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This week on the WriterDojo, our hosts, authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia, welcome back longtime friend of the show D.J. (Dave) Butler to talk about the current realities of the publishing world. Dave always wanted to just be a writer, but he’s ended up as editor, legal counsel, and advisor to several publishers. After years of working writer conventions and getting involved in just about every aspect of publishing, he knows trad pub, startups, indy, and everything in between like few others. What do trad publishers look for, and what can they do for you? What does it take to build your own imprint? How do you keep a publisher happy? How do you keep investors happy? This is part one of Dave’s latest interview- tune in next week for part 2! ---------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by Jade Michael Scott's *Dreadful Tendencies* available on Amazon now https://amzn.to/3VXRhUL ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

This week on the WriterDojo our hosts, authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia, are doing a bit of housekeeping. We get a lot of questions from our beautiful Patreon Supporters and the WriterDojo Facebook group, (plus a few things that made them ask what the @#$% they were looking at) so this week we're working through some of them. What do you do when you write short? How do you add to a story without padding it? What is the real purpose of sci-fi and fantasy? Does Lord of the Rings not feel authentic anymore, and if so why? And what happens when a con sticks you on a panel about something you know nothing about? All this plus plenty more on the craft, the business, and the practical realities of writing. Thanks to our Patreon supporters for the great questions! ---------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by- Hapax Press' (friend of the show D.J. Butler) *Witchy War* Kickstarter! www.kickstarter.com/projects/hapaxpress/the-witchy-war ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

This week on the WriterDojo our hosts, authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia, tear into a tweet that went viral: someone's list of dos and don'ts for a creative writing class. Some of it holds up. Most of it doesn't. (And yes, the Bad Twitter Voice makes its triumphant return!) Real talk on what actually helps a writer in a classroom versus what just sounds good in 280 characters, plus the usual detours into craft and the business side of things. ---------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by- the WriterDojo! To help support us, go to: Patreon.com/WriterDojo ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

This week on the WriterDojo our hosts, authors Steve Diamond & Larry Correia, talk about Genre Blending with author Julie Frost. (This episode was recorded live at a panel at the Writers Cantina 2026.) How do you pull it off, when should you attempt it, and how much does staying in one lane actually matter? Different format this week, Q&A with a live audience and all, but the same goal as always: real craft training plus tips that help you actually get paid. If you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at Patreon.com/WriterDojo (note: this is the all new, all different support link!) ---------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by Julie Frost's Smuggling Spaces: https://amzn.to/4AsFHkg (affiliate link) ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

Part two! This week on the WriterDojo, our hosts, authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia, wrap up their run through Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing. More rules, more opinions, and more disagreement about which ones actually hold up in practice. The guys close out the list with the same mix of agreement, pushback, and hard-won caveats from part one. Plus plenty more on the craft and business of writing. Thanks for hanging out with us on WriterDojo! ---------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by the Gun Runner graphic novel on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hdmediaatl/gun-runner-the-graphic-novel-vol-1 ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

This week on the WriterDojo, our hosts, authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia, kick off a two-part dive into Elmore Leonard's famous 10 Rules of Writing (spoiler alert: they don't agree on all of them.) Which rules are absolute, which are situational, and which deserve a firm "nah"? The guys go rule by rule, sharing where they agree, where they push back, and where the truth lives somewhere in the caveats. Plus plenty more discussion on the craft, the business, and the practical realities of writing. Part two next week! ---------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by the Gun Runner graphic novel on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hdmediaatl/gun-runner-the-graphic-novel-vol-1 ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

This week on the WriterDojo, our hosts, authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia, tackle Professionalism—what publishers are really looking for before they even open your pitch. Inspired by a post from Producer Jack in the WriterDojo Facebook group about a submission gone wrong, the guys break down researching your target publisher, following submission guidelines, avoiding mass mailings, personalizing your query, and treating the whole process like the business relationship it is. Plus plenty more on the craft and business of getting your manuscript in front of the right eyes. ---------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by the Gun Runner graphic novel on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hdmediaatl/gun-runner-the-graphic-novel-vol-1 ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

