A head-on crash took author Laura Van Wormer out of the writing life she knew and forced her to rebuild from scratch, including her voice. 

What she did, though, was that she didn’t just return to storytelling; she invented a new lane for herself through a serialized fiction podcast. 

Laura, a best-selling novelist and former Doubleday editor, joined me to explain how The Class of 74 became a narrative “soap opera” told week by week, complete with cliffhangers, research, and a listening experience that feels intensely personal.

Laura broke down how she grew her audience through word of mouth, why she created a Patreon community (the Detention Club), and what actually makes membership feel worth it: behind-the-scenes notes, period research, bonus media, ad-free listening, and live Q&A. 

Laura went on to explain how consolidation changed traditional publishing, why backlist rights are so valuable, and what that means for authors weighing self-publishing vs getting an agent. 

If you’re an author looking for book marketing ideas, audience Growth strategies, or a clearer view of modern publishing, this conversation will give you both perspective and next steps. Subscribe, share this with a writer friend, and leave a review so more book lovers can find the show.

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🥒 NEW! The Lonely Cucumber — Natasha's latest children's book

A multicultural illustrated story that teaches kids about Healthy Eating in a fun, heartwarming way. Perfect for elementary school children, gift-giving, and classroom read-alouds.

👉 Get your copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWJ2C6M8 

⭐ Loved it? Leave a review — it helps more kids discover the book.

About Natasha Natasha Tynes is a Jordanian-American author, journalist, and book coach based in the DC area. Beyond children's books, she writes literary fiction (They Called Me Wyatt, Karma Unleashed) and helps aspiring authors publish their own books.

✍️ Read & Write with Natasha (Substack) → https://natashatynes.substack.com/

Book Coaching: https://www.natashatynes.com/bookcoaching 

Connect: 

[LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashatynes/ 

[Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/natasha.tynes/

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Natasha Tynes Author

I’m a Jordanian-American author and communications professional based in Washington, DC. I run my own digital media agency, Suburban Media Group, where I advise clients on the best digital media practices for their brand. I have over twenty years of experience working as a journalist, writer, and social media manager.

I’m a regular contributor to a number of publications inside and outside the United States. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Nature Magazine, Elle Magazine, The Post, Esquire magazine, and Aljazeera, among others.

I have appeared on several TV programs, including Larry King Live, PBS’s Foreign Exchange, Paula Zahn show, CBS’s Morning Show, Scarborough Country, BBC’s Up all night, among others.

I host the podcast, Read and Write with Natasha, where I chat with authors, publishers, and book marketers around the world.

I’m the author of the speculative literary novel They Called Me Wyatt. My short stories have appeared in Geometry, The Timerbline Review, The Markez Review, and Fjords. Here is a link to some of my published work. For media inquiries, speaking engagements, and other questions, send an Email to: [email protected]