Hungry Authors

Is it really author vs. editor when you get to the editing stage? Sometimes it can feel that way, especially if your editor has a lot of requests for changes… but it doesn’t have to be that way! It’s actually author desires vs. what the reader needs, and ideally an editor helps you navigate those competing priorities. In this episode, Liz and Ariel dive into the nuanced and often challenging dynamics between authors and editors. Liz shares her recent experience with feedback on a manuscript and the inherent tension that can arise even for seasoned writers and collaborators. The conversation covers the importance of editing, the emotional reactions it can provoke, and the intricate balance between staying true to an author’s vision and ensuring reader clarity. Key points of discussion include different editorial styles, the role of copy editors, and strategies for effective communication and feedback in the writing process. Whether you’re a writer, an editor, or somewhere in between, this episode offers valuable insights into the collaborative effort behind producing a successful book.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:47 Liz’s Recent Editing Experience

02:15 Navigating Feedback and Reactions

06:15 Ariel’s Editing Approach

09:57 Balancing Author and Reader Needs

21:03 Collaborator Challenges and Insights

27:32 Understanding the Editor’s Perspective

28:13 The Relationship Between Author and Manuscript

31:07 Navigating Feedback and Edits

33:34 The Role of Editors in the Writing Process

36:24 The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback

38:46 The Hidden Code of Conduct Among Editors

43:03 The Importance of Copy Editors

45:40 Final Thoughts on Editing and Feedback

Want us to help you vet your idea and plan your book’s content from start to finish? Join us in October for Map Your Book!

In the very first Hungry Authors’ Idea Lab, Liz and Ariel discuss their updated scorecard for evaluating book ideas. We focus on three key aspects: timeless topics, timely topics, and unique angles. We provide detailed criteria for each category, explaining what constitutes a strong book idea versus a weaker one. The episode also includes the evaluation of submitted book ideas from the community, offering constructive feedback to refine and improve them. Finally, we introduce their upcoming Book Mapping cohort, aimed at helping authors structure their books from the initial idea to final chapters.

To see the updated scorecard, check out our Substack post: “Watch the Hungry Authors Idea Lab.“

00:00 Introduction to Hungry Authors Idea Lab

01:39 Meet the Hosts: Liz and Ariel

02:53 Overview of Hungry Authors and Today’s Agenda

03:08 Timeless Topics: Evaluating Your Book Idea

09:26 Timeliness: Making Your Book Relevant Now

23:22 Unique Angles: Crafting a Compelling Argument

39:20 Case Studies: Applying the Rubric to Bestsellers

45:20 Evaluating McConaughey’s Book

45:44 Timelessness vs. Timeliness in Devotionals

48:20 Voice and Celebrity Influence

50:03 Community Book Idea Critiques

50:26 Memoir of Escaping a Cult and Finding Meaning

59:57 Creative Spiritual Practices

01:06:46 Parenting in Multicultural Families

01:16:00 Lessons from an Equine Veterinarian’s Wife

01:22:30 The Importance of a Big Idea in Book Writing

Map Your Book is starting next week, October 7, and we’d love to see you there! We’ll help you refine your big idea, create a table of contents, and plan your book’s chapters from start to finish. This is important creative work; do it with friends and get feedback from two experts who have done this countless times for traditionally published books.

Learn more + register today on Maven.

In today’s solo episode of the Hungry Authors Podcast, Liz and Ariel share each of their five most frequently given pieces of advice for writers (10 total!). From understanding the importance of knowing your unique angle and studying your comps, to the necessity of clear transitions, explicit writing, and knowing the book’s transformation, they dive into practical tips. They also stress the importance of building a platform, writing authentically, and seeking early feedback.

00:00 Welcome to the Hungry Authors Podcast

00:39 Top 5 Pieces of Advice for Writers

02:48 The Importance of Knowing Your Unique Angle

05:25 Finding Your Unique Angle Through Comps

10:45 Understanding the Transformation in Your Writing

13:28 Focusing on Transitions and Being Explicit

18:14 Stop Asking If It’s a Good Idea

23:06 Write Like You Talk

26:21 Stop Complaining About Platform

29:51 Ask for Help Sooner

36:12 Map Your Book Cohort

Want us to help you vet your idea and plan your book’s content from start to finish? Join us in October for Map Your Book!

