Third Person POV: A Writing Group

This week, Kim is joined by J.A. Hemingway, author of The Secret of the Book Keeper and The Enemy of the Book Keeper. She has had the intense pleasure of being able to tell a publisher "No!" after they accepted her debut novel, and went on to self-publish—a favorite topic on this podcast.  She and Kim talk about their critique group (Kim's cheating on us!), and the benefits they've both seen from...

Back to what we do! Give feedback, build each other up, tear each other down, and make each other better writers! This episode heralds the end of Tyler's debut novel, and the first full book the group has gone through (not all on the podcast). All the pieces have a little bit of magic, a good bit of mayhem, even a few monsters.

Meet the author of the Kilenya Chronicles, Mosaic Chronicles, and the Koven Chronicles, a marketing master, and JC's good friend: Andrea Pearson.  She and JC talk about how authors can be successful financially and creatively as they "catch the bug" for writing. Also, some of her bad experiences with writing groups. Who knew that could happen? It's a good one, folks! 

Our community panel at Gem State Comic Con went swimmingly! Great audience, great co-hosts, great critique session! If this was your first exposure to us, we're a writing group that records our sessions and talks about writing craft and all sorts of other rabbit trails.  Find the co-hosts on: →JC Bybee at https://jcbybee.com/ →Grey Alder at https://greyalderbooks.com/ →Tyler Hess on his blog: http...

Learning from a master. Enjoy this interview with Paul Regnier, author of fantasy, sci-fi, middle grade, and many other genres! Find Paul at https://open.spotify.com/show/7ksgpaqWmCVPZNbEekGyrl          and https://www.pauljregnier.com/books

This week, all four members of the Third Person POV writers group bring new material to the table. From magical libraries and living books to haunted forests, mysterious murders, and the penultimate section of a debut novel, the group offers feedback, theories, and plenty of writing advice. Topics include fantasy subgenres, worldbuilding, character tension, magic systems, and crafting mysteries th...

Check out our latest author spotlight! Author, editor, writing conference coordinator extraordinaire. Tristi Pinkston talks to JC Bybee about her publishing journey, the first story she ever wrote, and her time in "the finest writers' group on the planet." Maybe it was at the time, Tristi, but that spot is taken by us now! Check out Tristi's many, many books at http://www.tristipinkston.com/

In this episode, our troupe learns a valuable lesson about giving critical feedback.  Find the co-hosts on: →JC Bybee at https://jcbybee.com/ →Grey Alder at https://greyalderbooks.com/ →Tyler Hess on his blog: https://hesstylerblog.com/ →And Kim Reid on Instagram @kimjoyreid

You know him, you love him, but did you know.... Get the greatest scoop on the internet, Grey Alder's interview with the one and only JC Bybee.  Everything from his inspirations as a writer to what superpowers he'd choose. Enjoy the witty banter between two writers, and let us know who else we need to interview in the comments!

In this episode, we talk through the writing tools we use, how we give feedback, and how much structure actually helps when drafting a novel. Along the way, we critique chapters dealing with action scenes, character motivation, pacing, consequences, and the problem of a protagonist who may be too reactive. Find the co-hosts on: →JC Bybee at https://jcbybee.com/ →Grey Alder at https://greyalderbook...

Our first-ever Author Spotlight is here! Tyler sits down with Keelin Shafer, author of the Magical Regency Romance series and the upcoming En Garde, to talk writing, creativity, publishing hopes, and the challenge of juggling all the roles an author has to play. The current plan is for an Author Spotlight episode to come out every week. Let us know which authors you'd like to see! Find Keelin at h...

This week, Third Person POV gets into villain presence, divine intuition, Regency dialogue, hidden spellbooks, the Wild Hunt, and the eternal question of whether writers should outline or just let the chaos goblin drive! Join us at Gem State Comic Con on May 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM for our community panel. We're excited to see you there! Get your tickets here https://sendfox.com/trk/click/096dgk4x/vk...

In this episode, we welcome Kim Reid, author of an up-and-coming tale with ink-based magic and a vivid protagonist already embroiled in theater drama. The other guys' pieces are OK, as usual. Kim also talks to us about what it's like to work with a developmental editor.  Join us at Gem State Comic Con on May 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM for our community panel. We're excited to see you there! Get your tic...

Episode 9 starts with news about our live Gem State Comic-Con panel, then gets straight into the pain: Jesse’s superhero procedural gets its long-awaited visceral fight scene, Gray’s fantasy chapter raises questions about intent, monsters, and emotional payoff, and Tyler’s submission brings cursed tomes, faerie intrigue, and a dream that may be more real than it seems. We close with one of our bes...

Sink your teeth into this LIVE show we did to prepare for our panel at the Gem State Comic Con (Garden City, ID on May 15th, be there or be square). We talk a lot more about what it means to be in a writing group and do short critiques on some new pieces we each wrote for the occasion.

This week, we critique chapters, argue about half measures, talk ourselves into and out of bad metaphors, and somehow end up discussing print costs, fantasy word counts, and the books that made us writers in the first place. If you’ve ever wanted to sit in on a real writers group meeting, this is the chaos for you. Find the co-hosts on: →JC Bybee at https://jcbybee.com/ →Grey Alder at https://grey...

In this episode of Third Person POV, the group dives into a mix of dark fantasy, paranormal mystery, and superhero storytelling as they critique each other’s latest chapters. Along the way, they talk character motivation, plot progression, worldbuilding, and the value of honest feedback—plus a few rabbit trails, laughs, and writerly tangents.

In this episode of Third-Person POV, the group digs into three very different fiction submissions and ends up in a bigger conversation about what makes characters actually work. They talk through a tense conflict scene between allies, a flashback chapter that unlocks major emotional backstory, and a magic-heavy chapter balancing action with exposition. Along the way, they get into character motiva...

Three writers work through camera glitches and exhaustion to bring you a stellar writer's group session. They talk craft, razz and raise each other, and get into the nitty gritty of that age-old problem that all writers have experienced: blockage. Find the co-hosts on: →JC Bybee on jcbybee.com →Grey Alder on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/greyalder/p/the-shipwrecked?utm_campaign=post&...

In Episode 4, the group critiques three works-in-progress—JC’s Technomancer (Jessica/Darren/Eve), Tyler’s first Layla POV, and Gray’s chapter on the Tangled Man’s Throat and a looming blood feud—then zooms out to talk feedback: beta readers vs editors, finding trusted readers, and taking critique without getting defensive. Find the co-hosts on: →JC Bybee at https://jcbybee.com/ →Grey Alder on Subs...

So, how do you give feedback? How should you act when you receive it? Your book is your baby; it can be hard to be chill while someone rips it apart in front of your eyes. That's why you need a really great writing group. In this episode, three writers show what an effective critique session looks like. They balance razzing and targeted feedback with laughter and encouragement. If you're trying im...

So, how do you give feedback? How should you act when you receive it? Your book is your baby; it can be hard to be chill while someone rips it apart in front of your eyes. That's why you need a really great writing group. In this episode, three writers show what an effective critique session looks like. They balance razzing and targeted feedback with laughter and encouragement. If you're trying im...

Dear Writer, giving and receiving feedback can be hard. Haven't you ever wished you could watch someone else's writing group to see how they do it? In this pilot episode, three writers show what an effective critique session looks like. They balance razzing and targeted feedback with laughter and encouragement. If you're trying improve your writing craft, or form your own writing group, this is th...