Secrets of Story Podcast
1) The Final Episode in this Feed: Another preview of "A Good Story Well Told"!
It's another episode of Matt's new podcast, "A Good Story Well Told" with Jonathan Auxier, this time discussing "The Giver", but from now on, to get new content, you'll have to subscribe to the "A Goo...Show More
The Final Episode in this Feed: Another preview of "A Good Story Well Told"!
1:05:35 | May 1st, 2025
2) Introducing a new podcast: A Good Story Well Told with Jonathan Auxier
It's a special preview of the first episode of Matt's new podcast with Jonathan Auxier: A Good Story Well Told. Search for and subscribe to the new podcast to get a second episode now!
3) Live Show: Capturing the Nature of Children with Betsy Bird
Recorded Live at The Book Stall in Winnetka, IL, hosted by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, James and Matt welcome the legendary Betsy Bird to tackle a topic all three know som...Show More
4) Episode 47: The Heroine's Labyrinth with Douglas A. Burton
Matt and James welcome author Douglas A. Burton to discuss his new book The Heroine's Labyrinth! Matt blurbed it and said "The Heroine's Labyrinth is filled with profound and unique observations on t...Show More
5) Episode 46: Organizing Chaos with Sophie Beal and Gary Dalkin
Sophie Beal and Gary Dalkin return to discuss novelists' relationship with editors, whether freelance or at a publisher. All four of us have been on one side of that divide or another, and most of us...Show More
6) Episode 45: Specific vs. Generic (Or is it Factual vs. Archetypal?)
It's always good to load up your story with specifics, right? Not so fast! James talks about his decision to leave some information out of his new novel Bride of the Tornado, and Matt quibbles.
7) Episode 44: Putting the Secrets of Story Into Action with Torrey Maldonado
Matt and James welcome acclaimed novelist Torrey Maldonado to talk about how he's put Matt's advice into action for his books for young people (much to James's chagrin)
Episode 44: Putting the Secrets of Story Into Action with Torrey Maldonado
1:24:53 | Oct 19th, 2023
8) Writing Every Day with Brock Swinson
Matt and James are joined by author Brock Swinson and discuss his new book of writing advice Ink by the Barrel. All three of us agree that writers must write every day and then sheepishly admit that ...Show More
9) Episode 43: Mackendrick's Rules, the Epic Conclusion
Alexander Mackendrick summed up the wisdom that film schools (and MFA programs in general) hand down to writers. Is it helpful or poisonous? In this episode, Matt and James finish examining and ques...Show More
10) Episode 41: Mackendrick's Rules, Part 2
Matt and James once again use the rules of Alexander Mackendrick as a springboard to talk about what makes for a good story. Bonus: Matt posits his theory of what's in the case in Pulp Fiction and co...Show More