This week, we welcome author Kara Kavensky and literary agent Katharine Sands to discuss the journey of writing and publishing memoirs. Kara, a corporate communication strategist and author, shares her experience writing a memoir about a World War II veteran’s quest for lost love, which deeply intertwined with her own life transformation. Katherine, as Kara’s literary agent, offers insights into the world of memoir publishing, emphasizing the importance of community, platform, and unique storytelling. The episode explores the challenges and strategies for aspiring memoir writers and the therapeutic power of writing.

00:00 Introduction to the Hungry Authors Podcast

00:37 Meet Kara Kavensky and Katharine Sands

00:50 Kara’s Memoir Journey Begins

02:11 The Life-Changing Interview with Bob

06:27 Kara’s Personal Transformation

11:57 The Role of an Agent in Memoir Publishing

14:12 The Importance of Platform in Memoir Writing

19:03 Kara’s Writing Experience and Advice

24:30 Discussing the Editing Process

25:05 Navigating Feedback and Criticism

27:25 Manuscript Iterations and Finalizing the Story

29:39 Challenges of Writing a Memoir

33:01 Advice for Aspiring Memoir Writers

36:15 The Importance of a Unique Perspective

40:50 Balancing Personal Stories with Marketability

44:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

A born storyteller, Kara loves sharing inspiring stories. She has written thousands of personal interest stories, op-eds, and features on fascinating people to local and national magazines and news outlets.

In addition to storytelling and public relations, her remain relevant consulting business applies storytelling concepts to humanize businesses, which facilitates amazing results.

Kara’s debut memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY, is a result of one of her interviews (Fall 2026). Listen to podcast episodes of Finding Joy with Kara and her newest podcast series, Record Scratch with Kara!

Katharine Sands is a literary agent with the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. She has worked with a varied list of authors who publish a diverse array of books. She is the agent provocateur of Making the Perfect Pitch: How to Catch a Literary Agent’s Eye, a collection of pitching wisdom from leading literary agents. Actively building her client list, she likes books that have a clear benefit for readers’ lives in categories of food, travel, lifestyle, home arts, beauty, wisdom, relationships, parenting, and fresh looks, which might be at issues, life challenges or popular culture. When reading fiction she wants to be compelled and propelled by urgent storytelling, and hooked by characters. For memoir and femoir, she likes to be transported to a world rarely or newly observed.

Learn more about Katharine and send her a pitch on ManuscriptWishlist.com!

In this episode of the Hungry Authors Podcast, Chad Allen, an editor, coach, and writer, returns to explore the rapidly evolving role of AI in writing and publishing. The conversation delves into the basics of AI and large language models like ChatGPT, the benefits for writers, and ethical concerns surrounding AI’s use. Chad and the hosts share personal experiences and insights on how AI can enhance creativity, streamline processes, and address emotional challenges. Despite the potential for misuse, they emphasize the importance of balancing appreciation and caution in leveraging AI as a helpful tool for professional writers. Chad leaves listeners with the advice to adopt an “appreciative critic” mindset.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back

01:05 Chad Allen’s Background and Current Work

01:32 Diving into AI in Writing and Publishing

05:03 Personal Experiences with AI

08:57 AI’s Role in Writing and Editing

20:00 Ethical Considerations and Practical Uses of AI

22:42 Navigating AI in Publishing

23:26 Ethical Dilemmas with AI-Generated Content

25:04 The Value of Authenticity in Writing

30:50 Future of AI in Writing and Publishing

35:44 Personal Experiences with AI Tools

41:45 Advice for Writers on Using AI

Chad R. Allen is a writer, speaker, editor, and writing coach. A 25-year publishing professional, he has worked with such bestselling authors as Michael Hyatt, Caroline Leaf, Mark Batterson, and Phyllis Tickle. He is the creator of BookCamp, a training center and community for writers, as well as Book Proposal Academy, an online course. His passion is helping writers craft must-read books that reach large audiences, and he blogs at http://www.chadrallen.com/.

