Your First Fifteen Pages
This podcast is for beginning writers AND for those who have a pile of thanks but no thanks rejections sitting in their inbox. It is for the novice writer with an inkling of a book idea AND for those who've heard crickets from the queries they've sent out. It is for those who dream of being on a bestseller list or winning a major book award AND for those who want to write the best book possible and to see where it takes them. Hosted by Sandra O'Donnell and Judd Vowell, Your First Fifteen Pages is the help you need to make your book a success. As a book coach and literary agent Sandra knows what it takes to go from a good story to a great story and from being an unsigned writer to an author with an agent and a book contract. Judd's writing journey began with a dystopian trilogy, that didn't take Amazon by storm, but did garner a small following. Judd shares his writing experience and how his writing has changed since discovering Your First Fifteen Pages and through his work with Sandra.In each episode of Your First Fifteen Pages, Sandra and Judd unlock the mystery of what it takes to capture and hold the interest of agents, editors, and ultimately readers. We show you how to perfect your first fifteen pages and use them as the foundation for the rest of your story. If you are struggling with a manuscript, we show you how to fix problems and move your writing forward. If you are a new writer, we show you how to get started and make your first novel agent worthy from the start.
Episodes
12 episodes
Episode 10 - Interview with Author Robert Bailey
In this episode, we talk with Robert Bailey, the author of the incredibly successful McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers, published through Thomas & Mercer. Join us to hear all about Robert's tumultuous path to publishing.
•
1:14:31
Episode 9: Writing Nonfiction
Up to this point, all the topics we’ve covered apply to both fiction and nonfiction. In this episode, we’ll talk about how writing fiction diverges from writing nonfiction. There plenty for nonfiction writers to take away from all t...
•
1:09:40
8B: Setting and Worldbuilding continued
In this episode, we talk about the 7 Deadly Sins of World Building based on an article by Charlie Jane Anders and we go through the elements of setting.
•
37:44
Episode 8A: Setting and World Building
Does your story begin in a kitchen or on a suburban street? Is it set in a dystopian world you have to create or is it set on a plantation in the pre-Civil War South? Some of these settings require very little detail to conjure an i...
•
53:04
Episode 7: Story Arcs and Organizing Devices
In this episode, we talk story arcs and other ways to organize you story. And help you discover ways to use arcs and organizing devices to create a better, more coherent narrative.
•
1:03:25
Episode 6: Plot and Structure
In this episode, we discuss the three types of plot. Mini Plot, which is driven by a character's internal conflict. The Hero’s Journey, which takes your characters on a quest. Anti-Plot, which breaks all the Rule...
•
44:24
Episode 5: Find the Why of Your Story
Whether you are writing literary fiction or historical fiction, police procedurals or YA, before readers will fully invest in reading your story, to get them past those crucial first fifteen pages, you need to show the reader WHY they are readi...
•
1:04:58
Episode 4: Reading to Write
In this episode, we talk about why you need to read to be a better writer. We discuss books on craft and how to identify and read the books in your genre to learn from the authors who have come before. Reading for craft is one of th...
•
55:27
Episode 3 - Genre and Conventions
Every murder mystery has a dead body. Every thriller a villain. Every love story a meet cute. And, every genre has elements that readers expect to find in stories billed as a particular genre. In this episode, we’ll talk...
•
42:25
Episode 2: Writing 101 - Defining Your Audience
In this episode, we talk about audience and why it is important to define your audience and set goals for your book before you begin writing. For detailed show notes, worksheets, mini classes and more, go to our Patreon page at
•
41:36