The Story Craft Cafe Podcast

In this episode we talk with New York Times Bestseller Jayne Ann Krentz about her long career in publishing, the importance of genre, meeting reader expectations, mixing popular genres, and so much more. With over 50 New York Times bestsellers, Krentz is one of the forerunners of paranormal romance. She writes romantic thrillers, futuristic suspense, and historical mysteries under the Krentz, Castle, and Amanda Quick names, respectively, and her Harmony novels have been praised for their “seamless synthesis of futuristic suspense, magical settings, and scintillating romance” (Booklist, starred review).

KIMBERLY BELLE is the Edgar Award nominated, USA Today and internationally bestselling author with more than one million copies sold worldwide, with titles including The Paris Widow, The Marriage Lie, a Goodreads Choice Awards semifinalist for Best Mystery & Thriller, and the co-authored #1 Audible Original, Young Rich Widows. Kimberly's novels have been optioned for film and television and selected by LibraryReads and Amazon and Apple books editors as best books of the month, and the International Thriller Writers as nominee for best book of the year. She divides her time between Atlanta and Amsterdam.

Linwood Barclay, a New York Times bestselling author with twenty novels to his credit, spent three decades in newspapers before turning full time to writing thrillers. His books have been translated into more than two dozen languages, sold millions of copies, and he counts Stephen King among his fans. Many of his books have been optioned for film and TV, a series has been made in France, and he wrote the screenplay for the film based on his novel Never Saw it Coming. Born in the US, his parents moved to Canada just as he was turning four, and he's lived there ever since. He lives near Toronto with his wife, Neetha. They have two grown children.

Jenny Morris is a psychology researcher with a fascination in ethics, human behavior, and moral dilemmas. She writes high-concept crime novels that explore deep philosophical questions that started off as conversations with friends like, ‘How much would I have to pay you to eat a human toe?' Jenny has completed the Faber Academy ‘Writing a Novel' six-month course, and has won short story contests in both Writing Magazine and Writers' Forum. In 2020, she completed a PhD in Psychology. Jenny lives in Kent. AN ETHICAL GUIDE TO MURDER is her first novel. Thea has a secret. She can tell how long someone has left to live just by touching them. Not only that, but she can transfer life from one person to another—something she finds out the hard way when her best friend, Ruth, suffers a fatal head injury on a night out. Desperate to save her, Thea accidentally kills the man responsible and lets his life flow directly into Ruth. Thea comes to understand that she has a godlike power, but how to use it quickly becomes a question of self-control. Is it really so wrong to take a little life from a bad person—say, a very annoying boss—and gift it to someone who's truly good? Realizing she needs to harness her newfound skills, Thea creates an Ethical Guide to Murder. But as she embarks on her mission to punish the wicked and give the deserving more time, she finds good and bad aren't as simple as she first thought. How can she really know who deserves to live and die, and can she figure out her own rules before Ruth's borrowed time runs out?

One of the world's most prolific and successful writers, ANTHONY HOROWITZ may have committed more (fictional) murders than any other living author, working across all media formats, from books, to TV, film, plays, and journalism. In January 2022 he was awarded a CBE for his services to literature. He has written two highly acclaimed Sherlock Holmes novels, The House of Silk and Moriarty; three James Bond novels, Trigger Mortis, Forever and a Day, and With a Mind to Kill; the mystery novels featuring book editor Susan Ryeland: Magpie Murders, Moonflower Murders, and now MARBLE HALL MURDERS, and the Detective Hawthorne novels: The Word is Murder, The Sentence is Death, A Line To Kill, The Twist of a Knife, and Close to Death. He is also the author of the teen spy Alex Rider series, which has sold more than nineteen million copies worldwide and has become a hugely successful show on Amazon Prime TV. His breakthrough murder mystery, Magpie Murders, and the follow up Moonflower Murders, were both adapted for TV and aired on PBS. He lives in London with his wife and dog. For more on Anthony Horowitz, visit: https://anthonyhorowitz.com/.

What's a book coach? A book coach gives you editorial feedback, accountability, support, and marketplace intelligence while you write. We're committed to helping you write the best book you can write — and to make it a little less lonely along the way. You know what a basketball coach does? A career coach? A leadership coach? Imagine that kind of oversight, nurturing, and guidance while you are writing a book. Jennie Nash is the founder and CEO of Author Accelerator, a company on a mission to lead the emerging book coaching industry. Author Accelerator has certified more than 160 book coaches in both fiction and nonfiction. Jennie's own book coaching clients have landed top New York agents and six-figure book deals with Big 5 houses such as Penguin, Scribner, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette, and won dozens of national indie book awards. Client KJ Dell'Antonia became an instant New York Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick in 2020, and in 2021, client Jenn Lim, hit the Wall Street Journal bestseller list. Jennie is the author of 12 books in 3 genres, including Blueprint for a Nonfiction Book: Plan and Pitch Your Big Idea and the forthcoming Blueprint for a Memoir: How to Write a Memoir for the Marketplace. Learn more about being coached or becoming a coach at   authoraccelerator.com.