Author of Do Your Art, Chad has been published in such online places as LifeHacker, The Accidental Creative, and The Good Men Project. Chad holds a B.A. in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an M.A. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife, Alyssa, live with their two children in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Hear more from Chad on his blog, or by following him on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.

Interested in joining Chad’s writing group, BookCamp? Learn more here!

This week, worlds collide as we welcome one of Ariel’s Sourcebooks authors, Jeffrey Mason, the creator of the Hear Your Story series. Jeffrey shares his journey from self-publishing his first book in 2018 to selling millions of copies and becoming a bestseller on Amazon (and USA Today!). He talks about how his initial inspiration came from his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and his desire to know more about his father’s life. Jeffrey explains the evolving success of his journals, which are now available in major retailers and translated into multiple languages. He also discusses the significant impact TikTok has had on his sales and marketing strategies. His story highlights the legitimacy and potential of self-publishing, emphasizing the importance of creativity, persistence, and leveraging social media for success. Plus, Jeffrey leveraged a successful self-publishing enterprise into a partnership with Sourcebooks that is making waves across the industry.

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Jeffrey Mason

01:42 Jeffrey’s Journey with Hear Your Story

03:01 The Impact of Personal Stories

09:38 From Passion Project to Real Business

12:58 The Legitimacy of Self-Publishing

17:21 Navigating the Publishing Landscape

23:02 TikTok Success and Future Plans

25:06 The Viral TikTok Success Story

26:16 Handling Viral Demand

27:00 TikTok’s Impact on Book Sales

28:40 Expanding to New Markets

29:58 Creative Content Creation on TikTok

36:19 The Power of Print Books

39:53 Future Vision for Hear Your Story

42:17 Partnership with Sourcebooks

Jeffrey Mason has spent twenty plus years helping individuals, couples, businesses, and organizations achieve goals, build their relationships, and create positive impacts. He is committed to the idea that optimism, effort, and resilience can conquer every challenge, forgiveness is the ultimate gift we can give others and ourselves, and hearing each other will lead to a more positive world. His current focus is family, writing, and helping others tell their stories through Hear Your Story Books.

You can contact him at [email protected].  He would love to hear from you.

New episodes have started rolling out, but we didn’t want to leave you hanging on what’s been up with us! After taking a six-month break, we’re back sharing some personal updates, including how Liz is coping with the loss of her dad, and how Ariel’s adjusting to life with three kids. We reflect on managing our professional responsibilities amidst personal challenges, including keeping up with freelance writing and the one-year anniversary of our book, Hungry Authors! Plus, we’ve got new cohorts, workshops, and speaking engagements coming up that you don’t want to miss.

Links:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back

01:20 Reflecting on Personal Loss and Professional Commitments

03:41 Balancing Work and Family Life

06:26 The Importance of Taking a Break

11:56 Reflections on the Past Year

15:41 Celebrating the Anniversary of Hungry Authors

21:44 Upcoming Projects and Events

24:42 Closing Remarks and Thank You

This week, we welcome back Brendan O’Meara, a seasoned journalist, author, and podcaster to celebrate the release of his new book, The Front Runner. Brendan discusses his extensive experience in the world of narrative non-fiction, highlighting his works on Six Weeks in Saratoga and The Front Runner: The Life of Prefontaine. He delves into the process of writing unauthorized biographies, including dealing with uncooperative subjects, the importance of thorough research, and the emotional investment in crafting a detailed and respectful portrayal of his subjects. Brendan shares his unique journey of writing about Steve Prefontaine, the challenges he faced, and the editorial rigor involved in bringing a biography to life. Plus, he spills the tea on his book advance and the schedule/timeline for his payments. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to write narrative nonfiction, you’ll want to hear this!

