Reedsy Live: The Podcast
A community of 1,000,000 authors and publishing professionals. We help authors create and market the best indie books 🤓 Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud for a new episode every week!
Wed, April 02, 2025
Reedsy Live: How to Keep Commercial Appeal in Mind When Writing a Memoir with Paul Bradley Carr
🔍 Author Paul Bradley Carr reveals his top tips for creating a memoir that appeals to a wider audience 📝 Find the full transcript for this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/how-to-write-a-memoir-with-commercial-appeal/
Wed, April 02, 2025
Reedsy Live: The Most Common Mistakes Fiction Series Writers Make with Jim Spivey
🔍 Former Hachette and DC Comics editor Jim Spivey shows author what classic mistakes to avoid when writing a genre fiction series 📝 Find a full transcript for this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/writing-genre-series/
Fri, March 28, 2025
Reedsy Live: Adapting Your Story for the Screen With Richard Stokes
🔍 Find out how to turn your book into a gripping screenplay for film or TV 📝 Find a set of written highlights for this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/book-to-screenplay/
Fri, March 14, 2025
Reedsy Live: Add a Personal Touch to Your Query Letter with Rachel Stout
🔍 Former literary agent Rachel Stout reveals her tips for researching agents and personalizing query letters 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/personalizing-your-query-letters/
Fri, March 07, 2025
Reedsy Live: How to Structure a Novel Like a Bestselling Author with Caroline Leavitt
🔍 New York Times bestselling author Caroline Leavitt talks about her approach to story structure
Thu, February 27, 2025
Reedsy Live: Crafting a Successful Story Pitch in Seven Steps with Jeff Lyons
🔍 Story consultant Jeff Lyons reveals his cookie-cutter formula for crafting a winning logline, and shares some of his own examples 📝 Find a full transcript for this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/logline/
Fri, February 21, 2025
Reedsy Live: To Rhyme or Not to Rhyme? Talking Children's Books with Tracy Gold
🔍 Editor and children's author Tracy Gold discusses rhyming in picture books — is it needed, and how can you do it well? 📝 Find a full transcript for this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/rhyming-picture-books/
Fri, February 14, 2025
Reedsy Live: Plot a Romance Novel in One Hour with Bryn Donovan
🔍 Get the ball rolling on your page-turning romance book in this episode with editor and romance extraordinaire Bryn Donovan 📝 Find the highlights for this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/plot-romance-novel/
Fri, February 07, 2025
Reedsy Live: How to Write a Thought Leadership Book with Stacy Ennis
🔍 Learn how to write a thought leadership book with author and keynote speaker, Stacy Ennis
Fri, January 31, 2025
Reedsy Live: Using Poetry to Become a Better Writer with Emma Murf
🔍 Learn how poetry can elevate your novels, short stories, and non-fiction books with poet Emma Murf
Fri, January 24, 2025
Reedsy Live: How to Craft a Compelling Memoir with Jodi Fodor
🔍 Learn to write a compelling memoir with editor Jodi Fodor 📝 You can find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/memoir-fodor/
Fri, January 17, 2025
Reedsy Live: 7 Steps To Write Your Non-Fiction Book with Joanna Penn
🔍 Learn to write the non-fiction book of your dreams with bestselling author Joanna Penn 📝 You can find a written summary of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/write-non-fiction-book-in-2025/
Fri, January 10, 2025
Reedsy Live: What Behavioral Economics Can Teach us About Writing with Dan Ariely
🔍 Professor Dan Ariely talks about changing your behaviour to become a more frequent writer 📝 Find the highlights for this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/behavioral-economics-writing/
Fri, January 03, 2025
Reedsy Live: How to Generate Great Story Ideas with Tom Bromley
🔍 Author Tom Bromley shows you how to build your own story factory 📝 Find the highlights of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/generate-story-ideas/
Thu, December 26, 2024
Reedsy Live: Creative Writing Masterclass with Thriller Author Andy Maslen
🔍 Thriller author Andy Maslen talks about his writing process.
