Shows
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E24: Write or Die & FINAL_Final_Episode_Really.docTHANK YOU to all of our WorDies! We love you!
Kat & Claribel say goodbye to Write or Die by listening to snippets from past episodes and discussing the advice they’ve received along the way from amazing past guests including S.Jae Jones, Alex Aster, Victoria Aveyard, Tiffany Jackson, Phil Stamper and More! Then they read listener comments and answer some last “Ask Us Anything” questions! Thank you to all the WorDies who’ve joined us on this journey! Our hope is that you keep this community going even after the podcast is done!
Topics discusse...2022-06-271h 37
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E23: Write or Die & The Final Episode (part 1)Kat & Claribel say goodbye to Write or Die by listening to snippets from past episodes and discussing the advice they’ve received along the way from amazing past guests including Daniel Jose Older, Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, Ayana Gray, Mark Oshiro, and More! Topics discussed include:
Messy first draft.
How to get into drafting mode.
Being wary of generalized advice.
Finding community.
Being a BIPOC author.
Parasocial relationships in publishing.
• FOLLOW CLARIBEL: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | TikTok
• www.claribelortega.com
• Check out all of Claribel’s books
• ORDER Witchlings
Buy Cl...2022-06-131h 13
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E22: Vita Ayala & The Met is Super HauntedClaribel & Kat discuss what "success" means in publishing (and what it definitely does not mean). Then they interview Vita Ayala about their journey into writing comics, how the Metropolitan Museum of Art is super haunted, being inspired by Octavia Butler as a kid, and the difference between comics and prose writing.
ABOUT VITA: Vita Ayala (they/them) is a trans non-binary Afro-Puerto Rican writer born and bred in New York City, where they grew up dreaming dreams of dancing on far away worlds, fighting monsters on the block, and racing fish along the bottom of the ocean. B...2022-05-301h 31
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E21: Kat Cho & Suga’s Diss TrackClaribel interviews Kat about her young adult k-pop romcom, Once Upon a K-Prom. They chat all things k-pop (including Kat’s first k-pop loves), what inspired the book, whether Kat included BTS in K-Prom, and more!
ABOUT KAT: Kat Cho used to hide books under the bathroom sink and then sneak in there to read after bedtime. Her parents pretended not to know. This helped when she decided to write a dinosaur time-travel novel at the tender age of nine. Sadly, that book was not published. Kat and her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly, NBC, Re...2022-05-1647 min
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E20: Traci Chee & The Epic Reads Egg VideoClaribel & Kat talk about pressures on authors every time a new book comes out & how publishing relationships naturally change over time. Then they interview Traci Chee about her path to publication, behind-the-scenes of finding out her book was a Printz Award Honor, and her newest Fantasy, A Thousand Steps into Night!
BIO: Traci Chee is a best-selling and award-winning author of books for young people, including the instant New York Times best seller and Kirkus Prize Finalist The Reader and Printz Honor Book, Walter Award Honoree, and National Book Award Finalist We Are Not Free. Her newest...2022-05-021h 14
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E19: Laekan Zea Kemp & Just Pre-Ask For An ExtensionClaribel & Kat discuss a conversation the saw online about being “satisfied” with your author career vs being “happy” as an author. Then they interview Laekan Zea Kemp about her publishing journey. How she started off self-publishing and transitioned into traditional publishing. And what it’s been like writing across multiple genres and age categories!
Content Warning: Discussions of grief/parental death/cancer
ABOUT LAEKAN: Laekan Zea Kemp is a writer living in Austin, Texas. She’s also the creator and host of the Author Pep Talks podcast, as well as a contributor to the Las Musas podcas...2022-04-181h 26
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E18: Claribel A. Ortega & #WitchlingsBookKat interviews Claribel about the process of writing and publishing their second middle grade (and first series!). How publishing a second book feels different. How expectations change as your career progresses. And working on not “giving weight to the negative”
ABOUT CLARIBEL: New York Times Bestselling and award-winning author, Claribel A. Ortega is a former reporter who writes middle-grade and young adult fantasy inspired by her Dominican heritage. When she's not busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic, and video games into books, she’s co-hosting her podcast Bad Author Book Club and helping authors naviga...2022-04-041h 01
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E17: Judy I. Lin & Walking Away From Bad SituationsClaribel & Kat talk about book promo they’ve done that they think was worth it, and what they don’t think they’ll do again. Then they talk to debut author, Judy I. Lin about her debut fantasy, trying out IP, and eventually choosing to go the traditional route instead.
ABOUT JUDY: Judy I. Lin was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Canada with her family at a young age. She grew up with her nose in a book and loved to escape to imaginary worlds. She now works as an occupational therapist, and still spends her nights...2022-03-211h 08
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E16: Alexis Castellanos & The Story Web We WeaveClaribel & Kat talk about Author-Reviewer “relationships” and what’s okay to do and what to stay away from. Then they interview debut graphic novelist, Alexis Castellanos about how she used family stories to flesh out and inspire her debut graphic novel.
ABOUT ALEX: Alexis Castellanos was born and raised in Florida where she enjoyed sunny days, dramatic thunderstorms, and delicious Cuban food. After graduating from college, she moved to New York City and worked as a scenic artist, bringing theatrical sets to life with a little bit of paint and a whole lot of ingenuity. She currently works...2022-03-141h 27
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E15: Deborah Falaye & Put Yourself Out ThereClaribel & Kat discuss their thoughts on jumping back into promoting their new books! Then they interview their PitchWars mentee about her upcoming seering fantasy debut, BLOOD SCION!
ABOUT DEBORAH: Deborah Falaye is a Nigerian Canadian young adult author. She grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where she spent her time devouring African Literature, pestering her grandma for folktales, and tricking her grandfather into watching Passions every night. When she’s not writing about fierce Black girls with bad-ass magic, she can be found obsessing over all things reality TV. Deborah currently lives in Toronto with her husband and th...2022-02-281h 20
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E14: Malinda Lo & I Just Do Gay ThingsClaribel & Kat discuss how they decide on what project to work on next. And then they interview Award Winning and NYT Bestselling author, Malinda Lo, about her experience in the industry, her advocacy for diversity in kidlit, and what it was like going back to a shelved project and revising it years later for publication.
ABOUT MALINDA: Malinda Lo is the National Book Award-winning, bestselling author of Last Night at the Telegraph Club, which which was named a Best Book of 2021 by NPR, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, BookPage, and was a...2022-02-141h 32
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E13: Write or Die LiveThis is a bonus episode of Write or Die! Originally recorded live as part of DVCon (a free virtual writing conference for diverse creators), Claribel & Kat read your anonymously submitted publishing stories and questions!
MENTIONS:
• DVCon
• Watch DVCon panels
• FOLLOW CLARIBEL: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | TikTok
• www.claribelortega.com
• Check out all of Claribel’s books
• PRE-ORDER Witchlings (April 5, 2022, Scholastic)
• FOLLOW KAT: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
• www.katchowrites.com
• PRE-ORDER Once Upon a K-Prom (May 17, 2022, Disney)
• Check out Kat’s Books
• F...2022-02-071h 00
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E12: Wendy Xu & Shut Up, Do Your Work, & Stay Off GoodreadsClaribel & Kat interview illustrator Wendy Xu about how she first got into illustrating comics, how her work in publishing prepared her for her publication journey, and advice on properly crediting artists for their work!
