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Story Nerd

Story Nerd

Di: Melanie Hill Valerie Francis Kathleen Foxx
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A proposito di questo titolo

 For novelists, memoirists and screenwriters who want to write stories readers will love, and who want to work with a literary agent. Each week, editors Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill use films to explain how to craft a story that hooks the reader on page one and holds their attention all the way to the end. On alternate weeks, Valerie and literary agent Kathleen Foxx offer their professional feedback on query letters and writing samples submitted by Story Nerd listeners. The goal is simple: to help writers realize their dreams of becoming published authors. If you love to write, and you love to tell stories, and you want to see your book out in the world, this podcast is for you! "The only thing that matters, and that ever will matter, is the story. That's it." - Tom Hanks (Oxford Union 2024)2022-2025 - Fifth Hammer Books, Inc. Arte Storia e critica della letteratura
Episodi
  • What Went Right: anora

    What Went Right: anora
    May 13 2026

    Poles apart - and not the dancing kind!

    Anora won the 2024 Palme d’Or at Cannes and five out of six categories at the 2025 Academy awards including Best Original Screen Play and Best Film. Plus, it was nominated for a multitude of other awards and won its fair share. On Rotten Tomatoes it has an aggregated rating of 93%. That’s impressive.

    However, we disagree about What Went Right. I saw how the writer director crafted a pessimistic story arc combined with a negative character arc. Valerie believes that nothing went right in this movie because of the characters, dialogue, and lack of originality. If you’ve seen the movie, let us know what you think. -M

    Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.

    For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!
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    29 min
  • The best time to send a query

    The best time to send a query
    May 8 2026

    It's AMA time! When is the best time to query an agent? When is the best time to go out on submission? How on earth does a writer choose comp titles? Literary agent, Kathleen Foxx, answers these questions and more on today's Hook Your Reader episode. If you want our feedback on your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample, visit storynerd.ca for details on how to submit. We look forward to reading your work! -V.

    Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.

    For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    30 min
  • What Went Wrong: 80 for Brady

    What Went Wrong: 80 for Brady
    May 6 2026

    I'm convinced that the screenplay for this film was generated by AI. Of course, I have no proof for that, but 80 for Brady is so completely bizarre that if AI wasn't involved, I'd like to know what the filmmakers were smoking. It misses the mark at every turn and has so neglected (ignored? forgotten?) the fundamentals of storytelling that not even four legends of stage and screen can save it. This just might be the worst movie ever made. Oy with the poodles already! - V.

    Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.

    For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    49 min
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