151 - Unhinged Characters and the Truth About Getting Published with Marisa Walz

Send me a Text Message!What do you do when your main character is too much for some readers?In this episode, Holly Kammier shares how she built Alex Campbell, the disgraced Hollywood medium at the center of her new thriller, The Oracle. She explains the ten-trait checklist she used to rewrite her opening chapter around 20 times, why she chose to lean into Alex's hardest edges instead of softening them, and how she layers in pacing and a ticking clock after the first draft.Holly sees this from both sides of the desk. As co-founder and publishing director of Acorn Publishing, she has worked with more than 200 authors and reads submissions every day.This episode is perfect for writers revising an unlikable main character or getting ready to launch a book.Holly also reveals the most common thing she cuts from manuscripts, and why the right book club can sell more copies than a TV spot.Holly on InstagramHolly's WebsiteAcorn PublishingEpisodes I Think You'll Love:151 Unhinged Characters and the Truth About Getting Published with Marisa WalzDevelopmental Editor and Former Literary Agent, Mary Kole Shares Her Top Revision Strategies154 How to Blend Horror, Humor and Suspense in Your Thriller with Jason Rekulak You can email me at: [email protected] the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime FictionStudy the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!What if your villain truly believed he was helping people?In this episode, Yasmin Angoe shares how she built the serial killer at the center of The Ferryman's Daughter, a man who was a great dad, a respected psychiatrist and a murderer with a whole belief system behind what he did. She explains how she researched serial killers, how one email got her a tour of her local coroner's office, and what she's learned from ride-alongs with her sheriff's office.Yasmin also gets practical about what to do with all that research: what goes straight into the scene, what goes in the notebook, and what gets cut in edits. Then she explains how a standalone became a trilogy, and why she wrote the final line of book two first.This is perfect for thriller writers whose villains feel flat or whose research is bogging down their drafts.Yasmin also reveals the reader reaction she's hoping for: a bad night's sleep.Instagram: @author_yasminangoeWebsite: yasminangoe.comEpisodes I Think You'll Love:148 Developing Better Plots Using a Character-Driven Approach with Daniel David Wallace147 How to Write Thrillers That Actually Matter with Aaron Philip Clark150 Writing a Complex Mystery Novel with Bianca MaraisGet the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime FictionStudy the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!Register for the free webinar!You’ve got an idea. Maybe it’s huge, with characters and twists and an ending you can already see. Or maybe it’s one unsettling image. So how do you know what it’s supposed to be?In this short solo episode, I talk about this question that's been nagging at me. How big is your story? So I'm hosting a free live webinar with literary agent and Fractured Lit editor in chief Tommy Dean. How Big Is Your Story? Tuesday, October 27 at 7:00 PM Eastern. Bring your ideas. You’ll leave knowing if they’re flash fiction, a short story, or a novel.Can’t make it live? Register anyway and you’ll get the replay.Register for the free webinarListen to Tommy’s first Thriller 101 episodeGet the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime FictionStudy the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!Can a thriller be scary and funny at the same time?In this episode, bestselling author Jason Rekulak talks about his new novel, Look What the Cat Dragged In, a supernatural story about a cartoonist, a very strange cat, and a comic strip that keeps getting darker. Jason explains how he built the rules for his demon, why he brings his illustrators in before the manuscript is done, and how Roald Dahl and Stephen King's Misery shaped the way he mixes humor and dread.Jason has won an ITW Award and a Goodreads Choice Award and been an Edgar finalist, and he's open about a process that runs against the usual "just finish the draft" advice.This one is perfect for any writer stuck halfway through a manuscript.Jason also reveals why he rewrites his first 75 pages over and over, and why you should never talk about the book you're writing.Instagram: @jasonrekulakWebsite: jasonrekulak.comEpisodes I think you'll love...146 How to turn 'wasted' drafts and subverted tropes into your writing superpower with Charlene Wang148 Developing Better Plots Using a Character-Driven Approach with Daniel David Wallace150 Writing a Complex Mystery Novel with Bianca MaraisGet the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime FictionStudy the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!In this episode, Timothy Hedden shares why he self-published his debut, Dead Housewives of Philadelphia. He talks about the formatting mistake that pushed him to learn Vellum, why he cut the prologue agents kept passing on, and how he's marketing the book himself with local TV, a mailing list, and merch built from his characters' taglines.Perfect for thriller writers deciding between querying and self-publishing.Timothy also reveals what he spent his vacation money...spoiler alert: It wasn't a vacation!What You'll Learn:Why cutting a fun prologue made his opening strongerThe one self-publishing tool that saved him moneyHow to pitch yourself as an indie authorClick here to learn more about Timothy HeddenTimothy on Instagram: @heddenwritesGuest Bio: Timothy Hedden grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and moved to New York City at twenty-one to pursue a career in entertainment. He spent twenty-five years working in reality television, first in casting and field production and later as an editor, including a decade working on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, New Jersey, and Potomac. His claim to fame