Writing and Editing

Send us Fan Mail Author Alex Grass stops by to discuss horror in short stories, the kinds of horror that can be streamlined instead of a full novel, and his secret way to create a fear-inducing ending in the first episode of the new bi-weekly schedule for the Writing and Editing podcast! ▬ Find out more about Alex and his upcoming appearances here: https://www.infernaltramps.com/about-author Check...

Send us Fan Mail Author and educator Lynn Austin discusses how she approached writing friendships at the core of her book, The Lumber Baron’s Wife , and how these friendships can empower us to be our true selves while also challenging us to grow every day. ▬ Learn more about Lynn's author journey here: https://lynnaustin.org/about-lynn-austin/ Peruse her latest line up of books : https://lynn...

Send us Fan Mail Author Tamera Alexander stops by to take a peek behind curtain of the real courage within the women's suffrage movement, how she was able to translate it into a story, and how this continues to impact us today. ▬ Find out more about Tamera on her website: https://tameraalexander.com/ Check out her catalogue of books : https://tameraalexander.com/books Follow more of Tamera&ap...

Send us Fan Mail Mountaineer, adventurer, and author Tom French discusses how he transformed his life experiences into a thrilling memoir, giving tips and behind-the-scenes knowledge on how you can do the same. ▬ Learn more about Tom's fascinating adventures on his website: https://tomfrenchauthor.com/ Discover everything with your own copy of The Gap Years: https://tomfrenchauthor.com/books/...

Send us Fan Mail Psychiatrist, author, and speaker Justin C. Key stops in to discuss world building for near-future science fiction stories, as well as what the increasing use of AI means for sci-fi novelists and the rest of the world alike. ▬ Find more of Justin's insights on his website: https://www.justinckey.com/ Grab your own copy of his latest gripping collection, The World Wasn't...

Send us Fan Mail Author J.A. Merkel is on this week to discuss using AI in storytelling, why it has more drawbacks than benefits, and the secret ingredient that AI-generated stories are missing compared to their human-made counterparts. ▬ Learn more about J.A.'s own story on his website: https://jamerkel.com/about-ja-merkel/ Get your copy of The Forth Portal and his other riveting stories her...

Send us Fan Mail Artist, illustrator, and art director Emil Wilson is here this week to discuss the beauty of graphic novels, the fickleness of memory, and to pass on wisdom that could help change your perspective to achieve your goals. ▬ Peruse Emil's website and check out his comics: https://emilwilsonart.com/ Check out some of his other illustration work and preorder a copy of The Nighting...

Send us Fan Mail Author and public speaker Stephanie Mack stops by to talk about her latest novel,  Twenty Something Else , how she was able to explore her main character's past while also experiencing personal growth in the present, and why weaving together these elements made her story stronger. ▬ Check out Stephanie's website: https://www.stephaniemack.com/ See what the buzz is about...

Send us Fan Mail Historian, author, and returning guest Roseanna White is back to discuss having main characters who don't follow the usual hero archetype while also sharing an intriguing insight into the history of espionage. ▬ Stop by Roseanna's website: https://www.roseannamwhite.com/ Find your next read in her catalogue: https://www.roseannamwhite.com/books Learn all sorts of fascina...

Send us Fan Mail Author Jenelle Hovde returns to discuss her newest book,  The Light of Stars , the tropes of forced proximity and arranged marriage, and why these unlikely romances make our hearts flutter. *Giveaway Information!* Win a copy of the freshly released The Light of Stars (paperback for U.S. participants and Kindle format for international entries) as well as some art prints! To enter,...

Send us Fan Mail Author, pirate, and return guest Liz Shipton stops by to talk about engaging in real-world issues through speculative fiction with a focus on humor and female rage, and how those aspects impacted the overall message of her story. ▬ Check out Liz's fantastical adventures on her website: https://lizshipton.com/ Grab a copy of her books here: https://shop.lizshipton.com/ Follow...

Send us Fan Mail Author and journalist Sheila Yasmin Marikar swings by to discuss the pros of using vacation as your story setting, how you can create a deeper exploration of characters in unfamiliar places, and why it is the perfect vehicle for tension and drama. ▬ Learn more about Sheila on her website: https://www.sheilayasminmarikar.com/ Grab your own copy of the beach-y and thrilling Incident...

Send us Fan Mail Writer and teacher Melanie Dobson talks about the nuances of writing dual timelines, why the connections of past and present are important, and gives advice on how to make each time period you include standout while still weaving together. ▬ Find more on Melanie's website: https://melaniedobson.com/ Check out The Lost Story of Via Belle and her other works: https://melaniedob...

