Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our best-selling writing coaches, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Learn our inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft. With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5* reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.
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In this inaugural episode of The Novelry on Writing, writing coaches Alice Kuipers and Mahsuda Snaith describe the different types of self-sabotage that can plague writers and how to overcome these obstacles to find joy in your writing. Be kind to yourself, write a messy first draft, and enjoy the writing journey. It’s not supposed to be easy, but it is supposed to be fun! For a deeper dive into this topic, check out Alice’s blog post, How to Overcome Self-Sabotage for Writers.
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
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With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5* reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.
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Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:29 - Tip #1: Identify the problem
02:55 - Tip #2: Turn down the negative voice
05:28 - Tip #3: Embrace the messiness
08:25 - Tip #4: Focus on the small steps
12:49 - Tip #5: Know where you’re at
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Guest bios
Alice Kuipers
Alice Kuipers is the bestselling, award-winning author of five novels, and six books for younger readers. She has been nominated for the Carnegie Medal. She is also a bestselling ghostwriter experienced in writing memoir.
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Mahsuda Snaith
Mahsuda Snaith was an Observer New Face of Fiction in 2017. Her debut novel, The Things We Thought We Knew, was released in 2017 to great praise. Her second novel, How to Find Home, was chosen as a BBC Radio 4 ‘Book at Bedtime.’
For one-on-one help writing your novel, join us on a creative writing course at The Novelry today. Sign up for courses, coaching, and a community from the world’s top-rated writing school.
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Have a question? Email us at hello@thenovelry.com.
All writers learn from other writers, even the greats. Write your novel with motivation and support from The Novelry. Sign up! Your story starts here...
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The Novelry | We Grow Writers™
Connect with The Novelry
Official Site: thenovelry.com
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The Novelry is the world’s top-rated online novel writing school, offering courses, coaching, and community to help the next generation of writers become authors. Founded by Booker Prize-listed author Louise Dean, with a team of bestselling authors and book editors from Big 5 publishing houses including Penguin Random House, The Novelry helps writers gain confidence, finish books, and submit directly to leading literary agencies. Learn more at: thenovelry.com
How to Write a Page-Turning Story
Season 1 · Episode 2
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 • Duration 19:55
Have you ever delayed going to bed because you had to stay up to read one more chapter of a book? And then another chapter? Join authors and The Novelry writing coaches Melanie Conklin and Heather Webb for five simple and practical tips to create page-turning stories that will keep your readers up at night. They dive into character yearning, raising the stakes, and giving your characters secrets to make a reader want to know more.
Writing coach Melanie Conklin is the award-winning author of five middle-grade books for children and the winner of the International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choice Award.
World-building can be a challenge for writers of all experience levels and genres. Join authors and The Novelry writing coaches Piers Torday and Tasha Suri for writing tips to take the world-building in your story to new dimensions. Discover how to develop worlds using your main character and learn how grounding your story in history can give your world heft and weight. Ultimately, it is worthwhile to write something that you find fun! Begin with what you find interesting and exciting to build a world you’ll be happy to escape to again and again.
Tasha Suri is the award-winning author of the Books of Ambha duology (Empire of Sand and Realm of Ash) and the epic fantasy trilogy The Burning Kingdoms. Empire of Sand was rated by TIME magazine as one of the best fantasy novels of all time.
Piers Torday is the award-winning and bestselling author of seven books for children dubbed ‘the new master of children’s fiction’ by The Times.
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How to Make Dialogue Come to Life
Season 1 · Episode 4
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 • Duration 20:49
Stale dialogue can cause a reader to set a book aside in just a few lines. Learn how to craft dialogue that captivates readers with The Novelry writing coach and New York Times bestselling author, Tara Conklin, and The Novelry senior editor Nic Caws. Explore how your dialogue can be realistic without imitating exactly how people speak, how to convey emotions through showing and not telling, and tips to avoid info-dumping in your dialogue.
Tara Conklin is the New York Times bestselling author of three novels, personal essays, and short stories. Her books have been selected by Read with Jenna, the Today Show Book Club, Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, as a No.1 IndieNext Pick and other accolades. Her work has been translated into eight languages. She is based in Seattle.
Before joining The Novelry, Nic was Senior Commissioning Editor at Headline, part of Hachette, with a particular focus on their boutique romance imprint Headline Eternal, the publishing home of bestselling authors such as Sarah Adams, Erin Sterling and Mariana Zapata.
How to Push Past the 30k Word Slump
Season 1 · Episode 6
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 • Duration 23:18
Every writer gets stuck while drafting a novel. Don’t panic! It’s part of the creative process. In this podcast, authors and The Novelry writing coaches Gina Sorell and Colleen Oakley present five simple and reliable techniques to push past a writing slump and crush your word count.
