"I should be writing" is what people say, but they rarely do it. This podcast is designed to help you get past those blocks, whether it's what your teacher told you when you were a kid, to being totally sure you'll never be as good as (FAV AUTHOR) so you might as well quit.
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The home of Hugo award-winning author and podcaster, Mur Lafferty
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Treat your writing like a blue collar job. Doctors don't get doctor block and ditch diggers don't get ditch digger block, and working writers can't get writer's block. Business and humor.
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All of the podcast content from Mur Lafferty
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The home of Hugo award-winning author and podcaster, Mur Lafferty
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Magic is real. And it’s dangerous. It’s locked in books and relics imbued with power. But sometimes, whether by accident or by design, magic escapes and wreaks havoc upon the world. That’s when Team Three is deployed—known by their enemies as: The Bookburners. Tasked with identifying and neutralizing magical threats anywhere in the world, the Bookburners are a cohort of special investigators from wildly different walks of life—a New York City detective, a Guatemalan priest, an indestructible ...
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Playing for Keeps tells the story of Keepsie Branson, a bar owner in the shining metropolis of Seventh City: birthplace of super powers. Keepsie and her friends live among egotistical heroes and manipulative villains, and manage to fall directly in the middle as people with powers, but who just aren't strong enough to make a difference. Or that's what they've been told. As the city begins to melt down, it's hard to tell who are the good guys and who are the bad.
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Lessons from the Geek Fu Master is a collections of essays by Mur Lafferty, producer and host of the podcast, Geek Fu Action Grip. Her essays cover the spectrum of topics from gaming, comics, writing, feminism, and parenting. This podiobook features the essays from her podcast, the essays she contributed to The Dragon Page Wingin' It podcast as well as some essays that have never been released.
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What if Heaven wasn't all it's cracked up to be? Friends Kate and Daniel find that after their untimely deaths, Heaven leaves them dissatisfied and itching for something... else. So they're off, with a passport to discover more afterlifes, heroes and gods. During their adventures, they find out that their travel isn't a journey taken on a whim, but may be orchestrated, or even prophesied.
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After gaining the rule of Heaven and Hell, with all the power that promised, Kate and Daniel should be set for eternity, right? Well, sure, as soon as they get used to their god-like powers. And then they need to remake the Earth. And there's the matter of the major and minor deities who are not pleased with their ascension. Even now, the afterlife still isn't easy.
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Kate and Daniel are reunited at last, but they have to return to their duties in traveling the afterlife. There are stolen souls suffering without cause in Hell, and only they can help. Kate is back in her corporeal body, but keeping memories of her time as pure soul energy, recently touched by the divine. Daniel carries the magic of an old god and the sword of a death goddess, as well a grudge against the deity who tricked him into losing nearly everything. As they search for the missing so ...
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Kate and Daniel remain exiled in the new world they created, with the need to build an army to save Heaven. But the allies they need may not be willing participants, as they're trapped gods who blame Kate and Daniel for their imprisonment. As the dark power that traps Heaven begins to seep into Kate and Daniel's new world, they face new enemies and learn about a very old obstacle that blocks them from their goal.
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If you've ever worked with corporate zombies, then you've experienced The Takeover. Web designer Maureen and her friends struggle to adapt to their new work environment as coworkers from Zombinc, the zombie staffing company, come to work with them. Language barriers, arguments over the contents of the work fridge, and what a "promotion" really means are all addressed in this "Shaun of the Dead" meets "The Office" audiodrama.
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World Anvil Worldbuilding Podcast
World Anvil founders Janet (writer, worldbuilder, nutcase) and Dimitris (GM, worldbuilding wizard, techmonkey)
Are you worldbuilding for homebrew RPG campaigns, novels, game development, films or anything else? Then you're in the right place! Designed to educate, inspire and entertain, World Anvil's founders - writer & RPG designer Janet Forbes and Gamemaster and RPG designer Dimitris chat with creators and academics about the brass tacks of worldbuilding, exploring a new theme each month. Expect topics like novel writing and short stories, game design, Cultures and Societies, Settlements and their n ...
