#AmWriting
Episodes
112: #KeepingOrganized
22 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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...
111: #TheHeadshot
15 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
…in which Jess and KJ welcome Sharona Jacobs, a professional portrait photographer, to discuss the value of the headshot, and the logistics of getti...
110: #CockyGate
08 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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 t...
109: #SedarisSerendipity
01 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
…in which Jess and KJ speak with bests-selling author and superstar essayist David Sedaris about letting people help you. This is a public episode. ...
108: #GoalReview
25 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ review the goals they set themselves in January, and how are their words of the year holding up? This is a public episode. If ...
107: #FourTendencies
18 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ chat with Gretchen Rubin about hacking your work routine and your writing using the four tendencies. This is a public episode....
106: #FirstTimerMistakes
11 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
…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. This is...
105: #ConferenceGoing
04 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
…in which Jess and KJ share tips about getting the most out of a conference from craft to marketing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to disc...
104: #TheFullProposal
27 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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 di...
103: #DeepWork
20 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ share new inspiration and tips for digging in, muscling through those times when the writing gets hard. This is a public episo...
102: #HomelessPieces
13 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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 K...
101: #SerialWriting
06 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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....
100: #DrivingTwoCars
30 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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 skil...
99: #ImposterSyndrome
23 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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. This is a public...
98: #Checklists
16 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ, inspired by Celeste Headlee, discuss some of the things you should do before you send off that final draft. This is a public ...
97: #TheLongJourney
09 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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 n...
96: #GettingCoached
02 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ are in uncharted waters with their fiction projects, so KJ hires someone to help navigate. Also, dealing with rejections throu...
95: #PitchingandPromotion
23 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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. This is a ...
94: #SelfPromotionForIntroverts
16 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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 wo...
93: #BooksNotYogurt
09 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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 b...
92: #HowToBeABadass
02 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ talk about sticking to your guns, even as a new author, with Jennifer Weiner. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discu...
91: #Co-WritinginHollywood
26 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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 wo...
90: #NotJustStuntJournalism
19 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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. This is ...
89: #StructureIsGood
12 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
...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 sta...
88: #OrganicStory
05 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
…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 th...
87: #ReadySetGoals3
29 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ share their words of the year, as well as their goals for 2018. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with o...
86: #GoalReview
22 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...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. This...
85: #BookCoach
15 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ talk with book coach Jennie Nash. How a book coach supports writers, and how to find one for yourself. This is a public episod...
84: #WritersGifts 2
08 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
…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. This ...
83: #NaNoWriMoWrap
01 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...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 wri...
82: #ATouchofthePoet
24 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...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 wr...
81: #AcademicPress
17 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
….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...
80: #NaNoWriMo3
10 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
….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 voi...
79: #NaNoWriMo2
03 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
…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’...
78: #NaNonFiWriMo
27 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ share tips about surviving (and succeeding) NaNoWriMo whether your writing fiction or non. This is a public episode. If you'd ...
77: #GhostWriting
20 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...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 tal...
76: #FaceTime
13 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...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 chang...
75: #NovelPreparations
06 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ grill superstar guest Sarina Bowen about what you need before you sit down to write your novel next month. This is a public ep...
74: #ListenerQuestions 2
29 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...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 ...
73: #OpenYourMouth
22 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...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 t...
72: #NaNoWriMoPrep
15 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...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 doe...
71: #YouAndYourBookstore
08 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ chat with Mary Laura Philpott about the advantages of cultivating a relationship with your local bookseller, before you even h...
70: #Fresh Fall Starts
01 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...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 holi...
69: #FromAtoBook
25 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...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, ...
68: #HireAPublicist
18 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...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. This i...
67: #MysteryWriting
11 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
…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....
66: #CrunchedForTime
04 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
…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. This i...
65: #SummerWriting
28 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess, KJ and Sarina compare notes about addressing notes, the perils of “summer brain,” and what makes for a productive writing enviro...
64: #PubDay
21 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which guest host Sarina Bowen joins KJ to discuss how to celebrate the day your writing goes public. From panicking to practicalities, how to sp...
