Podcasts by The Writership Podcast Editing Tips For Fiction Authors
On the Writership Podcast, professional book editors Leslie Watts critiques five pages of fiction from writers who are, or soon hope to be, traditionally or independently published. The submissions come from actual authors who understand they may need help seeing the flaws in their stories and are brave enough to share this experience so that you might improve your writing too.
Further podcasts by Leslie Watts, Story Grid Certified fiction editor
Podcast on the topic Bücher
All episodes
Episode 9 - "The Bad Baby": Short Story Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.236233
In this episode, Alyssa and Leslie critique the opening pages from a literary short story. They discuss omniscient viewpoint, deepening setting and characterization, and making good on the implicit...
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Episode 13 - Once Upon a Saturn Moon: Science Fiction Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.185625
In this episode, Leslie and Alyssa critique the opening pages from a science fiction adventure story. They discuss oversharing and how it relates to showing versus telling, clusters of echoes, and ...
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Episode 17 - The Clone Rules Science Fiction Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.182389
In this episode, Alyssa and Leslie critique the opening pages from a science fiction novel. They discuss choosing tense, rapid fire and commonplace dialogue, and well-executed backstory.
Episode 18 - The Chronicles of PJ Middle Grade Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.181610
In this episode, Leslie and Alyssa critique the opening pages from a middle grade novel.They discuss raising the stakes, increasing tension, rapid fire dialogue, and incorporating more telling deta...
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Episode 22 - Tristan, Science Fiction/Revenge Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.177945
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening chapter of Kindar Ra Harashal’s Tristan. They discuss repetitive sentence structure, passive voice, sentence fragments, and intrigue versus melodrama.
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Episode 26 - The Messengers, Paranormal Mystery Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.174090
Leslie & Alyssa critique the first five pages of Anthony Greer’s _The Messengers_. They discuss passive voice, character engagement and sympathy, including telling (not repetitive) detail, word...
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Episode 27 - Her, Fantasy Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.173347
Alyssa & Leslie critique the short story “Her” by John Rose. They discuss the use of trademarked characters, establishing setting and point of view, and rapid fire dialogue.
Episode 31 - Sojourners, Science Fiction Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.170188
Leslie & Alyssa critique the opening of Aaron Hubble’s Sojourners. They discuss the importance of emphasis within a sentence, precision in language, delaying backstory, and the development of g...
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Episode 35 - Eclipse of the Heart, Historical Fantasy Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.167226
Alyssa & Leslie discuss poetic prose, character introductions, genre expectations, and setting in this critique of the opening of Winifred Onyema’s novella, _Eclipse of the Heart_.
Episode 39 - Guest of Honor, Suspense Novelette Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.156686
Leslie & Alyssa critique the opening of Mark S.R. Peterson’s novelette, Guest of Honor. They discuss the suspense genre, prepositions, present tense, tension, characterization, and point of vie...
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Episode 40 - Pleasure Point, Romance Critique (explicit) from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.155550
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening of Jennifer Evans Kochalka’s novel, _Pleasure Point_. They discuss the romance genre, character reactions, and get into the nitty gritty of compound words, ...
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Episode 44 - Society, Urban Fantasy/Thriller Critique (Explicit) from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.138595
Alyssa & Leslie critique the first five pages of Kinda Ra Harashal’s _Society_, an urban fantasy/thriller novel. They discuss grounding the reader in a fantasy world, nailing your genre and aud...
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Episode 48 - Generation Havoc, YA SF Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.099758
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening of J.H. Lucas’s _Generation Havoc_. They discuss panoramic vs. intimate openings, developing tension, tone, diction, and worldbuilding.
Episode 52 - Hard Reboot, Dystopian YA Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.096622
Alyssa & Leslie critique the prologue and opening of chapter one from JF Erickson’s _Hard Reboot_. They discuss worldbuilding, advanced dialogue punctuation, maintaining tension, and stage dire...
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Episode 53 - Martha’s Dream, Literary Fiction Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.095900
Leslie & Alyssa critique the opening of Genya’s literary fiction novel, Martha’s Dream. They discuss sentence and paragraph length, poetic language, and reconciling adult-like observations with...
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Episode 56 - Mystery at Blackstone’s Stables, Historical Mystery Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.093499
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening of Saralee Etter’s _Mystery at Blackstone’s Stables_, and discuss deft character descriptions, bridging tension, and setting.
