Podcasts about writingcommunity

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Where Dreams and Stories Dance: Jaipur Lit Fest Magic Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2026-06-05-07-38-19-hi Story Transcript:Hi: जयपुर लिटरेचर फेस्टिवल दिन का सबसे रंगीन मेला है।En: The Jaipur Literature Festival is the most colorful fair of the day.Hi: चारों ओर खुशियाँ, हँसी की गूंज, चाय और धूपबत्ती की खुशबू हवा में तैर रही है।En: All around, there is joy, echoes of laughter, and the aroma of tea and incense floating in the air.Hi: शायद यही वो जगह है जहाँ सपने और कहानियाँ मिलती हैं।En: Perhaps this is the place where dreams and stories meet.Hi: ऐतिहासिक डिग्गी पैलेस के पृष्ठभूमि में, लेखकों का मेला लगा है।En: Against the backdrop of the historic Diggi Palace, a fair of writers is in place.Hi: अरजुन, एक ऊर्जावान लेखक, यहाँ अपनी खोई हुई प्रेरणा ढूँढने आया है।En: Arjun, an energetic writer, has come here to find his lost inspiration.Hi: वह अपने लेखन की क्षमताओं पर संदेह करता है।En: He doubts his writing abilities.Hi: उसी समय, चैट्स के एक कोने में, मीरा अपने नोट्स में कुछ लिख रही थी।En: Meanwhile, in one corner of the chats, Meera was writing something in her notes.Hi: मीरा एक उत्साही उपन्यासकार है, जो यहाँ नए लेखकों और मेंटर्स से मिलने के लिए आई है।En: Meera is an enthusiastic novelist, who has come here to meet new writers and mentors.Hi: वक्ताओं का एक पैनल डिस्कशन बस खत्म होने को था।En: A panel discussion of speakers was about to conclude.Hi: अरजुन ने अपनी जगह पर अपना हाथ उठाया, एक प्रश्न के साथ।En: Arjun raised his hand from his place, with a question.Hi: मीरा का ध्यान उसी की ओर गया।En: Meera's attention was drawn to him.Hi: उसने उसकी आवाज में एक अजीब सी कशिस पाई।En: She found a strange allure in his voice.Hi: यह वही था जिसे वह प्रेरणा कहेगी।En: This was what she would call inspiration.Hi: फेस्टिवल के आखिरी दिन, अरजुन ने कई वर्कशॉप्स में हिस्सा लिया।En: On the last day of the festival, Arjun participated in many workshops.Hi: वहां, मीरा ने उससे मिलने की ठानी।En: There, Meera decided to meet him.Hi: आखिरकार उसे मौका मिला।En: Finally, she got the chance.Hi: उसने कहा, "आपके प्रश्न ने मुझे मेरी कहानी पर फिर से सोचना दिया।"En: She said, "Your question made me rethink my story."Hi: अरजुन थोड़ा हैरान था। पर उसने भी अपनी बात रखी, "कभी-कभी स्वंय को प्रेरित करना मुश्किल होता है।"En: Arjun was a little surprised but shared his thoughts, "Sometimes it's difficult to motivate oneself."Hi: मीरा ने मुस्कुराते हुए कहा, "चलो, एक छोटे से स्टोरीटेलिंग सेशन में भाग लें?"En: Meera smiled and said, "Let's participate in a small storytelling session?"Hi: सेशन शुरू हुआ।En: The session began.Hi: मीरा ने अरजुन को अपने कहानी विचार को सबके साथ साझा करने को प्रोत्साहित किया।En: Meera encouraged Arjun to share his story idea with everyone.Hi: "यह समय डर को दूर भगाने का है," मीरा ने कहा।En: "It's time to chase away fear," Meera said.Hi: अरजुन ने थोड़ी झिझक के साथ मंच पर कदम रखा और अपनी कहानी का आईडिया पेश किया।En: With a bit of hesitation, Arjun stepped onto the stage and presented his story idea.Hi: मौन के बाद, वहां तालियों की गड़गड़ाहट हुई।En: After a silence, there was a thunderous applause.Hi: उनकी आँखों में चमक लौट आई।En: The sparkle returned to his eyes.Hi: फेस्टिवल के अंत में, अरजुन और मीरा ने तय किया कि वे एक साथ काम करेंगे।En: At the end of the festival, Arjun and Meera decided that they would work together.Hi: उनकी दोस्ती अब रचनात्मक साझेदारी में बदलने वाली थी।En: Their friendship was about to transform into a creative partnership.Hi: अरजुन ने आत्मविश्वास पा लिया, और मीरा को एक ऐसा साथी मिल गया जिसने उसे साबित किया कि वह लेखन की दुनिया में जगह बना सकती है।En: Arjun regained his confidence, and Meera found a partner who proved to her that she could make her place in the world of writing.Hi: जयपुर की शाम धूप में रंगीन हो चली थी, पर उनकी कहानियाँ अभी शुरु हुई थीं।En: The evening in Jaipur was becoming colorful in the sunlight, but their stories were just beginning. Vocabulary Words:festival: फेस्टिवलliterature: लिटरेचरfair: मेलाechoes: गूंजincense: धूपबत्तीbackdrop: पृष्ठभूमिenergetic: ऊर्जावानinspiration: प्रेरणाnovelist: उपन्यासकारmentors: मेंटर्सdiscussion: डिस्कशनconclude: खत्मattention: ध्यानallure: कशिसhesitation: झिझकapplause: तालियाँsparkle: चमकconfidence: आत्मविश्वासcreative: रचनात्मकpartnership: साझेदारीtransform: बदलनेchase: भगानेsession: सेशनprompt: प्रोत्साहितpanel: पैनलworkshops: वर्कशॉप्सencouraged: प्रोत्साहित कियाstorytelling: स्टोरीटेलिंगsunlight: धूपfriendship: दोस्ती

In this episode of The Writing Community Chat Show, we are joined by the incredible Melanie Blake for a must-listen conversation. We pull back the curtain on the book world, unpacking recent publishing drama with a professional, candid lens, and exploring what it really takes to navigate the industry.As if that wasn't enough, we also have all the exciting details on an unbelievable 100k necklace giveaway!In this episode, we dive into:A candid look at the latest publishing drama and industry dynamics.Behind-the-scenes insights from Melanie Blake's incredible career.Everything you need to know about the massive 100k necklace giveaway.Actionable advice and inspiration for writers navigating the modern publishing landscape.Whether you are actively drafting your next novel, querying, or simply love hearing the incredible stories behind the books, this conversation delivers invaluable insights you won't want to miss.Buy Vengeful Women for your chance of winning here!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.Connect With The Community

Fluent Fiction - Spanish: From Dreams to Pages: Mateo's Book Fair Breakthrough Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/es/episode/2026-05-04-22-34-01-es Story Transcript:Es: Mateo caminaba por la Feria Internacional del Libro en Buenos Aires, envuelto en el bullicio y la emoción del evento.En: Mateo walked through the Feria Internacional del Libro in Buenos Aires, enveloped in the bustle and excitement of the event.Es: Las hojas de los árboles caían lentamente, pintando el suelo con tonos dorados y marrones, mientras un suave viento otoñal acariciaba el aire.En: The leaves of the trees fell slowly, painting the ground with golden and brown hues, while a gentle autumn breeze caressed the air.Es: Los estantes estaban llenos de libros brillantes, cada portada una puerta a otro mundo.En: The shelves were full of shiny books, each cover a door to another world.Es: Mateo era un joven escritor con un sueño: publicar su novela inspirada en la rica literatura argentina.En: Mateo was a young writer with a dream: to publish his novel inspired by the rich Argentine literature.Es: Sin embargo, la duda nublaba su mente.En: However, doubt clouded his mind.Es: Dudaba de que alguien quisiera leer sus palabras.En: He doubted that anyone would want to read his words.Es: Pero hoy estaba decidido a cambiar eso.En: But today he was determined to change that.Es: Se dirigió hacia el panel de discusión donde hablaba Isabela, una editora famosa, conocida por descubrir talentos.En: He headed towards the discussion panel where Isabela, a famous editor known for discovering talents, was speaking.Es: Isabela, aunque atrapada en una agenda apretada, todavía encontraba tiempo para descubrir nuevas voces.En: Isabela, though caught in a tight schedule, still found time to discover new voices.Es: Le gustaba escuchar las pasiones de los escritores jóvenes.En: She liked to listen to the passions of young writers.Es: Estaba emocionada por el entusiasmo del público del panel, una energía que siempre le recordaba por qué amaba su trabajo.En: She was excited by the enthusiasm of the panel's audience, an energy that always reminded her why she loved her job.Es: Después de que el panel terminara, Isabela comenzó a despedirse, sintiendo el peso de su lista de tareas aumentar.En: After the panel ended, Isabela began to say goodbye, feeling the weight of her task list increasing.Es: Pero Mateo, viendo que su tiempo se agotaba, decidió actuar.En: But Mateo, seeing that his time was running out, decided to act.Es: Se acercó con nerviosismo, apretando un resumen de una página de su novela en su mano sudorosa.En: He approached nervously, clutching a one-page summary of his novel in his sweaty hand.Es: —Disculpe, señorita Isabela —dijo Mateo, con voz temblorosa—.En: "Excuse me, Señorita Isabela," said Mateo, with a trembling voice.Es: Me llamo Mateo.En: "My name is Mateo.Es: Soy escritor, y me encantaría que le echara un vistazo a mi trabajo.En: I am a writer, and I would love for you to take a look at my work."Es: Isabela, a punto de marcharse, se detuvo.En: Isabela, about to leave, stopped.Es: Miró el papel que Mateo le tendía.En: She looked at the paper that Mateo held out.Es: Su interés se encendió al leer las primeras líneas.En: Her interest was piqued as she read the first lines.Es: Aunque su día estaba lleno, sentía la chispa de una nueva historia en el aire.En: Although her day was full, she felt the spark of a new story in the air.Es: —Gracias, Mateo —respondió ella con una sonrisa cálida—.En: "Thank you, Mateo," she responded with a warm smile.Es: Me gusta lo que veo aquí.En: "I like what I see here.Es: Prometo leerlo y te llamaré para discutirlo con calma la próxima semana.En: I promise to read it and will call you to discuss it calmly next week."Es: Mateo sintió una ola de alivio y entusiasmo.En: Mateo felt a wave of relief and excitement.Es: Sus dudas comenzaron a desvanecerse, reemplazadas por una confianza renovada.En: His doubts began to fade, replaced by renewed confidence.Es: Su voz, que siempre había sentido pequeña, ahora tenía un lugar.En: His voice, which he had always felt was small, now had a place.Es: Por primera vez, veía un camino claro hacia su sueño.En: For the first time, he saw a clear path to his dream.Es: Por su parte, Isabela partió del evento, sintiendo nuevamente la pasión que la había llevado a la edición.En: For her part, Isabela left the event, once again feeling the passion that had brought her to publishing.Es: Sabía que ayudar a nuevos autores como Mateo era donde realmente podía hacer una diferencia.En: She knew that helping new authors like Mateo was where she could truly make a difference.Es: A medida que el sol se ponía en el horizonte de Buenos Aires, los colores del otoño reflejaban el comienzo de una nueva etapa para ambos.En: As the sun set on the Buenos Aires horizon, the autumn colors reflected the beginning of a new stage for both.Es: Mateo se dirigió a casa, emocionado por lo que había comenzado como un simple día en la feria del libro.En: Mateo headed home, excited about what had begun as a simple day at the book fair.Es: Cada paso se sentía más ligero, lleno de posibilidades.En: Each step felt lighter, full of possibilities.Es: Isabela, mientras revisaba su agenda, sonrió al pensar en las historias futuras que tendría el privilegio de traer al mundo.En: Isabela, while reviewing her agenda, smiled at the thought of the future stories she would have the privilege of bringing to the world. Vocabulary Words:the bustle: el bulliciothe breeze: el vientothe shelf: el estantethe cover: la portadathe doubt: la dudathe schedule: la agendathe passion: la pasiónthe enthusiasm: el entusiasmothe task: la tareathe summary: el resumenthe hand: la manothe editor: la editorathe spark: la chispathe wave: la olathe confidence: la confianzathe doubt: la dudathe horizon: el horizontethe autumn: el otoñothe event: el eventothe writer: el escritorthe book fair: la feria del librothe door: la puertathe novel: la novelathe stage: la etapathe privilege: el privilegioto cloud: nublarto clutch: apretarto act: actuarto run out: agotarseto discover: descubrir

