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PODCAST

Writing Break

America"s Editor

Whether you’re polishing your first draft or chasing down a book deal, the award-winning Writing Break will keep you informed, inspired, and ready to write. For access to all episodes, join the library here: https://writingbreak.captivate.fm/support

arts books

All Episodes

16:01

Audience Ownership: Why Authors Can’t Rely on...

Writing Break ·

2026/02/26

In this business-focused episode, America’s Editor breaks down the major industry shifts that are changing how books are discovered, distributed, and monetized. You’ll learn what recent developments mean for working authors.🛋️Overthinking Couch Topics:How today's authors keep their audienceChanges in book-selling platform accessDiscoverability vs VisibilityThe future of author rightsAI training and creator compensationThe shift toward digital-first library acquisitionApple automatically downloads

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17:21

Paranormal Fiction: Why the Supernatural Is...

Writing Break ·

2026/02/19

In this episode of Writing Break, we take a deep dive into paranormal fiction's lasting appeal and why stories about ghosts, vampires, and other supernatural beings continue to dominate bestseller lists.🛋️Overthinking Couch Topics:What defines paranormal fiction and why it’s thrivingHow ghosts, vampires, and other creatures function as modern archetypesUsing the supernatural as metaphor for cultural anxieties and emotional conflictThe rise of cross-genre paranormal (romance, mystery, thriller, and

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31:27

Magic & Mayhem in Your Manuscript (Clip Show #)

Writing Break ·

2026/02/12

Over the past couple of months, we’ve covered dystopia, utopia, action, adventure, magical realism, children’s literature, satire, and a whole lot of fantasy. This clip show puts some of those writing tip segments together for you as a literary aperitif before we begin Season 9, where we'll be talking about blending all of these flavors together to create your signature genre. I'm very much looking forward to that.🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:More Writing TipsMusic licensed from Storyblocks.

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10:29

Writing Satire & Humor: The Sharp Edge of Comedy

Writing Break ·

2026/02/05

In this episode of Writing Break, we explore how to use comedy as a storytelling tool without sacrificing character, plot, or emotional weight.We’ll look at different types of humor on the page, what satire is meant to critique, and why timing, voice, and intention matter more than punchlines. We’ll also cover the most common mistakes writers make when trying to be funny and how to avoid turning clever jokes into narrative dead ends.🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:The difference between humor and

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21:36

Writing Dystopia & Utopia: Pushing the Real World to...

Writing Break ·

2026/01/29

In this episode of The Writing Break, we explore dystopian and utopian fiction and discuss the latest publishing news. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:Dystopian vs. utopian fictionSociety as the main characterCommon pitfalls when writing dystopia & utopia fictionAmazon’s “Ask This Book” Kindle feature and why the Authors Guild is concernedThe proposed Anthropic AI settlement and what opting in or out means for authorsA major U.S. appeals court ruling expanding copyright termination rights

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07:58

Writing Action & Adventure: Stories in Motion

Writing Break ·

2026/01/22

In this episode of Writing Break, we explore the Action and Adventure genre, which is all about forward motion. If you’re writing adventure novels, action scenes, or fast-paced fiction, this episode breaks down the craft behind the thrill.🛋️Overthinking Couch Topics:How to write a compelling adventureHow pacing, escalation, setting, and hero resilience work togetherHow to avoid action that feels repetitive or hollowMusic licensed from Storyblocks.

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18:43

Writing Children’s Literature: Picture Books to...

Writing Break ·

2026/01/15

The episode opens with a look at current publishing news affecting authors, including reading behavior shifts and trends. Then we look at the three major stages of children’s literature and why understanding developmental stages matters. Perfect for writers curious about children’s books, writers who think they already understand the category, and anyone interested in how readers develop.🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:The latest book trendsWhy writing for kids is so hardPicture books and story

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17:12

Magical Realism: Extraordinary in the Everyday

Writing Break ·

2026/01/08

This week on Writing Break, we’re exploring how to weave the extraordinary into the ordinary without breaking the spell of magical realism. We're also discussing Amazon's increasing censorship of authors and artists.🛋️Overthinking Couch Topics:How it differs from fantasy and why the magic must stay unexplainedTechniques to balance realism and wonderCommon pitfalls that break the spellThe Latin American roots of magical realism and its global legacyA writing prompt to help you find the extraordinary

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04:48

Act 1 of Your Writing Year

Writing Break ·

2026/01/01

Who are you becoming as a writer? Forget making a list of New Year's resolutions; instead, write a narrative for 2026. This bonus episode includes prompts for a creative reset to prepare you for the year ahead.Free Style Sheet TemplatesFree Writing TipsMusic licensed from Storyblocks.

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08:59

Stay Stubborn: A Holiday Pep Talk for Writers

Writing Break ·

2025/12/25

This Christmas Day bonus episode explores the creative power of stubbornness and includes three reflective prompts to help you close out your year with clarity and intention.🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:Why writers need stubbornnessHow it protects your voice.How it carries books across the finish lineThe Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing BreakFree Style Sheet TemplatesFree Writing TipsMusic licensed from Storyblocks.

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12:12

Writing Fantasy, Part III: Whimsy, Chaos &...

Writing Break ·

2025/12/18

In the final part of our Fantasy Subgenre Series, we explore the soft side of the genre: Cozy Fantasy, Slice-of-Life Fantasy, Eco-Fantasy, Children’s Fantasy, YA Fantasy, Comical/Satirical Fantasy, Fairy-Tale Fantasy, and Fairy-Tale Retellings.🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:Creating stillness and gentle magicLand-based storytellingIntensity and transformation in YA FantasyWhy some readers crave gentlenessThe paradox at the heart of enchantment"Take This Longing" by Leonard CohenWriting Fantasy:

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13:11

Writing Fantasy, Part II: Dark Realms, Neon Cities &...

Writing Break ·

2025/12/11

In Part II of our Fantasy Subgenre Series, we explore the darker and more modern branches of fantasy: Dark Fantasy, Grimdark, Urban Fantasy, Contemporary/Modern Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, Romantasy, Progression Fantasy, LitRPG, and Gamelit.🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:What defines each subgenre?Why do readers love them?How does magic, character, and structure shift across newer fantasy genres?Is your magic system essential, atmospheric, metaphorical, or structural?Writing Fantasy: Building Worlds

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18:01

Writing Fantasy, Part I: Epic Worlds, High Realms &...

Writing Break ·

2025/12/04

In Part I of this three-episode Fantasy Subgenre Series, we dive into the grand-scale branches of fantasy: Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Low Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Historical Fantasy, Alternate History, Mythic Fantasy, Indigenous/Mythic-Region Fantasy, Portal Fantasy, Science Fantasy, Steampunk, and Gaslamp Fantasy.🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:What defines each subgenre?Why do readers love them?How can you use world-building, magic systems, and narrative scope to shape your own stories?Which

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14:48

Thankful for Genres (Clip Show #14)

Writing Break ·

2025/11/27

Pour yourself something spiced and settle in as we revisit writing tips from this season’s genre deep dives.🛋️ The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break7 Literary Conflicts Explained (Clip Show #11) - Writing BreakFree Style Sheet TemplatesFree Writing TipsMusic licensed from Storyblocks.

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11:00

Pick a Lane: The Key to Reaching the Right Readers

Writing Break ·

2025/11/20

If your book is “for everyone,” it’s actually for no one. In this sharp yet encouraging episode, we tackle one of the biggest hurdles for new authors: not wanting to be boxed in by genre. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:Identify your book’s genre and emotional promise.Avoid the “genre blender” mistake that confuses readers.Use genre conventions as creative and marketing tools.Communicate your book’s identity in one professional sentence.Decide when and how to blend genres.The Biggest Mistake Writers

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15:01

Memoir & Creative Nonfiction: Truth as Narrative

Writing Break ·

2025/11/13

Your life is a story, but not every moment needs to be shared. In this episode of Writing Break, we’re exploring memoir and creative nonfiction, the genres where truth becomes art. Learn how to shape your real experiences into stories that captivate readers, how to handle the tricky business of writing about other people, and how to balance honesty with craft.🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:The top 3 memoir pitfallsThe difference between memoir and creative nonfictionHow to identify the theme or

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12:09

Writing Literary Fiction: Finding Truth in Everyday Life

Writing Break ·

2025/11/06

In this episode, we’ll unravel what “literary fiction” actually means, what readers expect when they open a literary novel, and how you, as a writer, can approach it without falling into the trap of pretension. We'll also look at how to build your portfolio, no matter what genre you're writing.🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:Why every sentence mattersBalancing introspection with forward momentum in your writingThe difference and similarities between literary fiction and genre fiction Giving short

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14:53

Writing Horror: Fear, Gore, and the Monsters Within

Writing Break ·

2025/10/30

Just in time for Halloween, this episode explores the expectations and pitfalls of writing horror and how to write fear in any genre.🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:Fear in any genre The core of horrorTension as the backboneThemes and monsters Horror subgenres Global horrorPitfalls to avoid Next week, we’ll leave the monsters behind and step into Literary Fiction, the genre that insists on finding truth in everyday life.Writing Thrillers and Suspense: Raising the Stakes - Writing BreakThese 7

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12:16

Writing Gothic Fiction: Where Beauty Meets Terror

Writing Break ·

2025/10/23

Gothic fiction is where beauty meets terror. In this episode, we explore how to write Gothic stories that grip readers with atmosphere, ambiguity, and desire:🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:Setting as characterThe uncanny and the supernaturalRomance entwined with ruinGothic subgenres and global traditionsPitfalls to avoidThe Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing BreakFree Writing TipsMusic licensed from Storyblocks.

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11:19

Writing Historical Fiction: Living in Another Time

Writing Break ·

2025/10/16

Good historical fiction makes the past feel as alive as the present. In this episode, we explore how to write immersive, character-driven stories that honor history without feeling like a textbook.First, we talk about the importance of writing contests.🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:Research as foundation, story as focusCharacters as people, not historical mannequinsBalancing authenticity with modern readabilityPitfalls to avoid, from info-dumps to anachronismsBig List of Writing Contests -

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