PODCAST · arts
Let's Talk Novels
by Jack Cavanaugh
STEP INTO MY WORKSHOP where I have been writing and publishing novels full-time since 1993. Let me say up front: this podcast isn't for just anyone. If you're looking to be entertained, or you just want to hang out and shoot the breeze with a bunch of novelists, there are a number of other podcasts that do that. But if you're serious about learning the craft of writing and publishing fiction, you're in the right place. (Just to be clear -- we'll have a great time! When it comes to writing novels, if you're not having fun, you're doing something wrong.) But let's face it. Novelists are a different breed. Not everyone gets us. And honestly, I enjoy nothing more than sitting around and talking shop with novelists. What works. What doesn't work. The ups and downs of being a novelist. That's what this podcast is all about: Sharing with you what I've learned over the years as a career novelist. My goal in creating this podcast is to help other novelists tell their story and get it in
Episodes
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LTN035 - Indie Author Editing
Do it yourself, or hire an editor? In this episode Jack reveals the three phases of editing as he helps indie authors make this crucial decision.
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LTN034 - Revising and Rewriting
You've completed your first draft. In this episode Jack gives you 12 questions to guide you through the rewriting and revising phase to make your good story great.
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LTN033 - Covers: The Face of Your Novel
Unless you can design covers that are good enough to compete with bestsellers, the investment you make in hiring a professional cover artist will be worth the money. Here are your options.
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LTN032 - Indie Publishing: Finding Your Audience (2)
· If you want to cultivate a readership, you must go to where they hang out online and interact with them long before you have a book to sell them.
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LTN031 - Indie Publishing: Finding Your Audience, Part 1
In this episode Jack reveals how you can know what readers of your genre want to see in a novel before you start writing it. This information not only lets you write to your audience, but it also lays the groundwork for promotional efforts.
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LTN030 - Indie Publishing: What You Need To Know To Get Started
It has never been easier to get published, but that doesn't mean getting published is easy. In this episode Jack gives an overview of indie author self-publishing.
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LTN029 - Setting: The Ugly Sister of Novel Writing
In this episode Jack teaches how to create settings that are as dynamic and alive as any character.
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LTN028 - Writer to Writer: Sell It First Then Write It
Will the advice that launched Jack's traditional writing career also be the key to successful indie publishing?
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LTN027 - Test Your Novel Idea With These 5 Questions
Is your idea novel worthy? Does it have high-concept mass audience appeal? Here's how to test it.
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LTN026 - The Princess Principle
Trust your readers. In this episode Jack warns against micromanaging your story.
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LTN025 - Laugh Your Way to the Bestseller List
Humor - a tool that should be in every writer's toolbox. In this episode Jack teaches how to use humor to spice up your novel.
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LTN024 - A Writer's Equivalent To An Energy Drink
In this episode Jack shares quotes and anecdotes he uses that inspire him to write.
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LTN023 - How Do You Know Your Novel Is Finished?
In this episode Jack takes a unique look at the author's final pass on a novel manuscript before sending it in for publication.
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LTN022 - Macbeth vs The Mac
If Shakespeare had written Macbeth on a Mac would it be as good? A light-hearted look at modern day writing.
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LTN021 - No Grammar Rules Were Harmed In the Making of this Podcast
An irreverent look at breaking the rules of grammar and making up your own words.
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LTN020 - Writer to Writer - Confessions of a Polymath
In this episode Jack takes a humorous look at a personal affliction.
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LTN019 - How To Put Off Procrastinating Part II
In this episode Jacks provides daily practical and creative ways writers can defeat the dilatory dragon.
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LTN018 - How to Put Off Procrastinating
In Part 1 Jack explores the nature of this five-headed dilatory dragon with strategies on how to defeat it.
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LTN017 - The Joy and Benefits of Hanging Out With Dead Novelists
Where do you learn how to write a novel? In this episode Jack relates some of the lessons he's learned from novelists living and dead, with some fascinating anecdotes about JRR Tolkien and The Lord of The Rings.
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LTN016 - Writer to Writer - The Dreaded Author Bio
In this episode Jack takes a humorous look at an adventure in writing the dreaded author bio, something every novelist will be called upon to write.
