Episode 65: The One with Melissa

by Barry Lyga


Special guest Melissa Walker (UNBREAK MY HEART, LET’S PRETEND WE NEVER MET) fills in for Morgan! We discuss different ways of getting published, writing with more than one kid, and how writing a book doesn’t prepare you for the next one. Plus: On spec vs. proposal, and the horror of ranking.

Links:


Episode 63: The One with Sensible Screentime

by Barry Lyga


Morgan damns Barry with faint praise. Mornings! Showers! Is the “limit your kid’s screentime” notion an anti-feminist plot? Barry’s theory that multiple TVs lead to divorce. Plus, Morgan preps for her first writing conference…and makes a soul-searching confession.

Links:


Episode 62: The One with Eight Followers, Maybe Twelve

by Barry Lyga


Morgan is obsessed with Snapchat. Follow-up on programming your brain and baby paranoia. Leia climbs on a truck. Vacations are good. New ideas for stories! The scourge of outlining. Morgan publishes an essay. Pitching vs. blogging. The frustration of being ignored by editors and agents.

Links:


Episode 61: The One without a Daddy Blogosphere

by Barry Lyga


Does a debut have to be big? Guess what: Your sales aren’t determined by the quality of your book. Are celebrity memoirs worth the massive cost? Morgan has opinions about Captain America: Civil War. The (missing) narrative of the Stay-At-Home Dad.

Links:


Episode 60: The One with Sylvia Plath on Zoloft

by Barry Lyga


Leia visits the doctor three times in four days. Revisiting Lyga’s Law of Publishing: Barry signs a contract and explains why it takes so long. Science says: writers and psychotics are the same. (Morgan disagrees.) Don’t be a jerk on the internet. Morgan psyches out Barry. Barry goes nuts over a new book.

Links:


Episode 59: The One with a Note under the Door

by Barry Lyga


Does living in close quarters give neighbors permission to tell parents when a baby is crying too much? Morgan’s new career aspiration. Reese Witherspoon is on Goodreads—who knew? Does being a writer ruin your ability to enjoy reading for its own sake?

Links:


Episode 58: The One that Ends with a Bang

by Barry Lyga



Episode 57: The One with Morgan’s Apple Watch

by Barry Lyga



Episode 56: The One with Too Much Data

by Barry Lyga


Barry’s nightmare comes true, as the Netflix model approaches publishing. Morgan counsels calm, but c’mon — it’s Barry. An extended discussion of data in publishing, and we want YOUR opinions. Plus: Barry has an epiphany about revisions and reveals (again) what a horrible, egotistical monster he is.

Links:


Episode 55: The One where Morgan Dances

by Barry Lyga


What, when, and how should you share about your kids on social media? Do they have a say in it? Are Barry and Morgan hypocrites for talking about Leia on the show? Being alone in the house when you have kids. Morgan reads the comments on an article.

Links:


Episode 54: The One where Leia Watches Law & Order

by Barry Lyga


Prologues: Threat or menace? Morgan rolls her eyes…in a loving way. Barry says writers don’t cheat, and then admits he cheats. Being a good parent will kill you. Waiting for the perfect week that doesn’t exist. Dueling revision updates! Morgan disses Rockford.

Links:


Episode 53: The One Five Years after They Met

by Barry Lyga


Barry talks about how getting an editorial letter triggers pretty much every neurosis he’s got. (Morgan chortles.) Barry accidentally reveals the true extent of his ego. (Morgan chortles again.) Morgan talks scary movies. (Barry cowers.) Morgan reveals foreign parenting tips. (Barry freaks out.)

Links:


Episode 52: The One where They Don’t Canoodle

by Barry Lyga


Morgan lets Barry see Deadpool on Valentine’s Day. Saying “thank you” to your spouse. Barry does not get offended. The narrative of the inept dad and its consequences. Morgan’s revision update. Barry has lots of books to read.

Links:


Episode 51: The One with the Ministry of Verbiage

by Barry Lyga



Episode 50: The One with Sarah

by Barry Lyga


A mega-sized fiftieth episode, with special guest Sarah MacLean! What to expect from a two-year-old. The how and why of romance novels. Challenges that lie ahead for publishing. Is there such a thing as too much sex? The bane of real-world accuracy in fiction. Plus: the ballad of Ted Cruz.

Links:


Episode 49: The One where They’re Snowbound

by Barry Lyga


Snowed in with Leia for the first time. Further discussion of discipline: For parents and for writers. The importance of beginning (not beginnings). Barry races the Grim Reaper. Plus: Authors who are just too damn precious.

Links:


Episode 48: The One with Baby Blood

by Barry Lyga


Re-opening the discussion of whether authors should be paid more. Younger comes back for Season 2; Barry has opinions. Baby Fight Club! Leia transcends separation anxiety, to our mutual glee and disappointment. Morgan actually finishes a book she doesn’t like. Barry asks for help from the audience.

Links:


Episode 47: The One with Discipline (Not the Fun Kind)

by Barry Lyga


Doctor-approved: Be mean to your baby! Is your first baby just practice? Morgan foreswears Barry’s revision advice. Focusing on one project at a time. Followup on Barry’s Cheat Method for Revision and a discussion of what you need to know about your protagonist before you start writing.

Links: