Podcast · Arts & Books

Off The Shelf with Morgann Book

by Bookish Media · English · Arts & Books

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 42 min
Latest: 1 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026 · 35 min

#61 J.K. MacLaren: From Drive to Survive to Writing an F1 Romance

What happens after you watch F1: Drive to Survive and decide to write an entire F1 romance book series?! This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Watty Award–winning author JK Maclaren to chat about her adult romance debut, Full Throttle. JK shares what she learned from writing eight full-length novels on Wattpad, and the night she found out her book had sold. Plus, the two discuss the best frozen yogurt combination and the race car bed JK had growing up! CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome 00:30 The Perfect Frozen Yogurt Bowl 04:45 How Drive to Survive Started It All 08:35 The…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

24 Sep 2026 · 36 min

#60 Claire Scanlon: Bringing The Love Hypothesis From Book to Screen

What happens when you turn one of BookTok’s biggest romances into a movie? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with director Claire Scanlon to chat about directing The Love Hypothesis. Claire shares what she learned from editing The Office, how she captured Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch’s chemistry in Set It Up, and what eventually led her down the rabbit hole of Star Wars Fan Fiction. She takes us behind the scenes of adapting the book, from bringing fan-favourite moments to life and balancing Adam’s character to filming the movie’s intimate scenes. Plus, Claire reveals the scene…
17 Sep 2026 · 42 min

#59 Jodi Picoult: The Secret That Inspired Her 30th Novel

What is the wildest thing an author has done for research? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Jodi Picoult to chat about her 30th novel, Hollow Bones, and the 29 novels before it. Jodi reveals how she collects research for her books and what it was like to interview a woman from jail or visit the Alaskan tundra. The two discuss what makes a good adaptation and what happened with My Sister's Keeper. They finish the episode with what Jodi is writing next for her 2028 book! CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome 01:42 Are Writers Born or Made? 03:53 How Publishing Has Changed Since…
10 Sep 2026 · 35 min

#58 Joss Richard: Why Romance Needs A Third Act Breakup

Have you wondered why the second book is always harder to write than a debut? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits (back) down with Joss Richard to chat about her latest release, Let’s Kiss and Tell. Inspired by one of her favourite romantic comedies, Joss shares her writing and research process for a book rooted in sex positivity. She also shares what it was like to write after the success of her debut novel, It’s Different This Time, and what is coming next… CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome 00:39 Joss Weighs In On The Jeremiah vs. Conrad Debate 03:24 Why Authors Need A Life Outside Of…
1 Sep 2026 · 37 min

#57 Lily Chu: How Audiobooks Have Changed Her Writing Process

Did you know Lily Chu found her agent through a Twitter contest? This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Audible author Lily Chu to discuss her latest release, Just Kiss Already. Inspired by the hit television series Bones and her own archaeology background, Lily shares her research process, from interviewing a forensic anthropologist to filmmakers to craft the perfect story. She also shares what it’s like collaborating with actress and narrator Phillipa Soo and teases her next three books. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome 02:04 Finding Her Agent Through Twitter 04:11 The…
30 Jul 2026 · 44 min

#56: Victoria S. Walsh Reveals What Everyone Gets Wrong About Writing Plus Size Heroines

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Victoria S. Walsh to talk about turning a lifelong dream into reality with her debut fantasy novel, The Iron Hex. From manifesting and leaving her corporate job to building a fantasy trilogy, writing meaningful representation, and why book pre-orders matter more than you think, Victoria shares the story behind her journey to becoming a published author. Plus, she teases what's next for The Iron Hex series and beyond. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome 03:49 Dreaming of Becoming an Author 05:08 Childhood Stories & Supportive Parents 07:01 Why…
23 Jul 2026 · 40 min

#55: How Taylor Swift Inspired Molly Fader's 'Lady X'

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with author Molly Fader, who's written more than 50 books under various pen names - including one that made its way into Suicide Squad. They talk about her latest release, Lady X, a vigilante girl gang story set in 1977 New York City that was partly sparked by Taylor Swift's "Vigilante Shit." Molly opens up about switching literary agents after 25 years, the research that shaped the book, and what keeps her chasing that "lightning strike" feeling after six decades' worth of stories. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome 02:38 Publishing Her First Book…
16 Jul 2026 · 46 min

#54: How the Lucky Adaptation Came to Life with Marissa Stapley

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling Canadian author Marissa Stapley, whose novel Lucky became Reese's Book Club's first-ever Canadian pick and is now being adapted into an Apple TV+ series starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Drew Starkey, and Annette Bening. Marissa shares the heartbreaking story behind writing Lucky while caring for her mom, how Reese Witherspoon discovered the book, what it was really like keeping the Reese's Book Club secret, and why she always pictured Anya Taylor-Joy as Lucky. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome 00:35 - Why Marissa always knew she'd be a…
9 Jul 2026 · 40 min

