“Bookaccino Live” Book Group: Ashley Elston

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. Our Latest “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews: Michelle Horton: https://youtu.be/gQOWAirkZjE Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/HCrR8j5CqT0 Lisa Genova: https://youtu.be/Bqo8ZBE52PU Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/mazErQJJznY Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/1zF2MEJlito Susan Rieger: https://youtu.be/hl-ypqwZwfw Our Latest “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Events: Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions