Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Jessica Vitalis. We’ll be talking about voice, perspective, pacing and her books The Wolf’s Curse and The Rabbit’s Gift. Jessica Vitalis is a Columbia MBA-wielding writer on  a mission to write entertaining and thought-provoking literature. As an active volunteer in the kidlit community, she’s also passionate about using her privilege to lift up other voices. She founded Magic in the Middle, a series of free monthly recorded book talks, to help educators introduce young readers to new fantasy books. She was recently named a 2021 Canada Council of the Arts Grant Recipient and featured on CBCs Here and Now. Her first novel, The Wolf’s Curse, published in 2021, and a standalone companion novel, The Rabbit’s Gift, comes out October 25th.  You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Jessica Vitalis and I discuss: Balancing multiple perspectives on the same events without boring your reader Weaving folklore, tradition, science, and spirituality into a middle grade story How to use footnotes and parentheticals without slowing your story’s pace   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/433  

Today, Lori is interviewing S.K. Ali. They’ll be talking about feeling and emotion in YA fiction and her new book Love From Mecca to Medina. S.K. Ali is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of several books, including Saints and Misfits, a finalist for the William C. Morris award, winner of the APALA Award and Middle East Book Award, and Love from A to Z, a Today Show's "Read with Jenna" Book Club selection. Both novels were critically acclaimed and named best YA books of the year by various media including Entertainment Weekly and Kirkus Reviews.  Her novel, Misfit in Love, was a People magazine best book of summer 2021. Her books for younger readers include the widely acclaimed middle grade anthology Once Upon an Eid and the New York Times bestselling picture book, The Proudest Blue. She has a degree in Creative Writing and lives in Toronto with her family, a very vocal cat named Yeti, and a very quiet cat named Mochi. Her newest novel, Love From Mecca to Medina, went on sale October 18, 2022. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode S.K. Ali and Lori discuss: Why she gave her two main characters contrasting perspectives on life. How the constraints of a set structure can lead to creativity. Balancing a light tone with serious topics.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/432

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Susan Austin. We’ll be talking about how she imagines the childhood of a historical figure in her book Drawing Outside the Lines. As an educator, Susan J. Austin knows the minds of young readers. Her first novel, The Bamboo Garden, is set in Berkeley, California, 1923, and describes an unlikely friendship between two girls that is tested by a fierce fire that threatens to destroy their town. Currently, she is writing about twelve-year-old Goldie, a whiz kid in the kitchen who hopes that her culinary magic can help her family’s delicatessen out of a pickle in 1928 Hollywood. Her characters are always brave, strong willed risk-takers. Writing historical fiction offers her a way to educate and excite her readers about the past. She and her husband live in Northern California, surrounded by family, their splendid but fussy rose bushes, and a lifetime collection of books. Learn more at www.susanjaustin.com.   In this episode Susan J. Austin and I discuss: Organizing your historical research for ease of use in your writing. Writing for the specific reading level of your audience.  Re-engaging with a manuscript that you have set aside for a while.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/431

Today, Lori is interviewing Carol Van Den Hende. They’ll be talking about finding purpose and her new book Orchid Blooming. Carol Van Den Hende is the award-winning author of the Goodbye, Orchid series. She’s also a speaker, global marketer, digital strategist, Climate Reality Leader and Board Trustee. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous husband and twins, who prove that love really does conquer all. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pintrest, YouTube, LinkTree, LinkedIn, Bookbub and Goodreads. You can also get a chapter for free by entering your email here.   In this episode Carol Van Den Hende and Lori discuss: Finding freedom in the different experience that each reader has with a story. Crafting your purpose and gaining energy from it. Creating characters that inspire fondness and familiarity in readers. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/430

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Jeffrey James Higgins. We’ll be talking about his closed setting thriller novel Furious: Sailing Into Terror. Jeffrey James Higgins is a retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, scripts, creative nonfiction, and essays. He has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, Fox News, and The New York Times. He is a #1 Amazon bestselling author and has won sixteen literary awards, including PenCraft’s Best Fiction Book of 2021. He was just nominated for Silver Falchion Awards for Best Suspense and Best Thriller and a Claymore Award for Best Mystery.  You can find him on his website or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Goodreads, IMDB, Amazon, and BookBub.   In this episode Jeffrey James Higgins and I discuss: How to maintain tension and conflict for your character during slow scenes When to incorporate social and cognitive psychology into your writing How to write about the will to survive in a character that is suffering grief   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/429

Today, Lori is interviewing Helen Scheuerer. They’ll be talking about some of the lessons in her new book How to Write a Successful Series. Helen Scheuerer is the fantasy author of the bestselling trilogy, The Oremere Chronicles and the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots. More recently, she has also delved into publishing advice for authors with her debut nonfiction book, 'How To Write A Successful Series'. Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a Bachelor of Creative Writing at the University of Wollongong and a Masters of Publishing at the University of Sydney. Now a full-time author, Helen lives amidst the mountains in Central Otago, New Zealand and is constantly dreaming up new stories. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.   In this episode Helen and Lori discuss: How to create, maintain, and use a story bible and style guide. The importance of allowing your writing process to evolve as you change. How to decide whether traditional or indie publishing is right for you.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/428    

