The Writers XL

The Writers XL

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Do most “advice” books and podcasts for writers make you cringe? Yup, same. Welcome to Writers XL, a podcast devoted to better, more joyous writing for all! Co-hosts Shelly X Leonn and LL Montez share steal-and-use strategies beneficial to writers of any skill level. Episodes include epic-level guests, personal anecdotes, inappropriate puns, and random tangents. So grab a glass of your favorite beverage and press play. We promise to be like no writing podcast you've heard before. Shelly X Leonn is the author of the previously featured and soon to be published The Broken Series. Find her on Wattpad (https://www.wattpad.com/user/shellyxleonn) , and on Instagram at @shellyxleonn (https://www.instagram.com/shellyxleonn/) . LL Montez is the author of Watty award-winning ARC10. Find her on Wattpad and Twitter at @LLMontez. Follow us on Wattpad and Twitter at @TheWritersXL

The Writers XL


    • Aug 8, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 50m AVG DURATION
    • 73 EPISODES


    Latest episodes from The Writers XL

    73: Episode 73: Writing From a Personal Place With Wesley Parker

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2021 38:22


    After surviving a pandemic, childbirth, and creative brain block, the Writers XL are back with an interview featuring Wesley Parker. A successful indie author of two novels, Wes draws upon personal experience in order to include originality and authenticity in his work. In this episode, Shelly and L talk with Wesley about his creative process, his life as a working dad, and his spicy Instagram account. Author Bio Wesley Parker has enjoyed reading his entire life. When not writing he can either be found making a mixtape, engaging his fandom of Philadelphia sports, or hanging with his wife and three children. Connect with him on Instagram or Twitter at @weswritesforfun or on his website at www.weswritesforfun.com. Shelly mentioned the YouTube series Screen Rant Pitch Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2iUwfYi_1FCGGqhOUNx-iA

    72: Episode 72: The Sky's the Limit with Airships and Brad Cook

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2020 54:34


    In this episode, Shelly dives into the world of Steampunk. Why haven't we dipped into this vibrant life before? We're not sure. Especially since it involves literature, corsets, airships, jetpacks, and Brad Cook, a Steampunk craftsman. Join us!

    71: Episode 71: Setting the Stage--Storytelling in Public

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2020 31:48


    Shelly and L checked off one item on their 2020 to-do list: Do a public reading. We stop to chat about the experience (among other things) and to discuss prep tips for any on-stage debut.

    70: Episode 70: A Whole New World of Words with Stephanie Hansen

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2020 47:16


    We bring back one of our favorite literary agents, Stephanie Hansen, to discuss the other side of the words she loves: Writing. Join us as Stephanie celebrates her new novella, Altered Helix, and shares what it's like to walk the line between her agenting and writing worlds.

    69: Episode 69: Hot and Bothered with Lila Mina

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2020 64:37


    We brought sexy paranormal erotica author Lila Mina on the show to discuss bondage, threesomes, and all the sexiness of writing consensual kink. It's episode 69. What did you expect?

    68: Episode 68: Closed, but not Forgotten

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2020 40:55


    In this episode, we lament the troubled state of the world as well as the difficult situation our favorite book stores are facing. Join us for a talk about how Coronavirus has impacted booksellers, authors, the book industry, and the way we read. 

    67: Episode 67: Love and Lies with Larissa Lopes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2020 39:45


    You're not going to want to miss this episode with YA romance writer Larissa Lopes. Not only is her gorgeous voice out of this world, but she comes to us with the chilling behind-the-book story that inspired her to write her debut novel, All my Love, Alec Brock.

    66: Episode 66(6): Big Evil

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2020 31:26


    As Shelly prepares to participate in a teen writing webinar series, she shares her nefarious content with us: How to make a villain. Join us for our most evil episode for four grab-and-go techniques to create the perfect Baddie. 

    65: Episode 65: @Nandi_Taylor, Blazing Trails with Dragons and Wattpad Books

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2020 34:50


    Wattpad Books author Nandi Taylor joins us to discuss her debut novel, shapeshifting dragons, social distancing, and publishing with Wattpad's publishing division, Wattpad Books. 

    64: Episode 64: Finding Focus Amid the Chaos

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2020 44:03


    This week, the Writers XL discuss life at home. Now that we're home for long stretches of time with nowhere to go and no one to see, we should be able to reach all of our writing hopes and dreams, right? Join us for strategies on focusing and using writing to cope with this new chaotic world.

