Library News

Lisa Daily, a USA Today bestselling author and book coach, has built a career writing both fiction and nonfiction, publishing with Penguin, St. Martin’s Press, and as an independent author. Her witty, heartfelt romance novels and practical guides for writers have earned her a wide readership, while her coaching and podcast work help aspiring authors turn ideas into books. This November, she will bring that expertise to Sarasota County Libraries’ Off the Page Literary Celebration, where she will give a lively presentation on the art of writing love stories.

If you’ve ever wondered what a day looks like for a bestselling author, Daily gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her writing routine, favorite local spots, and what keeps her creative energy flowing.

Morning: Writing in Pajamas (or at the Beach)

Lisa usually starts her mornings with caffeine, iced green tea, or, on deadline days, a Coke, and then dives into writing. She’s currently working on "Cold Feet", the second book in her hockey romance series, featuring the St. Pete Slashers. Pajamas are her usual uniform unless she heads out to her “other office,” Siesta Key Beach.

Midday: Live Streams, Lunch, and Coaching

Wednesdays are packed. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lisa co-hosts live writing sprints on her YouTube channel with fellow authors, answering viewer questions and keeping each other motivated. After a quick lunch (sometimes leftover fettuccine), she meets with fellow romance authors to talk shop and leads coaching sessions with clients from across the country.

Afternoon: Business Behind the Books

Afternoons often include outlining new projects, reviewing book pitches for her podcast “While You Were Reading,” and even reporting pirated copies of her books. She’s also an advocate for authors’ rights, often discussing copyright issues, publishing trends, and the impact of AI on her blog “Plot Twists & Paychecks.”

Evening: Family Time and Relaxation

By early evening, Lisa wraps up her meetings and settles into downtime with her partner, who is also a writer and YouTuber. Dinner, a bath, and relaxation are key parts of her wind-down routine.

Writing Anywhere and Everywhere

Lisa loves writing outside near the water, whether on her lanai, at the beach, or even in the bathtub when inspiration strikes. Some of her favorite Sarasota writing spots include:

• Siesta Key Beach
• The café at Barnes & Noble
• Selby Library
• The Pine View School pickup line (when her kids were still in school)

Always Creating, and Teaching Others How

When Lisa is deep into a manuscript, around the 80 percent mark, she shifts into what she calls “all-day writing mode,” powering straight through to the finish. It’s her favorite part of the process. That same passion infuses her public presentations.

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at Ringling College of Art & Design’s Goldstein Library, Lisa will lead an Off the Page program designed for both aspiring writers and devoted readers. She’ll share why the enemies-to-lovers trope always hits, how to write a kissing scene that sizzles, and why the Hallmark formula works even when the ending is obvious. She’ll also reveal the biggest mistake aspiring romance writers make. From tropes to tension to toe-curling chemistry, Lisa promises a fast, funny crash course in the secrets of page-turning love stories.

Off the Page is a literary celebration hosted by Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources throughout November. Events include author talks, book signings, writing workshops, and more, with all 10 library locations participating alongside community partners.