Off The Shelf with Morgann Book
Off The Shelf with Morgann Book is a weekly podcast that offers a backstage pass to the book world. Host Morgann Book interviews authors to uncover the stories behind their stories, exploring how they craft compelling romances, their unique writing processes, and the personal experiences that inspire their work. New episodes are released every Thursday.
Episodes
#50: Lauren Kate Was Rejected 76 Times Before Writing 'Fallen'
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author Lauren Kate to talk about the teacher who inspired her to keep writing, the 76 rejection letters she still has, and how Fallen became a global phenomenon. Plus, Lauren shares the latest on the Fallen TV series and why she returned to the world of angels with her newest novel, White Lights.CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction01:04 I
#49: Why Heartless Hunter Was Kristen Ciccarelli's Last Chance
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling fantasy author Kristen Ciccarelli to talk about the journey from writing stories on her dad's old laptop with no internet to creating the global romantasy phenomenon Heartless Hunter. Kristen shares the inspiration behind Rebel Witch, the surprising moment she realized Heartless Hunter was taking off around the world, why the book has
#48: Why Brooke Averick Used Her Own Anxiety in Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Brooke Averick to talk about her debut novel Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It, going from teaching preschool to building a career online, and why writing a book felt more intimidating than going viral. Brooke opens up about imposter syndrome, pulling from her own experiences with anxiety, BookTok favourites, and the story behind bringing Phoebe to li
#47: What Everyone Gets Wrong About Writing With Dyslexia with Haley-Grace McCormick
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Haley-Grace McCormick to talk about the journey behind her debut novel The Enemy of Time. Haley-Grace opens up about living with dyslexia and ADHD, going viral on TikTok after one unexpected video, and how heartbreak shaped some of the book’s most emotional moments. Plus, we get into fantasy romance, hidden easter eggs, designing her own cover, Th
#46: The Off Campus Storyline Louisa Levy Refused to Cut
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Louisa Levy, the creator and showrunner behind Off Campus. From adapting one of BookTok’s biggest romance series to casting Hannah and Garrett, Louisa breaks down the real process of bringing Off Campus to the screen. We talk chemistry reads, the pressure of adapting such a beloved fandom, why the “spice” was so important to keep in the show, and
#45: Kandi Steiner on Why Readers Are STILL Not Over A Love Letter to Whiskey
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with romance author Kandi Steiner. She opens up about writing A Love Letter to Whiskey in just 9 weeks during one of the hardest times in her life, and how that book went on to change everything. Plus, we dive into her newest release Love Overboard, how a second date conversation turned into a full-blown novel, and why this story feels like you’re watc
#44: What Nobody Tells You About Going Viral on Wattpad with Jessica Cunsolo
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Jessica Cunsolo to talk about her journey from writing anonymously on Wattpad to becoming a published author. From gaining millions of reads in real time to balancing law school and a book deal, Jessica shares how it all started. Plus, we dive into her latest novel The Blind Date Agreement, her evolving writing process, and more!CHAPTERS: 0:0
#43: What Heated Rivalry Revealed About the Bookselling World
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Indigo romance buyer Kaitlynd Carmichael to break down what actually makes a romance book blow up. From BookTok’s influence to spotting trends before they hit, Kaitlynd shares how books go from shelf to sold out. They also dive into the rise of dark romance, slow burns, and why emotional love stories might be the next big trend, plus favourite rea
#42: The Reality of Being a Creator for Over a Decade with Joey Kidney
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Joey Kidney to talk about turning 30, becoming a dad, and what it means to grow up in public. They get into Joey’s early days on YouTube, how creating content became an outlet during some of his hardest years, and why connection still matters more to him than numbers. Plus, Joey opens up about writing Just Remember, his evolving relationship with
#41: The 10-Year Journey to Never Been Better by Leanne Toshiko Simpson
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Leanne Toshiko Simpson to talk about her novel Never Been Better and the deeply personal journey behind it. From living with bipolar disorder to navigating creativity, teaching, and storytelling, Leanne shares what it really looks like to build a life and career while managing mental health.CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction2:15 - Teaching Creativ