Our final show before we go dark for the 3-Month Writing Challenge is an absolute banger! After over 400 interviews and six years of virtually never taking a Friday night off, we are officially putting the microphones on standby to write a novel in 90 days. To send us off in style, we are joined by the incredible sci-fi and fantasy authors Dominique Mondesir and Gabriel Rathweg, hosts of The Story Forge podcast.This episode goes deep into the gritty reality of being a working author today. Dom and Gabe pull no punches as we discuss the "dark side" of Amazon's algorithms, the harsh mathematical realities of traditional publishing advances versus indie royalties, and how to actually stand out in a ridiculously saturated market.Plus, we debut our brand new game, Blurb or Absurd, testing the guys on whether they can spot a real sci-fi/fantasy plot from a completely fake one (Spoiler: Kung Fu chickens and coffee-brewing Orcs are involved).If you are joining us for the writing challenge or just want an unfiltered look at the publishing industry, this is a must-listen.Support the show & join the 3-Month Challenge: ✍️ Write your novel with us in just 12 weeks: Join the Challenge on SubstackConnect with Dominique & Gabriel:Subscribe to The Story Forge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DGstoryforge/streamsDominique's Website & Books: https://dominiquemondesir.comGabriel's Books: Search "Gabriel Rathweg" on AmazonBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.Connect With The Community

Welcome to another Friday night episode of The Writing Community Chat Show! In our growing archive of over 400 interviews, we've had the pleasure of sitting down with everyone from brilliant indie authors to household names—and today's guest is nothing short of spectacular.Join us as we welcome New York Times best-selling author Essie Fox for a deep dive into the shadowy, mesmerising world of Gothic historical fiction. Essie shares her incredible journey from a 20-year career as a home-based illustrator to taking a leap of faith on a three-month creative writing course that changed her life.We unpack her brilliant passion project, Katherine—an audacious and emotional retelling of Wuthering Heights from the perspective of a ghost—and discuss how to find the spaces between the pages of classic literature. We also delve into the wild history of Lord Byron, the literary origins of the vampire, and how to balance meticulous historical research with deeply human character arcs.Plus, we've got an exciting update on our upcoming 12-week novel-writing challenge where the community is teaming up to write 800 words a day. Whether you are a dedicated historical fiction writer or just love a twisting, atmospheric tale, this episode is packed with inspiration.Thank you for tuning in and helping make us one of the top writing podcasts in the UK! Grab a drink, settle in, and let's get into it.In this episode, we explore:The Path to Publication: Essie's transition from an illustrator to a bestselling author and the perseverance required to break into the industry.Finding the Story: The serendipity of historical research and uncovering a novel idea right under your own floorboards.Reimagining a Classic: Unpacking the complex, humanizing layers of Wuthering Heights and why Essie had to write her own version.Vampires & Lord Byron: How John Polidori's The Vampyre and the infamous "Summer of Darkness" inspired Essie's historical thriller.Gothic Recommendations: Essie's top three Gothic novel recommendations for every writer and reader.Links & Resources:Follow Essie Fox on Instagram: @essiefox_authorListen to Essie's podcast on Substack: Talking the GothicPick up a copy of Katherine and Essie's other novels at your local indie bookshop, or here.Join our community Discord and Substack to participate in the upcoming 12-Week Novel Writing Challenge!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.Connect With The Community

In this episode of The Writing Community Chat Show, Chris sits down with UK-based television producer, script editor, and debut author, Charlotte Robinson!Charlotte brings an incredible wealth of storytelling knowledge from the screen to the page. After working her way up from an on-set runner (mastering the art of making the perfect cup of tea), she became a driving creative force behind major TV hits like Sky's Fortitude, Amazon Prime's adaptation of The Power, and Steven Knight's A Thousand Blows for Disney+.Now, she's translating that high-stakes, binge-worthy pacing into her highly anticipated debut sci-fi thriller, MARS ONE( publishing May 23rd with Transworld).If you have ever struggled with pacing, character depth, or bloated first drafts, this episode is an absolute masterclass. Grab a pint or a perfectly brewed tea, and get ready to take notes!In this episode, we dive into:The "Ruthless TV Editor" Mindset: How Charlotte applied TV production rules to cut a staggering 80,000 words from her first draft.The Margaret Atwood Timeline: A brilliant character-building exercise to give your protagonists deep psychological context.Writers' Room Secrets: How to use the "Post-It Note" method and Scrivener to weave together multiple POVs without losing the emotional thread.The Billionaire Space Race: A fascinating debate into the real-world inspirations behind Mars One and the geopolitical dangers of handing space exploration over to private companies.The Geek Vault: How a professional script editor would fix the controversial ending of Game of Thrones, and the fictional characters Charlotte would take on a one-way trip to Mars!About Charlotte Robinson: Charlotte is a writer, TV producer, and die-hard sci-fi & fantasy fan living in Essex. Her debut novel, MARS ONE, is a fast-paced thriller about a reality TV-funded colonization mission to Mars where a saboteur strikes in the dark vacuum of space.Pre-order MARS ONE: https://amzn.to/4e1G9NMShow Notes & Resources:

Welcome back to another fantastic episode of The Writing Community Chat Show! With over 400 interviews under our belts - chatting with everyone from indie debutants to NYT bestsellers - we are incredibly proud to continue bringing you the very best insights into the publishing world. It's been an amazing journey recently reaching number 3 in the top 10 writing podcasts in the UK, and we couldn't do it without this brilliant community.This week, we are thrilled to welcome the award-winning author of contemporary women's fiction and romance, Fiona Lucas (also known for her decades of enchanting readers as Fiona Harper). Fiona has written over 30 books, hit the number one spot on the Kindle bestseller list, and cracked the code for authors on TikTok, accumulating over a million likes!Whether you are plotting your first romance or trying to figure out how to market your latest release on social media, Fiona's journey from a mother of two seeking a creative outlet to a seasoned industry veteran is packed with actionable advice.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.Connect With The Community

How do you turn the rhythm of a song into the heartbeat of a novel?In this episode of The Writing Community Chat Show, we sit down with the multi-talented Antonio Michael Downing—a writer, musician, and "creative force" whose work spans critically acclaimed memoirs like Saga Boy and his stunning new debut novel, Black Cherokee.Antonio shares a perspective on the craft that is as soulful as it is practical. We dive deep into his "sensory hypnosis" ritual—why he writes every first draft longhand with a "sacred" fountain pen—and explore his "gardening mindset" for productivity, which might just change the way you look at your daily word counts forever.In this episode, we discuss:The Economy of Words: What novelists can learn from hip-hop legends and the tight structure of a three-minute song.Ritualising the Flow State: How to use physical objects to "hypnotise" your brain into writing mode.Writing What You Don't Know: The meticulous research and radical empathy required to write across culture, gender, and history.Reverse-Engineering Emotion: How to study the books that move you to figure out exactly how the "magic" works.The 1990s & The "Trail of Tears": Why Antonio chose a pre-cellphone era to explore the history that "never stays in the past."Whether you're an indie author struggling with your first draft or a seasoned pro looking for a fresh spark of inspiration, this conversation is a masterclass in staying curious and finding your own unique "fingerprint" on the page."Your job is to be available... to create the conditions so that tomatoes can grow. Then the tomatoes will naturally grow." — Antonio Michael Downing.Connect with Antonio:Website: antoniomichaeldowning.comInstagram: @antoniomichaeldowningJoin the WCCS Community: Don't forget to like, subscribe, and check out our upcoming community project, "The 100," where we'll be writing 80,000 words together starting this May! Visit https://substack.com/@thewccs for more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.Connect With The Community

Fluent Fiction - Spanish: From Strangers to Creative Allies: A Coffeehouse Connection Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/es/episode/2026-03-22-22-34-02-es Story Transcript:Es: Mateo caminaba lentamente por la calle, sintiendo el suave aire primaveral y observando los cerezos en flor que comenzaban a adornar el vecindario.En: Mateo walked slowly down the street, feeling the gentle spring breeze and observing the cherry blossoms that were beginning to adorn the neighborhood.Es: Había llegado al barrio hacía apenas unas semanas y todo le resultaba nuevo y desconocido.En: He had arrived in the area just a few weeks ago, and everything was new and unfamiliar to him.Es: Su trabajo como diseñador gráfico lo mantenía ocupado, pero anhelaba algo más: conexión, inspiración.En: His work as a graphic designer kept him busy, but he longed for something more: connection, inspiration.Es: Giró en la esquina y allí estaba, la pequeña cafetería de barrio que había estado frecuentando los últimos días.En: He turned the corner and there it was, the small neighborhood café he had been frequenting the last few days.Es: Era un lugar acogedor, siempre lleno de vida, con el aroma a café recién hecho envolviéndolo todo.En: It was a cozy place, always full of life, with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloping everything.Es: Las paredes estaban cubiertas de cuadros de artistas locales, y las conversaciones llenaban el aire con un murmullo constante.En: The walls were covered with paintings by local artists, and conversations filled the air with a constant murmur.Es: Valeria ya estaba allí.En: Valeria was already there.Es: Ella siempre ocupaba la misma mesa junto a la ventana, con su cuaderno abierto y su mirada concentrada.En: She always occupied the same table by the window, with her notebook open and her gaze focused.Es: Era una escritora apasionada que sacaba su inspiración de lo cotidiano.En: She was a passionate writer who drew her inspiration from the everyday.Es: Sin embargo, había perdido la esperanza en encontrar a alguien que compartiera sus sueños literarios.En: However, she had lost hope of finding someone who shared her literary dreams.Es: Mateo se animó.En: Mateo gathered his courage.Es: Tomando un profundo suspiro, tomó su café y se acercó lentamente a la mesa de Valeria.En: Taking a deep breath, he picked up his coffee and slowly approached Valeria's table.Es: "Hola," dijo con una sonrisa tímida.En: "Hello," he said with a shy smile.Es: "He notado que escribes mucho aquí."En: "I've noticed you write a lot here."Es: Valeria alzó la vista, un poco sorprendida.En: Valeria looked up, a bit surprised.Es: "Sí, es mi lugar favorito," respondió, inicialmente con cautela.En: "Yes, it's my favorite place," she responded, initially with caution.Es: Pero algo en la mirada de Mateo, quizás la sinceridad o el interés genuino, la hizo continuar.En: But something in Mateo's look, perhaps the sincerity or the genuine interest, made her continue.Es: "Estoy trabajando en un ensayo sobre la influencia del arte en la vida diaria."En: "I'm working on an essay about the influence of art on everyday life."Es: Mateo se iluminó.En: Mateo brightened.Es: "¡Eso suena fascinante!En: "That sounds fascinating!Es: Soy diseñador gráfico y siempre busco cómo las imágenes pueden contar historias."En: I'm a graphic designer and I'm always looking for how images can tell stories."Es: Valeria se sintió intrigada.En: Valeria was intrigued.Es: Pese a su escepticismo inicial, decidió tomar el riesgo.En: Despite her initial skepticism, she decided to take the risk.Es: "¿Por qué no intercambiamos ideas?En: "Why don't we exchange ideas?Es: A veces, las charlas inesperadas traen grandes inspiraciones."En: Sometimes, unexpected conversations bring great inspirations."Es: Se sentaron juntos, Mateo y Valeria, en una esquina soleada del café.En: They sat together, Mateo and Valeria, in a sunny corner of the café.Es: Hablaron de sus autores favoritos, de aquellos artistas que dejaron huellas en sus corazones.En: They talked about their favorite authors, about those artists who left marks on their hearts.Es: Mateo quedó maravillado por la profundidad de las ideas de Valeria, y ella, por la creatividad visual de Mateo.En: Mateo was amazed by the depth of Valeria's ideas, and she, by the visual creativity of Mateo.Es: Pronto, las servilletas se llenaron de pequeños bocetos y apuntes.En: Soon, the napkins were filled with small sketches and notes.Es: Soñaban con crear algo juntos, un proyecto que combinara sus pasiones.En: They dreamed of creating something together, a project that combined their passions.Es: Los minutos se convirtieron en horas, y con cada palabra, cada dibujo, ambos sentían cómo una chispa prendía dentro de ellos.En: The minutes turned into hours, and with each word, each drawing, both felt a spark ignite within them.Es: Al caer la tarde, mientras el sol daba sus últimos rayos, Mateo se sentía lleno de propósito.En: As the afternoon fell, with the last rays of the sun, Mateo felt full of purpose.Es: La timidez que a menudo lo frenaba se desvanecía.En: The shyness that often held him back was fading.Es: Por su parte, Valeria sentía un renovado optimismo, confiando de nuevo en la magia de las conexiones auténticas.En: For her part, Valeria felt a renewed optimism, trusting again in the magic of authentic connections.Es: En ese pequeño café, entre arte y café, Mateo y Valeria encontraron no solo un proyecto, sino una promesa de amistad y creatividad compartida.En: In that small café, amidst art and coffee, Mateo and Valeria found not only a project but a promise of friendship and shared creativity.Es: Y así, en el corazón del barrio, dos almas creativas comenzaron a tejer juntos sus sueños.En: And so, in the heart of the neighborhood, two creative souls began to weave their dreams together. Vocabulary Words:the breeze: la brisagentle: suavethe cherry blossoms: los cerezos en florto adorn: adornarunfamiliar: desconocidoto long for: anhelarcozy: acogedorto envelop: envolverthe murmur: el murmullothe gaze: la miradapassionate: apasionadato draw inspiration: sacar inspiraciónthe essay: el ensayothe influence: la influenciato brighten: iluminarseto be intrigued: sentirse intrigadothe skepticism: el escepticismoto amaze: maravillarthe sketches: los bocetosthe notes: los apuntesthe spark: la chispato fade: desvanecerseto weave: tejerthe neighborhood: el vecindariothe connection: la conexióninspiration: inspiraciónto approach: acercarsethe renewed optimism: el optimismo renovadoto hold back: frenarauthentic: auténtico

He Was Dying… Then the Government Turned Him Into a Weapon | PorTroyal Smith – The Rogue RecordingsHe was dying.Then the government offered him survival.The price? Becoming a weapon.In this episode of The USDN Podcast, we sit down with PorTroyal Smith (Nathan Lebens), author of The Rogue Recordings, to explore a superhero saga grounded in military realism, moral ambiguity, and the true cost of power.From operating missiles in North Dakota to building a layered narrative about government-created super soldiers, PorTroyal shares the journey behind Shadowalker and Shadowar — and the question that defines the series:When survival changes who you are… are you still the hero?We discuss:• Military influence in storytelling• Weaponized humanity• Power and moral consequence• The evolution from Shadowalker to Shadowar• Writing stories that deepen on a second read

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: New Year Sparks Friendship and Artistic Renewal in the Gardens Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2026-01-01-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: सर्दी की धूप कुछ अलग ही होती है।En: Winter sunlight has a distinct quality.Hi: लोधी गार्डन्स में हरियाली के बीच बिखरी हुई धूप सबको अपनी ओर खींच रही थी।En: Lodhi Gardens was drawing everyone towards it with sunlight dispersed among the greenery.Hi: नए साल की पहली सुबह थी।En: It was the first morning of the new year.Hi: पेड़ों के नीचे लोगों का जमावड़ा, हँसी के ठहाके और जगह-जगह पिकनिक मनाते परिवार दिखाई दे रहे थे।En: Gatherings of people under the trees, bursts of laughter, and families having picnics were visible everywhere.Hi: अदिति, अपने कैमरे के साथ, बाजू वाली बेंच पर बैठी थी।En: Aditi, with her camera, was sitting on the bench next to her.Hi: वह तस्वीरों को ध्यान से देख रही थी।En: She was carefully reviewing her photos.Hi: उसे अपनी अगली प्रदर्शनी के लिए कुछ खास तस्वीरें चाहिए थीं।En: She needed some special pictures for her upcoming exhibition.Hi: उसे ऐसा लगता था जैसे वह अपने विषयों से जुड़ नहीं पा रही थी।En: She felt as if she was not able to connect with her subjects.Hi: तस्वीरें बेजान सी लग रही थीं।En: The photos seemed lifeless.Hi: वहीं दूसरी ओर, राज ने अपना नोटबुक और पेन निकाला।En: On the other hand, Raj took out his notebook and pen.Hi: वह लोगों की कहानियों से अपनी लेखनी को नया आयाम देना चाहता था।En: He wanted to give a new dimension to his writing through people's stories.Hi: हाल ही में उसकी प्रेरणा कहीं गायब हो गई थी और उसकी कहानियों में जान नहीं थी।En: Recently, his inspiration had disappeared somewhere and his stories lacked life.Hi: अदिति ने फैसला लिया कि वह अपनी तस्वीरों में जीवन का रंग लाने के लिए बगीचे के कोनों-कोनों में घूमेगी।En: Aditi decided to wander through every corner of the garden to bring a splash of life to her photos.Hi: उसने अपनी रूमी की शायरी जैसी गहरी तस्वीरें लेने की ठानी।En: She resolved to capture deeply evocative pictures, like Rumi's poetry.Hi: राज ने सोचा कि वह लोगों के साथ बातचीत करेगा। उनकी कहानी जानने की कोशिश करेगा। शायद उनके जीवन के छोटे-छोटे अनुभव उसकी कल्पना के जाल में कुछ नया बुन सकें।En: Raj thought that he would talk to people, try to learn their stories, and perhaps weave something new into the fabric of his imagination from the small experiences of their lives.Hi: अचानक एक दृश्य ने अदिति का ध्यान खींचा।En: Suddenly, a scene caught Aditi's attention.Hi: राज एक बुजुर्ग जोड़े से बातचीत कर रहा था।En: Raj was conversing with an elderly couple.Hi: उनकी बातों में हँसी और उस समय की शांति का आनंद घुल रहा था।En: Laughter and the enjoyment of the moment were mixing in their conversation.Hi: अदिति के कैमरे की क्लिक ने उस पल को हमेशा के लिए कागज पर उतार लिया।En: A click from Aditi's camera captured that moment on paper forever.Hi: राज ने तस्वीर की आवाज सुनी और उसकी ओर देखा।En: Raj heard the sound of the photograph and looked over.Hi: वह इस आकस्मिक मुलाकात से खुश हुआ और दोनों ने बातचीत शुरू की।En: He was happy with this unexpected encounter, and the two began chatting.Hi: "तुम्हारी तस्वीरों में कहानी छुपी है," राज ने कहा, "और मेरा शब्द शायद तुम्हारी तस्वीरों को नया जीवन दे सकता है।"En: “There's a story hidden in your pictures,” Raj said, “and maybe my words can give new life to your photos.”Hi: अदिति मुस्कुराई, उसे लगा जैसे उसके कैमरे का लेंस राज की बातों से साफ हो गया हो।En: Aditi smiled, feeling as if the lens of her camera had been cleared by Raj's words.Hi: उस धूप भरे दिन में, उनकी बातचीत ने एक नई दोस्ती को जन्म दिया।En: That sunny day, their conversation gave birth to a new friendship.Hi: अदिति और राज ने एक-दूसरे के संपर्क जानकारी साझा की।En: Aditi and Raj shared their contact information with each other.Hi: अदिति ने क्या सीखा? हर पल की अद्वितीयता को अपनाना।En: What did Aditi learn? To embrace the uniqueness of every moment.Hi: और राज? उसने पाया कि कहानियाँ बस हमारी आँखों के सामने होती हैं।En: And Raj? He found that stories are right before our eyes.Hi: नए साल का यह दिन उनके रिश्ते को नया आयाम दे गया।En: This day of the new year gave their relationship a new dimension.Hi: लोधी गार्डन्स में जैसे नवाज़िशी माहौल था — इतिहास से घिरा हुआ वर्तमान।En: In Lodhi Gardens, there was as if a cozy atmosphere—surrounded by history in the present.Hi: अदिति और राज के लिए यह साल की शुरुआत करने का एक अद्वितीय तरीका बन गया।En: For Aditi and Raj, it turned into a unique way to start the year.Hi: इस जुड़ाव ने उनके काम को नई दिशा दी।En: This connection gave their work a new direction.Hi: अदिति को नई दृष्टि मिली और राज को अपनी कहानी का वो खोया धागा।En: Aditi gained a new perspective, and Raj found the lost thread of his story. Vocabulary Words:distinct: अलगdispersed: बिखरी हुईgatherings: जमावड़ाburst: ठहाकाlifeless: बेजानdimension: आयामinspiration: प्रेरणाevocative: गहरीwander: घूमनाpoetry: शायरीweave: बुननाimagination: कल्पनाelderly: बुजुर्गencounter: मुलाकातuniqueness: अद्वितीयताcontact information: संपर्क जानकारीcozy: नवाज़िशीperspective: दृष्टिthread: धागाexhibition: प्रदर्शनीreviewing: देख रहीfabric: जालcapture: उतारनाmoment: पलembrace: अपनानाunique: अद्वितीयatmosphere: माहौलconnection: जुड़ावlost: खोयाstories: कहानियाँ

M. M. De Voe is an internationally published fictionista who once danced for the Pope and later ran away with a group of jugglers. Five Pushcart nominations, two Editor's Prizes, a Shirley Jackson Award, a Hugo nomination, two children, and several writing conferences later, De Voe has published in various genres internarionally and evwn co-wrote the book of a sci-fi musical which was produced off-Broadway in 2015. She was a Columbia University Writing Fellow and received her MFA under Michael Cunningham. in 2013, she founded the nonprofit Pen Parentis to help writers maintain their careers after having kids, a process described in her nonfiction guidebook for writers who are parents, Book & Baby. This guide won first prize at the 2021 NextGen Indie Awards in the category of writing guides. Her first book of fiction, A FLASH OF DARKNESS: Collected Stories of M. M. De Voe (Borda Books, 2023), was called “ominous, masterfully crafted psychological fiction” by Kirkus Review. As an inaugural member of the Lithuanian Writers of the Diaspora Forum, Mtravels to Vilnius every three years to keep her finger on the pulse of international fiction. She lives in New York City, where she is excited to release her first novel THE BOY WHO LOVED TREES in October 2025. https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Loved-Trees-ebook/dp/B0FWZ981TF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=W1TAVJ4OC75C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vpwPMHP_rnB_txDl5XVpcbDzlPetsDJtIgD9Sp1pwXI.EKRG9XJB_zGnC0QNTF2NAw25GCsW4DNBAnWPcF5cx3o&dib_tag=se&keywords=mm+devoe&qid=1767039708&s=books&sprefix=mm+devoe%2Caps%2C208&sr=1-1 https://penparentis.org/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

'm an award winning author of two books: ADVENT 9 and SECRET SKY: THE YOUNG UNIVERSE. My most recent book, SECRET SKY, has won multiple gold awards. At the 2025 IBPA awards, it won gold for best science fiction (an adult category, even though the book is Middle Grade) and also for best audiobook for Children or Young Adults. It also won the 2025 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal for Children's Adventure Fiction. I was one of the last authors ever to be mentored by David Farland, the NYT Bestselling Author and writing teacher of Brandon Sanderson, Stephenie Meyer, Brandon Mull, and James Dashnerhttps://www.amazon.com/Advent-9-T-Alan-Horne-ebook/dp/B0BBK4125Z/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4GUECLFRXHO1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.locSu_hKsWl9tzfOhdOtzw.RHNu_9o0DNqQ69C8oL2875xj1OmbRHBUfgwU1kpY57o&dib_tag=se&keywords=advent+9&qid=1767039266&s=books&sprefix=advent+9%2Caps%2C182&sr=1-1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspiring-stories--2917948/support.

