Episode Archive

205 episodes of Writing Tips and Writerly Musings since the first episode, which aired on August 20th, 2020.

  • Writing SFF From the Margins

    October 2nd, 2023  |  Season 7  |  12 mins 44 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    How do marginalised aspects of identity — gender, sexuality, culture, race, health, ability and more — shape our creative work? How can we empower, express, and explore through writing fantasy and SF?

  • What Writing Fanfiction Can Teach Genre Writers

    September 25th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  10 mins 49 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    Fanfiction’s popularity continues to grow, tapping into the special creative connection between authors and fans. What is it about this literary nexus that is so fascinating and stimulating for fans? And what might authors have to learn from fans who write it?

  • Constructed languages

    September 18th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  10 mins 29 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    From Elvish to Esperanto to Dothraki to Belter -- creating a language for your story isn't just world-building, it's realistic.

  • Fairytale Contract Law

    September 11th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  6 mins 28 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    Fairy tale contract laws are like a force of nature... except there's usually a loophole. What are your favorite fairy tales? What are your favorite loopholes?

  • Spirits Abroad and At Home

    September 4th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  8 mins 59 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    A reminder that Western views on spirits are not universal and an exploration of how myths vary between cultures.

  • World-Building Economics

    August 28th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  7 mins 21 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    Economics is usually seen as a dry topic, full of game theory and calculated systems, but economic systems do not exist in a vacuum. Here are 5 Things To Consider When Designing Future (or Fantastical) Economic Systems

  • Accessible Magic

    August 21st, 2023  |  Season 7  |  11 mins 31 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    In a lot of fantasy and science-fiction, they wave their hands and make magic or tech the “solution” to all disabilities. Let’s explore ways to use magic for accessibility and ways people with different abilities could be better integrated into these stories.

  • Cultures and Their Myths

    August 14th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  10 mins 53 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    What is the basis of myths? And what are some examples of myths that different cultures share -- and those we don't share.

  • Imposter Syndrome: Stranger in a Strange Mind

    August 7th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  15 mins 42 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    What is Imposter Syndrome and how do we fight it?

  • Querying Versus Submitting: What's the Difference

    July 31st, 2023  |  Season 7  |  10 mins 32 secs
    agents, beta-reading, books, critique, publishing, querying, writers, writing, writing tips

    If you're trying to get an agent or publisher, you've probably heard these terms. While even many industry professionals can be found using the terms interchangeably, they do actually have different meanings!

  • Novel, Novella, or Short Story

    July 24th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  6 mins 42 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    The size of a story is often dictated by the scope of the idea that spawned it. While some experienced writers can tell from the shape of the concept how long their story will be, it’s often a case of trial and error and years.

  • Choosing Your Perspective: Voice and Points-Of-View

    July 17th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  8 mins 11 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    All writers have a voice and all stories have point-of-view characters -- it's how you bring them together that makes or breaks your story.