The Writescast Network

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The Writescast Network is a podcast collective for writers, by writers, with the mission of helping writers everywhere become more confident in themselves and in their craft. Our network includes podcasts featuring author interviews, conversations on the

r. r. campbell


    • Dec 11, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 146 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Writescast Network

    A Final Conversation with Dan Schiro – Writescast 100

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2020 59:44


    Okay, so this isn't the final conversation I'll ever have with Dan Schiro, but it is the final conversation to be broadcast by the Writescast Network.

    A Reader’s Perspective with Lacey – Writescast 099

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2020 53:10


    For the penultimate episode of Writescast Network programming, I'm joined by an avid reader who just so happens to be my wife. Over the course of our discussion, we chat about what gets her to pick a book off a shelf, what keeps her engrossed while reading, and what will have her shelving a book just as fast as she picked it up.

    Simmering Down with Sarah Smith – Writescast 098

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2020 42:40


    Sarah Smith joins the show to discuss her most recent release, SIMMER DOWN, along with what got her into writing romance in the first place, among other topics.

    You’re Not Your Author You featuring M.A. Hinkle – Writescast 097

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2020 73:44


    Author M.A. Hinkle discusses the importance of separating one's personal identity from one's writerly self, as well as how writers can go about surviving the, well, *gestures broadly,* we confront on a daily basis.

    Ten Steps to Finding Happiness featuring Dr. Lindsay Weisner – Writescast 096

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2020 56:40


    Dr. Lindsay Weisner discusses her ten steps for finding happiness while pursuing one's creative endeavors.

    On Letting Go featuring Laurie Scheer – Writescast 095

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 43:13


    After an important update on the future of the Writescast Network from host r.r. campbell, Writers' Institute Director Laurie Scheer returns to the show to discuss the dissolution of the University of Wisconsin's Continued Studies in Writing program.

    Keeping Readers on Their Toes – Biblio Breakdown 007

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2020 35:18


    How can we keep readers on their toes? What writing exercises can you do to keep those readers tiptoeing about your pages? In this episode, Ekta Garg explores just that with help from Nick Spalding's LOGGING OFF.

    Five Principles for Book Cover Design featuring Carol VanDenHende – Writescast 094

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2020 55:06


    Go ahead: judge a book by its cover. With author and marketer Carol VanDenHende's five principles for book cover design, you'll better understand what makes for a quality cover and how you can be a more constructive participant in the cover design process.

    Overcoming Impostor Syndrome featuring Mary Jane Capps – Writescast 093

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2020 32:39


    Author of young adult paranormal fiction Mary Jane Capps joins us for a discussion about a truly spooky subject: impostor syndrome. What is it and how can we overcome it? You'll have to tune in to find out.

    Five Virtues for Authorship featuring Héctor Colón – Writescast 092

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2020 36:32


    What can a champion-boxer-turned-CEO teach authors about what it takes to thrive in the world of writing? A lot, it turns out, as Héctor Colón demonstrates through his five virtues for life, leadership, and authorship.

    Instagram for Authors featuring Briana Morgan – Writescast 091

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2020 38:54


    If a picture is worth a thousand words—and words mean everything to authors—how much is Instagram worth to those of us in the writing community? Author and playwright Briana Morgan joins the show to help us answer this question and more.

    Facebook for Authors featuring J. Scott Coatsworth – Writescast 090

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2020 47:57


    Author and Facebook phenom J. Scott Coatsworth joins the show to discuss what it takes to create and participate in thriving writer and reader communities on Facebook.

    Anti-heroes – Novel Approaches 030

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2020 68:07


    She-Ra. Schitt's Creek. Geopolitics. Maggie Derrick and r.r. campbell cover a lot in this episode, and it's all in the name of helping you better write anti-heroes.

    YouTube for Authors featuring Meg LaTorre – Writescast 089

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2020 55:26


    For this episode, R.R. Campbell interviews Meg LaTorre, who happens to be the founder of the beloved iWriterly YouTube channel.

    Profiles in Encouragement 004 – R.R. Campbell, Tracey S. Phillips, Laurie Dennis, and Josie Thomas

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2020 23:22


    Summer drags on, and with it, uncertainty around the world. To find solace and certainty within ourselves and within the walls of our homes, we turn to four members of the writing community for their words of encouragement and inspiration.

    Relaunching One’s Book featuring Dan Woll – Writescast 088

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2020 61:18


    Sometimes a book launch doesn't go as planned, but there's no need to fret.

    Writing Synopses – Novel Approaches 029

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2020 57:14


    R.R. Campbell and Maggie Derrick explore the challenge that is synopsis writing. As they discuss and debate, they borrow a few bits from the McElroy brothers and take potshots at their capitalist overlords.

    The ABCs of Authorpreneurship featuring Amanda Zieba – Writescast 087

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2020 60:40


    After taking a few moments to reframe how we look at our querying statistics, Amanda Zieba joins the show to discuss the ABCs of authorpreneurship—and how understanding them can help us turn a writing hobby into a writing career.

