The episode features an interview with New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey, celebrating the release of her 13th novel, Summer State of Mind. Harvey discusses studying journalism at UNC, pivoting through a finance sales job that built resilience, and breaking into publishing after writing multiple manuscripts, signing with an agent, and winning a contest judged by a Penguin Random House editor. She shares how small towns and Beaufort inspire her settings, her no-outline writing process and deadline habits, and how her long-running Design Chic blog and social media helped her early book launches. She explains the Friends and Fiction community started during covid, and updates film/TV work including A Happier Life in development with Amazon and Peachtree Bluff previously sold to NBC. She previews the upcoming fifth Peachtree Bluff book, Falling for Peachtree Bluff, and answers lightning-round questions.
02:24 Meet Kristy Woodson Harvey
03:28 From Journalism to Fiction
05:27 Breaking into Publishing
08:46 Surprises and Author Advice
12:33 Beaufort and Small Town Magic
17:46 Building Worlds and Story Ideas
20:31 No Outlines Just Deadlines
22:49 Where She Writes Best
24:30 Social Media Before Books
25:19 Blog Longevity Reflections
25:59 Blogging to Book Buzz
27:59 Friends and Fiction Origins
30:41 Screen Adaptations Update
33:23 Exploring New Genres
34:39 Summer State of Mind Plot
37:04 Aunt Tilly Returns
37:46 Peachtree Bluff Book Five
40:55 Lightning Round Fun
44:55 Writing Journey Wisdom