Got something to say? Send us a text!

In this episode of 'Write Out Loud', Matt and Christina delve into the nuance of ambiguous endings in storytelling, inspired by the classic short story 'The Lady or the Tiger' by Frank R. Stockton. They discuss how modern TV shows like 'Stranger Things' are using this narrative technique to engage audiences and challenge them to imagine their own conclusions. The conversation touches on the importance of imaginative engagement, the risks and rewards of ambiguous storytelling, and the impact of divided attention in the age of smartphones. The hosts advocate for compelling storytelling that captivates the audience's full attention and encourages critical thinking.

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback. Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

It's another Holiday Replay, and this time we're bringing back our episode with author Ruby Dixon! This episode originally aired back on October 14, 2024, so you'll hear some mentions of a book releasing going live "tomorrow." That, obviously, was back then. The book, Bull Moon Rising, is available everywhere now.

In this episode of the Write Out Loud Podcast, hosts Matt Cassem and Christina Trevaskis introduce their guest, Ruby Dixon, a renowned author known for her works in science fiction and fantasy romance or Romantasy, if you will. Ruby discusses her journey into writing, the origins of her popular series Ice Planet Barbarians, and the influences behind her works. She also delves into the creation of her latest standalone novel, Bull Moon Rising, set in a rich fantasy world involving magical artifacts, Minotaurs, and a unique societal structure.

Ruby shares insights into her writing process, the freedom of self-publishing, and how she crafts intricate worlds that captivate her readers. The episode emphasizes Ruby's distinctive storytelling style and highlights the importance of indie bookstores in the literary community. Bull Moon Rising, on shelves and available for e-readers today, promises fans another engaging adventure in Ruby's expansive universe.

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback. Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

In this Holiday Replay episode of Write Out Loud, we revisit our unforgettable conversation with Kristen Ashley, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose career has helped redefine modern romance publishing.

With more than 90 novels published, over 5 million copies sold, and translations in 14 languages, Kristen shares a candid look at her journey—from years of rejection to massive success—by trusting her voice and writing the stories she wanted to read.

✨ Episode Highlights

📚 Writing Your Own Rules

Kristen discusses why she embraced first-person POV in romance despite industry resistance, how breaking “the rules” helped her find her voice, and why readers can tell when a story is written authentically.

🚪 Rejection, Persistence & Indie Publishing

She opens up about spending over a decade submitting to traditional publishers, writing more than 25 books before publishing, and the pivotal moment she decided to self-publish—leading to a sudden and explosive rise in readership.

🔥 Voice Over Trends

Kristen emphasizes the importance of writing for an “audience of one,” trusting your instincts, and resisting the pressure to chase trends. Her advice: readers can feel when a writer isn’t enjoying their own work.

💔 Imposter Syndrome & Success

Even after selling thousands of books and landing on the New York Times Bestseller List, Kristen shares how success didn’t feel real at first—and what finally helped her believe it.

💘 Romance That Feels Safe

From expansive epilogues to external conflict, Kristen explains how she creates relationships that feel secure, earned, and lasting—giving readers emotional reassurance without sacrificing tension.

🎨 Creative Control & Covers

She talks about avoiding faces on book covers, letting readers imagine characters for themselves, and balancing creative control across indie and traditional publishing.

📖 Books Mentioned:

• Smooth Sailing
• Own the Wind
• Rock Chick Series
• Chaos Series

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback. Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' Matt and Christina explore what makes characters truly unforgettable. The hosts discuss the qualities that endear characters to readers, including depth, motivation, and impactful choices. Through examples like Atticus Finch and Hannibal Lecter, they highlight how well-crafted characters leave lasting impressions.

Tips are also shared for writers on avoiding common pitfalls and nurturing characters that feel real. Tune in for insightful advice on character development and storytelling that resonates long after the book is closed.

00:45 Introduction to Write Out Loud
01:27 Defining Unforgettable Characters
03:52 Examples of Unforgettable Characters
07:44 Creating Unforgettable Characters
15:36 Pitfalls in Character Development
21:04 Questions to Deepen Character Development
23:48 Final Thoughts and Writing Advice

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback. Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

In this episode of Write Out Loud, Matt and Christina dive into the world of hot takes in storytelling and writing. They debate controversial opinions and craft advice such as the use of prologues, the role of adverbs, plot versus character importance, and the balance of world-building with plot.

Some of the hot takes even tackle the complexity of 'show, don't tell,' the nature of villains, and the necessity of conflict in romance. Tune in for a lively discussion aimed at demystifying these writing myths and encouraging listeners to find their own path in storytelling.