#40: Rachel Reid’s Surprise Appearance in Toronto with Simona Stallone
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with content creator Simona Stallone to talk about all things BookTok, reading habits, and building a real-life book community. From overhyped books and underrated favourites to fanfiction, audiobook speeds, and “reading based on vibes,” they get honest about what they’re actually reaching for lately. Plus, Simona shares how Book Girls Toronto turned i
#39: Bookish Hot Takes with CassiesBookTok
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with BookTok creator Cassie to talk about her journey from posting her first TikTok to building a dedicated reading community online. They also dive into Cassie’s reader personality: her love of romantasy, favourite tropes like second-chance romance, and auto-buy authors including Abby Jimenez and Mariana Zapata. Plus, the two play Buy It, Borrow It or
#38: How Ray Porter Created the Voices of Project Hail Mary
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with award-winning audiobook narrator Ray Porter, best known for narrating Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary. With more than 500 audiobooks under his belt, Ray shares how he approaches storytelling, creates distinct character voices, and what it was like bringing Project Hail Mary to life.They also talk about the emotional impact of the book, the science b
#37: From Editor to Author: Emily Ohanjanians on Crafting The Book Tour
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with editor turned author Emily Ohanjanians to talk about her leap from shaping stories to writing her own. Emily shares what life as an editor taught her about storytelling, how her debut character Ana first came to her, and the moment she finally decided to chase the idea that became The Book Tour.They chat about drafting versus editing, writing bold
#36: Why Tropes Come First: Ellie K. Wilde on Writing Oakwood Bay
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Ellie K Wilde and dives into the world of the Oakwood Bay series to explore the pop culture moments, tropes and real life sparks that shaped the beloved trilogy. We talk about how the series found its voice through character driven storytelling and slow burn tension. We also chat about reading recs, writing routines, reality TV and what Ellie is w
#35: E. Lockhart Reveals How She Crafted the Twist in We Were Liars
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with E. Lockhart to talk all things We Were Liars and the evolution of the Liars universe. She shares how the book found a whole new life on BookTok, what it was like expanding the story into Family of Liars and We Fell Apart, and how she crafted THE shocking twist. We also dive into writing bold characters, trusting your creative instincts, and what s
#34: Everything You Didn’t Know About the Finding Her Edge Adaptation
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Jennifer Iacopelli, the author of Finding Her Edge, about how the book began, how her life as a school librarian shaped her writing, and the spark that led to its sports romance world. Jennifer shares the inspiration behind the story, the challenges she faced along the way, and how the book eventually became a Netflix adaptation. She also takes us
#33: Folklore, Fairytales & Fantasy with Imani Erriu
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with fantasy author Imani Erriu to talk folklore, fairytales, and the creation of her celestial universe. Imani shares how growing up in the English countryside shaped her imagination, the moment Heavenly Bodies first formed, and how TikTok helped launch her story to a wider audience.We chat about her shift from indie to traditional publishing, the evo
#32: Spilling the Tea with the Bridgerton Cast
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with the cast of Bridgerton. We hear from Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha, Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmell, Daniel Francis, Hannah Dodd & Luke Newton. From the books they would read again for the first time to what they’re most excited for in Bridgerton Season 4, the cast shares their favourite reads, behind-the-scenes insights, and what s
#31: Inside People We Meet on Vacation with Emily Henry & The Cast
This week on a bonus episode of Off The Shelf, Morgann heads to New Orleans to sit down with the cast and crew of People We Meet on Vacation. She chats with author Emily Henry, director Brett Haley, and the on-screen Poppy and Alex, Emily Bader and Tom Blyth. They talk about which moments Emily Henry was most excited to keep from the book, what Emily and Tom are really like on vacation, and so muc
#30: The Best Books We Read in 2025 with QuizMaster Jess
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann & QuizMaster Jess chat about the BEST books they read in 2025. From their spiciest read to the biggest plot twist, the two uncover every favourite. This episode is for anyone who’s still trying to hit their reading goal this year or wants to start building their 2026 TBR list! And since this is the last episode for 2025, we wanted to give a massive than
