I Should Be Writing
The award-winning podcast for wanna-be fiction writers is also the longest running writing podcast in the world! If you're new and unsure how get (and keep!) going in your writing career, this is the show for you. Past shows have guest starred Connie Willis, John Scalzi, Mary Robinette Kowal, and so many more!
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[ISBW] AMA and Silly Notebook Problems
08/19/2026
[ISBW] AMA and Silly Notebook Problems
ISBW 22.17 So much to talk about! is looming, and we take listener questions. How do you handle writing after a long break? What books do you recommend for writing fight scenes? Books by and are mentioned Mur is reading . Mur also has silly notebook problems that no one else seems to have. The HWA sent a ridiculous newsletter out and we are all seeing the fallout. See on it, and HWA’s response is in the comments. The lesson of this episode is the classic, if no one buys your thing, it is probably because THEY DO NOT WANT THE THING, not because they want to spite you. Authors have many reasons to hate AI that have nothing to do with “gatekeeping.” Other links of stuff I said: , Grant Baciocco’s video, . This post went live for supporters on August 17, 2026. If you want early and ad-free episodes, support at ! Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! The next live episode is August 20! Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via Aug 19, 2026 | ISBW 22.17 | “AMA, Silly Notebook Problems” by is licensed under 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. And “AI” or large language models are wretched and we hate them so very much. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
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[ISBW] What does "confidence" even mean?
08/09/2026
[ISBW] What does "confidence" even mean?
ISBW 22.16 I finished the book, I started a short story, and I have been looking at the concept of confidence a bit lately. Also been enjoying . So let’s talk about confidence. Don’t forget the book giveaway from last time! You have a week to enter! The Books (along with links if you want to just order right now!): by Sara Cate by Ann Archer by Maxie Dara by Brooke Fast by Lucy Foley (and Agatha Christie) This post went live for supporters on August 7, 2026. If you want early and ad-free episodes, support at ! Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! The next live episode is August 13 with Ann Archer! Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via Aug 7, 2026 | ISBW 22.16 | “Are you confident? What does “confident" actually mean?” by is licensed under 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. And “AI” or large language models are wretched and we hate it so very much. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
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[ISBW] 2026 Book Giveaway (#1)
07/29/2026
[ISBW] 2026 Book Giveaway (#1)
ISBW 22.15 I want a lot of books. I buy a lot of books. I get sent a lot of books. I can’t with all these books. So you get to benefit! I’m discussing five new or upcoming books of several different genres and then doing a giveaway! All you have to do is email me (mightymur at gmail) and tell me which one you want to be in the drawing for! I will draw the winners August 15! This is open to anyone, Patreon supporter/follower or not! The Books (along with links if you want to just order right now!): by Sara Cate by Ann Archer by Maxie Dara by Brooke Fast by Lucy Foley (and Agatha Christie) This post went live for supporters on July 24, 2026. If you want early and ad-free episodes, support at ! Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! The next live episode is August 6! Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via Jul 29, 2026 | ISBW 22.15 | “Let’s Give Away Some Books! (#1)” by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Scams, scams, and more scams!
07/24/2026
[ISBW] Scams, scams, and more scams!
ISBW 22.14 The scammers are getting wilier, and we have to keep up, folks. They want you to pay to join book clubs, they catfish you to make you fire your agent and take theirs, and they are really into helping you promote a book you have forgotten about, and have zero control over because it was work for hire. GLOSSARY: Work For Hire: It is an exception to the general (copyright) rule that the person who actually creates a work is the legally-recognized author of that work. Meaning when Marvel* hires you to write Superman, Marvel owns the rights to everything and you get a check. The biggest thing we discuss is how to best battle these monsters. The following help too: (They're moving to a new platform, so all that's there right now (July 2026) is a Facebook link…) Our own Discord server for supporters! This post went live for supporters on July 22, 2026. If you want early and ad-free episodes, support at ! Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! The next live episode is July 30! Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, *Yes of course I know that DC owns and publishes Superman. But I bet someone out there is trying to scam people by inviting them to write Superman from a fake Marvel address. See, guys, I’m telling you, these scammers are WILEY. Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via July 24, 2026 | ISBW 22.14 | “Scams scams scams!” by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Dance Like Nobody’s Watching
06/26/2026
[ISBW] Dance Like Nobody’s Watching
ISBW 22.13 Believe it or not, we got a feedback question to answer! We talk about how to get moving when you’ve stalled out on your writing routine, and a few of my secret anxieties. It boils down to: Why are you doing this? Notes: is a finalist for the Hugo and Ignyte awards! Amazing! I attended once upon a time. Song of the Day This post went live for supporters on June 22, 2026. If you want early and ad-free episodes, support at ! Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! The next live episode is July 2! Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via June 26, 2026 | ISBW 22.13 | “Dance Like Nobody’s Watching” by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] SUBLIMATION with Isabel J. Kim
