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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.

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Artwork for The Story Blender

Latest Episodes

Novelist and former TV reporter Elise Hart Kipniss shares how her journalism background helped equip her to tell stories and write novels. We discuss the differences between fiction and nonfiction, as well as between a report and a story. We also tal... more

Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Laurie Dove joins me this week to talk about following your characters, weaving the unexpected into your stories, and being honest in your storytelling. She also shares her two paramount rules of writin... more

This week, I sat down at the Storytelling Resource Place in Jonesborough, Tennessee, to chat with award-winning poet and storyteller Jack Smith. He shares his passion for writing poetry and telling tales, gives us a glimpse into his creative process,... more

Award-winning author Chris Mullen talks with me about everything from writing Westerns to teaching Kindergarten to encouraging creativity and risk-taking—and how to move past the obstacles that so many adults put in their own way. Chris is an award-w... 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

Laurie Dove
Bestselling author, award-winning journalist and writing professor
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 42: Laurie Dove
Jack Smith
Award-winning poet and storyteller from East Tennessee
Independent artist
Episode: Season 10 Episode 41: Jack Smith
Chris Mullen
Author of contemporary Western mysteries; former kindergarten and preschool teacher
Wise Wolf Books / Wolfpack Publishing
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 40: Chris Mullen
Deborah Raney
Acclaimed author and educator
Author, Speaker
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 39: Deborah Raney
Mark Gottlieb
Executive vice president and dominant literary agent at Trident Media Group, New York City
Trident Media Group
Episode: Season 10 - Episode 38: Mark Gottlieb
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

Host

Steven James
Host of The Story Blender, focusing on craft, storytelling, and interviews with authors and industry professionals.

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 States3 years ago
  • An absolute inspiration

    I go away from each episode so inspired.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FBis1203
    Singapore4 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.

Very helpful for writers looking for practical guidance and inspiration.
Guests are often top authors; conversations feel intimate and revealing.
Host excels at drawing out guests and letting them shine in author-to-author conversations.
Shows consistently deliver deep, craft-focused insights.

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Ashley After Dark:Stories For After Hours
Ashley After Dark:Stories For After HoursAshley Van-De-Cruize Lampkin

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Season 10 - Episode 42: Laurie Dove
Q: How do you encourage them to get past that roadblock at the third of the way through?
Dove temporarily sets aside linear drafting. She has writers envision the ending, return to the beginning and write a scene from the middle, creating a framework they can fill out and adjust.
Season 10 - Episode 42: Laurie Dove
Q: What are some of the common weaknesses or struggles you see in the writing of aspiring authors and your students?
Dove says many new writers get partway through a story, lose momentum and set it aside. She sees completing the middle and conclusion of a first draft as a major hurdle.
Season 10 - Episode 40: Chris Mullen
Q: Has that bled over into the way that you write or just your, I mean, your courage to step out and become a writer?
Chris describes trusting his gut, staying patient, and letting the story guide edits and development rather than overanalyzing, which has helped him move through long-running series and try new kinds of projects.
Season 10 - Episode 39: Deborah Raney
Q: What is one thing you wish you could tell your younger self?
Don't care so much what people think; be content with who you are and embrace your unique differences.
Season 10 - Episode 39: Deborah Raney
Q: What is one book besides yours that everyone should read before they die?
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns, a charming coming-of-age story with memorable characters and hopeful tone, which the guest has reread multiple times.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Story Blender

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

The show centers on the craft of storytelling across genres, with a heavy emphasis on mystery, suspense, and thriller writing, plus practical sessions on character development, plotting, and scene construction. Across episodes, guests include bestselling novelists, screenwriters, and professionals who blend literature with cinematic storytelling. Discussions frequently cover how to create authentic voices, maintain believability, leverage multiple perspectives, and handle endings, with practical tips on outlining, drafting, and revision. Notable strengths include guest diversity (authors, screenwriters, actors turned writers) and a strong emphasis on craft, process, and real-world publishing or production realities. This mix likely appeals ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Story Blender?

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How many listeners does The Story Blender get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Story Blender?

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How many subscribers and views does The Story Blender have?

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. Writing Excuses
3. Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice
4. Writers on Writing
5. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

How many episodes of The Story Blender are there?

The Story Blender launched 7 years ago and published 348 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Story Blender?

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Story Blender?

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What guests have appeared on The Story Blender?

Recent guests on The Story Blender include:

1. Laurie Dove
2. Jack Smith
3. Chris Mullen
4. Deborah Raney
5. Mark Gottlieb
6. Rachel Howzell Hall
7. Drew Boyd
8. Josh Goforth

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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