This week, special guest Stacy Whitman joins us from Mirrorstone books (an imprint of Wizards of the Coast). Stacy works there as an editor, and helps us understand the submission process, including acting like a professional, doing your research, following submission guidelines, and all sorts of things NOT to do with your submissions. Stacy also shares her story about Holes, and how you have to know the rules to break them.

Liner Notes:

We’ve got a lot of links for you this week. First of all, Stacy keeps a blog on LiveJournal (slwhitman.livejournal.com), and she works for Mirrorstone, whose submission guidelines can be found here.

Mentioned in the podcast: Kristen Nelson’s Blog (You Know You Have Tired YA When…), the Hallowmere series, and Hallowmere’s author Tiffany Trent.

And this week from our sponsor Tor, Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow

 

 Writing Excuses Episode 12: Submitting to Editors Part 1 [15:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2829)

So… you’re ready for the big-time. You’re a writer, and the writing is almost paying the bills. Hurray!

Now, how do you balance your life so that you can make the jump to writing full-time? How do you manage your time? How do you keep your artistic side from accusing you of selling out? The Writing Excuses Crew answers these questions and more, as we explore the business side of writing.

Also if you listen closely you’ll hear Smart Howard somewhere in this podcast. We think he’s like Howard’s evil twin.

And this week from Tor, The SFWA European Hall of Fame

 

 Writing Excuses Episode 11: Business of Writing [16:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2959)

This week we continue our discussion on Science Fiction with a discussion of various Sub-genres, why they’re different, and what you can do to make sure you know your audience.

Sub-genres covered: Space Opera, Military, Hard SF, and Cyberpunk.

Sub-genres not covered: Dystopia, Steam-punk, and whatever it is Philip K. Dick writes.
Ad: Tor Book Of the Week Keeper Of Dreams

 

 Writing Excuses Episode 9: Sci-Fi Sub-genre [16:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3549)

In the first of our series on genres, we discuss why people write Sci-Fi, what you need to know to write Sci-Fi, and how much we all love unicorns.

 

 Writing Excuses Episode 8: Sci-Fi Genre [13:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3852)

Are flaws necessary for villains? What traits make for a really good (err… evil?) villain? What’s the difference between Sauron and Gollum? (”That’s the LAST time I send you out shopping for Gollums, son…”)

Liner Notes: The Evil Overlord List, a handy reference for tropes to avoid (or, as the case may be, exploit…)

 

 Writing Excuses Episode 7: Villains [14:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3109)

Is there a difference between the two?  How do you use each appropriately in your writing?  And how lovable can a group of mercenaries be?

 

 Writing Excuses Episode 6: Flaws vs Handicaps [16:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4309)

What makes a good hero? Why is Dirk Pitt so cool? Why do people like Superman? And why does Howard-with-a-chest-cold start to sound like Barry White? Some of these questions are answered in this episode while others are better left unexplained.

LINER NOTES:

Howard repeatedly invoked John August’s blog post about heroes, protagonists, and main characters. Here it is.

 

 Writing Excuses Episode 5: Heroes and Protagonists [15:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4764)

Brandon, Howard and Dan talk about their first exposure to RPG games, Gary Gygax and the influence he had on them and the industry.

 

 Writing Excuses Bonus Episode 1: Gary Gygax [7:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2928)

The first line of any story is the most important.

People get drawn in to a book because of the first line.

Brandon, Howard and Dan talk about how to start a book and what’s important about the first line.

 

 Writing Excuses Episode 4: Beginnings [15:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4661)

How do you make your novel better? Sometimes you have to cut out the part you like best. Don’t believe me? Before I posted this I had attached an image of a chimp wearing a tux.

Brandon’s Deleted Scenes

Howard’s Original Time-Travel Outline

 

 Writing Excuses Episode 3: Killing your Darlings [16:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4622)