Best Manuscript Development Podcasts (2025)

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Nancy Shear - I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms 28:10

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5h ago28:10

28:10

Ever meet someone who didn’t just witness history—but lived right in the middle of it? That’s Nancy Shear. For more than twenty years, Nancy was woven into the fabric of America’s classical music world—an orchestra librarian, broadcaster, and behind-the-scenes insider who worked shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the greatest musical minds of the tw…

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Mark Peres - The Accord 22:20

18h ago22:20

22:20

What happens when intelligence that isn’t human demands recognition? 🤖 In The Accord, author Mark Peres explores grief, love, and the blurred lines between human and machine through the bond between a professor and her sentient AI. Join us as we talk with Mark about the ethics, emotion, and humanity at the heart of his powerful debut. #TheAccord #M…

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#218. How to Find & Work With Beta Readers to Improve Your Manuscript 25:50

4d ago25:50

25:50

Learn how to work with beta readers in a grounded, calm way so feedback feels useful, not overwhelming. You're nearing the finish line of your first draft, or maybe you've just crossed it. Either way, the question is the same… what happens next? Should you send it to friends? Hire an editor? Bury it in a drawer? Everyone keeps mentioning “beta read…

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James Elwick, "Making a Grade: Victorian Examinations and the Rise of Standardized Testing" (U Toronto Press, 2025) 1:03:06

4d ago1:03:06

1:03:06

Making a Grade: Victorian Examinations and the Rise of Standardized Testing (U Toronto Press, 2025) takes historiographic and sociological perspectives developed to understand large-scale scientific and technical systems and uses them to highlight the standardization that went into "standardized testing." Starting in the 1850s achievement tests bec…

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Writing a Complex Mystery Novel with Bianca Marais 21:09

8d ago21:09

21:09

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 t…

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Gil Gillenwater - Hope on the Border 26:38

9d ago26:38

26:38

Meet Gil Gillenwater — real-estate guy, Harley fan, and founder of Rancho Feliz. For 40 years he’s helped families along the U.S.–Mexico border with one surprising motto: Helping others should be fun. His new book, Hope on the Border, shows how “reciprocal giving” restores dignity — we feed their stomachs, they feed our souls. Gil calls it enlighte…

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Diane Ravitch, "An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else" (Columbia UP, 2025) 1:02:58

11d ago1:02:58

1:02:58

For many years, Diane Ravitch was among the country’s leading conservative thinkers on education. The cure for what ailed the school system was clear, she believed: high-stakes standardized testing, national standards, accountability, competition, charters, and vouchers. Then Ravitch saw what happened when these ideas were put into practice and rec…

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#217. Save the Cat! Writes Horror: How to Write Truly Terrifying Stories With Jamie Nash 47:12

11d ago47:12

47:12

Ever wonder why some horror stories linger in your mind long after the lights go out? Jamie Nash reveals how structure (not jump scares or gore) creates true terror. In this episode, I’m joined by Jamie Nash, screenwriter and author of Save the Cat! Writes Horror, the ultimate guide to creating “Monster in the House” stories that keep readers up at…

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Tim Beasley-Murray, "Critical Games: On Play and Seriousness in Academia, Literature and Life" (Manchester UP, 2025) 42:00

12d ago42:00

42:00

Which parts of life are serious, and which are a game? In Critical Games: On Play and Seriousness in Academia, Literature and Life (Manchester UP, 2025) Tim Beasley-Murray, an Associate Professor of European Thought and Culture and Vice-Dean (Innovation and Enterprise) for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at University College London, offers a se…

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C.B. Wilson - The Fire Diamond 15:49

13d ago15:49

15:49

What happens when a gemologist writes a thriller? You get "The Fire Diamond"! We chat with author C.B. Wilson about her new book, the high-stakes world of jewel thieves, and her "diamond detective" protagonist.By Terry Shepherd

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Matthew D. Nelsen, "The Color of Civics: Civic Education for a Multiracial Democracy" (Oxford UP, 2023) 47:18

14d ago47:18

47:18

Matthew D. Nelsen, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Miami, has a new book out that focuses on the content of civic education in the United States, and how we learn about the diverse and varied history of the United States. There is an ongoing and contemporary conversation about civic education in the United States, a…

