Write Where It Hurts

Eva and Katryn dive into a number of nuanced author struggles this week, from the dehumanization of authors as a product, to the myth of control when it comes to moving the needle, to the discourse surrounding pen names. Eva’s Ron Burgundy references start to reach Lord of the Rings levels, and Katryn can’t hear the title of the medical show “The Pitt” without singing “The Pit”*

*Content Notes/TWs: 

We briefly mention the author recently known as ‘Moldemort’ in a discussion about pen names. This is not an endorsement, JKR has used her massive platform and money to globally cause harm to trans kids, end of story.

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• This Time article details the massive Taylor Jenkins Reid deal that has massive implications in publishing, both (hopefully) good, and troubling
• We share some comments from the author community (inc. MK Lobb) about the ‘moving the needle discourse.’
• Check out Lady Whistlethreads (upgrade to paid for extras) on Substack

Eva and Katryn share their hellscape escapism picks:

• Katryn: Bob’s Burgers, The Great North, Key & Peele, Bottoms, It’s Elementary

• Anita De Monte Laughs Last, Temptation Island

WE'RE BACK! This week, Eva and Katryn are back after a long break and catch up on their lives in and out of publishing. Talking about everything from battling a desire for type-A control in the submission process to the fear of losing momentum. Eva gets real about weighing feedback, and Katryn details finding the French version of I Wish You Would in Paris! 

Sources:

• Subscribe to Eva’s new Substack-based newsletter to learn a little more about the goings-on in between our episodes.
• Subscribe to Katryn’s Substack as she pivots from social media as a space to share opinions.

This week, Eva and Katryn talk book burnout, juggling projects, and the pitfalls of hyper-visibility. Katryn gets so dark that she doesn’t even bring up Lord of the Rings once, and Eva explains why she cried into a burrito.

Sources:

• Watch this video of Eva at her Grandma’s organized event if you want to cry in your own burrito!
• Don’t look at this breakdown if you haven’t seen “The Plight Before Christmas” in Bob’s Burgers’ thirteenth season. The single most heart-hitting moment of all time.
• Want a Lady Dexter book about dismembering predators? Give This Girl’s a Killer a try!

This week on Write Where it Hurts, Eva and Katryn talk about the importance of continuing to create art in times of crisis. Katryn reads an intriguing romance scene featuring our new favorite bulk distributor (emphasis on bulk, pun intended), and Eva convinces us all to embrace our inner Miss Piggy.

Sources:

• If you need to know more about The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit (and you do)
• Watch Girls 5Eva!  
• Eva and Katryn talk the importance of art in times of crisis
• Banned Books Don’t boost sales 
• A few notes on Jim Crow Education in the 20th Century and the suppression of queer history along with it
• LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW WITH RITA MORENO IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

In the 2025 premiere of Write Where It Hurts, Eva and Katryn talk dueling revisions, and Sylvia Plath—especially the possibility of losing more authors to mental health issues and publishing trends in the coming years. Eva details crime boarding her revision and goes full Miranda Priestly about the hot, fashion-forward Witch-king of Angmar. Katryn refuses to let go of the hate in her heart over 1-star-review tagging and DRAGS every reindeer that isn’t Rudolph.

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• Katryn mistakenly described her newest draft as a retelling of “X-Files, season 6, episode 14, but it’s actually15 (Arcadia). She’s basically the worst, this is SimpsonGate all over again.

• Eva in full revision mode mirrorsCharlie Day

• Watch Katryn and her sister Marengo full rage room to kick 2024 to the curb.

• Check outAngelique L’amour’s books!Subscribe to Eva’s newsletter to hear her talk about the highs and lows of 2024

In the 2024 finale (more coming in the new year!), Eva and Katryn discuss navigating motherhood and writing, the dangers of AI in publishing, and curated lists—as well as some big vulnerable end-of-year feels. Katryn is both slut positive and dread positive, and Eva prepares for her annual hot author winter.

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This week, Eva and Katryn talk stalled careers and finding your beta match, but find time to pitch a Wicked themed pop-up Ozdust nightclub for the mature crowd. Eva revels at the righteous wrath of Swifties, and Katryn talks about the healing nature of satire. 

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This week’s special episode is from the time machine! Listen to Eva and Katryn talk about navigating feedback in this bottle episode (airing in place of our weekly season four episode in the new format) from June 2024. Katryn reveals all about the darkly comedic vaudevillian murder meet-cute she wrote in a college English class, and Eva gets real about insecurity in the weeks after releasing her debut novel. 

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This week, Eva and Katryn get more real than ever before about the realities and pitfalls of debut year now that they can both reflect on the experience. Katryn explains the James Franco thing, and Eva sings "Stars" *as* Russell Crowe. Special guest stars include the ice in our cocktails and dueling Lord of the Rings and Hamilton metaphors! Plus: WICKED!

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This week, Eva and Katryn deal in metaphors both nature and Monopoly as they discuss list season, the vanishing midlist, and the dread of not knowing what’s next. Eva discusses either feeling abandoned or bomb-cycloned by her muse, and Katryn thinks you need to learn Brad Dourif’s name.

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