Shipping & Handling (general)

In this episode, recorded back in *coughcough* November, Bridget and Jen do an all-questions-all-the-time deep dive into our Tumblr inbox. Among other things we discuss sex in YA, the relative value of an MFA, and disclosure of advances. This episode is so outdated that the RWA is barely an organization anymore and one of the agents mentioned is no longer agenting! 

Like the podcast? You can support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

Discussed in this episode: 

Leigh Bardugo - The Ninth House 
Noah Lukerman - The First Five Pages: The Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile 
MSWL Manuscript Academy
Emily Tesh - Silver in the Wood
Casey McQuiston - Red White & Royal Blue
Eve Babitz - I Used To Be Charming: The Rest of Eve Babitz 
Erin Morgenstern - The Starless Sea 

Direct download: EPISODE_69.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:54am EDT

In which Bridget and Jen discuss the seasons of love er, publishing, query length, POV and tense, and more! 

Thank you to this week's donors, Kristin and Joy! 

Like the podcast? You can support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

We’re doing a survey to figure out the future of Shipping & Handling - please take a minute to fill it out!

Discussed in this episode: 

Discussed in this episode:

Publishing is Hard by Dongwon Song
Susannah Clarke - Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Susannah Clarke - The Ladies of Grace Adieu
Susannah Clarke - Paranesi
Jenn Wilde - Queens of Geek
Jurgen Tempke - A Perfidious Distortion of History
Maureen Johnson - Truly Devious 

Direct download: EPISODE_67.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:57pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen discuss That Article, money in publishing, and asking questions. 

Thank you to this week’s donors, John, Jen, and Lana! 

Like the podcast? You can support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

We’re doing a survey to figure out the future of Shipping & Handling - please take a minute to fill it out!

Discussed in this episode:

How To Lose a Third of a Million Dollars Without Really Trying by Heather Demetrios
Literary agent ordered to pay $500,000 to Australian author Kate Morton after lawsuit loss (Australian Associated Press) 
Sam Morgan thread about publishing money
Emily Suvada - This Mortal Coil
Brittany Cavallaro - A Study In Charlotte 
Jia Tolentino - Trick Mirror
Jurgen Tampke - A Perfidious Distortion of History: The Versailles Peace Treaty and the Success of the Nazis

Direct download: EPISODE_66.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:01pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen discuss trigger warnings, author responsibilities, and rapid release scheduling, among other things. 

Thank you to this week’s donors, Alice, Alison, and Alyssa! Thank you also for arranging your names alliteratively. 

Thank you to Michael for writing in with your great writers block tip! 

Like the podcast? You can support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

We’re doing a survey to figure out the future of Shipping & Handling - please take a minute to fill it out!

Discussed in this episode: 

Leigh Bardugo - The Ninth House
R. F. Kuang - The Poppy War
Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games
Leigh Bardugo - Six of Crows
Rory Power - Wilder Girls
Jen’s newsletter A Faster No
Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson
Wynonna Earp
Emma Mills - Foolish Hearts
W.L. Goodater - Breach
Emma Mills - First & Then

Spoilers for Schitt’s Creek from 55:00 onwards

Direct download: EPISODE_65.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:11am EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen discuss inciting incidents, raising the stakes, word count, comp titles, and more! This episode’s topic was suggested by John Appel on twitter! 

Got suggestions for beating writer’s block? We’d love to hear them for our next episode! 

Like the podcast? You can support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

Thank you to Sigrid and Daniel, our latest donors!

Discussed in this episode:

Lois McMaster Bujold - The Curse of Chalon
Richard Kadrey - The Grand Dark
Melissa Caruso - The Tethered Mage 
Casey McQuiston - Red White and Royal Blue 
Helen Hoang - The Kiss Quotient
Emma Mills - First & Then 
Naomi Novik - Spinning Silver
Knives Out (Trailer)
L.M. Montgomery - Anne of Green Gables
Tracy Townsend - The Nine
Sarah Kuhn - Heroine Complex
Juliet Grames - The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna
Chuck Wendig - The Wanderers
Jenny Odell - How To Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy 
Charlie Jane Anders - City in the Middle Of The Night

Direct download: EPISODE_64.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:40am EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen discuss author self-advocacy, navigating cliques, and general author survivalship. Special thanks to our donors this week, L.T., Bridget, and Maria! 

Discussed in this episode: 

Lana Wood Johnson - Technically, You Started It 

Daniel Mallory Ortberg - Texts From Jane Eyre

Blair Thornburgh - Ordinary Girls 

Megan Bannon - The Bird and the Blade

Karen Thompson Walker - The Dreamers 

Cyril Hare - With A Bare Bodkin 

N.K. Jemisin - The Inheritance Trilogy

Nick Hornby - Ten Years in the Tub 

Rebecca West - Black Lamb and Gray Falcon

Direct download: episode_61.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:45pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen discuss what the heck happened midway through episode 59, what happens when an agent moves agencies, contingency plans for becoming George RR Martin famous, and more!

Thanks to this week’s donors, Felicity and Debbie!

 

 

Discussed in this episode:

“Sometimes things that are expensive are worse.”

Goon (Movie)

Laura Sebastian - Ash Princess

Ellen Goodlett - Rule

Alex White - A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe

Rory Power - Wilder Girls

Jeff Vandermeer - Annihilation

Jeff Vandermeer - Finch

Connie Willis - To Say Nothing Of The Dog

Connie Willis - Doomsday Book

Victoria Dennault - Score

L.A. Witt - Rebound

Direct download: EPISODE_60_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:24am EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen discuss the merits, drawbacks, and etiquette of twitter pitch contests, talk about when to leave your agent (again??) and the relative usefulness of constant vigilance. 

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Amazon and Indiebound.)

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

Discussed In This Episode:

#DVPit
#PitMad
Jean Webster - Daddy Long Legs Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Lana Wood Johnson – Technically, You Started It Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Lisa A. Nichols – Vessel Amazon | IndieBound 
Oliver Sachs – An Anthropologist On Mars Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
N.K. Jemisin – The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms Amazon | B&N | IndieBound Robert Jackson Bennet – City of Miracles Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Mary Robinette Kowal – The Calculating Stars Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Ling Ma – Severance Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Rebekah Wetherspoon – Rafe: A Buff Male Nanny Amazon | B&N | IndieBound Christopher Logue – War Music Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 

Direct download: EPISODE_58.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:27pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen discuss synopses, writing on proposal, and how freaking cold it is outside.

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Amazon and Indiebound.)

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

Thank you to Jim, our latest donor!

Discussed In This Episode:

Anna Todd – After Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Beth Reekles – The Kissing Booth Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Caleb Roehrig – Last Seen Leaving Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Martine Fournier Watson – The Dream Peddler Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Renee Denfeld – The Child Finder Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Write Brain podcast
Gap yah
Elizabeth Wein – Code Name Verity Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Melissa Albert – The Hazel Wood Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Charlie Jane Anders – All The Birds In The Sky Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Marlon James – Black Leopard, Red Wolf Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Evan Connell – Mrs. Bridge Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Anna Seghers – Transit Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Laura van den Berg – Find Me Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Ling Ma – Severance | B&N | IndieBound
Maureen Johnson – The Vanishing Stair Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Leigh Bardugo – King Of Scars Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Leigh Bardugo – The Witch of Duva (short story)

Direct download: EPISODE_56.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:01pm EDT

In this episode we discuss New Years’ Resolutions, Jen’s intense desire for compliments, throwing away all your books, and the authors we aren’t allowed to discuss anymore.

Thanks to our donors: John, March, and Anon!!

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Indiebound.)

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

Discussed In This Episode:

Maureen Johnson – Truly Devious Amazon | B&N  | IndieBound 
Maureen Johnson – The Vanishing Stair Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
James S. A. Corey – The Expanse collection Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Marie Kondo – The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Sarah Perry Melmoth Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Tana French – In The Woods Amazon | B&N | indieBound
Tana French – The Likeness Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Tana French – Broken Harbor Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Marlon James – Black Leopard Red Wolf Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Marlon James – A Brief History of Seven Killings Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Ryder Carroll - The Bullet Journal Method Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Geoffrey Wawro – Sons of Freedom: The Forgotten American Soldiers Who Defeated Germany in WWI Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 

Direct download: EPISODE_55.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:04pm EDT

In this episode, an update on the nationwide Bevi shortage, Queries & How We Do Them, and a grab bag of questions from across the internet!

No new donors at time of recording, but THANK YOU to everyone who has donated & all our listeners!

Quote of the episode:

“Your brain is an asshole, and you have to trick it”

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Amazon and Indiebound.)

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

Discussed In This Episode:

Jaime Benn, Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov on Instagram
Pomodoro technique 
Ben Aaronovich – Rivers of London Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Catherynne M. Valente – Space Opera Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Sarah Perry - Melmoth Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Connie Willis – Doomsday Book Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Leigh Bardugo – Shadow & Bone Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Leigh Bardugo – Six of Crows Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Leigh Bardugo – Crooked Kingdom Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Connie Willis – Bellwether Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 

Direct download: EPISODE_53.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:43pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget & Jen talk career longevity, branding, R&Rs, and mental health disclosure. 

Thank you to this week’s donors: Marty, Carrie, Julia, and Katie!

Listen to the episode here.

Like the podcast? You can support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

Discussed In This Episode:

Why Did Marvel Fire Comics Writer Chuck Wendig? 
All Hail Gritty 
W.L. Goodwater – Breach Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Stephanie Garber – Caraval Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Sarah Perry – Melmoth Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Sarah Perry – The Essex Serpent Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
A.S. Byatt – Possession Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Elizabeth Kostova - The Historian Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Steven Johnson - The Ghost Map Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Clare Clark - The Great Stink Amazon | B&N 
Margery Sharp – Cluny Brown Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Margery Sharp – The Rescuers Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Eve Titus - The Great Mouse Detective: Basil of Baker Street Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Frederic Morton – Thunder at Twilight: Vienna 1913-1914 Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Connie Willis – Blackout Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Connie Willis – All Clear Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Connie Willis – To Say Nothing Of The Dog Amazon | B&N | IndieBound

Direct download: EPISODE_52.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:44pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen discuss world building likes/dislikes, DM etiquette, and what it means to be tall. 

Thank you to this week’s donors – Martine, Claire, Will, Ally, and Julia!

*at one point in this episode, Jen says Mansfield Park when she means Sense & Sensibility. 

Listen to the episode here. 

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Amazon and Indiebound.)

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

Discussed In This Episode:

DitchDiggers (Hugo-Winning!) 
Matt Wallace – the Sin Du Jour series 
Jenny Han – To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before Amazon | B&N | IndieBound Mary Ann Shaffer - Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Martine Fournier Watson - The Dream Peddler Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
N.K. Jemisin – Worldbuilding 101 (free PDF)
Charlie Jane Anders: “7 Deadly Sins of Worldbuilding” 
Sigrid Ellis: “I always have SO MANY QUESTIONS about the economies of post-collapse societies.”
“new york city baby” 
State & Main Amazon | B&N 
Anna Zabo – Takeover Amazon | B&N 
Creed Amazon | B&N
JRR Tolkein – The Silmarillion Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Cat Valente – Space Opera Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Elizabeth Bishop – The Perilous Gard Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
The Work Conference  (*Jen received compensation to attend this conference, though she does not get any money for talking about it.) 
Brian Sykes - Saxons, Vikings, & Celts: The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
China Mieville – October: The Story of the Russian Revolution Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 

Direct download: EPISODE_51.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:55pm EDT

Like the podcast? Support us by leaving a review, rating us on iTunes, or by using our affiliate links to purchase one of the books you’ve heard us talk about. NB: Affiliate links not working this week, except for Indiebound. You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi.

Thank you to this week’s donors!

Discussed In This Episode:

“Agent Danielle Smith’s Former Clients Speak Out” by Claire Kirch
“Against Chill” by Alana Massey
Tomi Adeyemi – Children of Blood & Bone Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Justina Ireland – Dread Nation Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Connie Willis – To Say Nothing Of The Dog Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Jared Diamond – Guns, Germs, and Steel Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Simon Sebag Montefiore – The Romanovs 1613-1918 Amazon | B&N | Indiebound 

Direct download: EPISODE_50.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:11pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen discuss the closing of Lupine Grove Literary and best practices for when your agent turns out to be toxic. 

NB: Next episode will be our FIFTIETH EPISODE! We will be doing ALL QUESTIONS, ALL THE TIME for this episode, so be sure to get them in before THURSDAY, AUGUST 2 at 6pm.

Listen to the episode here.

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Amazon and Indiebound.)

Thank you to this week’s donors!

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

Discussed In This Episode:

Agent Danielle Smith Accused of Fraud, Lupine Grove Closes
Trogdor the Burninator from Strongbad Email #58 “Dragon” 
Maria Semple – Where’d You Go, Bernadette? Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Chad Harbach - The Art of Fielding Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
**NB: Jen used The Art Of Fielding as an example of a book whose success was inversely proportional to the size of the advance. A better example of this would be CITY ON FIRE by Garth Risk Hallberg, which sold for a larger advance and did less in sales, whereas Art Of Fielding actually has done very well relative to its advance. Sorry, Chad! 
Hannah Kent - Burial Rites Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
“No, you probably don’t have a book in you” by Kate McKean
H.G. Bissinger - Friday Night Lights Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Jared Diamond – Guns, Germs, and Steel Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Misa Sugiura– It’s Not Like It’s a Secret Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Kelly Yang - Front Desk Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Kat Yeh – The Truth About Twinkie Pie Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Mary Winn Heider – The Mortification of Fovea Munson Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Emily Duncan – Wicked Saints Goodreads
Connie Willis – To Say Nothing Of The Dog Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Simon Sebag Monetfiore – The Romanovs 1613-1918 Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 

Direct download: EPISODE_49.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:03pm EDT

In this episode Jen and Bridget discuss art under The Circumstances, the relative futility of the high road, and comfort viewing.