Episode 57 - "The Man on the Motorcycle," Supernatural Short Story Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.092737
Leslie & Alyssa critique "The Man on the Motorcycle," a short story by Sean Seebach. They discuss point of view, character and plot arc, and genre considerations.
Episode 61 - Beyond the Stars, Fantasy Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.088315
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening of Thomas Cardin’s_Beyond the Stars_, an unpublished fantasy novel. They discuss conflict, point of view, echoes, and disclosing relevant detail.
Episode 65 - Nicolas Marson’s The Key of Astrea, a science fiction/fantasy novel from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.085053
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of Nicolas Marson’s _The Key of Astrea_, a science fiction/fantasy novel. They discuss rapid-fire dialogue, punctuation and tags for dia...
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Episode 66 - Castor Revelations: Science Fiction/Fantasy Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.084328
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of Stephen Allan’s Kastori Revelations, a published science fiction/fantasy novel. They discuss story beginnings, indicating the passage...
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Episode 70: Affery’s Earth, Magical Realism Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.081055
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of Sondra Turnbull's _Affery’s Earth_, an as yet unpublished magical realism novel. They discuss adverbs that end in _ly_, how to use ad...
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Episode 72: Bloodbound: Paranormal Fantasy/Horror Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:42.079460
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of Sarah Brett's _Bloodbound_, an as yet unpublished paranormal fantasy/horror novel. They discuss active opening scenes, scenes and seq...
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Episode 83: The Moorpark Horror: Middle Grade Horror Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.995848
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of _The Moorpark Horror_, a middle grade horror novel, by Russell Gibbs. They discuss proactive protagonists, making transitions clear, ...
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Episode 90: Kill Screen: Science Fiction Thriller Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.989940
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of _Kill Screen_, a published literary science fiction thriller by Benjamin Reeves. They discuss unreliable narrators and the ways chara...
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Episode 95: Wingless Bird: Science Fiction Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.986059
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of _Wingless Bird_, an as yet unpublished science fiction novel by Tori. They discuss the elements of a strong beginning hook. This week...
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Episode 96: Forgotten December: Steampunk Critique from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.985347
In this episode, Leslie and guest host Jody T. Morse critique the prologue of _Forgotten December_, an as yet unpublished steampunk novel by Noah Deuker. They discuss the elements of an effective p...
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Episode 100: Answers to Your Questions about Writing and Editing from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.982229
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie and Clark celebrate 100 episodes. They depart from the regular format to answer your questions about writing and editing. They discuss passive voice, pantsin...
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Episode 104: Revising Your Action Scenes from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.979220
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie and Clark critique a scene from \*Beneath
the Crypt\*, a middle grade fantasy novel by Alex Heath. They discuss how to
evaluate and revise acti...
Episode 109: Where to Begin Your Story? from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.975161
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie and Clark critique the prologue and first chapter of _From the Flame_, a fantasy novel by Kristen Franklin. They discuss where to begin your story. If all th...
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Episode 112: Flashbacks from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.972624
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of _The Fifty-Two Week Chronicles_, a chick lit/romantic comedy novel by Joslyn Westbrook. They discuss flash...
Episode 115: Motivation-Reaction Units from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.970156
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie Watts and Kim Kessler critique the first chapter of _Passage_, a fantasy/women’s society novel by S. Thies. This week’s author submitted her scene in first- ...
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Episode 119: Scene Value Shifts from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.966399
In this episode, Certified Story Grid Editors Leslie Watts and Jay Peters critique the beginning of “What Lives Beneath,” a short story by A.V. Herzberg. The author’s synopsis for the story suggest...
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Episode 124: Your Character’s Internal Journey from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.953727
In this episode, Certified Story Grid editors Leslie Watts and Rebecca Monterusso critique “The Flight,” a science fiction short story by Scott Adam Gordon. They discuss the internal journey or cha...
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126. Second Person Point of View from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.952233
Intrepid editors Leslie Watts and Anne Hawley talk about when you might want to use second person point of view in the context of David Austin's short story "All American."
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Ep. 131 Analyzing Your Scenes from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.947740
You’ve written lots of scenes for your work in progress, but how do you know whether they work? In this episode, Story Grid Certified editor Leslie Watts shows you how to analyze your scenes by loo...
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Ep. 138 World Building from 2022-02-21T11:01:41.941321
In this episode, Story Grid certified editor Leslie Watts takes a small detour from the usual format to discuss World Building, the way you craft the domain your characters inhabit. She offers seve...
