Writing Your Debut Novel with Benjamin Roesch
Writing, Craft, Character, Revision + Editing, Novel Publishing, Novel Editing, Novel Submission, Short Story Editing, Short Story Publishing, Novel Draft, Short Story Draft Mary Kole Writing, Craft, Character, Revision + Editing, Novel Publishing, Novel Editing, Novel Submission, Short Story Editing, Short Story Publishing, Novel Draft, Short Story Draft Mary Kole

Writing Your Debut Novel with Benjamin Roesch

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.

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Reading Like a Writer
Craft, Writing, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Freelance Publishing, ER/CB Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing Amy Wilson Craft, Writing, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Freelance Publishing, ER/CB Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing Amy Wilson

Reading Like a Writer

If you’re struggling to figure out how to write a good story, you might want to consider coming at it from a fresh angle: reading like a writer. What does reading like a writer mean?

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Episode 32: J.C. Geiger, YA Author & Mixtape Creator
Marketing, Craft, Writing, Character, Novel Draft, Novel Editing, Novel Idea, Novel Outline, Novel Publishing, ER/CB Draft, ER/CB Editing, ER/CB Outline, ER/CB Idea, ER/CB Submission, ER/CB Publishing, Nonfiction Draft, Nonfiction Editing, Nonfiction Idea, Nonfiction Outline, Nonfiction Publishing, Nonfiction Submission Mary Kole Marketing, Craft, Writing, Character, Novel Draft, Novel Editing, Novel Idea, Novel Outline, Novel Publishing, ER/CB Draft, ER/CB Editing, ER/CB Outline, ER/CB Idea, ER/CB Submission, ER/CB Publishing, Nonfiction Draft, Nonfiction Editing, Nonfiction Idea, Nonfiction Outline, Nonfiction Publishing, Nonfiction Submission Mary Kole

Episode 32: J.C. Geiger, YA Author & Mixtape Creator

Tune in for a chat with Mary Kole's long-time friend in the children's publishing space, YA Author J.C. Geiger. He tells all about how he made an epic mixtape with music no one's heard before (and met his heroes in the process), and talks about writing young adult characters, the future of post-pandemic fiction, and—of course—the power of music.

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Magic, Mythology & Monsters with Lisa Stringfellow
Writing, Craft, Community, Critique, Market, Novel Idea, Novel Draft, Novel Publishing, Novel Editing, Novel Outline Mary Kole Writing, Craft, Community, Critique, Market, Novel Idea, Novel Draft, Novel Publishing, Novel Editing, Novel Outline Mary Kole

Magic, Mythology & Monsters with Lisa Stringfellow

Lisa Stringfellow, award-winning author and middle school teacher, discusses her debut novel about mermaids and mythology set in the Caribbean, “A Comb of Wishes.” She talks through her long journey from draft to finished book—plus plans for Book 2—and shares craft and industry tips she’s learned along the way.

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The Writing Journey with Leslie C. Youngblood
Writing, Craft, Character, Freelance Publishing, Novel Publishing, Novel Draft, Novel Idea, Freelance Draft, Freelance Idea, ER/CB Draft, ER/CB Publishing, ER/CB Idea, ER/CB Outline, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing Mary Kole Writing, Craft, Character, Freelance Publishing, Novel Publishing, Novel Draft, Novel Idea, Freelance Draft, Freelance Idea, ER/CB Draft, ER/CB Publishing, ER/CB Idea, ER/CB Outline, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing Mary Kole

The Writing Journey with Leslie C. Youngblood

Author and former assistant professor of creative writing Leslie C. Youngblood joins Mary Kole on the Good Story Podcast. She 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?

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Retelling (3 Reasons to Reimagine)
Writing, Market, Novel Draft, Novel Idea, Novel Outline, Novel Publishing, ER/CB Idea, ER/CB Draft, Freelance Draft, Freelance Idea Michal Leah Writing, Market, Novel Draft, Novel Idea, Novel Outline, Novel Publishing, ER/CB Idea, ER/CB Draft, Freelance Draft, Freelance Idea Michal Leah

Retelling (3 Reasons to Reimagine)

Is it just me, or does it seem like retellings and reimagined stories are everywhere you look? Whether I’m on the Kindle page or surfing Netflix, it seems like everyone’s telling familiar tales in different ways. Here’s more about this trend and why it matters.

