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Artwork for Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo

Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice

Savannah Gilbo
Character Development
Writing Process
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Story Structure
Writing
Fiction Writing
Notes To Novel
Self-Publishing
Novel Writing
Perfectionism
Book Marketing
World Building
Creative Writing
Outlining
Story Grid
Voldemort
Time Management
Plot Structure
Creativity
Writing Techniques

Fiction Writing Made Easy is your go-to creative writing podcast for practical, no-fluff tips on how to write, edit, and publish a novel—from first draft to finished book.

Hosted by developmental editor and book coach Savannah Gilbo, this show breaks down the fiction writing process into clear, actionable steps so you can finally make progress on your manuscript and write a novel you’re proud of.... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes263Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsHow ToEducationBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo

Latest Episodes

Learn the five craft secrets to writing young adult fiction that actually feels like YA—so when you sit down to write your own, you know exactly what to aim for.

You know what YA feels like when a book is doing it right. The voice pulls you in. The ... more

What if getting stuck on your novel has nothing to do with your story and everything to do with HOW you're seeing it? Story mapping coach Danyel Nicole found that out firsthand.

When Danyel's first draft started to feel off, she got up from her desk... more

Master these 5 worldbuilding techniques to immerse readers in your fictional world without infodumping or overwhelming them.

If you've ever sat down to write a scene and ended up with three paragraphs of explanation before anything actually happens,... more

Readers don't fall in love with likable characters. They fall in love with characters who want something specific, stand to lose something personal, and can't quite get out of their own way. Here's how to build one.

Think about the last time you tru... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Danyel Nicole
Founder of Map Your Story Studios; Notes to Novel graduate
Map Your Story Studios
Episode: #246. Story Mapping: How to Map Your Novel With Sticky Notes (With Danyel Nicole)
Jackie Heninger
Author publishing under the pen name JJ. Henley; mom of two, former teacher, romance/thriller writer
Episode: #239. Student Spotlight: How J.J. Henley Finished Her First Draft in 8 Months (With Two Kids and In 15 Minutes at a Time)
Beth Barany
Science fiction and fantasy novelist, creativity coach for writers, and podcaster
Beth Barany, author and creativity coach
Episode: #238. How to Market Your Book in a Way That Actually Feels Good (With Beth Barany)
Ana Del Valle
Award-winning novelist, technologist, host of the Novelist Studio podcast and YouTube channel, founder of the AI Creative Writing Academy
Novelist Studio; AI Creative Writing Academy
Episode: #236. The Truth About AI and Creative Writing with Ana Del Valle
Dr. Bailey Lang
Book coach, editor, and writer specializing in sustainable writing practices
Episode: #234. How to Build A Sustainable Writing Practice With Dr. Bailey Lang
Maggie Reyes
Writer from Tasmania, Australia, who expanded her identity as a writer through the course.
Episode: #231. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 7) - Part 2
Insa Duvoss
Writer from Germany focused on women's fiction who emphasized the benefit of community from the course.
Episode: #231. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 7) - Part 2
Samantha Crawford
Long-time writer from Australia planning to self-publish her romance novel under the pen name Sarah Jane Cooper.
Episode: #231. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 7) - Part 2
Carolyn Freudenthal
Writer of Contemporary Women's Fiction living outside Richmond, Virginia.
Episode: #230. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 7) - Part 1

Host

Savannah Gilbo
Host and developmental editor providing practical insights on fiction writing, character development, editing, and publishing.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 3.3k ratings
  • My favorite fiction writing podcast

    Hands down my favorite! Savannah breaks down fiction writing into bite size pieces. So grateful I found this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PapaGoFish
    United States10 days ago
  • Extremely Helpful

    Savannah Gilbo’s Fiction Writing Made Easy provides terrific checklists and useful examples. I learn so much in every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Travis Ketterman
    United States11 days ago
  • Awesome Podcast!!!!

