Thriller 101

Send me a Text Message!Sign up to get the 5 Minute Writer Series sent straight to your inbox!Stranger Things became a national phenomenon this summer. So I dug in to this series to try and find out what made it such a powerful example of storytelling.Listen to the entire Jessica Payne InterviewListen to the entire Christopher Golden InterviewGet 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 Newsletter (Grab Your 1st Edition Here)2 FREE Downloads: 6 Things to Think About When Hiring and Editor & Discover the Heart of Your Story ArticleMegan's WebsiteConnect with Megan on Twitter!Connect with David on Twitter3 BIG TAKEAWAYSAre MFA's worth it?Managing guilt and resentmentWhat is book coaching and how do you find the right one?EPISODE INFO:Last time on the interview series I talked to Chantelle Aimée Osman about how to edit your own work. Don't miss it!BIO:Megan Clancy is a published author and Author Accelerator certified book coach. As The Book Coach for Moms, she coaches women who lost their creative spark in the days of early motherhood and are struggling to find a way back to it, moms who had never thought of writing a book before and something in becoming a mother brought out that creative desire, and moms whose kids are now in school and finally have time to write the book they've always wanted. She coaches moms at and through all points of their novel-writing journey. She has a BA in English & Creative Writing from Colorado College, an MFA from the University of Melbourne, has lived and worked in Australia and the United States, and was a high school English teacher before becoming a full-time writer and book coach. She now lives with her husband and two young children in California. 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!FREE 5 Minute Writer Newsletter (Grab Your 1st Edition Here)50 Editing Mistakes Authors MakeArticleChantelle's WebsiteConnect with Chantelle on Twitter!Connect with David on TwitterPREVIOUS EPISODES FEATURING CHANTELLEHow to Become an EditorRethinking Rejection3 BIG TAKEAWAYSWriting graphic novelsEditing your manuscriptHow to get into the writing zoneEPISODE INFO:Last time on the interview series I talked to Rachel May and Emily Golden of Golden May Editing about the 6 Things You Should Think About BEFORE Hiring and Editor. I learned so much about the editing process by talking to them so definitely check that out if you haven't already!Also, if you're in the revision stage, you'll really enjoy this interview with Paula Munier. As a best selling author and literary agent, she shares what keeps good writers from becoming published authors!BIO:Chantelle is the editor of Agora Books. Agora focuses on "socially and culturally unique crime fiction and horror from award-winning publisher Polis Books."She was named to Publisher's Weekly Rising Star honoree list in 2020. She's been a freelance editor for over 10 years. She is an instructor at the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, Authors at Large and LitReactor. She is the author of  The Quick and Dirty Guides To…, which is a non-fiction series on writing that I recommend checking out.Chantelle hosts Words of Prey podcast through the Pipeline Artists Network. 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!Discover the Heart of Your Story to Unearth Your Story Point (FREE download from Golden May Editing!)6 Things to Think About When Looking for an Editor or Book Coach PLUS List of All Questions Suggested by Emily & RachelArticleGolden May WebsiteConnect with David on Twitter3 BIG TAKEAWAYSThe difference between an editor and writing coach6 Things to think about when looking for an editorQuestions to ask yourself and a potential editorLast time on the interview series I talked to debut debut author, Annie Lisenby. She shared all about about independent publishing, finding the right fit for your work, and making your manuscript shine!In this episode, Rachel and Emily share how to decide what kind of editor or book coach you need, what to look for in an editing professional, how to navigate choosing an editor, and what questions to ask yourself as well as questions to ask an editor or book coach!BIO:Emily and Rachel, Golden May’s co-founders, book coaches, and editors met on Twitter through the #WritingCommunity. They believe that it’s impossible to see the holes in your own work and that learning together is infinitely more productive than learning alone.Their goals are to help you identify your book’s potential, teach you how to fulfill it, and connect you with the community needed to sustain your writing journey! 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!17 Things to Think About When Talking to an Agent/PublisherArticleAnnie's WebsiteConnect with Annie on TwitterConnect with David on Twitter3 BIG TAKEAWAYSFinding an independent publisherWhat to know about independent publishingWhat to look for in a relationship with a publisherEPISODE INFO:Last time on the interview series I talked to debut thriller author, Jessica Payne. She shared all about writing thrillers, finding an agent, and how to navigate picking the right people to work with!Today, we're talking about independent publishing, finding the right fit for your work, and making your manuscript shine!BIO:A native of the Missouri Ozarks, Annie's traveled to exciting places that she bring into my writing. She primarily writes for teens and young adults, but she also enjoys expanding into other areas too. In most of her work, you’ll find a generous dash of romance. 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!17 Things to Think About When Talking to an Agent/PublisherArticleJessica's WebsiteConnect with Jessica on TwitterConnect with David on Twitter3 BIG TAKEAWAYSHow to write a great plotThe importance of communityWhat she looked for in an agent and what the relationship with your agent should be likeTips for when you finally get that publishing contractEPISODE INFO:Last time on the interview series I talked to author and literary agent Paula Munier. She shared amazing information about her writing process, what agents are looking for, and how to burst out of the slush pile!Today, we're talking about how to find the right agent for you, why it's important to keep writing, and how to build suspense into your work.BIO:Jessica grew up in Kansas City, later moving to the Pacific Northwest where the mountains and Puget Sound became home. Beyond writing, she loves to run, rock climb, and explore the great outdoors with her daughter and husband. She is also an RN. When holding still, which isn’t often, you’ll find a book in her hand and a cat or dog in her lap. Jessica writes suspense and thriller and is the host of #MomsWritersClub on Twitter and YouTube. 