Craft Chat Chronicles

Send us Fan Mail From aspiring biochemist to bestselling author, Kwame Alexander's literary journey is nothing short of inspiring. What if a single college poetry class could alter the course of your career? For Kwame, that moment came with Nikki Giovanni at Virginia Tech. Kwame reveals how this pivotal experience ignited his passion for writing, ultimately leading him to self-publish 13 book...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to transition from a legal career to becoming a bestselling young adult author? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we share thrilling updates, including my exciting new role at the Neighborhood Literary Agency under the guidance of the renowned Eric Smith. We'll discuss my progress on two major writing projects: a vampire novel set for submission and the fi...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of crafting unforgettable stories with JR Dawson, the brilliant mind behind "The First Bright Thing." In our latest episode of Craft Chat Chronicles, JR takes us on a journey from her humble beginnings writing short stories during her MFA at Stone Coast to landing a major publishing deal with Tor. Discover the resilience and determination it takes to f...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to transition from a high school English teacher to a vice president at a top literary agency? Susie Townsend shares her compelling story of uncertainty, bold moves, and serendipitous opportunities that led her to New Leaf Literary and Media. You'll uncover her insights on the publishing industry's inner workings, from managing a plethora of a...

Send us Fan Mail Ever had a friend steal your kidney story? Neither had we until we dove into the notorious "Bad Art Friend" literary scandal that rocked the writing world. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, we unpack what happens when writer friendships go spectacularly wrong—and why creative relationships can be both essential lifelines and potential minefields. The publishing journ...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how to captivate an agent’s attention with your manuscript? Join us for an enlightening conversation with award-winning historical fiction author Amy K Runyan on this episode of Craft Chat Chronicles. Amy shares her invaluable insights on avoiding common pitfalls in student writing, establishing clear communication with MFA program instructors, and the art of craftin...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to transform rejection letters into a publishing triumph? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as Shalini Abeysekara shares her inspiring journey from facing countless rejections to celebrating the success of her debut novel "This Monster of Mine." Shalini unveils the secrets behind balancing a demanding legal career with her passion for writing,...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a childhood love for storytelling can transform into a successful writing career? Join us as we sit down with USA Today bestselling author Eliza Knight, who takes us on a journey from her early passion for writing to becoming a celebrated historical fiction novelist. Eliza shares invaluable insights from her educational background in journalism and family studies...

Send us Fan Mail Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" has captivated audiences with its fresh take on vampire mythology set against the racially charged backdrop of 1930s Mississippi. This Southern Gothic tale follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack (both masterfully portrayed by Michael B. Jordan) as they return home to open a juke joint, only to encounter supernatural forces that mirror the ver...

Send us Fan Mail The supernatural world of vampires has captivated audiences for generations, but how these stories represent Black characters reveals much about our evolving cultural consciousness. In this thought-provoking episode, we dissect three influential vampire shows through a craft and representation lens, tracking a remarkable evolution from tokenism to authentic storytelling. Starting...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it’s like to face a life-threatening illness in a foreign country during a global pandemic? Join us for a conversation with debut author Robin Allison Davis, who shares her deeply personal journey of living in Paris while battling cancer. Robin gives us a window into the complexities and emotional toll of navigating the French healthcare system as an American ex...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Craft Chat Chronicles , hosted by J.D. Myall, we’re excited to bring you a dynamic Debut Author Panel featuring some of the most promising new voices in literature: Arriel Vinson, M.C. Benner Dixon, Shalini Abeysekara, Dami Salako, Jill Tew, and Ashley Jordan. Join us as these authors share their journeys from manuscript to publication, offering a rare glimpse i...

Send us Fan Mail Every writer knows the paralyzing feeling of staring at a blank page, unable to move forward. But what if writer's block isn't actually about your skills or talent? In this candid conversation, we unpack the surprising truth: most writing blocks stem from anxiety, self-doubt, and the notorious imposter syndrome rather than any lack of ability. Our panel of writers shares...

Send us Fan Mail What if the loss of a dear friend could spark a new beginning that transforms the literary landscape for Black authors? Join us in this heartfelt episode as we welcome Beatrice Winifred Eicher, Chelsea Gayden, and Jill Tu, the dynamic team behind the Afro Knots podcast, which began as a tribute to their late friend KL Bird and flourished into a supportive community for Black write...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how to seamlessly transition from corporate life to becoming a successful author? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with debut author Rebecca Dazenbaker, who shares her incredible journey from professional photographer to YA novelist. You'll discover her unique social media strategies for platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and pick up practical t...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the inaugural episode of "A Writer's Journey," where we peel back the curtain on the creative process with honesty, humor, and heart. Co-hosts JD Myall, Jay Marie, and Mo kick off this series by sharing their personal paths to becoming writers—from childhood escapes into imagination to formal education and professional milestones. What begins as a simple...

Send us Fan Mail Could your next favorite children's book be waiting inside this episode? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with the incredibly talented author and editor Hena Khan. From a childhood immersed in storytelling to an inspiring career in public health, Hena reveals the pivotal moments that led her to write for children. Discover how a chance opportunity at Scholastic...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the secrets behind captivating storytelling with debut author Veronica Bane in this episode of Craft Chat Chronicles. Veronica shares her inspiring transition from ghostwriting in adult romance to unveiling her young adult debut novel, "Difficult Girls." She opens up about the challenges and triumphs of balancing her writing career with her role as a high school...

Send us Fan Mail How did a script editor in the UK television and film industry transform into a best-selling author? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with Holly Race, the remarkable mind behind the debut adult fantasy novel "Six of Crowns." Holly takes us on her riveting journey, candidly discussing her tumultuous transition from script editing to writing, including the c...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to captivating storytelling lies not just in creativity but in the rigorous study of literature? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we uncover the journey of an emerging author, who turned an unexpected collaboration with an agent in 2020 into a successful debut with Little Brown. Our guest takes us through the joys and challenges of traditional publishing, sharin...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could transform setbacks into a launching pad for success? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Ladarian Williams, the debut author behind the best-selling novel "Blood at the Roots." Ladarian takes us on his journey from the small town of Helena, Alabama, to the bustling streets of Los Angeles, sharing how his early passions in theater and the hurdle...

Send us Fan Mail Disney author Emma Theriault is here to share the captivating journey behind her debut novel, Rebel Rose. Join us as she recounts the unexpected creative freedom she experienced while working on this Disney IP project set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. From the exhilarating highs of signing with her first agent in 2016 to the unique challenges of debuting during th...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to turn a childhood passion for stories into a published novel? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with debut author Jamie D'Amato also known as J.L. D'Amato to discuss her journey to bringing "The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends" to life. Jamie's delightful and humorous gay vampire rom-com embodie...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a former clown from Ringling Brothers transitions to writing a Joker graphic novel for DC Comics? Join us on this episode of Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with Kimberly Latrice Jones, a New York Times bestselling author and NAACP Image Award nominee. From her early ambitions of becoming a picture book author to co-writing a novel inspired by the civil unre...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how fan fiction could pave the way to a bestselling author career? Tune into this inspiring double episode of Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with the multifaceted Denny S. Bryce, who transitioned from running a PR and marketing firm to becoming a celebrated author and faculty member at Drexel University. Denny takes us through her early days writing "Buffy...