PRE-ORDER MY NEW BOOK (OUT MAY 5, 2026)!!! — https://bit.ly/43BquPd
Matt Eicheldinger is back and somehow since the last time he was on, he’s casually signed over a dozen book contracts, written across multiple age ranges, and is now launching a dystopian trilogy. Meanwhile, I’m still over here arguing with copy editors about commas.
We talk about what self-publishing actually looks like, what happens when Kirkus reviews decide your book is either brilliant or from the devil himself, and how middle schoolers might actually be the toughest literary critics alive.
Matt shares the premise of his new YA trilogy, a flooded world, a foster teen, hardcore preppers, and a mysterious place called “The Hill”, and we get into what it feels like to pivot from autobiographical humor to dystopian survival.
Takeaways:
The version of self-publishing nobody romanticizes.
The Kirkus review line that absolutely sent me.
Why Matt’s “violent” middle grade series is more autobiographical than I realized.
The unexpected inspiration behind a flooded dystopian trilogy.
The workplace interaction that reminded me kindness is free and somehow still controversial.
Teachers’ night out? Yes, please! Come see comedian Educator Andrea…Get your tickets at teachersloungelive.com and Educatorandrea.com/tickets for laugh out loud Education!
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Don’t Be Shy Come Say Hi: www.podcasterandrea.com
Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea
A Human Content Production
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
06:49 - Self Publishing Reality Check
12:17 - Gerry's Merch Side Quest
37:19 - Staying Focused While Writing
43:27 - Kindness Costs Nothing
48:09 - Handling Online Hate
