PLOT TWIST

Soman and Victoria discuss the massive hack of the world’s most popular fan-fiction site and how it reveals clues to what’s ahead for authors. They also answer questions about how they plan sequels and whether an anti-AI publishing house could emerge. Soman needs to learn what the term ‘black-tie’ means, and Victoria wants to thank everyone who voted. Theme of the Week (06:49) Goals of the Week (1...

Is There an Optimist’s Case for AI in Art? Soman lays out 5 optimistic scenarios for how AI could be used positively by authors, and Victoria tries valiantly to get onboard. They also discuss the potential career goals of a mid-career author, and strategies to keep up with youth lingo. Victoria is trying to be gentle with herself (but also hates that phrase), and Soman wants ‘Indian Bryan Cranston...

Soman and Victoria lay out ten ways that the algorithm is destroying creative careers and the best ways to fight it. They also discuss world building tips and how to manage exposition in fantasy novels. Soman wants someone to hire him as the Dean of Joy and Victoria just wants her normal life back. Theme of the Week (10:13) Goals of the Week (15:54) Industry Nonsense (25:15) Reader Mailbag (52:31)...

Soman and Victoria discuss a bombshell story from WIRED about the rampant use of AI by publishers and whether AI is inevitable in the workflow. They also discuss writing chronologically across multiple timelines and how to algorithmically target your potential reader. Victoria is in denial about another long flight next week, and Soman wishes he had sung the national anthem at his tennis tournamen...

Live from Kansas City! Soman and Victoria welcome a new season of the pod and lay out the new Patreon ! They explore the AI’s companies not-so-secret plan to eliminate authors – and readers! – and how it ties to parasocial relationships that have been festering for a long time. They also answer questions about whether a fantasy author can successfully live in the real world and when a character’s...

Soman and Victoria discuss the tricks of staying healthy as a professional artist. Also, they discuss celebrity ghostwriting and how not to fall out of love with your work mid-stream. Soman is launching a new coaching lab for teenagers, and Victoria wants to freeze time. Theme of the Week (03:31) Goals for the Week (12:58) Industry Nonsense (27:21) Reader Mailbag (47:59) Plot Twists in Real Life (...

LIVE FROM ST. LOUIS! A special bonus episode, featuring Soman in conversation with Victoria during the TEMPEST book tour. Together, they explore what it took for TEMPEST to hit three bestseller lists and what Victoria has learned from the release so far. They also answer questions from the audience and reveal what they’ve been working on in the pod’s hiatus. Victoria has a deadline to hit for Temp...

This week on the podcast Victoria and Soman discuss the tension between the love of making art and the need to make money. Also they discuss questions about using sensitivity readers and whether they read other authors' books while writing. Finally, Soman opens up to Victoria about a plot twist he wished he could have seen coming. (Trigger warning: Pet loss.) Theme Of The Week02:33 Goals Of The We...

Soman and Victoria debate whether fandom is good for society or the sign of deeper decline. They also reveal what they talk about with readers at the signing table and how to manage multiple character POVs. Victoria’s closet got invaded, and Soman’s AI problems have him wanting to go back to the 90s again. Theme of the Week (06:12) Goals of the Week (12:54) Industry Nonsense (25:16)  Reader M...

Soman and Victoria debate the difference between a good idea and a great one that’s worth writing. They also sort through the different kinds of characters and ways to avoid clunky exposition. Soman is getting very wet recreating an iconic Taylor Swift photo, while Victoria wants her payout from the AI companies! Theme of the Week (03:13) Goals for the Week (12:55) Industry Nonsense (24:31) ...

Soman and Victoria discuss when fan fiction crosses the line into grift. Also they answer questions about whether authors really need to be on social media and whether they like to plot out their stories or improvise as they go. Victoria has a big battle scene to rewrite, and Soman has a brand new addition to his family. Show notes Theme of the Week (04:50) Goals for the Week (13:13) Industry Nons...

Soman and Victoria discuss the paradox of loving the book -- and rejecting the author. Also they talk duologies vs. trilogies and the hazards of publishing under your legal name. Victoria is trying to power through her edits, and Soman thinks he should play Evita. Theme of the Week (02:46) Goals for the Week (12:33) Industry Nonsense (20:06)  Reader Mailbag (35:05) Plot Twists in Real Li...

