Best Amwriting Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 475 Publishing Nerd Corner: How Audiobooks are Made 23:04

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1h ago23:04

23:04

Jess here. Sarina and I discuss audiobook narration this week and explain how narrators get hired, paid, and dish some inside baseball on audiobook production. Transcript Below! Your subscription = good podcast karma. Sign up now to support the Podcast! SPONSORSHIP MESSAGE Hey, listeners, did you know that we review first pages sent in by supporter…

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475: Ep 475 Publishing Nerd Corner: How Audiobooks are Made 23:04

1h ago23:04

23:04

Jess here. Sarina and I discuss audiobook narration this week and explain how narrators get hired, paid, and dish some inside baseball on audiobook production.By #AmWriting with Jess & KJ

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251 Iman Hariri-Kia | Contemporary Fiction and Romance Author 35:47

1h ago35:47

35:47

Contemporary fiction and romance author, Iman Hariri-Kia is here talking about how much fun she had writing her latest novel, 'Female Fantasy', the power of the romance genre, expressing different parts of herself through her different novels and her parents' reactions to reading her sex scenes. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episo…

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Shooting the Shit...Live from Hawaii! About turning down offers and how best to work with your literary agent. 24:59

6h ago24:59

24:59

CeCe’s in island mode, Carly’s snowed in—and the publishing chat is heating up. From lost luggage and red-eye flights to turning down book deals and navigating TV/film rights, this week’s episode covers it all. Plus: AI pitch letters (hard no!), why Harper Collins’ “bad quarter” matters, and a little optimism for the analog future of reading. ☀️ Bo…

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Mad Dog and the Sea Dragon with Lisa de Nikolits 27:31

12h ago27:31

27:31

Lisa de Nikolits is the award-winning author of twelve published novels. She has appeared on recommended reading lists for Open Book Toronto, 49th Shelf, Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Hello! Canada, the Quill & Quire, and most recently, the CBC’s 65 works of Canadian fiction to watch for in Fall 2022. Her book The Occult Persuasion and The Anarchist…

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Episode 499: The Post-Book Malaise is Real with Maggie Mertens 1:05:43

3h ago1:05:43

1:05:43

"You start to wonder was it all worth it? Or what's the point in trying to do it again? You know, if there's going to be more disappointment in the future. I think it is something that you know probably just changes as you go on, regardless, right? I want to get that second book under my belt so it's not all just on this one, this one baby, you kno…

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Murder, Metafiction, and Query Letter Mayhem 43:43

8h ago43:43

43:43

Carly and CeCe are back (with a little Blue Jays banter to start) to dive into two fresh query letters. In this episode, the hosts critique a historical novel featuring Shakespeare, conspiracies, and metafiction—but does the query overshare and under-pitch? Next up is a campus-set thriller with book clubs, murder, and female rage—great hook, but ar…

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The Rewriting Cycle - WN 170 23:34

4d ago23:34

23:34

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in an endless loop of edits, rewrites, and revisions, this episode is for you. We’ll explore how fear can sneak into our writing process via perfectionism, the difference between necessary and compulsive rewrites, and how to build gentle systems to finish your work and move forward with confidence. Thank you for …

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250 Ciara Finan | Literary Agent 29:11

8m ago29:11

29:11

Literary agent, Ciara Finan joins to chat about her journey through publishing, what she's looking for in query letters and agents becoming more pro-active and seeking out fiction writers online through social media and other content platforms. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 Fo…

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Shooting the Shit Live From LA! About Page to Screen and NaNoWriMo 40:04

7d ago40:04

40:04

Carly’s reporting live from Los Angeles and CeCe’s just back from a rom-com-gone-wrong trip to Ottawa (complete with flight chaos and airport bathroom glam). From bribing airline staff with books to rolling up to Netflix, the travel stories are top-tier comedy. Then they dive into Hollywood talk — what’s actually getting adapted from page to screen…

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474: How to Make a Big Move When You’re Stuck in the Muddy Middle 20:49

1h ago20:49

20:49

In this Write Big Session, Jennie and KJ dive into what it really means to “write big” when you’re deep in the messy middle of a novel. KJ shares how she’s tackling her new book by working backward from the ending—mapping out the emotional and plot arcs for each character to keep herself focused and out of the coffee-chat scenes she loves to write.…

