Episode 54: Interview with Author and Writing Coach Courtney Maum

In Episode 54 of Literary Prospects, we talk with author and educator Courtney Maum.

Courtney is the author of five books, including the groundbreaking publishing guide Before and After the Book Deal and the memoir The Year of the Horses, chosen by The Today Show as the best read for mental health awareness. A writing coach, director of the writing workshop “Turning Points,” and educator, Courtney's mission is to help people hold on to the joy of art-making in a culture obsessed with turning artists into brands. Passionate about literary citizenship, Courtney sits on the advisory councils of The Authors Guild and The Rumpus and runs a bestselling Substack about publishing that you can sign up for at CourtneyMaum.com where you’ll also find her online classes.

In this interview, Courtney talks about about creating the indispensable publishing guide, Before and After the Book Deal, what authors should look out for when signing book contracts, the biggest mistake she sees in query letters, her own writing process and road to publication, preserving the joy in making art, and much, much more.