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Ep. 137 Strengthen Your Setting from 2019-01-25T09:00
In this episode, Story Grid certified editor Leslie Watts takes a small detour from the usual format to discuss story settings, the place and time where your character gets into and hopefully out o...
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Ep. 136 Resolutions from 2019-01-18T09:00
We all have some idea of what a resolution is, but what are these scene- and story-enders meant to do? In this episode, Story Grid certified editor Leslie Watts explores scene and story resolutions...
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Ep. 135 Scene and Story Climaxes from 2019-01-11T09:00
What are story and scene climaxes? Why do you need them? In this episode, Story Grid certified editor Leslie Watts discusses the decisions your characters make, as well as the actions they take, wh...
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Ep. 134 Crisis Questions for Your Scenes from 2018-10-20T23:30
What are crisis questions? Why do our stories and scenes need them? In this episode, Story Grid certified editor Leslie Watts discusses the dilemmas your characters face on the way to scene and sto...
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Ep. 133 Progressive Complications for Your Scenes from 2018-09-28T19:35
What are progressive complications? Why do our stories and scenes need them? This week, Story Grid Certified editor Leslie Watts discusses the people, places, things, and events that stand between ...
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Ep. 132 Inciting Incidents for Your Scenes from 2018-08-31T08:00
What are inciting incidents? Why do our stories and scenes need them? What are the elements of a solid inciting incident? This week, Story Grid Certified editor Leslie Watts discusses these story e...
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130. Writing with Abandon with Grant Faulkner from 2018-06-29T03:05
In this episode, Story Grid Certified Editor Leslie Watts discusses writing with abandon with Grant Faulkner, the Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month. They talk about what it means t...
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Ep. 129 Essential and Literal Action in Your Scenes from 2018-06-22T04:37
In this episode, Story Grid Certified Editors Leslie Watts and Anne Hawley discuss literal and essential action in the context of “Madeline,” a short horror story by Nathaniel Patterson.
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128. How to Take Your Story from Pretty Good to WOW! from 2018-06-15T02:43
In this episode, Story Grid certified editors Leslie Watts and Lori Puma critique “Night Fishing,” a coming of age short story by Kevin Glasgow. They discuss how to take your story from pretty good...
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127. Meeting Reader Expectations for Your Fiction Sales Category from 2018-04-13T17:46
Leslie welcomes James Thorn, an author of dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction and Story Grid Certified editor, to discuss how you can discover reader expectations related to your sales category.
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Episode 125: Putting Your Writing First with Mark McGuinness from 2018-01-11T17:22:28
In this episode, Leslie talks with poet and creative coach Mark McGuinness from the _21st Century Creative_ podcast about why it’s important to put your writing first—both for you personally and fo...
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Epside 123: Leslie's Approach to Editing and Why You Need to Tell Your Story from 2017-12-14T16:29:56
In this episode, Certified Story Grid editor Leslie Watts and Writership’s first officer, Liz Green, discuss the way things have changed around the podcast and answer some burning questions about t...
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Episode 122: Do Your Scenes Contain Conflict? from 2017-11-30T16:33:32
In this episode, Certified Story Grid editors Leslie Watts and Courtney Harrell critique the first chapter of _Seeker_, a science fiction novella within the Chaos Nova universe by Smith & Kaos....
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Episode 121: Structure for Character-Driven or Literary Stories from 2017-11-20T16:24:29
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie Watts and Rachelle Ramirez critique “How I Stumbled into the Golden Cage,” a short story by Jose Arroyo. They discuss genre and how stories that emphasize th...
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Episode 120: Crisis Questions from 2017-11-15T20:12:17
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie Watts and Valerie Francis analyze a scene from _Lock and Key_: the first book in The Essence Riven Trilogy by Emily Bowie. They discuss the crisis question, ...
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Episode 118: Why You Must Choose a Genre from 2017-10-31T18:59:21
In this episode, fiction editor Leslie Watts and author C. Steven Manley critique “The Highwayman,” a fantasy short story by Jacob Oakley. They discuss genre and why it’s important to choose one pr...
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Episode 117: Shoe Leather: Eliminating Unnecessary Exposition from 2017-10-23T15:10:23
In this episode, Leslie is joined by author and Story Grid editor Jarie Bolander. They critique the opening chapters of _The Home Front_, a women’s society novel by Melinda McDonald. Shoe leather, ...
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Episode 116: The Five Commandments of Story with Shawn Coyne from 2017-10-19T16:45:11
In this episode, Leslie is joined by Shawn Coyne, the author of T_he Story Grid: What Good Editors Know_. They discuss the five commandments of story in the context of chapter five of _Animal Farm_...
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Episode 114: Inciting Incidents from 2017-09-29T14:43:44
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie Watts and Anne Hawley critique the beginning of Sheila Lischwe’s as yet untitled psychological thriller. They discuss inciting incidents: the submission as a...
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Episode 113: Intentional Sentence Construction from 2017-09-22T16:37:48
Fiction editor Leslie Watts is joined by Liz Green, Writership’s first officer, to discuss the first chapter of _The Left-Handed Gunslinger_, a western fantasy novella by Shaun Gill. In ...
Episode 111: Experiment with Omniscient POV from 2017-08-28T17:13:21
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of _The Palace Thief_, a YA fantasy novel by AR Richardson. They discuss omniscient point of view and why you should giv...
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Episode 110: Self-Editing Your Fiction from 2017-08-14T15:03:36
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie and Clark talk about self-editing. To get the most from hiring an editor, you'll want to tackle certain tasks before you turn it over. There are plenty of st...
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Episode 108: Narrative Drive—Compelling Your Reader to Turn the Page from 2017-07-28T15:58:30
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie Watts and Anne Hawley critique the first chapter of _Esperanza_, a science fiction horror novel by Mike Ward. They discuss narrative drive. Different people ...
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Episode 107: Check the Tension in Your Opening from 2017-07-13T16:25:14
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie and Valerie Francis critique the first chapter of _The Arctic Compass_, a middle grade fantasy novel by Ryan Gannon. They discuss how to check your opening s...
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Episode 106: Capture Your Character’s Essence from 2017-06-28T18:10:53
In this episode, fiction editor Leslie Watts and guest fiction editor Anne Hawley critique the opening pages of _The Bad Shepherd_, a crime story set in Los Angeles in the 1980s, by Dale M. Nelson....
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Episode 105: Do Your Scenes Work? from 2017-06-28T17:35:35
In this episode, fiction editor Leslie Watts and guest editor Valerie Francis critique the prologue of _Shadow Falls_, a thriller novel by Maxwell Perkins. They discuss the elements of scenes that ...
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Episode 103: Narrative Identity and Why It Matters from 2017-05-25T15:11:21
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie and Clark critique “A Hero Least of All,” a literary short story by Tim LaFave. They discuss narrative identity and why it matters for your writing. Humans u...
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Episode 102: How to Choose Your Story's Point of View from 2017-05-18T17:08:39
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie and Clark discuss point of view (POV) in their critique of “The Second Prayer: A Confession for the Dead,” a thriller short story by David L. Storm. The POV ...
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Episode 101: Check Your Narrative Distance from 2017-05-10T18:57:29
In this episode, fiction editors Leslie and Clark critique the beginning of _Osweyth_, an epic fantasy novel inspired by Cornish folklore by J M Hudson. They discuss narrative distance, omniscient ...
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Episode. 99: Revealing Character: Science Critique from 2017-04-26T17:10:36
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of _Let’s Go Inwards_, a science fiction novel by Jake. They discuss revealing character. Unlike screenwriters, we can’t rely on actors ...
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Episode 98: Storytelling vs. Telling a Story: Horror Critique from 2017-04-19T18:32:11
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique “Vermillion Dusk & Crimson Dirt,” an as yet unpublished horror short story by Lane M.M. Whitens. They talk about storytelling vs. telling a story and ...
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Episode 97: The Pick Up: LGBT Romance Critique from 2017-03-23T20:20:14
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of _The Pick Up_, a LGBT romance novel by Allison Temple. They discuss genre, obligatory scenes in romance stories, and romantic conflic...
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Episode 94: Edge of the Future: Science Fiction Critique from 2017-02-22T19:24:59
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of _Edge of the Future_, a science fiction novel by Andria Stone. They discuss ways to reveal character, including thoughts, reactions t...
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Episode 93: The Writer’s Internal Genre from 2017-02-15T19:12:06
In this episode, Leslie and Clark talk about the internal genre for your journey as a writer. As writers, we face resistance in different forms (we hit a snag in our project, life throws us a curve...
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Episode 92: Day 115: Science Fiction Critique from 2017-01-18T14:00
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of _Day 115_, a science fiction novel by J. M. Bedard. They discuss pacing, providing enough detail to make clear the setting and charac...