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Nova McBee. We’ll be talking about the rapid release model and her book series Calculated. Nova McBee is an avid traveler and culture nerd who has lived and worked in Europe, the Middle East and Asia for half her life. She speaks multiple languages, including Mandarin, and lived in China for more than a decade. She thrives on complex plots, adventure, making cross-cultural connections and coffee. She currently resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and three children. Calculated is currently in development to become a major motion picture. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Nova and I discuss: How to plan a launch by observing book launches you admire. The importance of setting deadlines and maintaining flexibility in writing. What it’s like to have your work adapted for film.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/427

Today, Lori is interviewing Khristin Wierman. We’ll be talking about how she explores the theme of overcoming differences in her debut novel Buck’s Pantry. Khristin Wierman spent twenty years rising through the marketing ranks of Fortune 500 companies, building a career that was lucrative, ego-boosting, and a little bit soul-crushing. So she quit. And had no idea what to do with her life. Writing novels ensued. She was born and raised in a small East Texas town—which means she came into this world a Dallas Cowboys fan and ardently believes “y’all” is a legitimate pronoun. Some things she enjoys are playing golf with her husband and stepson, poker, yoga, chocolate, the Golden State Warriors, and the daily adventure of life with an adorably imperfect cat named Rocco. She lives in San Francisco, California. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook.   In this episode Khristin Wierman and Lori discuss: How to ensure each character has their own distinct voice and mannerisms Seeing the good in people and places you disagree with Untying the knots inside yourself as a path to fulfillment   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/426

Today, Lori is interviewing May-lee Chai. They’ll be talking about understanding lives unlike our own and her book Tomorrow in Shanghai and Other Stories. May-lee Chai is the author of eleven books of fiction, nonfiction, and translation, including her latest short story collection, Tomorrow in Shanghai & Other Stories. Her last story collection, Useful Phrases for Immigrants, won the 2019 American Book Award. She teaches in the MFA program in creative writing at San Francisco State University. Her writing has been awarded a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, Bakwin Award for Writing by a Woman (selected by Tayari Jones), Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, named a Kiriyama Prize Notable Book, and recipient of an honorable mention for the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights Book Awards.  Her short prose has appeared widely, including in Seventeen, New England Review, Longreads, Paris Review Online, Kenyon Review Online, Los Angeles Times, Best Small Fictions anthology, and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and cited as Notable in both the Best American Short Stories and Best American Essays anthologies.  You can find her on her website or follow her on Twitter or Facebook.   In this episode May-lee Chai and Lori discuss: Creating a journey through a short story collection using the placement of stories Using short stories to inhabit lives that are different from your own How to evoke a specific mood in a collection of short stories Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/425

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Mike Trigg. We’ll be talking about the intricacies of Silicon Valley and his book Bit Flip. Prior to becoming an author, Mike Trigg was an executive, founder, and investor in various technology start-up companies for over 25 years. Born in Kentucky and raised in Wisconsin, he earned a BA from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley. After several years working for a U.S. Senator in Washington, D.C., Mike began his career in the technology industry, working for telecommunications giants MCI and 3Com. He was an early employee of Octane Software, which was acquired by Epiphany during the first dot-com boom. He went on to co-found a data analytics company called Truviso (acquired by Cisco) then became VP of marketing at hi5, one of the world’s largest social networks. More recently, Mike was Chief Marketing Officer and GM at Entelo, a recruiting software company, and Chief Operating Officer at cloud file sharing vendor, Hightail (formerly YouSendIt), which was acquired by OpenText. Mike was an entrepreneur-in-residence at AI Fund and SymphonyAI, both AI-focused, early-stage venture funds, and an advisor at Shasta Ventures. Mike has been a contributor to TechCrunch, Entrepreneur, and Fast Company. He lives in Menlo Park, California, with his wife and two sons. Launching August 16, 2022, Bit Flip is his first novel. You can find him on his website or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.   In this episode Mike Trigg and I discuss: Ensuring a story about an industry insider has universal appeal. Keeping authenticity in the industry language used after editing. How to balance backstory with the fast pace of your story. Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/424

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Kathryn Holmes. We’ll be talking about making the transition from YA to a chapter books series and her book Madison Morris is NOT a Mouse! Kathryn Holmes is the author of the Class Critters chapter book series, which includes Tally Tuttle Turns Into a Turtle, David Dixon’s Day as a Dachshund, and Madison Morris is NOT a Mouse! (publishing August 16th, 2022). She also wrote the young adult novels The Distance Between Lost and Found and How It Feels to Fly. Kathryn grew up in Maryville, Tennessee, and now lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, daughter, and piles upon piles of books. A graduate of The New School’s MFA in Creative Writing program, Kathryn works as a freelance dance journalist, among other writing gigs.You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Kathryn Holmes and I discuss: The best ways to incorporate learning in a chapter book to fuel kids’ curiosity How to blend grounded worldbuilding with a magical element in a story The role authors must play in amplifying the work of diverse voices   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/423