Gina Sorell is the author of The Wise Women (HarperCollins), a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, Good Morning America Buzz Book, a People Magazine Best New Book Pick, and Washington Post Summer Selection. Her debut novel, Mothers and Other Strangers was a Refinery29 and Self Magazine Best Book Pick.
Colleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise, The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, You Were There Too, Close Enough to Touch and Before I Go. Her books have been translated into more than 21 languages, optioned for film, and have received numerous accolades, including the French Reader’s Prize and Georgia Author of the Year.
How to Turn Up the Heat in Romantasy
Season 1 · Episode 5
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 • Duration 25:05
Romantasy is a genre that has taken the publishing world by storm with titles like Fourth Wing and ACOTAR flying off bookstore shelves. Whether you’re writing romantasy or just a fan of magic and make-outs, authors and The Novelry writing coaches Bea Fitzgerald and Ella McLeod are here to unpack the keys to turning up the heat in your story. In this extra spicy episode of The Novelry on Writing, learn how to raise the stakes, create characters who yearn deeply, and how to wisely use tropes to write a book readers will fall in love with.
Bea Fitzgerald is a Sunday Times bestselling, award-winning author. Her debut novel, Girl, Goddess, Queen, was published to rave reviews including five-star write-ups in the Telegraph, Glamour and Culturefly. It went on to become the bestselling YA hardback debut of 2023. Girl, Goddess, Queen won Romance Novel of the Year 2024 at the RNAs and has been shortlisted for numerous other awards including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the Young Adult Book Prize, and the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards.
How to Unlock Suspense in Your Story
Season 1 · Episode 7
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 • Duration 23:52
What is your reader reading to find out? No matter your genre, readers love a bit of mystery and tension on the page. Unlock your suspenseful story with five key insights from The Novelry author and writing coach Amanda Reynolds and editor Sorcha Rose. Learn how to pull in the reader, keep up the pace, create engaging characters, and leave your readers with a satisfying end.
Amanda Reynolds is the bestselling author of psychological suspense novels, with six published to date. Her number one ebook bestseller, Close to Me, was adapted in 2021 into a major TV series starring Connie Nielsen and Christopher Eccleston. Close to Me, described as ‘dramatic psychological suspense for fans of Liane Moriarty,’ was published by Headline in 2017. Lying to You followed in 2018 and The Hidden Wife in 2019. Amanda’s psychological thrillers have been translated into multiple languages and been praised for their gripping, unsettling and twisty plots. Amanda’s fourth novel, The Assistant, was published by Boldwood Books in April 2023 with The Wife’s Secret and Her Husband’s Lie following in 2024.
How to Use Your Shadow Side in Your Writing
Season 1 · Episode 8
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 • Duration 16:53
Have you ever wanted a safe way to seek revenge? In this captivating episode of The Novelry on Writing, join our writing coaches and bestselling authors Kate Riordan and Anissa Gray as they delve into the dark side of writing and how you can use your shadow side to fuel your fictional stories. They discuss embracing your dark side, stressing out your characters, and provide examples from novels you can use as inspiration for your own writing.
Kate Riordan is the bestselling author of seven novels, including The Heatwave, a Richard and Judy Book Club pick and Apple Fiction Chart No.1. Her historical novel The Girl in the Photograph was a Sunday Times bestseller described as a must-read for fans of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.
Anissa Gray’s debut novel, , was one of the most anticipated reads of 2019 from , ,the , , and. It was a top pick for Indie Next, Library Reads, and Barnes & Noble Discover and was selected for the book club. It has been optioned for TV by Gabrielle Union for Sony Pictures Television. Her second novel, , was named a most anticipated book by , , , , and the , and was praised by the .
How to Create a Title for Your Book
Season 2 · Episode 9
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 • Duration 17:29
How you name your book is your story’s most important marketing tool, so you must choose your novel title wisely. In this podcast episode of The Novelry on Writing, coaches Gina Sorell and Tara Conklin share the keys to crafting a unique, memorable, and insightful title to hook your readers before they even crack open the spine!
Tara Conklin is a New York Times bestselling author whose books have been selected by the Today Show Book Club, Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, and as a No.1 Indie Next Pick and Amazon Best Book of the Month. Tara’s debut novel, The House Girl, was a New York Times bestseller, translated into eight languages. Her second novel, The Last Romantics, also became an instant New York Times bestseller and was selected by Jenna Bush Hager as the inaugural read for the first-ever Today Show Book Club. Her latest novel, Community Board, is a recommended read of Vanity Fair, Barnes & Noble, and Kirkus Reviews.
Gina Sorell is the author of The Wise Women, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, Good Morning America Buzz Book and People Magazine Best New Book Pick that was also selected for Read with Jenna, Magazine’s Most Anticipated, the Summer Selection, Elin Hilderbrand’s summer reading list, and the Eva Chen Book Club. Gina’s debut, , was a Refinery29 and Magazine Best Book Pick, a Great Group Read, and an Indigo Best for Book Clubs selection.
