TopPodcast.com
Menu
  • Home
  • Top Charts
  • Top Networks
  • Top Apps
  • Top Independents
  • Top Podfluencers
  • Top Picks
    • Top Business Podcasts
    • Top True Crime Podcasts
    • Top Finance Podcasts
    • Top Comedy Podcasts
    • Top Music Podcasts
    • Top Womens Podcasts
    • Top Kids Podcasts
    • Top Sports Podcasts
    • Top News Podcasts
    • Top Tech Podcasts
    • Top Crypto Podcasts
    • Top Entrepreneurial Podcasts
    • Top Fantasy Sports Podcasts
    • Top Political Podcasts
    • Top Science Podcasts
    • Top Self Help Podcasts
    • Top Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Top Stocks Podcasts
  • Podcast News
  • About Us
  • Podcast Advertising
  • Contact
Not in our directory?
Add Show Here
Podcast Equipment
Center

toppodcastlogoOur TOPPODCAST Picks

  • Comedy
  • Crypto
  • Sports
  • News
  • Politics
  • True Crime
  • Business
  • Finance

Follow Us

toppodcastlogoStay Connected

    View Top 200 Chart
    Back to Rankings Page
    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)

    Advertise

    Copyright: © 2022 - Story Nerd

    • Apple Podcasts
    • Google Play
    • Spotify

    Latest Episodes:
    The Man Who Knew too Much: honestly, kinda weird Feb 11, 2026
    Show notes

    On the list of films that haven't aged too well, THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH is near the top. Because it's Hitchcock I'll get flack for saying that, but watch it first and then decide. In terms of study topics this season, I'm looking at The Speech in Praise of the Villain and Melanie is examining Constant Characters. Its portrayal of women and parenting aside, this movie offers up interesting insights on bits of story theory. 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!


    What Went Right: the princess bride Feb 04, 2026
    Show notes

    Using a framing story in your novel? Maybe you're writing multiple plot lines. Or perhaps you want to know what truly masterful storytelling looks like. This week, we take a deep dive into THE PRINCESS BRIDE. Melanie and I were spoiled for choice in this What Went Right episode because, when you're dealing with a William Goldman story, pretty much everything is going right. 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!


    What Went Wrong: the golden compass Jan 28, 2026
    Show notes

    If you’re wondering what NOT to do when adapting your novel, there are great tips in this episode. We've all experienced the feeling of walking out of a cinema and saying, the book was better. That's definitely the case for The Golden Compass. I’ve read the book and thoroughly enjoyed it plus the book won the Carnegie Medal which means it's excellent. So how did such a good children story go so wrong when it was adapted for film? That is the question we answer in this episode.

    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!


    Our Best Advice: hero’s monologue + the shadow Jan 21, 2026
    Show notes

    We're wrapping up Season 16 with our best advice, lessons learned and a-ha moments about The Shadow and The Hero's Monologue. If you didn't get a chance to listen to all the episodes this season, you'll definitely want to tune in and maybe even bookmark this episode! - 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!


    Rebecca: character shadows Jan 14, 2026
    Show notes

    You control the shadows in your characters. This week we reveal how a negative shadow looms large despite being dead. Daphne du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca’ crushed everyone she came into contact with, even her allies. With our study of The Shadow drawing to a close, it’s time to look at how suppressed emotions break free and cause chaos. The Hero’s monologue is also treated differently in this film. See if you can pick where it is!

    "The shadow isn't always bad character traits." - Melanie Hill

    Related Story Nerd Episodes

    • The Incredibles
    • The Holdovers

    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 Invisible Man (archive) Jan 07, 2026
    Show notes

    Genre is enigmatic (at best). Writers, agents, readers, and editors, all have different perspectives, and sometimes they lead to heated debates. In this episode, which originally aired in Season 2, Melanie and I totally disagree on the genre. She thinks it's a horror, I think it's a thriller. Which of us is right? Tune in to find out. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode. Until then, Happy New Year! - 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!


    Sense and Sensibility (archive) Dec 31, 2025
    Show notes

    Did you know that the beginning of your story, and the end of your story, work together as a unit? This this episode, which originally aired back in Season 3, we explore how the powerhouse pairing of Jane Austen and Emma Thompson put this bit of theory into action. For the rest of your story, understanding sequences might just be the key to making your story sing! We'll be back on January 14, 2026 with a brand new episode. Until then, we wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year! - 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!


    The Last of Sheila (archive) Dec 24, 2025
    Show notes

    Holy smokes! Now THIS is how you write a murder mystery. If you're a mystery writer, or simply want to watch an absolutely fantastic film during the holiday season, be sure to check out THE LAST OF SHEILA. This episode originally aired in Season 9 and it's one of our favourites. So sit back and enjoy, and we'll be back with a brand new show on January 14, 2026. -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!


    Wayne’s World (archive) Dec 17, 2025
    Show notes

    Wayne's World is a superior example of an anti-plot story (and it's hilarious to boot!). As Melanie and I take a much deserved recording break to enjoy the holidays with our families, we're sharing this archive episode with you because, if nothing else, it'll bring a smile to your face and give you a good laugh. We'll be back on January 15, 2026 with a brand new episode. Until then Happy Holidays, everyone! - 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!


    Doubt: a quiet story masterpiece (archive) Dec 10, 2025
    Show notes

    It's a brand new season and that means Melanie and I are studying two new topics: narrative drive and conflict triangles. Conflict and page-turners are usually associated with action stories, thrillers and the like. But DOUBT is a quiet, character-driven film that is so expertly crafted it grabs the viewer's attention immediately and holds it right to the bitter end. Seriously, there's so much for novelists in here. -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!


    Previous 1 5 6 7 8 9 11 Next

    Related Podcasts

    Fresh Air

    1

    Fresh Air Arts
    Twenty Thousand Hertz

    2

    Twenty Thousand Hertz Arts
    The Black Tapes

    3

    The Black Tapes Arts
    Snap Judgment

    4

    Snap Judgment Arts
    Here’s The Thing with Alec Baldwin

    5

    Here’s The Thing with Alec Baldwin Arts
    The NoSleep Podcast – Creative Reason Media Inc.

    6

    The NoSleep Podcast – Creative Reason Media Inc. Arts
    footer-logo

    Contact Us

    Toll Free: 844-670-7747

    Links

    • Home
    • Top Charts
    • Networks
    • Apps
    • Independents Podcasts
    • Podcast Advertising
    • Podcast News
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Analytics & Insights

    Stay Connected

      Privacy, Terms of Use & Our Code of Ethics Protecting Content Creators Copyrights