In this Office Hours replay, Colin Mustful and Melissa catch up on a season of growth at History Through Fiction—from new author signings and a wider range of submissions to the long-term vision for future events, including a virtual book festival, a possible writers’ retreat, and the next conference. Colin also shares more about the launch of the Narrative Guild and the strong response to the recent Ask the Editors live Q&A, which opened up an honest conversation about editing, writer concerns, and the questions authors often feel too unsure to ask.
The conversation then turns toward the creative challenges writers are facing right now: how age and life experience can become an advantage in building an audience, why readers are increasingly drawn to honest and human-centered content, and how authors can lean into their strengths when deciding how to show up online. Colin also offers a preview of his upcoming workshop on point of view, touching on narrative distance, authorial intrusion, and the subtle craft choices that help keep readers immersed in a story.
They close with a candid reflection on the drafting process itself—why writing messy pages is still real progress, how hard it can be to quiet the inner editor, and why getting the words down matters more than getting them perfect the first time.
If you’re a writer trying to balance craft, visibility, and the emotional realities of making new work, this conversation is full of practical insight and encouragement.
