#AmWriting

...in which Jess and KJ discuss the importance of stories in non-fiction, and absolve you for taking some time for yourself this summer.

...in which Jess and KJ talk us through some of the ins and outs of recording your audiobook.

...in which Jess and KJ chat with Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Russo in a bustling bookstore about writerly life, inspiration and the work.

...in which Jess and KJ answer a question from the FB group about how to stay organized while writing a book, from research to emails to your physical workspace.

…in which Jess and KJ welcome Sharona Jacobs, a professional portrait photographer, to discuss the value of the headshot, and the logistics of getting yours.

...in which Jess and KJ are again joined by Sarina Bowen with a case study from the romance fiction world about the difference between copyright and trademark.

…in which Jess and KJ speak with bests-selling author and superstar essayist David Sedaris about letting people help you.

...in which Jess and KJ review the goals they set themselves in January, and how are their words of the year holding up?

...in which Jess and KJ chat with Gretchen Rubin about hacking your work routine and your writing using the four tendencies.

…in which Jess and KJ are again joined by book coach Jennie Nash, this time to discuss the three most common pitfalls made by new novelists.

…in which Jess and KJ share tips about getting the most out of a conference from craft to marketing.

...in which Jess is finally able to talk about her new book deal and unpacks the arduous task of writing a full proposal! And KJ finds the internet distracting.

...in which Jess and KJ share new inspiration and tips for digging in, muscling through those times when the writing gets hard.

...in which Jess and KJ consider your options when your piece loses its publisher, or never had one at all. Also, Jess on poor deadline choices, and KJ weighs publicists, promotions and limits.

...in which Jess and KJ are again joined by Sarina Bowen as she details the particular particulars an author faces when she decides to write serially.

...in which Jess and KJ shift gears and mix metaphors in an effort to breakdown how they move from one project to another, and bring the required skills with them...and celebrate 100 episodes.

...in which Jess and KJ confront the voices in their heads second guessing their work, and have some tips on how you can do the same.

...in which Jess and KJ, inspired by Celeste Headlee, discuss some of the things you should do before you send off that final draft.

...in which Jess and KJ welcome columnist turned novelist Anna Quindlen and chat with her about the long road a writer must take when traveling from non-ficton to fiction.

...in which Jess and KJ are in uncharted waters with their fiction projects, so KJ hires someone to help navigate. Also, dealing with rejections through work and occasionally food.

...in which Jess and KJ discuss the advantages of face-time (IRL not the app) when pitching an idea, and things to do to promote your book.

...in which Jess and KJ chat with Morra Aarons-Mele about getting over your fear of asking for favors and managing your network to help market your work.

...in which Jess and KJ are spoiled for choice, but what happens when too many pitches are accepted? And they remind us to consider the long tail of book sales.

...in which Jess and KJ talk about sticking to your guns, even as a new author, with Jennifer Weiner.

...in which Jess and KJ speak with fellow writers and podcasters Liz Craft and Sarah Fain about writing for screens both big and little, and how it works writing with someone else.

...in which Jess and KJ speak with journalist AJ Jacobs. He discusses his version of immersion journalism and how he might be related to you.

...in which Jess and KJ get back to the basics add structure to their writing lives. Now that you’ve got your goals set for the year, how do you stay on track. Jess learns to keep better records and KJ has rec for a useful app.

…in which Jess and KJ are joined by Sarina Bowen as they speak with novelist Kristan Higgins about how she got her start, learned to grapple with the work of writing, and managed to successfully transition from one genre to another.

...in which Jess and KJ share their words of the year, as well as their goals for 2018.

...in which Jess and KJ...wait for it...review their goals and their words of the year for 2017 (see episode 34). Might be worth reviewing yours.

...in which Jess and KJ talk with book coach Jennie Nash. How a book coach supports writers, and how to find one for yourself.

…in which Jess and KJ, eventually, share their (and listener) ideas about the perfect items for your gift list or for the writer in your life.

...in which Jess and KJ close out National Novel Writing Month, find out how they fared, and what they dropped from their routines to make time to write all their extra words.

...in which Jess and KJ discuss with their guest, poet Lauren Halderman, how one gets started in poetry...and keeps it going. And is it really like writing code?

….in which Jess and KJ speak with Devorah Heitner about the nature of academic presses, and her...unique experience as she shepherded her first book to print. Academic presses, prices and audience, speaking career - building an audience; and her ...unique experience in publishing.

….in which Jess and KJ update us on their word counts after week 1 of NaNoWriMo. Jess gets lots done in the airport and KJ comes clean about the voices in her head.

…in which Jess and KJ are psyched for the beginning of November, discuss final prep like clearing the decks and the dining room table. And if you’re not doing NaNoWriMo, make November a “make your goal” month!

...in which Jess and KJ share tips about surviving (and succeeding) NaNoWriMo whether your writing fiction or non.

...in which Jess and KJ welcome Meg Lukens Noonan, who walks us through some of the ins and outs of the ghost writing business; she also tells the tale of her own book. PRODUCER'S NOTE: Sorry folks, I mistakenly uploaded last week's episode! Download this episode again to listen to this week's episode.

...in which Jess and KJ laud the value of meeting and learning from your colleagues. KJ updates us on progress with her edits, and Jess needed a change of scenery.

...in which Jess and KJ grill superstar guest Sarina Bowen about what you need before you sit down to write your novel next month.

...in which Jess and KJ open the mailbag and answer your questions, like how do you know when you’re finished with research? And how to do all this with a day job?

...in which author/illustrator Katherine Roy tutors Jess and KJ on the process of pitching and selling an illustrated book; and the power of talking to people about your project.

...in which Jess and KJ begin putting their affairs in order ahead of National Novel Writing Month. Jess is finishing up her sample chapter and KJ doesn’t know what her next project is.

...in which Jess and KJ chat with Mary Laura Philpott about the advantages of cultivating a relationship with your local bookseller, before you even have a book!

...in which Jess and KJ celebrate the third new year of the year with a cathartic re-org and prep for the last productive time of year before the holidays.

...in which Jess and KJ chat with Catherine Pearlman about the entire process from creating a platform, to finding an agent, to writing the proposal, and building an audience.

...in which Jess and KJ weigh whether it may be time for you to hire a publicist, whether you might just need an assistant and other solutions.

…in which Jess and KJ speak with mystery writer Sarah Stuart Taylor about what make a good mystery, and the dangers of passwords and four-year olds.

…in which Jess and KJ touch base briefly about moving the needles on a couple of projects, while feeling a little pinched by too many others.