Quote: “the smoking rubble of what was once a functioning infrastructure”

NB: We recorded this episode in Jen’s aunt’s apartment, and someone starts vacuuming in the apartment above at the 54-56 minute mark.

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Amazon and Indiebound.)

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

Thank you SO MUCH to our supporters who donated reently: Michael, Julia, Persephanie, Anon, Kate, Isabel Yap, Leanne, Cool Shades Anon, & Keke!

Discussed In This Episode:

Angie Thomas - The Hate U Give Amazon | Indiebound 
The Hate U Give Trailer
Clueless Amazon | B&N 
Hamilton Amazon | B&N 
Set It Up 
Morning Glory Amazon | B&N 
“Nothing Is Off The Table at Dinner With the Cast of Queer Eye” by E. Alex Jung
The Work Conference
Brian Catling - The Vorrh Amazon | B&N | Indiebound 
C.L. Polk – Witchmark Amazon | B&N | Indiebound 
Lois McMaster Bujold - Shards of Honor Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Lois McMaster Bujold - Barrayar Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
A Discovery of Witches Trailer
Meg Cabot - The Princess Diaries Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan - The Royal We Amazon | B&N | IndieBound Michelle Cooper - A Brief History of Montmaray Amazon | B&N | IndieBound Jared Diamond - Guns, Germs and Steel Amazon | B&N | IndieBound Christopher MacDougall - Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Haruki Murakami - What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (A Memoir) Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Kelly Yang – Front Desk Amazon | B&N | Indiebound 
Ian Kershaw - To Hell And Back: Europe 1914-1939 Amazon | B&N | Indiebound Steven Johnson - The Ghost Map: The Story of London’s Most Terrifying Epidemic and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 

Direct download: EPISODE_48.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:49pm EDT

In this episode we discuss which hills to die on, the dangers of handshake deals, and our (least) favorite contract clauses, as well as general contract dos and don’ts. 

NB: We realized midway through the episode that we had supporters this week, so the thanks come at the end! Our apologies for the omission. 

NBB: We’re nearly at 50 episodes! Got ideas for what we could do for the big 5-0? Leave ‘em in the ask box or let us know on email! 

Listen to the episode here. 

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Amazon and Indiebound.) 

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review! 

Discussed in this episode: 

Twilight Zone – “Time Enough at Last” 
Linda Holmes - “Why That Arrested Development Interview Is So Bad” 
Jane Austen – Northanger Abbey Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Karen Joy Fowler – The Jane Austen Book Club Amazon | B&N | IndieBound Jane Austen Book Club Amazon | B&N 
Rihanna – Bitch Better Have My Money
W.L. Goodwater – Breach Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Katrina Leno – Summer of Salt Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
GJ Meyer – A World Undone: A Story of the Great War 1914-1918 Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Sarah J. Maas – A Court of Mist and Fury  Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 

Direct download: EPISODE_47-1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:53am EDT

In this episode Jen and Bridget discuss the differences between YA and adult, sex and violence, and Infinity War. Spoilers for Infinity War abound - see timestamp below if you want to avoid it. 

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Amazon and Indiebound.) 

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review! 



Discussed In This Episode: 

RF Kuang – The Poppy War Amazon | B&N | Indiebound 
Leslye Walton- The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender Amazon 
| B&N | Indiebound 
Pierce Brown – Red Rising Amazon | B&N | Indiebound 
Marieke Nijkamp – This Is Where It Ends Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Koushun Takami – Battle Royale Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Maureen Johnson – Truly Devious Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Marcus Sedgwick – Midwinterblood Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Emma Mills  – Famous in a Small Town Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Leigh Bardugo – Six Of Crows Amazon  | B&N | IndieBound 
K.M. Szpara - “Small Changes over Long Periods of Time” 
Jaye Robin Brown – Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit Amazon  | B&N | IndieBound 
E.L. James – Fifty Shades of Grey Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Michel Chabon – Summerland Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Donna Tartt – The Secret History Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Julie Murphy – Dumplin’ Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Julie Murphy – Puddin’ Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Rainbow Rowell – Fangirl Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Real Genius Amazon | B&N 
INFINITY WAR SPOILERS 48:39-55:50
Matt Fraction & David Aja – Hawkeye Vol 1: My Life as a Weapon Amazon | B&N  | Indiebound 
Margaret Mitchell – Gone with the Wind Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Susanna Clarke – Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell Amazon  | B&N | IndieBound 
Emma Mills – First & Then Amazon  | B&N | IndieBound 
Lee Gjertsen Malone – Last Boy at St. Edith’s Amazon | B&N | IndieBound  
Emma Straub- Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Gail Carson Levine – Ella Enchanted Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Shannon Hale – Princess Academy Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Catherynne Valente – Space Opera Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
M. O’Keefe – Wait For It Amazon | B&N 
Molly O’Keefe – Never Been Kissed Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Tiffany Reisz – The Red Amazon | B&N |
Kate Clayborn – Luck of the Draw Amazon | B&N 
GJ Meyer – A World Undone: The Story of the Great War 1914-1918 Amazon | B&N  | IndieBound 

Direct download: EPISODE_46.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:12pm EDT

In which Jen and Bridget discuss their Perfect Days, the nitty gritty of processes, and drink the eight dollarest bottle of wine. 

