In this episode, Becky interviews debut fantasy author Ang T. Dalton, who shares how her lowest moments became the foundation and inspiration for her first book, The Scars Within. From 80+ rejections to landing a Big Five audiobook deal with Simon Maverick, Ang opens up about mental health, resilience, and redefining success on her own terms. This conversation shines a light on what’s possible when you bet on yourself as a writer.

During the episode, you’ll learn:

• About Ang and her book, The Scars Within.
• Where Ang is on the journey of writing the other two books in her Twisted Thorn trilogy.
• How Ang balances the priorities of writing a new book while marketing the first one, having a full-time job, and making time for her family.
• Some of the hardships Ang faced as a debut author.
• Ang’s timeline from writing The Scars Within to securing an audiobook deal.
• About the various book cover designs Ang created and the intention behind them.
• How it felt for Ang to be rejected by literary agents, make the pivot to self-publishing, and then finally get the Big Five audiobook deal she dreamed of.
• How Ang’s own personal experiences and mental health struggles were transformed into the emotional core of her novel.
• How writing The Scars Within created a powerful space for Ang’s healing.
• About BookTok and Ang’s complicated relationship with the platform.
• How Ang’s best friends have supported her dream of sharing her books with the world.
• How being embedded in BookTok culture shaped Ang’s view of what makes a book marketable.
• The activity surrounding Ang’s book that caught the attention of a traditional publisher.
• Ang’s plans for the launch of book two, The Darkness Within.
• What “popping off” as an author means to Ang.

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