The Happy Writer with Marissa Meyer

In this bonus episode, Marissa chats with Bethanie Finger, founder and host of the Prince Kai Fan Pod - a Marissa Meyer book club podcast! Bethanie asks Marissa questions as submitted by her listeners and Patreon subscribers. Topics include the cliffhanger at the end of Supernova, Iko's original demise as per early drafts of Cinder, Captain Thorne's Soap Revolution, and the current scoop...

Marissa chats with Danielle Younge-Ullman about her newest YA contemporary - HE MUST LIKE YOU - as well as tackling Big Issues in our books with humor and levity, writing YA and kidlit with one's own children and teenagers in mind, and the role authors can play when it comes to enacting social change. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or bu...

Marissa chats with Lish McBride about her upcoming Beauty and the Beast retelling, CURSES, as well as how stand-up comedy helped Lish cultivate her humor-writing skills, the influence of supportive teachers, how going through tough times can make us more creatively resilient, and some tips for how writers can make a good impression at book signings - even if no one shows up! Books discussed in thi...

Marissa chats with Sara Elizabeth Santana about her re-released zombie duology: THE AWAKENED and THE SANCTUARY, as well as commissioning cover art, the wonderfully supportive self-publishing community, parallels between writing and training for a half-marathon, and how it feels to launch a book about a pandemic... in the midst of a pandemic. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from yo...

Marissa chats with Lori M. Lee about her YA fantasy FOREST OF SOULS, as well as awesome book trailers, a shared appreciation for R.L. Stine, and the increasing amount of cultural representation in fantasy literature as a result of the We Need Diverse Books movement. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer books...

For The Happy Writer's first ever bonus writing craft episode, Marissa chats with friend, author, and long-term critique partner Tamara Moss (LINTANG AND THE PIRATE QUEEN) about: Worldbuilding! From maps to politics, trade industries to natural resources, Tamara breaks down her in-depth approach to constructing complex fantasy worlds. Also discussed are some of our favorite worldbuilding reso...

Marissa chats with Julie Kagawa about her newest trilogy, THE SHADOW OF THE FOX, as well as baking disasters, fascinating and bizarre creatures from Japanese folklore, the power of keeping a daily word quota, and... anime! Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstore...

Marissa chats with Robyn Schneider about her newest contemporary YOU DON'T LIVE HERE, as well as the #OwnVoices movement, being more open on social media, lots of love for Oscar Wilde, and... the SECRET-secret menu at In-N-Out Burger.    Also mentioned: JoinCampaignZero.org as one option for those wanting to support the Black Lives Matter movement, and this list of Black-owned bookstore acros...

Marissa and special co-host Thalia Westland chat with V.E. Schwab about her forthcoming novel THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE, as well as the impact a beautiful quote can have on readers, the wonderful nostalgia of Scholastic book fairs, and how it takes many books to build a career. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from th...

Marissa chats with Sarvenaz Tash and Sarah Skilton about their co-written romance GHOSTING: A LOVE STORY (aka MISMATCHED IN MANHATTAN in the UK), as well as the comfort we get from classic rom-com tropes and the many delights (and a few pitfalls) of co-writing a book together. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy W...

Marissa chats with Phil Stamper about his debut novel, THE GRAVITY OF US, as well as using social media as a platform for change and writing realistic characters on the spectrum between "good" and "bad." Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstor...

Marissa chats with Sajni Patel about her debut romance THE TROUBLE WITH HATING YOU and her forthcoming young adult contemporary THE KNOCKOUT, as well as writing bold, headstrong characters and the important role that mouthwatering food descriptions can play in our books. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer...

Marissa chats with Stephanie Garber about her bestselling Caraval Trilogy, as well as persevering through lots of rejection and using Pinterest to inspire lush imagery and descriptive details. (And also one teeny, tiny hint about the Rumor Project.) Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (th...

Marissa chats with Jamie Pacton about her YA debut THE LIFE AND MEDIEVAL TIMES OF KIT SWEETLY, as well as badass women throughout history and how books can change the world… or at least dinner theater. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://booksho...

Marissa chats with Abigail Hing Wen about her debut novel LOVEBOAT, TAIPEI, as well as how being vulnerable can bring us closer to other people, and sticking with a book you love even after 26(!) drafts. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://books...

Marissa chats with Ngozi Ukazu about her new graphic novel CHECK, PLEASE! vol. 2: STICKS AND SCONES, as well as the role fandom can serve in increasing our joy and creativity, and sticking with projects you love despite the fear that no one will ever read them. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.o...

Marissa chats with Mary Weber about her new novel, TO BEST THE BOYS, as well as some truly emotional interactions with readers and how connecting with a writing community is its own form of self-care. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop...

Marissa chats with June Hur about her debut novel, THE SILENCE OF BONES, as well as using placeholder chapters while on deadline, and how living your life can serve as an antidote to the fear of rejection. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://boo...

Marissa chats with Caleb Roehrig about his new book A WEREWOLF IN RIVERDALE and his upcoming paranormal THE FELL OF DARK, as well as his process for outlining mysteries and how to breathe new life into old projects. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at h...

Marissa chats with Roshani Chokshi on her new books THE GILDED WOLVES and ARU SHAH AND THE TREE OF WISHES, as well as the importance of self-care (especially in quarantine) and the infinite potential of retelling fairy tales. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookst...

Marissa chats with Corry L. Lee about her debut fantasy novel WEAVE THE LIGHTNING, as well as building a system of magic and what we can learn from having to rewrite an entire manuscript. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/mar...

Marissa chats with Elizabeth Eulberg about her newest books, PAST PERFECT LIFE and SHELBY HOLMES AND THE HAUNTED HOUND, as well as the importance of dance parties, celebrating each book, and why it's okay to have bad writing days. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits in...

Marissa chats with Intisar Khanani on her new book, THORN, as well as the peculiarities of The Goose Girl fairy tale, writing mighty girl characters, and the impact generosity can have on our own happiness. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bo...

Marissa chats with Sandhya Menon on her new book, OF CURSES AND KISSES, as well as her famous "plotting wall" and writing the first draft for yourself. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer The Happy Writer...

In this inaugural episode, I talk to Jessica Brody about her new book, BETWEEN BURNING WORDS, promotion techniques during the COVID-19 pandemic, the benefit of tracking your moods, and the "Yes, And" technique for co-writing. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits in...