Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] Looking to 2026, Feast and Famine

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

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

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?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

“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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

“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)

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

“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
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:42 — 31.1MB)

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

“You want to preserve your experience of the work.
You want to preserve the doing of the art.”
~Cadwell Turnbull

Amazing author Cadwell Turnbull joins us to dives deep into the creative process and discuss his latest book, A Ruin Great and Free. We talk about his writing journey, trilogy challenges, and approaching social issues in his books.

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon(This post went live for supporters on November 24, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

 

Download Transcript

Links

Evergreen Links

—
“The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon!
Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, 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 24, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 22 | murverse.com
“The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull” 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] Dusty Hats and Burnt Out Pokemon Trainers

Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

“The point of a planner is to make your life easier, not be a source of guilt and stress.”
– Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher)

Ditch Diggers Season 11 logo featuring ursula illustrated Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon are back and dive into the chaotic world of writing! We talk about everything from  the trials of managing multiple projects to the absurdities of planner systems. (And talk about a bunch of options we’ve tried!)

Mur shares her recent experiences with her latest book, while Ursula discusses her creative process and the challenges of staying organized as a writer.

We also explore the joys (and pitfalls) of social media and how it impacts our creative lives. 

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 9, 2025 | Season 11 Ep 8 | murverse.com
“Dusty Hats and Burnt Out Pokemon Trainers” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] AI Settlements and NaNoWriMo

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:50 — 40.0MB)

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

“You should absolutely always write spite books.”
– Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher)

Ditch Diggers Season 11 logo featuring ursula illustrated

Unfortunately, this was recorded some time ago, but the Ditch Diggers tackle everything from the challenges of meeting deadlines to the complexities of AI settlements impacting authors. We touch on recent book releases, whirlwind tours, and the peculiarities of hotel bar conversations with state senators.

 

 

 

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 7, 2025 | Season 11 Ep 7 | murverse.com
“AI Settlements and NaNoWriMo” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] NaNoWriMo’s Ghosts and New Beginnings

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:30 — 29.3MB)

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

“Anytime someone starts a sentence with, ‘why don’t you just,’
immediately stop listening to them.”
~Valerie Valdes (Lia Amador)

New 2025 logo, tiny Mur on pink/orange background with purple circle saying I should Be Writing.While it hasn’t been a long time for podcast listeners, it’s been a while for us and considering her expertise, I’ve invited Valerie Valdes back for a candid discussion about the recent demise of NaNoWriMo and what it means for writers. We delve into the challenges of maintaining community and motivation without the established infrastructure of the once-beloved event. Valerie shares her insights as a former municipal liaison and offers alternatives for writers looking to stay engaged during November.

We cover Nano 2.0, Shut Up and Write, and 4 The Words. Community is one of the most important parts of this month, and we make sure people know that they’re still not alone!

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon(This post went live for supporters on November 4, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

 

Download Transcript

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

Purple illustrated book cover for Witch You Would, two people standing opposite with a cauldron in between themLinks

Evergreen Links

—
“NaNoWriMo’s Ghosts and New Beginnings” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, 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 6, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 21 | murverse.com
“NaNoWriMo’s Ghosts and New Beginnings” 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, rerun

It’s a NaNoWriMo Rerun! Day 0

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:20 — 10.1MB)

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

I Should Be Writing Nano participant with Spite Buddy peeking inNaNoReRun? Maybe?

I have SO MANY seasons where I tried to do a daily podcast, and this year I figured I would present them to you – FREE for all followers on Patreon!

This is an Intro/Day 0 episode from 2023.

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:22 — 30.2MB)

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

“You should be writing, because that’s the only thing that ultimately you can have
even a hope of controlling.”
~Valerie Valdes (Lia Amador)

New 2025 logo, tiny Mur on pink/orange background with purple circle saying I should Be Writing.Welcome back to the talented Valerie Valdes, also known as Lia Amador! We are here to launch her newest book, a fantasy rom-com titled Witch You Wood. We talk magical reality shows, romance, and tropes. We also get real about the struggles that persist even after being published.

Valerie discusses her experiences with self-doubt and how she manages to push through these challenges. We also explore the nuances of writing romance, the balance between subtlety and straightforwardness, and the significance of knowing your audience.

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon(This post went live for supporters on October 20, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

 

Download Transcript

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

Purple illustrated book cover for Witch You Would, two people standing opposite with a cauldron in between themLinks

Evergreen Links

—
“Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes” is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, 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.

October 23, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 19 | murverse.com
“Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes” 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.