Today, Lori is interviewing Sarah Adlakha. They’ll be talking about time travel, alternate timelines and her book Midnight on the Marne. Sarah Adlakha is a native of Chicago who now lives along the gulf coast of Mississippi with her husband, three daughters, two horses, and one dog. She started writing fiction shortly after retiring from her psychiatry practice. Her debut novel, She Wouldn’t Change a Thing, was a CNN most anticipated book of 2021. Midnight on the Marne is her second novel. You can find Sarah on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.   In this episode Sarah Adlakha and Lori discuss: The history of language and its importance when writing historical fiction. How to make characters out of real people in a respectful way. Her unusual path to learn the craft of writing and how she stayed focused. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/422

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Patrice Gopo. We’ll be talking about Broad Topic and her book All the Places We Call Home. Patrice Gopo is the child of Jamaican immigrants and was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. She is an award-winning essayist and the author of All the Colors We Will See: Reflections on Barriers, Brokenness, and Finding Our Way (a Fall 2018 Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection). Her ties to Jamaica and other parts of the world sparked her early desire to travel to the cities and countries she traced on a globe. In time, as she began writing about her experiences, Patrice became interested in how places contribute to the people we become. Ultimately, she hopes her stories celebrate the beauty of living a multifaceted life. Patrice lives with her family in North Carolina—a place she considers another home. All the Places We Call Home is her first picture book. You can find her on her website, subscribe to her newsletter, or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.   In this episode Patrice Gopo and I discuss: Leaving room in your writing for your illustrator to heighten the story. Recognizing the themes that reappear in your life and your work. How to turn an emotionally resonant image into a whole story.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/421

Today, Lori is interviewing Erin La Rosa. They’ll be talking about tropes in romance and her book For Butter or Worse. Erin La Rosa is the author of the upcoming romance novel, For Butter or Worse. She's previously written for BuzzFeed and Funny or Die. She worked as a social media manager for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video before quitting her day job to focus on writing books. You can find her on her website, or follow her on Twitter or Instagram.   In this episode Erin La Rosa and Lori discuss: Where in her real life she draws inspiration from for the locations in her writing. How to suck your readers in when your main characters start out unsympathetic. What special sauce a dual narrative brings to the enemies to lovers trope.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/420

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Stacy Willingham, Carolyne Topdjian, Allison Buccola, and Wanda M. Morris. We’ll be talking about the debut writer experience and their books. Stacy Willingham is the New York Times bestselling author of A Flicker in the Dark. Before turning to fiction, she was a copywriter and brand strategist for various marketing agencies. She earned her BA in magazine journalism from the University of Georgia and MFA in writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her novel is currently being translated into over two dozen languages. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, Britt, and Labradoodle, Mako, where she is always working on her next book. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Carolyne Topdjian is the author of The Hitman’s Daughter (Agora/Polis Books), a gothic mystery which Library Journal lauds as a “fast-paced, haunting novel of survival." In addition to writing suspense novels, Carolyne has published short fiction in PRISM International, Dreamers Magazine, and Firewords Quarterly. She is a professor in the Faculty of Media and Creative Arts at Humber College in Toronto. Currently, she lives in a 114-year-old haunted house. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Allison Buccola is the author of the psychological thriller Catch Her When She Falls.  Before she turned to writing fiction, she was a practicing attorney with a JD from the University of Chicago, and she also did a brief stint as a bartender in Brussels.  She now lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and two kids. You can find her on her website or follow them on Twitter, and Instagram. Wanda M. Morris is the acclaimed author of All Her Little Secrets. It was named as one of the “Best Books of 2021” by Hudson Booksellers and selected as the #1 Top Pick for “Library Reads” by librarians across the country. It was selected as a Book Buzz Pick by Good Morning America, serialized in Entertainment Weekly and a Marie Claire book club pick. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Crime Writers of Color. A corporate attorney, Wanda has worked in the legal departments of some of America’s top Fortune 100 companies. As a former President of the Georgia Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, she established a signature female empowerment program known as the Women’s Initiative. She is married, the mother of three and lives in Atlanta,Georgia. All Her Little Secrets is her debut novel. You can find her on her website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Stacy, Carolyne, Allison, Wanda, and I discuss: Choosing whether to tell a story with multiple timelines, flashbacks, or an epistolary format. How their characters deal with the past, secrets, and lies as the story unfolds. What role the world and the setting play in how characters process their trauma.   Plus, their #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/419

Today, Lori is interviewing Natalka Burian. They’ll be talking about time travel, multiple mysteries, and Natalka’s book The Night Shift. Natalka Burian is the co-owner of two bars, Elsa and Ramona, as well as the co-founder of The Freya Project, a non-profit reading series that supports community-based activism and annually awards five unrestricted grants to further the work of women and non-binary writers. She is the author of three novels--her latest, The Night Shift, is out this summer with Park Row--and a cocktail book. Natalka grew up on a farm in Maryland but now lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two daughters. You can find her on her website or follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.   In this episode Natalka Burian and Lori discuss: How to employ flashbacks effectively in your writing without overdoing it. Juggling multiple mysteries in one story while maintaining the intrigue of each. Using your readers’ drive to understand others as an engine for storytelling. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/418

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Alexis Schaitkin. We’ll be talking about tone, voice, mood and her book Elsewhere.  Alexis Schaitkin is the author of Saint X and her short stories and essays have appeared in Ecotone, Southwest Review, The Southern Review, The New York Times, and elsewhere. Her fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Short Stories and The Best American Nonrequired Reading. She received her MFA in fiction from the University of Virginia, where she was a Henry Hoyns Fellow. She lives in Williamstown, Massachusetts, with her husband and their two children. You can find her on her website or follow her on Twitter.   In this episode Alexis Schaitkin and I discuss: Writing a story with mystery as a central premise without focusing on solving that mystery. Creating a fable-like feeling through the intentional use of tropes. The nature of community and isolation and how it relates to writing.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/417

Today, Lori is interviewing Shelley Blanton-Stroud. They’ll be talking about historical mysteries and Shelley’s book Tomboy: A Jane Benjamin Novel.  Shelley grew up in California’s Central Valley, the daughter of Dust Bowl immigrants who made good on their ambition to get out of the field. She recently retired from teaching writing at Sacramento State University and still consults with writers in the energy industry. She co-directs Stories on Stage Sacramento, where actors perform the stories of established and emerging authors, and serves on the advisory board of 916 Ink, an arts-based creative writing nonprofit for children. She has also served on the Writers’ Advisory Board for the Belize Writers’ Conference. Her writing has been a finalist in the Sarton Book Awards, IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion Award, the American Fiction Awards, and the National Indie Excellence Awards.  She lives in Sacramento with her husband and many photos of their out-of-town sons and their wonderful partners. Copy Boy is her first Jane Benjamin Novel. Tomboy, which we’ll be discussing today, is her second. The third, Working Girl, will come out in November 2023. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Shelley Blanton-Stroud and Lori discuss: Creating a contemporary character in a historical fiction novel. How we create our identity versus how we reveal our identity. The important role that reading plays in developing your craft as a writer.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/416

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Michele Scott. We’ll be talking about cozy mysteries and her book Murder Uncorked.  Michele Scott is an American author and the CEO/owner of equestrian sports medicine company Professional’s Choice, Inc. She has written over forty novels in various genres including thrillers, mysteries, young adult mysteries, fantasy, and women’s fiction. Her thriller Daddy’s Home from her Holly Jennings’ series written under her pen name of AK Alexander has sold over one million copies and was the #1 bestselling book in the UK Amazon. Her thriller Mommy, May I? and was number 2 on the Amazon list. Michele’s bestselling mystery series (The Wine Lover’s Mysteries) has gone into multiple printings and has been optioned by a Los Angeles based producer and production company. Michele is a lifelong equestrian, having horses since she was five-years-old. If you don’t find her at her desk writing, you’re sure to find her at the barn! You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.   In this episode Michele Scott and I discuss: Why you need to be prepared to figure out a way to make it happen with your writing. Common characteristics of cozy mysteries and what keep readers coming back. How she uses outlines and character sketches without getting bogged down.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/415

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Scott Gates. We’ll be talking about his novel, Gone, the Redeemer.  Scott Gates is the author of Hard Road South, published by Blue Ink Press. He is a magazine editor and a second-generation communicator for rural electric cooperatives. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Auburn University and a Master of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Scott grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and currently lives in North Carolina with his wife and three kids, where he enjoys a slower pace of life and reliable barbecue options. He and his brother share perspectives on Southern culture at incidentalist.com. You can find him on his website or follow him on Facebook and Instagram.   In this episode Scott Gates and I discuss: Truth in a first-person narrative, especially when the protagonist is unreliable. The traditions of travel literature and including Classical structures in modern literature. How to balance writing and the research rabbit hole so you can maintain your momentum. Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/414

Today, Lori is interviewing Taylor Hahn. They’ll be talking about her debut romance novel, The Lifestyle.  Taylor is a second-grade teacher turned lawyer turned author. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University, she joined Teach for America and taught in Brooklyn for two years before attending Fordham University School of Law. She then worked as a litigation associate at a firm in Manhattan and then LA while working on her novel in her spare time and taking fiction writing classes. The Lifestyle is her first novel. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and THE best dog in the universe.   In this episode Taylor Hahn and Lori discuss: What makes a sex scene fun to read and her advice on how to write one. How to make a flawed, meddlesome character likable to your readers. The rise of emotional intelligence and communication in Millenial romance. Plus, her #1 tip for writers.  For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/413

Today, Lori is interviewing Rebecca Scherm. They’ll be talking about her science fiction-thriller novel, A House Between Earth and the Moon.  Rebecca Scherm is the author of Unbecoming. She lives in California with her family.   In this episode Rebecca Scherm and Lori discuss: The psychic toll writing near future speculative fiction can take on a parent. Why it is so important to safeguard your passion and her advice for doing so. What she means when she says she has a conversation with a genre. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/412

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Jennifer McMahon. We’ll be talking about her genre-defying novel, The Children on the Hill. Jennifer McMahon has been lauded by Chris Bohjalian (The Flight Attendant) as “a worthy literary descendent of Shirley Jackson.” She is the author of eleven novels, including the New York Times bestsellers Promise Not to Tell and The Winter People. McMahon is in the LibraryReads Hall of Fame. She lives in Vermont with her partner, Drea, and their daughter, Zella.   In this episode Jennifer McMahon and I discuss: Why she had multiple false starts on her latest novel and what finally inspired her to finish. How she developed the idea of secrets and her process for layering them throughout the plot. What is a monster, what makes something monstrous, and why that distinction is important. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/411

