Show notes
Welcome to Meet the Author, a show that takes you behind the scenes to meet the authors of today’s most impactful books. This is a show about stories and ideas that will educate, encourage, and inspire you to live a richer, more meaningful life. Today, we’re joined by novelist Andrew Forrester to discuss his debut novel, How the Story Goes. It’s a cozy, funny, big-hearted story about a grieving writer who has to finish his late wife’s beloved fantasy series, and the capable woman who comes in to help him. We also dig into his road to publication: ten years of writing and querying, a 100,000-word first manuscript that will “never see the light of day,” an agent who represents children’s books, and an out-of-the-blue email that turned into his book deal.
About Andrew Forrester and How the Story Goes:
Andrew Forrester started out as an English major in a fundraising job he hated, and he kept finding his way to the school library to talk books with the librarians. That sent him to grad school to study 19th century literature. In the summer of 2015, he sat down to prove to himself he could finish a manuscript, and he did. His third manuscript, written in his own voice, landed him his agent. Over the next several years, they tried to sell young adult and middle grade books together. Then Andrew wrote an adult novel about children’s publishing, and an editor who used to work in children’s books emailed his agent asking for exactly that kind of story.
How the Story Goes grew out of Andrew’s own years trying to break into children’s publishing. It’s a story about grief, writing, and the people who help us finish what we started. Andrew talks about building his characters from the outside in, writing humor that feels warm instead of harsh, and the one editor’s note that made the book better. He also shares how he grew his Instagram from 2,000 to 20,000 followers in three weeks by talking about other people’s books, and why he chose traditional publishing over self-publishing.
For aspiring authors, Andrew shares three pieces of advice: be patient and take your time, because nothing you write is wasted. Go “cookie to cookie” and write toward the scenes you’re most excited about. And if a bad review stings, read bad reviews of books you love.
Links:
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