Listen to the episode here. 

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Amazon and Indiebound.) 

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review! 

Discussed In This Episode: 

 

Anne Leonard – Moth & Spark Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
The Perfect Date
Miss Congeniality Amazon 
Kindle Paperwhite 
“In Honor of Infinity War coming out next week, here are a few videos I found from 2013 while prepping for The Winter Soldier.” 
Work From Home by Fifth Harmony
“Best Writing Trick I Know”

Jaime Green on twitter 

Emma Mills – First & Then Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Mette Harrison – The Bishop’s Wife Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Tracy Townsend – The Nine Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Catherynne M. Valente – Space Opera Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Leigh Bardugo – Six Of Crows Amazon | B&N | Indiebound 

Leigh Bardugo – Crooked Kingdom Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 

Tomi Adeyemi – Children of Blood & Bone Amazon | IndieBound 

Justina Ireland – Dread Nation Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 

Dhonielle Clayton – The Belles Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 

William Goldman – Adventures in the Screenwriting Trade Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 

Direct download: EPISODE_45.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:40pm EDT

Jen & Bridget talk about the revision and editing process and the best way to get to “A Faster No.” 

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Amazon and Indiebound.)

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

Discussed in this episode: 

Mette Harrison – The Bishop’s Wife Amazon  | B&N  | IndieBound
Allison Cherry, Lindsay Ribar, and Michelle Schusterman - The Pros of Cons Amazon  | B&N | IndieBound
Taylor Jenkins Reid - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Amazon | B&N | IndieBound  
Trailer - Fahrenheit 451
Trailer - The Man Who Killed Don Quixote
Sarah J. Maas – A Court of Thorns and Roses Amazon | B&N | IndieBound  
Masha Gessen – The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia Amazon  | B&N  | IndieBound  
Andie Christopher – Stroke of Midnight Amazon  | B&N
Tomi Adeyemi – Children of Blood & Bone Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Justina Ireland – Dread Nation Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
“Meet Justina Ireland, YA Twitter’s Leading Warrior” 

Direct download: EPISODE_44.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:43pm EDT

Jen and Bridget take you through the confusing and splendiferous world of taking a book on submission to editors.  

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Amazon and Indiebound.)

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review!

 

Discussed In This Episode: 

The Work Conference 
March For Our Lives 
Chris Evans, a.k.a. Captain America, Comes Back Down to Earth
Dorothy L. Sayers - Gaudy Night Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Walter M. Miller - A Canticle For Leibowitz Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Tana French- In The Woods Amazon | B&N | IndieBound  
Sheri Fink - Five Days At Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Robin Sloan - Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
The Year’s Best SFF 2012 ed. By Rich Horton (Yoon Ha Lee’s story is called “Ghostweight”) Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Yoon Ha Lee - Ninefox Gambit Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Maureen Johnson - Truly, Devious Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Kate Clayborn - Beginner’s Luck Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Sarah J. Maas - A Court of Thorns and Roses Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Sarah J. Maas - Amazon | B&N | IndieBound  
Tomi Adeyemi - Children of Blood and Bone Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Tomi Adeyemi Unboxing video 

Direct download: EPISODE_43.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:03pm EDT

Talkin’ bout description, having your characters do things, and the difficulties of imagination. 

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (below! Currently only Amazon and Indiebound.) 

You can also support us through a donation on ko-fi, by subscribing to us on iTunes, or by leaving a review! 