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Brett Riley. We’ll be talking about his YA fantasy/thriller novel, Freaks.  Brett Riley is the author of The Subtle Dance of Impulse and Light (Ink Brush Press), Comanche (Imbrifex Books), Lord of Order (Imbrifex), Freaks (Imbrifex), and Travelers (2022). His short fiction has appeared in journals such as The Baltimore Review, F(r)iction, Solstice, Folio, The Evansville Review, and many others. His nonfiction has appeared in CrimeReads, Role Reboot, Broad River Review, Rougarou, Green Hills Literary Lantern, Literary Orphans, Under the Gum Tree, Wild Violet, and Foliate Oak Magazine. He lives in Henderson, NV.   In this episode Brett Riley and I discuss: How he portrayed and deepened the bond between his main characters. The double-sided nature of superhero powers and why he showed his characters’ weaknesses. Why it’s fascinating to let superheroes be bad and what that exploration reveals. Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/410

Today, Lori is interviewing Amy Lea. They’ll be talking about her debut romance novel, Set on You.  Amy Lea is a Canadian bureaucrat by day and contemporary romance author by night (and weekends). She writes laugh-out-loud romantic comedies featuring strong heroines, witty banter, mid-2000s pop culture references, and happily ever afters.   In this episode Amy Lea and Lori discuss: Why representation matters and how the romance genre is helping lead the charge.  How to use family dynamics to develop layered characters. Millennial identity and what they have changed about the dating scene. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/409

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Jessi Honard and Marie Parks. We’ll be talking about their contemporary fantasy debut, Unrelenting.  Jessi and Marie have been co-writing speculative fiction since 2009, and their 2022 contemporary fantasy debut, Unrelenting, was a finalist in the 2020 Book Pipeline Unpublished Manuscript contest.  Marie is a fantasy, sci-fi, and horror author who landed in New Mexico after traveling full-time in an RV for years. Her writing uses speculative fiction to dive into topics like social justice, the environment, and the power of friendship. Jessi Honard is a speculative fiction author, business owner, and professional coffee inhaler. Her work leans into the power of imaginary worlds as a conduit to exploring common struggles of identity, belonging, and trust.  Together, they've run a successful copywriting agency since 2010. Jessi lives in the Bay Area of California with her partner, Taormina, and Marie lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with all the dogs.   In this episode Jessi, Marie, and I discuss: What qualities make for a successful co-writing partnership and how to decide whom to work with. How to bounce back from early mistakes and why you aren’t always one mistake away from ruin. The importance of interrogating the “why” behind your vision for your book and your career. Plus, their #1 tip for writers.  For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/408

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Leslie Johansen Nack.  Leslie’s newest book, The Blue Butterfly, A Novel of Marion Davies, comes out next week and it’s what we are going to be discussing today. Her debut is a memoir titled Fourteen, A Daughter’s Memoir of Adventure, Sailing, and Survival. It received five indie awards, including the 2016 Finalist in Memoir at the Next Generation Indie Book Award. Leslie says she did everything late in life, including getting her degree in English Literature from UCLA at age thirty-one. Before she started writing, she raised two children, ran a mechanical engineering business with her husband, took care of her aging mother, and dreamed of retirement when she could write full-time. She currently lives in San Diego and—in addition to writing—she enjoys sailing, hiking, and reading.   In this episode Leslie Johansen Nack and I discuss: Why she leaned into fiction for this project as opposed to writing a biography. Her research process and how she chose which scenes to fictionalize. How she balanced writing about the public and private personas of her characters.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/407

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing G.G. Kellner Gayle is a poet, essayist, artist, educator, and Author of Hope: A History of the Future, a novel in which she imagines a peaceful, just, sustainable future based on facts, legal precedence, and historical documents. Gayle lives in a home that has been in her family for five generations. She spends most of her time creating with words, paints, and sculpture, as well as walking the beaches and forests of her island home with her dog.   In this episode GG Kellner and I discuss: How she created the web of complex character relationships and the framework for her novel. Why you need to face your fears in order to open yourself up to the possibilities of life. The relationship between cause and effect in history and its impact on the future.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/406

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Claire Stanford. Born and raised in Berkeley, Claire holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in English at UCLA, where she studies science fiction/speculative fiction, narrative theory, and novel theory. Claire’s work has received fellowships and grants from the Jerome Foundation, the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, the Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, and the Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts & Sciences. Claire is also an avid watcher of BBC mysteries and the author of her debut novel, Happy for You.   In this episode Claire Stanford and I discuss: The meaning of happiness, its relationship with social media, and how that plays out in her novel. Why she classifies her novel as literary fiction as opposed to speculative. How she navigated writing a novel about a character who is strongly opposed to change.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/405

