Episode 107 - From Lawyer to Literary Magician: Inside the Author's Journey with Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

Olesya Salnikova Gilmore, author of The Fortune Tellers of Ru Daru, The Haunting of Moscow House, and The Witch and the Tsar, left a successful law career to write stories inspired by Slavic folklore, drawing from her own Russian heritage. In this episode, Olesya opens up about her path from attorney to published novelist, the role of curiosity in her creative process, and the family superstitions and immigrant experience that inspired her latest novel.

From the challenges of balancing motherhood with writing deadlines, to the reality of what happens after you land that first book deal, Olesya shares invaluable wisdom for writers at every stage of their careers.  

In this episode, you'll Learn:

•    Why curiosity—not just talent—is the secret ingredient to improving your craft

•    How to know when your manuscript is ready to query (and why your first book might not be "the one")

•    The real timeline from idea to publication, including the proposal process for multi-book deals

•    Why rejection from an agent today doesn't mean rejection forever—even from that same agent

•    How to balance research with creative freedom when writing historical fiction

•    The power of writing what you're curious about rather than chasing market trends

•    What actually happens after you get your first publishing deal (spoiler: the work isn't over)

•    Why setbacks—big and small—are inevitable, and how to keep going anyway

•    The importance of finding your unique voice by turning inward to your own culture and experiences

•    How to structure your writing life around other responsibilities without losing momentum