Best Reader Essentials Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 187 - Giving readers what they want. 28:46

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10d ago28:46

28:46

We writers should consider giving readers what they want. Well, what do they want? Here is a discussion of the five things readers want in a novel. Also: the dual timeline plot structure. And F. Scott Fitzgerald's seven tips on writing. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Episode 188 - How to make our writing fun. 29:15

3d ago29:15

29:15

Is your writing time becoming a grind? If so, here are some things that may reduce the grind and maybe even make writing fun. Also, here are thoughts on how we might write a sentence that is a timeless truth told in lovely language, an immortal sentence that will live forever. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Bonus Episode: Introducing Only If You Get Caught with Patrick Redford 33:23

5d ago33:23

33:23

We've got one more treat for you before we'll be back with more gossip next month! This is the first episode of Patrick Redford's new podcast Only If You Get Caught. Only If You Get Caught is about how we can better understand sports and culture by examining how humans cheat in ways big and small. Sacramento Kings fans have long believed that the N…

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Inside the John le Carré Tradecraft Exhibition 46:34

15d ago46:34

46:34

Learn more about the John le Carré Tradecraft exhibition in Oxford revealing John le Carr�'s meticulous research, unseen manuscripts, and the personal life behind the spy fiction. In Spybrary Ep. 275, we speak with the curators about what they uncovered and what it tells us about the master of espionage fiction. In this episode of Spybrary , Shane …

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Episode 186 - Showing--not telling--what a character is thinking. 26:41

19d ago26:41

26:41

Thoughts are interior, in our minds. But there are ways to show--to give evidence--that reveal to the reader what our character is thinking. Also, here is an important ingredient that many writers forget when describing a character. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Episode 185 - The keys to musical writing. 24:15

26d ago24:15

24:15

The three most important words in our fiction are, "Story, story, story." But we can also shoot for lovely, musical language that makes each sentence and paragraph a pleasure to read. Here are thoughts on how to add music to our sentences. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Essential Cold War Berlin Spy Sites You Must Visit and a few hidden gems! 1:10:36

25d ago1:10:36

1:10:36

Step back into the shadows of Cold War Berlin with this week's episode of Spybrary. My guest is James Stejskal, a former U.S. Special Forces operator who spent 23 years in clandestine service—much of it in divided Berlin. He's just released his new book, Berlin: A Spy's Guide to it's Cold War History in Story and Image, and joins me to share his ti…

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Episode 184 - Skipping the dull stuff in our plot. 26:30

1M ago26:30

26:30

In his famous ten rules of writing, Elmore Leonard says that we shouldn't write things readers tend to skip. What are those things? How can we avoid writing them? Also, should our story have theme and, if so, how can we present it? Support the showBy James Thayer

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Episode 183 - A key to making our sentences forceful. 27:35

1M ago27:35

27:35

What do Ernest Hemingway, Cormac McCarthy, and Elmore Leonard have in common? Powerful stories, yes. But also lean and forceful sentences. Here's how they do it. Also: in our plotting,what's an acceptable coincidence and what's a weak, story-ruining coincidence? Support the showBy James Thayer

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Bonus Episode: Try Hard with Erika Casupanan 38:24

1M ago38:24

38:24

Today, we’re bringing you an episode of Try Hard,a new podcast hosted and produced by one of our very own dowager queens of gossip, Alex Sujong Laughlin. This episode is the second episode of the season, and it features a familiar face, Erika Casupanan, the winner of the 41st season of Survivor, and a guest from the fifth season of Normal Gossip. E…

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Episode 182 - Things to think about as we write the end of our story. 23:48

2M ago23:48

23:48

After months and month if writing, we'll near the end of our story. Our novel is almost finished. Here are things we should consider as we wrap up our story. Also, for many of us editing our own story isn't as fun as writing. Here are thoughts on how we can make sure we edit enough, and how we know when to quit editing. Support the show…

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Episode 181 - A critical difference between scene and summary. 26:11

2M ago26:11

26:11

Why should almost all of our story be scenes rather than summaries? Here's how we can avoid summaries and instead write moment-by-moment real-time scenes in our fiction. Also: here are perhaps the most beautiful sentences ever written in fiction. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Episode 180 - The critical distance between the reader and the action. 27:02

