Posts Tagged ‘Author Interviews’

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

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

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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!)

 

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

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“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] 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!)

 

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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] From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron

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New 2025 logo, tiny Mur on pink/orange background with purple circle saying I should Be Writing.

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S21 Ep6: From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron

“Stories are how I make sense of the world.”
-Natania Barron

(This post went live for supporters on March 27, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, I talk a little about the JoCo Cruise and how it reminded me of the importance of community and creativity. I forgot how good it felt to surrounding myself with fellow creatives.

Then I talk to Natania Barron, a prolific fantasy author and medieval scholar of the Queen of None series. We delve into Natania’s latest works, including her upcoming release in the Queens of Fate series. We also discuss the intersection of history and fantasy, the nuances of writing queer narratives, and the significance of food and fashion in storytelling.

Stories are how I make sense of the world, in text, with photo of natania barronTranscript

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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.
—

“From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron” 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.
March 27, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 6 | murverse.com
“From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed

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New 2025 logo, tiny Mur on pink/orange background with purple circle saying I should Be Writing.

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

S21 Ep4: Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed

“My characters would be wandering around the field with me going like, hey, I just found a rare orchid.” -Premee Mohamed

(This post went live for supporters on March 21, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

(recorded February)
In this episode we welcome prolific, brilliant Premee Mohamed, a Nebula and Aurora award-winning author to talk about her new book, One Message Remains. We explore the process of creating clean first drafts, the chaos of deadlines, and the balance between creativity and productivity. And why the cat needs a job.

Premee shares the challenges of producing multiple works in a year and the strategies she employs to keep her creativity flowing. We cover outlining techniques and the importance of not being precious about the writing process.

Transcript

Links

Evergreen Links

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.
—

“Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed” 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.
March 21, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 4 | murverse.com
“Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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