Best Alice Sudlow Podcasts (2025)

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Where the Turning Point Goes (And How to Know If Yours Is in the Right Place) 18:11

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7d ago18:11

18:11

If you’re second-guessing your pacing, give your turning point this two-part check. Where the heck is the turning point? If you’ve ever tried to spot the turning point in a story you love, you’ve probably asked some version of this question. I always feel like I’m playing that old children’s video game: Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? (In my…

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215. How to Write a Prologue Readers Won’t Skip (& When to Start at Chapter One Instead) 18:57

8d ago18:57

18:57

Should you include a prologue or skip it? Here's how to make the right choice for your novel. Prologues are one of the most debated topics in fiction. Some literary agents warn against them, some readers skip them altogether, and yet many of the most beloved bestselling novels begin with one. The real question is this: Does your story need a prolog…

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214. Subverting the Mainstream Lens: Writing Stories That Stay True to Your People (With Tiffany Grimes) 35:37

15d ago35:37

35:37

Learn how to write authentic, diverse characters without over-explaining or fearing criticism. Writing diverse characters can feel intimidating. You want to include different voices in your story, but worry about misrepresenting them. This leads many writers to either avoid diversity altogether or fall into the trap of over-explaining everything fo…

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Turning Point: How to Find and Write the Moment That Changes Everything 28:19

21d ago28:19

28:19

It's the hinge your entire story turns on—and one of the hardest story elements to identify and write. Can I be honest? I struggled with turning points for years. I knew they were essential. They’re the moment when everything changes. The moment that forces the character to face a crisis choice. The moment that reveals what the story is really, at …

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213. 5 Expert Tips To Edit Your Messy First Draft Without The Overwhelm 28:23

22d ago28:23

28:23

Five book coaches reveal the editing secrets that turn messy first drafts into ready-to-publish manuscripts. Finishing a first draft is an incredible milestone, but what comes next can feel overwhelming. If you're staring at your messy pages and wondering how to even begin editing, you're not alone. The good news is that there is a way to move forw…

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212. 5 Ways Writers Can Use AI to Help With Book Marketing 18:29

29d ago18:29

18:29

You’ve poured your heart into writing your book, but now you’re staring down the next challenge: how do you actually get it into readers’ hands? Marketing your book can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. With the right tools—like AI—you can turn it into a streamlined, even fun, part of your creative process. In this episode, I’m breaking…

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The Hidden Half of Your Protagonist's Goal (That Makes Story Structure Work) 21:15

1M ago21:15

21:15

If your structure is perfect on paper, but your story still falls flat, this might be what you're missing. Have you ever structured a story with all the right pieces, but something still feels flat? You check all the boxes on paper: ✅ Inciting incident ✅ Progressive complications ✅ Turning point ✅ Crisis ✅ Climax ✅ Resolution And yet it still falls…

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211. How to Write Romantasy Power Couples Readers Obsess Over With Jenna Moreci 35:25

1M ago35:25

35:25

Want to write a Romantasy that readers obsess over? Here’s how to deliver the tropes, intimacy, and magic readers crave. Romantasy is everywhere right now, and for good reason—it’s the perfect mix of swoony romance, epic fantasy, and unforgettable characters. But if you’ve ever thought, “How do I even start writing Romantasy?” you’re not alone. Wit…

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210. 5 Tips For Writing A Multiple POV Novel Without Confusing Your Readers 11:55

1M ago11:55

11:55

Discover the five essential strategies for mastering multiple-POV novels without confusing your readers. Have you ever wondered if you could write a multi-POV story like The Girl on the Train? Or how about The Six of Crows? The kind that pulls you into multiple characters' worlds so completely that you feel like you know each one personally? Writin…

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When Should You Work With an Editor? (It's Earlier Than You Think) 18:40

2M ago18:40

18:40

What if you've already done enough to work with an editor—right now? You’ve been working on your novel for so long. Not just months—years, maybe even decades. And yet you have a long way still to go. The day when you have a polished manuscript you’re proud to pitch or publish feels so far away, and you're starting to wonder if you're missing someth…

