PubCrawl Podcast

This week JJ and Kelly give you a behind-the-scenes peek at a Day in the Life of a publishing person. SPOILER: The tagline "I get paid to read books" is somewhat misleading. Also, there is a long, protracted discussion of Game of Thrones near the end because JJ has feels, so if you're not into spoilers, go ahead and give that section a skip.

This week Kelly and JJ discuss the final installment of the original Star Wars trilogy: RETURN OF THE JEDI. Is it successful? Is it not? It's better than the prequel trilogy, but is that saying much? Note: Sorry about the audio in parts; it was raining really hard and unfortunately we don't have actual recording studios. P.S. JJ doesn't know what to spend her Audible credit on, so give her recommendations!

This week JJ and Kelly continue their series on dissecting fictional properties, this time with the second installment of the original Star Wars trilogy: The Empire Strikes Back. Arguably the best of the original three (and possibly all seven), they try to pick apart why it is both a critical and fan favorite. Also, musical theatre nerds, this week's off menu recommendations are for you!

This week Kelly and JJ are back from a two-week hiatus, yay! Also they begin a new series, where they take a fictional property and examine it from a storytelling perspective: character, plot, pacing, structure. This week they will tackling one of the most famous: Star Wars.

This week JJ and Kelly conclude their series on genres in publishing with ROMANCES. Also, we reveal the depth of our Harry Potter nerdery and our deep fandom past. TRIGGER WARNING: We discuss rape and consent in Old School romances.

This week Kelly and JJ continue with their series on genres in publishing, this time Mystery & Thriller. JJ has also apparently passed her reading rut on to Kelly, and our prognosticating powers apparently brought about the YA version of Dan Brown's DA VINCI CODE because we discussed reading it as teenagers in the episode.

This week JJ and Kelly continue with their series on genre in publishing, this week focusing on Science-Fiction and Fantasy. It was a close shave as JJ spilled water on her laptop last week, but her computer pulled through! Also, more about reading ruts and Beyoncé's LEMONADE.

This week Kelly and JJ begin their series on GENRE. This episode will serve as a general overview of "genre" as the publishing industry defines it.

This week JJ interviews Roshani Chokshi, author of The Star-Touched Queen, a Hades and Persephone-inspired romance infused with Indian mythology and imagery! We talk about world building, discuss settings outside of the West, and about Roshani's publication journey and where story ideas come from! Also, JJ betrays the depth of her Tolkien linguistic nerdery.

This week JJ and Kelly continue with their characterization series by discussing ANCILLARY CHARACTERS. We love ancillary characters, they're often our favorites!

This week Kelly and JJ continue with their characterization series with VILLAINS. Apologies for the audio quality this week, folks; this topic is apparently cursed as Kelly and JJ tried to record it TWICE and FAILED. Also, spoilers ahoy for Star Wars, Harry Potter, LOST, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, et al.

This week JJ and Kelly talk about the characterization of protagonists, how to get a vivid, realistic character, and whether or not "unlikeable" means "unsympathetic."

This week Kelly and JJ (and JJ's dog) discuss author platform and brand. JJ is also tackling spring allergies, but it's fighting back and winning. Also, the difference between "further" and "farther!"

This week JJ and Kelly talk sales conference and deliver some publishing real-ness. Also, yet more other podcast recommendations.

This week Kelly and JJ live-critique five queries submitted for review. Thank you to everyone who sent us their queries! We would love nothing more than to be able to provide personalized critique to each and every one of you, but unfortunately we don't have all the time in the world.