The Honest Editor: Bestselling Author Phoebe Morgan Reveals the Truth About Publishing and the Perfect Hook.

The Honest Editor: Bestselling Author Phoebe Morgan Reveals the Truth About Publishing and the Perfect Hook.

Author: Christopher Aggett November 20, 2025 Duration: 1:00:59
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Phoebe Morgan, the rare publishing powerhouse who has seen success on both sides of the desk. As an Executive Fiction Publisher at Simon & Schuster and a Sunday Times bestselling author of psychological thrillers like The Trip and The Doll House, Phoebe offers unparalleled insight into the world of commercial fiction.What You’ll Learn:The Editor’s Secrets: Phoebe lifts the lid on the opaque world of the Big 5 publishers, revealing exactly what editors look for in a submission and how books truly get acquired, marketed, and turned into bestsellers.The Perfect Hook: Discover the critical element that separates a book club hit from a manuscript that fails to launch. Phoebe breaks down the commercial “hook” and how authors can use it to sell their stories.Mastering Psychological Thrillers: Get an inside look at her writing process, including how she plots (or doesn’t plot) her high-stakes suspense novels and balances a demanding full-time job with a prolific writing career.If you’re an author serious about navigating the industry, understanding the market, and writing a bestseller, this interview is essential viewing.Buy Pheobe’s latest book, The Trip, here.Podcast LinkListen to the full audio episode wherever you get your podcasts:Listen on Spreaker (The Writing Community Chat Show Podcast)Join our brand new community on our Stanstore! After conducting 360 plus interviews, we have compiled digital products to help your writing. Plus, community members get access to our live writing sprints where we write with you, keep you accountable, and give you free access to our 1-on-1 video coaching. There are forum like tabs in our community group where you can post work and receive advice, plus, much more. Join here: https://stan.store/TheWCCS

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There’s a certain magic that happens when writers talk to other writers, a mix of shared struggle, practical insight, and genuine camaraderie. That’s the space The Writing Community Chat Show occupies every week. Hosted by Christopher Aggett, this live-streamed podcast is built on the belief that "together as one, we get it done," creating a welcoming hub for anyone connected to the literary life. It doesn’t matter if you’re navigating the world of traditional publishing, carving your own path as an indie author, or simply wrestling with that challenging first draft-the conversation here is for you. Each episode delves into the real stories behind the books, exploring the creative processes, the industry hurdles, and the personal journeys of a diverse range of guests. You’ll hear honest discussions about craft, marketing, motivation, and the sheer resilience needed to bring stories into the world. More than just interviews, this podcast fosters a sense of collective support, offering tangible advice and quiet inspiration. Tune in to find your people, pick up a useful tip for your own work, and remember why you started writing in the first place.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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