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!

[ISBW] The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull 11/26/2025

[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. /episode/index/show/isbw/id/38915790

NaNoWriMo Rerun Day 0 (2023) 11/05/2025

[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. /episode/index/show/isbw/id/38650615

[ISBW] Embracing the Imposter: Battling Doubts in Writing and Life 10/24/2025

[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. /episode/index/show/isbw/id/37925505

[ISBW] Chinaza Bado and Moving From Romance to Epic Fantasy 10/16/2025

[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. /episode/index/show/isbw/id/37982680

[ISBW] Happy 20th ISBW! With James Patrick Kelly at Worldcon 09/05/2025

[ISBW] Chasing Monsters: A Journey Through Hampton Heights 08/29/2025

[ISBW] The Haunted Mask: Exploring Volatile Memory with Seth Haddon 08/26/2025

[ISBW] The Secret Bully: The Nap 08/22/2025

[ISBW] Tango with the Tenacles, DESPAIR 06/18/2025

[ISBW] Writing Between the US and Peru with K.M. Huber 06/09/2025

[ISBW] Dancing Through Genres with S.A. Barnes and Bully 3, The SPONGE 05/26/2025

[ISBW] Dancing Through Genres with S.A. Barnes and Bully 3, The SPONGE "Get [your book] all the way to the end. You learn so much that way that you will not learn in any other way."- S.A. Barnes (This post went live for supporters on May 23, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at ) In this episode, we talk about the creative process with guest author S.A. Barnes. We discuss her latest release, Cold Eternity, a space horror novel, and her upcoming work, Death's Daughter, set to release in May, 2026. Stacey shares her journey of balancing writing with her teaching career and we discuss the trial of writing sequels and crafting compelling narratives. We explore the nuances of genre blending, the emotional stakes in horror, and the importance of getting to the end of a draft, no matter how messy it may be. Join us as we also discuss Bully #3, the Sponge, who only wants your house to be clean and then it will let you write. Links (movie) (movie) (movie) Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . My newsletter, , and the community of Fabulists over at . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — "Dancing Through Genres with S.A. Barnes and Bully 3, The SPONGE" 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 May 20, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 9 | "Dancing Through Genres with S.A. Barnes and Bully 3, The SPONGE" 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. /episode/index/show/isbw/id/36695590

[ISBW] Jealousy and Bully #2: The BLADE 05/23/2025

[ISBW] Jealousy and Bully #2: The BLADE "We contain multitudes; you can be happy and jealous at the same time." -Mur Lafferty (This post went live for supporters on May 21, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or !) We're back! In this episode, we talk about the bullies that can sap our confidence and creativity again, today's bully is the Blade, a stern knife that can cut deep. (I also announce my new cozy fantasy, it's real now! I am of course stressing over storytelling complexities (again).) Let's talk about the Blade, and everything it stands for: mainly, jealousy, a feeling that can be sharp and painful. But fear not, we also discuss how to deal with these feelings and how to shut this bully up. Links and (Film) (Book) Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . My newsletter, , and the community of Fabulists over at . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, — "Jealousy and Bully #2: The BLADE" 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 ! 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 May 20, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 8 | "Jealousy and Bully #2: The BLADE" 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. May 23, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 8 | murverse.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 /episode/index/show/isbw/id/36657865

[ISBW] Conquering Creative Bully #1: BART (a potato) 04/29/2025

[ISBW] From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron 03/31/2025

[ISBW] From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron S21 Ep6: From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron "Stories are how I make sense of the world." -Natania Barron (This post went live for supporters on March 27, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or !) In this episode, I talk a little about the JoCo Cruise and how it reminded me of the importance of community and creativity. I forgot how good it felt to surrounding myself with fellow creatives. Then I talk to , a prolific fantasy author and medieval scholar of the series. We delve into Natania's latest works and discuss the intersection of history and fantasy, the nuances of writing queer narratives, and the significance of food and fashion in storytelling. Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . My newsletter, , and the community of Fabulists over at . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet. — "From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on or ! 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 March 31, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 6 | murverse.com "From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron" by is licensed under /episode/index/show/isbw/id/35738780

[ISBW] How to use holidays in your fiction 03/27/2025

[ISBW] Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed 03/24/2025

[ISBW] Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed S21 Ep4: Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed "My characters would be wandering around the field with me going like, hey, I just found a rare orchid." -Premee Mohamed (This post went live for supporters on March 21, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or !) (recorded February) In this episode we welcome prolific, brilliant Premee Mohamed, a Nebula and Aurora award-winning author to talk about her new book, . . We explore the process of creating clean first drafts, the chaos of deadlines, and the balance between creativity and productivity. And why the cat needs a job. Premee shares the challenges of producing multiple works in a year and the strategies she employs to keep her creativity flowing. We cover outlining techniques and the importance of not being precious about the writing process. Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . My newsletter, , and the community of Fabulists over at . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet. — "Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on or ! 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 March 24, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 4 | murverse.com "Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed" by is licensed under /episode/index/show/isbw/id/35738680

