I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Have I changed my opinion on writing contests?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:08 — 23.6MB)

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“It might be too much, but it looks really fun.”

Blue logo for I Should Be Writing with Season 22 and delighted Mur illustrationISBW 22.4

I’ve had a strong opinion about writing contests for years, but things have apparently evolved. I was reading about writing contests and found two that were quite interesting.

A bit of housekeeping: I am no longer doing an exclusive version of Patreon episodes. They will still be early, still ad-free, but I’ve found that making two versions of the same show is just too much for me right now. I will still do completely exclusive episodes that the feed will never see, but I will rarely do extended interviews, etc.

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(This post went live for supporters on February 25, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

We touch on the Webbys and why I won’t enter them, and as for contests, NYC Midnight and Writing Battle intrigue me! The both have good rewards, good communities, and reasonable rules.

Then I chat with the livestream, which you can join on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on Twitch! Next episode is March 5, where I interview Olivia Waite, author of Murder by Memory and Nobody’s Baby.

Links

Evergreen Links

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Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you.
You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn.
Get archives of the show via Patreon.
February 27, 2025 | ISBW 22.4 | murverse.com
“Have I changed my opinion on writing contests?” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] 977 Episodes: What Have I Learned?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:22 — 23.1MB)

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“If [I] start thinking about the details, [I] will either go down the wrong path
and not record or [I’ll] talk [my]self out of it.”

Blue logo for I Should Be Writing with Season 22 and delighted Mur illustrationISBW 22.3

I finally finished the archives, and learned quite a bit about myself, not all good things. We also touch on Hugo season, book club scams, and AI publicists.
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(This post went live for supporters on February 20, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

Notes

Evergreen Links

—
Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you.
You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn.
Get archives of the show via Patreon.
February 23, 2025 | ISBW 22.3 | murverse.com
“977 Episodes: What Have I Learned?” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] What Do K-Pop Idols Have That We Don’t?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:37 — 25.7MB)

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“I am LARPing as an extrovert.”

orange logo with a shovel and pencil saying DITCH DIGGERSDD 12.2

Yeah, we know that K-Pop Idols have looks, style, and music and dance abilities–but what ELSE do they have that we don’t?

Support and guidance in dealing with fans.

Ursula is back from three signings, and we talk about how to deal with long signing lines and more.

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon

This post went live for supporters on February 17, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!

 

Evergreen Links:

Support Local Book Stores!

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).
February 20, 2025 | Season 12 Ep 2 | murverse.com
“What Do KPop Idols Have That We Don’t?” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] The Art of Juggling Writers (as an assistant)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:07 — 25.0MB)

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“Not every opportunity is equal, and you don’t have to chase everything.”
~Tim Minneci

Blue logo for I Should Be Writing with Season 22 and delighted Mur illustrationISBW 22.2

What do you need to have when you’re wrangling several pro writers? What can a writer expect from an assistant? Meet Tim Minneci, writer, podcaster, musician, and my assistant. (And Ursula’s, and Kameron’s.)

We discuss the challenges of being a writer, the importance of having an assistant, and the various tasks that come with supporting authors in their creative endeavors. Tim covers social media, the publishing industry, and the balance between creativity and administrative work.
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This post went live for supporters on February 16, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!

Links

Evergreen Links

—
Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you.
You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn.
Get archives of the show via Patreon.
February 18, 2026 | ISBW 22.2 | murverse.com
“The Art of Juggling Writers (as an assistant)” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] Being a Pro at Conventions

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:55 — 46.7MB)

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orange logo with a shovel and pencil saying DITCH DIGGERSDD 12.1

Ursula and Mur are back to talk about conventions and our 2026 plans. Notable discussions:

  • Do not use ChatGPT to vet your contracts!
  • Ursula finished [REDACTED] book! Mur forgot to ask herself what she was working on, but it’s a book. That’s about it.
  • This year Mur returns to ConFusion at the end of January. (Alas, Kameron Hurley won’t be attending this one.)
  • Ursula has changed her mind regarding where she wants to die in a ditch. We’ve moved from Target to Costco.
  • LARPing as an extrovert, and how to LARP as a confident person. Write your CV!
  • Mur is GOH of DemiCon this May! Also she’ll attend WorldCon in LA.
  • Ursula’s busy year starts with a mini book tour on the east coast US, then she’s going to NorWesCon, then the Celsius Festival in Spain in July, then toastmaster(!) at WorldCon, then Mile High Con, and HalCon in Nova Scotia!
  • Find Ursula and Mur online!

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon(This post went live for supporters on January15 , 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

 

 

Evergreen Links:

Support Local Book Stores!

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).
January 15, 2025 | Season 12 Ep 1 | murverse.com
“Being a Pro at Conventions” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Careful What You Pack

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:47 — 17.0MB)

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“All I can do is what I can do right now.”

Blue logo for I Should Be Writing with Season 22 and delighted Mur illustrationISBW 22.1

First episode of the year, and we talk about the things we may not want to take along with us into the new year. New books, new shows (Patreon-only Evil Mur podcast called STET!), and all that other stuff.
Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon

 

 

 

(This post went live for supporters on January 12, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

Links

Evergreen Links

—
Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you.
You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn.
Get archives of the show via Patreon.
January 6, 2025 | ISBW 22.1 | murverse.com
“Careful What You Pack” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] Looking to 2026, Feast and Famine

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:00 — 38.3MB)

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Ditch Diggers Season 11 logo featuring ursula illustrated

 

We present a casual and chatty Ditch Diggers where we close up the year with discussions of 2026 prep, spicy Christmas romances, and New Years’ traditions.

And maybe future us doesn’t need the apology that we haven’t been consistent.

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

 

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon(This post went live for supporters on December 23, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

 

 

Illustrated book cover with pink and white snow, book title, and to people in mid-distance.
Don’t judge a book by its cover. Or title. This is a funny, sweet book with a lot of heat.

Spicy Christmas romances:

Such an innocent looking book, right?

We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season with people you love, and that your pets eat zero things that sends them to the emergency vet. See you next year!

 

 

 

 

Evergreen Links:

Support Local Book Stores!

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).
December 15, 2025 | Season 11 Ep 10 | murverse.com
“Looking to 2026, Feast and Famine” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Research or Procrastination?

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“You tell them enough information to show that you know 10% of what you’re talking about, and your reader will assume you know the other 90%.”

In this episode, Mur discusses the seemingly innocuous action of research, and how it can become a trap that distracts from actual writing.

Advent calendar info and AI complaints are free additions!

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon(This post went live for supporters on December 22, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

 

Links

Evergreen Links

—
Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
December 4, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 24 | murverse.com
“Research or Procrastination?” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
I Should've Been Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Gift Guide for 2025

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“It’s a definitely a giftable type thing for the Tolkien lover in your life.”

In this somewhat festive episode we talk about all the books we weren’t able to feature over the year, to let you know about books you may not have heard of. We go by blurbs and first sentences – video also shows book covers! We talk SF, horror, mystery, and more.

Mur might also rant about publicists who use AI.

Check out all the books here! (affiliate)

Links

Evergreen Links

—
Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
November 16, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 23 | murverse.com
“2025 Gift Guide” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
In case it wasn’t clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] Can Mur Do ALL the Things?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:58 — 31.1MB)

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“You can pull it off if you write like an angel. I do not write like an angel.”
– Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher)

Ditch Diggers Season 11 logo featuring ursula illustrated

In this episode of Ditch Diggers, hosts Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher), talk about the horrors of ADHD convincing creative folk that they can do ALL the things.
(You can’t do all the things.)
They also talk about Naomi Alderman’s acquisition of Six to Start, the company behind the popular Zombies, Run! app, and how storytelling is essential in gaming.

 

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon(This post went live for supporters on November 6, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

Links: 

Evergreen Links:

Support Local Book Stores!

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).
November 29, 2025 | Season 11 Ep 9 | murverse.com
“Can Mur Do ALL the Things?” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0