Writer, Writer, Pants On Fire

Today’s guest is Stephanie Robel whose debut novel, Darling Rose Gold, is available now. Stephanie joined me today to talk about her research involving Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy in order to write her novel. Also covered, how being a copywriter and having an MFA helped Stephanie transition into the publishing world. Support the Podcast  Read the Transcript   Links for Stephanie   Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephwrobel Instagram: http://instagram.com/stephaniewrobel     Ad Links:    Canvas People: https://www.canvaspeople.com/

Today’s guest is Caroline Zancan author of the novel Local Girls, as well as her latest, We Wish You Luck. She is a graduate of Kenyon College and holds an MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars. A Senior Editor at Henry Holt, she lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their children. Caroline joined me today to talk about unique mix of art and business that is the publishing industry. Aslo covered - being both an author, and an editor, and the often misunderstood author / editor relationship. Support the Podcast Read the Transcript  Links for Caroline Twitter: https://twitter.com/carolinezancan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinezancan82   Ad Links:      Personal Revolution Podcast: https://www.himalaya.com/revolution1 Canvas People: https://www.canvaspeople.com/

Today's guest is Sarah Jane Stratford. Her first novel, Radio Girls, was based on the early days of the BBC and its pioneering talks producer, Hilda Matheson. Red Letter Days, her newest novel, continues that tradition by similarly highlighting a little known but influential woman in media set during the 19 fifties Red Scare and inspired by the real life TV producer Hannah Weinstein, Red Letter Days reveals the untold story of women who escaped the Hollywood blacklist. Sarah joined me today to talk about the inspiration for Red Letter Days and the research involved in writing about the Red Scare. Also covered - the challenge of basing a fictional character on a real person, and the last repercussions of the Red Scare. Support the Podcast Read the Transcript   Links for Sarah: Site: http://www.sarahjanestratford.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/stratfordsj Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahJaneStratfordAuthor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjanestratford/   Ad Links:      Personal Re

Today’s guest is Tom Lutz, editor in chief of the LA Review of Books a nonprofit dedicated to promoting writing about literature, culture and the arts.. He teaches creative writing at the University of California in Riverside and is on a quest to visit every country in the world: 135 down, only 60 to go. Tom has dovetailed his wanderlust and passion for writing into seven nonfiction books—some on travel, one on the history of slackers, another on the history of tears. His first crime novel, Born Slippy, was published in January. Tom joined me today to talk about some of the monumental changes he’s seen in publishing during this decade, as well as how global trade and politics affects every day artists, as well as his first crime novel, Born Slippy, and tackling the topic of toxic masculinity.   Support the Podcast  Read the Transcript   Links for Tom: Site: https://www.tomlutzwriter.com/   Ad Links:    Hi-Fi Candles: https://hificandlestudio.com/ Use Code PANTS for 20% off at checkout!

Today’s guest is Reuben "Tihi" Hayslett who confronts identity politics, racism and homophobia in his debut short story collection "Dark Corners," which has been selected by Kirkus Reviews as best book of the year (2019).  Hayslett’s characters, most of them black, brown, and/or queer, have their personal problems complicated by their outsider status, by ominous politics, and by occasional eruptions of madness and the macabre. Tihi joined me today to talk about writing and art as a form of protest. Also covered: looking inward to step into your power before taking your work outward for a broader audience, and the art form of the short story, and how sometimes being succinct is how you allow your reader to fill in the blanks. Support the Podcast Read the Transcript   Links for Tihi: Facebook Instagram     Ad Links: Prickly Polka Dot Boutique

Today’s guest is Kiley Reid, a recent graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop where she was the recipient of the Truman Capote Fellowship. She lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Such A Fun Age is her first novel. Kiley joined me today to talk about Such A Fun Age, and how writing two dimensional characters – people who are both good and bad – is how to make them true to life. Also covered, work life without a living wage, representing race on the page through language choice, and the truth that resides in fiction.    Support the Podcast Read the Transcript   Links for Kiley: Site: https://kileyreid.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kileyreid/    Ad Links:  Leaner Creamer: https://leanercreamer.com/discount/FIRE15    

