Episode 478 || Publishing a Book with Jonathan Merritt

This week on From the Front Porch, it's an episode of Off the Shelf with Annie & Ashley! Annie is joined by friend, cousin, and former colleague, Ashley Sherlock, to chat about what they’re reading – but also what they’re watching, listening to, and buying. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (type “Episode 482” into the search bar and tap enter to find the books mentioned in this episode), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie is reading: Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry Ashley is reading: Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim Island Rule by Katie M. Flynn From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram at @bookshelftville, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today’s episode can be found below. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is listening to Pearce Oysters by Joselyn Tokacs.  Ashley is reading Funny Story by Emily Henry. If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Or, if you’re so inclined, support us on Patreon, where you can hear our staff’s weekly New Release Tuesday conversations, read full book reviews in our monthly Shelf Life newsletter and follow along as Hunter and I conquer a classic. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.

This week on From the Front Porch, we have a special guest: Shop Dad, a.k.a. Annie’s actual Dad, Chris! Shop Dad shares his favorite recent reads in honor of Father’s Day, as well as books he’s chosen for his Shop Dad Shelf Subscription. To treat your dad to a Shop Dad Shelf Subscription this Father’s Day, tap here! Stop by the store or check out our Father’s Day Collection to find the perfect gift for your dad or anyone in your life who’s loved you like a dad. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (type “Episode 481” into the search bar and tap enter to find the books mentioned in this episode), or shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Chenneville by Paulette Jiles In the Pines by Grace Elizabeth Hale The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke The Deerfield Massacre by James L. Swanson The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James The Curse of Pietro Houdini by Derek B. Miller The Great Escape by Saket Soni The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson A Course Called America by Tom Coyne The Wager by David Grann Educated by Tara Westover The City Game by Matthew Goodman (unavailable to order) This week, Annie is reading Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo.  Shop Dad Chris is reading The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is reading Very Bad Company by Emma Rosenblum. Olivia is reading The Unwedding by Ally Condie. Erin is listening to Funny Story by Emily Henry. If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.

This week on From the Front Porch, it’s another New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia are sharing the June releases they’re excited about to help you build your TBR. When you purchase or preorder any of the books they talk about, enter the code NEWRELEASEPLEASE at checkout for 10% off your order! To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (type “Episode 480” into the search bar and tap enter to find the books mentioned in this episode), or shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie's books: Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan (6/4) Swift River by Essie Chambers (6/4) Pearce Oysters by Joselyn Takacs (6/25) Olivia's books: One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon (6/11) Middle of the Night by Riley Sager (6/18) Dinner at the Brake Fast by Renee Beauregard Lute (6/25) Erin's books: Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (6/11) Devil is Fine by John Vercher (6/18) Same as it Ever Was by Claire Lombardo (6/18) From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is reading Sandwich by Catherine Newman.  Olivia is reading Juneberry Blue by Candice Ransom.  Erin is reading Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo. If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie recaps the books she read and loved in May. You get 10% off your books when you order your May Reading Recap Bundle. Each month, we offer a Reading Recap bundle, which features Annie’s favorite books she read that month. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (type “Episode 479” into the search bar and tap enter to find the books mentioned in this episode), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio The Idea of You by Robinne Lee The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner (releases 7/9) Pearce Oysters by Joselyn Takacs (releases 6/25) Swift River by Essie Chambers (releases 6/4) This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune Devil Is Fine by John Vercher (releases 6/18) Annie's May Reading Recap Bundle - $53 The Husbands by Holly Gramazio The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today’s episode can be found below. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is listening to This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune. If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie chats with literary agent and author Jonathan Merritt! Jonathan’s new picture book, My Guncle and Me, available now, is delightful summer reading for families. Jonathan is Annie’s literary agent, and today they dig into the publishing world, his writing process and new book, and more. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, visit our website or or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: My Guncle and Me by Jonathan Merritt From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today’s episode can be found below. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.

