Small Towns, Big Feelings with Lucy Score

Barely Famous – “Small Towns, Big Feelings” with Lucy Score

Release Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Kail Lowry
Guest: Lucy Score

EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this candid and entertaining episode, host Kail Lowry welcomes bestselling indie romance author Lucy Score for an in-depth conversation about her journey as a self-published author, the unique joys and pressures of writing small-town romance, her creative process, and the realities of literary fame. Both women dig into writing inspiration, BookTok virality, balancing private and public personas, family involvement, and the evolving business and craft of indie romance. Expect relatable anecdotes, honest insights, and plenty of humor.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

The Origin of “Lucy Score” (00:54)

Lucy’s Pen Name: Lucy admits "Lucy" is a pen name, created while she worked at an accounting firm to keep her romance writing private.
“I was like, I don’t think they’re going to like me doing this on the side...” (01:01, Lucy)
“Lucy” was chosen as a nod to her grandfather who playfully called her that; “Score” was inspired by the Gettysburg Address: “Four score... and I was like, Lucy Score. Nailed it.” (01:29, Lucy)

Debunking Author Rumors (02:04)

Lucy recounts the persistent rumor that she’s Colleen Hoover’s niece due to a misunderstood book dedication:
“I have an Aunt Colleen and I dedicated a book to her... and people just made the leap.” (02:13, Lucy)
She was delighted to discover Hoover herself DM’d her about it.

The “Story of My Life” Series & Writing Process (03:09–07:01)

Lucy’s latest, “Story of My Life,” launches a new trilogy. The book follows a romance novelist who reinvigorates a small town.
“I wanted to write a book dedicated to my readers...and I had this idea for a romance novelist who would go and build a town.” (03:17, Lucy)
Lucy relishes developing unique small-town settings and secondary characters.
Her favorite part is the energizing start: “The sky’s the limit. Nothing’s wrong with this story yet.” (05:53, Lucy)
She’s transparent about stress and panic in later writing stages, despite her success.

From Journalism Aspirations to Bestseller (07:01–08:27)

Originally, Lucy aspired to be a journalist but found news reporting too soul-crushing.
“I realized how depressing the news was...I was like, this is not going to feed my soul.” (07:01, Lucy)
Her “Knock Them Out” series set her apart for its length and depth.

Indie Roots and Self-Publishing Breakthrough (08:27–09:58)

Lucy self-published her debut in 2015:
- “I’m a hold my beer kind of person...I don’t want some complete stranger just saying no, you’re not good enough.” (08:46, Lucy)
Early support from her brother and self-publishing contacts led to her first imprint deal.
She has since published 35 books, with husband “Mr. Lucy” as her business manager.

Managing Privacy, Fame & “Mr. Lucy” (11:37–15:50)

Lucy has almost entirely left personal social media, existing “98% Lucy.”
Mr. Lucy (her husband) manages business, taxes, and publishing logistics:
- “He handles all of the business side of things...he acts as my manager.” (14:38, Lucy)
He also supports her emotionally through writing’s ups and downs:
- “Living with a romance author is intense...I will be devastated for two days after writing a breakup.” (15:24, Lucy)
Characters in her novels, especially the stubborn yet soft heroes, are inspired by Mr. Lucy.

Creative Output, Booktok, and Reader Community (13:02–14:19, 24:52–26:32)

Increasing business demands have slowed Lucy’s book-a-year pace, but readers remain supportive:
- “Being a part of the reader community, though...we’re willing to wait for quality books.” (14:04, Kail)
BookTok was instrumental for her “Knock Them Out” series:
- “It was the power of these young women telling other young women all about something that they love.” (25:10, Lucy)
BookTok exposure led to new audiences and revived her backlist.

