Best Self Publishing Formula Podcasts (2025)

1
Sleepless in Seattle: relies on star power? 28:45

24h ago28:45

28:45

Valerie and I take a scalpel to some well loved movies this season. First there was the Nightmare Before Christmas and now Sleepless in Seattle. I’m not a believer in ‘magic love’ so I find the premise of the movie silly, but there are some good examples of tension. However, under the microscope of Valerie’s 4 Story Questions, this movie is lacking…

1
Gifted: nowhere to hide 33:40

8d ago33:40

33:40

Writers of quiet, character-driven or "literary" stories often ask me if all this story theory stuff applies to them, or if it's only for "commercial" fiction. Believe me when I say that it's even more important and in this episode of the podcast, I explain why. Meanwhile, Melanie conducted an experiment this week. She wanted to discover how knowin…

1
Ep539 - Sarah Moorhead and Stuart Turton — Teacher, Student & Metempsychosis 52:04

10d ago52:04

52:04

Do you have a favourite teacher? One who encouraged you to write, maybe? This special episode is for all the teachers and students out there who have inspired one another over the years, and we have two of them on the show. Sarah Moorhead is the author of Witness X and started out as a […] The post Ep539 – Sarah Moorhead and Stuart Turton — Teacher…

1
The Secret of Roan Inish: sweet but weak 27:14

15d ago27:14

27:14

Frustration follows flaws! Can you create tension and conflict if the 4 Story questions haven’t been answered? The simple answer is “no”. I desperately wanted to love this movie because I’m writing a short story based on selkies. This is a sweet movie. It lacks some storytelling basics, which results in minimal tension and conflict. I know I’ve sai…

1
Judy: why object of desire is essential 30:33

24d ago30:33

30:33

Melanie and I talk about Object of Desire all the time and boy, oh boy, this movie really drives home why it's so important. The writers didn't go for the obvious choice here and it makes the movie, and the protagonist, so much more interesting because what Judy wants more than anything in the world is not to perform, but to be with her kids. In te…

1
Ep538 - Michelle Paver | Research To The Extreme 57:46

25d ago57:46

57:46

How do you research your books? Michelle Paver has written eighteen novels, including the bestselling Chronicles Of Ancient Darkness. She’s encountered killer whales, wolves, polar bears and a runaway Yak, all in the name of research. LISTEN Subscribe now to the Bestseller Experiment App and get access to hundreds of hours of bestseller interviews …

1
Crazy Stupid Love: passive tension? 33:01

29d ago33:01

33:01

I love it when Valerie and I study different theories and come to different conclusions about the movie. Crazy, Stupid, Love has great examples of slow/low tension and high/intense tension - it’s a great movie demonstrating how tension works. However, it doesn’t work so well when the 4 Story Questions are applied. Why? Because a multi-point-of-view…

1
Fatal Attraction: who's the villain? (archive) 39:30

1M ago39:30

39:30

In this archive episode, we revisit our study of FATAL ATTRACTION which first aired as episode 5 of season 7. I was studying character revelation and Melanie was studying worldbuilding, but what I find most fascinating about this movie is that, viewed through a modern lens, it's unclear who the antagonist really is. We'll be back next week with a b…

1
Ep537 - Maria Semple | How To Find Your Voice As A Writer 1:15:03

1M ago1:15:03

1:15:03

Have you every wondered how important your “Voice” is as a writer? This week on The Bestseller Experiment podcast, New York Times success Maria Semple tells us just how essential your voice is. Maria was recently named a “Power Author” by the Hollywood Reporter, putting her alongside such giants as JK Rowling and George RR […] The post Ep537 – Mari…

1
10 Things I Hate About You: what not to do (archive) 33:58

1M ago33:58

33:58

While I'm teaching my kids to surf during our summer beach holiday, and Valerie is shovelling out from a winter storm, we're bringing you a throwback episode from season 6 where we studied stakes and empathy. Based on Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew", "10 Things I Hate About You" is packed with lessons about what not to do. We'll be back wit…