Would you keep writing if your agent told you "not yet" for ten straight years?In this episode of Books & Beyond, Tara sits down with NYT bestselling author Alka Joshi to discuss her latest novel, Six Days in Bombay.Alka reveals the incredible decade-long journey behind her debut, The Henna Artist, from a relentless agent who kept saying the book wasn't ready, through years of tireless revisions, to the "perfect timing" that landed her in Reese Witherspoon's Book Club.But for Alka, the story started much earlier. She shares her personal journey of navigating prejudice as an Indian in America; an experience that once forced her to leave her heritage behind, until she finally chose to embrace it all to tell her mother's story.She also takes us behind the scenes of her new book; how she purposefully traveled to cities like Prague, Paris, and Florence to "live" the world of her novels before meticulously reconstructing the 1937 world portrayed in Six Days in Bombay.Tara and Alka also dive into their shared love for historical fiction, their top book recommendations, and the real-life incredible women who inspired her most beloved characters.Tune in now to hear firsthand about Alka Joshi's fascinating road to publishing and her life as a storyteller!Books Mentioned in the Episode:The Joy Luck Club by Amy TanA Fine Balance by Rohinton MistryRed Azalea by Anchee MinPachinko by Min Jin LeeStories from TagoreThe Color Purple by Alice WalkerThe Inheritance of Loss by Kiran DesaiAll the Light We Cannot See by Anthony DoerrThe Covenant of Water by Abraham VergheseRailsong by Rahul BhattacharyaSmall Things Like These by Claire Keegan‘Books and Beyond with Bound' is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D'costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India's finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Fluent Fiction - Norwegian: Serendipity at the Café: When Books Spark Creative Bonds Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/no/episode/2025-10-26-07-38-20-no Story Transcript:No: Det var en kjølig høstdag i Oslo.En: It was a cool autumn day in Oslo.No: Elin gikk inn i det lille kaffehuset, samtidig som en svak duft av nystekte vafler og varm kaffe fylte luften.En: Elin entered the little café, as a faint scent of freshly made waffles and warm coffee filled the air.No: Stedet var kjent for sine bokbyttearrangementer og de live akustiske kveldene som alltid trakk inn mye folk.En: The place was known for its book exchange events and live acoustic evenings that always drew in a crowd.No: I dag håpet Elin å finne en bok som kunne gi henne inspirasjon til å skrive videre på sin egen roman.En: Today, Elin hoped to find a book that could inspire her to continue writing her own novel.No: Inne i kaffehuset var det en hyggelig atmosfære.En: Inside the café, there was a cozy atmosphere.No: Lysene ga fra seg et varmt skinn over de gamle, ujevne trebordene og misfargede stoler som var tilfeldig plassert rundt i rommet.En: The lights cast a warm glow over the old, uneven wooden tables and discolored chairs that were randomly placed around the room.No: I hjørnet var en liten scene, klar for kvelder med musikk og sang, en påminnelse om at stedet ble levende til andre tider av dagen.En: In the corner was a small stage, ready for evenings filled with music and song, a reminder that the place came alive at other times of the day.No: Elin gikk bort til bokhyllen.En: Elin went over to the bookshelf.No: Hun lot fingrene gli over godt slitte bokrygger.En: She let her fingers glide over the well-worn book spines.No: Hun stoppet ved en roman av en kjent norsk forfatter.En: She stopped at a novel by a well-known Norwegian author.No: Akkurat da hun skulle ta den, merket hun en annen hånd nå samme bok.En: Just as she was about to take it, she noticed another hand reaching for the same book.No: Hun så opp, og blikket hennes møtte et par vennlige øyne.En: She looked up, and her gaze met a pair of friendly eyes.No: "Hei," sa mannen.En: "Hi," said the man.No: "Det ser ut som vi har samme smak i bøker!En: "It looks like we have the same taste in books!"No: "Elin smilte.En: Elin smiled.No: "Hei!En: "Hi!No: Jeg antar at vi gjør det.En: I guess we do."No: "Mannen introduserte seg som Sindre.En: The man introduced himself as Sindre.No: Han var musiker og lette etter noe nytt og inspirerende å lese.En: He was a musician looking for something new and inspiring to read.No: Dette kunne kanskje hjelpe ham med å få skrive inspirasjon for nye sanger.En: This might help him get writing inspiration for new songs.No: De endte opp med å sette seg ned med hverdagslige kopper cappuccino.En: They ended up sitting down with everyday cups of cappuccino.No: Samtalen fløt mellom dem like lett som den duvende musikken som ofte fylte rommet om kvelden.En: The conversation flowed between them as easily as the gentle music that often filled the room in the evenings.No: De delte om sin lidenskap for kunst, men også om usikkerheten de begge bar på.En: They shared their passion for art, but also the insecurity they both carried.No: "Jeg har skrevet, men jeg vet ikke om noen vil like det," innrømmet Elin forsiktig.En: "I have written, but I don't know if anyone will like it," Elin admitted cautiously.No: Sindre nikket.En: Sindre nodded.No: "Jeg har ofte problemer med å finne de riktige ordene.En: "I often have trouble finding the right words.No: Kanskje vi kan hjelpe hverandre?En: Maybe we can help each other?"No: "Etter en lang prat, følte de begge seg lettere.En: After a long chat, they both felt lighter.No: De bestemte seg for å bytte arbeider en uke senere.En: They decided to exchange their works a week later.No: I løpet av den uka ville de gi hverandre ærlig tilbakemelding.En: During that week, they would give each other honest feedback.No: Når Elin forlot kaffehuset, følte hun seg mer sikker enn før.En: When Elin left the café, she felt more confident than before.No: Kanskje hennes ord kunne finne en leser som forstod dem.En: Maybe her words could find a reader who understood them.No: Og Sindre, med sin nye venn, følte at musikken som hadde vært fanget inne, nå kunne få et nytt liv.En: And Sindre, with his new friend, felt that the music that had been trapped inside could now find a new life.No: En uke senere, da det var tid for å møtes i kaffehuset igjen, følte de begge en ny følelse av mot.En: A week later, when it was time to meet at the café again, they both felt a new sense of courage.No: Elin og Sindre hadde funnet mer enn nye venner den høstdagen.En: Elin and Sindre had found more than new friends that autumn day.No: De hadde funnet en felles forståelse, et sted med gjensidig inspirasjon der kreativitet kunne blomstre.En: They had found a mutual understanding, a place of mutual inspiration where creativity could flourish. Vocabulary Words:autumn: høstwaffles: vafleracoustic: akustiskenovel: romancozy: hyggeliggaze: blikketinspiration: inspirasjonuneven: ujevnespines: bokryggercautiously: forsiktiginsecurity: usikkerhetengentle: duvendefaint: svakdiscolored: misfargedeintroduce: introdusertechat: pratconfidence: sikkercourage: motflourish: blomstrescene: scenestage: scenefriendly: vennligeexchange: byttelicense: tillatelsereminder: påminnelsecreativity: kreativitetmug: krusmutual: gjensidigflow: fløtuneasy: uhyggelig

“The stories aren't about violence—they're about the preciousness of life. Each one is a reminder that this could happen to anyone.” — Jude Berman Jude Berman grew up surrounded by books and cultural diversity, thanks to her refugee parents. After a career in academic research and running independent presses, she turned her attention to her own writing. In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Jude rejoins me to discuss her latest work, Shot: A Dictionary of the Lost, a collection of 26 short stories exploring the human toll of gun violence. Together, we explore her unique publishing journey, the role of age and experience in writing, and the power of fiction to build empathy and spark conversation.   Key Themes Writing vs. Publishing Journeys: Jude explains the difference between building a life as a writer and actually getting published. Many of her books began in a drawer before finally seeing the light of day. Age as a Strength: Jude emphasizes that writers often improve with age, bringing lived experience, wisdom, and deeper perspective to their work. Breaking the Catch-22: The publishing industry favors young, “malleable” voices, but often at the expense of stronger writing that emerges later in life. The Making of Shot: The 26 stories, one for each letter of the alphabet, “came through” her almost like a download, highlighting the role of intuition and channeling in the creative process. On Gun Violence: While tackling a heavy topic, Jude frames her stories as celebrations of life, not gratuitous violence. Her goal: to remind readers that gun violence can touch anyone, anywhere. The Empathy Factor: Fiction can serve as a powerful tool for building empathy, allowing readers to experience perspectives without having to live them firsthand. The Twist Ending: Without spoilers, Jude shares that the final story in Shot points toward hope and change, setting it apart from the rest of the collection.  Buy Shot: A Dictionary of the Lost Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mhLS28 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647429287 Connect with Jude Website: https://judeberman.com/ Substack: https://judeberman.substack.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judebermanauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jude.berman/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/judeberman.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judeberman Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jude.berman TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@judeberman YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@judeberman-author Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #WritingCommunity, #AmWriting, #AuthorLife, #WritersOfInstagram, #Storytelling, #BookLovers, #ReadersOfInstagram, #Bookstagram, #IndieAuthor#NewRelease #GunViolenceAwareness, #EmpathyThroughFiction, #LifeExperienceMatters, #WritingAtAnyAge, #VoicesThatMatter. #PodcastInterview, #AuthorInterview, #ListenAndLearn, #PodcastersOfInstagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the mind of a detective, Willi The Whit- with Grandpa Bill Holt, creator of The Greater Portland Crab Caper. Each episode, we unlock the secrets of memory science, explore the rich history of Portland, Maine, and dissect the art of building a compelling fictional world. Join us to learn how real-world history, from urban renewal to waterfront tensions, can inform a thrilling mystery and how a powerful memory system can be a detective's greatest tool.Grandpa Bill Asks:If you had to use a specific historical event in your hometown as the basis for a fictional crime, what would it be?What kind of memory trick would you use to solve a mystery, and how would you adapt it for your own life?Grandpa Bill Asks:

Send us a textWhile The Conversation takes a short summer break, I'll be sharing fan-favourite episodes from Season Three, along with brilliant conversations from Page One: The Writer's Podcast. Season Four returns in September until then, enjoy the rewind!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Four powerful voices in crime fiction unite in this captivating Black History Month - Crime Writers special that peels back the curtain on writing, representation, and resilience. Dorothy Koomson (celebrating 21 years in publishing with 21 books), Amen Alonge (author of the Pretty Boy series), and Leye Adenle (creator of the Amaka Thrillers) join Nadine Matheson for a conversation that's equal parts hilarious and profound.This special episode stands as both celebration and call to action, showcasing exceptional talent while highlighting how much more diverse the crime fiction landscape could and should be.Follow Dorothy KoomsonFollow Amen AlongeFollow Leye Adenle*First Broadcast: 1 November 2024The Not What I Thought PodcastA behind-the-scenes podcast where creatives talk candidly about how they actually...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show"Enjoying 'The Conversation'? Support the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee ☕️! Every contribution helps keep the show going.https://ko-fi.com/nadinemathesonDon't forget to subscribe, download and review. You can purchase books by the authors featured in our conversations through my affiliate shop on Bookshop.org. By using this link, you'll be supporting independent bookstores, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Follow Me:www.nadinematheson.com BlueSky: @nadinematheson.com Substack: @nadinematheson Instagram: @queennadsThreads: @nadinematheson Facebook: nadinemathesonbooksTikTok: @writer_nadinematheson

Send us a textWelcome to the Summer Break Rewind!While The Conversation takes a short summer break, I'll be sharing fan-favourite episodes from Season Three, along with brilliant conversations from Page One: The Writer's Podcast. Season Four returns in September until then, enjoy the rewind!--------------------------------------Sunday Times bestselling author Karen Swan, takes us on a journey through her unexpected path to authorship, from journalism to becoming a bestselling novelist. She recounts how an innocuous library visit revealed her innate storytelling gift, challenging her preconceived career notions.We talk about the critical balancing act between creativity and professionalism in publishing, diving into the realities of the editing process and her new novel.Follow Karen SwanBuy: The Midnight Secret*First Broadcast: 3 December 2024The Not What I Thought PodcastA behind-the-scenes podcast where creatives talk candidly about how they actually...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show"Enjoying 'The Conversation'? Support the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee ☕️! Every contribution helps keep the show going.https://ko-fi.com/nadinemathesonDon't forget to subscribe, download and review. You can purchase books by the authors featured in our conversations through my affiliate shop on Bookshop.org. By using this link, you'll be supporting independent bookstores, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Follow Me:www.nadinematheson.com BlueSky: @nadinematheson.com Substack: @nadinematheson Instagram: @queennadsThreads: @nadinematheson Facebook: nadinemathesonbooksTikTok: @writer_nadinematheson

Send us a textWhat does success mean when you've spent your life running away rather than running towards something? Marcia Hutchinson's journey from a challenging childhood in Bradford to acclaimed debut novelist offers profound insights into resilience, creativity, and learning to celebrate life's achievements.As Marcia Hutchinson celebrates her recognition as one of the Observer's debut novelists to watch in 2025 alongside the publication of "The Mercy Step," she's learning to run towards joy rather than away from pain.  Her story reminds us that sometimes our most painful experiences can become the source of our greatest strengths.The Mercy StepBradford, December 1962.A precocious Mercy makes her reluctant entrance into the world, torn from the warm embrace of her mother's womb, to a chaotic household that seems to have no place for her. Her siblings do not understand her, her mother's attention is given to the Church, and the entire family lives at the whims of her father's quick temper. Left to herself, Mercy finds solace in books, her imagination, and the quiet comfort of her faithful toy, Dolly. But escapism has its limits, and as the grip of family, faith and fear threatens to close in, Mercy learns she must act if she wants a different future; one where she is seen, heard, and her family set free. The Mercy Step is a sharply-witted and tender portrait of a young girl's quiet rebellion, and her refusal to be broken. Follow Marcia HutchinsonCosmic Muse: Vol. I: Your Voice (Mercury)Find your mercury placement in your birth chart and activate your personal voice codes. Ruthless TruthIs an opinion platform hosted by Marvin “Truth” Davis. My life and career...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show"Enjoying 'The Conversation'? Support the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee ☕️! Every contribution helps keep the show going.https://ko-fi.com/nadinemathesonDon't forget to subscribe, download and review. You can purchase books by the authors featured in our conversations through my affiliate shop on Bookshop.org. By using this link, you'll be supporting independent bookstores, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Follow Me:www.nadinematheson.com BlueSky: @nadinematheson.com Substack: @nadinematheson Instagram: @queennadsThreads: @nadinematheson Facebook: nadinemathesonbooksTikTok: @writer_nadinematheson

Send us a textWhat does it truly take to survive in the bewildering world of publishing? My conversation with Catherine Yardley reveals the  resilience at the heart of every writer's journey.From her unconventional start sending manuscripts directly to major publishers (without an agent!) to self-publishing multiple books, Yardley embodies the persistence required to navigate an industry that often operates on its own inscrutable timeline. Drawing from her decade-long acting career, Yardley brings authenticity to her latest novel "Where the Light is Hottest," which follows actress Natasha from small-town Scotland to Hollywood stardom. Whether you're a writer battling rejection, a creative seeking your path, or simply someone navigating life's unpredictability, this conversation offers wisdom, warmth, and the reassurance that persistence is never wasted. Where The Light Is HottestNatasha Jones has everything - a successful acting career, an Oscar, a wonderful husband and ‎beautiful kids. But what does she have to go through to get there? From humble beginnings in a ‎small town, Natasha's path to stardom is paved with setbacks, heartaches and moments of doubt. ‎ In the glittering world of fame and fortune, where dreams are spun from starlight and ambition ‎fuels the relentless pursuit of success, one woman's journey stands as a testament to the resilience ‎of the human spirit.Follow Catherine YardleySupport the show"Enjoying 'The Conversation'? Support the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee ☕️! Every contribution helps keep the show going.https://ko-fi.com/nadinemathesonDon't forget to subscribe, download and review. You can purchase books by the authors featured in our conversations through my affiliate shop on Bookshop.org. By using this link, you'll be supporting independent bookstores, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Follow Me:www.nadinematheson.com BlueSky: @nadinematheson.com Substack: @nadinematheson Instagram: @queennadsThreads: @nadinematheson Facebook: nadinemathesonbooksTikTok: @writer_nadinematheson

Send us a textWhat happens when a dedicated poet decides to try their hand at fiction? For Krystelle Bamford, it led to a four-publisher auction and her stunning debut novel, Idle Grounds. Our conversation delves into the peculiar contradictions of the publishing world, how everything happens both excruciatingly slowly and startlingly fast, how validation feels wonderful yet fleeting, and how imposter syndrome persists regardless of success. Whether you're a writer navigating the publishing landscape or simply curious about creative journeys, this conversation offers honest reflections on finding your path, managing expectations, and discovering what truly matters in artistic pursuits. Listen now and join the conversation.Idle GroundsAs always with these things it started with a birthday party.On a bright summer day in 1989 New England, Abi, three years old, vanishes from her aunt's secluded home. Upstairs, her young cousins are looking out of the window. Something is unfolding in the distance at the edge of the forest – something sinister that is watching them back.The adults don't seem to notice that the youngest of the group has disappeared. Too busy bickering over politics and reminiscing about the family's domineering late matriarch, Beezy, they leave the children with no choice but to get Abi back themselves. As the cousins embark on a quest through their grandmother's sprawling estate, buried family secrets come to light and long-awaited plans are set in motion. Will they lose themselves while trying to find her?Follow Krystelle BamfordSupport the show"Enjoying 'The Conversation'? Support the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee ☕️! Every contribution helps keep the show going.https://ko-fi.com/nadinemathesonDon't forget to subscribe, download and review. You can purchase books by the authors featured in our conversations through my affiliate shop on Bookshop.org. By using this link, you'll be supporting independent bookstores, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Follow Me:www.nadinematheson.com BlueSky: @nadinematheson.com Substack: @nadinematheson Instagram: @queennadsThreads: @nadinematheson Facebook: nadinemathesonbooksTikTok: @writer_nadinematheson

Send us a textTwenty years after her critically acclaimed novel 'Labyrinth' catapulted her to international recognition in her mid-40s, bestselling and award winning author, Kate Mosse reflects on why finding success later in life can be advantageous.  The conversation explores the fascinating dichotomy between what writers can and cannot control. While commercial success depends largely on timing, market conditions, and luck, the quality of one's writing remains entirely within the writer's domain. Whether discussing the myths of effortless writing, establishing the 'Women's Prize' and her new novel, 'The Map of Bones',  this conversation offers invaluable insights for writers at any stage. The Map of BonesNo word, no story, no grave . . .Olifantshoek, Southern Africa, 1688. Suzanne Joubert, a Huguenot refugee from war-torn France, journeys to the Cape of Good Hope in search of her notorious cousin, Louise Reydon-Joubert – who vanished without trace half a century ago.Franschhoek, Southern Africa, 1862. Nearly six generations later, Isabelle Joubert Lepard follows in her footsteps, determined to investigate the lives of her ancestors – and to honour their memory – only to discover that the evils of the past, though hidden, are far from buried.And that her life, too, is under threat . . .Follow Kate MosseSupport the show"Enjoying 'The Conversation'? Support the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee ☕️! Every contribution helps keep the show going.https://ko-fi.com/nadinemathesonDon't forget to subscribe, download and review. You can purchase books by the authors featured in our conversations through my affiliate shop on Bookshop.org. By using this link, you'll be supporting independent bookstores, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Follow Me:www.nadinematheson.com BlueSky: @nadinematheson.com Substack: @nadinematheson Instagram: @queennadsThreads: @nadinematheson Facebook: nadinemathesonbooksTikTok: @writer_nadinematheson

Watch as a full video episode on YouTube!Subscribe to Adventures in Publishing-land's own feed for future episodes or watch on YouTube!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Welcome to the debut episode of Adventures in Publishing Land, a no-holds-barred exploration of the publishing industry's most fascinating developments, delivered with candor and insider perspective.This week:The Unbound Saga continues Authors hounded off social media - is it worth it? Literary Estates and copyright - how long should it last?James Frey - the self-proclaimed literary bad boy is back, but should anyone care?Off Script - Nadine and Marco argue over the latest cinematic iteration of SupermanArticlesUnbound1. Authors will not receive unpaid royalty payments 2. Boundless position morally unacceptable SSend us a textA Case Study In Corporate Fear"A Case Study in Corporate Fear" deconstructs how fear transforms successful...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify The Ryan Pyle PodcastThe Ryan Pyle Podcast with Ryan Pyle is a podcast and radio show hosted by adventure...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show"Enjoying 'The Conversation'? Support the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee ☕️! Every contribution helps keep the show going.https://ko-fi.com/nadinemathesonDon't forget to subscribe, download and review. You can purchase books by the authors featured in our conversations through my affiliate shop on Bookshop.org. By using this link, you'll be supporting independent bookstores, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Follow Me:www.nadinematheson.com BlueSky: @nadinematheson.com Substack: @nadinematheson Instagram: @queennadsThreads: @nadinematheson Facebook: nadinemathesonbooksTikTok: @writer_nadinematheson

Publication hasn't come easy for Chris Bridges. After completing a first manuscript during the height of the pandemic while still working hospital shifts, Chris Bridges faced 50 agent rejections before finding his breakthrough through the London Writers Award. Now with his debut, Sick To Death, shortlisted for the McDermid Debut Award and a second novel already in progress, Chris offers invaluable perspective on managing creative ambitions alongside the unpredictable fatigue of MS. Whether you're fascinated by psychological suspense, navigating health challenges yourself, or simply drawn to stories of persistence against the odds, this conversation delivers profound insights into the creative process and the deeply human struggle to find meaning through storytelling.Sick To DeathMeet Emma. Emma is sick.She can't work because of a neurological condition, so is stuck in her family's tiny council house.Emma is sick of being told to ‘get over it'.Her stepfather, her doctors, strangers – everyone has an opinion.Emma is sick of being the other woman.Her boyfriend Adam is perfect: he's got a great job and an amazing home. His wife Celeste is the problem.Emma is sick of being underestimated.All she needed was a target. And now she has Celeste…Emma is sick. Just not in the way you thought.Send us a textA Case Study In Corporate Fear"A Case Study in Corporate Fear" deconstructs how fear transforms successful...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify The Ryan Pyle PodcastThe Ryan Pyle Podcast with Ryan Pyle is a podcast and radio show hosted by adventure...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show"Enjoying 'The Conversation'? Support the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee ☕️! Every contribution helps keep the show going.https://ko-fi.com/nadinemathesonDon't forget to subscribe, download and review. You can purchase books by the authors featured in our conversations through my affiliate shop on Bookshop.org. By using this link, you'll be supporting independent bookstores, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Follow Me:www.nadinematheson.com BlueSky: @nadinematheson.com Substack: @nadinematheson Instagram: @queennadsThreads: @nadinematheson Facebook: nadinemathesonbooksTikTok: @writer_nadinematheson

Author Richie Billing discusses his new fantasy novella, Together We Rise, a story about revolution against a corrupt government in a world were life has become a fight for survival. Richie took inspiration from real-world events and the plight of many around the globe. This story is told from multiple points of view—workers, healers, children, police officers, criminals, and so on. Each chapter follows a different character, and the story unfolds like a baton relay race, with each character handing off to the next, chapter by chapter, until we see the entire story unfold. Richie also used AI to create a soundtrack to accompany this novella.

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: Game On at La Llar: Where Creativity Meets Deadline Panic Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2025-05-25-22-34-02-ca Story Transcript:Ca: El sol de primavera banyava els carrers de Barcelona amb una brillantor suau i optimista, mentre Martí i Laia entraven al café "La Llar del Freelancer".En: The spring sun bathed the streets of Barcelona with a gentle and optimistic brilliance, as Martí and Laia entered the café "La Llar del Freelancer".Ca: Un lloc càlid, on el so dels teclats i les breus rialles dels clients contribuïen a l'atmosfera creativa que impregnava l'espai.En: A warm place, where the sound of keyboards and the occasional laughter from the patrons contributed to the creative atmosphere that permeated the space.Ca: Les taules de fusta eren acollidores, i les parets amb estampats d'art vibrant inspiraven als que hi treballaven.En: The wooden tables were welcoming, and the walls with vibrant art prints inspired those who worked there.Ca: Martí, amb la seva carpeta de dibuixos sota el braç, somreia tot i tenir una mica de pressa.En: Martí, with his portfolio under his arm, smiled despite being in a bit of a rush.Ca: Era meticulós amb els detalls i, sovint, perdia la noció del temps buscant la perfecció en cada traç.En: He was meticulous with details and often lost track of time seeking perfection in every stroke.Ca: Laia, en canvi, arribava sempre amb una energia desbordant i un grapat d'idees dansant-li al cap.En: Laia, on the other hand, always arrived with boundless energy and a handful of ideas dancing in her head.Ca: Era una escriptora amb un do per les històries, però la seva ment sovint volava en mil direccions.En: She was a writer with a knack for stories, but her mind often flew in a thousand directions.Ca: Asseguts al racó del cafè, Martí va obrir el seu ordinador portàtil, desitjant que avui fos un d'aquells dies sense interrupcions.En: Seated in the corner of the café, Martí opened his laptop, wishing for one of those interruption-free days.Ca: Laia, com sempre, ja parlava del pròxim capítol del seu projecte comú.En: Laia, as always, was already talking about the next chapter of their joint project.Ca: Havien treballat junts abans, però mai sota un termini tan ajustat.En: They had worked together before, but never under such a tight deadline.Ca: —Hem de donar el millor de nosaltres —va dir Martí mentre movia les mans sobre la llibreta plena de notes.En: "We have to give our best," said Martí as he moved his hands over the notebook full of notes.Ca: —Confia en el procés, Martí.En: "Trust the process, Martí.Ca: Podem fer-ho —va respondre Laia, amb un somriure que prometia aventures.En: We can do it," Laia replied, with a smile that promised adventures.Ca: Van treballar hores seguides, envoltats de l'aroma de cafè acabat de fer.En: They worked for hours straight, surrounded by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.Ca: Martí començava a apreciar la velocitat amb què Laia teixia les seves històries.En: Martí began to appreciate the speed with which Laia wove her stories.Ca: Laia, per la seva banda, veia com el tacte expert de Martí afegia brillantor a cada il·lustració que ella narrava.En: Laia, for her part, saw how Martí's expert touch added brilliance to every illustration she narrated.Ca: Quan el sol començava a amagar-se darrere de l'edifici més alt, tots dos es trobaven satisfets amb el progrés.En: As the sun began to hide behind the tallest building, both found themselves satisfied with the progress.Ca: Però, com en tota història de tensió, un imprevist va alterar la calma.En: But, as in any story with tension, an unforeseen event disrupted the calm.Ca: La pantalla de l'ordinador va parpellejar, i en un instant, part del seu treball havia desaparegut.En: The computer screen flickered, and in an instant, part of their work had disappeared.Ca: Els cors se'ls van aturar un moment.En: Their hearts stopped for a moment.Ca: —No podem perdre-ho ara —va dir Martí, amb l'estrès pintat a la cara.En: "We can't lose it now," Martí said, with stress etched on his face.Ca: Per uns moments, el silenci es va fer dens entre ells.En: For a few moments, the silence between them was thick.Ca: Després, decidits, van unir els seus talents.En: Then, determined, they combined their talents.Ca: Mentre Martí reconstruïa amb detall, Laia reescrivia amb urgència però sense pressa per a la perfecció.En: While Martí meticulously rebuilt, Laia rewrote with urgency but without rushing towards perfection.Ca: Els seus dits corrien per les tecles, recolzant-se mútuament.En: Their fingers flew over the keys, supporting each other.Ca: Quan van entregar el projecte, l'aire a La Llar del Freelancer semblava més lleuger.En: When they submitted the project, the air at La Llar del Freelancer seemed lighter.Ca: Havien aconseguit restaurar allò que semblava perdut, barrejant precisió i creativitat de forma exemplar.En: They had managed to restore what seemed lost, blending precision and creativity in an exemplary manner.Ca: Martí va aprendre que una mica de pressa no disminueix la qualitat, mentre que Laia va entendre el valor d'aturar-se a polir.En: Martí learned that a little haste does not diminish quality, while Laia understood the value of stopping to polish.Ca: Van sortir del cafè amb un èxit sota el braç i una nova comprensió de les seves habilitats.En: They left the café with success under their arms and a new understanding of their skills.Ca: A fora, el vent suau portava amb ell promeses de nous projectes i col·laboracions, on les calideses de primavera només eren l'inici d'un camí ple de creacions memorables.En: Outside, the gentle wind carried with it promises of new projects and collaborations, where the warmth of spring was just the beginning of a path filled with memorable creations. Vocabulary Words:the brilliance: la brillantorthe patron: el clientthe atmosphere: l'atmosferato permeate: impregnarthe portfolio: la carpeta de dibuixosmeticulous: meticulós/meticulosathe stroke: el traçboundless: desbordantto weave: teixirthe touch: el tacteunforeseen: imprevist/imprevistato flicker: parpellejardetermined: decidit/decididathe precision: la precisióto polish: polirthe breeze: el vent suauthe promise: la promesato contribute: contribuirthe keyboard: el teclatoccasional: ocasionalvibrant: vibrantto bathe: banyarto appreciate: apreciarboundless: desbordantto narrate: narrarsatisfied: satisfet/satisfetato disrupt: alterarurgent: urgentthe success: l'èxitmemorable: memorable

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: From Writer's Block to Breakthrough: The Power of Collaboration Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-05-25-22-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 春のやわらかな陽光が「フリーランサーズ・ホーム」の大きな窓から差し込んでいた。En: The soft spring sunlight streamed through the large windows of "Freelancers' Home".Ja: このコワーキングスペースは、都会の喧騒の中にありながら、クリエイティブなプロフェッショナルたちにとっては避難所のような場所だった。En: This coworking space, situated amid the bustle of the city, served as a refuge for creative professionals.Ja: 壁にはインスピレーションを与えるアートが飾られ、新鮮なコーヒーの香りが漂っている。En: Inspirational art adorned the walls, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air.Ja: ある日、物語を書くことに行き詰まっていたHarukiは、数冊のノートと共に机に座っていた。En: One day, Haruki was seated at a desk with several notebooks, feeling stuck in his writing.Ja: 彼は、これ以上書けないのではないかという不安に駆られながらページを見つめていた。En: He stared at the pages, gripped by the fear that he might not be able to write anymore.Ja: そこに、活発なグラフィックデザイナーのAkiraがやってきた。En: Then, Akira, a lively graphic designer, came over.Ja: 彼女はいつも明るく、人々の物語を視覚化することに喜びを見いだしていた。En: She always brought a cheerful energy and found joy in visualizing people's stories.Ja: 「こんにちは、Harukiさん！」とAkiraは声をかけた。En: "Hello, Haruki-san!" Akira called out.Ja: Harukiは、彼女のエネルギーにいつも少し圧倒されつつも、心地良さを感じていた。En: Though Haruki sometimes felt a bit overwhelmed by her energy, he also found it comforting.Ja: 二人には共通の友人、Emiがいた。彼女は、二人が一緒に働くことを密かに応援していた。En: They shared a mutual friend, Emi, who secretly hoped they would work together.Ja: Harukiは自分のアイデアを共有することに不安を感じていた。批判や拒絶を恐れていたのだ。En: Haruki felt anxious about sharing his ideas, afraid of criticism and rejection.Ja: しかし、彼は思い切って小説のプロットをAkiraに話すことにした。En: However, he decided to take a chance and tell Akira the plot of his novel.Ja: 「Akiraさん、ちょっと聞いてもらえますか？」En: "Akira-san, could I talk to you for a moment?"Ja: Akiraはにっこり笑って言った。「もちろん！何でも聞きますよ。」En: Akira smiled brightly and said, "Of course! I'll listen to anything."Ja: 彼女の反応に勇気づけられ、Harukiは物語の概要を話し始めた。En: Encouraged by her response, Haruki began outlining the story.Ja: Akiraは興味深く耳を傾け、Harukiのビジョンを形にする手助けを約束した。En: Akira listened intently and promised to help shape Haruki's vision.Ja: 忙しい最中であっても、彼女は時間をさいて彼をサポートすることに決めた。En: Even amid her busy schedule, she decided to set aside time to support him.Ja: 数週間後、二人は集中的なブレインストーミングセッションを行った。En: A few weeks later, the two engaged in an intensive brainstorming session.Ja: Akiraは、Harukiの物語に新しい視点を与えた。En: Akira offered new perspectives on Haruki's story.Ja: 「この部分をこうしたらどうですか？」「このキャラクターにはこんな背景があったら面白いかも。」Akiraのアイディアは、Harukiの創作意欲を再び燃え上がらせた。En: "How about doing this part like this?" "It might be interesting if this character had such a background." Akira's ideas reignited Haruki's creative passion.Ja: その結果、Harukiはついに小説を書き上げた。彼のストーリーは、以前よりもはるかに豊かなものとなった。En: As a result, Haruki finally completed his novel, which became much richer than before.Ja: 彼はその小説を、プロとしても個人としても大切な存在となったAkiraに捧げた。En: He dedicated the book to Akira, who had become an important presence both professionally and personally.Ja: 物語の執筆を通して、Harukiは他者と協力することの大切さを学んだ。En: Through writing the story, Haruki learned the value of collaborating with others.Ja: そして、彼は自分の語りの力に自信を持てるようになったのだった。En: He also gained confidence in his storytelling abilities.Ja: 春の「フリーランサーズ・ホーム」には、彼とAkiraの笑い声が心地良く響いていた。En: In spring, the cheerful laughter of Haruki and Akira resonated warmly within "Freelancers' Home".Ja: 彼らは新しい物語を形にすることを楽しみ、新たな季節を迎えたのだった。En: They enjoyed shaping new stories and welcomed a new season. Vocabulary Words:streamed: 差し込んでいたamid: 中にありながらbustle: 喧騒refuge: 避難所adorned: 飾られfreshly: 新鮮なbrewed: 淹れたてのgripped: 駆られながらlively: 活発なvisualizing: 視覚化するoverwhelmed: 圧倒されつつもmutual: 共通のrejection: 拒絶encouraged: 勇気づけられoutlining: 概要を話し始めたintently: 興味深くintensive: 集中的なbrainstorming: ブレインストーミングperspectives: 視点background: 背景reignited: 再び燃え上がらせたcollaborating: 協力するconfidence: 自信storytelling: 語りabilities: 力cheerful: 明るいlaughter: 笑い声resonated: 響いていたshaping: 形にするwelcomed: 迎えた

Retired police sergeant Patrick O'Donnell reveals the gritty truth behind his leap from street patrol to podcasting and publishing! Uncover his secrets to authentic storytelling, learn why real police work isn't like TV dramas, and see how his podcast unlocked surprising opportunities—including book deals and TV appearances. Get inspired by his no-BS advice to tell your story and keep pushing forward!   WHAT TO LISTEN FOR Why you should "dig the well before you're thirsty" The surprising impact podcast appearances can have How to monetize podcasts creatively  Top 3 things crime dramas always get wrong  Critical advice for newbie podcasters   RESOURCES/LINKS MENTIONED Cops and Writers: From The Academy To The Street by Patrick J O'Donnell | Kindle and Paperback Cops And Writers: Crime Scenes And Investigations by Patrick O'Donnell | Kindle and Paperback The Good Collar by Patrick O'Donnell | Kindle, Paperback, and Hardcover I Never Wore Plaid by Joel Grey | Kindle Buzzsprout Zoom Pro    ABOUT PATRICK O'DONNELL Patrick O'Donnell is a retired City of Milwaukee police sergeant with 25 years of street experience, where he supervised various special units and investigated major felonies. He's the author of ten books, including his newest thriller, The Good Collar. He hosts the popular Cops and Writers Podcast and runs a 7,500-member Facebook group for crime writers. He has also hosted true crime television documentaries and has consulted with crime writers for their books and screenplays. O'Donnell lives in Wisconsin, where he enjoys working out, riding his Harley, and spending time with family.   CONNECT WITH PATRICK Website: Cops and Writers Podcast: Cops and Writers | Apple Podcasts and Spotify Facebook: Cops and Writers | Facebook YouTube: Patrick O'Donnell   CONNECT WITH US If you are interested in getting on our show, email us at team@growyourshow.com. Thinking about creating and growing your own podcast but not sure where to start? Click here and Schedule a call with Adam A. Adams! If you want to make money from your podcasts, check out this FREE resource we made. Our clients use a sponsor sheet, and now they are making between $2,000 to $5,000 from sponsorship!  Subscribe so you don't miss out on great content and if you love the show, leave an honest rating and review here!  

