Best Manuscript Development Podcasts (2025)

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#225. Student Spotlight: From Zero Drafts to Dream Agent While Raising 4 Kids With Madi Unruh 40:41

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2d ago40:41

40:41

Learn how a busy parent finished a novel by following a clear roadmap that made it possible to pause, return, and keep moving forward. Between raising four kids, navigating pregnancy and newborn life, and juggling everything that comes with being a busy parent, Madi didn't exactly have ideal writing conditions. And yet, she finished her novel. In t…

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Suzette van Haaren, "The Digital Medieval Manuscript: Material Approaches to Digital Codicology" (Brill, 2025) 50:46

3d ago50:46

50:46

We increasingly encounter medieval books as digital facsimiles—zooming in on high-resolution images, clicking through virtual pages, or engaging with interactive displays. But what actually happens when a parchment manuscript is translated into a digital object? How does this change affect our understanding of cultural heritage? In The Digital Medi…

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Suzette van Haaren, "The Digital Medieval Manuscript: Material Approaches to Digital Codicology" (Brill, 2025) 50:46

3d ago50:46

50:46

We increasingly encounter medieval books as digital facsimiles—zooming in on high-resolution images, clicking through virtual pages, or engaging with interactive displays. But what actually happens when a parchment manuscript is translated into a digital object? How does this change affect our understanding of cultural heritage? In The Digital Medi…

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Amanda Nichols Hess, "Information Literacy and Critical Thinking: Using Perspective Transformation to Break Information Bubbles" (ALA, 2025) 58:16

4d ago58:16

58:16

Higher education is about transformation: research shows that the most well-prepared graduates are those who have experienced changes in how they think about and experience the world around them. Combined with flexible information-seeking and evaluation skills, learning ways to break information bubbles is essential for dealing with today's challen…

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Gian Piero Persiani, "Poets, Patrons, and the Public: Poetry as Cultural Phenomenon in Courtly Japan" (Brill, 2025) 33:47

6d ago33:47

33:47

Waka poetry was all the rage in tenth-century, courtly Japan. Every educated person composed it, emperors and consorts sponsored it, and societal interest in it was at an all-time high. Poets, Patrons, and the Public: Poetry as Cultural Phenomenon in Courtly Japan (Brill, 2025) offers an unprecedentedly broad and vivid portrayal of this season of l…

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Alexandra Ghiț, "Welfare Work Without Welfare: Women and Austerity in Interwar Bucharest" (De Gruyter Oldenbourg, 2025) 44:15

7d ago44:15

44:15

Welfare Work Without Welfare: Women and Austerity in Interwar Bucharest (De Gruyter Oldenbourg, 2025) argues that women activists, wage workers, and homemakers in the Romanian capital Bucharest became de facto social workers in the interwar period through their "austerity welfare work". Revealing links and tensions between the performers of differe…

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Bonus: From Overwhelmed to Outlining: How 3 Writers Finally Started Their Novels 16:08

7d ago16:08

16:08

What if the reason you haven't started writing your novel has nothing to do with how much you know? “I’m not ready yet” is one of the most common things I hear from writers. And on the surface, it makes sense. You want to feel prepared before starting something as big as writing a novel. But not feeling ready usually has very little to do with know…

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Daniel K. Falk and Rodney A. Werline, "Prayer in the Ancient World Vol.1" (Brill, 2027) 35:14

8d ago35:14

35:14

Prayer in the Ancient World is the resource on prayer in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean. With over 350 entries it showcases a robust selection of the range of different types of prayers attested from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, the Levant, early Judaism and Christianity, Greece, Rome, Arabia, and Iran, enhanced by critical commentary. Th…

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Ryan Steck and Simon Gervais - The Second Son 21:11

8d ago21:11

21:11

The thriller genre has a new dynamic duo. In our latest episode, we sit down with Ryan Steck and Simon Gervais to discuss their debut collaboration, The Second Son. They call it "The Vintage of Collaboration." Despite writing from a distance and having opposite backgrounds—Simon is an ex-RCMP officer, Ryan is a renowned critic—they’ve created a sea…

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#224. The Truth About Writing Faster: It's Not What You Think 15:39