Jen Braaksma is a book coach and is the author of two young adult novels, Evangeline's Heaven and Amaranth. A former journalist and high school English teacher, Jen is now a book coach who helps writers develop their stories. She lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband (soulmates do exist!), two daughters (Best. Kids. Ever.) and her four cats (who know they're in charge).

Michelle Hazen is a nomad with a writing problem. Years ago, she and her husband ducked out of the 9 to 5 world and moved into their truck to become desert tortoise biologists. She found her voice with the support of the online fanfiction community, and once she started typing, she never looked back. As a result, she has written most of her books in odd places, including a bus in Thailand, an off-the-grid cabin in the Sawtooth Mountains, a golf cart in a sandstorm, a rental car during a heat wave in the Mohave Desert and a beach in Honduras. These days, she works as a freelance editor and writing coach with Sanctuary Editorial mostly based out of Idaho, but thanks to the wonders of Wi-Fi, she and her husband are still soaking up inspiration while they travel the country and work along the way. She's currently addicted to Shadow and Bone, rock climbing, and Tillamook cheese. Michelle is double-agented, so for rights inquiries for romance, psychological suspense, or for her self-published novels, please contact Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary. For fantasy novels and associated rights, contact Naomi Davis of BookEnds Literary. Find her on Instagram at MichelleHazenAuthor, on Facebook at Michelle Hazen, or follow her on Twitter @michellehazen. https://michellehazenbooks.com/ https://www.sanctuaryeditorial.com/

In a novel, pacing is everything. During this workshop, we'll talk about story beats and how to use them correctly, followed by an introduction to the all-powerful micro-beat. Through video clips, I'll teach you how to identify the moments on screen that bring you to the edge of your seat and show you how to apply those techniques to your writing. Learn how to create killer action scenes, nail-biting drama, and romantic moments that will leave your readers swooning for more. Join us as Devri Walls leads us through the paces (see what I did there) to keep your novel on track. Devri is an international best-selling author. She lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, two children, and one adorable little mutt. Writing in all things fantasy, she would do just about anything for a working magic wand. ----------------- Try out Dabble free for 14 days and see why it's the best writing tool on the planet—no credit card required! Visit our website at www.dabblewriter.com to get started. Subscribe to our channel for more live events like author interviews, Word Sprints, and Fireside Chats. We're all about helping authors hone their craft with engaging, fun, and educational content. On top of all that, Dabble Premium members get access to exclusive content like Office Hours, Premium Workshops, Deep Dive articles, bonus resources, and guest speaker workshops. Happy writing!

Jess Kidd was brought up in London as part of a large family from county Mayo and has been praised for her unique fictional voice. Her debut, Himself, was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards in 2016. She won the Costa Short Story Award the same year. Her second novel, The Hoarder (published as Mr. Flood's Last Resort in the U.S.), was shortlisted for the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year 2019. Both books were BBC Radio 2 Book Club Picks. Her Victorian detective tale Things in Jars, was released to critical acclaim. Jess's work has been described as ‘Gabriel García Márquez meets The Pogues.' Jess' first children's book Everyday Magic came out in February 2021, published by Canongate. The fourth novel, The Night Ship, will be published in August 2022. She is also developing her own original TV projects with leading U.K. and international TV producers. Kidd (The Next Ship) pivots to cozies with this delightful series launch about a nun who forsakes her vows to search for a former novice. In 1954, Sister Nora Breen's friend and former trainee, Frieda Brogan, abruptly stops sending her letters. Frieda's last known address is the Gulls Nest, a forlorn boarding house in the English town of Gore-on-Sea, and a frightened Nora asks to be released from her monastery after 30 years to track Frieda down. Nora takes a room at the Gulls Nest, ingratiates herself with its ragtag collection of boarders, and soon realizes she's not the only one concealing a secret past. As she starts to dig into Frieda's stay there, other boarders begin to die under unusual circumstances, making her wonder whether Frieda might have met a similar fate. At first a thorn in the side of Detective Inspector Rideout, who's assigned to investigate the deaths, the intelligent and outspoken Nora gradually gains the policeman's respect. Elegant prose, vivid characterizations, and a fascinating protagonist add up to a thoroughly enjoyable mystery. Readers will be eager for the sequel.