    Savannah Gilbo’s podcast belongs to the tiny group of essential podcasts teaching the craft of writing every author should listen to. Whether you’re an indie or trad writer. I’d give more stars if I could.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RianaWrites
    Australia11 days ago
  • Just What I Needed!

    I’m so glad I came across Savannah’s podcast. I’m barreling out of a (year+) writing rut and this podcast has given me all of the confidence I need to keep hammering at my first draft. I’ve signed up for her newsletter and I’m so glad I did! Love all of the info and resources I’ve discovered since listening🖤

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SJ Lorta
    United States11 days ago
  • Best writing podcast out there

    I probably wouldn’t be almost finished drafting my novel without Savannah. This podcast has been such an amazing resource for me and I find the episodes packed with clear, actionable advice and not too long or too much to digest in one sitting. By far my favourite writing craft podcast ☺️🙏🏼

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JoJoG321
    Australia11 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many found the approach to be motivating, helping them to overcome writing blocks and obstacles in their creative journeys.
Critics point out that recent episodes seem overly focused on student testimonials rather than on actionable content, which some believe detracts from the original value of the podcast.
Listeners appreciate the practical and actionable writing tips provided, emphasizing the podcast's clarity and effectiveness in guiding writers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#49
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#143
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#83
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#107
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#221
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#239
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#243. What to Expect When Working with a Line Editor (With Two Birds Author Services)
Q: What are common line-edit issues to look for and address?
Common issues include clarity problems, weak word choices, inconsistent rhythm or tone across multiple viewpoints, and pacing that doesn't match the scene. Editors provide targeted comments and track changes to help writers fix these areas while maintaining their voice and the story's momentum.
#243. What to Expect When Working with a Line Editor (With Two Birds Author Services)
Q: How do writers find and evaluate the right line editor?
Writers should seek referrals, review portfolios across genres, and request a sample edit to gauge fit, communication, and whether the editor respects the writer's voice. A sample edit also helps writers see how feedback is delivered and whether the editor provides useful rationale for suggested changes.
#243. What to Expect When Working with a Line Editor (With Two Birds Author Services)
Q: What is line editing and how do we know we're ready for that?
Line editing is a focused, sentence-level polish done after the big-picture story is solid. It checks sentence flow, word choices, and tone to ensure the writing reads smoothly and mirrors the intended style. Readiness is indicated by a solid draft, clear big-picture structure, and strong character and plot elements, after which a sample edit can help determine fit.
#239. Student Spotlight: How J.J. Henley Finished Her First Draft in 8 Months (With Two Kids and In 15 Minutes at a Time)
Q: What did the course reveal about genre blending and outlining?
The course helped her understand how to weave romance into thriller components, align genre with commercial expectations, and realize that outlining is a crucial foundation, not a final step.
#239. Student Spotlight: How J.J. Henley Finished Her First Draft in 8 Months (With Two Kids and In 15 Minutes at a Time)
Q: How long did it take to finish the first draft and what were the big disruptions?
Eight months from October to June, with major interruptions from parenting duties like no two-hour daytime blocks and late-night writing sessions, yet the outline kept her connected to the story.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides actionable insights tailored for both novice and experienced writers who are eager to navigate the intricacies of the fiction writing process. The content revolves around key aspects of novel writing, including story structure, character development, world-building, editing, and publishing. Listeners can expect practical tips on maintaining motivation, effective writing routines, and revision strategies, which collectively empower them to transform their ideas into completed manuscripts. The show stands out for its clear and concise approach, making complex topics accessible and encouraging for aspiring authors eager to enhance their craft and confidence.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
2. Helping Writers Become Authors
3. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
4. Writing Excuses
5. Writer's Routine

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 263 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Danyel Nicole
2. Jackie Heninger
3. Beth Barany
4. Ana Del Valle
5. Dr. Bailey Lang
6. Maggie Reyes
7. Insa Duvoss
8. Samantha Crawford

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