9d ago15:39

15:39

Unlock the clarity you need to write smoothly, avoid constant restarts, and finish a stronger first draft in less time. If you've ever tried to draft quickly and ended up with pages that feel unsalvageable, this episode will help you understand why that happens and what to do instead. You'll learn what makes fast drafting possible, how clarity spee…

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James A. Jacobs and James R. Jacobs, "Preserving Government Information: Past, Present, and Future" (Freegovinfo Press, 2025) 1:07:38

14d ago1:07:38

1:07:38

We're pleased to welcome James A. Jacobs and James R. Jacobs, authors of Preserving Government Information: Past, Present, and Future (FreeGovInfo Press, 2025), to the New Books Network. In this book, Jacobs and Jacobs introduce the different US federal institutions tasked with managing and preserving government information in a range of media form…

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#223. Permission to Start: How to Move Past ‘Not Ready Yet’ and Finish Your Novel 14:58

16d ago14:58

14:58

Discover why “I’m not ready yet” is a fear-driven mindset and learn how to take small, confident steps that move your novel forward. So many writers get trapped in the feeling that they need more time, more research, or more clarity before they can truly start their first draft. And on the surface, that sounds reasonable. But most of the time, “I’m…

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J.D. Sargan, "Trans Histories of the Medieval Book: An Experiment in Bibliography" (Arc Humanities Press, 2025) 58:04

18d ago58:04

58:04

Archival collections are political spaces: the decisions that govern whose histories are preserved, when, and by whom are not neutral. They reflect the communities that make them. For most of western history queer, trans, and gender non-conforming people were excluded from such communities. Premodern trans experiences went largely unreported and re…

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Ep.149 | BONUS | Taking Consistent Action for God's Glory with Becca Yager 21:50

23d ago21:50

21:50

How consistent is your writing schedule right now? Do you feel guilty if you aren't writing for an hour (or more) every day? It's easy to compare ourselves with others but the reality is we all have different schedules and commitments. If you're struggling to write more often, you'll be encouraged by my guest Becca Yager as she shares her writing a…

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Anna Nyburg and Charmian Brinson eds., "Refugees from Nazism to Britain in Trade, Industry, and Engineering" (Brill, 2025) 36:13

23d ago36:13

36:13

Refugees from Nazism to Britain in Trade, Industry, and Engineering (Brill, 2025) is a book in German Studies that explores the intricacies and impacts of refugees on British industry and engineering, through which new technology, business ideas, and strategies were imported to Britain. The book has fifteen chapters, detailing individual stories of…

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#222. 3 Mindset Shifts Every Writer Needs to Finish Their Novel 24:10

23d ago24:10

24:10

Discover the mindset shifts to break out of analysis paralysis, choose progress over perfection, and build your novel layer by layer until it's complete. Feeling stuck writing your novel? You're not alone. Most writers think they're struggling because they don't have enough time, talent, or discipline. But more often than not, the real issue is act…

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Nancy Cole Silverman - A Spy in Saigon 22:05

24d ago22:05

22:05

We dive into the shadows of 1970s Vietnam with author Nancy Cole Silverman and her electrifying new Kat Lawson Mystery, A Spy in Saigon. Kat’s “simple” assignment to write a travel piece and make a covert drop goes off the rails fast, thrusting her into a deadly web of secrets, double agents, and trafficked children who desperately need her help.…

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The Library of Lost Maps: An Archive of a World in Progress 57:58

24d ago57:58

57:58

At the heart of University College London lies a long-forgotten map library packed with thousands of maps and atlases. Professor James Cheshire stumbled upon it, and spent three years sifting through hundreds of dusty drawers to see what was there. He was stunned to uncover some of the most significant maps and atlases from the last two centuries -…

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Michelle Yang - Phoenix Girl 29:56

27d ago29:56

29:56

From the outside, Michelle Yang’s life might look like a familiar immigrant success story—but her new memoir, Phoenix Girl, reveals something far more powerful and complex. When her family left their tight-knit Chinese community in South Korea and arrived in America, the promise of freedom quickly tangled with a domineering father, a silenced mothe…

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Carolyn Larkin Taylor - Whispers of the Mind, a Neurologist’s Memoir 26:58

29d ago26:58

26:58

Dr. Carolyn Larkin Taylor is a neurologist with decades of experience, and now, she's turning her stethoscope inward in a powerful new memoir, Whispers of the Mind. Through a series of deeply personal essays, Dr. Taylor takes us behind hospital doors and into the moments that defined her—from the crushing task of declaring a teenage boy brain dead,…

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Dr. Marissa Toussaint - Flambeau Kitchen 17:40

30d ago17:40

17:40

Ever feel like eating healthy means giving up the foods you grew up with? Dr. Marissa Toussaint says you don’t have to choose. Her new book Flambeau Kitchen blends Caribbean heritage with real, sustainable wellness—70+ recipes, practical tools, and guidance for conditions like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Today we talk with her about ho…

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Judith M. Lieu "Explorations in the Second Century: Texts, Groups, Ideas, Voices" (Brill, 2025) 43:39

1M ago43:39

43:39

As allegiance to Jesus Christ spread across the Roman Empire in the second century, writings, practices, and ideas erupted in a creative maelstrom. Many of the patterns of practice and belief that later become normative emerged, in the midst of debate and argument with neighbours who shared or who rejected that allegiance. Authoritative texts, prin…

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#221. 5 Line Editing Tips to Make Your Prose Shine 25:40

1M ago25:40

25:40

Discover five practical line editing strategies that sharpen your prose, strengthen emotional clarity, and make each sentence more purposeful on the page. Line editing can feel intimidating, especially if you're not sure where to begin or how to make meaningful improvements at the sentence level. And if you've ever tried refining lines before your …

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Gracen Brilmyer and Lydia Tang eds., "Preserving Disability: Disability and the Archival Profession" (Library Juice Press, 2024) 40:26

1M ago40:26

40:26

A transcript of this interview is available [here] Preserving Disability: Disability and the Archival Profession (Library Juice Press, 2024) weaves together first-person narratives and case studies contributed from disabled archivists and disabled archives users, bringing critical perspectives and approaches to the archival profession. Contributed …

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Mark Murphy - Rose Dhu 23:40

1M ago23:40

23:40

Savannah has always been a city of secrets—but none as haunting as the mystery at the center of Mark Murphy’s new novel, Rose Dhu. Tangled loyalties, buried grudges, and long-kept secrets ripple beneath the city’s live oaks as he hunts for the truth.By Terry Shepherd

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#220. How to Build an Author Platform (Even if You're an Introvert) with Shelby Leigh 32:45

1M ago32:45

32:45

Learn how to build a focused, authentic author platform to connect with readers early, grow your visibility, and create lasting momentum for your book launch. In this episode, I’m joined by Shelby Leigh, bestselling author of four poetry books (with over 60,000 copies sold!) and the founder of Marketing by Shelby, where she's helped more than 8,000…

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5 Book Marketing Tips for Nonfiction Authors (that don't include Amazon ads) 11:07

1M ago11:07

11:07

"I wish I hadn't sold so many books," said no author ever. Authors ALWAYS want to sell more books, but most of the time, they simply don't know HOW. The good news is that regardless of whether you're a first-time aspiring author or a seasoned multi-book household name, there are ways you can consistently sell more books - yes, even your backlist ti…

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Michal Govrin et. al, "But There Was Love―Shaping the Memory of the Shoah" (de Gruyter, 2025) 33:41

1M ago33:41

33:41

But There Was Love―Shaping the Memory of the Shoah (de Gruyter, 2025) proposes a new paradigm for Shoah remembrance in today’s cultural and political reality. It derives from the four-year workings of a group of researchers and artists at The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute led by Michal Govrin. The group positions the extraordinary Jewish and non-Jew…

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Thomas Kador, "Object-Based Learning: Exploring Museums and Collections in Education" (UCL Press, 2025) 41:10

1M ago41:10

41:10

In Object-Based Learning: Exploring Museums and Collections in Education (UCL Press, 2025), Thomas Kador provides a concise overview of some of the most important approaches to material culture and object analysis in plain and easily understandable language that is equally accessible to undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as lecturers. …

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Ep.147 | BONUS | Becoming a Writer for God's Glory with Kim Oswalt 23:28

1M ago23:28

23:28

Has God called you to write a book but you don't feel qualified? Do you work full time and wonder how you'd ever fit writing a book into your busy schedule? Have you ever wondered if anyone would even buy your book if you took the time to write it? If so, you'll be encouraged and inspired by Kim Oswalt who shared those same questions but decided to…