ABOUT WENDY: Wendy Xu is an award-nominated Brooklyn-based illustrator and comics artist with three upcoming graphic novels from Harper Collins. She is the co-creator of "Mooncakes", a young adult fantasy graphic novel published in 2019 from Lion Forge Comics/Oni Press. Her work has been featured on Catapult, Barnes & Noble Sci-fi/Fantasy Blog, and Tor.com, among other places.
• FOLLOW : website | Twitter | In...2022-01-3147 min
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E11: Sarah Raughley & Even Heroes Aren’t PerfectClaribel & Kat catch up with each other and talk about the emotional ups and downs of building an author career. (CW: brief discussion of trauma) Then they interview Sarah Raughley about what it was like to get published in the before-times, differences she’s felt releasing her newest series during the pandemic, and how she researched the lives of Black people in 19th century Britain for her book, THE BONES OF RUIN.
ABOUT SARAH: Sarah Raughley grew up in Southern Ontario writing stories about freakish little girls with powers because she secretly wanted to be one. She is...2022-01-171h 02
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E10: Akshaya Raman & A Bed Full of SnakesHappy New Year! Claribel & Kat discuss some fun news in their author careers and chat about new year and resolutions. Then they interview debut author, Akshaya Raman about her highly anticipated Fantasy, The Ivory Key. How she dealt with doubt during her query journey and how she made writing friends.
ABOUT AKSHAYA: Akshaya Raman fell in love with writing when she wrote her first story at the age of ten. Though she graduated from UC Davis with a degree in biology, she gave up pursuing a career in science to write books. She is a co-founder and c...2022-01-031h 22Write Or Die PodcastS4 E9: Claribel & Kat & WorD’s Last Holiday Episode!This week, Claribel & Kat discuss what they learned about their writing and author journeys in 2021. Then they answer listener questions about how to survive querying, Self-publishing, how they first got into writing, when to change agents, and more. Plus bonus chat about K-Dramas and K-pop!
MENTIONS:
WRITING PODCASTS
• The Writing Show with Paula B.
• 88 Cups of Tea
• First Draft with Sarah Enni
• Minorities in Publishing
• Pub(lishing) Crawl Podcast (Archive)
MOVIE
• Authors Anonymous
K-DRAMAS
• Boys Over Flowers
• W: Two...2021-12-131h 05
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E8: Maisie Chan & Danny Chung Has Two TitlesClaribel & Kat discuss mentorship programs, both formal and informal! Then they chat with Maisie Chan about her experience publishing her debut Middle Grade and the differences between the UK and US publishing market.
ABOUT MAISIE: Maisie Chan is a British Chinese children's author from Birmingham. She loves dim sum, yoga and travelling. She has written early readers for Hachette and Big Cat Collins, and has a collection of myths and legends out with Scholastic. She is the author of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths (U.K.) also known as Danny Chung Sums It Up (U.S...2021-11-221h 05
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E7: Emiko Jean & We Don’t Need Permission to WriteClaribel & Kat talk about how to prepare for panels & some quick tips on how to answer interview questions. Then they interview NYT Bestselling author Emiko Jean about her publishing journey, how publishing has changed since she first queried in 2011, and what it’s been like building an author career.
Emiko’s BIO: When Emiko is not writing, she is reading. Most of her friends are imaginary. Before she became a writer she was an entomologist (fancy name for bug catcher), a candle maker, a florist, and most recently a teacher. She lives in Washington with her husband and...2021-11-0158 min
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E6: Alex Aster & Cursed Islands Are My BrandClaribel and Kat answer a listener's question about publishing events, what it’s like to organize events like DVPit/DVCon, and some tips about attending events. Then they chat with Alex Aster about her author journey, discuss going viral on TikTok and whether it’s worthwhile for authors to join. Plus Alex gives us some Authortok tips!
ALEX’S BIO: Alex Aster is an author and graduate of The University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing. The Emblem Island series is inspired by the Latin American myths her Colombian grandmother told h...2021-10-181h 19
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E5: Shanna Miles & Categories Are ArbitraryClaribel & Kat discuss author responsibility as public figures with platforms, brought to you by Kat’s k-pop obsession with Stray Kids. Then they interview Shanna Miles about her hybrid journey, starting out with self-publishing, and then getting an agent and being traditionally published. Shanna gives some practical advice for anyone considering self-publishing, discusses diversity in publishing, and how YA “trends” are cyclical!
BIO: Shanna Miles is an author, reviewer and librarian who lives in Georgia with her two daughters, and educator husband and advocates tirelessly for appropriate representation for marginalized people in children’s fiction. Her passion is Paran...2021-10-041h 12
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E4: Ayana Gray & Claribel Ortega Saw My Tweet!Claribel & Kat discuss burnout and some of the coping mechanisms they’ve found helpful to get them through. Then they interview debut author, Ayana Gray about the path it took to find the courage to write, how her path “crossed” Claribel & Kat’s along the way, and her highly anticipated debut novel, BEASTS OF PREY.
CW: Discussions of death of a loved one and grief at 21:45 time point. Fast forward past that to 25:03 if this is triggering.
Ayana BIO: Ayana Gray is an author of speculative works and lover of all things monsters, mythos, and #MelaninM...2021-09-271h 33
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E3: Graci Kim & Kiwis Just Want to Make FriendsClaribel and Kat give updates on their upcoming books (Witchlings and Once Upon a K-Prom) and discuss comparison in publishing and how it disproportionately affects BIPOC. Then they interview bestselling author Graci Kim about her journey into publication and how she learned to embrace her Korean name and identity!
CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of death of a child at 27:12 point. Skip to 28:54 to avoid that discussion.
GRACI BIO: Graci Kim is a bestselling author of magic-infused middle grade books, who was vine-picked in Korea and sun-ripened in New Zealand.
Her Korean mythology-inspired debut, The...2021-09-211h 11
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E2: Jason June & Getting Kicked In The Face by Kylie MinogueClaribel & Kat answer a listener question about writing character voice and perspective. Then they interview Jason June about getting kicked in the face by Kylie Minogue and the journey from writing Picture Books to writing Young Adult!
BIO: Jason June is a gay, genderqueer, list-making, Virgo Sun, Taurus Moon, Pokémon-playing writer living in Austin, TX. If he had a Gay Agenda, "marry the love of your life", "be mom to two extremely pampered Pomeranians," and "get accidentally kicked in the face by Kylie Minogue as an extra in her music video" would all be crossed off.2021-09-131h 13
Write Or Die PodcastS4 E1: Misa Sugiura & Inviting Your Entire Mailing ListWe’re Back! In the season 4 premiere, Kat and Claribel share what they did over summer break and share big news about the future of Write or Die. Then they interview Misa Sugiura about her publishing journey, differences between releasing a book in 2021 vs before 2020, and creating boundaries between author identity and private personal life.