Today, Lori is interviewing Jody Hadlock.   Jody studied journalism and was a television news reporter and anchor serving her community in South Carolina as well as Texas. In addition to writing, her other passion is advocating for people with special needs. For several years Jody served on the board of directors of North Texas Special Needs Assistance Partners (SNAP), a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live the fullest lives possible in their communities. She has just released her debut historical novel, The Lives of Diamond Bessie.   In this episode Jody Hadlock and Lori discuss: The research process and how to blend primary and secondary sources. Why finding the right point of view is so important to the writing process. What role context plays in writing about the past and how to integrate it into your plot.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/404

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Rob Hart. Rob is the author of The Warehouse, a gripping speculative thriller which sold in more than 20 countries and was optioned for film by Ron Howard. He is also the author of the Ash McKenna series, the short story collection Take-Out, and Scott Free with James Patterson. His latest book is The Paradox Hotel, about a hotel at the crossroads of the space-time continuum.   In this episode Rob Hart and I discuss: Why naming characters is important and where he found the names for these characters.  How to write an unlikeable character that your readers will actually like. Using storytelling to shine a light on bad things that are happening in the real world.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/403

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Brian Leung. Brian is the author of the novels Lost Men, Take Me Home, and Ivy vs Dogg: With a Cast of Thousands!.  His short-story collection, World Famous Love Acts, won the Asian American Literary Award and the Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction.  Born and raised in San Diego County, he is a Professor of Creative Writing at Purdue University as well as Core faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts.  All I Should Not Tell is out now with C&R Press.   In this episode Brian Leung and I discuss: How to turn a real life event into a novel, especially when you are close to the event. Bringing out the emotional truth of a story and remaining true to the characters. Why it can be tricky to write first person narratives and how to make them sound distinct.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/402

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Jeff Walker: Jeff is one of the world's most successful online entrepreneurs the creator of Product Launch Formula and the #1 NY Times bestselling author of the book Launch. He has spent the last 15 years helping people launch their online courses, memberships, coaching and books. His students and clients have done over a BILLION dollars in launches in hundreds of niches and markets… and in dozens of countries around the world. Jeff lives in Durango, Colorado and he loves to get outside for all kinds of adventures. On a more personal note, Jeff is someone I am honored to call a teacher and mentor. I’ve been following his work pretty much for as long as DIY MFA has existed and got the first edition of his book Launch when it came out in 2014. I read it cover to cover and still have that paperback edition with all my highlights and mark-ups, which I keep next to my desk. In 2017, I was finally ready to make the investment and do the Product Launch Formula (PLF) Coaching Program. My team and I relentlessly applied the techniques to our flagship DIY MFA 101 course (with epic results!) and since then, we have applied PLF techniques—with our own special word nerd flair—to launch all our DIY MFA programs. Today, we’ll be talking about launching as it pertains to launching a book.   In this episode Jeff Walker and I discuss: Why his first launch was the most important and the role his email list played. How writers of fiction and memoir can apply his Product Launch Formula to their lists. Strategies for determining what your assets are and how to maximize them.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/401

Today, I have the esteemed pleasure of interviewing one of my absolute favorite people, Lori Walker. Lori wears a lot of hats at DIY MFA. Her official title is Operations Maven. However, she is also Podcast Producer, Launch Manager, Web Editor, a Book Coach, and our Resident Reader at DIY MFA. Lori is the writer behind the Book Nook column.  In her spare time, she loves yoga, cooking, traveling, smooth bourbons, strong cabernets, dirty martinis, watching baseball, and of course, reading. She is currently working on an essay collection and a novel. She lives outside of Tulsa with her husband and cat, Joan Didion.   In the 400th Episode Extravaganza, Lori and I: Give listeners a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of DIY MFA. Share what makes a successful podcast pitch and how to be a good guest. Discuss why I started the podcast in the first place and how it evolved over time. Talk about some of the fun things we have in the works for word nerds.   Plus, we share a huge announcement. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/400

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Gillian McDunn Gillian is the author of the middle-grade novels Caterpillar Summer and The Queen Bee and Me, These Unlucky Stars published by Bloomsbury Children's Books. Caterpillar Summer was selected for the Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, and landed on Kirkus Reviews and Parents magazine Best Books of the Year lists. Her favorite thing is spending time with her family. She also loves traveling, board games, and learning about the world we live in. We’ll be talking about Honestly Elliott, a middle grade novel about a big-hearted boy trying to find the way to his best self.   In this episode Gillian McDunn and I discuss: How she created a dynamic depiction of neurodiversity in a novel for middle grade readers. What children can learn from cooking and how it applies to other life skills. Why middle school is an intense time for learning about adult dynamics.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/399

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing JK Ellem. Jack is the author of the Amazon #1 US & UK Best Selling book, Mill Point Road, A Winter's Kill, and the No Justice Series. He was born in London and spent his formative childhood years reading infamous British comics like Action and 2000 AD. He has no agent, no publicist, and no huge publishing house behind him. Yet in 3 short years since he wrote his first thriller novel, he’s  become an Amazon #1 Bestselling Thriller Author in both the UK and the US in 6 crime fiction categories. Today we’re discussing his Ravenwood series (which I read and loved) and how to create mystery and suspense in multiple point of view novels.   In this episode JK Ellem and I discuss: How a wrong turn and a gated community inspired his Ravenwood series. Why he chose to break the rules of POV and how he pulled it off. Creating questions that get the reader involved in the mystery and control the pacing.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/398

