The Novelry on Writing
The Novelry on Writing is a podcast from The Novelry, an online writing school, that explores the craft of writing novels. Each episode features discussions with bestselling writing coaches and experts who share practical advice and inside tips for fiction writers. Topics cover various genres, storytelling techniques, and how to make the writing process more enjoyable. The show aims to help writers improve their skills and build confidence in their creative work.
Episodes
From First Draft to Book Deal: Debut Author Anna Brook-Mitchell and Agent Jemima Forrester on What It Takes to Get Published
Anna Brook-Mitchell had just been made redundant when she decided to write her first novel. Three years later, she had six agent offers and a publishing deal with Pan Macmillan for her debut novel, Motherfaker.In this episode of The Novelry on Writing, Anna and her literary agent Jemima Forrester (David Higham Associates) sit down with The Novelry editor, Josie Humber, to walk through the entire j
How I Got Published – Writing My First Novel with The Novelry
Do you dream of publishing a book?Join editor Josie Humber and author Brisa Carleton for this very special bonus episode of The Novelry on Writing. Find out how Brisa turned an idea into her debut novel, Last Call at the Savoy (publishing November 4, 2025), through The Novelry’s world-class writing courses.Discover how expert guidance with author coaches, editorial mentorship, and a supportive wri
The 5 Ps: Prose: Writing Good Prose in Fiction
Writing prose in fiction is all about using your unique voice. In this final bonus episode of The Novelry on Writing, authors Tara Conklin and Urban Waite dive into:✍️ How to avoid overwriting✍️ Tips for writing dialogue✍️ Writing prompts to get you startedHow are you telling your story? Submit your work to The Next Big Story prize, where you could win $100,000 for the best first three pages of a
The 5 Ps: Plot - Writing Plot Structure
While you can’t get the whole plot of a novel in the first three pages, those initial pages need to set up a foundation for writing plot structure. The plot is the journey your main character goes on to overcome challenges and change as a person by the end of the story. In this bonus episode of The Novelry on Writing, editor Tash Barsby and author Heather Webb dive into:✍️ What is plot, and how do
The 5 Ps: Place - How to Write the Setting of a Story
Setting or Place in a story is a crucial component of a novel. In this bonus episode of The Novelry on Writing, author Gina Sorell and editor Sorcha Rose dive into:✍️ What is place or setting, and why it’s important to a story✍️ How to write setting in a novel✍️ How setting can act as an antagonistWhere does your story take place? Submit your work to The Next Big Story prize, where you could win $
The 5 Ps: Problem - Writing Conflict in a Story
Writing conflict in a story is crucial to hook your reader in the first three pages of a novel. If you’re submitting an entry for The Next Big Story prize, you must jump into the problem quickly and get the reader invested in the journey of your main character ASAP. Tune in to this bonus episode of The Novelry on Writing podcast to celebrate The Next Big Story prize, where you could win $100,000 f
The 5 Ps: Person – Writing Characters Who Come to Life
Need some tips on writing characters? Join us for this bonus episode of The Novelry on Writing podcast to celebrate The Next Big Story prize, where you could win $100k for the best first 3 pages of a novel. T&Cs apply—see website for details.Authors Andrea Stewart and David Solomons discuss crafting an unforgettable PERSON in your novel’s opening pages.In this episode, we dive deep into:✍️ Dev
How to Add Drama and Raise the Stakes in Your Story
Want to learn how to raise the stakes in a story? Are you eager to keep your readers on the edge of their seats? If you’ve ever worried that your story is too quiet, The Novelry editor Josie Humber and coach Kate Riordan break down five powerful techniques to raise the stakes and make your story impossible to put down! In this episode, you’ll learn:How to make it impossible for your character to a
How the Setting Can Put Pressure On Your Hero
In this episode of The Novelry on Writing, authors and writing coaches Andrea Stewart and Lesley Kara dive deep into the art of crafting unforgettable story settings! Whether you’re writing a novel, short story, or screenplay, the setting is more than just a backdrop—it’s a dynamic tool to elevate your storytelling. In this episode, you’ll discover: How placing your character in an unfamiliar loca
How to Avoid the Ick When Writing YA Books
Are you writing YA fiction? The target audience for Young Adult literature ranges from tweens to elders but, ultimately, teen readers are at the heart of this genre. Learning how to appeal to young people as readers is critical if you want to be a successful YA novelist. In this riveting episode of The Novelry on Writing, YA fiction coaches Alice Kuipers and Ella McLeod provide five tips to ensure
How to Use Screenwriting Secrets in Your Novel