Molly Harper is the USA Today Bestselling author of more than forty paranormal romance, contemporary romance, young adult and mystery titles, most of them through Simon & Schuster, Audible and Sourcebooks Casablanca. Her first book, Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs, came out in 2009. Her latest Audible Exclusive project, the Starfall Point series, launched recently with Witches Get Stuff Done. Most of her titles are available in print, ebook and audio at all major book retailers.

James Blatch is a former BBC Defence Reporter and a former BBFC Film Examiner. He reported for the BBC on the UK military from, among other places, HMS Invincible (Operation Desert Fox build up), Kuwait (Ali Al Salem allied air base), the Arctic Circle as well as covering the UK air offensive during the Kosovo Conflict in 1999. Blatch works in publishing, teaching authors at learnselfpublishing.com and publishing writers at vinci-books.com. He is the cohost of the weekly podcast for authors indiewritersclub.com.

Complete your short story journey with this final session focused on polishing and celebration of your accomplishment. We will share insider techniques for effective line editing, crafting satisfying endings, and selecting titles that capture your story's essence. We will read from our work, reflect on our progress, and receive feedback. Beyond completing a publishable short story, we'll leave with sustainable writing habits, revision confidence, and a clear roadmap for our next creative steps. ----------------- Try out Dabble free for 14 days and see why it's the best writing tool on the planet—no credit card required! Visit our website at www.dabblewriter.com to get started. Subscribe to our channel for more live events like author interviews, Word Sprints, and Fireside Chats. We're all about helping authors hone their craft with engaging, fun, and educational content. On top of all that, Dabble Premium members get access to exclusive content like Office Hours, Premium Workshops, Deep Dive articles, bonus resources, and guest speaker workshops. Happy writing!

Transform your rough draft into polished prose in this crucial third session. You'll learn to strengthen character arcs, develop thematic depth, and enhance your unique voice through strategic revision choices. We will share a key scene and receive targeted feedback from our fellow participants. These revision techniques will not only elevate your current story but become valuable tools for all your future writing projects. ----------------- Try out Dabble free for 14 days and see why it's the best writing tool on the planet—no credit card required! Visit our website at www.dabblewriter.com to get started. Subscribe to our channel for more live events like author interviews, Word Sprints, and Fireside Chats. We're all about helping authors hone their craft with engaging, fun, and educational content. On top of all that, Dabble Premium members get access to exclusive content like Office Hours, Premium Workshops, Deep Dive articles, bonus resources, and guest speaker workshops. Happy writing!

Move from concept to creation in our second session. This week focuses on the architecture of effective scenes, the art of gripping openings, and dialogue that reveals character while advancing plot. We will share techniques for maintaining narrative momentum, balancing showing versus telling, and creating the emotional impact that distinguishes memorable short fiction. In week 2 you'll have transformed your story concept into a complete first draft—an accomplishment worth celebrating! ----------------- Try out Dabble free for 14 days and see why it's the best writing tool on the planet—no credit card required! Visit our website at www.dabblewriter.com to get started. Subscribe to our channel for more live events like author interviews, Word Sprints, and Fireside Chats. We're all about helping authors hone their craft with engaging, fun, and educational content. On top of all that, Dabble Premium members get access to exclusive content like Office Hours, Premium Workshops, Deep Dive articles, bonus resources, and guest speaker workshops. Happy writing!

Discover the foundations of compelling short fiction in our first session. Our panel will guide you through proven story generation techniques, character development essentials, and the key elements that make short stories resonate with readers. You'll learn to mine your experiences for authentic material, observe the world with a writer's eye, and transform simple prompts into story gold. From this session, you'll have a fully developed story concept, complete with a memorable protagonist and a clear narrative direction. ----------------- Try out Dabble free for 14 days and see why it's the best writing tool on the planet—no credit card required! Visit our website at www.dabblewriter.com to get started. Subscribe to our channel for more live events like author interviews, Word Sprints, and Fireside Chats. We're all about helping authors hone their craft with engaging, fun, and educational content. On top of all that, Dabble Premium members get access to exclusive content like Office Hours, Premium Workshops, Deep Dive articles, bonus resources, and guest speaker workshops. Happy writing!