06/22/2026
[ISBW] SUBLIMATION with Isabel J. Kim
ISBW 22.12 Happy Pride! Recently we welcomed Isabel J. Kim to the show to talk about her debut novel, Sublimation! We not only talk about her mind-bending Severence-like novel, but her use of point of view, second person, and about her award-winning story “”. This post went live for supporters on June 19, 2026. If you want early and ad-free episodes, support at ! Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! The next live episode is June 25! Links: “” Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via Jun 19, 2026 | ISBW 22.12 | “Isabel J. Kim talks SUBLIMATION” by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Magic Systems and Ruinous Creatures
05/14/2026
[ISBW] Magic Systems and Ruinous Creatures
ISBW 22.11 (There will be a giveaway of Ruinous Creatures! I'm taking entries until May 21! Email me with GIVEAWAY in the subject line! You do not need to be a paying supporter to enter.) Recently we welcomed to the show to talk about her debut novel, ! We cover Jackson's unique bone-specific magic system and her inspirations, not to mention how to wrap your head around romance and spice when you've only written tame things before. Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! The next live episode is May 16. This post went live for supporters on May 11, 2026. If you want early and ad-free episodes, support at ! Links: podcast Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via May 16, 2025 | ISBW 22.11 | "Ruinous Creatures and Magic Systems" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Are you sure you want to injure that character?
04/28/2026
[ISBW] Are you sure you want to injure that character?
"If you injure somebody, that injury tells a story, and you have to decide whether that story fits the rest of your story." 22.10 In this episode, I go into "realism" with regards to injuries and health. Are injuries for pain? For an instant of shock? To give the character a new hardship? We talk about some of Stephen King's works and how to balance realism with narrative flow. This post went live for supporters on April 21, 2026. If you want early and ad-free episodes, support at ! NOTE- This coming weekend (May 1-3) I will be GoH at DemiCon! Remember, you can join us live on Thursdays at 3 PM Eastern on Twitch! Don't miss our next live episode! Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via April 27, 2025 | ISBW 22.10 | "Are you sure you want to injure that character?" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] When Characters Go Rogue
04/21/2026
[ISBW] When Characters Go Rogue
"Every character is the star of their own story." ISBW 22.9 In this episode we talk about how different writers view characterization, from the ones who struggle to the ones who say the characters live in their heads. How do you manage all these wily beasts who want their stories told? I will also be appearing next week at Ravencon, and then the following week at Demicon! This post went live for supporters on April 17, 2026. If you want early and ad-free episodes, support at ! Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! The next live episode is April 24, when we will talk about A Year of Furious Creation. Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via April 21, 2025 | ISBW 22.9 | "When Characters Go Rogue" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Can Rejectomancy Save Our Sanity?
04/06/2026
[ISBW] Can Rejectomancy Save Our Sanity?
"I think the thing people have the most problem with is, 'This was very good, but it didn't excite me.'" ISBW 22.8 Mur is back solo, talking about Rejectomancy and how to interpret the rejections you get, and more importantly, how to move forward after getting said rejection. And the bad news: you're aiming to make writing a job, which means you have to deal with the bad parts along with the good. Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! The next live episode is April 9*, when we will talk about A Year of Furious Creation. *(Maybe. I may have jury duty that day. Stay tuned.) Links The person who coined the phrase '.' Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via April 6, 2025 | ISBW 22.8 | "Can Rejectomancy Save Our Sanity?" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Medicine and AI with Dr. Justin C. Key
03/30/2026
[ISBW] Medicine and AI with Dr. Justin C. Key
"Acceptance is built on a pile of rejections." ~ Justin C. Key ISBW 22.7 Dr. Justin C. Key joins us to discuss his debut novel, The Hospital at the End of the World, exploring intersection of medicine and AI. Justin shares his experiences as a psychiatrist and balancing a medical career with being an author. We go over writing process, community, and the lessons learned from both success and setbacks. This post went live for supporters on March 27, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at ! Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! The next live episode is April 2, when we will talk about Characters with a Mind of Their Own. Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via March 30, 2025 | ISBW 22.7 | "Medicine and AI with Dr. Justin C. Key" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Regret, Spite, and shiny new book haul
03/24/2026
[ISBW] Regret, Spite, and shiny new book haul
