Insights from recent episode analysis
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
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Platform Reach
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Total monthly reach
Estimated from 1 chart position in 1 market.
By chart position
- 🇦🇺AU · Books#1445K to 30K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
2.5K to 15K🎙 Weekly cadence·151 episodes·Last published 2mo ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
5K to 30K🇦🇺100% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
2K to 12K
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
Recent episodes
151 - Unhinged Characters and the Truth About Getting Published with Marisa Walz
Feb 24, 2026
23m 18s
150 Writing a Complex Mystery Novel with Bianca Marais
Oct 29, 2025
21m 09s
149 How to Write a Thriller that Gets Attention: Character and Plot Advice from Chevy Stevens
Oct 22, 2025
31m 16s
148 Developing Better Plots Using a Character-Driven Approach with Daniel David Wallace
Oct 15, 2025
27m 36s
147 How to Write Thrillers That Actually Matter with Aaron Philip Clark
Oct 9, 2025
32m 31s
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/24/26 | 151 - Unhinged Characters and the Truth About Getting Published with Marisa Walz | Send me a Text Message! Debut author Marisa Walz joins the show to talk about her psychological suspense novel Good Intentions. It's story about obsession, grief, and moral ambiguity that kept her up all night plotting after a single book inspired her to finally write it. Marisa shares: What the publishing journey really looks likeHow she balances writing unlikable protagonistsThe unexpected challenges that come after you finally land that book dealBio: Marisa Walz is the author o... | 23m 18s | ||||||
| 10/29/25 | 150 Writing a Complex Mystery Novel with Bianca Marais | Send me a Text Message! What if the secret to writing unforgettable characters isn't interrogating them with questionnaires, but letting them reveal themselves organically? In this episode, bestselling author Bianca Marais shares how she "pantsed" her way through writing her newest novel, A Most Puzzling Murder. It’s especially impressive because this novel is a complex mystery with 12+ POVs, choose-your-own-adventure chapters, interactive puzzles, and a character who emails reade... | 21m 09s | ||||||
| 10/22/25 | 149 How to Write a Thriller that Gets Attention: Character and Plot Advice from Chevy Stevens | Send me a Text Message! New York Times bestselling author Chevy Stevens pulls back the curtain on what separates a good thriller from an unforgettable one. And it might not be what you think. In this episode, Chevy reveals her unconventional process for crafting antagonists that readers love to hate. She also shares the exact mindset shift that helped her sustain an eight-book career. If you are... struggling to create believable villainsfeeling stuck in your thriller'... | 31m 16s | ||||||
| 10/15/25 | 148 Developing Better Plots Using a Character-Driven Approach with Daniel David Wallace | Send me a Text Message! Struggling with how to write a thriller that grabs readers immediately? In this interview, writing expert Daniel David Wallace shares game-changing writing tips for crafting plots that keep readers hooked from page one. Daniel, creator of the Character First Writing Approach and host of Escape the Plot Forest summit, reveals why traditional plotting advice often fails thriller writers. And he offers three essential strategies for developing compelling, char... | 27m 36s | ||||||
| 10/9/25 | 147 How to Write Thrillers That Actually Matter with Aaron Philip Clark | Send me a Text Message! What if the setting you choose could be as morally complex as your protagonist? In this episode, USA Today bestselling author Aaron Philip Clark pulls back the curtain on how he crafts crime fiction that thrills and matters. Aaron reveals: his process for weaving heavy themes into page-turners without slowing the pacewhy he writes from a place of frustration and injusticehow to make every setting choice deliberate and loaded with meaning. If you're tir... | 32m 31s | ||||||
| 10/1/25 | 146 How to turn 'wasted' drafts and subverted tropes into your writing superpower with Charlene Wang | Send me a Text Message! What if the tropes you love are actually holding your thriller back? In this episode, Charlene Wang reveals how she transformed the beloved campus novel into a feminist revenge thriller by strategically subverting genre expectations. And the results landed her a major book deal. You'll discover the counterintuitive truth about "wasted" drafts (spoiler: nothing is ever wasted), learn how to weaponize social media as a character psychology tool rather t... | 14m 49s | ||||||
| 9/25/25 | 145 How to Stand Out in the Query Trenches with Literary Agent Tommy Dean | Send me a Text Message! What does it actually take to stand out when a brand-new literary agent opens your thriller query? In this episode, Tommy Dean — associate literary agent at Rosecliff Literary, editor of Fractured Lit and Uncharted Magazine, and award-winning flash fiction writer — shares exactly what he's looking for when he reads your first 10 pages. Tommy brings something rare to agenting: a writer's instinct. He knows the manuscript struggle personally, which makes him both deepl... | 20m 19s | ||||||
