The Fiction Lounge

Hannah and Jess discuss their top reads of the year so far!SHOW NOTESHANNAH'S PICKS:Red Rising by Pierce BrownSeven Days in June by Tia Williams Daggermouth by H.M. WolfeMargo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe Hannah's Honorable Mention: Heated Rivalry by Rachel ReidJESS'S PICKS:The Trees by Percival EverettDominion by Addie E. CitchensJazz by Toni MorrisonImmaculate Conception by Ling Ling HuangJess's Honorable Mention: Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

Hannah and Jess reveal an exciting announcement: The Fiction Lounge is now offering some author services! Jess shares the vision and process behind her editing consultation service, and Hannah shares the heart and process of her Plot Clarity Intensive. SHOW NOTESJess's Editing ServicesHannah's Plot Clarity Intensive

Jess and Hannah talk about the challenges and demands of the "messy middle", and provide tips and tricks that might help you navigate this famously challenging portion of writing a novel.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESStuck in the Messy Middle? Tips for Drafting | Karen KrossingThe MIddle Third: Beats | Stephanie Danler

Three-peat guest and series author Carmela Dutra checks in on her author journey and shares valuable insights about plotting vs. pantsing, how she juggles multiple projects at once, and what she's learned during her time in the industry.Carmela Dutra is a writer from the Bay Area who loves food trucks, family, and cozy mysteries. Her debut, A Murder Most Fowl, has been praised by Kirkus Reviews for its “serious set of crimes leavened by plenty of amusing moments,” by Criminal Element for the “juicy reasoning behind the sabotage that was almost as shocking as the murder itself,” and described as “the perfect escapist read, brimming with banter and an extra helping of fun” by New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams. She has also been featured in CrimeReads Magazine.A lover of humor, quirky characters, and all things geeky, Carmela spends her days sketching, sipping far too much coffee, and over-cuddling her allergy-inducing cats and dog. She lives with her husband and two dinosaur-obsessed sons, drawing inspiration from rainy afternoons, bustling farmers’ markets, and the unexpected moments that make life memorable. SHOW NOTESA Murder Most Fowl: Book 1 (available now)Hot Wings and Homicide: Book 2 (available May 12, 2026)Carmela's first episode with The Fiction LoungeCarmela's second episode with The Fiction LoungeCarmela's InstagramCarmela's website

Jess and Hannah discuss endings: how to know what your genre expects of an ending, how to make sure your ending is strong, and some dos and don'ts when working on your ending. Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESThe Do's and Don'ts of Novel Endings | Writer's DigestHow to Write the Perfect Ending for Your Novel | MasterclassExit Strategies: So How Are You Supposed to End a Story? | LitHub

Hannah and Jess talk about what makes a strong opening, what detracts from a good opening, and they both bring different genre examples to examine together.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESHow to Write a Killer Opening Scene | Write it ScaredOpenings | Brandon Taylor

Guest author Michelle Maryk shares the keys to her writing journey, what she's learned from her improv background that helps her as a writer, and shares about her debut novel, The Found Object Society.Michelle Maryk graduated from Cornell University and also attended the Yale Writer’s Worskhop. She has been a full-time voiceover artist as well as a commercial and comedic actor for over 25 years. THE FOUND OBJECT SOCIETY is a novel of speculative suspense and her debut. She is also a dual citizen of Sweden and the US. Fun fact: Michelle starred in an atrocious horror movie with Oscar-winner Cliff Robertson written by…her dad.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESThe Found Object SocietyCan I Get a Noun, Please? (Or, How Improv Made Me a Better Writer) | Michelle MarykMichelle's websiteMichelle's Instagram

Jess and Hannah talk about the purpose of prose, its pitfalls, how to develop your prose style, and Jess shares some literary examples of solid prose.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESNikita Gill's InstagramKate Baer's Instagram

Hannah and Jess discuss the different (main) types of character arcs, why they matter, how to apply them, and how they can be useful for your secondary and minor characters.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESPositive Character Arcs | Write it ScaredNegative Character Arcs | Write it ScaredStatic Character Arcs | Write it Scared

