• Writerly Lifestyle

  • By: David
  • Podcast

Writerly Lifestyle

By: David
  • Summary

  • Interviews and reviews for writerly folks hoping to turn their love of writing into a career they can be proud of.
    © 2023 Writerly Lifestyle
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Episodes
  • How to Navigate Thriller Sub-Genres and Create Memorable Stories with Douglas Corleone
    Apr 9 2025

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    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 reader expectations.

    • How to identify and skillfully navigate the boundaries between thriller sub-genres to create distinctive fiction that still satisfies reader expectations
    • Techniques for incorporating meaningful personal themes into commercial thriller writing, particularly when handling sensitive or challenging subject matter
    • Strategies for crafting memorable twist endings that readers won't forget, avoiding the common pitfall of formulaic conclusions that fail to leave a lasting impression


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    21 mins
  • Literary Agent Amy Nielsen on How to Write a Query Letter that Gets Attention
    Feb 27 2025

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    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, or crime fiction, Amy's professional insights will help you avoid common pitfalls and significantly improve your chances of catching an agent's attention with your query.

    Learn how to write query letters that stand out from the slush pile with practical advice from one of the industry's most approachable literary agents.

    • The exact structure of a winning query letter, including where to place metadata, how to craft a personal introduction, and how to keep your word count tight at 300-350 words
    • Why comparative titles are crucial to query success, with a real-life example of how changing just one comp title led to representation and publication offers
    • How to ensure your query pitch accurately reflects your opening pages (especially if you have a prologue), and why this alignment is essential for thriller writers working with agents

    Bio:

    Amy Nielsen spent nearly 20 years as a youth librarian. Daily immersion in story took root and she penned her YA debut WORTH IT behind her circulation desk. In addition to being an author, Amy is an editorial literary agent at The Purcell Agency. She is also a freelance editor and runs Mayflower Media where she helps authors make book trailers and other video marketing materials.

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    28 mins
  • Community 101: What you need to know
    Feb 20 2025

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    Enter your name and email address.

    I'll reach out with more information to see if we're the right fit.

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    13 mins

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