How TK Sheffield added "Talk Show Host" to her Writing Resume

It's her new gig hosting the Wispresso Cafe, a Saturday Morning of Coffee, Chats, and Connection

TK Sheffield is the author of the Backyard Model comic cozy mystery series. She is celebrating the release of her new children’s book (see below). You can buy her other books on the Blackbird Writers site here.

When I stepped into the role of host for the Wispresso Cafe, a new monthly show produced by the Wisconsin Writers Association, I wasn’t sure what to expect. A formal discussion? Would the conversations flow? As a new host for a new show, my approach was a mix of curiosity and excitement. As the saying goes: “An author’s success is the pile of book drafts, slush pile submissions, and rejection slips she stands on.”

This show is a monthly reminder that every step, even the stumbles, builds the foundation for great books. It turned into an hour of laughs, learning, and connection.

A Relaxing Hour

I write stories for readers to laugh and escape; my mystery series and MODEL GHOST, the third book in the series, just won a Silver Medal from IBPA for Humor. So, if I’m hosting a virtual gathering where writers and creatives come together, it must be lighthearted. A writer’s life is solitary, filled with rejection. The Wispresso hour is to chuckle about even the painful moments because we’ve all been there.

Over coffee or a mimosa—no judgment!—we swapped tales and laughed about the writing life. Guests shared painful, messy moments, and it was a reminder to keep going, keep creating, and embrace the process, no matter what happens.

Learning From Guests

Hosting the show has been eye-opening and fun. From learning about an author’s journey to behind-the-scene details about the Writer’s Institute in Madison, the show has been a delight.

Emmy-award-winning screenwriter Michael Graf’s episode was a masterclass in screenwriting and the growing film industry in the Midwest. If authors are interested in learning more, attend the Wisconsin Screenwriting Symposium in Madison in April 2026. It was the BEST $25 I’ve spent for a writing event. It was two days of discussions and a pitch event. That price even included snacks and a drink at its completion, true Midwestern hospitality!

Staying Connected in a Changing Industry

The last five years in the publishing world have been frenetic, with the industry buzzing about audiobooks, AI, and publishing co-ops. New platforms, evolving reader habits, and shifting trends are the norm. Gathering together helps us navigate this landscape. It’s a place to share tips, discuss strategies, and make friends. Whether it’s someone sharing their logline (a workshop I’ll be teaching at WWA’s annual conference in October), or sharing a new writing tool, the show fosters a sense of community. It’s a reminder that behind every book is a real person, standing on their pile of drafts, submissions, and rejections, determined to tell their story.

Join us!

If you’re a writer, reader, or lover of stories, grab a mug of your fav beverage and log on. The Wispresso Cafe will be off for the summer, but resumes in September. It is open to all, not just WWA members, and it’s for laughs, learning, and connection. Sign up for the shows via the WWA website when sessions are announced on the Event calendar.

Book News:

I am delighted to announce NELLIE’S ISLAND, Little Hooves, Big Dreams, the story of a pony finding her “filly esteem” on Mackinac Island, goes on sale June 10. About the story: Nellie, a tiny filly from a small farm, feels out of place until she journeys to Mackinac Island, a world of towering draft horses and endless wonders. With her quick clip-clip hooves and brave heart, she discovers that being small is her superpower, delighting island children and finding her true calling in a big, beautiful place.

For a signed author copy, please contact me via the form on my website.

TK Sheffield, a member of Blackbird Writers, writes stories for readers to laugh and escape. Her funny mysteries have earned multiple awards including medals from IBPA, IPPY, and Readers’ Favorites. Watch for new stories including cozy suspense and romantic comedies in 2026. She is on the board of the Wisconsin Writers Association, and a member of Sisters in Crime and SCBWI. For book updates and news about the Wispresso Cafe, please subscribe to her Substack here.