Jess and Hannah interview new author, Leigh Shalloway, on her Hilltown series debut. She shares important insights and valuable advice on resilience in the novel writing process, and shares how she was able to make setting almost like its own character within the narrative.Leigh Shalloway has a psychology degree from Emory University and a master's degree in counseling and school psychology from Seattle University. Following graduation, she interned at the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change and worked as a lead psychologist for Sammamish schools. She is also a holistic care practitioner who trained other practitioners and taught hospice volunteers' various methodologies for helping their patients. Leigh lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and has four grown children. Journey back to you is the first novel in the Hilltown trilogy. Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!

In this installment of The Fiction Lounge Q&A, Hannah and Jess answer another round of questions ranging from the necessity of editing to what inspires our stories.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!

Hannah and Jess explore villains and antagonists: the different types, the genre expectations for villains, and how to effectively build a villain your readers can love to hate.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESNotes on Writing Character Relationships | Junot DiazHow to Write Strong Characters | September C. FawkesHow to Build Powerful Character Relationships | Writers Helping Writers

With special guest and reiki teacher Molly Donlan, Hannah and Jess dive into the magic of creativity and how it can be fostered through ritual, while discussing Molly's upcoming release, Mundane Magic, available February 17.Molly Donlan is a Reiki Master Teacher, crystal healing expert, yoga teacher, and co-host of the Demystify Magic podcast who has dedicated her life to helping others unlock the transformative power of energy work and alternative healing modalities. With a background as an advocate for survivors of sexual violence and as a former skeptic of all things woo, Molly emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed care while teaching Magic through a blend of science and spirituality.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESPreorder Mundane MagicMolly's InstagramMolly's Website

Hannah and Jess spend some time sharing their friendship lore, provide practical writing exercises that contributed to their writing wins of the week, and share the essentials of how to structure and envision your character relationships to make a stronger story.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!

Hannah and Jess interview debut author Jennifer van der Kleut about her upcoming debut novel, The Better Mother, available February 10.Jennifer van der Kleut (née McBride) is an award-winning former journalist of both print and digital publications, including the D.C. affiliate of ABC7 News. A graduate of San Jose State University, she spent most of her life in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to the Northern Virginia suburbs of D.C., where she currently lives with her husband and two sons. For nearly a decade, she was the lead singer of the Bay Area-based band SweetDuration, and performed with artists like Jason Mraz, Big Country, Chantal Kreviazuk, and Stabbing Westward. When she’s not writing, she loves going to the beach with her family, going to concerts with her girlfriends, and getting lost in the pages of a book.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESThe Better Mother by Jennifer van der KleutJennifer's WebsiteJennifer's Instagram Jennifer's TikTok

Jess and Hannah discuss character backstory: what it is, what it does for your story, how to build it, how to utilize it, and more. If you're struggling to figure out character motivations, or if you just want to make sure you're doing strong character work, make sure to give this episode a listen!Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESBackstory is Essential to Story–Except When it's Not | Tiffany Yates Martin

Hannah and Jess break down the recent trends of artists who are signing traditional publishing deals after self-publishing, what this means for the industry, and how you can apply these trends to your responsibilities as a career writer.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTES

Hannah and Jess give advice on practical ways you can elevate your manuscript. Whether it's reading your book out loud, or learning how to ask for feedback, these tips are guaranteed to improve your current WIP.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!

Hannah and Jess discuss their favorite books of the semester, including some horror, romance, historical fiction, and honorary mention memoir!Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESHANNAH'S PICKS:Promise Me Sunshine by Cara BastoneAlchemised by SenLinYuAtmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir Of A Life Interrupted by Suleika JaouadJESS'S PICKS:Katabasis by R.F. KuangThe Reformatory by Tananarive DueThe Wilderness by Angela FlournoyHeavy by Kiese Laymon

Hannah and Jess interview guest author Jade Gonzalez about her self-publishing her journey ahead of her next release in her series. She gives advice on how to tackle insecurity as a writer with a dream and offers powerful perspective on how to navigate the self-publishing world.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!Jade Gonzalez is a New York–based author of young adult and contemporary romance. She is best known for her debut YA novel As The Sparrow Flies and her coming-of-age romance The Unhappiest Place on Earth. With more than a decade of writing experience, Jade specializes in stories about messy hearts, growing up, and the complicated relationships that shape us.When she’s not buried in a manuscript, she’s usually spending time with her husband and two cats, listening to Taylor Swift on vinyl, or daydreaming her way into the next story.SHOW NOTESJade's InstagramJade's TikTokJade's Website

Hannah and Jess discuss the pros and cons along with the ethics of generative AI in the writing industry, as well as guidelines for ethical use for those interested.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESAuthor's Guild Ethical AI Use GuidelinesChatGPT May Be Eroding Critical Thinking Skills, According to a New MIT Study | TIMEHow Creativity Survives in an AI Monoculture

In their first interview with a literary agent, Jess and Hannah discuss all things querying, publishing, and more. They talk about the agent/author relationship, how the business of writing a book can be the majority of an author's work, and Jessica even answers some rapid fire literary agent questions!Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!Jessica Berg is the founder of Rosecliff Literary. As a literary agent, she’s help guide authors through every stage of the publishing journey. With an MFA, a roster of successful clients, and a role as a contributing editor at Writer’s Digest, she is known for her clear, approachable style. She speaks regularly at major conferences, teaching querying, comp titles, and the business of authorship with an emphasis on building sustainable, long-term careers. Her client list ZS Diamanti, Lisa Roe, Trisha Blanchett, Christa Innis, Katia Sinchenko, Vincent Zandri, Arizona Bell, and others.SHOW NOTESRosecliff LiteraryJessica's Instagram

Hannah and Jess visited the 30th Texas Book Festival and share live insights from their time there!Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!

Emily Soderberg has always loved reading and writing mysteries. She was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, only moving away for college. She graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied Religious Studies and German, subjects that have come in handy exactly twice in her professional career. She's lived in St. Louis ever since, because moving seems like a huge hassle. These days, she spends her free time up in the air as a trapeze and aerial hoop coach. She might be tempted to run off and join the circus, but her cats prefer a more settled lifestyle.SHOW NOTESHow to Talk to Your Dog About Murder by Emily SoderbergEmily's WebsiteEmily's Instagram

Tropes have received a bad rep, but The Fiction Lounge is here to set the record straight! Jess and Hannah discuss what a trope is, how it is used, how it can benefit your work, and how you should embrace tropes in your work without compromising its literary value.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESTropes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly | Jane FriedmanHow to Use Tropes in Fiction | Writers.comBook Tropes | KindlepreneurTips for Using Genre Tropes to Generate New Work | Writer's Digest

Jess and Hannah process how to make a book pitch you can be proud of, while discussing all the aspects that need to go into making sure that pitch is solid.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESTFL Episode on Loglines and Elevator PitchesThe Basic Pitch Formula for Novelists | Jane FriedmanThe Ultimate Guide to Pitch Writing | Jami Gold

After a thoughtful question from the earlier Q&A episode, Jess and Hannah tackle the new industry of hybrid publishing: exploring the pros and cons, the expectations, and the standards that have been set for those interested in pursuing this hybrid path to publication.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESEverything You've Always Wanted to Know About Hybrid Publishing | Jane FriedmanPros and Cons of Hybrid Publishing | Urban WritersIBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria

Hannah and Jess answer questions about editing, revising, genre, and hybrid publishing, the last of which is a new adventure our co-hosts will revisit in full in an upcoming episode!Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESJess's Editing Services

Hannah and Jess tackle the trickier side of punctuation, explaining the differences between certain similar punctuation marks, as well as breaking down the different rules of dialogue tags.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESPunctuation "Cheat Sheet"Jess's Editing Services

