PODCAST · arts
Collaborcast
by Collaborist
Collaborcast is a podcast for writers and storytellers at all stages of the journey. We talk the craft of writing, provide insight into the mysterious world of the publishing industry, and examine the importance of storytelling as a community building block. Hosted by publishing industry veteran Ben LeRoy and critically acclaimed author Jason Buchholz.
Episodes
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The Importance of Helping Others Find Their Voice with special guest Anita Mumm
Editor and teacher Anita Mumm joins us on the podcast to talk about the importance of story and helping others find their voice. She discusses her work teaching creative writing to incarcerated populations. For more about Anita, please visit www.anitamumm.com #writingadvice #writingcommunity...
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Free 25 Page Editing Offer (this is a public service announcement)
How would you like free feedback on 25 pages of your work in progress? Intern Maddy is back with us this summer and she is looking for more hands on editorial work. Jason and Ben will work with her to read your material and provide you with marked up pages, editorial notes, and maybe (situation...
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Another Approach to Memoir with special guest Madelyn Postman
On this episode of Collaborcast Jason and Ben speak with author Madelyn Postman about writing memoir, understanding identity, and how short form can provide insight.
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We're Back! Jason's Got a Book Deal! Tsunami Alerts! And! More!
Hi Collaborist - Sorry we've been gone for a bit. It's been busier than a third shift at the pillow factory, but here we are! On this episode of Collaborcast, Jason tells us about his book deal for his new novel, we discuss understanding story and the distances it sometimes takes, Jason gets a...
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How to Get Into Publishing (one story)
Hey Collaborist! On this week's episode of Collaborcast, Maddy and Ben dive in to the publishing world, and how Ben entered the publishing world. We talk about Ben's story of hard-work, motivation, and luck. We also discuss the logistics and roles that are necessary in the publishing world. From...
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How to Get a Literary Agent in 2024
Hi Collaborist! On this week's episode of Collaborcast we talk to literary agent, Joanna MacKenzie! We dive in to the publishing market today, and how it has changed since the pandemic. We also discuss self-publishing, and how this could be a wrong way to go for most authors. Make sure to stick...
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Collaborcast with Emily Krempholtz
Hi Collaborist! This week on Collaborcast we interview Emily Krempholtz. Emily is an esteemed editor, book coach, and hopefully, soon-to-be-published author! We dive into her new book and what got her, and America, into the booming cozy fantasy genre. We also discuss how to query agents, BookTok,...
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Writing Mystery Fiction - with guest John Ritter
Hi Collaborist! On this episode of Collaborcast, we sit down with John Ritter! We dive in to how he navigated the cliches of the private investigator genre, while writing "Fatal Conceit". Ritter also fills us in on how he was able to have such a diverse amount of environments in his book, while...
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What to Say and Not Say in Your Memoir (We are NOT Lawyers)
Hi Collaborist! Thinking about writing a memoir? Have some things you really want to say, but worry you might get in trouble for it? Whose story is it anyway? We go over some things to keep in mind as you tell the story of your life and the people who have made guest appearances.
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Writing Memoir with Meg Kissinger
Hey Collaborist! On this episode of Collaborcast we're joined by journalist and author Meg Kissinger. She talks about what went into writing her memoir While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence. We discuss not only the craft of writing memoir, but also...
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Does Memoir Need to be Factually Accurate?
Hey Collaborist - Have you ever read a memoir and wondered how much of it was true and how much of it was "true?" On this episode of Collaborcast we discuss reader expectations and author intentions in the matter of retelling the story of a lived life. Is truth important in memoir? Is it possible...
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Memoir vs. Autobiography - Here's the Difference!
Hey Collaborist - Are you wanting to tell your life story, or, at the very least, part of it? Well, we have an episode for you. Jason has put on his fanciest college professor gear to explain the difference between a memoir and an autobiography!
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What is an MFA in Creative Writing (with guest Jennifer Reimer)
Hey Collaborist, do you ever find yourself asking just exactly what is an MFA in Creative Writing and what can you do with it? You're not the only one. On this episode of Collaborcast, we talk with Jennifer Reimer, the Program Director of the Low Residency MFA program at Oregon State University...
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Write What You Know
We've all been handed the advice "Write What You Know" at one point or another on your writing journey. But what does that mean? How will people know if we're writing outside of that? Good questions. We'll address them and others like, "What does it mean in today's publishing environment?"...
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How to Take Criticism
Hey Collaborist – Ever find yourself wondering how to take criticism when people give you feedback on your work? In this episode of Collaborcast we talk about some of the emotional things that might pop up, how to process them, and how to get the most out of reader opinions. Whether you're…
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Message to a New Writer #1
Hey Collaborist - Ben's been hanging out on Reddit (r/writing) and noticed A LOT of young writers who have unrealistic expectations for their lives and their writing in the moment. What would young Jason and young Ben say to themselves when they started writing decades ago? Guess you'll have to...
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Let's Talk About Editing, Ghostwriting, Book Doctoring, Proofreading, and other Things!
