Way-Word Writers Podcast

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer talk with Leyla Erkan, Acquiring Editor at Christy Ottaviano Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. Leyla shares insights into her journey from an editorial assistant to acquiring editor, her passion for various genres, and her thoughts on the role of literary merit versus commerci...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer discuss the intricacies of the acquisitions process in trade publishing. They offer a detailed walkthrough of what happens after a manuscript is submitted, including the roles of agents and editors, the significance of second reads, and editorial team reviews. The hosts share their pe...

Send us a text A quick informational video all about Way-Word Writers' upcoming retreat! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waywordwriters.substack.com

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer chat with author Bethany Hegedus about her eight phases of the literary life. Bethany discusses her inspirations and the journey of launching the Courage to Create community. The episode delves into the different phases from 'dreamer' to 'the verge' to 'publis...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, senior literary agent Heather Cashman, along with authors and writing coaches Stephanie Bearce and Nicki Jacobsmeyer, welcomes author Bethany Hegedus. They discuss Hegedus's journey from New York to Austin, her founding of the Writing Barn, and her approach to fostering a vibrant writing community. Hegedus shares her experiences as a keynote...

Send us a text In this episode of 'Way-Word Writers,' hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome USA Today best-selling author Jennifer E. Hilt to discuss her work 'The Trope Thesaurus.' Jennifer shares her insights into why tropes are essential building blocks in storytelling, how they can be effectively utilized and developed, and addresses common...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer are joined by editor Kade Dishmon from Holiday House. The discussion delves into what publishers look for in authors, the significance of perseverance in writing, and the advantages and disadvantages of working with small to midsize publishers. Kade shares insights on the role of plat...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer sit down with author Meredith Tate to discuss her journey as a writer and explore common plotting pitfalls. Meredith shares her methods for plotting and character development, offers insights into balancing plot and character arcs, and discusses the challenges of writing across variou...

Send us a text In this episode of Way​-W​ord Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie B​e​arce, and Ni​cki Jacobsmeyer discuss strategies to improve time management for writers. They cover various methods such as time blocking, day theming, and the Pomodoro technique, share personal experiences, and highlight the importance of setting goals, creating routines, and maintaining flexibility. The hos...

Send us a text In this episode of Way​-​Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie B​e​arce, and Ni​cki Jacobsmeyer introduce Ines Johnson, an indie author specializing in reimagining fairy tales and folklore. The discussion explores Ines’s journey from screenwriting to self-publishing, and her success in contemporary and paranormal romance genres. Ines shares valuable insights on structuring...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome acclaimed historical fiction writer Pat Wahler. The discussion delves into Pat's journey from an avid reader and writer of fan fiction to an award-winning author. Pat shares insights on her writing process, the importance of joining writer groups, the pros and cons of tra...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome Amy Collins from Talcott Notch Literary Agency. Amy delves into the essential elements of writing a compelling novel synopsis, sharing her 17-question method and practical tips. The discussion covers the importance of character development, the necessity of including spoilers,...

Send us a text In this episode of 'Way-word Writers,' Nicki, Heather, and Stephanie discuss the vital role research plays in both fiction and nonfiction writing. They emphasize how research grounds a story in realism, enhancing the reader’s ability to suspend disbelief and making the story more compelling. Heather, an agent, shares how she can differentiate between well-researched work a...

Send us a text In this episode of Way​-w​ord Writers, senior literary agent Heather Cashman, and authors Stephanie Bierce and Nikki Jacobsmeyer discuss the importance of incorporating themes and layers into storytelling with award-winning author Jodi Feldman. Jodi shares her journey into writing, her thoughts on the evolution of her thematic approach, and provides practical advice on how to weave...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nikki Jacobsmeyer welcome author Sarah Angleton to discuss her journey into writing historical fiction. Sarah shares insights into her research process, the challenges of writing about real historical figures, and her experience with both traditional and self-publishing. They delve into the content of...

Send us a text In this episode of Wayward Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer discuss the compelling world of indie bookselling with Emily Schrone from Main Street Books in St. Charles, Missouri, and Mickey George, an author and bookseller at King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah. They engage in a lively conversation about the joys and challenges...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather and Nicki have an in-depth conversation with Parnaz Foroutan. Parnaz shares her journey from being an Iranian refugee to becoming an acclaimed author. She dives into the challenges and rewards of writing about her family's history, offering insights into the processes of research and storytelling. Highlighting the power of narr...

Send us a text In episode 25 of Way-word Writers, the hosts delve into the critical 'agent call' — a pivotal moment in a writer's career. They discuss the significance of the call, provide advice on preparation, and explore key questions to ask, such as the agent's style, experience, and communication preferences. The episode also includes insights on the agent's perspecti...

Send us a text On this episode of Way-Word Writers, Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer sit down with Jess Townes, a children's author and bookseller, to discuss the emotional arc in picture books. The conversation delves into how Jess crafts her stories, drawing inspiration from reading children's books and using her experiences and memories. Jess shares insights on...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, Nikki Jacobsmeyer, and author Brad R. Cook discuss the technique of story graphing with author Brad R. Cook. Brad shares his diverse background in writing—from playwriting and corporate writing to his role as a co-publisher and acquisitions editor. He explains how he transitioned to becoming a full-time wr...

Send us a text In this episode of Wayward Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nikki Jacobsmeyer are joined by the remarkable author Vicki Irwin. Vicki shares insights from her extensive experience in the book business, including her multiple roles in libraries, bookstores, and as a sales rep. She delves into her true crime writing journey, touching on her published works across v...

Send us a text In this episode of Wayward Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nikki Jacobsmeyer delve into the often avoided topic of money within the publishing industry. They emphasize that this conversation is not legal or financial advice, but rather an authentic discussion about the financial struggles authors face. They explore the differences in income between traditionall...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-w0rd Writers, hosts Heather Cashman and Stephanie Bearce interview Lisa Mangum, an accomplished author and editor at Shadow Mountain Publishing. Lisa shares her extensive experience in the publishing industry since 1997 and discusses her new book Write Fearless, Edit Smart, Get Published , a masterclass for fiction writers. The conversation delves into Lisa&ap...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, Kendra Levin, Editorial Director of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, discusses the challenges writers face in defining success and dealing with envy when peers achieve milestones. She shares insights on the importance of focusing on craft, finding a supportive community, and having interests outside of writing. Levin underscores the...

Send us a text In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather and Stephanie Bearce engage in an insightful discussion with Michelle Hauck, fantasy author and literary agent specializing in middle grade, young adult, and adult books. Michelle shares her expertise in world building, covering its importance across all genres, even contemporary settings without magical elements. She emphasizes the...