Inspiration, Family & Real Life Influence (05:07–05:46, 29:08–29:54)

Lucy mines her own life, eavesdrops in public, and draws from her small-town upbringing for stories and settings.
Her brother proofs audiobooks, and her sister Madison now writes for their publishing endeavor.
- “He proofs all of our audiobooks, so he and my sister...writes for us now, too.” (29:43, Lucy)

CREATIVE PROCESS & WRITING HABITS

Outlining and Drafting (31:41–34:13)

Lucy writes in “Pomodoro” sprints of 25 minutes, banishing all distractions:
- “My intention is very hard to harness...the only thing I’m allowed to do is write.” (31:42, Lucy)
She combines plotting and “pantsing” (writing by the seat of her pants):
- “I start with an outline and I always feel overly confident...and then my book will be 50% longer.” (33:47, Lucy)
She often gets new story ideas from her phone’s notes app, based on everything from overheard conversations to military reunion videos.

On Inspiration and Genre (30:38–31:24, 26:32–27:08)

Lucy reads widely and is a self-proclaimed inspiration sponge:
- “Everything that I read, everything I see on tv, every everything is inspiration to me.” (26:32, Lucy)

Quality over Quantity, and Evolving Standards (37:29–39:21)

Publishing has gotten harder as her standards rise, making her invest more time per book:
- “It’s gotten harder because my standards have gotten higher.” (37:35, Lucy)
She refuses to deliver a book to publishers unless she’s happy with it.

Reviews and Thick Skin (39:36–41:44)

Lucy avoids Goodreads reviews, sharing how negative feedback changed her perspective on how she critiques art:
- “It made me look at how I was talking about other people’s content and art.” (40:17, Lucy)
She only publicly discusses books she loves to support her peers.

AUTHOR COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION & INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Author Community Support and Mindset (21:21–24:17)

Despite some competition, Lucy champions the “rising tide lifts all boats” mentality:
- “Other people’s successes are just showing me the way; it’s showing me what’s possible.” (24:01, Lucy)

Collabs, Dream Co-Authors, and Protectiveness (44:01–47:02)

She considers herself a "terrible collaborator" due to extreme protectiveness of her characters and storylines:
- “Nobody sees my story...until I have gone back through.” (44:23, Lucy)
Her “dream collab” would be Nora Roberts, citing admiration for her romantic suspense.

Teamwork and Division of Labor (36:11–37:19)

Alongside Mr. Lucy, her family, and two assistants, Lucy credits her support system for her efficiency.

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

On Small Town Inspiration:
“I grew up in a small town. I live in a small town. There’s just such a vibe to it that I love putting that on the page because it becomes its own character.” (52:08, Lucy)
On BookTok’s Power:
“It was just so authentic and organic...the power of these young women telling other young women all about something that they love.” (25:10, Lucy)
On Navigating Fame:
“I’m still not convinced. I still live under the apprehension that this could all go away at any moment.” (17:35, Lucy)
On Reviews and Criticism:
“Being on the receiving end of people being like, you should never write another book again because you’re awful... It made me look at how I was talking about other people’s content.” (41:27, Lucy)
On Collaboration:
“I’m extremely protective of my characters and my storylines. So somebody would be like, you know what would be better? And I’d be like, no, I don’t want to hear it.” (44:52, Lucy)

MEDIA, ADAPTATIONS & WHAT’S NEXT

Audiobooks and Narrators (48:27–51:41)

Lucy works with a consistent, trusted set of narrators, providing detailed “bibles” for each character. She loves seeing narrators bring new life to her work.

TV Adaptation News (56:43–59:19)

The “Knock Them Out” series has been optioned by Amazon MGM Studios for a tv adaptation. Lucy values preserving her books’ themes, especially “no cheating” and the importance of humor.

Upcoming Projects (12:06–12:51, 55:09–55:39)

The “Riley Thorne” mystery series continues, and “Story of My Life” is now the start of a new trilogy.
Lucy’s current favorite book is always the most recent:
“I’m gonna be a jerk and say Mistakes Were Made, which is the one I just turned in.” (55:09, Lucy)

RECOMMENDATIONS, AUTHORS & READING HABITS

Lucy reads in multiple formats (audio, kindle, print) and enjoys a variety of genres.
Regularly reads Leanne Moriarty, and admires authors like Rebecca Yarros, Megan Quinn, and Nora Roberts.