Today on From the Front Porch, we have a special treat: a sneak peek of Annie and Anne Bogel’s in-person conversation at The Bookshelf from April 25, 2024! We were grateful and thrilled to welcome Anne, author and host of the podcast What Should I Read Next, back to The Bookshelf to chat about summer reading. Listen to Anne and Annie’s full conversation on What Should I Read Next. Snag the books they discussed at the links below. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by the store, visit our website or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez The Bodyguard by Katherine Center The Husbands by Holly Gramazio There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib Florida by Lauren Groff Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini  What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty  The Lola Quartet by Emily St John Mandel (currently unavailable to order) From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.

This week on From the Front Porch, we have a special treat for you: a Conquer a Classic sneak peek! Conquer a Classic is the From the Front Porch Patreon’s year-long book club where Annie, Hunter, and our Patreon community tackle a classic novel together month by month. Our pick for 2024 is the American Western Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. Today’s episode gives you a sneak peek of our Conquer a Classic bonus episodes on Patreon. It’s not too late to join us! Here’s how to join our Conquer a Classic book club: Buy your copy of Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. When you order Lonesome Dove from us, your order includes an exclusive physical reading guide and Conquer a Classic sticker. You can purchase a digital download for the reading guide here. Join our Patreon to unlock bonus episodes with Annie and Hunter. From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is reading The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.

This week on From the Front Porch, we have a new episode series: Into the Backlist! Today, Annie changes her focus from new releases to dive into the backlist: the books that came out years ago, the books that didn’t get enough attention, the books you may stumble upon while browsing in an indie bookstore like The Bookshelf. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, visit our website (type “Episode 476” into the search bar and tap enter to find the books mentioned in this episode) or or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: The Mothers by Brit Bennett The Ensemble by Aja Gabel The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett Annie would put The Mothers on a shelf with these books: Revival Season by Monica West Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi Memorial Drive by Natasha Tretheway A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson (unavailable to order) The Color of Water by James McBride Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is listening to Funny Story by Emily Henry. If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.

This week on From the Front Porch, it’s another New Release Rundown! Annie, Erin, and Olivia are sharing the May releases they’re excited about to help you build your TBR. When you purchase or preorder any of the books they talk about, enter the code NEWRELEASEPLEASE at checkout for 10% off your order! To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (type “Episode 475” into the search bar and tap enter to find the books mentioned in this episode), or shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie's books: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (5/7) Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan (5/21) Knife River by Justine Champine (5/28) Olivia's books: The Kid by Jeff Schill (5/7) The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon (5/7) The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton (5/21) Erin's books: Last House by Jessica Shattuck (5/14) When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips (5/21) I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue (5/21) From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is reading Very Bad Company by Emma Rosenblum. Olivia is reading The Unwedding by Ally Condie. Erin is listening to Funny Story by Emily Henry. If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie recaps the books she read and loved in April. You get 10% off your books when you order your April Reading Recap bundle! Each month, we offer a Reading Recap bundle, which features Annie’s three favorite books she read that month. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (type “Episode 474” into the search bar and tap enter to find the books mentioned in this episode), or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app: Annie's April Reading Recap Bundle - $78 The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James Funny Story by Emily Henry A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan Worry by Alexandra Tanner The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James Knife River by Justine Champine (releases 5/28) Lies & Weddings by Kevin Kwan (releases 5/21) Funny Story by Emily Henry A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (releases 5/7) Thank you to this week’s sponsor, the 103rd Annual Rose Show and Festival here in Thomasville, Georgia. Held in historic Downtown Thomasville, the Rose Show & Festival is sponsored by the City of Thomasville and has been a southwest Georgia tradition since 1922. Enjoy rose and flower shows, live music, an artisan market, an antique car show, a parade and fantastic shopping and dining in Downtown Thomasville. This year’s 103rd annual event is April 26-27. Plan your visit at thomasvillega.com. From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf’s daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today’s episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today’s episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations.  This week, Annie is reading Swift River by Essie Chambers. If you liked what you heard in today’s episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We’re so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Jennifer Bannerton, Stephanie Dean, Linda Lee Drozt, Ashley Ferrell, Susan Hulings, Wendi Jenkins, Martha, Nicole Marsee, Gene Queens, Cammy Tidwell, and Amanda Whigham.