Writer, Writer, Pants On Fire

A roundup of the guests and topics for the month of October, as well as considering a question from a listener about writing in English when it's not the author's native language.  Article Link: How Do Bilingual Authors Choose to Write Their Stories? by Katya de Becerra Ad Links: Unwritten by Tara Gilboy Paper Hearts Writer's Workbook by Beth Revis

Today’s guest is Tara Gilboy who holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia, where she specialized in writing for children and young adults. Her middle grade novel, Unwritten, was published by Jolly Fish Press just this month. She teaches creative writing in San Diego Community College’s Continuing Education Program and for the PEN Writers in Prisons Pr...

Today’s guest is S Gonzales who writes Young Adult contemporary books with twisty plots and a generous dose of romance, featuring witty yet vulnerable characters. She joined me today to talk about landing her agent, Twitter contests, and balancing time difference while living in Australia and interacting with her American audience and publishing contacts. Also covered: Why publish with an initial...

Today’s guest is Sandra Gulland is an American-born Canadian novelist. She is the author of The Shadow Queen and Mistress of the Sun, novels set in the court of  Louis XIV , The Sun King, and a trilogy of novels based on the life of  Josephine Bonaparte : as well as The Game of Hope. A YA historical about Josephine’s daughter. Sandra joined me today to talk about how publishing has changed over ti...

Today’s guest is Katherine Locke, author of THE GIRL WITH THE RED BALLOON and the upcoming THE SPY WITH THE RED BALLOON.Katherine joined me today to talk about landing her agent, and how her process of drafting ignores the need to be perfect, putting that responsibility on the editing process. Also covered: data for writers – and why we might not want it anyway – and how Katherine approaches histo...

A roundup of this month's guests and topics, as well as my advice on how to grit your teeth and get the first draft down. Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes on Patreon Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me   Ad Links: Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby It’s a Wonderful Death By Sarah J. Schmitt 

Today’s guest is Lauren Gibaldi author of THE NIGHT WE SAID YES, AUTO FOCUS and THIS TINY PERFECT WORLD. Lauren is a public librarian who’s been, among other things, a magazine editor, high school English teacher, bookseller, and circus aerialist (seriously). She has a BA in Literature and Master’s in Library and Information Studies.  Lauren joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about landing her agen...

Support the podcast through Patreon for weekly writing advice, query and first page critiques, as well as exclusive episodes featuring agent and editor interviews. Visit our Patreon to learn more. Today’s guest is Kelly DeVos author of FAT GIRL ON A PLANE. Kelly holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Arizona State University. Her debut novel, FAT GIRL ON A PLANE is available now from Harlequin Teen...

Today’s guest is Megan Shepherd, author of THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER trilogy, THE CAGE Trilogy, THE SECRET HORSES OF BRIAR HILL and THE GRIM LOVELIES. Megan joined me to talk about her process, and how the spark of an idea can sometimes get lost during the execution. Also covered: writing trilogies versus standalones, and why dark stories appeal to us.  Links for Megan:  Site Twitter Facebook Instagra...

A roundup of the guests and topics for the month, and Mindy's advice on writing unlikeable characters. Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Become a Patron to Listen Ad-Free for Just $2.00 A Month   Ad Links: Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby  Midnight by Jeanna Armas

Today’s guest is Lamar Giles, a two-time Edgar Award finalist for his YA thrillers FAKE ID and ENDANGERED His third YA thriller, OVERTURNED received a glowing New York Times review . Lamar is a contributor to the YA anthology THREE SIDES OF A HEART and the editor of the forthcoming We Need Diverse Books YA short story anthology FRESH INK. Lamar joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the over conf...

Today’s guest is Jessica Verdi, author of the YA contemporary novels My Life After Now, The Summer I Wasn’t Me, What You Left Behind, as well as And She Was. Jess received her MFA in Writing for Children from The New School and is a freelance editor of romance, women’s fiction, chick lit, YA, and kid lit Jessica joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about querying a first novel, landing her agent, and...

