By Rachel Thompson
Author and literary magazine editor, Rachel Thompson, helps you write, publish, and shine. Learn how to write and share your brilliant writing with the world.
Episodes delve into how to poli
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4.8
1919 ratings
The podcast currently has 154 episodes available.
How to Get Published: Craft a Compelling Opening
Yes, your opening matters. A strong start hooks readers and editors alike. Ensure your first few lines grab attention and set the tone for what follows.
I’m sharing the third lesson from my 14 years on Room’s editorial collective. We’re diving into one of the most crucial elements of your writing: crafting compelling openings. Learn why a strong start is essential, what common pitfalls to avoid, and how to grab your reader’s attention from the first line. If you want to captivate editors and readers alike, this episode is for you! Tune in for practical tips and inspiring examples.
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All of the notes for this episode are up at rachelthompson.co/105
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In this episode of the Write, Publish, and Shine podcast, I share valuable insights from my 14-year journey at Room Magazine. I emphasize the importance of building relationships with literary magazines and choosing the right publications for your work. I discuss the power of vulnerability in writing, encourage persistence in submissions, and offer tips for connecting with literary communities that resonate with your voice. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this episode provides essential guidance for navigating the world of literary magazine submissions.
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Get my Writerly Love Letters, sent Wednesdays and filled with ideas and care for you and your writing: rachelthompson.co/letters
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All of the notes for this episode are up at rachelthompson.co/104
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Themed submission calls can unlock buried stories, while offering a clear focus and deadlines. In this episode, I share tips for embracing themes when submitting to literary magazines and a curated list of upcoming lit mag themes and deadlines to inspire your writing.
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Get my Writerly Love Letters, sent Wednesdays and filled with ideas and care for you and your writing: rachelthompson.co/letters
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All of the notes for this episode are up at rachelthompson.co/103
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In this episode, we’re diving into a topic on many writers’ minds: the choice between pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing and enrolling in online writing courses. Whether you’re just starting your writing journey or looking to take your skills to the next level, this guide will help you understand each path’s key benefits and challenges. We'll explore everything from the structured curriculum of MFA programs to the flexibility of online courses and discuss how each option can impact your writing career. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer picture of which path might be the right fit for your unique goals and circumstances.
Check out this piece in article form to see the comparison chart and profiles for each writer who spoke with me for this episode.
rachelthompson.co/articles
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All of the notes for this episode are up at rachelthompson.co/102
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, I delve into the importance and crafting of cover letters for literary magazine submissions. A cover letter is not as crucial as the quality of the writing itself—yet, it does play a significant role in making a solid first impression and demonstrating your professionalism as a writer. In a detailed breakdown of the elements of a cover letter, I outline the importance of brevity, relevance, and personalization. Plus, I dig into the dual audiences and what they need to know about you, dear writer.
You can check out the article accompanying this episode here.
When you’re there, download my FREE Guide on How to Write a Cover Letter for a Lit Mag
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All of the notes for this episode are up at rachelthompson.co/101
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Dear writers, I'm thrilled to present the 100th episode of the podcast! I have delighted in each of the conversations and episodes I've been able to share with you, and talking to writers and covering topics on how to write, publish, and shine.
Thank you to the writers who listen to each episode and especially those who share what they gleaned or the little ways they were encouraged to keep going.
This episode is a moment to reflect on where the podcast has been and where it's going and includes listeners sharing their favourite moments on the podcast and how they influenced their writing lives.
All of the notes for this episode are up at rachelthompson.co/100
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Get my Writerly Love Digest, sent most weeks and filled with ideas and care for you and your writing: rachelthompson.co/letters
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Memoirist Yolande House sits down with me for a book club conversation about Kae Tempest’s On Connection. It was a real pleasure to read this book alongside her and compare notes. And I hope those of you reading alongside us in our book club enjoy it.
About On Connection: This is a book about connection. About how immersing ourselves in creativity can help us cultivate greater self-awareness and bring us closer to each other.
After we discuss the book, stick around as Yolande House also shares highlights from her disability reading list.
All of the notes for this episode are up at rachelthompson.co/88
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Get my Writerly Love Digest, sent most weeks and filled with ideas and care for you and your writing: rachelthompson.co/letters
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Write, Publish, and Shine podcast, hosted by me, author and literary magazine editor Rachel Thompson, celebrates its 99th episode! I reflect on the podcast journey and past episodes, highlighting eleven essential writing tips from literary magazine editors who have been guests on the show.
Listen if you need encouragement to write, publish, and shine. Editors share how and why to read deeply, tell your truths, and continue your creative journey with resilience and passion while connecting with the broader social and political contexts that influence your writing.
All of the notes for this episode are up at rachelthompson.co/99
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Get my Writerly Love Digest, sent most weeks and filled with ideas and care for you and your writing: rachelthompson.co/letters
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the conversation with Amy Friend, the artist discusses her creative process, the influence of her personal experiences on her work, and the themes of loss, longing, and home that pervade her art. Her childhood experiences, growing up in a neighbourhood populated by immigrants, and the stories she heard from them deeply influenced her work. She emphasizes the importance of play, openness, and letting go of control in creating art. She also discusses her fascination with old photographs and how she uses them in her work. Friend shares her perspective on artistic community, rejection, and the role of literary magazines in fostering dialogue and inspiration.
This episode is part of a deep dive into the creation of Room magazine issue 46.3, where I was the lead editor. (You can check out the full run of episodes, starting with Episode #80.)
Amy Friend’s art truly resonates with me on a deep level of nostalgia and grief, and this is also because of the incredible artistry she uses with photographs, turning those difficult experiences into beauty.
Even after over a decade of editing for Room, we're vibing in those themes of loss and longing. I spoke with Amy Friend about how she makes her photographs, what draws her to these themes, and how photography as a medium inherently communicates memory, loss, and absence.
All of the notes for this episode are up at rachelthompson.co/86
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We are playing summer reading bingo these next few months, with 24 squares representing categories of books you can read. And you are invited. Grab your card to play along with us, then choose a row, column, or diagonal line, or complete the card.
Why are we, a writing community and I, an instructor of writing courses, doing this book bingo? I answer this question in the episode.
Listen as I dig into some of our summer book categories, why we chose them, and how reading books in these categories will improve your writing.
More episodes to check out if you are looking for a craft book in a genre new to you:
All of the notes for this episode are up at rachelthompson.co/98
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Get my Writerly Love Digest, sent most weeks and filled with ideas and care for you and your writing: rachelthompson.co/letters
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The podcast currently has 154 episodes available.