Best Lunar Chronicles Podcasts (2024)

1
Why We Love Heists and the Benefits of Co-Writing - Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka - Heiress Takes All 46:26

4h ago46:26

46:26

Marissa chats with the husband-and-wife writing team of Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka about their latest YA adventure heist novel, HEIRESS TAKES ALL. Also discussed in this episode: the process of cowriting and the division of labor that resembles a marriage, carefully and consciously casting a heist book’s ensemble of characters, bene…

1
Ask Me Anything! Marissa Meyer Talks Writing, Books, Life, and More for our 200th Episode Celebration! 1:06:37

2h ago1:06:37

1:06:37

In this 200th (!) episode of The Happy Writer Podcast, Marissa (with some help from Joanne) answers many of your burning questions. Topics discussed: dealing with burnout, crafting three-dimensional characters, writing to trends, co-writing, balancing writing with parenting, and so much more. Also included: much-anticipated updates on TLC productio…

1
Contemporary Challenges and "Unlikeable" Protagonists - Alexene Farol Follmuth - Twelfth Knight 44:05

4d ago44:05

44:05

Marissa chats with Alexene Farol Follmuth about her latest contemporary coming-of-age YA romance, TWELFTH KNIGHT. Also discussed: some of the differences between self and traditional publishing and how the two can come together in a career, crafting the ‘unlikeable female character’, using Shakespeare for source material, structuring a romance diff…

1
Co-Writing Fantasy and Having Fun With It - Tessa Gratton - Chaos & Flame / Blood & Fury Duology 44:29

11d ago44:29

44:29

Marissa chats with Tessa Gratton about her new YA fantasy, BLOOD & FURY, the sequel to CHAOS & FLAME, co-written with Justina Ireland. Also discussed: building social justice and important topics into fantasy while also making a book fun, how working on different projects concurrently can be both challenging and inspiring, creating inspiration list…

1
Outline Your Novel! Tips, Tricks, and Encouragement with Save the Cat! Writes a Novel's Jessica Brody 55:00

19d ago55:00

55:00

Marissa chats again with Jessica Brody, author of Save the Cat! Writes a Novel and Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel about her popular craft books and how she adapted the original Save the Cat screenplay book’s components for novel-writing. Also discussed in this craft-focused episode: how even pantsers can benefit from outlining tips, how h…

1
Arthurian Legend and Graphic Novel Retellings with Isabel Greenberg - Young Hag and the Witches' Quest 48:43

26d ago48:43

48:43

Marissa chats with Isabel Greenberg about her new Arthurian fantasy graphic novel, YOUNG HAG AND THE WITCHES’ QUEST. Also discussed in this episode: the freedom of creating a first project without the expectation that it will be read, the challenges and allure of retellings and Arthurian legends, the process of creating and revising a graphic novel…

1
Time Travel Plotlines and How We Get Ideas with Kekla Magoon - The Secret Library 49:40

1M ago49:40

49:40

Marissa chats with Kekla Magoon about her new middle grade time travel fantasy, THE SECRET LIBRARY. Also discussed in this episode: How secrets can take many forms (goats!), writing stories non-linearly, how creating a timeline can help catch inconsistencies and track continuity, how sometimes you need to write the whole book to feel confident enou…

1
10 Tips for Better Writing-Life Balance with Marissa Meyer 42:11

2M ago42:11

42:11

Marissa shares her top 10 tips for improving your work-life balance. From starting with a focused to-do list, to reframing goal time frames, to the best way to approach multitasking, and so much more, you’re sure to find something helpful in this practical episode. Note: For more writing-specific productivity tips, you can also check out episode 14…

1
Unique Magic Systems & Endearingly Flawed Protagonists - Ana Ellickson - The Vanishing Station 47:15

2M ago47:15

47:15

Marissa chats with Ana Ellickson about her debut YA urban fantasy, THE VANISHING STATION. Also discussed: having the courage to leave an agent even before selling a book, developing complex magic systems and how helpful editors can be for ensuring they work, using locations—known and unknown—as settings for urban fantasy, creating three-dimensional…

1
A Fantasy Quest Rooted in Polynesian Culture with Makiia Lucier - Dragonfruit 45:37

2M ago45:37

45:37

Marissa chats with Makiia Lucier about her new romantic YA fantasy inspired by Pacific Island mythology, DRAGONFRUIT. Also discussed in this episode: writing by hand in notebooks, what it’s like to revise and resubmit to an agent, the advantage of keeping early writing a secret, the joy of research and using it to build lush worlds and believable f…