Hannah and Jess talk to prolific writer Vicki Delany on her writing inspiration, her process, and she gives advice to writers seeking the opportunity to write books full-time.Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than fifty books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. She is currently writing the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series, the Year-Round Christmas mysteries, the Tea by the Sea books, and the Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates). She is a past chair of the Crime Writers of Canada and co-founder and organizer of the Women Killing It Crime Writing Festival. She is the recipient of the 2019 Derrick Murdoch Award for contributions to Canadian crime writing, and will be the Cozy Guest of Honor at Bouchercon in Calgary in 2026.  Her work has been nominated for the Derringer, the Bony Blithe, the Ontario Library Association Golden Oak, and the CWC Awards of Excellence. Vicki lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario. Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESVicki's websiteO Deadly Night by Vicki Delany

Hannah and Jess share over coffee the highs and lows of their novel writing process thus far, along with things they're learning as well as struggles.

Hannah and Jess talk about the different points of view in literature, ways you can determine your own POV for your work, and give examples of books in each POV as well as recommendations on how to study it.NOTE: You might notice at times, it seems like Hannah and Jess are talking over each other significantly. This was a software glitch from the day of recording, and most of it has been edited out.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESMasterclass on POVWhitney Hemsath on POV

Author Carmela Dutra returns to share with the podcast how her journey to publication day has gone, and gives some wisdom to those of us pursuing publication as well!Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESA Murder Most FowlCarmela's website

Hannah and Jess break down the different types of writing communities available both in person and online, and give tips on how to find the writing group or groups that will best support your journey.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!

Hannah and Jess share their favorite reads of the summer semester. Hannah shares an upcoming release she read early, the pair share their most anticipated fall reads, and surprisingly enough, Jess's favorite of all her summer semester reads is....non-fiction?Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!

Hannah and Jess share their tips on how to make your writing process more productive, but not the typical kind of productivity. They discuss the kind of productivity that isn't measured but brings life to every writing session.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!

Stacy Frazer is a formerly repressed creative soul turned fiction writer, Author Accelerator-certified fiction book coach, and host of The Write It Scared Podcast. She helps writers work through self-doubt, shape stronger stories, and actually finish the novels they’ve been dreaming about without losing their voice (or their sanity) in the process. When she’s not writing, reading, or cheering on writers, you can find her crafting with her daughter, hanging out with goats, or on the trail with her goofy love-pups.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESStacy's WorkbookStacy's WebsiteStacy's InstagramEmail Stacy

Jess and Hannah talk about their writing styles–from outlining to drafting and rewriting, and more!Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!

Hannah and Jess discuss the unique challenges facing writers today, such as generative AI, oversaturation of the market, and more. Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!

Hannah and Jess answer author questions!Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!

Curiosity, tension, and suspense: which is which and how to use each one? Hannah and Jess break down the differences, discus the importance of each, and provide practical steps to help you build tension in your own story!Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESJane Friedman Blog: The Importance of Curiosity and Tension in StorytellingWrite it Scared: How to Write Suspense and Tension in Your NovelWhy Curiosity is the Mainspring of Successful Fiction

Hannah and Jess talk about the areas in which you will need resilience during your writing journey, as well as encouraging words for you and practical tips for how to build resilience. Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESA Writer's Guide to Resistance by Alice FowlerHannah Kaner on Writing Resistance

In this episode, Hannah and Jess interview author Jasmine Carolina. As a practiced self-published author, she brings her self publishing perspective with lots of helpful advice for writers just starting out or writers who are returning to the work after a long break.Jasmine De La Cruz, an Angeleno born and raised, is a wife and dog mom to two hellions, Maiya and Chloe. She has written as Jasmine Carolina since 2014, and has published five Young Adult and New Adult Contemporary novels to date: Losing Me, Never Let Me Go, Almost Everything, Unbroken, and Take It All. Jasmine tends to always throw a bit of real life into her books, whether it’s her own, or current events. After a seven year grief-fueled hiatus, she is now back and more dedicated to her craft than ever.Her most recent novel, When It's Over, released July 2024.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESJasmine Carolina (Linktree)When It's Over by Jasmine Carolina

Hannah and Jess discuss the power of identifying the wounds our characters carry and how it impacts the way we write them. Hannah gives a homework challenge at the end of the episode, so make sure to have your pen and paper ready.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESWrite From The Wound, Edit From The Scar (Heather Demetrios)

Jess and Hannah discuss how to be intentional about the editorial choices you make when working on your novel. No matter what genre you're working in, intentionality is important to the craft. Hannah and Jess explain intentionality, give literary examples, provide practical tips for being intentional as a writer, and more!Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!

Genres can often be confusing when you're trying to find a way to apply the concept to your book. How do you know which genre is the best fit? What about when it feels like genres are blending together? Why is genre important, and how does it impact my bottom line as an author? Hannah and Jess answer these questions and more!Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESInfographic on Literary, Upmarket, and Commercial Fiction (Carly Watters) A Short Guide to Genres (Nancy Christie)Word Counts by Genre (the Novelry)

Join Hannah and Jess as they interview Nicole Meier and Gretchen Schaffer of Book Works about all things author platform! How do you start one? When do you start one?  What do you post? Do you need a social media following to be successful? Gretchen and Nicole answer these questions and more!Nicole Meier and Gretchen Schaffer are the duo behind Book Works, dedicated to empowering authors through expert book coaching and branding strategies. Part book coaches, part branding experts, they help fiction writers develop strong author platforms and pitch strategies to stand out in the writing world.Nicole Meier is a certified book coach and author of four upmarket novels, including The House of Bradbury, The Girl Made of Clay, The Second Chance Supper Club, and City of Books. Her books have been recognized by Booklist, Refinery29, BookBub, and Popsugar. She also hosts the Steps to Story podcast for emerging novelists.Gretchen Schaffer is a seasoned marketing and PR strategist with experience at industry-leading companies like Adobe, Microsoft, Meta, and Sony. She has crafted innovative campaigns that elevate visibility and brand presence. Now, she channels her expertise into the literary world, helping authors position themselves for success, build their audience, and create compelling pitches that capture attention. Her passion lies in elevating new voices and ensuring writers step confidently into the publishing landscape.Together, Nicole and Gretchen provide the strategic guidance, industry insight, and encouragement fiction writers need to build their platforms, connect with readers, and confidently pitch their work.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESBook Works WebsiteTFL Exclusive DiscountBook Works Writing Retreat Information

Jess and Hannah discuss their top four books of the first quarter of the year, each bringing an honorary mention as well! We want to make a note to apologize for Jess's audio quality, as she was recording this during a thunderstorm and sounds like she's a First Time Caller into a radio show. (Pun fully intended.)Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESHannah's Book Picks:Onyx Storm by Rebecca YarrosFunny Story by Emily HenryThe Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christine LefteriOne Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El AkkadFirst Time Caller by B.K. BorisonJess's Book Picks:Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo CampbellThe Nickel Boys by Colson WhiteheadLong Division by Kiese LaymonSong of Solomon by Toni MorrisonLand of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang

Hannah and Jess discuss the details of what goes into choosing comp titles for your book, what agents are looking for versus publishers, and a few tips on how to find titles to get you started.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESPenguin Random House on Comp TitlesBlue Pencil Agency on Comp TitlesWriting Mastery: Tips for Comp Titles

In this episode, Hannah and Jess interview author Carmela Dutra, an author releasing a traditionally published novel this fall. She gives insight into the querying process and how she knew her agent was the one, and warns against common mistakes in querying.Hailing from the Bay Area of California, Carmela Dutra cherishes her family, rainy days, and making others laugh.After years of working on her award-winning indie children’s picture books, she transitioned into crafting cozy mysteries filled with emotion, humor and heart.When she's not penning her latest tale, Carmela enjoys sketching, sipping copious amounts of coffee, and over-cuddling her allergy-inducing cats and dog. She shares her life with her best friend and husband, raising two dinosaur-obsessed sons. A lover of alternative rock, Carmela often writes to its rhythm and finds comfort in rewatching The Big Bang Theory and M*A*S*H.Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!SHOW NOTESA Murder Most Fowl Pre-OrderCarmela Dutra's Querying Blog SeriesCarmela Dutra's NewsletterCarmela's Instagram