Hungry Authors

Ariel Curry & Liz Morrow
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If you’ve got the hunger—the drive, the gumption, the stick-with-it-ness—to develop a great idea and plan your book, then you should do it. In this podcast, writers and industry experts Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry share insights and tools to plan and write your book, navigate the publishing industry, and bring your ideas to life. With interviews from bestselling authors, hungry authors just like you, and other publishing insiders, Hungry Authors is a place for all of us to get better and make our publishing dreams come true – together.

  1. 06.10.2025

    93. An Inside Look at Editing with Traditional Publishers

    Is it really author vs. editor when you get to the editing stage? Sometimes it can feel that way, especially if your editor has a lot of requests for changes… but it doesn’t have to be that way! It’s actually author desires vs. what the reader needs, and ideally an editor helps you navigate those competing priorities. In this episode, Liz and Ariel dive into the nuanced and often challenging dynamics between authors and editors. Liz shares her recent experience with feedback on a manuscript and the inherent tension that can arise even for seasoned writers and collaborators. The conversation covers the importance of editing, the emotional reactions it can provoke, and the intricate balance between staying true to an author’s vision and ensuring reader clarity. Key points of discussion include different editorial styles, the role of copy editors, and strategies for effective communication and feedback in the writing process. Whether you’re a writer, an editor, or somewhere in between, this episode offers valuable insights into the collaborative effort behind producing a successful book. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:47 Liz’s Recent Editing Experience 02:15 Navigating Feedback and Reactions 06:15 Ariel’s Editing Approach 09:57 Balancing Author and Reader Needs 21:03 Collaborator Challenges and Insights 27:32 Understanding the Editor’s Perspective 28:13 The Relationship Between Author and Manuscript 31:07 Navigating Feedback and Edits 33:34 The Role of Editors in the Writing Process 36:24 The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback 38:46 The Hidden Code of Conduct Among Editors 43:03 The Importance of Copy Editors 45:40 Final Thoughts on Editing and Feedback Join us to Map Your Book! Want us to help you vet your idea and plan your book’s content from start to finish? Join us in October for Map Your Book!

    24 min.

  2. 02.10.2025

    94. Timeless, Timely, & Unique: Lessons From the Hungry Authors Idea Lab

    In the very first Hungry Authors’ Idea Lab, Liz and Ariel discuss their updated scorecard for evaluating book ideas. We focus on three key aspects: timeless topics, timely topics, and unique angles. We provide detailed criteria for each category, explaining what constitutes a strong book idea versus a weaker one. The episode also includes the evaluation of submitted book ideas from the community, offering constructive feedback to refine and improve them. Finally, we introduce their upcoming Book Mapping cohort, aimed at helping authors structure their books from the initial idea to final chapters. To see the updated scorecard, check out our Substack post: “Watch the Hungry Authors Idea Lab.“ 00:00 Introduction to Hungry Authors Idea Lab 01:39 Meet the Hosts: Liz and Ariel 02:53 Overview of Hungry Authors and Today’s Agenda 03:08 Timeless Topics: Evaluating Your Book Idea 09:26 Timeliness: Making Your Book Relevant Now 23:22 Unique Angles: Crafting a Compelling Argument 39:20 Case Studies: Applying the Rubric to Bestsellers 45:20 Evaluating McConaughey’s Book 45:44 Timelessness vs. Timeliness in Devotionals 48:20 Voice and Celebrity Influence 50:03 Community Book Idea Critiques 50:26 Memoir of Escaping a Cult and Finding Meaning 59:57 Creative Spiritual Practices 01:06:46 Parenting in Multicultural Families 01:16:00 Lessons from an Equine Veterinarian’s Wife 01:22:30 The Importance of a Big Idea in Book Writing Don’t miss the Map Your Book Cohort! Map Your Book is starting next week, October 7, and we’d love to see you there! We’ll help you refine your big idea, create a table of contents, and plan your book’s chapters from start to finish. This is important creative work; do it with friends and get feedback from two experts who have done this countless times for traditionally published books. Learn more + register today on Maven.

    44 min.

  3. 30.09.2025

    92. Our 10 Most Common Pieces of Writing Advice

    In today’s solo episode of the Hungry Authors Podcast, Liz and Ariel share each of their five most frequently given pieces of advice for writers (10 total!). From understanding the importance of knowing your unique angle and studying your comps, to the necessity of clear transitions, explicit writing, and knowing the book’s transformation, they dive into practical tips. They also stress the importance of building a platform, writing authentically, and seeking early feedback. 00:00 Welcome to the Hungry Authors Podcast 00:39 Top 5 Pieces of Advice for Writers 02:48 The Importance of Knowing Your Unique Angle 05:25 Finding Your Unique Angle Through Comps 10:45 Understanding the Transformation in Your Writing 13:28 Focusing on Transitions and Being Explicit 18:14 Stop Asking If It’s a Good Idea 23:06 Write Like You Talk 26:21 Stop Complaining About Platform 29:51 Ask for Help Sooner 36:12 Map Your Book Cohort Join us to Map Your Book! Want us to help you vet your idea and plan your book’s content from start to finish? Join us in October for Map Your Book!