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Voices: New Media Fiction brings together the pioneer short fiction podcasters. Experimenting from putting short-short fiction to novellas over their podcasts, these writers were the first to test the new medium for storytelling. Some wrote specifically for podcasts, some read previously published fiction, and some read entirely new stories. Some listeners asked if they could get just the stories in audio form, and that request brought about this podiobook. Cory Doctorow tells us a story abo ...
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Three thousand years after a chunk of iron the size of Khufu’s pyramid collides with Europa, Jupiter’s sixth moon, an asteroid borne of the collision crashes into Earth’s Arctic ice shelf carrying extraterrestrial microbial life. The first man to come into contact with the microbes hears voices—and then dies. After determining the meteorite originated from Europa, the Global Exploratory Corporation sends oceanographer and biologist, Kathy Connelly, and her crew to the moon aboard the Surveyo ...
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The GET TO WORK HURLEY podcast is a monthly discussion about the business and craft of writing words for a living, hosted by Kameron Hurley. Whether you're a novelist, copywriter, screenwriter, game writer, or chronic content marketer, there's sure to be some profane wisdom here for you.
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How Writers Write is a podcast for creative writers to learn how their favorite writers tell their stories. The podcast's host, Brian Murphy, interviews world-class writers to decode their tips, routines, and motivations for producing best-sellers.
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Episode 49, part 2: Mixing Mystery & SciFi with Mur Lafferty
32:38
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We've got a killer interview today! Join Janet and Mur Lafferty, Hugo Award winning podcaster and author of Solo: A Star Wars Story and the Midsolar Murders series. We'll discuss blending genres - specifically sci-fi and murder mysteries. You won't want to miss it!
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Episode 52, part 2: Titling Your Novel or Short Story w/Trip Galey & Chris McCartney
36:20
36:20
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What's in a name? Maybe everything! Janet is joined by authors Trip Galey, Chris McCartney, and Kat Bradbury to discuss pro tips (and what to avoid) when it comes to naming your novels, titling your stories, and deciding what to call That Crazy Thing You Created.
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Episode 52, part 1: Titling Your Novel or Short Story w/Trip Galey & Chris McCartney
32:32
32:32
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What's in a name? Maybe everything! Janet is joined by authors Trip Galey, Chris McCartney, and Kat Bradbury to discuss pro tips (and what to avoid) when it comes to naming your novels, titling your stories, and deciding what to call That Crazy Thing You Created.
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Join Mur Lafferty as she dives into a live-streamed session of world-building using the Deck of Worlds and The Story Engine. Despite a challenging week, Mur's creativity shines as she crafts unique settings and characters, from a swamp with carnivorous plants to a compromised cyborg in a cyberpunk universe. This episode is a treasure trove for writ…
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Join Mur Lafferty as she dives into a live-streamed session of world-building using the Deck of Worlds and The Story Engine. Despite a challenging week, Mur's creativity shines as she crafts unique settings and characters, from a swamp with carnivorous plants to a compromised cyborg in a cyberpunk universe. This episode is a treasure trove for writ…
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[ISBW] Deck of Worlds, Unleashing Creativity in Fiction
54:54
54:54
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S20 Ep19: In Which Mur Explores the Deck of Worlds and Story Engine "You know, if you use the word 'modified,' you can get away with anything."- Mur Transcript (This post went live for supporters on July 1, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!) Join Mur Lafferty as she dives into a live-…
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Episode 51, part 2: Gaslamp Fantasy Worldbuilding with Laura Ann Gilman
33:39
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Join Janet and award-winning and best-selling author Laura Anne Gilman for a conversation about the historical fantasy world she’s built in the Huntsmen series. What is "gaslamp fantasy"? And how can you create an immersive fantastical world grounded in real world history?
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Episode 51, part 1: Gaslamp Fantasy Worldbuilding with Laura Ann Gilman
26:27
26:27
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Join Janet and award-winning and best-selling author Laura Anne Gilman for a conversation about the historical fantasy world she’s built in the Huntsmen series. What is "gaslamp fantasy"? And how can you create an immersive fantastical world grounded in real world history?