2M ago27:02

27:02

The reader is like a camera as the scene unfolds. Where should that camera be? How far away from the characters and the action? Here are thoughts on authorial distance, about the benefits of placing the camera--the reader--near or far. Plus, how Charlotte Bronte worked. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Spies, Satire And Chimney cake With Dan Fesperman and I.S.Berry 39:34

2M ago39:34

39:34

Shane Whaley and author I.S. Berry (The Peacock and the Sparrow) welcome spy thriller author Dan Fesperman to talk about his latest novel, Pariah. What happens when a disgraced stand-up comedian becomes a CIA asset in a fictional Eastern European country? Listen/Watch On. Topics covered include: The real-world politics that inspired Pariah How canc…

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Episode 179 - The critical writing techniques all in one episode. 27:15

2M ago27:15

27:15

Here are the most important fiction writing techniques boiled down to twenty-five minutes. I've talked about all these elements in prior episodes but sometimes it's useful to hear things again. This episode is a refresher. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Episode 178 - How to make readers laugh. 27:34

2M ago27:34

27:34

We may be writing a comic novel or we may want to add humor to our thriller or romance or horror or literary novel. Humor adds a strong element to most any story. Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas: “Funny how? I mean, funny like I'm a clown? I amuse you? I make you laugh?" Well, yeah. Let's see how we can make readers laugh. Support the show…

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The Second Traitor with Alex Gerlis 50:51

3M ago50:51

50:51

In this episode of Spybrary, host Shane Whaley interviews author Alex Gerlis about his latest novel, The Second Traitor, book 2 in the spy series which is set against the backdrop of World War II and the early Cold War. They discuss the complexities of writing historical fiction, the importance of research, and the intricate character dynamics with…

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Bonus Episode: Rat Kings and Emotional Support Eggs with Sabrina Imbler 1:02:46

3M ago1:02:46

1:02:46

Today's treat: an episode from our secret feed vault. If you'd like to get in on these monthly extra episodes, subscribe as a Friend or a Friend-of-a-Friend. Our guest this time is Sabrina Imbler! After catching up on Sabs' latest project—a series of interviews with federal workers fired by the Trump administration—Rachelle and Sabs partake in a ba…

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Episode 177 - The description double duty technique. 27:37

3M ago27:37

27:37

Good descriptions of characters should do double duty: they can let the reader know what the character looks like and the description can also suggest something about the character's personality. Here are examples and thoughts on double duty descriptions. Also, how Alice Walker works. Support the show…

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Spy Movie Perfection? Breaking Down Three Days of the Condor 1:03:27

3M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

Dive into Three Days of the Condor with Spybrary. CIA conspiracies, moped escapes, and one of the best assassins in spy cinema. Redford stars in this slow-burn, cerebral classic that still resonates today. Join 4000 other spy fans, chatting spy movies, books and TV. https://www.spybrary.com/community Welcome to another edition of Section F on Spybr…

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Episode 176 - Inventing a fabulous title. 24:47

3M ago24:47

24:47

The title is the book browser's first impression of our novel. The title should tempt the browser to pick up and open the book. Here are thoughts on how we can give our story a strong, enticing title. Also, how do famous authors edit their own manuscripts? Maybe we can learn from them the best way to self-edit our stories. Support the show…

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Episode 175 - Writing funny dialogue. 25:48

3M ago25:48

25:48

We can write dialogue that makes readers laugh. Here are thoughts on creating funny conversations between our characters. Plus, we don't need to have our character look into a mirror to describe herself, which has been done time and again. Here are ways to avoid the mirror. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Is You Only Live Twice, Ian Fleming's Worst Bond Book Ever? 56:08

3M ago56:08

56:08

Prepare to experience Ian Fleming's James Bond novels as if reading them for the first time in the year of publication, as we embark on this 007 James Bond literary adventure together. In this time‑travel special, the Spybrary crew—Shane, David Craggs, Andy Onyx, and Ian Douglas—journey back to 1964 to dissect Ian Fleming's latest novel, You Only L…

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Episode 174 - How to ruin our story's first sentences. 25:36

3M ago25:36

25:36

A story's first sentence should make the reader ask, "What's next?" They should propel the reader into the story. Here's how to do it right and how to do it wrongly. Also, three master writers show us how to describe a setting. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Bonus Episode: A Beautiful Gossip Ouroboros 56:30

