The Write and Wrong Podcast | Writing Tips, Book Publishing and Literary Agents

Literary agent, Katie Blagden joins the podcast to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the literary agenting process. After an unconventional path through film, TV, advertising and bookselling, Katie found her true calling representing sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction. In this episode, Katie breaks down her submission preferences, explains why comping Lord of the Rings is a major red flag, and shares her manuscript wishlist.In This Episode: Katie’s non-linear journey from advertising to bookselling to the Bright Agency, and eventually finding her home at the Ampersand Agency. The reality of author pay and the importance of recognising the unseen editorial legwork required to champion a book through acquisitions. Why Katie prefers a five-chapter submission over the standard 50-pages to see if an author can sustain a narrative beyond heavily workshopped openings. Actionable advice on using comparative titles: why you should never comp Game of Thrones and how to effectively pinpoint specific elements of popular books (e.g., the found family of Dungeon Crawler Carl).Episode Chapters:00:00 - Introduction & Katie’s Journey to Agenting04:47 - The Reality of Author Pay & Behind the Scenes of Acquisitions12:21 - The Graham Norton Book Club & The Empathy of Reading16:16 - Moving to the Ampersand Agency & Building a Speculative Fiction List26:37 - The Cabin Book Choice: The Wintersmith or The City We Became37:25 - Submissions: 50 Pages vs. Five Chapters & The Importance of the Synopsis53:57 - Cover Letter Red Flags & How to Use Comp Titles Effectively1:10:04 - Katie's Manuscript Wishlist: Intersectional Voices, Contemporary Fantasy, and a Sapphic The Mummy in SpaceLinks & Resources: Follow Katie on Instagram: @katieblagden Visit Katie's website: katieblagden.com Submit to the Ampersand Agency: theampersandagency.co.uk Join the Patreon for ad-free extended episodes: patreon.com/writeandwrong

Sunday Times best-selling author C.J. Tudor joins the podcast to chat about her seventh novel, Serenity Falls. CJ discusses the book's premise—a supposedly perfect, crime-free Florida town with a suspiciously high mortality rate—and why it breaks her tradition of starting titles with the word "The". Whether you want to know how a "vomit draft" works or are curious about the realities of TV adaptations, this episode is packed with writing insights and publishing truths.In this episode: The plot of Serenity Falls, following a UK father and daughter who inherit a house in a disturbingly cheery Florida community with strict curfews and a dead body in their swimming pool. Why Tudor considers herself a "pantser" who writes messy 30,000-word vomit drafts without planning, rather than meticulously plotting her novels. Her experience having her novel The Burning Girls adapted into a television series by Paramount+ starring Samantha Morton, and why she prefers to leave screenwriting to the experts. Tudor's unconventional path to publishing, from leaving school at 16 to working as a radio copywriter and dog walker before The Chalk Man sparked a massive publishing auction.Episode Chapters:00:00 - Introduction & The Disturbingly Cheery Town of Serenity Falls05:04 - Breaking Title Traditions & The "Vomit Draft" Process15:58 - The Realities of Being a Debut Author vs. Career Longevity21:39 - The Cabin Book Choice: The Shining by Stephen King24:17 - Adapting The Burning Girls for Television33:10 - From Radio Copywriter and Dog Walker to Bestselling Author49:26 - Final Advice: Write What You Love and Don't Chase TrendsSupport the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏For audio listeners: Spotify Apple AmazonListen to The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes, Jamie's other podcast with Melissa Welliver and Naomi Gibson! 📚 Spotify Apple AmazonFollow on socials! 🥳 Instagram TikTok

Epic fantasy author Marvellous Michael Anson joins the podcast to discuss Heir of the Shadow, the highly anticipated sequel to Firstborn of the Sun coming out on November 26th. Marve breaks down how she built her Yoruba-inspired fantasy world where characters harness the power of the sun, and how a flight over the snow-capped Sahara Desert sparked the entire magic system. From navigating the transition between indie self-publishing and traditional publishing to querying Curtis Brown with a targeted spreadsheet, this episode offers a deep dive into the business and craft of writing.In This Episode, We Cover: How Marve uses anime like Fire Force and Avatar: The Last Airbender as visual research to create grounded, everyday magic systems involving heat and cold energy. The immense challenge of writing a middle book and why plotting the complex succession timeline of her Yoruba-inspired court required massive whiteboards at her publisher's office. The harsh realities of the publishing industry, including treating a book like a product rather than a precious baby, and the rollercoaster of losing an agent and a day job in the same summer. Actionable querying strategies, including using Publishers Marketplace to build a targeted spreadsheet that ultimately landed her dual representation with Curtis Brown.Episode Chapters:00:00 - Introduction & The World of Firstborn of the Sun04:01 - Worldbuilding, the Sahara Desert & Anime Magic Systems17:58 - "Middle Child Syndrome" & Writing Heir of the Shadow30:36 - The Cabin Book Choice: Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola32:01 - Boarding School Journals & Self-Publishing His Dark Reflections44:19 - Losing an Agent, Querying Dystopian Fiction & Signing with Curtis BrownSupport the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏For audio listeners: Spotify Apple AmazonListen to The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes, Jamie's other podcast with Melissa Welliver and Naomi Gibson! 📚 Spotify Apple AmazonFollow on socials! 🥳 Instagram TikTok

