Quitting a stable job to write full-time sounds bold, until you hear what it actually takes. 

Author Carla Vergot, a former special Education teacher and the voice behind the Lily Barlow series, joins us to talk about the moment a planned sabbatical became a life pivot, including her husband's Cancer diagnosis, which arrived just as she left teaching. She shares how writing became both an escape and a survival tool, and why that pressure pushed her stories to be lighter, funnier, and more hopeful.

We also get practical about building a sustainable author career: growing a Facebook reader group that feels like a community rather than a sales feed, booking bookstore signings, experimenting with TikTok, booking podcasts through PodMatch, and navigating publisher changes with Morgan James. 

If you care about the real writing life—doubt, momentum, and craft—this one's for you. 

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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

⭐ 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 pu…

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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]