The Long Road to a Debut Novel (and Why It’s Worth It) with Rosie Storey
What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show · Laura R Yamin
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (episodes.captivate.fm) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What happens when you don’t give up on writing—even after a failed debut attempt, agent rejections, and a long detour through corporate life? In this episode, I’m joined by London-based author Rosie Storey, whose debut novel Dandelion Is Dead is finally making its U.S. release.
We talk honestly about Rosie’s nonlinear publishing journey, the persistence it takes to keep writing after rejection, and why messy, mid-thirties lives deserve to be at the center of fiction. We also dive into Dandelion Is Dead—a sharp, emotionally layered novel about grief, identity, and the lies we tell when we’re trying to survive loss. Plus, Rosie shares three literary recommendations that balance humor and heartbreak beautifully.
📚 Books Mentioned
Dandelion Is Dead by Rosie Storey — Literary Fiction | Grief, Identity
The First Bad Man by Miranda July — Literary Fiction | Unconventional Women
Self-Help by Lorrie Moore — Short Stories | Humor & Heartbreak
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason — Literary Fiction | Mental Health, Marriage
⏱️ Episode Timestamps
[00:00] Meeting Rosie Storey & debut novel introduction
[01:00] Early writing life and corporate career detour
[02:00] Quitting work, failed first novel, and starting again
[03:00] Rejections, agents, and persistence
[04:00] Dandelion Is Dead — premise and themes
[05:00] Writing messy midlife stories
[06:00] Why no life is neat and tidy
[07:00] Book recommendation: The First Bad Man
[09:00] Book recommendation: Self-Help
[11:00] Book recommendation: Sorrow and Bliss
[12:30] Where to find Rosie online
Join the Conversation
Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)
Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next
Subscribe & leave a review!
Mentioned in this episode:
Advertise with Us
Do you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.