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Episode 91: The Snakes of Playa del Carmen: Young Adult Thriller Critique from 2017-01-11T18:48:48
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of _The Snakes of Playa del Carmen_, a young adult thriller novel by Penelope Aaron. They discuss backstory (including its purposes and ...
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Episode 89: Edge: Atompunk Critique from 2016-12-28T22:29:50
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the beginning of _Edge_, an as yet unpublished atompunk novel, by Ethan Motter. They discuss the ordinary and special worlds of the story, mysteries and q...
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Episode 88: Let’s Call This What It Is: Literary Short Story Critique from 2016-12-21T16:00:45
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique “Let’s Call This What It Is,” a literary short story by David Austin. They discuss plot- and character-driven stories (and the need for both elements), ex...
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Episode 87: Ascendancy: Sword and Sorcery Critique from 2016-12-14T14:00
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening of Ascendancy, a sword and sorcery novel by A. B. Corley. They discuss transitions between scenes, tweaking dialogue so that the characters ar...
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Episode 86: Acolyte of Shadow: Fantasy Critique from 2016-11-23T15:21:19
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of _Acolyte of Shadow_, an as yet unpublished fantasy novel by Daniel Kellberg. They discuss dialogue, descriptive beats, pacing, and ba...
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Episode 85: “Doing the Work”: Contemporary Short Story Critique from 2016-11-18T17:34:26
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique “Doing the Work,” an as yet unpublished contemporary short story by Julie Prudhome. They discuss stories that tackle social issues and ways to use them po...
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Episode 84: Women’s Historical Fiction Critique from 2016-11-10T15:36:58
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of a women’s historical fiction novel submitted by an anonymous author. They discuss tension, conflict, character traits, and descriptio...
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Archmage’s Rage: Fantasy Critique from 2016-10-26T13:00
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the first chapter of _The Sentinels Sworn Book One: Archmage’s Rage_, a fantasy novel by Andrew J. Cardin. They discuss world building, strategic use of e...
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Dark Water: Dystopian Short Story Critique from 2016-10-19T14:25:07
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique “Dark Water,” a short story by James Middleton. They discuss world building, genre, and how details can affect the stakes.
Episode 80: As Realms Unravel: Epic Fantasy Critique from 2016-10-13T18:32:13
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of _As Realms Unravel_, an as yet unpublished epic fantasy novel by Steven T. Bushar. They discuss world building, flashbacks, conflict,...
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Episode 79: Hiraeth: Family Saga Critique from 2016-09-28T19:34:58
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of Hiraeth by Robert Fritz Gaston, an as yet unpublished family saga novel. They discuss point of view, tense, introducing characters, a...
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Episode 78: Me and My Bacon: YA Critique from 2016-09-21T17:14:11
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of Ceanmohrlass’s Me and My Bacon a published YA novel. They discuss the passage of time, setting as it relates to the characters, and t...
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Episode 77: Snow Like Ashes: Literary Short Story Critique from 2016-09-14T13:00
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of Brian McWilliams’s “Snow Like Ashes” an as yet unpublished literary fiction short story. They discuss short stories, character arcs, ...
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Episode 76: The Automatic Author: Literary Science Fiction Critique from 2016-08-31T15:49:24
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of Marcelo Mendes’s “The Automatic Author” an as yet unpublished literary science fiction short story. They discuss short stories, econo...
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Episode 75: The Wolf and the Ravens: Historical Fiction Critique from 2016-08-24T16:06:53
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of D.J. Umber's _The Wolf and the Ravens_, an as yet unpublished historical fiction novel. They discuss explaining character motivations...
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Episode 74: Hanna's Hearts: Romance/Science Fiction Critique from 2016-08-17T15:36:18
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of Bobbie Carlton-Hess's _Hanna's Hearts_, an as yet unpublished Romance/Science Fiction novel. They discuss backstory and ways to conve...
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Episode 73: Feathers of the Phoenix: Historical Fantasy Critique from 2016-08-10T14:40:54
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of J.T. Morse's _Feathers of the Phoenix_, an as yet unpublished historical fantasy novel. They discuss point of view, the omniscient na...
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Episode 71: Daughter of the Flood: Magical Realism Critique from 2016-07-20T15:02:50
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of Chrishaun Keller-Hanna's “Daughter of the Flood,” an as yet unpublished magical realism story. They discuss identifying characters, d...