    63: Episode 63: WOW! Wonder Women Who Write with Margo Dill

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2020 51:34


    In these troubling times, we write. Join Shelly X Leonn and Women On Writing (WOW) managing editor, Margo Dill, in discussing the incredible community of writers that is WOW. Chat with us about finding new resources for writers looking to pursue all their wildest writing dreams through the turbulence.  

    62: Episode 62: We Are What We Wear--How Clothes Can Tell a Story.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2020 41:50


    The Writers XL discuss one of their favorite topics--clothes. As writers, do we develop clothes around our characters or our characters around their favorite garments? Join us for a look into character wardrobes.

    61: Episode 61: Is This Heaven? Books and Coffee at Protagonist Cafe with Sam Sultzer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2020 38:47


    Shelly returns to Protagonist Cafe (because once you step into this magical world of books and perfectly roasted coffee, how could you ever leave?) to sit and chat with its debonair general manager, Sam Sultzer. Join us for a chat about the coziest book nook in St. Louis.

    60: Episode 60: Heroes and Lattes at Protagonist Cafe

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2020 35:45


    On January 30, Shelly X Leonn had a book signing at the one and only Protagonist Cafe in St. Louis. She stopped to talk to some new friends (and family) about what makes great stories. Join her for this incredible event!

    59: Episode 59: Pencils, Lipstick, and Mountains with Kat Caldwell

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2020 39:46


    Kat Caldwell is a mom, maverick, mountain climber (figuratively...or maybe not, we didn't cover that), writer, publisher, and podcaster. The WritersXL bring Kat in to talk shop about juggling all the aspects of promotion while continuing to create, create, create! Join us!

    58: Episode 58: Changing Lanes with Don Corrigan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 40:05


    In this episode, Shelly speaks with author, acclaimed journalist, and previous mentor/professor, Don Corrigan. While touring down memory lane, they discuss the many paths a writer's career can take. 

    57: Episode 57: Something Big to Talk About with Meryl Wilsner

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2020 58:44


    Here on the Writers XL, we love love (one of us maybe a little more than the other). Of course, when the opportunity to interview the lovey-est love who ever loved, we take it. Join us for a discussion with author Meryl Wilsner about their debut novel, Something to Talk About, the gay agenda, and their perspective on the RWA's implosion.  

    56: Episode 56: Live, Laugh, Luis--Live Storytelling Techniques in Comedy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2020 61:29


    The Writers XL bring Shelly's boyfriend onto the podcast to test out comedy inspired by everyday life. Join us for some tricks and tips on how to brave the stage when going live.

    55: Episode 55: Fire in the Rabbit Hole! An interview with Joe Chianakas

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2020 63:57


    We've talked about the publishing process before--we're not strangers to self-publishing, traditional publishing, or any combination that exists in between. When talking to Joe Chiankas, author of Rabbit in Red, we discuss how publishing can take even more twists and turns than we imagined. Join us for a chat about finding the perfect audience leading them down the rabbit hole with you. 

    54: Episode 54: New Year, New Spooky

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2019 36:00


    The Writers XL reflect on the past year. Remembering the goals we set for 2019, we embrace new mindsets and new challenges to welcome 2020. Join us for a peek into the future with a brief reading on what's to come.

    53: Episode 53: Writing FOMO No Mo

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2019 41:30


    If you thought this show was nothing but fluff and nonsense, you're totally wrong. The Writers XL get deep. We discuss hopes, dreams, fears, and writing goals for 2020. 

    52: Episode 52: The Magic Behind Port & Key Publishing with Amber Boyd and Chay Avalerias

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2019 49:31


    The Writers XL bring Port & Key publishing's masterminds Amber Boyd and Chay Avalerias to discuss the magic (and chaos) of creating their own publishing company. Join us and celebrate the release of the newest anthology, The Mage's Apprentice, coming December 13.

