Today’s guest is Megan Shepherd, author of THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER trilogy, THE CAGE Trilogy, THE SECRET HORSES OF BRIAR HILL and THE GRIM LOVELIES. Megan joined me to talk about her process, and how the spark of an idea can sometimes get lost during the execution. Also covered: writing trilogies versus standalones, and why dark stories appeal to us.
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Today’s guest is Jessica Verdi, author of the YA contemporary novels My Life After Now, The Summer I Wasn’t Me, What You Left Behind, as well as And She Was. Jess received her MFA in Writing for Children from The New School and is a freelance editor of romance, women’s fiction, chick lit, YA, and kid lit
Jessica joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about querying a first novel, landing her agent, and breaking out of writing only one genre. Also covered: how Jessica handles hot button issues in her books, and the pushback that can come from writing about such topics, as well as the pros and cons of getting an MFA and why everyone needs an editor.
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See All The Stars by Kit Frick
Today’s guest is Lori Rader Day, winner of both the Mary Higgins Clark Award and the Anthony Award. Lori joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the work that goes into a novel before you ever query it, the benefits of joining professional writing organizations, as well as the moving rung of what we deem success after being published. Also covered: how genre writing can be looked down upon, and how genre tags can build walls between readers and books they might enjoy.
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Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood
Today’s guest is Abigail Johnson, author of the YA contemporary titles EVEN IF I FALL, THE FIRST TO KNOW and IF I FIX YOU. She became a tetraplegic after breaking her neck in a car accident when she was seventeen, but hasn’t let that stop her from bodysurfing in Mexico, and becoming a published author. Abigail speaks with host Mindy McGinnis about the process of getting an agent, how branding can limit your writing in some ways once you have a career, the ease of world building when writing contemporary – not to be confused with the idea that writing YA is easy - and how Abigail’s accident shapes her unique perspective of life and people, and where to find her online.
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Your Destination Is On The Left by Lauren Spieller
Today’s guest is Natalie Richards author of the page turning thrillers SIX MONTHS LATER, ONE WAS LOST and WE ALL FALL DOWN. Nataile joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about landing an agent, the value of being active in writer’s organizations, and the complexities of author branding.
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Your Destination Is On the Left by Lauren Spieller
As I By Descended by Robin Talley
Today’s guest is JR Johansson author of the Night Walkers trilogy as well as CUT ME FREE and THE ROW. J.R. Johansson's books have been published in a dozen languages and more than twenty countries worldwide. She has a B.S. degree in public relations and a background in marketing. She joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the process of landing her agent, how writing thrillers came to be her brand, as well as the pros and cons of writing a series versus writing stand alones.
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A VOID THE SIZE OF THE WORLD by Rachele Alpine
Today’s guest is Robert Mellette who has written, directed, designed and acted in theatre, film and television for over 30 years. His credits in various jobs include XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS, BLUE CRUSH, and his own JACKS OR BETTER, which won Dances With Films Best Screenplay award in 2000.Robert's novel, Billy Bobble Makes a Magic Wand, is available on Amazon from Elephant's Bookshelf Press. For novelists, Robert blogs for From The Write Angle.
Robert joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about how working in film and television taught him skills that translated over to novel writing, and how working with small, indie publishers can be beneficial, writing your story for the sake of the story, not a micro-targeted audience, and advice for aspiring writers on how to process critiques without sacrificing their voice.
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MY AMERICAN NIGHTMARE: WOMEN IN HORROR ANTHOLOGY by Azzura Nox
Alex Lidell joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about how she broke into publishing through an Amazon contest, how to find and utilize critique partners, and how successful self-publishing should focus more on the business aspect than the creative side. Be sure to listen to the end for Alex’s offer of a free novella!
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WIDE AWAKE BEAR by Pat Zietlow Miller
P.A.W.S Saga by Debbie Manber Kuper
Host Mindy McGinnis is joined by Jeff Zentner, author of the William C. Morris Award winning and Carnegie Medal longlisted book The Serpent King (2016). Jeff shares about how his love of music led him into a career as a novelist, drawing inspiration from people in real life to populate the pages of your fiction, and how to effectively write the opposite gender.
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