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Kate McDowell, "Critical Data Storytelling for Libraries: Crafting Ethical Narratives for Advocacy and Impact" (ALA, 2025) 53:06

14d ago53:06

53:06

In today’s polarized landscape, libraries face two key challenges: the difficulty of turning raw data into narratives that effectively advocate for libraries, and the ethical complexities of representing communities in these stories. In Critical Data Storytelling for Libraries: Crafting Ethical Narratives for Advocacy and Impact (ALA, 2025), Kate M…

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How to Write a Thriller that Gets Attention: Character and Plot Advice from Chevy Stevens 31:16

16d ago31:16

31:16

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 hel…

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#216. Story Structure: The 5 Scenes Every Story Needs (With Kristina Stanley) 46:57

18d ago46:57

46:57

Learn the five key plot points that turn struggling manuscripts into finished novels—and exactly where they need to appear in your story structure. Have you ever felt like your story just isn't clicking, no matter how much effort you've put into it? Maybe you've polished your prose, developed your characters, and built an intriguing world—but somet…

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Developing Better Plots Using a Character-Driven Approach with Daniel David Wallace 27:36

23d ago27:36

27:36

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…

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#215. How to Write a Prologue Readers Won’t Skip (& When to Start at Chapter One Instead) 18:57

25d ago18:57

18:57

Should you include a prologue or skip it? Here's how to make the right choice for your novel. Prologues are one of the most debated topics in fiction. Some literary agents warn against them, some readers skip them altogether, and yet many of the most beloved bestselling novels begin with one. The real question is this: Does your story need a prolog…

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Traci Abramson - Victim #8 19:42

1M ago19:42

19:42

Former CIA officer Traci Hunter Abramson trades classified briefings for bestselling novels, written with the kind of authenticity only experience can give. We talk about her latest, Victim #8, how a layover in Istanbul sparked a story, and why her years in the Agency still shape every page.By Terry Shepherd

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How to Write Thrillers That Actually Matter with Aaron Philip Clark 32:31

30d ago32:31

32:31

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 pace why he…

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Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers 54:04

29d ago54:04

54:04

Developmental editing holds the power to make a manuscript connect with publishers and readers, yet few scholarly writers have the training to do it well. Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers (Princeton UP, 2025) offers scholars a practical method for assessing and refining the features of their texts th…

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What is Free Speech with Fara Dabhoiwala 1:09:38

29d ago1:09:38

1:09:38

The speech debates have not abated, and it’s clear that invoking the First Amendment, and the importance of free speech for democracy, does not settle these debates but provokes more questions. We have lost our way, it seems, since people on all sides invoke free speech and then try to silence those they disagree with. Historian Fara Dabhoiwala of …

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#214. Subverting the Mainstream Lens: Writing Stories That Stay True to Your People (With Tiffany Grimes) 35:37

1M ago35:37

35:37

Learn how to write authentic, diverse characters without over-explaining or fearing criticism. Writing diverse characters can feel intimidating. You want to include different voices in your story, but worry about misrepresenting them. This leads many writers to either avoid diversity altogether or fall into the trap of over-explaining everything fo…

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Raymond E. Foster - Chasing the Surge 22:01

1M ago22:01

22:01

By Terry Shepherd

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Michael Fernandez and Amauri Serrano, "Streaming Video Collection Development and Management" (Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited, 2025) 47:03

1M ago47:03

47:03

Streaming video is not new to the library environment, but recent years have seen an exponential growth in the number of platforms and titles available for streaming. For libraries, this has meant an increasingly complex acquisitions landscape, with more vendors occupying the marketplace and larger portions of the budget dedicated to streaming. Use…

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Deepa Das Acevedo, "The War on Tenure" (Cambridge UP, 2025) 1:02:47

1M ago1:02:47

1:02:47

As academia increasingly comes under attack in the United States, The War on Tenure (Cambridge UP, 2025) steps in to demystify what professors do and to explain the importance of tenure for their work. Deepa Das Acevedo takes readers on a backstage tour of tenure-stream academia to reveal hidden dynamics and obstacles. She challenges the common bel…

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Leading Toward Liberation: How to Build Cultures of Thriving in Higher Education 52:26

1M ago52:26

52:26

In Leading Toward Liberation: How to Build Cultures of Thriving in Higher Education (JHU Press, 2025), Dr. Annmarie Caño reimagines academic leadership as a practice rooted in liberation and equity. Drawing on her experiences as a Latina, first-generation college student, clinical psychologist, and higher education administrator, Caño shows how lea…