00:00 Welcome to the Hungry Authors Podcast

00:50 Meet Brendan: Journalist, Author, and Podcaster

01:28 Brendan’s Books and Boston Presentation

03:55 The Unauthorized Biography Explained

07:25 Challenges in Writing an Unauthorized Biography

13:46 The Research Process and Proposal Challenges

19:19 Crafting a Narrative Nonfiction

33:17 Reflecting on Biographical Writing

34:28 The Emotional Journey of Research

39:13 Pitching and Selling the Book

40:00 The Writing and Editing Process

47:16 Managing Book Advances

54:19 Balancing Freelance Work and Stability

54:56 Acknowledging Support Systems

59:12 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

Brendan O’Meara is the founder and host of the Creative Nonfiction podcast. As a sportswriter, he’s covered a wide swath of events including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, as well as several local and professional sports for Trail Runner Magazine, Bleacher Report and the Associated Press. His essays and craft pieces have appeared in Writer’s Digest, Brevity, Creative Nonfiction Magazine, and Longreads. He lives in Oregon.

Kern Carter on the Craft and Commitment of Being an Author

Hungry Authors is back! In this episode, Ariel & Liz interview Kern Carter, an author and ghostwriter, about his journey in writing. They discuss the value of platforms like Substack for writers and delve into Kern’s dedication to becoming a full-time author. Kern shares his strategic approach to writing, which includes developing his skills and taking calculated risks, such as self-publishing his first two books. He highlights the importance of receiving and acting on feedback, sharing a pivotal moment when a literary agent’s tough critique pushed him to enroll in an intensive novel-writing program. They also discuss the lucrative yet underappreciated world of ghostwriting and the emotional and practical benefits it offers writers. Kern shares insights from authors who have influenced him, including Toni Morrison and Marlon James, and emphasizes the ongoing need for learning and improvement in the craft. The conversation is both an inspiring and pragmatic guide for aspiring writers looking to turn their passion into a career.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:40 Discovering Substack and Writing Life Insights

03:12 Kern Carter’s Journey to Becoming an Author

03:27 Self-Publishing Strategies and Success

08:12 The Role of Ghostwriting in a Writing Career

20:33 Improving Craft Through Feedback and Education

26:16 The Myth of the Exception: Why Good Writing Matters

26:52 The Gift of Honest Feedback

29:06 The Reality of Skill Development in Writing

33:32 Confidence and the Hungry Author’s Mentality

38:48 Inspiration from Literary Giants

44:03 The Power of Execution in Writing

49:54 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Kern Carter is a novelist who is celebrated for his captivating storytelling. With books such as And Then There Was Us and Boys and Girls Screaming, his stories explore themes of family, friendship, and the drama that can fracture those relationships. Kern has built a devoted readership not just for his novels, but for his writing on the intersection between literature and popular culture, both historically and through a contemporary lens. Kern also teaches professional writing at the college level, hosts workshops on craft and storytelling, and is in-demand as a public speaker for his expertise on creative culture. He is based in Toronto.

Learn more about Kern at https://www.kerncarter.com/.

*Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, miscarriage, and other sudden losses and changes. Please care for yourself and listen with discretion.*

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re on a break! Liz and Ariel both have some huge and complex changes going on in their lives.

Here’s the TLDR (if you don’t want to listen!): Liz lost her dad right after Thanksgiving, and Ariel is in the process of adopting three children from foster care. As a result, we haven’t had a lot of capacity for anything outside of taking care of our immediate families and showing up to do our full-time jobs. Hungry Authors is a passion project for us, but not something we have space for in this current season. We will reconvene in April and plan to return to launch our new book proposal cohort (which is already fully created and ready to go!) and pick up the podcast. Of course, we’ll keep you updated and appreciate your understanding and patience with us while we navigate these changes in our lives.

To listen to the episode Ariel mentions, check out episode 3 of Hungry Authors: “Writing When Life Sucks,” the title and timing of which she misremembers.