Season two is officially in the books 🎉

This week, we’re doing something a little different: opening up the listener survey and sharing what surprised us, what made us laugh, what made us rethink things, and what we’re taking into season three.

We get into:

• The biggest takeaways from your survey responses
• Who’s actually listening (writers… and surprisingly, a lot of non-writers)
• The topics you want more of next season (writer burnout, mental health, money, motherhood, revision, and creative sustainability)
• What worked—and didn’t—with guest episodes
• Dream guests and future episode ideas
• How writers actually pay the bills
• Accountability partners, writing communities, and whether we should finally start a Pen Pals Slack
• What it means to pursue creative goals when life keeps happening

We also reflect on feedback we received this season, talk about how we think about criticism and community, and share what we’re excited to experiment with next.

Thank you for listening, emailing, sharing episodes, and spending another season with us. Whether you’re drafting your novel, revising, dreaming about starting, or just here for two friends trying to make something meaningful while juggling real life—we’re so glad you’re here.

See you in season three ❤️

Mentioned in this episode:
"real eyes realize real lies: on Yesteryear and selling out" by Haley at Brain Stew on Substack.

📋 LAST CHANCE to fill out the Pen Pals listener survey. Survey will close on 6/21. https://form.typeform.com/to/kIosWT3L 

Write to us:
[email protected]

Follow us:
Instagram: @penpalspod
TikTok: @penpalspod
YouTube: @PenPalsPod
SubStack: penpalspod.substack.com

Follow Krisserin and Kelton:
TikTok: @krisserin, @keltonwrites
Instagram: @keltonkin, @keltonwrites
Kelton's Substack: Shangrilogs
Krisserin's Substack: krisserin.substack.com

Music by Golden Hour Oasis Studios