Collaborist

Hello! Please pardon the absence, we're back (finally!) from AWP. Thank you to everybody we met and who agreed to join us on the podcast. As a heads up, because we were recording this on the fly in a venue with lots of people and no control of the environment, the audio quality is...not going to win a Grammy. Apologies in advance. What it may lack in clearness, it more than makes up in earnestness. We'll be back next week with a regularly scheduled episode and hope to see you there!

Hey Collaborist - on today's episode we take a look at some opening pages and why they work as an effective beginning ot a book.

Do you find yourself driving down the writing highway only to slam on the brakes to incorporate backstory? Hey Collaborist - are you unsure how to get critical details into your characters' pasts without slowing down the pace of your book? You're not alone. It's important to keep in mind that you--as the author--should know a lot more about the people populating your book than the reader, much of that knowledge won't ever be directly shared with the reader. And that's okay. Here are some things to think about when trying to decide what to include and not include in your book.

Pacing is a key component in how well a book holds a reader's attention. It doesn't always have to be a million miles an hour with big car chases and explosions. In fact, maybe the more you add, the less they mean. So maybe don't add so many. We also talk about dramatic tension--how to keep the reader's cortisol and dopamine invested in each page. Lastly, hey Moot--it's a murder car!

You've been dreaming of the day when understanding book contracts and subsidiary rights is the most important thing in the world. Well, we share that dream with you and here's a primer. Hey Collaborist - we recognize that the world around book contracts is often mysterious and getting information about them is only as good as the source (and there are a lot! and they aren't always good!). We got a question about how it all works in practice and on this episode of Collaborcast, Ben talks about general terms, what they mean, how to understand them, and ways YOU might think about them when the day comes. We talk movies! Translations! Territories! Options! We talk about the costs of publishing and the Terrible, No Good Intersection of Art and Commerce! Ready? We're about to help you on your quest of understanding book contracts and subsidiary rights. We also, not exactly stealthily, bring up issues around labor being discussed in general but specifically by striking Harper Collins employees. An article about that can be found here - https://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...

On this week's episode of Collaborcast we talk about the importance of Understanding Your Characters. Hey Collaborist - you spend hours with them on the page and in your head, but how well do you know your characters? How do you introduce yourself? Do you ask them questions? Do they give you answers? How real our characters feel is a critical component of how readers connect with them and with the larger story we're telling. Remember! The author (in most cases) is not the character. It's likely they've had entirely different experiences and as a result, would make different choices and handle their decision points in different ways. Let's discuss...understanding your characters!

Hey Collaborist - this week we're talking about head hopping in writing and also answering the question of how to approach reading while you write. We go over listener reading lists. And, Ben's got a new studio setup. One of the most common editorial notes first time authors get is that they're "head hopping." Well, what does that mean? How does it happen? And how can you work around it. If you haven't already seen our classic Instagram Reel discussing the topic, we cover a lot of the same stuff in this episode of Collaborcast. If you're watching this video, you probably don't need much convincing of how important it is to read books. But should you keep reading even while you're working on your own book? Or is that simply a recipe for getting influenced by the works and voices of other authors? Reading is important for writers, and when you read may be a critical component of that. Both of these topics were listener submitted questions. If you've got one of your own, please feel free to drop it in the comments or send us an email and we'll try to work it into a future episode. We also celebrate the authors and books mentioned in last week's reading accountability check in addition to Jason and Ben listing the books they're reading. Featured independent bookstore - Pegasus Books.

Hey Collaborist! Welcome to 2023, we've been waiting for you. Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming about how to drum up more interest in your writing? Maybe you've come up with some wild ideas about how to sell a truckload of books. Well, we encourage you to make sure that "wild" doesn't equal "bad" because there are plenty of bad marketing tricks that people try to play and ultimately, they're not only unsuccessful as a get rich quick scheme, they can also completely obliterate an author's career in its tracks. For instance, on this episode of Collaborcast we talk about one "innovative" author strategy that involved faking their own death. Don't do that. We also talk about the value of New Year's resolutions and how to incorporate the concept (or a modified version of it) as you enter the first page of the calendar. Lastly, we've got an accountability check. If you're so inclined, let us know the books you're reading this week, next week, and so on.

Hey Collaborist, In this week's episode, Jason and Ben talk about the birth and growth of Collaborist and Collaborcast, including some of their favorite episodes. Additionally, they read and discuss another query letter submitted by a Collaborist just like you. How about you, Collaborist? What were your 2022 highlights? Featured independent bookstore - Andover Bookstore in Andover, Massachusetts.

Hey Collaborist - today we go back to talking about how much description you need in your writing. We examine the idea using Ernest Hemingway's novel, 'A Farewell to Arms and Don Delillo's novel White Noise! We, once again, examine the idea of why it's important to know the rules before you break the rules. How about you, Collaborist? How much description do you think you need in your writing?

On this week's episode we remind you to trust your reader. No need to go all in on details. We also talk about Jasper's quest to get t-shirts from bookstores all across the country and how he found clarity in writing a scene during November. Also, Bryce talks about the effects painting has had on his writing. Also! There's a request for you, dear Collaboring.

