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Writers talk craft, agent hunt, query trenches, publishing industry, and more. Hosted by Mindy McGinnis.
Episodes
Saturday Jan 19, 2019
Saturday Jan 19, 2019
Today’s guest is Anica Mrose Rissi the author of the Anna, Banana chapter-book series, the picture books Watch Out for Wolf! and The Teacher’s Pet, as well as a YA novel, Always Forever Maybe. Her essays have been published by The Writer and the New York Times, and she plays fiddle in and writes lyrics for the band Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves. Anica grew up in Maine and spent many years in New York City, where she worked as an executive editor in children’s book publishing.
Anica joined me today to talk about writing from a place of pain, and methods to redirect the endless feedback loop of anxiety towards something creative and productive, as well as how process can change from project to project and across age categories. Also covered: considering the performance of reading aloud versus the narrative that is meant to be read silently, writing for other writers, and how essays can both remind of your own authority on the subject, as well as open yourself up to vulnerability.
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Monday Sep 10, 2018
Monday Sep 10, 2018
Support the podcast through Patreon for weekly writing advice, query and first page critiques, as well as exclusive episodes featuring agent and editor interviews. Visit our Patreon to learn more.
Today’s guest is Kelly DeVos author of FAT GIRL ON A PLANE. Kelly holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Arizona State University. Her debut novel, FAT GIRL ON A PLANE is available now from Harlequin Teen. Her work has been featured in the New York Times as well as SheKnows and Bustle. Kelly joined me today to talk about landing her agent, and how her particular process of being a hardcore planner works to turn the spark of an idea into a novel. Also covered: the inspiration for FAT GIRL ON A PLANE, a discussion of the fashion world and body acceptance and how short stories can help you experiment with new ideas, characters, or methods.
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Monday Sep 03, 2018
Monday Sep 03, 2018
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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Monday Aug 13, 2018
Monday Aug 13, 2018
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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Monday Jul 23, 2018
Monday Jul 23, 2018
Today’s guest is Kit Frick, author of psychological thrillers for teens, as well as a poet and editor. Kit joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about not only the querying process, but the process of knowing her writing was ready to query – and how she got to that place, as well as how different structures can be illuminating for particular stories, and how those same structures are challenges to write.
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Monday Jul 16, 2018
Monday Jul 16, 2018
Today’s guest is Sara Crawford, the author of the YA novels WE OWN THE SKY and HURRY UP WE’RE DREAMING. She graduated in 2008 from Kennesaw State University with a B.A. in English and in 2012 from the University of New Orleans with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (emphasis in Playwriting). Currently, in addition to working as a freelance writer and internet marketer, she is also a creative writing professor in the graduate program at Southern New Hampshire University, teaching online classes. Sara joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the pros and cons of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing, as well as how to stay healthy emotionally, physically and mentally as a writer. Also covered; how freelancing can be lucrative for a writer.
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Monday Jul 09, 2018
Monday Jul 09, 2018
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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Monday Jun 11, 2018
Monday Jun 11, 2018
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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Monday Jun 04, 2018
Monday Jun 04, 2018
Today’s guest is Sara Raasch author of the New York Times bestselling YA fantasy trilogy SNOW LIKE ASHES, and the upcoming STREAM RAIDERS series. Sara joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about how the concept for her SNOW LIKE ASHES series was originally something she worked on as a teenager, and how intensely personal books can be for the author. Also covered: how to market yourself as a debut author, the power of cover art, writing a trilogy versus writing a duology and the unique challenges within each, and how to keep multiple POV voices distinct from one another.
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Your Destination Is On the Left by Lauren Spieller
Monday May 28, 2018
Monday May 28, 2018
A roundup of the months guests and topics, as well as some tips to help determine if your project is MG or YA.
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