Podcast Summary: "Book Talk w/ JESSA HASTINGS" on I'll Read What She's Reading

Release Date: March 19, 2025

In this engaging episode of "I'll Read What She's Reading," hosts Reggie, Mikaela, and Kennedy welcome acclaimed author Jessa Hastings for a deep dive into her literary journey, creative process, and the challenges she has faced within the publishing industry. Released on March 19, 2025, this episode offers listeners an intimate look into Jessa’s world, enriched with insightful discussions and memorable quotes from the conversation.

1. Welcome and Introduction

The episode begins with the hosts expressing their excitement about having Jessa Hastings on the show.

• Reggie [00:14]: "We have a very special guest with us today, someone who we are so excited to be interviewing."

Jessa responds with enthusiasm, setting a welcoming tone for the discussion.

• Jessa Hastings [00:28]: "Yay. Thank you so much for having me."

2. Jessa Hastings’ Journey as an Author

Jessa shares her unconventional path to becoming a published author, highlighting her early passion for writing and the genesis of her beloved series.

• Jessa Hastings [00:51]: "I'd always wanted to be a writer and was the kind of kid that would, like, read a book and didn't like the ending. So we'd rewrite the ending..."

She recounts the initial development of her Magnolia Parks series, detailing how personal experiences, such as motherhood and sleepless nights, fueled her creativity.

• Jessa Hastings [01:39]: "I had a baby, and she just didn't sleep ever. And I was just, like, losing my mind and kind of just needed an escape to feel like a person again."

3. Navigating the Publishing Landscape

Jessa discusses the hurdles she encountered with traditional publishers, including resistance to her genre-bending narratives and attempts to slim down her manuscripts.

• Jessa Hastings [04:05]: "The publishing industry is super calcified. They don't like genre bending, they don't like anything that doesn't fit in a specific kind of category."

Frustrated by editorial demands that compromised her characters' voices, Jessa took the bold step to self-publish her works, leading to unexpected success and a loyal grassroots readership.

• Jessa Hastings [05:10]: "Magnolia One came out in July 2021, Daisy One came out in December 2021. And they both did really well for self publishing numbers."

4. Embracing Authentic Writing Styles

The conversation delves into Jessa's unique writing style, heavily influenced by her love for television and her desire to create realistic, dialogue-driven narratives.

• Jessa Hastings [09:15]: "Dialogue is the easiest thing in the world for me. Dialogue first."

She emphasizes the importance of giving characters the space to breathe and evolve, allowing readers to form deep emotional connections.

• Jessa Hastings [10:01]: "The humanity of the characters is in the breadth of the book. Like you need the space. There needs to be breathing room for these people to actually be people."

5. Challenging the Status Quo in Publishing

Jessa passionately critiques the publishing industry's reluctance to embrace diversity and originality, advocating for authors to maintain their authentic voices despite external pressures.

• Jessa Hastings [14:10]: "The industry doesn't really want there to be... a book that sounds like that person. There needs to be a book that sounds like that person."

She shares her experience with book cover controversies, highlighting her commitment to artistic integrity over mainstream appeal.

• Jessa Hastings [36:35]: "What I'm saying is, you're, you're the confidant of whoever is talking. Like, you're in the inner circle. And that sort of has spilled over into everything I write."

6. Favorite Lines and Character Insights

When asked about her favorite lines, Jessa reflects on poignant moments from her books that resonate deeply with her and her readers.

• Jessa Hastings [43:16]: "He laughs. And it sounds like I'm ringing the doorbell of the house I grew up in."

She also discusses cherished character moments that highlight the complexity and growth of her protagonists.

• Jessa Hastings [44:31]: "He'll love her in every spectrum of light, even the absence of it, like, that I adore."

7. Recommendations for New Readers

Jessa offers thoughtful advice for newcomers to her work, suggesting starting points that cater to different reading preferences.

• Jessa Hastings [48:37]: "If you're wanting to not get sucked in and feel like you have to, I would say starting with Conditions is great. Because it's a standalone..."

8. Interaction with Fans and Social Media Experiences

The discussion shifts to the benefits and drawbacks of Jessa's active presence on social media. She appreciates the supportive connections she forms with her fans but also candidly addresses the challenges of negative interactions.

• Jessa Hastings [73:10]: "Social media I could never have, I could never just post my books all the time. That would be so boring."

She emphasizes the joy derived from engaging with a positive and creative community, despite encountering criticism on platforms like TikTok.

• Jessa Hastings [75:17]: "It is literally for fun and that's the, the part of it that is like the pros. It's fun and the people and it's like so love."

9. Upcoming Projects and Future Plans

Looking ahead, Jessa hints at exciting new projects without divulging too many details, maintaining an air of mystery that keeps listeners eagerly anticipating her next move.

• Jessa Hastings [82:37]: "Most of my plans are writing related. I do have some writing plans, almost all of which I am not allowed to talk about, but I will."

She briefly describes her upcoming book, Conditions of Will, a standalone novel exploring the life of a body language expert grappling with personal and professional challenges.

• Jessa Hastings [83:00]: "It's about this girl called Georgia. She is a body language expert... That's a really interesting read because of what happens, because of how she reads people."

10. Closing Remarks and Connect with Jessa

As the episode wraps up, the hosts encourage listeners to follow Jessa on her social media platforms to stay updated on her latest works and personal updates.

• Jessa Hastings [86:32]: "My Instagram is Jessa Hastings."

• Reggie [86:37]: "We'll put it in the show notes so people can go follow you because we encourage them to."

Notable Quotes from the Episode

• Jessa Hastings [01:39]: "I had a baby, and she just didn't sleep ever. And I was just, like, losing my mind and kind of just needed an escape to feel like a person again."

• Jessa Hastings [09:15]: "Dialogue is the easiest thing in the world for me. Dialogue first."

• Jessa Hastings [14:10]: "The industry doesn't really want there to be... a book that sounds like that person. There needs to be a book that sounds like that person."

• Jessa Hastings [43:16]: "He laughs. And it sounds like I'm ringing the doorbell of the house I grew up in."

• Jessa Hastings [83:00]: "It's about this girl called Georgia. She is a body language expert... That's a really interesting read because of what happens, because of how she reads people."

Conclusion

This episode of "I'll Read What She's Reading" offers a comprehensive and heartfelt exploration of Jessa Hastings’s experiences as an author navigating a challenging publishing landscape while maintaining her creative integrity. Her candid discussions about character development, writing processes, and the importance of authentic storytelling provide valuable insights for aspiring writers and avid readers alike. Listeners are left with a deeper appreciation for Jessa’s work and a keen anticipation for her forthcoming projects.

Connect with Jessa Hastings:

• Instagram: @JessaHastings

Note: To support clean eating and protein goals, the hosts briefly mention Clean Simple Eats products with discount codes, but these sections are omitted from the summary as per the guidelines to exclude advertisements and non-content segments.