#53: How Pride and Prejudice Inspired 'Behind Five Willows' With June Hur

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author June Hur to discuss her journey from writing Pride & Prejudice fanfiction to publishing Behind Five Willows. They chat about countless rejections, finding her voice as a writer, the inspiration behind her latest novel, Korean history, libraries, and why she chose to slow down her publishing schedule. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome 01:14 Pride & Prejudice Started Everything 05:30 Growing Up Between Korea, Canada & the U.S. 08:23 Working at the Library & Favorite Books 10:07 15 Manuscripts, 100+ Rejections & Finding Her…
25 Jun 2026 · 50 min

#52: Elle Kennedy Reveals Which Off Campus Character She Almost Killed Off

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author Elle Kennedy, the writer behind the beloved Off Campus books. Elle shares how she knew she wanted to be an author at just six years old, what it felt like selling her first novel, and why she almost never self-published The Deal. They also dive into the biggest behind-the-scenes secrets from the Off-Campus series, including the original plans for Tucker, why Dean almost ended up with someone else, what it was like visiting the set of the TV adaptation, and more! CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro & Welcome 02:35 Wanting to be an author…
18 Jun 2026 · 53 min

#51: Why Matt Haig Reads 1-Star Reviews of The Midnight Library

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Matt Haig, bestselling author of The Midnight Library, The Midnight Train, and Reasons to Stay Alive. Matt opens up about the mental health crisis that changed the course of his life, how writing became part of his recovery, and why The Midnight Library was the most freeing book he's ever written. We also discuss the upcoming film adaptation starring Florence Pugh, the inspiration behind Nora Seed, social media, AI, creativity, and what he hopes readers take away from The Midnight Train. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 01:16 Why Matt Reads His…
11 Jun 2026 · 50 min

#50: Lauren Kate Was Rejected 76 Times Before Writing 'Fallen'

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author Lauren Kate to talk about the teacher who inspired her to keep writing, the 76 rejection letters she still has, and how Fallen became a global phenomenon. Plus, Lauren shares the latest on the Fallen TV series and why she returned to the world of angels with her newest novel, White Lights. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction 01:04 International Emmy & The Fallen Legacy 02:04 Ballet, Books & Growing Up Creative 04:12 The Teacher Who Changed Everything 10:12 Discovering Writing in College 13:08 76 Rejection Letters Before Success…
4 Jun 2026 · 47 min

#49: Why Heartless Hunter Was Kristen Ciccarelli's Last Chance

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling fantasy author Kristen Ciccarelli to talk about the journey from writing stories on her dad's old laptop with no internet to creating the global romantasy phenomenon Heartless Hunter. Kristen shares the inspiration behind Rebel Witch, the surprising moment she realized Heartless Hunter was taking off around the world, why the book has two different titles, and more! CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:19 - The Real Story Behind Rebel Witch 2:43 - Writing Fantasy as a Kid 9:13 - Life Before Publishing 12:12 - The Writing Shed 15:00 -…
28 May 2026 · 47 min

#48: Why Brooke Averick Used Her Own Anxiety in Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Brooke Averick to talk about her debut novel Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It, going from teaching preschool to building a career online, and why writing a book felt more intimidating than going viral. Brooke opens up about imposter syndrome, pulling from her own experiences with anxiety, BookTok favourites, and the story behind bringing Phoebe to life. CHAPTERS: 0:30 - Introduction 1:08 - What is Brooke obsessed with right now? 2:35 - Brooke’s Teaching & Creator Career 5:25 - Brooke and Connor Make A Podcast 6:55 - Entering BookTok 14:10 -…
21 May 2026 · 50 min

#47: What Everyone Gets Wrong About Writing With Dyslexia with Haley-Grace McCormick

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Haley-Grace McCormick to talk about the journey behind her debut novel The Enemy of Time . Haley-Grace opens up about living with dyslexia and ADHD, going viral on TikTok after one unexpected video, and how heartbreak shaped some of the book’s most emotional moments. Plus, we get into fantasy romance, hidden easter eggs, designing her own cover, The Vampire Diaries hot takes, and what she’s writing next. CHAPTERS: 0:30 - Introduction 2:45 - Haley-Grace Growing Up 6:30 - What People Misunderstand About Dyslexia 10:58 - Content Creator Life…
14 May 2026 · 50 min