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Ep 474: How to Make a Big Move When You’re Stuck in the Muddy Middle 20:49

2h ago20:49

20:49

In this Write Big Session, Jennie and KJ dive into what it really means to “write big” when you’re deep in the messy middle of a novel. KJ shares how she’s tackling her new book by working backward from the ending—mapping out the emotional and plot arcs for each character to keep herself focused and out of the coffee-chat scenes she loves to write.…

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Episode 498: Sasha Bonét on Not Holding Back 1:18:56

6d ago1:18:56

1:18:56

"I have this desire to write as a novelist might write but write nonfiction," says Sasha Bonét, the author of The Waterbearers: A Memoir of Mothers and Daughters (Knopf). Today we have the brilliant writer, the brilliant mind, Sasha Bonét, author of The Waterbearers: A Memoir of Mothers and Daughters. This book is a masterpiece that chronicles the …

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473: How Writing Big Shows Up on the Page (Ep 3) 11:58

1h ago11:58

11:58

In this #amwriting podcast episode, Jennie Nash talks about what it means to “play big” on the page. Using Ian McEwan’s choice to write his latest novel without research as an example, she shows how true impact comes when a writer fully owns their story and brings it to life with depth and intention. She encourages listeners to think about their ow…

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How Writing Big Shows Up on the Page 11:59

4d ago11:59

11:59

In this #amwriting podcast episode, Jennie Nash talks about what it means to “play big” on the page. Using Ian McEwan’s choice to write his latest novel without research as an example, she shows how true impact comes when a writer fully owns their story and brings it to life with depth and intention. She encourages listeners to think about their ow…

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Success after 800 Rejections! 29:22

8d ago29:22

29:22

Author and agent Jenna Satterthwaite joins Bianca to talk about her new thriller ‘The New Year’s Party’, a murder mystery packed with secrets, friendship, and chaos. Jenna opens up about her 800+ rejections, writing through grief, finding joy in storytelling, and why she’s radically transparent about money and publishing. Tune in for real talk abou…

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249 Nina Millns | Author, Playwright, Screenwriter and Audio Writer 32:56

3d ago32:56

32:56

Author, screenwriter and playwright, Nina Millns joins us this week to chat about writing across different disciplines, working with the Dr Who team, finding her agent and then losing her and ultimately reconnecting with her, and our shared love of Ursula K. Le Guin. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead…

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Shooting the Shit About Winning Author Mindsets and Agent Submission Timelines 43:37

14d ago43:37

43:37

They are back! CeCe’s in Ottawa, Carly’s in LA — but the tea is still hot! They break down Q3 book sales (romance + thrillers took a hit), talk timing for submissions, decode what agent feedback really means, and dive into the “good news comes fast” myth. Plus: AI scam alerts and why rejection is just part of the game. Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary…

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Episode 497: The Seduction of Art Thievery with Jack Rodolico 1:06:17

6d ago1:06:17

1:06:17

"I kinda hate it when people say writing is fun," says Jack Rodolico, author The Atavist original "The Blue Book Burglar." Today we feature Jack Rodolico, who is a bit of an audio maven, but he comes to us hot off the Atavist presses to talk about "The Blue Book Burglar: The Social Register was a who’s who of America’s rich and powerful— the heirs …

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Ep 472 Publishing Nerd Corner: Earning Out 19:17

7d ago19:17

19:17

Hey all, Jess here. Sarina and I both love these episodes where we, two certified nerds, get to hang out with likeminded individuals and dish. This week, we are going to talk about one of Jess’ most niggling worries: what does it mean to a publisher and an author to “earn out” a book advance and what does it mean to both if that never happens? Tran…

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472: Ep 472 Publishing Nerd Corner: Earning Out 19:16

14d ago19:16

19:16

Sarina and I both love these episodes where we, two certified nerds, get to hang out with likeminded individuals and dish. This week, we are going to talk about one of Jess’ most niggling worries: what does it mean to a publisher and an author to “earn out” a book advance and what does it mean to both if that never happens?…

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When Reality TV Meets Cli-Fi: Hooks, Depth, and the Dreaded Coincidence 48:31

