75 episodes

Welcome to Deadline City: a podcast and a destination. We are two New York City-based authors who share an office and work on multiple books at a time. Between us, we have 40 books published and under contract, and we’re just getting started. If you’ve seen us on the road, you know how we cut up. We like to have fun and talk about the one thing that is always on our minds: creating books. Publishing is a big scary world to many of us, and our goal is to pull back the curtain on some of the mystery by simply talking about it. In our first season, we want to dig into subjects like YA fiction, editing, reading reviews, burnout. Most of the time, you publish a book and then you’re at a loss for what comes next. How do you navigate the industry and then still manage to write more books? That’s a journey we’re on and know that so many others are on the same road. We hope you come along for the ride.

Deadline City's Podcast Zoraida & Dhonielle

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 133 Ratings

Welcome to Deadline City: a podcast and a destination. We are two New York City-based authors who share an office and work on multiple books at a time. Between us, we have 40 books published and under contract, and we’re just getting started. If you’ve seen us on the road, you know how we cut up. We like to have fun and talk about the one thing that is always on our minds: creating books. Publishing is a big scary world to many of us, and our goal is to pull back the curtain on some of the mystery by simply talking about it. In our first season, we want to dig into subjects like YA fiction, editing, reading reviews, burnout. Most of the time, you publish a book and then you’re at a loss for what comes next. How do you navigate the industry and then still manage to write more books? That’s a journey we’re on and know that so many others are on the same road. We hope you come along for the ride.

    S6 - Episode 6: Big Idea Barn

    S6 - Episode 6: Big Idea Barn

    Welcome back to Deadline City! This week we are talking about the "Big Idea." But what is a "Big Idea" and who gets to decide that? We pull from our vast publishing experience plus trends we've seen come and go, and do a deep dive into a topic everyone seems to be chasing. 
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    • 53 min
    S6: Episode 5 - Remix Row

    S6: Episode 5 - Remix Row

    This week on Deadline City, we break down retellings and remixes. When it comes to writing, IS there anything new under the sun? We talk about our own experiences with tropes, reimaginings, classics, and WHO gets to tell these stories. Buckle in and join us. 
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    • 53 min
    S6: Episode 4 - Myth Buster Manor

    S6: Episode 4 - Myth Buster Manor

    This week we head to "Myth Buster Manor" where we asked the internet for publishing myths and rumors that are spread through the industry streets. Based on our experience, we tackle one by one. Is your career over if you don't hit the elusive NYT list? Are you relegated to a single genre? Does jumping agents make you less desirable? You asked, we answered. 
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    • 1 hr 2 min
    S6: Episode 3 - The Political Playground w/ Samira Ahmed

    S6: Episode 3 - The Political Playground w/ Samira Ahmed

    This week's episode features Samira Ahmed, New York Times bestseller and activist! It's a deep dive into the politics of being an author. What risks do we take? What do we have to consider when we're writing about people from the real world, or fantasy worlds? We interrogate ourselves and the way we approach social media, as well as the decisions other creatives make when they're voicing their political views online. We hope you love this honest, and at times ridiculous (thanks Zoraida), conversation. 
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    • 1 hr 14 min
    S6: Episode 2 - Burnout Borough Pt. II (Extra Crispy)

    S6: Episode 2 - Burnout Borough Pt. II (Extra Crispy)

    What's up Deadline City?! We're back to Burn Out Borough. This week we're having an honest conversation about how to identify burnout, working through COVID, what we're doing to cope with the times, and how we can be better.  No matter what, we're still creating. We're in this together, and hope this episode lets you know that you're not alone in Burnout Borough. 
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    • 42 min
    Season 6: Episode 1 - Where In The World Is Deadline City?

    Season 6: Episode 1 - Where In The World Is Deadline City?

    We're back and more tired than ever! But first, we need to catch up on all that's happened in our lives since the start of the year. So much has happened in the publishing industry this summer, and we go through our own version of "the state of the union." From Barnes & Noble's new policies to book bannings to the DOJ v PRH, we have a lot of opinions. Welcome back to Deadline City and we hope you stay a while! 
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    • 57 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
133 Ratings

133 Ratings

Lyrical<3Lover ,

Every Writer Needs to Listen

Absolutely love this podcast! Zoraida and Dhonielle are such an amazing and helpful duo. Episodes are literary without being pretentious, comprehensive but accessible, and informative while still being hilarious. I’ve learned more about publishing and how to be a working writer from this podcast than my MFA.

malfoxley ,

Great show!

Zoraida and Dhonielle, hosts of the Deadline City’s podcast, highlight all aspects of creating books and more in this can’t miss podcast! The hosts and expert guests offer insightful advice and information that is helpful to anyone that listens!

NJ Charbonneau ,

Fun & Insightful

I love learning while laughing! These hosts sound like they’re having a blast, and they dive deep into the complexities of writing, agenting, editing, publishing & more.

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