PLOT TWIST
Episodes
When Does a Book Become a Cash Grab?
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria argue over what defines a cash grab and whether artists need to justify their work. They also debate approaches to imposter syndrom...
Are Book Influencers More Powerful Than Authors?
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria debate whether influencers have displaced authors at the top of the literary ecosystem. Also they consider how authors’ writing s...
Can We Get Teenage Boys To Read Again?
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, a special conversation between Soman and Dr. Rose Brock about whether we’ve lost teenage boys for good and how we can make books ‘cool’...
Do Trigger Warnings Ruin Books?
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria disagree over whether trigger warnings are inherently a problem. Also they discuss how loopholes in contracts can affect your caree...
Should Authors Who Use AI Lose Their Publishing Deals?
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria do a deep dive on the recent cancellation of a mainstream book due to AI concerns — and debate what it means for the rest of publ...
Why Do Publishers Keep Giving Deals To Fanfiction?
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria make the link between Timmy Chalamet’s comments about ballet and opera — and fanfiction IP. Also they discuss the pros and cons...
What Happens Behind The Scenes Of A Book Tour?
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria take you behind the scenes of book tours and give you all the insider secrets. Also they discuss the importance of trade reviews an...
What Makes A ‘Bad’ Book Cover?
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria pinpoint what gives you the ‘ick’ when looking at book covers. Also they reveal a general strategy for managing film/tv adaptat...
Are Authors Too Sensitive?
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Victoria and Soman stake out different positions on the question of whether authors are too sensitive to survive in today’s industry. They also expl...
Can a New Writer Survive?
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria lay out a clear path for how new – and established – authors need to approach their work to survive a future of AI and slop. Th...
Has Publishing Lost Its Moral Compass?
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A new New York Times article about AI-powered authors has set off a firestorm – Victoria and Soman are here to cover the fall out. They also discuss...
Should Authors Be Political?
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria tackle the tricky question of how artists respond to our current political moment. They also reveal how to deal with taxes as autho...
How Do Authors Make Money?
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria discuss the nuances of supporting yourself as an artist — and how to structure your advances and royalties to work for you. They ...
Should You Date An Artist?
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria debate what it takes to date an artist – and whether or not artists can successfully date other artists. They also reveal their a...
How Do You Make a Book a Hit?
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria are in their pub year for their new books and debate how to make their books succeed – while also considering what “success” ...
Victoria Can Finally Talk About TEMPEST – The Episode!
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The cat is out of the bag, and Victoria can finally reveal some - but not all - of her TEMPEST secrets, with preorders open now. She spills the beans ...
NEW YEARS PREVIEW! PLUS: 2025 HOT TAKES & FUNNIEST MOMENTS
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Victoria and Soman ring in 2026 with a preview of what’s coming this year for PLOT TWIST. Plus, a look back at our Top 10 most provocative arguments...
Is Jealousy Part Of Being An Artist?
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria take on the evil green-eyed snake – and consider whether jealousy isn’t so evil after all. Also they discuss the economics of b...
What Do Editors Actually Do?
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria break down what an editor does — and more importantly, shouldn’t do. Also they commiserate over what to do on days where you do...
Should Artists Still Own Their Work?
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria forecast the disturbing future of professionally produced content. Also they discuss rewriting first drafts and what really sells b...
Why Are Women Less Forgiving Of Women?
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria debate why women are so much harder on each other in publishing and entertainment. They also break down editing strategies and bemo...
Why Are Authors And Reviewers Fighting?
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria discuss the taboo relationship between authors and critics — and cautionary tales where either side crossed the line. They also d...
When Did Authors Become Brands Instead of Artists?
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria consider whether authors themselves have become part of the book package in the new content economy. Also they discuss how to find ...
Did We Ruin Fandom?
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria debate whether fandom is good for society or the sign of deeper decline. They also reveal what they talk about with readers at the ...
What Is The Real Point of a Book Tour?
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria present their radically different philosophies on book tour — and debate which one is better. Also they answer questions about ph...
Who Is Allowed To Write What?
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria tackle one of the most controversial questions looming over every artistic medium. Also they talk about when you should copyright y...
Would You Rather Be A Flop… Or a Fraud?
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria find the thin line between con and artist. Also they debate their favorite couples in literature and how to figure out if a literar...
Is Your Idea Worth A Book - And A Book Deal?
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria debate the difference between a good idea and a great one that’s worth writing. They also sort through the different kinds of cha...
What Do Authors Owe Their Readers — and Each Other?
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria debate the line between fandom and parasocial relationships, not just between authors and fans but also between authors. Plus, they...
IS THIS BOOK THE FUTURE OF YA... OR THE END OF IT? (Plus a Special Announcement!)
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Soman’s next book, YOUNG WORLD, is available for preorder with an insanely cool preorder gift. This week, Victoria and Soman d...
Can You Make Too Much Art? (Taylor’s Version)
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria wonder whether an artist can overproduce, using TSwift as a case study. Also they break down the art of writing transition scenes a...
Can You Handle The Truth About Your Work?
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Title: Can You Handle The Truth About Your Work? (Taylor’s Version)Soman and Victoria debate whether we’ve gotten too soft in how we handle feedba...
Can Good Writing Be Taught?
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria discuss whether good writing is nature or nurture. Also they discuss when is the right time to reach out to agents and how to avoid...
Is Writing Actually…A Sport?
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria discuss the tricks of staying healthy as a professional artist. Also, they discuss celebrity ghostwriting and how not to fall...
When Does Fan Fiction Cross A Line?
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria discuss when fan fiction crosses the line into grift. Also they answer questions about whether authors really need to be on social ...
Should Authors Want to Make Money?
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast Victoria and Soman discuss the tension between the love of making art and the need to make money. Also they discuss questions...
Do Authors Have Pretty Privilege?
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria discuss whether being physically attractive helps an author get ahead. Also they talk about world building in writing and how they ...
Can You Like The Book and Hate The Author?
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria discuss the paradox of loving the book -- and rejecting the author. Also they talk duologies vs. trilogies and the hazards of publi...
Is a Public Profile Worth The Risk?
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria discuss the pros and cons of having public profiles and get surprisingly emotional. Also they talk about how to sell a book as a de...
Will Literature Survive?
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria discuss whether literary fiction will survive over the next several decades. Also they talk about the differences between a good ed...
Are You A Career Author or a Hobby Author?
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria discuss the difference between career and hobby authors. Also they discuss how to decide what ideas to write next and if they plan ...
Would You Read A Novel Written By AI?
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria discuss whether they, or anyone, would read a book generated by AI. Also they discuss their editing process and how they balanced w...
Is the Algorithm Turning Authors into Cartoons?
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria discuss whether social media and algorithms are making them less authentic. Also they fantasize about their perfect work day and ta...
Does Sex Really Sell?
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Soman and Victoria cover the new 'spice' industry and try to find the line of sexual content in YA versus adult work, and what really makes a boo...
Inspiration… or Infringement?
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Victoria and Soman discuss the boundaries of plagiarism, plus the pros and cons of having a traditional publisher and how to tell if a book festival i...
PLOT TWIST. Coming June 12th.
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Don't miss the first episode of PLOT TWIST, coming June 12th wherever you get your podcasts! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...