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She’s back! One of my all-time favorite guests, Neely Tubati-Alexander, returns to talk about her third novel, Courtroom Drama. As always, she brings a refreshing, no-nonsense take on staying creative and productive in the unpredictable world of publishing.

INSIDE THE EPISODE

📚 Why Neely sprints through her first drafts instead of obsessing over every word

📚 How she embraces her "pantser" style (yep, she often writes the beginning and end first, with no outline in sight)

📚 What it’s really like to write books in the cracks of everyday life, and how reality TV, genre-hopping, and real-life fascinations all sneak into her stories

📚 Using the writing of the next book to stay grounded when the release of the current one is causing stress

📚 Why research is her secret creative fuel, from courtroom procedures to video game design

📚 How the evolution of publishing is finally making room for authors to explore their full range of creativith

Neely’s approach is honest, energizing, and a great reminder that there’s no one “right” way to do this writing thing.

Follow Neely on Instagram @NeelyAlexanderWrites and look for Courtroom Drama releasing May 20th, 2025 from HarperCollins. 

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Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest.

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Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry. 

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Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com

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To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth