Are you sending out queries but only getting form rejections—or worse, no responses at all? Maybe you're receiving personalized rejections that praise your concept but still pass on your book? If you’re struggling to understand why agents aren’t biting, this episode is for you.

In today’s Ask Me Anything Thursday, I’ll break down the biggest reasons novels get rejected—and what you can do to fix them. Whether it’s your query letter, voice, stakes, or character depth, I’ll walk you through practical solutions to help your manuscript stand out.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The two main types of rejection and what they reveal about your query and pages
• Why agents pass on a strong premise and how to make your writing irresistible
• The most common query letter mistakes—and how to fix them
• How to clarify your stakes so agents (and readers) can’t look away
• Why interiority and emotional depth are non-negotiable in today’s market
• And so much more!

Whether you're drafting or deep in the querying trenches, this episode will give you practical strategies to strengthen your manuscript and improve your chances of landing an agent.

Program Clarity Chat 😎🎉📚🚀 Are you curious whether private book coaching or group book coaching might be right for you? Please click here to sign up for a FREE chat!

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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Does your novel feel have a saggy middle? Does it just meander around without a lot of momentum? In this episode, I’ll walk you through Act 2 of the Save the Cat story structure—a simple, effective tool to shape your novel into a story readers can’t put down. Learn how this flexible plotting method can keep your story on track while leaving plenty of room for creativity and unexpected inspiration.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to keep the middle of your novel from dragging—and why this is where many stories lose momentum
• Why the Midpoint is a game-changer and how it shifts your story into high gear
• How internal and external obstacles work together to create tension and growth
• And so much more!

Whether you’re drafting or revising, this episode will give you practical tips to apply the Save the Cat framework to your own manuscript.

Get the Workbook:📚 Click here to sign up to get the Save the Cat Act 2 Workbook

Join My Email List 📧 Click HERE to join my email list and snag free writing goodies, including expert workshops and more!

SNAP Critique ✍️ Ready to get your first scene (5 pages or fewer) critiqued for FREE? Fill out the SNAP Critique Form right here!

Program Clarity Chat 💻 Are you curious whether private book coaching or group book coaching might be right for you? Please click here to sign up for a FREE chat!

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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Ask Me Anything Thursdays: Can I Mix POV Styles in a Dual POV Novel?

Have you ever wondered if you can write a dual POV novel where one protagonist is in first person and the other is in third? In this episode, I answer this question from fantasy writer Becca and break down when and how this technique can work beautifully in speculative fiction.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why mixing POVs can be a powerful storytelling tool.
• How to decide which protagonist should be in first person.
• The key to making each POV distinct and immersive.
• Examples of speculative fiction novels that have successfully used mixed POVs.
• Tune in for practical tips, examples, and guidance to help you decide if a mixed POV structure is right for your novel!

Join My Email List 📧 Click HERE to join my email list and snag free writing goodies, including expert workshops and more!

SNAP Critique ✍️ Ready to get your first scene (5 pages or fewer) critiqued for FREE? Fill out the SNAP Critique Form right here!

Program Clarity Chat 💻 Are you curious whether private book coaching or group book coaching might be right for you? Please click here to sign up for a FREE chat!

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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Does your novel feel like it’s wandering aimlessly, struggling to find direction? In this episode, I’ll walk you through the first five beats of the Save the Cat story structure—a simple, effective tool to shape your novel into a story readers can’t put down. Learn how this flexible plotting method can keep your story on track while leaving plenty of room for creativity and unexpected inspiration.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Save the Cat is the perfect balance of structure and creativity
• How to craft a compelling first scene
• How to subtly introduce your story’s core message in the theme stated beat
• Why the setup is crucial and why skipping it can hurt your story
• And so much more

Whether you’re drafting or revising, this episode will give you practical tips to apply the Save the Cat framework to your own manuscript.

Get the Workbook:📚 Click here to sign up to get the Save the Cat Act 1 Workbook

Join My Email List 📧 Click HERE to join my email list and snag free writing goodies, including expert workshops and more!

SNAP Critique ✍️ Ready to get your first scene (5 pages or fewer) critiqued for FREE? Fill out the SNAP Critique Form right here!

Program Clarity Chat 💻 Are you curious whether private book coaching or group book coaching might be right for you? Please click here to sign up for a FREE chat!

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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Ask Me Anything Thursdays answering the podcasting question "How do I make sure my protagonist is lovable?"

Are you struggling to create a protagonist readers truly care about? In this episode, I share four actionable strategies to help you craft a dynamic, relatable protagonist readers won’t forget.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why connecting readers to your protagonist matters.
• How to make your characters feel authentic and compelling.
• Ways to add depth and resonance to your storytelling.
• Tips for getting helpful feedback to strengthen your work.

Join My Email List 📧 Click HERE to join my email list and snag free writing goodies, including expert workshops and more!

SNAP Critique ✍️ Ready to get your first scene (5 pages or fewer) critiqued for FREE? Fill out the SNAP Critique Form right here!

Program Clarity Chat 💻 Are you curious whether private book coaching or group book coaching might be right for you? Please click here to sign up for a FREE chat!

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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Are you looking to level up your writing in 2025? In this episode, I dive into three incredibly valuable ways you can improve your writing, get answers to your important writing questions, and get valuable feedback on your work for FREE. Tune in to learn how to navigate your writing challenges and set yourself up for success in 2025!

This episode was produced by me, The Speculative Fiction Book Coach! Contact me at heather@manyworldswriting.com

Join My Email List 📧 Click HERE to join my email list and snag free writing goodies, including expert workshops and more!

SNAP Critique ✍️ Ready to get your first scene (5 pages or fewer) critiqued for FREE? Fill out the SNAP Critique Form right here!

Program Clarity Chat 💻 Are you curious whether private book coaching or group book coaching might be right for you? Please click here to sign up for a FREE chat!

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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Click HERE to find Comp Titles Crash Course!

$97 for limited time!

Comp titles--they might be one of the most dreaded topics in the writing world. After all, most of us are writing novels that feel unique, so trying to find a novel “like” ours is a nearly impossible feat. In fact… It's a frustrating, overwhelming task that makes us feel more than a little salty.

But, the truth is, comp titles are a necessary evil. And if you give yourself the time, space, and tools to do the work properly, they can actually be fun to find.

In today's episode you'll learn:

• The 6 key steps to finding perfect-fit comp titles for your novel
• When to start looking for comp titles
• Why you’re making finding comp titles hard than it needs to be
• Where to look for comp titles
• What books to avoid when looking for comp titles
• And so much more

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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The opening scene of your novel is arguably the most crucial part of your book. If it doesn’t capture readers' curiosity and imagination, they won’t keep reading. No wonder the opening scene is notoriously hard to write!

But don’t worry—I’m here to help simplify and clarify the progress!

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• 5 Essential Questions you MUST answer when writing your opening scene
• Whether backstory and context are essential or just a recipe for info dumping
• Why character flaws and problems are key to an engaging opening scene
• And so much more...

Sign up for my FREE Mini Course:
✨4 Secrets To Crafting a Powerful Character Arc for Your Protagonist✨

👉resources.manyworldswriting.com/5XyYsI

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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