    51: Episode 51: Pants Party with @AuthorHlumelo

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2019 55:06


    The Pantsers, Shelly X Leonn and Wattpad star Hlumelo, join forces against L to discuss the inspiration and dedication behind the art of pantsing.  Check out our YouTube channel to WATCH this wonderful interview.   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCqS5N-Zvs1MITYxnR4qI6g/featured?view_as=subscriber

    50: Episode 50: Together At Last

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2019 48:35


    It's EPISODE 50! Shelly and L are together and share some wine, wisdom and inappropriate anecdotes. Join us for a recap of the WritersXL workshop in St. Louis as well as almost 50 minutes of ridiculousness.

    49: Episode 49: Writing Community with the Block Party Queen @KellyAnneBlount

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2019 51:13


    The Community Queen, Kelly Anne Blount, joins us for a talk about her start on Wattpad and the twisty path she's walked with CAPTURED. She chats with Shelly X Leonn about writing careers, block parties, and baby libraries. 

    48: Episode 48: Show, Don't Tell

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2019 45:30


    Instead of show 'n tell, we're telling you to avoid all forms of telling--show us what you've got! The Writers XL are deep in editing-mode. What does it mean to show-not-tell? Join us for some techniques worth stealing.

    47: Episode 47: Coffee-Guy Returns--Ben Sobieck Talks Writing Careers

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2019 62:51


    We've heard the buzz--that some people are trash-talking writers who keep full-time employment while trying to kickstart (or manage) their writing careers. We call bullsh*t. Ben Sobieck joins us to talk about writing, the coffee business (YES PLEASE), side-hustles, and what it takes to live as a writer. We hope you'll join in! 

    46: Episode 46: If Shelly Could Turn Back Time—5 things she would have done differently before launch

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2019 21:36


    Take it from us—publishing is hard.  Trying to juggle all the different parts of book birthing has taken all the different parts of Shelly's brain. Learn from her. Check out Shelly's Top Five Things she would have done differently if she could go back a few more months before her book launch on September 24.  Join us!

    45: Episode 45: Book Club, Wine and the End of the World with @ZeroWineThirty

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2019 70:02


    For our second stab at book clubbing, L brings ZeroWineThirty to the show to talk about this month's book club read, LAST RESORT, the glitter-filled post-apocalyptic dystopian tale about love, loss, and getting the hell outta Dodge. Grab your drinks. It's going to be fun.  ...May or may not have exceeded out F-Bomb limit for this one. 

    44: Episode 44: Out of the Box with RS Kovach

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2019 66:10


    L chats with the queen of collaborative storytelling--RS Kovach--Wattpad Star and anthology guru who is known for crafting such favorites as the Decameron 2.0, 13 Days of Halloween, and most recently, 31 Blind Dates of Suzi Sparrow. 

    43: Episode 43: Pantsing or Planning: Shelly and L Death Match

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2019 33:05


    Planning or Pantsing? You've been asked this before, haven't you? Shelly and L dive into the benefits of each and explore what strategies and tools are available for those who plot and those who pants.

    42: Episode 42: Random Paranormal Experiences with @DawnKelli

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2019 42:52


    Spooky things are happening to the WritersXL. Shelly grabs Watty winner DawnKelli to discuss what haunts them as they both tackle the horror genre. 

    41: Episode 41: Bad Reviews

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2019 61:17


    Is honesty the best policy? If you can't say anything nice, should you say anything at all? In this episode, Shelly and L discuss the world of reviews and what to do when you're giving or receiving critiques. Best episode yet. Five stars.

    40: Episode 40: Sweet and Simple--Book Blogging with Jasmine

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2019 46:57


    Join us for an interview with Book Blogger Jasmine and learn how book bloggers can impact the way readers hear about baby books just emerging into the world. 

    39: Episode 39: Branding is not Marketing--Branding Strategy from Benjamin of BrandedWorld, Inc.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2019 59:47


    In this very special episode, L convinces brand strategist Benjamin Warsinske, CEO of BrandedWorld, Inc. to take the hot-seat as Shelly grills him about the difference between marketing and branding. Join us to discover how authors can use character archetypes to better brand themselves in a crowded marketplace.

    38: Episode 38: Marketing According to LaShaunda

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2019 61:41


    In this episode, Shelly speaks to "podcasting Mama", writer, and promotion queen, LaShaunda. Step into our how-to guide for best practices on book promotion. 

    37: Episode 37: L Spills Her Own Tea

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2019 44:19


    In this episode, Shelly grills L on her sordid past. She shares the ups and downs that influenced her writing and created some of her favorite character quirks. Sh*t gets real weird this week. Brace yourselves. 

