DD 12.1

Ursula and Mur are back to talk about conventions and our 2026 plans. Notable discussions:

• Do not use ChatGPT to vet your contracts!
• Ursula finished [REDACTED] book! Mur forgot to ask herself what she was working on, but it's a book. That's about it.
• This year Mur returns to ConFusion at the end of January. (Alas, Kameron Hurley won't be attending this one.)
• Ursula has changed her mind regarding where she wants to die in a ditch. We've moved from Target to Costco.
• LARPing as an extrovert, and how to LARP as a confident person. Write your CV!
• Mur is GOH of DemiCon this May! Also she'll attend WorldCon in LA.
• Ursula's busy year starts with a mini book tour on the east coast US, then she's going to NorWesCon, then the Celsius Festival in Spain in July, then toastmaster(!) at WorldCon, then Mile High Con, and HalCon in Nova Scotia!
• Find Ursula and Mur online!

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(This post went live for supporters on January15 , 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

Evergreen Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
• Mur Lafferty
• Mur on Focusmate!
• Mur on Instagram, Youtube
• Support via Patreon!
• Theme song by Devo Spice

Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). January 15, 2025 | Season 12 Ep 1 | murverse.com "Being a Pro at Conventions" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

We present a casual and chatty Ditch Diggers where we close up the year with discussions of 2026 prep, spicy Christmas romances, and New Years' traditions.

And maybe future us doesn't need the apology that we haven't been consistent.

(This post went live for supporters on December 23, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

Spicy Christmas romances:

• Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
• A Christmas Notch by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone (3 book series, begins with: Merry Little Meet Cute)

We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season with people you love, and that your pets eat zero things that sends them to the emergency vet. See you next year!

Evergreen Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
• Mur Lafferty
• Mur on Focusmate!
• Mur on Instagram, Youtube
• Support via Patreon!
• Theme song by Devo Spice

Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). December 15, 2025 | Season 11 Ep 10 | murverse.com "Looking to 2026, Feast and Famine" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

"You can pull it off if you write like an angel. I do not write like an angel." - Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher)

In this episode of Ditch Diggers, hosts Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher), talk about the horrors of ADHD convincing creative folk that they can do ALL the things. (You can't do all the things.) They also talk about Naomi Alderman's acquisition of Six to Start, the company behind the popular Zombies, Run! app, and how storytelling is essential in gaming.

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(This post went live for supporters on December 16, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

Links:

• Naomi Alderman
• Zombies, Run!
• Now You See Me (movie)

Evergreen Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
• Mur Lafferty
• Mur on Focusmate!
• Mur on Instagram, Youtube
• Support via Patreon!
• Theme song by Devo Spice

Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). November 29, 2025 | Season 11 Ep 9 | murverse.com "Can Mur Do ALL the Things?" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

"The point of a planner is to make your life easier, not be a source of guilt and stress." - Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher)

Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon are back and dive into the chaotic world of writing! We talk about everything from the trials of managing multiple projects to the absurdities of planner systems. (And talk about a bunch of options we've tried!)

Mur shares her recent experiences with her latest book, while Ursula discusses her creative process and the challenges of staying organized as a writer.

We also explore the joys (and pitfalls) of social media and how it impacts our creative lives.

(This post went live for supporters on November 6, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

Links:

• Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher)
• NaNoWriMo 2.0
• Animal Crossing
• Pokemon Legends Z to A
• Traveler's Company
• Roterfaden
• Hobonichi

Evergreen Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
• Mur Lafferty
• Mur on Focusmate!
• Mur on Instagram, Youtube
• Support via Patreon!
• Theme song by Devo Spice

Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). November 9, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 9 | murverse.com "Dusty Hats and Burnt Out Pokemon Trainers" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

"You should absolutely always write spite books." - Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher)

Unfortunately, this was recorded some time ago, but the Ditch Diggers tackle everything from the challenges of meeting deadlines to the complexities of AI settlements impacting authors. We touch on recent book releases, whirlwind tours, and the peculiarities of hotel bar conversations with state senators.

(This post went live for supporters on November 6, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

Links:

• Leigh Bardugo
• Science Fiction Fantasy Writers Association
• 4 the Words

Evergreen Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
• Mur Lafferty
• Mur on Focusmate!
• Mur on Instagram, Youtube
• Support via Patreon!
• Theme song by Devo Spice

Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). November 7, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 7 | murverse.com "AI Settlements and NaNoWriMo" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

"Genre is a marketing tool, just like a book cover." - Mur Lafferty

In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur and Ursula rant about genre expectations, marketing, and what happens when you decide that genre isn't for you because you're special.

Ursula lists her whales, and Imposter Syndrome doesn't really make a showing when Mur travels.

Highlights: - (05:12) Ursula's anxiety over multiple deadlines and projects - (12:45) Mur's recent business trip and the absence of imposter syndrome - (25:30) The ongoing debate about happy endings in romance - (38:15) The role of marketing in shaping reader expectations - (47:50) The challenges of genre classification and reader assumptions - (55:30) How personal growth as a writer often goes unnoticed

(This post went live for supporters on June 9, 2025. Join the Fabulists if you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes!)