Today’s guest is Mary Kole, Mary Kole is a freelance editor, author and blogger whose goal is to help writers of children’s literature create compelling stories for young readers. A former California and New York literary agent for the Andrea Brown Literary Agency and Movable Type Literary. Mary has spoken at over 75 writer’s conferences and workshops across the world, has been deeply involved with organizations including the SCBWI,Writer’s Digest, and NaNoWriMo. Her blog on children’s writing and publishing, Kidlit.com, receives an average of 17,000 hits per month. It has been named one of the “101 Best Websites for Writers” by Writer’s Digest every year since its inception in 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit has sold 11,000 copies. Mary has also worked as a freelance writer for newspapers and magazines, including the Los Angeles Times, and was named one of 20 writers to follow on Twitter in 2017. She currently works as a freelance editor with over 500 clients per year. Mary joined me today to ta

Today’s guest is Lisa Gardner, a #1 New York Times bestselling thriller novelist and self-described research junkie, she has transformed her interest in police procedure and criminal minds into a streak of internationally acclaimed novels, published across 30 countries. She’s also had four books become TV movies (At the Midnight Hour; The Perfect Husband; The Survivors Club; Hide) and has made personal appearances on TruTV and CNN. Lisa invites her readers to enter the annual “Kill a Friend, Maim a Buddy” Sweepstakes at LisaGardner.com. Every year, one Lucky Stiff is selected to meet a grand end in Lisa’s latest novel. Past winners have nominated spouses, best friends and even themselves. Lisa joined me today to talk about her newest release When You See Me, which combines three of her most loved characters, and how heavily research plays into her process. Support the Podcast  Read the Transcript   Links for Lisa: Website: https://www.lisagardner.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaGardnerBks Facebook:

Today’s guest is Michael Tougias, the author of many true rescue stories, including THE FINEST HOURS, which was adapted into a Disney film. His latest, INTO THE BLIZZARD has been adapted for middle grade readers from his adult non-fiction book about the Blizzard of 1978. Michael joined me today to talk about the difference between seeking publication with fiction versus non-fiction, and the challenge of adapting his own work for a younger audience. Also covered, research, and the process of interviewing your subjects face to face.     Support the Podcast Read the Transcript   Links for Michael: Website    Ad Links: Vellum

Today’s guest is Abbigail N. Rosewood, whose debut, If I Had Two Lives, follows a young girl from her childhood in a military camp in 1990s Vietnam, where her mother is in hiding as a political dissident, to her adulthood as a lonely and disillusioned immigrant in New York, where she must learn what it means to love and be loved, and to reconfigure home in the aftermath of ruins. Abbigail joined me today to talk about diving deep into your emotions to develop an authentic relationship with your reader. Also covered: three things you need to know before you begin writing, as well as the publication process and the sting of rejection, post-publication.  Support the Podcast Read the Transcript   Links for Abbigail:   Website Instagram    Ad Links:  Fruit of the Bean A Map For Wild Hearts Vellum: Make Beautiful Books

Today’s guest is Maram Taibah, a fantasy writer, born in Montreal, Canada. She was raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which, at times, was the most unimaginative place. This pushed her to escape into books at a very early age and from there into the craft of storytelling. Her most recent publication is the children's steampunk book Weathernose. Maram is not only a fiction writer but also a screenwriter and filmmaker. In 2014 she made her first short film Munkeer and in 2016, Don’t Go Too Far, both of which were screened at the Cannes Short Film Corner. Maram joined me today to talk about how screenwriting can help you become a more concise novelist, as well as her three tips for world building.  Support the Podcast Read the Transcript    Links for Maram: Website: https://www.maram-taibah.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maram.taibah.author/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/maramtaibah Newsletter: https://www.maram-taibah.com/subscribe-1    Ad Links: Kelly DeVos Day Zero: https://amzn.to/2NkkL9j An

Today’s guest is Rebecca Syme, creator of the Better-Faster Academy, producer of the Quit Cast for Writers, as well as being an author herself. Rebecca joined me today to talk about how knowing your personality strengths can help you be a more productive writer. Also covered: how to deal with burnout – and how to know when you’re in it.   Support the Podcast  Read the Transcript   Links for Rebecca: Website: https://betterfasteracademy.com/ QuitCast Podcast: https://betterfasteracademy.com/podcast/ Smarty Pants Book Marketing Podcast: https://www.rlsyme.com/category/podcasts/ Writing as R.L Syme & Becca Boyd: https://www.rlsyme.com/ Clifton Strengths Assessment: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx   Ad Links:   Day Zero by Kelly DeVos A Map For Wild Hearts by Andrea Hannah  