"Weird is hot right now." ISBW 22.6 CW- pet death. It's been a rough week, so I'm talking regret and spite. Can they help and fuel us? Or is it just wasted bile? Then we talk about new book releases, like Nobody's Baby by Olivia Waite and Hell's Heart by Alexis Hall. And we touch on our next show, an interview with Justin C. Key, author of The Hospital at the End of the World. Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! The next live episode is March 26, when we will talk about Rejectomancy. Links by Olivia Waite by Alexis Hall by Justin C. Key by Jessie Cole Jackson You Should Have Been Nicer to My Mom by Vincent Tirado T. Kingfisher (Ursula Vernon) Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via March 23, 2025 | ISBW 22.6 | "Regret, Spite, and shiny new book haul" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Revisiting Space Murder with Olivia Waite
03/16/2026
[ISBW] Revisiting Space Murder with Olivia Waite
"Take your time, there's no rush. The audience will be here whenever your story is ready." ISBW 22.5 In this episode we welcome author Olivia Waite to discuss her latest books, including Murder by Memory and Nobody's Baby. We touch on one of my favorite topics, writing science fiction mysteries, but we also delve into compelling beginnings and how to avoid the cringe in romance. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:30) Writing Updates (05:00) Interview with Olivia Waite (10:00) Discussion on Book Beginnings (15:00) Overview of Nobody's Baby (25:00) Writing Process and Genre Exploration (35:00) Audience Questions (This post went live for supporters on March 12, 2026. If you want early and ad-free, episodes, support at !) Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! Next episode is March 19, when I interview Justin C. Key, author of . Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via March 16, 2025 | ISBW 22.5 | "Revisiting Space Murder with Olivia Waite" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Have I changed my opinion of writing contests?
02/27/2026
[ISBW] Have I changed my opinion of writing contests?
"It might be too much, but it looks really fun." ISBW 22.4 I've had a strong opinion about writing contests for years, but things have apparently evolved. I was reading about writing contests and found two that were quite interesting. A bit of housekeeping: I am no longer doing an exclusive version of Patreon episodes. They will still be early, still ad-free, but I've found that making two versions of the same show is just too much for me right now. I will still do completely exclusive episodes that the feed will never see, but I will rarely do extended interviews, etc. (This post went live for supporters on February 25, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at !) We touch on the Webbys and why I won't enter them, and as for contests, NYC Midnight and Writing Battle intrigue me! The both have good rewards, good communities, and reasonable rules. Then I chat with the livestream, which you can join on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on ! Next episode is March 5, where I interview Olivia Waite, author of and Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via February 27, 2025 | ISBW 22.4 | "Have I changed my opinion on writing contests?" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] 977 Episodes Archived: What Secrets Did I Find?
02/23/2026
[ISBW] 977 Episodes Archived: What Secrets Did I Find?
"If [I] start thinking about the details, [I] will either go down the wrong pathand not record or [I'll] talk [my]self out of it." ISBW 22.3 I finally finished the archives, and learned quite a bit about myself, not all good things. We also touch on Hugo season, book club scams, and AI publicists. This post went live for supporters on February 20, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at ! Notes I FINISHED THE ARCHIVES! Now I just have to figure out how to release them. I'm playing and , which are going to be my nominations for the Best Game Hugo. Dispatch has made me think a lot about interactive fiction. Beware the newest book club scam. I want to stream some solo-RPGs. I'm considering , , and . Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders made pure gold with . Check out my thus far! Next one is in Durham, NC, March 6-8. Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via February 23, 2025 | ISBW 22.3 | "977 Episodes: What Have I Learned?" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] The Art of Juggling Writers (as an assistant)
02/18/2026
[ISBW] The Art of Juggling Writers (as an assistant)
"Not every opportunity is equal, and you don't have to chase everything." ~Tim Minneci ISBW 22.2 What do you need to have when you're wrangling several pro writers? What can a writer expect from an assistant? Meet Tim Minneci, writer, podcaster, musician, and my assistant. (And Ursula's, and Kameron's.) We discuss the challenges of being a writer, the importance of having an assistant, and the various tasks that come with supporting authors in their creative endeavors. Tim covers social media, the publishing industry, and the balance between creativity and administrative work. (This post went live for supporters on February 16, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at !) Links and his podcast Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via February 18, 2026 | ISBW 22.2 | "The Art of Juggling Writers (as an assistant)" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Careful What You Pack
01/16/2026
[ISBW] Careful What You Pack
"All I can do is what I can do right now." ISBW 22.1 First episode of the year, and we talk about the things we may not want to take along with us into the new year. New books, new shows (Patreon-only Evil Mur podcast called STET!), and all that other stuff. (This post went live for supporters on January 12, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at !) Links (first episode is free to everyone!) Gnosia ( and ) Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via January 6, 2025 | ISBW 22.1 | "Careful What You Pack" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Research or Procrastination?
