PLOT TWIST

Soman and Victoria consider whether authors themselves have become part of the book package in the new content economy. Also they discuss how to find the best agent for your book and if it’s possible to switch genres after having success. Soman wants to go back to the farm, and Victoria is ready for a writers’ retreat. Theme of the Week (05:47) Goals of the Week (10:44) Industry Nonsense (26:55)&n...

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 present their radically different philosophies on book tour — and debate which one is better. Also they answer questions about physical appearance in books and fantasy contraceptives (really). Soman wants to teleport back to 1997, and Victoria wants Americans to get better at striking. Theme of the Week (04:50) Goals of the Week (15:46) Industry Nonsense (28:55)  Reader Mai...

Soman and Victoria tackle one of the most controversial questions looming over every artistic medium. Also they talk about when you should copyright your work and how to find the right freelance editor or consultant. S is finishing a chapter of his new fantasy novel post-YOUNG WORLD, and Victoria wants to go Soman Mode. Show notes Theme of the Week (02:56) Goals of the Week (10:33) Industry Nonsen...

Soman and Victoria find the thin line between con and artist. Also they debate their favorite couples in literature and how to figure out if a literary agent is credible. Victoria is buckling up for her European tour, and Soman wants to be Nomi from Showgirls.  Theme of the Week (02:40) Goals for the Week (15:15) Industry Nonsense (28:28)  Reader Mailbag (44:42) Plot Twists in Real Life...

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 debate the line between fandom and parasocial relationships, not just between authors and fans but also between authors. Plus, they try to determine when it’s time to take your artistic career “seriously” and if authors should be thinking about TV and film adaptations while writing. V has thoughts turning fanfic into original novels, and Soman wants to coach a college tennis tea...

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Soman’s next book, YOUNG WORLD, is available for preorder with an insanely cool preorder gift. This week, Victoria and Soman discuss how the book became Soman’s mad-quest Noah’s Ark – and what to expect from his neon-color, mixed-media, genre-buster. You can pre-order YOUNG WORLD at: revoltingyouth.org . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Soman and Victoria wonder whether an artist can overproduce, using TSwift as a case study. Also they break down the art of writing transition scenes and how to decide on what POV to use. Victoria has to clean her office and Soman wants kids to know about life before smart phones. Theme of the Week (03:50) Goals for the Week (12:01) Industry Nonsense (28:34)  Reader Mailbag(47:26) Plot Twists...

Title: Can You Handle The Truth About Your Work? (Taylor’s Version) Soman and Victoria debate whether we’ve gotten too soft in how we handle feedback, both on and off the page. Also they discuss whether or not an author needs a college degree and if publishers are responsible for policing plagiarism. Soman is about to start the YOUNG WORLD preorder campaign and Victoria wants to make sure you aren...

Soman and Victoria discuss whether good writing is nature or nurture. Also they discuss when is the right time to reach out to agents and how to avoid cliches.  Victoria has a lot of errands to run, and Soman wants publishers to bid for writers like AI companies do for researchers. Show notes Theme of the Week (02:45) Goals for the Week (10:28) Industry Nonsense (21:13)  Reader Mailbag(4...

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...

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...

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 discuss whether being physically attractive helps an author get ahead. Also they talk about world building in writing and how they react to being recognized in public. Soman is trying to level-up his tennis and Victoria wants a movie about the Blue Angels. Show notes Theme of the Week (01:26) Goals for the Week (11:04) Industry Nonsense (22:02)  Reader Mailbag(40:20) Plot T...

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. Show notes Theme of the Week (02:46) Goals for the Week (12:33) Industry Nonsense (20:06)  Reader Mailbag (35:05) Plot Twists...

Soman and Victoria discuss the pros and cons of having public profiles and get surprisingly emotional. Also they talk about how to sell a book as a debut author and how to craft the buzziest plot twists. Soman is planning a trip to London to meet the British publishing team for YOUNG WORLD and Victoria just wants *one* better news cycle.  Theme of the Week (21:51) Goals for the Week (14:02) I...

Soman and Victoria discuss whether literary fiction will survive over the next several decades. Also they talk about the differences between a good editor and a bad one, and what they plan to write next. Victoria is trying to figure out what to do with her visiting family, and Soman thinks it’s time for a talk with Usha Vance. Theme of the Week (02:14) Goals for the Week (15:19) Industry Nonsense...

Soman and Victoria discuss the difference between career and hobby authors. Also they discuss how to decide what ideas to write next and if they plan to write spin-offs of their old books. Soman is trying to find a new routine, and Victoria wants to hear less about rats. Theme of the Week (02:01) Goals for the Week (15:05) Industry Nonsense (12:25)  Reader Mailbag (28:16) Plot Twists in...

Soman and Victoria discuss whether they, or anyone, would read a book generated by AI. Also they discuss their editing process and how they balanced writing back when they had day jobs. Victoria talks about wanting her ‘yoga journey’ to start this week and Soman just wants planes to be checked for problems BEFORE he gets on them. Theme of the Week (02:58) Goals for the Week (07:13) Industry Nonsen...

Soman and Victoria discuss whether social media and algorithms are making them less authentic. Also they fantasize about their perfect work day and talk about turning haters into fans. Soman talks about all the little pieces of YOUNG WORLD coming together, and Victoria just wants her printer to work.   Theme of the Week (02:35) Goals for the Week (11:32) Industry Nonsense (20:01)  R...

Soman and Victoria cover the new 'spice' industry and try to find the line of sexual content in YA versus adult work, and what really makes a book “for adults.” Plus how much input authors get on their covers, whether they prefer drafting or editing, Victoria's ongoing dilemma of whether TEMPEST draft is one book or two, and Soman's dream of a Wimbledon wild card. Theme of the Week (06:00) Go...

Victoria and Soman discuss the boundaries of plagiarism, plus the pros and cons of having a traditional publisher and how to tell if a book festival is worth going to. They also introduce their new novels, how they met, their goals and themes for the week, plus plot twists they want to see in real life! Theme of the Week (12:30) Goals for the Week (20:43) Industry Nonsense (26:48)  Reader Mai...

Don't miss the first episode of PLOT TWIST, coming June 12th wherever you get your podcasts! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.