The Writers' Block Party Podcast

Episode 90: Mindy Klasky on Transparency in Publishing

As authors, we tend to be so grateful that someone bought our book that we don’t ask too many questions…but maybe we should. Hybrid author Mindy Klasky (with traditional and indie publishing cred) returns to the podcast to discuss the history and current state of what authors have been trusting is true in their publishing journey. Warning: Might make you a little angry!

Episode 89: Foreign Translations with Jodi Vaughn

Ever wondered what it would take to sell your book in other languages? Noted author Jodi Vaughn has; she says it’s a leap of faith—but it looks to Pru more like a voyage into madness! Man, oh man—there’s a LOT that goes into just selling your romance in the profitable German market. Jodi makes it work, though—and here’s how!

To find Jodi's paranormal and contemporary romances, try http://jodivaughn.com

For the women's fiction and small town romances of Jodi Allen Brice, the website is http://jodiallenbrice.com

Episode 88: When is a Book Set in Stone?

With the ease of uploading corrected or edited copies of your novel to the ebook platforms, when should you correct your text and when should you create a new edition? We wander far afield—should “Huck Finn” be rewritten to reflect the cultural awareness of today? Can we imply any more strongly that our romance novels should be considered alongside Huck Finn?? Is the entire topic a snake eating its tail? Ack! No conclusions are drawn, but interesting questions are raised!

Episode 87: Sensitivity Readers with Natasha D. Lane

The diversity (or lack thereof) in your book is worrying you; how do you make sure you’re not perpetuating your own unsuspected biases? Sensitivity reader Natasha Lane fields a million basic questions from Pru and has intelligent discussions with Merry to advise and inform you on matters from the thoughtfully  highbrow to the immensely practical. Thanks, Natasha!

Natasha's website is http://www.natashadlanewrites.com/

To find a sensitivity reader, Natasha recommends https://www.saltandsagebooks.com/sensitivity-expert-consultants/ That website has a LOT of opportunities for you!

Episode 86: Genres and Traditional Publishing with Alix Rickloff

Settle in for an informative chat with author Alix Rickloff, who has not only mastered a leap between genres but who has attracted the praise of readers AND PUBLISHERS alike. Imagine—if publishers wanted you multiple times! Pru has a little fan-girl moment over that one...

You can learn more about Alix at https://alixrickloff.com/

Episode 85: Multiple POVs

Merry and Pru do a little literary name-dropping on this discussion of points of view to use in your book. Can you borrow the techniques of George R.R. Martin? How about William Styron or F. Scott Fitzgerald? Too “guy” for you? Okay—how about Georgette Heyer or Jane Austen? They all used the points of view of their characters to draw you in and hold you…and you can do that, too!

Episode 84: Kathleen Gilles Seidel: An Expert Opinion

Merry and Pru get to talk with the chattiest of academics, the brilliant romance author Kathleen Gilles Seidel, about how publishing has changed—and how READERS have changed. We learn that while much has changed since Kathy’s first book in the 80s, a few very annoying habits have continued to plague authors!

Episode 83: The Bridgerton Bee: Repeated Motifs

Did you notice the bee in the filmed version of Bridgerton? Merry did—and she uses it as a superb example of how to skillfully weave a repeated motif into your story. Wide-eyed, Pru discovered repeated motifs all around her. Hey--can I do that, too?? More importantly, listener—can you?!

Episode 82: The End--Writing the Satisfying Ending

Listener, strap in: We range far afield, from how not to tick off your reader to how to use the ending to sell your next book. Epilogues are heavily discussed! Merry shares five ways to avoid the dreaded Bad Ending, and Pru asks all the simplistic, novice questions you were too embarrassed to ask. As usual!

Meredith quotes from an article entitled "Story Endings Your Readers Will Hate."

Next week, Pru and Merry will be discussing repeating motifs. We'll use "The Beach House" by Mary Alice Monroe as our starting point. Here's the Amazon link to that book if you want to play along at home. 

Episode 81: Once Upon A Time: Writing a Great Lead

Was it really the best of times, the worst of times? How has writing a gripping lead to your story changed over time—and how has it remained the same? Merry and Pru consider lots of examples and come up with a few rules of thumb that will help to make the beginning of your book so slippery that readers won’t realize they’ve fallen in deep until it’s too late to set you aside; they’re hooked!