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I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden [Explicit]

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S20 Ep33: In Which Mur and Jen Udden Discuss World Fantasy Con, Fan Fiction, and the Ever-Changing Publishing Landscape [Explicit]

“I think we’re about 10 minutes away from reinventing urban fantasy and paranormal romance.” – Jennifer Udden

(This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

(NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes–32, 33, 34–in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.)

At World Fantasy Con this year, I got to talk to my ex-agent Jennifer Udden, who shared her journey from agent to barista and back to agenting. We talked about the unique atmosphere of the con, the evolution of fan fiction in the literary world, and the growing acceptance of publishing professionals as writers. We also talk about Stardew Valley.

Jen opens up about her experience with self-publishing, the importance of creative outlets, and her plans to reopen submissions, focusing on adult fiction across various genres.

Transcript

Links:

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—

“Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden” 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 or Substack!

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 25, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 33 | murverse.com
“Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes [Explicit] 

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S.20 Ep.32: In Which Mur and Valerie Discuss NaNoWriMo Alternatives, Writing Tools, and Community Building [Explicit] 

“The spirit of NaNoWriMo was to do something big, bold, and show what you’re capable of.” – Valerie Valdes

(This post went live for supporters on November 13, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

(NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes–32, 33, 34–in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.)

Join Mur and Valerie Valdes as they dive into the chaos surrounding NaNoWriMo and explore alternatives for writers seeking new challenges. They discuss the current state of NaNoWriMo, the controversies, and the impact on the writing community. Valerie shares insights into her local writing group’s decision to break away and create their own events.

Valerie also offers a wealth of resources and tools to challenge yourself this month, including Dream Foundry’s Freefall Challenge, World Anvil’s World Ember, and various Pomodoro and idle games like Rusty’s Retirement and Pomo Farm, and how to stay motivated with apps like 4 the Words and TrackBear.

Transcript

Links

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“NowNoWhatMo…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 or Substack!

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 18, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 32 | murverse.com
“NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwynne Garfinkle’s Writing Adventures

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S.20 Ep.31: In Which Mur and Gwynne Garfinkle Discuss Short Stories, Anthologies, and the Joy of Fanfiction

“[Fanfic] got me back into liking the fun of writing fiction.” – Gwynne Garfinkle

(This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Join me as I welcome back author Gwynne Garfinkle to discuss her anthology of short stories and the art of writing across different lengths. We dive into Gwynne’s journey from novels to short stories, exploring the freedom and challenges of each format. Gwynne shares her love for fanfiction and how it rekindled her passion for writing fiction.

We also delve into Gwynne’s poetry, discussing her unique approach to capturing untold stories from classic films, and her process of deciding whether an idea becomes a poem or a short story.

Transcript

Links:

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“From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel’s Writing Adventures” 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 or Substack!

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 15, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 31 | murverse.com
“From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel’s Writing Adventures” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Unveiling the Magic of Cozy Fantasy with Stacy Sivinski

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S20 Ep30: In Which Mur and Stacy Sivinski Discuss Cozy Fantasy, Sensory Writing, and Sisterhood

“The senses are actually connected, and the way we describe sensation and prioritize sight and sound is actually attached to social biases that need to be reconstructed.” – Stacy Sivinski

(This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, we welcome debut author Stacy Sivinski to discuss her new cozy fantasy novel, The Crescent Moon Tea Room. We explore the sensory elements that make her writing so immersive and the importance of sisterhood and self-discovery in her storytelling. Stacy shares her background in sensory studies, how it influences her writing, and the fascinating hierarchy of the senses that challenges traditional storytelling norms.

Stacy also touches on the challenges of transitioning from a PhD in English to writing cozy fantasy, her disciplined writing routine, and how she navigates the fears of starting new projects. We delve into her upcoming book, hinting at enchanted bookstores and ghosts, and discuss the power of writing rituals to overcome writer’s block and anxiety.

Transcript

Links:

Evergreen Links

“Exploring Cozy Fantasy and Sensory Writing with Stacy Sivinski” 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 or Substack!

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 14, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 30 | murverse.com
“Exploring Cozy Fantasy and Sensory Writing with Stacy Sivinski” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

 

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo

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S20 Ep29: In Which Mur and Cat Rambo Discuss Writing, Accountability, and Intelligent Spaceships

“I think that right now there are so many very interesting and original voices that can never be replicated.” – Cat Rambo

(This post went live for supporters on October 15, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Join me in welcoming author, community builder, former SFWA president, and all around awesome person Cat Rambo. We dive into Cat’s writing journey, discussing their latest series featuring intelligent spaceships and former mercenaries turned restaurateurs. Cat shares their unique approach to starting a story, the importance of accountability, and how they manage their prolific output despite the challenges all writers face.

Cat also talks about their recent projects, reveals their outlining process, the value of community in their Patreon, and future plans, including a horror novel set in 1976 South Bend, Indiana.

Transcript

Links:

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“Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo” 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 or Substack!