Considered one of the most prolific writers working in modern fiction, USA Today bestselling writer, Dean Wesley Smith has published over two hundred novels in forty years, and hundreds and hundreds of short stories across many genres.   At the moment he produces novels in five major series, including the time travel Thunder Mountain novels set in the old west, the galaxy-spanning Seeders Universe series, the urban fantasy Ghost of a Chance series, and the superhero series starring Poker Boy, and the highly acclaimed puzzle mystery series The Cold Poker Gang.   His monthly magazine called Smith's Monthly, consisting of only his own fiction, premiered in October 2013 and each month has over 60,000 words per issue, including a new and original novel every month.   During his career, Dean also wrote a couple dozen Star Trek novels, the only two original Men in Black novels, Spider-Man and X-Men novels, plus novels set in gaming and television worlds. Writing with his wife Kristine Kathryn Rusch under the name Kathryn Wesley, they wrote the novel for the NBC miniseries The Tenth Kingdom and other books for Hallmark Hall of Fame movies.   He wrote novels under dozens of pen names in the worlds of comic books and movies, including novelizations of almost a dozen films, from The Final Fantasy to Steel to Rundown.   Dean also worked as a fiction editor off and on, starting at Pulphouse Publishing, then at VB Tech Journal, then Pocket Books, and now at WMG Publishing where he and Kristine Kathryn Rusch serve as executive editors for the acclaimed Fiction River anthology series. He is now also the editor of Pulphouse Fiction Magazine and Writers of the Future.   https://deanwesleysmit...   Workshops on Teachable…   https://wmg-publishing...   The WMG Writer Store   https://wmgwriterstore...   The WMG Publishing Main Store   https://wmgbooks.com/

Rosa Linda Román is an Emmy-nominated, William Randolph Hearst Award-winning reporter, anchor & podcaster. Rosa Linda's broadcasting career includes WCTV Tallahassee, KVIA El Paso, KOAT-7 Albuquerque, KSAZ Fox 10 Phoenix, WTVT-13 Tampa & KION-46 Salinas/Monterey. She's also a successful independent director & screenwriter. In 2005, Rosa Linda left TV news to start her family. In 2007 she created New Mexicast, New Mexico's 1st video podcast, which became a weekly, ½ hour TV show for 2 seasons. From New Mexicast sprang New Mexi-Castaways audio podcast chronicling life aboard sailing catamarans, s/v Hakuna Matata & s/v Dawn Treader, with 3 kids & a German Shepherd; also the subject of her memoir, Losing Sight of the Shore; How to Live on a Boat Without Killing Your Family. Rosa Linda holds a BS in Telecom from UF & "Ducktorate" Degree from Disney University. She's currently finishing a trilogy of thrillers while cruising the Mediterranean with her family on m/v Kungaloosh!

Jesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Indonesia, Singapore, and Oxford, and considers all three places her home. She has a Masters from Oxford University, but she has yet to figure out how to say that without sounding obnoxious. Jesse has forty-two first cousins and thirty aunties and uncles, many of whom live just down the road. She used to game but with two little ones and a husband, she no longer has time for hobbies. She aspires to one day find one (1) hobby.

Elly Griffiths has always written short stories to experiment with different voices and genres as well as to explore what some of her fictional creations such as Ruth Galloway, Harbinder Kaur, and Max Mephisto might have done outside of the novels. The Man in Black gathers these bite-sized tales all together in one splendid volume. There are ghost stories, cozy mysteries, tales of psychological suspense, and poignant vignettes of love and loss. In the title story, Ruth Galloway crosses paths with a mysterious man in a bookstore, setting in motion a rescue mission that hinges on the legends and lore of Norfolk. Looking into the past, a young magician in 1920s Leeds wonders just what happened to his missing landlady in “Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act.” In “Justice Jones and the Etherphone,” a witty girl detective investigates the dire prediction of a fortune teller in dreary postwar London. A flashback in time reveals Harbinder Kaur as a Detective Sergeant surviving her first day on the job at Shoreham DCI. To celebrate the holidays, Ruth gets her very first Christmas tree, and her beloved cat narrates his own seasonal story in “Flint's Fireside Tale.” And readers can armchair travel with stories set on the Amalfi Coast, in Capri, and in Egypt as Ruth and DCI Nelson experience their very own version of Death on the Nile. The Man in Black illustrates the breadth and variety of Elly Griffiths's talent for blood-chilling, page-turning stories all with her trademark humor and heart.    Elly Griffiths is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ruth Galloway and Brighton mystery series, as well as the standalone novels The Stranger Diaries, winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel; The Postscript Murders; and Bleeding Heart Yard. She is the recipient of the CWA Dagger in the Library Award and the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She lives in Brighton, England.