Happy Thanksgiving, Collaborist! On this week's episode we talk about what needs to go into a prescriptive non-fiction book proposal at the corner of Art and Commerce. How to participate in the hashtag publishing world, and Jason tells us about an observation he made on his book while out on a hike.

Hey Collaborist! On this week's episode we help you understand how to know you are ready to query an agent or publisher. You've written a novel. Great! You want the whole world to read it. Also great! Now that you've typed "the end" you should start working on your query letter, right? Well, not exactly. You need to remember that your query letter isn't the only one going out in the world and that other people are looking for representation, too. It's competitive, but there's a lot about it that is entirely within your control. ABOUT THE HOSTS: Jason Buchholz’s acclaimed debut novel, A Paper Son, published by Tyrus Books in 2016, explores themes of migration, borderlands, heritage, and the sometimes hidden stories that bind us all together. He has ghostwritten books and book proposals for a variety of authors and as an editor he has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. A current nonfiction project has him hiking and kayaking deep into the quiet landscapes of the many wilderness areas of Northern California, where he lives. When he’s not writing or reading he spends his time playing and traveling with his son and daughter. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. Ben LeRoy has long been fascinated by the power of words and story to connect and expand the world. He was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books (2000-2009) and Tyrus Books (2009-2017) until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. During his time in publishing, Ben was a frequent speaker at conferences and routinely interviewed for pieces about the industry. In 2014, after the suicide death of a friend, Ben did volunteer work in all 50 states as part of the Be Local Everywhere project. RESOURCES & LINKS: Need an Editor, Ghostwriter, or Coach? Hire a Collaborist! – https://collaborist.org/services/ Looking for a Writers’ Group? - https://collaborist.org/writers-groups/ Interested in a book mentioned during the podcast? - https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist More about Jason Buchholz - http://www.jasonbuchholz.com/ More about Ben LeRoy – http://www.thebenleroy.com Collaborist on Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/Collaborist1 Collaborist on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecollaborist Collaborist on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/collaborist

On this episode of Collaborcast we answer a frequently asked question, "How long should a book be?" And though we both agree that a story should be as many words as it needs to be, the business side of publishing has more specific numbers as far as word count. We go over the numbers. We give examples of books that went way over and a few that snuck in well under. Ben also talks about his side project -- What Did I Just Paint? -- a YouTube project about my nightly learning process with paints and canvases. And we want to hear from those of you who are doing NaNoWriMo! How's it going? ABOUT THE HOSTS: Jason Buchholz’s acclaimed debut novel, A Paper Son, published by Tyrus Books in 2016, explores themes of migration, borderlands, heritage, and the sometimes hidden stories that bind us all together. He has ghostwritten books and book proposals for a variety of authors and as an editor he has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. A current nonfiction project has him hiking and kayaking deep into the quiet landscapes of the many wilderness areas of Northern California, where he lives. When he’s not writing or reading he spends his time playing and traveling with his son and daughter. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. Ben LeRoy has long been fascinated by the power of words and story to connect and expand the world. He was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books (2000-2009) and Tyrus Books (2009-2017) until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. During his time in publishing, Ben was a frequent speaker at conferences and routinely interviewed for pieces about the industry. In 2014, after the suicide death of a friend, Ben did volunteer work in all 50 states as part of the Be Local Everywhere project. RESOURCES & LINKS: Need an Editor, Ghostwriter, or Coach? Hire a Collaborist! – https://collaborist.org/services/ Looking for a Writers’ Group? - https://collaborist.org/writers-groups/ Interested in a book mentioned during the podcast? - https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist More about Jason Buchholz - http://www.jasonbuchholz.com/ More about Ben LeRoy – http://www.thebenleroy.com Collaborist on Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/Collaborist1 Collaborist on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecollaborist Collaborist on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/collaborist

Jason and Ben discuss Jason's mission to learn about and promote different independent bookstores across the country, a recent Twitter discussion about new books that take place in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and lastly, a brand new query letter review. Also, if you want your query letter to be read and discussed on an episode of Collaborcast, we've got an offer for you. If you're a NaNoWriMo participant this year, we're cheering you on!

Jason and Ben discuss who designs a book's cover and why the process is the way it is. We also discuss a FIFTH! POV that nobody ever knew about (except maybe Hemingway). Jason tells us about recent magic in nature with bioluminescence and not kayaking in shark infested waters on windy nights. Also, reminder, if you're participating in NaNoWriMo 2022, we're here to talk to you about your project ahead of time to make sure you feel prepared to do your best fast drafting.