18d ago48:31

48:31

In this episode of Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe hold down the fort while Bianca is away—and things get delightfully silly. The duo dig into two very different query letters. First up, a reality-TV-inspired contemporary romance about a bisexual woman who falls for siblings on a dating show. Carly and CeCe discuss the strength of the hook, the pi…

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248 Olivie Blake | International Bestselling Fiction Author 35:36

14d ago35:36

35:36

NYT and Sunday Times bestseller Olivie Blake joins us this week to chat about her new book "Girl Dinner", her writing process, how she went self-publishing to traditional publishing and her upcoming graphic novel with illustrator, Little Chmura. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 F…

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October Bonus Episode 27:06

18d ago27:06

27:06

In this month’s bonus episode, award-winning author Amber McBride joins Bianca to talk about ‘The Leaving Room’ — a YA novel in verse that unfolds entirely in the space between life and death. Amber opens up about losing and reclaiming her voice, the power of poetry to hold emotion, and what it means to write from the liminal spaces of grief and lo…

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Episode 496: Jeff Pearlman Finds the Little Guys 1:07:33

21d ago1:07:33

1:07:33

“So much misery. It is so much misery. It is so hard. It's not natural, locking yourself in your room for three years to focus on one person is not mentally healthy. Leigh Montville, great, great writer, said to me years ago, he's like, ‘It's an unnatural thing. You spend two years in a hole to come out for two weeks, you know?’” — Jeff Pearlman, a…

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How to Make a Quiet Novel Roar 27:19

14d ago27:19

27:19

You kids I can’t even with Catherine Newman right now because I am a Wreck and a Sandwich myself at the moment but wow, she’s a good writer, so honest it’s like there’s no skull between her mind and the readers. We talk about what it means to use yourself and your world in your fiction and what it’s meant to Catherine to play as big as she possibly…

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471: How to Make a Quiet Novel Roar 27:19

16d ago27:19

27:19

You kids I can’t even with Catherine Newman right now because I am a Wreck and a Sandwich myself at the moment but wow, she’s a good writer, so honest it’s like there’s no skull between her mind and the readers. We talk about what it means to use yourself and your world in your fiction and what it’s meant to Catherine to play as big as she possibly…

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For The Love of Writing 27:21

15d ago27:21

27:21

This week on the podcast (listen to it here or watch it on YouTube!), Bianca interviews Hannah Mary McKinnon about her latest thriller, A Killer Motive. They delve into the intricacies of character development, the importance of collaboration in the writing process, and the challenges authors face in the ever-evolving landscape of publishing. Hanna…

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247 Alis Hawkins & Emma Corfield Walters | Crime/Mystery Author alongside an Independent Bookshop Owner 31:47

23d ago31:47

31:47

Crime and mystery novelist, Alis Hawkins is here alongside her good friend Emma Corfield Walters who co-founded, owns and runs Book-ish, an independent bookshop in Crickhowell (and now also Abergavenny). We had a great chat about how Alis and Emma got to where they are and the value of booksellers and authors knowing each other on a personal level.…

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Shooting the Shit: About publishing’s ghosting problem and when sales are “not good” 28:25

28d ago28:25

28:25

It’s Fall in publishing — which means colds, caffeine, and chaos. Carly and CeCe catch up after a whirlwind few weeks to unpack two hot topics from listener DMs: what to do if your agent ghosts you, and what editors really mean when they say “sales aren’t good.” They also get into whether publishing is truly a “retail business,” how to handle AALA …

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The Roots Run Deep with CM Forest 16:05

18d ago16:05

16:05

C. M. Forest, also known as Christian Laforet, is the author of multiple projects including the 2023 Benjamin Franklin silver award winning novel Infested (Eerie River Publishing), and the novella, We All Fall Before the Harvest (Timber Ghost Press.) and the upcoming (Sept. 2024) short story collection, The Roots Run Deep and Other Stories (Eerie R…

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How Writers Play Small Without Even Realizing It (Ep 2) 7:59

28d ago7:59

7:59

In this episode, Jennie digs into the sneaky ways writers “play small”—circling endlessly around an idea, polishing the same chapters, getting lost in research, or waiting for perfect timing instead of taking real action. With stories from her years as a book coach, including one writer who finally broke free from years of fear and went on to becom…

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The Bold Shift That Changes Everything (Ep 1) 12:51

