Write Where It Hurts

This week, Eva and Katryn talk book burnout, juggling projects, and the pitfalls of hyper-visibility. Katryn gets so dark that she doesn’t even bring up Lord of the Rings once, and Eva explains why she cried into a burrito.Sources: Watch this video of Eva at her Grandma’s organized event if you want to cry in your own burrito! Don’t look at this breakdown if you haven’t seen “The Plight Before Christmas” in Bob’s Burgers’ thirteenth season. The single most heart-hitting moment of all time. Want a Lady Dexter book about dismembering predators? Give This Girl’s a Killer a try!

This week on Write Where it Hurts, Eva and Katryn talk about the importance of continuing to create art in times of crisis. Katryn reads an intriguing romance scene featuring our new favorite bulk distributor (emphasis on bulk, pun intended), and Eva convinces us all to embrace our inner Miss Piggy.Sources: If you need to know more about The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit (and you do) Watch Girls 5Eva!   Eva and Katryn talk the importance of art in times of crisis Banned Books Don’t boost sales  A few notes on Jim Crow Education in the 20th Century and the suppression of queer history along with it LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW WITH RITA MORENO IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

In the 2025 premiere of Write Where It Hurts, Eva and Katryn talk dueling revisions, and Sylvia Plath—especially the possibility of losing more authors to mental health issues and publishing trends in the coming years. Eva details crime boarding her revision and goes full Miranda Priestly about the hot, fashion-forward Witch-king of Angmar. Katryn refuses to let go of the hate in her heart over 1-star-review tagging and DRAGS every reindeer that isn’t Rudolph.SourcesKatryn mistakenly described her newest draft as a retelling of “X-Files, season 6, episode 14, but it’s actually15 (Arcadia). She’s basically the worst, this is SimpsonGate all over again.Eva in full revision mode mirrorsCharlie DayWatch Katryn and her sister Marengo full rage room to kick 2024 to the curb.Check outAngelique L’amour’s books!Subscribe to Eva’s newsletter to hear her talk about the highs and lows of 2024

In the 2024 finale (more coming in the new year!), Eva and Katryn discuss navigating motherhood and writing, the dangers of AI in publishing, and curated lists—as well as some big vulnerable end-of-year feels. Katryn is both slut positive and dread positive, and Eva prepares for her annual hot author winter. Sources: I Wish You Would made Barnes & Noble’s “Gifties for Swifties” list! Apologies, the Publishers Weekly article we discussed about using AI author facsimiles is paywalled, but if you have a PW account, you can find it HERE Katryn must eat crow and admit that James Patterson was a mensch for Christmas this year  Please review Eva and Katryn’s books for the holidays this year!

This week, Eva and Katryn talk stalled careers and finding your beta match, but find time to pitch a Wicked themed pop-up Ozdust nightclub for the mature crowd. Eva revels at the righteous wrath of Swifties, and Katryn talks about the healing nature of satire.  Sources: Subscribe to Katryn’s Satire for the Soul substack! Dive deep to find out why Billboard owed Taylor Swift an apology Check out It’s Elementary by Elise Bryant!We talked about grifts in general but check out Victoria Aveyard’s bold suggestion in the wake of “pity marketing” being twisted for grifts and cons on social media

This week’s special episode is from the time machine! Listen to Eva and Katryn talk about navigating feedback in this bottle episode (airing in place of our weekly season four episode in the new format) from June 2024. Katryn reveals all about the darkly comedic vaudevillian murder meet-cute she wrote in a college English class, and Eva gets real about insecurity in the weeks after releasing her debut novel.  Sources: Only watch Artax drown in the swamp of sadness if you like suffering Buy Eva’s and Katryn’s books as holiday gifts! Watch the CP live chat that started it all, from 3 years ago nearly to the week!

This week, Eva and Katryn get more real than ever before about the realities and pitfalls of debut year now that they can both reflect on the experience. Katryn explains the James Franco thing, and Eva sings "Stars" *as* Russell Crowe. Special guest stars include the ice in our cocktails and dueling Lord of the Rings and Hamilton metaphors! Plus: WICKED! Sources Katryn talks about the ultimate FAFO queen, Agatha Christie and her revenge on her first husband and second husband Eva wants you to watch Arcane!  Katryn graces us with her musical rendition of Space Olympics in the stinger this week

This week, Eva and Katryn deal in metaphors both nature and Monopoly as they discuss list season, the vanishing midlist, and the dread of not knowing what’s next. Eva discusses either feeling abandoned or bomb-cycloned by her muse, and Katryn thinks you need to learn Brad Dourif’s name. Sources This week, we discuss the recent sale of B&N’s Union Square books to Hachette Subscribe to Eva’s newsletter for some big feels and future thoughts! Katryn discusses a recent Fated Mates episode in which she finds out who has been listening to her book on repeat Eva discusses the romance market in YA but there’s reason to be hopeful as the genre continues to show growth and more acquisitions might follow Katryn’s third book is on shelves now!

