Shelf Made Stories

• The Story Behind the Creepy Book Club

  What started as a casual Facebook group during the pandemic has grown into a thriving online community, complete with sold-out retreats, book boxes, author chats, and even a true crime podcast.Ashley and Emily, co-founders of The Creepy Book Club, share how a single thriller reignited their love of reading and sparked the idea for the club. We talk about building a business from scratch, staying connected to the fun, and the behind-the-scenes work it takes to grow a bookish brand that truly puts community first.You’ll hear:How they went from five people on Zoom to 250+ retreat attendeesWhat it’s really like planning and running events for book loversWhy true crime became part of the mix (even when it’s a little scary)How their friendship fuels the business and keeps things funTips for anyone dreaming of starting a book-related businessThis is for you if you’re a fan of thrillers, a book club regular, curious how a hobby turns into a heartfelt business, or just want some creepy book recommendations.Find out more at thecreepybookclub.com.

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• Why Julia Whelan Is the Meryl Streep of Audiobooks

  If you’re a book lover, chances are you’ve heard Julia Whelan’s voice… and probably more than once. She’s narrated over 700 audiobooks, from Gone Girl to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and has been dubbed everything from “the Meryl Streep of audiobooks” to “the Adele of audiobooks.”Julia is the founder of Audiobrary, a new audio publishing platform reinventing how creatives are compensated. Her debut novel, My Oxford Year, has been adapted into a Netflix film, and her latest, Thank You For Listening, was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, Audible, and NPR.In this episode of Shelf Made Stories, Julia talks about:How she went from child actor to one of the most beloved narrators in publishingWhy recording steamy romance scenes isn’t as awkward as you thinkThe surprising freedom narrators get compared to on-camera actingFounding Audiobrary, her publishing company designed to give narrators royalties and authors a bigger cutWriting her own novelsHer best advice for aspiring narrators and anyone trying to break into the book worldJulia is not only a voice we know and love, but also a fierce advocate for creatives getting the recognition and compensation they deserve.Check out Audiobrary here: audiobrary.com

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• She Ran Out of Books on Vacation. 6 Months Later, She Owned a Bookstore.

  What happens when a book-loving mom of two runs out of reading material on vacation? If you’re Kelly Vann, you open a bookstore. We chat with Kelly, founder of Lit Actually, a romance and fantasy bookshop tucked inside Olive’s Eatery in Baldwinsville, NY.She walks us through her journey from idea to grand opening in just six months… while working full-time in marketing, raising two kids, and figuring it out as she goes.From pop-ups and cheeky bookmarks to navigating diversity and community, Kelly spills it all in this episode, including:How Kelly took Lit Actually from idea to reality in half a yearWhy she chose a romance/fantasy niche (and why it’s working)Tips for planning pop-ups and choosing profitable merchThe surprising bestseller flying off the shelves (spoiler: it’s NSFW)How she's balancing full-time work, family, and small business lifeHer current and all-time fave book recs (dark romance fans, tune in)Find Lit Actually on social media:Instagram.com/lit.actually Facebook.com/[email protected]

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• This Book Club is All Smut and Spice, No Shame

  Did you want more smut?I’m chatting with Alexa Sierra, co-founder of Nashville Smut, the spicy book club-turned-brand that’s taken over Music City and the internet one smutty read at a time. What started as a Facebook group between two childhood besties has grown into a full-blown movement with in-person meetups, viral merch, and their very own indie book festival, Tempted by Fiction.We talk about:How Nashville Smut got started (and why it almost didn’t)Growing a community without a big budget or social media experienceThe truth about planning events and selling spicy merchWhat really goes viral on Instagram and TikTokLessons from building a business while working full-timeAnd yes, we get all the smutty book recs you could ever wantWhether you’re a fellow smut-lover, thinking of starting a bookish side hustle, or just need a feel-good story about women making magic, this one’s for you. Visit Nashville Smut at https://www.nashvillesmut.com.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashvillesmutTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nashvillesmutFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19NJ9DBcrd/

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• How One Mom Turned a Meme Into the Ultimate “Bookcation”

  What if you could spend an entire weekend doing nothing but reading, relaxing, and connecting with other book lovers? I’m talking no chores, no to-do lists, and no interruptions?That’s exactly what Mallory Anderko dreamed up when she created Bookcation, a reading retreat that’s part cozy getaway, part book club, and part soul recharge.In this episode, Mallory shares:How a decade-long fiction drought ended with one Emily Henry novelThe Instagram meme that sparked the Bookcation ideaHer first small Airbnb retreat and what she learnedThe leap to hosting her first public event at the Grand Geneva ResortThe unexpected hiccups (and hilarious moments) along the wayHow she’s taking Bookcation national in 2026Her advice for anyone ready to start their own “bookish” businessWhether you’re a lifelong reader or someone who hasn’t picked up a novel in years, Mallory’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to bring your passion to life and invite others along for the ride.For more information, visit book-cation.com.Follow Bookcation on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563589589418Instagram: @thebookcationTikTok: @thebookcation

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