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In this episode, Mur chats with Susan Wands, the author of High Priestess and Empress. They delve into the fascinating world of Pamela Coleman Smith, the creator of the iconic Rider-Waite tarot deck, and discuss how historical fiction blends with magical realism in Susan's Arcana Oracle series. The post [ISBW] Tarot Tales and Historical Hurdles wit…
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In this episode, Mur chats with Susan Wands, the author of High Priestess and Empress. They delve into the fascinating world of Pamela Coleman Smith, the creator of the iconic Rider-Waite tarot deck, and discuss how historical fiction blends with magical realism in Susan's Arcana Oracle series. The post [ISBW] Tarot Tales and Historical Hurdles wit…
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[ISBW] Tarot Tales and Historical Hurdles with Susan Wands
40:47
40:47
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S20 Ep18: In Which Mur Explores Tarot and Historical Fiction with Susan Wands "Action is always better than no action. You can always fix what you've done. You can't fix not getting started."- Susan Wands Transcript (This post went live for supporters on June 27, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon …
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[DD] Book Tours, TikTok, and Twitter Tantrums
37:59
37:59
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In this episode, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon dive into the realities of book tours, the financial intricacies of publishing, and the ever-changing landscape of social media for authors. Ursula shares a retraction about the profitability of her book tour, while Mur discusses the challenges of balancing writing with personal commitments and health…
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[DD] Book Tours, TikTok, and Twitter Tantrums
37:59
37:59
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In this episode, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon dive into the realities of book tours, the financial intricacies of publishing, and the ever-changing landscape of social media for authors. Ursula shares a retraction about the profitability of her book tour, while Mur discusses the challenges of balancing writing with personal commitments and health…
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1
[DD] Book Tours, TikTok, and Twitter Tantrums
37:59
37:59
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"Being on BookTok will not give you a career if you don't have one. Do what makes you happy." - Ursula Transcript (This post went live for supporters on July 3, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!) In this episode, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon dive into the realities of book tours, th…
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Episode 50, part 2: Setting Sustainable Creative Goals with Peter Chiykowski
38:46
38:46
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Storytellers obsess over our goals - long and short term. In this episode, Janet is chatting with Peter Chiykowski, creator of the Story Engine Deck, about doing it in a balanced, responsible way to avoid burnout and overwhelm. Grab a cozy beverage, your favorite planners and pens, and let's prepare for an amazing year of worldbuilding!…
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Episode 50, part 1: Setting Sustainable Creative Goals with Peter Chiykowski
33:01
33:01
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Storytellers obsess over our goals - long and short term. In this episode, Janet is chatting with Peter Chiykowski, creator of the Story Engine Deck, about doing it in a balanced, responsible way to avoid burnout and overwhelm. Grab a cozy beverage, your favorite planners and pens, and let's prepare for an amazing year of worldbuilding!…
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This week, Mur shares her journey through book edits, the struggles of low energy, and the comforting realization that creation is often less comforting than consumption. Mur explores the myriad of creative opportunities available today—from writing novels to making music videos—and the emotional weight that comes with each creative endeavor. The p…
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This week, Mur shares her journey through book edits, the struggles of low energy, and the comforting realization that creation is often less comforting than consumption. Mur explores the myriad of creative opportunities available today—from writing novels to making music videos—and the emotional weight that comes with each creative endeavor. The p…
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[ISBW] Navigating Novel Noodling and New Ideas
31:32
31:32
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S20 Ep17: In Which Mur Reflects on Creativity and Ambition "It's really easy. It's so relaxing to not be creative."- Mur Transcript This week, Mur shares her journey through book edits, the struggles of low energy, and the comforting realization that creation is often less comforting than consumption. Mur explores the myriad of creative opportuniti…
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[DD] Ursula Vernon Takes Over: New Beginnings and No More Cancer
55:55
55:55
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Welcome back to Ditch Diggers! In this episode, we kick things off with a fresh start and a new co-host. The mighty Mur Lafferty is joined by the fabulous Ursula Vernon (aka T. Kingfisher) as they dive into the nitty-gritty of the writing business. The post [DD] Ursula Vernon Takes Over: New Beginnings and No More Cancer appeared first on The Murve…
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[DD] Ursula Vernon Takes Over: New Beginnings and No More Cancer
55:55
55:55
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Welcome back to Ditch Diggers! In this episode, we kick things off with a fresh start and a new co-host. The mighty Mur Lafferty is joined by the fabulous Ursula Vernon (aka T. Kingfisher) as they dive into the nitty-gritty of the writing business. The post [DD] Ursula Vernon Takes Over: New Beginnings and No More Cancer appeared first on The Murve…
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[DD] Ursula Vernon Takes Over- New Beginnings and No More Cancer!
