Episodes

  • 90% of Writers Make THESE Writing Mistakes Interview with Ex-Literary Agent Karyn Fischer
    Feb 13 2025

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    Jessica Berg Literary Agent Interview

    Want to know what literary agents really think when they read your submission?

    In this interview, former literary agent and current book coach and writing expert Karyn Fischer shares insider knowledge on how to write a novel that stands out.

    Discover the top mistakes writers make, why 90% of submissions aren’t ready, and the essential writing tips you need to elevate your work.

    Whether you're preparing to query or refining your first 10 pages, this episode will help you improve your craft and increase your chances of landing an agent.

    • The top 10 writing mistakes that make agents reject manuscripts—and how to fix them
    • How to hook a literary agent in the first 10 pages of your novel
    • What stakes really mean in thriller writing and why they’re critical to success

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    Free Webinar - How to Write a Synopsis with Amy Nielsen

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    12 mins
  • Literary Agent Jessica Berg Shares How to Catch an Agent's Eye
    Feb 6 2025

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    Listen to Daria White Osah's Episode

    Want to write a thriller that stands out in today’s crowded market?

    In this episode, literary agent Jessica Berg shares expert insights into what makes a manuscript irresistible to agents and publishers.

    We dive into essential thriller writing techniques, including...

    • The power of a strong character voice
    • The importance of genre mashups
    • How to balance plot, tension, and stakes.

    If you’re looking for writing tips, querying advice, or an insider’s perspective on how to write a gripping thriller, this is a literary agent interview you won’t want to miss!

    We cover...

    • How a compelling character voice can make or break your manuscript – and why agents will forgive other flaws if your character shines.
    • Why genre mashups are the future of thriller writing – and how blending suspense with horror, mystery, or humor can make your book more marketable.
    • What agents really look for in a query and full manuscript – plus, the biggest mistakes authors make when pitching their books.

    Click Here to learn more about the Storyteller's Society

    Click Here to Learn more about the Storyteller's Society

    Free Webinar - How to Write a Synopsis with Amy Nielsen

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    30 mins
  • Time Pockets: Could This Tip Revolutionize Your Writing Process?
    Jan 29 2025

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    Learn more about Daria White Osah
    Listen to David McCloskey's Episode

    Struggling to find time to write? In this episode, Daria White Osah (author and book coach) discusses a great strategy for busy writers—Time Pockets.

    If you’ve ever wondered how to write more efficiently while juggling work, family, and life, this episode is packed with actionable writing tips to help you prioritize your craft.

    Whether you’re deep into thriller writing or working on your first novel, Daria’s approach will help you stay consistent, avoid burnout, and finally finish that book.

    Actionable Tips:
    ✔️ How to prioritize your writing like a business meeting and make it non-negotiable
    ✔️ The Time Pockets method—how to identify hidden opportunities in your schedule to write consistently
    ✔️ Strategies to overcome writing slumps and get back into your routine when life gets in the way

    Click Here to Learn more about the Storyteller's Society

    Free Webinar - How to Write a Synopsis with Amy Nielsen

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    13 mins
  • How to Write an Opening Chapter that Keeps Readers Reading with Author David McCloskey
    Jan 22 2025

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    Leslie Conner's Episode
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    Find David on Instagram

    In this episode, we’re joined by David McCloskey, a former CIA analyst and author of the thrillers The Seventh Floor, Moscow X, and Damascus Station. David brings a wealth of real-world experience into his fiction, and today, we’ll explore how his background as a CIA agent has shaped his writing. You’ll will learn how to blend real-world expertise with gripping fiction, we’ll also dive deep into character development, and master pacing and high-stakes in your opening chapter. If you’re looking to craft stories that feel authentic, compelling, and full of tension, this conversation is for you.

    • How to use real-world experience to enhance your thriller writing.
    • Writing an opening chapter that readers will love
    • Pacing techniques that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.





    Click Here to learn more about the Storyteller's Society

    Click Here to Learn more about the Storyteller's Society

    Free Webinar - How to Write a Synopsis with Amy Nielsen

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    28 mins
  • Thriller Writing Secrets: Building a Writing Process with Leslie Conner
    Jan 15 2025

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    Alex Kenna's Episode
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    In this episode, thriller author Leslie Conner joins us to share expert tips on crafting suspenseful mysteries. She shares valuable resources and an insight into her writing practice that will help writers see how to develop a series!



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    17 mins
  • How to Hook Readers with Alex Kenna’s Expert Thriller-Writing Advice
    Jan 8 2025

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    Elle Grawl's Episode
    Connect with Alex on Instagram

    Join me for an in-depth author interview with Alex Kenna, the brilliant mind behind What Meets the Eye. This episode is packed with writing tips for aspiring thriller authors, including how to write gripping characters, avoid backstory pitfalls, and use word choice to reveal personality and mood. If you’re passionate about thriller writing, this conversation offers actionable advice you can implement immediately. Don’t miss these insights from an expert storyteller!

    What You’ll Learn:

    • How intentional word choice reveals character personality and mood.
    • Why intriguing lines can replace heavy backstory to keep readers hooked
    • The importance of setting up character goals early in your story.

    Actionable Tip:
    This week, experiment with introducing a new character using Alex’s techniques. Write one paragraph that:

    1. Reflects their personality through word choice.
    2. Hints at their backstory without giving too much away.
    3. Clearly shows what they’re striving for.


    Click Here to Learn more about the Storyteller's Society

    Free Webinar - How to Write a Synopsis with Amy Nielsen

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    21 mins
  • Pacing and Process: Writing Thrillers and Mysteries with Elle Grawl
    Jan 2 2025

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    In this episode, I talk with Elle Grawl, author of the psychological thrillers One of Those Faces and What Still Burns. Elle shares how she wrote her debut novel while balancing a demanding day job, how her writing process has evolved, and her best advice for writers navigating pacing and productivity challenges.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • How Elle finished her debut novel while working full-time.
    • The importance of pacing in thrillers and mysteries and how to refine it.
    • Tips for evolving your writing process as life and creative needs change.
    • Why experimenting with different methods can reignite your creativity.

    Actionable Tip:

    Take a moment to evaluate your current writing process. Is it still working for you? Try incorporating one new technique this week—whether it’s experimenting with drafting out of order, bullet-pointing your next few chapters, or carving out time during your lunch break to write. See how it feels and adjust as needed. Flexibility is key to keeping your momentum!

    Click Here to Learn more about the Storyteller's Society

    Free Webinar - How to Write a Synopsis with Amy Nielsen

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    16 mins
  • The Secret to Writing Twists Readers Will Never Forget with Bestselling Author J.T. Ellison
    Dec 18 2024

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    Previous episode with Aaron Philip Clark
    Learn more about J.T. Ellison
    Join J.T. Ellison's Substack

    Bestselling thriller author, J.T. Ellison shares how she create the unforgettable twists and characters that define her work.

    Whether you're an aspiring writer or an experienced author, this episode is packed with actionable writing tips, insider insights, and inspiration from one of the best in the genre.

    1. How to create plot twists that are surprising yet inevitable and avoid “cheat” endings.
    2. J.T. Ellison’s process for juggling multiple points of view in thriller writing.
    3. The importance of trusting your subconscious and revisiting earlier sections of your story for foreshadowing opportunities.

    Click Here to Learn more about the Storyteller's Society

    Free Webinar - How to Write a Synopsis with Amy Nielsen

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    19 mins