PLOT TWIST

Latest Episodes:

When Does Fan Fiction Cross A Line? Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

Soman and Victoria discuss when fan fiction crosses the line into grift. Also they answer questions about whether authors really need to be on social media and whether they like to plot out their stories or improvise as they go. Victoria has a big battle scene to rewrite, and Soman has a brand new addition to his family.

Show notes

Theme of the Week (04:50)

Goals for the Week (13:13)

Industry Nonsense (23:52)

Reader Mailbag h(45:24)

Plot Twists in Real Life (53:16)

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Should Authors Want to Make Money? Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

This week on the podcast Victoria and Soman discuss the tension between the love of making art and the need to make money. Also they discuss questions about using sensitivity readers and whether they read other authors' books while writing. Finally, Soman opens up to Victoria about a plot twist he wished he could have seen coming. (Trigger warning: Pet loss.)

Theme Of The Week02:33

Goals Of The Week09:07

Industry Nonsense15:52

Reader Mailbag34:53

Plot Twists In Real Life43:15

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Do Authors Have Pretty Privilege? Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Soman and Victoria discuss whether being physically attractive helps an author get ahead. Also they talk about world building in writing and how they react to being recognized in public. Soman is trying to level-up his tennis and Victoria wants a movie about the Blue Angels.

Show notes

Theme of the Week (01:26)

Goals for the Week (11:04)

Industry Nonsense (22:02)

Reader Mailbag(40:20)

Plot Twists in Real Life (45:35)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can You Like The Book and Hate The Author? Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Soman and Victoria discuss the paradox of loving the book -- and rejecting the author. Also they talk duologies vs. trilogies and the hazards of publishing under your legal name. Victoria is trying to power through her edits, and Soman thinks he should play Evita.

Show notes

Theme of the Week (02:46)

Goals for the Week (12:33)

Industry Nonsense (20:06)

Reader Mailbag (35:05)

Plot Twists in Real Life (43:16)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is a Public Profile Worth The Risk? Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Soman and Victoria discuss the pros and cons of having public profiles and get surprisingly emotional. Also they talk about how to sell a book as a debut author and how to craft the buzziest plot twists. Soman is planning a trip to London to meet the British publishing team for YOUNG WORLD and Victoria just wants *one* better news cycle.

Theme of the Week (21:51)

Goals for the Week (14:02)

Industry Nonsense (20:50)

Reader Mailbag (37:33)

Plot Twists in Real Life (45:23)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Literature Survive? Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Soman and Victoria discuss whether literary fiction will survive over the next several decades. Also they talk about the differences between a good editor and a bad one, and what they plan to write next. Victoria is trying to figure out what to do with her visiting family, and Soman thinks it’s time for a talk with Usha Vance.

Theme of the Week (02:14)

Goals for the Week (15:19)

Industry Nonsense (22:31)

Reader Mailbag(36;56)

Plot Twists in Real Life (46:04)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are You A Career Author or a Hobby Author? Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

Soman and Victoria discuss the difference between career and hobby authors. Also they discuss how to decide what ideas to write next and if they plan to write spin-offs of their old books. Soman is trying to find a new routine, and Victoria wants to hear less about rats.

Theme of the Week (02:01)

Goals for the Week (15:05)

Industry Nonsense (12:25)

Reader Mailbag (28:16)

Plot Twists in Real Life (36:19)

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Would You Read A Novel Written By AI? Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Soman and Victoria discuss whether they, or anyone, would read a book generated by AI. Also they discuss their editing process and how they balanced writing back when they had day jobs. Victoria talks about wanting her ‘yoga journey’ to start this week and Soman just wants planes to be checked for problems BEFORE he gets on them.

Theme of the Week (02:58)

Goals for the Week (07:13)

Industry Nonsense (16:40)

Reader Mailbag (33:34)

Plot Twists in Real Life (45:06)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the Algorithm Turning Authors into Cartoons? Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Soman and Victoria discuss whether social media and algorithms are making them less authentic. Also they fantasize about their perfect work day and talk about turning haters into fans. Soman talks about all the little pieces of YOUNG WORLD coming together, and Victoria just wants her printer to work.

Theme of the Week (02:35)

Goals for the Week (11:32)

Industry Nonsense (20:01)

Reader Mailbag(35:13)

Plot Twists in Real Life (43:31)

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Does Sex Really Sell? Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Soman and Victoria cover the new 'spice' industry and try to find the line of sexual content in YA versus adult work, and what really makes a book “for adults.” Plus how much input authors get on their covers, whether they prefer drafting or editing, Victoria's ongoing dilemma of whether TEMPEST draft is one book or two, and Soman's dream of a Wimbledon wild card.

Theme of the Week (06:00)

Goals for the Week (12:59)

Industry Nonsense (21:10)

Reader Mailbag(32:09)

Plot Twists in Real Life (41:35)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.