Write Or Die Podcast

We talk about the financial reality of becoming a writer/author and how writing full-time might not be right for everyone. Then we interview Victoria Lee, the author of The Fever King and The Electric Heir. We discuss what it was like to be traditionally published at a new kind of publisher and what it felt […]

In this episode we discuss the dangers of comparison in publishing and we interview the amazing NYT Bestselling author, Marie Rutkoski, about her new book The Midnight Lie and what it feels like writing a book in the same world as a previous series but with a very personal aspect. Bio: Marie Rutkoski is a […]

We answer some more AMA’s including how authors do their own promo and outside insight about Street Teams. Then Kat & Claribel interview Nafiza Azad, the author of Morris Award Finalist Novel, Candle and the Flame. We talk about her experience learning creative writing in school, getting her agent, and what it felt like to […]

Kat and Claribel discuss what it’s like to work on multiple projects at a time and how to meet multiple deadlines. They also interview author Karuna Riazi about debuting with a book packager, querying after you’ve already debuted, and why she decided to go to an MFA program! Bio: Karuna Riazi is a born and raised New Yorker, with a loving, large extended family and the rather trying experience of being the eldest sibling in her particular clan.Besides pursuing a BA in English literature from Hofstra University, she is an online diversity advocate, blogger, and publishing intern.Karuna is fond of tea, baking new delectable treats for friends and family to relish, Korean dramas, and writing about tough girls forging their own paths toward their destinies. She is the author of The Gauntlet and The Battle. Mentions: Follow Karuna: Twitter | Website #yesallwomen Salaam Reads Hamline MFAC The Gauntlet The Battle Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube Order GHOST SQUAD Add FRIZZY on Goodreads w

Claribel and Kat answer some AMA’s (including talking about their skincare routine!) They also interview the amazingly funny literary agent Barbara Poelle about her past as a stand-up comic, her life as a literary agent, how to live life with humility and humor, and rage push-ups. Follow Barbara: Website | Twitter Mentions: WBP Questions to ask Agents Cerave Cetaphil Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum Innisfree Orchid line Mamonde Rose Water Toner Ole Henriksen C-Rush™ Brightening Double Crème Missha Sunstick The Face Shop Sunstick Klairs Supple Preparation Toner Writer’s Block Party Blog post about making writing friends part 1 and part 2 Funny You Should Ask: Mostly Serious Answers to Mostly Serious Questions About the Publishing Industry Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube Follow Kat Cho online: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

Claribel and Kat discuss current events including conversations around American Dirt. They also interview Literary Agent Quressa Robinson about her path to becoming an agent, what she thinks the industry should do to provide support to POC, and her MSWL! Follow Quressa: Twitter | Website Mentions: https://blog.leeandlow.com/2020/01/28/2019diversitybaselinesurvey/ Original ‘American Dirt’ review by Myriam Gurba NPR interview about American Dirt ‘American Dirt’ Isn’t Just Bad — Its Best Parts Are Cribbed From Latino Writers by David J Schmidt (Huffington Post) Cummin’s Non-Mexican Crap by David Bowles (Medium) Novels by Mexican and Latinx Authors to read: Across a Hundred Mountains by Reyna Grande Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario Across the Wire by Luis Alberto Urrea By the Lake of Sleeping Children by Luis Alberto Urrea A Cup of Water Under My Bed by Daisy Hernandez Disappeared by Francisco X. Stork I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez SCBWI eve

Kat & Claribel talk about what *not* to do when you get a bad review. Ronni Davis joins us to talk about her publishing journey, how publishing has changed in the past decade, how publishing is part of the entertainment industry, and writing black girls who get to be the romantic lead getting their Happily Ever After. Mslexia link: www.exacteditions.com/mslexia Use code WRITEORDIE20 at checkout for 20% off! Bio: Ronni Davis grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where she tried her best to fit in—and failed miserably. Now she lives in Chicago with her husband Adam and her son Aidan. By day she copy edits everything from TV commercials to billboards, and by night she writes contemporary teen novels about brown girls falling in love. When she’s not writing, you can catch her playing the Sims, eating too much candy, or planning her next trip to Disney World. Her debut novel, WHEN THE STARS LEAD TO YOU, is out with Little Brown Books for Young Readers Follow Ronni Davis: Website | Twitter | Instagram Mentions: Everythin

Claribel and Kat talk about New Year’s Resolutions and Claribel explains her postcard method! Plus we talk to Amanda Foody about her publishing journey, having multiple agents and her thoughts about debuting with a Middle Grade after writing multiple books in Young Adult. About Amanda Foody: Amanda Foody has always considered imagination to be our best attempt at magic. After a double life as an accountant preparing taxes for multinational corporations, she now spends her free time brewing and fermenting foods much more easily obtained at her local grocery store. She lives in Boston, MA with a hoard of books guarded by the most vicious of feline companions, Jelly Bean. Her books include Daughter of the Burning City, Ace of Shades and King of Fools. The next installment of The Shadow Game series, Queen of Volts, releases on September 1, 2020. Her Middle Grade debut The Accidental Apprentice (the first in her new Wilderlore series) comes out Spring 2021 Margaret K McElderry Books at Simon & Schuster! Follow

