In this week’s episode we discuss Ema’s latest release and the emotional alchemy of turning fear into art. The Smog Cursed Kingdom will mark a shift in her career, and we dive into how she leveraged her industry experience to navigate a new genre while staying true to her own voice.

• The Birth of "Traumantasy": We explore this emerging subgenre and what it means to weave deep emotional healing into fantastical worlds.
• The "Not For Everyone" Philosophy: Ema gets candid about the reality that no book is universal—and why that’s actually a good thing.
• Embracing the DNF: While some authors fear the "Did Not Finish" shelf on Goodreads, we talk about why we actually love it.
• The Review Spiral: How authors (and humans!) tend to hunt for the one negative comment in a sea of praise, and how to stop picking yourself apart.
• Sobriety & Writing: A vulnerable look at balancing real-life challenges with professional goals. Ema shares how her sobriety journey has reshaped her process and how we’re both navigating a culture often centered around drinking.
• Boundaries & Public Personas: Why keeping an open mind—and a firm set of boundaries—is essential for authors and readers in today’s digital landscape.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a dedicated reader, this conversation is a raw, refreshing look at the human being behind the book. Ema knows exactly who she is, and she isn’t pretending to be anyone else. And more than anything, that’s the type of voice we need in publishing.