One of the best parts of writing a book is getting to talk about it with readers who are just as excited about stories as we are. Recently, we had the chance to do exactly that on the brilliant Teen Girl Talk podcast. This has been the first time we got to talk about The Dead Shadow with real readers.
Mind you, this wasn’t the first interview we’ve had. But it had been the first interview run by people who had actually read and enjoyed the book. Our first interview in the UK took place a little before the book’s release and didn’t seem to have anything to do with the story of the book or ourselves. Bear in mind, we did send the book ahead.
But I digress. Should I be ranting? Am I allowed to be slightly miffed about a previous interview where the journalist did zero research? Does it sound ungrateful or grumpy from me? Possibly. It was also a pile of wank of an interview, so I’m not too sure what I should be grateful about.
Ultimately, if you want the full and complete honest journey of being an indie author, it starts here, with trying your best to get someone interested enough to want to write an article or do an interview with you.
Sometimes, they do the interview with no level of engagement or interest, and they produce something that is miles away from what you said or that misspells the title of your book (the one they said they read but clearly haven’t).
Anyway, the experience with The Teen Girl podcast was the exact opposite. It was such a lovely moment, and we are so very happy to share it with you.
More About The Teen Girl Talk Podcast
If you’ve never listened to Teen Girl Talk podcast before, it’s full of energy, humour, and honesty. Hosts Franklin and Susie bring their unique mix of sibling banter and sharp insight to everything from TV shows and films to books and pop culture. They do cover a lot of topics, and if you are a fantasy fan, they absolutely love the genre, whether in books, films, or series.
So when they wanted us to come on and dive into our story, we knew we were in for something special.
What we talked about
On the Teen Girl Talk podcast, we were able to share some of the behind-the-scenes moments that went into creating The Dead Shadow. We talked about the spark of inspiration, the challenges of bringing certain characters to life, and what it feels like to co-write a book that blends humour with suspense.
The conversation was lively and full of laughs, as anyone who’s heard Teen Girl Talk will expect. We also wanted to share the importance of somehow accurate representation, especially when it comes to animals in the fantasy world, which is something the Cota siblings noticed. Yes, we do have a silly owl, and she is everything you can hope for from a pet owl, aka chaos.
For us, it was a reminder that stories don’t just exist on the page. They grow when people talk about them, debate them, and share what they mean to them.
Why You Should Listen to The Teen Girl Talk Podcast
Podcasts are such a personal way to connect. Unlike a written review or an interview in print, they let you hear the laughter, the pauses, and the tangents that make a conversation feel real. They also let you hear the sheer panic when the hosts ask us to introduce The Dead Shadow, and we instantly forget everything about the book.
This Teen Girl Talk episode isn’t just an introduction to The Dead Shadow. For us, it’s also a fun, free-flowing conversation that gives a taste of the chaotic energy behind the book. If you want something a little different, a fantasy that makes you laugh, it’s worth a listen.
Plus, Teen Girl Talk podcast experts, Susie and Frank, have a way of drawing out the quirkiest details and asking the questions you didn’t know you wanted answered. You’ll definitely come away with a smile. We know we did!
A Thank You to The Teen Girl Talk Podcast
We’re grateful to Susie and Franklin Cota for inviting us on and giving The Dead Shadow a space to shine. Sharing the mic with them was a joy, and we’d encourage anyone who hasn’t discovered their podcast yet to add it to your playlist.
We also love their energy and banter, regardless of the episode of the podcast you are listening to. The siblings are based in New Jersey, so this is us opening the door to the US market. The tone is witty and relaxed, so if you love their presentation, you will most certainly enjoy The Dead Shadow. We felt just at home with them, so we’d love to send them a lot of listeners as a thank you.
Have a Listen
So, if you want to hear more about how The Dead Shadow came to life, how Paul and I write together and laugh along with us as we chat all things YA with Teen Girl Talk podcast, give the episode a listen here: Teen Girl Talk on Spotify.
And if you’d like to experience the adventure for yourself, grab your copy of our book today. You can find it at Waterstones and Amazon for the UK market. If you are in the US, we’re pleased to say that the book is in stock at Barnes & Noble and other bookstores.