In a busy, busy world, how can you make sure to keep tending to your purpose? Jason and Ben discuss how to ease back into the real world after spending mindful time away on your creative project. What lessons can be learned from dedicating days or weeks to hyper focusing on one act? How do we continue to carry those lessons with us once we return to the routine of the 9-5 and the distractions of our regular life? ABOUT THE HOSTS: Jason Buchholz’s acclaimed debut novel, A Paper Son, published by Tyrus Books in 2016, explores themes of migration, borderlands, heritage, and the sometimes hidden stories that bind us all together. He has ghostwritten books and book proposals for a variety of authors and as an editor he has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. A current nonfiction project has him hiking and kayaking deep into the quiet landscapes of the many wilderness areas of Northern California, where he lives. When he’s not writing or reading he spends his time playing and traveling with his son and daughter. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. Ben LeRoy has long been fascinated by the power of words and story to connect and expand the world. He was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books (2000-2009) and Tyrus Books (2009-2017) until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. During his time in publishing, Ben was a frequent speaker at conferences and routinely interviewed for pieces about the industry. In 2014, after the suicide death of a friend, Ben did volunteer work in all 50 states as part of the Be Local Everywhere project. RESOURCES & LINKS: Need an Editor, Ghostwriter, or Coach? Hire a Collaborist! – https://collaborist.org/services/ Looking for a Writers’ Group? - https://collaborist.org/writers-groups/ Interested in a book mentioned during the podcast? - https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist More about Jason Buchholz - http://www.jasonbuchholz.com/ More about Ben LeRoy – http://www.thebenleroy.com Collaborist on Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/Collaborist1 Collaborist on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecollaborist Collaborist on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/collaborist

Jason and Ben sit down on the beach to talk about creative time management, especially as it relates to protecting your time as a writer, storyteller, artist--human. The world is full of potential distractions, but you are under no obligation to be consumed by them. It's okay to prioritize your writing. It's okay to prioritize you. You're the one who has to make sense of your life and your purpose and so much of that begins with protecting your time. ABOUT THE HOSTS: Jason Buchholz’s acclaimed debut novel, A Paper Son, published by Tyrus Books in 2016, explores themes of migration, borderlands, heritage, and the sometimes hidden stories that bind us all together. He has ghostwritten books and book proposals for a variety of authors and as an editor he has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. A current nonfiction project has him hiking and kayaking deep into the quiet landscapes of the many wilderness areas of Northern California, where he lives. When he’s not writing or reading he spends his time playing and traveling with his son and daughter. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. Ben LeRoy has long been fascinated by the power of words and story to connect and expand the world. He was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books (2000-2009) and Tyrus Books (2009-2017) until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. During his time in publishing, Ben was a frequent speaker at conferences and routinely interviewed for pieces about the industry. In 2014, after the suicide death of a friend, Ben did volunteer work in all 50 states as part of the Be Local Everywhere project. RESOURCES & LINKS: Need an Editor, Ghostwriter, or Coach? Hire a Collaborist! – https://collaborist.org/services/ Looking for a Writers’ Group? - https://collaborist.org/writers-groups/ Interested in a book mentioned during the podcast? - https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist More about Jason Buchholz - http://www.jasonbuchholz.com/ More about Ben LeRoy – http://www.thebenleroy.com Collaborist on Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/Collaborist1 Collaborist on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecollaborist Collaborist on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/collaborist

Jason and Ben talk about NaNoWriMo in the first ever in person edition of Collaborcast! Planning to write 50,000 words in November? Hoping to find writing community? We've got things for you to think about as you embark on your book writing journey this fall! We're here with writing advice, writing tips, and gentle encouragement for those on the NaNoWriMo journey.

Writing isn't simply typing. It's processing the world around you as you try to understand yourself and what it is you want to say. We live in a world of constant stimulation from all corners, much of it is disposable. So how do you get outside of it? And what should you expect once you do? Is being uncomfortable part of writing? Probably not for everybody, but maybe for you. In this episode of Collaborcast we explore the necessity of silence as part of your creative process. What about you, Collaborist? Have you found refuge in quiet? If so, where?

