The Appendix

A Quick Note

marionjensen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:21:09 +0000

Hello listeners!

As you have noticed, we haven’t posted an episode for several weeks. Over the past few months, Rob has continued to struggle with severe panic disorder. Sarah and Marion continued the show, but we miss Rob.

The Appendix Podcast is one more thing in Rob’s life that is causing stress, and stress is something he just doesn’t need right now. So after quite a bit of consideration we’ve decided to put the podcast on an indefinite hiatus. We have loved doing the show, and sharing our thoughts about writing with our listeners. We hope to be able to start up the podcast again soon.

Until then, keep that keyboard busy.

Episode 35: Becoming an Editor. Serials

marionjensen — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:53:33 +0000

Editor Kirk Shaw joins Sarah and Marion once again to talk about all things writing. Okay, not all things. Just a few specific things.

In the first segment, Marion and Sarah ask Kirk what it’s like to be an editor. Really, they just want to know how to use a comma, but Kirk doesn’t divulge the secret.

In the next segment, the gang talks serials and short stories.

Finally, we finish the podcast with a Storymatic that involves a pirate, a mermaid, and a convenience store toilet. Listen to the adventure unfold!

You can download the podcast here, or subscribe to The Appendix on iTunes. Or just click on the media player below.

Music provided by Ours Vince.

Episode 34: Speculative Fiction

marionjensen — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:07:06 +0000

Recording at the UVU Book Academy, Sarah, Marion, and editor Kirk Shaw discuss several topics including World Con, speculative fiction, and trends.

For our game this week, we play Bad Romance with a speculative fiction twist.

To listen, use the media player below, or download here, or subscribe to us on iTunes.

Music from this episode is from Kutiman.

Episode 33: Sending out Queries. Element of Surprise

marionjensen — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 06:22:02 +0000

Happy pub day to Rob! Variant hits shelves, Kindles, and anybody you happen to throw it at–assuming your aim is true.

In our first segment, Sarah listens as Marion gives himself some advice about querying. The advice may or may not keep Marion from crying.

In the second segment . . . we surprise you–with thoughts on surprises.

Finally, we finish things up with a little Storymatic and a Tom Selleck ‘stache.

To listen, use the media player below, or download here, or subscribe to us on iTunes.

Music from this episode from Kutiman.

Ep. 32: News Roundup and Antagonists (with Janette Rallison)

marionjensen — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:01:42 +0000

One more week to the release of Variant!

In the first segment, Marion and Sarah recap the latest publishing news. The Kindle Fire, Amazon in libraries, and more.

In the second segment, Janette Rallison returns to discuss what makes a good antagonist.

Finally, Sarah and Marion resurrect an old game–two books and a side of bacon.

To listen, use the media player below, or download here, or subscribe to us on iTunes.

Once again, music from this episode provided by http://www.oursvince.com/en.html

Ep. 31 Changing Audiences. Changing Genres (with Janette Rallison)

Robison Wells — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:16:42 +0000

Marion and Sarah are joined by Janette Rallison. Janette lives in sunny Chandler, Arizona with her husband and five children, and writes books for young adults. Her latest book, Slayers, will be released September 27th.

In our first segment, we talk about writing for Young Adults and adults. Janette has written under three names, and explains her thoughts about writing for different audiences.

Then we talk about writing in different genres. What are the challenges? Why would a writer want to switch?

Finally, we play a game of bad romance involving a man dressed as a badger. How can you go wrong with that?

To listen, use the media player below, or download here, or subscribe to us on iTunes.

Music from today’s podcast is from Oursvince http://www.oursvince.com/en.html

Ep 30: Professional Editing, and Is My Book Garbage? (with Heather Moore)

Robison Wells — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 02:36:39 +0000

Rob is once again absent, but we don’t care because we have Heather Moore: writer, editor, businesswoman. Heather owns Precision Editing Group, and she joins us to answer the question: when should you use a professional editing service? We talk about what types of edits are important and how to identify if you need one.

Then we answer the question posed in the comments last week: when you’re rejected, how can you tell if your book needs more revisions/edits/abandonment, or if you should keep moving forward? In other words, is your book a good book with bad luck, or is it a crummy book that deserved rejection? So, there’s a can of worms.

And then we play Storymatic, and we not only tell the story but we also cast the book trailer.

To listen, use the media player below, or download here, or subscribe to us on iTunes.

Ep 29: The State of the Industry (with J. Scott Savage)

Robison Wells — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:31:29 +0000

Rob is gone this week, off being sick, and he’s replaced by J. Scott Savage, who recently sold a MG series, The Grimville Case Files, to Harper Childrens.

First, Marion gives us a rundown on the latest news in the publishing industry, highlighting the latest developments in lawsuits, ebooks, self-publishing and more.

Then, we talk about the state of the industry–what’s healthy and what’s not; where are we seeing growth; what should authors do to prepare for the future.

Finally, we play Bad Romance, and Sarah, Marion, and Scott all miss a fantastic joke opportunity that Rob was screaming at them while he edited later. See if you can guess it.

Also, you may notice that the sound is funny sometimes. We were recording off Google+ VOIP. Either that, or Scott is a robot.

To listen, use the media player below, or download here, or subscribe to us on iTunes.

Ep 28: Brainstorming (LIVE with Dan Wells)

Robison Wells — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:54:56 +0000

This week’s episode is a live recording of a brainstorming class that Rob and Dan Wells taught at the recent Teen Writers Conference. Rather than merely teach a class on how to brainstorm, we decided to demonstrate the process and give tips along the way.

To listen, use the media player below, or download here, or subscribe to us on iTunes.

Ep 27: Writers Conferences, and Teen Voices

Robison Wells — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:05:49 +0000

First, an apology about the sound. We recorded without realizing the air conditioner fan was running loudly. So, sorry about that.

Our first segment is about writers conferences: why are they important? Why should you go? What should you do there? What shouldn’t you do?

In our second segment, we pull out some old interviews we did at the Teen Writers Conference, asking teenage writers what books they’re reading and what they drives them crazy.

And then: games and pandering for cash.

To listen, use the media player below, or download here, or subscribe to us on iTunes.

Some music from today’s episode (used under a Creative Commons license): “Oh Ma Belle” and “Where Do We Go” by Admiral Bob, and “Spanish Samba” by Ours Vince.