PODCAST · arts
Write Or Die Podcast
by Claribel A. Ortega & Kat Cho
The Write or Die Podcast shares the real stories about what it takes to become an author – the gritty, infuriating, pull your hair out because it’s been years – stories of writers who didn’t give up despite it all, and are now living out their dream. It’s hosted by NYT & #1 Indie bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega and NYT & international bestselling author Kat Cho and releases every other Monday!
Episodes
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Bonus Episode: The Honeys by Ryan La Sala
Get The Honeys, by Ryan La Sala! Come chat with us on the BABC discord: https://discord.gg/Mhw92TUdMG Buy our books: Witchlings (and join the Witchlings discord!) Ghost Squad Reverie Be Dazzled The Honeys Find us online! Follow Us on Social Media: Ryan: Twitter | Instagram | TikTok Claribel:...
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S4 E24: Write or Die & FINAL_Final_Episode_Really.doc
THANK YOU to all of our WorDies! We love you! Kat & Claribel say goodbye to Write or Die by listening to snippets from past episodes and discussing the advice they’ve received along the way from amazing past guests including S.Jae Jones, Alex Aster, Victoria Aveyard, Tiffany Jackson, Phil Stamper...
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S4 E23: Write or Die & The Final Episode (part 1)
Kat & Claribel say goodbye to Write or Die by listening to snippets from past episodes and discussing the advice they’ve received along the way from amazing past guests including Daniel Jose Older, Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, Ayana Gray, Mark Oshiro, and More! Topics discussed include: Messy…
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S4 E22: Vita Ayala & The Met is Super Haunted
Claribel & Kat discuss what "success" means in publishing (and what it definitely does not mean). Then they interview Vita Ayala about their journey into writing comics, how the Metropolitan Museum of Art is super haunted, being inspired by Octavia Butler as a kid, and the difference between…
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S4 E21: Kat Cho & Suga’s Diss Track
Claribel interviews Kat about her young adult k-pop romcom, Once Upon a K-Prom. They chat all things k-pop (including Kat’s first k-pop loves), what inspired the book, whether Kat included BTS in K-Prom, and more! ABOUT KAT: Kat Cho used to hide books under the bathroom sink and then sneak in…
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S4 E20: Traci Chee & The Epic Reads Egg Video
Claribel & Kat talk about pressures on authors every time a new book comes out & how publishing relationships naturally change over time. Then they interview Traci Chee about her path to publication, behind-the-scenes of finding out her book was a Printz Award Honor, and her newest Fantasy, A...
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S4 E19: Laekan Zea Kemp & Just Pre-Ask For An Extension
Claribel & Kat discuss a conversation the saw online about being “satisfied” with your author career vs being “happy” as an author. Then they interview Laekan Zea Kemp about her publishing journey. How she started off self-publishing and transitioned into traditional publishing. And what it’s…
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S4 E18: Claribel A. Ortega & #WitchlingsBook
Kat interviews Claribel about the process of writing and publishing their second middle grade (and first series!). How publishing a second book feels different. How expectations change as your career progresses. And working on not “giving weight to the negative” ABOUT CLARIBEL: New York Times...
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S4 E17: Judy I. Lin & Walking Away From Bad Situations
Claribel & Kat talk about book promo they’ve done that they think was worth it, and what they don’t think they’ll do again. Then they talk to debut author, Judy I. Lin about her debut fantasy, trying out IP, and eventually choosing to go the traditional route instead. ABOUT JUDY: Judy I. Lin was...
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S4 E16: Alexis Castellanos & The Story Web We Weave
Claribel & Kat talk about Author-Reviewer “relationships” and what’s okay to do and what to stay away from. Then they interview debut graphic novelist, Alexis Castellanos about how she used family stories to flesh out and inspire her debut graphic novel. ABOUT ALEX: Alexis Castellanos was born…
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S4 E15: Deborah Falaye & Put Yourself Out There
Claribel & Kat discuss their thoughts on jumping back into promoting their new books! Then they interview their PitchWars mentee about her upcoming seering fantasy debut, BLOOD SCION! ABOUT DEBORAH: Deborah Falaye is a Nigerian Canadian young adult author. She grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where she...
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S4 E14: Malinda Lo & I Just Do Gay Things
Claribel & Kat discuss how they decide on what project to work on next. And then they interview Award Winning and NYT Bestselling author, Malinda Lo, about her experience in the industry, her advocacy for diversity in kidlit, and what it was like going back to a shelved project and revising it...
