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The Story Blender

The Story Blender
Storytelling
Character Development
Writing
Comedy
Folklore
Horror
Writing Process
Publishing Industry
Suspense
Cultural Identity
The Second Son
Moral Dilemmas
Cultural Appropriation
Folktales
Community Engagement
The Usual Silence
Screenwriting
Crime Fiction
At the Island's Edge
Hollywood

WHERE GREAT STORYTELLERS SHARE THE SECRETS TO GREAT STORYTELLING. Hosted by Steven James.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes339Founded7 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Bestselling author Liv Constantine comes on the show to share thoughts about writing domestic suspense, the keys to characterization, and how to (and why to) keep your stories believable. We also talk about our newest thriller PROMISE ME NEVER. Check... more

This week, New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison joins me to talk about ghost cats, why she’s a gardener rather than an architect as a writer, the differences (and surprising similarities) between mystery and suspense, serendipity, believabi... more

In this week’s conversation with actor, director, and producer Eriq La Salle, you'll learn why your characters are only as fascinating as the problems they face, why it’s more important to be interested in your story than to be interesting, why you s... more

International bestselling author Alex Finlay joins me to talk about trusting your readers, letting them fill in the gaps, how much planning to do (or not do) before writing your book, and how to handle clichés in a way that lets you get away with usi... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

JT Ellison
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of psychological thrillers
Author
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 33: J.T. Ellison
Eriq La Salle
Actor, director, producer, and author discussed in this episode
Author of Laws Of Solomon (book)
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 32: Eriq La Salle
Alex Finlay
Bestselling thriller author
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 31: Alex Finlay
JD Barker
New York Times and International bestselling author; specializes in suspense thrillers with elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural
Author
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 30: J. D. Barker
Douglas Preston
Co-author of Paradox; author of numerous thrillers and non-fiction works
Self
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 29: Douglas & Aletheia Preston
Aletheia Preston
Co-author of Paradox; former prosecutor; writer of thrillers and science fiction
Self
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 29: Douglas & Aletheia Preston
Carla Hoch
Award-winning writer, world champion jujitsu player, educator on writing fight scenes
Author and instructor, Writers Digest University; fightright.net
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 28: Carla Hoch
Zena Dell Lowe
Screenwriter, storytelling consultant, podcaster
The Storytellers Mission
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 27: Zena Dell Lowe
Mark Phillips
Author of My Father's Cabin
Author, My Father's Cabin
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 26: Mark Phillips

Host

Steven James
Host of The Story Blender

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 55 ratings
  • Mark greaney episode

    Despite my crazy user name, I am a real person. 😬. Loved the episode with Mark Greaney. I learned a lot. This podcast is fantastic for writers and readers. Thanks for hosting it SJ.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    !! jnknsjsnrjne d
    United States2 years ago
  • An absolute inspiration

    I go away from each episode so inspired.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FBis1203
    Singapore3 years ago
  • Valuable insights!

    This show is brilliant! I highly recommend to listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Claribelleee
    Philippines4 years ago
  • You’ll love this author to author behind-the-scenes!

    Steven James is a world-class entertainer yet his magic as an interviewer is allowing his guests to shine. I love the authenticity in these author to author talks, five stars high!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Goodbye Orchid, a novel
    United States6 years ago
  • Great interviews with great authors

    I especially enjoyed the Orson Scott Card interview. Every time he apologized with, “I’ve been rambling too much, but can I keep going?” I was glad Steven James chuckled and said “Of course!” Exactly how I felt. Thanks, Steven, for letting us hang out with you and many other wonderful writers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Clark L. Zeuss
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Engaging host who lets guests shine and shares insightful commentary.
Guests offer diverse perspectives across genres and publishing paths.
Practical, actionable advice for writers at any stage.
Thoughtful author-to-author conversations that really pull back the curtain on craft.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#245
Norway/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Season 10 - Episode 28: Carla Hoch
Q: What led you to start writing fight scenes and teaching writers about them?
I began fighting training while writing a book with many fight scenes, and I realized I needed to understand the mechanics to write believably, then I translated that into teaching other writers how to convey authenticity without getting bogged down in jargon.
Season 10 - Episode 26: Mark Phillips
Q: So how would you explain plot to someone who isn't a writer, and is there a difference between plot and story?
Plot is the thread that makes a reader want to turn the page, a forward thrust that keeps the reader engaged by weaving a coherent path through events, even in nonfiction, while story includes the deeper meaning and themes that give those events lasting significance.
Season 10 - Episode 25: Gregory Poirier
Q: How important is it to have a rigid structure when writing a screenplay versus a novel?
Structure is essential, but its rigidity differs by format. In film, structure guides economy and pacing, while in a novel there is more room to explore tangents and backstories, as long as they feed the central theme.
Season 10 - Episode 17: Emily Carpenter
Q: So you have a new book, A Spell For Saints And Sinners. What drew you to this story in particular?
The story follows Ingrid, a Savannah-based psychic who inherits her grandmother's business and a crumbling townhouse, drawing her into a wealthy family's secrets and a dangerous form of magic grounded in ritual and tradition, which she must navigate without losing herself.
Season 10 - Episode 17: Emily Carpenter
Q: So how important is location in your story setting, and how do you create that atmosphere?
Location is as important as character and plot; the Southern setting with its humidity, weather, vegetation, food, music, religion, and history becomes a three-legged stool together with character and plot, guiding tone and shaping how readers feel the world.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Story Blender

What is The Story Blender about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A candid, craft-first interview show where seasoned writers, agents, and educators share practical insights on storytelling, publishing, and building a writing career. Episodes often center on character development, point of view, genre expectations, and real-world processes like pitching to agents, navigating market realities, and balancing craft with audience needs. Listeners get actionable tips—from loglines and submissions to constructing immersive worlds and authentic dialogue—plus behind-the-scenes anecdotes from successful authors and industry professionals. The format tends to feature author-to-author conversations and expert guidance, making it a valuable resource for aspiring writers, editors, and agents seeking deeper understandi... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Story Blender has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Story Blender?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Story Blender:

1. Helping Writers Become Authors
2. The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers
3. Writing Excuses
4. Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice
5. Writer's Routine

How many episodes of The Story Blender are there?

The Story Blender launched 7 years ago and published 339 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 The Story Blender?

Recent guests on The Story Blender include:

1. JT Ellison
2. Eriq La Salle
3. Alex Finlay
4. JD Barker
5. Douglas Preston
6. Aletheia Preston
7. Carla Hoch
8. Zena Dell Lowe

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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