Could a random scroll through Instagram turn into a debut novel? That's exactly what happened to Michelle Merrick when she spotted an Etsy ad for a 1920’s martini glass and immediately thought, "What if a person died holding this…and left their energy in the glass?" Four months later, she had a complete manuscript for her debut speculative thriller The Found Object Society.

In this episode, Michelle gets real about the writing life—the good, the messy, and the terrifying. She talks about waking up every morning to face the blinking cursor with a bit of terror, writing 2,000 words before lunch, and trusting her acting improv background to let the story unfold without rigid outlines. Her approach? Write the first draft fast and messy, take notes in your phone constantly, don't overthink it, and never give up.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to trust your creative instincts even when you don't have it all figured out

• How Michelle wrote a first draft in 3-4 months without burning out (and why messy is better)

• Why attending writing conferences is the single most important thing Michelle did for her career

• How to build genuine relationships in the writing community (even if you're an introvert)

• How to keep going after rejection and use each manuscript as a stepping stone

• How to balance research with momentum so you don't get stuck in the details

• Why your supernatural or speculative idea might be exactly what readers need right now

This episode is an invitation to stop second-guessing yourself, release the pressure to write "the right way," and remember that you don't need an MFA or a perfect outline to build a writing career.

*To support the podcast and get awesome, bookish merch, check out the Literary Prospects Shop at https://shop.literaryprospects.com

*For books featured on the podcast and other curated booklists, check out our online store at Bookshop.org, Literary Prospects Books: https://bookshop.org/shop/literaryprospects

*More good stuff for writers and readers: https://literaryprospects.com

Topics Discussed:

• [0:00] Introduction and book blurbs from Julia Barts, Fiona Davis, and Danielle Tristani

• [2:04] Plot overview: Greta Davenport and the mysterious Found Object Society

• [4:52] The spark: How a vintage Etsy martini glass inspired the entire novel

• [7:16] Character development and choosing historical objects (French perfume bottle, Elton John sunglasses, 1920s cigarette lighter)

• [12:04] Writing structure: Experiencing voyages chronologically with Greta

• [14:17] Research process for different time periods and 1920s slang

• [17:30] Childhood obsession with the supernatural and influence of her father

• [22:23] Themes of privilege, addiction, and wealth disparity in New York City

• [25:17] Daily writing process and using Scrivener

• [29:06] Origin story: From childhood poems to "I Hate Tuna" to short stories

• [31:49] Road to publication: Writing conferences, querying, and signing with an agent

• [37:30] Cover design process and fighting for the perfect visual

• [38:17] Best advice: Get out of the writing cave and attend conferences

• [40:33] Theme song choice: "New York Narcotic" by The Knocks

From Doom Scroll to Book Deal: Michelle Maryk on found objects and an unexpected path to publication