12/26/2025
[ISBW] Research or Procrastination?
"You tell them enough information to show that you know 10% of what you're talking about, and your reader will assume you know the other 90%." In this episode, Mur discusses the seemingly innocuous action of research, and how it can become a trap that distracts from actual writing. Advent calendar info and AI complaints are free additions! Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review, please! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via December 4, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 24 | "Research or Procrastination?" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Gifting Books to the Reader in Your Life
12/19/2025
[ISBW] Gifting Books to the Reader in Your Life
"It’s a definitely a giftable type thing for the Tolkien lover in your life." In this somewhat festive episode we talk about all the books we weren't able to feature over the year, to let you know about books you may not have heard of. We go by blurbs and first sentences - video also shows book covers! We talk SF, horror, mystery, and more. Mur might also rant about publicists who use AI. (affiliate) Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review, please! CREDITS Theme song by , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via November 16, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 23 | "2025 Gift Guide" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull
11/26/2025
[ISBW] The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull
"You want to preserve your experience of the work. You want to preserve the doing of the art." ~Cadwell Turnbull Amazing author Cadwell Turnbull joins us to dives deep into the creative process and discuss his latest book, A Ruin Great and Free. We talk about his writing journey, trilogy challenges, and approaching social issues in his books. (This post went live for supporters on November 24, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at !) Links and on Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — "The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull" 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 ! 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 , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via November 24, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 22 | "The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] NaNoWriMo Ghosts with Valerie Valdes
11/06/2025
[ISBW] NaNoWriMo Ghosts with Valerie Valdes
"Anytime someone starts a sentence with, 'why don't you just,' immediately stop listening to them." ~Valerie Valdes (Lia Amador) While it hasn't been a long time for podcast listeners, it's been a while for us and considering her expertise, I've invited Valerie Valdes back for a candid discussion about the recent demise of NaNoWriMo and what it means for writers. We delve into the challenges of maintaining community and motivation without the established infrastructure of the once-beloved event. Valerie shares her insights as a former municipal liaison and offers alternatives for writers looking to stay engaged during November. We cover Nano 2.0, Shut Up and Write, and 4 The Words. Community is one of the most important parts of this month, and we make sure people know that they're still not alone! (This post went live for supporters on November 4, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at !) Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — "NaNoWriMo's Ghosts and New Beginnings" 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 ! 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 , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via November 6, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 21 | "NaNoWriMo's Ghosts and New Beginnings" by is licensed under 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.
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NaNoWriMo Rerun Day 0 (2023)
11/05/2025
NaNoWriMo Rerun Day 0 (2023)
I'm going over some daily episodes from the past this month! Get the whole 2025 NaNoReRun over at free for all followers! Do not listen to Evil Mur. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA, all other rights reserved by Mur Lafferty
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[ISBW] Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes
10/24/2025
[ISBW] Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes
"You should be writing, because that's the only thing that ultimately you can have even a hope of controlling." ~Valerie Valdes 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. (This post went live for supporters on October 20, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at !) Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — "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 ! 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 , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via October 23, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 19 | "Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Embracing the Imposter: Battling Doubts in Writing and Life
10/24/2025
[ISBW] Embracing the Imposter: Battling Doubts in Writing and Life
"If you’re writing your stories down, you’re more than a writer than a lot of people ever will have the courage to try to be." It's a solo episode! I get into the complexities of writing and self-doubt, the struggles of completing a manuscript, the challenges of balancing creativity with personal life, and the ever-present specter of The Imposter Cop. We try to accept the importance of focusing on one task at a time, despite everything. Also we talk about K Pop Demon Hunters, exploring its themes and storytelling techniques. (This post went live for supporters on October 22, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at !) Links by Cait Jacobs Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — "The Bully that Knocks: The Imposter Cop" 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 ! 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 , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via October 27, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 20 | "The Bully that Knocks: The Imposter Cop" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Nostalgia and Climate Fic with Tim Chawaga
10/20/2025
[ISBW] Nostalgia and Climate Fic with Tim Chawaga
[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 , 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. (This post went live for supporters on October 16, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or get my newsletter at !) Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — "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 ! 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 , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via October 16, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 18 | "From Idea to Ink: Tim Chawaga on Crafting Salvagia" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Chinaza Bado and Moving From Romance to Epic Fantasy
