Best Amwriting Podcasts (2025)

1
A Deep Dive Into Genre 43:18

4h ago43:18

43:18

Sarina’s second thriller is now out. It’s a twisty thriller with a single-mom protagonist and some deep, dark secrets. It’s called Dying to Meet You and it is creepy in the best possible way. In this episode, Jennie interviews Sarina about the new book, and about the difference between writing romance and writing thrillers. You may think that’s obv…

1
459: A Deep Dive Into Genre 43:17

4h ago43:17

43:17

Sarina’s second thriller is now out. It’s a twisty thriller with a single-mom protagonist and some deep, dark secrets. It’s called Dying to Meet You and it is creepy in the best possible way. In this episode, Jennie interviews Sarina about the new book, and about the difference between writing romance and writing thrillers. You may think that’s obv…

1
Episode 481: Nieman Storyboard's Mark Armstrong Believes in the Beginners' Mindset 1:06:33

10h ago1:06:33

1:06:33

"Listening to podcasts, it's like, how do I start making them? That's been my approach, essentially try and take that beginner mindset into anything and try to teach myself new skills," says Mark Armstrong. Who do we have today? It’s Mark Armstrong! He is a producer, a writer, a singer, working at the intersection of storytelling and digital media.…

1
From Books with Hooks to Published Author-How Writing is Rewriting 27:50

17h ago27:50

27:50

In this episode, debut author Melissa O’Connor takes us behind the scenes of her publishing journey with ‘The One and Only Vivian Stone.’ She shares how her query letter evolved, what it was like navigating the submission process, and the pivotal decision to restructure the manuscript with a dual timeline. Melissa opens up about weaving romance and…

1
#235 - Jackson P. Brown 26:18

5d ago26:18

26:18

Urban fantasy writer, Jackson P. Brown is here chatting about breaking into the publishing industry, the journey of a debut author and her love of anime and manga. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: Spotify Apple Amazon Listen to The Chosen Ones and Other Trope…

1
July Bonus Episode 53:05

4d ago53:05

53:05

In part one of July’s bonus episode, Bianca sits down with debut author Jacqueline Faber for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation. With a rich academic background and a diverse writing portfolio, Jacqueline shares her path to publication and the creative decisions that shaped her novel, ‘The Department’. They explore the emotional challenges of …

1
Episode 480: Dana Jeri Maier Doesn't Trust Anyone with a Neat Desk 58:42

7d ago58:42

58:42

"Yeah, join the club of people who feel inadequate," says Dana Jeri Maier, a cartoonist and author of the graphic book on creativity Skip to the Fun Parts. This incredible artist is the author of Skip to the Fun Parts: Cartoons and Complaints About the Creative Process. It’s one of the best books on creativity because it deals with doubt, it deals …

1
458: How to Take a Break 40:30

7d ago40:30

40:30

Jess, Sarina, Jennie and Jess are all here to talk about taking a break from various angles: the mechanics angle, the guilt angle, the fear angle, the identity angle and inspiration angle. Mechanics. Leave yourself notes about the project when you leave off, for example, “The next thing that needs to happen is this…” so when you come back, you know…

1
How to Take a Break 40:31

8d ago40:31

40:31

Jess, Sarina, Jennie and Jess are all here to talk about taking a break from various angles: the mechanics angle, the guilt angle, the fear angle, the identity angle and inspiration angle. Mechanics. * Leave yourself notes about the project when you leave off, for example, “The next thing that needs to happen is this…” so when you come back, you kn…

1
Making Context Feel Organic 1:07:19

8d ago1:07:19

1:07:19

In this exciting episode of Books with Hooks, debut author Tali Shammas steps into the spotlight to share her query letter for her genre-blending novel ‘The Color of Blood’—a bold mix of horror, romance, and razor-sharp feminist themes. The hosts dive into an engaging discussion on social justice in fiction, the power of a strong hook, and how to c…

1
#234 - Leigh Radford 30:29

12d ago30:29

30:29

Literary horror author, Leigh Radford tells us all about her darkly funny debut about love and zombies as well as her writing process and learning to navigate the high pressures of publishing and the literary world. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: Spotify Ap…

1
Shooting The Shit 31:56

11d ago31:56

31:56

Get ready for a brand-new segment with Carly and CeCe that dives into the juiciest side of publishing! In this fun, freewheeling episode, they spill the tea on industry gossip, break down the latest trends—like the dark rom-com craze—and dish on this year’s bestselling books. Plus, they share smart, no-fluff advice on social media strategies for au…

1
Episode 479: Jeff Sharlet and Finding Real Toads in Imaginary Gardens 1:15:59

14d ago1:15:59

1:15:59

"You're an outsider. And as you linger in that space, you start to become an insider ... but you're still an outsider. Don't forget that, even though you know more about it, you're an insider and an outsider," says Jeff Sharlet about when he's reporting on, say, far-right religious groups. OK, we’ve got Jeff Sharlet, which is pretty stunning when y…

1
457: Stephanie Pao has the job we all want. She owns a romance bookstore on wheels. 33:52

14d ago33:52

33:52

When Sarina found Stephanie Pao on social media, she knew she had to interview her. Stephanie has the job we all want—she owns a bookstore on wheels. La Fleuria is L.A.’s first mobile romance bookstore, and we are here for it. Tune in to hear our interview with Stephanie. We’re discussing how she got this idea, where she turned for advice, and how …

1
Stephanie Pao has the job we all want. She owns a romance bookstore on wheels. 33:53

15d ago33:53

33:53

When Sarina found Stephanie Pao on social media, she knew she had to interview her. Stephanie has the job we all want—she owns a bookstore on wheels. La Fleuria is L.A.’s first mobile romance bookstore, and we are here for it. Tune in to hear our interview with Stephanie. We’re discussing how she got this idea, where she turned for advice, and how …

1
How Setting is More Than Just Story Backdrop 30:59

15d ago30:59

30:59

In this week’s episode, Bianca connects with novelist Laura Resau. Laura provides an insightful outlook regarding her transition from writing for young audiences to authoring her inaugural adult novel, ‘The Alchemy of Flowers.’ She offers profound insights into her writing methodology, emphasizing the criticality of a persuasive query letter and th…

1
#233 - Abi Fellows 21:52

19d ago21:52

21:52

Literary agent Abi Fellows joins us this week to chat about her career in publishing, how she approaches queries and submission and a success story for one of her debut authors despite the current challenges in the industry. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: S…

1
Episode 478: Nick Paumgarten says, 'The Reporting Suggests the Root System' 1:06:22

21d ago1:06:22

1:06:22

"I'm a guy who needs a lede. I need the lede to work. I need it to be compelling. And it doesn't have to be the best place to begin. It just has to be a place to begin that works and that amuses and sucks you in. I. So once I have a lede, then that will lead to another place," says Nick Paumgarten. Wow, so today we have Nick Paumgarten and can I te…

1
456: How to Capture Emotion on the Page 58:36

22d ago58:36

58:36

One of the writing skills I am asked about the most is, “How do I get emotion on the page?” People ask this no matter what genre they are writing, because no one wants to produce a manuscript that is flat and unengaging. Emotion is the key, but figuring out how to inspire your reader to feel something is a tricky thing to learn and an even trickier…

1
How to Capture Emotion on the Page 58:37

22d ago58:37

58:37

One of the writing skills I am asked about the most is, “How do I get emotion on the page?” People ask this no matter what genre they are writing, because no one wants to produce a manuscript that is flat and unengaging. Emotion is the key, but figuring out how to inspire your reader to feel something is a tricky thing to learn and an even trickier…

1
What is a familiar query letter... 42:10

22d ago42:10

42:10

In this episode of Books with Hooks, literary agents Carly and CeCe return with insightful feedback on query letters, focusing on commercial women’s fiction and book club fiction. They celebrate Bianca’s exciting book launch and dive deep into the craft of storytelling—discussing character development, emotional resonance, and the vital role of ori…