Today’s guest is Shahla Hebets, founder of Think Media and author of What’s Working Now? YOU-Centric Marketing. Shahla joined me today to talk about her philosophy of how to reach consumers using You-Centric marketing and how authors can translate you-centric marketing into their approach.    Support the Podcast Read the Transcript   Links for Shahla:   Website: https://www.thinkmediaconsult.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThinkMedia16 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thinkmediaconsult/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkmediaconsulting/     Ad Links:   Day Zero by Kelly DeVos Every Stolen Breath by Kimberley Gabriel

Today’s guest is Juan Pablo Villalobos, author of The Other Side: Stories of Central American Teen Refugees Who Dream of Crossing the Border. Juan Pablo joined me today to talk about the experiences of young refugees, and his approach to compiling their stories. Also covered: using a narrative within non-fiction. Support the Podcast Read the Transcript   Links for Juan Pablo: Website Twitter   Ad Links: Vellum: Create Beautiful Books

Today’s guest is Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl With A Pearl Earring. Her tenth novel, A Single Thread, released recently. Tracy joined me today to talk about the the plight of “excess women” in England post World War 1, how writing leads her to hobbies - not the other way around – and how a writer needs something in their lives that isn’t word-based. Also covered: the pressure of an expectant audience, and learning your own rhythms as a writer. Support the Podcast Read the Transcript    Links for Tracy Website: https://www.tchevalier.com/index.php    Ad Links: Day Zero by Kelly DeVos When the Truth Unravels by RuthAnne Snow  

Today’s guest is Manuela Velasco, the marketing and publicity director as well as an editor for Tessera Editorial which was founded on the idea that publishing can and should be an accessible industry to all people. Through myriad diverse voices in the profession, Tessera Editorial hopes to open the world of books to as many readers as possible. Manuela joined me today to talk about the services that Tessera offers, as well as why getting people of color into all aspects of publishing – not just authors – is important for true diversity and inclusivity in the industry. Also covered: what a sensitivity read is – and what it isn’t. And diversity as a hot topic in publishing – is it a double edged sword? Support the Podcast Read the Transcript   Links for Tessera Editorial:  Website: https://www.tesseraeditorial.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TesseraEdits Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/tesseraeditorial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tesseraeditorial/   Ad Links: Every Stolen Breath by Kimberley Gabri

Today’s guest is Kelly Coon, author of the YA Fantasy Gravemaidens which recounts the tale of two sisters: Kammani, a 16-year-old healer's apprentice who wants to save the dying ruler of her city-state and Nanaea, Kammani’s little sister who will be buried alive as the ruler’s bride if he dies. Kelly joined me today to talk about how to make a fantasy stand out in the crowded YA market by making her female main character have understated strength. Also covered:how editing and being an ACT test prep writer helped Kelly in her fiction and marketing on your own, the constant hustle, and the benefits of having a street team.    Support the Podcast Read the Transcript   Links for Kelly: Website: https://www.kellycoon.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/KellyCoon106 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellycoon106 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellycoon106/   Ad Links: The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey. Lexi McGill and the Teleportation Tournament by Kim Long.

Today’s guest is Debbie Rigaud, author of the YA Rom-com Truly, Madly, Royally. Debbie joined me to day to talk about the rejection journey being similar for scripts, magazine writing and novels, and the importance of community – especially that of women in publishing looking out for one another. Also covered: why a YA rom-com might be exactly what some readers need and co-authoring with activist Alyssa Milano.    Support the Podcast Read the Transcript   Links for Debbie  Website: https://debbierigaud.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/debbierigaud  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/froandabow/    Ad Links:   The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey. Lexi McGill and the Teleportation Tournament by Kim Long.

Today's guest is Sherrilyn Kenyon, best-selling US writer of the Dark Hunter series. Sherilyn has published over 80 novels under her own name and also under the pseudonym Kinley MacGregor who writes historical fiction with paranormal elements. Support The Podcast Create Beautiful Books With Vellum Read the Transcript      

Today’s guest is Kelly Notaras, founder of KN Literary Arts, an editorial book studio specializing in self-help, personal growth, and spirituality. She joined me to talk about the niche in the marketplace for a how-to book on writing narrative non-fiction and memoir, and how Kelly filled that with her release, The Book You Were Born to Write. Also covered: untangling the baby steps toward creating your author platform.   Support the Podcast    Links for Kelly: Website: https://knliterary.com/   Ad Links: The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey. Lexi McGill and the Teleportation Tournament by Kim Long. Vellum