In this episode of The Writing Community Chat Show, we sit down with K.T. Carlisle, a murder mystery writer, podcast host, and advocate for mental health and community-driven success. Her latest book, I Know What I Saw, is a gripping thriller blending Sasquatch mythology with psychological suspense—and we got the inside scoop!

Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcomeToday's guest is Nicole Maggi, who joins me to share the origin story of her latest novel, A Murder in Zion, which hits shelves tomorrow! Inspired by a docuseries about crimes in national parks, Nicole set out to write a mystery series set against some of the country's most breathtaking landscapes. We dive into the highs and lows of publishing, how a close friend became her agent (and how they navigate their multi-faceted relationship), her perseverance through a challenging personal year, and the thrill of finally finding the perfect home for A Murder in Zion. Follow Nicole on Instagram @nicolemaggiauthor.The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshopHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarLand Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylinesStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminarThe Multi-Passionate Writer's Life: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak

Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcomeToday's guest is Bassey Ikpi, author of I'm Telling the Truth, but I'm Lying, one of my all-time favorite books. She grew up thinking authors were magicians, but it turns out she knows how to cast the spell too! In this episode, Bassey shares how the book proposal was a totally different book but working on it amid a mental health crisis led her down a more authentic path. Bassey talks about having an emotional memory, emotional accuracy vs. chronological accuracy, how she found her agent, the importance of a good editor, her book getting optioned for TV, what's on her bucket list, and so much more... This episode is a juicy one! Follow Bassey on Instagram @basseyworld.The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshopHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarLand Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylinesStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminarThe Multi-Passionate Writer's Life: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak

Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcomeToday's guest is Emily J. Smith, author of Nothing Serious. Follow Emily on Instagram @emjsmith and Bluesky @emjsmith.bsky.social.The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshopHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarLand Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylinesStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar

Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcomeToday's guest is Andrew Bomback, author Doctor and Long Days, Short Years: A Cultural History of Modern Parenting. Follow Andrew on Instagram @andrewbomback and Twitter @asbomback.>>> Watch the full interview with Andrew on YouTube: https://youtu.be/boHDw5bhBYE?si=iBmDPjhWsPSFF8c4The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on X/Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writingworkshops.com/products/land-big-bylines-by-writing-for-columns-zoom-seminarPodcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshopHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar

Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcomeToday's guest is Paul Haddad, generously sharing the research, writing, and publishing process for his latest book Inventing Paradise, which explores the history of early Los Angeles and the power brokers who shaped the city's growth. Follow Paul on Instagram and X/Twitter @la_dorkout.The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on X/Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writingworkshops.com/products/land-big-bylines-by-writing-for-columns-zoom-seminarPodcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshopHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar

Publisher Pusher PodcastEp-5In this week's episode, Lee Forrester shares her book "Kippers and Capes, A Young Nurses Plight, Picture Memoire." This is a fun book where she shares pictures with thoughts from her early years as a nurse in the United Kingdom. She is focused on helping people, especially women, find their purpose and focus on caring for their bodies better.

Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcomeToday's guest is Frances Badalamenti, author of Many Seasons, I Don't Blame You, and Salad Days. Follow Frances on Instagram @franbad and connect via her website francesbadalamenti.com.>>> Watch the full interview with Frances on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KajQ4_2K8fU?si=QHH4s8stLJapddWDThe Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on X/Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writingworkshops.com/products/land-big-bylines-by-writing-for-columns-zoom-seminarPodcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshopHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar

Publisher Pusher PodcastEP -4In today's episode, I'm blessed to chat with Andrea Moreno. This is my second interview with her. She is committed to sharing Biblical truth and encouraging people to change their ways. That sin is everywhere, but we can live a life on purpose beyond it. Her book shares insights for all, and reminders' for some that can lead us on a path of freedom in Jesus.

Publisher Pusher Podcast EP-3In today's episode, the chat is with Dr. Victoria Sheffield. This woman is moving and shaking as a serial entrepreneur. Today, she shares her perspective on her life experiences, varied businesses, and the book "Nell Jackson's Designs." This book, dear to her heart, shares her mother's life, a fashion designer with impeccable style, with far reach to the rich and famous.

Publisher Pusher PodcastEP 2Dr. Coleman is a Master Christian Life Coach and Counselor. Her clients named her the "Let it Go, Specialist Coach." She helps women and men learn how to identify their pain points. So, they can permit themselves to be healthy, happy, and whole and live abundantly in Christ. She is a co-author of the newly released 2nd Edition of the Journal and Workbook Mama's Book of Prayers. Prayer, Prompts, Power, and Praise.

Publisher Pusher Podcast with Dr. Annette WestEP 1Dr. Annette, Publishing Pusher knows her life's calling is to serve and assist others, which she fulfills through this podcast, business ventures, and global ministry. Her ultimate goal is to empower and inspire others to move forward in their greater predestined potential. do the same. With a wealth of knowledge and expertise, Dr. Annette is an expert in the Publishing realm, Business Administration, Management, Human Resources, and Clinical Pastoral Counseling.

On this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun connects with writer and producer William Mikita, the creative force behind Chasing 3000—a heartfelt baseball drama that tapped big-name talent like Ray Liotta. William opens up about his life-altering shift from attorney to filmmaker, sparked by a deeply personal story and a refusal to take “no” for an answer.He also teases Brewer's Boys, the captivating true tale of a 1965 Los Angeles high school baseball team in the midst of the Watts riots—complete with future Major League stars and an inspiring coach. If you're looking to move your script from the page to the big screen, William's journey offers a roadmap to resilience, resourcefulness, and remarkable results.Key TakeawaysFinding Your Unique StoryHow real-life trials sparked William's passion for writingTransforming personal experiences into universal narrativesOvercoming “No” to Get to “Yes”Outside-the-box approaches to film financing, even after multiple rejectionsRecognizing “no” as a potential “not right now”Becoming a Writer-ProducerTaking charge of your project and controlling its trajectoryNetworking and pitching effectively to attract partners and investorsCrafting Scripts That Attract TalentWhy honing your screenplay is crucial to winning over A-list actorsHow feedback and persistence led to Ray Liotta joining Chasing 3000Inside Brewer's BoysAn underdog team rising amid social turmoil in 1960s L.A.How a committed coach and strong team camaraderie defied the oddsMemorable Quote“If people you meet don't have your vision, just tell them to get out of your way and keep moving forward.” — William MikitaAbout the Guest: William MikitaWilliam Mikita is a writer, producer, and former attorney whose passion for both baseball and authentic storytelling birthed Chasing 3000 and, most recently, Brewer's Boys. He thrives on developing meaningful narratives drawn from true-life experiences—stories that spark inspiration and resonate with wide audiences.Connect with William MikitaFacebook: Bill MikitaLinkedIn: Bill MikitaX (Twitter): @BillMikitaAbout the Host:Geoffrey D. Calhoun is the founder of The Successful Screenwriter and best-selling author of The Guide for Every Screenwriting, with films featured on network television and streaming. Through his podcast, blog, YouTube channel, and online community, Geoffrey shares practical, creative insights designed to empower screenwriters at every stage of their careers.Connect with Geoffrey D. CalhounWebsite: TheSuccessfulScreenwriter.comInstagram: @screenwriterpodTikTok: @screenwriterpodReady to Elevate Your Screenwriting?Visit TheSuccessfulScreenwriter.com for free resources, tutorials, and previous podcast episodes. If you found value in today's show, please subscribe and leave a review—your support enables us to continue bringing you uplifting and informative content.Listen Now:Tune in to learn how William Mikita turned personal tragedy into a cinematic triumph, and why perseverance, strategic pitching, and unwavering faith in your script can open doors you never knew existed. This episode is a must-listen for anyone determined to see their stories come to life on screen.#TheSuccessfulScreenwriter, #ScreenwriterPod, #WritingCommunity, #ScreenwritingTips, #Filmmaking, #IndieFilm, #PodcastRecommendations, #WritingAdvice, #FilmFinancing, #WritersLife, #MovieMaking, #BrewersBoys, #Chasing3000, #BaseballFilm, #WilliamMikita, #GeoffreyDCalhoun, #BestSellingAuthor, #FilmsOnStreaming

Welcome to Episode 275 of the Spun Today Podcast! I'm your host, Tony Ortiz, and today, we're diving back into the archives for a throwback to Episode 175, packed with creative tips and insights to fuel your writing journey. This episode is designed to motivate and inspire writers dealing with challenges like writer's block. We'll explore responses to the creative questionnaire from fellow writers and creatives, featuring contributors like Amy Marcello, Joshua Robertson, Elaine Almonte and more.   We'll uncover the origins of their writing passion, sources of inspiration, and strategies for staying motivated. From childhood stories to navigating rejection, this episode offers a wealth of advice and encouragement. Plus, I'll share personal anecdotes and highlight tools and resources that can support your writing endeavors, such as ProWritingAid.   Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you pursue your creative passions. Stay tuned, and let's get inspired together!   Twitter: https://twitter.com/spuntoday Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spuntoday/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spuntoday   Website: http://www.spuntoday.com/home Newsletter: http://www.spuntoday.com/subscribe   Links referenced in this episode:   Joshua Robertson YouTube Channel for Gamers, Writers & Nerds: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKbNu6bLlOMBHXu8gNTB9cg   Check out Joshua Robertson's books here: https://amzn.to/3VsVE76   Get your Podcast Started Today! https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=SPUN (Use Promo code SPUN and get up to 2-months of free service!)   Check out all the Spun Today Merch, and other ways to help support this show! https://www.spuntoday.com/support   Check out my Books Make Way for You – Tips for getting out of your own way FRACTAL – A Time Travel Tale Melted Cold – A Collection of Short Stories http://www.spuntoday.com/books/ (e-Book, Paperback & Hardcover are now available).   Fill out my Spun Today Questionnaire if you're passionate about your craft.  I'll share your insight and motivation on the Podcast: http://www.spuntoday.com/questionnaire/    Shop on Amazon using this link, to support the Podcast: http://www.amazon.com//ref=as_sl_pc_tf_lc?&tag=sputod0c-20&camp=216797&creative=446321&linkCode=ur1&adid=104DDN7SG8A2HXW52TFB&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spuntoday.com%2Fcontact%2F   Shop on iTunes using this link, to support the Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTop?genreId=38&id=27820&popId=42&uo=10   Shop at the Spun Today store for Mugs, T-Shirts and more: https://viralstyle.com/store/spuntoday/tonyortiz   Background Music: Autumn 2011 - Loxbeats & Melody - Roa   Outro Background Music: https://www.bensound.com   Spun Today Logo by: https://www.naveendhanalak.com/   Sound effects are credited to: http://www.freesfx.co.uk   Listen on: ApplePodcasts | Spotify | Pocket Casts | YouTube | Website

Get ready for an inspiring and entertaining conversation as the Writing Community Chat Show welcomes the incredible Abiola Bello to the stage! Born and raised in Stoke Newington, North London, Abiola is a Nigerian-British author who has been captivating readers since she started writing at just 12 years old. From her acclaimed middle-grade Emily Knight series to her chart-topping YA novels, Abiola's journey is a testament to perseverance, creativity, and passion for storytelling.