    19 min.

  4. 23.09.2025

    91. 91. The Making of a Memoir with Kara Kavensky and Katharine Sands

    This week, we welcome author Kara Kavensky and literary agent Katharine Sands to discuss the journey of writing and publishing memoirs. Kara, a corporate communication strategist and author, shares her experience writing a memoir about a World War II veteran’s quest for lost love, which deeply intertwined with her own life transformation. Katherine, as Kara’s literary agent, offers insights into the world of memoir publishing, emphasizing the importance of community, platform, and unique storytelling. The episode explores the challenges and strategies for aspiring memoir writers and the therapeutic power of writing. 00:00 Introduction to the Hungry Authors Podcast 00:37 Meet Kara Kavensky and Katharine Sands 00:50 Kara’s Memoir Journey Begins 02:11 The Life-Changing Interview with Bob 06:27 Kara’s Personal Transformation 11:57 The Role of an Agent in Memoir Publishing 14:12 The Importance of Platform in Memoir Writing 19:03 Kara’s Writing Experience and Advice 24:30 Discussing the Editing Process 25:05 Navigating Feedback and Criticism 27:25 Manuscript Iterations and Finalizing the Story 29:39 Challenges of Writing a Memoir 33:01 Advice for Aspiring Memoir Writers 36:15 The Importance of a Unique Perspective 40:50 Balancing Personal Stories with Marketability 44:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement About Kara A born storyteller, Kara loves sharing inspiring stories. She has written thousands of personal interest stories, op-eds, and features on fascinating people to local and national magazines and news outlets. In addition to storytelling and public relations, her remain relevant consulting business applies storytelling concepts to humanize businesses, which facilitates amazing results. Kara’s debut memoir, TELL ME ABOUT JOY, is a result of one of her interviews (Fall 2026). Listen to podcast episodes of Finding Joy with Kara and her newest podcast series, Record Scratch with Kara! About Katharine Katharine Sands is a literary agent with the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. She has worked with a varied list of authors who publish a diverse array of books. She is the agent provocateur of Making the Perfect Pitch: How to Catch a Literary Agent’s Eye, a collection of pitching wisdom from leading literary agents. Actively building her client list, she likes books that have a clear benefit for readers’ lives in categories of food, travel, lifestyle, home arts, beauty, wisdom, relationships, parenting, and fresh looks, which might be at issues, life challenges or popular culture. When reading fiction she wants to be compelled and propelled by urgent storytelling, and hooked by characters. For memoir and femoir, she likes to be transported to a world rarely or newly observed. Learn more about Katharine and send her a pitch on ManuscriptWishlist.com!

    24 min.

  5. 25.08.2025

    90. How to Be an Appreciative Critic of AI with Chad Allen

    In this episode of the Hungry Authors Podcast, Chad Allen, an editor, coach, and writer, returns to explore the rapidly evolving role of AI in writing and publishing. The conversation delves into the basics of AI and large language models like ChatGPT, the benefits for writers, and ethical concerns surrounding AI’s use. Chad and the hosts share personal experiences and insights on how AI can enhance creativity, streamline processes, and address emotional challenges. Despite the potential for misuse, they emphasize the importance of balancing appreciation and caution in leveraging AI as a helpful tool for professional writers. Chad leaves listeners with the advice to adopt an “appreciative critic” mindset. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back 01:05 Chad Allen’s Background and Current Work 01:32 Diving into AI in Writing and Publishing 05:03 Personal Experiences with AI 08:57 AI’s Role in Writing and Editing 20:00 Ethical Considerations and Practical Uses of AI 22:42 Navigating AI in Publishing 23:26 Ethical Dilemmas with AI-Generated Content 25:04 The Value of Authenticity in Writing 30:50 Future of AI in Writing and Publishing 35:44 Personal Experiences with AI Tools 41:45 Advice for Writers on Using AI Chad R. Allen is a writer, speaker, editor, and writing coach. A 25-year publishing professional, he has worked with such bestselling authors as Michael Hyatt, Caroline Leaf, Mark Batterson, and Phyllis Tickle. He is the creator of BookCamp, a training center and community for writers, as well as Book Proposal Academy, an online course. His passion is helping writers craft must-read books that reach large audiences, and he blogs at http://www.chadrallen.com/. Author of Do Your Art, Chad has been published in such online places as LifeHacker, The Accidental Creative, and The Good Men Project. Chad holds a B.A. in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an M.A. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife, Alyssa, live with their two children in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Hear more from Chad on his blog, or by following him on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky. Interested in joining Chad’s writing group, BookCamp? Learn more here!

    22 min.

