Episodes

  • Can You Make Too Much Art? (Taylor’s Version)
    Sep 11 2025

    Soman and Victoria wonder whether an artist can overproduce, using TSwift as a case study. Also they break down the art of writing transition scenes and how to decide on what POV to use. Victoria has to clean her office and Soman wants kids to know about life before smart phones.


    Theme of the Week (03:50)

    Goals for the Week (12:01)

    Industry Nonsense (28:34)

    Reader Mailbag(47:26)

    Plot Twists in Real Life (52:58)

    Pup Twist (56:06)



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • Can You Handle The Truth About Your Work?
    Sep 4 2025

    Title: Can You Handle The Truth About Your Work? (Taylor’s Version)


    Soman and Victoria debate whether we’ve gotten too soft in how we handle feedback, both on and off the page. Also they discuss whether or not an author needs a college degree and if publishers are responsible for policing plagiarism. Soman is about to start the YOUNG WORLD preorder campaign and Victoria wants to make sure you aren’t sharing your location on Instagram.


    Show notes

    Theme of the Week (04:17)

    Goals for the Week (13:06)

    Industry Nonsense (26:17)

    Reader Mailbag (47:59)

    Plot Twists in Real Life (53:48)

    Pup Twist (57:39)


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • Can Good Writing Be Taught?
    Aug 28 2025


    Soman and Victoria discuss whether good writing is nature or nurture. Also they discuss when is the right time to reach out to agents and how to avoid cliches. Victoria has a lot of errands to run, and Soman wants publishers to bid for writers like AI companies do for researchers.


    Show notes

    Theme of the Week (02:45)

    Goals for the Week (10:28)

    Industry Nonsense (21:13)

    Reader Mailbag(41:17)

    Plot Twists in Real Life (51:31)

    Pup Twist (53:52)



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • Is Writing Actually…A Sport?
    Aug 21 2025

    Soman and Victoria discuss the tricks of staying healthy as a professional artist. Also, they discuss celebrity ghostwriting and how not to fall out of love with your work mid-stream. Soman is launching a new coaching lab for teenagers, and Victoria wants to freeze time.


    Theme of the Week (03:31)

    Goals for the Week (12:58)

    Industry Nonsense (27:21)

    Reader Mailbag(47:59)

    Plot Twists in Real Life (53:06)



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • When Does Fan Fiction Cross A Line?
    Aug 14 2025

    Soman and Victoria discuss when fan fiction crosses the line into grift. Also they answer questions about whether authors really need to be on social media and whether they like to plot out their stories or improvise as they go. Victoria has a big battle scene to rewrite, and Soman has a brand new addition to his family.


    Show notes

    Theme of the Week (04:50)

    Goals for the Week (13:13)

    Industry Nonsense (23:52)

    Reader Mailbag h(45:24)

    Plot Twists in Real Life (53:16)



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • Should Authors Want to Make Money?
    Aug 7 2025

    This week on the podcast Victoria and Soman discuss the tension between the love of making art and the need to make money. Also they discuss questions about using sensitivity readers and whether they read other authors' books while writing. Finally, Soman opens up to Victoria about a plot twist he wished he could have seen coming. (Trigger warning: Pet loss.)


    Theme Of The Week02:33

    Goals Of The Week09:07

    Industry Nonsense15:52

    Reader Mailbag34:53

    Plot Twists In Real Life43:15



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Do Authors Have Pretty Privilege?
    Jul 31 2025

    Soman and Victoria discuss whether being physically attractive helps an author get ahead. Also they talk about world building in writing and how they react to being recognized in public. Soman is trying to level-up his tennis and Victoria wants a movie about the Blue Angels.


    Show notes

    Theme of the Week (01:26)

    Goals for the Week (11:04)

    Industry Nonsense (22:02)

    Reader Mailbag(40:20)

    Plot Twists in Real Life (45:35)



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • Can You Like The Book and Hate The Author?
    Jul 24 2025

    Soman and Victoria discuss the paradox of loving the book -- and rejecting the author. Also they talk duologies vs. trilogies and the hazards of publishing under your legal name. Victoria is trying to power through her edits, and Soman thinks he should play Evita.


    Show notes

    Theme of the Week (02:46)

    Goals for the Week (12:33)

    Industry Nonsense (20:06)

    Reader Mailbag (35:05)

    Plot Twists in Real Life (43:16)


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    48 mins