1
Answering Your Publishing Questions: From Query to Book Deal to Publication 1:12:41

2M ago1:12:41

1:12:41

Marissa and Joanne get together to answer listener-submitted questions about publishing, getting into nitty gritty details of what it’s like to be a published author. Also covered in this jam-packed episode: word count guidelines, what happens after signing with an agent, the submission process, what it’s like to break up with an agent, advances an…

1
A YA Theater Romance with Adib Khorram: The Breakup Lists 49:20

2M ago49:20

49:20

Marissa chats with Adib Khorram about his new YA romantic comedy, THE BREAKUP LISTS. Also discussed in the episode: the challenges of pandemic books and virtual launches, the positive influence of We Need Diverse Books, having fun mining your own experiences for fiction, showcasing the people who work behind-the-scenes in theater, identifying and c…

1
Talking Book Bans and Zine-Style YA Memoir with Stephanie Kuehnert: Pieces of a Girl 44:08

3M ago44:08

44:08

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Stephanie Kuehnert about her new YA zine-style memoir, PIECES OF A GIRL, that includes journal entries, original illustrations, and pages from her actual diaries and zines. Discussed in this episode: how a book can take the time it needs to take, how even a memoir can be a challenge to structure and know w…

1
Pro Book Marketing Tips for Amazon and Beyond with Franklin Goldberg of Amplify Marketers 49:40

3M ago49:40

49:40

In this week’s special episode sponsored by Amplify Marketing, Marissa has a fascinating chat with company founder, Franklin Goldberg, about getting books into the hands and hearts of readers. Discussed in this jam-packed episode about marketing: how every book needs to be looked at individually depending on a complex set of variables, the most eff…

1
MG Novel-in-Verse and Fictionalized Memoir with John Schu: Louder Than Hunger 46:00

3M ago46:00

46:00

In this week’s episode Marissa chats with John Schu about his semi-autobiographical novel in verse, LOUDER THAN HUNGER. Also discussed: the difficulty in determining an age label for a book, writing a fictionalized account of your own experiences instead of a memoir and deciding when and how much to fictionalize, the healing power of writing from a…

1
Quick Series Releases and YA Fantasy with Bethanie Finger: More Than Life 48:41

3M ago48:41

48:41

In this week’s episode Marissa chats with debut author and podcaster Bethanie Finger about her YA historical fantasy, MORE THAN LIFE. Also discussed in this episode: expedited series releases, being a pantser, even when worldbuilding, finding the magic in editing, short chapters, the effectiveness of writing exercises and sprints, the Prince Kai Fa…

1
Query Advice from Literary Agent Lucinda Halpern: Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author 51:29

4M ago51:29

51:29

In this week’s episode Marissa chats with literary agent, coach, and now author, Lucinda Halpern, about her new book, GET SIGNED: FIND AN AGENT, LAND A BOOK DEAL, AND BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. Also discussed in this jam-packed episode: the varied job of representing authors, why the query letter is the most important document a writer will ever cr…

1
YA Fantasy, Heists, and Vampires with Hafsah Faizal: A Tempest of Tea 40:27

4M ago40:27

40:27

In this week’s episode Marissa chats with Hafsah Faizal about her latest YA fantasy heist, the first of a new duology, A TEMPEST OF TEA. Also discussed in this episode: how a non-reader can turn into a reader and then a published author, planning out a heist when being mostly a pantser, struggling with doubts and imposter syndrome, planning out rom…

1
A Postapocalyptic Treasure Island Retelling with Dinesh Thiru: Into the Sunken City 44:17

4M ago44:17

44:17

In this week’s episode Marissa chats with Dinesh Thiru about his debut YA fantasy adventure, INTO THE SUNKEN CITY. Also discussed in this episode: how a gag project can inspire a writing career, retelling a literary classic (TREASURE ISLAND) in a postapocalyptic setting, how much of the source material to use, and creating a more modern diverse cas…