WHERE TO FIND LUCY SCORE

Website: lucyscore.com
Instagram: @lucyscore
Facebook: Lucy Score
Her books are widely available at retailers, indies, and Amazon.

END NOTES

This episode is a rich dive into the world of indie romance, creativity, family collaborations, thick skin in a digital world, and what success looks like when you stay true to yourself and your audience. Lucy’s down-to-earth humor and Kail’s open curiosity make for a deeply relatable listen—full of encouragement, real talk, and plenty of laughter.

For further details, specific insights, or motivational takeaways, jump to the timestamps noted above!

Barely Famous – “Small Towns, Big Feelings” with Lucy Score

Release Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Kail Lowry
Guest: Lucy Score

EPISODE OVERVIEW

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

The Origin of “Lucy Score” (00:54)

Lucy’s Pen Name: Lucy admits "Lucy" is a pen name, created while she worked at an accounting firm to keep her romance writing private.
“I was like, I don’t think they’re going to like me doing this on the side...” (01:01, Lucy)
“Lucy” was chosen as a nod to her grandfather who playfully called her that; “Score” was inspired by the Gettysburg Address: “Four score... and I was like, Lucy Score. Nailed it.” (01:29, Lucy)

Debunking Author Rumors (02:04)

Lucy recounts the persistent rumor that she’s Colleen Hoover’s niece due to a misunderstood book dedication:
“I have an Aunt Colleen and I dedicated a book to her... and people just made the leap.” (02:13, Lucy)
She was delighted to discover Hoover herself DM’d her about it.

The “Story of My Life” Series & Writing Process (03:09–07:01)

Lucy’s latest, “Story of My Life,” launches a new trilogy. The book follows a romance novelist who reinvigorates a small town.
“I wanted to write a book dedicated to my readers...and I had this idea for a romance novelist who would go and build a town.” (03:17, Lucy)
Lucy relishes developing unique small-town settings and secondary characters.
Her favorite part is the energizing start: “The sky’s the limit. Nothing’s wrong with this story yet.” (05:53, Lucy)
She’s transparent about stress and panic in later writing stages, despite her success.

From Journalism Aspirations to Bestseller (07:01–08:27)

Originally, Lucy aspired to be a journalist but found news reporting too soul-crushing.
“I realized how depressing the news was...I was like, this is not going to feed my soul.” (07:01, Lucy)
Her “Knock Them Out” series set her apart for its length and depth.

Indie Roots and Self-Publishing Breakthrough (08:27–09:58)

Lucy self-published her debut in 2015:
- “I’m a hold my beer kind of person...I don’t want some complete stranger just saying no, you’re not good enough.” (08:46, Lucy)
Early support from her brother and self-publishing contacts led to her first imprint deal.
She has since published 35 books, with husband “Mr. Lucy” as her business manager.

Managing Privacy, Fame & “Mr. Lucy” (11:37–15:50)

Lucy has almost entirely left personal social media, existing “98% Lucy.”
Mr. Lucy (her husband) manages business, taxes, and publishing logistics:
- “He handles all of the business side of things...he acts as my manager.” (14:38, Lucy)
He also supports her emotionally through writing’s ups and downs:
- “Living with a romance author is intense...I will be devastated for two days after writing a breakup.” (15:24, Lucy)
Characters in her novels, especially the stubborn yet soft heroes, are inspired by Mr. Lucy.

Creative Output, Booktok, and Reader Community (13:02–14:19, 24:52–26:32)

Increasing business demands have slowed Lucy’s book-a-year pace, but readers remain supportive:
- “Being a part of the reader community, though...we’re willing to wait for quality books.” (14:04, Kail)
BookTok was instrumental for her “Knock Them Out” series:
- “It was the power of these young women telling other young women all about something that they love.” (25:10, Lucy)
BookTok exposure led to new audiences and revived her backlist.

