Writer, Writer, Pants On Fire

Today’s guest is Lamar Giles, a two-time Edgar Award finalist for his YA thrillers FAKE ID and ENDANGERED His third YA thriller, OVERTURNED received a glowing New York Times review. Lamar is a contributor to the YA anthology THREE SIDES OF A HEART and the editor of the forthcoming We Need Diverse Books YA short story anthology FRESH INK. Lamar joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the over confidence he had as a young writer, and how he took the time to reflect on 8 years worth of rejection before landed his agent in 2010 with his sixth novel. Also covered: diversity in publishing and how genre writing can be looked down upon, and the complexities of writing a book set in a city you are unfamiliar with, and how research can help you get… most things… right.  Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Become a Patron to Listen Ad-Free for Just $2.00 A Month   Links for Lamar: Site Twitter Facebook Instagram   Ad Links: Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood  In A Flash by Melanie Faith 

Today’s guest is Jessica Verdi, author of the YA contemporary novels My Life After Now, The Summer I Wasn’t Me, What You Left Behind, as well as And She Was. Jess received her MFA in Writing for Children from The New School and is a freelance editor of romance, women’s fiction, chick lit, YA, and kid lit Jessica joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about querying a first novel, landing her agent, and breaking out of writing only one genre. Also covered: how Jessica handles hot button issues in her books, and the pushback that can come from writing about such topics, as well as the pros and cons of getting an MFA and why everyone needs an editor.   Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me   Become a Patron to Listen Ad-Free for Just $2.00 A Month   Links for Jessica: Site Twitter Facebook Instagram   Ad Links: Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby  See All The Stars by Kit Frick 

Today’s guest is Lori Rader Day, winner of both the Mary Higgins Clark Award and the Anthony Award. Lori joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the work that goes into a novel before you ever query it, the benefits of joining professional writing organizations, as well as the moving rung of what we deem success after being published. Also covered: how genre writing can be looked down upon, and how genre tags can build walls between readers and books they might enjoy.   Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Become a Patron to Listen Ad-Free for Just $2.00 A Month   Links for Lori: Site Twitter Facebook   Ad Links: Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood Tribute by Chris Knoblaugh

A roundup of the month's guest and topics, as well as advice from host Mindy McGinnis on how to self-edit, whittling down your word count when your manuscript has become bloated.  Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes on Patreon Support the Writer, Writer, Pants on Fire Go Fund Me Ad Links: Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby Tribute by Chris Knoblaugh

Today’s guest is Kit Frick, author of psychological thrillers for teens, as well as a poet and editor. Kit joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about not only the querying process, but the process of knowing her writing was ready to query – and how she got to that place, as well as how different structures can be illuminating for particular stories, and how those same structures are challenges to write.    Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me   Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes   Links for Kit: Site Editorial Services Twitter Instagram Facebook Pinterest   Ad Links:  Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby 

Today’s guest is Sara Crawford, the author of the YA novels WE OWN THE SKY and HURRY UP WE’RE DREAMING. She graduated in 2008 from Kennesaw State University with a B.A. in English and in 2012 from the University of New Orleans with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (emphasis in Playwriting). Currently, in addition to working as a freelance writer and internet marketer, she is also a creative writing professor in the graduate program at Southern New Hampshire University, teaching online classes. Sara joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the pros and cons of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing, as well as how to stay healthy emotionally, physically and mentally as a writer. Also covered; how freelancing can be lucrative for a writer.   Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me   Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes   Links for Sara: Site Twitter Instagram Facebook Creativity Blog   Ad Links: Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby  Soulstruck by Natasha Sinel

Today’s guest is Abigail Johnson, author of the YA contemporary titles EVEN IF I FALL, THE FIRST TO KNOW and IF I FIX YOU. She became a tetraplegic after breaking her neck in a car accident when she was seventeen, but hasn’t let that stop her from bodysurfing in Mexico, and becoming a published author. Abigail speaks with host Mindy McGinnis about the process of getting an agent, how branding can limit your writing in some ways once you have a career,  the ease of world building when writing contemporary – not to be confused with the idea that writing YA is easy - and how Abigail’s accident shapes her unique perspective of life and people, and where to find her online. Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes   Links for Abigail: Site Twitter Instagram Facebook   Ad Links: Your Destination Is On The Left by Lauren Spieller Soulstruck by Natasha Sinel 

Today’s guest is Rachel Pudelek who joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about querying, the agent hunt, and how heavily trends impact both. Other topics inlcude common writing advice they both hate, as well as tempting the possibility of creative burnout when you write every day. Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes Links for Rachel: Site   Twitter Instagram Facebook Ad Links: Your Destination Is On The Left by Lauren Spieller All For One by Sophia Beaumont  

Today’s guest is Lauren Spieller debut author of YOUR DESTINATION IS ON THE LEFT, which releases from June 26th Lauren joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the querying process, how finding your people will keep your sane in the writing world, how a writing routine can be a good thing… or a bad thing, and the difference between writing on your own and writing on a contract. Also covered: life choices, and experiencing stories across different mediums.   Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me   Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes   Links for Lauren: Site Twitter Instagram   Ad Links: Fat Girl On A Plane by Kelly DeVos Soulstruck by Natasha Sinel

