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Stranger Things became a national phenomenon this summer. So I dug in to this series to try and find out what made it such a powerful example of storytelling.

Listen to the entire Jessica Payne Interview
Listen to the entire Christopher Golden Interview

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5 Minute Writer Newsletter (Grab Your 1st Edition Here)
2 FREE Downloads: 6 Things to Think About When Hiring and Editor & Discover the Heart of Your Story
Article
Megan's Website
Connect with Megan on Twitter!
Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. Are MFA's worth it?
2. Managing guilt and resentment
3. What is book coaching and how do you find the right one?

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to Chantelle Aimée Osman about how to edit your own work. Don't miss it!

BIO:
Megan Clancy is a published author and Author Accelerator certified book coach. As The Book Coach for Moms, she coaches women who lost their creative spark in the days of early motherhood and are struggling to find a way back to it, moms who had never thought of writing a book before and something in becoming a mother brought out that creative desire, and moms whose kids are now in school and finally have time to write the book they've always wanted. She coaches moms at and through all points of their novel-writing journey. She has a BA in English & Creative Writing from Colorado College, an MFA from the University of Melbourne, has lived and worked in Australia and the United States, and was a high school English teacher before becoming a full-time writer and book coach. She now lives with her husband and two young children in California.

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50 Editing Mistakes Authors Make
Article
Chantelle's Website
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PREVIOUS EPISODES FEATURING CHANTELLE

• How to Become an Editor
• Rethinking Rejection

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. Writing graphic novels
2. Editing your manuscript
3. How to get into the writing zone

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to Rachel May and Emily Golden of Golden May Editing about the 6 Things You Should Think About BEFORE Hiring and Editor. I learned so much about the editing process by talking to them so definitely check that out if you haven't already!

Also, if you're in the revision stage, you'll really enjoy this interview with Paula Munier. As a best selling author and literary agent, she shares what keeps good writers from becoming published authors!

BIO:
Chantelle is the editor of Agora Books. Agora focuses on "socially and culturally unique crime fiction and horror from award-winning publisher Polis Books."

She was named to Publisher's Weekly Rising Star honoree list in 2020. She's been a freelance editor for over 10 years. She is an instructor at the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, Authors at Large and LitReactor. She is the author of  The Quick and Dirty Guides To…, which is a non-fiction series on writing that I recommend checking out.

Chantelle hosts Words of Prey podcast through the Pipeline Artists Network.

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• Discover the Heart of Your Story to Unearth Your Story Point (FREE download from Golden May Editing!)
• 6 Things to Think About When Looking for an Editor or Book Coach PLUS List of All Questions Suggested by Emily & Rachel
• Article
• Golden May Website
• Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. The difference between an editor and writing coach
2. 6 Things to think about when looking for an editor
3. Questions to ask yourself and a potential editor

Last time on the interview series I talked to debut debut author, Annie Lisenby. She shared all about about independent publishing, finding the right fit for your work, and making your manuscript shine!

In this episode, Rachel and Emily share how to decide what kind of editor or book coach you need, what to look for in an editing professional, how to navigate choosing an editor, and what questions to ask yourself as well as questions to ask an editor or book coach!

BIO:
Emily and Rachel, Golden May’s co-founders, book coaches, and editors met on Twitter through the #WritingCommunity. 

They believe that it’s impossible to see the holes in your own work and that learning together is infinitely more productive than learning alone.

Their goals are to help you identify your book’s potential, teach you how to fulfill it, and connect you with the community needed to sustain your writing journey!

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

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17 Things to Think About When Talking to an Agent/Publisher
Article
Annie's Website
Connect with Annie on Twitter
Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. Finding an independent publisher
2. What to know about independent publishing
3. What to look for in a relationship with a publisher

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to debut thriller author, Jessica Payne. She shared all about writing thrillers, finding an agent, and how to navigate picking the right people to work with!

Today, we're talking about independent publishing, finding the right fit for your work, and making your manuscript shine!

BIO:
A native of the Missouri Ozarks, Annie's traveled to exciting places that she bring into my writing. She primarily writes for teens and young adults, but she also enjoys expanding into other areas too. In most of her work, you’ll find a generous dash of romance.

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

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17 Things to Think About When Talking to an Agent/Publisher
Article
Jessica's Website
Connect with Jessica on Twitter
Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. How to write a great plot
2. The importance of community
3. What she looked for in an agent and what the relationship with your agent should be like
4. Tips for when you finally get that publishing contract

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to author and literary agent Paula Munier. She shared amazing information about her writing process, what agents are looking for, and how to burst out of the slush pile!

Today, we're talking about how to find the right agent for you, why it's important to keep writing, and how to build suspense into your work.

BIO:
Jessica grew up in Kansas City, later moving to the Pacific Northwest where the mountains and Puget Sound became home. Beyond writing, she loves to run, rock climb, and explore the great outdoors with her daughter and husband. She is also an RN. When holding still, which isn’t often, you’ll find a book in her hand and a cat or dog in her lap. Jessica writes suspense and thriller and is the host of #MomsWritersClub on Twitter and YouTube.