Today we talk about writing and publishing short stories. Have you thought about how writing short fiction might help your creative process? Tune in today to hear these four masters talk craft with Hank. Henry Herz has authored fourteen picture books and edited eight anthologies for Albert Whitman & Co., Blackstone Publishing, and others. His short stories have been published by Weird Tales, Baen Books, Pseudopod, Metastellar, Titan Books, Highlights for Children, and Ladybug magazine. He holds a BS in engineering from Cornell University, an MS in engineering from George Washington University, and an MA in political science from Georgetown University.  Number one New York Times bestselling author Scott Sigler is the creator of eighteen novels, six novellas, dozens of short stories, and thousands of podcast episodes. He is an inaugural inductee into the Podcasting Hall of Fame. His podcast fans fervently anticipate their weekly story fix, so much so that they've dubbed themselves “Sigler Junkies” and have downloaded over fifty million episodes. Jonathan Maberry is a New York Times bestselling author, five-time Bram Stoker Award winner, four-time Scribe Award winner, Inkpot Award winner, and comic book writer. His vampire apocalypse book series, V-Wars, became a Netflix original series. He writes horror, science fiction, epic fantasy, thriller, and more. He is the president of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and the editor of Weird Tales magazine. David Mack is the award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-six novels and numerous short works of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure, including the Star Trek Destiny and Cold Equations trilogies. Mack's writing credits span television (for episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), film, and comic books. He also has worked as a consultant on the animated television series Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: Prodigy. The International Association of Media Tie-in Writers honored him as a Grandmaster with its Faust Award.

It's another Fireside Chat with Hank and Doug. This week we tackle the topic of how to get started as an author. You have a great idea for a story that needs to be told, but how do you go about bringing that story idea out into the light of day? Doug and Hank tackle that today.

Join us for a cozy, candid Fireside Chat where we dive into all things writing goals! In this session, we'll reflect on the highs, lows, and lessons learned from the past year, celebrating our wins and examining what didn't quite go as planned. Then, we'll look ahead to the new year, discussing how to set realistic, motivating writing goals that align with your aspirations as an author.  

Welcome back for 2025! It's a new year and we hope you are enjoying it so far and that you have big plans for your writing this year. Join us today as Hank and Doug answer some of your questions about the writing life. Stay tuned for more great content as the year unfolds.  Join us at storycraft.cafe to find your tribe.  

Scott Moon is the co-author of the bestselling Homeworld Lost, The Last Reaper, Terran Strike Marines, and Darklanding series. His solo works include Blue Sun Armada, Invasion Day, the Chronicles of Kin Roland, and more. As a lifelong fan of reading and a chronic daydreamer, he has retired from twenty-six years of public service to make his own schedule, indulge his imagination, and pursue a variety of hobbies. He's an 80s kid who survived to (relative) maturity and it shows. You can join his Facebook Group, The Scott Moon Base, or learn more than you ever wanted to about his writing process at Scott's Science Fiction Substack.

Writing isn't easy. As much as we love it, we know there are roadblocks, hurdles, and areas we can improve. In this Fireside Chat, Hank and Doug discuss their own writing weaknesses, how they discovered them, how they work on them, and ways you might do the same.

Day 22: Final Q&A Session - Friday ❓ Last Q&A with Hank & Doug! As we approach the end of NaNoWriMo, this is your last chance to bring your story questions to Hank and Doug! Whether it's plot twists, character development, or just some final advice, they're here to help you end NaNoWriMo strong. Let's get those stories wrapped up beautifully! ✨

Day 26: 60 Days with Hank and Doug - Finishing Up - Tuesday

The final Challenge live stream is all about the end of your novel; in Week Eight of the 60-Day Novel Challenge, we're talking all about writing the thrilling conclusion to your story. It's time for The Third Act and Climax, where all your plotlines and character arcs converge in an epic resolution. Each week we will be: - Discussing our own work for week's activities and exercises - Talking about the wins and struggles of the week - ours and yours! - Sharing personal insights from our own author journeys - Answering questions from viewers and participants This week's focus: Writing the climax, resolving your main conflict, and finishing your story strong. We'll walk through the final template information, discuss how to land a satisfying resolution, and answer any questions you have about wrapping up your novel! Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss any of these streams. We're all in this together—let's get writing!