This week, Eva and Katryn don’t hold back about the potential literary ramifications of the results of the 2024 election. Eva embraces the ancient philosophy of FAFO in discussing the attempted whitewashing of BookTok, and Katryn goes full salt bae on people who “hate identity politics.” Sources Watch the launch for We Are Not Alone if you missed it!This is the closest to Katryn’s perfected sweetened G&T recipejust add an extra squeeze of fresh lime juice with the wedge! Katryn’s song obsession this week: Dead Men Don’t R@pe Who said there isn’t great free education on this, the f#ck-aroundiest and find-outiest of times? Read Ursula K. LeGuin’s full speech from the National Book Awards, just as true today as 10 years ago when she said it Reframe masculinity with Aragorn!

In their 50th episode, Eva and Katryn talk publishing highs and lows, from the pain of yearly royalty statements when you don’t earn out and “best of” list FOMO, to being your own cheerleader to get yourself into book cons. Come for Eva singing Bon Jovi and crafting her way to distraction, and stay for Katryn comparing her estrogen to Joe Goldberg. Sources Come to Katryn’s launch for We Are Not Alone and see Katryn and Eva in person! The Worf “Milkshake” meme Barney’s Get Psyched Mix  Listen to Storybeast podcast! Could Marshawn Lynch run for mayor of Oakland? Consider this our official endorsement if rumors are true! Watch English Teacher! Also, revisit that traumatizing Marnie T. mug moment from Write Where it Hurts season 1Apparently what Katryn calls “Candy corn: oops, all pumpkins!” is actually mellowcreme pumpkins. No, thank you.

This week, Eva and Katryn talk about reframing their creativity and concept of success (and failure). Come for Eva’s “fuck it era” and stay for Katryn describing her impossible funerial demands in the post-credits stinger. Sources: RSVP for Katryn and Eva LIVE in person for the first time at the launch for WE ARE NOT ALONE at Books Inc Alameda (10/29)! In this episode, Katryn does a live unboxing! Check out her amazing cover artist, Alisha Monnin - and wonderful blurb authors, Michael Leali, Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, A.J. Sass, and Ali Standish Enter the Goodreads giveaway for WE ARE NOT ALONE - and please read it so Katryn knows this book is a thing 🥺 Watch our mentioned shows, The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Legend of Vox Machina, and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Buy Dungeons and Dragons stamps! Look at the Lord of the Rings meme that acted as an extended release anti-depressant for Katryn’s publishing woes Yes, Bay Area fog is named Karl Katryn discussed ADHD “justice sensitivity” in this episode

In a return from Season 3’s hiatus, Eva and Katryn discuss the hardest challenges they’ve faced as authors this year, along with the long-term market concerns many authors are fretting about. Eva talks live recording her husband’s reaction to the second Twilight movie, and Katryn reveals the reason for her new Swiftie status. *Content warnings: Conversations about depression, self-doubt, and intrusive thoughts SourcesCome to see Katryn and Eva LIVE at Books Inc. Alamedafor the launch of We Are Not Alone! Subscribe to Eva’s newsletter Watch Nobody Wants This!

This week, Eva and Katryn dive deeper into plotters and pantsers, discussing what tools and tricks to best to tame your arcs, plot, and more during the drafting process. Eva regales us all with tales of her launch, and Katryn breaks down all of her drafts in the style of romance tropes. Note: Katryn was having trouble with her mic (mostly, speaking into it properly) and some segments are unusually quiet. This should be fixed by episode 7! Sources Check out the Masterclass on finding out which kind of writer you are! Jane Friedman has a great article on plotters and pantsers! Pacific northwesters, come see Eva at her final tour stop for a while in Seattle with Rachel Griffin! Subscribe to Wiser Than Me, Julie Louis-Dreyfus’s wonderful podcast Watch Maxton Hall on Amazon Prime!

