Kobo Writing Life Podcast
#393 – Crafting a Bestselling Thriller Series with Angela Marsons
Why It Matters
Marsons’ story underscores that perseverance, authentic passion, and the right publishing partnership can turn decades of rejection into global success—an inspiring blueprint for indie authors. Her insights into sustaining a long‑running series and leveraging digital publishing are especially relevant as writers navigate today’s fast‑paced, self‑publishing landscape.
Key Takeaways
- •Rejected for 25 years before digital publisher accepted Silent Scream.
- •Handwrites first drafts, then partner types and edits.
- •Writes with vague outline, discovers plot while drafting.
- •Keeps series fresh by researching interests and character curiosity.
- •Loyalty to Bookshure enables two‑book‑per‑year schedule.
Pulse Analysis
Angela Marsons’ path to bestseller status reads like a masterclass in perseverance for self‑publishers. After more than two decades of rejection letters, a small digital imprint finally embraced her crime debut, Silent Scream, launching a series that has sold over six million copies and been translated into 31 languages. Her story underscores how niche publishers can unlock hidden talent, and why writers should keep submitting even when the odds seem stacked against them. The episode highlights the shifting power dynamics in publishing, where agile, online‑focused houses can outpace traditional gatekeepers and give authors a viable route to market.
Marsons’ drafting routine blends old‑school craftsmanship with modern collaboration. She begins each novel by hand‑writing the first draft on A4 pads, allowing ideas to flow without the constraints of a computer screen. Her partner, Julie, then types and critiques the manuscript, serving as the first reader who can spot plot holes or surprising twists. Rather than rigid outlines, Marsons prefers a vague starting point, discovering characters and murders as she writes. This organic approach keeps the creative process lively, reduces burnout, and produces the spontaneous energy that long‑running series readers crave.
Sustaining a 23‑book crime saga demands more than a steady output; it requires fresh hooks and deep character investment. Marsons selects subjects that fascinate her—curses, witchcraft, or contemporary social issues—and weaves them into each plot, ensuring research feels like narrative spice rather than a textbook. By treating her detectives as real people with evolving lives, she maintains reader loyalty while inviting newcomers through compelling, self‑contained mysteries. Her two‑book‑a‑year cadence, supported by Bookshure’s rapid digital pipeline, illustrates how disciplined publishing schedules can balance creative discovery with commercial momentum, offering a blueprint for authors aiming to build enduring series in today’s fast‑paced market.
Episode Description
In this episode, we spoke to Angela Marsons, whose books have sold over six million copies, been translated into thirty languages, and have earned her the title of Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author. She is the mastermind behind the D.I. Kim Stone thriller series, and with this episode of the KWL Podcast, we're very excited to be celebrating the publication of book 23 in this series, Wicked Women! We also are excited to hear more about Angela's journey to becoming an author, the secret to her success, her experience working with a digital-first publisher, and much more.
Wicked Women is available now on Kobo.
Learn more about Angela on her website, and find the rest of her books on Kobo.
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