| 9/16/25 | What Editors Really Want Right Now with Chantelle Aimée Osman, Who Provides a Sneak Peek Inside Simon & Schuster's Newest Imprint | Send me a Text Message! You’re going to love this exclusive conversation with Chantelle Aimée Osman, Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster's new imprint, Simon Maverick. Chantelle reveals how the publishing industry is evolving to meet indie and hybrid authors where they are. And why audio is becoming the new frontier that could transform your writing career. Discover the submission strategies that actually work, learn why your biggest strength might be the one thing editors... | 27m 39s | ||||||
| 9/9/25 | Why Your Perfect Manuscript Isn't Enough And What to Do About It with Author Tamara Miller | Send me a Text Message! Tamara Miller's debut thriller INTO THE FALL has launched her career with a two-book publishing contract. But her path from government policy analyst to published author wasn't built on talent alone. It was strategic business thinking that made the difference. In this episode, Tamara Miller reveals the approach that got her agent's immediate attention and explains why treating your query like a business proposal changes everything. She also shar... | 16m 57s | ||||||
| 9/2/25 | Literary Agent Lori Galvin Talks Going From Query to Deal: What Agents Need to See Before They Sign You | Send me a Text Message! Literary agent Lori Galvin reveals exactly what makes a query letter irresistible. She breaks down the specific elements that make agents request materials, and the common mistakes that lead to instant rejections. Whether you're crafting your first query or your fiftieth, this episode delivers the agent perspective that every fiction writer needs to hear. What You'll Learn: Why manuscript word count can kill your chances instantlyThe test some agents use ... | 22m 13s | ||||||
Want analysis for the episodes below?Free for Pro Submit a request, we'll have your selected episodes analyzed within an hour. Free, at no cost to you, for Pro users. | |||||||||
| 8/26/25 | 141 Literary Agent Vicky Weber on Why Most Writers Aren't Agent-Ready (And How to Fix It) | Send me a Text Message! Ever wondered why it feels nearly impossible to land a literary agent these days? In this episode, I had a chat with Vicky Weber, a literary agent, bestselling children's author, and marketing strategist, who pulls back the curtain on the harsh realities facing today's publishing industry. Vicky reveals why the bar for getting agented has skyrocketed, how agents are making just $20 on some deals, and why editors no longer do the developmental work they used... | 29m 37s | ||||||
| 8/6/25 | Developmental Editor and Former Literary Agent, Mary Kole Shares Her Top Revision Strategies | Send me a Text Message! Developmental editor and former literary agent Mary Kole breaks down the exact process that transforms manuscripts from "just okay" to "must-read." In this episode, you'll learn why most writers approach feedback and revision completely wrong. You’ll discover the important difference between revision and editing. And you’ll master the "boring edit" technique that ensures your story grips readers from page one to the end. Mary reveals When to see... | 28m 33s | ||||||
| 7/30/25 | Editor Turned Literary Agent, Shelly Romero Shares Important Insights on Traditional Publishing | Send me a Text Message! Former Scholastic editor Shelly Romero just made the leap to literary agent. And she's spilling the industry secrets most writers never hear. After eight years of editorial experience and now with an agent's perspective, Shelly reveals… What really happens when agents read your opening pagesWhy manuscripts need to be more polished than everThe submission mistakes that trigger instant rejections. What You'll Learn: Why voice trumps plot in manuscript su... | 27m 42s | ||||||
| 7/23/25 | Turn Your Manuscript into a Page-Turner Using The Central Question Framework with Julie Tyler Ruiz | Send me a Text Message! Every thriller, mystery, suspense, and crime writer faces the same dilemma… How do you craft a story that keeps readers turning pages? In this episode, Julie Tyler Ruiz reveals a simple framework that separates forgettable genre fiction from the stories readers obsess over for years. You'll discover… How to identify the one central question that must drive your entire manuscriptLearn the specific prompts that will transform vague plot ideas into page-turnin... | 21m 27s | ||||||
| 7/16/25 | Author Liz Alterman Reveals Her Weekly Writing Ritual That Transforms First Drafts Into Gold And How to Know When Your Story Idea Is Worth Writing | Send me a Text Message! Liz Alterman joins the podcast to discuss her latest novel, "You Shouldn't Have Done That", and reveals the unconventional strategies that have shaped her successful writing career. From her unique character development process involving weekly read-aloud sessions to her bold decision to switch from traditional publishing to a nimble indie press offering 99-cent e-books, Alterman shares practical insights that challenge conventional wisdom about both craft and b... | 19m 16s | ||||||
| 7/3/25 | Literary Agent and Author Jenna Satterthwaite on Making it in the Publishing Industry | Send me a Text Message! Ever wondered what it's really like behind the scenes of being a literary agent? What You'll Learn in this episode: • Why agents prioritize story over polished prose • The brutal financial reality of the publishing industry • What makes manuscripts stand out in queries Jenna's honesty about the industry might just shift how you approach your writing career. Join Jenna's Substack HERE Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and ... | 22m 40s | ||||||
