Ditch Diggers

DD 12.5 If you haven't heard, Ursula (T. Kingfisher) is writing the prequel novel for  ASTARION , the most popular Baldurs Gate 3 character. So of course we have to talk about work for hire, why you do it, what you receive from it, and how to get these jobs. Also you can preorder Astarion ! Even if you're not a Baldur's Gate fan, work for hire is likely to come up in your writing career, and you s...

"Take the chance to talk to an author or hang out with them, because they die like any other people." DD 12.4 In this episode of Ditch Diggers, hosts Mur Lafferty and T. Kingfisher (Ursula) share our unfiltered thoughts on lessons learned from mistakes and regrets in our careers. We cover pen names, self promotion, and agent relationships. This post went live for supporters on May 9, 2026 . If you...

"We need to write the weird stuff because that’s what makes us unique." ~ T. Kingfisher DD 12.3 In this episode of Ditch Diggers, hosts Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher) discuss Ursula's upcoming release of her southern gothic horror novel, Wolf Worm , and then attack Mur with a double dog dare to finally write the weird stories of her heart. This post went live for supporters on Marc...

"I am LARPing as an extrovert." DD 12.2 Yeah, we know that K-Pop Idols have looks, style, and music and dance abilities--but what ELSE do they have that we don't? Support and guidance in dealing with fans. Ursula is back from three signings, and we talk about how to deal with long signing lines and more. [podcast_subscribe id="6236"] This post went live for supporters on February 17, 2026 . If you...

DD 12.1 Ursula and Mur are back to talk about conventions and our 2026 plans. Notable discussions: Do not use ChatGPT to vet your contracts! Ursula finished [REDACTED] book! Mur forgot to ask herself what she was working on, but it's a book. That's about it. This year Mur returns to ConFusion at the end of January. (Alas, Kameron Hurley won't be attending this one.) Ursula has changed her mind reg...

We present a casual and chatty Ditch Diggers where we close up the year with discussions of 2026 prep, spicy Christmas romances, and New Years' traditions. And maybe future us doesn't need the apology that we haven't been consistent. (This post went live for supporters on December 23, 2025 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon !) Spicy Christmas romances...

"You can pull it off if you write like an angel. I do not write like an angel." - Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher) In this episode of Ditch Diggers, hosts Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher), talk about the horrors of ADHD convincing creative folk that they can do ALL the things.    (You can't do all the things.)   They also talk about Naomi Alderman’s acquisition of Six to Start, the comp...

"The point of a planner is to make your life easier, not be a source of guilt and stress." - Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher) Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon are back and dive into the chaotic world of writing! We talk about everything from  the trials of managing multiple projects to the absurdities of planner systems. (And talk about a bunch of options we've tried!) Mur shares her recent experiences...

"You should absolutely always write spite books." - Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher) Unfortunately, this was recorded some time ago, but the Ditch Diggers tackle everything from the challenges of meeting deadlines to the complexities of AI settlements impacting authors. We touch on recent book releases, whirlwind tours, and the peculiarities of hotel bar conversations with state senators.   (This pos...

"Genre is a marketing tool, just like a book cover." - Mur Lafferty In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur and Ursula rant about genre expectations, marketing, and what happens when you decide that genre isn't for you because you're special.  Ursula lists her whales, and Imposter Syndrome doesn't really make a showing when Mur travels.  Highlights: - (05:12) Ursula's anxiety over multiple deadlines...

"If you want this to be your thing, you got to keep doing the thing." - Ursula Vernon In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur and Ursula dive into the chaotic world of writing, sharing their latest projects, travel plans, and ask you if that thing you wanted to say actually is the thing you want to say online. They discuss the SNAFU of the WorldCon AI controversy, the ethical considerations surround...

"The best way to survive is to turn everything into hilarity." - Ursula Vernon In this episode we dive into the chaotic world of writing, marketing, and the ups and downs of self-publishing. Mur shares her recent trip to Maryland for Independent Bookstore Day, and Ursula catches us up on  Swordheart's launch.  Self promotion is hard, ya'll. Highlights: (05:12) Mur's experience running a solo RPG a...