Fri, December 20, 2024
Reedsy Live: Common Traits of Successful Young Adult Novels with Parul Bavishi & Rebecca Monterusso
🔍 Editors Parul Bavishi and Rebecca Monterusso discuss the art of writing YA fiction that appeals to both teens and adults 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/traits-of-successful-ya-novels/
Fri, December 13, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Avoid Common Suspense Pitfalls with Alyssa Matesic
🔍 Editor Alyssa Matesic shares the biggest and most common pitfalls that she's encountered in suspense manuscripts 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/suspense-pitfalls/
Fri, December 06, 2024
Reedsy Live: Creating Believable Characters with Caroline Leavitt and Gina Sorell
🔍 Editors Caroline Leavitt and Gina Sorell discuss their processes for creating believable characters 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/creating-believable-characters/
Fri, November 22, 2024
Reedsy Live: Traditional vs Self-Publishing with Paul Bradley Carr
🔍 Author Paul Bradley Carr reveals his reasons for switching from traditional to self-publishing 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/self-trad-paul-bradley-carr/
Fri, November 15, 2024
Reedsy Live: Novel-Writing Q&A with Tom Bromley #2
🔍 Join Reedsy's head of learning for an open Q&A session 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/novel-writing-QA/
Fri, November 08, 2024
Reedsy Live: What You Can Learn From an ADHD Writer with Jackson Dickert
🔍 Learn how to plan complex stories from the story's conception to its final execution from the perspective of a writer with ADHD 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/planning-complex-stories/
Fri, November 01, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Create Recommendable Non-Fiction with Devin Hunt
🔍 Discover the key to creating useful books your readers will want to share. 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/recommendable-non-fiction/
Fri, October 25, 2024
Reedsy Live: Leveraging Social Media in Book Marketing with Eleanor Pilcher
🔍 Discover award-winning book marketer Eleanor Picher's insights into social media and influencer marketing 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/social-media-pilcher/
Fri, October 18, 2024
Reedsy Live: From Indie Success to #1 Bestseller with Jennifer L. Armentrout
🔍 Discover how novelist Jennifer L. Armentrout went from being an indie darling to one of the biggest names in publishing today. 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/jennifer-armentrout/
Fri, October 11, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Start a Story with Oksana Marafioti
🔍 Author Oksana Marafioti shares her top tips for beginning a story 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/how-to-start-a-story/
Fri, October 04, 2024
Reedsy Live: Is Your Story Idea Any Good? with SJ Watson
🔍 Bestselling author SJ Watson shows you how to find those rare ideas with the potential to be novels. 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/is-your-story-idea-any-good-with-sj-watson/
Fri, September 27, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Write Engaging Dialogue with Adina Edelman
🔍 Editor Adina Edelman reveals her top tips for crafting dialogue. 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/writing-dialogue-adina-edelman/
Fri, September 06, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Refine the "Voice" of Your Book with Gabriela Pereira
🔍 TEDx speaker, author, and founder of DIY MFA Gabriela Pereira talks about the importance of understanding the "voice" of your writing 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/refining-voice/
Fri, August 23, 2024
Reedsy Live: Novel-Writing Q&A with Tom Bromley
🔍 Join Reedsy's head of learning for an open Q&A session 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/novel-writing-QA/
Fri, August 16, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Write Multiple POVs the "Game of Thrones" Way with Tracy Gold
🔍 Editor Tracy Gold reveals her top 5 tips for writing with multiple POVs, with a bit of help from George R.R. Martin 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/how-to-write-multiple-povs-the-game-of-thrones-way/
Fri, August 09, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Make a Literary Agent Read Your Entire Manuscript with Jon Darga
🔍 Literary agent Jon Darga reveals the 5 key elements you should include to make people read past the first 10 pages of your manuscript 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/agent-read-your-entire-manuscript/
Fri, August 02, 2024
Reedsy Live: The Art of Storytelling in Non-Fiction with Harry Freedman
🔍 Author Harry Freedman shows how storytelling principles are at the heart of all good nonfiction writing 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/storytelling-in-nonfiction/
