The Secret Sauce to a 'Big Five' Deal with Linda Wilgus.
The WCCS: Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025)
An overnight success 21 years in the making. We were joined by the brilliant Linda Wilgus, author of the enchanting debut novel, The Sea Child. From writing during two-hour nap times to securing a "Big Five" publishing deal and a coveted starred review from Publishers Weekly, Linda’s journey is a masterclass in persistence.
The Story of The Sea Child is set against the rugged cliffs of 1800s Cornwall during the Napoleonic Wars. The Sea Child follows Isabel—a widow found as a child, dripping wet and alone. Is she the daughter of a seboka (sea spirit)? When a wounded smuggling captain is carried into her cottage, a timeless tale of folklore, adventure, and romance begins.
💡 Masterclass Tips: The Linda Wilgus Method
The 75% Rule for Plotting: Plan 75% for structure, but leave the final 25% open so your characters can surprise you.
The “Crap First Draft” Philosophy: You can edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a blank one. Stick to your daily word count!
Don't Self-Reject: Linda landed a superstar agent by being brave enough to hit "send" on a "long shot" query.
The “Tiffany Effect”: How to balance 18th-century authenticity with modern readability in historical fiction.
Magic Needs Rules: In Magical Realism, magic must have firm limits—it can't be a "get out of jail free" card for your plot
🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.
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