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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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes342Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Story Blender

Latest Episodes

Acclaimed and bestselling mystery writer Rachel Howzell Hall joins me to talk about how to craft a great mystery, the importance of receptivity rather than rigidity when writing, why main characters should be both vulnerable and admirable (without be... more

Veteran screenwriter and author Anderson Boyd joins me to talk about his advice for writing a novel, what he learned from screenwriting that transferred into writing fiction, some of his favorite authors, and specific thoughts on shaping and telling ... more

Josh Goforth

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

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Rachel Howzell Hall
Best-selling author of 17 novels, including Mist And Malice; former Mystery Writers of America board member
Author
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 37: Rachel Howzell Hall
Drew Boyd
Award-winning writer, director, producer, and editor
Drew Boyd (individual)
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 36: Anderson Boyd
Josh Goforth
Accomplished musician, storyteller
Independent musician
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 35: Josh Goforth
Liv Constantine
Edgar Award-nominated and New York Times bestselling author; co-author of The Last Mrs. Parish; author of Promise Me Never
Liv Constantine (author)
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 34: Liv Constantine
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

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
#231
Denmark/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Season 10 - Episode 37: Rachel Howzell Hall
Q: What advice would you give your younger self about pursuing genre writing?
Believe you can write a novel in the genre space and that you don't have to limit yourself to literary fiction just because that's what you first saw as possible for Black writers.
Season 10 - Episode 37: Rachel Howzell Hall
Q: How do you approach standalones versus series?
Both have value: series let you deepen characters over time, while standalones demand a complete, self-contained world and cast within a single book.
Season 10 - Episode 37: Rachel Howzell Hall
Q: Do you think about character development more as discovery or construction?
It's a blend of both; characters feel authentic when they're shaped by real experiences, yet the writer's plan and drafts help refine who they become over time.
Season 10 - Episode 37: Rachel Howzell Hall
Q: What are the hallmarks of a great mystery beyond the whodunit?
The why behind characters' actions, the depth of the protagonist's portrayal, and how the clues are distributed so a diligent reader can piece things together without feeling cheated.
Season 10 - Episode 34: Liv Constantine
Q: What have you learned from your earlier books that you've been able to apply to your latest works?
She notes that letting a story breathe, remaining flexible about structure, and allowing characters to guide the narrative are crucial. The process can be iterative and collaborative, especially when co-writing with a sister, and editors help refine ideas without destroying the core truth of the story.

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. The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers
2. Writer's Routine
3. Writers on Writing
4. Helping Writers Become Authors
5. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

How many episodes of The Story Blender are there?

The Story Blender launched 7 years ago and published 342 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Story Blender?

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What guests have appeared on The Story Blender?

Recent guests on The Story Blender include:

1. Rachel Howzell Hall
2. Drew Boyd
3. Josh Goforth
4. Liv Constantine
5. JT Ellison
6. Eriq La Salle
7. Alex Finlay
8. JD Barker

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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