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209. How to Revise Your Novel Like a Pro (Without Losing Your Mind) With Alice Sudlow 53:28

2M ago53:28

53:28

Discover the counterintuitive first draft editing approach that transforms messy manuscripts into page-turning novels readers love. Most fiction writers struggle with novel revision because they jump straight into editing their manuscript after finishing their first draft. This approach leads to endless rewrites, overwhelming confusion, and stories…

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208. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 6) 23:46

2M ago23:46

23:46

Real writers share how they broke free from endless rewrites and abandoned drafts to finally finish their novels in just 90 days—using the exact framework that can unlock your story too. In this episode, I’m sharing real, inspiring stories from fiction writers who went from stuck and overwhelmed to finishing their novels using the exact framework I…

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How to Use Genre as a Revision Tool (with Savannah Gilbo) 1:20:08

2M ago1:20:08

1:20:08

Here’s what to DO with your genre once you know which one you’re writing. So you know your story’s genre. It’s an Action story with a Worldview internal genre. Or it’s a Love story with a Status internal genre. You’re, like, 32% sure of it. Which is great, because you’ve studied story enough to know genre is important. You’ve heard that it shapes t…

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207. What Agents & Readers Want: How to Write a Story That Works 11:33

2M ago11:33

11:33

Have you ever sat down to write a novel and thought, “Where do I even begin?” Or maybe you’ve started writing, but something feels... off. The story isn’t coming together the way you imagined, and you’re not sure why. You’re not alone. Most writers struggle with this because they’re missing the foundational elements that make a story work. It’s not…

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#206. Student Spotlight: How Gina Elizabeth Went From Stuck to Publishing Two Books in Just One Year 32:13

2M ago32:13

32:13

After years of getting stuck at chapter six, Gina Elizabeth finally discovered the missing piece that helped her finish writing not just one novel, but two books in a single year. Today I'm chatting with Gina Elizabeth, indie fantasy romance author of the Bonded in Blood series (and Notes to Novel graduate!), about her transformation from someone w…

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Bonus: Plotting for Pantsers: How 3 Writers Found Freedom in Story Structure 16:04

3M ago16:04

16:04

The myth that plotting kills creativity is keeping countless discovery writers stuck in an endless cycle of abandoned manuscripts—but what if structure could actually set your creativity free? If you're a pantser convinced that outlining will ruin your creative process, or you've been discovery writing through multiple unfinished manuscripts, this …

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The 12 Core Genres That Power Every Great Story 23:28

3M ago23:28

23:28

Genre isn’t what you think it is. Here’s how to use it better. Genre. Let me guess: It’s the bane of your existence. A convoluted soup of arbitrary descriptors that almost but not quite mean the same thing. Sci fi or fantasy? Paranormal or supernatural? Upmarket or book club? Do words even have meaning? Or, it’s a restrictive box with tropes and co…

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#205. How Story Structure Can Free Your Creativity and Help You Finish Your Novel 14:24

3M ago14:24

14:24

The myth of "writing free" is keeping talented writers stuck on Chapter One. Here's why story structure actually enhances creativity—and how to use it to finally finish your novel. You've been told that outlining kills creativity. That real writers don't need structure. That planning your novel will turn it into a formulaic mess. But what if everyt…

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#204. Student Spotlight: Why Overlearning Is Holding You Back: Neroli Lacey’s Journey to Publishing Success 24:59

3M ago24:59

24:59

After years of collecting every writing craft book imaginable and studying with renowned editors, Neroli Lacey discovered that too much knowledge was actually keeping her stuck—until she learned to implement instead of accumulate. Today I'm chatting with Neroli Lacey, author of The Perfumer's Secret (a Pulitzer Prize Finalist, International Book Aw…

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Bonus: How 3 Perfectionists Finally Broke Free & Finished Their First Drafts 17:30

3M ago17:30

17:30

What if perfectionism is the real reason you haven't finished your novel—not lack of talent or time? "I need to get this right before I move on" keeps aspiring authors stuck forever. But here's what I've discovered... Perfectionism isn't about having high standards. It's about fear. Fear of judgment, failure, or not being "good enough." In this epi…

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How Great First Lines Make Readers Pay Attention (with Abigail K. Perry) 48:31

3M ago48:31

48:31

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a fiction writer in possession of a brilliant story must craft a captivating opening line. No pressure, right? Your opening line is your story’s first impression. Agents, editors, and even readers decide fast whether they want to keep reading or drop the book altogether. And yes, they can make that judgme…

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#203. Why Writing Advice Is Keeping You Stuck (And What to Do Instead) 16:41

3M ago16:41

16:41

All those writing articles you've bookmarked? They might be the exact reason you can't finish your novel. Here's what's really happening—and the simple shift that changes everything. You know that browser folder labeled "Writing Advice"? The one with 147 articles about plot structure and 83 posts on character development? Yeah, that one. What if I …

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#202. Student Spotlight: How Kara Kentley Turned a Messy Draft Into a Published Romance (and How You Can Too) 51:04

3M ago51:04

51:04

After years of rewriting the same sagging middle and juggling two confusing timelines, Kara Kentley discovered the romance structure secrets that transformed her messy draft into a published novel that sells daily. Today I'm chatting with Kara Kentley, contemporary romance author of Another Summer and a Notes to Novel graduate, about how learning g…

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Bonus: Making Time To Write: How 3 Busy Writers Finished Their First Drafts 15:48

3M ago15:48

15:48

What if the reason you haven't written your novel has nothing to do with how many hours are in your day? "I don't have time to write" might be the most common excuse that stops aspiring authors before they even start. But here’s what I’ve learned after working with hundreds of writers… It’s not about how much time you have that matters. It’s about …

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Where Progressive Complications Go WRONG (and How to Fix Them) 31:04

4M ago31:04

31:04

Are your readers bored? Disappointed? Confused? Here's what that tells you about your story's middle. You’re stuck in the messy middle. Languishing in the doldrums of your story. The inciting incident is long past, the climax is so far ahead you can’t see it over the horizon, and you’re drifting, lost at sea. What is actually supposed to happen her…

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#201. The Time Myth: Why ‘Finding Time to Write’ Actually Makes It Harder 14:56

4M ago14:56

14:56

Feel stuck "finding time" to write your novel? You might be solving the wrong problem. Here's what's really going on—and what to do instead. Why does finding time to write feel impossible sometimes? We blame our busy schedules (and yes, that's definitely part of it). But there's something else lurking beneath the surface that stops your writing pro…

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Bonus: From Stuck to Breakthrough: How 3 Writers Found Their Path Forward 16:29

4M ago16:29

16:29

What if the reason you're stuck on your novel isn't about talent or creativity, but simply a missing piece of the puzzle that could change everything? Every writer knows that soul-crushing feeling of being completely stuck. Not just procrastinating or battling writer's block, but that specific paralysis where you love your story idea, want to write…

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#200. Why Most Writers Give Up (And How to Finally Finish Your Novel) 15:17

4M ago15:17

15:17

Ever wonder why 97% of aspiring authors never finish their books? The answer might surprise you. If you've been dreaming about writing a novel but find yourself starting and stopping, getting stuck in the middle, or just staring at a blank page wondering where to even begin, you're not alone. Here's what I've noticed after working with hundreds of …

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Make Sense of Your Messy Middle With the Most Underrated Story Element 29:16

4M ago29:16

29:16

You don’t need more filler. You need better progressive complications. Your inciting incident hooks your readers and promises them a story they’ll love. And then comes the middle. The messy middle. The quiet doldrums of your story, where plot momentum goes to die. Where your characters wander, your conflict blurs, and you start to wonder if any of …

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#199. Struggling With Flat Characters? These 5 Books Will Transform Your Writing 14:54

4M ago14:54

14:54

Master character development with these five must-read books that transform static characters from boring to brilliant. You've created characters with compelling backstories, but somehow, they still feel... flat. They move through your plot but don't feel like real people. Here's the thing: character development is what makes readers fall in love w…

