Ashley Elston joins us for our first “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event of 2025 to discuss her debut novel for adults, FIRST LIE WINS. This #1 New York Times bestseller and Bookreporter Bets On selection is now available in paperback.

Ashley talks about her writing process, which includes the brown butcher paper that lines her walls along with colored Post-it notes, and working with the software program Scrivener. Her past career as a wedding photographer enhanced her writing skills, and she explains how. She shares how the story’s twists and turns came to her, as well as the reveals and how to keep the tension up.

Ashley also recalls how excited she was when the book was named a Reese’s Book Club pick (which she had to keep secret) and what the past year has been like. Yes, it’s been a whirlwind. And she talks about what’s next for her.

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William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI

Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg

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Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald

Edited by Jordan Redd Productions