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Hi friends,
After a short break, I’m back with an update I’ve been quietly working through behind the scenes—and I wanted to share it directly with you, my Substack community.
🎧 I’ve officially stepped away from my public podcast.
After nearly 8 years, 700+ episodes, and more author interviews than I can count, I hit a wall—and realized it was time to rebuild from a place of joy, not hustle.
💌 That brings me here: to this newsletter.
This is now my creative home. In today’s video, I share how I got here, what I’m letting go of, and the really fun projects I’m building instead.
🎥 Here’s what you’ll hear in this week’s update:
🌀 My history with burnout and why podcasting lost its spark
📚 The story behind What to Read Next and rediscovering my reading joy
🔎 What I’ve learned from my day job as an investigator—and how it’s shaping my new column
🧃 What to expect from Miss Redacted xoxo: behind-the-scenes book world tea
📖 Upcoming resources: KU book tools, library hacks, and curated rec lists
💡 Why Substack feels more intimate, sustainable, and… honestly? Way more fun
🎥Timestamps:
[00:00] Welcome Back & Life Update
[00:40] Why I Took a Break (Again)
[01:30] The Pattern: Create → Burnout → Pause
[02:30] How I Fell in Love with Reading (Again)
[03:30] The Origin of What to Read Next
[05:00] Pandemic Pivot: From Hobbies to Author Interviews
[06:15] Monetizing Reading: What Worked and What Didn’t
[07:00] Why Author Interviews No Longer Spark Joy
[07:45] What’s Next for the Podcast
[08:30] The Rise of Substack & Intimate Community Building
[09:15] How I Fell into Cozy Mysteries (Thanks to Friends!)
[10:30] Cozy Mystery Recommendations Coming Soon
[11:30] Day Job Update + Why I Stepped Away from Novel Hour
[12:30] Becoming an Investigator & Studying for Certification
[13:00] Introducing: Miss Redacted xoxo (Book Gossip Column)
[14:00] My Gossip Philosophy: Facts > Takedowns
[15:00] Influencer Book Deals & What’s Coming in Miss Redacted
[16:30] What to Expect from the Column (Frequency + Style)
[17:15] Upcoming Project: Mood-Based KU Reading Tool
[18:00] What You’ll Get as a Paid Subscriber
[18:30] Curated Book Recs: 5 Titles, No Overwhelm
[19:30] Exporting Goodreads Data + Finding Your Book Vibe
[20:30] My Reading Taste: Problematic + Plotty Please
[21:15] Guest Voices & Literary Friends Will Return
[22:00] Library Tips + How to Get New Releases for Free
[23:00] Where You’ll Find Me: Substack + Instagram (Not Threads)
[24:00] Thank You & What’s Ahead for This Space
✨ If you’re a paid subscriber, get ready for:
Exclusive episodes & bonus content
Deep-dive essays and rec lists tailored to your moods
Access to Miss Redacted xoxo—a column for readers who love drama (but want receipts)
A new tool we’re building to help you find your perfect KU read, faster
Thank you, as always, for reading and listening. I hope this space feels like your cozy corner of the internet—full of comfort, curiosity, and a few spicy takes.
xo,
Laura
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