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 28, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 29 | murverse.com
“Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:26 — 33.2MB)

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S20 Ep28: In Which Mur and Sarah Pinsker Discuss Reality Shows, Workshops, and Writing Patience

“I love the bingo card measure of success rather than the ladder of success.” – Sarah Pinsker

 

(This post went live for supporters on October 11 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, Mur welcomes the award-winning author Sarah Pinsker to discuss her latest book, Haunt Sweet Home. They dive into the fascinating world of reality TV shows and how Sarah’s unique idea of a haunted house fixer-upper series evolved from a joke to a novella.

Sarah shares her insights on the importance of patience in writing, especially when it comes to leveling up your skills for a project that feels just out of reach. They also explore the intricacies of different writing workshops, including Clarion West and the Milford method, and how these experiences shape a writer’s journey.

From the challenges of finishing stories to the agony of editing, Sarah offers invaluable advice on navigating the hurdles of the writing process. Tune in for a delightful conversation filled with practical tips, personal anecdotes, and a deep dive into the craft of storytelling.

Transcript

Links

Evergreen Links

“Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!” 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 or Substack!

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 21, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 28 | murverse.com
“Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!!” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes

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S20 Ep27: In Which Mur and Anamely Salgado Reyes Discuss Magical Realism and Writing Journeys

“I write about what I know, and what I know is family.” – Anamely Salgado Reyes

(This post went live for supporters on October 8, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, I chat with Anamely Salgado Reyes about her debut novel, My Mother Cursed My Name, and the intricacies of writing magical realism. We explore the differences between magical realism and fantasy, the significance of family stories, and the emotional journey of getting published.

Pink book cover for My Mother Cursed My NameAnamely shares her unique path to becoming a published author, from Googling how to publish a book to landing her dream agent. She also talks about her second novel, her writing process, and her love for family-centric stories.

Transcript

Links:

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“Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes” 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 or Substack!

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 14, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 27 | murverse.com
“Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] Elephants in the Room: NaNoWriMo, Burnout, and More

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“Sometimes you just need to chase the inspiration, even if it means working on a project nobody asked for.” – Ursula

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on October 4, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon tackle the complexities of burnout, the writing hustle, and the latest controversies in the literary world. Ursula shares her battle with mortgage woes, while Mur discusses the challenges of juggling multiple podcasts and writing projects.

The duo also delves into the fallout from NaNoWriMo’s recent controversies and the implications of AI in the writing community. They ponder the impact of fallen idols in the literary world and the importance of making good choices in public-facing careers.

Recorded on Twitch every other Monday at 3pm Eastern time.

Highlights include:

  • The struggles of balancing writing and personal life
  • NaNoWriMo’s AI controversy and community backlash
  • Fallen idols and the consequences of public misconduct
  • The importance of community in writing challenges

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Support Local Book Stores!

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).
October 9, 2024 | Season 10 Ep 5 | murverse.com
“Elephants in the Room: NaNoWriMo, Burnout, and More” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:42 — 38.5MB)

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S20 Ep26: In Which Mur and S.B. Divya Discuss Worldcon, Accessibility, and Future Worlds

“It is around the world in 80 days if Greta Thunberg was the protagonist.” – SB Divya

NOTE- I will be doing a giveaway for signed copies of Meru and Loka on October 31, 2024! Details on how to win are inside the podcast!

 

(This post went live for supporters on October 3, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

I’m delighted to welcome welcome my longtime friend, S.B. Divya, to discuss Divya’s new book, Loka. We dive into our experiences at Worldcon, the intricacies of accessibility at large conventions, and the unique challenges faced by those with disabilities. Divya shares her journey in creating a richly detailed future world for her books, explaining how she envisions life a thousand years from now and the process of worldbuilding that supports her stories.

We also explore the concept of burnout, particularly in the context of long Covid, and how Divya managed to balance her writing career with her health needs. The conversation highlights the importance of taking intentional breaks and the reality of being a writer with a disability.

We get insights into Divya’s creative process, her thoughts on genetic engineering, space exploration, and the sociopolitical landscapes of her speculative worlds. Plus, there’s a special giveaway for US listeners to win signed copies of Meru and Loka!

Transcript

Links:

Evergreen Links

“Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya” 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 or Substack!

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 7, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 26 | murverse.com
“Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] WorldCon 2024 Debrief [AKA HOLY CRAP I HAVEN’T POSTED THIS?]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:14:35 — 58.6MB)

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“Networking is just meeting people and having them remember you exist.” – Ursula Vernon

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on October 2, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this (LONG OVERDUE) episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon return from their adventures in Scotland and dive into the art of networking. They explore the nuances of making connections in the writing world, share tales from Worldcon, and discuss the challenges and joys of upcoming conventions.

The duo also tackles the importance of maintaining a presence in the ever-shifting landscape of social media and the significance of in-person networking at conventions. From the intricacies of interactive fiction to the recent developments at SFWA, Mur and Ursula cover a wide range of topics with the wisdom you have come to expect from them.

Highlights include:

  • Networking strategies and the importance of being present
  • Worldcon reflections and Ursula’s Hugo win
  • Upcoming conventions and the art of balancing work with travel
  • Social media alternatives in a post-Twitter world
  • Interactive fiction and the joy of hidden Easter eggs

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).
October 2, 2024 | Season 10 Ep 4 | murverse.com
“Recorded back when Mur still had a Gallbladder” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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