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FREE 5 Minute Writer Weekly Newsletter
Article
Paula's Website
Connect with Paula on Twitter
Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. Writing as a career - making that shift from writer to author
2. What she’s looking for as a literary agent
3. How to pitch your book/story to agents

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to freelance writer, author, and ghostwriter, Paulette Perhach. She had so much information about how to be productive as a writer without overworking yourself.

Today, we're talking about going from first draft to a query-ready manuscript. If you've been through the query gauntlet and want to make it through to the other side with an agent, you're going to love this interview!

BIO:
PAULA MUNIER is Senior Agent and Director of Storytelling and Content for Talcott Notch Literary and the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Mercy Carr mysteries. A Borrowing of Bones, the first in the series, was nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark Award and named the Dogwise Book of the Year. Blind Search also won a Dogwise Award. The Hiding Place appeared on both Lesa Holstine and Dru Ann Love's Best of 2021 Lists. THE WEDDING PLOT debuts in July 2022. Paula credits the hero dogs of Mission K9 Rescue, her own rescue dogs, and a deep love of New England as her series’ major influences. Paula has also written three popular books on writing: Plot Perfect, The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings, and Writing with Quiet Hands, as well as Happier Every Day and the memoir Fixing Freddie. She lives in New England with her family and Bear the Newfoundland-retriever rescue, Bliss the Great Pyrenees-Australian cattle dog rescue, pandemic puppy Blondie, a Malinois rescue (much like Elvis in her books), and Ursula The Cat, a rescue torbie tabby who does not think much of the dogs.

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Writerly Lifestyle Free Newsletter
Article
Paulette's Website
Connect with Paulette on Twitter
Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. Focusing too much on productivity can be...unproductive
2. Writing is a process and focus on the process instead of the results (especially rejections)
3. Don’t be afraid of the business of writing

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to professional editor, Ericka Baldwin. She had so much information about how to find an editor, what to do when you're done with your first draft, and more! 

But today we're talking about productivity, what to look for in a routine, how to approach your day, how to handle rejection. Plus, what to think about if you're looking for a writing coach and more! 

Paulette Perhach is an amazing writer, coach, and all around hilarious human being. You're going to really love this interview!

BIO:
Paulette Perhach has been published in the New York Times, Vox, Elle, Slate, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Marie Claire, Yoga Journal, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Hobart, and Vice.

She wrote a book called Welcome to the Writer's Life which was selected as one of Poets & Writers' Best Books for Writers. 

On her blog, she talks about writer’s craft, business, personal finance, and joy at welcometothewriterslife.com and leads meditation and writing sessions through A Very Important Meeting.

She also works with writers as a coach to help them figure out how to build their writing careers. 

Learn more about her here.

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Writerly Lifestyle Free Newsletter
Article
Ericka's Website
Connect with David on Twitter

3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. Before looking for an editor, lay out your strengths and weaknesses so you know what kind of editor you need!
2. What to look for in an editing relationship
3. How to mentally prepare yourself for an edit

EPISODE INFO:
Last time on the interview series I talked to debut author, Zulie Rane about how to grow your platform through Medium. I learned so much talking to her and it's definitely worth a listen whether or not you'r going to write on Medium. 

This interview really reminded me of the interview(s) I did with Chantelle Aimée Osman (Part I & Part II)

BIO:
Ericka loves storytelling! She is a professional editor, writer, and provides coaching for resumes, novels\books, cover letters, curriculum vitae, and website content for authors, business professionals, college graduates, networks, and publishing houses worldwide.

She recently published 16 Copy-Editing Enhancements that will improve your writing, increase your novel’s readability, and boost the confidence it takes to become a Best Selling Authors.

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Get Started on Medium!
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5 Minute Writer - Sometimes all you have is 5 minutes...but it might be all you need!

SEE INTERVIEW DETAILS:
Interview article

HANG OUT WITH Zulie!
Website
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HANG OUT WITH DAVID!
Follow David on Medium
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3 BIG TAKEAWAYS

1. How fiction writers can use Medium
2. Overcoming self-doubt
3. Being willing to try new forms of writing

EPISODE INFO: Medium is a publishing platform where writers can get paid for their words. And my guest, Zulie Rane is one of the top writers there. But there's something very important about Zulie that might make you pay close attention to what she has to say. 

If you listened to my interview with Sinem Günel a few weeks ago, you'll know there's some pretty great earning potential through Medium's platform.

But then I talked to Allison Buccola, a debut author, and I started thinking about how to merge these two writing careers. How can fiction writers improve their book sales using Medium? 

So if you write fiction, there's this really important added incentive to write on Medium, but before Zulie tells you how to maximize your bookselling potential, I'll tell you that special thing about Zulie: She wants to write fiction! So she's going to share what she would do to build a readership on Medium for our fiction work!

Note: I sometimes use affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may receive compensation for promoting this content. I ONLY promote products and services I have direct experience with. In this instance, I am a Medium user and highly recommend the platform

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now