Episodes

  • [ISBW] Research or Procrastination?

    [ISBW] Research or Procrastination?
    Dec 26 2025

    "You tell them enough information to show that you know 10% of what you're talking about, and your reader will assume you know the other 90%."

    In this episode, Mur discusses the seemingly innocuous action of research, and how it can become a trap that distracts from actual writing.

    Advent calendar info and AI complaints are free additions!

    Links

    • Kim Stanley Robinson

    • Cory Doctorow

    • The Sociopath Next Door

    • Master of Malt Advent Calendars

    Evergreen Links

    • See all books from Season 21

    • Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing.

    • Socials: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate

    • Theme by John Anealio

    • Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

    • OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

    —
    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review, please!

    CREDITS
    Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

    December 4, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 24 | murverse.com
    "Research or Procrastination?" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

    In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
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    35 mins
  • [ISBW] Gifting Books to the Reader in Your Life

    [ISBW] Gifting Books to the Reader in Your Life
    Dec 19 2025
    "It’s a definitely a giftable type thing for the Tolkien lover in your life." In this somewhat festive episode we talk about all the books we weren't able to feature over the year, to let you know about books you may not have heard of. We go by blurbs and first sentences - video also shows book covers! We talk SF, horror, mystery, and more. Mur might also rant about publicists who use AI. Check out all the books here! (affiliate) Links T. Kingfisher Kosoko Jackson R. Lee Fryer LaDarrion Williams Agatha Christie Evergreen Links See all books from Season 21 Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing. Socials: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Theme by John Anealio Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! — Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. You can also support by leaving a Spotify or Apple review, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 16, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 23 | murverse.com "2025 Gift Guide" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
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    26 mins
  • [ISBW] The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull

    [ISBW] The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull
    Nov 26 2025
    "You want to preserve your experience of the work. You want to preserve the doing of the art." ~Cadwell Turnbull Amazing author Cadwell Turnbull joins us to dives deep into the creative process and discuss his latest book, A Ruin Great and Free. We talk about his writing journey, trilogy challenges, and approaching social issues in his books. (This post went live for supporters on November 24, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!) Download Transcript Links Cadwell Turnbull and on YouTubeEmily St. John MandelOctavia ButlerNorth Carolina State University's MFA program Evergreen Links See all books from Season 21Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing.Socials: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, FocusmateTheme by John AnealioSavor I Should Be Writing tea blendsSupport local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! — "The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 24, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 22 | murverse.com "The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
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    31 mins
  • [ISBW] NaNoWriMo Ghosts with Valerie Valdes

    [ISBW] NaNoWriMo Ghosts with Valerie Valdes
    Nov 6 2025
    "Anytime someone starts a sentence with, 'why don't you just,' immediately stop listening to them." ~Valerie Valdes (Lia Amador) While it hasn't been a long time for podcast listeners, it's been a while for us and considering her expertise, I've invited Valerie Valdes back for a candid discussion about the recent demise of NaNoWriMo and what it means for writers. We delve into the challenges of maintaining community and motivation without the established infrastructure of the once-beloved event. Valerie shares her insights as a former municipal liaison and offers alternatives for writers looking to stay engaged during November. We cover Nano 2.0, Shut Up and Write, and 4 The Words. Community is one of the most important parts of this month, and we make sure people know that they're still not alone! (This post went live for supporters on November 4, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!) Download Transcript Links Valerie Valdes / Lia AmadorEscape PodNaNoWriMo 2.0Shut Up and Write4thewordsDreamfoundryWorld AnvilGame of TomesKate Cavanaugh's Livestream Evergreen Links See all books from Season 21Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing.Socials: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, FocusmateTheme by John AnealioSavor I Should Be Writing tea blendsSupport local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! — "NaNoWriMo's Ghosts and New Beginnings" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 6, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 21 | murverse.com "NaNoWriMo's Ghosts and New Beginnings" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
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    33 mins
  • NaNoWriMo Rerun Day 0 (2023)

    NaNoWriMo Rerun Day 0 (2023)
    Nov 5 2025

    I'm going over some daily episodes from the past this month! Get the whole 2025 NaNoReRun over at Patreon free for all followers!