1
#232 - Hazel McBride 25:50

26d ago25:50

25:50

Romantic fantasy author and TikTok creator Hazel McBride drops by to chat about her traditional debut, finding her agent through fan fiction and testing the waters of indie publishing. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: Spotify Apple Amazon Listen to The Chosen…

1
Episode 477: David Howard and the Search for Stories He Believes In 1:30:37

28d ago1:30:37

1:30:37

"It's honestly one of the biggest gambles I've taken in my career," says David Howard, the journalist behind "Conversations with a Hit Man," this for the Atavist Magazine. David is a journalist and author, and in this conversation we talk about: Nonverbal stuff, so the importance of doing this stuff in person The grand puzzle of a piece Looking for…

1
455: In Search of the Beast in the Clouds with author Nathalia Holt 32:43

29d ago32:43

32:43

I’m a big fan of Nathalia (Nat) Holt’s books, and am so excited to have the opportunity to talk to her about her new book, The Beast in the Clouds: The Roosevelt Brothers' Deadly Quest to Find the Mythical Giant Panda. I first met Nat when her book Cured: The People Who Defeated HIV came out and I attended a book event at Dartmouth Medical Center. …

1
In Search of the Beast in the Clouds with author Nathalia Holt 32:44

29d ago32:44

32:44

I’m a big fan of Nathalia (Nat) Holt’s books, and am so excited to have the opportunity to talk to her about her new book, The Beast in the Clouds: The Roosevelt Brothers' Deadly Quest to Find the Mythical Giant Panda. I first met Nat when her book Cured: The People Who Defeated HIV came out and I attended a book event at Dartmouth Medical Center. …

1
Replacing Plot with Emotion in Quiet Novels 26:06

29d ago26:06

26:06

In this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews debut author Lidija Hilje. Her articles and essays were published in the New York Times, and other outlets. She runs a book club for writers with a membership of close to 100, and is an active member of the WFWA.The authors discuss her novel 'Slanting Towards the Sea,' exploring themes of literary ci…

1
#231 - Faye Brann 33:33

1M ago33:33

33:33

Comedy and crime writer, Faye Brann is with us this week chatting about her second novel, the choice to become a hybrid author and the differences between independent publishing and traditional publishing. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: Spotify Apple Amazon…

1
June Bonus Episode 1:03:10

1M ago1:03:10

1:03:10

In part one of this month’s bonus episode, Bianca Marais chats with New York Times bestselling author Lucy Foley about her shift from historical fiction to gripping thrillers. They dive into the essential role of setting, atmosphere, and character development in her novels, and Lucy shares how she builds suspense and keeps readers guessing with tec…

1
Episde 476: Amanda Heckert Helps the Rider Stay on the Horse 1:16:24

1M ago1:16:24

1:16:24

"The story is the horse, and the writer is the rider of the horse, and you as the editor, need to help guide them along. And if the rider starts to fall off, you put them back on, and it's your job to lead them safely into the barn. At no point should you shove the rider off the horse, get on yourself and ride it into the distance," says Amanda Hec…

1
Episode 475: For Dane Huckelbridge, Spacing Out is Part of the Process 1:19:31

1M ago1:19:31

1:19:31

"If you don't cultivate other interests or travel or spend time with friends, this and that, you don't have anything to write about," says Dane Huckelbridge, author of Queen of All Mayhem (William Morrow). Dane returns to the show to talk about his latest book, but also a smattering of other juicy writer topics such as: Procrastination Writing arou…

1
454: Ep 454 Mid-Year Check-In 36:32

1M ago36:32

36:32

Our goal words, as a reminder Sarina: presence Jess: growth Jennie: Teflon™ KJ: inner compass #AmReading Jess: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid KJ: The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen Jennie: Shakespeare: The Man Who Plays the Rent by Judi Dench Sarina: Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby JimenezBy #AmWriting with Jess & KJ