It’s the Supporter Spectacular XIII! (insert firework noises) This week on the WriterDojo our hosts, authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia, dig into questions from our beautiful Patreon Supporters. What books inspired Steve and Larry as writers? How do you describe your POV character without awkwardly stopping the action for a mirror check? What’s the best way to introduce a new character without making the scene feel forced or clunky? Plus, plenty more discussion on the craft, the business, and the practical realities of writing. Thanks to all of our Patreon Supporters for the great questions! ---------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by- the WriterDojo! To help support us, go to: Patreon.com/WriterDojo ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

What should authors actually expect from a writing workshop, and are they worth doing? This week our hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia dig into workshops: what writers can get out of them, what they should (and shouldn’t) expect, and when the experience is actually worth the time and money. They also talk about prose—how important is beautiful writing compared to simply telling a great story, and where does prose fit into the writer’s toolbox? Plus, the return of Larry’s Bad Twitter Advice voice, the guys reveal how they like their burgers, and plenty more WriterDojo shenanigans! If you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at Patreon.com/WriterDojo (note: this is the new support link!) ----------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by- the WriterDojo! To advertise with the WriterDojo, email: [email protected] ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

Every book makes a promise in its first page. Will this story be dark and gritty, light and fun, or something in between? This week our hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia talk about tone: how it sets reader expectations from page one, why breaking that promise can backfire, and when a tone shift actually works in your favor. If you've ever wondered why some books get away with tonal whiplash and others lose readers for good, this one's for you.  If you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at Patreon.com/WriterDojo (note: this is the new support link!) ----------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by our boy Rick Cutler's *Colt Ostergaard: A Man With A Gun* available at: https://amzn.to/3QGPaCz (affiliate link) ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

This week our hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia might just hurt some feelings as they deliver their opinions about the use of A.I. in various different parts of the writing process and their thoughts on piracy. How much are these two topics connected? Are there parts of the process that *can* benefit from using A.I.? Does piracy actually hurt anyone or does the extra exposure balance it out? And just what IS the etiquette when pirating an author’s work? All this and more in another exciting episode of the WriterDojo! If you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at Patreon.com/WriterDojo (note: this is the new support link!) ----------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by our boy Rick Cutler's Colt Ostergaard: A Man With A Gun available at: https://amzn.to/3QGPaCz (affiliate link) ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

During the hiatus, our hosts authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia attended the Writers Cantina (2025) and recorded their panels on giving advice for other writers. Includes some great questions during the Q&A portion of the show. If you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at Patreon.com/WriterDojo (note: this is the new support link!) ----------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by our beautiful Patreon Supporters- thank you, we love you. ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

During the hiatus, our hosts authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia attended the Writers Cantina (2025) and recorded their panels on giving advice for other writers. Includes some great questions during the Q&A portion of the show. (This also includes the origin story for Dignity Johnson and the ISN!) If you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at Patreon.com/WriterDojo (note: this is the new support link!)  ----------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by: our beautiful Patreon Supporters! Thank you, we love you. ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

During the hiatus, Larry continued his experiments in discovery writing to finish books 1&2 for his new progression fantasy series. This week our hosts authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia talk about the overall process and discuss what he's learned and more about the differences between this and plotting. Which one is better? Is it possible to use both? If you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at Patreon.com/WriterDojo (-- note: this is the new support link!) ----------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by our boy Rick Cutler's Colt Ostergaard: A Man With A Gun available at: https://amzn.to/3QGPaCz (affiliate link) ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com

Anthology submissions are a different beast from novel queries; tighter themes, harder deadlines, and a slush pile that seems to either moves fast or not at all. In this episode, hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia break down the dos and don'ts of getting your short fiction picked: what editors actually want, formatting mistakes that get you an instant pass, and how to handle rejection without torching the relationship for next time. If you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at Patreon.com/WriterDojo (note: this is the new support link!) ----------------------------------- This week's episode is sponsored by Raconteur Press' *Auntie Heroes* available at: https://amzn.to/4viinBQ (affiliate link) ----------------------------------- "Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com