Send us Fan Mail Shakespeare scholar and author Caroline Bicks discusses her book, Monsters in the Archive , the insights she learned searching through Stephen King's archives, and analyzes what makes us so attracted to the horror genre. ▬ Learn more about Caroline on her website: https://carolinebicks.com/bio/ Get your own copy of Monsters in the Archive for a deeper dive into Stephen King&a...

Send us Fan Mail Author and educator A.A. Sekhon stops by to discuss writing openings that grab readers' attention, the best way to avoid overwhelming your audience, and how she did this in her own book, Assumptions . ▬ Visit A.A.'s website: https://assumptionsbook.wordpress.com/ Grab the enthralling Assumptions here: https://assumptionsbook.wordpress.com/shop/ Learn more about A.A.&apos...

Send us Fan Mail Author and educator April Reynolds stops by to talk about her book,  The Shape of Dreams , how she tackled the nuanced concepts of justice and injustice, and how other writers can also do the same in their own stories. ▬ Find out more about April's story: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2267230/april-reynolds/ https://www.sarahlawrence.edu/faculty/mosolino-april-re...

Send us Fan Mail Author and educator Lori Carlson-Hijuelos stops by to talk about her new memoir,  A Writing Marriage , the impacts of grief on her life and writing, and how she is focusing on a new period of "reconstruction" in this special episode of  Writing and Editing. ▬ Learn more about Lori's journey here: https://lorimariecarlson.com/bio.html Grab your copy of A Writing Marr...

Send us Fan Mail Author and boat captain Connie Mann discusses creating daring adventures on the page, the allure of these treasure hunt narratives, and gives advice on how to keep the story from dragging along in between the action. ▬ Learn more about Connie on her website: https://www.conniemann.com/ Discover all of the exciting secrets within The Liar's Treasure : https://www.conniemann.co...

Send us Fan Mail Returning guest and author Jean Burgess is back to discuss drawing inspiration from real life for novels, when to research for accuracy and when you can fill in the lines, and how this is all blended together in the genre of retro fiction. ▬ Swing by Jean's website and grab a copy of Navigating Her Next Chapter: https://www.jeanburgessauthor.com/ Find more ways to connect wit...

Send us Fan Mail Author and writing coach Marilyn McEntyre stops by to discuss the little ways that can kickstart your author journey, what allowing yourself creative writing freedom can do, and how really exploring your style makes all the difference. ▬ Find more advice on Marilyn's website: https://www.marilynmcentyre.com/ Check out her wide selection of books: https://www.marilynmcentyre.c...

Send us Fan Mail Author Christine Hill Suntz is back to discuss how stakes of survival can reveal our true selves, how this can present in romance-driven plots, and how these layers of being human reflect upon some societal dynamics as a whole. ▬ Give Christine's website a visit: https://www.christinehillsuntz.com/ Pre-order The Heiress and the Woodsman now: https://www.amazon.com/The-Heiress...

Send us Fan Mail Author and editor Emily Listfield discusses the cultural obsession with elite private schools, why this is the perfect setting to build tension or expose secrets, and what can set your characters apart from the traditional private school archetypes. ▬ Swing by Emily's website and get your hands on a copy of Reasons to Lie : https://www.emilylistfield.com/ Learn more about Emi...

Send us Fan Mail Returning guest and bestselling author T.I. Lowe discusses having a main character with major flaws, how to make audiences still root for them, and why these kinds of narratives are important to write about. *CW: Discussions of addiction* ▬ Stop by T.I.'s website: https://www.tilowe.com/ Peruse her extensive catalogue: https://www.tilowe.com/books Find more from T.I. on her s...

Send us Fan Mail Bestselling author and international speaker Mary Demuth talks about finding the right mentor and agent, the differences between the two, and the best ways to get your book in their hands! ▬ Learn so much more from Mary's website: https://marydemuthliterary.com/ Grab your copy of Restory Your Life here: https://amzn.to/4rpbNIg Check out more about Mary's intensives progr...

Send us Fan Mail Professor and author David Arndt stops in to discuss the philosophy behind writing, why we find such comfort in the written word, and the pillars that he teaches to all his students. ▬ Learn more about David, his book, and how you can reach him: https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/news/david-arndt https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/faculty-directory/arndt-david Access a free electronic copy of Phi...