Turning to Story podcast

Turning to Story

Turning to Story

Writing is tough, and the publishing industry is tougher. Authors Lyssa Mia Smith and Anna Mercier have come together to present their most effective defense against the woes of the industry: craft. Join us for weekly in-depth looks at specific craft topics explored through a lens of searching for joy.

94 Episodes

92: Your Questions Answered
11/4/2026
47:44
How do you find the right agent? What kind of gifts do writer's really want? How do you balance subplots with the rest of your story? Does King Gerbil make an appearance?!
91: Vulnerability in Villains
10/28/2026
47:26
How do you create a formidable foe? An antagonist your reader will love to hate? A force not be reckoned with and one readers will remember for ages to come? Exploit their weakness! This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith are talking all about villains!Join the Turning to Story Substack
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90: First Pages with Lit Agent Hannah Teachout
10/21/2026
59:08
This week, we chat with literary agent Hannah Teachout to get her opinion on what makes opening pages standout! To prologue or not to prologue? Is waking up in the first chapter a cliche? What about opening with dialogue? All your questions and more are answered this week!Join the Turning to Story Substack!
89: Maximizing Your Climax
10/14/2026
55:11
What's the one thing that sticks with readers long after they close the book? The one part of the story where your character proves their mettle? That's the climax! This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss how to make the most of your climax.Join the Turning to Story Substack.
88: Your Craft Questions Answered
10/7/2026
59:02
Does social media actually help you as an author? How do you get your emotional truth as a writer? How the heck do you make time for writing when you're a parent with a full time job? All these questions and more are answered on this week's episode!Join the Turning to Story Substack!
87: Your Taste is Your Revision Superpower
9/30/2026
59:25
This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith discuss how to revise your manuscript and how your greatest strength is in learning how to revise like a reader. What makes your heart swoon? What makes you long for more? What rips you out of the story? All good questions that we cover!Join the Turning to Story Substack
86: The Three Pillars of Thirst with Janice Davis
9/23/2026
1:22:32
This week, we invite Janice Davis, the Thirst Consultant, onto the podcast to talk about all things romance and thirst. How exactly do you get your reader to crave that first kiss? How do you get them to dangle on every single touch? Don't worry, Janice has got you covered!Join the Turning to Story Substack
85: How to Write a Novel in 5 Weeks
9/16/2026
56:58
We're back and we're talking about fast drafting once again! In a follow up to Fast Drafting for Slow Writers, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith explore the more refined method Anna used to crank out her strongest, quickest first draft. Plan, know your characters, and learn something new!Join the Turning to Story Substack
84: Writing Across Genres with Mary Roach
6/17/2026
1:01:18
This week, we're talking to the mythically busy author, Mary Roach! Mary brings tons of wisdom of building a career out of writing across genres and how doing so can open up more doors than you could ever imagine! Come for the career insight, stay for the sea shanties!Join the Turning to Story Substack!
83: Act 2- The Secret to Fun & Games
6/10/2026
1:00:32
Save the Cat says Act Two should be all fun and games, but what the heck are fun and games? Carnival rides? A nice puzzle on a rainy day? A good game of chase?! This week, authors Anna Mercier and Lyssa Mia Smith attempt to unlock the secrets of writing an act two that keeps your readers engaged and prepares your characters for the grueling Act Three!Join the Turning to Story Substack

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