1
The Audiobook Narrator and Comic Artist of With a Little Luck: feat. Chuck Gonzales and Stacy Carolan 1:03:14

4M ago1:03:14

1:03:14

In this week’s episode, the first of the 2024 season, Marissa chats about her brand-new book, WITH A LITTLE LUCK, the companion to INSTANT KARMA. Featured in this episode are two special guests: Chuck Gonzales, the illustrator for the comic book pages inside WITH A LITTLE LUCK, and Stacy Carolan, the book’s audio edition narrator. Discussed in this…

1
YA Holiday Rom-Com with Elle Gonzalez Rose - Caught in a Bad Fauxmance 45:16

6M ago45:16

45:16

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Elle Gonzalez Rose about her queer YA rom-com, CAUGHT IN A BAD FAUXMANCE. Also discussed: How a career writing marketing copy for the screen is transferable to writing books and book marketing materials, the fun of writing favorite tropes in romance, bonding characters over cultural foods, the challenge of…

1
How to Write Genrebending YA Sci-Fi / Fantasy with Andrea Tang - Kingdom of Without 46:34

7M ago46:34

46:34

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Andrea Tang about her latest sci-fi heist YA, KINGDOM OF WITHOUT. Also discussed, genre-bending in YA, on discovering who your character is during the writing process, how edit notes really can give perspective and sometimes, exactly what the book needs, leaning on experts to help ensure details are authen…

1
Writing Realistic Middle Grade with Jessica Vitalis - Coyote Queen 44:22

7M ago44:22

44:22

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Jessica Vitalis about her latest contemporary middle grade, COYOTE QUEEN. Also discussed: how to pronounce ‘coyote’ (which is not as simple as one might think) and fascinating coyote facts, digging deep to put difficult emotions on the page and how much of a challenge that can be, mining lived experiences …

1
Witches and Evocative Contemporary Settings with Kate Pearsall - Bittersweet in the Hollow 40:12

7M ago40:12

40:12

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Kate Pearsall about her debut YA mystery (with magic!), BITTERSWEET IN THE HOLLOW. Also discussed: NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), creating an evocative and lush setting, using real locations as inspiration but changing details to suit the story, the brilliance of using gravestones for character …

1
NaNoWriMo and Neurodivergent Characters with Leanne Schwartz - A Prayer for Vengeance 43:34

8M ago43:34

43:34

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Leanne Schwartz about her YA fantasy debut, A PRAYER FOR VENGEANCE. Also discussed: National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), using a theater background to help get into characters’ heads and allowing you to keep your audience in mind, writing neurodivergent characters from the place of a lived experience …

1
Action-Packed Middle Grade with Terry J. Benton-Walker - Alex Wise vs. the End of the World 49:44

8M ago49:44

49:44

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Terry J. Benton-Walker about his middle grade fantasy, ALEX WISE VS THE END OF THE WORLD. Also discussed: how a varied background that seems to not be related to writing can still inform a writer’s career, on being a super-plotter, exploring how people react in stressful situations (like an apocalypse!), c…

1
A Jekyll and Hyde Graphic Novel Retelling with S.H. Cotugno - The Glass Scientists 50:04

8M ago50:04

50:04

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with S.H. Cotugno about their YA graphic novel, THE GLASS SCIENTISTS, based on the popular webcomic of the same name, inspired by the classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story. Also discussed: collaborating with others and how to leave space for other people’s creativity, the relatability of Jekyll and Hyde and the…

1
Fantasy Horse Races and Jewish Mythology with Kalyn Josephson - This Dark Descent 38:50

8M ago38:50

38:50

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Kalyn Josephson about her latest YA fantasy, THIS DARK DESCENT. Also discussed: how technical writing can help with creative and novel writing, using Jewish mythology as inspiration for fantasy (golems!), the joy in worldbuilding, how all fantasy books should have a map, how to decide whose point of view t…

1
Fairy Tales for Adults and Being Consistent with Your Writing with John Connolly - The Land of Lost Things 47:19

8M ago47:19

47:19

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with John Connolly about THE LAND OF LOST THINGS, his long-anticipated companion to THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS. Also discussed: how being a journalist can help and/or hinder being a novelist, the concept of writing being a muscle, how even many books into a career you may recognize planning would make it easier to…

1
A Japanese Mythology and Jumanji-Inspired Fantasy from Kristen Simmons - Find Him Where You Left Him Dead 44:33

9M ago44:33

44:33

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Kristen Simmons about her YA horror, FIND HIM WHERE YOU LEFT HIM DEAD, which has been described (by past guest Kendare Blake!) as “Jumanji but Japanese-inspired”. Also discussed: How rejection can be deeply painful but that being a writer is what you are, regardless of the outside reaction to your work, le…