 

Aphantasia definition 
Holly Black – White Cat Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Holly Black – Red Glove Amazon | B&N | Indiebound 
Holly Black – Black Heart Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
L.M. Montgomery – Anne Of Green Gables Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
I didn’t know babies came with hats
Dorothy L. Sayers – Gaudy Night Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Tana French – In The Woods Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Jeff Vandermeer – Annihilation Amazon |  B&N | IndieBound  
Maggie Stiefvater – The Raven Boys Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Maureen Johnson – Truly Devious Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Literary Review – Bad Sex In Fiction Awards 
Chekov’s Gun 
“It Just Felt Very Wrong: Sherman Alexie’s Accusers go on the record” 
The Rock Test: A Hack for Men Who Don’t Want To Be Accused of Sexual Harrassment 
Barbara Kingsolver – The Bean Trees | B&N | IndieBound 
Thomas Hardy – Tess of the D’urbervilles Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Rebekah Weatherspoon – So Sweet Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Rebekah Wetherspoon – So Right Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Rebekah Wetherspoon – So For Real Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 
Ash Vs. the Evil Dead Amazon | B&N
Darren Nichols / Slings & Arrows- “Deal With That” | Season 1 Amazon | B&N
Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society Amazon | B&N | IndieBound 

Direct download: EPISODE_42.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:01pm EDT

In which Jen and Bridget attempt to compare writing to being an olympic figure skater and fail, mostly because neither of them know anything about figure skating (and because they don’t want to talk about sexual harassment in publishing.) 

Like the podcast? Support us by buying one of the books we mention in this podcast and using our affiliate links (on our website! Currently only Amazon, but B&N and IndieBound to follow.) 

You can also buy us a coffee and donate on ko-fi.

 

 

Direct download: EPISODE_41.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:13pm EDT

In which Jen and Bridget discuss professional jealousy, zero-sum agenting, and Jen’s feelings about the actor Adam Driver. 

NEWS: We are starting to share affiliate links for the books we discuss on the podcast. Currently Amazon is the only one set up, but as B&N and Indiebound come online we’ll b e adding those links to the post. Please consider purchasing a book through these links to support the podcast! 

Direct download: Episode_40_edited.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:41pm EDT

In this episode we discuss voice, point of view, the seasons of publishing, and answering how we’re doing in “Trump-Adjusted Terms,” and discover that Jen doesn’t know what to call the pluperfect tense (she calls it past-past). 

 

Direct download: episode_39.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:47pm EDT

“Ethan, you weird sweet goober.” 

Listen to the episode here. 

In this episode of the Shipping & Handling Book Club (#SHBookClub) we talk about Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold. Check out Jo Walton’s discussion of the book, “Quest for Ovaries” on tor.com

Next up:  Brothers in Arms! 

Direct download: ethan_shbookclub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:32pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen speak to a whole crowd of awesome folks at the 2017 Nebula Awards Weekend, held in June in Pittsburgh, PA. “Come eat things with us, because you are also people.” Guests include: 

Barry Goldblatt, literary agent
Jeffe Kennedy, author of the Twelve Kingdoms series
Carrie Ann DiRisio, author & founder of Brooding YA Hero
K.M. Szpara, author, “Small Change over Long Periods”
Anna Zabo/Ann Kopchik, author, TAKEOVER series
Tracy Townsend, author, THE NINE 

and JANE YOLEN! Author and SFWA Grandmaster. 

 

Direct download: NEBULAS.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:18pm EDT

The all-singing, all-dancing, all-questions episode of Shipping & Handling. We discuss sensitivity readers, “write what you know,” revision, pitching novels in “dead” genres, and much, much more. 

ANNOUNCMENT 1: We will be doing another query critique episode! Please email your query (your query ONLY) to shippingandhandlingpodcast@gmail.com by Friday, May 19th if you would like it to be considered for the episode. 
-we will not be able to critique every query we receive
-we will omit personal details like names and titles. 

ANNOUNCEMENT 2: More of a request for more information. We had a cool shades anon write in on tumblr and ask a question about past involvement in fandom and its effect on future publication prospects - can you write in to us with more information so we can give better advice? You can email or do another anon ask, whichever works. Thank you!

Direct download: EPISODE_37.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:52pm EDT

In this episode we discuss Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold. Mild spoilers about THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater also contained therein. (I know.) 

For next time, we’re reading Ethan of Athos

You can listen to the episode here. 

Direct download: SHBookClub_Cetaganda.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:59am EDT

Bridget & Jen read THE VOR GAME by Lois McMaster Bujold as part of the Vorkosigan Saga #shbookclub! 

Direct download: SHBOOKCLUB_5.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:47am EDT

In this episode we discuss the merits and drawbacks of Having A Plan as a writer. Quote of the episode: 

Jen: “I wonder what my thing is [that I dislike], besides characters being happy.”

Direct download: EPISODE_36.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:42pm EDT

Well, some shit’s happened. In this episode, recorded December 5, 2016, Bridget and Jen discuss Recent Events, election-related depression, cheer-up media, and listicles. 

Direct download: episode2034.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:58pm EDT

Notes for this episode: We realized midway through recording the regular episode that Bridget’s mic was turned around, so if she sound tinny that’s why. 