63: #Priorities
14 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ discuss how best to make hay whilst the sun shines, and the importance of balancing work with leisure and sleep. This is a pub...
62: #WhatIsADraft
07 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ dig into the nuances and vagaries of knowing when a draft is finished enough to submit. KJ’s having trouble settling into th...
61: #AcademicStuff
30 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ welcome author Tim Lahey and discuss the traps and tricks of jumping from the annals of academic literature to the popular pre...
60:#CheckingIn
23 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ take stock; everything from the daily word goal, daily routine v. summer hours and their words of the year is under the micros...
59: #BeginnersFiction
16 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ share their anxieties about writing outside their comfort zone...fiction! Also tips on how to survive a writers group. This is...
58: #ChangingSeasons
09 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ celebrate the arrival of summer by changing up their work schedules. And it’s a good time to take stock of your writing goal...
57: #WritingIsHard
01 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ compare notes about when your writing takes you in unexpected directions; they also have tips on writing and submitting for an...
56: #TravelWriting
26 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ sit down with travel writer Heather Greenwood Davis; Davis offers tips about getting started in this field, and shares her exp...
55: #HumorWriting
19 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ sit down with award-winning humor writer Wendi Aarons and dig in to her career and her craft. Tips on becoming a humor writer,...
54: #ListenerQuestions
15 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ field listener questions; like how and whether to move forward in the face of rejection? How to become a blog contributor? How...
53: #BookProposals
05 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ walk us through the devils in the details of a book proposal, KJ turns in her manuscript and finds herself adrift, and Jess ga...
52: #WritingAdvice
28 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ digest really good bits of writing advice from other writers (like King and Vonnegut) and editors; they also argue the merits ...
51: #BeingAnonymous
21 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ consider when you can or when you should use a nom de plume or no nom at all. They also debate the pros and cons of anonymizin...
50: #WriteMore
14 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ compare notes about time management tools and share parts of the job they’re tiring of; Jess rethinks speaking agents and KJ...
49: #BooksForWriters
07 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ recommend many and sundry books to get you or the aspiring writer in your life excited about writing, some inspiring, some pra...
48: #StickWithIt
31 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ confess to not playing hooky as much as it might sound. KJ updates us on her Burn Chart and her looming May 1st deadline, and...
47: #SpeakingCircuit 2
24 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ have more tips on fostering a speaking career. Jess explains the true purpose of the green M&M contract rider, and shares many...
46: #GiveItARest
17 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ grapple with the challenge of not getting things done, and that’s OK! KJ’s on a media diet as her manuscript deadline loom...
45: #FamilyMemoir
10 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
..in which Jess and KJ talk with Meghan Walbert about Foster Parent Diary, her column about foster parenting from the New York Times. They discuss the...
44: #GetTheFacts
03 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ emphasize the importance of good research. They explains the many facets of conducting primary research, from hiring a pollst...
43: #SpeakingCircuit
25 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ talk through turning a writing career into a speaking career. Jess has tips on how much to charge, how and who to pitch and ot...
42: #ThinkLikeAPirate
17 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ welcome Sarina Bowen back to the show to discuss piracy, and what writers can do about it. Sarina makes fighting back easy, of...
41: #VoiceofAuthority
10 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ talk about that ephemeral thing, the craft of writing with authority. Tips on keeping out the wishy-washy and examples of good...
40: #GettingItDone (Write More)
03 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess is grappling with painters in the house, and getting out to get it done. Meanwhile KJ updates us on her burn chart and extols the vir...
39: #WriterTaxes
27 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ discuss tax strategies to help you put 2016 to bed and make the whole process go easier next year. Jess shares tips from a tax...
39: #WriterTaxes
27 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ discuss tax strategies to help you put 2016 to bed and make the whole process go easier next year. Jess shares tips from a tax...
38: #WriterFinances
20 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
..in which Jess and KJ get frank with the financial side of writing; When do you give up your day job? How much can you/should you get paid? Plus, upd...
37: #OrganizedWriter 2
13 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ wrap up their discussion on organizational tools. KJ advocates building your schedule in blocks, and Jess shares the joy of sp...