3M ago56:30

56:30

Surprise! In today's bonus episode, Alex Sujong Laughlin and Patrick Redford join Rachelle for some delectable morsels of gossip and not one but TWO big announcements! Try Hard premieres July 28th! Subscribe here or wherever you get your podcasts. Look out for Only If You Get Caught this fall! Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! …

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Episode 173 - The magic of dialogue. 23:56

4M ago23:56

23:56

Dialogue is fun to write and fun to read. Our story should have lots of it. Here's a powerful thing dialogue can do: it can reveal (that is, to show rather than tell) what a character is thinking. The character's conversation can be lively and fun, and hearing the character speak is so much stronger than reading the character's mind. Here are thoug…

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Episode 172 - Our first fifteen pages. 25:53

4M ago25:53

25:53

The first pages of our novel should contain certain elements and avoid certain elements. Here's a list of things to include and exclude in those first pages. Plus, ways to write forceful, clear, and lovely sentences. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Episode 171 - Top ten list of bad advice for writers. 29:09

4M ago29:09

29:09

In these episodes I try to set out good writing advice but a lot of bad advice is out there, so here is a list of bad advice, and the list may help us avoid writing blunders. Here are also ten dialogue mistakes, and avoiding them likely means we end up with engaging and even riveting dialogue for our characters. Support the show…

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He Stole the KGB's Secrets For Years! With Gordon Corera 56:34

4M ago56:34

56:34

Gordon Corera makes his Spybrary debut in this riveting episode of the Spybrary podcast. Host Shane Whaley welcomes the former BBC security correspondent, espionage historian and host of The Rest is Classified podcast, Gordon Corera to discuss his latest book, The Spy in the Archive. The Cold War might be over, but its shadows stretch far into the …

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Episode 170 - Writing the crowd scene. And guilt and pride. 28:09

4M ago28:09

28:09

Here are techniques for keeping focus in a scene where there is a crowd, with an example from Harper Lee. And how Margaret Mitchell worked. Plus: how can we show rather than tell about a character's guilt or pride. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Episode 169 - How to find a surefire plot. 25:03

5M ago25:03

25:03

Stephen King says there is no idea dump we can visit to find a good plot. We have to create our own plots. How can we do so? Here's a discussion on creating plots. Also, if Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition can learn to write, so can we. And the critical technique of using the active sentence form. Support the show…

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Inside the Int. Spy Museum: Shane & Joe's Espionage Adventure 33:37

5M ago33:37

33:37

In this special episode of Spybrary, Shane is joined by fellow spy fan Joe Modzelewski for an in-depth International Spy Museum review. Recorded after their recent visit to the museum in Washington D.C., this episode is packed with honest reflections, surprising discoveries, and plenty of spy geekery. From Virginia Hall's heroic story to rare artif…

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Honeydew Farms with Shea Couleé 56:56

5M ago56:56

56:56

It is the season 8 FINALE and we've got the iconic Shea Couleé here with us for a tale of love and ambition amongst polyamorous bee farmers. Watch Shea in IRONHEART on June 24th and follow her on Instagram here. Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelse…

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Episode 168 - Making our first sentence sparkle. 27:17

5M ago27:17

27:17

Does our story's first sentence cause the reader to ask, "What's next?" Or does the reader say, "So what?" Here are thoughts on creating a tense, sparkling first sentence. Also, how the masters use specific, definite, and concrete details to convince the reader. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Heartbreak Glitch Loop with Brandy Jensen 1:09:53

5M ago1:09:53

1:09:53

Our editor Brandy Jensen joins us for a good old fashioned neighborly feud. Read Brandy's essay, which she wrote for the Yale Review, called the Polycrisis here. Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! You can …

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Episode 167 - Revealing our character by the setting. 26:48

5M ago26:48

26:48

Our setting descriptions should do more than describe a place. They can also show the reader much about our character. Here's how to do so. Also: what's the main thing our plot needs: trouble. Here's why. And how Edna Ferber worked. Support the showBy James Thayer

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The Poet's Game - A Spy in Moscow with Author Paul Vidich 49:42

5M ago49:42

49:42

On this episode of Spybrary, I welcome back one of today's finest spy fiction authors, Paul Vidich. We're diving into his gripping new novel, The Poet's Game, a contemporary espionage thriller rooted in the tense geopolitics of modern-day Russia and the United States. Paul joins me to unpack the creative process, real-life inspirations, and the dee…

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Demented Little Tango with Vinson Cunningham 45:58