is editing the iconic "Gone With the Wind Fabulous" episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. A lifelong storyteller, Timothy spent most of his life believing his dyslexia would keep him from becoming a writer. At fifty-seven, he proved himself wrong. His first published essay was picked up by NBC News and went on to win a national journalism award. Dead Housewives of Philadelphia, a darkly funny murder mystery set behind the scenes of reality television, is his debut novel. Timothy lives in Manhattan with his husband, Michael, and their dog, Bruno.Episodes I think you'll love...145 How to Stand Out in the Query Trenches with Literary Agent Tommy DeanFirst Page Formula: April Davila on What Agents & Readers Want to See in Your Thriller Manuscript OpeningWhy Your Perfect Manuscript Isn't Enough And What to Do About It with Author Tamara Miller You can email me at: [email protected] the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime FictionStudy the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime FictionStudy the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!What actually happens when you talk to an editor who has read your manuscript?In this episode, I talk to editor and author Demi Michelle Schwartz to go through the notes she gave me on my manuscript. Demi shares what worked and where it needed work. Then I share the three lessons I took from her feedback so you can apply it to your own writing.@demimschwartz on Instagramdemimschwartz.comEpisodes I think you'll love:Developmental Editor and Former Literary Agent, Mary Kole Shares Her Top Revision StrategiesEditor Turned Literary Agent, Shelly Romero Shares Important Insights on Traditional Publishing150 Writing a Complex Mystery Novel with Bianca Marais You can email me at: [email protected] the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime FictionStudy the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!Debut author Marisa Walz joins the show to talk about her psychological suspense novel Good Intentions. It's story about obsession, grief, and moral ambiguity that kept her up all night plotting after a single book inspired her to finally write it. Marisa shares: What the publishing journey really looks likeHow she balances writing unlikable protagonistsThe unexpected challenges that come after you finally land that book dealBio: Marisa Walz is the author of Good Intentions, her debut psychological suspense novel. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and two young children.Learn more about Marisa here: https://www.marisawalz.com/Connect with Marisa here: https://www.instagram.com/marisacwalz/Episodes I think You'll Love: 150 Writing a Complex Mystery Novel with Bianca MaraisWhat Editors Really Want Right Now with Chantelle Aimée Osman, Who Provides a Sneak Peek Inside Simon & Schuster's Newest Imprint141 Literary Agent Vicky Weber on Why Most Writers Aren't Agent-Ready (And How to Fix It)Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime FictionStudy the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!What if the secret to writing unforgettable characters isn't interrogating them with questionnaires, but letting them reveal themselves organically? In this episode, bestselling author Bianca Marais shares how she "pantsed" her way through writing her newest novel, A Most Puzzling Murder. It’s especially impressive because this novel is a complex mystery with 12+ POVs, choose-your-own-adventure chapters, interactive puzzles, and a character who emails readers back. If you've ever wondered how to build three-dimensional characters that feel alive, balance ambitious storytelling mechanics without losing narrative control then this conversation is perfect for you! Bianca reveals the unique writing techniques that allowed her to juggle multiple perspectives while maintaining emotional depth, and why giving up control might be the key to unlocking your best work.Bianca's InstagramBianca's WebsiteThe Art of Dual POV & Crafting Psychological Thrillers with Liz AltermanWriting Character Backstory with Author Liz AltermanLiterary Agent and Author Jenna Satterthwaite on Making it in the Publishing IndustryGet the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime FictionStudy the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now

Send me a Text Message!New York Times bestselling author Chevy Stevens pulls back the curtain on what separates a good thriller from an unforgettable one. And it might not be what you think. In this episode, Chevy reveals her unconventional process for crafting antagonists that readers love to hate. She also shares the exact mindset shift that helped her sustain an eight-book career.If you are... struggling to create believable villainsfeeling stuck in your thriller's plotwondering how to build a lasting writing career in today's marketThis conversation will give you the tools to break through. What Listeners Will Learn:• How to create antagonists that traditional publishers love• The "enough juice" test for evaluating thriller concepts• Why your second book matters more than your firstConnect with Chevy:WebsiteTwitterInstagramChevy Stevens lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and daughter. When she isn’t working on her next book, she’s spending time with her family and their two dogs. Her books, including Still Missing, a New York Times bestseller and winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel, have been published in more than thirty countries.Episodes I think You'll Love:Author Liz Alterman Reveals Her Weekly Writing Ritual That Transforms First Drafts Into Gold And How to Know When Your Story Idea Is Worth WritingLiterary Agent Amy Nielsen on How to Fix Your Opening Pages Literary Agent Jessica Berg Shares How to Catch an Agent's EyeHow to Write an Opening Chapter that Keeps Readers Reading with Author David McCloskey You can email me at: [email protected] the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime FictionStudy the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now