Jason and Ben talk about the benefits and expectations of a writing retreat and how it differs from a writing conference. Are you looking for alone time and no distractions so that you can write ten thousand words? Are you looking to meet other writers working in your genre? Hoping to learn from your favorite authors and esteemed experts in the business of writing and publishing? Well, Collaborist, we've got an episode for you! ABOUT THE HOSTS: Jason Buchholz’s acclaimed debut novel, A Paper Son, published by Tyrus Books in 2016, explores themes of migration, borderlands, heritage, and the sometimes hidden stories that bind us all together. He has ghostwritten books and book proposals for a variety of authors and as an editor he has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. A current nonfiction project has him hiking and kayaking deep into the quiet landscapes of the many wilderness areas of Northern California, where he lives. When he’s not writing or reading he spends his time playing and traveling with his son and daughter. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. Ben LeRoy has long been fascinated by the power of words and story to connect and expand the world. He was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books (2000-2009) and Tyrus Books (2009-2017) until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. During his time in publishing, Ben was a frequent speaker at conferences and routinely interviewed for pieces about the industry. In 2014, after the suicide death of a friend, Ben did volunteer work in all 50 states as part of the Be Local Everywhere project. RESOURCES & LINKS: Need an Editor, Ghostwriter, or Coach? Hire a Collaborist! – https://collaborist.org/services/ Looking for a Writers’ Group? - https://collaborist.org/writers-groups/ Interested in a book mentioned during the podcast? - https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist More about Jason Buchholz - http://www.jasonbuchholz.com/ More about Ben LeRoy – http://www.thebenleroy.com Collaborist on Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/Collaborist1 Collaborist on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecollaborist Collaborist on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/collaborist Collaborist on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Jason and Ben talk about the benefits and expectations of a writing retreat and how it differs from a writing conference. Are you looking for alone time and no distractions so that you can write ten thousand words? Are you looking to meet other writers working in your genre? Hoping to learn from your favorite authors and esteemed experts in the business of writing and publishing? Well, Collaborist, we've got an episode for you! ABOUT THE HOSTS: Jason Buchholz’s acclaimed debut novel, A Paper Son, published by Tyrus Books in 2016, explores themes of migration, borderlands, heritage, and the sometimes hidden stories that bind us all together. He has ghostwritten books and book proposals for a variety of authors and as an editor he has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. A current nonfiction project has him hiking and kayaking deep into the quiet landscapes of the many wilderness areas of Northern California, where he lives. When he’s not writing or reading he spends his time playing and traveling with his son and daughter. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. Ben LeRoy has long been fascinated by the power of words and story to connect and expand the world. He was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books (2000-2009) and Tyrus Books (2009-2017) until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. During his time in publishing, Ben was a frequent speaker at conferences and routinely interviewed for pieces about the industry. In 2014, after the suicide death of a friend, Ben did volunteer work in all 50 states as part of the Be Local Everywhere project. RESOURCES & LINKS: Need an Editor, Ghostwriter, or Coach? Hire a Collaborist! – https://collaborist.org/services/ Looking for a Writers’ Group? - https://collaborist.org/writers-groups/ Interested in a book mentioned during the podcast? - https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist More about Jason Buchholz - http://www.jasonbuchholz.com/ More about Ben LeRoy – http://www.thebenleroy.com Collaborist on Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/Collaborist1 Collaborist on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecollaborist Collaborist on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/collaborist Collaborist on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Jason and Ben discuss writing routines that work and why it's important to question the wisdom of anybody telling you they have a formula for success. A lot of writing advice comes off as aggressive and needlessly rigid, pretending that it's practical in a mythical cutthroat literary world. You don't need to hustle and grind. You don't need to write 5,000 words a day. You don't need to produce a novel every few months. For most writers it isn't realistic and the effects of unrealistic expectations can ruin a book before an author even gets started. Let's discuss, Collaborist! Also, because of goings on in the publishing world this week, we have a refresher conversation about the precarious nature of micro presses (no matter how well intentioned!), red flags to notice, questions to ask. You've got a few decades, write like it. Support Collaborist on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/collaborist Want to work with Collaborist on your novel? http://www.collaborist.org/services Follow Collaborist on Social Media: Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/thecollaborist Twitter - https://twitter.com/Collaborist1 TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@collaborist AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE As a regular part of our discussions on Collaborcast we discuss books that have inspired us and contribute to a larger point we’re trying to make about storytelling, craft, insights into the human condition, or any number of other things. When we remember, we may include links to those books in the episode notes. If you are interested in purchasing those books and do so by clicking on the link to the Collaborist storefront on Bookshop, we will receive an affiliate commission from Bookshop. We have selected Bookshop because of their commitment to keeping independent bookstores competitive in the online bookselling space. We encourage you to consider Bookshop when buying books online whether or not you choose to do so through Collaborist or your favorite independent bookstore. If you opt to get your books from somewhere other than our link – bookstores, libraries, estate sales, wherever—we’re totally okay with that, too. Books are valuable and wonderful and we encourage you to find the treasure wherever it works best for you, Collaborist. https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist ABOUT THE HOSTS Jason Buchholz has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. He is the author of the novel, A Paper Son (Simon & Schuster). Ben LeRoy was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books and Tyrus Books until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. He is currently at work on a novel that is far too long and too complicated for its own good. Theme song by Self Help - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtbDS...

Jason and Ben discuss writing routines that work and why it's important to question the wisdom of anybody telling you they have a formula for success. A lot of writing advice comes off as aggressive and needlessly rigid, pretending that it's practical in a mythical cutthroat literary world. You don't need to hustle and grind. You don't need to write 5,000 words a day. You don't need to produce a novel every few months. For most writers it isn't realistic and the effects of unrealistic expectations can ruin a book before an author even gets started. Let's discuss, Collaborist! Also, because of goings on in the publishing world this week, we have a refresher conversation about the precarious nature of micro presses (no matter how well intentioned!), red flags to notice, questions to ask. You've got a few decades, write like it. Support Collaborist on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/collaborist Want to work with Collaborist on your novel? http://www.collaborist.org/services Follow Collaborist on Social Media: Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/thecollaborist Twitter - https://twitter.com/Collaborist1 TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@collaborist AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE As a regular part of our discussions on Collaborcast we discuss books that have inspired us and contribute to a larger point we’re trying to make about storytelling, craft, insights into the human condition, or any number of other things. When we remember, we may include links to those books in the episode notes. If you are interested in purchasing those books and do so by clicking on the link to the Collaborist storefront on Bookshop, we will receive an affiliate commission from Bookshop. We have selected Bookshop because of their commitment to keeping independent bookstores competitive in the online bookselling space. We encourage you to consider Bookshop when buying books online whether or not you choose to do so through Collaborist or your favorite independent bookstore. If you opt to get your books from somewhere other than our link – bookstores, libraries, estate sales, wherever—we’re totally okay with that, too. Books are valuable and wonderful and we encourage you to find the treasure wherever it works best for you, Collaborist. https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist ABOUT THE HOSTS Jason Buchholz has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. He is the author of the novel, A Paper Son (Simon & Schuster). Ben LeRoy was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books and Tyrus Books until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. He is currently at work on a novel that is far too long and too complicated for its own good. Theme song by Self Help - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtbDS...