1
Writing Heists and Avoiding Info-Dumps with Kayvion Lewis - Thieves' Gambit 42:32

9M ago42:32

42:32

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Kayvion Lewis about her new YA heist thriller, THIEVES’ GAMBIT. Also discussed: books coming out of dreams, creating a cast of characters when being a plot-first type of writer, the importance of revision in layering characters and refining complicated details (heists!), letting the world around you influe…

1
Combining Western Fairy Tales with East Asian Folklore - Elizabeth Lim - Her Radiant Curse 40:27

9M ago40:27

40:27

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Elizabeth Lim about her latest YA fantasy, HER RADIANT CURSE. Also discussed: the popularity of Sailor Moon Fan Fiction, the connections between writing music and writing words, combining Western fairy tales with East Asian folklore, how authentic and true to the source material to be when using historical…

1
YA Magical Realism and Romance with Aisha Saeed - Forty Words for Love 46:38

9M ago46:38

46:38

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Aisha Saeed about her latest YA magical realism (with a bit of fantasy and romance), FORTY WORDS FOR LOVE. Also discussed: the origins and impact of the We Need Diverse Books organization, how there’s been much progress in creating more representation and diverse books but there’s always more work to be do…

1
Find Your Writing/Life Balance with The Writer's Sanctuary Founders C.J. Redwine and Mary Weber 1:09:31

10M ago1:09:31

1:09:31

In this special bonus episode, Marissa chats with C.J. Redwine and Mary Weber (who was first a guest in episode 8) about their online and sometimes in-person writing craft community, The Writer’s Sanctuary, how it came to be and what they do. Also discussed: tips on creating a joy-filled writing life, avoiding negativity pitfalls like perfectionism…

1
Bridgerton Meets Freaky Friday with Rachael Lippincott - Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh 43:56

10M ago43:56

43:56

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Rachael Lippincott about her new YA, pitched as a sapphic Bridgerton meets Freaky Friday rom-com, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND PITTSBURGH. Also discussed in this episode: the challenges of working on very distinct points of view, using music to get into a character’s POV, how deep to go into the research when w…

1
Writing What YOU Love - Plus YA Contemporary Fantasy with J. Elle - House of Marionne 45:32

10M ago45:32

45:32

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with J. Elle about her YA contemporary fantasy, House of Marionne. Also discussed: throwing off the pressure to write what you think you should write and writing books for yourself, expansive worldbuilding with depth and breadth to support a trilogy - even including appendices, creating complicated, flawed love…

1
YA Horror and Ghost Stories with Kate Alice Marshall: The Narrow 43:25

10M ago43:25

43:25

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Kate Alice Marshall about her latest YA horror, THE NARROW. Also discussed: how you can reinvent yourself as a writer, the appeal of scary stories and writing them even if you’re a scaredy cat, the process of writing tension, mystery, and red herrings, coordinating the writing, editing, and promoting of se…

1
Sailor Moon + Lunar Chronicles + BTS! A New YA Fantasy from S. Jae-Jones: The Guardians of Dawn: Zhara 50:31

11M ago50:31

50:31

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with S. Jae-Jones about THE GUARDIANS OF DAWN: ZHARA, her latest young adult fantasy, the first in a new series, pitched as Sailor Moon meets The Lunar Chronicles (!). Also discussed: how marketing can have a huge influence on a book’s genre and placement, reminding yourself of why you decided to seek out publi…

1
How to Plot Your Young Adult Novel with Jessica Brody - Save the Cat! Writes a YA Novel 45:32

11M ago45:32

45:32

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Jessica Brody, author of over twenty novels, along with her bestselling SAVE THE CAT! WRITES A NOVEL, and the new SAVE THE CAT! WRITES A YOUNG ADULT NOVEL. Discussed in this episode: revisiting favorite writing resources, what makes this new version of SAVE THE CAT! unique and perfect for YA authors, how m…

1
Writing Romance with Your Spouse - Katelyn Detweiler and Danny Tamberelli - The First Date Prophecy 51:35

11M ago51:35

51:35

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with wife/husband writing team, Katelyn Detweiler and Danny Tamberelli about their co-written rom-com, THE FIRST DATE PROPHESY, inspired by their own relationship’s origins. Also discussed: how your work/media background influences your writing process, how to know how much to include in a story inspired by tru…

