YOUR WRITING BESTIES
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YOUR WRITING BESTIES •
YOUR WRITING BESTIES
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YOUR WRITING BESTIES •
Hannah and Jess discuss the differences and similarities between science fiction (or sci-fi), fantasy, and dystopian fiction. They talk about the genre expectations for each, and dive into what it looks like to genre blend. .
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Literary agent Sheyla Knigge of Highline Literary talks to Hannah and Jess about pressing industry questions, things to consider when working with an agent, and why the publishing industry and authors are at odds when it comes to prologues. This episode is full of practical, real-time wisdom from an industry professional, and it's one you will want to listen to twice, even take notes!
After several years spent sleuthing through the submissions in Victoria Marini’s query inbox, Sheyla Knigge (SHAY-luh KUH-nig-gee) is now actively using the skills she sharpened in that capacity to build her own dynamic bookshelf filled with the talented authors she currently represents. Sheyla is an expert at discovering fresh voices and relentlessly advocating for the successful publication of the stories she loves. Her unwavering enthusiasm for her authors is contagious, and she possesses an unrivaled ability to match authors with ideal homes for their books. When she’s not working, you can find Sheyla tucked away writing, getting more tattoos, or spending time with her family in the Appalachian Mountains.
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SHOW NOTES
Hannah and Jess speak with author Michelle Cullen about her newest release, explore the difference between detective mysteries and anthropological mysteries, and how sometimes, reader data can be used to impact authorial decisions.
Michelle L. Cullen has lived and traveled all over the world: from working as a (decent if powered by enough espresso) bilingual secretary in Paris to backpacking around Europe, Central America, and Southern Africa, to helping to rebuild communities after war throughout Africa, East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific. She studied anthropology at Melbourne University in Australia and sociology at the London School of Economics in England. She currently lives in Annapolis, Maryland, where she’s busy doing yoga or plotting murder. She’s a proud member of SinC, ITW, MWA, and The Authors Guild.
SHOW NOTES:
A Field Guide to Death and Deceit by Michelle Cullen
Jess and Hannah discuss what it means to read like a writer, why it's important for ALL writers to find time to read this way, how to do it, and things you should pay attention to when reading closely.
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SHOW NOTES
How to Read Like a Writer | Mike Bunn
Six Tips for Reading Like a Writer | Mark Beaver, Writer's Digest
Jess and Hannah discuss their favorite reads of the past three months, with a variety of titles to look into!
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SHOW NOTES
HANNAH'S PICKS:
Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan
The Lion Women Of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
Honorable Mention: Dogs, Boys, And Other things I've Cried About by Isabel Klee
JESS'S PICKS:
Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Honorable Mention: Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi
Hannah and Jess interview author Joss Richard on pub day of her most recent novel, Let's Kiss and Tell! They discuss the differences in process between each book, the societal value of a genre like romance, and how understanding screenwriting can help your writing process.
Joss Richard is an instant, international bestselling romance author based in Los Angeles. With over 12 years of experience, she has been formally recognized with a Daytime Emmy Award and has produced for on-air broadcast, digital, and social media at some of the most notable shows and networks (Hello Sunshine and Reese’s Book Club, The Walt Disney Company, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Netflix, Red Table Talk, Paramount, CBS, The Grammy Awards, The Critics Choice Awards, The Academy Awards) and has interviewed some of Hollywood’s biggest A-List celebrities (Jennifer Aniston, Christopher Plummer, Sandra Bullock, and more). She has worked on the social marketing strategy for several films and TV series, including The Morning Show, Daisy Jones and The Six, The Last Thing He Told Me, Tiny Beautiful Things, and more.
Her debut novel, IT’S DIFFERENT THIS TIME was an instant USA TODAY, Toronto Star, and Globe & Mail Bestseller. It was named one of Apple Books Best Debuts of 2025 and is shortlisted for Canada Reads. Her second novel, LET'S KISS AND TELL, is out now.