1
Ep 454 Mid-Year Check-In 36:33

1M ago36:33

36:33

Our goal words, as a reminderSarina: presenceJess: growthJennie: Teflon™KJ: inner compass #AmReadingJess: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidKJ: The Spy Coast by Tess GerritsenJennie: Shakespeare: The Man Who Plays the Rent by Judi DenchSarina: Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez Transcript below! EPISODE 454 - TRANSCRIPT KJ Dell'Antonia Hey, writ…

1
Emotions—But Make It Messy 35:53

1M ago35:53

35:53

In this exciting episode of Books with Hooks, Bianca, CeCe, and Carly sit down with Casey, winner of the Masana Literary Project Fundraiser, to chat about her debut novel, ‘The Break of Light.’ The hosts dive deep into Casey’s query letter, unpacking the story’s emotional layers, compelling plot, and rich character dynamics. CeCe and Carly offer sh…

1
#230 - Fiona Cummins 37:20

1M ago37:20

37:20

Bestselling crime thriller author, Fiona Cummins is with us this week chatting about wishing she could plot her novels, learning and then teaching with the Faber Academy and how big splashy deals don't always lead to a sustainable writing career. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 …

1
Episode 474: How to Reconfigure the Fireworks with Yi Shun Lai 1:03:39

1M ago1:03:39

1:03:39

"One of the things I've done is to reconfigure the fireworks. The fireworks for me now are getting to have this thing off my desk so I get to work on something new. That's the firework," says Yi Shun Lai, an author, writer, and instructor. Our occasion for this show was an essay she wrote for Writer Magazine about "arrival fallacy," this notion tha…

1
The Ultimate How To: Write, Pitch, Maybe Publish with Kate McKean from Agents+Books 41:27

1M ago41:27

41:27

This is the how-to book you need right now, the one with “am I ready to query” and “what does my platform need to look like” and “what if no one buys my book” and “what happens if someone buys my book”. We have a great episode, talking about creating this book, writing this book and living this book—because Kate McKean is not only a very experience…

1
453: The Ultimate How To: Write, Pitch, Maybe Publish with Kate McKean from Agents+Books 41:27

1M ago41:27

41:27

This is the how-to book you need right now, the one with “am I ready to query” and “what does my platform need to look like” and “what if no one buys my book” and “what happens if someone buys my book”. We have a great episode, talking about creating this book, writing this book and living this book—because Kate McKean is not only a very experience…

1
How Withholding Backstory and Context Can Actually Elevate A Story 30:00

1M ago30:00

30:00

In this inspiring interview, Bianca connects with debut author Aisling Rawle and dives into ‘The Compound’—a dark, gripping tale set in the twisted world of reality TV. She opens up about her unconventional path to publishing, the pivotal role her literary agent played, and the novel’s central themes of desire, materialism, and social critique. Ais…

1
#229 - Faith Hogan 26:34

2M ago26:34

26:34

Contemporary fiction author, Faith Hogan joins us this week to chat about her career as novelist, her process and writing crime fiction as Geraldine Hogan. Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏 For audio listeners: Spotify Apple Amazon Listen to The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes, Jamie…

1
Episode 473: Finding the Frame with Hampton Sides 1:10:10

2M ago1:10:10

1:10:10

"I would say my books are about three quarters research and sort of mining my research, and then one quarter writing," says Hampton Sides, author of several New York Times bestselling works of narrative history, including his latest, now in paperback, The Wide Wide Sea. It's published by Doubleday. So Hampton was great. There was a moment halfway t…

1
452: The Gift of Failure: Author Version 40:14

2M ago40:14

40:14

Karen Dukess’s first book, The Last Book Party, was wildly successful by any measure—sold at auction, Indie Next pick, Discover New Writers pick… you probably read it. The second… Didn’t sell. Not as in, not very many people bought it but as in, no publisher published it. She spent the requisite couple years or so, her agent signed on but… no taker…

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