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Episode 69 - Expedition, Brace Cordova Book One: Space Opera Critique from 2016-06-29T13:00
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of C. Steven Manley's _Expedition: Brace Cordova Book One_, an as yet unpublished space opera. They discuss setting, capitalization, fla...
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Episode 68 - The Case Files of Jack Nimble: Supernatural Mystery Critique from 2016-06-24T15:32:36
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique Carl Vaughn's _The Case Files of Jack Nimble,_ an as yet unpublished supernatural mystery. They discuss fiction mash-ups, innovating scenes, character des...
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Episode 67 - Hypnotic Destiny: YA Fantasy Critique from 2016-06-15T13:00
In this episode, Leslie and Clark critique the opening pages of Charlie Reale’s Hypnotic Destiny, an as yet unpublished YA Fantasy. They discuss fight scenes, character thoughts and reactions, poin...
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Episode 64 - Michele Potter’s The Colonists - Historical Fiction from 2016-05-25T15:57:03
In this episode, Leslie welcomed Clark Chamberlain, the new co-host of the podcast. They critiqued the beginning of Michelle Porter’s _The Colonists_, an as yet unpublished historical fiction novel...
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Episode 63 - Posted as Missing, an Action-Adventure Romance from 2016-05-18T14:07:22
In this episode, Leslie and Alyssa critique the opening of Michael Walsh's _Posted as Missing_, an action-adventure romance. They discuss genre, traumatic events and how to include them in fiction,...
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Episode 62 - Forged, a YA paranormal adventure from 2016-05-11T13:59:37
In episode 62, Leslie and Alyssa critique the opening of Jennifer Hale and Holly Mora’s _Forged_, a YA paranormal adventure. They discuss beginning hooks, flashbacks, similes, repetitive structure,...
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Episode 60 - The Missing Yesterdays, MG/YA Novella Critique from 2016-04-29T14:10:20
Leslie & Alyssa critique the opening of Terry Marchion’s_The Missing Yesterdays_, an MG/YA novella. They discuss specificity of detail and verbs, rising tension, worldbuilding and applying humo...
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Episode 59 - Beauty’s Daughter, Fantasy Novella Critique from 2016-04-20T15:48:09
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening of Eustacia Tan’s novella _Beauty’s Daughter_. They discuss throat clearing, strengthening verbs, point of view, and rising tension.
Episode 58: Smarter Artist Summit from 2016-04-13T13:00
Alyssa & Leslie share their experiences and takeaways from attending the 2016 Smarter Artist Summit. Panelists included: Mark LeFebvre, Joanna Penn, Nick Stephenson, Julia Kent, J.A. Huss, Andr...
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Episode 55 - Underneath - A Merfolk Tale, Science Fiction Critique from 2016-03-23T13:00
Leslie & Alyssa critique the opening of M.N. Arzu’s Underneath, and discuss foreshadowing, verb choice, repetitive sentence structure, and genre considerations.
Episode 54 - Raven’s Peak, Paranormal Fiction Critique from 2016-03-16T15:19:45
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening of Lincoln Cole’s _Raven’s Peak_, and discuss tone, using secondary character reactions to develop your reader’s understanding of the protagonist, restraint...
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Episode 51 - The Humanarium, Science Fiction Critique from 2016-02-24T17:31:57
Leslie & Alyssa critique the prologue of Chris Tick’s _The Humanarium_, a science fiction novel. They discuss classic scene structure, grounding the reader, worldbuilding, and characterization....
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Episode 50 - Feather the Painter, Fantasy Critique from 2016-02-17T15:41:58
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening of Mary Pat Lynch’s _Feather the Painter_, a fantasy novel. They discuss repetitive sentence structure, tension, sensory detail, dialect, and getting to kno...
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Episode 49 - Awakened: Paragons Book One, Superhuman Thriller Critique from 2016-02-10T14:00
Leslie & Alyssa critique the opening of CS Manley’s _Awakened_. They discuss the opening device (amnesia), tension, setting, and the high polishing techniques that will make your writing _lean_...
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Episode 47 - The Hipster Who Leapt Through Time, SF/F Critique from 2016-01-27T17:32:12
Leslie & Alyssa critique the opening of Luke K’s _The Hipster Who Leapt Through Time_, a science fiction/fantasy novel by Luke Kondor. They mention echoes and strengthening verbs. They discuss ...
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Episode 46 - The Bite of Rust, Fantasy Critique from 2016-01-20T15:11:12
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening of Simon Cantan’s _The Bite of Rust_, a fantasy novel. They discuss unusual protagonists, characters’ emotional reactions, and effective hooks and world bui...