Hey Collaborist. Welcome to Season Two of Collaborcast. It's wonderful to see you, please excuse the dust. On this episode of the podcast we'll be talking about reading Cormac McCarthy, Barry Lopez, and Philip K. Dick. We'll also discuss what we do and don't do as coaches, editors, ghostwriters,...
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Collaborcast Intermission
Hey Collaborist! We've got a super brief episode to let you know that we've been collecting new equipment, recording techniques, and ideas for the podcast. However, if YOU didn't know that, you might think some terrible fate had befallen us because we have been quiet for a bit and the last time…
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Not Really Sure What This Episode is About
Hey Collaborist - the good news is, by the time you start this episode, it'll almost be over. We talk about back cover descriptions and the importance of finding the sweetspot between book report and teaser. And then the Covid gets Ben and ... zzz.
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Writers! Let's Dive into the Subconscious End of the Pool!
Hey Collaborist - ever find yourself stuck in your book? Don't know how to get your character from Point A to Point B? Confused about your setting? Trying to figure out the emotional tone of where you are in the book? Sometimes we try to force ourselves over the hurdle, but it doesn't always…
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Chekhov's Gun and Ben Finally Gets his Earthquake
Hey Collaborist - You know how we've already discussed techniques for being disciplined about description in your work? Well, we had an idea for this episode that talks about it again and we also bring up the oft mentioned "Chekov's Rifle." Here is the intersection of description and…
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At Last! The AWP recap episode
Hello! Please pardon the absence, we're back (finally!) from AWP. Thank you to everybody we met and who agreed to join us on the podcast. As a heads up, because we were recording this on the fly in a venue with lots of people and no control of the environment, the audio quality is...not going to...
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Opening Pages and Why They Work
Hey Collaborist - on today's episode we take a look at some opening pages and why they work as an effective beginning ot a book.
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How to Incorporate Backstory Without Slowing Down the Pace
Do you find yourself driving down the writing highway only to slam on the brakes to incorporate backstory? Hey Collaborist - are you unsure how to get critical details into your characters' pasts without slowing down the pace of your book? You're not alone. It's important to keep in mind that...
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Pacing, Physiology, and Museum Curation
Pacing is a key component in how well a book holds a reader's attention. It doesn't always have to be a million miles an hour with big car chases and explosions. In fact, maybe the more you add, the less they mean. So maybe don't add so many. We also talk about dramatic tension--how to keep the...
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Understanding Book Contracts and Subsidiary Rights
You've been dreaming of the day when understanding book contracts and subsidiary rights is the most important thing in the world. Well, we share that dream with you and here's a primer. Hey Collaborist - we recognize that the world around book contracts is often mysterious and getting information...
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Understanding Your Characters
On this week's episode of Collaborcast we talk about the importance of Understanding Your Characters. Hey Collaborist - you spend hours with them on the page and in your head, but how well do you know your characters? How do you introduce yourself? Do you ask them questions? Do they give you...
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Head Hopping in Writing and Reading While You Write
Hey Collaborist - this week we're talking about head hopping in writing and also answering the question of how to approach reading while you write. We go over listener reading lists. And, Ben's got a new studio setup. One of the most common editorial notes first time authors get is that they're...
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Bad Book Marketing and New Year's Resolutions
Hey Collaborist! Welcome to 2023, we've been waiting for you. Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming about how to drum up more interest in your writing? Maybe you've come up with some wild ideas about how to sell a truckload of books. Well, we encourage you to make sure that "wild" doesn't…
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End of Year Recap + A Query Letter Review
Hey Collaborist, In this week's episode, Jason and Ben talk about the birth and growth of Collaborist and Collaborcast, including some of their favorite episodes. Additionally, they read and discuss another query letter submitted by a Collaborist just like you. How about you, Collaborist? What…
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How Much Description Do You Need in your Writing?
Hey Collaborist - today we go back to talking about how much description you need in your writing. We examine the idea using Ernest Hemingway's novel, 'A Farewell to Arms and Don Delillo's novel White Noise! We, once again, examine the idea of why it's important to know the rules before you break...
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Trust Your Reader
On this week's episode we remind you to trust your reader. No need to go all in on details. We also talk about Jasper's quest to get t-shirts from bookstores all across the country and how he found clarity in writing a scene during November. Also, Bryce talks about the effects painting has had on...
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Non-fiction Book Proposals, Manuscript Wishlist, and an Observation on Point of View (and chitchat!)
Happy Thanksgiving, Collaborist! On this week's episode we talk about what needs to go into a prescriptive non-fiction book proposal at the corner of Art and Commerce. How to participate in the hashtag publishing world, and Jason tells us about an observation he made on his book while out on a hike.
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How to Know You Are Ready to Query an Agent or Publisher
Hey Collaborist! On this week's episode we help you understand how to know you are ready to query an agent or publisher. You've written a novel. Great! You want the whole world to read it. Also great! Now that you've typed "the end" you should start working on your query letter, right? Well, not...
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How Long Should a Book Be? An episode about word count.
On this episode of Collaborcast we answer a frequently asked question, "How long should a book be?" And though we both agree that a story should be as many words as it needs to be, the business side of publishing has more specific numbers as far as word count. We go over the numbers. We give...
