Story Deep Dive Podcast
Episodes
Episode 66: Fairy Tale Foundation, Jewish History, and Multi-POV Craft in Spinning Silver
05 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel open their four-part series on Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik with a full overview of the ...
Episode 65: Why Writing a Novel Is Challenging (And What to Do About It)
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this bonus episode, Dana and Rachel step away from the book analysis for a coaching conversation that keeps coming up in...
Episode 64: Book Two Stakes, Series Escalation, and Worldbuilding in Sin & Magic
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana wrap up their discussion of Sin & Magic by K.F. Breene by pulling together the biggest cra...
Episode 63: Characters, Found Family, and Book Two Growth in Sin & Magic
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the character work in Sin & Magic by K.F. Breene, exploring how book two in a se...
Episode 62: World Expansion, Relational Stakes, and Romance-First Plot in Sin & Magic
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel Arsenault and Dana Pittman dive into the plot craft of K.F. Breene’s Sin & Magic (Book 2 in Demig...
Episode 61: Series Structure, Reader Promise, and the 6-Book Slow Burn in Sin & Magic
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel kick off their deep dive into Sin & Magic by K.F. Breene (book two in the Demigods of San ...
Episode 60: Realism, Restraint, and Deep Emotional Stakes in Before I Let Go
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, hosts Rachel and Dana wrap up their four-week discussion of Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan—not as reade...
Episode 59: Ensemble Cast, Character Depth, and Emotional Stakes in Before I Let Go
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana dive into the cast of characters in Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan—breaking down how ch...
Episode 58: Healing, Grief, and Second Chances in Before I Let Go
08 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana kick off a three-week craft breakdown of Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan—reading as writ...
Episode 57: Second-Chance Romance, Deep Character Work, and Realistic Stakes in Before I Let Go
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana kick off a three-week craft breakdown of Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan—reading as writ...
Episode 56: Core Story, Ensemble Cast, and Transformation in Mistborn
25 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault wrap up their Mistborn month with an editor’s take episode—pulling t...
Episode 55: Characters, Wounds, and Transformation in Mistborn
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the character craft behind Mistborn—with a spotlight on Vin’s internal arc a...
Episode 54: What Mistborn Teaches Writers About Structure, Stakes, and Series Power
11 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the plot architecture of Mistborn—without spoiling the big reveals.Whether you...
Episode 53: How to Build an Addictive Trilogy: Plot and Promise in Mistborn
04 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this first episode of 2026, Dana and Rachel kick off their January book pick—Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson—with a cr...
Episode 52: A Year of Story Deep Dive Podcast
28 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel close out the 2025 season with a big-picture reflection on the books they’ve read, the c...
Episode 51: A Year of Characters, Chemistry, and Compelling Casts on Story Deep Dive
21 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault dive into their Best of 2025 – Characters and unpack which protagonist...
Episode 50: A Year of Plots, Pacing, and Page-Turners on Story Deep Dive
14 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault dive into their picks for Best Plots of 2025 from the 11 books they read...
Episode 49: A Year of Story, Structure, and Shenanigans on Story Deep Dive
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, book coaches and editors Rachel and Dana look back on their very first full year of the podcast—11 books...
Episode 48: Craft, Comps, and Market Clarity with Story Deep Dive
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into how to choose and use comps (comparable titles) as a powerful tool for both stor...
Episode 47: Climax, Craft, and Character Wounds in Twisted Love
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana dive into Twisted Love by Ana Huang from an editor’s lens—zooming in on wounds, lies, ...
Episode 46: Trauma, Chemistry, and Dark Romance Dynamics in Twisted Love
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana unpack the characters of Twisted Love by Ana Huang, looking at how dark romance uses traum...
Episode 45: Power, Pain, and Plot Precision in Twisted Love
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel unpack the plot architecture of Twisted Love by Ana Huang—as writers coaching wr...
Episode 44: Tropes, Trauma, and Transformation in Twisted Love
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana kick off a three-part exploration of Twisted Love by Ana Huang, setting the stage for plot...
Episode 43: What Writers Can Learn from the Layers of The Woman in the Library
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault dive into the editor brain behind The Woman in the Library—how secrets...
Episode 42: Building Tension Through Character in The Woman in the Library
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault dive into character craft in The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill—...
Episode 41: Crafting a Fair Play Mystery: Plot Lessons from The Woman in the Library
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault break down the plot mechanics of The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gent...
Episode 40: Misdirection, Motives, and Murder Craft in The Woman in the Library
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana & Rachel kick off October with an overview of The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill.Whether you’...
Episode 39: Romantasy Foundations and Series Strategy in Sin and Chocolate
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana dive into character craft in K.F. Breene’s Sin & Chocolate—how a tight core cast, mirr...
Episode 38: Crafting Alpha Heroes and Fierce Heroines in Sin & Chocolate
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana dive into character craft in K.F. Breene’s Sin & Chocolate—how a tight core cast, mirr...
Episode 37: Found Families, Hidden Powers, and Worldbuilding in Sin & Chocolate
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dig into the plot craft of K.F. Breene’s Sin & Chocolate—how found family powers the e...
Episode 36: Magic, Conflict, and Chemistry in Sin & Chocolate
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel & Dana kick off a new series by framing Sin & Chocolate by K.F. Breene—what it is, why it works, ...
Episode 35: The Struggle Bus Episode: Outlining, Coaching, and Scaling as a Writer
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this bonus episode, Dana and Rachel get candid about the messy middle of creative life—balancing writing, coaching, an...
Episode 34: Exploring Dark Romance Light , Morally Gray MMCs & Craft Lessons in Beautifully Cruel
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana Pittman and Rachel Arsenault wrap up their analysis of Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger with a co...
