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Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] Dusty Hats and Burnt Out Pokemon Trainers

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“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. 

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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)

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“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.

 

 

 

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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)

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“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!)

 

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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)

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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)

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“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

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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.

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Embracing the Imposter Cop: Battling Doubts in Writing and Life

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:16 — 25.3MB)

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“If you’re writing your stories down, you’re more than a writer than a lot of people ever will have the courage to try to be.”

I Should Be Writing cover with blue imposter cop It’s a solo episode! I get into the complexities of writing and self-doubt, the struggles of completing a manuscript, the challenges of balancing creativity with personal life, and the ever-present specter of The Imposter Cop.

We try to accept the importance of focusing on one task at a time, despite everything.

Also we talk about K Pop Demon Hunters, exploring its themes and storytelling techniques.

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

Download Transcript

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

Links

Evergreen Links

—
“Embracing the Imposter Cop: Battling Doubts in Writing and Life” 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 27, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 20 | murverse.com
“Embracing the Imposter Cop: Battling Doubts in Writing and Life” 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] From Idea to Ink: Tim Chawaga on Crafting Salvagia (plus Bully #6- The Party!)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:36 — 25.8MB)

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[Worldcon] was my first convention where I went to panels, gave a reading, and had a big party. It made my sweet little book feel like the huge thing it is in my heart and mind. -Tim Chawaga
S21 Ep18

In this episode, we welcome Tim Chawaga, author of Salvagia, as we dive into the depths of his near-future science fiction mystery set in a flooded Florida. Tim shares the inspiration behind his book, where a freelance Salvagia diver uncovers a dead body while searching for valuable artifacts from the past.

We explore the blending of genres in Salvagia, from climate fiction to humor, and discuss the delicate balance between plot and world-building in writing. Tim reflects on his debut at Worldcon, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and the importance of building connections within the writing community.

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon(This post went live for supporters on October 16, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or get my newsletter via Ghost!)

 

Download Transcript

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

Cover of Salvagia with green ocean and red sky

Links

Evergreen Links

—
“From Idea to Ink: Tim Chawaga on Crafting Salvagia” 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 16, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 18 | murverse.com
“From Idea to Ink: Tim Chawaga on Crafting Salvagia” 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] Chinaza Bado and Moving From Romance to Epic Fantasy

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:45 — 29.8MB)

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Even writing badly will get you to writing well eventually. – Chinaza Bado

New 2025 logo, tiny Mur on pink/orange background with purple circle saying I should Be Writing.S21 Ep17
In this episode we welcome Nigerian Canadian author Chinaza Bado, to discuss her debut fantasy novel, Birth of a Dynasty, an exploration of political intrigue, magic, and vengeance.

We talk about genre classification, discussing how Chinaza’s characters age throughout the series while tackling adult themes. She talks about her writing process and her transition from romance to epic fantasy, her writing routine, and her unique approach to plotting.

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon(This post went live for supporters on October 14, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or get my newsletter via Ghost!)

 

Download Transcript

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

Green cover of Birth of a DynastyLinks

Evergreen Links

—
“Chinaza Bado and Moving From Romance to Epic Fantasy” 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.
September 8, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 17 | murverse.com
“Chinaza Bado and Moving From Romance to Epic Fantasy” 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] Live from WorldCon with James Patrick Kelly!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:17 — 42.4MB)

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You have to celebrate your friends who are more successful than you. ~Jim Kelly

S21 Ep16
In this special 20th anniversary episode of I Should Be Writing, recorded live at Worldcon 2025, I reunite with my mentor and long-time friend, James Patrick Kelly. We talk about the last two decades of writing, the evolution of our careers, and the ever-changing landscape of storytelling.

We still face bullies like self-doubt and shiny new ideas, but we also explore strengths like community support and celebrating each other’s successes. We discuss all the bullies unveiled, the concept of “bullies” that plague writers, including the Imposter Cop, the Blade, and the Nap.

And as always we discuss how to handle creative hurdles.

(This post went live for supporters on September 2, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or get my newsletter at Ghost!)

Transcript

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

Seattle Worldcon Logo Links

Book cover photo of Jim sitting on a cliff.Evergreen Links

—
“20 Years of ISBW, Live from WorldCon with James Patrick Kelly!” 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.

September 5, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 16 | murverse.com
“20 Years of ISBW, Live from WorldCon with James Patrick Kelly!” 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] The Sweet Spot of Horror and Desire with Sarah Gailey

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:42 — 33.6MB)

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Content warning: since Spread Me is erotic horror, this episode has an explicit tag.

I wrote it to have fun because I have written a lot of books
that were not fun to write. -Sarah Gailey

New 2025 logo, tiny Mur on pink/orange background with purple circle saying I should Be Writing.S21 EP15
In this episode, we welcome Hugo winning author Sarah Gailey, author of Spread Me, as we explore the wild world of erotic horror. Sarah shares their journey of writing a novel that takes inspiration from John Carpenter’s classic film, The Thing, blending horror and erotica and humor.

We dive into the creative process behind Spread Me, discussing the unique premise of a research crew encountering a specimen with prurient interests, and how the protagonist’s unusual attraction to viruses plays into the narrative.

(viruses!)

Sarah candidly reflects on the challenges of writing explicit content and the journey of finding the perfect title that captures the essence of their work. And we get Sarah’s meticulous approach to outlining and how specificity in description enhances storytelling. 

Then we fight book bans! It’s a magical time.

(This post went live for supporters on August 29, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or get my newsletter at Ghost!)

Download Transcript

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

Orange cover of SPREAD ME with black tentaclesLinks

Evergreen Links

—
“The Sweet Spot of Horror and Desire with Sarah Gailey” 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.

September 1, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 15 | murverse.com
“The Sweet Spot of Horror and Desire with Sarah Gailey” 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.

The Murverse Mothership

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