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#198. Book Reviews: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Reader Feedback (With Emily Golden & Rachel May) 48:13

4M ago48:13

48:13

Learn how to handle book reviews without letting them crush your confidence or derail your writing dreams. Receiving your first book review can be both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. Whether it's a glowing five-star love letter or a brutal one-star takedown, reader reviews can send even the most confident authors into an emotional tails…

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How Great First Chapters Make Readers Care (with Abigail K. Perry) 1:14:22

4M ago1:14:22

1:14:22

Your first chapter has a monumental task: to make potential readers care about your book right away and hook them to keep reading. Every sentence is a chance to earn your reader’s attention—or lose their fragile, baby-fresh interest before your story even begins. And that’s assuming that your book makes it to the bookstore shelves. If you’re tradit…

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#197. How to Write a Novel That Hooks Readers Through Curiosity (Not Confusion) 15:03

4M ago15:03

15:03

Master the art of creating irresistible, page-turning curiosity without confusing or frustrating your readers. Have you ever written what you thought was a brilliantly mysterious scene, only to have readers say they were completely lost? Or maybe you've struggled with knowing how much information to reveal and when? Here's what most writers don't r…

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#196. The Pros and Cons of Writing A Novel With Multiple Points of View 18:55

5M ago18:55

18:55

Discover the pros and cons of writing a novel from multiple POVs—including how to avoid the #1 mistake that kills multi-POV novels. Are multiple point-of-view characters right for your story? Will they create the kind of depth that keeps readers hooked, or will they just leave you with a tangled mess of voices that never quite click together? Writi…

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Inciting Incident: How to Revise an Unputdownable Beginning 27:23

5M ago27:23

27:23

Your inciting incident sets the stage for everything that follows. Here's what to revise so it can carry the story. A great inciting incident does a lot of heavy lifting. → It hooks your readers, pulling them into the story. → And it sets up everything to come, laying the foundation for a brilliant climax your readers will love. The beginning matte…

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#195. How Deliberate Practice Can Improve Your Fiction Writing (With Tim Grahl) 36:02

5M ago36:02

36:02

Master the fundamental building block of fiction writing with this one exercise that's helped writers break through years of stalled progress in just weeks. Ever wonder why some writers seem to improve rapidly while others stay stuck for years, despite writing every single day? 🤔 The difference isn't talent or luck—it's deliberate practice. Most as…

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#194. Self-Publishing Your Novel: A 10 Step Guide for First-Time Authors 35:00

5M ago35:00

35:00

Congratulations! You've finished writing your novel, and you've set your sights on self-publishing. But now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering, "Where do I start?" If you're feeling overwhelmed by the self-publishing process, you're not alone. Most first-time authors don't realize just how many decisions the self-publishing process involv…

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What If You Do Everything Right and the Book Launch Still Goes Wrong? with A.S. King 52:03

5M ago52:03

52:03

“It really broke my heart, actually. . . . For the rest of my life, it will break my heart.” A.S. King gets honest about what happened when the publishing industry failed her book. What happens after you edit your book? What happens after you’ve bared the story of your heart, crafted it into an excellent novel, and presented it to the world? What h…

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#193. How Dictation Can Help You Write Faster With Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer 37:33

5M ago37:33

37:33

Learn how dictation is your secret weapon for capturing story ideas, supporting overall health, and writing up to 3,000 words per hour. Are you curious about how dictation can improve your health and mobility, enhance your natural storytelling flow, and revolutionize your time management—even if you've tried and failed at it before? Well, then, you…

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#192. 5 Big-Picture First Draft Mistakes (& How To Fix Them) 20:54

6M ago20:54

20:54

Discover the five most common big-picture mistakes writers make in their first drafts—and learn exactly what you can do to fix them. Congratulations, you finished your first draft! …But now what? If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed as you dive into editing your messy first draft, you're so not alone. As a developmental editor, I've reviewed hund…

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Think You Need a Line Editor? Try This First 29:14