Today’s guest is Lori Rader Day, winner of both the Mary Higgins Clark Award and the Anthony Award. Lori joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the work that goes into a novel before you ever query it, the benefits of joining professional writing organizations, as well as the moving rung of what we deem success after being published. Also covered: how genre writing can be looked down upon, and ho...

A roundup of the month's guest and topics, as well as advice from host Mindy McGinnis on how to self-edit, whittling down your word count when your manuscript has become bloated.  Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes on Patreon Support the Writer, Writer, Pants on Fire Go Fund Me Ad Links: Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby Tribute by Chris Knoblaugh

Today’s guest is Kit Frick, author of psychological thrillers for teens, as well as a poet and editor. Kit joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about not only the querying process, but the process of knowing her writing was ready to query – and how she got to that place, as well as how different structures can be illuminating for particular stories, and how those same structures are challenges to wri...

Today’s guest is Sara Crawford, the author of the YA novels WE OWN THE SKY and HURRY UP WE’RE DREAMING. She graduated in 2008 from Kennesaw State University with a B.A. in English and in 2012 from the University of New Orleans with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (emphasis in Playwriting). Currently, in addition to working as a freelance writer and internet marketer, she is also a creative writing p...

Today’s guest is Abigail Johnson, author of the YA contemporary titles EVEN IF I FALL, THE FIRST TO KNOW and IF I FIX YOU. She became a tetraplegic after breaking her neck in a car accident when she was seventeen, but hasn’t let that stop her from bodysurfing in Mexico, and becoming a published author. Abigail speaks with host Mindy McGinnis about the process of getting an agent, how branding can...

Today’s guest is Rachel Pudelek who joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about querying, the agent hunt, and how heavily trends impact both. Other topics inlcude common writing advice they both hate, as well as tempting the possibility of creative burnout when you write every day. Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes Links for Rachel: Site   Twitter Inst...

The June roundup episode features a rundown of this month's guests and topics, as well as a quick tutorial on word counts for all categories and genres of children's books. Jennifer Laughran's "Word Count Dracula" Become A Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes Support the Podcast Ad Links: Fat Girl On A Plane by Kelly DeVos Your Destination Is On The Left by Lauren Spieller

Today’s guest is Lauren Spieller debut author of YOUR DESTINATION IS ON THE LEFT, which releases from June 26th Lauren joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the querying process, how finding your people will keep your sane in the writing world, how a writing routine can be a good thing… or a bad thing, and the difference between writing on your own and writing on a contract. Also covered: life c...

Today’s guest is Natalie Richards author of the page turning thrillers SIX MONTHS LATER, ONE WAS LOST and WE ALL FALL DOWN. Nataile joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about landing an agent, the value of being active in writer’s organizations, and the complexities of author branding.  Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes Links for Natalie: Site Twitter...

Today’s guest is Sara Raasch author of the New York Times bestselling YA fantasy trilogy SNOW LIKE ASHES, and the upcoming STREAM RAIDERS series. Sara joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about how the concept for her SNOW LIKE ASHES series was originally something she worked on as a teenager, and how intensely personal books can be for the author. Also covered: how to market yourself as a debut auth...

A roundup of the months guests and topics, as well as some tips to help determine if your project is MG or YA. Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes   Ad Links: Fat Girl On A Plane by Kelly DeVos Doll Hearts by Colleen Clayton

Today’s guest is Bethany C. Morrow author of MEM releasing in May from Unnamed Press. Bethany graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in Sociology (but took notable detours in the Film and Theatre departments). Following undergrad, she studied Clinical Psychological Research at the University of Wales, in Great Britain before returning to North America to focus on her lit...

Today’s guest is Mindee Arnett author of THE NIGHTMARE AFFAIR series, the Sci Fi titles AVALON and POLARIS as well as the upcoming fantasy ONYX & IVORY. Mindee joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about rejection letters – both physical and by email – and realigning expectation with reality once you become published. Also covered: how being a mid-lister can be a benefit when it comes to genre jumping...