Inspiration, Family & Real Life Influence (05:07–05:46, 29:08–29:54)

Lucy mines her own life, eavesdrops in public, and draws from her small-town upbringing for stories and settings.
Her brother proofs audiobooks, and her sister Madison now writes for their publishing endeavor.
- “He proofs all of our audiobooks, so he and my sister...writes for us now, too.” (29:43, Lucy)

CREATIVE PROCESS & WRITING HABITS

Outlining and Drafting (31:41–34:13)

Lucy writes in “Pomodoro” sprints of 25 minutes, banishing all distractions:
- “My intention is very hard to harness...the only thing I’m allowed to do is write.” (31:42, Lucy)
She combines plotting and “pantsing” (writing by the seat of her pants):
- “I start with an outline and I always feel overly confident...and then my book will be 50% longer.” (33:47, Lucy)
She often gets new story ideas from her phone’s notes app, based on everything from overheard conversations to military reunion videos.

On Inspiration and Genre (30:38–31:24, 26:32–27:08)

Lucy reads widely and is a self-proclaimed inspiration sponge:
- “Everything that I read, everything I see on tv, every everything is inspiration to me.” (26:32, Lucy)

Quality over Quantity, and Evolving Standards (37:29–39:21)

Publishing has gotten harder as her standards rise, making her invest more time per book:
- “It’s gotten harder because my standards have gotten higher.” (37:35, Lucy)
She refuses to deliver a book to publishers unless she’s happy with it.

Reviews and Thick Skin (39:36–41:44)

Lucy avoids Goodreads reviews, sharing how negative feedback changed her perspective on how she critiques art:
- “It made me look at how I was talking about other people’s content and art.” (40:17, Lucy)
She only publicly discusses books she loves to support her peers.

AUTHOR COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION & INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Author Community Support and Mindset (21:21–24:17)

Despite some competition, Lucy champions the “rising tide lifts all boats” mentality:
- “Other people’s successes are just showing me the way; it’s showing me what’s possible.” (24:01, Lucy)

Collabs, Dream Co-Authors, and Protectiveness (44:01–47:02)

She considers herself a "terrible collaborator" due to extreme protectiveness of her characters and storylines:
- “Nobody sees my story...until I have gone back through.” (44:23, Lucy)
Her “dream collab” would be Nora Roberts, citing admiration for her romantic suspense.

Teamwork and Division of Labor (36:11–37:19)

Alongside Mr. Lucy, her family, and two assistants, Lucy credits her support system for her efficiency.

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

On Small Town Inspiration:
“I grew up in a small town. I live in a small town. There’s just such a vibe to it that I love putting that on the page because it becomes its own character.” (52:08, Lucy)
On BookTok’s Power:
“It was just so authentic and organic...the power of these young women telling other young women all about something that they love.” (25:10, Lucy)
On Navigating Fame:
“I’m still not convinced. I still live under the apprehension that this could all go away at any moment.” (17:35, Lucy)
On Reviews and Criticism:
“Being on the receiving end of people being like, you should never write another book again because you’re awful... It made me look at how I was talking about other people’s content.” (41:27, Lucy)
On Collaboration:
“I’m extremely protective of my characters and my storylines. So somebody would be like, you know what would be better? And I’d be like, no, I don’t want to hear it.” (44:52, Lucy)

MEDIA, ADAPTATIONS & WHAT’S NEXT

Audiobooks and Narrators (48:27–51:41)

Lucy works with a consistent, trusted set of narrators, providing detailed “bibles” for each character. She loves seeing narrators bring new life to her work.

TV Adaptation News (56:43–59:19)

The “Knock Them Out” series has been optioned by Amazon MGM Studios for a tv adaptation. Lucy values preserving her books’ themes, especially “no cheating” and the importance of humor.