"If you can tolerate the boring and lonely, then hopefully you'll be rewarded on the other side." - Ursula Vernon In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur and Ursula navigate the chaotic world of freelancing, taxes, and the ups and downs of being a writer. They discuss the recent Hugo nominations (two for Ursula, one for Mur!), share insights into their creative processes, and delve into the challeng...

"Sometimes the best way to survive is to turn everything into hilarity." - Ursula Vernon Transcript S.11 Ep.2 In this episode of Ditch Diggers, join hosts Mur and Ursula as they navigate the chaotic world of freelancing, taxes, and the ups and downs of being a writer. They discuss the recent Hugo nominations, share insights into their creative processes, and delve into the challenges of working wi...

"Try to make the world a better place. You personally are not on the hook to fix everything." - Ursula Vernon (This post went live for supporters on January 17, 2025 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !) Transcript S.11 Ep.1 Welcome to Season 11 of Ditch Diggers with Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon! We try to be positive and funny in this e...

"Editing is where you leave the craft behind and start thinking like a business." - Mur Lafferty "I am the person with the hat." - Ursula Vernon Transcript (This post went live for supporters on January 13, 2025 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon !) In this final episode of season six of Ditch Diggers, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon dive deep into the...

"Sometimes you just need to chase the inspiration, even if it means working on a project nobody asked for." - Ursula Transcript (This post went live for supporters on October 4, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon !) In this episode, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon tackle the complexities of burnout, the writing hustle, and the latest controversies...

"Networking is just meeting people and having them remember you exist." - Ursula Vernon Transcript (This post went live for supporters on October 2, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon! ) In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon return from their adventures in Scotland and dive into the art of networking. They explore the n...

"If you, you know, give ten writers an idea, you get eleven different books."  - Ursula Transcript (This post went live for supporters on July 30, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon! ) In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon dive into the gritty realities of the writing world. From the anxiety of upcoming surgeries to the...

"Being on BookTok will not give you a career if you don't have one. Do what makes you happy."  - Ursula Transcript (This post went live for supporters on July 3, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon !) In this episode, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon dive into the realities of book tours, the financial intricacies of publishing, and the ever-changin...

"If you want to make money, you have to think about it like a job." - Mur Transcript (This post went live for supporters on June 26, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon ) Welcome back to Ditch Diggers! In this episode, we kick things off with a fresh start and a new co-host. The mighty Mur Lafferty is joined by the fabulous Ursula Vernon (aka T. K...

This was recorded back in July, but time and things and travel got away with me.  Actually what happened was the fact that I can't spread podcast production across more than one day. If I do, I will forget it needs to be finished. It's not great spending 4+ hours to produce and upload 2 shows, but if I don't, one will fall by the wayside. ADHD brain for the win.  We will be back in september, hope...

Streamed live , July 10, 2023 Below are some affiliate links that support indie bookstores and may benefit me financially with no cost to you. S9 Ep8 Horny chaotic god energy is what we're all about in today's Ditch Diggers, "Data Wonking with Podmother Gail Carriger" where Gail joins us to talk about sifting through data in self publishing. It is some heady stuff, and we discuss tying your self w...

S9 Ep7 Recorded live on  Twitch ! Mur's agent Seth Fishman joins us to take your questions, and we fill up an hour FAST. Full transcript available! Seth Fishman: ...the industry is right now, where editors are just, they just have, they're just too busy. There's just not enough people working in publishing. So it's harder for agents to do to sell books is really what we're saying. There's a number...

Streamed live , June 13, 2023 Below are some affiliate links that support indie bookstores and may benefit me financially with no cost to you. S9 Ep6 It's our 1001st episode (not really) and Matt is here to launch the final book in the Savage Rebellion trilogy, and it's a very honest episode. Serious Ditch Digging here, y'all. He doesn't hold back. It's publishing, warts and all. Links to Savage C...