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!FREE 5 Minute Writer Weekly NewsletterArticlePaula's WebsiteConnect with Paula on TwitterConnect with David on Twitter3 BIG TAKEAWAYSWriting as a career - making that shift from writer to authorWhat she’s looking for as a literary agentHow to pitch your book/story to agentsEPISODE INFO:Last time on the interview series I talked to freelance writer, author, and ghostwriter, Paulette Perhach. She had so much information about how to be productive as a writer without overworking yourself.Today, we're talking about going from first draft to a query-ready manuscript. If you've been through the query gauntlet and want to make it through to the other side with an agent, you're going to love this interview!BIO:PAULA MUNIER is Senior Agent and Director of Storytelling and Content for Talcott Notch Literary and the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Mercy Carr mysteries. A Borrowing of Bones, the first in the series, was nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark Award and named the Dogwise Book of the Year. Blind Search also won a Dogwise Award. The Hiding Place appeared on both Lesa Holstine and Dru Ann Love's Best of 2021 Lists. THE WEDDING PLOT debuts in July 2022. Paula credits the hero dogs of Mission K9 Rescue, her own rescue dogs, and a deep love of New England as her series’ major influences. Paula has also written three popular books on writing: Plot Perfect, The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings, and Writing with Quiet Hands, as well as Happier Every Day and the memoir Fixing Freddie. She lives in New England with her family and Bear the Newfoundland-retriever rescue, Bliss the Great Pyrenees-Australian cattle dog rescue, pandemic puppy Blondie, a Malinois rescue (much like Elvis in her books), and Ursula The Cat, a rescue torbie tabby who does not think much of the dogs. 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!Writerly Lifestyle Free NewsletterArticlePaulette's WebsiteConnect with Paulette on TwitterConnect with David on Twitter3 BIG TAKEAWAYSFocusing too much on productivity can be...unproductiveWriting is a process and focus on the process instead of the results (especially rejections)Don’t be afraid of the business of writingEPISODE INFO:Last time on the interview series I talked to professional editor, Ericka Baldwin. She had so much information about how to find an editor, what to do when you're done with your first draft, and more! But today we're talking about productivity, what to look for in a routine, how to approach your day, how to handle rejection. Plus, what to think about if you're looking for a writing coach and more! Paulette Perhach is an amazing writer, coach, and all around hilarious human being. You're going to really love this interview!BIO:Paulette Perhach has been published in the New York Times, Vox, Elle, Slate, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Marie Claire, Yoga Journal, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Hobart, and Vice.She wrote a book called Welcome to the Writer's Life which was selected as one of Poets & Writers' Best Books for Writers. On her blog, she talks about writer’s craft, business, personal finance, and joy at welcometothewriterslife.com and leads meditation and writing sessions through A Very Important Meeting.She also works with writers as a coach to help them figure out how to build their writing careers. Learn more about her here. 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!Writerly Lifestyle Free NewsletterArticleEricka's WebsiteConnect with David on Twitter3 BIG TAKEAWAYSBefore looking for an editor, lay out your strengths and weaknesses so you know what kind of editor you need!What to look for in an editing relationshipHow to mentally prepare yourself for an editEPISODE INFO:Last time on the interview series I talked to debut author, Zulie Rane about how to grow your platform through Medium. I learned so much talking to her and it's definitely worth a listen whether or not you'r going to write on Medium. This interview really reminded me of the interview(s) I did with Chantelle Aimée Osman (Part I & Part II)BIO:Ericka loves storytelling! She is a professional editor, writer, and provides coaching for resumes, novels\books, cover letters, curriculum vitae, and website content for authors, business professionals, college graduates, networks, and publishing houses worldwide.She recently published 16 Copy-Editing Enhancements that will improve your writing, increase your novel’s readability, and boost the confidence it takes to become a Best Selling Authors. 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!Get Started on Medium!Writerly Lifestyle Free Newsletter5 Minute Writer - Sometimes all you have is 5 minutes...but it might be all you need!SEE INTERVIEW DETAILS:Interview articleHANG OUT WITH Zulie! WebsiteFollow Zulie on MediumHANG OUT WITH DAVID!Follow David on MediumConnect with David on Twitter3 BIG TAKEAWAYSHow fiction writers can use MediumOvercoming self-doubtBeing willing to try new forms of writingEPISODE INFO: Medium is a publishing platform where writers can get paid for their words. And my guest, Zulie Rane is one of the top writers there. But there's something very important about Zulie that might make you pay close attention to what she has to say. If you listened to my interview with Sinem Günel a few weeks ago, you'll know there's some pretty great earning potential through Medium's platform.But then I talked to Allison Buccola, a debut author, and I started thinking about how to merge these two writing careers. How can fiction writers improve their book sales using Medium? So if you write fiction, there's this really important added incentive to write on Medium, but before Zulie tells you how to maximize your bookselling potential, I'll tell you that special thing about Zulie: She wants to write fiction! So she's going to share what she would do to build a readership on Medium for our fiction work!Note: I sometimes use affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may receive compensation for promoting this content. I ONLY promote products and services I have direct experience with. In this instance, I am a Medium user and highly recommend the platform 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