One of the things I love most about hosting this podcast is reconnecting with writers who have not only built lasting careers, but who have done it so gracefully, relentlessly and joyfully. This week’s guest, Nancy Coco - also known as Nancy Parra/Nell Hampton is one of those writers.
Today’s guest is someone I’ve known and admired for a long time. I met Nancy Parra—also Nancy Coco as well as other alter egos - we’ll talk about that - a long time ago - when we were both starting out, and I was always inspired by her. We’ve been publishing for roughly the same number of years and damn is she prolific.
She’s published over 40 books across several genres (yes, really!), and in this episode, we dive into what it’s like to sustain that kind of creative output over time—through shifting trends, evolving processes, new agents and life’s curveballs.
We talk about everything from how she got her start writing fan fiction and dystopian stories, to her pivot into cozy mysteries (with recipes!), to how she juggled writing multiple series at once.
We also explore the very real challenges of the publishing world, why finding the right literary agent matters, and what community and conferences have meant to both of us over the years.
If you’ve ever wondered how prolific writers keep going—or how they find joy in the process— this one’s for you.
🎧 What You’ll Learn:
• How it started for Nancy - and how it’s going
• The vital role a supportive literary agent plays in an author’s career
• Nancy’s process for writing a book in as little as six weeks
• The balance between plotting and discovery writing
• Tips for writing multiple series at once
• Why editing is as important as drafting
• The power of writing community and conferences
• Insight into Nancy’s teaching approach and how she shares the craft
• A peek into her current and upcoming projects—including genre experimentation!
📝 Key Takeaways:
• Everyone’s writing process is unique—find what works for you.
• Having an agent who truly works for you makes a difference.
• Community, conferences, and peer support are vital to growth.
• Drafting can be linear or modular—both are valid approaches.
• It’s okay to explore other genres—even after publishing success.
💬 Quotes to Remember:
“Writing can be both fun and challenging—and it’s okay to evolve.”
“There’s no one right way to draft. Just keep writing.”
About Nancy:
USA Today Bestselling Author, Nancy Coco AKA Nell Hampton AKA Nancy Parra is the author of over 40 published novels which include five mystery series: The Oregon Honey-comb Mystery Series (Kensington), The Candy-Coated Mysteries (Kensington), The Kensington Palace Mystery Series (Crooked Lane), The Wine Country Tours Mystery Series (Crooked Lane)
The Gluten-free Baker’s Treat Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime), and The Perfect Proposal Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime). Her writing has been called witty and her protagonists plucky by reviewers around the world. Nancy is a member of Sisters in Crime, and loves to hear from readers.
Connect with Nancy:
Website: https://www.nancyjcoco.com/
Connect with Liz:
Instagram: @lizmugavero
Website: cateconte.com
🎧 Like what you hear? Subscribe, rate, and review the show to support more creative voices— and to kickstart your own writing journey.
Chapters:
03:45 Introduction to Nancy Parra's Literary Journey
13:08 Navigating the Publishing World
15:32 The Role of Agents in an Author's Success
19:45 Transitioning Between Genres
23:24 Writing Process and Productivity
26:14 Plotting vs. Pantsing: Finding Your Method
30:10 Teaching Writing: Classes and Techniques
36:25 Conferences and Building a Writer's Community
44:16 Current Projects and Future Endeavors
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