It’s a Write Where it Hurts Super Special! This week, Eva and Katryn discuss debut anxiety-- everything from the wounds it opens, to self-imposed stress, to developing early expectations around the “nebulous cloud that is publishing.” Eva discusses cutting herself off from reading reviews, and Katryn acts out a whole scene from Harry and the Hendersons and it somehow works as a metaphor. NOTE: We are taking a break for Eva's debut (out on 5/21)! We'll be back in June! *Content warnings: This week, we talk a lot about mental addictions. These are real and toxic to our mental health, but we mention them in no way to compare or dismiss physical and substance addiction--only to speak to our experiences with this kind of psychological addiction. Sources Bookseller survey finds that over half of authors reported that debut authors said the experience negatively impacted their mental health What is a Super Special, you ask? THIS Listen to our Seducing the Creative Spirit playlist! Watch this Harry & the Hendersons clip and WEEP Pre-order I Wish You Would (Eva) and We Are Not Alone (Katryn)

This week, the topic on Write Where it Hurts is ‘writing flawed characters,’ and the craft talk gets real. Eva deftly connects The Tortured Poet’s Department to the theme, and talks giving all of her characters the full enneagram-meyers-briggs workup, while Katryn gets very salty about manic pixie dream girls (but not in the way you think). NOTE: If the audio sounds a bit choppy and Katryn’s voice sounds like sad, parched smacking, this is because our heroic Eva was forced to edit out roughly 79,000 coughs. Thanks, Spring! Sources: Give your character a free enneagram test! I sued Masterclass’s site as a baseline in framing some of my own questions and thoughts! Pre-Order I Wish You Would and keep an eye on Eva’s IG or subscribe to her newsletter for upcoming tour info! Request Katryn’s next book, We Are Not Alone, on NetGalley and Edelweiss!

This week, Eva and Katryn delve into managing your time in writing groups - from getting in (yay!) to knowing when to back off. Eva talks disappearing Homer-style into a bush when overwhelmed, and Katryn discusses getting back into the IRL social fold. Sources: Lots of people out there talking about how Slack and apps like it can cause stress, anxiety and a lack of work life balance Pre-Order I Wish You Would and keep an eye on Eva’s IG or subscribe to her newsletter for upcoming tour info! Request Katryn’s next book, We Are Not Alone, on NetGalley and Edelweiss!

To kick off season 3 of Write Where it Hurts, Eva and Katryn discuss writing on contract--from the reality of deadlines after you’ve sold a book, to the creative process around pitching books after the book deal. Kate and Eva can’t stop/won’t stop talking about minotaur erotica. Sources Pre-order I Wish You Would now!  Also, for Bay Area folks, please come out to Eva’s launch in conversation with the great YA Author Kristin Dwyer at Mrs. Dalloway’s Books  Check out the gorgeous cover of Katryn’s upcoming book, We Are Not Alone, if you missed the reveal! Stop everything you’re doing right now and read the summary (and some of the reviews!) for Morning Glory Milking Farm

In this bonus episode, Eva and Katryn discuss their evolution as artists & authors--from making peace with the revision process and finding your best critique balance, to the hurdles they’ve faced as artists. Katryn grieves lost pop-culture references and Eva kinda-accidentally makes her husband sound like a cannibal. CONTENT CLARIFICATION: Hi, all! Kate here. I just wanted to clarify that, in the segment where I talk about feeling like I have the right to educate myself, I realized I was being super vague. I wanted to clarify that I was talking about bad publishing and writing advice. I realized that, bookended with my mini-rant about Barbie, it might have sounded like I was deliberately vaguepodding about something else. Did I just make up a new word? I think I did!  Sources: Pre-order I Wish You Would now! Also, for Bay Area folks, please come out to Eva’s launch in conversation with the great YA Author Kristin Dwyer at Mrs. Dalloway’s Books Check out the gorgeous cover of Katryn’s upcoming book, We Are Not Alone, if you missed the reveal!

Eva and Katryn celebrate the last episode of Write Where it Hurts Season 2 with a very special episode (VSE™): and Instagram Live. They discuss the ups and downs of the year, answer your craft, publishing and podcast questions, and reveal what lies in store for season 3! Sources Pre-order Eva’s debut I WISH YOU WOULD out 5/21/24 and add it on Goodreads Please buy Katryn’s books and also add her next book WE ARE NOT ALONE on Goodreads. Check out our pod’s Linktree and remember to follow us on IG!

