In part one this August bonus episode, Bianca connects with bestselling author Ann Garvin to unpack the craft behind her suspense novel, Tell to Friends. They dive into building tension from page one, planting curiosity seeds that keep readers turning pages, writing unforgettable dual POVs, and making every scene work harder. Ann also shares why she shelved this novel for nearly a decade before the publishing world was finally ready for its unique blend of suspense, humor, and heart.
Stay tuned! Jennifer Michelle Herrera returns to the podcast to talk about her new novel, Siren Says, and her leap from thriller to fantasy. She shares how grief shaped the book’s themes of magic, wonder, and resilience, and how extensive research into botany and Welsh folklore helped bring its world to life. Jennifer also gets into the craft behind the novel—from finding the right opening and using outside readers to writing immersive scenes, sharp dialogue, and simmering sexual tension. Those of you interested in attending the All About Fantasy Virtual Retreat will want to get a sneak peek as Jennifer is one of the featured speakers!
In the third interview of our August bonus episode, Bianca sits down with bestselling author Candice Carty-Williams to explore the return of Queenie, writing beautifully flawed protagonists, and why imperfect characters resonate so deeply with readers. They discuss crafting authentic character arcs, balancing humour with emotional depth, building unforgettable friendships on the page, and creating scenes that reveal character while moving the story forward. Plus, Candice shares how she landed her agent, why planning can only take a story so far, and how letting characters surprise you often leads to the best fiction.
Last but not least, award-winning author and creative writing professor Laurie Petrou joins Bianca to discuss her latest novel, The Rayburn Affair, and the freedom—and strategy—behind writing across genres. She shares why contests can be game-changing for unpublished writers and why timing can play such a huge role in an author’s career. Laurie also chats about the importance of craft, including building a slow burn, cranking up tension and stakes during revision, choosing the right POV, and why your early drafts don’t need to get everything right.
Note: CeCe Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates. If you’d like to query CeCe, please refer to the submission guidelines at www.wsherman.com. Carly Watters is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, but her work on this podcast is not affiliated with the agency, and the views expressed by Carly on this podcast are solely that of her as a podcast co-host and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of P.S. Literary Agency.
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