55:56
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"If you want to make money, you have to think about it like a job."- Mur Transcript (This post went live for supporters on June 26, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!) Welcome back to Ditch Diggers! In this episode, we kick things off with a fresh start and a new co-host. The mighty Mu…
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1
Episode 49, part 1: Mixing Mystery & SciFi with Mur Lafferty
29:39
29:39
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29:39
We've got a killer interview today! Join Janet and Mur Lafferty, Hugo Award winning podcaster and author of Solo: A Star Wars Story and the Midsolar Murders series. We'll discuss blending genres - specifically sci-fi and murder mysteries. You won't want to miss it!
…
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In this episode, Mur delves into the intricacies of submitting short fiction, sharing invaluable tips and personal experiences. From the importance of understanding market guidelines to the emotional resilience required to handle rejections, this episode is packed with advice for both new and seasoned writers. The post [ISBW] Short Story Submission…
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In this episode, Mur delves into the intricacies of submitting short fiction, sharing invaluable tips and personal experiences. From the importance of understanding market guidelines to the emotional resilience required to handle rejections, this episode is packed with advice for both new and seasoned writers. The post [ISBW] Short Story Submission…
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[ISBW] Short Story Submissions and Surviving Rejections
28:18
28:18
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S20 Ep16: In Which Mur Tackles Short Fiction Submissions "You're not gonna be Wiswell or Chambers. You're gonna be you."- Mur In this episode, Mur delves into the intricacies of submitting short fiction, sharing invaluable tips and personal experiences. From the importance of understanding market guidelines to the emotional resilience required to h…
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Episode 48, part 2: Solo Journaling RPGs with Anna Blackwell
32:18
32:18
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The biggest villain in tabletop RPGs is ... scheduling. But what if you could play a satisfying roleplaying game all on your own? Solo Journaling RPGs have taken off in recent years, and today Janet has acclaimed game designer Anna Blackwell, creator of Apothecaria, DELVE, and the upcoming For Small Creatures Such As We to talk about what makes the…
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Episode 48, part 1: Solo Journaling RPGs with Anna Blackwell
31:15
31:15
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The biggest villain in tabletop RPGs is ... scheduling. But what if you could play a satisfying roleplaying game all on your own? Solo Journaling RPGs have taken off in recent years, and today Janet has acclaimed game designer Anna Blackwell, creator of Apothecaria, DELVE, and the upcoming For Small Creatures Such As We to talk about what makes the…
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What IS Pulp Fiction? In this episode Janet talks with authors Trip Galey and Chris McCartney of Bona Books about unpacking this action-packed genre! What are the common tropes that make pulp AWESOME?! And how do we reinvent Pulp without the Problems?
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What IS Pulp Fiction? In this episode Janet talks with authors Trip Galey and Chris McCartney of Bona Books about unpacking this action-packed genre! What are the common tropes that make pulp AWESOME?! And how do we reinvent Pulp without the Problems?