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Isaac Fellman. Isaac is the author of Dead Collections, as well as The Breath of the Sun (published under his pre-transition first name), which won the 2018 Lambda Literary Award for queer science fiction, fantasy, and horror. By day he is an archivist at the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco. Today we’re talking about his latest book, Dead Collections, which will be out on February 22 (so, in less than one week!).   In this episode Isaac Fellman and I discuss: How he used his day job as an archivist as a metaphor for his characters. Why you should consider writing fanfiction to develop your writing skills. His approach to exploring bigger topics in his writing and why he finds the challenge fun. Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/397

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Ryan Dalton. Ryan is an author, singer, voiceover artist, amateur chef and lover of all things geek. He’s also the author of the young adult and middle-grade books including the time travel mystery series, the Time Shift trilogy. Today we’ll be discussing his latest novel, This Last Adventure, a middle-grade story about the bond between a teenage boy and his grandfather, how that boy copes with his grandfather’s memory loss, and what it means to live a life worth remembering.   In this episode Ryan Dalton and I discuss: Why he wrote This Last Adventure as a middle grade story, as opposed to YA. How he created a sense of hope when his amorphous antagonist was undefeatable.  Writing group scenes and what to include and what to leave out to make each character distinct.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/396

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Alana Quintana Albertson. Alana is a Latina bestselling romance author whose books have hit the top of several different charts. She has written thirty books and landed a three-book deal for the Latinx romantic comedy series, Love and Tacos. The first book in the series, Ramón and Julieta, has just been released and it has been optioned for television. Like Ramón from her book, Alana has an impressive educational pedigree, with a Masters of Education from Harvard and a Bachelor degree from Stanford. And, like Julieta, she’s a natural leader who is passionate about the things she loves. She’s the former President of Romance Writers of America’s Contemporary Romance, Young Adult, and Chick Lit chapters and she founded the non-profit dog rescue, Pugs N Roses.™ Today we’re talking about her latest book, Ramón and Julieta, which happens to combine three of my favorite things: rom-coms, tacos (and other great food), and of course, Shakespeare references.   In this episode Alana Quintana Albertson and I discuss: What inspired her to turn Shakespeare’s tragedy into a rom-com and how she pulled it off. How she kept raising the stakes for her characters, while keeping it realistic. Using world building to convey deeper elements of culture and community in her story. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/395

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Sue Campbell. As founder of Pages & Platforms, Sue is the mindset and book marketing coach writers look to when they are ready to honor their dreams, share their work with the world, and maximize the impact of their words. She has helped hundreds of writers—from newbies to bestsellers—transform their mindset around marketing, and her clients have achieved some pretty epic goals. From exponentially increasing their email lists and book sales, to landing articles in prestigious publications or doing guest spots on popular podcasts, Sue has helped many writers realize their full potential as authors. Today, Sue and I will be talking about mindset, in particular the harmful stories we creative folks tell ourselves, so we can carve out the creative life we've always known we were meant to have.   In this episode Sue Campbell and I discuss: False stories writers tell themselves about marketing and why it isn’t as scary as you think. How to shift your thoughts about marketing—Sue shares some exercises to help! Why getting hard feedback early on is actually advantageous for you later on.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/394

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing William Germano Bill is professor of English at Cooper Union, where he served as dean of the faculty of humanities and social sciences for more than a decade. During an earlier career in publishing, he served as editor-in-chief at Columbia University Press and as vice-president and editorial director at Routledge.  His previous books on writing include Getting It Published: A Guide for Scholars and Anyone Else Serious about Serious Books (third edition, 2016) and From Dissertation to Book (second edition, 2013).  He has also written Eye Chart, a book about how we test vision, for Bloomsbury’s Object Lessons series (2017), and The Tales of Hoffmann, a study of Powell and Pressburger’s 1951 opera-film.   Most recently he has co-authored, with Kit Nicholls, Syllabus: The Remarkable, Unremarkable Document That Changes Everything (Princeton UP, 2020) and his latest book on writing, On Revision: The Only Writing That Counts, which we’ll be talking about today.   In this episode William Germano and I discuss: When you should start from scratch and why it’s a great technique for your writing. What skill all writers need to master and how it will improve your writing and revising. Why he believes that if something is worth writing, it’s worth revising as well.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/393

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Leslie Vedder. Leslie Vedder is a queer ace author who loves fairytale retellings with girl adventurers and heroes! She grew up on fantasy books, anime, fanfiction, and the Lord of the Rings movies and met her true love in high school choir. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in creative writing and currently lives in Colorado with her wife and two spoiled house cats. When she's not reading or writing, you can find her watching anime and sci-fi shows, walking in the woods and pretending they're enchanted forests, or playing old video games. She always collects all the Skulltulas in Zelda and all the Dalmation puppies in Kingdom Hearts. Her debut YA novel The Bone Spindle released in January 2022.   In this episode Leslie Vedder and I discuss: What genre inspired her and helped her keep a fast pace throughout her novel. Why she loved blending science and magic and how her characters approached each. How she approached varying levels of character relationships—both romantic and friendship.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/392