    36: Episode 36: The Star and the Patreon: @Star-Powered (Maggie Derrrick) Talks Writerprenuer Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2019 76:18


    In this episode, Maggie Derrick (@star-powered) talks about the evolution of her career as awriter and artist by sharing how she's found a way to make her art work for her through Wattpad and Patreon. Join us!  

    35: Episode 35: Loglines and Blurbing and Comp Titles... Ugh.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2019 48:28


    L is in the mire when it comes to pitching. She schools Shelly on the wonderful world of pitching using loglines, blurbs, and comp titles. Then the show dissolves into nonsense and we're not sorry. 

    34: Episode 34: Throwing the System Out the Window with Independent Publisher Shane Bowen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2019 43:56


    Shelly flies solo this episode and digs into independent publishing with Shane Bowen, founder of Out the Window Books. Join us as Shelly and Shane discuss the world of indie publishing if it's the right publishing journey for you.

    33: Episode 33: Going Over the Edge: A Discussion on Climaxes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2019 45:14


    **AVENGERS END GAME AND GOT SEASON 8 SPOILER ALERT** We scale the massive discussion on climaxes. What are they, where are they, and why do some of them suck so bad? Join us!

    32: Episode 32: Writing and Rock Love with Shaman Jennifer Lynn

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2019 51:43


    The Writers XL bring Shaman Jennifer Lynn to chat about magic, nature, and spiritual guidance through writing. And rock licking. Lots and lots of rock licking.

    31: Episode 31: Newsroom Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2019 40:16


    The WritersXL have switched gears to talk about the wide world of journalism and non-fiction narrative. In an era where telling the truth seems to be harder than ever, we get to the bottom of the issue and discuss research and responsible representation along with all of the regularly scheduled nonsense.

    30: Episode 30: ...and the Winner Is

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2019 29:21


    Shelly and L bring Tamara Lush back to announce the winner of the first ever Kiss Contest. Join us for this little quickie where Shelly reveals the Writers XL's newest ship.

    29: Episode 29: Key to the Community with @The3Dreamers Amber Boyd

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2019 60:31


    The Writers XL bring Amber Boyd (@the3dreamers) on the show to talk about all the amazing things Wattpad community members are doing to boost the writers around them. We discuss her work as an Ambassador, a co-creator of The Writers Edge, and a founder/editor at Port & Key Publishing.

    28: Episode 28: Give us a Kiss

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2019 33:13


    We are reunited at last. Together, the Writers XL head to the St. Louis Writers Guild to ask WHAT MAKES THE BEST KISS SCENE? Join us as we talk about all the ways that we love to see smooches -- and stick around for a writing prompt so you too can join our kiss contest with romance goddess Tamara Lush on Wattpad.

    27: Episode 27: Kiss, Kiss, Crash, Bang, with Tamara Lush

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2019 66:16


    Mistress and author of romance, Tamara Lush, joins the Writers XL for an epic episode about bad boys, tough girls, and KISSING. We discuss her Indie publishing career as well as her work on platforms like Radish and Wattpad Next.  Drop in for the steamy details on the first-ever WritersXL writing contest.

    26: Episode 26: Battle-Ready with Brenda Drake

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2019 62:20


    In this episode, we speak with the incredible Brenda Drake, NYT Bestselling author, mother, military kid, and PitchWars creator. We discuss the success of the program and what kind of online community has been built because of it.

    25: Episode 25: A Guilded Age for Writers, with TW Fendley

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2019 51:50


    In an age of social media, where online presence is king, there's something wonderful about coming together, face to face, with other writers. Shelly and L speak with author T. W. Fendley about logging off and meeting other writers IRL.

    24: Episode 24: Beta vs CP...FIGHT

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2019 43:01


    In this episode, we pit beta readers against critique partners in the battle for editing strategies. Who will win? That's totally up to what you're looking for. Join us for our dive into the world of peer-editing.

    23: Episode 23: Lo-ki Marketing with Jandra Sutton @Jandralee

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2019 57:14


    Jandra Sutton is our hero. She's a super-spy in training, a blogger, director of marketing and digital marketing, a Wattpad writer, and an indie-author. She joins the Writers XL to discuss Marvel fanfics, spy jobs, and grab-n-go ways to better market yourself to the big, wide world using social media.

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