Veteran game writer and Netflix Find Your Voice Award winner Max Doty joins us to discuss his debut horror novel, The House that Eats the Dead. Max shares how his viral short stories on the r/NoSleep subreddit caught the eye of a literary agent and led to a two-book publishing deal. He also details his transition from writing interactive mobile game narratives to traditional publishing, and why learning to take collaborative feedback is essential for a long writing career.In This Episode, We Cover: The genesis of The House that Eats the Dead, a story about a house that consumes dead things and erases them from existence, and how it evolved from a Reddit post into a full-length novel. Max's background writing interactive narratives for mobile games like Surviving High School and Choices, and his surreal experience winning a Netflix screenwriting contest. The differences between the immediate validation of posting on internet forums versus the long, solitary process of traditional publishing. Actionable writing advice, including how to use spreadsheet gamification to hit a 2,000-word daily goal and why you should never be "Dr. No" in a creative brainstorm.Episode Chapters:00:00 - Introduction & The Premise of The House that Eats the Dead05:37 - Going Viral on Reddit's NoSleep & Landing an Agent14:55 - Winning a Netflix Screenwriting Contest20:53 - Writing Advice: Collaboration and Taking Feedback25:42 - The Cabin Book Choice: House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski31:00 - Writing for EA, Surviving High School, and Mobile Games36:30 - The Rules of r/NoSleep and the Psychology of Internet PublishingSupport the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏For audio listeners: Spotify Apple AmazonListen to The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes, Jamie's other podcast with Melissa Welliver and Naomi Gibson! 📚 Spotify Apple AmazonFollow on socials! 🥳 Instagram TikTok

Literary agent Mia Dakin joins us this week to chat about her start in publishing and building her list of authors from scratch at Greene & Heaton. Mia tells us about finding her first author through Instagram, the specific fiction genres she is looking for, and the influx of AI submissions to the agency. Whether you are an aspiring writer trying to perfect your cover letter or just curious about the literary agenting process, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights.In This Episode, We Cover: How Mia transitioned from a publishing master's at UCL to a full-time agenting role at Greene & Heaton. What she is actively looking for in submissions, including multi-generational sagas, clever retellings, and locked-room mysteries. The agency's strict stance on AI-generated submissions, why AI flattens creative work, and how publisher contracts are explicitly adapting to prohibit AI use. Actionable advice for querying writers, including how to effectively use comparative titles by explaining their relevance, and why you should always have beta readers proofread your cover letter and synopsis.Episode Chapters:00:00 - Introduction & Getting into Publishing06:22 - Building an Author List & Finding Writers on Instagram11:40 - Genres, Retellings, and Manuscript Wishlists24:43 - The Cabin Book Choice: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier30:00 - AI in Submissions and Publishing Contracts39:23 - Cover Letter Tips, Comp Titles & Synopsis AdviceSupport the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏For audio listeners: Spotify Apple AmazonListen to The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes, Jamie's other podcast with Melissa Welliver and Naomi Gibson! 📚 Spotify Apple AmazonFollow on socials! 🥳 Instagram TikTok Twitter

Hugo Award-winning fantasy author Alix E. Harrow joins us this week to chat about her novel, The Everlasting, coming out in paperback on October 8th. Alix talks about how she taught herself to write through short fiction, which lead to landing a two-book deal after one of her short stories caught the eye of an editor, and why authors need to recognise how much luck is involved with publishing.Whether you are an aspiring writer trying to navigate the submission process or a devoted reader curious about how your favourite fantasy books hit the shelves, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights. How Alix uses short stories as "training wheels" to experiment with different tones, perspectives, and concepts before committing to a full-length novel. The psychological realities of writing, including why first drafts are genuinely bad and how commercial success can actually tighten the internal pressure to perform. The incredible luck and timing of getting direct messages from an agent and an editor on Twitter that led to her first book deal. Actionable advice for writers looking to get published, including why you must prioritise improving your craft and forming sincere friendships with fellow authors.Episode Chapters:00:00 - Introduction & Deconstructing Knighthood in The Everlasting04:10 - Navigating Author Anxiety and the Writing Process13:24 - The Freedom and Experimentation of Short Fiction24:14 - Finding Ambition and Early Sci-Fi Influences30:35 - Submitting to Magazines and Landing an Agent52:33 - Final Advice for Writers and Navigating the IndustrySupport the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏For audio listeners: Spotify Apple AmazonListen to The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes, Jamie's other podcast with Melissa Welliver and Naomi Gibson! 📚 Spotify Apple AmazonFollow on socials! 🥳 Instagram TikTok Twitter