Many writers have dreamed of converting their novels into screenplays, but what if you want to do the opposite? Do you have a great idea for a screenplay that would be better as a long-form book? Join experienced screenwriters and The Novelry writing coaches Amanda Reynolds and David Solomons for this engrossing episode and learn five mind-blowing tricks that writing for the screen can teach novel
How to Create Juicy Conflict in Your Story
What is conflict in a story? It’s the challenges your characters face in your book. Conflict is a critical element in any good novel because it drives plot and builds character. In this episode, The Novelry writing coaches and authors Emylia Hall and Urban Waite share five ways to create juicy conflict in your stories.Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:33 - Tip #1: Conflict is Essential05:25 - Tip #2:
How to Create Sexual Tension Between Characters
While sexual tension is most commonly desired in romance novels, chemistry between characters is an essential ingredient in any good story. Whether you’re writing an enemies-to-lovers romantasy or a thriller with a romantic subplot, adding yearning and anticipation can create steamy scenes that will make your reader swoon. Writing sex scenes can fall flat without the heart-aching build-up to the a
How to Create a Title for Your Book
How you name your book is your story’s most important marketing tool, so you must choose your novel title wisely. In this podcast episode of The Novelry on Writing, coaches Gina Sorell and Tara Conklin share the keys to crafting a unique, memorable, and insightful title to hook your readers before they even crack open the spine!Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:55 - Tip #1: Audience03:04 - Tip #2: Wh
How to Use Your Shadow Side in Your Writing
Have you ever wanted a safe way to seek revenge? In this captivating episode of The Novelry on Writing, join our writing coaches and bestselling authors Kate Riordan and Anissa Gray as they delve into the dark side of writing and how you can use your shadow side to fuel your fictional stories. They discuss embracing your dark side, stressing out your characters, and provide examples from novels yo
How to Unlock Suspense in Your Story
What is your reader reading to find out? No matter your genre, readers love a bit of mystery and tension on the page. Unlock your suspenseful story with five key insights from The Novelry author and writing coach Amanda Reynolds and editor Sorcha Rose. Learn how to pull in the reader, keep up the pace, create engaging characters, and leave your readers with a satisfying end.
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Chapters
00:00 - Int
How to Push Past the 30k Word Slump
Every writer gets stuck while drafting a novel. Don’t panic! It’s part of the creative process. In this podcast, authors and The Novelry writing coaches Gina Sorell and Colleen Oakley present five simple and reliable techniques to push past a writing slump and crush your word count.
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Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
02:33 - Tip #1: Don’t panic
05:48 - Tip #2: Get moving
09:55 - Tip #3: Use music
How to Turn Up the Heat in Romantasy
Romantasy is a genre that has taken the publishing world by storm with titles like Fourth Wing and ACOTAR flying off bookstore shelves. Whether you’re writing romantasy or just a fan of magic and make-outs, authors and The Novelry writing coaches Bea Fitzgerald and Ella McLeod are here to unpack the keys to turning up the heat in your story. In this extra spicy episode of The Novelry on Writing, l
How to Make Dialogue Come to Life
Stale dialogue can cause a reader to set a book aside in just a few lines. Learn how to craft dialogue that captivates readers with The Novelry writing coach and New York Times bestselling author, Tara Conklin, and The Novelry senior editor Nic Caws. Explore how your dialogue can be realistic without imitating exactly how people speak, how to convey emotions through showing and not telling, and ti
How to Elevate Your World-Building
World-building can be a challenge for writers of all experience levels and genres. Join authors and The Novelry writing coaches Piers Torday and Tasha Suri for writing tips to take the world-building in your story to new dimensions. Discover how to develop worlds using your main character and learn how grounding your story in history can give your world heft and weight. Ultimately, it is worthwhil
How to Write a Page-Turning Story
Have you ever delayed going to bed because you had to stay up to read one more chapter of a book? And then another chapter? Join authors and The Novelry writing coaches Melanie Conklin and Heather Webb for five simple and practical tips to create page-turning stories that will keep your readers up at night. They dive into character yearning, raising the stakes, and giving your characters secrets t
How to Overcome Self-Sabotage in Writing
In this inaugural episode of The Novelry on Writing, writing coaches Alice Kuipers and Mahsuda Snaith describe the different types of self-sabotage that can plague writers and how to overcome these obstacles to find joy in your writing. Be kind to yourself, write a messy first draft, and enjoy the writing journey. It’s not supposed to be easy, but it is supposed to be fun! For a deeper dive into t