Fri, July 26, 2024
Reedsy Live: The Role of Anti-Heroes with Parul Bavishi and Randall Surles
🔍 How can we create irresistibly flawed characters? Join editors Parul Bavishi and Randall Surles as they explore the world of anti-heroes and anti-heroines 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/anti-heroes-webinar/
Fri, July 19, 2024
Reedsy Live: The Magic of Middle Grade with Michelle Schusterman
🔍 Learn about the difference between Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, what you “can and can't” write in Middle Grade, and how to market your book. 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/middle-grade/
Fri, July 12, 2024
Reedsy Live: Landing Your First Book Deal with Caroline Leavitt
🔍 Bestselling author Caroline Leavitt reveals what lies ahead for those looking to publish their book 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/getting-published-caroline-leavitt/
Fri, July 05, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Write an Addictive Page-Turner with Anna Bierhaus
🔍 Editor Anna Bierhaus shows you how to improve your writing's pacing, creating compulsively readable stories every time 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/pacing-anna-bierhaus/
Fri, June 28, 2024
Reedsy Live: 5 Essential Marketing Tactics of Self-Publishing Authors with Clayton Noblit
🔍 Discover the most tried-and-true marketing tactics you can use to sell your book with the senior marketing manager of Written Word Media 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/5-essential-marketing-tactics/
Fri, June 21, 2024
Reedsy Live: Getting Published as a Debut Author with Gina Sorell and Caroline Leavitt
🔍 Authors Gina Sorell and Caroline Leavitt have a chat about how first-time authors get themselves published 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/getting-published-debut/
Fri, June 14, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Find the Right Book Editor with Dionne McCulloch
🔍 Writer Dionne McCulloch shows you how to find the perfect editor 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/how-to-find-the-right-book-editor/
Fri, June 07, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Write Engaging Characters with Oksana Marafioti
🔍 Bestselling author Oksana Marafioti shares tips on how to bring your characters to life on the page 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/engaging-characters/
Fri, May 31, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Develop a Picture Book with Cara Stevens
🔍 Author and editor Cara Stevens shares 20 questions to help you write your very own picture book 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/picture-book-20-questions/
Fri, May 24, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Query Nonfiction: An Agent Explains with Max Sinsheimer
🔍 Literary agent Max Sinsheimer talks about querying nonfiction books and how to make a positive first impression 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/query-non-fiction-sinsheimer/
Fri, May 17, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Write Romance that Stands Out with Michelle Hazan
🔍 Author, editor, and writing coach Michelle Hazen reveals some key craft elements that make for a well-written, unputdownable romance novel 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/romance-writing-michelle-hazen/
Fri, May 10, 2024
Reedsy Live: Preparing to Write a Novel: 5 Keys to Success with Tom Bromley
* Get 10% off Reedsy's premium How to Write a Novel course with the code MAY24 at checkout. Exclusive to our podcast listeners and valid until May 20, 2024!* 🔍 Author and bestselling ghostwriter Tom Bromley talks about the "Five Ps" of preparing to draft a novel 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/preparing-to-write-a-novel-5-keys-to-success
Fri, May 03, 2024
Reedsy Live: Is Your Manuscript Ready? Discover Your Self-Auditing Toolkit with Julie Artz
🔍 Reedsy editor Julie Artz talks about assessing your own manuscript to determine whether it's ready to be seen by editors and readers 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/self-audit-julie-artz/
Fri, April 26, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Build a Productive Writing Habit with Bec Evans and Chris Smith
🔍 The productivity coaches behind Prolifiko share their tips on building a productive writing habit 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/productive-writing-habit/
Fri, April 19, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Crack Your Novel's Beginning and Ending with Caroline Leavitt
🔍 NYT bestselling author Caroline Leavitt talks about how beginnings and endings can make a good novel great 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/how-to-crack-your-novel-s-beginning-and-ending/
Fri, April 12, 2024
Reedsy Live: Save the Cat! Writes a Novel with Jessica Brody
🔍 Learn the secret code behind all well-plotted novels from the author of Save the Cat! Writes a Novel 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/save-the-cat-writes-a-novel/
Fri, April 05, 2024
Reedsy Live: Common Mistakes in Writing Dialogue and How to Avoid Them with Tracy Gold
🔍 Editor and author Tracy Gold reveals the biggest mistakes new writers make when writing dialogue 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/dialogue-mistakes/
Fri, March 29, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Start Writing a Book with Michelle Schusterman
🔍 Author and Reedsy ghostwriter Michelle Schusterman shows you how to take your book idea and get busy writing its first draft 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/how-to-start-writing-a-book/
Fri, March 22, 2024
Reedsy Live: Personalizing Your Query Letters with Rachel Stout
🔍 Former literary agent Rachel Stout reveals her tips for researching agents and personalizing query letters 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/personalizing-your-query-letters/
Fri, March 15, 2024
Reedsy Live: How to Plot Your Memoir Like a Novel with Amanda Edgar
🔍 Join award-winning author, ghostwriter, and book coach Amanda Edgar as she shows you how to make your memoir read like a bestselling novel 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: blog.reedsy.com/live/memoir-amanda-edgar
Fri, March 08, 2024
Reedsy Live: Unleash Your Inner Editor (and Kill Your Darlings) with SJ Watson
🔍 Join bestselling author SJ Watson as he shows you how to activate editor mode 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/watson-editor-mode/
Tue, February 27, 2024
Reedsy Live: Crowdfunding Your Book with Kickstarter with Oriana Leckert
🔍 Discover the most tried-and-true marketing tactics you can use to sell your book with the senior marketing manager of Written Word Media 📝 Find a full transcript of this podcast episode here: https://blog.reedsy.com/live/5-essential-marketing-tactics/
Tue, April 21, 2020
Season 4 Epilogue: The Beginning
But, as mysteriously as they begin, all creative journeys come to an end. Or do they?
Tue, April 14, 2020
Season 4 Chapter 5: A Long Way To Go Viral
These days, everyone wants to be the next overnight viral sensation. But, as it turns out, there's nothing overnight about it.
Thu, April 02, 2020
Season 4 Chapter 4: Branding Yourself
Before selling your book, you need to learn how to sell yourself.
Wed, March 25, 2020
Season 4 Chapter 3: Reading The Write Way
How do you learn to see your creative work from other's perspectives? The answer is the same thing it's been for centuries: pick up a book.
Tue, March 17, 2020
Season 4 Chapter 2: Facts & Fiction
The Hero's Journey is an excellent metaphor for any creative process. But when it comes to self publishing a nonfiction book, the line between fact and fiction is anything but metaphorical.
Wed, March 11, 2020
Season 4 Prologue: The Hero's Journey
What do the Greek gods, Walt Disney, and indie author slash creativity professor Tim Cigelske all have common? Apparently, everything.
Wed, March 11, 2020
Season 4 Chapter 1: Framing Your Mind
As the Hero's Journey starts up again, Tim has to put his own creativity advice to the test.
Tue, December 17, 2019
Addendum 9: Moving Too Fast (with Jami Albright)
Move too fast and, instead of working around your obstacles, you might just crash into them – in romance, in writing, and in writing romance.
Wed, December 04, 2019
Addendum 8: Adapting to Change (with I.L. Cruz)
When your story isn't a popular one, how do you get people to listen? According to I.L. Cruz, it helps to disguise it as a story everyone knows already.
Tue, November 26, 2019
Addendum 7: Help Yourself (with Mason Engel)
It's one thing to turn a great book into a bestseller. But how do you learn to write a great book in the first place? ~~~ Additional Reading: https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/ https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-exercises/
Tue, October 01, 2019
Season 3 Epilogue: Like A Pro
Behind every professional, there are many amateur hours. Behind every success story, there are many more that go untold.
Wed, September 25, 2019
Season 3 Chapter 5: The Life of the (Launch) Party
In the era of the eBook, why are some authors still selling paperbacks from their front doors?
Wed, September 18, 2019
Season 3 Chapter 4: Paperback Writer
Paperback books have historically been derided as cheap, brief entertainment. So, in the era of the eBook, why would you print them at all? ~~~ Additional Reading: https://blog.reedsy.com/standard-book-sizes/ https://blog.reedsy.com/print-on-demand-books/
Tue, September 10, 2019
Season 3 Chapter 3: The Prince and the Paradox
Kids can be picky, especially when it comes to what they prefer to read. So why not give it to them?
