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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
Crime Fiction
At the Island's Edge
Cold Eternity
Education

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes330Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for The Story Blender

Latest Episodes

This week, screenwriter and novelist Gregory Poirier joins me to discuss how to create characters that readers and viewers are immediately drawn to, identify with, and care about. We explore the differences between writing a novel and writing a scree... more

This week, horror author T.J. Payne joins me to discuss what makes us frightened, the role of horror in art, and the moral fabric of scary stories—and what (if anything) they have in common with romance stories. We explore why they appeal to us, the ... more

Author and literary agent Bethany Jett joins me for a lively discussion about what agents look for and what turns them off. She explains how to approach an agent, the different ways to pitch a novel and a nonfiction book, and secrets to getting disco... more

Author Carol Snow joins me to chat about her process of writing, how to write in different genres, how much you should try to be cool when you write for teens, and how much planning is helpful before you start to write a book. We also talk about her ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

T. J. Payne
Author of Intercepts, The Venue, In My Father's Basement
Author
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 24: T.J. Payne
Bethany Jett
Literary agent and marketing expert discussing pitching, publishing, and the industry
Literary Agency (Bethany Jett)
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 23: Bethany Jett
Carol Snow
Novelist writing for teens and adults, upcoming thriller The Girl On The Beach
Author
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 22: Carol Snow
Tori Eldridge
Author and performer known for Lily Wong ninja thrillers and Hawai'i Rage
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 21: Tori Eldridge
Donald Maass
Literary agent, educator, author of The Emotional Craft of Fiction
Maass Agency
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 20: Donald Maass
Josh Mancuso
Award-winning actor, comedian, filmmaker known for sports-centered comedy videos
Independent creator
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 19: Josh Mancuso
Cleo Ballard
Author (This Is A Lie)
Author, pen name Cleo Ballard
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 18: Cleo Ballard
Emily Carpenter
Master of Southern Gothic suspense author
Author
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 17: Emily Carpenter
John Paul Abner
Dr. John Paul Abner, psychologist and educator, guest on the show
PCIT International/psychology
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 16: Dr. John Paul Abner

Hosts

Steven James
Host of The Story Blender
Carter Wilson
Best-selling author known for psychological thrillers

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 54 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
    Philippines3 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.

High-quality storytelling-focused discussions with practical tips
Listeners praise depth and warmth of interviews with writers like Mark Greaney and others
Engaging host with authentic author-to-author conversations
Guests shine and provide actionable insights for writers

Top Books Podcasts

The Book Review
The Book ReviewThe New York Times
Myths and Legends
Myths and LegendsJason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod
The Book Club
The Book ClubGoalhanger
Selected Shorts
Selected ShortsSymphony Space
PASSAGES: On Morrison
PASSAGES: On MorrisonNamwali Serpell, Random House

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Season 10 - Episode 17: Emily Carpenter
Q: So people talk about Gothic. Let's just start with that. Like, what does that even mean? What is a Gothic story?
Gothic is vibes-driven—big crumbling mansions, possibly haunted settings, a dark and stormy atmosphere, a heroine who questions what's real, and a focus on buried secrets and psychological tension, especially through the perspective of women trying to trust their own perceptions amid danger.
Season 10 - Episode 18: Cleo Ballard
Q: How do you approach writing autobiographies and capturing a subject's voice?
She explains she spends a lot of time with subjects, learns their backstories, and writes in their voices, sometimes living with them and conducting extensive interviews to reveal authentic perspectives.
Season 10 - Episode 18: Cleo Ballard
Q: What storytelling principles are universal across genres?
Cleo emphasizes that character is the universal principle—whether writing autobiographies, YA, or thrillers—because readers invest in what they can understand and care about in a character.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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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 program focused on craft, storytelling, and the business of publishing, featuring best-selling authors, screenwriters, and storytelling experts. Discussions routinely cover character development, narrative structure, genre conventions, and real-world craft tips for writers and creators, often tied to market dynamics, series longevity, and the publishing ecosystem. A notable hallmark is the author-to-author conversational style, which yields practical advice, behind-the-scenes process insights, and guidance for aspiring writers and industry peers. The show stands out for embracing a wide range of fiction—from thrillers and mysteries to romantic suspense—while centering on storytelling technique and authentic voice, frequently anchored by s... more

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How many episodes of The Story Blender are there?

The Story Blender launched 7 years ago and published 330 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. T. J. Payne
2. Bethany Jett
3. Carol Snow
4. Tori Eldridge
5. Donald Maass
6. Josh Mancuso
7. Cleo Ballard
8. Emily Carpenter

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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