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Ashanti Anderson. Ashanti Anderson (she/her) is a Black Queer Disabled poet, screenwriter, and playwright. Her debut short poetry collection, Black Under, is the winner of the Spring 2020 Black River Chapbook Competition at Black Lawrence Press. Her poems have appeared in World Literature Today, POETRY magazine, and elsewhere in print and on the web. In this episode Ashanti Anderson and I discuss: How being an overthinker influences her poetry and the messages she wants to share. Why setting clear boundaries helps her guide the conversation around her writing. When she turns to prose poetry and why she thinks it defies hard and fast craft rules. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/391

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Charlie Jane Anders. Charlie Jane is the author of the essay collection Never Say You Can’t Survive along with the short story collection Even Greater Mistakes.  Her other books include The City in the Middle of the Night and All the Birds in the Sky. Her fiction and journalism have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Slate, McSweeney's, Mother Jones, the Boston Review, Tor.com, Tin House, Teen Vogue, Conjunctions, Wired Magazine, and other places.  Her TED Talk, "Go Ahead, Dream About the Future" got 700,000 views in its first week. With Annalee Newitz, she co-hosts the podcast Our Opinions Are Correct.   In this episode Charlie Jane Anders and I discuss: What makes something an “idea” versus a “story” and how to tell the difference. How to keep short stories contained while making them rich and deep. Why she believes endings are hard and what she does to cross the finish line. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/390

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing J.L. Torres. J.L. is the author of a novel, The Accidental Native, as well as the short collection The Family Terrorist and Other Stories, a collection of poetry, Boricua Passport, and Migrations, a short story collection that won the inaugural Tomás Rivera Book Prize.  He has published stories and poems in numerous journals and magazines including The North American Review, Denver Quarterly, Hayden’s Ferry Review, Eckleburg Review, Puerto del Sol, Las Americas Review, and the anthology Growing Up Latino.  Born in Puerto Rico, raised in the South Bronx, he currently lives in Plattsburgh, New York. In addition to the Ph.D., he also holds an M.F.A. in creative writing from Columbia University.  He co-founded the Saranac Review and served as its Editor for many years. On a more personal note has no known hobbies, has never been in prison or any gangs, has never had quirky and funky jobs and is notoriously inept with tools.   In this episode J.L. Torres and I discuss: Writing for two audiences and how world building plays a major role in that process. What factors he considers when selecting the order of stories for a collection. His definition of “voice” and why it is so important in keeping readers engaged.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/389

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Sacha Black. Sacha is an author, rebel podcaster, and professional speaker. She has five obsessions; words, expensive shoes, conspiracy theories, self-improvement, and breaking the rules. Sacha writes books about people with magical powers and other books about the art of writing. When she’s not writing, she can be found laughing inappropriately loud, sniffing musty old books, fangirling about film and TV soundtracks, or thinking up new ways to break the rules. She lives in Cambridgeshire, England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son.   In this episode Sacha Black and I discuss: The main types of supporting characters and what you should do with each type. Why you need to create contrast between your supporting characters and your protagonist. How to balance giving supporting characters depth without letting them take over the story.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/388

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Mark McGuinness. Mark is an award-winning poet, author, podcaster and host of The 21st Century Creative, as well as a coach for creative professionals. He is also someone I’ve had the pleasure of calling a colleague and friend for nearly a decade. When Mark told me about his latest project, a new podcast titled A Mouthful of Air, I knew I had to bring him on DIY MFA Radio to talk about it. The podcast centers around poetry, and episodes alternate in focus between contemporary works and the classics. For episodes featuring contemporary poets, Mark invites them to read a single poem and talk about the writing process behind it. In other episodes, he reads classic poems and talks about what we can learn from them as writers. This is an awesome podcast, and one that writers of all genres can learn from and enjoy. A Mouthful of Air has been awarded funding for the first 2 years of the show by Arts Council England, and I can’t wait to see where it goes!   In this episode Mark McGuinness and I discuss: What effects a good poem can have on the reader that transcend academic understanding. What method poetry is and the writing processes of contemporary poets. How reading poetry out loud—even just to yourself—enhances the experience.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/387

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing someone very special. Aside from being an author of a hilarious romantic comedy, she is also a mainstay of the DIY MFA community. This person is, of course, Tammy Lough. Growing up, Tammy had dual-career goals, she wanted to be a nurse and a writer. When she was three she played nurse to her dolls when they got sick, fell off her bed, or broke their bones. She also began writing poems and stories and never stopped. In later years, when multiple sclerosis forced her to leave her career as an intensive care nurse-manager, she came back to her writing with the same passion and drive she brings to everything. This past year, Parallel Pathways published her first romantic comedy and debut novel, Lacey’s Deception. Tammy is a mom of two sons and grandma to three adorable grandchildren. She writes a monthly column, “On the Back Page with Tammy,” for Saturday Writers, a Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild, and is an active member of the Romance Writers of America and South West Writers. She is also the Romance Columnist for DIY MFA.   In this episode Tammy Lough and I discuss: How mistaken identities can be a vehicle for humor, especially in a rom-com. Why she thinks the middle can be the best part of the writing process.  What role the rule of three plays in building the tension and humor in her novel.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/386