  6. 18.08.2025

    89. I Want to Hear Your Story with Jeffrey Mason

    This week, worlds collide as we welcome one of Ariel’s Sourcebooks authors, Jeffrey Mason, the creator of the Hear Your Story series. Jeffrey shares his journey from self-publishing his first book in 2018 to selling millions of copies and becoming a bestseller on Amazon (and USA Today!). He talks about how his initial inspiration came from his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and his desire to know more about his father’s life. Jeffrey explains the evolving success of his journals, which are now available in major retailers and translated into multiple languages. He also discusses the significant impact TikTok has had on his sales and marketing strategies. His story highlights the legitimacy and potential of self-publishing, emphasizing the importance of creativity, persistence, and leveraging social media for success. Plus, Jeffrey leveraged a successful self-publishing enterprise into a partnership with Sourcebooks that is making waves across the industry. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Jeffrey Mason 01:42 Jeffrey’s Journey with Hear Your Story 03:01 The Impact of Personal Stories 09:38 From Passion Project to Real Business 12:58 The Legitimacy of Self-Publishing 17:21 Navigating the Publishing Landscape 23:02 TikTok Success and Future Plans 25:06 The Viral TikTok Success Story 26:16 Handling Viral Demand 27:00 TikTok’s Impact on Book Sales 28:40 Expanding to New Markets 29:58 Creative Content Creation on TikTok 36:19 The Power of Print Books 39:53 Future Vision for Hear Your Story 42:17 Partnership with Sourcebooks Jeffrey Mason has spent twenty plus years helping individuals, couples, businesses, and organizations achieve goals, build their relationships, and create positive impacts. He is committed to the idea that optimism, effort, and resilience can conquer every challenge, forgiveness is the ultimate gift we can give others and ourselves, and hearing each other will lead to a more positive world. His current focus is family, writing, and helping others tell their stories through Hear Your Story Books. You can contact him at jmason@hearyourstory.com.  He would love to hear from you.

    23 min.

  7. 15.08.2025

    Bonus Episode: What We’ve Been Up To!

    New episodes have started rolling out, but we didn’t want to leave you hanging on what’s been up with us! After taking a six-month break, we’re back sharing some personal updates, including how Liz is coping with the loss of her dad, and how Ariel’s adjusting to life with three kids. We reflect on managing our professional responsibilities amidst personal challenges, including keeping up with freelance writing and the one-year anniversary of our book, Hungry Authors! Plus, we’ve got new cohorts, workshops, and speaking engagements coming up that you don’t want to miss. Links: Chit: “Do it, lady!” Sign up for our next Map Your Book cohort! 00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back 01:20 Reflecting on Personal Loss and Professional Commitments 03:41 Balancing Work and Family Life 06:26 The Importance of Taking a Break 11:56 Reflections on the Past Year 15:41 Celebrating the Anniversary of Hungry Authors 21:44 Upcoming Projects and Events 24:42 Closing Remarks and Thank You

    13 min.

  8. 11.08.2025

    88. The Art of the Unauthorized Biography with Brendan O’Meara

    This week, we welcome back Brendan O’Meara, a seasoned journalist, author, and podcaster to celebrate the release of his new book, The Front Runner. Brendan discusses his extensive experience in the world of narrative non-fiction, highlighting his works on Six Weeks in Saratoga and The Front Runner: The Life of Prefontaine. He delves into the process of writing unauthorized biographies, including dealing with uncooperative subjects, the importance of thorough research, and the emotional investment in crafting a detailed and respectful portrayal of his subjects. Brendan shares his unique journey of writing about Steve Prefontaine, the challenges he faced, and the editorial rigor involved in bringing a biography to life. Plus, he spills the tea on his book advance and the schedule/timeline for his payments. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to write narrative nonfiction, you’ll want to hear this! 00:00 Welcome to the Hungry Authors Podcast 00:50 Meet Brendan: Journalist, Author, and Podcaster 01:28 Brendan’s Books and Boston Presentation 03:55 The Unauthorized Biography Explained 07:25 Challenges in Writing an Unauthorized Biography 13:46 The Research Process and Proposal Challenges 19:19 Crafting a Narrative Nonfiction 33:17 Reflecting on Biographical Writing 34:28 The Emotional Journey of Research 39:13 Pitching and Selling the Book 40:00 The Writing and Editing Process 47:16 Managing Book Advances 54:19 Balancing Freelance Work and Stability 54:56 Acknowledging Support Systems 59:12 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude Brendan O’Meara is the founder and host of the Creative Nonfiction podcast. As a sportswriter, he’s covered a wide swath of events including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, as well as several local and professional sports for Trail Runner Magazine, Bleacher Report and the Associated Press. His essays and craft pieces have appeared in Writer’s Digest, Brevity, Creative Nonfiction Magazine, and Longreads. He lives in Oregon.

    30 min.
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Om

If you’ve got the hunger—the drive, the gumption, the stick-with-it-ness—to develop a great idea and plan your book, then you should do it. In this podcast, writers and industry experts Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry share insights and tools to plan and write your book, navigate the publishing industry, and bring your ideas to life. With interviews from bestselling authors, hungry authors just like you, and other publishing insiders, Hungry Authors is a place for all of us to get better and make our publishing dreams come true – together.

Oplysninger

  • Skaber
    Ariel Curry & Liz Morrow
  • Aktive år
    2022 - 2025
  • Episoder
    95
  • Vurdering
    Ikke anstødeligt
  • Copyright
    © Hungry Authors 2022
  • Websted for serie
    Hungry Authors