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Query Letter Review! Celebrating Independent Bookstores! Are People Sick of the 80s?
Jason and Ben discuss Jason's mission to learn about and promote different independent bookstores across the country, a recent Twitter discussion about new books that take place in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and lastly, a brand new query letter review. Also, if you want your query letter to be read…
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Old Dogs, New Tricks. Discoveries about Point of View and Weather! And We Answer the Question -- Who Designs Book Covers?
Jason and Ben discuss who designs a book's cover and why the process is the way it is. We also discuss a FIFTH! POV that nobody ever knew about (except maybe Hemingway). Jason tells us about recent magic in nature with bioluminescence and not kayaking in shark infested waters on windy nights.…
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Tending to Your Purpose
In a busy, busy world, how can you make sure to keep tending to your purpose? Jason and Ben discuss how to ease back into the real world after spending mindful time away on your creative project. What lessons can be learned from dedicating days or weeks to hyper focusing on one act? How do we...
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Creative Time Management | Consuming Culture
Jason and Ben sit down on the beach to talk about creative time management, especially as it relates to protecting your time as a writer, storyteller, artist--human. The world is full of potential distractions, but you are under no obligation to be consumed by them. It's okay to prioritize your...
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Let's Talk about NaNoWriMo!
Jason and Ben talk about NaNoWriMo in the first ever in person edition of Collaborcast! Planning to write 50,000 words in November? Hoping to find writing community? We've got things for you to think about as you embark on your book writing journey this fall! We're here with writing advice…
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The Art of Silence as Writing
Writing isn't simply typing. It's processing the world around you as you try to understand yourself and what it is you want to say. We live in a world of constant stimulation from all corners, much of it is disposable. So how do you get outside of it? And what should you expect once you do? Is...
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Let's talk about Writing Retreats and Writing Conferences
Jason and Ben talk about the benefits and expectations of a writing retreat and how it differs from a writing conference. Are you looking for alone time and no distractions so that you can write ten thousand words? Are you looking to meet other writers working in your genre? Hoping to learn from...
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Writing Routines that Work (and ones that don't)
Jason and Ben discuss writing routines that work and why it's important to question the wisdom of anybody telling you they have a formula for success. A lot of writing advice comes off as aggressive and needlessly rigid, pretending that it's practical in a mythical cutthroat literary world. You...
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How to Write a Novel: The End (and things to remember along the way)
Jason and Ben wrap up their How to Write a Novel series with some thoughts about the end of a book and the process of writing. ABOUT THE HOSTS: Jason Buchholz’s acclaimed debut novel, A Paper Son, published by Tyrus Books in 2016, explores themes of migration, borderlands, heritage, and the...
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Is Writing to Chase Trends a Good Idea?
Should you chase trends when writing a novel? Is there a way to take advantage of the zeitgeist atop the bestseller list? Is there a formula for striking it rich with your writing? Is it more important to write a book according to what's popular now? Or to write the book that's burning in your...
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How to Write a Novel: Scene Building
Hey, Collaborist! Have you ever wondered how to do scene building in your novel? How do you weigh a scene vs. a summary? How do you write a scene that is essential and not simply a way to pass the time to get to the good parts? Well, have we got an episode for you! Jason and Ben discuss scene...
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How to Write a Novel: Show Don't Tell
Hey, Collaborist! Have you ever been told that you need to "show, don't tell" in your novel? Did you then run to the internet (overflowing with writing advice) to find out what exactly people were talking about and why they suggested that you "show don't tell?" Even after reading a variety of how...
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How to Write a Novel: Setting
Jason and Ben discuss the importance of setting, how it does and does not act as another character, the importance of writing with authority about a place, and how setting is not only about the physical location but also the time and context. As always, thanks to Self Help for the intro and outro...
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How to Write a Novel in 2022: Pacing, Plotting, and Tension!
Jason and Ben discuss the critical balance between pace, plot, and tension. We discuss the difference between what happens in a book and what a book is about. We talk about the Karate Kid, Mad Max, thrillers, genre expectations, and how to make sure you're paying attention to your intentions and...
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How to Write a Novel in 2022: Your Antagonist
Jason and Ben discuss what makes an effective antagonist. Is the bad guy always the one in the bushes? Who else can be the person between your protagonist's goals and success? Thanks to Self Help for the intro and outro music.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Collaborcast is a podcast for writers and storytellers at all stages of the journey. We talk the craft of writing, provide insight into the mysterious world of the publishing industry, and examine the importance of storytelling as a community building block. Hosted by publishing industry veteran Ben LeRoy and critically acclaimed author Jason Buchholz.
HOSTED BY
Collaborist
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Collaborcast have?
Collaborcast currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Collaborcast about?
Collaborcast is a podcast for writers and storytellers at all stages of the journey. We talk the craft of writing, provide insight into the mysterious world of the publishing industry, and examine the importance of storytelling as a community building block. Hosted by publishing industry veteran...
How often does Collaborcast release new episodes?
Collaborcast has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Collaborcast?
You can listen to Collaborcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Collaborcast?
Collaborcast is created and hosted by Collaborist.
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