#29: Your Guide to The Best Book-to-Screen Adaptations
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann chats about the top book adaptations of the year. She dives into what the show did well, what should be changed and what needs to be cut (like Belly’s haircut in season three of the summer I turned pretty). With the massive list of upcoming adaptations, Morgann also talks about what she’s most excited to watch next and what she hopes they don’t mess up. This epi
#28: How Writing Helped Becka Mack Through Grief
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Becka Mack, the author of the beloved hockey romance series, “Playing For Keeps”. The two dive into how this series started, how and why this was the creative outlet Becka turned to when faced with grief. Becka also opens up about her own infertility struggles and how that influenced her newest release, “Breath With Me.” They also dive into:-
#27: Justin Wu on Directing Sidelined and What Comes Next
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Justin Wu, the director of Sidelined: The QB and Me and Sidelined 2: Intercepted. Justin opens up about his early draw to the arts, breaks down how he discovered Sidelined, the process of adapting a book and if we can expect a THIRD movie? CHAPTERS: 0:00 Introduction0:55 Justin’s draw to the arts6:02 Being confident in yourself10:30 Phot
#26: Why Kate Robb Writes Magical Realism Romances
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Kate Robb to chat about how this Canadian rom-com queen crafts the best magical realism worlds. From “This Spells Love” to “Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance”, the two dive into how these books (and their character names) came to be… CHAPTERS: 0:00 Hamilton, ON2:41 What was Kate reading growing up4:25 Business school 7:13 Writing your fi
#25: How Ghostwriting Led to a Romance Empire with Cara Bastone
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Cara Bastone to chat all things romance and audiobooks! The two discuss how Cara transitioned from ghostwriting to writing her own romance novels to becoming an Audible Originals author. Cara also shares the difference in writing romance for physical novels vs. audiobooks and what some of her favourites are! CHAPTERS: 0:00 Introduction0:
#24: How Tessa Bailey Keeps Her Writing Fresh After 69 Books
From steamy banter to loveable blue-collar heroes, Tessa Bailey sits down with Morgann to talk about how she keeps her writing fresh across dozens of bestselling novels, why she gravitates toward opposites-attract love stories, and how she balances heart, humour, and heat. We talk TikTok's impact on romance publishing, dialling back the dirty talk (sometimes), and the unexpected research that went
#23: The Ultimate Romance Audiobook Guide
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann shares her favourite romance audiobooks from swoony classics to laugh-out-loud romcoms to sweeping romantasy worlds.Here’s what we dive into:Classics, reimagined: How Audible’s Pride and Prejudice full-cast performance breathes new life into Darcy, Lizzy, and every swoon-worthy moment.Modern love on audio: Why Emily Henry is even better narrated, the audiobook t
#22: How Writing 'After' Took Anna Todd From Wattpad to Hollywood
From writing After on Wattpad to producing major adaptations, Anna Todd joins Off The Shelf to talk about her evolution as a writer, producer, and storyteller. We dive into what it was really like to produce ‘After’, the fuel behind starting Frayed Pages Media, and why storytelling still feels personal after global success. Plus, Anna reveals some behind-the-scenes memories and what’s next in her
#21: Joss Richard's Guide to Writing a Debut Novel
From producing Emmy-recognized content in Hollywood to writing her very first novel, Joss Richard joins Off The Shelf! We talk about her journey from Toronto to LA, working on The Ellen Show, Netflix, and Hello Sunshine — and how she went from producing celebrity interviews to publishing her debut romance!CHAPTERS: 0:00 Introduction and Release day2:06 Joss’ Career Background 9:28 Interv
#20: Elsie Silver Reveals the Inspiration Behind Rose Hill
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Elsie Silver, the author behind the bestselling Chestnut Springs and Rose Hill series — and the upcoming Fever Dream. From single-dad romances to emotional healing, Elsie opens up about her writing process, living on the West Coast, and the moment she found out Chestnut Springs is coming to Netflix.CHAPTERS: 0:00 Introduction & Elsie’s ne
#19: From Forensics to Dark Romance: Brynne Weaver’s Journey
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Brynne Weaver, the dark romance powerhouse behind Butcher & Blackbird and the upcoming Tourist Season. From neuroscience labs to bestselling novels, Brynne’s journey is anything but ordinary. The two get into how TikTok helped write Butcher & Blackbird and where production is at on the adaptation. Then Brynne shares how Tourist Season came
#18: Everything We Know About Lauren Roberts' Next Book!