JOIN US ON FRIDAY 9/8 for our IG LIVE SEASON FINALE @writewhereithurtspod In the penultimate episode of season 2, Eva and Katryn discuss navigating writing and publishing during tough times—from using story to process trauma, to dealing with deadlines when you’ve got a case of the mean reds. Eva exalts the glory of TSA precheck and Katryn pays homage to the healing powers of Olivia Benson.  *Content warnings: Grief, trauma, mental illness, pandemic. CLARIFYING NOTE: Katryn talks about the type of mental illness that feels like a “choice”- this is in reference to a level of illness that affords the agency to control symptoms with therapy and/or medicine. Sources Did Eva convince you to look at TSA Precheck? Look here for details! Glimmers and Triggers were a big focus of today’s episode Check out this article that discusses how the concept of “pushing through” can disrupt the healing process While this word wasn’t used, Eva and Katryn both discuss the healing power of stories (including their own) in a concept one book refers to as “bibliotherapy” Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

Eva and Katryn discuss their favorite resources on craft--from books to blogs and writer’s groups. Eva discusses her origin story of studying craft, and Katryn makes a confession.

Writers are readers first! In this episode of Write Where it Hurts, Eva and Katryn spill the tea about their ALL-TIME favorite reads from every genre and age category. Eva may or may not do a reading in a British accent, while Katryn shares a favorite reading spot that will have listeners scratching their heads. Keep your notes app open or grab a pen and paper because your TBR will be full after this episode! Sources It’s So Nice to Have A Wolf Around the House Cinderella Eva’s pick for fancy eats for East Bay people, Snailbar! Katryn’s bizarre swimming spot

Eva and Katryn discuss the “...HOW?” of pacing, from pacing between genres, to keeping the characterization authentic in a faster pace, to earning your endings. Eva encourages writers to kill the cat (disclaimer: no cats were harmed in the making of this podcast) and Katryn won’t ever, ever watch the Fast & Furious franchise. Sources Katryn apologizes for her Simpsons gaffe, but then doubles down after a disastrous apology tour. Check out our Write Where It Hurts Instagram account to see pictures of our memes!  An interesting take on “white spaces” on the page and readability from a screenwriter’s perspective.Book Riot’s take on what makes a slow burn romance burn

This week on Write Where it Hurts, Eva and Katryn discuss curating your author brand--everything from visuals (like fonts and color palettes) to boiling your books down to a consistent pitch that reveals who you are as a writer and as a person. Eva talks being the ultimate Mastermind (yes, that was a T-Swift reference) and Katryn compares Nerdfighters and the BTS Army. Sources Check out Eva’s website for an idea of her palette! THIS is what happens when you find a stranger in the alps Eva and Katryn talked about authors whose brands speak to them, like Emily Henry, Meg Cabot, Rachel Lynn Solomon, Rachel Griffin, Jennifer Dugan, and Adrienne Young Katryn talked about evolving her website to be broader--right now it’s very Drew!

This week, Eva and Katryn discuss the challenges of letting your story go, from working with editorial agents, to edits after a book deal--and when to push back when the edits don’t feel right. Eva basks in the glow of full Vanderpump completion and Katryn outlines the five stages of grief getting an edit letter. Sources This Simpsons song tells the truth Katryn’s article in Salon

This week, Eva and Katryn discuss toxic positivity, its impact on their mental health as writers, and offer tips to break the cycle from both sides. Eva confesses to being a lifelong pickle slut, while Katryn gets salty about libraries and inspirational tube tops. *Content warnings: Queerphobia, illness, depression, discussion of hate speech Sources Get an overview of the concept of toxic positivity from Psychology Today Also, why “good vibes only” can be bad Just NO to this Stop bossing me around, inspirational memes! Eva and Katryn didn’t quite line up on their new shtick but both examples are good! Eva shared a great example with this Daria scene while Katryn talked about a most hated example of toxic positivity with this horrific crime of fashion.   Listen to the outtake, and then watch this and replace the word “snow,”

This week, Write Where it Hurts covers the challenges of feeling “new” at every step of publishing, and how to combat the anxieties and triggers that come up with it. Eva reinforces her newfound role in the BTS Army and Katryn gets philosophical (and, dare we say, cross-stitchable?) about the pressure to push down sensitivity. *Content warnings: Anxiety, depression, and please note a trigger warning for queerphobia (Katryn discusses an incident with far-right protesters at drag queen story hour and how it impacted her and her family) Sources Katryn is on a full-sail fangirl ship for Elijah Wood’s character in Yellowjackets with Christina Ricci’s psychopathic Misty Eva was right about Joey, but there also IS a Jonathan in New Kids on the Block! Go down the rabbit hole on this kinda meh boy band. Eva’s brilliant inspirational quotation this week from Adventure TimeKatryn talks about her run-in with far-right phobic protesters on Instagram We talk a lot about the broad experiences of self-publishing, and how it can be very easy to start with little effort (i.e. you can post a book on Kindle with far less effort than trad. publishing) but is extraordinarily time consuming and VERY hard to do well. If you’re considering self-pub, check out the major success story of Andy Weir for inspiration!