Jason and Ben wrap up their How to Write a Novel series with some thoughts about the end of a book and the process of writing. ABOUT THE HOSTS: Jason Buchholz’s acclaimed debut novel, A Paper Son, published by Tyrus Books in 2016, explores themes of migration, borderlands, heritage, and the sometimes hidden stories that bind us all together. He has ghostwritten books and book proposals for a variety of authors and as an editor he has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. A current nonfiction project has him hiking and kayaking deep into the quiet landscapes of the many wilderness areas of Northern California, where he lives. When he’s not writing or reading he spends his time playing and traveling with his son and daughter. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. Ben LeRoy has long been fascinated by the power of words and story to connect and expand the world. He was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books (2000-2009) and Tyrus Books (2009-2017) until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. During his time in publishing, Ben was a frequent speaker at conferences and routinely interviewed for pieces about the industry. In 2014, after the suicide death of a friend, Ben did volunteer work in all 50 states as part of the Be Local Everywhere project. RESOURCES & LINKS: Need an Editor, Ghostwriter, or Coach? Hire a Collaborist! – https://collaborist.org/services/ Looking for a Writers’ Group? - https://collaborist.org/writers-groups/ Interested in a book mentioned during the podcast? - https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist More about Jason Buchholz -

Should you chase trends when writing a novel? Is there a way to take advantage of the zeitgeist atop the bestseller list? Is there a formula for striking it rich with your writing? Is it more important to write a book according to what's popular now? Or to write the book that's burning in your heart? Do you have to choose? Can you do both? Let's discuss, Collaborist! Also, because of goings on in the publishing world this week, we have a refresher conversation about the precarious nature of micro presses (no matter how well intentioned!), red flags to notice, questions to ask. You've got a few decades, write like it. Support Collaborist on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/collaborist Want to work with Collaborist on your novel? http://www.collaborist.org/services Follow Collaborist on Social Media: Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/thecollaborist Twitter - https://twitter.com/Collaborist1 TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@collaborist AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE As a regular part of our discussions on Collaborcast we discuss books that have inspired us and contribute to a larger point we’re trying to make about storytelling, craft, insights into the human condition, or any number of other things. When we remember, we may include links to those books in the episode notes. If you are interested in purchasing those books and do so by clicking on the link to the Collaborist storefront on Bookshop, we will receive an affiliate commission from Bookshop. We have selected Bookshop because of their commitment to keeping independent bookstores competitive in the online bookselling space. We encourage you to consider Bookshop when buying books online whether or not you choose to do so through Collaborist or your favorite independent bookstore. If you opt to get your books from somewhere other than our link – bookstores, libraries, estate sales, wherever—we’re totally okay with that, too. Books are valuable and wonderful and we encourage you to find the treasure wherever it works best for you, Collaborist. https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist ABOUT THE HOSTS Jason Buchholz has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. He is the author of the novel, A Paper Son (Simon & Schuster). Ben LeRoy was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books and Tyrus Books until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. He is currently at work on a novel that is far too long and too complicated for its own good. Theme song by Self Help - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtbDS... 00:00 Introduction 02:39 Updates from Collaborist 05:06 Should You Chase Writing Trends

Hey, Collaborist! Have you ever wondered how to do scene building in your novel? How do you weigh a scene vs. a summary? How do you write a scene that is essential and not simply a way to pass the time to get to the good parts? Well, have we got an episode for you! Jason and Ben discuss scene building, what the difference is between scene and summary, what it means to let a moment pass, why some people shrug, and how to maximize the effect of your words on your readers. Support Collaborist on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/collaborist Want to work with Collaborist on your novel? http://www.collaborist.org/services Follow Collaborist on Social Media: Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/thecollaborist Twitter - https://twitter.com/Collaborist1 AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE As a regular part of our discussions on Collaborcast we discuss books that have inspired us and contribute to a larger point we’re trying to make about storytelling, craft, insights into the human condition, or any number of other things. When we remember, we may include links to those books in the episode notes. If you are interested in purchasing those books and do so by clicking on the link to the Collaborist storefront on Bookshop, we will receive an affiliate commission from Bookshop. We have selected Bookshop because of their commitment to keeping independent bookstores competitive in the online bookselling space. We encourage you to consider Bookshop when buying books online wheth