She’s back! Our first repeat guest, Lauren Roberts, joins Morgann on Off The Shelf to catch up on everything—from Fearful lore and behind-the-scenes author life to bookish AITA debates and what’s next for the Powerless TV adaptation. We talk Mara’s name, POVs that didn’t make the cut, burnout, shower thoughts for future books, and all the chaos in between—if you loved her first episode, this one’s
#17: How Hannah Bonam-Young Turns Real Life Into Romance
This week on Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with Hannah Bonam-Young, author of Out on a Limb and the recently released People Watching. With People Watching releasing on September 9th, they catch up on life, writing, and all the little moments in between (including Taylor Swift’s engagement and how big a deal Halloween is…) The two also dive into: The pregnancy trope done right, what it was like
#16: Why Jasmine Mas Left Big Law to Become an Author
We’re kicking off Season 2 with New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Mas! From law school horror stories and Greek mythology deep-dives, Jasmine shares the winding journey that led her from studying ancient classics and playing field hockey to writing Blood of Hercules and beyond. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction & NEW studio!3:10 Hi from NYC5:00 Leaving Big Law to Become an Author1
#15: The Ultimate Summer Reading Guide
This week on OFF THE SHELF, Morgann shares the best summer reads to soak up dockside, poolside, or anywhere in between. In this season one finale, she reflects on the highs, the learning curves, and the magic of chatting with three incredible authors this season. With 15 episodes under her belt, Morgann wraps things up with her top 7 summer book recs, including One Golden Summer, Just For The Summ
#14: Behind the Scenes of the We Were Liars Set with Snarky Marky
This week on Off The Shelf, we’re doing a deep dive into We Were Liars—the bestselling book turned series that’s as haunting as it is addictive. Morgann is joined by Mark, who visited the set of the new adaptation alongside her, and they unpack everything from meeting E. Lockhart to what it was really like behind the scenes of a film set (thanks prime video for flying us out❤️). Then they do a spo
#13: The Best Book Adaptations with Carter Sullivan
In this week's episode, Morgann hangs out with one of her best friends and certified bookworm, Carter Sullivan, for a very fun, very unfiltered chat. They swap current reads, gush over upcoming releases they’re dying to get their hands on, and each share five books that totally define them as readers. There’s a chaotic round of bookish “Would You Rather,” some hot takes on adaptations, and a deep
#12: How 1 Viral Video Changed Everything with The Bookish Animator
In this episode of Off The Shelf, Morgann is joined by the incredibly talented Julia, also known as The Bookish Animator, whose work has captivated the online reading community. Julia takes us through her journey into animation—from picking up her first pencil to unexpectedly blowing up on social media. She shares what it’s really like navigating the creator space, the surprises that came with goi
#11: The Romance Book That Broke Me [BOOK CLUB]
In this episode, Morgann dives into the book that made her cry—twice. From the moment she read the first line ("This baby will not stop judging me"), she knew it was going to be good. This isn't just a tearjerker—it's a slow-burning friends-to-lovers story wrapped in grief, healing, and unexpected moments of joy (and armpit hair appreciation). Morgann shares why she chose this book, what made Lenn
#10: The BEST Summer Romance Book with Carley Fortune
In this episode of Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author Carley Fortune to talk about the moment that led her to quit her job to become an author, how she crafted the characters we’ve all fallen in love with, and the real story behind her newest novel One Golden Summer. They dive into early writing struggles, the moment she found out about the screen adaptation, and play a game
#9: Which Emily Henry Book Actually Deserves the Hype?