#46: The Off Campus Storyline Louisa Levy Refused to Cut

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Louisa Levy, the creator and showrunner behind Off Campus. From adapting one of BookTok’s biggest romance series to casting Hannah and Garrett, Louisa breaks down the real process of bringing Off Campus to the screen. We talk chemistry reads, the pressure of adapting such a beloved fandom, why the “spice” was so important to keep in the show, and how the writers built a series designed to keep you clicking “next episode.” Plus, Louisa teases what fans can expect from Season 2. CHAPTERS: 0:30 - Introduction 2:05 - Louisa’s Early Career 8:00 -…
7 May 2026 · 42 min

#45: Kandi Steiner on Why Readers Are STILL Not Over A Love Letter to Whiskey

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with romance author Kandi Steiner. She opens up about writing A Love Letter to Whiskey in just 9 weeks during one of the hardest times in her life, and how that book went on to change everything. Plus, we dive into her newest release Love Overboard, how a second date conversation turned into a full-blown novel, and why this story feels like you’re watching reality TV unfold in real time. CHAPTERS: 0:30 - Introduction 1:00 - Pole Fitness 3:00 - Kandi’s First Writing Job 6:00 - Writing Her First Book & The Start of Her Career 11:05 - A Day in the…
30 Apr 2026 · 28 min

#44: What Nobody Tells You About Going Viral on Wattpad with Jessica Cunsolo

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Jessica Cunsolo to talk about her journey from writing anonymously on Wattpad to becoming a published author. From gaining millions of reads in real time to balancing law school and a book deal, Jessica shares how it all started. Plus, we dive into her latest novel The Blind Date Agreement, her evolving writing process, and more! CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:41 - How Jessica Started Writing on Wattpad 6:08 - Writing Anonymously 7:30 - Writing as a Job vs a Hobby 9:10 - She’s With Me 10:58 - Blind Date Segment 15:20 - The Blind Date…
23 Apr 2026 · 42 min

#43: What Heated Rivalry Revealed About the Bookselling World

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Indigo romance buyer Kaitlynd Carmichael to break down what actually makes a romance book blow up. From BookTok’s influence to spotting trends before they hit, Kaitlynd shares how books go from shelf to sold out. They also dive into the rise of dark romance, slow burns, and why emotional love stories might be the next big trend, plus favourite reads and what to pick up if you’re new to romance. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:00 - What Does a Romance Buyer at Indigo Do? 4:55 - Behind The Scenes at Indigo When A Book Gets Popular 9:40 - How…
9 Apr 2026 · 58 min

#42: The Reality of Being a Creator for Over a Decade with Joey Kidney

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Joey Kidney to talk about turning 30, becoming a dad, and what it means to grow up in public. They get into Joey’s early days on YouTube, how creating content became an outlet during some of his hardest years, and why connection still matters more to him than numbers. Plus, Joey opens up about writing Just Remember, his evolving relationship with reading, and why people don’t want to be fixed - they just want to feel seen. Then, they answer listener questions on breakups, adult friendships, feeling behind in life, and figuring things out as…
2 Apr 2026 · 38 min

#41: The 10-Year Journey to Never Been Better by Leanne Toshiko Simpson

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Leanne Toshiko Simpson to talk about her novel Never Been Better and the deeply personal journey behind it. From living with bipolar disorder to navigating creativity, teaching, and storytelling, Leanne shares what it really looks like to build a life and career while managing mental health. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 2:15 - Teaching Creative Writing at U of T 6:00 - What Leanne Does Day to Day 10:25 - Being Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 11:55 - What Do Books Get Wrong About Mental Health? 17:22 - Favourite Mental Health Romances 21:25…
26 Mar 2026 · 43 min

#40: Rachel Reid’s Surprise Appearance in Toronto with Simona Stallone

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with content creator Simona Stallone to talk about all things BookTok, reading habits, and building a real-life book community. From overhyped books and underrated favourites to fanfiction, audiobook speeds, and “reading based on vibes,” they get honest about what they’re actually reaching for lately. Plus, Simona shares how Book Girls Toronto turned into a space where readers can show up, connect, and make friends through books. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:10 - 1 Year Anniversary of Off The Shelf 2:10 - Overhyped and Underhyped Booktok Books…
19 Mar 2026 · 51 min

#39: Bookish Hot Takes with CassiesBookTok

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with BookTok creator Cassie to talk about her journey from posting her first TikTok to building a dedicated reading community online. They also dive into Cassie’s reader personality: her love of romantasy, favourite tropes like second-chance romance, and auto-buy authors including Abby Jimenez and Mariana Zapata. Plus, the two play Buy It, Borrow It or Skip It featuring viral BookTok titles like Fourth Wing, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Throne of Glass, and more. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:20 - Starting Out On TikTok 4:00 - Rapid Fire…
12 Mar 2026 · 14 min

