Your Mom Writes Books

We're back for a quick hit commenting on the Penguin Random House trial! If you want more information, please click the links below!Novel Marketing Podcast's "Publishing Secrets Revealed at the Penguin Random House Trial:" https://open.spotify.com/episode/77hqgO67OUCpoDBg2cKBCe?si=9ZQ5bNRrT8ONReG_aZAEVAJane Friedman's "The Hot Sheet:" https://hotsheetpub.com/ If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

SEASON FINALE! Charlie and a very raspy Caitlyn talk about querying first books in a series that can't stand alone, the submission process, theme, and Thomas Astruc's recent series of tweets on fan criticism.Thomas Astruc's Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/Thomas_Astruc/status/1672144706992586753If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

While Charlie frolics through England, author James L. Sutter (Co-creator of Pathfinder) hops on the podcast to talk about his new novel, DARK HEARTS. On the way, he and Caitlyn talk about queer identity, querying (no pun intended), adequacy, and more.Secret: James wrote the podcast jingle for Brian McClellan's Page Break ;)If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

She's actually on vacation. Er, one of them is, but she took the podcast gremlin with her, so while no one is available to edit the podcast, Caitlyn will still be slaving away at her day job and recording next week's episode. Because she loves you the most.Today's away notice brought to you by the gremlin, who was let out of her cage for a whole three minutes to record it.If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

TENSION. Today Caitlyn and Charlie talk tension. How to build it, how to release it, how to layer it, and so on.Your Mom Writes Books will be on vacation Tuesday, 6/20, but we'll return with a new episode the following week!If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Burn out. It happens to the best of us. So what do we do when we run out of wick?If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Today we share the major edits Spellbreaker (Charlie) and Soul of Smoke (Caitlyn) underwent after being accepted to publication, so be warned, there are spoilers! But before that, we talk about ghostwriters vs AI and whether or not an author is their work.If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

The release of Sudowrite has Caitlyn and Charlie discusses the future of computers and story.Links to tweets/sites referenced in this episode:https://twitter.com/dzweifler/status/1659219748486361089?s=20&fbclid=IwAR2TfuuwkQNSmsGIbU85kZAMPdSY0rTKwth6nXNaqk1UMyBMZXWq1MsqQPEhttps://twitter.com/jamesjyu/status/1658933765824192512?t=ahvHbBqoJvq-evzy3xuVqw&s=19https://www.wired.com/story/fanfiction-omegaverse-sex-trope-artificial-intelligence-knotting/https://gizmodo.com/sudowrite-launch-novel-writing-ai-software-story-engine-1850450016https://www.copyright.gov/ai/https://mashable.com/article/us-copyright-law-ai-generated-contenthttps://www.reuters.com/technology/chatgpt-launches-boom-ai-written-e-books-amazon-2023-02-21/If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

What should you do when running into creepy people as an author? Should you use a pseudonym? When do you report unusual behavior at a convention? How do you keep the post office from selling your information? Today Charlie is solo (and apparently paranoid) and talks about protecting oneself as a public figure. If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

How do you know which ideas to keep in a book, and which ideas to discard? Today Charlie and Caitlyn discuss reversals, outlining scenes, and perfectionism, all while Charlie struggles to understand the robotic filter on Caitlyn's voice that only she can hear.Also, it's release day! Caitlyn's novel, SOUL OF SMOKE, is out in the wild! Support her and the podcast by giving it a gander and telling your friends

So we've talked magic. We've talked hard magic, and we've talked soft magic. But how do you choose which one to put in your book? Thus proceeds this week's episode.(And we're so proud of Caitlyn for doing a newsletter, which you can find at the bottom of her home page! https://witchoftheweald.com/)If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Today Caitlyn and Charlie review the recent author income survey run by ALLi (the Alliance of Independent Authors), which claims that indie authors' income is not only rising year after year, but is surpassing their traditionally published colleagues.You can read the survey here: https://selfpublishingadvice.org/incomesurvey/If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Releasing a book? Want to get it in front of faces without breaking the bank? Today Charlie and Caitlyn chat methods to use to publicize yourself, from social media to tours to newspapers. If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

We watched the new Dungeons & Dragons movie! And we have thoughts!(Charlie also got a natural 1 on rolling for initiative for the end-of-episode pun.)Heir of Uncertain Magic is out today! Amazon: amzn.to/3rhXic4B&N: bit.ly/3Kv9IXoIf you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

While Charlie is off not seeing whales, Caitlyn unravels the wonders of folklore with Kristy S. Gilbert, former editorial manager at Pegasus (Charlie's company) and present editorial director at Dragonsteel (Brandon Sanderson's company). What IS folklore? It's more than just fairytales. Join Caitlyn and Kristy as they talk story, culture, motifs, and more.Also it's Charlie's birthday. If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Caitlyn and Charlie discuss the often easily fixable things that make then DNF* books. Because let's face it, if they talked about all the things they loved, it would be far less entertaining.There is no promise that Caitlyn and Charlie don't also write sucky books.*Did Not FinishIf you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

This week Charlie and Caitlyn discuss how to write stories that don't involve saving the world, while touching on how to escalate personal stakes to add oomph to any tale.If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

How do you choose the best protagonist for your next project? Charlie and Caitlyn talk about choosing the right personality for a story and differentiating characters from book to book.If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Your book is drafted. Done. Great. Now what? Caitlyn and Charlie discuss options for diving into your first round of revisions. One of them doesn't use spellcheck. Added bonus: a rant about movie sequels.If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

All books need research, but where does one start? Join Charlie and Caitlyn as they talk primary vs secondary resources, juvenile nonfiction, and ChatGPT.Link to the colonial occupations website: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~sam/occupation.html#SIf you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Almost a part 2 to the "The Female Gaze and Fantasy" episode, Charlie and Caitlyn dive into the erasure of female characters over the age of 30 in [predominantly fantasy] fiction, age gaps, and female authors being relegated to the YA book category.If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Today Caitlyn and Charlie talk all things horror with someone who has much more experience in the genre than they do. What exactly IS horror, and how does one go about crafting a horror novel? Tune in to find out!If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Welcome to season 4! Today Charlie and Caitlyn plot a book using prompts from YOU. The dice choose the plot twists, and we have to make it work. Who are our heroes? Will they achieve HEROIC THINGS? Tune in to find out.Many thanks to those who have helped cushion our editing costs! If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Season 3 finale! Today we're doing our Ask Me Anything, with questions from you! Among today's topics are the cover-art process, whatever happened with the book Charlie and Caitlyn cowrote, why word count does (or doesn't) matter, and aggressive T poses.Season 4 will air in two weeks! Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared, and reviewed our podcast. This wouldn't be possible without you!If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, you can do so at charlienholmberg.com/podcast

Conventions and conferences are great way to netwwork and hone your writing skills! What the difference between them? What should you bring? How do you handle agent and editor pitches? HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU SHOWER?? Tune in to find out!Love our podcast? Please leave a review or donate toward our editing costs at charlienholmberg.com/podcast

Happy New Year! Today Charlie and Caitlyn make assumptions about the publishing industry, where it's heading, and how it may (or may not) change.Love our podcast? Please leave a review or donate to our editing costs at charlienholmberg.com/podcast

How do we write a beginning? Where should the book start? Caitlyn and Charlie discuss beginnings after a long tangent on the British royal family (which ends at time marker 16:33 if you want to skip ahead) that we do bring back around to the point, eventually ;)

What is "sandbox" worldbuilding, why is it captivating, and how do we create one? Charlie and Caitlyn dive into sandbox worldbuilding and the massive fandoms it seems to create.Love listening to Your Mom Writes Books? Consider donating to our cause! charlienholmberg.com/podcast 

Not sure what to get the writer in your life? Caitlyn and Charlie go over a list of possibilities, from grandiose to humble. 

Caitlyn and Charlie share their thoughts on Lindsay Lohan's new "Hallmark"-style Christmas movie.

A rant on a web comic leads us to ask, what do creators owe their fans, if anything? What if money is involved? Join Caitlyn and Charlie as they discuss both sides of the equation.

Authorship . . . the good, the bad, and the ugly. In truth, most things can fall into the good and the bad. Today Caitlyn and Charlie talk candidly about the realities of living off one's writing.We mention Caitlyn's friend Raylene, who also has a podcast! Check out her Still Sleeping podcast (episodes may contain adult themes).