BIO: Misa Sugiura’s ancestors include a poet, a priestess, a samurai, and a stowaway. Her first novel It’s Not Like It’s A Secret, won the Asian Pacific Islander American Librarians’ Association’s Award for Young Adult Literature; Her latest book, Love...2021-08-301h 08
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E26: Liselle Sambury & The Werewolf RomanceIn the Season Finale episode, Claribel and Kat answer some listener questions about drafting, querying, and submission. Then they interview debut author Liselle Sambury about her early writing, learning and growing from past mistakes, and how she uses YouTube to connect to the community
LISELLE BIO:
Liselle Sambury is a Trinidadian-Canadian author who grew up in Toronto, and her brand of writing can be described as “messy Black girls in fantasy situations.” In her free time, she shares helpful tips for upcoming writers and details of her publishing journey through a YouTube channel dedicated to help...2021-06-141h 42
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E25: Anna Meriano & Sorry Literary FictionClaribel and Kat talk about “parasocial relationships” and how it affects authors and their mental health. Then they talk to Anna Meriano about IP, MFA’s and her new book about fandom and fans reclaiming safe spaces for themselves!
Bio:
Anna Meriano grew up in Houston, Texas, with an older brother and a younger brother but (tragically) no sisters. She graduated from Rice University with a degree in English and earned her MFA in creative writing with an emphasis in writing for children from the New School in New York. She has taught creative writing and hi...2021-05-311h 18
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E24: Rita Williams Garcia & All Vibes, No PlotClaribel and Kat discuss how they make promo that’s fun for them and which incorporates their personalities. Then they talk to hilarious bestselling author Rita Williams-Garcia about what it was like when she first got started in publishing, how she goes back and forth between Middle Grade & Adult, and some great advice for authors at all level!
BIO:
Rita Williams-Garcia is the New York Times bestselling author of novels for young adults and middle grade readers. Her most recent novel, Gone Crazy in Alabama ends the saga of the Gaither Sisters, who appear in One...2021-05-241h 15Write Or Die PodcastS3 E23: Editor Shelly Romero Is A Goth Golden RetrieverKat and Claribel talk a little about their personal writing processes. And then they interview Shelly Romero an editor at Scholastic about what she looks for in submissions, how you can support BIPOC authors, and the realities of the day-to-day life of editors!
SHELLY BIO:
Shelly Romero is an assistant editor at Scholastic Press, where she is looking to build a list comprised of predominantly BIPOC and traditionally marginalized authors. She graduated from Stephens College with a bachelor’s degree in English and attended the 2017 NYU Summer Publishing Institute. She is a member of Latinx in...2021-05-171h 18
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E22: Sarah Dass & Persuasion Is Our Favorite Austen BookKat & Claribel discuss some writing and productivity tools that have been helping them write lately. Then they talk to Sarah Dass about her debut romance WHERE THE RHYTHM TAKES YOU, doing a retelling, and what it felt like being in an auction for her debut book
Bio: Sarah Dass was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago.
A graduate of the University of the West Indies and University College London, she works as an Office Administrator by day and writes stories about growing up in the Caribbean by night.
When she’s not wr...2021-05-101h 16
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E 21: Victoria Aveyard Is a Map NerdKat and Claribel discuss making friends and friend groups in publishing. And then they interview NYT Bestselling author, Victoria Aveyard about her writing process, starting a brand new series after spending so long in one world, how film school influences her writing process, and how she’s liking TikTok!
VICTORIAS BIO: Victoria Aveyard is an author and screenwriter, born and raised in a small town in Western Massachusetts. Both her parents are public school teachers, as well as avid film, television, and literature fans. Victoria grew up on a steady diet The Lord of the Rings, Star Wa...2021-05-031h 16
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E20: Heidi Heilig & Everyone Put Pets in Your HeadshotClaribel and Kat discuss the idea of looking back on your old writing and seeing how far you’ve come. Plus, they touch on the idea that the industry should shift to look at the story and not at the trends. Then they interview Heidi Heilig, author of the Shadow Players trilogy, about her journey with publishing, creating conscientious communities, and how the publishing community has changed since she first published 5 years ago. Plus some discussion about trilogies vs duologies and how real life events influence our writing.
BIO:
Heidi grew up in Hawaii where sh...2021-04-261h 22
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E19: Becky Albertalli & Staying Connected to ReadersKat and Claribel discuss staying on track and Kat gets honest about her ADHD diagnosis and how it affects her author habits and life. Then they interview the beloved Becky Albertalli. Becky discusses her experiences with co-writing, what it was like watching her fandom grow, and the surreal experience of having her book adapted into film! Plus some down-to-earth advice on how authors experience doubt and connect with each other.
BECKY BIO:
Becky Albertalli is the author of William C. Morris Award winner and National Book Award longlist title, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda...2021-04-191h 37
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E18: N.G. Peltier & Self Publishing HybridClaribel and Kat discuss the misperception that all authors need to be doing a lot of promotion for their own books and constantly be on social media. Then they interview N.G. Peltier about her decision to self-publish her debut romance but how their agent worked on their behalf to create a unique hybrid situation.
N.G. PELTIER BIO:
N.G. Peltier is an anime watching, book reading, video-game playing, story writing kinda girl.
A devourer of words and books from a young age, she enjoys writing romance and creeping people out with...2021-04-181h 08
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E17: Preeti Chhibber & This Episode Is About TitanicClaribel and Kat discuss what “growing as a writer” means to them. Then they interview the hilarious and charming Preeti Chhibber about her time working on the other side of the table in publishing, go on a (long) tangent about the Titanic, what it was like writing IP for huge franchises like Spider-Man and Star Wars, and that one time she made Jake Gyllenhall laugh (twice!)
BIO:
Called “Spider-Man super fan and author” by Publishers Weekly, Preeti Chhibber is a YA author, speaker, and freelance writer. She worked as a publishing professional. She has written for SYFY...2021-04-051h 30
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E16: Anna-Marie McLemore & The Gay GatsbyKat and Claribel chat about Whisper Networks, what they are, why they exist, and how to use them. Then they interview the amazing Anna-Marie McLemore about their Magical Realism books, how they incorporate their heart and identity into their stories, and how they embrace their weird!
Bio:
Anna-Marie McLemore (they/them) is the author of THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS, WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS, WILD BEAUTY, BLANCA & ROJA, DARK AND DEEPEST RED, MISS METEOR (co-authored with Tehlor Kay Mejia) and the forthcoming THE MIRROR SEASON. A lot of what they write could be called magical...2021-03-221h 14Write Or Die PodcastS3 E15: Book Twitter Manual: Handbook for MortalsKat and Claribel discuss the Book Twitter scandal that happened around the book HANDBOOK FOR MORTALS the NYT Bestseller’s List in 2017
Mentions:
• Handbook for Mortals author fires back after publishing fiasco https://ew.com/books/2017/08/26/handbook-for-mortals-lani-sarem/
• An Anniversary of a Scandal: One Year After Lani Sarem https://bookriot.com/lani-sarem-scandal-anniversary/
• Jenny Trout Recaps of HANDBOOK: http://jennytrout.com/?p=11574
• Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | TikTok
• www.claribelortega.com
• Check out Claribel’s books
• PRE-ORDER Witchlings (Feb 2022, Scholastic)
• Follow Kat Cho online: Twit...2021-03-0839 min
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E14: Kosoko Jackson & ...That's WeirdClaribel & Kat discuss joining TikTok. Then they interview Kosoko Jackson about his debut sci-fi romance YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, how to push a trope to new limits, and writing in Adult romance after writing primarily in YA. Plus some advice from Kosoko's day job in Social Media marketing and content creation!