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146 How to turn 'wasted' drafts and subverted tropes into your writing superpower with Charlene Wang 14:49

1M ago14:49

14:49

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 abo…

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#213. 5 Expert Tips To Edit Your Messy First Draft Without The Overwhelm 28:23

1M ago28:23

28:23

Five book coaches reveal the editing secrets that turn messy first drafts into ready-to-publish manuscripts. Finishing a first draft is an incredible milestone, but what comes next can feel overwhelming. If you're staring at your messy pages and wondering how to even begin editing, you're not alone. The good news is that there is a way to move forw…

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Heather Ogden - The Betrayal 17:12

1M ago17:12

17:12

In a world where loyalty can be the sharpest weapon and truth itself is treason, debut novelist Heather Ogden invites us into the haunting depths of her new dystopian fantasy, The Betrayal—the first in The Lies We Fear series. With a passion for fantasy and magical realism, Heather has crafted a story that blends mysterious magic, hidden truths, an…

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145 The View from the Slush Pile: A Literary Agent's Fresh Take on What Works with Tommy Dean 20:19

1M ago20:19

20:19

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…

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Stephen K. Postema - Running Around Town 26:42

1M ago26:42

26:42

Stephen Postema started running in Kindergarten. His strides through Ann Arbor, Michigan in the 60s and 70s became a metaphor for a city and nation in evolution.By Terry Shepherd

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#212. 5 Ways Writers Can Use AI to Help With Book Marketing 18:29

2M ago18:29

18:29

You’ve poured your heart into writing your book, but now you’re staring down the next challenge: how do you actually get it into readers’ hands? Marketing your book can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. With the right tools—like AI—you can turn it into a streamlined, even fun, part of your creative process. In this episode, I’m breaking…

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Sam Daley-Harris - Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy 28:01

2M ago28:01

28:01

Sam Daley-Harris has updated and expanded his classic work, Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy. And it's become a playbook for positive change. Get the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Reclaiming-Our-Democracy-Citizens-Transformational/dp/1953943381By Terry Shepherd

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Debaditya Bhattacharya, "The Indian University: A Critical History" (Orient BlackSwan, 2025) 58:45

2M ago58:45

58:45

Is there such a thing as an ‘Indian university’? Is there an ‘idea’ of an Indian university? Were universities in India living and breathing products of the soil, or were they conceptual imports from a colonial heritage? What is the relationship between universities in India and the ‘publics’ that have inhabited or are alienated by them? More point…

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M.A. in Yoga Studies with Christopher Chapple 37:35

2M ago37:35

37:35

Dr. Christopher Chapple, founder of Loyola Marymount University’s pioneering M.A. in Yoga Studies, joins us to discuss how the program blends rigorous scholarship with embodied practice. We explore its study of Sanskrit, classical texts, philosophy, and modern applications, as well as its flexible residential and low-residency formats. Hear how thi…

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Charles Philipp Martin - Rented Grave 18:06

2M ago18:06

18:06

Charles Philipp Martin's Rented Grave, re-introduces Inspector Herman Lok, delving deep into the underbelly of Hong Kong, a city caught between modern ambition and the haunting legacy of Mao’s Cultural Revolution.By Terry Shepherd

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Alisha Karabinus et al. eds., "Historiographies of Game Studies: What It Has Been, What It Could Be" (Punctum Books, 2025) 27:01

2M ago27:01

27:01

Historiographies of Game Studies: What It Has Been, What It Could Be (Punctum Books, 2025) offers a first-of-its-kind reflection on how game studies as an academic field has been shaped and sustained. Today, game studies is a thriving field with many dedicated national and international conferences, journals, professional societies, and a strong pr…

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Sharon Eubank - Doing Small Things With Great Love 25:09

2M ago25:09

25:09

Drawing from decades of experience in global humanitarian service, Sharon Eubank offers a wisdom-packed guide on how to enact impactful aid in the world through actions you can initiate in your own backyard.By Terry Shepherd

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What Editors Really Want Right Now with Chantelle Aimée Osman, Who Provides a Sneak Peek Inside Simon & Schuster's Newest Imprint 27:39