10/16/2025
[ISBW] Chinaza Bado and Moving From Romance to Epic Fantasy
Even writing badly will get you to writing well eventually. - Chinaza Bado S21 Ep17 In this episode, we sit down with Chinaza Bado, author of Birth of a Dynasty, to discuss the challenges and strategies of getting a trilogy published. Chinaza shares advice for how to query the a book and how to pitch a trilogy to publishers. We also discussed agents and marketing yourself in a competitive landscape. (This post went live for supporters on October 14, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or get my newsletter at !) Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — "Navigating the Trilogy: Insights from Chinaza Bado" 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 ! 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 , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via September 8, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 17 | "Chinaza Bado and Navigating the Trilogy" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] The Sweet Spot of Horror and Desire with Sarah Gailey
09/05/2025
[ISBW] The Sweet Spot of Horror and Desire with Sarah Gailey
Content warning: since Spread Me is erotic horror, this episode has an explicit tag. I wrote it to have fun because I have written a lot of books that were not fun to write... -Sarah Gailey In this episode, we welcome Hugo winning author Sarah Gailey, author of Spread Me, as we explore the wild world of erotic horror. Sarah shares their journey of writing a novel that takes inspiration from John Carpenter's classic film, The Thing, blending horror and erotica and humor. We dive into the creative process behind Spread Me, discussing the unique premise of a research crew encountering a specimen with prurient interests, and how the protagonist's unusual attraction to viruses plays into the narrative. (viruses!) Sarah candidly reflects on the challenges of writing explicit content and the journey of finding the perfect title that captures the essence of their work. And we get Sarah's meticulous approach to outlining and how specificity in description enhances storytelling. Then we fight book bans! It's a magical time. (This post went live for supporters on August 29, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or get my newsletter at !) Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — "The Sweet Spot of Horror and Desire with Sarah Gailey" 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 ! 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 , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via September 1, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 15 | "The Sweet Spot of Horror and Desire with Sarah Gailey" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Happy 20th ISBW! With James Patrick Kelly at Worldcon
09/05/2025
[ISBW] Happy 20th ISBW! With James Patrick Kelly at Worldcon
You have to celebrate your friends who are more successful than you. ~Jim Kelly In this special 20th anniversary episode of I Should Be Writing, recorded live at Worldcon 2025, I reunite with my mentor and long-time friend, James Patrick Kelly. We talk about the last two decades of writing, the evolution of our careers, and the ever-changing landscape of storytelling. We still face bullies like self-doubt and shiny new ideas, but we also explore strengths like community support and celebrating each other's successes. We discuss all the bullies unveiled, the concept of "bullies" that plague writers, including the Imposter Cop, the Blade, and the Nap. And as always we discuss how to handle creative hurdles. Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — 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 , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via September 5, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 16 | "20 Years of ISBW, Live from WorldCon with James Patrick Kelly!" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] Chasing Monsters: A Journey Through Hampton Heights
08/29/2025
[ISBW] Chasing Monsters: A Journey Through Hampton Heights
I think I was a very... particular kind of undergraduate workshop student. -Dan Kois In this episode, I welcome my old classmate from UNC, Dan Kois, Slate editor and author of Hampton Heights. We dive into our journey from college classmates to published authors. Both pro writers, we each took a very different path. Dan shares the inspiration behind Hampton Heights, a thrilling adventure featuring four kids selling newspapers and encountering monsters unexpected relatives, and more. Of course we discuss the struggles of self-doubt, the impact of mentorship, and the significance of continuing to write despite the obstacles. Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — "Chasing Monsters: A Journey Through Hampton Heights" 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 ! 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 , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via August 29, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 14 | "Chasing Monsters: A Journey Through Hampton Heights" by is licensed under 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.
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[ISBW] The Haunted Mask: Exploring Volatile Memory with Seth Haddon
08/26/2025
[ISBW] The Haunted Mask: Exploring Volatile Memory with Seth Haddon
'Reformed Pantser' is one of the most difficult things to be. -Seth Haddon In this episode, we welcome Seth Haddon, the talented Australian author behind Volatile Memory. We cover hybrid publishing, writing routines, and pursuing nuns. Volatile Memory explores themes of transhumanism and identity within a corporate-dominated future. Also haunted masks. And love. (This post went live for supporters on August 25, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or get my newsletter at !) Links Seth on , , and Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — "The Haunted Mask: Exploring Volatile Memory with Seth Haddon" 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 or support via !! 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 , art by , and files hosted by Get archives of the show via August 25, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 13 | "The Haunted Mask: Exploring Volatile Memory with Seth Haddon" by is licensed under 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.
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