Season 5 Ep 4 | Jenna Blum | Changing Genres, Creative Identity, & the Business of Writing cover art

Season 5 Ep 4 | Jenna Blum | Changing Genres, Creative Identity, & the Business of Writing

Season 5 Ep 4 | Jenna Blum | Changing Genres, Creative Identity, & the Business of Writing

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 This episode of Some Things Considered features the always-brilliant Jenna Blum, New York Times and #1 international bestselling author of Those Who Save Us, The Stormchasers, The Lost Family, Woodrow on the Bench, and her forthcoming psychological thriller Murder Your Darlings (out January 2026). It's a wide-ranging, candid conversation about writing across genres, the realities of literary success, and what it really means to build a sustainable creative life. Murder Your Darlings & Genre Shifts Jenna's first psychological thriller Why she chose to tackle the genre now Writing across historical fiction, memoir, contemporary fiction, and thriller Following curiosity over market expectations Using genre shifts as creative challenges (No spoilers — you'll have to read the book.) Success, Industry & Change Life as a New York Times bestseller — inspiration and envy How publishing and promotion have changed since the early 2000s The impact of social media on writers and careers Audience, Promotion & Showing Up Jenna's genuine love of touring, events, and reader engagement Rewriting the rules early on for building an audience Being present online and on the road — without losing balance Letting go of what writers can't control Community, Teaching & A Mighty Blaze The ongoing work behind A Mighty Blaze Why literary community matters (including micro-communities) How Jenna's approach to teaching has evolved over the past decade I hope this episode will encourage you to not only buy Jenna's book, but get one for a friend, spread the word, and explore the remarkable work she's been doing. I celebrate Jenna as the ideal literary citizen and a ceaseless source of knowledge and inspiration! ABOUT JENNA BLUM Instagram: @jenna_blumX: @Jenna_BlumFacebook: facebook.com/JennaBlumAuthor TikTok: @jennablumauthorWebsite: jennablum.com Subscribe to Jenna Blum on Substack ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: seanmurphy.net Substack: seanmurphy.live X: @bullmurph Instagram: @bullmurph Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sean-murphy-4986b
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