In this episode, we’ll unravel what “literary fiction” actually means, what readers expect when they open a literary novel, and how you, as a writer, can approach it without falling into the trap of pretension. We'll also look at how to build your portfolio, no matter what genre you're writing.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Why every sentence matters
• Balancing introspection with forward momentum in your writing
• The difference and similarities between literary fiction and genre fiction
• Giving short stories and contest entries new life

• Weekly Writing Contests - Reedsy Prompts
• » Calls for Submissions
• The Submission Grinder
• Duotrope: Find publishers and agents. Track submissions. Get published.
• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

Just in time for Halloween, this episode explores the expectations and pitfalls of writing horror and how to write fear in any genre.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Fear in any genre
• The core of horror
• Tension as the backbone
• Themes and monsters
• Horror subgenres
• Global horror
• Pitfalls to avoid

Next week, we’ll leave the monsters behind and step into Literary Fiction, the genre that insists on finding truth in everyday life.

• Writing Thrillers and Suspense: Raising the Stakes - Writing Break
• These 7 Components Will Set the Perfect Pace for Your Story - Writing Break
• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

Gothic fiction is where beauty meets terror. In this episode, we explore how to write Gothic stories that grip readers with atmosphere, ambiguity, and desire:

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Setting as character
• The uncanny and the supernatural
• Romance entwined with ruin
• Gothic subgenres and global traditions
• Pitfalls to avoid

• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

Good historical fiction makes the past feel as alive as the present. In this episode, we explore how to write immersive, character-driven stories that honor history without feeling like a textbook.

First, we talk about the importance of writing contests.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Research as foundation, story as focus
• Characters as people, not historical mannequins
• Balancing authenticity with modern readability
• Pitfalls to avoid, from info-dumps to anachronisms

• Big List of Writing Contests - NewPages.com
• The Best Free Literary Contests - Winning Writers
• The Ultimate List of Writing Contests in 2025 • Win Cash Prizes!
• Submittable Discover: Writing Contests
• Writing Contests, Grants & Awards | Poets & Writers
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

Science fiction bends natural laws with speculation grounded in possibility. In this episode, we explore the foundations of sci-fi storytelling. Plus: publishing news on new imprints, prize controversies, AI audiobooks, and why indie presses are thriving.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• The “one big lie” principle.
• Science as a lens to ask bigger questions.
• Balancing ideas with compelling characters.
• Avoiding common pitfalls.
• A tour of sci-fi’s many subgenres.

• Why Creators Are Scrambling to Own Their Own Audience
• Bloomberg - AI-narrated books gaining traction
• Giller Prize Announces 2025 Longlist Amid Ongoing Financial Uncertainty
• Polari Prize organisers cancel book prize over trans controversy
• AAP April 2025 StatShot Report
• Conduit Books
• Storehouse Voices
• 7 Literary Conflicts Explained (Clip Show #11) - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

This week, we journey into the realm of fantasy and uncover how to build worlds that feel alive without overwhelming your readers with exposition. Tune in for writing advice, publishing insights, and a well-deserved writing break.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Roddy Doyle’s blunt remarks about weak submissions, fonts, and page counts
• The role of rules when world-building
• The common pitfalls of fantasy writing
• What takes center-stage when writing fantasy

• Booker prize chairman laments poor quality of entries
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

In this episode, we’ll explore the chemistry, conflict, and tropes that make romance irresistible, plus hear nine hard-won lessons from debut author Esther Walker. Even if you’re not writing romance, these insights will make you a stronger storyteller and a more resilient writer.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• The default response from agents and publishers
• Balancing chemistry and conflict
• Giving old tropes a fresh spin

• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• How I published a novel — the 9 things I learnt the hard way
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

What makes a thriller thrilling? In this episode of Writing Break, we discuss pacing, stakes, suspense, and more. We also look at what, if anything, BookTok can do for you.

Spread a little love by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing Writing Break with a fellow writer who loves a good thrill.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• The key differences between suspense and thrillers
• How to raise stakes that truly matter
• The secret to pacing that keeps readers hooked without burning them out
• Pitfalls to avoid when writing thrillers
• Thriller and suspense subgenres

• Black British Book Festival born from 'frustration and vision' as festival enters fifth year
• Warsaw opens metro station ‘express’ library to get commuters off their phones | Poland | The Guardian
• The #BookTok Connection: Examining Cultural and Linguistic Identity Expression in Online Reading Communities
• Why I Won’t Quit BookTok | Vogue
• The #BookTok Connection: Examining Cultural and Linguistic Identity Expression in Online Reading Communities
• The Influence of BookTok on Literary Criticisms and Diversity
• BookTok is reviving publishing – but at what cost? | The Week
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

Season 8 of Writing Break sets sail with mystery and detective fiction. From archetypal sleuths to red herrings and fair-play clues, learn how to craft puzzles that keep readers guessing. Plus, the latest publishing news, including a $1.5 billion AI copyright settlement and turmoil at the Library of Congress.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Why it matters to revisit genre basics in an AI-dominated landscape
• What readers and publishers expect from mystery and detective fiction
• Classic detective archetypes: from loners to gentleman sleuths to amateur nosy neighbors
• The art of fair-play clues, hidden details, and red herrings
• How to reverse-engineer your crime
• Delivering the big reveal without cheating your reader

• New AI text-to-speech audio app launches with '60% of every sale going to authors'
• Anthropic to pay authors $1.5bn to settle lawsuit over using pirated books to train AI - Music Business Worldwide
• AAP Endorses the US$1.5 Billion AI Settlement Proposed in Bartz v. Anthropic
• Who Is in Charge of the Library of Congress? - UnderstandingCongress.org
• Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Speaks Out on CBS
• Fresh off Trump firings, Library of Congress stares down a proposed cut
• Library of Congress Reaches Major Milestone in Bringing Collections to Users
• Welcome to the New Library of Congress Catalog! - Catalog Help and Documentation - Research Guides at Library of Congress
• Fired copyright chief lawsuit over Trump powers
• Todd Blanche, a Justice Department official, as acting Librarian of Congress
• President Trump fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

In this bonus episode, we’re wrapping up Season 7 with a stitched-together master episode featuring all five segments from our Querying Literary Agent series.

Whether you're just starting your submission journey or navigating the silence after sending your pitch, this complete guide has you covered.

• Part 1: Big Five Dreams or Indie Vibes?
• Part 2: Where the Lit Agents Are and How to Find Yours
• Part 3: Writing Your Query Letter
• Part 4: What Happens After You Hit Send
• Bonus: What to Do While You Wait

This episode is your one-stop-shop for understanding the querying process from beginning to end.

Plus, I give you a sneak peek into what’s ahead:

Season 8: Mastering fiction genres

Season 9: Breaking the rules with experimental and hybrid work

Season 10: Mastering nonfiction, including memoir, journalism, essays, and more

Subscribe, rate, and share with a fellow writer!

• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.