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LTN015 - Torture The Reader To The End - Sentences and Grammar
In this episode Jack draws from more than three decades of crafting speeches, articles, and novels, to convince writers that mastering the art of writing good sentences is the best investment a writer can make in himself.
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LTN014 - Writer to Writer: Embracing The Publishing Whirlwind
In this writer to writer episode, Jack shares a moment in his career when everything was great, then . . . .
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LTN013 - Torture The Reader To The End - Scenes
In this episode Jack explores how to craft scenes that will keep the reader turning pages.
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LTN012 - Writer to Writer: Building Characters
In this writer to writer episode Jack shares two experiences that were influential to him in learning to build memorable characters.
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LTN011 - Torture the Reader to the End - Characters
In this episode Jack reveals ways novelists can keep readers reading by torturing the characters readers love.
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LTN010- Writer to Writer - My Mentors
In this episode I invite readers to look over my shoulder as I pull from my files one of the worksheets I compiled from bestselling suspense novelists identifying the techniques they used to write first chapters. The one page worksheet is available for FREE in PDF format on http://letstalknovels.com
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LTN009 - Torture The Reader To The End - Plot
In this episode Jack teaches how to develop a plot that will keep readers reading.
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LTN008 - Writer to Writer: Traditional or Indie Publishing
In this episode Jack explores the difference between traditional and indie publishing for the novel writer.
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LTN007 - Turn Your Favorite Authors Into Mentors
In this podcast Jack teachers authors how to learn the craft of writing a novel by learning the techniques of their favorite authors.
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LTN006 - Writer to Writer: Make It Shine
In this episode Jack encourages writers not to be satisfied with good writing, but to do justice to their story ideas by polishing their writing until it shines.
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LTN005 - Does Your Novel Have Bestseller Potential?
In this episode Jack reveals the 8 elements of novel writing that characterizes bestselling fiction.
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LTN004 - Writer to Writer: Perseverance Counts
In this first Writer-to-Writer episode, Jack relates the story behind Dean Koontz's personal inscription to him in the novel Intensity.
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LTN 003 — Creating and Maintaining the All-Important Story Bubble
As readers, we’ve all experienced the magical phenomenon of getting so involved in a novel it's as though this world no longer exists. How does a novelist achieve this effect? What things break this story bubble?
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Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Novelist?
In this podcast Jack talks about the two essential abilities every novelist must have.
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LTN 001 - Let's Get Started - Why This Podcast
This is the first podcast in the Let's Talk Novels series. Drawing on an intriguing event at an awards banquet, Jack narrates the events that led up to the making of this podcast for novelists.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
STEP INTO MY WORKSHOP where I have been writing and publishing novels full-time since 1993. Let me say up front: this podcast isn't for just anyone. If you're looking to be entertained, or you just want to hang out and shoot the breeze with a bunch of novelists, there are a number of other podcasts that do that. But if you're serious about learning the craft of writing and publishing fiction, you're in the right place. (Just to be clear -- we'll have a great time! When it comes to writing novels, if you're not having fun, you're doing something wrong.) But let's face it. Novelists are a different breed. Not everyone gets us. And honestly, I enjoy nothing more than sitting around and talking shop with novelists. What works. What doesn't work. The ups and downs of being a novelist. That's what this podcast is all about: Sharing with you what I've learned over the years as a career novelist. My goal in creating this podcast is to help other novelists tell their story and get it in
HOSTED BY
Jack Cavanaugh
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Let's Talk Novels have?
Let's Talk Novels currently has 35 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Let's Talk Novels about?
STEP INTO MY WORKSHOP where I have been writing and publishing novels full-time since 1993. Let me say up front: this podcast isn't for just anyone. If you're looking to be entertained, or you just want to hang out and shoot the breeze with a bunch of novelists, there are a number of other podcasts...
How often does Let's Talk Novels release new episodes?
Let's Talk Novels has 35 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Let's Talk Novels?
You can listen to Let's Talk Novels 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 Let's Talk Novels?
Let's Talk Novels is created and hosted by Jack Cavanaugh.
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