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Episode 45 - “The Quirky Old Couple” Fantasy Short Story Critique from 2016-01-13T14:00
Leslie & Alyssa critique Alysia Seymour’s “The Quirky Old Couple,” a fantasy short story. They discuss tension, action, and conflict, repetitive sentence structure, and earning back story.
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Episode 43 - The Book of Fawla, Fantasy Critique from 2015-12-30T14:00
Leslie and Alyssa critique the first chapter of Edward Antrobus’s The Book of Fawla, a fantasy serial. They discuss telling detail for characterization, setting, and props, amping up your verbs, pa...
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Episode 42 - Untitled Thriller Critique from 2015-12-23T14:00
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening pages of a thriller by AD Davies. They discuss the genre and maintaining tension, and get into some granular detail on verb tense and dialogue tags. Put you...
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Episode 41 - “The Flagstone in Ms. Leech’s Garden,” Middle Grade Horror Critique from 2015-12-16T14:00
Leslie & Alyssa critique Todd Gerring’s middle grade horror short story. They discuss considerations when writing horror for this audience, 3rd person distant POV, building sympathy for your ch...
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Episode 38 - “One’s Place,” Science Fiction Adventure Critique from 2015-11-25T14:00
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening of a science fiction adventure story, “One’s Place,” by Edwin Downward. They discuss characterization, setting, lingering questions, plot devices, and diver...
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Episode 37 - Ripples Through Time, Literary Fiction Critique from 2015-11-18T14:00
Leslie & Alyssa critique the opening of the literary fiction novel Ripples through Time by Lincoln Cole. They discuss characterization, telling detail, the power of subtlety, and what defines l...
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Episode 36 - Crystal, Young Adult Fiction Critique from 2015-11-11T14:00
Alyssa & Leslie discuss genre, pacing, tension, and engagement as they critique the first five pages of Christine Waters’s Crystal, a young adult story.
Episode 34 - Chasing Status Quo, YA/SF/Mystery Critique from 2015-10-28T13:00
Leslie & Alyssa discuss prologues, openings, establishing the genre, character relationships, and sensory detail in this critique of the opening of Melissa Bieman’s _Chasing Status Quo_.
Episode 33. - “Children at Tide’s Ebb,” Literary Short Fiction Critique from 2015-10-21T14:19:13
Leslie & Alyssa discuss poetic prose, interesting structure, the hallmarks of literary fiction and how this piece displays them, symbolism, and grounding the reader in the face of extremely poe...
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Episode 32 - “Last Eve,” SF Short Story Critique from 2015-10-14T15:24:27
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening of Last Eve, a short story by Carolina Greene. They discuss throat clearing, developing the conflict of man vs. nature, and provided a few copyediting tips....
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Episode 30 - Ghosts of Koa, Urban Fantasy/Dystopian SF Critique from 2015-09-30T13:00
Alyssa & Leslie critique the prologue of Colby R. Rice’s Ghosts of Koa. They discuss identifying repetitive syntax, seamless worldbuilding, developing intrigue, and finding beta readers.
Episode 29 - Rain, Thriller Critique from 2015-09-23T13:00
Alyssa & Leslie critique the opening of David L. Storm’s thriller, _Rain_. They discuss pacing and diction appropriate to the genre, as well as setting, and the introduction of conflict versus ...
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Episode 28 - The Nutcracker King, YA Fantasy Critique from 2015-09-17T15:53:13
Leslie & Alyssa critique the opening chapters of The Nutcracker King, a novella by Eustacia Tan. They discuss genre, public domain characters, conflict, and deepening characterization.
Episode 25 - Gone, Suspense Critique from 2015-08-26T13:00
Leslie & Alyssa critique the first five pages of Stacy Claflin’s _Gone_, a Suspense thriller. They discuss how the shifting point of view and resulting irony (where the audience knows something...
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Episode 24 - The Feedback Loop, Cyberpunk Techno Thriller Critique from 2015-08-19T13:00
Alyssa & Leslie critique the first section of Harmon Cooper’s _The Feedback Loop_. They discuss how the POV and tense works for the genre, repetitive sentence structure, and dialogue (and its p...
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Episode 23 - Fire on the Flight Deck, Military/Coming of Age Critique (Explicit) from 2015-08-12T13:00
Leslie & Alyssa critique the first chapter of Darren Sapp’s Fire on the Flight Deck. They discuss point of view, establishing the ordinary world, back story, and the technical details that make...
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Episode 21 - It’s A Nightmare (The Gold Stone Girl, book 1), Dystopian Fantasy Critique from 2015-07-29T14:00
Leslie & Alyssa critique the opening pages from Nicole Quinn’s It’s a Nightmare. They discuss the genre, the function of the comma, the importance of a name, and suspending disbelief.
Episode 20 - Walrus of Death Urban Fantasy Critique from 2015-07-22T14:00
In this episode, Leslie and Alyssa critique the opening pages from Steeven R. Orr’s Walrus of Death. They discuss appropriate humor and how it can benefit your story, judicious pruning for a smooth...
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Episode 19 - University Acknowledged New Adult Critique (explicit) from 2015-07-16T16:40:48
In this episode, Alyssa and Leslie critique the opening pages from a New Adult novel. They discuss the specter of Pride & Prejudice, building and maintaining sympathy for your characters, and d...
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Episode 16 - Nightblade: Fantasy Critique from 2015-06-24T14:00
In this episode, Leslie and Alyssa critique the opening pages from a fantasy novel. They discuss cadence and diction, dialogue, opening lines, and setting and maintaining reader expectations.
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Episode 15 - Glamorous: Paranormal Thriller Critique from 2015-06-17T14:00
In this episode, Alyssa and Leslie critique the opening pages from a paranormal thriller. They discuss character relationships, the “normal” world versus the supernatural world, incorporating speci...
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Episode 14 - Night School: Horror Critique from 2015-06-10T14:00
In this episode, Alyssa and Leslie critique the opening pages from a horror novel. They discuss tightening the opening to get to the paranormal elements more quickly, the possible inclusion of humo...
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Episode 12 - High Flyer: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Critique from 2015-05-27T14:00
In this episode, Alyssa and Leslie critique the opening pages from a paranormal/urban fantasy novel. They discuss grounding the reader in the genre, British vs. U.S. English, echoes, visceral detai...
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Episode 11 - Naked Montreal: Erotica Critique (NSFW) from 2015-05-20T14:00
In this episode, Leslie and Alyssa critique the opening pages from an erotica novel. They discuss different types of erotica, character development, tools for assessing complexity of language and r...
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Episode 10 - Ted Saves the World: YA Superhero Fantasy Critique from 2015-05-13T14:00
In this episode, Leslie and Alyssa critique the opening pages from a YA superhero fantasy novel. They discuss: why this opening works so well for the sotry, strong opening lines, including visceral...
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Episode 8 - Prophecy’s Queen: Fantasy Critique from 2015-04-28T19:30
In this episode, Leslie and Alyssa critique the opening pages from a fantasy novella in progress. They discuss information dumps, delaying back story, and revisit elaborate dialogue tags. They go o...
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Episode 7 - "It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Later": Religious Inspirational Short Story Critique from 2015-04-28T19:00
In this episode, Alyssa and Leslie critique a religious inspirational short story. They discuss showing versus telling, creating an active and vivid setting, rapid fire dialogue, and str...
Episode 6 - Looking in Shadows: Crime/Thriller Critique from 2015-04-28T18:30
In this episode, Leslie and Alyssa critique an excerpt from a crime/thriller novel in progress. They discuss what’s working for the unconventional opening, dive deeper into active openings, and ask...
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Episode 5 - Think Tank: Middle Grade Fantasy Short Story Critique from 2015-04-28T18:00
In this episode, Alyssa and Leslie critique an excerpt from a middle grade fantasy book. They discuss: point of view/head hopping, passive voice, streamlining language for impact, echoes, strengthe...
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Episode 3 - Last Search: Mystery Critique from 2015-04-28T16:15
_In this episode, Alyssa and Leslie critique the opening pages of a mystery novel in progress. They discuss: tense, point of view, consistency in characterization, dialect in dialogue, permissions ...
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Episode 2 - Grigory’s Gadget: Steampunk Critique from 2015-04-28T16:00
In this episode, Leslie and Alyssa critique the opening pages of a steampunk novel in progress. They discuss what was working for the story, how to improve the opening paragraphs, tension, and open...
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Episode 1 - Mustang Summer: Romance Critique from 2015-04-22T15:58:03
In this episode, Alyssa and Leslie launched the podcast with the critique of an excerpt from a romance novel. They discuss some requirements of the romance genre, and what constitutes a love intere...
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