How Long Should a Book Be?
Query Smart
Changing Literary Agents
So, you got a query rejection.

So, you got a query rejection.

Query rejection hurts. You’re putting your shiny new novel out into the world, just for people to say “no, thank you.” Here are some of the best ways to deal with a query rejection.

Read More
Episode 13: Wendelin Van Draanen, MG and YA Author
Episode 11: Erin Entrada Kelly, Middle Grade Author
Marketing Your Book With Emily Enger
Episode 10: Brittany Thurman, Picture Book Author

Episode 10: Brittany Thurman, Picture Book Author

Debut picture book author Brittany Thurman discusses writing about complex issues for a young audience, bias in the publishing industry, and supporting Black writers.

Read More
Picture Book Word Count

Picture Book Word Count

How long can a picture book manuscript be? What if mine’s much longer? Or much shorter? Will I be automatically rejected by an agent? What if my story needs those words? Are there different lengths for different types of picture book manuscripts?

Let’s answer these questions.

Read More
Episode 35: Gretchen McNeil, YA Horror/Suspense Novelist

Episode 35: Gretchen McNeil, YA Horror/Suspense Novelist

Dark YA novelist Gretchen McNeil joins Mary in an episode all about recognizing and executing a good story idea. They discuss the shifting young adult book market and embracing diversity, mastering storytelling structure and the importance of shaping the reader's experience, and the controversial subject of IP development.

Read More
Marketing To Libraries

Marketing To Libraries

If you’ve written a book, you’re probably considering marketing to libraries—especially if you’re a self-published author. As such, you’re the direct link between your work and the rest of the world—no fancy marketing departments to help you out.

So how do you approach marketing to libraries?

Read More
Episode 30: Benjamin Roesch, YA/MG Author

Episode 30: Benjamin Roesch, YA/MG Author

Benjamin Roesch joins us to talk about his debut novel—but not his first novel—published with LGBTQ+ young adult indie publisher Deep Hearts. We talk about turning short stories into a novel, coming of age fiction, and being an older debut writer.

Read More
Episode 33: Sara Zarr, YA & Middle Grade Author

Episode 33: Sara Zarr, YA & Middle Grade Author

Sara Zarr brings insight and personal experiences to surviving the sudden and drastic changes within the YA marketplace, such as the popularization of certain YA genres and how that affects YA authors who specialize outside of those genres.

Read More
Episode 25: Leslie C. Youngblood, Author

Episode 25: Leslie C. Youngblood, Author

Leslie C. Youngblood shares her journey through her MFA program, gives tips on crafting interesting character relationships, and weighs in on one of the hottest questions for authors today: traditional or self-publishing?

Read More
The Young Adult Fiction Market with Sara Zarr

The Young Adult Fiction Market with Sara Zarr

Join Mary Kole and Sara Zarr as they talk about the complex realities surrounding publishing and becoming a career author within a rapidly shifting YA and Middle Grade marketplace. Sara Zarr brings insight and personal experiences to surviving the sudden and drastic changes within the YA marketplace.

Read More
Episode 24: Mindy McGinnis, YA Author

Episode 24: Mindy McGinnis, YA Author

Mindy McGinnis, mystery, suspense, thriller author and dog haver, joins the Good Story Podcast to talk about her upcoming work with James Patterson, shit-shoveling, book snobbery, and showing characters' humanity.

Read More