Age category feels straightforward… until it really, really isn’t.

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Grange to unpack one of the most confusing (and important) decisions a writer can make: how to position your book in the market—and what “age category” actually means behind the scenes.

We break down the real differences between middle grade, YA, new adult, and adult fiction… and why those lines are far blurrier (and more business-driven) than most writers realize.

We talk candidly about market realities, reader expectations, stakes, voice, theme, and what actually determines where your book ends up on the shelf.

If you’ve ever wondered:

“Does my protagonist’s age define my book?”
“What actually makes something YA vs adult?”
“Can I write a younger protagonist and still have an adult novel?”
“What if I categorize my book wrong when querying?”
“Do publishers decide everything anyway?”
…this episode is for you.

We cover:

✨ What “age category” really means (and why it’s about marketing)
✨ How protagonist age, stakes, and theme actually work together
✨ What makes a story feel YA vs adult (beyond surface-level rules)
✨ How to position your book correctly when querying agents
✨ Why writing the book you love still matters most

We also dive into something every writer needs to hear: rejection.

Because understanding age category is important—but it’s only one piece of a much bigger picture.

And Ben shares a powerful reminder that the only thing you truly control in this industry… is the writing itself.

At the end of the day, the question isn’t just:

“Where does my book fit?”

It’s:

“Am I writing the story I actually want to tell—and am I willing to keep going no matter what happens next?”

You can find Ben Grange here:

https://thirty30k.com

https://www.booksonthegrange.com/

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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Struggling to write scenes that actually work—the kind that keep readers turning pages instead of skimming or putting your book down? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking down what a scene really is (and what it’s not), why so many novels fall flat at the scene level, and the essential elements that make a scene engaging, cohesive, and impossible to ignore. Whether you’re drafting or revising, this writing episode will help you build scenes that truly drive your story forward.

In this episode, I break down exactly how to write powerful, working scenes—the kind that create tension, reveal character, and lead to meaningful story change.

We’ll talk about what scenes are actually for (hint: it’s not just “stuff happening”), what not to do, and the simple but essential elements that turn a flat scene into a compelling mini-story.

You’ll learn:

✨ What a scene actually is (and how it’s different from a chapter)
✨ Why so many scenes fall flat—even in otherwise strong novels
✨ The core elements every working scene needs: character, setting, disturbance, tension, and change
✨ How to think of scenes as mini stories that build momentum across your novel

If your scenes feel a little vague, low-stakes, or like they’re just… there—and you’ve been hoping they’ll come together in revision—this episode will show you what’s missing and how to fix it.

By the end, you’ll understand how to build scenes that create tension, deepen character, and move your story forward—and why mastering this one unit of story can transform your entire novel.

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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Hybrid publishing gets talked about a lot… and misunderstood even more.

In this episode, I sit down with Megan Sells (Acquisitions Manager and Developmental Editor at Atmosphere Press) to unpack what hybrid publishing actually is—how it differs from traditional publishing and self-publishing, why it’s often confused with vanity presses, and how authors can decide if it’s the right path for them.

We talk candidly about money, rights, marketing, selectivity, speculative fiction word counts (yes, we went there), and what success really means in today’s publishing landscape.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Is hybrid publishing legit?”
• “Do I keep my rights?”
• “How selective are hybrid presses really?”
• “What kind of marketing support would I actually get?”
• “Can I still control my cover, edits, and audiobook narrator?”

…this episode is for you.

We cover:

✨ The difference between traditional, self-, and hybrid publishing
✨ Why “vanity press” is not the same as true hybrid publishing
✨ How selective Atmosphere Press really is (spoiler: around 1–2%)
✨ What authors actually invest in—and what they receive in return
✨ Editing, cover design, marketing, distribution, and collaboration
✨ Why hybrid publishing can protect your IP rights (film, audio, merchandise)
✨ The surprising flexibility around word count
✨ Why success isn’t just about bestseller lists
✨ The power of continuing to publish

We also dive into something I care deeply about as a speculative fiction writer: voice.

Hybrid publishing can create space for niche, diverse, genre-bending, or non-trending books that might not fit traditional commercial molds—but absolutely deserve readers.

And we talk about ownership.
Not just of your book—but of your rights, your long-term IP, and your creative decisions.

Because at the end of the day, the question isn’t just:

“Can I get published?”

It’s:

“What path aligns with my goals, my values, and my definition of success?”

👉 Learn more about Atmosphere Press (and read their full contract + services):
https://atmospherepress.com/

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

Support the show