Episode 33: Morally Gray and Made to Love: Character Deep Dive in Beautifully Cruel
17 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger, a slow-burn romantic suspense that brushes...
Episode 32: The Power of Obsession and a 28-Day Clock in Beautifully Cruel
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger, a slow-burn romantic suspense that brushes...
Episode 31: Dark Romance, Dangerous Men, and Emotional Depth in Beautifully Cruel
03 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger, a slow-burn romantic suspense that brushes...
Episode 30: Plot, Promise, and Laugh-Out-Loud Stakes in One for the Money
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the characters of One for the Money by Janet Evanovich.Whether you're a writer, ...
Episode 29: Building a Cast That Lasts – Characters in One for the Money
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the characters of One for the Money by Janet Evanovich.Whether you're a writer, ...
Episode 28: Plot, Genre Mashups & Cozy Vibes in One for the Money
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the genre-bending plot of One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. Whether you're a...
Episode 27: Blending Crime, Comedy, and Romance in One for the Money
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into One for the Money by Janet Evanovich—a genre-blending, character-driven story ...
Episode 26: Coffee Chats & Craft Talk: Innovation, Nonfiction, and the Fantasy of Romance
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this special bonus episode, Dana and Rachel share a casual, behind-the-scenes conversation about tackling a non-fiction ...
Episode 25: Mystery, Romance, and Suspense in Cold and Deadly
22 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this final episode of the Cold and Deadly series, Dana and Rachel explore how Toni Anderson weaves mystery, romance, and...
Episode 24: Character Arcs, Emotional Wounds, and Subtle Conflict in Cold and Deadly
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel kick off their new four-part series on Cold and Deadly by Toni Anderson with a preview epi...
Episode 23: Romantic Structure, Pacing, and Slow Burn Execution in Cold and Deadly
08 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel analyze the romantic structure of Cold and Deadly by Toni Anderson—digging into how paci...
Episode 22: Genre Mashups, Reader Promises, and Slow Burn Romance in Cold and Deadly
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel kick off their new four-part series on Cold and Deadly by Toni Anderson with a preview epi...
Episode 21: Love, Legacy, and Liberation: Storytelling Lessons from Indigo
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana wrap up their four-part exploration of Indigo by Beverly Jenkins with a wide-ranging conve...
Episode 20: Crafting Memorable Characters with Layers of Love in Indigo
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the unforgettable characters of Indigo by Beverly Jenkins.Whether you're a write...
Episode 19: Setting, Stakes, and Slow Burn Romance in Indigo
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the plot of Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. Whether you're a romance author, historic...
Episode 18: Tropes, History, and Emotional Stakes in Indigo
04 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into the plot of Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. Whether you're a romance author, historic...
Episode 17: Editor’s Take on Pacing, Stakes, and Genre Mastery in The Whistleblower
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel wrap up their exploration of The Whistleblower by Robert Peston with an editor’s lens—...
Episode 16: Unlikable or Unforgettable? Crafting Gil Peck in The Whistleblower
20 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel dive into how to craft emotionally complex protagonists in plot-driven genres, using Rober...
Episode 15: Mastering Crime Story Arcs with The Whistleblower
13 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana kick off their latest book selection: The Whistleblower by Robert Peston. Whether you're a...
Episode 14: Secrets, Scandals, and Structure in The Whistleblower
06 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana kick off their latest book selection: The Whistleblower by Robert Peston. Whether you're a...
Episode 13: Coffee Chats & Craft Talk: Romance, Crime, and Creative Process
30 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this special bonus episode, Dana and Rachel share a casual, behind-the-scenes conversation about storytelling, character...
Episode 12: The Art of Dual-Genre Writing in Dead Until Dark
23 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel wrap up their deep dive into Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. They explore the art of ...
Episode 11: Unraveling Character Dynamics in Dead Until Dark
16 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel continue their deep dive into Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris, shifting the focus to c...
Episode 10: Love, Death, and Storytelling Secrets from Dead Until Dark
09 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel Arsenault and Dana Pittman dive into the plot of Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris.Whether you're...
Episode 9: Mystery, Romance, and High Stakes in Dead Until Dark
02 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel introduce their latest book analysis: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. They discuss ho...
Episode 8: Structure, Subplots, and Swoon-Worthy Moments in Things We Never Got Over
23 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana conclude their discussion of Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score.Whether you're a write...
Episode 7: Grumps, Sunshines, and Found Family in The Things We Never Got Over
16 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana break down the unforgettable characters in Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score.Whether ...
Episode 6: Tropes, Tension, and Plot Mastery in The Things We Never Got Over
09 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, hosts Rachel and Dana dive into the plot structure of Lucy Score’s The Things We Never Got Over.Whether ...
Episode 5: Writing Romance That Hooks Readers: Lessons from The Things We Never Got Over
02 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Rachel and Dana dive into The Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score.Whether you're a writer, reader, or s...
Episode 4: Unlocking Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Story Deep Dive – Episode 4: Unlocking Ninth House by Leigh BardugoShow Notes:Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel wrap up th...
Episode 3: The Character Study of Alex Stern in Ninth House
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, Dana and Rachel delve into the intricacies of character development, focusing on Alex Stern, the protagoni...
Episode 2: Unraveling the Plot of Ninth House
12 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Story Deep Dive!In this episode, hosts Dana and Rachel take listeners on an in-depth journey into the plot of Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House...
Episode 1: Welcome to Story Deep Dive + Exploring Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
05 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the very first episode of Story Deep Dive!Join your hosts, Rachel Arsenault and Dana Pittman, as they introduce themselves, share the inspi...