Transcript

Links:

• Stephen King
• Tana French
• Piranesi
• Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Evergreen Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
• Mur Lafferty
• Mur on Focusmate!
• Mur on Instagram, Youtube
• Support via Patreon!
• Theme song by Devo Spice

Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). June 12, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 6 | murverse.com "It's a Multiple Whale Year for Ursula" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

"If you want this to be your thing, you got to keep doing the thing." - Ursula Vernon

In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur and Ursula dive into the chaotic world of writing, sharing their latest projects, travel plans, and ask you if that thing you wanted to say actually is the thing you want to say online. They discuss the SNAFU of the WorldCon AI controversy, the ethical considerations surrounding generative technologies, and whether it matters if the dog dies or not.

Highlights:

• (01:15) Welcome to the Warbler Appreciation room!
• (05:30) Ursula's upcoming travels and book festivals
• (12:45) The challenges of writing while managing ADHD
• (20:00) Ursula's progress on the next Swordheart book
• (30:00) Audio quality warning—Ursula's mic issues
• (35:15) The ethics of AI in writing and publishing
• (45:00) Worldcon's controversial decision to use AI for vetting
• (55:30) The importance of reading the room in online discussions
• (01:02:15) Closing thoughts and where to find them online

(This post went live for supporters on June 3, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, join our exclusive community over at Patreon!)

Transcript

Links:

• Escape Pod
• Rune Factory 4
• Crashlands 2
• Inaturalist
• Worldcon
• Agatha Christie

Evergreen Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
• Mur Lafferty
• Mur on Focusmate
• Mur on Instagram, Youtube
• Support via Patreon!
• Theme song by Devo Spice

Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). June 4, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 5 | murverse.com "AI and the Art of Not Reading the Room" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

"The best way to survive is to turn everything into hilarity." - Ursula Vernon

In this episode we dive into the chaotic world of writing, marketing, and the ups and downs of self-publishing. Mur shares her recent trip to Maryland for Independent Bookstore Day, and Ursula catches us up on Swordheart's launch.

Self promotion is hard, ya'll.

Highlights:

• (05:12) Mur's experience running a solo RPG at an independent bookstore
• (12:45) Ursula's updates on Swordheart and her UK marketing team
• (25:30) The difference between traditional marketing and self-promotion
• (38:15) The importance of targeted outreach to influencers
• (47:50) Mur's thoughts on new marketing tools and strategies
• (55:30) Reflections on the passage of time and creative endeavors

(This post went live for supporters on May 22, 2025. Join the Fabulists if you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes!)

Transcript

Links:

• Death of the Author (Game)
• Stamp Fans (Mur isn't set up there yet, but bookmark that page)
• Escape Pod

Evergreen Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
• Mur Lafferty
• Mur on Focusmate!
• Mur on Instagram, Youtube
• Support via Patreon!
• Theme song by Devo Spice

Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). May 19, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 4 | murverse.com "Navigating Agents, Rights, and Reality" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

"If you can tolerate the boring and lonely, then hopefully you'll be rewarded on the other side." - Ursula Vernon

In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur and Ursula navigate the chaotic world of freelancing, taxes, and the ups and downs of being a writer. They discuss the recent Hugo nominations (two for Ursula, one for Mur!), share insights into their creative processes, and delve into the challenges of working with agents.

Chapters:

(03:29) Congratulations to Hugo Finalists! (04:06) Several people from the podcast have been nominated for various awards (05:41) Ursula has been working on several projects (21:25) NaNoWriMo reportedly folded due to poor financial decisions (22:03) NaNoWriMo brought hope to authors for decades (28:07) Other writer community options? (30:39) There are many guides on how to get an agent and how to spot a scam (36:02) Agents are all different people. (48:54) How much creative control does the author have over their book (51:25) Where your agent is plugged into the ecosystem of the genre is very important (54:48) How do you know when it's the right agent (01:00:45) Brief side quest with Andrew the plant guy (01:01:53) Ursula's new book hit number five on the New York Times bestseller list

(This post went live for supporters on April 21, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

Links:

• Hugo Awards
• Caves of Qud
• Dawn of Man
• Swordheart (#5 on NYT Bestseller List!)
• Episode Transcript

Evergreen Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
• Mur Lafferty
• Mur on Focusmate!
• Mur on Instagram, Youtube
• Newsletter, The Hot Mic
• Support via Patreon! Or Substack!
• Theme song by Devo Spice

Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). Apr 14, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 3 | murverse.com "Navigating Agents, Rights, and Reality" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

"Sometimes the best way to survive is to turn everything into hilarity." - Ursula Vernon

Transcript

S.11 Ep.2

In this episode of Ditch Diggers, join hosts Mur and Ursula as they navigate the chaotic world of freelancing, taxes, and the ups and downs of being a writer. They discuss the recent Hugo nominations, share insights into their creative processes, and delve into the challenges of working with agents.

Highlights include: (05:32) Ursula has too many author copies. She's written nearly 50 books (12:30) Let's talk about marketing for SwordHeart (24:09) A lot of your writing happened when you were doing chemo (31:34) Mur wants to talk about newsletters. They constantly vex her. (33:00) When Mur left mailchimp, she didn't export her mailing list (44:58) It's called decision fatigue for a reason (54:26) If you do get the desire to create during this time, do it

Links:

• Tor Publishing

• Zombies Run

• Swordheart

Evergreen Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher

• Mur Lafferty

• Mur on Focusmate!

• Mur on Instagram, Youtube

• Newsletter, The Hot Mic

• Support via Patreon! Or Substack!

• Theme song by Devo Spice

Support Local Book Stores!

Ditch Diggers credits: theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).

April 21, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 2 | murverse.com "Weeping Bunkers and Writing Woes: Surviving the Creative Chaos" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0