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#219. How To Build Story Tension by Sharing More (Not Less) with Daniel David Wallace 29:40

1M ago29:40

29:40

Discover why clarity (not secrecy) is the key to keeping your readers engaged, curious, and emotionally invested in your story. Writers often think suspense means withholding information, but what if the opposite were true? In this episode, I'm joined by Daniel David Wallace, author, writing teacher, and founder of the annual Escape the Plot Forest…

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Jack Brown - Prophets of War 13:12

2M ago13:12

13:12

What if the next world war isn’t fought for ideology or territory — but for quarterly profits? That’s the unsettling premise behind Prophets of War, the explosive debut novel from writer, investor, and political thinker Jack Brown. A lifelong student of history and finance, Brown turns his eye to the places where power hides in plain sight — where …

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

2M 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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Ep.146 | Are You Ready to Self-Publish Your Nonfiction Book? 6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Launch 17:32

2M ago17:32

17:32

Are you ready to self-publish your nonfiction book? Are you 100% certain? Maybe the deadline is looming and you're scurrying around, trying to do all the last-minute things. But have you taken the time to honestly evaluate the big-picture things that can make or break your book's success? Anyone can learn how to write a book. You need to create one…

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Mark Peres - The Accord 22:20

2M 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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Ep.145 | BONUS | Creating a Legacy for God's Glory with Sally Chetwynd 28:02

2M ago28:02

28:02

Have you ever been led to include something in your book that seems completely random? Do you wonder how networking applies to authors? Are you overlooking opportunities to serve others with your writing? In today's episode, you'll learn how God can use your past experiences and current talents to create a meaningful legacy in a variety of unexpect…

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#218. How to Find & Work With Beta Readers to Improve Your Manuscript 26:30

2M ago26:30

26:30

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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Ep.144 | How to Write a Profitable Nonfiction Book 10:06

2M ago10:06

10:06

Are you ready to write a profitable nonfiction book? If so, today's episode is for you. Just to be clear, today's episode isn't about marketing tips and sales strategies - I'll talk more about those in future episodes. Before you get upset and accuse me of clickbait, I encourage listen through to the end. You'll soon discover that profitability ext…

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Jakub Gortat, "Remembering National Socialism in Austrian Post-war Film" (1945-1955) (Brill, 2025) 39:37

2M ago39:37

39:37

Entrenched in the myth of being victim of the Nazi aggression, Austrian elites pursued a politics of memory that symbolically shook off any responsibility for the emergence, development and consequences of National Socialism. Authors of the vast majority of films produced early after 1945 were not interested in dealing with the recent Nazi past of …

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Writing a Complex Mystery Novel with Bianca Marais 21:09

2M 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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Ep.143 | BONUS | Leaning into Community for God's Glory with Kristy Horine 39:45

2M ago39:45

39:45

Have you ever found yourself ostracized from a group you thought was your tribe? Have you ever doubted that you can be accepted for who you are? Have you ever felt somewhat adrift after the frenzy of finishing a book on a tight deadline? If so, you'll relate with today's guest and benefit from her insights and infectious joy. Today's interview is t…

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Gil Gillenwater - Hope on the Border 26:38

2M 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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#217. Save the Cat! Writes Horror: How to Write Truly Terrifying Stories With Jamie Nash 47:52

2M ago47:52

47:52

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

2M 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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Ep.142 | No Time to Write a Book? 3 Solutions for Busy Christian Entrepreneurs 16:28

2M ago16:28

16:28

You're a Christian entrepreneur who has heard all the benefits of writing a book - attract new clients, become seen as an authority or thought leader in your field, be invited to speak on bigger stages... That all sounds great, but you have an even bigger purpose than that. You want to share your expertise to help others and make a meaningful Kingd…

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

2M 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

2M 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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Ep.141 | BONUS | How to Use Your Creativity for God's Glory with Holly Beals 32:49

2M ago32:49

32:49

This interview with artist and writer Holly Beals is the first in a series of 6 bonus episodes to shine a spotlight on a few of the amazing members of my Christian Authors in Action community. Listen in to discover how you can tap into your own creativity and apply simple strategies and processes to become more focused and productive during your wr…

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#216. Story Structure: The 5 Scenes Every Story Needs (With Kristina Stanley) 47:37

2M ago47:37

47:37

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…