Bookshop owner, publisher, and author Zibby Owens joins Jamie this week to chat about her upcoming essay collection, Between Chapters, out September 22nd. Zibby shares the winding journey of trying to get published since her 20s, building a media empire that started with a podcast in 2018, and why authors need to stop viewing rejection as an indictment of their talent.Whether you are an aspiring writer trying to navigate the traditional publishing submission process or a devoted reader curious about how your favorite books hit the shelves, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights. How Zibby’s podcast, originally started as a side project in 2018, evolved into five episodes a week and a massive literary platform. The logistical realities and unexpected community responsibilities of opening an indie bookshop in Santa Monica. Why traditional publishers rely heavily on "lead titles" and how Zibby Publishing aims to disrupt this by treating every book like a priority launch. Actionable advice for writers looking to get published, including why you should perfect your manuscript before showing it to the industry.Episode Chapters:00:00 - Introduction & Writing Between Chapters07:11 - The Entrepreneurial Drive and Starting a Podcast13:20 - Zibby's Winding Journey to Becoming a Published Author20:48 - Founding Zibby Publishing to Champion Authors30:40 - The Truth About "Lead Titles" in the Book Industry39:05 - Opening an Indie Bookshop and Curating Shelves49:55 - Final Advice for Writers Trying to Get PublishedSupport the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏For audio listeners: Spotify Apple AmazonListen to The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes, Jamie's other podcast with Melissa Welliver and Naomi Gibson! 📚 Spotify Apple AmazonFollow on socials! 🥳 Instagram TikTok Twitter

Bestselling hybrid romance author, Chelsea Curto joins Jamie this week to chat about her DC Stars hockey series and her traditional publishing debut, In Stormy Weather. Chelsea shares the surreal journey of writing her first book in 2022 to landing a major book deal, and why she believes that publishing is a marathon and not a sprint.Whether you are an aspiring writer trying to decode the indie publishing world or a romance fan obsessed with forced proximity and sports tropes, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights. Why hockey's physicality and 82-game travel schedule make it the ultimate sport for romantic tension. How Chelsea researched storm chasing and atmospheric science for her STEM-focused rival meteorologists in In Stormy Weather. The realities of being a hybrid author and balancing the creative control of self-publishing with the collaborative team support of traditional publishing. The Emily Henry book that sparked Chelsea's love for the genre and led to a magical full-circle career moment.Episode Chapters:00:00 - Introduction & Latest Releases05:08 - Why Hockey Dominates the Romance Genre07:50 - Writing Women in STEM & Storm Chasing14:09 - The Leap into Traditional Publishing25:17 - The Book That Started Chelsea's Journey30:40 - From Flight Attendant to Bestselling Author45:45 - Realities & Advice for Indie Publishing57:45 - The Best of Both Worlds: Hybrid PublishingSupport the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏For audio listeners: Spotify Apple AmazonListen to The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes, Jamie's other podcast with Melissa Welliver and Naomi Gibson! 📚 Spotify Apple AmazonFollow on socials! 🥳 Instagram TikTok Twitter

Literary agent, Philippa Sitters is with Jamie this week to chat about her career in publishing from a high intensity start with a major talent agency all the way through to starting her own agency, PSA Literary. Philippa shares a candid look at the day-to-day reality of running an independent agency, what she is looking for in her inbox, and why online author platforms are becoming increasingly significant in the industry.Episode Chapters:00:00 – Philippa’s entry into the publishing industry.07:28 – The leap to starting a solo agency (PSA Literary).13:54 – What Philippa represents (and the genres she doesn't).19:45 – What makes a standout crime thriller and the need for fresh perspectives.22:45 – Which book would Philippa want if she was snowed in at a cosy woodland cabin.27:06 – Fiction vs. Non-Fiction queries: Breaking down the submission guidelines.39:37 – How to write the perfect query letter (and major red flags to avoid).49:20 – Do you really need an author platform and a social media presence?Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏For audio listeners: Spotify Apple AmazonListen to The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes, Jamie's other podcast with Melissa Welliver and Naomi Gibson! 📚 Spotify Apple AmazonFollow on socials! 🥳 Instagram TikTok Twitter

Writer, editor and photographer, Amelia Kyazze is back on the podcast after first joining us back in 2021 with her debut novel. We chat about everything that she has written and published since then both with big publishers and independently. Amelia goes on to discuss her experiences with different publishing models, how she discovery writes in historical fiction, and why finding a community is so intertwined with creative success.Support the show on Patreon! 💖 And get extended episodes, ad-free and a week ahead of everyone else. 🙏For audio listeners: Spotify Apple AmazonListen to The Chosen Ones and Other Tropes, Jamie's other podcast with Melissa Welliver and Naomi Gibson! 📚 Spotify Apple AmazonFollow on socials! 🥳 Instagram TikTok Twitter