The Story Blender

Епизоде

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  Season 10 - Episode 38: Mark Gottlieb 17.09.2026 49мин

  This week, I'm thrilled to speak with literary agent Mark Gottlieb. He has represented many award-winning and bestselling authors and offers a look under the hood of the publishing industry, sharing what literary agents are looking for, what turns them off, and why it's important to have a strong query letter. We also discuss whether or not you should follow publishing trends, verbal breakdancing, and what we can learn from Shakespeare. If you're wondering what goes on inside the publishing industry from the perspective of a literary agent, give it a listen.
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  Season 10 - Episode 37: Rachel Howzell Hall 10.09.2026 47мин

  Acclaimed and bestselling mystery writer Rachel Howzell Hall joins me to talk about how to craft a great mystery, the importance of receptivity rather than rigidity when writing, why main characters should be both vulnerable and admirable (without being perfect), and her latest book, MIST AND MALICE.
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  Season 10 - Episode 36: Anderson Boyd 03.09.2026 44мин

  Veteran screenwriter and author Anderson Boyd joins me to talk about his advice for writing a novel, what he learned from screenwriting that transferred into writing fiction, some of his favorite authors, and specific thoughts on shaping and telling the stories you have within you. We also chat about his novel THE LEASE OF NATURE. Check it out!
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  Season 10 - Episode 35: Josh Goforth 27.08.2026 42мин

  Josh Goforth
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  Season 10 - Episode 34: Liv Constantine 20.08.2026 37мин

  Bestselling author Liv Constantine comes on the show to share thoughts about writing domestic suspense, the keys to characterization, and how to (and why to) keep your stories believable. We also talk about our newest thriller PROMISE ME NEVER. Check it out!
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  Season 10 - Episode 33: J.T. Ellison 13.08.2026 47мин

  This week, New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison joins me to talk about ghost cats, why she’s a gardener rather than an architect as a writer, the differences (and surprising similarities) between mystery and suspense, serendipity, believability, and more. We also discuss her latest novel, YOU KNOW WHY.
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  Season 10 - Episode 32: Eriq La Salle 06.08.2026 48мин

  In this week’s conversation with actor, director, and producer Eriq La Salle, you'll learn why your characters are only as fascinating as the problems they face, why it’s more important to be interested in your story than to be interesting, why you should never judge your characters, and why you should always do your research. We also discuss the challenge of creating a hero who’s just as compelling as your villains and why stakes and complexity are two of the most important elements of characterization. Check out the episode, and be sure to pick up his latest literary thriller, LAWS OF SOLOMON.
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  Season 10 - Episode 31: Alex Finlay 30.07.2026 39мин

  International bestselling author Alex Finlay joins me to talk about trusting your readers, letting them fill in the gaps, how much planning to do (or not do) before writing your book, and how to handle clichés in a way that lets you get away with using them.We also discuss his latest thriller, THE ANNIVERSARY.
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  Season 10 - Episode 30: J. D. Barker 23.07.2026 39мин

  With books sold in 150 countries, author J.D. Barker has become a name synonymous with suspense. He joins me to talk about his writing process, the economy of language, how to start scenes (and how not to), and why the emotional impact of stories matters so much. We also talk about Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula, how he actually believed in vampires, the missing 102 pages, and J.D.’s latest thriller, THE FIRST SCARLET DOOR.
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  Season 10 - Episode 29: Douglas & Aletheia Preston 16.07.2026 39мин

  This week on The Story Blender, international bestselling author Douglas Preston and his coauthor (and daughter), Aletheia Preston, join me to discuss their latest novel, PARADOX.We explore what makes characters truly resonate, why believability matters—even when you're writing stories with extraordinary or unbelievable elements—and how to keep readers invested from beginning to end. We also dive into the rights of Neanderthals, moral choices, and the importance of finding the danger in every story.Give it a listen!
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  Season 10 - Episode 28: Carla Hoch 09.07.2026 47мин

  Martial arts expert and author Carla Hoch joins me to talk about writing fight scenes that actually work. How do you write a knife fight scene? What do you need to remember? What would (or should) your character do? Is it better to fight on the ground or standing up? Does adrenaline cloud or sharpen your vision? We also chat about situational awareness and using unique objects of opportunity. Fighting is physics and Carla teaches us how to use it in our books. 
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  Season 10 - Episode 27: Zena Dell Lowe 02.07.2026 1ч 4мин

  This week on The Story Blender, I’m joined by screenwriter and storytelling consultant Zena Dell Lowe for a provocative conversation about writing redemptive stories that aren’t agenda-driven, why consequences matter and how they reveal character, the importance of a story’s moral fabric, the difference between moral ambiguity and moral complexity, and the secrets to writing heroic characters. We also question the classic advice, “Show, don’t tell,” and explore its impact on the stories we tell. If you’re interested in what really makes a story tick, check it out.
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  Season 10 - Episode 26: Mark Phillips 25.06.2026 44мин

  In a special Father’s Day episode, author and essayist Mark Phillips joins me to talk about telling personal stories, writing memoirs, and how much truth lives in the “true” stories we tell. We also chat about his book MY FATHER’S CABIN, which explores the complexities of a father-son relationship and the forgiveness that sometimes needs to go both ways. Check it out!
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  Season 10 - Episode 25: Gregory Poirier 18.06.2026 45мин

  This week, screenwriter and novelist Gregory Poirier joins me to discuss how to create characters that readers and viewers are immediately drawn to, identify with, and care about. We explore the differences between writing a novel and writing a screenplay, how important structure is (or isn't), and why the economy of language matters. (We also examine why tigers tracking you through the jungle might work better in a novel than in a movie.) Check it out!
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  Season 10 - Episode 24: T.J. Payne 11.06.2026 53мин

  This week, horror author T.J. Payne joins me to discuss what makes us frightened, the role of horror in art, and the moral fabric of scary stories—and what (if anything) they have in common with romance stories. We explore why they appeal to us, the importance of facing our fears, and how scary stories can bring people together. We also discuss his latest chilling novel, INTERCEPTS.
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  Season 10 - Episode 23: Bethany Jett 04.06.2026 46мин

  Author and literary agent Bethany Jett joins me for a lively discussion about what agents look for and what turns them off. She explains how to approach an agent, the different ways to pitch a novel and a nonfiction book, and secrets to getting discovered. Listen in for a rare glimpse into an agent’s mindset and perspective on publishing.
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  Season 10 - Episode 22: Carol Snow 28.05.2026 56мин

  Author Carol Snow joins me to chat about her process of writing, how to write in different genres, how much you should try to be cool when you write for teens, and how much planning is helpful before you start to write a book. We also talk about her latest thriller THE GIRL ON THE BEACH and the best and worst writing advice we’ve ever been given. Check it out!
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  Season 10 - Episode 21: Tori Eldridge 21.05.2026 51мин

  Author Tori Eldridge hops on this week to chat about her latest book HAWAI’I RAGE. We talk about writing ninja fight scenes, making pizzas on volcanos, the origin of Hawaiian ranchers, the importance of musicality in stories, and how to create authentic characters in your writing.
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  Season 10 - Episode 20: Donald Maass 14.05.2026 46мин

  On this episode of The Story Blender Podcast, I sit down with legendary literary agent Donald Maass during my time at ThrillerFest in New York City. With more than 40 years in the publishing industry, Donald shares invaluable insights on storytelling, publishing, and what truly makes fiction resonate with readers. We discuss writing immersive point of view, creating emotional connections that stay with readers long after the final page, the changing landscape of publishing, and practical wisdom for storytellers at every level. Whether you’re pursuing traditional publishing or simply striving to tell better stories, this conversation is packed with inspiration and hard-earned advice from one of the industry’s most respected voices.
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  Season 10 - Episode 19: Josh Mancuso 07.05.2026 48мин

  This week, viral comedy sensation Josh Mancuso joins me to talk about football mascots, why you shouldn’t make ambition an idol, what makes something funny, insider secrets on emceeing, and two comedians you haven’t heard of that you need to check out.