 

Direct download: shbookclub_ep_4.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:54pm EDT

In this episode (recorded before the election, ahahah) Bridget and Jen discuss the basics of vetting agents, critique partners, and career moves. 

Direct download: episode_33.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:20pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget snd Jen discuss the thinning boundaries between fans and creators, when your ship becomes a hassle, and what to do if you meet an editor out in the wild. We also wrap up our discussion of Maggie Stiefvater's THE RAVEN CYCLE. 

Direct download: EPISODE_32.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:32pm EDT

This episode is 90% shrieking “CORDELIA!!!” and 10% feudal nonsense. 

TW for abortion, child murder, ableism. 

You can listen to the episode here. 

The next book in the series is THE WARRIOR’S APPRENTICE

Direct download: SHBookClub_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:09pm EDT

SPOILERS FOR THE RAVEN CYCLE FROM 17:57 ONWARD

“Magic! History! Fast Cars! Crushing Poverty! Gayness!” 

In which Jen and Bridget talk about Maggie Stiefvater’s four-book YA series THE RAVEN CYCLE. 

 

Direct download: Episode_31.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:24pm EDT

In which Bridget and Jen basically just doodle little hearts that say ARAL + CORDELIA 4 EVA 

Direct download: SHBookClub_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:33pm EDT

In which Jen, Bridget, and special guest Connor Goldsmith of Fuse Literary talk Captain America: Civil War, romance novelist pseudonyms, and the Best Vegas Story of All Time. 

Direct download: EPISODE_29_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:10pm EDT

In which Bridget & Jen talk about Falling Free, the first (chronological) volume in Lois McMaster Bujold's long-running Vorkosigan saga. Covered in this episode are such topics as how weird it is to have four arms instead of two, the relative radness of a harpsichord in space, and whether or not engineering jokes are funny. 

Direct download: SHBOOKCLUB_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:34pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen ask each other Why Do You Read That? regarding middle grade and romance and are terrified for a good five minutes by a creature that may or may not be coming to attack. 

Direct download: EPISODE2028.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:55pm EDT

In this episode Jen recounts magical tales of her travel to the nation’s silliest city, the insanity of RT, and the details of the Shipping & Handling Book Club, plus much more! 

 

Direct download: Episode2027.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:44pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen talk the unbridled joy of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, the utility of abandoning oneself to the frozen winds, and the Shipping & Handling book club! 

Direct download: EPISODE202620.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:46pm EDT

In which Bridget and Jen discuss what happens when your agent moves agencies, failures to communicate, and get way drunker than we had planned. 

NB: When we recorded this episode, it came out to two hours, because we had a bottle of wine each, and our answers to three or four questions were so rambly that they weren’t useful. So those questions will hopefully get addressed in a future episode, and here is your (hopefully) nonsense-free episode in the meantime! 

NBB: In this episode we talk about doing a read of Lois McMaster Bujold, which we will talk more about in the next episode now that we’ve worked out the logistics! 

Direct download: Episode_25.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:53pm EDT

In which Bridget and Jen attend World Fantasy, define Barcon, and interview the delightful Steve Saffel, editor at Titan Books! 

Direct download: Episode2024-20WFC.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:02am EDT

In this episode, recorded in the distant past, Bridget & Jen discuss what makes a strong character that happens to be female, awkward acronyms, and just how many people you should query at one time from the same agency. 

Quote of the episode: “Publishing is Mars. You are Mark Watney, and you will die if you don’t grow potatoes.”

Direct download: EPISODE2023.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:32am EDT

Finally, the query episode! In this episode we critique the queries you sent in via email. Thanks so much to everyone who participated! 

Direct download: EPISODE2022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:14pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen talk diversity, bigoted romance novels, how publishing is the worst, cowriting, and more. 

You can blame Jen for the awful title. 

Direct download: EPISODE2021.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:12pm EDT

In this episode Bridget and Jen talk reviews, Goodreads, trunk novels, and portal fantasy. 

Direct download: EPISODE2020.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:31pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget and Jen discuss agency (not the place where we work,) active versus reactive characters, “good YA” and more! Also, Jen says “sort of” approximately 36,000 times.

ANNOUNCEMENT: We will be doing a query feedback/critique in an episode in August. If you would like to have your query discussed in an episode, please send it to shippingandhandlingpodcast at gmail dot com with the subject line FOR QUERY SHOW. No attachments, please. We will remove names and titles for anonymity. We may not be able to discuss all queries on the air. 

Direct download: EPISODE201920FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:21pm EDT

In which Bridget and Jen discuss Mad Max, Jurassic World, running in heels, how to be a writer-friend, how to forget the word “solstice, and much, much more! 