1
Fate vs. Science in this YA Rom-Com - Ananya Devarajan - Kismat Connection 39:40

12M ago39:40

39:40

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Ananya Devarajan about her debut YA romance, KISMAT CONNECTION. Also discussed: using platforms like Wattpad to practice writing, writing as a coping mechanism, balancing the demands of college and being a new author, using neuroscience to help draw realistic characters, recognizing parts of ourselves in o…

1
Mixing Prose and Graphic Novels with Terri Libenson - Surprisingly Sarah (Emmie & Friends) 42:13

12M ago42:13

42:13

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Terri Libenson, author of the New York Times bestselling Emmie & Friends series, about her latest, SURPRISINGLY SARAH. Also discussed: starting out in cartooning and moving into writing illustrated/graphic novels, outlining a Sliding Doors-type concept, the wonderful, yet rare times when books seem to writ…

1
Courtship Chronicles: Kyrie, LeBron & Luka's Big Three Quest 3:40

1y ago3:40

3:40

Join us as we dive into the intriguing world of NBA trade rumors and speculations. In this episode, we explore the possibility of a reunion between Kyrie Irving and LeBron James in the Dallas Mavericks, forming a formidable Big Three alongside Luka Doncic. We discuss the obstacles, financial implications, and personal relationships that could make …

1
A Multi-Author Magic School Murder Mystery - Hanna Alkaf & Margaret Owen - The Grimoire of Grave Fates 52:00

1y ago52:00

52:00

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Hanna Alkaf and Margaret Owen about their YA murder mystery anthology, THE GRIMOIRE OF GRAVE FATES. Topics covered in this super-fun episode include: how the project came out of a tweet, the challenges and joys of writing an anthology with so many authors, the politics of choosing contributors, using Googl…

1
F1 Rivalries: Verstappen's Triumph 3:02

1y ago3:02

3:02

Join us as we dive into the thrilling world of Formula 1 in our latest podcast episode. Discover the story behind Max Verstappen's dominant victory at the Spanish Grand Prix and how it extends his lead in the championship. We'll explore the fierce competition between Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, the resurgence of Red Bull, and the c…

1
Epic FA Cup Battle: City vs. United 3:00

1y ago3:00

3:00

Join us as we relive the heart-stopping clash between Manchester City and Manchester United in the FA Cup final. With goals that defy time itself and a battle of resilience, this epic showdown at Wembley Stadium left fans awestruck. We delve into the thrilling moments, the triumphs, and the dreams that continue to fuel both teams. Get ready to expe…

1
Dominant Nuggets: Unleashing Size and Poise for Game 1 Victory 3:32

1y ago3:32

3:32

In a dominating Game 1 win against the Miami Heat, the Denver Nuggets showcased their size advantage and poise under pressure. With a strong emphasis on utilizing their size to score in the paint, the Nuggets overwhelmed the Heat's defense and maintained control throughout the game. The Heat, on the other hand, struggled with their shot selection a…

1
From Stonewall to Celebration - The Colorful Story of Pride Month 3:21

1y ago3:21

3:21

Join us on a captivating journey through the vibrant history and origin story of Pride month. From the groundbreaking Stonewall riots to the tireless activism of LGBTQ+ pioneers, we uncover the struggles, triumphs, and the profound significance of this global celebration. Explore the spirit of love, acceptance, and equality that defines Pride month…

1
Latin Legends Unite: Enrique, Ricky, and Pitbull on Fire 2:54

1y ago2:54

2:54

Get ready to experience an unforgettable night of passion, energy, and heart as we embark on a musical adventure with the Latin-music superstars Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, and Pitbull. Join us as we delve into their captivating performances, seductive voices, and explosive beats. Discover the excitement of the Trilogy Tour, happening at Detroi…

1
A Queer YA Haunted House Mystery with Alex Crespo - Saint Juniper's Folly 38:10

1y ago38:10

38:10

In this week’s episode, Marissa chats with Alex Crespo about his debut, SAINT JUNIPER’S FOLLY, a queer YA haunted house mystery. Also discussed: using familiar settings to create fictional ones, using online resources like Pinterest and Zillow to do research on homes, doing deep dives to ensure details—even tiny ones—are accurate, what it means to …

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