How to Create Sexual Tension Between Characters
Season 2 · Episode 10
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 • Duration 18:27
While sexual tension is most commonly desired in romance novels, chemistry between characters is an essential ingredient in any good story. Whether you’re writing an enemies-to-lovers romantasy or a thriller with a romantic subplot, adding yearning and anticipation can create steamy scenes that will make your reader swoon. Writing sex scenes can fall flat without the heart-aching build-up to the act. In this special Valentine’s Day episode of The Novelry on Writing, author and editor Georgia Summers and writing coach Libby Page offer five tips to create that sizzling feeling of excitement on the page.
Before joining The Novelry, Georgia Summers was an Editor at Tor, an imprint of Macmillan, where. Georgia worked closely with a range of science fiction and fantasy debut authors. She was the commissioning editor for international cozy fantasy bestsellerLegends & Lattes by Travis Baldree and Daughter of Calamity by Rosalie M. Lin.
As well as being an editor at The Novelry, Georgia is also a published author. Her debut,The City of Stardust, was pre-empted in a significant two-book deal for Hodderscape in the U.K. and Orbit in the U.S. as well as several other countries. It was a No.1Sunday Times bestseller in its launch week, an Amazon Best Book of the Month, and an Indie Next pick.
All writers learn from other writers, even the greats. Write your novel with motivation and support from The Novelry. Sign up! Your story starts here...
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Show description
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5* reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.
Resources
Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to build fantastical worlds:
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5* reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.
.
Resources
Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to write engaging dialogue:
All writers learn from other writers, even the greats. Write your novel with motivation and support from The Novelry. Sign up! Your story starts here...
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5* reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.
.
Resources
Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to push past the writing slumps:
All writers learn from other writers, even the greats. Write your novel with motivation and support from The Novelry. Sign up! Your story starts here...
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5* reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.
Ella McLeod is a Branford Boase-nominated author whose debut novel, Rapunzella, Or, Don’t Touch My Hair, was published in July 2022 with Scholastic and in June 2024 with Little Bee in the U.S.A. Rapunzella received rave reviews in Kirkus, the Irish Times, the Guardian, and a star review in Foreword Magazine. Her second novel, The Map That Led to You, was published in June 2024 and is a pirates-and-mermaids swashbuckling adventure story full of queer romance and radical self-acceptance.
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Resources
Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to write a gripping romantasy novel:
All writers learn from other writers, even the greats. Write your novel with motivation and support from The Novelry. Sign up! Your story starts here...
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5* reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.
Before joining The Novelry, Sorcha Rose edited and acquired manuscripts at Hodder & Stoughton, a division of Hachette, home to authors including John Grisham, Stephen King, Sophie Hannah, Erin Kelly, Will Dean, B.A. Paris, Vaseem Khan and Lucy Score.
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Resources
Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to unlock suspense in your writing:
All writers learn from other writers, even the greats. Write your novel with motivation and support from The Novelry. Sign up! Your story starts here...
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5* reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
Vogue
Vanity Fair
Washington Post
Bustle
Cosmo
Marie Claire
Life and Other Love Songs
TIME
Essence
Real Simple
Good Housekeeping
Atlanta Journal Constitution
New York Times
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Resources
Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to use your shadow side in your writing:
All writers learn from other writers, even the greats. Write your novel with motivation and support from The Novelry. Sign up! Your story starts here...
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5* reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.
Parade
Washington Post
Mothers and Other Strangers
Self
Resources
Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to write and publish your story:
For one-on-one help writing your novel, join us on a creative writing course at The Novelry today. Sign up for courses, coaching, and a community from the world’s top-rated writing school.
All writers learn from other writers, even the greats. Write your novel with motivation and support from The Novelry. Sign up! Your story starts here...
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5* reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.
Libby Page is a writing coach at The Novelry and theSunday Times bestselling author of five novels. Her debut,The Lido(published in the U.S.A. asMornings with Rosemary),became aSunday Timesbestseller within three days of publication. It won the WHSmith Thumping Good Read Award and has been published in more than 25 territories worldwide. It is one of the leading books to be associated with the term Up Lit, coined by the publishing industry the yearThe Lido was released. Libby was named aGuardian New Face of Fiction and has been praised byThe Times, theObserver, and theSunday Express for her feelgood fiction.The Island Home was chosen byRed magazine as one of its top books of the year, and Libby’s latest book,The Lifeline, is a sequel toThe Lido.
Resources
Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to write and publish your story:
All writers learn from other writers, even the greats. Write your novel with motivation and support from The Novelry. Sign up! Your story starts here...
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5* reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.