KOSOKO BIO:
Kosoko Jackson is a digital media specialist, focusing on digital storytelling, email, social and SMS marketing, and a freelance political journalist. Occasionally, his personal essays and short stories have been featured on Medium, Thought Catalog, The Advocate, and some literary magazines. When not...2021-02-2257 minWrite Or Die PodcastS3 E13: Book Twitter Manual: Introduction, I Was Hacked & Please Stop ScrollingClaribel and Kat dive into some Book Twitter news and gossip for your entertainment and education.
Mentions:
CP
Punching Down
Avoiding language used to target BIPOC
Twitter Advice
Expectations for how interact with readers/bloggers
Remember, teens are our readers
MSWL
"I was hacked"
"Please stop scrolling"
Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
Order GHOST SQUAD
Add FRIZZY on Goodreads
www.claribelortega.com
PRE-ORDER Witchlings (Feb 2022, Scholastic)
Follow Kat Cho online: Twitter | Instagram | Y...2021-02-0855 min
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E12: Emily XR Pan & Nova Ren Suma & The Right Debut BookClaribel & Kat look back on how far they’ve come since 2016 & how their goals for their author careers have changed in 5 years. Then they talk with NYT Bestselling authors & co-founders of FORESHADOW: A Serial YA Anthology, Emily XR Pan & Nova Ren Suma about how they became friends & advice about how to find your voice!
Emily X.R. Pan is the New York Times bestselling author of THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER, which won the APALA Honor Award and the Walter Honor Award, received six starred reviews, was an L.A. Times Book Prize finalist, and was longlisted fo...2021-01-251h 22
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E11: Claribel & Kat & Words MatterClaribel and Kat discuss some current events and how they’re coping. As well as how powerful words can be, and how important it is for us to take responsibility for them.
MENTIONS:
Sunrise Movement
Claribel TikTok
Kat TikTok
Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | TikTok
Order GHOST SQUAD
Add FRIZZY on Goodreads
www.claribelortega.com
Follow Kat Cho online: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Order WICKED FOX!
Order VICIOUS SPIRITS (sequel to WICKED FOX)
Add ONCE UPON A K-PROM on Goodreads
www.katchowrites.com
Follow Write or Die online: Twitter | Ins...2021-01-1148 minWrite Or Die PodcastS3 E10: Claribel & Kat & End-of-the-Year Check-InClaribel and Kat discuss 2020, what it was like for Claribel to debut this year, and some trends they’ve noticed in the community. Plus, they discuss methods to try to allow for self-care and positivity in your life as potential coping mechanisms when going through a hard time. And how to cultivate better work habits for themselves as full-time writers.
Mentions:
Claribel’s GMA appearance
Read Free Hexel
DVCon
DivBookFest
Romance is a Bonus Book
W: Two Worlds
Boys over Flowers
Myst...2020-12-141h 16
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E9: Chloe Gong & Shakespeare’s Ghost is Looking Out For YouClaribel and Kat discuss #PublishingPaidMe and break down why it’s such an important conversation in publishing. Then they interview NYT bestselling debut author, Chloe Gong about These Violent Delights, her Chinese retelling of Romeo and Juliet in historical Shanghai! We discuss how she got into writing (and how writing for herself helped her write a unique story) and her research process for both the setting and historical time period she chose to set her debut novel.
Bio:
Chloe Gong is a student at the University of Pennsylvania, studying English and international relations. During her br...2020-11-3054 min
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E8: Nikki Barthelmess & Growing With Your AgentKat and Claribel talk about virtual events and how to avoid burn out. They they talk to YA author Nikki Barthelmess about how her life inspired her novels, how she ended up working with her two agents when her original agent’s assistant was promoted and became her agent!
Bio:
Nikki Barthelmess is an author of young adult books, including THE QUIET YOU CARRY (out now!), QUIET NO MORE (Flux, fall 2020), and EVERYTHING WITHIN AND IN BETWEEN (HarperChildren’s, fall 2021). Nikki entered foster care in Nevada at twelve and spent the next six years living in s...2020-11-161h 06
Write Or Die PodcastS3 E6: Paola Mendoza, Abby Sher & Please Vote!Claribel and Kat discuss how to refill the creative well (especially considering how stressful current events are on the creative mind). Then they interview NYT bestselling author and activist Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher about their new YA novel Sanctuary, making a statement with your art, envisioning a diverse future where we center minority narratives.
Bio: Abby Sher is a writer and performer whose work has appeared in Modern Love: 50 True and Extraordinary Tales of Desire, Deceit, and Devotion and Behind the Bedroom Door: Getting it, Giving it, Loving it, Missing it as well as in The...2020-10-0558 minWrite Or Die PodcastS3 E1: Claribel, Kat & What We Did on Summer Break!Episode Description: Our Season 3 premiere! We discuss what we’ve been up to this summer and our new podcast format! Mentions: Claribel’s Twitch Claribel on Good Morning America WorD Patreon: www.patreon.com/writeordiepodcast Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube Order GHOST SQUAD Add FRIZZY on Goodreads www.claribelortega.com Follow Kat Cho online: Twitter| Instagram | […]
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/writeordiepodcast/support2020-08-0334 minWrite Or Die PodcastS2 E27: Natasha Diaz & Bat MixedvahClaribel and Kat chat about submission and how lonely it can feel. And then they talk to Natasha Diaz about her writing journey from college to writing for a start-up production company to debuting last year with her novel, Color Me In.
Bio:
Natasha Díaz is a born and raised New Yorker, currently residing in Brooklyn, NY with her tall husband where she spends most of her days writing with no pants on and alternating between E.R. and Grey’s Anatomy binges. Natasha works as an author and screenwriter, her debut novel, Color Me...2020-05-251h 19Write Or Die PodcastS2 E26: Rachel Stuhler & Christmas Magic Every Ten PagesToday Kat & Claribel discuss virtual online book events and festivals & Claribel’s new K-drama journey! Plus they interview the amazing writer, Rachel Stuhler, and talk about how she got into writing screenplays for Hallmark and Lifetime and her book Absolutely True Lies! Bio: Rachel Stuhler hails from Rochester, NY, the home of the hot […]
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/writeordiepodcast/support2020-05-181h 10Write Or Die PodcastS2 E24: Write Or Drink (Part 2)In a continuation of last week, here’s part 2 of Write or Drink!We received a request from a WorDy to do a Q&A while drinking cocktails and we aim to please! So we asked for questions on Patreon, Facebook, and Twitter and ended up recording so much that it became TWO episodes! Follow Claribel Ortega […]
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/writeordiepodcast/support2020-05-041h 09
Write Or Die PodcastS2 E21: Claribel A. Ortega & The Bi-Annual ClickbaitPart Two of Kat’s interview with Claribel about her publishing journey! She talks about GHOST SQUAD, how it feels to debut, her social media presence, and how she build up her community!
Bio:
Claribel A. Ortega is a former reporter who writes YA & MG fantasy inspired by her Dominican heritage. When she’s not busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic and video games into books, she’s filming videos for her YouTube channel or making GIFS for her small graphic design business, GIFGRRL.
Mentions:
Ghost Squad Virtual Launch2020-04-1336 min
Write Or Die PodcastS2 E20: Claribel Ortega & I'm Expecting a Payoff, Jesus!For our 2 year anniversary we present the episode you’ve all been waiting for! Kat interviews Claribel about her publishing journey, how she once got catfished, how she got her agent and book deals! Plus Kat and Claribel discuss the reality behind the “YA is dead” conversation that comes up every once in awhile.