00:00 Introduction to Write Out Loud
01:14 Diving into Storytelling Hot Takes
02:50 Prologues: Overrated or Essential?
05:45 The Great Adverb Debate
07:42 Characters vs. Plot: What's More Important?
10:55 World Building vs. Plot: Finding the Balance
13:30 Show Don't Tell: Finding the Right Balance
17:24 Villains and Protagonists: A Fine Line
20:23 Romance Writing: Conflict vs. Tension
23:08 Flashbacks: Timing is Everything
23:39 Side Characters: Supporting Roles Only
25:01 Conclusion: Wrapping Up the Hot Takes

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback. Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

In this episode of Write Out Loud, Matt & Christina dive into the discussion of TV show release schedules, debating the merits of the all-at-once 'binge' model made popular by Netflix versus traditional weekly releases. They explore the impact on audience engagement, social interaction, and potential marketing strategies. Drawing parallels with the publishing industry, the conversation extends to how the frequency of book releases affects reader anticipation and quality.

They also touch upon personal experiences and broader trends in media consumption, emphasizing the importance of pacing and quality storytelling.

00:45 Welcome to Write Out Loud
01:13 TV Show Release Schedules: Binge vs. Weekly
01:52 Personal Reflections and Social Media Influence
03:02 The Water Cooler Effect
06:02 The Shift in Viewing Preferences
08:47 Network TV vs. Streaming Services
21:11 The Importance of Quality in Writing
24:56 Conclusion: Balancing Pacing and Quality

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback. Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' co-hosts Matt and Christina deep dive into the world of literary representation. They welcome acclaimed literary agent Lisa Woodson, who shares invaluable insights into the publishing world.

The conversation explores common misconceptions about literary agents, the importance of building an author platform, and effective marketing strategies for new and aspiring authors. Lisa emphasizes the significance of a strong pitch, the necessity of professional editing, and the value of robust communication between authors and agents. She also discusses her hands-on approach to agenting, which includes collaboration and transparency with her clients.

The episode wraps up with Lisa promoting the 'Cavalcade of Authors' event and offering advice for anyone looking to get their work published.

More about Lissa Woodson

Lissa Woodson, who writes as Naleighna Kai, is a USA TODAY and Essence Magazine National Bestselling author, a literary agent with The Macro Group who has landed book deals with traditional publishing houses, a developmental editor, motivational speaker and The Book Whisperer. In addition to successfully cracking the code of landing a deal for herself and others with a major publishing house, she continues to "pay it forward" with the experience of the annual Cavalcade of Authors, now in its 21st year, which gives readers intimate access to the most accomplished writing talent today.

Links to Naleighna Kai's Work

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Amazon

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:37 Meet Lisa Woodson: Literary Agent Extraordinaire
02:48 The Reality of Book Sales and Success
03:41 Building Your Platform and Marketing Early
07:15 Hand-to-Hand Sales and Creative Promotion
09:52 Connecting with Local Indie Bookstores
11:10 What Agents Look for in Manuscripts
16:24 Success Stories and Client Experiences
18:07 Promising Responses and Red Flags
19:48 The Importance of Communication
22:20 Adapting to Market Trends
23:21 Misconceptions About Literary Agents
24:04 The Power of Mindset
27:20 Dealing with Difficult Clients
31:15 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback. Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.

Got something to say? Send us a text!

In this episode of Write Out Loud, hosts Matt and Christina are joined by bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann. Suz talks about her career in romance and military suspense novels, as well as her recent foray into producing LGBTQ indie movies.

The highlight of the episode is Suz's discussion on her new Kickstarter campaign for her latest book in the Troubleshooters series, 'Jules Cassidy, PI'. She shares insights into why she chose crowdfunding over traditional publishing, the benefits of closer reader interactions, and the challenges and rewards of using Kickstarter. Suzanne also teases future additions to the Troubleshooters series and provides tips for other authors considering Kickstarter. The episode offers a deep dive into the intersection of creativity, publishing, and crowdfunding.

Find more from Suzanne Brockmann on her website or on her Facebook page.

00:00 Introduction and Special Guests
01:24 Meet Suzanne Brockman
02:13 Suzanne's Writing Journey
03:11 Kickstarter Campaign "Jules Cassidy, P.I."
05:47 Navigating the Publishing World
12:33 Connecting with Readers
14:00 Kickstarter for First-Timers
16:19 Using Book Funnel for Distribution
17:23 Exploring Book Funnel Service
17:56 Kickstarter Campaign Insights
20:45 Revisiting the Troubleshooters Series
22:03 Writing Challenges and Inspirations
25:02 Future of the Troubleshooters Series
28:41 Kickstarter Details and Final Thoughts

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback. Drop us an email either to Matt@writeoutloudpod.com or christina@bookmatchmaker.com. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

Support the show

Find out more at our website.