In this holiday special episode we talk about end of the year reflections, the dreaded end of the year blues, look back on where the podcast started and read emails from listeners about Write or Die! Podcast Mentions:  The Write Stuff Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-write-stuff/id1113762043 88 Cups of Tea Podcast http://88cupsoftea.com/ Minorities in Publishing Podcast https://minoritiesinpublishing.tumblr.com/ Pubcrawl Podcast https://www.publishingcrawl.com/category/pubcrawl-podcast/ Frizzy Graphic Novel https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47906920-rizos Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube Order GHOST SQUAD Add FRIZZY on Goodreads www.claribelortega.com Follow Kat Cho online: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok Order WICKED FOX! Order VICIOUS SPIRITS (sequel to WICKED FOX) Add ONCE UPON A K-PROM on Goodreads www.katchowrites.com Follow Write or Die online: Twitter | Instagram  Write or Die Podcast Website Join our WorDie community! 

This week, Kat & Claribel discuss social anxiety at book events plus we bring back Ryan La Sala to talk about what’s changed in his life since he’s announced his book deal and how he uses videos, fashion, and bedazzled eggs to build his social media presence! Bio: Ryan La Sala is a fantasy writer rooted in the northeast United States. His first book, REVERIE, is a YA fantasy due for publication with Sourcebooks FIRE on December 3, 2019. It’s about what happens when your dreams chase you back, and yes it has a drag queen sorceress as the villain. You can find out more about REVERIE on Ryan’s site here (including where to order!), or you can check out reviews/info on Goodreads, here. Follow Ryan La Sala Twitter | Instagram http://www.ryanlasala.com/reverie/ Podcast Mentions: Beth Phelan https://twitter.com/beth_phelan #Dvpit http://www.dvpit.com/ https://www.thenerddaily.com/ryan-la-sala-author-interview/ The Right to Bear Arms, a Betsy DeVos Fanfiction Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Y

This week, we answer listener questions and talk to DVPit alum and author of A RIVER OF ROYAL BLOOD, Amanda Joy about what it’s like going to auction & having a following on bookstagram before becoming an author ! Bio: Amanda Joy’s unending love of fantasy and children’s literature was sparked when her father gifted her a set of the Chronicles of Narnia. Years later, her older brother gave her the Wheel of Time series, which went on to inspire her to create her own worlds. Amanda has an MFA in Writing for Children from The New School, and lives in Chicago with her dog Luna. Her debut novel A RIVER OF ROYAL BLOOD is out now. Follow Amanda Joy: Instagram | Twitter https://www.amandajoywrites.com/ Podcast Mentions: Beth Phelan https://twitter.com/beth_phelan #DVPit http://www.dvpit.com/ Wheel of time Chronicles of Narnia Mslexia link: www.exacteditions.com/mslexia Use code WRITEORDIE20 at checkout for 20% off!

In this week’s episode Kat and Claribel talk about taking on IP projects versus working on your original ideas PLUS an interview with bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz where we chat about genre jumping, an editor lunch that led to a rejection and her new novel THE BIRTHDAY GIRL! About Melissa: Melissa de la Cruz is the #1 New York Times, #1 Publisher’s Weekly and #1 IndieBound bestselling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for readers of all ages. Her more than thirty books have also topped the USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times bestseller lists and have been published in over twenty countries. In addition to her literary work, Melissa is the co-founder of YALLWEST, and the co-director of YALLFEST, two of the largest teen book festivals in the country. She is also on the Advisory Board of Facing History, which reaches five million school children nationwide with a curriculum devoted to teaching empathy and social justice.  Melissa de la Cruz lives in West H

This week Kat & Claribel talk to Axie Oh, the New Visions Award winning author of Rebel Seoul & Rogue Heart! Axie discusses submitting to the New Visions contest, MFA programs, and the experience of writing her own heritage into her novels! Plus lots of k-pop fangirling! About Axie Oh: Axie Oh is a first generation Korean American, born in NYC and raised in New Jersey. She studied Korean history and creative writing as an undergrad at the University of California – San Diego and holds an MFA from Lesley University in Writing for Young People. Her passions include K-pop, anime, stationery supplies, and milk tea. She currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with her puppy, Toro. Podcast Mentions: Rebel Seoul Rogue Heart Round table writers block party  New Visions award Lesley MFA in creative writing Follow Axie online: Twitter | Instagram www.axieoh.com

This week, Claribel and Kat talk about Frankfurt and what goes on at one of the most important events in the book world plus an interview with the legendary Ellen Oh where she dishes about writing creepy middle grade, social media, and her new book The Dragon Egg Princess. About Ellen: Ellen Oh is a former adjunct college instructor and lawyer with an insatiable curiosity for ancient Asian history. She loves martial arts films, K-pop, K-dramas, and cooking shows, and is a rabid fan of the Last Airbender and the Legend of Korra series. Ellen is the co-founder of We Need Diverse Books (WNDB), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing diversity in children’s literature. She is the author of the middle grade novel The Spirit Hunters, Spirit Hunters: The Island of Monsters, and the YA fantasy trilogy The Prophecy Series. Originally from New York City, Ellen lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband and three children and has yet to satisfy her quest for a decent bagel. Follow Ellen online: Tumblr | Ins