2M ago27:39

27:39

Send me a Text Message! You’re going to love this exclusive conversation with Chantelle Aimée Osman, Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster's new imprint, Simon Maverick. Chantelle reveals how the publishing industry is evolving to meet indie and hybrid authors where they are. And why audio is becoming the new frontier that could transform your writing …

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#211. How to Write Romantasy Power Couples Readers Obsess Over With Jenna Moreci 35:25

2M ago35:25

35:25

Want to write a Romantasy that readers obsess over? Here’s how to deliver the tropes, intimacy, and magic readers crave. Romantasy is everywhere right now, and for good reason—it’s the perfect mix of swoony romance, epic fantasy, and unforgettable characters. But if you’ve ever thought, “How do I even start writing Romantasy?” you’re not alone. Wit…

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Stacy Bass - Lightkeeper 27:40

2M ago27:40

27:40

Stacy Bass delivers a transformative story of grief, offers a new way into resilience, and illustrates how photographs can be portals to the stories, moments, and love that loss cannot diminish.By Terry Shepherd

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Designing and Facilitating Workshops with Intentionality 47:49

2M ago47:49

47:49

Designing and Facilitating Workshops with Intentionality offers practical guidance, tools, and resources to assist practitioners in creating effective, engaging workshops for adult learners. Drawing from three key learning frameworks and the author’s considerable expertise in facilitating workshops across both educational and corporate settings, th…

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Why Your Perfect Manuscript Isn't Enough And What to Do About It with Author Tamara Miller 16:57

2M ago16:57

16:57

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 …

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#210. 5 Tips For Writing A Multiple POV Novel Without Confusing Your Readers 11:55

2M ago11:55

11:55

Discover the five essential strategies for mastering multiple-POV novels without confusing your readers. Have you ever wondered if you could write a multi-POV story like The Girl on the Train? Or how about The Six of Crows? The kind that pulls you into multiple characters' worlds so completely that you feel like you know each one personally? Writin…

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Tim Kirk - All His Damned Mother's Sons 26:37

2M ago26:37

26:37

What if Elvis died while serving in the Army? Who might emerge to try and replace the young, still emerging superstar? Tim Kirk discusses how his Hollywood screen chops influenced a tightly plotted story of four men Elvis' age who were influenced by what few realized in this altered timeline was a seismic event.…

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Stephanie K. Kim, "Constructing Student Mobility: How Universities Recruit Students and Shape Pathways between Berkeley and Seoul" (MIT Press, 2023) 53:07

2M ago53:07

53:07

Constructing Student Mobility: How Universities Recruit Students and Shape Pathways between Berkeley and Seoul (MIT Press, 2023) challenges the popular image of the international student in the American imagination, an image of affluence, access, and privilege. In this provocative book, higher education scholar Stephanie Kim argues that universitie…

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Christopher Willard et al., "College Mental Health 101: A Guide for Students, Parents, and Professionals" (Oxford UP, 2025) 45:11

2M ago45:11

45:11

With a growing number of students entering college with an existing mental health diagnosis, College Mental Health 101: A Guide for Students, Parents, and Professionals (Oxford UP, 2025) offers hope and clear direction to those struggling with mental illness. There is an undeniable mental health crisis on campuses these days. More students are anxi…

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Sarah McLaughlin, "Authoritarians in the Academy: How the Internationalization of Higher Education and Borderless Censorship Threaten Free Speech" (Johns Hopkins UP, 2025) 41:51

2M ago41:51

41:51

In an era of globalized education, where ideals of freedom and inquiry should thrive, an alarming trend has emerged: foreign authoritarian regimes infiltrating American academia. In Authoritarians in the Academy, Sarah McLaughlin exposes how higher education institutions, long considered bastions of free thought, are compromising their values for f…

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Who Needs College Anymore: Imagining A Future Where Degrees Don’t Matter 51:42

2M ago51:42

51:42

In this optimistic yet practical assessment of how postsecondary education can evolve to meet the needs of next-generation learners, Kathleen deLaski reimagines what higher education might offer and whom it should serve. In the wake of declining enrollment and declining confidence in the value of a college degree, she urges a mindset shift regardin…

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Literary Agent Lori Galvin Talks Going From Query to Deal: What Agents Need to See Before They Sign You 22:13

2M ago22:13

22:13

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 ever…