Sarah Hawley is the author of Servant of Earth and the Glimmer Falls series (A Witch's Guide to Fake-Dating a Demon, A Demon's Guide to Wooing a Witch, A Werewolf's Guide to Seducing a Vampire). She has an MA in archaeology and has excavated at an Inca site in Chile, a Bronze Age palace in Turkey, and a medieval abbey in England. When not dreaming up whimsical love stories, she can be found reading, dancing, or cuddling her two cats.

As we go into Week Seven of the 60-Day Novel Challenge, we hit one of the most pivotal points in your story: the midpoint. It's where your protagonist faces their biggest challenges, weaknesses, and must make a significant shift. Each week we will be: - Discussing our own work for week's activities and exercises - Talking about the wins and struggles of the week - ours and yours! - Sharing personal insights from our own author journeys - Answering questions from viewers and participants This week's focus: Crafting a powerful midpoint, revealing key information, and shifting your protagonist from reactive to proactive. We'll cover this week's template exercises and talk about how to keep your midpoint meaningful and impactful! Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss any of these streams. We're all in this together—let's get writing!

Join Hank, Doug, and Josh as they dive into writing an unforgettable first act. For more resources, videos, tips, and prizes, check out https://www.dabblewriter.com/nanowrimo

Lou Diamond Phillips is currently starring in the FOX series “Prodigal Son,” having recently starred on the acclaimed Netflix series, “Longmire,” based on the Walt Longmire mystery novels by Craig Johnson. Other recent credits include Amazon's “Goliath,” SyFy's “Stargate Universe,” CBS' “Blue Bloods,” and recurring roles on Fox's “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and Netflix's “The Ranch.” He received an Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Drama or Comedy” for his roles in both Amazon's “Conversations in LA” and History Channel's “Crossroads of History.” Recent film credits include Warner Brothers' “The 33,” “Created Equal” directed by Bill Duke, and Sundance Festival favorite “Filly Brown,” for which he was named Best Actor at the Imagen Awards.  As a director, Phillips recently helmed episodes of AMC's hit series “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Longmire,” and ABC's Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. As a writer, Phillips has co-written the screenplays for ‘Trespasses,' and HBO's ‘Dangerous Touch.' He wrote the Miramax feature ‘Ambition.' He recently produced his play ‘Burning Desire,' a romantic comedy in two acts, which received it's world premiere at The Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury, Connecticut. Phillips was also asked by his good friend, novelist Craig Johnson, to write the forward to his collection of short stories ‘Wait For Signs.'  Originally born in the Philippines, Phillips was raised in Texas and is a graduate of University of Texas at Arlington with a BFA in Drama.  Drawing from a lifetime of work in the film industry, Lou used his screenwriting experience in order to write an original science fiction novel called The Tinderbox: Soldier of Indira. It is his first novel, inspired by a reading of the famed fable of the same title by Hans Christian Andersen.

It's Week Five of the 60-Day Novel Challenge and time to start writing! In this live stream, we'll be tackling The First Act—setting the stage for your novel, introducing key characters, and establishing your story's world. If you've been following along, you'll have everything you need to get started once the writing portion of the Challenge starts tomorrow! Each week we will be: - Discussing our own work for week's activities and exercises - Talking about the wins and struggles of the week - ours and yours! - Sharing personal insights from our own author journeys - Answering questions from viewers and participants This week's focus: Writing the first act, setting up your story, and introducing key elements. We'll also cover the exercises from the template and talk about how to hook your readers right from the start! Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss any of these streams. We're all in this together—let's get writing!

Madeleine Roux is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Asylum series, which has sold over a million copies worldwide. She is also the author of the House of Furies series and several titles for adults, including Salvaged and Reclaimed. She has made contributions to Star Wars, World of Warcraft, and Dungeons & Dragons. Madeleine lives in Seattle, Washington, with her partner and beloved pups.

Welcome to Week Four of the 60-Day Novel Challenge! Now that you've developed your plot, characters, and conflict, it's time to start pulling everything together in this last week of our prep month. That means this week is all about refining your outline and preparing to start writing in November. Each week we will be: - Discussing our own work for this week's activities and exercises - Talking about the wins and struggles of the week - ours and yours! - Sharing personal insights from our own author journeys - Answering questions from viewers and participants This week's focus: Reviewing and refining your outline, thinking about themes, and preparing your Plot Grid and character profiles in Dabble. We'll go over the template exercises, talk about setting goals for November, and give you tips on staying organized for the writing phase. Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss any of these streams. We're all in this together—let's get writing!