1
Ep536 - A Christmas Special with Ian Rankin 1:15:03

2M ago1:15:03

1:15:03

A Christmas treat as we speak to bestselling author Ian Rankin who takes us through his incredible career, including tips on plotting, research, and his worst habit when writing, his favourite mistake (which he kept in the book) and he tells us his Sean Connery story… LISTEN Subscribe now to the Bestseller Experiment App and get access […] The post…

1
The Nightmare Before Christmas: razzle dazzle 32:28

2M ago32:28

32:28

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a favourite with both our families, and given that this is a Tim Burton film we expected that the storytelling would be rock solid. This is a great example of writers using the storytelling tools at their disposal to maximum effect. Ah, but since filmmakers have access to different tools than novelists, when you st…

1
Ep535 - Behind Sarah Pinborough’s Eyes! 57:13

2M ago57:13

57:13

Sarah Pinborough has had over twenty novels published and written for TV and film. Sarah’s new thriller Behind Her Eyes is getting incredible buzz after a heated auction. Sarah is always funny, insightful and often eye-wateringly honest. Brace yourselves for one of our most entertaining author chats yet… WARNING: Contains strong adult language! LIS…

1
The Banshees of Inisherin: when the mc breaks bad 25:28

2M ago25:28

25:28

The tension starts with the title of this week’s movie - The Banshees of Inisherin. Banshees cry right before someone dies. That’s tension right there - who will it be? The anticipation about who is going to die is high because the outcome is unknown. Tension thrives with uncertainty. I also explore the idea of high and low tension in a story. Vale…

1
Ep534 - John Connolly | No Formulas & Finishing Books Author 59:54

2M ago59:54

59:54

John Connolly has won pretty much every crime award going, and his books are regular Sunday Times bestsellers. He doesn’t do workshops, doesn’t suffer fools, and tells us about the massive issue with leaving a book half-finished. John’s words are dripping in wisdom and we loved him. LISTEN Subscribe now to the Bestseller Experiment App and get acce…

1
Calendar Girls: wait...it's over? 33:51

2M ago33:51

33:51

Welcome to a brand new season! This time around I'm studying the 4 Story Questions and Melanie is focused on tension. This week we're looking at CALENDAR GIRLS. We love these actresses (I mean, honestly, what's not to love?) but the storyline threw us for a loop because when it felt like it was coming to a natural conclusion, we realized there was …

1
Ep533 - Shannon Mayer - Million-Selling Indie Author 59:54

2M ago59:54

59:54

From farrier to million-selling indie author, USA Today bestseller, and writing machine, Shannon bestows wisdom, inspiration, and a quote that we want on t-shirts and bumper stickers. Episode Highlights:Shannon Mayer: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Mailing List LISTEN Books Mentioned Subscribe now to the Bestseller Experiment App and get access to …

1
BLACK FRIDAY - SAVE 89% 2:28

2M ago2:28

2:28

You want to get published, right? You want to see your book in bookstores, you want to hit a bestseller list, and maybe you want Reese Witherspoon to pick your book for her bookclub. Well, before any of that can happen you need an agent and an outstanding query letter is the key to getting one. That's why I developed my brand new course, THE ART OF…

1
What Went Wrong: the cold light of day 39:22

2M ago39:22

39:22

We're trying something new this week! Writers are constantly asking me and Melanie to explain why a story seems weird to them. So to help you understand why some stories flop, at the end of each season we'll pick a film that doesn't work and we'll try to figure out why. In this inaugural episode, Melanie chose IN THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY because it go…

1
Ep532 - LJ Ross – Rebel with Four Million Sold 1:02:22

2M ago1:02:22

1:02:22

LJ Ross has long refused to play by other people’s rules and when she didn’t like the look of a publishing contract she struck out on her own. Over four million copies of her books have been sold to date and she’s still going strong. She answers our listener questions on marketing, pricing, Kindle and she tells […] The post Ep532 – LJ Ross – Rebel …

