Episodes
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Marissa chats with Alyssa Colman about her Gilded Magic middle grade fantasy duology and her upcoming WHERE ONLY STORMS GROW in this jam-packed middle grade focused episode. Also discussed: the hallmarks of middle grade (themes, tone, voice), word counts, heavy and difficult themes in middle grade books, voice, humor, creating sympathetic characters, how middle grade characters defeat their villains, magic systems, standing out in a crowded market, and so much more!
Jennifer Laughranâs post about word counts: https://literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/05/wordcount-dracula.html
Lisa Cronâs Story Genius: https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781607748892
Jessica Brodyâs Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9780399579745
Dan Wells on Story Structure: https://youtu.be/KcmiqQ9NpPE?si=jVamtqLH3YPFYBub
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
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Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa and Joanne get together to tape this special episode (less than 24 hours after they met in person for the very first time!) as they embark on their LET IT GLOW tour! They answer listener-submitted questions on topics like their origin stories, the origin story for LET IT GLOW, writing fanfiction, the inside story on their collaboration, what they love about the characters, their favorite scenes and what they loved best about the process, how they started working together, a couple favorite holiday reads, and so much more.
For Lunar Chronicles and Renegades questions see Episode 200: Marissaâs AMA episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/950767/episodes/15212600-ask-me-anything-marissa-meyer-talks-writing-books-life-and-more-for-our-200th-episode-celebrationThe Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story
https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781952119613
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9780394800790
The LET IT GLOW playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0putR6JHGHk0dcLwmEutqu
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Missing episodes?
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Marissa chats with Jill Tew about her debut dystopian romance, THE DIVIDING SKY. Also discussed in this episode: making the transition from the corporate world to writing sci-fi inspired by the corporate world, sci-fi worldbuilding, sci-fi as a cautionary tale (âif this goes onâ), plotting out romance to make it feel organic, the irony of promoting a book about taking time and not getting caught up in social mediaâon social media, Jillâs Afronauts podcast, and so much more!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
The Afronauts Podcast: https://www.afronautspod.com/
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Melanin in YA
Your source for all things Black in traditional Young Adult publishing.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with Hari Conner about their queer regency graphic novel rom-com, I SHALL NEVER FALL IN LOVE. Also discussed in this episode: a non-typical (is there such a thing as typical?) road to finding an agent, mining real world history and Jane Austen texts for influences, using comics to make historical stories feel relatable, historical research for both text and illustration, the process of drafting a graphic novel, being the mastermind behind creating game books, and more!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Note: The release date for this book has been pushed back to 11/19.
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with Amanda M. Helander about her debut romantasy, DIVINE MORTALS. Also discussed in this episode: how keeping diaries can be a first step in a writing career, publishing timelines and how thereâs no such thing as typical, the frustration of fitting books into age categories and writing books in their margins, worldbuilding, planning for a duology, mining breadcrumbs from book one to create threads in book two, embracing limitations in characters, writing to make yourself happy, and so much more!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with Sabaa Tahir about the first book in her new YA fantasy duology, HEIR. Also discussed in this episode: Yosemite National Park, using the GMC (Goal, Motivation, Conflict) technique, how the final, typeset draft can be a place where momentum requires deeper revisions (much to publishersâ chagrin), adding unexpected twists midway through a book to surprise the reader, the power of self-bribery, using our world to influence world-building and so much more!
Yosemite National Park: https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with A. R. Vishny about her debut paranormal YA romance, NIGHT OWLS. Also discussed in this episode: the popularity of getting started with fanfiction, how much timing can matter in the submission process, the recent trend (again!) of vampires, the inherent challenges of writing vampire romance, the importance of knowing a characterâs bagel order, creating a strong sense of place using real locations for inspiration, and so much more!
Cinder winery: https://cinderwines.com/Village East by Angelika: https://angelikafilmcenter.com/villageeast
Sleep No More https://mckittrickhotel.com/events/sleep-no-more/
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
In this bonus craft episode, Marissa shares her steps and processes for revisions. Hint: they begin in the drafting process! Also discussed: celebrating milestones and accomplishments, the importance of letting a project simmer, how to know when to jump back in, making a plan to tackle revisions and the different methods, how many rounds of revisions are typical, things to watch for in each pass, crutch words and how to get rid of them, and so much more!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with Tigest Girma about her debut, a YA romantic vampire novel, IMMORTAL DARK. Also discussed in this episode: struggling with the young adult/new adult/adult labels, making the change to age down a book and characters and what that entails, writing morally gray characters, crafting an extreme enemies to lovers romantic storyline, creating a found family ensemble, planning subsequent books in a trilogy (second book syndrome is a thing!), and more!
Bonus: a new book announcement from Marissa!
We Could Be Magic - https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250379399Joelle Murray: https://joellemurrayart.com/
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with Adalyn Grace about WISTERIA, the conclusion to her Belladonna trilogy. Also discussed in this episode: the love of and uses for Pinterest, the phenomenon of finishing a book and forgetting having written it, writing a series with differing POVs, the rare book thatâs âeasyâ to write, turning concepts into characters, favorite tropes, lush worldbuilding, and so much more. Bonus: A new book announcement!
Neopets: https://www.neopets.com/
MW definition of reify: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reify
MW Word of the Day: https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with Julian Winters about his latest YA romance, PRINCE OF THE PALISADES. Also discussed in this episode: how fanfiction is a great way to get started in writing, the sometimes difficult elements of crafting a contemporary royal story, writing romance and the importance of creating moments when characters are vulnerable, how challenging it can be bringing conflict to a contemporary story, creating relatable and lovable secondary charactersâincluding badass female characters, and so much more!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Big Joe Roma Pool Floatie Chair: https://buybigjoe.com/products/roma-pool-float-chair
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Melanin in YA
Your source for all things Black in traditional Young Adult publishing.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with Remy Lai about her new illustrated sketch diary, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. Also discussed in this episode: why kids relate to horror, the importance of capturing the tone of the book on the cover and determining appropriate content for a young audience, making important design choices like font and color, deciding on a storyâs format, Ouija boards, and so much more!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with author and life coach Lydia Michaels about her craft book, Write 10K in a Day. Discussed in this practical episode: the challenges of being an indie author/entrepreneur, writer burnout, time poverty â particularly for women, why setting boundaries on word counts is a good idea, signs of burnout, paying attention to ROJ (Return on Joy), and so much more!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with Anna Sortino about her latest YA romance, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE. Also discussed in this episode: who is the ârealâ audience we write for, deciding on a single vs dual POV and where the points of view intersect, leaving space in outlines for exploration, layering in character traits and details during revision, writing family dynamics, including disability representation and how to provide context for able-bodied readers, how much personal experience to include, and so much more!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
In this bonus craft episode, Marissa shares her seven best tips and strategies for balancing multiple writing projects. Discussed in this practical episode: how many projects she works on at any given time and what stage in the process they are at, how she prioritizes, what she does in the times when she isnât or canât be drafting, and so much more!
Extra bonus: This episode also includes upcoming book announcements that you may have missed!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with award-winning author of CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE, Tomi Adeyemi, about her new third book in the Legacy of Orisha series, CHILDREN OF ANGUISH AND ANARCHY. Also discussed in this episode: the inspiration for Tomi creating The Writerâs Roadmap courses for writers, feeling like youâre finally a career writer, transitioning from a long-term series to something new, the struggle to take breaks when so many ideas are in your brain, imposter syndrome, movie production updates, and so much more!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
The Writer's Roadmap: https://www.thewritersroadmap.net/
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Melanin in YA
Your source for all things Black in traditional Young Adult publishing.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with the husband-and-wife writing team of Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka about their latest YA adventure heist novel, HEIRESS TAKES ALL. Also discussed in this episode: the process of cowriting and the division of labor that resembles a marriage, carefully and consciously casting a heist bookâs ensemble of characters, benefiting from each otherâs writing strengths, the benefits of having a cowriter for marketing and events, and so much more!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
In this 200th (!) episode of The Happy Writer Podcast, Marissa (with some help from Joanne) answers many of your burning questions. Topics discussed: dealing with burnout, crafting three-dimensional characters, writing to trends, co-writing, balancing writing with parenting, and so much more. Also included: much-anticipated updates on TLC production, upcoming tours, new books, and yes, a couple of first-time-heard future project reveals!
Melanin in YA
Order and find out more about LET IT GLOW: https://www.marissameyer.com/let-it-glow/
Marissa's book playlists: https://www.marissameyer.com/extras/playlist/
Your source for all things Black in traditional Young Adult publishing.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Red Herrings Society
Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with Alexene Farol Follmuth about her latest contemporary coming-of-age YA romance, TWELFTH KNIGHT. Also discussed: some of the differences between self and traditional publishing and how the two can come together in a career, crafting the âunlikeable female characterâ, using Shakespeare for source material, structuring a romance differently than whatâs expected, the challenge of writing technology and social media that could become quickly dated, and so much more!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ -
Marissa chats with Tessa Gratton about her new YA fantasy, BLOOD & FURY, the sequel to CHAOS & FLAME, co-written with Justina Ireland. Also discussed: building social justice and important topics into fantasy while also making a book fun, how working on different projects concurrently can be both challenging and inspiring, creating inspiration lists (inspired by ID Lists from past guest Jennifer Lynn Barnes), the process of co-writing and editing each other, pros and cons of writing with a partner, worldbuilding, and so much more!
The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.
Amplify Marketers
Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377
Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ - Show more