    Establishing Mood – Biblio Breakdown 006

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2020 36:28


    Ekta Garg explores The Ancestor by Danielle Trussoni to develop an understanding of mood: what it is, how we can develop it, and how we can maintain that moodiness throughout our manuscripts.

    The Law of Attraction for Writers featuring Judith Joy – Writescast 086

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2020 41:36


    Author Judith Joy explains that taking advantage of the law of attraction can do wonders to stave off the inundations of negativity that find us so often as writers.

    Tackling Second Drafts – Novel Approaches 028

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2020 60:57


    Maggie Derrick is back! And in this episode, she and r.r. campbell fire up the metaphor machine to address the ins and outs of tackling second drafts. Along the way, they discuss magnets (how do they work?), car manufacturing, and, yes, your feedback from our #WritescastChat series.

    Wired for Story with Lisa Cron – Writescast 085

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2020 62:43


    Lisa Cron explains what it is about human consciousness that's so wired for story, as well as how understanding these phenomena can make us better writers.

    Profiles in Encouragement 003 – Laurie Buchanan, Lynda Drews, Jeff Nania

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2020 13:56


    Amid social unrest, an ongoing pandemic, and the taunts of temperatures that continue to climb, it can be hard to feel as though our stories are worth the time it takes to tell them—let alone the time it takes to write them. In this episode, Laurie Buchanan, Lynda Drews, and Jeff Nania help us counter […]

    Audiobook Production featuring Valerie Biel – Writescast 084

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2020 51:33


    Author Valerie Biel returns to the Writescast Network to discuss the how-tos of turning one’s book into an audiobook. Thanks to this episode’s sponsors Dandelion Web Marketing, Lost Lake Press, the Chicago Writers Association, and Kill Your Darlings Candle Company.

    Inner Conflict and Theme – Novel Approaches 027

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2020 60:58


    With help from the #WritescastChat community, guest co-host Ekta Garg and r.r. campbell discuss the intersection of inner conflict and theme. Don your safety goggles, folks, because the metaphor machine is in high gear for this one!

    Writing as a Parent-Professional with Sarah J. Carlson – Writescast 083

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2020 49:11


    Sarah J. Carlson describes her journey to becoming a published author while also juggling her career as a school psychologist and her responsibilities as a parent. Thanks to this episode’s sponsors Dandelion Web Marketing, Lost Lake Press, the Chicago Writers Association, and Kill Your Darlings Candle Company.

    Patience in Storytelling – Biblio Breakdown 005

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2020 47:54


    New Biblio Breakdown host Ekta Garg explores patience in storytelling through WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens. Along the way, she offers writing exercises to help us embody the beauty at the heart of Owens’ debut and New York Times bestselling novel. Thanks to our sponsors Dandelion Web Marketing and the Wisconsin Writers Association.

    Seven Touchstones for Writing a Mystery or Thriller (or Anything!) featuring Nick Chiarkas – Writescast 082

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2020 59:13


    This episode is no ordinary listicle. The author of WEEPERS joins the program to discuss how to approach the page while writing a mystery or thriller (or, as he explains, any story), and, along the way, he regales us with tales of mid-20th-century NYC and inevitable, yet surprising endings in funeral homes.

    Emotional Wounds as Motivation – Novel Approaches 026

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2020 49:55


    In an episode one might expect to be laden with trauma, r.r. campbell and guest co-host Candice Lee have some fun discussing the intersection of emotional wounds and character motivation.

    The DIY MFA with Gabriela Pereira – Writescast 081

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2020 64:32


    Not everyone has the means to enroll in a Master of Fine Arts program. The good news? Gabriela Pereira is challenging the status quo of higher education with DIY MFA, which encourages writers to write with focus, read with purpose, and build their community—all on their own time and from the comfort of their own home.

    Profiles in Encouragement 002 – Rita Schunk, Joy Ann Ribar, and Rose Bingham

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2020 13:55


    Writers Rita Schunk, Joy Ann Ribar, and Rose Bingham share their tales of encouragement with the rest of the global writing community.

    Read Books, Get Money featuring Jennie Nash – Writescast 080

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2020 66:15


    Jennie Nash reads books all day and gets paid for it, and her book by that title—along with this episode—will help you on your journey to doing the same.

    Writing Retellings – Novel Approaches 025

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2020 39:07


    Once upon a time, guest co-hosts Avery Ames and r.r. campbell explored the magic of writing retellings.

    Big News!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2020 2:56


    Writescast Network founder r.r. campbell shares some of the exciting developments the Writescast Network community will have to look forward to in the coming months and years.

    Book Launches, Middle Grade, and Chunk the Cat(!) featuring Claribel Ortega – Writescast 079

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2020 40:09


    After first tackling the ins and outs of launching a debut novel during a time of social distancing, Claribel Ortega details what went in to writing GHOST SQUAD, how it feels to write one's experiences with grief, and, of course, how she came to write a character like Chunk the cat.