With the recent release of Emily Henry's new novel, Great Big Beautiful Life, Morgann dives into all of her books—breaking down the swoons, the slow burns, and the standouts. Expect honest opinions, personal rankings, and a rundown of which ones are worth the hype (and which ones you might want to skip). Whether you're a longtime fan or just Emily-Henry curious, this is your guide to all things co
#8: How the Powerless Trilogy Was Created (and what's next) with Lauren Roberts
Sit down with Morgann and Lauren Roberts for a raw, hilarious, and revealing deep dive into the Powerless universe—how she wrote the viral fantasy at just 18, the unexpected path to a book deal, and why fans didn’t get that first kiss until Reckless. They spill behind-the-scenes secrets, react to spicy bookish hot takes (yes, even the hardcover debate), and tease what’s next—including Lauren’s fav
#7: The Ending I Didn't See Coming... [BOOK CLUB]
Welcome to the book club. In this solo deep-dive, Morgann shares her initial (and very bold) theories, the reveals that threw her off track, and the romantic undercurrent she didn’t see coming. Whether you loved the dual timelines or were confused by the 14-year span, there’s something here for every book club brain. Plus: favourite quotes, hot takes, and a few similar recs to keep you turning pag
#6: The Secret to Writing REAL Romance with Abby Jimenez
In this episode of Off The Shelf, Morgann sits down with bestselling author Abby Jimenez to talk about writing entire novels on her phone and the unexpected places inspiration strikes. From her viral TikTok quotes to her honest portrayal of anxiety in Yours Truly, Abby shares the behind-the-scenes of crafting stories that make readers laugh, cry, and feel seen. They dive into the new world of Say
#5: The Reality of Being a Bookish Creator with Madison Kait
Today, Morgann finally finds out what Magnolia Parks is all about and where to start in the Olivie Blake universe. Join her and Madison as they dive into all the books that made Madison become a reader & bookish content creator over the last couple of years. 0:00 - 09:57 Madison's top 5 books09:58 - 16:35 Magnolia Parks16:36 - 32:17 Misc. Book Talks32:18 - 33:37 Throne of Glass33:38 - 39:56 Bo
#4: How Sunrise on the Reaping Changed EVERYTHING with Mark
Sit down with Morgann and Mark for a cozy, bookish catch-up as they dive into their current favourite reads. From the hype around Sunrise on the Reaping to early thoughts on Carley Fortune’s upcoming novel, they’re chatting on everything that's been living rent-free in their bookish brains. Plus, if you’ve been curious about getting into literary fiction but don’t know where to start, Mark shares
#3: The Best Book Club Picks
Looking to join a book club? You're in the right spot - Welcome to The Bookish Club. In this week's episode, we dive into all of our previous book club picks since the club was created last July. Why we chose it, what we enjoyed, what we didn't -- this episode has got you covered on which ones you should start first!Moving forward, the last episode each month will dive into that month's book club
#2: The Best and Worst #BookTok Books with Paige and Molly
POV you're talking about books with your best friends.In this episode, we're diving into all our favourite books over the years! From the spiciest books we've read to the sweetest, you'll walk away with a whole new list of books to get dive into. At the end, we also surprise Paige with a book she's been talking about since November... Stay around till the end to find out which book :)All the books
#1: The Books That Made Me A Reader
Welcome to your new favourite podcast :) In our FIRST ever episode, I'm talking about all the books that turned me into a reader — from the ones that made me fall in love with stories as a kid to the unforgettable reads that kept me up way too late (and maybe freaked me out a little lol). Whether it’s the chaotic dystopian era, the romantasy books that completely changed my life, or those BookTok
Off The Shelf - Trailer
Welcome to Off The Shelf – your backstage pass to the book world. Each week, Morgann Book (yes, that’s her actual last name) sits down with the authors you know and love. They discuss their wild inspirations, random writing quirks, and the scenes they’ll never forget writing. New episodes release every Thursday, available wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m
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