Now that Charlie has returned from the desert, we have part TWO of our likeable characters episode! We discuss secrets, wounds, and how to get the reader rooting for an "unlikeable" character.

While Charlie is off in Moab, Caitlyn meets with two Dungeons & Dragons game masters to discuss elements of story within the game that can be applied to writing.Today is the first day of NaNoWriMo! 

Likeable characters part 1! We talk about what makes a character likeable, how to balance positive traits with negative traits, and using emotion to sympathize with POV characters.

Learn how Charlie and Caitlyn plot novels backwards, weaving the threads for a successful ending all the way through to the beginning of a story. They'll also talk about what sorts of stories this technique works better for.Gearing up for NaNoWriMo? Use code YMWB20  at BrightBirdPress.com to save 20% on your next order of $20 or more on planners, journals, notepads, sticky notes, and more.This month (October 2022), Charlie's newest novel, KEEPER OF ENCHANTED ROOMS, is free for Prime members on Amazon First Reads. Check it out here: amzn.to/3ws6iyQ 

Are you ready for NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month? This week Caitlyn and Charlie share tips for hitting your NaNoWriMo goals, including how to mete out your time, what to prepare beforehand, and how to pump out them words!

Today Charlie and Caitlyn discuss bestseller lists, Brandon Sanderson's kickstarter, the publishing merger, and the state of young adult publishing.Gearing up for NaNoWriMo? Use code YMWB20  at BrightBirdPress.com to save 20% on your next order of $20 or more on planners, journals, note pads, sticky notes, and more.This month (October 2022), Charlie's newest novel, KEEPER OF ENCHANTED ROOMS, is free for Prime members on Amazon First Reads. Check it out here: amzn.to/3ws6iyQ 

What is story math? It's the "equation" used in plotting that lets savvy readers determine what's going to happen in a story. Today, CAITLYN and Charlie talk story math and how to still surprise the reader despite it.

Charlie chats with fantasy author and marketing guru Kristin J. Dawson about marketing, especially in the realm of social media. Learn the top four marketing tools for your book, which platforms you should be on, and more.

Charlie forces a mysterious male guest to join her as she discusses front and back matter: a la prefaces, forwards, dedications, acknowledgements, and so on. 

Charlie mourns Caitlyn's lack of internet by sharing anonymous horror stories about critique partners, writing groups, and beta readers. She also shares advice for critiquing, offers default compliments to give someone when you hate their work, and a presents few horror stories of her own.

Caitlyn decided to uproot her family and move to Missouri, so today Charlie is solo and sharing her query letters/pitches from her past published novels. Entertainment factor not guaranteed.

This newfangled installment descants exaggerated composition! Or, in layman's terms, Charlie and Caitlyn discuss “purple prose,” or the overwriting of description and overuse of the thesaurus. 

This week Caitlyn and Charlie discuss the work that goes into achieving one's publishing dreams, as well as the toxic positivity that can leak into it.

Your Mom Writes Books is back and saltier than ever! Charlie and Caitlyn start off season three by  hot-taking terrible hot-takes we hear about in the writing world, and Caitlyn tells us how she really feels.

In this last episode of season 2, Charlie and Caitlyn talk about why they think so many adult women still read YA and what kinds of stories they would like to have spotlighted more in Adult Fantasy.

In this holiday episode, Caitlyn and Charlie discuss cheesy Christmas romances and plot one of their own. They then lost the last part of Charlie's audio and had to re-record the ending. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Charlie and Caitlyn answer a few more questions, including how they include foreshadowing, where they get their ideas for content, and how to differentiate being inspired by something from copying it.

Charlie and Caitlyn talk about the amazing new Netflix series Arcane: League of Legends. This episode contains full-on SPOILERS, so if you haven't watched the show, do so before listening!If you've watched the show and want to skip our not-great attempt at a recap (though there is a bit of analysis as we summarize), go to 18:20.

This week, due to technical difficulties and busy schedules, Caitlyn regrets to inform you that we don't have a full episode. However, she does go over a few of the tips and tricks she and Charlie talked about in the episode we tried to record, including  consistency, being brave, and character-focused writing.