My Writing Journey

In Love With Your Ghost (Sneak Peek!)

Laurel Osterkamp · September 16, 2026

He’s tentative. Searching. Like he’s apologizing for wanting me so badly, but he’s also diving head-first into his need. And my body remembers things my brain spent years trying to forget."

For the last few months, I have neglected SO MANY indie author obligations, like posting on social media, writing my newsletter, and updating my website. All because I was singularly focused on finishing my newest Sugar Pine Springs …

How my Playlist for Total Jane Wreck Saved the Novel

Laurel Osterkamp · July 3, 2026

Confession time: Total Jane Wreck did not come easy. Compared to Let Me Count the Ways, which sort of wrote itself, Total Jane Wreck was at first stubborn and awkward. I knew the major plot points and I sort of grasped the character arcs (thanks to my development editor, Erica Saltzman, I went from “sort of” to “lightbulb moments”) but I couldn’t get the feel of the novel. Everything felt forced. Then I created a Total Jane Wreck playlist, which I listened …

Elizabeth Barrett Browning Paved the Way for Taylor Swift

Laurel Osterkamp · January 14, 2026

I inhale, prepping my delivery like it’s a TED talk. “Okay, so. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was basically Taylor Swift in the 1850s. She churned out hits. Love poems, political screeds, odes to her dog. Every single woman in England thought she spoke directly to her. Because she wrote about heartbreak and disappointment and being misunderstood by men and society, yet she still managed to make them believe in healing, marriage, and all those …

My Winter Song to You (Sneak Peek)

Laurel Osterkamp · November 6, 2025

I'll admit it--I'm a theater geek, through and through. Not just that, but while I was growing up, my BFF and I DELIGHTED in writing short stories, scripts, or the beginnings of novels we'd never finish, and laughing our heads off while we read them out loud. That's why Chapter 18 of My Winter Song to You was my favorite chapter to write. The joy Max takes in his "script" was something I could totally connect with. So, without further ado, here's …

Need Some Author Motivation? This Will Help, Especially If You’re Indie!

Laurel Osterkamp · June 20, 2025

Writing a book and putting it out there takes a lot of courage, hard work, and dedication. You pour your heart and soul into your novel, hoping that it will be a big hit. Unfortunately, with thousands of books published every day, an author’s road can be long and winding. Sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated and keep writing. So, let's explore some tips for how not to give up on your writing and publishing journey. (And if you don’t want to take my word for it, check out my famous author …