36: #OrganizedWriter 1
06 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ begin a deep dive into keeping your many projects organized. It all starts with comprehensive back-up SOPs, but they also have...
35: #ReadySetGoals 2
29 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ use the guidelines they set out last episode to create their own goals for 2017. KJ sets her word of the year and Jess has a b...
34: #ReadySetGoals
23 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ take aim at setting goals. What should you think about as you set those goals and what strategies can you use to achieve them....
33: #SnowDaysandHolidays
16 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ share some ideas for getting down to work when everyone else is taking days off. KJ suggests setting a definite (if abbreviate...
32: #WriterGifts, 'Tis the Season to Write
09 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ offer some gift ideas for the writer in your life, or to suggest as gifts for yourself. Jess confesses a need for hard deadlin...
31: #WriteWhatYouKnow, Your Experience Is Valuable
02 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ explain how writing what you know makes for engaging prose. KJ reviews her holiday writing goals, while Jess gives herself a p...
30: #NosyFamilies, Talking About Your Work
25 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ discuss strategies about talking (or dodging talk) about your work. KJ tells of her trials when breaking into the biz, and Jes...
29: #WhenToQuit, Get Your Butt Outta the Chair
18 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ put on brave faces and and take on the sunk costs fallacy as they hash out ways to identify when it’s actually best to walk ...
28: #OpEd, Own Your Expertise
11 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ have recommendations on how to write and pitch your op-ed or essay piece. KJ has another chapter from her email list saga, and...
27: #WriterFriends
04 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ answer a listener email about their friendship, their professional relationship, and about making and keeping writer friends. ...
26: #UniTasking, Is that a Thing?
28 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ offer up some tips on how to stay on one task. Jess updates us on her “2,000 words a day” project, and KJ on her audience ...
25: #ReadingTheComments, the Good the Bad and the Ugly
21 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ consider whether and how to respond to readers, both in life and online, who have "comments." KJ breaks down the types of read...
24: #AskAnAgent, A Sit-Down with Jenny Bent
14 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ pick the brains of Agent Jenny Bent, of The Bent Agency, about finding the right agent and getting her attention. They also di...
23: #FirstWords, How to Start the Day
07 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ discuss various strategies for picking up the thread of of the previous day’s writing, and KJ has some tips on building your...
22: #OfficeWoes, Making Do with Little or No Office Space
30 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ offer tips for the “officially” challenged for organizing writing projects, KJ’s updates us on her adventures in audienc...
21: #BuildingAnAudience (Pretty Much What it Sounds Like)
23 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ answer a listener’s question about “Capturing the Wild Idea,” and KJ explains the finer points of “permission marketin...
20: #AmBlogging, Should I Start a Blog?
15 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ talk blogging, KJ tries bullet journaling and Jess needs help keeping her butt in the chair on the road (even her Mom is helpi...
19: #AgentSecrets, Finding and Getting an Agent
09 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ have a few tips for finding the right agent and crafting your query; also KJ goes off the grid to get some work done and Jess ...
18: #WorkingMess, Harnessing the Energy of Spontaneity
02 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ allow themselves to work messy. KJ picks up the pieces of a frustrating week, and Jess rushes to meet a 36-hour deadline. This...
17: #OwItHurts, Taking Care of the Body While Flexing the Mind
25 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
***This is an updated episode. Sorry about the mis-fire, folks!***...in which Jess and KJ consider how to keep your muscles from waning as you wax poe...
16: #FreshFallStart, Vacation Was Nice Now Back to Work
17 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ get ready to go back to school. Jess works on her dialogue with Aaron Sorkin and KJ recommends using the weekend to easy the l...
15: #BeforeTheBook, Things You Can Do to Ensure the Success of Your Work
11 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which Jess and KJ discuss identifying, building and engaging an audience that enjoys your work. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discu...
14: #ItTakesTwo, How to Write with a Partner
03 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
...in which romance novelist Sarina Bowen returns to speak with Jess and KJ about writing with a partner from establishing a workflow, to hashing out...