Craft Chat Chronicles

Craft Chat Chronicles

Join J.D. Myall from Writer's Digest and Drexel University on 'Craft Chat Chronicles' for interviews with New York Times best-selling authors. Delve into the art of writing, uncover insights and tips on crafting bestsellers, as well as effective publishing and book marketing. Perfect for aspiring and seasoned writers, and students alike, this podcast combines creative writing expertise with real-world publishing experience. Tune in for transformative literary guidance.

Episodes

December 6, 2025 75 mins

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Ever wondered what it takes to transition from a high school English teacher to a vice president at a top literary agency? Susie Townsend shares her compelling story of uncertainty, bold moves, and serendipitous opportunities that led her to New Leaf Literary and Media. You'll uncover her insights on the publishing industry's inner workings, from managing a plethora of author projects to navigating unexpecte...

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Ever had a friend steal your kidney story? Neither had we until we dove into the notorious "Bad Art Friend" literary scandal that rocked the writing world. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, we unpack what happens when writer friendships go spectacularly wrong—and why creative relationships can be both essential lifelines and potential minefields.

The publishing journey is rarely a straight line,...

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Ever wondered how to captivate an agent’s attention with your manuscript? Join us for an enlightening conversation with award-winning historical fiction author Amy K Runyan on this episode of Craft Chat Chronicles. Amy shares her invaluable insights on avoiding common pitfalls in student writing, establishing clear communication with MFA program instructors, and the art of crafting a unique premise while staying attun...

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Ever wondered what it takes to transform rejection letters into a publishing triumph? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as Shalini Abeysekara shares her inspiring journey from facing countless rejections to celebrating the success of her debut novel "This Monster of Mine." Shalini unveils the secrets behind balancing a demanding legal career with her passion for writing, and offers profound advice on crafting...

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Ever wondered how a childhood love for storytelling can transform into a successful writing career? Join us as we sit down with USA Today bestselling author Eliza Knight, who takes us on a journey from her early passion for writing to becoming a celebrated historical fiction novelist. Eliza shares invaluable insights from her educational background in journalism and family studies, her first foray into publishing with...

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Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" has captivated audiences with its fresh take on vampire mythology set against the racially charged backdrop of 1930s Mississippi. This Southern Gothic tale follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack (both masterfully portrayed by Michael B. Jordan) as they return home to open a juke joint, only to encounter supernatural forces that mirror the very real horrors of American racism.

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The supernatural world of vampires has captivated audiences for generations, but how these stories represent Black characters reveals much about our evolving cultural consciousness. In this thought-provoking episode, we dissect three influential vampire shows through a craft and representation lens, tracking a remarkable evolution from tokenism to authentic storytelling.

Starting with The Vampire Diaries&apos...

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Ever wondered what it’s like to face a life-threatening illness in a foreign country during a global pandemic? Join us for a conversation with debut author Robin Allison Davis, who shares her deeply personal journey of living in Paris while battling cancer. Robin gives us a window into the complexities and emotional toll of navigating the French healthcare system as an American expat, and how isolation during COVID-19...

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In this episode of Craft Chat Chronicles, hosted by J.D. Myall, we’re excited to bring you a dynamic Debut Author Panel featuring some of the most promising new voices in literature: Arriel Vinson, M.C. Benner Dixon, Shalini Abeysekara, Dami Salako, Jill Tew, and Ashley Jordan.

Join us as these authors share their journeys from manuscript to publication, offering a rare glimpse into the world of debut authorship. Shali...

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Every writer knows the paralyzing feeling of staring at a blank page, unable to move forward. But what if writer's block isn't actually about your skills or talent? In this candid conversation, we unpack the surprising truth: most writing blocks stem from anxiety, self-doubt, and the notorious imposter syndrome rather than any lack of ability.

Our panel of writers shares their personal battles with ...

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What if the loss of a dear friend could spark a new beginning that transforms the literary landscape for Black authors? Join us in this heartfelt episode as we welcome Beatrice Winifred Eicher, Chelsea Gayden, and Jill Tu, the dynamic team behind the Afro Knots podcast, which began as a tribute to their late friend KL Bird and flourished into a supportive community for Black writers. Beatrice delves into her love for ...

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Ever wondered how to seamlessly transition from corporate life to becoming a successful author? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with debut author Rebecca Dazenbaker, who shares her incredible journey from professional photographer to YA novelist. You'll discover her unique social media strategies for platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and pick up practical tips for using tools like CapCut, Unspl...

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Welcome to the inaugural episode of "A Writer's Journey," where we peel back the curtain on the creative process with honesty, humor, and heart. Co-hosts JD Myall, Jay Marie, and Mo kick off this series by sharing their personal paths to becoming writers—from childhood escapes into imagination to formal education and professional milestones.

What begins as a simple introduction transforms into ...

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Could your next favorite children's book be waiting inside this episode? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with the incredibly talented author and editor Hena Khan. From a childhood immersed in storytelling to an inspiring career in public health, Hena reveals the pivotal moments that led her to write for children. Discover how a chance opportunity at Scholastic ignited her passion for middle grade ...

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Discover the secrets behind captivating storytelling with debut author Veronica Bane in this episode of Craft Chat Chronicles. Veronica shares her inspiring transition from ghostwriting in adult romance to unveiling her young adult debut novel, "Difficult Girls." She opens up about the challenges and triumphs of balancing her writing career with her role as a high school English and creative writing teacher....

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How did a script editor in the UK television and film industry transform into a best-selling author? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with Holly Race, the remarkable mind behind the debut adult fantasy novel "Six of Crowns." Holly takes us on her riveting journey, candidly discussing her tumultuous transition from script editing to writing, including the challenges she faced launching her YA t...

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What if the key to captivating storytelling lies not just in creativity but in the rigorous study of literature? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we uncover the journey of an emerging author, who turned an unexpected collaboration with an agent in 2020 into a successful debut with Little Brown. Our guest takes us through the joys and challenges of traditional publishing, sharing how an English literature degree pro...

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What if you could transform setbacks into a launching pad for success? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Ladarian Williams, the debut author behind the best-selling novel "Blood at the Roots." Ladarian takes us on his journey from the small town of Helena, Alabama, to the bustling streets of Los Angeles, sharing how his early passions in theater and the hurdles he faced as a Black man in the arts ...

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Disney author Emma Theriault is here to share the captivating journey behind her debut novel, Rebel Rose. Join us as she recounts the unexpected creative freedom she experienced while working on this Disney IP project set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. From the exhilarating highs of signing with her first agent in 2016 to the unique challenges of debuting during the 2020 pandemic, Emma's story is ...

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Ever wondered what it takes to turn a childhood passion for stories into a published novel? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with debut author Jamie D'Amato also known as J.L. D'Amato to discuss her journey to bringing "The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends" to life. Jamie's delightful and humorous gay vampire rom-com embodies the essence of a college student&apo...

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