Bio:
Claribel A. Ortega is a former reporter who writes YA & MG fantasy inspired by her Dominican heritage. When she’s not busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic and video games into books, she’s filming videos for her YouTube...2020-04-061h 14
Write Or Die PodcastS2 E19: Isabel Ibañez & What Did Claribel Want to Say?Claribel and Kat discuss current events and how things currently happening in publishing might be making some authors feel uncertainty. Then they interview Isabel Ibañez about her path to publication and how she came up with the very personal topic of her debut novel, Woven in Moonlight, inspired by recent Bolivian events and her family’s experience.
Bio:
Isabel Ibañez was born in Boca Raton, Florida and is the proud daughter of two Bolivian immigrants. A true word nerd, she received her degree in creative writing and has been a Pitch Wars mentor for...2020-03-161h 11
Write Or Die PodcastS2 E17: Marie Rutkoski and The Personal Is The Most ArtisticIn this episode we discuss the dangers of comparison in publishing and we interview the amazing NYT Bestselling author, Marie Rutkoski, about her new book The Midnight Lie and what it feels like writing a book in the same world as a previous series but with a very personal aspect.
Bio:
Marie Rutkoski is a New York Times bestselling author of several novels for children and young adults. She grew up in Illinois as the oldest of four children, and has lived in Moscow, Prague, and Paris.
She holds degrees from the University...2020-03-021h 05
Write Or Die PodcastS2E15: Karuna Riazi & Going Out of OrderKat and Claribel discuss what it’s like to work on multiple projects at a time and how to meet multiple deadlines. They also interview author Karuna Riazi about debuting with a book packager, querying after you’ve already debuted, and why she decided to go to an MFA program!
Bio: Karuna Riazi is a born and raised New Yorker, with a loving, large extended family and the rather trying experience of being the eldest sibling in her particular clan.Besides pursuing a BA in English literature from Hofstra University, she is an online diversity advocate, blogger, and...2020-02-171h 00
Write Or Die PodcastS2E14: Agent Barbara Poelle & Poelling itClaribel and Kat answer some AMA’s (including talking about their skincare routine!) They also interview the amazingly funny literary agent Barbara Poelle about her past as a stand-up comic, her life as a literary agent, how to live life with humility and humor, and rage push-ups.
Follow Barbara: Website | Twitter
Mentions:
WBP Questions to ask Agents
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Cetaphil
Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum
Innisfree Orchid line
Mamonde Rose Water Toner
Ole Henriksen C-Rush™ Brightening Double Crème
Missh...2020-02-101h 08
Write Or Die PodcastS2E13: Agent Quressa Robinson & All Her Inbox SecretsClaribel and Kat discuss current events including conversations around American Dirt. They also interview Literary Agent Quressa Robinson about her path to becoming an agent, what she thinks the industry should do to provide support to POC, and her MSWL!
Follow Quressa: Twitter | Website
Mentions:
https://blog.leeandlow.com/2020/01/28/2019diversitybaselinesurvey/
Original ‘American Dirt’ review by Myriam Gurba
NPR interview about American Dirt
‘American Dirt’ Isn’t Just Bad — Its Best Parts Are Cribbed From Latino Writers by David J Schmidt (Huffington Post)
Cummin’s Non-Mexican Crap by David...2020-02-031h 00
Write Or Die PodcastS2E12: Ronni Davis & Sims or DieKat & Claribel talk about what *not* to do when you get a bad review. Ronni Davis joins us to talk about her publishing journey, how publishing has changed in the past decade, how publishing is part of the entertainment industry, and writing black girls who get to be the romantic lead getting their Happily Ever After.
Mslexia link: www.exacteditions.com/mslexia
Use code WRITEORDIE20 at checkout for 20% off!
Bio:
Ronni Davis grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where she tried her best to fit in—and failed miserably.
Now sh...2020-01-271h 05
Write Or Die PodcastS2E11: Amanda Foody & Selfies of Readers CryingClaribel and Kat talk about New Year’s Resolutions and Claribel explains her postcard method! Plus we talk to Amanda Foody about her publishing journey, having multiple agents and her thoughts about debuting with a Middle Grade after writing multiple books in Young Adult.
About Amanda Foody:
Amanda Foody has always considered imagination to be our best attempt at magic. After a double life as an accountant preparing taxes for multinational corporations, she now spends her free time brewing and fermenting foods much more easily obtained at her local grocery store. She lives in Boston, MA...2020-01-201h 15Write Or Die PodcastS2E10: Holiday Special 2019In this holiday special episode we talk about end of the year reflections, the dreaded end of the year blues, look back on where the podcast started and read emails from listeners about Write or Die!
Podcast Mentions: The Write Stuff Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-write-stuff/id1113762043
88 Cups of Tea Podcast http://88cupsoftea.com/
Minorities in Publishing Podcast https://minoritiesinpublishing.tumblr.com/
Pubcrawl Podcast https://www.publishingcrawl.com/category/pubcrawl-podcast/
Frizzy Graphic Novel https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47906920-rizos
Follow Claribel Ortega online: T...2019-12-0952 min
Write Or Die PodcastS2E9: Ryan La Sala & Bedazzling Your EggsThis week, Kat & Claribel discuss social anxiety at book events plus we bring back Ryan La Sala to talk about what’s changed in his life since he’s announced his book deal and how he uses videos, fashion, and bedazzled eggs to build his social media presence!
Bio:
Ryan La Sala is a fantasy writer rooted in the northeast United States. His first book, REVERIE, is a YA fantasy due for publication with Sourcebooks FIRE on December 3, 2019. It’s about what happens when your dreams chase you back, and yes it has a drag queen...2019-12-021h 08
Write Or Die PodcastS2E7: Melissa de la Cruz & Look Where the Bench is NowIn this week’s episode Kat and Claribel talk about taking on IP projects versus working on your original ideas PLUS an interview with bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz where we chat about genre jumping, an editor lunch that led to a rejection and her new novel THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!
About Melissa:
Melissa de la Cruz is the #1 New York Times, #1 Publisher’s Weekly and #1 IndieBound bestselling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for readers of all ages. Her more than thirty books have also topped the USA Today, Wall Street Journal and...2019-11-1148 min
Write Or Die PodcastGhostober S2 E4: Ellen Oh & Staring at Your InboxThis week, Claribel and Kat talk about Frankfurt and what goes on at one of the most important events in the book world plus an interview with the legendary Ellen Oh where she dishes about writing creepy middle grade, social media, and her new book The Dragon Egg Princess.
About Ellen:
Ellen Oh is a former adjunct college instructor and lawyer with an insatiable curiosity for ancient Asian history. She loves martial arts films, K-pop, K-dramas, and cooking shows, and is a rabid fan of the Last Airbender and the Legend of Korra series. Ellen...2019-10-281h 08
Write Or Die PodcastGhostober S2 E3: Kerri Maniscalco & The Zombie Prep SchoolThis week, we talk about hyping yourself at book events and conferences and interview NYT Bestselling author, Kerri Maniscalco about her new book Kingdom of the Wicked, serial killers and being a murderino!
About Kerri:
Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.
She is the #1 NY...2019-10-211h 04
Write Or Die PodcastGhostober S2 E2: Christine Lynn Herman & There’s Something In the WoodsThis week we talk about the agent author relationship plus an interview with author of The Devouring Gray, Christine Lynn Herman where she dishes about The Sims, her publishing & Pitch Wars journey and how she got through one of the darkest times in her life.