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Episode 21: Gabriela Pereira, founder of DIY MFA
Writing, Craft, Community, Marketing, Novel Draft, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Draft, Picture Book Publishing, Nonfiction Draft, Nonfiction Publishing, ER/CB Draft, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Draft, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Draft, Memoir Publishing Mary Kole Writing, Craft, Community, Marketing, Novel Draft, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Draft, Picture Book Publishing, Nonfiction Draft, Nonfiction Publishing, ER/CB Draft, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Draft, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Draft, Memoir Publishing Mary Kole

Episode 21: Gabriela Pereira, founder of DIY MFA

Gabriela Pereira discusses her journey to founding DIY MFA, the do-it-yourself alternative to a Masters degree in writing, while living with bipolar disorder. She shares tips about unconventional learning styles, finding a writing community in your backyard, and using storytelling to effectively market your work.

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Episode 12: John Cusick, Agent and Author
Marketing, Market, Audience, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Short Story Publishing, Picture Book Submission, ER/CB Submission, Nonfiction Submission, Novel Submission Mary Kole Marketing, Market, Audience, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Short Story Publishing, Picture Book Submission, ER/CB Submission, Nonfiction Submission, Novel Submission Mary Kole

Episode 12: John Cusick, Agent and Author

A conversation with John Cusick, literary agent and MG/YA author. We delve into writing for MG and YA readers, what agents are looking for, and breaking writing rules.

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The Core of a Story with Roz Morris
Writing, Character, Audience, Craft, Novel Idea, Novel Draft, Novel Publishing, Novel Outline, Novel Editing, Memoir Draft, Memoir Editing, Memoir Publishing, Memoir Idea, Freelance Draft, Freelance Idea, Freelance Publishing, Nonfiction Idea, Picture Book Idea, Short Story Idea, Memoir Outline Mary Kole Writing, Character, Audience, Craft, Novel Idea, Novel Draft, Novel Publishing, Novel Outline, Novel Editing, Memoir Draft, Memoir Editing, Memoir Publishing, Memoir Idea, Freelance Draft, Freelance Idea, Freelance Publishing, Nonfiction Idea, Picture Book Idea, Short Story Idea, Memoir Outline Mary Kole

The Core of a Story with Roz Morris

Writer, writing teacher, ghost writer, and general literary icon Roz Morris joins Mary Kole for an interview on the Good Story Speaker Series. They dive into the mechanics of storytelling and discuss how to connect with your audience—whether you're writing someone else's story or your telling your own.

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Self Publishing in Five Easy Steps
Marketing, Community, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Short Story Publishing Michal Leah Marketing, Community, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Short Story Publishing Michal Leah

Self Publishing in Five Easy Steps

Turns out, there’s more to self publishing than just putting your book out there and seeing what happens. Ideally, you’ll have other people’s help as well. Here, we’ll run through the basics of self publishing in five steps.

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Episode 8: Jeff Lyons, Writing Teacher
Marketing, Market, Audience, Novel Publishing, ER/CB Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Novel Draft, ER/CB Draft, Nonfiction Draft, Freelance Draft, Memoir Draft, Picture Book Draft, Short Story Draft, Freelance Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Short Story Publishing Mary Kole Marketing, Market, Audience, Novel Publishing, ER/CB Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Novel Draft, ER/CB Draft, Nonfiction Draft, Freelance Draft, Memoir Draft, Picture Book Draft, Short Story Draft, Freelance Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Short Story Publishing Mary Kole

Episode 8: Jeff Lyons, Writing Teacher

Writing teachers Jeff Lyons and Mary Kole in conversation about craft, from the big picture to the nitty gritty.

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Writing Young Adult Books With Mindy McGinnis
Novel Publishing, Novel Draft, Novel Editing, Novel Idea, Novel Outline, Novel Revision, Novel Submission Mary Kole Novel Publishing, Novel Draft, Novel Editing, Novel Idea, Novel Outline, Novel Revision, Novel Submission Mary Kole

Writing Young Adult Books With Mindy McGinnis

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

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Episode 1: Chris Baty, Founder of NaNoWriMo
Marketing, Market, Audience, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Memoir Publishing, ER/CB Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Freelance Idea, ER/CB Draft, Freelance Draft, Memoir Draft, Novel Draft, Nonfiction Draft, Short Story Draft, Picture Book Draft, ER/CB Outline, Freelance Outline, Nonfiction Outline, Memoir Outline, Picture Book Outline, Novel Outline Mary Kole Marketing, Market, Audience, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Memoir Publishing, ER/CB Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Freelance Idea, ER/CB Draft, Freelance Draft, Memoir Draft, Novel Draft, Nonfiction Draft, Short Story Draft, Picture Book Draft, ER/CB Outline, Freelance Outline, Nonfiction Outline, Memoir Outline, Picture Book Outline, Novel Outline Mary Kole

Episode 1: Chris Baty, Founder of NaNoWriMo

An interview with NaNoWriMo founder and writing teacher Chris Baty, where we discuss plot, pantsing, not nipping good ideas in the bud, celebrating a hot pile of garbage, and the cult of busyness.

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Building Fantasy Worlds with Jonathan Auxier
Novel Draft, Novel Idea, Novel Publishing, ER/CB Draft, ER/CB Idea, ER/CB Publishing, ER/CB Editing, ER/CB Outline, ER/CB Submission, Novel Editing, Novel Outline, Novel Revision, Novel Submission Mary Kole Novel Draft, Novel Idea, Novel Publishing, ER/CB Draft, ER/CB Idea, ER/CB Publishing, ER/CB Editing, ER/CB Outline, ER/CB Submission, Novel Editing, Novel Outline, Novel Revision, Novel Submission Mary Kole

Building Fantasy Worlds with Jonathan Auxier

NYT Bestselling young adult and middle-grade author Jonathan Auxier joins Mary Kole to discuss visual writing, worldbuilding, and how different media use dialogue to create action.

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Getting Started with Social Media for Writers
Community, Marketing, Audience, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Short Story Publishing Guest User Community, Marketing, Audience, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Short Story Publishing Guest User

Getting Started with Social Media for Writers

Have you started on your writing journey and want to know how to handle the dreaded social media options? Think of social media as a way to connect to others in the writing community. While there are many platforms to consider, it’s important to pick and choose what you like and enjoy. Here’s a checklist to help you get started. 

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Publishing Advances
Market, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Short Story Publishing Mary Kole Market, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Short Story Publishing Mary Kole

Publishing Advances

Publishers can pay people. The upsetting thing is who they choose to pay, how they choose to pay them, and whatever calculus they've used to arrive at those decisions doesn't seem equal. This is going to be a hard ongoing conversation, but a necessary one.

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Podcast Episode 29: Leslie "LAM" Miller, CEO of Girl Friday Productions
ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Short Story Publishing, ER/CB Submission, Freelance Submission, Memoir Submission, Nonfiction Submission, Novel Submission, Picture Book Submission, Short Story Submission Mary Kole ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Novel Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Short Story Publishing, ER/CB Submission, Freelance Submission, Memoir Submission, Nonfiction Submission, Novel Submission, Picture Book Submission, Short Story Submission Mary Kole

Podcast Episode 29: Leslie "LAM" Miller, CEO of Girl Friday Productions

CEO of independent publisher Girl Friday Productions Leslie Miller talks all things publishing, marketing, and building your platform as an author. She discusses the differences between traditional publishing, self-publishing, indie publishing, and hybrid publishing, and how to know which option is right for your project.

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Episode 15: Cidney Swanson, Good Story Grant Recipient
Marketing, Market, Audience, Novel Draft, Novel Publishing, Novel Submission, Nonfiction Publishing, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Short Story Publishing Mary Kole Marketing, Market, Audience, Novel Draft, Novel Publishing, Novel Submission, Nonfiction Publishing, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Memoir Publishing, Picture Book Publishing, Short Story Publishing Mary Kole

Episode 15: Cidney Swanson, Good Story Grant Recipient

A conversation with Cidney Swanson, sci-fi author and recipient of the 2020 Good Story Grant.

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How Do Bad Books Get Published?
Craft, Market, Writing, Novel Publishing, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Picture Book Publishing Mary Kole Craft, Market, Writing, Novel Publishing, ER/CB Publishing, Freelance Publishing, Nonfiction Publishing, Picture Book Publishing Mary Kole

How Do Bad Books Get Published?

How do so many bad books get published? Today, we'll be discussing this question, one that a lot of writers shout at the top of their lungs when they get yet another rejection.

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