Tue, September 03, 2019
Season 3 Chapter 2: The Least Syllable of Thy Addition
How do you insult your audience without insulting their sensibilities... or their intelligence? When writing for a juvenile audience, finding the right balance is more important than ever.
Tue, August 27, 2019
Season 3 Chapter 1: Like Magic
When it comes to writing a bestseller, magical worlds work like a charm, right up until they don't.
Tue, August 27, 2019
Season 3 Prologue: Amateur Hour
It's hard enough writing a novel for anyone. When writing for kids aged 12 to 18, it's another challenge altogether.
Tue, August 13, 2019
Addendum 6: All The Cool Kids Are Doing It (with Jacqui Castle)
What comes first, the novel or the genre? A journalist turned novelist, a zeitgeist changing election, and a young adult reading trend might help us to find the answer.
Tue, August 06, 2019
Addendum 5: To Trope or Not To Trope (with Marlow York)
Drawing from your influences is one thing, stealing from them is another. How did Marlow York walk the tricky tightrope of writing with tropes?
Tue, July 16, 2019
Addendum 4: Flashback (with Benjamin Davis)
How do you market a book that you can barely even describe? Benjamin Davis, author of a so called magical realism poetic memoir, travelled across the world to find the answer.
Wed, June 05, 2019
Season 2 Epilogue: Always A Challenge
Writing never gets easier. How does Jenn still do so much of it anyway?
Wed, May 29, 2019
Season 2 Chapter 5: Making A Community
How do you transform "working writer" from the job of your dreams into a career?
Tue, May 21, 2019
Season 2 Chapter 4: Making A Change
In this day and age, readers care about your writing if they care about you first. So how do you turn "you" into a marketable brand?
Tue, May 14, 2019
Season 2 Chapter 3: Having A Community
Over the past ten years, self-publishing has become unequivocally common. How can a new author stand out in such a large community?
Tue, May 07, 2019
Season 2 Chapter 2: The New World
Before it was a multimillion dollar industry, self-publishing was a new world. But was the (literal) gold rush worth the (figurative) smallpox?
Tue, April 30, 2019
Season 2 Chapter 1: The People v. Cozy Mysteries
Is "writing to market" the same as selling out, or is it just good business?
Tue, April 30, 2019
Season 2 Prologue: In Your Dreams
How do you transform "working writer" from a job that's in your dreams to the job of your dreams?
Tue, April 02, 2019
Addendum 3: Happily Ever After (with Anthony Sciarratta)
Is ending your story "happily ever after" cliché? Maybe -- but some clichés exist for a reason.
Tue, March 19, 2019
Addendum 2: The Human Element (with Eliot Peper)
What is the best way to market a book in the Internet age? Technology may have changed, but the answer hasn't -- for over 2,000 years.
Tue, March 12, 2019
Addendum 1: Choice Words for First Drafts (with Brett Putter)
How do you turn your first draft into a published book? According to Brett Putter, founder of CultureGene and author of "Culture Decks Decoded," the answer may be unsuitable for print.
Tue, January 08, 2019
Epilogue: What is an Epilogue?
How do you end a novel, a story, or a podcast? Perhaps, with an epilogue.
Tue, January 01, 2019
Chapter 5: Going to Market
In an oversaturated market, how do you make your product stand out? Be it running shoes or books — the answer is the same.
Tue, December 25, 2018
Chapter 4: The Design Stage
How do you design the cover your book will inevitably be judged by?
Tue, December 18, 2018
Chapter 3: Deal or No Deal
The classic writer’s dilemma: traditional or self-publishing?
Tue, December 11, 2018
Chapter 2: Acquiring an Editor
What better way to celebrate finishing a novel than by throwing out half of it?
Tue, December 11, 2018
Chapter 1: The Writing Process
Besides a room of one’s own, what does it really take to write a book?
Tue, December 11, 2018
Prologue: What is a Prologue?
Meet Shaz Kahng — working mother, sportswear CEO, indie author.
Tue, December 04, 2018
Trailer: Bestseller
Trailer: Bestseller by Reedsy
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