Today’s guest is Natalie Richards author of the page turning thrillers SIX MONTHS LATER, ONE WAS LOST and WE ALL FALL DOWN. Nataile joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about landing an agent, the value of being active in writer’s organizations, and the complexities of author branding.  Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes Links for Natalie: Site Twitter Instagram   Ad Links:  Your Destination Is On the Left by Lauren Spieller As I By Descended by Robin Talley

Today’s guest is Sara Raasch author of the New York Times bestselling YA fantasy trilogy SNOW LIKE ASHES, and the upcoming STREAM RAIDERS series. Sara joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about how the concept for her SNOW LIKE ASHES series was originally something she worked on as a teenager, and how intensely personal books can be for the author. Also covered: how to market yourself as a debut author, the power of cover art, writing a trilogy versus writing a duology and the unique challenges within each, and how to keep multiple POV voices distinct from one another.   Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me   Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes   Links for Sara:  Site Twitter Instagram   Ad Links: Your Destination Is On the Left by Lauren Spieller All for One by Sophia Beaumont Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood

A roundup of the months guests and topics, as well as some tips to help determine if your project is MG or YA. Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes   Ad Links: Fat Girl On A Plane by Kelly DeVos Doll Hearts by Colleen Clayton

Today’s guest is Bethany C. Morrow author of MEM releasing in May from Unnamed Press. Bethany graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in Sociology (but took notable detours in the Film and Theatre departments). Following undergrad, she studied Clinical Psychological Research at the University of Wales, in Great Britain before returning to North America to focus on her literary work. Bethany joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about her query process, as well as writing in a post-election world as a black woman, and the concern that minority authors need to be looking for agents that want to represent them for a long-term career, not just as a response to a trend and whether or not white writers should attempt to write main characters of color, and the difference between that and being inclusive in your writing.   Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me   Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes   Links for Bethany: Site Twitter Facebook    Ad Links: Freya’s Daughter

Today’s guest is Mindee Arnett author of THE NIGHTMARE AFFAIR series, the Sci Fi titles AVALON and POLARIS as well as the upcoming fantasy ONYX & IVORY. Mindee joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about rejection letters – both physical and by email – and realigning expectation with reality once you become published. Also covered: how being a mid-lister can be a benefit when it comes to genre jumping and how to know when you’re researching too much.   Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me    Become a Patron to Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes   Links for Mindee:  Site Twitter Facebook    Ad Links: Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood Heartseeker by Melinda Beatty

Today’s guest is Beth Revis author of New York Times bestselling ACROSS THE UNIVERSE trilogy, as well as THE BODY ELECTRIC, THE WORLD WITHOUT YOU and The Paper Hearts series for writers. Beth joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about writing ten books before hitting it big with the eleventh one, receiving nothing but rejections for a decade… and how that made her a better writer. Podcast Patreon Beth's Links: Site Twitter Instagram Facebook Ad Links: A VOID THE SIZE OF THE WORLD by Rachele Alpine DOLL HEARTS by Colleen Clayton

A roundup of the guests and topics for the month of April, and a breakdown of how traditionally published authors get paid. Support Writer, Writer, Pants on Fire Ad Links: THE TRAIL RULES by Melanie Hooyenga BOOMERANG by Helene Dunbar

Today’s guest is Amy Trueblood author of NOTHING BUT SKY which released from Flux Books earlier this year. Amy joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about selling her book without an agent, the importance of maintaining writerly friendships – even when jealousy wants to come between you, and balancing the demands of research versus forging forward with your story when writing historical fiction.   Support Writer, Writer, Pants on Fire   Amy's Links: Site Twitter Instagram Facebook   Ad Links: THE TRAIL RULES by Melanie Hooyenga  THE EARTH BLEEDS RED by Jackson Baer 

Today’s guest is JR Johansson author of the Night Walkers trilogy as well as CUT ME FREE and THE ROW. J.R. Johansson's books have been published in a dozen languages and more than twenty countries worldwide. She has a B.S. degree in public relations and a background in marketing. She joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the process of landing her agent, how writing thrillers came to be her brand, as well as the pros and cons of writing a series versus writing stand alones. Links for JR: Site Twitter Instagram Ad Links: BOOMERANG by Helene Dunbar A VOID THE SIZE OF THE WORLD by Rachele Alpine

Today’s guest is Jenny Martin author of the Sci Fi YA Novels TRACKED and MARKED. Jenny joins host Mindy McGinnis today to talk about the importance of critique partners – how to find them, how to treat them, and how to keep them, as well as writing for the sake of writing, instead of for the sake of being published.  Jenny's Links: Site Twitter   Ad Links: KISS ME KILL YOU by Larissa C. Hardesty SOMEDAY, SOMEWHERE by Lindsay Champion

Today’s guest is Randy Ribay author of AN INFINITE NUMBER OF PARALLEL UNIVERSES and AFTER THE SHOT DROPS. Randy joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the importance of having an agent in order to negotiate the best possible contract, the power of writing concisely and how to make time to write while holding a day job Links for Randy: Site Twitter Instagram Ad Links: BOOMERANG by Helene Dunbar SOMEDAY, SOMEWHERE by Lindsay Champion