Upcoming Projects (12:06–12:51, 55:09–55:39)

The “Riley Thorne” mystery series continues, and “Story of My Life” is now the start of a new trilogy.
Lucy’s current favorite book is always the most recent:
“I’m gonna be a jerk and say Mistakes Were Made, which is the one I just turned in.” (55:09, Lucy)

RECOMMENDATIONS, AUTHORS & READING HABITS

Lucy reads in multiple formats (audio, kindle, print) and enjoys a variety of genres.
Regularly reads Leanne Moriarty, and admires authors like Rebecca Yarros, Megan Quinn, and Nora Roberts.

WHERE TO FIND LUCY SCORE

Website: lucyscore.com
Instagram: @lucyscore
Facebook: Lucy Score
Her books are widely available at retailers, indies, and Amazon.

END NOTES

For further details, specific insights, or motivational takeaways, jump to the timestamps noted above!

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

Barely Famous – “Small Towns, Big Feelings” with Lucy Score

EPISODE OVERVIEW

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

The Origin of “Lucy Score” (00:54)

Debunking Author Rumors (02:04)

The “Story of My Life” Series & Writing Process (03:09–07:01)

From Journalism Aspirations to Bestseller (07:01–08:27)

Indie Roots and Self-Publishing Breakthrough (08:27–09:58)

Managing Privacy, Fame & “Mr. Lucy” (11:37–15:50)

Creative Output, Booktok, and Reader Community (13:02–14:19, 24:52–26:32)

Inspiration, Family & Real Life Influence (05:07–05:46, 29:08–29:54)

CREATIVE PROCESS & WRITING HABITS

Outlining and Drafting (31:41–34:13)

On Inspiration and Genre (30:38–31:24, 26:32–27:08)

Quality over Quantity, and Evolving Standards (37:29–39:21)

Reviews and Thick Skin (39:36–41:44)

AUTHOR COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION & INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Author Community Support and Mindset (21:21–24:17)

Collabs, Dream Co-Authors, and Protectiveness (44:01–47:02)

Teamwork and Division of Labor (36:11–37:19)

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

MEDIA, ADAPTATIONS & WHAT’S NEXT

Audiobooks and Narrators (48:27–51:41)

TV Adaptation News (56:43–59:19)

Upcoming Projects (12:06–12:51, 55:09–55:39)

RECOMMENDATIONS, AUTHORS & READING HABITS

WHERE TO FIND LUCY SCORE

END NOTES

Summary

Barely Famous – “Small Towns, Big Feelings” with Lucy Score

EPISODE OVERVIEW

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

The Origin of “Lucy Score” (00:54)

Debunking Author Rumors (02:04)

The “Story of My Life” Series & Writing Process (03:09–07:01)

From Journalism Aspirations to Bestseller (07:01–08:27)

Indie Roots and Self-Publishing Breakthrough (08:27–09:58)

Managing Privacy, Fame & “Mr. Lucy” (11:37–15:50)

Creative Output, Booktok, and Reader Community (13:02–14:19, 24:52–26:32)

Inspiration, Family & Real Life Influence (05:07–05:46, 29:08–29:54)

CREATIVE PROCESS & WRITING HABITS

Outlining and Drafting (31:41–34:13)

On Inspiration and Genre (30:38–31:24, 26:32–27:08)

Quality over Quantity, and Evolving Standards (37:29–39:21)

Reviews and Thick Skin (39:36–41:44)

AUTHOR COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION & INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Author Community Support and Mindset (21:21–24:17)

Collabs, Dream Co-Authors, and Protectiveness (44:01–47:02)

Teamwork and Division of Labor (36:11–37:19)

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

MEDIA, ADAPTATIONS & WHAT’S NEXT

Audiobooks and Narrators (48:27–51:41)

TV Adaptation News (56:43–59:19)

Upcoming Projects (12:06–12:51, 55:09–55:39)

RECOMMENDATIONS, AUTHORS & READING HABITS

WHERE TO FIND LUCY SCORE

END NOTES