Eva and Katryn reunite and host their giddiest episode to date! This week, Write Where it Hurts returns from hiatus with a craft episode all about inspiration--from a mind-body perspective to self-care. Eva obsesses about Vanderpump Rules and Sister Act 2, while Katryn questions Thomas Edison and quotes The X-Files’ Jose Chung. Sources Watch the first episode of The Plagues of Our Lives Thomas Edison was not the first person to talk about inspiration vs. perspiration. Is anything real? Read Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli, and The Feeling of Falling in Love by Mason Deaver! Also, check out Undercover Latina by Aya DeLeon Sister Act 2 brings the ULTIMATE inspirational speech Rachel Griffin talks about anchor songs. Check out her books here!

This week, Eva and Katryn talk about the ins and out of communicating with industry professionals--like the details of signing with agents and editors, and communication expectations after you get a book deal. Your ultra-nerdy hosts blow their own minds as they realize that publishing a book is EXACTLY like The Fellowship of the Ring. Cross-stitchable line of the week: “We can’t see your bear” -Ben (Katryn’s husband) *Content warnings: Light discussion of trauma/anxiety *NOTE: We are taking a mid-season hiatus until June 2023! Sources Eva’s life-changing jeans! Katryn’s debut, Drew Leclair Gets a Clue is challenged in Alabama Eva finally saw Super Mario! Check out the amazing “Peaches” music videos from the movie and from Jack Black himself. Ally Malinenko had a great quote about publishing. Check out her books! Lauren Magaziner is Katryn’s first blurb author AND an awesome MG fantasy and mystery author.  Nicole Collier shared many invaluable tips about what to ask your publisher after the ink is dry.Read the NYT interview with John Green about working with Julie Strauss-Gabel Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod Our Websites: www.evadeslauriers.com www.katrynbury.com *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen!

This week, Eva and Katryn dive back into craft with a discussion about POV: 1st, 2nd and 3rd--but also past vs. present and multiple perspectives. Katryn manages to promote the new Super Mario Brothers movie better than her own book, and Eva dishes about her new reality show addiction. Eva’s weekly cross-stitchable quotation: “Emotion is my north star.” *Content warnings: discussion of bias and cultural appropriation in publishing Sources: Buy Drew Leclair Crushes the Case! Also, please rate and/or review on Amazon and tell Barnes and Noble to carry it in stores. Eva’s new trash TV obsession! Watch Bowser’s torch song for Princess Peach, then watch Jack Black’s music video, THEN watch Katryn sing it on the way to her book launch. Drew Leclair Gets a Clue is facing a challenge from “concerned parents.” Boooo! Read banned books! Our Books: DREW LECLAIR Mysteries I WISH YOU WOULD  Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

This week, Eva and Katryn start the first part of their writing while neurodivergent series. In the first part, the discussion focuses on anxiety (not technically under the ND umbrella but many of the symptoms are assumed to be anxiety by medical professionals), trauma, invasive thoughts, and panic attacks. This is a more serious episode (although there are plenty of laughs too!) so please note the content warnings and listen with care. Highlights include Katryn coming hard for the sheer number of affairs in adult lit, and Eva being so philosophical you might need to cross-stitch the whole episode. *Content warnings: Brief mentions of suicide, self-harm, involuntary hold (51-50), sexual offenders (Woody Allen) & abuse, trauma, invasive thoughts, panic attacks, and depression. Sources: Drew Leclair Crushes the Case gets a starred review from Kirkus! Eva talks about The Wisdom of Anxiety Katryn is vindicated about adult lit and affairs by Owl at the Library!!! (P.S. Don’t come for her, affair community!) ICYMI, here’s Eva’s amazing T-Swift concert look Some background on the 5150 hold An interview with Daniel Kwan where he talked about how his ADHD was crucial in being able to weave the narrative in the film. Lopez from Animal Crossing is everything I really hope Eva’s anxiety isn’t like this scene in Buffy (@45 second mark) Our Books: DREW LECLAIR Mysteries I WISH YOU WOULD  Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen.