    Do not listen to Evil Mur. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA, all other rights reserved by Mur Lafferty
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    11 mins
  • [ISBW] Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes

    [ISBW] Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes
    Oct 24 2025
    "You should be writing, because that's the only thing that ultimately you can have even a hope of controlling." ~Valerie Valdes Welcome back to the talented Valerie Valdes, also known as Lia Amador! We are here to launch her newest book, a fantasy rom-com titled Witch You Wood. We talk magical reality shows, romance, and tropes. We also get real about the struggles that persist even after being published. Valerie discusses her experiences with self-doubt and how she manages to push through these challenges. We also explore the nuances of writing romance, the balance between subtlety and straightforwardness, and the significance of knowing your audience. (This post went live for supporters on October 20, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!) Download Transcript Links Valerie Valdes / Lia AmadorEscape Pod International Latino Book AwardAli HazelwoodMary BaloghIndia HoltonJackie LauArchive of Our OwnBaldur's Gate 3Hades 2Behooved Evergreen Links See all books from Season 21Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing.Socials: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, FocusmateTheme by John AnealioSavor I Should Be Writing tea blendsSupport local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! — "Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. October 23, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 19 | murverse.com "Exploring Romance and Reality in Writing with Valerie Valdes" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
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    29 mins
  • [ISBW] Embracing the Imposter: Battling Doubts in Writing and Life

    [ISBW] Embracing the Imposter: Battling Doubts in Writing and Life
    Oct 24 2025
    "If you’re writing your stories down, you’re more than a writer than a lot of people ever will have the courage to try to be."

    It's a solo episode! I get into the complexities of writing and self-doubt, the struggles of completing a manuscript, the challenges of balancing creativity with personal life, and the ever-present specter of The Imposter Cop.

    We try to accept the importance of focusing on one task at a time, despite everything.

    Also we talk about K Pop Demon Hunters, exploring its themes and storytelling techniques.

    (This post went live for supporters on October 22, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

    Download Transcript

    Links

    • The Princess Knight by Cait Jacobs
    • K Pop Demon Hunters
    • NaNo2.0

    Evergreen Links

    • See all books from Season 21
    • Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing.
    • Socials: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate
    • Theme by John Anealio
    • Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
    • Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
    • OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

    —
    "The Bully that Knocks: The Imposter Cop" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon!

    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

    CREDITS
    Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

    October 27, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 20 | murverse.com
    "The Bully that Knocks: The Imposter Cop" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

    In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • [ISBW] Nostalgia and Climate Fic with Tim Chawaga

    [ISBW] Nostalgia and Climate Fic with Tim Chawaga
    Oct 20 2025
    [Worldcon] was my first convention where I went to panels, gave a reading, and had a big party. It made my sweet little book feel like the huge thing it is in my heart and mind. -Tim Chawaga S21 Ep18 In this episode, we welcome Tim Chawaga, author of Salvagia, as we dive into the depths of his near-future science fiction mystery set in a flooded Florida. Tim shares the inspiration behind his book, where a freelance Salvagia diver uncovers a dead body while searching for valuable artifacts from the past. We explore the blending of genres in Salvagia, from climate fiction to humor, and discuss the delicate balance between plot and world-building in writing. Tim reflects on his debut at Worldcon, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and the importance of building connections within the writing community. (This post went live for supporters on October 16, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or get my newsletter at Ghost!) Download Transcript Links Tim ChawagaSalvagiaSeattle Worldcon Evergreen Links See all books from Season 21Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing.Socials: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, FocusmateTheme by John AnealioSavor I Should Be Writing tea blendsSupport local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! — "From Idea to Ink: Tim Chawaga on Crafting Salvagia" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. October 16, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 18 | murverse.com "From Idea to Ink: Tim Chawaga on Crafting Salvagia" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins