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A podcast for readers and writers of thriller, mystery, suspense, and crime fiction.
150 Episodes
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Send me a Text Message! What if the secret to writing unforgettable characters isn't interrogating them with questionnaires, but letting them reveal themselves organically? In this episode, bestselling author Bianca Marais shares how she "pantsed" her way through writing her newest novel, A Most Puzzling Murder. It’s especially impressive because this novel is a complex mystery with 12+ POVs, choose-your-own-adventure chapters, interactive puzzles, and a character who emails reade...
Send me a Text Message! New York Times bestselling author Chevy Stevens pulls back the curtain on what separates a good thriller from an unforgettable one. And it might not be what you think. In this episode, Chevy reveals her unconventional process for crafting antagonists that readers love to hate. She also shares the exact mindset shift that helped her sustain an eight-book career. If you are... struggling to create believable villainsfeeling stuck in your thriller'...
Send me a Text Message! Struggling with how to write a thriller that grabs readers immediately? In this interview, writing expert Daniel David Wallace shares game-changing writing tips for crafting plots that keep readers hooked from page one. Daniel, creator of the Character First Writing Approach and host of Escape the Plot Forest summit, reveals why traditional plotting advice often fails thriller writers. And he offers three essential strategies for developing compelling, char...
Send me a Text Message! What if the setting you choose could be as morally complex as your protagonist? In this episode, USA Today bestselling author Aaron Philip Clark pulls back the curtain on how he crafts crime fiction that thrills and matters. Aaron reveals: his process for weaving heavy themes into page-turners without slowing the pacewhy he writes from a place of frustration and injusticehow to make every setting choice deliberate and loaded with meaning. If you're tir...
Send me a Text Message! What if the tropes you love are actually holding your thriller back? In this episode, Charlene Wang reveals how she transformed the beloved campus novel into a feminist revenge thriller by strategically subverting genre expectations. And the results landed her a major book deal. You'll discover the counterintuitive truth about "wasted" drafts (spoiler: nothing is ever wasted), learn how to weaponize social media as a character psychology tool rather t...
Send me a Text Message! What if I told you that right now, while established agents are drowning in hundreds of submissions, there's a brand new literary agent who's actively building his client list and genuinely excited to discover your manuscript? In this episode, Tommy Dean shares what makes him your ideal partner in this industry. Tommy shares... the insider secrets that separate professional queries from amateur oneswhy newer agents might actually be your best bet for ...
Send me a Text Message! Tamara Miller's debut thriller INTO THE FALL has launched her career with a two-book publishing contract. But her path from government policy analyst to published author wasn't built on talent alone. It was strategic business thinking that made the difference. In this episode, Tamara Miller reveals the approach that got her agent's immediate attention and explains why treating your query like a business proposal changes everything. She also shar...
Send me a Text Message! Literary agent Lori Galvin reveals exactly what makes a query letter irresistible. She breaks down the specific elements that make agents request materials, and the common mistakes that lead to instant rejections. Whether you're crafting your first query or your fiftieth, this episode delivers the agent perspective that every fiction writer needs to hear. What You'll Learn: Why manuscript word count can kill your chances instantlyThe test some agents use ...
Send me a Text Message! Ever wondered why it feels nearly impossible to land a literary agent these days? In this episode, I had a chat with Vicky Weber, a literary agent, bestselling children's author, and marketing strategist, who pulls back the curtain on the harsh realities facing today's publishing industry. Vicky reveals why the bar for getting agented has skyrocketed, how agents are making just $20 on some deals, and why editors no longer do the developmental work they used...
Send me a Text Message! Developmental editor and former literary agent Mary Kole breaks down the exact process that transforms manuscripts from "just okay" to "must-read." In this episode, you'll learn why most writers approach feedback and revision completely wrong. You’ll discover the important difference between revision and editing. And you’ll master the "boring edit" technique that ensures your story grips readers from page one to the end. Mary reveals When to see...