About Christine:
Born in New York City but raised around the world, Christine Lynn Herman subscribes to the firm philosophy that home is where her books are. Her debut YA novel, THE DEVOURING GRAY, was an Indies Introduce and Indie Next Top Ten Pick. It is available now from Disney-Hyperion (US...2019-10-141h 35
Write Or Die PodcastGHOSTOBER S2 E1: Leigh Bardugo & Michelle’s CouchThis week, Claribel and Kat talk all about being on submission and the dangers of judging authors based on their perceived standing in the publishing world. PLUS we talk to THE LEIGH BARDUGO about her publishing journey, the new Shadow and Bone series, interacting with fandom and her new adult book, Ninth House!
About Leigh:
Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse. With over three million copies sold worldwide, her Grishaverse spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, The Language...2019-10-071h 47
Write Or Die PodcastS2E5: Michael Mammay & Claribel’s Terrible 1st DraftThis week we talk about Twitter burn out, finding balance with social media and interview adult military Sci-Fi author Michael Mammay who drags Claribel’s first drafts and talks about starting your writing career after a whole other career!
About Michael:
Michael Mammay is a science fiction writer. He is a retired army officer and a graduate of the United States Military Academy. He has a master’s degree in military history, and he currently teaches American literature. He is a veteran of Desert Storm, Somalia, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His debut nove...2019-09-301h 28
Write Or Die PodcastS2E4: Agent Jim McCarthy Rejected Both of UsThis week Kat breaks down her debut experience and we talk to literary agent Jim McCarthy who takes us on a day in the life of a literary agent and answers your questions!
About Jim:
Jim McCarthy interned for Dystel, Goderich & Bourret while studying urban design at New York University. Upon graduating, Jim realized he would much rather continue working with books than make the jump (as he had originally intended) to the field of city planning. Eighteen years later, he remains at DG&B as a VP and agent. As an avid fiction reader...2019-09-231h 17
Write Or Die PodcastS2E3: Editor Rebecca Kuss & What The Heck Does a Scout Do?In this week’s episode we talk publishing trends with former scout and current editor Rebecca Kuss, plus trusting the timing of your own writing journey.
Please note this episode was recorded in April 2019.
About Rebecca:
A lover of hush puppies, Claudia Kishi, and Nora Ephron movies, Rebecca Kuss was born to a Korean mother and Jewish father in the heart of the south. She attended the University of Wisconsin, where her parents thought she was pre-med, but where she actually spent the majority of her time getting lost in the library stacks. She ha...2019-09-161h 36
Write Or Die PodcastS2E2: Katy Rose Pool & There Will Come a SequelOn this week’s episode Claribel and Kat talk about having hobbies outside of publishing, the author as a brand and an interview with Katy Rose Pool author of THERE WILL COME A DARKNESS where she talks about her long revision process, becoming friends with Kat and her obsession with Animorphs!
About Katy:
Katy Rose Pool is a writer living in Berkeley, California. She grew up in Los Angeles, where her screenwriter father taught her about three act structure, characterization, and inciting incidents all before she could tie her shoes. Katy studied history and English at...2019-09-091h 12
Write Or Die PodcastS2E1: Susan Dennard & #UghJayIn this week’s episode Kat & Claribel talk all about author burn out, taking breaks and what projects they’re currently working on plus an interview with NYT Bestselling author of the Witchlands series, Susan Dennard!
Susan Dennard has come a long way from small-town Georgia. Working in marine biology, she got to travel the world—six out of seven continents, to be exact (she’ll get to you yet, Asia!)—before she settled down as a full-time novelist and writing instructor.
She is the author of the Something Strange and Deadly series, as well as the New...2019-09-021h 10
Write Or Die PodcastS1E35: Tiffany D. Jackson & A Handbook for WritersTiffany D. Jackson is the critically acclaimed author of YA novels including the NAACP Image Award-nominated ALLEGEDLY and MONDAY’S NOT COMING, a Walter Dean Myers Honored Book and Coretta Scott King New Talent Award winner.She received her bachelor of arts in film from Howard University, her master of arts in media studies from the New School, and has over a decade in TV/Film experience. The Brooklyn native is a lover of naps, cookie dough, and beaches, currently residing in the borough she loves, most likely multitasking. Her forthcoming novel, LET ME HEAR A RHYME (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen...2019-05-211h 36Write Or Die PodcastS1E34: Tara Sim & Just Let Girls Love Their String Cheese MenTara Sim is the author of SCAVENGE THE STARS (Disney-Hyperion) and the TIMEKEEPER trilogy (Sky Pony Press) and writer of all things magic. She can often be found in the wilds of the Bay Area, California.
When she’s not writing about mischievous boys in clock towers, Tara spends her time drinking tea, wrangling cats, and occasionally singing opera. Despite her bio-luminescent skin, she is half-Indian and eats way too many samosas.
Tara is represented by Victoria Marini at Irene Goodman Literary Agency.
Name pronunciation: “tar-ah” (not “terr-ah”).
Pre-Order SCAVENGE THE STARS
F...2019-04-301h 02Write Or Die PodcastS1E31: Elizabeth Lim & Sending Agents Your DiaryElizabeth Lim grew up on a hearty staple of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Her passion for storytelling began around age 10, when she started writing fanfics for Sailor Moon, Sweet Valley, and Star Wars, and posted them online to discover, “Wow, people actually read my stuff. And that’s kinda cool!” But after one of her teachers told her she had “too much voice” in her essays, Elizabeth took a break from creative writing to focus on not flunking English.
Over the years, Elizabeth became a film and video game composer, and even went so far as to get a d...2019-04-0140 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E30: Cori McCarthy, Amy Rose Capetta & Passing Out At Your Book LaunchAmy Rose Capetta [she/her] is an author of YA fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery. Her first novel, Entangled, was a BEA Buzz Book and along with a sequel, Unmade, comprises a space duet. Echo After Echo,a queer love story wrapped in a murder mystery and set on Broadway, earned two starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild Selection. The Brilliant Death, an Italian-inspired fantasy novel, also received two stars and was a chosen as a JLG selection and a Kirkus Best YA Book of the Year. Upcoming titles: Once & Future (co-written with Cori McCarthy, March 2019), The Lost Coast (May...2019-03-261h 13Write Or Die PodcastS1E29: Tehlor Kay Mejia & Tammy from Tim HortonsTehlor Kay Mejia is an author and Oregon native in love with the alpine meadows and evergreen forests of her home state, where she lives with her daughter. When she’s not writing, you can find her plucking at her guitar, stealing rosemary sprigs from overgrown gardens, or trying to make the perfect vegan tamale. She is active in the Latinx lit community, and passionate about representation for marginalized teens in media.
Her short fiction appears in the All Out and Toil & Trouble anthologies from Inkyard Press, and her debut YA fantasy novel, We Set the Dark on Fi...2019-03-191h 37Write Or Die PodcastS1E28: Helen Hoang & Properly Destroying Your ReadersHelen Hoang is that shy person who never talks. Until she does. And the worst things fly out of her mouth. She read her first romance novel in eighth grade and has been addicted ever since.
In 2016, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in line with what was previously known as Asperger’s Syndrome. Her journey inspired THE KISS QUOTIENT.
She currently lives in San Diego, California with her husband, two kids, and pet fish.
Helen is represented by Kim Lionetti of BookEnds Literary Agency.
Follow Helen online: Twitter | Instagram | We...2019-02-2558 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E27: Zoey Castile & This One is Really NSFWZoey Castile was born in Ecuador and raised in Queens, New York. She started writing in her teens and pursued that love in her studies at Hunter College and the University of Montana. For nearly a decade, she worked as a bartender, hostess, and manager in New York City’s nightlife. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ZoeyCastile. You can also email her at ZoeyCastile@gmail.com.
Buy HIRED here!
Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
Order GHOST SQUAD
Add FRIZZY on Goodreads
www.claribelortega.com
Fol...2019-02-181h 19Write Or Die PodcastS1E26: Nina Moreno & It Should’ve Been Joey’s CreekSouthern bruja and sleepy gemini, Nina Moreno was born and raised in Miami until a hurricane sent her family toward the pines of Georgia where she picked up an accent. She’s a proud University of Florida Gator who once had her dream job of shelving books at the library. Inspired by the folklore and stories passed down to her from her Cuban and Colombian family, she now writes about Latinas chasing their dreams, falling in love, and navigating life in the hyphen. She lives by a swamp outside of Orlando where she enjoys listening to carefully curated playlists, hun...2019-02-111h 27Write Or Die PodcastS1E25: Alyssa Cole & The Problem With The Word SmirkAlyssa Cole is an award-winning author of historical, contemporary, and SFF romance. Her Civil War-set espionage romance AN EXTRAORDINARY UNION was chosen as the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award’s Best Book of 2017 and the American Library Association’s RUSA Best Romance for 2018. She’s contributed to publications including Bustle, Shondaland, The Toast, Vulture, RT Book Reviews, and Heroes and Heartbreakers, and her books have received critical acclaim from The New York Times, Library Journal, BuzzFeed, Kirkus, Booklist, Jezebel, Vulture, Book Riot, Entertainment Weekly, and various other outlets. When she’s not working, she can usually be found watching anime with her h...2019-02-041h 02Write Or Die PodcastS1E24: Lamar Giles & Puddles Can’t Host PodcastsLamar Giles is a well published author and a founding member of We Need Diverse Books. Lamar has two novels forthcoming in 2019: his debut middle grade fantasy THE LAST LAST-DAY-OF-SUMMER (Versify / HMH) and his fourth YA thriller SPIN (Scholastic).
Lamar Giles is a two-time Edgar Award finalist in the YA category, for his debut YA thriller FAKE ID (HarperCollins, 2014), and his second YA thriller, ENDANGERED (HarperCollins, 2015). His third YA thriller, OVERTURNED (Scholastic, 2017) received this glowing New York Times review, and was named a Kirkus Best Book of 2017. You can see the book trailer for OVERTURNED here. FAKE ID has been...2019-01-2857 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E23: Karen M. McManus & The Haunted AirbnbKaren M. McManus is the author of the young adult thriller One of Us Is Lying, which spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list and has been translated into 38 languages worldwide. Her second book, Two Can Keep a Secret, will be released in January 2019.
Karen lives in Massachusetts with her son. She holds a master’s degree in Journalism from Northeastern University, which she uses to draft fake news stories for her novels.
You can find Karen at @writerkmc on Twitter and Instagram.
Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
Order GH...2019-01-2140 minWrite Or Die Podcast2018 Holiday Episode: We Tweet the Most When We’re on HiatusJoin us for the last Write or Die episode of 2018 where we read your letters about the podcast, talk about imposter syndrome, hyping your friends, unhealthy comparisons, murder and what’s up next for 2019! Thanks for all your support this year!!
Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
Order GHOST SQUAD
Add FRIZZY on Goodreads
www.claribelortega.com
Follow Kat Cho online: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Order WICKED FOX!
Order VICIOUS SPIRITS (sequel to WICKED FOX)
Add ONCE UPON A K-PROM on Goodreads...2018-12-311h 10Write Or Die PodcastS1E22: Mason Deaver And There’s Never a Good Time to Go On SubMason Deaver is a non-binary author who lives in Charlotte, NC, where the word ‘y’all’ is used in abundance. Typically, they’re writing incredibly queer stories, but when they decide to take a break, they love gardening and baking.
‘I Wish You All the Best’ is their debut novel.
Follow Mason online!
Instagram: @mason_ deaver |
Twitter: @masondeaver
Pre-Order I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST
Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
Order GHOST SQUAD
Add FRIZZY on Goodreads
www.claribelortega.com
F...2018-12-0348 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E21: Laura Sebastian & The Great Publishing Bake Off (Kat's first co-host episode)Kat joins Claribel to co-host the podcast for the first time and we interview author Laura Sebastian!
Laura Sebastian was born and raised in South Florida (the Redlands and Key Largo) and has always loved telling stories–many apologies to her little brother who often got in trouble because of them. No copies of her first book, a Cinderella retelling about angels circa 2nd grade, remain. Thankfully.
After getting her BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design, she moved to New York City thinking that she would stay for a couple of years before goi...2018-11-1653 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E20: Natasha Ngan & Just Being Glad to Have a Forking DealNatasha Ngan is a writer and yoga teacher. She grew up between Malaysia, where the Chinese side of her family is from, and the UK. This multicultural upbringing continues to influence her writing, and she is passionate about bringing diverse stories to teens. Natasha studied Geography at the University of Cambridge before working as a social media consultant and fashion blogger.
She recently moved to Paris, where she likes to imagine she drifts stylishly from brasserie to brasserie, notepad in one hand, wineglass in the other. In reality, she spends most of her time getting lost on...2018-11-0926 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E19: Samira Ahmed & The Truth About Expiration Dates on DreamsBorn in Bombay India and raised outside of Chicago, Illinois, Samira spent countless hours at the library in her small hometown nestled in an oversized armchair next to an old Victorian fireplace with her nose in an Agatha Christie novel or re-reading Little Women, hoping that Jo would somehow end up with Laurie this time. Samira always loved to write—especially poetry–but never actually dreamed of becoming a writer until she was an adult and an idea for a story captured her imagination and wouldn’t let go.
Samira is the New York Times bestselling author of Love...2018-11-021h 05Write Or Die PodcastHalloween Bonus Episode: Holly Black, Pond Revelations and Weird Stuff!Holly Black is the author of bestselling contemporary fantasy books for kids and teens. Some of her titles include The Spiderwick Chronicles (with Tony DiTerlizzi), The Modern Faerie Tale series, the Curse Workers series, Doll Bones, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, the Magisterium series (with Cassandra Clare) and The Darkest Part of the Forest. She has been a a finalist for an Eisner Award, and the recipient of the Andre Norton Award, the Mythopoeic Award and a Newbery Honor. She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret door.
Fo...2018-10-3151 minWrite Or Die PodcastGhostober E4: S. Jae-Jones & Who Are You Romancing?S. Jae-Jones was born and raised in sunny Los Angeles, where she spent summers on the beach and winters on the slope until she was convinced by Sesame Street (and university) to move to New York City. A native Angelena and a New Yorker at heart, she now lives in Dixie, where she is comfortably growing fat on grits and barbecue. When not writing, she can be find rock-climbing, skydiving, taking photographs, drawing pictures, and dragging her dog on ridiculously long hikes.