This week, Eva and Katryn discuss the phenomenon that apparently doesn’t exist for 4 out of 5 cis white dude millionaires: writer’s block. Eva discusses how previously blocked stories can become a “second chance romance” and she and Katryn compare fangirl notes on Taylor Swift and The X-Files. *Content warnings: Depression and anxiety Sources Katryn’s CMORDs were many, but this was certainly the longest. Check out Eva’s pitch-perfect Swiftie outfit Check out the very free-form book that talks about harnessing creativity: The Creative Act *** Our Books: DREW LECLAIR Mysteries I WISH YOU WOULD Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen.

In part two of Write Where It Hurts’ series on querying, Eva and Katryn discuss how to navigate everyone’s least favorite part of the path to publishing: rejection. Eva and Katryn appear to pull back from yet another Gilmore Girls tangent but this week’s outtake suggests otherwise. This episode contains multiple love letters to the irreplaceable Chelsea Eberly. *Content warnings: Religion, depression Sources Formation: a song by Beyonce Remember to add I Wish You Would on Goodreads or Tinker Bell will DIE. Meg Cabot’s awesome blog about her many rejections Check out our agency sib’s fantastic fantasy duology, Emily Thiede’s This Vicious Grace and This Cursed Light Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

You asked for a whole episode dedicated to querying--and you got it! This week, Eva and Katryn start a two-part series on querying and rejection. In part one, they discuss how to craft a query letter, picking the right agent, tactics of sending queries in batches, and much more! Stay tuned to the end to hear the query letters that landed them their agents! NOTE TO NEW LISTENERS: This episode is slightly different than our usual format. If this is your first time, we recommend starting with an earlier episode (like last week’s) to get an idea of our usual style. Sources Agent Barbara Poelle discusses “The Hook, The Book, & The Cook” Manuscript Wish List Database #DVPit: an amazing pitch contest for marginalized creators that got both Eva and Katryn the interest that led to an agent. This blog by agent John Cusick shows a great equation for a perfect short and sweet query. Jane Friedman’s amazing blog on how to write a query letter Query Shark has a huge amount of examples, with notes from an agent to help you see what works. Use Query Tracker to see if an agent is currently open, or check author comments to get an idea of their usual response time. If an agent asks you for THE CALL, check out Jim McCarthy’s amazing advice on what to ask. Facebook is meh, but Kidlit 411 is a great group where aspiring authors can share queries and get feedback. Writing queries is HARD! Katryn used editorial services to help her with some of her queries. She recommends Julia Weber and Katherine Locke. Buy Katryn’s debut, Drew Leclair Gets a Clue and add Eva’s upcoming novel, I Wish You Would, on Goodreads! Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

Eva and Katryn talk tropes this week--from the tropes we adore, to the ones we avoid. So often, trope is used as synonymous with cliche, but Write Where it Hurts flips the script. Eva spills the SAG award tea and Katryn once again tries to be a one-woman spokesperson for the little known 1960’s Dick Van Dyke film, Fitzwilly. *Content warnings: (Non-explicit) discussion of least favorite and traumatizing tropes such as pet death, unexpected pregnancy, and rape storylines. Sources The meaning behind our subtitle and background on our epic ship of Mary Poppins and Bert Listen to our “Seducing the Creative Spirit” playlist on Spotify! Nobody knows that this is the BEST Christmas movie but it is!!! Greatest movie transformation/ makeover montage of all time right HERE Check out the red carpet looks Eva talks about at the SAG awards! Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod Our Websites: www.evadeslauriers.com www.katrynbury.com *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen.

Eva and Katryn honor devoted listener and Katryn’s best friend Karim’s birthday with a longstanding episode request: VULTURING THE TRUNK! In this episode, they talk all about trunked manuscripts--from self-care around leaving a book behind, to resurrecting books you thought were lost. Eva discusses retrieving scenes and ideas from her “story morgue” (spooky!) and Katryn finally cries while recounting a scene from Clifford Takes a Trip. Sources Don’t lose track of your trunked manuscripts like these famous authors! If you haven’t yet, check out Eva’s new author website! Katryn is obsessed with Worf Eva is writing a broody hero--enjoy a sneak peek to our next episode by exploring this trope Katryn tries to follow her first TikTok trend about Song of Achilles and breaks all the rules--but can you blame her?! Look at Clifford the Big Red Dog! Look at his face! Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod Our Websites: www.evadeslauriers.com www.katrynbury.com *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