Send me a Text Message! Former Scholastic editor Shelly Romero just made the leap to literary agent. And she's spilling the industry secrets most writers never hear. After eight years of editorial experience and now with an agent's perspective, Shelly reveals… What really happens when agents read your opening pagesWhy manuscripts need to be more polished than everThe submission mistakes that trigger instant rejections. What You'll Learn: Why voice trumps plot in manuscript su...
Send me a Text Message! Every thriller, mystery, suspense, and crime writer faces the same dilemma… How do you craft a story that keeps readers turning pages? In this episode, Julie Tyler Ruiz reveals a simple framework that separates forgettable genre fiction from the stories readers obsess over for years. You'll discover… How to identify the one central question that must drive your entire manuscriptLearn the specific prompts that will transform vague plot ideas into page-turnin...
Send me a Text Message! Liz Alterman joins the podcast to discuss her latest novel, "You Shouldn't Have Done That", and reveals the unconventional strategies that have shaped her successful writing career. From her unique character development process involving weekly read-aloud sessions to her bold decision to switch from traditional publishing to a nimble indie press offering 99-cent e-books, Alterman shares practical insights that challenge conventional wisdom about both craft and b...
Send me a Text Message! Ever wondered what it's really like behind the scenes of being a literary agent? What You'll Learn in this episode: • Why agents prioritize story over polished prose • The brutal financial reality of the publishing industry • What makes manuscripts stand out in queries Jenna's honesty about the industry might just shift how you approach your writing career. Join Jenna's Substack HERE Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and ...
Send me a Text Message! Writing coach April Davila reveals the non-negotiable elements that make first pages irresistible to readers and agents. Learn why most manuscripts fail in the opening paragraph, discover the strategic approach to character revelation that transforms boring descriptions into magnetic hooks. Then find out which common opening mistakes instantly kill reader interest. Plus, April shares her surprising advice about when to actually write your first page (...
Send me a Text Message! Storyteller's Society Sneak Peek: This Creative Silos method can make you way more efficient in your writing practice. Creativity coach Cindy Cisneros reveals why traditional productivity advice fails creative writers, her game-changing "Silos" method that stops the destructive cycle of switching between writing and querying, and the "cross-modality" technique that breaks through even the most stubborn creative blocks. What You'll Learn: The "Creative Silos" strategy t...
Send me a Text Message! Your opening page has 30 seconds to hook an agent or it's as good as a rejection. Literary agent Amy Nielsen reveals the cliché openings that kill manuscripts, the scene structure 90% of authors get wrong, and her "General-Specific-Personal" formula that eliminates info-dumping while building irresistible voice. What You'll Learn: - How to avoid cliché openings that scream "amateur" - A literary agent's simple test to tell if your opening is actually a scene ...
Send me a Text Message! Free 5-Day Email Mini Course on Hooking an Agent with Your Opening Agent: Carleen Geisler Author: Brooke Robinson Author: Aaron Philip Clark 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
Send me a Text Message! 5 Minute Writer Article Last week's interview with Lori Galvin Connect with Thomas on Twitter Link to Thomas Mullen's website Connect with David on Twitter 3 BIG TAKEAWAYS Writing opening scenesIncorporating big ideas into your writingUsing existing literature to fuel your writingEPISODE INFO: How many times do you revise your opening scene? If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly concerned with giving away too much information and boring readers in your o...
Send me a Text Message! 5 Minute Writer Article Last week's interview with Author Aaron Philip Clark Connect with Lori on Twitter Connect with David on Twitter 3 BIG TAKEAWAYS What agents are looking for in a clientYour first 5-10 pagesWhat it's like working with an agentEPISODE INFO: Are you looking to land an agent in 2024? In this episode, Aevitas Creative literary agent Lori Galvin is going to share the things you need to know if you want to grab an agent’s attention, both in your ...
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