1
Our Best Advice: writing exposition and creating character arcs 27:47

3M ago27:47

27:47

It's that time again! We've reached the end of the season and that means Melanie and I are wrapping up all our a-ha moments and lessons learned about writing exposition and creating character arcs. Plus we've got a special surprise coming for you and we talk about it in this episode to be sure to listen all the way to the end! - V. "The closer a sc…

1
Ep531 - Joanne Harris — Squeeze Your Characters 1:09:23

3M ago1:09:23

1:09:23

Joanne Harris returns to the podcast with her gripping page-turning thriller A Narrow Door. Joanne answers our listener questions, tells us the importance of human interaction to her writing, why she doesn’t see a distinction between plotting and pantsing, and why ideas are like planets in a solar system. And the Two Marks discuss a […] The post Ep…

1
Up in the Air: thiiiiin 19:09

3M ago19:09

19:09

Up In The Air, boring or not, is this week’s question. Why do I find this movie interesting, and why does Valerie find it boring? Could the answer lie in Ryan Bingam’s character arc (and does he have one)? Could it lie in the small amount of exposition? Or could it be that George Clooney movies are boring? One thing is certain: this episode is the …

1
Ep530 - Angela Marsons - on getting a 12-book deal 1:11:58

3M ago1:11:58

1:11:58

We welcome the wonderful Angela Marsons back to the podcast. Angela is the multi-million bestselling author of the DI Kim Stone series. And she’s back with Six Graves, the 16th book in the series. Despite her mega sales (five million and counting) and a 12-book contract, Angela tells us why she doesn’t take a single […] The post Ep530 – Angela Mars…

1
All the President's Men: masterful exposition 43:06

3M ago43:06

43:06

This movie is almost entirely exposition, and while this isn't an approach I'd recommend for novelists, I can't imagine telling this particular story any other way. You might say that ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN is the exception that proves the rule. Master storyteller, William Goldman, pulls it off and that means there's a whole lot we can learn about…

1
Ep529 - Michael Connelly - How to Write Every Day 58:32

3M ago58:32

58:32

We are delighted to welcome worldwide bestseller Michael Connelly back to the podcast to discuss his new novel The Dark Hours, which explores an LA scarred by fear and social unrest. Michael reflects on how the world of Harry Bosch has grown over an incredible thirty years, and he answers our listener questions of writing […] The post Ep529 – Micha…

1
Gone Baby Gone: writing a static protagonist 37:02

3M ago37:02

37:02

Most stories are about change. However, there is also a place for stories when the protagonist doesn’t change. The outcomes can still be positive - just watch James Bond and Erin Brockovich! There are also stories where the protagonist doesn’t change, and the outcome is ambiguous. This movie combines an ethical dilemma with a constant character to …

1
Ep527 - Joe Abercrombie Returns 1:04:02

3M ago1:04:02

1:04:02

We celebrate international bestselling fantasy writer Joe Abercrombie’s return to the podcast with The Wisdom of Crowds, which brings his Age of Madness trilogy to a thrilling climax. As always, Joe is a treasure trove of amazing advice for writers and he answers our listener questions on outlining, symmetry, POV and much more. We also […] The post…

1
Little Miss Sunshine: who's the protagonist? 29:54

4M ago29:54

29:54

As Melanie and I prepared for this episode one question kept coming up ... Who is the protagonist? Melanie argues that the entire family is the protagonist, but I think that Olive (who is the Little Miss Sunshine contestant) is the protagonist. It's an interesting question and our discussion about it is even more interesting. If you're writing a mu…

1
Ep527 - Steve Cavanagh: “A Masterclass in How to Hook Your Readers” 49:14

4M ago49:14

49:14

Sunday Times bestselling thriller writer Steve Cavanagh returns triumphant to the podcast. When we last spoke to him he was on the verge of a great breakthrough. Today he’s an award-winner and international bestseller and with his new thriller The Devil’s Advocate he’s done it again. Steve reveals how he works hard to engage the […] The post Ep527 …