Season 15 of The Writing Community Chat Show kicks off with an extraordinary guest: crime novelist and writing mentor Anna Britton. Known for her captivating storytelling and candid insights into the writing life, Anna shares her journey from aspiring writer to published author, delving into the art of crafting compelling crime fiction and her dual experiences with traditional and self-publishing.This premiere episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and actionable advice for writers and readers alike. Whether you're a budding author or a fan of gripping mysteries, Anna's story will leave you inspired and ready to dive into your next creative pursuit.Anna Britton: A Multifaceted CreatorAnna Britton is a true creative force, balancing her work as a novelist, podcast host, and mentor. Her podcast, The Rejected Writers Club, offers practical advice and candid reflections on the writing journey, making it a must-listen for writers navigating the ups and downs of the craft.Her debut crime novel has been met with critical and commercial success, earning her a devoted fanbase and paving the way for a much-anticipated sequel. As a mentor, Anna is equally committed to helping aspiring writers find their voice and achieve their publishing goals.In this exclusive interview, Anna opens up about her creative process, the lessons she's learned, and her vision for the future of her stories—both on the page and potentially on screen.Episode Highlights: Anna's Path to Crime Fiction Excellence

Thank you to everyone who tuned into our exclusive interview with the brilliant Angela Yuriko Smith! Whether you watched live or are catching up now, we deeply appreciate your support, especially to our paid Substack members who make these interviews possible. Your dedication allows us to continue bringing insightful conversations with some of the best in the writing world!For those who missed it, we had an incredible chat with Angela Yuriko Smith—an award-winning poet, author, publisher, and mentor—who shared invaluable insights into her writing journey and the importance of community within the literary world. Angela's career is an inspiring one, and it was a privilege to hear her discuss her path, from discovering her love for writing as a child to becoming a two-time Bram Stoker Awards® winner and a respected mentor in the Horror Writers Association (HWA).Key Takeaways from Angela's Journey:Angela emphasized the importance of authenticity in writing, encouraging writers to be true to themselves and find their unique voice. She reflected on how her passion for writing has always been deeply personal, starting from her childhood and evolving as she found her niche in speculative fiction and horror.Her advice? Find what resonates with you and lean into it—that's how you create stories that feel alive and connect with readers.We also discussed Angela's role as a mentor. Through her work with the HWA, she's dedicated to helping emerging writers overcome the challenges of the industry. For Angela, building a supportive community is crucial to success, as it empowers writers to grow and thrive. She reminded us that writing can be a solitary pursuit, but it doesn't have to be a lonely one when you have a strong network of fellow creatives.A Closer Look at How to Laika Dog:One of the most moving parts of the interview was our conversation about her latest book, How to Laika Dog: One Night Family. Part of her How to Fix This series, this installment tells the emotional story of Laika, the stray dog sent into space on a one-way mission aboard Sputnik 1. Angela beautifully captures Laika's final moments with a family before embarking on her tragic mission, blending historical fact with deep emotional resonance.Angela shared how How to Laika Dog fits into her series of cautionary tales, with each book offering a powerful message wrapped in speculative storytelling. Laika's story, in particular, touches on themes of sacrifice, empathy, and the far-reaching consequences of human decisions. It's a testament to Angela's ability to take real-world events and weave them into compelling, reflective fiction.Looking Ahead: Upcoming Projects and More.Angela also gave us an exciting glimpse into her future projects! She has more cautionary tales in the works, continuing her exploration of human nature, history, and the supernatural. Her involvement with the Horror Writers Association remains a big focus, where she continues to uplift the horror genre and mentor the next generation of writers.A Final Word on the Power of Writing:Throughout the interview, Angela emphasized that writing is not just about telling stories—it's about leveraging your words for a desired outcome. Whether you're writing to entertain, inform, or provoke thought, your work has the power to make a real impact. Her advice to writers was clear: stay authentic, find your community, and use your writing to achieve what matters most to you.Watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/eDYOEru1Wao?feature=shareSubscribe to our Substack to gain exclusive access and to join our lives here: https://t.co/YccCgmAt9lBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

What happens when you bring an author, screenwriter, and podcast pioneer onto The Writing Community Chat Show? You get an inspiring, insightful, and downright fun conversation with Mark Stay!From Waterstone's Shelves to Bestseller Lists, Mark Stay's journey as a writer is anything but ordinary. He started out with a part-time Christmas job at Waterstone's (yes, back when it still had an apostrophe), but his love for books turned a seasonal gig into a 25-year career in publishing.Along the way, he discovered his passion for writing, and, in his own words, “stuck with it”—an approach that ultimately paid off with bestselling books and blockbuster screenplays.In our conversation, Mark opened up about his creative upbringing and how the encouragement he received from his parents and teachers shaped his journey. He reminisced about writing plays with his friends as a kid, which later evolved into crafting screenplays and novels.Key takeaway: Whether you're shelving books or writing them, it's all about staying persistent and writing what you love! Writing The End of Dragons: World-Building Meets Character Development.One of the standout moments in the interview was when we dove into Mark's latest work, The End of Dragons, the second book in The End of Magic trilogy. Mark shared his process of balancing epic world-building with character-driven storytelling—something that every fantasy writer knows can be a challenge. He revealed how satisfying it is to wrap up a trilogy but also the pressure of ensuring every loose end is tied up and every character arc is fully realized. For fans of fantasy and those just beginning their own writing journeys, Mark's insights into creating immersive worlds while keeping characters at the forefront will be invaluable.Finding Your Voice and Staying True to It. Throughout the interview, Mark emphasized the importance of finding your own voice as a writer. He reflected on how drawing inspiration from your favorite authors can help shape your style, but ultimately, your unique voice is what will resonate with readers. This was a recurring theme as we talked about his transition from screenwriting to novels, and how he learned to trust his instincts along the way.His advice for writers?“Write what excites you, and don't worry about trends. Your passion will shine through.”Building a Relationship with Readers and Exploring New Income Streams.Mark also touched on something incredibly relevant for today's writers: building a direct relationship with your readers. Whether it's through platforms like Substack, podcasts, or social media, Mark believes that engaging with your audience is key to growing as an author.He also discussed the importance of diversifying income streams and how today's writers can explore new avenues to support their creative work.Why You Don't Want to Miss This Interview: In this interview, Mark Stay is refreshingly honest, witty, and full of practical advice. Whether you're a fan of his Witches of Woodville series, eagerly awaiting the next installment in The End of Magic trilogy, or just someone who loves hearing about the creative process, this conversation has something for you.But there's even more you won't want to miss—like Mark's thoughts on writing horror (Unwelcome), what it was like working on a TV series (Nautilus), and the funniest piece of feedback he's ever received about his writing!Watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/E8nBJLTMGc8?feature=shareSubscribe to our Substack to gain exclusive access and to join our lives here: https://t.co/YccCgmAt9lBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

Former NFL star Tra Battle, who played for the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys, sat down with us to talk about his fascinating transition from the world of football to children's literature—and trust us, the conversation is as inspiring as his career path.The Unlikely Journey from the NFL to Children's BooksIn this exclusive interview, Tra takes us behind the scenes of his transformation from tackling opponents on the field to tackling tough topics in his writing. His debut children's book, When Two Homes Feel Like One, offers a compassionate and insightful look into the lives of children navigating divorce—a subject often avoided but incredibly important. Tra shares how his personal experiences and passion for empowering children inspired him to write a book that helps kids feel less alone during such a challenging time.Writing About Divorce: The Courage to Address Tough TopicsTra isn't afraid to dive into the difficult conversations many avoid, and this episode highlights his belief that addressing sensitive subjects—like divorce—through storytelling can open doors to healing. He discusses the importance of mental health and how literature can help families start tough conversations in a way that's approachable for kids. If you're an author or aspiring writer, this part of the interview is gold. Tra talks about the need for courage in writing and why stepping out of your comfort zone can create meaningful connections with readers.The Power of Perseverance: Lessons From Football to WritingThroughout his career, Tra has defied the odds. From being told he was “too small” for the NFL to facing the challenges of breaking into the publishing world, perseverance has been the backbone of his success. In this episode, Tra shares valuable lessons that every writer can benefit from, whether you're just starting out or battling your own creative hurdles. His message is clear: Keep going, even when it gets tough. His mental health strategies and motivational advice are as applicable to writers as they are to athletes.More Than a Book: A Series Rooted in CommunityWe also got an inside look at Tra's upcoming five-part series, all set in the close-knit community of Battle Creek. Each book will highlight important life lessons and show how communities can come together to support each other through life's toughest moments. This series isn't just for children—it's for families, caregivers, and anyone looking to foster meaningful conversations with kids.Why You Should Watch/Listen NowThis episode isn't just an interview—it's an inspiring conversation that touches on personal growth, mental resilience, and the transformative power of storytelling. Tra Battle's journey from the NFL to children's author is a testament to the strength of passion and perseverance, and his insights will leave you motivated to chase your own creative dreams.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

"I think we're always trying to heal ourselves, whether it's through fiction or not." In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Mike Carlon chats with Mary Keliikoa, an award-nominated author whose journey to becoming a published crime novelist took over two decades. From co-writing her first book during lunch breaks as a legal secretary to debuting at the age of 55, Mary shares the personal challenges and inspirations that have shaped her career. Dive into her experiences with balancing creativity and practicality, and learn how she brings both her legal background and personal life into her page-turning thrillers. Key Themes The Long Journey to Debut: Mary shares how she started writing at 27, but life events, like opening a business with her husband, paused her literary dreams until she returned to writing in her 50s. Personal Experiences Shaping Fiction: The deep emotional ties of family and loss heavily influence Mary's latest book, Don't Ask, Don't Follow, which explores how far we'll go to protect loved ones. Resilience in Pursuing Dreams: Mary talks about the determination to become a published author and how setting writing aside for a while gave her more freedom to succeed on her own terms. Writing from Life's Truths: Even though her books are fiction, Mary reveals how much of herself—especially her experiences with her brother and the legal world—makes its way into her characters and stories. Evolving Writing Process: From being a "pantser" to experimenting with plotting her latest novel, Mary's process has evolved as she continues to learn and grow as a writer. Buy Don't Ask, Don't Follow Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NzJViQ Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781608096091   Connect with Mary Website: https://marykeliikoa.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mary.keliikoa.author/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mary.Keliikoa.Author/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mary_keliikoa Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #MaryKeliikoa, #CrimeNovels, #DebutAuthor, #StrongFemaleLeads, #FamilySecrets, #FictionWithHeart, #WritingCommunity, #UncorkingAStory, #PodcastInterview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Badass Basic Bitch, we dive into the captivating world of romance literature with best-selling author Jennifer Hartmann. Known for her emotionally gripping and heartfelt stories, Jennifer has captured the hearts of readers worldwide. In this episode, she opens up about her journey from a laid-off worker during COVID-19 to becoming a prolific author with 14 published books in just four years. Jennifer shares her passion for storytelling, her love for romance, and the magic behind creating complex characters who overcome incredible odds. We also discuss the challenges of balancing motherhood, writing, and handling the growing demands of a dedicated fanbase. Jennifer offers valuable advice to aspiring authors on writing from the heart, navigating self-publishing, and the importance of a strong support system.More about Jennifer! Jennifer Hartmann is a wife, mother, and romance author living in Northern Illinois. Her writing career took off in 2020 after she self-published her first book. Since then, she has published 14 books, including her breakout hit Still Beating, which was recently picked up for a movie adaptation. Known for her ability to blend dark, tragic themes with hopeful endings, Jennifer has garnered a passionate following and continues to inspire with her powerful, emotional storytelling.Connect with Jennifer!Instagram: @author.jenniferhartmannTikTok: @jenniferhartmannauthorWebsite: Jennifer HartmannConnect with Brianna!Instagram: @mombossinaustinLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/briannademikeFollow the Podcast on Instagram: @badassbasicbitchLove the podcast? We would love if you would leave a review!Thank you to this week's sponsors!Air Doctor: Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code BBB, you'll receive UP TO $300 off air purifiers!