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Writers talk craft, agent hunt, query trenches, publishing industry, and more. Hosted by Mindy McGinnis.
Episodes
Monday May 03, 2021
Monday May 03, 2021
Today's guest is Robbie Couch, author of THE SKY BLUES. He joined me today to talk about writing honestly about LBGTQ issues and forward thinking in small communities.
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Monday Dec 14, 2020
Monday Dec 14, 2020
Today's guest is Anna Meriano, author of This Is How We Fly, a contemporary YA that focuses on a Muggle Quidditch team. Anna joined me today to talk about writing sports for young audiences, and how she navigated her debut being so closely tied to what has become a problematic fandom.
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Monday Sep 28, 2020
Monday Sep 28, 2020
Today's guest is Lori M. Lee, author of the YA Fantasy Forest of Souls. Lori joined me to talk about launching a book during the pandemic, pivoting to online marketing and promotion, and how she handled depression and anxiety during the ongoing epidemic.
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Monday Feb 24, 2020
Monday Feb 24, 2020
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 talk about making the switch from agenting to editorial work, and how a relocation spawned her editorial company. Also covered: Mary’s book, Writing Irresistible Kid Lit, and the joy of ushering a project from inception to publication alongside an author.
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Links for Mary:
Good Story Company: https://goodstorycompany.com
Editing: https://marykole.com
Blog: https://kidlit.com
Forum: https://critcollective.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco
Facebook: https://facebook.com/marykoleeditorial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodstoryco
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kid_lit
Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory
Submission Course: https://bit.ly/kolesub
Book: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit
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Vellum: http://www.tryvellum.com/pants
Leaner Creamer: https://leanercreamer.com/discount/FIRE15
Monday Nov 04, 2019
Monday Nov 04, 2019
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.
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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/
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Monday Oct 21, 2019
Monday Oct 21, 2019
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.
Links for Debbie
Website: https://debbierigaud.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/debbierigaud
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/froandabow/
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Monday Aug 26, 2019
Monday Aug 26, 2019
Today’s guest is Melissa DeLa Cruz #1 New York Times bestselling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for readers of all ages. With her 50th novel The Birthday Girl releasing earlier this month. Melissa joined me to talk about longevity in publishing, retaining the spark of creativity, and how writers need community.
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Monday Aug 19, 2019
Monday Aug 19, 2019
Today’s guest is Jamie Beth Cohen, author of Wasted Pretty. A writer and storyteller who works in higher education, her non-fiction has appeared in The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, and Teen Vogue. Jamie joined me today to talk about writing tough topics for teens, getting non-fiction pieces published, and the dangers of embracing the myth of the solitary writer, plus how community can help.
Links for Jamie:
Website: http://www.jamiebethcohen.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Beth_S
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamieBethWriter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wastedpretty/
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Wasted Pretty by Jamie Beth Cohen: https://amzn.to/2SqTC5Q
All the Walls of Belfast by Sarah Carlson: https://amzn.to/2LB1fVH
Monday Aug 05, 2019
Monday Aug 05, 2019
Today’s guest is Chelsea Bobulski who graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in history. As a writer, she has a soft spot for characters with broken pasts, strange talents, and obstacles they must overcome for a brighter future. Her debut young adult novel, THE WOOD is available now. Her next release REMEMBER ME releases August 6th.
Chelsea joined me today to talk about querying for five years, the stress of breaking up with her first agent, and the importance of maintaining a polite, professional attitude while in the query trenches, learning how to balance writing the next book against the time investment of marketing your backlist and the key to writing horror, especially for younger audiences.
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Wasted Pretty by Jamie Beth Cohen
All the Walls of Belfast by Sarah Carlson
A Map for Wild Hearts: How to Make Art Even When You Are Lost by Andrea Hannah
Monday Jul 01, 2019
Monday Jul 01, 2019
Today’s guest is Lauren Kate. the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Fallen novels, the Teardrop novels, and The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove. Her books have been translated into more than 30 languages. Kate joined me today to talk about the inspiration for her newest adult historical, The Orphan’s Song. Also covered: what differences – if any – there are in writing for the adult vs. the YA market.
Links for Lauren:
Website: http://laurenkatebooks.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenkatebooks
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurenkatebooks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenKateAuthor/
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