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S4 E13: Write or Die Live
This is a bonus episode of Write or Die! Originally recorded live as part of DVCon (a free virtual writing conference for diverse creators), Claribel & Kat read your anonymously submitted publishing stories and questions! MENTIONS: • DVCon • Watch DVCon panels • FOLLOW CLARIBEL: Twitter |…
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S4 E12: Wendy Xu & Shut Up, Do Your Work, & Stay Off Goodreads
Claribel & Kat interview illustrator Wendy Xu about how she first got into illustrating comics, how her work in publishing prepared her for her publication journey, and advice on properly crediting artists for their work! ABOUT WENDY: Wendy Xu is an award-nominated Brooklyn-based illustrator and...
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S4 E11: Sarah Raughley & Even Heroes Aren’t Perfect
Claribel & Kat catch up with each other and talk about the emotional ups and downs of building an author career. (CW: brief discussion of trauma) Then they interview Sarah Raughley about what it was like to get published in the before-times, differences she’s felt releasing her newest series…
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S4 E10: Akshaya Raman & A Bed Full of Snakes
Happy New Year! Claribel & Kat discuss some fun news in their author careers and chat about new year and resolutions. Then they interview debut author, Akshaya Raman about her highly anticipated Fantasy, The Ivory Key. How she dealt with doubt during her query journey and how she made writing...
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S4 E9: Claribel & Kat & WorD’s Last Holiday Episode!
This week, Claribel & Kat discuss what they learned about their writing and author journeys in 2021. Then they answer listener questions about how to survive querying, Self-publishing, how they first got into writing, when to change agents, and more. Plus bonus chat about K-Dramas and K-pop!...
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S4 E8: Maisie Chan & Danny Chung Has Two Titles
Claribel & Kat discuss mentorship programs, both formal and informal! Then they chat with Maisie Chan about her experience publishing her debut Middle Grade and the differences between the UK and US publishing market. ABOUT MAISIE: Maisie Chan is a British Chinese children's author from…
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S4 E7: Emiko Jean & We Don’t Need Permission to Write
Claribel & Kat talk about how to prepare for panels & some quick tips on how to answer interview questions. Then they interview NYT Bestselling author Emiko Jean about her publishing journey, how publishing has changed since she first queried in 2011, and what it’s been like building an author...
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S4 E6: Alex Aster & Cursed Islands Are My Brand
Claribel and Kat answer a listener's question about publishing events, what it’s like to organize events like DVPit/DVCon, and some tips about attending events. Then they chat with Alex Aster about her author journey, discuss going viral on TikTok and whether it’s worthwhile for authors to join....
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S4 E5: Shanna Miles & Categories Are Arbitrary
Claribel & Kat discuss author responsibility as public figures with platforms, brought to you by Kat’s k-pop obsession with Stray Kids. Then they interview Shanna Miles about her hybrid journey, starting out with self-publishing, and then getting an agent and being traditionally published. Shanna...
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S4 E4: Ayana Gray & Claribel Ortega Saw My Tweet!
Claribel & Kat discuss burnout and some of the coping mechanisms they’ve found helpful to get them through. Then they interview debut author, Ayana Gray about the path it took to find the courage to write, how her path “crossed” Claribel & Kat’s along the way, and her highly anticipated debut...
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S4 E3: Graci Kim & Kiwis Just Want to Make Friends
Claribel and Kat give updates on their upcoming books (Witchlings and Once Upon a K-Prom) and discuss comparison in publishing and how it disproportionately affects BIPOC. Then they interview bestselling author Graci Kim about her journey into publication and how she learned to embrace her Korean...
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S4 E2: Jason June & Getting Kicked In The Face by Kylie Minogue
Claribel & Kat answer a listener question about writing character voice and perspective. Then they interview Jason June about getting kicked in the face by Kylie Minogue and the journey from writing Picture Books to writing Young Adult! BIO: Jason June is a gay, genderqueer, list-making, Virgo…
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S4 E1: Misa Sugiura & Inviting Your Entire Mailing List
We’re Back! In the season 4 premiere, Kat and Claribel share what they did over summer break and share big news about the future of Write or Die. Then they interview Misa Sugiura about her publishing journey, differences between releasing a book in 2021 vs before 2020, and creating boundaries...
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S3 E26: Liselle Sambury & The Werewolf Romance
In the Season Finale episode, Claribel and Kat answer some listener questions about drafting, querying, and submission. Then they interview debut author Liselle Sambury about her early writing, learning and growing from past mistakes, and how she uses YouTube to connect to the community LISELLE...