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2018-10-2753 minWrite Or Die PodcastGhostober E3: Kat Cho & The Monthly Whale FightKat Cho used to hide books under the bathroom sink and then sneak in there to read after bedtime. Her parents pretended not to know. This helped when she decided to write a dinosaur time-travel novel at the tender age of nine. Sadly, that book was not published. She currently works in NYC as an editorial assistant. Kat’s YA contemporary fantasy debut, WICKED FOX, comes out with Putnam Books for Young Readers/Penguin in 2019.
Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
Order GHOST SQUAD
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www.claribelortega.com...2018-10-1955 minWrite Or Die PodcastGhostober E2: India Hill, Karen Strong & The Ghost Sugar DaddyMore about Karen Strong:
Born and raised in the rural South, Karen Strong has a passion for writing for kids and teens — focusing on black girls who explore the realms of adventure and mystery with a dash of spooky.
Add JUST SOUTH OF HOME on Goodreads!
Follow Karen Online!
More about India Hill:
A 26-year-old Southern Belle who came back down south after living in NYC and working at HBO. My day job is in Social Media, and my passion is writing. I LOVE to write – I’m agented and am...2018-10-1348 minWrite Or Die PodcastGhostober E1: Ryan Douglass and The Reverse AdvanceRyan Douglass is an author and freelance writer with a BA from Hofstra University. His debut YA novel, Jake in the Box, is forthcoming from Putnam/Penguin in the Spring of 2020. He lives in Atlanta, GA.
Follow Ryan online!
Ryan’s website
On Twitter @ryandouglassw
Add Jake in the Box on Goodreads!
Join the WRITE OR DIE Community on Facebook!
Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
Order GHOST SQUAD
Add FRIZZY on Goodreads
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Follow Kat Cho...2018-10-0634 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E18: Summer Heacock & The Douche CanoeSummer Heacock is an author of women's contemporary fiction, mom to two scampy kidlings and wife to an amazingly understanding husband. THE AWKWARD PATH TO GETTING LUCKY (7/25/2017, MIRA) is her debut novel.
Follow Summer Online:
Twitter: @Fizzygrrl
Facebook
Goodreads
Buy her books!
Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
Order GHOST SQUAD
Add FRIZZY on Goodreads
www.claribelortega.com
Follow Kat Cho online: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Order WICKED FOX!
Order VICIOUS SPIRITS (sequel to W...2018-09-2845 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E17: L.L. McKinney & Princess PeachLeatrice “Elle” McKinney, writing as L.L. McKinney, is a poet and active member of the kidlit community. She’s an advocate for equality and inclusion in publishing, and the creator of the hashtag #WhatWoCWritersHear. She’s spent time in the slush by serving as a reader for agents and participating as a judge in various online writing contests.
Elle’s also a gamer, Blerd, and adamant Hei Hei stan, living in Kansas, surrounded by more nieces and nephews than she knows what to do with. Aside from rockin’ the Favorite Aunt thing, she spends her free time plagued by he...2018-09-2139 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E16: Rachel Lynn Solomon & I Definitely Had Unreasonable ExpectationsRachel is a Seattle native who loves rainy days, tap dancing, and red lipstick. In high school, she sang and played keyboard in an all-girl band, and she was once part of a group of people who broke a Guinness World Record for the most natural redheads in one place.
She has written for newspapers, produced a radio show that aired in the middle of the night, and worked for NPR. Currently she works as a freelance editor.
These days, she writes young adult novels about ambitious, complicated, sometimes unlikable girls who are trying their bes...2018-09-1435 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E15: Akemi Dawn Bowman and The Worst Book UnboxingAkemi Dawn Bowman is the author of Starfish (a William C. Morris Award Finalist) and Summer Bird Blue (out September 11th, 2018). She’s a proud Ravenclaw and Star Wars enthusiast, who served in the US Navy for five years and has a BA in social sciences from UNLV. Originally from Las Vegas, she currently lives in Scotland with her husband, two children, and their Pekingese mix.
Buy STARFISH
Pre-Order SUMMER BIRD BLUE
Add HARLEY IN THE SKY on Goodreads!
Follow Akemi online!
http://akemidawnbowman.com/
Twitter: @akemidawn
Insta...2018-08-2430 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E14: Sonia Hartl & The Hot SantaFind out how author Sonia Hartl found a literary agent, and a book deal after years of rejection and disappointment.
More about Sonia’s upcoming book HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME:
Ashley Hearn at Page Street has bought Sonia Hartl’s debut contemporary YA novel, Have a Little Faith in Me, pitched as Firsts meets Saved! When CeCe’s born-again boyfriend dumps her after they have sex, she follows him to Jesus camp to win him back, though she knows nothing about Christianity. But when he shows up with a new girlfriend—a True Believer...2018-08-1728 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E13: Tochi Onyebuchi & The Red Headed Genre KidTochi Onyebuchi wrote about fifteen books in just as many genres before he found his way to publishing success. Come listen to our chat, learn how his book BEASTS MADE OF NIGHT came to be and more!
Follow Tochi Online!
Twitter: @TochiTrueStory
Preorder CROWN OF THUNDER!
Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
Order GHOST SQUAD
Add FRIZZY on Goodreads
www.claribelortega.com
Follow Kat Cho online: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
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Order VICIOUS SPIRITS (sequel to...2018-08-0343 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E12: Suzie Townsend & Ten Questions with a Literary AgentThis week I interview my agent Suzie Townsend and ask her ten listener questions, find out what she’s looking for in her inbox and what to avoid when querying agents!
Prior to joining New Leaf, Suzie graduated film school, earned her Masters of Education, taught high school English, and coached a swim team. In her spare time, she read everything she could, which prompted her move to publishing. She got her start as an intern at FinePrint Literary Management where she was hired as an assistant before making the move to literary agent. She’s been part...2018-07-2750 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E11: Rena Barron & The Rise to Pitchwars StardomRena Barron got over twenty revise and resubmits and way more rejections on her road to finding success during Pitch Wars. Find out how she went from the query trenches to having two series deals after ten years of querying and learn more about her young adult fantasy debut THE LAST WITCH DOCTOR and her middle grade MAYA AND THE RISING DARK!
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Twitter: @renathedreamer
Website: renabarron.com
Instagram: @renathedreamer
Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
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Add FRIZZY on G...2018-07-2034 minWrite Or Die PodcastS1E10: Jennifer Dugan & Signs from Nicki MinajAfter seven years of false starts and rejections, find out how Jennifer Dugan beat the odds, learned to embrace her bisexual identity in her writing and got a book deal for her upcoming debut, HOT DOG GIRL!
Follow Jennifer online!
Add Hot Dog Girl to Goodreads!
Twitter: @JL_Dugan
DVpit
https://absolutewrite.com/
http://pred-ed.com/
http://pitchwars.org/pitmad/
Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
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www.claribelortega.com2018-07-1450 minWrite Or Die PodcastWRITE OR DIE: Episode ZeroWelcome to episode zero of The write or die podcast , a podcast that’s going to give you a real, unfiltered look behind the curtain of publishing. So many of the stories we hear are about the authors who are “overnight successes” but I wanted to highlight the stories that I hear every day from people in the community – writers who struggled to get an agent, to get their stories noticed or sold to a publisher, who almost gave up but didn’t. Being an author is hard, and it can also be very lonely but I’m here to let you k...2018-03-0901 min