She is originally from Toronto, ON and currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and rescue pittie, Annie.
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SHOW NOTES
Hannah and Jess discuss the core elements of a scene, how they need to work within the scene, and give you tips on how to improve your scenes if you find yourself struggling.
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SHOW NOTES
The Fiction Lounge: Scene Work episode
In their interview with author Susan Furber, Jess and Hannah discuss writing a literary fiction series, how your characters stay with you, and they dive into Susan's upcoming release, What Other Years Have Done.
Susan Furber is the author of The Essence of an Hour, We Were Very Merry and the upcoming What Other Years Have Done (2026), all published by Valley Press. Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1992, Susan studied English and Philosophy at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, and spent a year at the University of Oxford. After graduating, she moved to London, where she lives with her husband and works in publishing as a book editor. Susan writes about the themes of the American identity abroad, the complexities of female friendship, and the feminist movement throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
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SHOW NOTES
Hannah and Jess interview debut author Kathleen Schwab about her historical fantasy, Queenswood, and how her journey to this book was mostly about pursuing her joy. They discuss the Celtic folklore of the story and how she wove it in with her worldbuilding. Fantasy writers will enjoy this episode!
Kathleen Schwab grew up in Levittown, Pennsylvania, a quintessential postwar suburb, among hundreds of identical prefab homes, but that didn’t stop her from building faerie houses when no one was looking. She earned a BA in literature and a master of arts in teaching from Smith College in Massachusetts, married the love of her life, and went on to fill such varied roles as office manager, midwife’s assistant, and professional homeschool teacher, all while raising two rambunctious children and tending a flock of parrots.
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SHOW NOTES
Jess and Hannah discuss both the similarities and differences between the mystery, crime, thriller, and horror genres. They cover genre expectations, but also share what these genres all have in common. This episode helps clear up how to position your book within these specific areas of fiction.
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SHOW NOTES
Hannah and Jess interview New York Times Bestselling author Alka Joshi about her new book Six Days in Bombay while discussing other topics such as identity and how great character work is born.
Born in India and raised in the U.S. since the age of nine. Alka Joshi has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. Joshi's debut novel, The Henna Artist, immediately became a NYT bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and has been translated into 30 languages. The Secret Keeper of Jaipur (2021) and The Perfumist of Paris (2023) completed the Jaipur Trilogy. Her fourth novel, Six Days in Bombay, was published in 2025. She is currently working on her fifth novel, which is due to be published in 2027. In 2024, Joshi was selected for the Forbes 50 over 50 List, celebrating women who are shattering age and gender norms across all sectors of the American economy and culture.
SHOW NOTES
Hannah and Jess explain the similarities and differences between women's fiction and romance, provide practical ways to understand how to place your own novel, and three questions to ask yourself if you're looking for clarity.
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SHOW NOTES
Women’s Fiction vs. Romance: What’s The Difference? | Savannah Gilbo
Hannah and Jess discuss why plot devices are one of the most important ways to move your story forward, what types of plot devices there are, and how you might already be using them without even realizing it.
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SHOW NOTES
Hannah, Jess, and their guest A.L. Sinclair discuss her unique journey from pursuing self-publishing to being discovered by her now agent and going traditional publishing. They also discuss the work to write a dark historical fiction novel, finding the "why" behind your work, and how to build a solid, steady readership.
A. L. Sinclair is a debut adult dark fantasy author who enjoys weaving history, mythology, and complex, flawed characters into wonderfully subversive narratives. With a background in law, sustainability, and somatic healing, she loves exploring identity, trauma and power through a feminist lens. Her nonfiction writing has appeared in Tiny Buddha and Elephant Journal, and she wrote a couple of screenplays whilst mentoring under an award-winning Australian screenwriter. When she’s not writing vengeful women who smash the patriarchy, Amanda enjoys single malt scotch whisky and working her way through her ever-growing to-be-read pile. She lives on Whadjuk Noongar country (Perth, Western Australia) with two well-traveled cats who’ve accompanied her across continents.