Rhett C Bruno is the USA Today and Washington Post Bestselling & Nebula Award Nominated Author of 'The Circuit Saga', 'Children of Titan Series', 'Buried Goddess Saga', 'Vicarious', 'The Roach', and 'The Luna Missile Crisis' (Audible Originals); among other works. He has been writing since before he can remember, scribbling down what he thought were epic stories when he was young to show to his friends and family. He is currently a full-time author and publisher living in Delaware with his wife, daughter, and dog Raven. Find out more here: http://rhettbruno.com/ Steve Beaulieu (Also writing as Jaime Castle) was born in 1984 in East Hartford, CT. Having spent most of his life in Palm Beach County, Florida, he and his wife moved to Fort Worth, TX in 2012. He loves comic books, fantasy and science fiction novels. He married the love of his life in 2005 and he fathered his first child in 2014, Oliver Paul Beaulieu. His namesake, two of Steve's favorite fictional characters, OliverTwist and The Green Arrow, Oliver Queen. Baby #2, Juneau Grace Beaulieu was born in August of 2017. Steve co-owns Aethon Books with his writing partner Rhett C. Bruno.

It's Week Three of the 60-Day Novel Challenge! This week, we're diving into one of the most important elements of your story: conflict. We'll explore how to map out internal and external conflicts that challenge your protagonist and keep your readers engaged. Each week we will be: - Discussing our own work for week's activities and exercises - Talking about the wins and struggles of the week - ours and yours! - Sharing personal insights from our own author journeys - Answering questions from viewers and participants This week's focus: Mapping out your novel's internal and external conflicts, and ensuring they tie into your character's journey. We'll explore the template exercises, including tips on creating subplots and building tension. Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss any of these streams. We're all in this together—let's get writing!

Susan Stokes-Chapman is a writer based in North Wales. She grew up in the Georgian city of Lichfield, before spending four years in the town of Aberystwyth and graduating with a BA in Education and English Literature and an MA in Creative Writing. Her debut novel Pandora was an instant #1 bestseller in the UK, was shortlisted for the 2020 Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, and longlisted for the Bath Novel Award.

Welcome to Week Two of the 60-Day Novel Challenge! This week is all about Characters—building compelling protagonists, antagonists, and supporting cast members that will drive your story forward. Each week we will be: - Discussing our own work for week's activities and exercises - Talking about the wins and struggles of the week - ours and yours! - Sharing personal insights from our own author journeys - Answering questions from viewers and participants This week's focus: Building out your character profiles, including their goals, motivations, and arcs. We'll walk through the exercises in the template, talk about key relationships, and offer advice on developing character dynamics. Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss any of these streams. We're all in this together—let's get writing!

HI! I'M PENN COLE I'M AN HYBRID FANTASY ROMANCE AUTHOR IN THE MIDST OF PUBLISHING MY DEBUT SERIES, THE KINDRED'S CURSE SAGA While my life has taken me through a lot of ups and downs, my love for reading and writing has forever been my true north. I've been writing stories since my childhood, filling mountains of notebooks with wild worlds and angsty romances. I received my undergraduate degree in Creative Writing, hoping to write the Next Great American Novel, but... well… we plan, Fate laughs. After a detour as an attorney and small business owner, I am thrilled to finally be pursuing my lifelong dream of becoming an author. I'm a regular participant in NaNoWriMo, and I love meeting and supporting other new authors, especially female authors and BIPOC/LGBTQ+ authors. When I'm not writing, I love reading fantasy, rom coms, and humorous non-fiction. While I'm a Texas girl born and bred, I currently live in France with my husband, where I can usually be found drinking way too much wine and eating far too many pastries.

We're kicking off the 60-Day Novel Challenge by looking at the big picture of your novel! That means understanding your genre, nailing down the high-level plot points of your story, and getting started on worldbuilding (if you need to). Each week we will be: Discussing our own work for week's activities and exercises Talking about the wins and struggles of the week - ours and yours! Sharing personal insights from our own author journeys Answering questions from viewers and participants This week's focus: Crafting a high-level outline of your story, identifying key plot beats, and getting clarity on your genre. We'll cover the exercises from the template, discuss common pitfalls, and share tips to help you start strong! Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss any of these streams. We're all in this together—let's get writing!

After an unsuccessful career in radio, and a middling-successful career as a stand-up comic, Scott Meyer found himself middle aged, working as a ride operator at Walt Disney World. In his spare time, he produced the successful web comic Basic Instructions. He slowly built a following of fans all over the world, to whom he sold his first self-published novel, Off to Be the Wizard. The book's success brought him a publishing deal. He has since gone on to write several bestselling novels. Scott lives in Portugal with his wife and the prettiest two cats on earth.

