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    Arts

    Story Nerd

    For novelists, memoirists and screenwriters who want to write stories readers will love, and who want to work with a literary agent. Each week, editors Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill use films to explain how to craft a story that hooks the reader on page one and holds their attention all the way to the end. On alternate weeks, Valerie and literary agent Kathleen Foxx offer their professional feedback on query letters and writing samples submitted by Story Nerd listeners.

    The goal is simple: to help writers realize their dreams of becoming published authors. If you love to write, and you love to tell stories, and you want to see your book out in the world, this podcast is for you!

    “The only thing that matters, and that ever will matter, is the story. That’s it.” – Tom Hanks (Oxford Union 2024)

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    Copyright: © 2022 - Story Nerd

    • Apple Podcasts
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    Latest Episodes:
    Bait and Switch? Oct 02, 2026
    Show notes

    How do you know if your query letter is accurately representing the narrative within your manuscript? Yes, you have to hook the reader in the query, but what happens if the hook you present doesn't match the story? It's all inside today's Hook Your Reader episode. Enjoy! -V.

    The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.

    Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.

    For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    Agent Spotlight: Kathryn Willms (The Rights Factory) Oct 01, 2026
    Show notes

    Meet Kathryn Willms (The Rights Factory, Toronto). Kathryn represents writers of both fiction and nonfiction. On the fiction side, her list is focused on cozy fantasy, women’s fiction, and select literary fiction. She loves high-concept and speculative premises and is most drawn to books with a sense of humour, strong pacing, and satisfying conclusions.

    The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.

    Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.

    For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    Remarkably Bright Creatures: self-sabotage Sep 30, 2026
    Show notes

    How do you write a story where the protagonist is her own worst enemy? In other words, when the protagonist is also the antagonist. Well, it isn't easy, that's for sure. Luckily, today's episode offers up a terrific example of it (and good examples are rare!). Enjoy! - V.

    The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.

    Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.

    For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    Conflicting Opinions...Who's Right? Sep 25, 2026
    Show notes

    Why is it that when Kathleen and I read the same query letter and same sample pages, we had completely opposite opinions? One of us loved what we saw, the other, frankly, didn't get it. Is this just how it goes in the query process, or is one of us right and the other wrong? Check out the episode and then let us know what you think. Are you Team Kat or Team Val? -V.

    The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.

    Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.

    For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    Agent Spotlight: Krista White (The Rights Factory) Sep 24, 2026
    Show notes

    If you want to get an agent, then this is for you! We know that researching agents can be hard because not all of them have a social media/online presence. So on these special Agent Spotlight episodes we'll feature a guest agent who'll give us their thoughts on a query letter and first page writing sample. We'll also ask questions about their MSWL and the kinds of writers they want to work with, so that you'll know whether they'd be a good fit for you. Agent Spotlight episodes will be ad hoc for now, but we're aiming to make this a weekly feature. So if you're an agent, or you have an agent, or you know an agent, please tell them to reach out to me because I'd love to interview them.

    In this debut episode, I chat with agent Krista White from The Rights Factory in Toronto. Yes, she's one of Kathleen Foxx's colleagues and right now, she's open to queries! -V.

    The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.

    Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.

    For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    Spy Game: protagonist done right Sep 23, 2026
    Show notes

    Spy Games is not a perfect movie, but one thing it gets right is the main character Nathan Muir. Muir’s belief system is established early in the film via his actions, decisions and contradictions. With one exception, this character’s logic remains steady throughout the film - a win for Melanie this week. However, the same can’t be said for Valerie’s area of study. Spy Games’ middle is missing a key ingredient - an antagonist who challenges Muir. So what does this do to the story? It leaves the tension to be carried by the ticking time bomb, which is a big job for one story element. -M

    The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.

    Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.

    For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    The AI-Proof Genre Is... Sep 18, 2026
    Show notes

    With all the chatter about AI-gen text (and whether a book was, or was not, generated by it), in this episode we talk about a genre that no machine or prompt will ever be able to produce. Like, never. Never ever. And it is ... SATIRE! Author Tasha Tinsley has submitted a strong query package for a story that's like The Studio but for publishing (my comps, not hers). Regardless of which genre you're writing in, you're going to want to give this episode a listen. -V.


    Say Anything: a masterclass in non-physical conflict Sep 16, 2026
    Show notes

    We know that stories need conflict and very often writers default to two kinds: physical fights and shouting matches. Far more interesting — and far more versatile — is the more subtle type of conflict created by antagonists who are master manipulators. Head games. Holy smokes, are they compelling. And they work in every single genre. Say Anything is a teen romance, and the dad is a beautifully crafted and understated villain who is like a puppeteer yanking the strings of our star-crossed protagonists. It's a thing of storytelling beauty. -V.

    The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.

    Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.

    For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    Writing a Powerful Memoir Sep 11, 2026
    Show notes

    If you're writing your memoir, or considering writing it, then this episode is a must because it offers an excellent example of both the query letter and the opening pages. Memoirs are tricky business — they're tough to do well. So how did this author impress us both with such a strong query package? Tune in to find out. -V.

    The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.

    Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.

    For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


    Miss Peregrine: caution plot holes ahead Sep 09, 2026
    Show notes

    What happens when a story's logic falters? You end up with plot holes...and boy oh boy, does Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (film version) have plot holes! How could they have been avoided? Well, that's exactly with Melanie talks about in this episode. For my part, I examine what happens to a reader's/audience's attention when the villain exits the story. This problem is more common than you think — you might even be doing it in your own WIP. -V.

    The Hook Formula: the works-every-time method for describing your book in a way that captivates readers and makes them beg for more.

    Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.

    For your FREE First 10 Pages Checklist, visit valeriefrancis.ca/checklist

    To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

    To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.

    Watch us on YouTube!


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