[ISBW] Rachel Howzell Hall on Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy 03/21/2025

[ISBW] Mental Health and Creativity 02/17/2025

[ISBW] Mental Health and Creativity S21 Ep2: Mental Health and Creativity "Nothing is 100% original. It's what you do with it that counts." -Elaine M. Will (This post went live for supporters on February 13, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or !) Ever-looming existential dread, but we keep going. Then there's the challenge of navigating creativity amidst mental health struggles. I also reflect on a fear of failure. I'm not proud. I'm human. And then we welcome to the show Elaine M. Will, a writer and illustrator known for her graphic novels that tackle mental health themes. We discuss Elaine's latest work, The Last Band on Earth, and the intricate relationship between storytelling and visual art. Whether you're a writer or an artist, we hope you'll get something out of this episode, and you remember that a creative journey is filled with ups and downs, and it's okay to take your time. Transcript Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . My newsletter, , and the community of Fabulists over at . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, 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. — "Mental Health and Creativity" 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 ! 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 February 13, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 2 | murverse.com "Mental Health and Creativity" by is licensed under /episode/index/show/isbw/id/35260880

[ISBW] Evil Mur Ushers in 2025 01/20/2025

[ISBW] Evil Mur Ushers in 2025 S21 Ep1: In Which Evil Mur Delivers a Message of Hope "It's time to just... quit." -Evil Mur (Do not listen to Evil Mur) Welcome to a new season of I Should Be Writing, where the notorious Evil Mur takes the reins to deliver a unique message of hope for the new year. TL;DR, it's time to quit. In this episode, we explore the idea of quitting writing and the liberation that can come with making a definitive choice. Evil Mur, the alter ego of Mur Lafferty, delves into the emotional rollercoaster of being a writer, the jealousy, the self-doubt, and the ultimate decision to either quit or persevere. With what we hope is an eventual glimmer of hope amidst the chaos, Evil Mur sets you on a path for the new year. Whether you're contemplating quitting or seeking motivation to continue, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the writing journey. Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . My newsletter, , and the community of Fabulists over at . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: , , , Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, 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. — "The Art of Quitting, Evil Mur Style" 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 ! 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 January 9, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 1 | murverse.com "The Art of Quitting, Evil Mur Style" by is licensed under /episode/index/show/isbw/id/34876430

[ISBW] Ten Terrible Ideas 01/08/2025

[ISBW] Tigers [Explicit] 12/02/2024

[ISBW] Tigers [Explicit] S20 Ep34: In Which Mur Looks Into The Pit of Despair and Sees a Tiger [Explicit] "Don't talk yourself out of being creative, because that really is the biggest thing that stops us is ourselves." (This post went live for supporters on November 14, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or !) NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes--32, 33, 34--in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.) Recorded two days after the 2024 election, and I'm in deep despair in this episode. It's casual, with a lot of talk about ADHD and masking and what "writers" are supposed to do. We talk about the importance of embracing one's identity as a writer, regardless of external expectations. I also talk about my upcoming cozy fantasy project, inspired by the likes of Legends & Lattes and T. Kingfisher's boks, and the challenges of discussing creative work prematurely. Links: (Legends and Lattes) Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . My newsletter, , and the community of Fabulists over at . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: , , , , , . Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, All featured in Season 20 — "Tigers" 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 ! 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 December 2, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 34 | murverse.com "Tigers" by is licensed under /episode/index/show/isbw/id/33921167

[ISBW] Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden [Explicit] 11/25/2024

[ISBW] Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden [Explicit] S20 Ep33: In Which Mur and Jen Udden Discuss World Fantasy Con, Fan Fiction, and the Ever-Changing Publishing Landscape [Explicit] "I think we're about 10 minutes away from reinventing urban fantasy and paranormal romance." - Jennifer Udden (This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or !) (NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes--32, 33, 34--in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.) At World Fantasy Con this year, I got to talk to my ex-agent Jennifer Udden, who shared her journey from agent to barista and back to agenting. We talked about the unique atmosphere of the con, the evolution of fan fiction in the literary world, and the growing acceptance of publishing professionals as writers. We also talk about Stardew Valley. Jen opens up about her experience with self-publishing, the importance of creative outlets, and her plans to reopen submissions, focusing on adult fiction across various genres. Links: Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . My newsletter, , and the community of Fabulists over at . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: , , , , , . Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, All featured in Season 20 — "Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden" 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 ! 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 25, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 33 | murverse.com "Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden" by is licensed under /episode/index/show/isbw/id/33920617

[ISBW] NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes [Explicit] 11/18/2024