60-Day Challenge Dabble Template: https://bit.ly/3XBxdVh Join the Challenge Community: https://www.storycraft.cafe/c/join-the-challenge/  Are you ready to turn your writing dreams into reality? We're thrilled to announce our 60-Day Novel Challenge—an exciting, guided community challenge to take you from a blank page and an idea to a finished first draft in just two months! Join us LIVE for the official announcement where we'll unveil all the exciting details, including:

David Ellis is a judge and an Edgar-award-winning author of ten novels of crime fiction, as well as eight bestselling books co-authored with James Patterson. His novels have been translated into more than ten languages worldwide. In December 2014, Dave was sworn in as the youngest-serving Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court for the First District. He lives outside Chicago with his wife and three children.

Amber and Danielle Brown both graduated from Rider University where they studied Communications/Journalism and sat on the editorial staff for the On Fire!! literary journal. They then pursued a career in fashion and spent five years in NYC working their way up, eventually managing their own popular fashion and lifestyle blog. Amber is also a screenwriter, so they live in LA, which works out perfectly so Danielle can spoil her plant babies with copious amount of sunshine. Find them at https://www.amberanddanielle.com/

Rick Partlow is that rarest of species, a native Floridian. Born in Tampa, he attended Florida Southern College and graduated with a degree in History and a commission in the US Army as an Infantry officer. His lifelong love of science fiction began with Have Space Suit---Will Travel and the other Heinlein juveniles and traveled through Clifford Simak, Asimov, Clarke and on to William Gibson, Walter Jon Williams and Peter F Hamilton. And somewhere, submerged in the worlds of others, Rick began to create his own worlds. He has written over 40 books in a dozen different series, and his short stories have been included in twelve different anthologies. He lives in central Florida with his wife, two children and two lovable mutts. Besides writing and reading science fiction and fantasy, he enjoys outdoor photography, hiking and camping.

Burnout among authors is not only real, it can affect you many times throughout your author journey. It's a sneaky little monster that can completely destroy your love and passion for your current story or writing in general. In this Fireside Chat, Hank and Doug talk about what burnout is, when we've experienced it, and what you can do to prevent it or minimize its impact.

Don Bentley is the New York Times Bestselling author of eight books including the Matt Drake thriller series (Forgotten War, Hostile Intent, The Outside Man, Without Sanction), the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan, Jr. series (Weapons Grade, Flash Point, Zero Hour, Target Acquired), and the Vince Flynn Mitch Rapp series (beginning in 2024). Don spent a decade as an Army Apache helicopter pilot during which time he was stationed in South Korea, Germany, and Texas. While deployed to Afghanistan as a Troop Commander in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VI, Don was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal with "V" device for valor. Following his time in the military Don worked as an FBI Special Agent and was a member of the Dallas Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. After leaving the FBI, Don worked for companies that developed technology for the U.S. Special Operations Community. He holds a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Ohio State University, and an M.F.A in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.

Kevin Tumlinson is an award-winning and bestselling novelist, living in Texas and working in random coffee shops, cafés, and hotel lobbies worldwide. His primary work is in thrillers—including his wildly popular Dan Kotler Archaeological Thrillers. But he also successfully published science fiction, fantasy, and escapist fiction. Kevin grew up in Wild Peach, Texas, where he was raised by his grandparents and given a healthy respect for storytelling. He often found himself in trouble in school for writing stories instead of doing his actual assignments, and he doesn't regret that in the least. And as Wild Peach was in no way metropolitan, or even approaching suburban, young Kevin had plenty of time to put his imagination to work crafting entire universes of characters, settings, and artifacts that would later inform his adult career choice. Kevin's love for history, archeology, and science has been a tremendous source of material for his writing, feeding his fiction and giving him just the excuse he needs to read the next article, biography, or research paper, visit the next city or country, and embark on the next adventure. Kevin and his wife, Kara, can often be found traveling as van-lifers, along with their little chihuahua terrier, Mini. Learn more about Kevin and his work, and get a free ebook, at KevinTumlinson.com

Nick Cole is a former soldier and working actor living in Southern California. When he is not auditioning for commercials, going out for sitcoms or being shot, kicked, stabbed or beaten by the students of various film schools for their projects, he can be found writing books. Nick's Book The Old Man and the Wasteland was an Amazon Bestseller and #1 in Science Fiction. In 2016 Nick's book CTRL ALT Revolt won the Dragon Award for Best Apocalyptic novel. Currently he is writing the bestselling Science Fiction series Galaxy's Edge with co-author Jason Anspach.