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SHOW NOTES
Jess and Hannah introduce a new series on the key elements of writing in certain genres. In the first episode, they discuss the definitions and hallmarks of literary fiction, upmarket fiction, and commercial fiction. They explore case studies and even share ways that these genres can be markers within other genres as well (i.e., literary thrillers, upmarket romances, etc.).
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SHOW NOTES
What is Upmarket Fiction? by Carly Watters for Jane Friedman
What is Literary Fiction? | Writer's Digest
Literary Fiction Explained (and How to Know if You're Writing It) | The Novelry
Hannah and Jess discuss their adaptations living life with chronic illness, discuss how mental health episodes can feel equally as limiting, and share their tips and mentalities for handling the difficult days.
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Jess and Hannah talk about bringing mythology to life with editor and author John Glynn. They explore the idea of queer erasure within myth and lore, discuss the depth of writing about first love and how it changes you, and briefly geek out over Madeline Miller.
John Glynn is the Editorial Director of Hanover Square Press, an imprint of HarperCollins. His acclaimed nonfiction debut, Out East: Memoir of a Montauk Summer was an Indie Next pick, an Oprah, The Magazine "Best LGBTQ Book of 2019," a Cosmopolitan Best Book of 2019, a Refinery29 Outstanding LGBTQ+ Book of 2019, a Newsweek Best Book of Summer among other accolades. The Lost Book of Lancelot is his debut novel. His writing has appeared in Oprah Daily, The Millions and The Daily Beast. Originally from Longmeadow, Massachusetts, he lives in New York City with his partner and dog.
SHOW NOTES
Hannah and Jess talk with author Britt Middleton about her debut novel American Love Song, the importance of mental health representation in romance, and she provides practical advice and encouragement for new writers.
Britt Middleton is a romance and literary novelist passionate about tender love stories centering African-American women rediscovering their ambition.
Formerly a digital beauty producer at Popsugar and Black Entertainment Television (BET Networks), Britt’s journalism has been published by Refinery29, NYLON Magazine, and internationally with Nine Network Australia, among others.
She is an alum of Yale University’s Writers’ Workshop and a former finalist of Disney Entertainment Television’s Writing Program (Comedy). She earned a bachelor's degree in Radio/Television Broadcast Journalism with a minor in English Writing from the University of Central Florida. She is pursuing her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fiction at Columbia University.
Britt lives in New York City, where she’s likely perfecting her sourdough recipe.
SHOW NOTES
Hannah and Jess interview Denise Madre of Prose Without Thorns about her work in the field of sensitivity reading, and she provides practical ways to be more conscious when writing marginalized people. This episode is part two of a two part series.
A bibliophile with an English degree and a mild addiction to "Pride and Prejudice" variations, Denise Madre founded Prose without Thorns to help writers of all experience levels uncover their best work. She provides editing, sensitivity reads, and consultations for a variety of fiction and nonfiction genres. With more than 100,000 followers and 950,000 likes across all platforms, Denise is a trusted voice in the writing space, offering clarity, community, and compassion.
SHOW NOTES
Contact Denise (Make sure to select "Project Consultation" and mention The Fiction Lounge in your question!)
Writing an Identity Not Your Own by Alex Templador
Hannah and Jess interview Denise Madre of Prose Without Thorns about her work in the field of sensitivity reading, and she provides practical ways to be more conscious when writing marginalized people. This episode is part one of a two part series.
A bibliophile with an English degree and a mild addiction to "Pride and Prejudice" variations, Denise Madre founded Prose Without Thorns to help writers of all experience levels uncover their best work. She provides editing, sensitivity reads, and consultations for a variety of fiction and nonfiction genres. With more than 100,000 followers and 950,000 likes across all platforms, Denise is a trusted voice in the writing space, offering clarity, community, and compassion.
SHOW NOTES
Contact Denise (Make sure to select "Project Consultation" and mention The Fiction Lounge in your question!)