5M ago45:58

45:58

Vinson Cunningham accompanies us to a fancy private school where the parents tend to get a little too involved in the yearly fundraiser. Follow Vinson on Instagram here. Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! …

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Episode 166- Showing our character's thoughts. 24:30

5M ago24:30

24:30

Two mistakes can ruin our presentation of what our character is thinking: telling rather than showing, and interior monologue. Here are ways to present thoughts in a way that grabs the reader. Also, how Octavia Butler worked. And examples of wonderful character descriptions from masterful writers. Support the show…

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Breaking John le Carré news: George Smiley Returns: New Novel Announced, Plus The Spy Who Came in From the Cold Heads to West End 6:14

5M ago6:14

6:14

Fans of George Smiley, John le Carr�'s legendary spymaster, have reason to celebrate. In a rare double coup for the espionage world, Nick Harkaway—le Carr�'s son—has announced The Taper Man, a new Smiley novel arriving in 2026, while The Spy Who Came in From the Cold will receive its first-ever stage adaptation in the West End this autumn. The anno…

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A United Nations of Red Flags with Sam Sanders 49:47

5M ago49:47

49:47

Sam Sanders returns for some gossip about a case of "accidental" love-bombing in a hostel. Follow Sam on Instagram here and check out The Sam Sanders Show for more hot takes on entertainment and culture. We recommend you start here. Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era,…

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Episode 165 - The rule of exceptions. 28:41

6M ago28:41

28:41

Sometimes the strongest writing technique isn't the strongest in our story. Every writing rule has exceptions, and here's a discussion on when to make exceptions. Also, how to create a strong title for our novel and short story. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Devilish Horde of Pestilence with Nadira Goffe 1:00:50

6M ago1:00:50

1:00:50

Nadira Goffe comes with us to a shared rental house simmering with tension over roaches, cats, and a very special stew. Follow Nadira on Instagram here. Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! You can support N…

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Episode 164 - Design our cover? And the masters on setting details. 28:36

6M ago28:36

28:36

We are learning fiction techniques, and we are or soon will be skilled fiction writers. Does this mean we should design our own book covers? Also, Michael Chabon's terrific sense of smell. And the use of details in the haunted house. Support the showBy James Thayer

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LARP Camp with Rebecca Jennings 48:51

6M ago48:51

48:51

Rebecca Jennings accompanies us to LARP Camp for a tale of dice, ghosts, and forbidden love. Pre-order Rebecca's book Be The Bombshell: What Love Island Teaches Us About Dating here and follow her on Instagram here. Get your tickets for the Normal Gossip Live tour here! Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and K…

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Episode 163 - The benefits of an underdog. 25:36

6M ago25:36

25:36

Having readers fall in love with our character is so important, and making our hero an underdog is a good way to do it. Here are thoughts on underdog characters. Also, I'll read a few character descriptions from master story-tellers that may make us stronger writers. Support the showBy James Thayer

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Secrets, Spies, and Espionage with The London Spy 32:18

6M ago32:18

32:18

In this fascinating episode of Spybrary, host Shane Whaley takes us to the espionage heart of London with expert London Spy Tours guide David Harry, also known as The London Spy. From real-life Cold War betrayals to Bond-worthy locations and hidden relics, David shares captivating insights from his acclaimed Westminster and St. James's London spy t…

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The Most Ominous Bird with Alanna Bennett 42:47

6M ago42:47

42:47

Alanna Bennett joins us to explore what happens to you—physically and metaphysically—when you get into a fight with a magician. Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! You can support Normal Gossip directly by buying merch or becoming a Friend or a Friend-of-Friend…

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Episode 162 - The state fair plotting technique. 27:19

6M ago27:19

27:19

Our story should be like a state fair: one thing after another. Here are some ideas on state fair plotting. Plus: settings shouldn't be inert locations in our novel or short story but rather should work for our story. Here's how to get the most from our settings. Also: my experiment with AI proofreading. Support the show…

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Reverse Heist with Jonquilyn Hill 47:49

6M ago47:49

47:49

Jonquilyn Hill hates pranks, which made her the perfect guest for today's tale of a townhouse torn apart by a prank gone wrong. Follow Jonquilyn on Instagram here and check out Jonquilyn's podcast Explain It to Me here. Subscribe to our newsletter for writing from Rachelle, Se'era, Jae, Alex, and Kelsey, plus blog recommendations and secrets! You c…