[ISBW] NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes [Explicit] S.20 Ep.32: In Which Mur and Valerie Discuss NaNoWriMo Alternatives, Writing Tools, and Community Building [Explicit] "The spirit of NaNoWriMo was to do something big, bold, and show what you're capable of." - Valerie Valdes (This post went live for supporters on November 13, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or !) (NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes--32, 33, 34--in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.) Join Mur and as they dive into the chaos surrounding NaNoWriMo and explore alternatives for writers seeking new challenges. They discuss the current state of NaNoWriMo, the controversies, and the impact on the writing community. Valerie shares insights into her local writing group’s decision to break away and create their own events. Valerie also offers a wealth of resources and tools to challenge yourself this month, including Dream Foundry's Freefall Challenge, World Anvil's World Ember, and various Pomodoro and idle games like Rusty's Retirement and Pomo Farm, and how to stay motivated with apps like 4 the Words and TrackBear. Links Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . My newsletter, , and the community of Fabulists over at . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: , , , , , . Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, "NowNoWhatMo…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 or ! 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 18, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 32 | murverse.com "NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes" by is licensed under /episode/index/show/isbw/id/33921242

[ISBW] From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing 11/15/2024

[ISBW] From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing S.20 Ep.31: In Which Mur and Gwynne Garfinkle Discuss Short Stories, Anthologies, and the Joy of Fanfiction "I write about what I know, and what I know is family." - Gwynne Garfinkle (This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or !) Join me as I welcome back author Gwynne Garfinkle to discuss her anthology of short stories and the art of writing across different lengths. We dive into Gwynne's journey from novels to short stories, exploring the freedom and challenges of each format. Gwynne shares her love for fanfiction and how it rekindled her passion for writing fiction. We also delve into Gwynne's poetry, discussing her unique approach to capturing untold stories from classic films, and her process of deciding whether an idea becomes a poem or a short story. Links: (1960 film) Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . My newsletter, , and the community of Fabulists over at . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: , , , , , . Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, All featured in Season 20 "From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing Adventures" 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 ! 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 15, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 31 | murverse.com "From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing Adventures" by is licensed under /episode/index/show/isbw/id/33921307

[ISBW] Unveiling the Magic of Cozy Fantasy with Stacy Sivinski 11/14/2024

[ISBW] Unveiling the Magic of Cozy Fantasy with Stacy Sivinski S20 Ep30: In Which Mur and Stacy Sivinski Discuss Cozy Fantasy, Sensory Writing, and Sisterhood "The senses are actually connected, and the way we describe sensation and prioritize sight and sound is actually attached to social biases that need to be reconstructed." - Stacy Sivinski (This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at or !) In this episode, we welcome debut author Stacy Sivinski to discuss her new cozy fantasy novel, The Crescent Moon Tea Room. We explore the sensory elements that make her writing so immersive and the importance of sisterhood and self-discovery in her storytelling. Stacy shares her background in sensory studies, how it influences her writing, and the fascinating hierarchy of the senses that challenges traditional storytelling norms. Stacy also touches on the challenges of transitioning from a PhD in English to writing cozy fantasy, her disciplined writing routine, and how she navigates the fears of starting new projects. We delve into her upcoming book, hinting at enchanted bookstores and ghosts, and discuss the power of writing rituals to overcome writer's block and anxiety. Links: by Stacy Sivinski by Celestine Martin by Molly Harper by L.M. Montgomery by Daphne du Maurier Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . My newsletter, , and the community of Fabulists over at . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: , , , , , . Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, All featured in Season 20 "Exploring Cozy Fantasy and Sensory Writing with Stacy Sivinski" 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 ! 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 14, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 30 | murverse.com "Exploring Cozy Fantasy and Sensory Writing with Stacy Sivinski" by is licensed under /episode/index/show/isbw/id/33918218

[ISBW] Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo 10/28/2024

[ISBW] Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo S20 Ep29: In Which Mur and Cat Rambo Discuss Writing, Accountability, and Intelligent Spaceships "I think that right now there are so many very interesting and original voices that can never be replicated." - Cat Rambo Join me in welcoming author, community builder, former SFWA president, and all around awesome person Cat Rambo. We dive into Cat’s writing journey, discussing their latest series featuring intelligent spaceships and former mercenaries turned restaurateurs. Cat shares their unique approach to starting a story, the importance of accountability, and how they manage their prolific output despite the challenges all writers face. Cat also talks about their recent projects, reveals their outlining process, the value of community in their Patreon, and future plans, including a horror novel set in 1976 South Bend, Indiana. Links: by Cat Rambo Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! . My newsletter, , and my . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: , , , , , . Theme by Support local book stores! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, All featured in Season 20 "Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo" 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 ! 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 28, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 29 | "Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo" by is licensed under /episode/index/show/isbw/id/33290017

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