Direct download: episode2018.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:19pm EDT

Obviously the itle of this episode should be sung to the tune of Summer Lovin' from GREASE. 

In this episode, we discuss reading during the summer, audience and genre, communcation, small presses, and more! 

Direct download: EPISODE2017.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:26pm EDT

 

In this episode, Bridget and Jen discuss the Hugo awards, Puppies, and whether it’s ever appropriate to do the bare minimum and call it a day. 

Direct download: EPISODE2015.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:10pm EDT

In this episode, we discuss youtube, authenticity, and how quickly we’d sell out if given the chance. (Very.) 

As always, any questions/feedback/topic suggestions can be sent to shippingandhandlingpodcast@gmail.com, @shipandhandling, or via our ask box on tumblr! 

Direct download: EPISODE2014.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:25pm EDT

This episode we talk time management, writing advice, and unsellable books. 

Feedback, questions, suggestions? Send them to us at shipppingandhandling@gmail.com, @shipandhandling on twitter, or via our ask box on our website! 

 

Direct download: episode_14.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:17pm EDT

In this very special romance-themed episode of Shipping & Handling, we discuss our favorite fictional relationships and the difficulties of writing therein, take none of your questions because no one sent them in, and talk about what we're reading this week 

You can subscribe to us on iTunes and send us questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions to @shipandhandling on twitter or to shippingandhandlingpodcast@gmail.com. 

Direct download: episode13_FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:54pm EDT

In this episode we discuss the upcoming meta project from Rainbow Rowell, how much comp could a comp title comp, and reading in and out of your genre.

As always, please send us your questions, comments, or topic suggestions via email at shippingandhandlingpodcast at gmail dot com, or via our ask box on our website, or via twitter @shipandhandling! 

Direct download: EPISODE201220FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:56pm EDT

In which Jen & Bridget talk about their reading plans for 2015, their query pile wish lists, and how low their tolerances have become after three weeks away. 

As always, please leave us questions in our ask box or in our email, or via twitter @ShipAndHandling! 

Direct download: EPISODE2011.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:54pm EDT

In which Bridget and Jen count down their favorite reads of 2014 and look towards the future!

As always, we welcome feedback, questions, and suggestions in our tumblr ask box or at shippingandhandlingpodcast@gmail.com. 

Happy New Year! 

Direct download: Episode201020-20Triumphant20Return.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:01pm EDT

In which we discuss RPF, monetizing fandom, and Jen Udden calls the Hugo awards. Recorded April 25, 2014. 

As always, we welcome questions, comments, and suggestions in our tumblr ask box or via email at shippingandhandlingpodcast@gmail.com. 

Direct download: Episode20Nine202812920.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:52pm EDT

In which we talk about revising your book into a beautiful butterfly of fanciness. First posted 3/26/2014

Direct download: EPISODE20NINE.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:11pm EDT

In which 2014 comes in full of hope and promise only to give way to exhaustion and despair under the crushing weight of expectations (Or, reading books all the time is hard, y’all). First posted 2/14/2014. 

Direct download: EPISODE20EIGHT.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:09pm EDT

In which we talk about our reading in 2013 and our resolutions for 2014. And how much we both really love Fangirl, which you all already knew. Posted 1/14/2014.

Direct download: episode207_FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:07pm EDT

In which we discuss genre breakdowns, what our pretend boyfriend might be reading, and why you might not need to make your book a dystopia. First posted 11/12/2013.

Direct download: Episode205_FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:02pm EDT

This week we had the marvelous Ryan Britt as our guest! Ryan is the former staff writer for Tor.Com and writes for many outlets. We talked about adapting works into film and television, and somehow managed to miss talking about Game of Thrones. First posted 11/8/2013

Direct download: Episode204-FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00pm EDT

This week, we have a special guest in the form of Cici James, the amazing co-owner of the awesome bookstore Singularity & Company and the genius behind Save the Scifi and Save the Adventure Kickstarter campaigns. Cici is a cosplayer, academic, bookseller, and fan, and it was a true delight to have her on the show! This episode contains minor spoilers for James S.A. Corey's EXPANSE series. First posted 10/28/2013

Direct download: shippingandhandlingpodcast_E03_FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:58pm EDT

In this episode, Bridget & Jen discuss love and romance, ships, slash, the pros and cons of starting your novel with a nameless woman being chased through the woods, and how to break into publishing (kind of.) First posted 10/21/2013

Direct download: shippingandhandling_E02_FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:55pm EDT

In which Jen & Bridget talk conferences, conventions, convocations, take your questions, and behave like consummate professionals. First posted 10/7/2013.

Direct download: shippingandhandlingpodcast_E01_FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:14pm EDT

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