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S3 E25: Anna Meriano & Sorry Literary Fiction
Claribel and Kat talk about “parasocial relationships” and how it affects authors and their mental health. Then they talk to Anna Meriano about IP, MFA’s and her new book about fandom and fans reclaiming safe spaces for themselves! Bio: Anna Meriano grew up in Houston, Texas, with an older…
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S3 E24: Rita Williams Garcia & All Vibes, No Plot
Claribel and Kat discuss how they make promo that’s fun for them and which incorporates their personalities. Then they talk to hilarious bestselling author Rita Williams-Garcia about what it was like when she first got started in publishing, how she goes back and forth between Middle Grade &…
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S3 E23: Editor Shelly Romero Is A Goth Golden Retriever
Kat and Claribel talk a little about their personal writing processes. And then they interview Shelly Romero an editor at Scholastic about what she looks for in submissions, how you can support BIPOC authors, and the realities of the day-to-day life of editors! SHELLY BIO: Shelly Romero is an...
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S3 E22: Sarah Dass & Persuasion Is Our Favorite Austen Book
Kat & Claribel discuss some writing and productivity tools that have been helping them write lately. Then they talk to Sarah Dass about her debut romance WHERE THE RHYTHM TAKES YOU, doing a retelling, and what it felt like being in an auction for her debut book Bio: Sarah Dass was born and raised...
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S3 E 21: Victoria Aveyard Is a Map Nerd
Kat and Claribel discuss making friends and friend groups in publishing. And then they interview NYT Bestselling author, Victoria Aveyard about her writing process, starting a brand new series after spending so long in one world, how film school influences her writing process, and how she’s…
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S3 E20: Heidi Heilig & Everyone Put Pets in Your Headshot
Claribel and Kat discuss the idea of looking back on your old writing and seeing how far you’ve come. Plus, they touch on the idea that the industry should shift to look at the story and not at the trends. Then they interview Heidi Heilig, author of the Shadow Players trilogy, about her journey...
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S3 E19: Becky Albertalli & Staying Connected to Readers
Kat and Claribel discuss staying on track and Kat gets honest about her ADHD diagnosis and how it affects her author habits and life. Then they interview the beloved Becky Albertalli. Becky discusses her experiences with co-writing, what it was like watching her fandom grow, and the surreal...
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S3 E18: N.G. Peltier & Self Publishing Hybrid
Claribel and Kat discuss the misperception that all authors need to be doing a lot of promotion for their own books and constantly be on social media. Then they interview N.G. Peltier about her decision to self-publish her debut romance but how their agent worked on their behalf to create a…
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S3 E17: Preeti Chhibber & This Episode Is About Titanic
Claribel and Kat discuss what “growing as a writer” means to them. Then they interview the hilarious and charming Preeti Chhibber about her time working on the other side of the table in publishing, go on a (long) tangent about the Titanic, what it was like writing IP for huge franchises like...
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S3 E16: Anna-Marie McLemore & The Gay Gatsby
Kat and Claribel chat about Whisper Networks, what they are, why they exist, and how to use them. Then they interview the amazing Anna-Marie McLemore about their Magical Realism books, how they incorporate their heart and identity into their stories, and how they embrace their weird! Bio:...
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S3 E15: Book Twitter Manual: Handbook for Mortals
Kat and Claribel discuss the Book Twitter scandal that happened around the book HANDBOOK FOR MORTALS the NYT Bestseller’s List in 2017 Mentions: • Handbook for Mortals author fires back after publishing fiasco https://ew.com/books/2017/08/26/handbook-for-mortals-lani-sarem/ • An Anniversary of a...
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S3 E14: Kosoko Jackson & ...That's Weird
Claribel & Kat discuss joining TikTok. Then they interview Kosoko Jackson about his debut sci-fi romance YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, how to push a trope to new limits, and writing in Adult romance after writing primarily in YA. Plus some advice from Kosoko's day job in Social Media marketing and…
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S3 E13: Book Twitter Manual: Introduction, I Was Hacked & Please Stop Scrolling
Claribel and Kat dive into some Book Twitter news and gossip for your entertainment and education. Mentions: CP Punching Down Avoiding language used to target BIPOC Twitter Advice Expectations for how interact with readers/bloggers Remember, teens are our readers MSWL "I was hacked" "Please stop...
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S3 E12: Emily XR Pan & Nova Ren Suma & The Right Debut Book
Claribel & Kat look back on how far they’ve come since 2016 & how their goals for their author careers have changed in 5 years. Then they talk with NYT Bestselling authors & co-founders of FORESHADOW: A Serial YA Anthology, Emily XR Pan & Nova Ren Suma about how they became friends & advice about...
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S3 E11: Claribel & Kat & Words Matter
Claribel and Kat discuss some current events and how they’re coping. As well as how powerful words can be, and how important it is for us to take responsibility for them. MENTIONS: Sunrise Movement Claribel TikTok Kat TikTok Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | TikTok...
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S3 E10: Claribel & Kat & End-of-the-Year Check-In
Claribel and Kat discuss 2020, what it was like for Claribel to debut this year, and some trends they’ve noticed in the community. Plus, they discuss methods to try to allow for self-care and positivity in your life as potential coping mechanisms when going through a hard time. And how to…
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S3 E9: Chloe Gong & Shakespeare’s Ghost is Looking Out For You
Claribel and Kat discuss #PublishingPaidMe and break down why it’s such an important conversation in publishing. Then they interview NYT bestselling debut author, Chloe Gong about These Violent Delights, her Chinese retelling of Romeo and Juliet in historical Shanghai! We discuss how she got into...
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S3 E8: Nikki Barthelmess & Growing With Your Agent
Kat and Claribel talk about virtual events and how to avoid burn out. They they talk to YA author Nikki Barthelmess about how her life inspired her novels, how she ended up working with her two agents when her original agent’s assistant was promoted and became her agent! Bio: Nikki Barthelmess is...
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S3 E7: Mara Fitzgerald & So Much Wisdom With This Episode
Claribel and Kat discuss why problematic books keep getting published and why the publishing industry has to hold itself accountable beforehand so this stops happening. Then they interview Mara Fitzgerald about her debut YA fantasy, BEYOND THE RUBY VEIL, and how being true to her voice helped her...
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S3 E6: Paola Mendoza, Abby Sher & Please Vote!
Claribel and Kat discuss how to refill the creative well (especially considering how stressful current events are on the creative mind). Then they interview NYT bestselling author and activist Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher about their new YA novel Sanctuary, making a statement with your art,...
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S3 E5: Alechia Dow & Don’t Ever Lick Your Checks
This week, Claribel and Kat talk about who to follow on social media to learn more about the industry and writing as well as how to discuss authentic representation with your writer friends or as a sensitivity reader. Then they interview debut sci-fi author Alechia Dow on what it was like writing...
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S3 E4: Alexis Henderson & A Fear Factor of Seven
Claribel & Kat discuss IP (Intellectual Property) and recent Twitter discourse. Then they interview fantasy horror author, Alexis Henderson, about her debut novel The Year of the Witching, what it was like going on sub as a crossover YA/Adult and what went into her decision to go with an adult...
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S3 E3: Janella Angeles & Emailing Andrew Lloyd Webber
Episode Description: Claribel and Kat discuss recent Twitter discourse about sharing good news and professional jealousy. How to deal with these feelings and refer to amazing advice from Holly Black’s WorD episode about jealousy! Then they talk to Janella Angeles about her debut Where Dreams...
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S3 E2: Shveta Thakrar & I Thought Office Jobs Would be Like TV
Episode Description: Claribel and Kat talk about the rising discussions of diversity in publishing (both in the talent and behind-the-scenes) and how these aren’t new talks but they’re finally being taken more seriously and how it’s felt being constantly dismissed as POC in the industry (plus…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Write or Die Podcast shares the real stories about what it takes to become an author – the gritty, infuriating, pull your hair out because it’s been years – stories of writers who didn’t give up despite it all, and are now living out their dream. It’s hosted by NYT & #1 Indie bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega and NYT & international bestselling author Kat Cho and releases every other Monday!
HOSTED BY
Claribel A. Ortega & Kat Cho
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Write Or Die Podcast have?
Write Or Die Podcast currently has 122 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Write Or Die Podcast about?
The Write or Die Podcast shares the real stories about what it takes to become an author – the gritty, infuriating, pull your hair out because it’s been years – stories of writers who didn’t give up despite it all, and are now living out their dream. It’s hosted by NYT & #1 Indie bestselling author...
How often does Write Or Die Podcast release new episodes?
Write Or Die Podcast publishes regularly with 122 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Write Or Die Podcast?
You can listen to Write Or Die Podcast 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 Write Or Die Podcast?
Write Or Die Podcast is created and hosted by Claribel A. Ortega & Kat Cho.
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