Hey, Collaborist! Have you ever been told that you need to "show, don't tell" in your novel? Did you then run to the internet (overflowing with writing advice) to find out what exactly people were talking about and why they suggested that you "show don't tell?" Even after reading a variety of how to blog posts from people you don't know, were you still just as confused as ever? Well, have we got an episode for you! Jason and Ben discuss the adage Show Don't Tell, what the difference is between scene and summary, and why you don't want somebody on your shoulder ruining a movie for you. Support Collaborcast on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/collaborcast Want to work with Collaborist on your novel? http://www.collaborist.org/services Follow Collaborist on Social Media: Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/thecollaborist Twitter - https://twitter.com/Collaborist1 AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE As a regular part of our discussions on Collaborcast we discuss books that have inspired us and contribute to a larger point we’re trying to make about storytelling, craft, insights into the human condition, or any number of other things. When we remember, we may include links to those books in the episode notes. If you are interested in purchasing those books and do so by clicking on the link to the Collaborist storefront on Bookshop, we will receive an affiliate commission from Bookshop. We have selected Bookshop because of their commitment to keeping independent bookstores competitive in the online bookselling space. We encourage you to consider Bookshop when buying books online whether or not you choose to do so through Collaborist or your favorite independent bookstore. If you opt to get your books from somewhere other than our link – bookstores, libraries, estate sales, wherever—we’re totally okay with that, too. Books are valuable and wonderful and we encourage you to find the treasure wherever it works best for you, Collaborist. https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist ABOUT THE HOSTS Jason Buchholz has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. He is the author of the novel, A Paper Son (Simon & Schuster). Ben LeRoy was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books and Tyrus Books until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. He is currently at work on a novel that is far too long and too complicated for its own good. Theme song by Self Help - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtbDS_UewGA&ab_channel=SelfHelp

Jason and Ben discuss the importance of setting, how it does and does not act as another character, the importance of writing with authority about a place, and how setting is not only about the physical location but also the time and context. As always, thanks to Self Help for the intro and outro music! About the hosts: Jason Buchholz has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. He is the author of the novel, A Paper Son (Simon & Schuster). Ben LeRoy has long been fascinated by the power of words and story to connect and expand the world. He was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books (2000-2009) and Tyrus Books (2009-2017) until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. During his time in publishing, Ben was a frequent speaker at conferences and routinely interviewed for pieces about the industry. He is currently at work on a novel that is far too long and too complicated for its own good. Affiliate Disclosure: As a regular part of our discussions on Collaborcast we discuss books that have inspired us and contribute to a larger point we’re trying to make about storytelling, craft, insights into the human condition, or any number of other things. When we remember, we may include links to those books in the episode notes. If you are interested in purchasing those books and do so by clicking on the link to the Collaborist storefront on Bookshop, we will receive an affiliate commission from Bookshop. We have selected Bookshop because of their commitment to keeping independent bookstores competitive in the online bookselling space. We encourage you to consider Bookshop when buying books online whether or not you choose to do so through Collaborist or your favorite independent bookstore. If you opt to get your books from somewhere other than our link – bookstores, libraries, estate sales, wherever—we’re totally okay with that, too. Books are valuable and wonderful and we encourage you to find the treasure wherever it works best for you, Collaborist.

Jason and Ben discuss the critical balance between pace, plot, and tension. We discuss the difference between what happens in a book and what a book is about. We talk about the Karate Kid, Mad Max, thrillers, genre expectations, and how to make sure you're paying attention to your intentions and reader expectations. Also! We're now on Patreon. If you'd like to support ongoing Collaborist initiatives and feast on a buffet of cool writing, mentoring, and community benefits, visit us at www.patreon.com/collaborist. If you're looking for more information about our Free Query Letter Review happening August 1-7th, you can find it on your website at www.collaborist.org. Books discussed in this episode include: Dune Franny & Zooey Catcher in the Rye In the Skin of a Lion About the Hosts: Jason Buchholz has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. He is the author of the novel, A Paper Son (Simon & Schuster). Ben LeRoy has long been fascinated by the power of words and story to connect and expand the world. He was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books (2000-2009) and Tyrus Books (2009-2017) until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. During his time in publishing, Ben was a frequent speaker at conferences and routinely interviewed for pieces about the industry. He is currently at work on a novel that is far too long and too complicated for its own good. Affiliate Disclosure: As a regular part of our discussions on Collaborcast we discuss books that have inspired us and contribute to a larger point we’re trying to make about storytelling, craft, insights into the human condition, or any number of other things. When we remember, we may include links to those books in the episode notes. If you are interested in purchasing those books and do so by clicking on the link to the Collaborist storefront on Bookshop, we will receive an affiliate commission from Bookshop. We have selected Bookshop because of their commitment to keeping independent bookstores competitive in the online bookselling space. We encourage you to consider Bookshop when buying books online whether or not you choose to do so through Collaborist or your favorite independent bookstore. If you opt to get your books from somewhere other than our link – bookstores, libraries, estate sales, wherever—we’re totally okay with that, too. Books are valuable and wonderful and we encourage you to find the treasure wherever it works best for you, Collaborist.

Jason and Ben discuss what makes an effective antagonist. Is the bad guy always the one in the bushes? Who else can be the person between your protagonist's goals and success? Thanks to Self Help for the intro and outro music.

