35:04 - Visiting the set of Lucky
40:11 - The biggest changes from book to TV series
42:09 - Which episode Marissa can't stop thinking about
44:04 - What to expect from the Lucky sequel
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Marissa Stapley
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Hosted by: Morgann Book
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