https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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I am so honored and beyond excited to finally share today’s special episode with you. We have none other than Gail Hochman on the show! Gail is the president ofBrandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc. and the president of the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR). She has built a legacy of representing all-star clients with the likes of National Book Award winning author Julia Glassof “Three Junes”, Michael Cunningham of Pulitzer Prize and PEN/Faulkner award-winning novel “The Hours”, Scott Turow of “Presumed Innocent”, andPulitzer Prize and Academy Award winning Jules Feiffer.
In today’s episode proudly brought to you by Gotham Writers, Gail and I discuss her role as the president of Brandt & Hochman, and we unpack how the AAR is an incredible organization for literary agents and a powerful resource for writers. Storyteller Tribe, if you’re curious about agent-writer relationships, how a literary agent can help to cultivate a writer’s career, how to write strong query letters, and how to create genuine relationships with mentors– you’re going to LOVE this episode.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Found Gail’s episode helpful? Please share it with friends!
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“There is always something you can do, but you don’t do what you know will result in nothing.” -Gail Hochman (click to tweet)
“You learn over time based on what works in a particular situation. There is no one answer.” -Gail Hochman (click to tweet)
“Publishing is a job most of us do because we love what we do.” -Gail Hochman (click to tweet)
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
Gail Hochman is the President of Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc. and the President of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, the one professional organization of book and dramatic agents in North America. She started in publishing in 1975 at G.P.Putnam’s Sons, which was then a modest-sized family-owned firm (now part of the Bertelsmann Group). She became an agent in 1977 atPaul R. Reynolds, Inc., the oldest American literary agency, and moved to Brandt & Brandt (now Brandt & Hochman) in 1983. Her clients currently include Julia Glass, Scott Turow, Ann Hood, Craig Johnson, Jules Feiffer, Terry Tempest Williams, Mary Pope Osborne, Avi, Lauren Tarshis and many others. She specializes in literary fiction and memoir, mystery, children’s books, and serious nonfiction.
Little Women by Lousia May Alcott
Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne
The Sicilian by Mario Puzo
Allie Hagan is the creator and co-executive producer of Notorious, airingtonight on ABC! Named one of the Best Bloggers by Time Magazine, Allie’s viral Tumblr account went on to land her a book deal for Suri’s Burn Book, and then its follow-up companion book, Suri’s Burn Book: Well-Dressed Commentary from Hollywood’s Little Sweetheart.
In today’s episode proudly brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts, I pick Allie's brain about Notorious and how the show goes through different steps from an idea, to an outline, to a pitch, and finally, to a pilot. She walks us through how each episode is set up in the writers' room. We also dive into how Allie landed her book deal for Suri’s Burn Book, the brainchild inspired by her massively popular Tumblr account which Time Magazine named as one of the 'Best Bloggers', and advice on how to earn side income to keep you afloat while you work on your writing.
Get ready for an episode that will rock your socks.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Do you know anyone who’s seriously been considering TV writing but has no idea what the steps are? Please share this episode, it may really be of help!
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“You just have to do the best work that you can, be confident in your own abilities, and your taste in the projects you pick.” -Allie Hagan (click to tweet)
“I was too stupid to be nervous because I had nothing to lose.” -Allie Hagan (click to tweet)
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM TODAY'S EPISODE:
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LEARN MORE ABOUT ALLIE
Allie Hagan is the creator and co-executive producer of Notorious, airing Thursdays this fall on ABC. She is also the creator of Suri’s Burn Book, the viral Tumblr account, and the author of its 2012 companion book, Suri’s Burn Book: Well-Dressed Commentary from Hollywood’s Little Sweetheart. Allie was named one of Time Magazine’s Best Bloggers of 2013. Before beginning her career as a television writer, she worked for a lobbying firm in Washington, DC. She holds both a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in public policy from George Washington University.
Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
“The only way your book is going to be written is if you sit down and write it.” -Elizabeth Eulberg (click to tweet)
We have internationally bestselling young adult author Elizabeth Eulberg on the show with us today! Elizabeth first started her career as a book publicist who then transitioned into a full-time writer with numerous books under her belt: The Lonely Hearts Club, Prom & Prejudice, Take a Bow, Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality, Better Off Friends, We Can Work it Out, and The Great Shelby Holmes.
In today’s episode proudly sponsored by Gotham Writers, Elizabeth unpacks why it’s crucial to have an accountability partner to keep you on track with your writing, why it’s important to use anauthentic voice for your characters, manageable steps for you to reach your writing goals, how knowing your characters before you write their story is incredibly helpful to you as an author, and so much more.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Did today’s episode help you in any way? Please share it with someone you think the episode can inspire!
