What happens when a five-year situationship finally ends and leaves you wondering what comes next?

For author Alissa DeRogatis, the answer was writing the book she couldn't find on the shelf.

In this episode, we chat with Alissa about turning heartbreak into storytelling, self-publishing Call It What You Want, selling tens of thousands of copies, signing with Sourcebooks, and building a career by showing up authentically online. We also dive into the realities of book marketing, why comparison is one of the biggest traps for writers, and how her writing community, Hot Girls Who Write, grew from a simple desire to help other authors feel less alone.

Plus, we get a behind-the-scenes look at her upcoming novel, How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle, and the real-life experiences that inspired it.

In This Episode

•  How a situationship inspired Call It What You Want
•  Self-publishing without an editor—and why she has no regrets 
•  Selling 50,000+ copies before signing with a traditional publisher 
•  The journey from indie author to Sourcebooks author 
•  Why comparison culture can derail writers 
•  Using vulnerability as a marketing superpower 
•  What actually worked on TikTok (and what didn't) 
•  The realities of building an author brand online 
•  Why authenticity is a major theme in How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle
•  The story behind Hot Girls Who Write 
•  Creating community in an industry that can feel isolating 
•  Book covers, branding, and trusting your creative instincts

About Alissa DeRogatis

Alissa DeRogatis is the author of Call It What You Want and the upcoming How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle. After self-publishing her debut novel and building a passionate online readership, she signed with Sourcebooks and has become known for her honest, relatable storytelling about modern relationships, heartbreak, and personal growth.

She is also the founder of Hot Girls Who Write, a writing community dedicated to helping authors connect, learn, and support one another through every stage of the writing journey.

Books & Resources Mentioned

• Call It What You Want — Alissa DeRogatis 
• How to Find Love in the Cereal Aisle — Alissa DeRogatis

Connect with Alissa

Instagram: @alissade
TikTok: @alissade
Substack: Alissa DeRogatis
Hot Girls Who Write

Listen & Subscribe

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Margs & Manuscripts wherever you get your podcasts. Leaving a rating or review helps more readers, writers, and publishing-curious creatives discover the show.

And if you've ever turned a heartbreak into a creative project, we'd love to hear about it. Tag us on Instagram and join the conversation. 🍸📚