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Episode 46, part 2: Designing Fantasy Castles with Wolfgang Baur
29:29
29:29
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Worldbuilding Fantasy Castles with Wolfgang Baur!❤️ 🏰 Where should your castles be on the map? 🗺️ 🏰 What does everyone forget when worldbuilding castles? 🤔 🏰 How do you STORM a fantasy castle... or defend one!? 🐉 🧙 Janet (founder and CEO of World Anvil) chats with castle fanatic and Ennie Award-winning worldbuilding expert Wolfgang Baur (Founder an…
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Episode 46, part 1: Designing Fantasy Castles with Wolfgang Baur
33:20
33:20
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Worldbuilding Fantasy Castles with Wolfgang Baur!❤️ 🏰 Where should your castles be on the map? 🗺️ 🏰 What does everyone forget when worldbuilding castles? 🤔 🏰 How do you STORM a fantasy castle... or defend one!? 🐉 🧙 Janet (founder and CEO of World Anvil) chats with castle fanatic and Ennie Award-winning worldbuilding expert Wolfgang Baur (Founder an…
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Episode 45, part 2: Character First Plotting and Building an Audience with Hannah Nicole Maehrer
39:05
39:05
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Hannah Nicole Maehrer's debut release, Assistant to the Villain, started out as a series of TikTok sketches. Janet sits down with her to talk about building a novel's worth of plot character-first, and using episodic formats to develop characters, settings, and plot for a longer work. They also discuss building a platform and connecting with reader…
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Episode 45, part 1: Character First Plotting and Building an Audience with Hannah Nicole Maehrer
29:10
29:10
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Hannah Nicole Maehrer's debut release, Assistant to the Villain, started out as a series of TikTok sketches. Janet sits down with her to talk about building a novel's worth of plot character-first, and using episodic formats to develop characters, settings, and plot for a longer work. They also discuss building a platform and connecting with reader…
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Episode 44, part 2: The Undying Appeal of Vampires with Jason Carl
31:39
31:39
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Vampires! Their undying appeal is unquestioned. But how can writers, gamemasters and tabletop RPG players inject new life into these monstrous heroes in games and fiction? Join Janet as she sits down with Jason Carl, brand marketing manager for Vampire: The Masquerade, to talk about fresh approaches to writing vampires!…
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Episode 44, part 1: The Undying Appeal of Vampires with Jason Carl
33:07
33:07
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Vampires! Their undying appeal is unquestioned. But how can writers, gamemasters and tabletop RPG players inject new life into these monstrous heroes in games and fiction? Join Janet as she sits down with Jason Carl, brand marketing manager for Vampire: The Masquerade, to talk about fresh approaches to writing vampires!…
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[ISBW] Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant
34:14
34:14
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In this podcast we dive into the depths of editing my novel, Infinite Archive, and how I'm navigating the murky waters of murder mystery tweaks. The post [ISBW] Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant appeared first on The Murverse Mothership.By Mur Lafferty
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[ISBW] Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant
34:14
34:14
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In this podcast we dive into the depths of editing my novel, Infinite Archive, and how I'm navigating the murky waters of murder mystery tweaks. The post [ISBW] Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant appeared first on The Murverse Mothership.By Mur Lafferty
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[ISBW] Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant
34:15
34:15
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S20 Ep15: In Which Mur Muses on AI and the Writer's Journey "I'm exaggerating a little bit, but if you look at the last 20 years, that's pretty much how I work."- Mur Transcript In this podcast we dive into the depths of editing my novel, Infinite Archive, and how I'm navigating the murky waters of murder mystery tweaks. We also explore the increas…
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Episode 43, part 2: Collaborative Writing & Space Misfits with Nina Croft & Tracy Wolff
25:19
25:19
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In this episode, we're talking about science fiction worldbuilding, collaborative writing, and creating a crew of lovable misfits with Tracy Wolff & Nina Croft, bestselling authors of Star Bringer!
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Episode 43, part 1: Collaborative Writing & Space Misfits with Nina Croft & Tracy Wolff
32:27
32:27
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In this episode, we're talking about science fiction worldbuilding, collaborative writing, and creating a crew of lovable misfits with Tracy Wolff & Nina Croft, bestselling authors of Star Bringer!
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