This week, Eva and Katryn talk about how much “invisible” time is taken up by writing (social media, running a website, emailing with your editorial team, etc.) and the toll it can take on the life you led before publishing. Eva gets philosophical about the sacrifices necessary when pursuing your dream, and Kate also gets philosophical, but while talking like a Ferengi. Sources Add Eva’s debut, I Wish You Would, on Goodreads! Listen to Katryn’s burn-it-all-down Rage playlist on Spotify. Check out Eva’s debut author headshot! Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

In the season two premiere of Write Where it Hurts, Eva and Katryn go back to basics, talking about craft and how story ideas get developed. Katryn talks about her mysterious Victorian ghost again, and Eva talks about when she gets those first butterflies-in-her-stomach crush feelings about an idea.  (Apologies for the fuzzy audio in the first three minutes--we recorded this on a cold night and forgot to turn off the space heater!) Sources Sign up for Eva’s newsletter on her new website! Y’all are going to have THIS in your head now. Sorry/not sorry! Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

On this Bonus episode that we couldn't post until Eva's book deal was announced, we're going back to November when Eva and Katryn discussed the flip side to failure--success. We all want it, but it can be a double-edged sword that makes us both yearn for and fear it. Eva discusses her HUGE life-changing news, and Katryn would rather not be perceived, thank you very much. Sources Link to Eva’s deal announcement! And Katryn’s recent book news about Drew! Eva’s weekly book recommendation, Henry Hamlet’s Heart The Civil War of Amos Abernathy (a FANTASTIC queer MG book) Out and About Mobile Bookshop in the East Bay Area! Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

Surprise! This week, on a very special episode of (not Blossom, but) Write Where it Hurts, Eva talks about the daily process of navigating offers for HER DEBUT BOOK DEAL!!!! Recorded back when it happened, Katryn interviews Eva about ALL the feels and all the details that come along with this process--from acquisitions to accepting an offer and everything in between. Sources: Eva’s deal announcement on Publisher’s Weekly! Add Eva’s debut, I WISH YOU WOULD, on Goodreads! Check out the Instagram celebration after Eva announces to the world! Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next Season for more episodes powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen.

In the final episode of Season One, Eva and Katryn do an Instagram Live “AMA” answering your burning questions like will there be a season 2? And which season of Below Deck is the best to start? Join us for lots of laughs, including Eva’s realization that she is, indeed, Edward Cullen, and Katryn realizing that being an introvert means that she could easily be framed for murder. To watch our IG Live visit HERE (part 1) and HERE (part 2). We had a few technical difficulties mid-show, hence the two parter. See you next season! Sources: You want MERCH? You got it! Winston Bishop is the greatest Kate’s favorite Eva line includes the very dashing Count Chocula The infamous Twilight quiz Eva’s tactics for writerly success *We’d love to hear from you! Fill out our feedback form HERE to let us know your opinions on topics and format for season 2. Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

NOTE: JOIN US FOR OUR SEASON FINALE Instagram Live  AMA THIS Wednesday, Dec 14th at 5:30PST @writewhereithurtspod ! Eva and Katryn talk about characters and craft in their penultimate episode of season one—everything from navigating your protagonist’s mental health to managing the generational gap when you write for kids. Eva talks about “prodding” your creative spirit and Katryn somehow finds a way to connect it all to the 1996 film, Multiplicity.  *Content warnings: Discussion about ableist phrases, mental health, trauma Sources In case you’re curious about Eva’s craniosacral therapy discussion You can thank Katryn later if this is your first time listening to the brass Jungian theory of personality Michael Keaton’s clone being type A about foil Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

Eva and Katryn discuss everything genre--from its distinction from age category, to market fluctuations and saturation. Eva speaks with rapturous enthusiasm about the joys of being a teen (& as always pays homage to our queen, Judy Blume), while Katryn talks herself into ‘yeti romance’ as a lucrative genre. *Content warnings: True crime, sexual assault (no details, only in reference). Also, as a self-callout note, Katryn refers to women at times when “women and nonbinary/non-gender conforming folks” would be more accurate. Working towards being better and more consistent at this! Sources Eva talks a lot about the ludicrous stigma surrounding romance as a genre Turns out Katryn was not the first person to think of yeti romance. Eva and Katryn talk about the finer points of YA and New Adult The ultimate contemporary/coming of age angst song (and yes, there are muppets) Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