    Profiles in Encouragement 001 – Lisa Vihos, Ekta Garg, Larry F. Sommers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2020 17:16


    In a time of self-isolation, quarantine, and social distancing, writers Lisa Vihos, Ekta Garg, and Larry F. Sommers have the courage to share their tales of encouragement with the rest of the global writing community.

    RevPit! – Event-isode 003

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2020 13:50


    Developmental editor and owner of Booklight Editorial Carly Hayward describes RevPit, an annual online event that offers writers the chance to win feedback on their queries and pages.

    Establishing Authentic Reader Connections with Dan Blank – Writescast 078

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2020 60:25


    Stop promoting. Start connecting. Dan Blank's human-centered approach to marketing has helped countless writers forge lasting impressions, and in this episode, he guides listeners through his philosophy to help us do the same.

    Opening Lines – Novel Approaches 024

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2020 60:42


    Opening lines: every manuscript has one (more than one, in fact!). In this episode, the #WritescastChat community helps r.r. campbell and guest co-host Angeline Boulley define the to-dos for making every opening line a ta-da!

    The Business of Being (An Author) with Laurie Buchanan – Writescast 077

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2020 46:16


    Laurie Buchanan contrasts the business of being with the business of doing, emphasizes the importance of developing mission and vision statements, and talks setting and achieving healthy goals for our creative and personal endeavors.

    The Chicago Writers Association and the Let’s Just Write Conference – Event-isode 002

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2020 17:57


    Samantha Hoffman of the Chicago Writers Association joins us to break down the CWA and its flagship annual event, the Let's Just Write conference.

    The Wisconsin Writers Association and Jade Ring Contest – Event-isode 001

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2020 16:35


    In our first-ever mini-sode, Wisconsin Writers Association president Barry Wightman discusses what the WWA and communities like it can offer writers before exploring the ins and outs of the WWA's annual Jade Ring Contest.

    On Writing Your Passions with Joanna Hathaway – Writescast 076

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2020 51:19


    Fresh off the release of STORM FROM THE EAST, book two in her GLASS ALLIANCE series, author Joanna Hathaway discusses how leaning into writing her passions led her to publication.

    Writing Romance – Novel Approaches 023

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2020 67:50


    It need not be Valentine's Day to talk writing romance; it just worked out that way this time! In this episode, guest co-host Sarah Smith and r.r. campbell take on the challenges of writing romance with either a capital or lower-case R. Topics discussed include favorite romance tropes, how to tease a budding romance, writing sex scenes, consent, and general characterization.

    The 2020 University of Wisconsin Writers’ Institute with Laurie Scheer – Writescast 075

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2020 55:59


    With help from over half a dozen voicemails left for her at our call-in number, conference director Laurie Scheer discusses this year's upcoming Writers' Institute in Madison, Wisconsin.

    Poetry, Prose, and Voice in the Void – Biblio Breakdown 004

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2020 26:37


    Our manuscripts are more than words. They live and die by the feel of their prose, by the rhythm and texture of the page. In this episode, r.r. campbell deconstructs the first pages of a number of popular books in order to explore the phenomenon that is voice. Along the way, he proposes writing exercises that creatives everywhere can use to better understand their voices, their stories, and themselves.

    Tropes and Clichés – Novel Approaches 022

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2020 60:50


    In the first installment of Novel Approaches during Roaring Twenties, Part Two: Electric Boogaloo, guest co-host Maggie Derrick and r.r. campbell explore what tropes and clichés are, the role genre plays in determining whether they're fulfilling or unflattering, and the importance of working with editors and sensitivity readers.

    Traditional Publishing Non-Traditionally with Tracey S. Phillips – Writescast 074

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2020 50:29


    Author Tracey S. Phillips joins r.r. campbell to discuss the non-traditional route she took to traditional publishing, as well as how listeners can follow in her footsteps. Thanks to this episode's sponsors: Dandelion Web Marketing, the University of Wisconsin Writers' Institute, and Let's Just Write!

    Non-Romantic Love in Fiction featuring M.D. Neu – Writescast 073

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2020 36:35


    Award-winning author M.D. Neu returns to discuss non-romantic love in fiction. With examples from the magical world of Harry Potter and M.D.'s own work, what's *not* to love?

    Mission Statements, Knowing the Market, and Three-Legged Pants with Ann Garvin – Writescast 072

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2019


    In this free-wheeling conversation, USA Today Bestselling author Ann Garvin and r.r. campbell discuss what it means to understand your readership, writerly mission statements, and, wait for it—three-legged pairs of pants.

    Non-Linear Storytelling – Novel Approaches 021

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2019


    Sione and r.r. do some creative writing calculus by waxing philosophical on the nature of time, space, and their intersection with story. Oh, and all apologies to Richard Gere. You'll understand once you've listened to the episode.

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