Today on the show, Soman is joined by guest co-host Veronica Roth to talk about their (optimistic!) take on the future of literacy.  Also they talk about what they do on days they don’t write, and their favorite fan interactions. Soman is enjoying a Miami swear, and Veronica wants people to use Booktok for good again! Theme of the Week (07:39) Goals of the Week (14:57) Industry Nonsense (23:1...

Soman and Victoria offer solutions to the generative AI crisis and how authors can prove their work is human made. They also talk about the writers whose careers they like to have and the best opening scenes for a book. This is Victoria’s last episode before her big tour hiatus and Soman is warding off pretenders to the throne.  Theme of the Week (12:48) Goals of the Week (21:00) Industry Non...

Soman and Victoria discuss the arms race between the authors who are using AI to write and the ones that still write honestly. They also cover the difference between marketing brain and writing brain and how to manage editor and reader feedback. Soman wants an author version of Big Brother and Victoria wants to vote some authors off the island. Theme of the Week (11:04) Goals of the Week (21:38) I...

Soman and Victoria assess whether the book market is perched atop a giant bubble waiting to crash. Also they discuss which books have impacted their writing the most and whether you can skip drafting and sell a book on proposal. Victoria has to work through her birthday this year, and Soman is about to enter a D1 college tennis tournament on a loophole. Theme of the Week (10:48) Goals of the Week...

Soman and Victoria debate the best way to handle the politics of Hollywood when your work is adapted. Also they discuss the pros and cons of retelling a classic story and why influencers who become authors are often walking into a minefield. Soman is gobsmacked by Madonna’s new album and Victoria is going to dress like a ‘low-key’ pirate on tour.  Theme of the Week (11:35) Goals of the Week (...

Live from LA, Soman and Victoria discuss the rampant explosion of piracy, plus the use of generative AI to write fanfiction and play the lottery for a rich publishing deal. Also they discuss how to stay positive when sending their first books out and how to deal with pesky family and friends who want to know why your book isn’t published yet. Victoria is prepping for the biggest book tour of her l...

Victoria and Soman go straight at the big question of the moment – do all adult books need sex? And what has made our brains so… horny ? They also answer questions about the difference between AI and a ghostwriter, and how they plan their careers and decide what to write.  Soman is mourning the Wimbledon crash-out of Serena Williams, and Victoria wants to get through next week’s photoshoot wi...

Soman and Victoria try to figure out what’s more important for a book – sales or a fandom? They also answer questions about galleys and ARCS being sold online and how to be an author if you struggle with public speaking. Victoria has an announcement she can’t talk about yet, and Soman wants you to listen to the new Olivia Rodrigo album in a very particular way.  Theme of the Week (12:17) Goal...

Soman and Victoria discuss whether ambition is an asset or a hindrance in today’s marketplace. They also discuss the ins and outs of their writing routines plus whether subscription boxes are necessary to success. Soman wants Serena Williams to play singles at Wimbledon and Victoria wants the return of old school robber barons. Theme of the Week (09:09) Goals of the Week (17:12) Industry Nonsense...

Soman and Victoria discuss whether competing with other authors is healthy and if it detracts or fuels their own work. They also answer questions about how to deal with other books a little too similar to their own and how to multi-task creative projects. Soman has to officiate a wedding in NYC and Victoria is plotting a return to the Mediterranean. Theme of the Week (11:28) Goals of the Week (20:...

This week Soman is joined by Veronica Roth to trace the rise and fall of the Young Adult genre, from Twilight to today’s more muddled market. They also talk about how to stay in love with your work when the going gets tough and how to manage the pressure of deadlines. Veronica is trying to get back into the social media saddle and Soman wants to be a Stepford Man. Theme of the Week (04:31) Goals o...

Soman is back this week and he and Victoria decode the mysteries and magic by which a book becomes a best-seller. They also debate how readers “self-inserting” has become an epidemic and the ideal word count for a fantasy novel. Soman is trying to stay healthy for the final week of his tour, and Victoria wants to save kids from the long term consequences of AI. Theme of the Week (08:49) Goals of t...

Victoria and guest Veronica Roth discuss how they’ve survived the evolution of social media from the fun of unfiltered chatting on Twitter to the algorithmic nightmare we now found ourselves in. Also they talk about the myriad and complicated ways a book becomes a New York Times Bestseller and if romantasy and fairytales are the only things people want. Victoria is scribbling on some new ideas, an...