1
Far From Heaven: what your character doesn't want 27:45

4M ago27:45

27:45

This season, I am focused on stories with negative or neutral character arcs. Sometimes, finding out what a character doesn’t want is the first step to discovery. On the surface, Cathy Whitaker has a perfect life. However, it’s a shallow life. Cathy’s choices are symbolically represented by her husband, Frank, and her gardener, Raymond. The two mal…

1
Ep526 - Kate Mosse: “Unlocking the Secrets of Kate Mosse” 42:04

4M ago42:04

42:04

Kate Mosse CBE is a global bestselling author with over 8 million sales. Her previous 10 novels include Labyrinth, which became the highest selling novel of the year and was made into a TV series. She is also founder of the Women’s Prize for Fiction which has changed the landscape for women’s writing over the […] The post Ep526 – Kate Mosse: “Unloc…

1
I, Tonya: don't try this at home 30:55

4M ago30:55

30:55

Wowzers! I, TONYA is absolutely chock-full of exposition. It's a documentary-style film so at first blush it doesn't seem to offer up many story lessons for novelists. However, DAISY JONES & THE SIX is a documentary-style novel so this is an episode you might want to pay attention to — not just for their handling of exposition, but also for their p…

1
Ep525 - Dean Wesley Smith - How to Stop Listening to Your Critical Voice 1:26:37

4M ago1:26:37

1:26:37

Dean Wesley Smith is one of the most prolific writers working today, with over 200 novels, and countless short stories published. He reveals how he has learned how to stop listening to his critical voice, and to stop thinking of the story as a “product”, and how that has unleashed his creativity. In this episode […] The post Ep525 – Dean Wesley Smi…

1
Dorian Gray: what mick jagger said 29:43

4M ago29:43

29:43

The Rolling Stone’s song ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want,’ is my earworm this season. This week, I started to pick apart how wants, needs and arcs are connected. Dorian Gray is a classic cautionary tale about selling your soul. Dorian arrives in London as a beautiful but naive young man and dies with a rotten and decrepit soul - he is unredeema…

1
Ep524 - Linwood Barclay - How to Be a Bestseller Rulebreaker 1:06:40

4M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Linwood Barclay is the international bestselling author of over twenty novels, and his latest thriller Find You First is a fast-paced, high-concept, page-turner. In this jam-packed chat we discuss head-hopping, point-of-view, flashbacks, fan fiction, deadlines, writer’s block, self-doubt and more! In this episode you will discover: LISTEN Subscribe…

1
The Social Network: pacing, pacing, pacing 29:06

5M ago29:06

29:06

It's a brand new season and this time Melanie is studying character arcs through 5 key questions: Where do the characters start, where do they finish, what do they want, what decisions do they make along the way that get them to the end, and do they get what they want or need? Meanwhile, I do a deep dive into exposition. You've heard about "show, d…

1
Ep523 - Dean Koontz: “The Soul of Dean Koontz. All-Time Bestselling Author” 53:15

5M ago53:15

53:15

Dean Koontz is one of the most successful bestselling authors, with over 120 novels published, which have sold an incredible 500m+ copies. This ranks Dean among the top 10 bestselling authors of all time, and one of the top three living authors, an accolade he shares with J.K. Rowling. In his latest novel, The Forest […] The post Ep523 – Dean Koont…

1
Best Advice: Narrative Drive + Conflict Triangles 25:39

5M ago25:39

25:39

Whoa. This season has been a heavy season. Narrative Drive and Conflict Triangles are two major concepts that can - and will - transform your writing. In this episode, Melanie and I summarize everything we learned this season. -V For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie'…

1
Ep522 - You Are Not Alone 54:12

5M ago54:12

54:12

The Two Marks talks about isolation, loneliness, the voices in our head and all the other stuff that can make a writer feel like they are alone. We discuss what we can do to build a healthy community around us, even in lockdown. And we share the good news stories from our communities on Patreon, […] The post Ep522 – You Are Not Alone appeared first…

