What makes a novel count as “literary fiction?” How is it different from “upmarket” fiction? And are they both better than commercial fiction? Mary defines these categories and discusses why she believes upmarket is your sweet spot as a new novelist.

S06 E05 What IS Upmarket Fiction? How to Write a Novel that Appeals to the Widest Audience

A podcast to help you overcome resistance and write with more joy, clarity, and confidence. If you’re working on a novel or memoir, stick around. Whether you haven’t written a word since your 5-paragraph essay days or you have an MFA in Creative Writing, this podcast is now your weekly coffee date on your journey to finish your first draft. Visit maryadkinswriter.com for more resources.

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Mary takes on the recent buzz around "Big 5" publishing being a waste of time for authors by sharing her own story and how she views authorial success.
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Mary's Blog: https://maryadkinswriter.com/blog/in-defense-of-big-publishing
The Elysian Article: https://www.elysian.press/p/no-one-buys-books

S07 E10 How Much I Was Paid for My First Novel & Why I Don't Think Big Publishing is Dead

How do you find the right literary agents or publishers to query? There's one resource that's worth every penny (and this isn't sponsored content): Publisher's Marketplace. Here's why, and how to use it.

S07 E09 The #1 Resource for When You're Querying

How do you get feedback without letting it derail you? The risk is real. Mary shares the single criterion she uses in deciding whether or not to take a piece of feedback.

S07 E08 The Lean-In Method for Assessing Feedback

In this short and sweet episode, Mary shares the secret to writing a book that's smarter than you (with some helpful words from George Saunders and Rufi Thorpe).

S07 E07 The Real Secret to Writing Your Best Possible Book

In this sneak peek into the private podcast inside The Book Incubator, Mary and Rufi discuss what they label "Newtonian Narratology" (you think we're kidding!), a.k.a. why it's better for your characters to try not to cry than to cry, and why you might not need to learn how to write that one emotion you struggle to write, after all.

S06 E05 What IS Upmarket Fiction? How to Write a Novel that Appeals to the Widest Audience

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