Reminder: Our CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY Writing Awards are still open until May 15, 2025 at 12pm PDT. You could win $500 for anything you need to support your writing—conferences, classes, childcare, and more. Apply here!
Hello, Protagonists!
My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Andrea Bartz, New York Times Bestselling thriller author. Her books have been a Reese’s Book Club pick, a Good Morning America Bonus Buzz pick, and a Marie Claire book club pick; one of them was optioned by Mila Kunis and another is in production at Netflix.
Andi’s latest thriller, The Last Ferry Out, is out next week.
Today, we talk about:
who Andi considers the “greats” of thriller writing
what she learned from being a Reese’s Book Club pick and how it changed the trajectory of her career
understanding the market and how reader feedback might affect what to write
tricks for building suspense and managing pacing, in any kind of fiction
clear definitions of a “reveal” and a “twist” and why they're different,
using Substack as a way to connect with other writers,
and so much more.
🎥 Video version:
You can watch on our website, Substack app, or Youtube
Transcripts and captions are available for all video episodes. (There’s a button on the video that makes this easy for you).
🎧 Audio version:
You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, and other major podcast streaming platforms.
» Past podcast episodes live HERE.
🎤 Got questions for future podcast guests?
I ask for podcast Qs on our community chat (available via web browser or Substack app.) Pop in every so often to check for open calls for questions for upcoming guests!
Want more of Andi?
You can find Andi on Substack, Instagram, and her website.
The Last Ferry Out will be out next week (May 20, 2025) and available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer!
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