Bad On Paper Podcast – “2025 Debut Author Anthology”

Hosts: Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter
Date: October 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Becca and Olivia celebrate 2025’s brightest new literary stars by interviewing four debut authors about their novels and, more importantly, about the emotional realities and unexpected surprises of launching their first books. They discuss the difference between being a writer and an author, vulnerability in storytelling, industry challenges, and the joys of reader connection. Perfect for aspiring authors and book lovers alike, the episode balances lighthearted banter with deep reflection on what it means to share your writing with the world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Warm-Up & Banter

• Morning Routines & Bookish Weeks (00:43 – 07:36)

  • Olivia shares her “theatrical” daily routine with her dog Winnie, full of pep talks and Bridgerton-style announcements.

    “Every day, this brings me such joy...the best part of my day, a lot of days. So anyway, I suggest having a full dialogue and theatrical event with your dogs.” — Olivia (03:31)

  • Becca recaps her “bookish” week: attending book launches (including Iman Hariri Kia’s Female Fantasy), her writing club with friends, and excitement about an upcoming event for Lily King’s Heart the Lover at The Strand.

    “I will not be able to keep it together. Like, I will embarrass myself." — Becca, on potentially meeting Lily King (06:34)

  • Discussion about fall weather, academic moods, and health.

• Sharing Lows & Emotional Health (07:42 – 08:01)

  • Olivia reports feeling balanced; Becca discusses feeling on the edge of getting sick.
  • Brief PSA on self-care and gratitude for therapists.

The Hosts' Reflections: What Surprised Us About Debuting (09:15 – 16:34)

• Both hosts share how their own debuts upended expectations:
  • Olivia:
    • Expected anxiety and criticism, but found joy in meeting readers and in-person celebrations.
    • Learned to “let go and just be grateful for the good stuff.”

      “There is a lot about it, that the book is now totally out of your control...but there’s some freedom in that as well, even if it is scary.” — Olivia (11:19)

  • Becca:
    • On the negative: the abrupt shift from “winning the lottery” to becoming “a small fish in the pond of authors,” feeling like a freshman all over again.
    • On the positive: Unexpected connections with people from different phases of her life, drawn out by the book’s release.

      “There was something so emotional about...getting to hear from people where I’m like, pretty sure this person has...totally forgotten about me.” — Becca (16:31)

Debut Author Mini-Interviews

1. Natalie Guerrero — My Train Leaves at Three (17:58 – 28:04)

• Book Pitch:
  • Follows Xiomara Sanchez, a young woman grieving her sister and pursuing Broadway dreams. Explores grief, ambition, and reconciling past and future selves.
• Theater Connection:
  • Natalie is herself a “musical theater nerd” with Broadway experience (played Young Nala in The Lion King).

    “What is the line...between making art because it is a gift...versus making art because you want to be seen and validated?” — Natalie (21:00)

• Surprise About Debuting:
  • The speed of publishing: “You work on this book for three years and the publishing industry publishes a new book every Tuesday.”
  • Realized the distinction between being a writer (slow, introspective creation) and an author (performative, conclusive).

    “Being a writer and being an author are just two big separate things.” — Natalie (22:57)

  • The experience gave her a deeper love for the craft of writing itself, regardless of publication pace.
• Memorable Quote:

  “I really understand why they call it a book release, because I felt like I was letting it go...it is no longer mine.” — Natalie (27:04)

2. Laura Loeffler — Tell Them You Lied (28:11 – 39:59)

• Book Pitch:
  • Two ambitious artists move to New York before 9/11—one goes missing, the other searches for her. Dual timelines include their art school days.
• Navigating Industry Taboos:
  • Significant resistance to a “9/11 novel” as a debut; was pressured to remove that element but stuck to her artistic vision.

    “To me, it seemed very much like I did not want to take that part of it away...that added that undercurrent of instability and fear.” — Laura (29:41)

• Surprise About Debuting:
  • The stress and anxiety of soliciting blurbs, but ultimately found other writers to be exceptionally generous and supportive (highlights Lisa Jewell and Katie Hayes).

    “It was so heartening to know that...these writers...still remember what it’s like to be at the beginning.” — Laura (37:22)

• On the Impact of Blurbs:

  “Maybe this person on Goodreads didn’t like my book, but Lisa Jewell did.” — Becca (38:31)

  • Both hosts and Laura agree imposter syndrome does not go away after one book.

3. Aisha Muhar — Loved One (40:01 – 48:18)

• Book Pitch:
  • A love triangle between three people—one of whom is dead. Julia, the protagonist, copes with the aftermath of the loss of Gabe, her ex, and creates a bond with his last girlfriend while unraveling the emotional “mysteries” of grief.
• From TV to Novels:
  • Notable as an Emmy-winning TV writer (Hacks, Parks and Recreation, The Good Place).
  • Chose to write this story as a novel for its deep interiority.

    “It just lended itself to the pacing of a novel, of the interiority of being with a character so closely.” — Aisha (43:03)

• Surprise About Debuting:
  • Books have “many debuts.” Unlike TV, where the launch is a single event, a book finds new readers at its own pace—months (or years) later.

    “There are so many moments of debut. It’s like, whenever a new reader comes across the book, then it’s debuting again.” — Aisha (46:16)

  • Finds joy in ongoing, staggered feedback from readers and book clubs.

4. Katie Yee — Maggie, or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar (48:35 – 58:06)

• Book Pitch:
  • A woman reeling from her husband’s affair is diagnosed with breast cancer; she names the tumor after ‘the other woman’ and weaves Chinese mythology into her children’s bedtime stories to reclaim her sense of self and culture.
• The Unusual Title:
  • Always intended, designed to play with joke structure and reader expectations.
• Surprise About Debuting:
  • The sheer reality and vulnerability of being read—strangers identify deeply with her story and share their own experiences (e.g., cancer, divorce) at events.

    “It’s like, oh, my imaginary friends have now run away.” — Katie (54:04)

  • Touched by the community and support, especially outside NYC where book events feel particularly poignant and spirited.

    “Just to like, meet readers who...loved saving their Thursday night to go to a book club at their local bookstore...instilled a newfound sense of hope in me for the state of reading.” — Katie (56:14)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On the Emotional Side of Debuting:

  “You go from this very celebratory, how lucky am I, I’ve accomplished this to then being like the freshman in high school...” — Becca (13:05)

• On Letting Go:

  “There is some freedom in that as well, even if it is scary.” — Olivia (11:19)

• Writer vs. Author:

  “Being a writer and being an author are just two big separate things.” — Natalie Guerrero (22:57)

• Blurbs and Community:

  “It was so heartening to know that...these writers...still remember what it’s like to be at the beginning.” — Laura Loeffler (37:22)

• Perpetual Debut:

  “There are so many moments of debut. It’s like, whenever a new reader comes across the book, then it’s debuting again.” — Aisha Muhar (46:16)

• Reader Connection:

  “Just surprised to meet readers...who wanted to come talk...and...how vulnerable people have been when talking to me.” — Katie Yee (52:01)

Additional Bookish Chat & Recommendations (62:26 – 66:58)

• Current & Recent Reads:
  • Becca recommends The Ten Year Affair by Erin Summers—dual timeline marriage/affair drama in the Hudson Valley.
  • Olivia recommends Take Me Apart by Sarah Sligar—literary thriller with gorgeous prose.
  • Anticipation for Heart the Lover by Lily King, the October book club pick.
• Community:
  • Join listeners in the podcast Facebook group or chat rooms for ongoing discussion.

Concluding Thoughts

The episode is an affirming, emotional, and practical guide through the joys and perils of debuting. Every author faces self-doubt, external skepticism, and the daunting relinquishment of their work to readers’ interpretations. Yet, across all stories, what prevails is the thrill of real human connection—across time, geography, and the boundaries between fiction and real life. The hosts and their guests alike articulate the bravery, vulnerability, and grace it takes to be a creator in a crowded world.