In this week’s episode, Eva and Katryn discuss the loneliness that authors can face, from our solitary workspaces to the fact that few industry outsiders truly get the ins and outs of this business. Eva does a pitch perfect teenager voice, and Katryn is enraged by motivational listicles. Sources Katryn’s sister made this  inspired meme about the potential death of Twitter. In case you missed it, be sure to check out the book Eva is now raving about, Zachary Levi’s Radical Love Katryn walks into Twitter like this The Wisdom of Anxiety Eva asks, “can you gaslight yourself?” Yes, yes you can. Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

This week’s episode of Write Where it Hurts is centered around that horrible F-word: FAILURE--how to face it, how to frame it, and how to help others move through it. Eva and Katryn gush about K-dramas, reveal their true feelings about Jasper from Twilight, and discuss using pure unadulterated spite to turn failure into a success. *Content warnings: Discussion of sexual assault (not graphic) in the introduction re: The Luckiest Girl Alive. Sources F1 racer Daniel Ricciardo’s baller statement that has become a point of inspiration for Eva. Katryn’s childhood hero Toxic positivity Wings: still culturally relevant? You tell me. Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

This week, Eva and Katryn discuss the fear of being one book--from that panic after you finish your first ever book and wonder how you can repeat it, to the dread before you start a new draft. Eva gives us all the gift of reading from her 1990’s third grade story journal, and Katryn reveals that she wrote a mayonnaise jingle around the same age. *Content warnings: Severe childhood illness, the sound of a dot matrix printer, princess murder Sources Goblin. So much staring. So much meat. (spoilers, probably) On Writing by Stephen King Writing With the Soul came up again this week, for all you alums! Jean Ralphio. End of speech. A dot matrix printer in action (please see content warning) Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

This week, Eva and Katryn talk about the hardest part of publishing--the seemingly never ending wait! Publishing is all about hurry up and wait, but why can’t we have a little more of the former and less of the latter? Eva is once again prone to wax rhapsodic about K-dramas, and Katryn has real talk for people who tell her to “just work on something else!” during a Big Wait. Sources Need a distraction? Take a tip from Eva and watch Formula 1 racing! Kate talks about Sound of Music, and I’m sorry but any excuse to share this McSweeney’s piece. Meg Cabot talks a lot about honoring her rejections before she made it. Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! For this (sort of) Halloween episode of Write Where it Hurts, Eva and Katryn discuss the super fun and light topic of  writing and confronting trauma in our fiction. Eva hops on the sexual orientation train just for Mr. Darcy, and Katryn takes life lessons from Ice-T. *Content warnings: Trauma, PTSD, fear of abandonment, fatphobia Sources Vulture discusses the infamous cheesesteak scene that became one of Katryn’s many sexual orientations. Re: Mr. Darcy--that hand flex tho!!!! An article that digs into toxic stress, that annoying stress that is often the root of long term trauma. Another Psychology Today article that talks about the classic “Fight, flight, freeze, or fawn” Eva’s amazing playlist of songs mentioned on the pod! Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

WE'RE BACK! This week, Eva and Katryn discuss the mind-body connection that comes along with being an author--from that feeling of bliss when you’re on a roll, to the agony when your body won’t let you keep going. Eva shares FOMO-inducing details about her magical trip to Scotland, and Katryn reaches epic new over-referencing levels. *Content warnings: Illness and physical ailments, Katryn being hella depressing Sources Eva’s writing retreat was for Writing with the Soul alumni, with faculty mentors from YA greats Adrienne Young, Kristin Dwyer, and Rachel Griffin. Atreyu’s horse in the Neverending Story is indeed named Artax Being compared to characters like Camille, it’s really no wonder that Katryn thinks she’s dying all the time. All glory to Back to the Future 3 Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod (exclusive updates including behind-the-scenes links from every episode!) *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen

In this week’s episode, Eva and Katryn discuss the troublesome surge in book bans in the U.S., how it impacts them as writers, as well as what gatekeepers can do to hold the line against censorship. Eva does a spectacular, chef’s kiss-worthy impression of Ted Cruz’s Anti-Racist Baby tantrum, and Kate talks a little too long about rodent burlesque. Sources Banned Books Week 2022 In Round Rock, Texas https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/30/books/book-ban-us-schools.html ALA reponse and more on EDI (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) work Jonathan Evison response to his book “Lawn Boy” being banned https://nwbooklovers.org/2021/09/28/the-would-be-banning-of-lawn-boy-and-why-im-not-booking-any-flights-to-texas-in-the-near-future/ Follow us on Instagram: @evadeslaurbooks @katrynwrites @writewhereithurtspod *Tune in next time for another episode powered by broken hearts, belly laughs (and bourbon). Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, and SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen