Literary Blend: A Publishing Podcast

Wow, you are in for a real treat with chapter thirty-eight. J.K. Raymond joined me on the show to talk about overcoming barriers as an author. This vulnerable and honest conversation speaks for itself, so I invite you to hit play and enjoy. No matter what you’re facing in your life, please remember you’re not alone. If you would like to connect with J.K. and check out her work, head over to her we...

Today, I’m delighted to bring you chapter thirty-seven of Literary Blend with Riley Kilmore all about maintaining authorial authenticity in a commercial market. During our chat, we covered writing authentic characters, achieving a deep point of view, writing genres and age categories that feel natural, keeping marketability in mind, working with editors, being receptive to feedback, and more. I ca...

Happy Fall Equinox! Today is the perfect day to share chapter thirty-six of Literary Blend with Diane Billas on creating a writing ritual. From working on manuscripts during a certain time of day and changing up writing locations to creating a writing-work balance and beyond, Diane and I covered it all. I hope our conversation inspires you to create your own writing ritual as you make fabulous pro...

Wow, I have a truly fantastic chapter for you today. Author and trauma therapist Danielle Render Turmaud joined me for chapter thirty-five to cover mental health and the querying process. We talked about querying through psychological and biological lenses, bringing a research-based flare to how querying affects mental health. I can’t thank Danielle enough for coming on the show and sharing her wi...

We have made it to chapter thirty-four of the show, and wow, it’s a fun one. Kate Pockett, who is one of the co-owners of PopUpPit, joined me to cover Twitter pitch events. From crafting pitches and following rules to having the right author mindset while participating in events, our conversation has it all. Pitch events occur frequently, so I hope my chat with Kate helps you prepare for the next...

Do you think research is fun? If not, I bet chapter thirty-three of Literary Blend will change your mind. I’m delighted to share my conversation with Ian Tan about research and realism. We talked about the importance of research, pulling real-world elements into fantastical stories, crafting immersive and realistic settings, and so much more. No matter what genre you write, research and realism ar...

Okay, friends, it’s time for a mini business class, but don’t worry, it’s a fun one. I’m delighted to bring you chapter thirty-two of the show with Emily Rae on building an author platform. From talking about the benefits of having an author platform to advice for creating a website and social media presence, we covered it all. I hope our conversation gives you the tools you need to build your own...

Talking about podcasts on a podcast is a real plot twist, if you ask me. I’m so excited to share my conversation with Michelle Glogovac for chapter thirty-one on landing podcast interviews as an author. During our chat, we discussed why podcast interviews are important for authors, tips for a recording setup, advice for pitching to podcasts, what to do after episodes are released, and more. If you...

Are you dreaming about writing your new book? If so, same here, but dreaming won’t make it a reality. You have to grab your pen and paper or put your fingers on the keyboard and write the story. I’m over the moon to share chapter thirty of the show with Mitra De Souza on tackling first drafts. Our conversation is packed with insights and advice, from going from a blank page to a finished draft. I...

Chapter twenty-nine of Literary Blend is a special and vulnerable one. I’m so glad Heather Kays joined me on the show to talk about healing through writing. We had a very open conversation about the healing power of writing, from fictionalizing past trauma to turning to our craft as a way to escape. I truly hope you love listening to our conversation and that it brings you comfort and reminds you...

Thank you for flipping the page to chapter twenty-eight. This is an important one with Ciara Smith about diversity in publishing. From talking about the publishing business and querying to diverse representation in books, we covered it all. I can’t thank Ciara enough for joining me on the show to tackle this topic, and I hope our conversation gives you a glimpse into diversity in publishing. Are y...

Okay, cover your eyes. Hey, don’t peek! Fine, you can peek. I’m beyond excited to share chapter twenty-seven of Literary Blend with Stephanie Henson on a peek into picture books. We talked about the picture book market, specific PB elements, working with an illustrator, and much more. It was a true delight having Stephanie on the show for such an insightful conversation, so I hope you learn lots a...

Do you write short stories? If so, have you ever considered creating a collection? I’m delighted to share my insightful conversation with Michael Goodwin Hilton for chapter twenty-six of the show on crafting a short story collection. Michael’s debut short story collection, What the Statue Thinks, was published by Wild Ink Publishing, so he has first-hand experience with this topic. From discussing...

Here we go, friends. We have reached chapter twenty-five of Literary Blend with Carey Blankenship-Kramer about writing for the middle grade audience. Whether you write for this age category or are simply interested in gaining industry knowledge, this conversation is for you. Carey and I covered tips for writing middle grade and things to avoid, the difference between lower MG and upper MG, word co...

Okay, friends, it’s time to get deep into craft, but don’t worry, this isn’t English class. Christine Goss and I sat down to cover line level writing in a super entertaining way for chapter twenty-four of the show. Whether you are drafting or revising, being aware of certain things on the line level can really elevate your writing and make it immersive for readers. I can’t thank Christine enough f...

Is your story plot driven? Is it character driven? What if it’s a secret third thing and both plot and character driven? I’m delighted to share chapter twenty-three of Literary Blend with Bethany Hensel on braiding plot and character. From covering how plot and characterization work together to breaking down the ways a character’s beliefs, values, surface pain, and deep pain are woven with the plo...

Hey, you. Yes, you. If you’re a plotter, put your hand up! If you’re not, that’s perfectly okay, because you’ll get a chance to learn about this writing style. I’m delighted Megan Davidhizar joined me for chapter twenty-two to cover the plotter approach to writing. We talked about techniques for plotting a novel, the pros and cons of this approach, asking ourselves why we made the choices we did w...

Here we go, friends, it’s time to talk about revising our stories. My best friend, Jessica Lee Minneci, and I sat down for chapter twenty-one to give you a glimpse into revision. We chatted about why revision is an essential part of the writing process, receiving and applying feedback, our revision tips and tricks, and much more. Oh, and we briefly touched on the mysterious power water has to help...

Woohoo, we have made it to chapter twenty of the show, and what a wonderful one it is! I’m beyond delighted Arianna Siddiqui joined me for a highly entertaining and insightful conversation about staying organized as an author. From deadlines and boundaries to writing schedules and more, Arianna and I cover it all. Also, prepare yourself for lots of laughs along the way. I hope our conversation pro...

Have you started to write a novel a few times but never finished one? Are you halfway through your manuscript and struggling to reach the end? If so, my conversation with Bruce Buchanan for chapter nineteen on committing to writing a novel is for you. From covering common barriers for writing a book to sharing advice for how to keep making forward progress, this chat is packed with tips, insights,...

It’s time to put on your editing hat! Kesia Lupo joined me on the show for chapter eighteen on being an editorial agent. During our conversation, we talked about the skills necessary to be an editor, what the life of an editorial agent looks like, preparing projects for submission, common issues in manuscripts that need to be addressed in revisions, and so much more. It was a true delight having K...

The publishing journey continues with a trip down the internship path to agenting. I’m delighted Esty Loveing-Downes joined me for chapter seventeen to share the steps she took to becoming a literary agent. Internships are a fabulous way to get your foot in the publishing door. Whether you’re interested in a career as a literary agent or simply curious about this path, I hope you find this convers...

Welcome to the query trenches, my friends. For chapter sixteen, Ann Rose joined me on the show to discuss querying from the agent perspective. From manuscript wishlists to offering on projects, Ann and I covered the whole process. If you have ever wanted a peek behind the curtain into what querying is like on the agent side, this conversation is for you. I’m so honored Ann sat down with me for thi...

Perseverance is a core quality that is essential for publishing success. I couldn’t be more delighted to share my fabulous chat with Dana Hawkins for chapter fifteen on the power of perseverance. Chasing publishing dreams is an emotional roller coaster ride, so it takes strength to keep pushing forward. I hope my conversation with Dana reminds you that you’re not alone and gives you valuable tips...

The literary adventure continues with chapter fourteen of the show. Cassidy Jackson and I sat down to cover why it’s important to read as a writer. Reading has so many benefits, from supporting other authors and staying on top of the current market to developing craft and beyond. Cassidy and I packed so much into our chat, so I hope it inspires you to embrace the importance of reading as a writer....