24d ago12:51

12:51

In this episode of the Write Big series, Jennie unpacks what it really means to “write big”—not chasing bestseller lists or movie deals, but making the bold internal shifts that bring your truest work to the page. Through stories of writers daring to name their ambition, rebuild drafts, honor personal truths, and even reimagine entire projects, Jen…

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The Bold Shift That Changes Everything (Ep 1) 12:50

20d ago12:50

12:50

In this episode of the Write Big series, Jennie unpacks what it really means to “write big”—not chasing bestseller lists or movie deals, but making the bold internal shifts that bring your truest work to the page. Through stories of writers daring to name their ambition, rebuild drafts, honor personal truths, and even reimagine entire projects, Jen…

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Episode 495: On Being Merciless with Peter Rubin of Longreads 1:09:15

29d ago1:09:15

1:09:15

"When I came in [to Longreads], I didn't come in and say, I think we need to grow aggressively. I said, 'Let's figure out who we are. Let's figure out what other people aren't doing, that we do , and that we can do better.' And so the only real thing that changed when I first came in was to try to make the editors known quantities," says Peter Rubi…

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Write Big: Welcome to the Write Big Sessions (Ep 0) 8:28

26d ago8:28

8:28

Jennie kicks off the new Write Big series with a conversation about what it really means to stop playing small in your writing life. If you’ve ever felt the tug to bring more of yourself to the page—or wondered why your words aren’t landing the way you want—this episode will spark reflection and give you permission to choose courage, clarity, and c…

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470: Write Big: Welcome to the Write Big Sessions (Ep 0) 8:27

21d ago8:27

8:27

Jennie kicks off the new Write Big series with a conversation about what it really means to stop playing small in your writing life. If you’ve ever felt the tug to bring more of yourself to the page—or wondered why your words aren’t landing the way you want—this episode will spark reflection and give you permission to choose courage, clarity, and c…

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Balancing Emotional Depth and Action In Your Story 44:38

30d ago44:38

44:38

In this episode of Books with Hooks, author Judith Jaeger puts her query letter for ‘The Family We Choose’ in the spotlight. Carly and CeCe dig into what makes a query stand out—clear plot points, layered characters, and that all-important balance between heart and momentum.They offer practical feedback on sharpening present-day stakes and tighteni…

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246 Becky Thomas | Literary Agent and Founder of Lewinsohn Literary Agency 23:14

1M ago23:14

23:14

Literary agent, Becky Thomas is here, talking about how she became a literary agent, her experiences in the industry and founding her own agency. We also get into lots of advice for querying agents and some of the early impacts of AI on publishing. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. …

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Shooting the Shit: About digital first book deals and negative experiences with writers' contests. 34:25

1M ago34:25

34:25

In this episode, Carly and CeCe spill all on their latest conference adventures, dive into the fast-changing world of digital-first publishing, and tackle the tricky art of managing client expectations. They get real about ethics in the industry, read some juicy listener DMs, and share why communication is everything in this competitive publishing …

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Episode 494: Co-Writing a Memoir, Becoming a Publisher, and Finding the Passion with Jeremy X. Wagner 1:17:34

1M ago1:17:34

1:17:34

"As a reader, if I were a fan reading this book, I want the good, the bad and the ugly. I want you to rip the band aid off and tell the truth. Because, from my from my experience, I've read a lot of memoirs that are super boring and just fluff," says Jeremy X. Wagner, co-author of Curtis Duffy's Fireproof: Memoir of a Chef (Dead Sky Publishing). We…

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469: On Interviewing Kids 37:33

1M ago37:33

37:33

Kate Rope’s new book, Strong as a Girl is not only well-written and thoroughly researched, it includes the voices of so many girls and young women. In this week’s episode, Jess talks with Kate about how she managed to secure interviews with these girls, get permission to use their voices, and manage the paperwork around all those releases. Find Kat…

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On Interviewing Kids 37:33

28d ago37:33

37:33

Kate Rope’s new book, Strong as a Girl is not only well-written and thoroughly researched, it includes the voices of so many girls and young women. In this week’s episode, Jess talks with Kate about how she managed to secure interviews with these girls, get permission to use their voices, and manage the paperwork around all those releases. Find Kat…