This week on the podcast Victoria and Soman discuss the tension between the love of making art and the need to make money. Also they discuss questions about using sensitivity readers and whether they read other authors' books while writing. Finally, Soman opens up to Victoria about a plot twist he wished he could have seen coming. (Trigger warning: Pet loss.)

Theme Of The Week02:33

Goals Of The Week 09:07

Industry Nonsense 15:52

Reader Mailbag 34:53

Plot Twists In Real Life43:15

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Soman and Victoria debate whether fandom is good for society or the sign of deeper decline. They also reveal what they talk about with readers at the signing table and how to manage multiple character POVs. Victoria’s closet got invaded, and Soman’s AI problems have him wanting to go back to the 90s again.

Theme of the Week (06:12)

Goals of the Week (12:54)

Industry Nonsense (25:16) 

Reader Mailbag(48:05)

Plot Twists in Real Life (56:36)

Pup Twist (59:43)

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Soman and Victoria debate the difference between a good idea and a great one that’s worth writing. They also sort through the different kinds of characters and ways to avoid clunky exposition. Soman is getting very wet recreating an iconic Taylor Swift photo, while Victoria wants her payout from the AI companies!

Theme of the Week (03:13)

Goals for the Week (12:55)

Industry Nonsense (24:31) 

Reader Mailbag(44:43)

Plot Twists in Real Life (51:33)

Pup Twist (56:51)

Goals of the Week is sponsored by Wordsmith Workshops.

Industry Nonsense is sponsored by First Draft Pro.

Reader Mailbag is sponsored by Starret Systems

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Soman and Victoria discuss when fan fiction crosses the line into grift. Also they answer questions about whether authors really need to be on social media and whether they like to plot out their stories or improvise as they go. Victoria has a big battle scene to rewrite, and Soman has a brand new addition to his family.

Show notes

Theme of the Week (04:50)

Goals for the Week (13:13)

Industry Nonsense (23:52) 

Reader Mailbag (45:24)

Plot Twists in Real Life (53:16)

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Soman and Victoria discuss the paradox of loving the book -- and rejecting the author. Also they talk duologies vs. trilogies and the hazards of publishing under your legal name. Victoria is trying to power through her edits, and Soman thinks he should play Evita.

Theme of the Week (02:46)

Goals for the Week (12:33)

Industry Nonsense (20:06) 

Reader Mailbag (35:05)

Plot Twists in Real Life (43:16)

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Today on the show, Soman is joined by guest co-host Veronica Roth to talk about their (optimistic!) take on the future of literacy.  Also they talk about what they do on days they don’t write, and their favorite fan interactions. Soman is enjoying a Miami swear, and Veronica wants people to use Booktok for good again!

Theme of the Week (07:39)

Goals of the Week (14:57)

Industry Nonsense (23:12) 

Reader Mailbag(46:14)

Plot Twists in Real Life (52:11)

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Soman and Victoria offer solutions to the generative AI crisis and how authors can prove their work is human made. They also talk about the writers whose careers they like to have and the best opening scenes for a book. This is Victoria’s last episode before her big tour hiatus and Soman is warding off pretenders to the throne. 

Theme of the Week (12:48)

Goals of the Week (21:00)

Industry Nonsense (29:50) 

Reader Mailbag(51:18)

Plot Twists in Real Life (57:13)

Twisteners (01:02:53)

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Soman and Victoria discuss the arms race between the authors who are using AI to write and the ones that still write honestly. They also cover the difference between marketing brain and writing brain and how to manage editor and reader feedback. Soman wants an author version of Big Brother and Victoria wants to vote some authors off the island.

Theme of the Week (11:04)

Goals of the Week (21:38)

Industry Nonsense (28:19) 

Reader Mailbag(01:10:29)

Plot Twists in Real Life (01:04:30)

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Soman and Victoria assess whether the book market is perched atop a giant bubble waiting to crash. Also they discuss which books have impacted their writing the most and whether you can skip drafting and sell a book on proposal. Victoria has to work through her birthday this year, and Soman is about to enter a D1 college tennis tournament on a loophole.

Theme of the Week (10:48)

Goals of the Week (20:16)

Industry Nonsense (32:39) 

Reader Mailbag(57:45)

Plot Twists in Real Life (01:01:49)

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Soman and Victoria debate the best way to handle the politics of Hollywood when your work is adapted. Also they discuss the pros and cons of retelling a classic story and why influencers who become authors are often walking into a minefield. Soman is gobsmacked by Madonna’s new album and Victoria is going to dress like a ‘low-key’ pirate on tour. 

Theme of the Week (11:35)

Goals of the Week (23:18)

Industry Nonsense (32:43) 

Reader Mailbag(59:24)

Plot Twists in Real Life (01:06:23)

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