Jason and Ben discuss what makes an effective protagonist. What does it mean to write what you know? Does your leading character have to be good? Sympathetic? All knowing? Thanks to Self Help for the intro and outro music. #howtowrite #writing #novelwriting #novel #amwriting #nanowrimo

We talk about how to choose a point of view (POV), things to avoid during your book's opening, and we've got questions for you! Thanks to Self Help for the intro and outro music! RESOURCES & LINKS: Need an Editor, Ghostwriter, or Coach? Hire a Collaborist! – https://collaborist.org/services/ Looking for a Writers’ Group? - https://collaborist.org/writers-groups/ Interested in a book mentioned during the podcast? - https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist More about Jason Buchholz - http://www.jasonbuchholz.com/ More about Ben LeRoy – http://www.thebenleroy.com Collaborist on Twitter –

Interested in writing a novel, but you don't know what to write about? Ever wonder where ideas for stories come from? Jason and Ben break down the magic of questions that begin, "What if...?" ABOUT THE HOSTS: Jason Buchholz’s acclaimed debut novel, A Paper Son, published by Tyrus Books in 2016, explores themes of migration, borderlands, heritage, and the sometimes hidden stories that bind us all together. He has ghostwritten books and book proposals for a variety of authors and as an editor he has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. A current nonfiction project has him hiking and kayaking deep into the quiet landscapes of the many wilderness areas of Northern California, where he lives. When he’s not writing or reading he spends his time playing and traveling with his son and daughter. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. Ben LeRoy has long been fascinated by the power of words and story to connect and expand the world. He was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books (2000-2009) and Tyrus Books (2009-2017) until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. During his time in publishing, Ben was a frequent speaker at conferences and routinely interviewed for pieces about the industry. In 2014, after the suicide death of a friend, Ben did volunteer work in all 50 states as part of the Be Local Everywhere project.

Thinking about querying an agent or an editor this summer? Or, have you done it in the past and wondered why things seem to take forever between Memorial Day and Labor Day? Well, here's a brief explanation of why (at least based on tradition and the old conventional wisdom) to help temper your expectations. ABOUT THE HOSTS: Jason Buchholz’s acclaimed debut novel, A Paper Son, published by Tyrus Books in 2016, explores themes of migration, borderlands, heritage, and the sometimes hidden stories that bind us all together. He has ghostwritten books and book proposals for a variety of authors and as an editor he has fostered the development of dozens of manuscripts, both in fiction and nonfiction. He has also worked as a journalist and a travel writer. A current nonfiction project has him hiking and kayaking deep into the quiet landscapes of the many wilderness areas of Northern California, where he lives. When he’s not writing or reading he spends his time playing and traveling with his son and daughter. Jason graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco. Ben LeRoy has long been fascinated by the power of words and story to connect and expand the world. He was the founder and publisher of the critically acclaimed publishing companies Bleak House Books (2000-2009) and Tyrus Books (2009-2017) until the latter was sold to Simon & Schuster. During his time in publishing, Ben was a frequent speaker at conferences and routinely interviewed for pieces about the industry. In 2014, after the suicide death of a friend, Ben did volunteer work in all 50 states as part of the Be Local Everywhere project. RESOURCES & LINKS: Need an Editor, Ghostwriter, or Coach? Hire a Collaborist! – https://collaborist.org/services/ Looking for a Writers’ Group? - https://collaborist.org/writers-groups/ Interested in a book mentioned during the podcast? - https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist

Jason's got a story to tell about a project he's working on and the culmination of one thousand miles hiked in solitude that ended at Half Dome in Yosemite.

Jason Buchholz and Ben LeRoy discuss important parts of writing a novel that go beyond simply typing words. RESOURCES & LINKS: Need an Editor, Ghostwriter, or Coach? Hire a Collaborist! – https://collaborist.org/services/ Looking for a Writers’ Group? - https://collaborist.org/writers-groups/ Interested in a book mentioned during the podcast? - https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist More about Jason Buchholz - http://www.jasonbuchholz.com/ More about Ben LeRoy – http://www.thebenleroy.com Collaborist on Twitter –

Jason and Ben talk about all of the things that go into writing a memoir. How can you tell your life's story? How can you identify the narrative arc that will make up your book? We've got questions for you to think about. Show Notes: Kurt Vonnegut on the Shape of Stories - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP3c1h8v2ZQ Fierce Attachments - https://bookshop.org/books/fierce-attachments-a-memoir/9780374529963?aid=82286&listref=mentioned-on-the-podcast-70665ab6-7ad7-4c7c-8441-0a7652474d16 RESOURCES & LINKS: Need an Editor, Ghostwriter, or Coach? Hire a Collaborist! – https://collaborist.org/services/ Looking for a Writers' Group? - https://collaborist.org/writers-groups/ Interested in a book mentioned during the podcast? - https://bookshop.org/shop/collaborist More about Jason Buchholz - http://www.jasonbuchholz.com/ More about Ben LeRoy – http://www.thebenleroy.com Collaborist on Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/Collaborist1 Collaborist on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecollaborist Collaborist on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-collaborist

Jason and Ben talk about how to identify agents to approach.

On this episode of Collaborcast, Jason and Ben have another conversation about query letters with two real world examples read and discussed on the podcast.

This week, Collaborcast co-host Jason Buchholz sits down with his agent, Wendy Levinson, to talk about the role of a literary agent. Wendy discusses how and where she finds new work, what a day in the life of a literary agent is like, projects she's particularly proud of, and provides practical advice to aspiring authors who are ready to send out queries. Books Wendy mentioned: May Tomorrow Be Awake: On Poetry, Autism, and our Neurodiverse Future, by Chris Martin, forthcoming this summer from HarperOne. Walking the Bowl: A True Story of Murder and Survival Among the Street Children of Lusaka, by Chris Lockhart and Daniel Mulilo Chama, Hanover Square Press, 2022 Journals Wendy reads: Joyland, The Normal School, Catapult, The Southern Review, Ploughshares, The Kenyon Review, The Pinch, Narrative Magazine. As always, thanks to Self Help for the music.