This week, we talk about hyping yourself at book events and conferences and interview NYT Bestselling author, Kerri Maniscalco about her new book Kingdom of the Wicked, serial killers and being a murderino! About Kerri: Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats. She is the #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series and the forthcoming Kingdom of the Wicked. Podcast Mentions: Ryan LaSala Justin A. Reynolds Catacombe dei Cappuccini The Devil In the White City  Follow Kerri online: website|Twitter |Instagram Buy her books! Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube Order GHOST SQUAD Add FRIZZY on Goodreads www.claribelortega.com Follow Kat Cho online: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikT

This week we talk about the agent author relationship plus an interview with author of The Devouring Gray, Christine Lynn Herman where she dishes about The Sims, her publishing & Pitch Wars journey and how she got through one of the darkest times in her life. About Christine: Born in New York City but raised around the world, Christine Lynn Herman subscribes to the firm philosophy that home is where her books are. ​Her debut YA novel, THE DEVOURING GRAY, was an Indies Introduce and Indie Next Top Ten Pick. It is available now from Disney-Hyperion (US) and Titan Books (UK), with a sequel to follow in 2020. Follow Christine online: Twitter | Instagram | Website Buy The Devouring Gray! Podcast Mentions: Pitchwars – https://pitchwars.org/ Pitmad – https://pitchwars.org/pitmad/ https://www.powells.com/post/original-essays/into-the-gray Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube Order GHOST SQUAD Add FRIZZY on Goodreads www.claribelortega.com Follow Kat Cho online: Twitter | Instagram | YouTub

This week, Claribel and Kat talk all about being on submission and the dangers of judging authors based on their perceived standing in the publishing world. PLUS we talk to THE LEIGH BARDUGO about her publishing journey, the new Shadow and Bone series, interacting with fandom and her new adult book, Ninth House! About Leigh: Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse. With over three million copies sold worldwide, her Grishaverse spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, The Language of Thorns, and King of Scars—with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including The Best of Tor.com and the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and the forthcoming Ninth House. Leigh was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Southern California, and graduated from Yale University. These days she lives and writes in Los Angeles. For information on new releases and

This week we talk about Twitter burn out, finding balance with social media and interview adult military Sci-Fi author Michael Mammay who drags Claribel’s first drafts and talks about starting your writing career after a whole other career! About Michael: Michael Mammay is a science fiction writer. He is a retired army officer and a graduate of the United States Military Academy. He has a master’s degree in military history, and he currently teaches American literature. He is a veteran of Desert Storm, Somalia, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His debut novel, Planetside came out in July, 2018, and was selected as a Library Journal best book of 2018. The audio book, narrated by RC Bray, was nominated for an Audie award. The sequel, Spaceside, hit the shelves on August 27th, 2019. Michael lives with his wife in Georgia. Follow Michael Online: Twitter | Website  Podcast Mentions: @blondewithab00k | Follow her on Youtube!  Sample Will for Intellectual Property Dan Koboldt  Follow Claribel Ort

This week Kat breaks down her debut experience and we talk to literary agent Jim McCarthy who takes us on a day in the life of a literary agent and answers your questions! About Jim: Jim McCarthy interned for Dystel, Goderich & Bourret while studying urban design at New York University. Upon graduating, Jim realized he would much rather continue working with books than make the jump (as he had originally intended) to the field of city planning. Eighteen years later, he remains at DG&B as a VP and agent. As an avid fiction reader, his interests encompass both literary and commercial works in the adult, young adult, and middle grade categories. He is particularly interested in literary fiction, underrepresented voices, fantasy, mysteries, romance, anything unusual or unexpected, and any book that makes him cry or laugh out loud. In addition to fiction he is also interested in narrative nonfiction whether it be memoir, historical, science, pop culture, or just a darn good polemic. Submissions Guidelines&

In this week’s episode we talk publishing trends with former scout and current editor Rebecca Kuss, plus trusting the timing of your own writing journey. Please note this episode was recorded in April 2019. About Rebecca: A lover of hush puppies, Claudia Kishi, and Nora Ephron movies, Rebecca Kuss was born to a Korean mother and Jewish father in the heart of the south. She attended the University of Wisconsin, where her parents thought she was pre-med, but where she actually spent the majority of her time getting lost in the library stacks. She has a master’s degree in children’s and young adult literature from the University of Pennsylvania, where her research focused on race and representation and her thesis was an in-depth exploration of the publishing industry’s #ownvoices movement. Previously the Co-Director of children’s book scouting with Maria B Campbell Associates, Rebecca now champions diverse and marginalized voices as an Associate Editor and the Director of Recruitment & Acquisitions with Glas