A Making Sense Press Podcast
The Author Behind the Words
Guest Interviews Now Being Scheduled
Hosted by Lisa Tarves, The Author Behind the Words is a podcast about the people behind the books — their writing journeys, publishing experiences, inspirations, challenges, and the stories that led them to the page.
Episodes debut on the Making Sense Press YouTube channel. Guest interviews are open now — the show launches in January 2027.
About the Podcast
Conversations With Authors About Their Books and Their Stories
Every book begins long before the first word is written. The Author Behind the Words goes beyond the finished page to explore the experiences, motivations, and moments that shape an author and their work.
Host Lisa Tarves speaks with authors about their books, their writing journeys, their publishing experiences, the inspiration behind their work, the challenges they faced, and the personal stories that only they can tell.
Guests include Making Sense Press authors as well as independently and traditionally published authors from outside the Making Sense Press family — because great stories and the people who write them deserve to be heard, regardless of how they published.
Your Host
Lisa Tarves
Founder, Publisher & Author at Making Sense Press
Conversations Cover
- The book and what it is about
- The writing journey and creative process
- Publishing experiences and decisions
- Inspiration and what drives the work
- Challenges faced along the way
- The personal stories behind the work
Guests
Making Sense Press authors, as well as independently and traditionally published authors not affiliated with Making Sense Press.
What to Expect
Every Episode Goes Deeper Than the Book
The Book
What the book is about, who it is for, and why the author felt compelled to write it.
The Writing Journey
How the manuscript came together — the timeline, the process, the evolving pages, and the moments of doubt and clarity.
The Publishing Experience
What it was like to navigate publishing — the decisions made, the path chosen, and what the author learned along the way.
Inspiration and Creative Process
Where the ideas came from, how the author works, and what keeps them writing.
Challenges and Turning Points
The obstacles the author faced — and how they moved through them to finish the book.
The Story Behind the Story
The personal experiences, relationships, and moments that shaped the work in ways readers may never see on the page.
For Authors
Authors: Be a Guest on the Podcast
Are you an author with a story to share? We would love to have you on The Author Behind the Words.
Whether you published independently, traditionally, or with Making Sense Press, if you have a published book and a story behind it, you are welcome to apply. There is no cost to be a guest.
Use the scheduling link to browse available interview dates and select a time that works for you. Interviews are conducted remotely. Lisa will be in touch ahead of your scheduled date with any preparation details.
Interviews are being scheduled now. Apply using the link below.
Who Can Apply
- You have a published book — fiction or nonfiction
- You published independently, traditionally, or with Making Sense Press
- You have a story behind your book that goes beyond the back cover
- You are comfortable speaking about your writing journey and publishing experience
- You are available for a remote interview (scheduling is open now)
Where to Watch
Full Episodes on YouTube
Full episodes of The Author Behind the Words will be available on the Making Sense Press YouTube channel. Subscribe now so you do not miss the first episode.
Making Sense Press on YouTubeNote: Current Making Sense Press YouTube videos are general press content and are separate from The Author Behind the Words podcast episodes, which debut on the Making Sense Press YouTube channel when the show launches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About the Podcast
Do I need to be a Making Sense Press author to be a guest?
No. The show welcomes independently published, traditionally published, and Making Sense Press authors alike. If you have a published book and a story behind it, you are welcome to apply.
What does the guest interview process look like?
Use the scheduling link on this page to select an available interview date. Interviews are conducted remotely. Lisa will be in touch ahead of your scheduled date with any preparation details.
When will the podcast launch?
The Author Behind the Words launches in January 2027. Guest interviews are being scheduled now so episodes are ready for the launch.
Where will episodes be available?
Full episodes will be published on the Making Sense Press YouTube channel. Additional distribution platforms may be announced closer to launch.
Is there a cost to be a guest?
No. There is no fee to be a guest on the podcast.
Watch While You Wait
From Making Sense Press
Explore these Making Sense Press videos about the press, Founding Author and Founding Professional opportunities, and what publishing with Making Sense Press looks like. These are not podcast episodes — they are Making Sense Press channel videos.
Making Sense Press — 6:42
Welcome to Making Sense Press
An introduction to Making Sense Press — what the press is, who it is for, and the publishing path it offers independent authors.
Making Sense Press — 5:48
Become a Founding Author — A Different Kind of Publishing
What it means to be a Founding Author at Making Sense Press — the publishing support available, the founding benefits, and how to apply.
Making Sense Press — 4:29
Become a Founding Professional
An overview of the Making Sense Press Professional Directory and the Founding Professional opportunity — who it is for and how to join.
More videos from Making Sense Press are available on the Making Sense Press YouTube channel. These are press and publishing videos — not episodes of The Author Behind the Words podcast.
Launching January 2027
The Author Behind the Words
Subscribe to the Making Sense Press YouTube channel and be among the first to hear every new episode.
The Author Behind the Words is presented by Making Sense Press — a selective independent publishing press. Learn about publishing with Making Sense Press.