Overwhelmed by confusing terms and the number of publishers in the world? No idea how to separate the good from the bad, the well-intentioned from the grifters? On this episode of Collaborcast, Ben and Jason break down what to look for and the questions to ask when considering a publisher. We provide a list of things YOU can do to make sure that your goals are in line with the capabilities of a publisher. This conversation will help you avoid disappointment and feel informed about how publishing works and the role you can play in your own journey. This conversation is informed by Ben's experience as the founder and publisher of two independent publishing houses (Bleak House Books 2000-2009 and Tyrus Books 2009-2017) that were later purchased by larger publishing companies. Seventeen+ years of living in that space, interacting with authors, agents, retailers, reviewers, and the other people who make the publishing industry move the way it does. If you have questions you'd like answered on a future episode of Collaborcast, please send them to info@collaborist.org and we'll do our best to work them into a future episode of the podcast. Thank you, as always, to Self Help, for the bumper music. #publishing #publishers #independentpublisher #indieauthor #smallpress

Long-distance cyclist and documentarian Ryan Van Duzer joins us on this week's episode of Collaborcast to talk about his slow travels around the world and his mission to spread love and hope, one stop at a time. Ryan's YouTube channel. Thanks to Self Help for the theme song. Be sure to follow us on social media and to support Collaborcast wherever you get your podcasts.

What might a poorly written query letter have in common with the Segway scooter? Join Jason Buchholz and Ben LeRoy as they discuss the dos and don'ts of querying, and show their age with old-timey stories of thigh-high stacks of paper agent queries. Interested in having them review your query letter? Send it to info@collaborist.org and we may feature it on a future episode of Collaborcast. As always, thanks to Self Help for the music!

Collaborcast hosts Jason Buchholz and Ben LeRoy talk about the developmental edit process, why it's important for telling your story, and some of the emotional consequences that come with making sure an author gets their story right. Writing and publishing is sometimes mystifying, but the more it's discussed, the easier it becomes to understand.

Jason and Ben discuss the forthcoming Collaborist pop-up writers’ conferences and ask questions of you–the Collaborcast audience–about how they can best serve your community. Ready to explore the idea of having a pop-up writers’ conference in your hometown? Send an email to info@collaborist.org to get the discussion started As always thanks to Self Help for the music.

This week Ben sits down with one of the original Collaborists, Carolyn Adams, to talk about her storytelling journey through the worlds of screenwriting, novel writing, and stand up comedy. A USC Film School graduate, Carolyn Lee Adams began her career writing for the screen, and her sensibility remains informed by cinematic storytelling. Her debut novel, Ruthless, was published by Simon & Schuster and recognized by the Washington State Book Awards and Missouri’s Gateway Awards. In addition to that YA thriller, she has written a collection of middle grade short stories for Amazon. Beginning with her work for the story departments at CAA and Summit Entertainment, and continuing to her editorial work today, Carolyn has developed a keen understanding of the transformative power of storytelling, both for the writer and the reader. As always thanks to Self Help for the music.

This week Jason and Ben answer questions submitted by Collaborcast listeners. We talk about traditional publishing vs. self publishing and the need for hiring editors, what is platform and do you need it, what is the writing soundtrack? As always, thanks to Self Help for the intro and outro music! Be sure to rate and review Collaborcast wherever you get your podcasts! And, if you're not doing anything this weekend, follow us on social media.

This week we examine the lasting effects of the crisis in Ukraine with Kat Poster, whose family fled Soviet-controlled Ukraine a generation ago, when she was a girl. Kat discusses the escape, the support her family and other refugees had upon reaching Western Europe, and her arrival in the United States. Kat's story illustrates the rootlessness that persists for decades when communities are destroyed. Also in this episode is a call to action - Collaborist will provide free editing on a page-per-dollar basis for direct donations to the International Rescue Committee, which is operating in Poland to support Ukrainian refugees. Email info@collaborist.org for more information. Thank you, as always to Self Help for the music.

Jason and Ben talk about Jason's experiences as both a writing coach and a student of a writing coach. Then Ben has a conversation with podcaster Stephanie Hauser. They talk about Stephanie's story, why she chose to podcast about her experience, and how podcasting has helped her get the word out. About today's guest: Stephanie Hauser is the host of The Zev Project podcast, which first tells the story of her son Zev, born at 23 weeks, and the incredible and impossible odds he fought to overcome and the hope they reclaimed in the process. Using a key strategy that she calls “Tell Me What’s Good,” Stephanie explores how hope and surrender upset the common narrative and provide a more balanced and engaged posture when faced with some of life’s biggest challenges. She aims to encourage others in their own difficult journeys to believe in possibility, reminding them that there is beauty and abundance to be had along the hard road. Stephanie lives in northern Colorado with her family and shares Zev’s story any chance she gets, because she firmly believes that when we share our collective stories, miracles happen.

Journalist and Collaborist Katelyn Ferral joins us on the podcast on the eve of her departure for Europe to cover the invasion of Ukraine and the stories of people on the ground.