#38: How Ray Porter Created the Voices of Project Hail Mary

This week on Off The Shelf , Morgann sits down with award-winning audiobook narrator Ray Porter , best known for narrating Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary . With more than 500 audiobooks under his belt, Ray shares how he approaches storytelling, creates distinct character voices, and what it was like bringing Project Hail Mary to life. They also talk about the emotional impact of the book, the science behind the story, and the upcoming film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:00 - Acting to Narrating Audiobooks 2:10 - Process From First Audiobook to Now 3:55 - How…
5 Mar 2026 · 40 min

#37: From Editor to Author: Emily Ohanjanians on Crafting The Book Tour

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with editor turned author Emily Ohanjanians to talk about her leap from shaping stories to writing her own. Emily shares what life as an editor taught her about storytelling, how her debut character Ana first came to her, and the moment she finally decided to chase the idea that became The Book Tour. They chat about drafting versus editing, writing bold women who take up space, and the support system that helped Emily bring her first novel into the world. She also drops her top book recs and gives us a glimpse of what she’s working on next.…
26 Feb 2026 · 39 min

#36: Why Tropes Come First: Ellie K. Wilde on Writing Oakwood Bay

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Ellie K Wilde and dives into the world of the Oakwood Bay series to explore the pop culture moments, tropes and real life sparks that shaped the beloved trilogy. We talk about how the series found its voice through character driven storytelling and slow burn tension. We also chat about reading recs, writing routines, reality TV and what Ellie is writing next. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:00 - 2025 Reading List 2:20 - The Start of the Oakwood Bay Series 8:54 - If Only You Knew 16:10 - Ellie’s Writing Cave 19:15 - What The Character’s…
19 Feb 2026 · 28 min

#35: E. Lockhart Reveals How She Crafted the Twist in We Were Liars

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with E. Lockhart to talk all things We Were Liars and the evolution of the Liars universe. She shares how the book found a whole new life on BookTok, what it was like expanding the story into Family of Liars and We Fell Apart , and how she crafted THE shocking twist. We also dive into writing bold characters, trusting your creative instincts, and what she’s working on next. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 0:55 - Plot Twists that E. Lockhart loves 2:18 - We Were Liars Universe 5:35 - How E. Lockhart Crafted the Twist in We Were Liars 6:52 -…
12 Feb 2026 · 57 min

#34: Everything You Didn’t Know About the Finding Her Edge Adaptation

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Jennifer Iacopelli, the author of Finding Her Edge, about how the book began, how her life as a school librarian shaped her writing, and the spark that led to its sports romance world. Jennifer shares the inspiration behind the story, the challenges she faced along the way, and how the book eventually became a Netflix adaptation. She also takes us behind the scenes of casting, set visits, and the moments she was most excited to see on screen. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:40 - Jennifer’s Childhood 3:35 - Working as a Librarian 9:30 - How…
5 Feb 2026 · 49 min

#33: Folklore, Fairytales & Fantasy with Imani Erriu

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with fantasy author Imani Erriu to talk folklore, fairytales, and the creation of her celestial universe. Imani shares how growing up in the English countryside shaped her imagination, the moment Heavenly Bodies first formed, and how TikTok helped launch her story to a wider audience. We chat about her shift from indie to traditional publishing, the evolution of her writing process, the collaborative work behind her maps and covers, and what readers can expect from Holy Monsters and the expanding five-book saga. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 2:07…
S2 · E17 · 15 Jan 2026 · 21 min

#32: Spilling the Tea with the Bridgerton Cast

This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with the cast of Bridgerton. We hear from Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha, Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmell, Daniel Francis, Hannah Dodd & Luke Newton. From the books they would read again for the first time to what they’re most excited for in Bridgerton Season 4, the cast shares their favourite reads, behind-the-scenes insights, and what stories truly have their hearts. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction 2:12 - Yerin Ha & Luke Thompson 6:45 - Hannah Dodd & Luke Newton 10:47 - Golda Rosheuvel & Adjoa Andoh 16:06 - Ruth Gemmel & Daniel Francis FOLLOW…

About Off The Shelf with Morgann Book

Welcome to your backstage pass to the book world. Each week, Morgann Book (yes, that's her actual last name) sits down with the people bringing stories to life — from authors and actors to directors, producers, and more. Together, they go behind the scenes of the books we love, exploring how stories are researched, written, and brought from the page to the screen. New episodes drop every Thursday—grab your tbr list and listen wherever you get your podcasts! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Off The Shelf with Morgann Book is a English arts & books podcast from Bookish Media. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Bookish Media
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 42 min
Latest episode: 1 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1800771701
Rights: Bookish Media

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