The Good Story Podcast
A podcast of interviews with thought leaders within and without the writing community. All about writing, the craft, submission, publishing, and career building for writers of all kinds and ability levels.
Episodes
Going viral on TikTok can’t be your entire book marketing strategy. So how do new authors go about finding their ideal readers? Jenn Hanson-dePaula guides you through the steps of elevating your book promo! Tune in to hear her take on what marketing is and isn’t, tips for building your social media platform (including valuable advice on what to post), and why you should have a newsletter.
Jenn Hanson-dePaula
Website: https://jenndepa...
Mary is joined by NYT bestselling author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka to chat about his experience in children's publishing. He shares the challenges and gratifications of reaching across different age categories and the importance of illustrations in storytelling. Listen to hear his tips on writing within established franchises (like Star Wars), how to pivot a picture book idea into a graphic novel series, and memoir writing.
J...
Danielle Marietta joins the podcast to discuss her publishing company, Books & Things Publishing, the children’s book sphere, and the importance of promoting diverse authors. Tune in to learn more about Danielle’s writing journey, and her tips on self-publishing, social media marketing, and connecting with your target audience.
Danielle Marietta
Website: https://www.daniellemariettabooks.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danie...
Romance author Allison Speka joins the pod to discuss her journey into writing and self-publishing. She talks about her love for the romance genre, and shares her experience with self-publishing, including tips on cover design, book marketing, and the value of learning from other indie authors.
Allison Speka:
Website: https://www.allisonspeka.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spekaallison
Good Story Company: If you have a story in y...
Editor and writing coach Katie Wolf joins the pod for an inspiring conversation about getting started in publishing, work-life balance, and writing to market. She also discusses the importance of prioritizing mental health and why self-awareness is key in developing your writing craft.
Katie Wolf:
Website: https://www.thekatiewolf.com/
Podcast-- Blank Page to Book: https://www.thekatiewolf.com/podcast/001
Instagram: https://www.instagr...
Thriller vs. Suspense... what's the difference? Heather Dixon, whose debut novel Burlington hits shelves this week, chats with Mary Kole about getting published and the appeal of suspenseful women's fiction. She also discusses plotting high stakes, developing character arcs, and writing "quiet stories."
Heather Dixon:
Website: https://www.heatherdixon.ca/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hdixonwriter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/h...
Rob Kent, author and host of the Middle Grade Ninja podcast, joins Mary Kole to talk about his illustrious publishing career and provides valuable insights and inspiration for aspiring writers. He discusses the importance of managing expectations and success in your writing career, as well as writing for your own personal happiness.
Rob Kent:
Website: http://www.middlegradeninja.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MGNinja
Good Story Comp...
You want to write a book? Listen to this and you'll be all set. Dark YA novelist Gretchen McNeil joins Mary Kole in an episode all about recognizing and executing a good story idea. They discuss the shifting young adult book market and embracing diversity, mastering storytelling structure and the importance of shaping the reader's experience, and the controversial subject of IP development.
Gretchen McNeil:
Website: https://www.gretc...
How does a new author start gaining traction? Can you stay authentic while "selling yourself" as a writer? Book Marketer and PR Coach Emily Enger joins Mary to talk about some of the aspects of the writing process that might leave a yucky taste in our mouths. Tune in for actionable tips and insights into a publicist and marketer's side of the publishing world.
Good Enough Book Marketing: https://www.goodenoughbookmarketing.com
Emily'...
Join Mary Kole and Sara Zarr as they talk about the complex realities surrounding publishing and becoming a career author within a rapidly shifting young adult and middle grade marketplace. Sara Zarr brings insight and personal experiences to surviving the sudden and drastic changes within the YA marketplace, such as the popularization of certain YA genres and how that affects YA authors who specialize outside of those genres.
Tune in for a chat with Mary Kole's long-time friend in the children's publishing space, YA Author J.C. Geiger. He tells all about how he made an epic mixtape with music no one's heard before (and met his heroes in the process), writing young adult characters, the future of post-pandemic fiction, and—of course—the power of music.
Website: https://jcgeiger.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jcgeiger
Good Story Company: If you have a sto...
Lisa Stringfellow, award-winning author and middle school teacher, discusses her debut novel about mermaids and mythology set in the Caribbean, “A Comb of Wishes.” She talks through her long journey from draft to finished book—plus plans for Book 2—and shares craft and industry tips she’s learned along the way.
Website: https://lisastringfellow.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EngageReaders
Good Story Company: If you have a story in ...
Benjamin Roesch joins us to talk about his debut novel—but not his first novel—published with LGBTQ+ young adult indie publisher Deep Hearts. We talk about turning short stories into a novel, coming of age fiction, and being an older debut writer.
Website: https://benjaminroesch.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbroesch
Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help wri...
CEO of independent publisher Girl Friday Productions Leslie Miller, aka "LAM" joins the Good Story Podcast to talk all things publishing, marketing, and building your platform as an author. Having worn all the different hats, she discusses the differences between traditional publishing, self-publishing, indie publishing, and hybrid publishing, and how to know which option is right for your project, whether that's children's books, ...
Award-winning children’s book writer Ronald L. Smith, author of Black Panther: The Young Prince and Spellbound, joins the Good Story Podcast. We talk about writing dark and unconventional stories for middle grade, his writing routine, and marketing yourself as an author. And, of course, he tells all about what it’s like to write in collaboration with Marvel.
Website: https://www.strangeblackflowers.com
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter...
Writer, writing teacher, ghost writer, and general literary icon Roz Morris joins Mary Kole on the Good Story Podcast. They dive into the mechanics of storytelling and discuss how to connect with your audience—whether you're writing someone else's story or you're telling your own.
Website: https://rozmorris.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Roz_Morris
Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it ...
New York Times Bestselling children's book author Tami Charles joins the Good Story Podcast to talk about experimenting with verse, amplifying the stories of girls of color, and writing what you feel.
Website: https://tamiwrites.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TamiWritesStuff
Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all ...
Author and former assistant professor of creative writing Leslie C. Youngblood joins Mary Kole on the Good Story Podcast. She shares her journey through her MFA program, gives tips on crafting interesting character relationships, and weighs in on one of the hottest questions for authors today: traditional or self-publishing?
Website: https://www.lesliecyoungblood.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lescyoungblood
Good Story Com...
Mindy McGinnis, mystery, suspense, thriller author and dog haver, joins the Good Story Podcast to talk about her upcoming work with James Patterson, shit-shoveling, book snobbery, and showing characters' humanity.
Website: https://www.mindymcginnis.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindyMcGinnis
Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, al...
In a special spooky episode of the Good Story Podcast, NYT Bestselling young adult and middle-grade author Jonathan Auxier joins Mary Kole to discuss visual writing, worldbuilding, and how different media use dialogue to create action.
\Website: https://www.thescop.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonathanAuxier
Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of ...
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