6M ago29:14

29:14

Do you need to hire a line editor? Or should you line edit your manuscript yourself? After all, you want to write an excellent novel. You know that great writing takes shape in revision, and you don’t want to skimp on any layers of editing. Nor do you want to overestimate your writing skills and leave your book littered with clunky sentences that a…

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#191. Fiction Genres Made Easy: Understanding the 5 Dimensions of Genre 26:21

6M ago26:21

26:21

Discover the five ways to talk about your story’s genre so you can write, edit, and publish your novel with clarity and confidence. Ever found yourself staring at a blinking cursor, excited about your story idea but utterly confused about how to describe its genre? 😩 This kind of uncertainty isn't just frustrating. It can have serious consequences …

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#190. Novel Editing: 10 Steps to Editing Your First Draft 28:10

6M ago28:10

28:10

Congratulations! You've finished writing your first draft—an achievement that puts you ahead of countless aspiring writers who never make it past the dreaming stage. But now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering, "What next?" Maybe you've tried jumping straight into revisions only to find yourself overwhelmed, confused, or just plain stuck. …

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How Surrealist Pantser A.S. King Revises Award-Winning Novels 1:31:04

6M ago1:31:04

1:31:04

“Revising is about making sure that you're saying what you want to say in the way you want to say it. . . . To me, revision is the sport. It's the impact. It's the reason we're writers.” Have you ever read a book and thought, Holy cow, this is amazing. How did this author DO this? Or, maybe you’ve read a book and thought, Wow, I wish I could write …

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#189. Student Spotlight: From First Draft to Published Novel at 72 With Cheryl Arko 50:57

6M ago50:57

50:57

Discover how a 72-year-old data scientist overcame perfectionism to publish her debut science fiction novel after decades of dreaming about it. Are you stuck with half-finished manuscripts or endlessly revising the same chapters? Does your story refuse to translate from your imagination to the page the way you envision it? You're not alone. The ver…

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#188. 5 Mindset Hacks to Help You Finish Your First Draft 35:54

7M ago35:54

35:54

Five book coaches reveal their most powerful mindset hacks to help you crush self-doubt, overcome perfectionism, and finally finish your first draft—even if you've been stuck for months. Picture this: You sit down with a fresh cup of coffee, open your laptop to write your novel, and then that voice of doubt creeps in: "This is terrible. You don't k…

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The Editor Life: 5 Days Behind the Scenes with Alice 48:24

7M ago48:24

48:24

Ever wondered what an editor actually does all day? What it looks like to spend all day supporting writers in their stories? Or what your editor’s doing in all that time when they’re not sharing their feedback with you? If those questions pique your curiosity, you’re in luck. I’m pulling back the curtain to share a week in my life as a developmenta…

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#187. How To Write An Unforgettable Plot Twist In Your Novel With Samantha Skal 46:25

7M ago46:25

46:25

Master the art of the jaw-dropping plot twist and transform your readers from passive page-turners into gasping, can't-put-it-down fans. Ever gasped out loud while reading a thriller? That moment when everything flips upside down and you think, "I should have seen it coming!" 😱 That's the power of a well-crafted plot twist. Creating these goosebump…

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#186. First Draft Roadmap: 10 Steps to Writing A Novel For Beginners 35:16

7M ago35:16

35:16

Writing your first novel is a journey unlike any other—equal parts exhilarating, frustrating, magical, and challenging. But here's what you need to know right now: it's completely doable with the right approach. Something I've discovered after working with hundreds of writers is that finishing a novel requires more than just talent or a great idea.…

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How to Use Revision Tools Like the Story Authority You Already Are with Brannan Sirratt 59:06

7M ago59:06

59:06

When to use frameworks to solve your story problems—and when to trust yourself and lean on your own story authority. You’ve heard of Save the Cat! Story Grid. Blueprint for a Book. These are all frameworks designed to help you edit a novel. If you don’t know these names, I bet you know others—Hero’s Journey, Freytag’s Pyramid, 7 Point Story Structu…