Rochelle Weinstein is a successful and talented author known for her emotionally charged novels. After leaving a career in the music industry in 2000, she started writing and has produced eight novels, with the latest coming out on Oct. 20th. Rochelle's writing explores topical issues and draws inspiration from her own experiences and emotions. What’s more, she is a leading example of generosity, camaraderie and community in the world of women’s fiction!
In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Rochelle about how and why, after two wildly successful self-published books, she landed an agent and publishing contract that is still going strong. They discuss hitting bestseller status by trusting instincts, Rochelle’s writing process, where she finds inspiration (real-life emotions, timely, topical subjects, and places she loves) and the impact of platforms like TikTok.
In this episode, Lynne and Rochelle discuss:
Why being a voracious reader makes you a better writer
Launching a writing career while raising twin sons
Why every book publishing story is unique
The importance of a strong, professionally-edited self-published book
The shift from self-publishing to finding an agent
Inspiration for book ideas
Plotter vs. Pantser
Rochelle's role as a book influencer
Changes in the publishing industry
The importance of supporting other authors
How AI is affecting authors
The importance of having a writing community & support system
Rochelle's vision for her writing future
Advice for aspiring writers
Links and Resources:
Danielle Steele
Sidney Sheldon
Judy Blume
What We Leave Behind
The Mourning After
Merle Saferstein
Where We Fall
Lake Union Publishing
Somebody's Daughter
Publishers Marketplace
USA Today Bestseller List
GSD - Glycogen storage diseases
What You Do To Me
Woman of Valor
NBC 6 South Florida
Barbara Bos, Women Writers, Women’s Books
Jen Herrera
Lauren Margolin, Good Book Fairy
Jamie Rosenblit
Renee's Reading Club
Zibby Owens
Connie Ogle
Edinburgh Writers Museum
Miami Book Fair
Colleen Hoover
BookTok
Camille Di Maio
Samantha Greene Woodruff
Lisa Barr
Find Rochelle Weinstein:
Website
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
Episode 135 – Camille Pagan – Making Writing Your Career
Episode 131 – Weina Randel – The Last Rose of Shanghai
Episode 130 – Merle Saferstein – Journaling & Legacy
Episode 128 – Becky Robinson – Building Reach for Books
Episode 127 – Ly Tran – Writing Unapologetically
Episode 165 - Brenda Meller - Capturing a Piece of the Publishing Pie
Episode 164 - Patrick Hicks - Writing Hard Stories Beautifully
Episode 163 - Qin Sun Stubis - Writing Inspired by Long-Held Family Lore
Episode 162 - Elizabeth Conte - Doing Well as an Indie Author
Episode 161 - Ana Veciana-Suarez - Historical Literary Fiction
Episode 160 - Jonathan Whitelaw - Cozy Crime & Escaping into Writing
Episode 159 – April Davila - Meditation & Writing
Episode 158 - Suzanne Nugent - On Character Development
Episode 157 - Blake Kimzey - Creating a Writing Community
Episode 156 - Blair Fell - Original Storylines & Unique Characters
Episode 155 - Martha Anne Toll - Finely Crafted, Award-Winning Fiction
Episode 154 - Dawn Chalker - Writing What You Know
Episode 153 – Jewish Books, Jewish Authors
Episode 152 - Ami Irmen - Character-Driven Narratives
Episode 150 - Lisa Peers - First Novels & Writing Friendships
Episode 149 – Anne-Marie Oomen - Writing through Family
Episode 148 – Woman of Valor - Katie Scott interviews Lynne about her debut novel!
Episode 147 – Diane Gottlieb - Writing Short & Writing Well
Episode 146 – Barbara Stark-Nemon - Tracing the Path of Historical Fiction
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