1
Eye in the Sky: wonderfully nuanced storytelling 33:43

5M ago33:43

33:43

Eye in the Sky reminds me of the ‘greater good’ questions I discussed in class during high school - there’s no right or wrong answer but there are always consequences. This movie is an excellent example of how tension and escalating stakes combine with conflict triangles and narrative drive to create a compelling story. This isn’t an action movie b…

1
Ep521 - B.J. Fogg — Tiny Habits 50:27

5M ago50:27

50:27

BJ Fogg, PhD, founded the Behavior Design Lab at Stanford University and created the Tiny Habits Academy to help people around the world. He tells us how the smallest changes can make a huge difference to your productivity as a writer. In this episode you will discover: LISTEN Subscribe to Bestseller Experiment on Apple Music […] The post Ep521 – B…

1
NYAD: writing unlikeable characters 32:15

5M ago32:15

32:15

Your reader doesn't have to like the protagonist but she does have to empathize with him because if empathy is absent, your story is in trouble. In this episode Melanie and I study conflict triangles and narrative drive, but we also have an interesting side conversation about empathy and likeability. If you're writing an unlikeable character, or if…

1
Ep520 - Philip C. Quaintrell — The Bestseller Breaking All The Rules 49:10

5M ago49:10

49:10

Philip C. Quaintrell is in Amazon’s top 1.8% of self-published authors. He does this with no marketing spend, no newsletter, and epic fantasy novels so massively epic that even Brandon Sanderson would quake at their page count. He’s also one of the nicest authors we’ve interviewed. He gives us the lowdown on how he moved […] The post Ep520 – Philip…

1
The Wife: best movie ever 25:24

5M ago25:24

25:24

Holy moly, this is a good movie! It's an especially good movie to study for anyone writing a quiet, character-driven story. THE WIFE originally aired as Episode 4 of Season 6 when Melanie was studying stakes and I was studying empathy. But honestly, this is one of those rare films that novelists (and memoirists!) can study to learn just about any s…

1
Ep519 - Richard Armitage Returns - “Hobbits, Audiobooks and How to Manifest Your Dreams” 43:29

6M ago43:29

43:29

Hollywood actor Richard Armitage is best known as Thorin in The Hobbit, appearances in Ocean’s 8, Captain America and the seventh most viewed Netflix show – Harlan Coben’s ‘Fool Me Once’. Richard also starred in shows including Obsession, Red Eye, Spooks, Robin Hood and North & South, as lead John Thornton. As a seasoned audiobook […] The post Ep51…

1
August Osage County: simply masterful 31:03

6M ago31:03

31:03

This movie is a masterclass on characters, character development, cast design and the relationships between characters. It honestly doesn't get any better than this. So no matter what kind of story you're writing, grab your notepad and dive in! -V. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), su…

1
Ep518 - Kim Bretton – Working with ACX Audiobooks Producers 43:49

6M ago43:49

43:49

Kim Bretton is an actor and has worked in theatre, TV and film, but these days she’s found great success producing and narrating audiobooks in Nashville. We talk to Kim about her career shift into audiobooks and the spooky connection she had with Back to Reality. In this episode you will discover… LISTEN Subscribe to […] The post Ep518 – Kim Bretto…

1
Lego Batman: ROTFL 39:35

6M ago39:35

39:35

Melanie chose Lego Batman from the vault because, in addition to being a really well-written story, it made her laugh. And that, imo, is the mark of superior writing. This episode originally aired in Season 5 when Melanie was studying resonance. If you're curious about what that is, and how it can truly enhance your storytelling, be sure to give th…

1
Ep517 - Our Listeners’ Challenges and Triumphs 1:00:11

6M ago1:00:11

1:00:11

What better way to celebrate our 400th episode than by speaking to some of our longtime listeners and members of the Bestseller Academy who have faced their greatest writing challenges and come through the other side: In this episode you will discover… LISTEN Subscribe to Bestseller Experiment on Apple Music Subscribe to Bestseller Experiment on [……

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