In today's episode, Kat chats with Carley Fortune, author of Every Summer After and Meet Me at the Lake (which is out TODAY, May 2!) about using a real location in a novel, her path to publication, her newest novel, MEET ME AT THE LAKE, the inspiration behind her novels, creating her characters, how she got her agent and book deal, how she had input on her book covers, her pivot from journalism to fiction writing, advice for writers, newsletters, and her book recommendations. You can find...

Today's bonus episode features a Q&A with Aevitas Creative Management literary agent Lori Galvin! Kat and Lori chat about how she got involved in and her favourite parts of agenting, what she’s currently looking for, a shoutout for The Shit No One Tells You About Writing podcast, how agents get paid, earning out advances, qualities that make an agent request pages,  getting feedback, the publisher submission process, querying before a manuscript is ready, mentioning neurodiversity in a...

In today's episode, Kat chats with Canadian author Michael Decter about his first novel, Shadow Life, where the inspiration came from, his experiences as a juror in a double homicide trial, his family history and how the Titanic could have changed everything, travelling to international locations and using those experiences, how he made Georgian Bay a character in the novel, research on stockpiling for the story, pivoting from nonfiction to fiction, the importance of librarians,...

In today's episode, hear how scientist and biologist Rachel Carson used writing to convey a super important message to the masses, which started the environmental movement in the 1950s and 60s. Then, a little bit about writing conferences before Kat dives into a thrilling conversation with founder of the Killer Nashville International Writers' Conference, Clay Stafford. Topics covered include the plethora of things he’s involved in (writing, publishing, education, music industry, etc.),...

I'm back with more literary history! Today: D.E.A.R. Day and Beverly Cleary! Then, I chat with adventure thriller author Avanti Centrae about her newest novel, Cleopatra’s Vendetta, her Van Ops series, how her ideas formulate, what archeoastronomy is, authors she draws inspiration from, reading while drafting, her outlining process, having family as early readers, her various publishing experiences, indie vs traditional publishing, film/tv, book covers, and advice for good pacing in a...

In today’s episode, Kat chats with author John Kennedy about his crime books, The Trauma Pool and The Kill Chain; gender inequality, treatment of mental health issues, and racism in the 1980s and 90s—especially on a police force; researching detective facts and details; using microfiche for research, reaching out to a professional for research; how things were done in the 80s and 90s vs now; choosing a specific reason to write in another time period as opposed to present-day; writing in...

In today’s special #AskAgent episode, Kat chats with Westwood Creative Artists literary agent Emmy Nordstrom Higdon about how and why they got involved in agenting, what’s grabbing their attention right now, how to navigate the ever-changing landscape of publishing, what they like to see in a query letter, grammar in query letters and sample pages, their desert island books (see below for titles/authors), choosing between agents at the same agency, re-querying rewritten manuscripts (and how...

In today's episode Kat covers two interviews. The first is with Judith Turner Yamamoto, author of Loving the Dead and Gone, covering how reader’s own experiences are brought into the story, how she became an ‘accidental’ historical novelist, her research and drafting process, finding a treasure trove of 19th century ancestral ‘stuff’ to help with research, winning the Petrichor Prize, publishing with Regal House, the found family feeling of small publishers, her article writing and world...

In today's episode, Kat has a special announcement! Then, a pitch critique for a lister. After, she chats with returning guest Amy Tector, author of SPEAK FOR THE DEAD, out today! Kat talks with Amy about her Dominion Archive series, publishing three books in one year, going to her sister for research on a coroner’s career, incorporating authorial voice into stories and layering in character voice, her newsletter, marketing and publicity, virtual vs in-person events, incorporating themes,...

In today's episode, hear about how Sherlock Holmes came to live and the Crimes Club that Arthur Conan Doyle started. Then, Kat chats with Julie Carrick Dalton, author of Waiting for the Night Song and The Last Beekeeper (out today!). They cover what climate fiction is, how themes come into writing, the impacts of climate change and how it simmers in her mind and becomes her stories, the nostalgic hook in her book, how she got her agent and how she knew she was ready to query, the importance...

In today's episode, Kat critiques two listeners' pitches, then talks about Walter Tevis in literary history and how writers weave themes drawn from their own experiences into their stories. After, Kat chats with Jessica Hatch, author of HOW TO KEEP A HUSBAND FOR TEN DAYS and MY BIG FAKE WEDDING, about: Why she doesn’t over-outline her stories Winning a pitch slam The structure of a novel Creating creativity from constraint Including Covid in your manuscripts and the disadvantages of...

In today's literary history segment, Kat talks about humour author Erma Bombeck and writing conferences. Then, she chats with lawyer and sci-fi author Sarena Straus about: The “what if” in stories Nonfiction proposals Having her book optioned for tv Speculative and science fiction How she brings her legal career into her stories The complexities of world building Pitch competitions Finding the right publisher for your story Juggling all the things as a writer, wife, mother,...