| 6/25/25 | First Page Formula: Author and Writing Coach April Davila on What Agents & Readers Want to See in Your Thriller Manuscript Opening | Send me a Text Message! Writing coach April Davila reveals the non-negotiable elements that make first pages irresistible to readers and agents. Learn why most manuscripts fail in the opening paragraph, discover the strategic approach to character revelation that transforms boring descriptions into magnetic hooks. Then find out which common opening mistakes instantly kill reader interest. Plus, April shares her surprising advice about when to actually write your first page (... | 16m 09s | ||||||
| 6/11/25 | Creative Silos: A Unique Strategy for Your Writer Brain with Cindy Cisneros | Send me a Text Message! Storyteller's Society Sneak Peek: This Creative Silos method can make you way more efficient in your writing practice. Creativity coach Cindy Cisneros reveals why traditional productivity advice fails creative writers, her game-changing "Silos" method that stops the destructive cycle of switching between writing and querying, and the "cross-modality" technique that breaks through even the most stubborn creative blocks. What You'll Learn: The "Creative Silos" strategy t... | 12m 26s | ||||||
| 6/4/25 | Literary Agent Amy Nielsen on How to Fix Your Opening Pages (Part 2) | Send me a Text Message! Your opening page has 30 seconds to hook an agent or it's as good as a rejection. Literary agent Amy Nielsen reveals the cliché openings that kill manuscripts, the scene structure 90% of authors get wrong, and her "General-Specific-Personal" formula that eliminates info-dumping while building irresistible voice. What You'll Learn: - How to avoid cliché openings that scream "amateur" - A literary agent's simple test to tell if your opening is actually a scene ... | 27m 12s | ||||||
| 5/7/25 | 3-Part Formula for Writing Compelling Red Herrings That Mislead Without Cheating Readers with Author Eloise Corvo | Send me a Text Message! Find out more about Eloise here. In this interview, I talk to author Eloise Corvo about her debut novel OFF THE BEATEN PATH. Eloise reveals her practical three-part framework for crafting effective red herrings, which is a vital skill for any thriller, mystery, suspense, or crime fiction writer. You’ll discover essential writing tips for balancing misdirection with reader satisfaction and gain insider insights into publishing options beyond traditional routes. Whether ... | 17m 49s | ||||||
| 4/30/25 | Writing Your Series & Developing Dynamic Characters with Author Stephen Spotswood | Send me a Text Message! Find out more about Stephen Spotswood Listen to the episode with Douglas Corleone Come hang out for an interesting conversation with author Stephen Spotswood as he shares his creative process behind his successful Pentecost Parker thriller series. In this episode, Stephen shares his writing tips for crafting engaging mystery series characters that evolve across multiple books while maintaining reader interest. Whether you're interested in the writing techni... | 20m 18s | ||||||
| 4/9/25 | How to Navigate Thriller Sub-Genres and Create Memorable Stories with Douglas Corleone | Send me a Text Message! Find out more about Douglas Corleone This interview is with Douglas Corleone, author of the new thriller "Falls to Pieces." In this episode, Douglas shares essential thriller writing techniques that have helped him successfully navigate multiple sub-genres, from legal thrillers to psychological suspense. Learn practical writing tips for incorporating meaningful themes into commercial fiction and discover how to push genre boundaries while still meeting read... | 21m 24s | ||||||
| 2/27/25 | Literary Agent Amy Nielsen on How to Write a Query Letter that Gets Attention | Send me a Text Message! Learn more about the Storyteller's Society Learn more about Amy Nielsen Having reviewed thousands queries in the past two years, literary agent Amy Nielsen shares exclusive writing tips specifically tailored for thriller writers on the traditional publishing route. This agent interview with Amy dives deep into query structure, comp titles, and how to craft a pitch that perfectly matches your opening pages. Whether you're writing thriller, mystery, suspense,... | 29m 12s | ||||||
| 2/20/25 | Community 101: What you need to know | Send me a Text Message! Click here to sign up for the Storyteller's Society Enter your name and email address. I'll reach out with more information to see if we're the right fit. Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now | 14m 00s | ||||||
| 2/13/25 | 90% of Writers Make THESE Writing Mistakes Interview with Ex-Literary Agent Karyn Fischer | Send me a Text Message! Learn more about Karyn Fischer Jessica Berg Literary Agent Interview Want to know what literary agents really think when they read your submission? In this interview, former literary agent and current book coach and writing expert Karyn Fischer shares insider knowledge on how to write a novel that stands out. Discover the top mistakes writers make, why 90% of submissions aren’t ready, and the essential writing tips you need to elevate your work. Whether you... | 12m 07s | ||||||
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Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.