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“I try to make sure my characters reflect my readers as much as I can.” -Elizabeth Eulberg (click to tweet)
“You are allowed to fail and you are allowed to make mistakes.” -Elizabeth Eulberg (click to tweet)
“You are never going to get to paragraph two if you don’t let go of paragraph one.”-Elizabeth Eulberg (click to tweet)
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Why Elizabeth wrote in secret for five years before publishing The Lonely Hearts Club
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Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before heading off to college at Syracuse University and making a career in the New York City book biz. Now a full-time writer, she is the author of The Lonely Hearts Club, Prom & Prejudice, Take a Bow, Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality, Better Off Friends, We Can Work it Out, and The Great Shelby Holmes. She lives outside of Manhattan with her three guitars, two keyboards, and one drumstick.
Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal
Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt
Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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Click here to go directly to Sabaa's shownotes page.
We have #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir of An Ember in the Ashes and the recently released A Torch Against The Night on the podcast!
Her massive hit series was an immediate best-seller, selling its movie rights to Paramount Pictures before it was even published. Critics compare it to “The Hunger Games” and “Game Of Thrones” for young adult (and adult) readers.
In today’s discussion brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts, Sabaa describes what it was like growing up in her family-run motel in the Mojave Desert, and how books played an important role in her childhood. We tap into Sabaa’s memories about family, her relationship with her parents, and how it has influenced her own values and standards of work ethic today.
In her episode, Sabaa shares how working as an editor in the international department at The Washington Post led her to writing fiction. We unpack her thought processes as a storyteller and why it’s crucial for Sabaa to portray realistic human behavior in her work. This episode is a must!
Xo,
Yin
PS. Did today’s episode help you in any way? Share it with someone who needs a boost of inspiration!
Please leave a review about the podcast by clicking here. Your honest feedback helps to shape the show. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
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“I didn’t start loving to read until I was a bit older but once I got the bug, that was my happy place, my safe place.” -Sabaa Tahir (click to tweet)
“With “Ember”, the story was meant for me and I was meant for it. It was sort of the soulmate of stories for me.” -Sabaa Tahir (click to tweet)
“I wrote because I love to write not because I thought one day I’m going to be a writer.” -Sabaa Tahir (click to tweet)
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
“It was books that I would turn to. They became my best friends.” -Sabaa Tahir (click to tweet)
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LEARN MORE ABOUT SABAA
Sabaa Tahir grew up in California’s Mojave Desert at her family’s eighteen-room motel. There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, raiding her brother’s comic book stash, and playing guitar badly. She began writing An Ember in the Ashes while working nights as a newspaper editor at the Washington Post, where she covered the international desk and stories on child soldiers and other atrocities in Africa and the middle east. All of these experiences informed elements of her book. She likes thunderous indie rock, garish socks, and all things nerd. Sabaa currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.
Wind, Sand, and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
GMC: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
“It’s good to go out of your comfort zone. It’s good to understand how hard you can work and what you are capable of.” -Tara Thompson Rasmus
We have Tara Thompson Rasmus on the show with us today! Today's episode is proudly brought to you by Gotham Writers. Tara is a freelance writer, editor and consultant who started her writing career with Refinery29 andLucky Magazine, she now writes and consults for publications and brands including SELF Magazine, Barneys The Window, Condé Nast 23 Stories, Neutrogena, and Fresh.
I’m so grateful to Tara for really peeling back the layers of what it’s like to wear many different hats, and to transition between each new job opportunity. She really bares it all and details the highs and lows of being a writer, and the realities of working for major brands.
We have a brutally honest discussion about burnouts and how to prevent it, and overcome it. We also unpack the fears and worries that comes with leaving a job and taking on new challenges that push you to grow. For freelance writers, you’ll want to pay special attention to the part where Tara walks us through step-by-step on how she created her own job position at one of her favorite lifestyle blogs, and how you can too by finding ways to be unique to a brand and pitching your work.
Xo,
Yin
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“You can be confident in the decisions that you make because at the end of the day the only person you are answering to is yourself.” -Tara Thompson Rasmus
“Always look out for your writing first because your name is going on it.” -Tara Thompson Rasmus
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Tara’s transition from being a TV and film actor to identifying as a writer
Tara Thompson Rasmus is a freelance writer, editor and consultant based in Brooklyn, NY. After holding positions at Refinery29 and Lucky Magazine, she now writes and consults for publications and brands including SELF Magazine, Barneys The Window, Condé Nast 23 Stories, Neutrogena, and Fresh.
Tara lives in Brooklyn and is expecting a son with her husband in January 2017. Her interests include food and cooking, yoga, and women’s health and nutrition.
Overwhelmed: How to Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time byBrigid Schulte
Motherhood Around the World by A Cup of Jo
Bringing up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman
Oprah’s “Supreme Destiny” Video
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Vacationers by Emma Straub
Modern Lovers by Emma Straub