In today's episode, Kat highlights the life and work of Jewish-Canadian poet, A.M. Klein in literary history, discusses how powerful articulating universal thoughts and feelings in poetry, memoirs, and fiction can be, and then chats with Ukrainian-American author and poet, Tetyana Denford about: How her writing journey began Imposter syndrome Digging for stories in your own family tree Titles The business of being an author Self-publishing and working with Bookouture Her next...

In today's episode, Kat critiques two listeners' pitches and talks about A.A. Milne and Winnie the Pooh in today's literary history segment. Then, she chats with Anastasia Zadeik, author of the psychological thriller Blurred Fates, about How her debut came together, Finding your voice Writing triggering content in a sensitive way Mental health in stories Having her book read by three therapists to ensure accuracy Reaching readers on a deep level Research Pantsers vs plotters ...

In today's episode, Kat talks about Edith Wharton, born on this day in 1862 (who shares a birthday with Kat's grandmother! Happy birthday Grandma!). Then, she chats with returning author Teri M. Brown about her new novel, An Enemy Like Me, which launches today, Jan 24, 2023. What makes an enemy? How war changes people and families The inspiration behind the story The process behind writing the book Research for historical authenticity Book cover design Advice for those writing...

Today Kat talks about Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, plus nonfiction novels and character motivations. (CONTENT WARNING: family murders, execution by hanging: skip to 8:21 if needed). Then, I chat with the lovely Ania Ray from Quill and Cup! We discuss: What Quill and Cup is Giving yourself permission to create What a prickle is How the community can help you avoid procrastinating! Webinars, educational prickles, a sense of community, accountability Ania’s own writing journey ...

In today's bonus episode, Kat talks about James Joyce in the #lithist segment; stream of consciousness, how his life events impacted his writing, and book banning. Then I chat with bookseller Shelley Macbeth of Blue Heron Books in Uxbridge, Ontario! We cover: How she became involved with Blue Heron Books Winning Best Bookstore awards—twice What she gets the most joy out of at Blue Heron Connections and the social side of bookselling Events they do in support of authors The Book...

In today's episode, Kat talks about Robert Stone in #lithist who died on this day in 2015. He wrote the novel Dog Soldiers in the 1970s which went on to be adapted for film into Who'll Stop the Rain starring Nick Nolte. She talks about screenplays vs novel writing and then has a great conversation with thriller author and film industry aficionado Mark Grenside! Topics include: his newest Thriller, Fallout how filmmaking influences how he writes novels imagery, dialogue, and entering a...

Today is the first episode of 2023! Hear about Tolkien, who was born on this day in Literary History, then Kat chats with two authors: Marion Lougheed (who's also the EIC at Off Topic Publishing) and Jennifer Mariani. We cover: Off Topic Publishing—how Marion got started with it Monthly poetry boxes Marion's editing processes What Marion likes about writing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction How poetry can help refine your prose Pros and cons of being a writer and editor and...

In the last episode of 2022, Kat talks about Mercer Mayer who was born On This Day in Literary History. Then she wraps up the year with book recommendations, books she can't wait to read in 2023, a reflection on two things that every writer should do going forward, and then she chats with author and radio anchor Kathleen Marple Kalb about: Her recent three-book deal Querying advice Launching her debut during the pandemic Short stories Writing for radio shows Pivoting back to...

In today's episode, we take a look at a very popular book that was published by Lewis Carroll On This Day in Literary History. Then, Kat chats with PB, YA, and Adult author MK Brownlow about: Having an all-agent agent Being an author/illustrator vs one or the other Illustrating a book for American Idol contestant and musician Crystal Bauersocks How the publishing aspect works for picture books Getting stuck on her YA novel for a decade and how she got out of it Staying in the...

In today's bonus episode, Kat answers a listener question, talks about Norman McLean in This Day in Literary History, and chats with author Mark Tedesco about: Themes or beliefs brought into relationships and how that analysis inspired some of his writing How people can relate to universal themes in books regardless of their backgrounds or current situations Moving to Italy and his experience with community and relationships How his book, Stories From Pulgia, immerses the reader into...

This Day in Literary History: John Steinbeck. Kat discusses controversial books and themes. Then, she chats with author Linda Richards about: How her Noir at the Bar readings inspired her to turn her short story into a novel How that novel turned into a series How research for her nonfiction children’s book inspired the backdrop for her fourth novel in her current series Drafting longhand and then transcribing it How journalism has helped her fiction writing The “what if” in...

Today is a special day in literary history! Listen to a new brief segment on the pod: This Day in Literary History! Then, catch Kat's convo with author Mark Schorr about: His path to writing Drawing from real-life experiences Research Going “incognito” to do internet searches How federally-funded ESP experiments in the 1970s inspired his newest novel, The Mastermind Getting nominated for an Edgar Award for his first book, Red Diamond Private Eye The process of nominations and...