YOUR WRITING BESTIES
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YOUR WRITING BESTIES •
YOUR WRITING BESTIES
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YOUR WRITING BESTIES •
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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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!)
Hannah and Jess discuss their top reads of the year so far!
SHOW NOTES
HANNAH'S PICKS:
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Hannah's Honorable Mention: Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
JESS'S PICKS:
Hannah and Jess reveal an exciting announcement: The Fiction Lounge is now offering some author services! Jess shares the vision and process behind her editing consultation service, and Hannah shares the heart and process of her Plot Clarity Intensive.
SHOW NOTES
Guest author Laura Vogt talks historical fiction and her debut novel In the Great Quiet. From research and sensitivity readers to her drafting process, she provides amazing insight for new writers.
Laura Vogt is a historian, storyteller, and poet. She studied literature and history in undergrad and graduate school, focusing on Shakespeare, folk tales, and the History of Mentalities. Her poetry & prose is published in various journals, including Fourteen Hills, Pleiades, The Cimmaron Review, Enchanted Living Magazine, South Carolina Review, Chapter House, and Rust + Moth. She loves all things wild and beautiful. Laura lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her husband and three children. IN THE GREAT QUIET is her debut novel.
SHOW NOTES
Jess and Hannah talk about the challenges and demands of the "messy middle", and provide tips and tricks that might help you navigate this famously challenging portion of writing a novel.
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Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!
SHOW NOTES
Stuck in the Messy Middle? Tips for Drafting | Karen Krossing
Three-peat guest and series author Carmela Dutra checks in on her author journey and shares valuable insights about plotting vs. pantsing, how she juggles multiple projects at once, and what she's learned during her time in the industry.
Carmela Dutra is a writer from the Bay Area who loves food trucks, family, and cozy mysteries. Her debut, A Murder Most Fowl, has been praised by Kirkus Reviews for its “serious set of crimes leavened by plenty of amusing moments,” by Criminal Element for the “juicy reasoning behind the sabotage that was almost as shocking as the murder itself,” and described as “the perfect escapist read, brimming with banter and an extra helping of fun” by New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams. She has also been featured in CrimeReads Magazine.
A lover of humor, quirky characters, and all things geeky, Carmela spends her days sketching, sipping far too much coffee, and over-cuddling her allergy-inducing cats and dog. She lives with her husband and two dinosaur-obsessed sons, drawing inspiration from rainy afternoons, bustling farmers’ markets, and the unexpected moments that make life memorable.
SHOW NOTES
A Murder Most Fowl: Book 1 (available now)
Hot Wings and Homicide: Book 2 (available May 12, 2026)
Carmela's first episode with The Fiction Lounge
Jess and Hannah discuss endings: how to know what your genre expects of an ending, how to make sure your ending is strong, and some dos and don'ts when working on your ending.
Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.
Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!
SHOW NOTES
The Do's and Don'ts of Novel Endings | Writer's Digest
How to Write the Perfect Ending for Your Novel | Masterclass
Exit Strategies: So How Are You Supposed to End a Story? | LitHub
Hannah and Jess talk about what makes a strong opening, what detracts from a good opening, and they both bring different genreexamples to examine together.
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Guest author Michelle Maryk shares the keys to her writing journey, what she’s learned from her improv background that helps her as a writer, and shares about her debut novel, The Found Object Society.
Michelle Maryk graduated from Cornell University and also attended the Yale Writer’s Worskhop. She has been a full-time voiceover artist as well as a commercial and comedic actor for over 25 years. THE FOUND OBJECT SOCIETY is a novelof speculative suspense and her debut. She is also a dual citizen of Sweden and the US. Fun fact: Michelle starred in an atrocious horror movie with Oscar-winner Cliff Robertson written by…her dad.
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SHOW NOTES
Can I Get a Noun, Please? (Or, How Improv Made Me a Better Writer) | Michelle Maryk
Jess and Hannah talk about the purpose of prose, its pitfalls, how to develop your prose style, and Jess shares some literary examples of solid prose.
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Hannah and Jess discuss the different (main) types of character arcs, why they matter, how to apply them, and how they can be useful for minor characters.
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SHOW NOTES
Positive Character Arcs | Write it Scared
Jess and Hannah interview new author, Leigh Shalloway, on her Hilltown series debut.
She shares important insights and valuable advice on resilience in the novel writing process, and shares how she was able to make setting almost like its own character within the narrative.
Leigh Shalloway has a psychology degree from Emory University and a master’s degree in counseling and school psychology from Seattle University. Following Graduation, she interned at the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change and worked as a lead psychologist for Sammamish schools.
She is also a holistic care practitioner who trained other practitioners and taught hospice volunteers’ various methodologies for helping their patients.
Leigh lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and has four grown children. Journey Back to You is the first novel in the Hilltown Trilogy.
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In this installment of The Fiction Lounge Q&A, Hannah and Jess answer another round of questions ranging from the necessity of editing, to what inspires our stories.
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