Story Works Round Table Archives - Page 6 of 64 - Story Works Round Table Podcast

SWRT 336 | Going Indie with Catherine Lyon

Nov 20, 2025

In this episode, Alida Winternheimer sits down with Catherine Lyon to explore the world of independent publishing, or “going indie.” They share their experiences navigating the challenges that come with being self-published while also celebrating the incredible joy of seeing their books in readers’ hands. Both Alida and Catherine are award-winning authors who initially pursued the traditional publishing path. Tune in for an insightful conversation about their decision to go indie and whether they would choose differently if given the opportunity.

SWRT 335 | Author’s Chat: Anthology Collaboration

Nov 6, 2025

In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, we delve into the art of anthology writing with authors Sarah Branson, Annie M. Ballard, and Christy Matheson. Join Alida and Kathryn as we discuss the experience of writing and producing the anthology Where Kindness Lives: A Women’s Fiction Anthology. We discuss the challenges and joys of collaborative storytelling and the unique dynamics of writing short fiction. Tune in for insights that will inspire both aspiring and seasoned writers!

SWRT 299 | Authors Talk Women’s Fiction

Jun 6, 2024

This week at the Story Works Round Table, five authors sit down to talk women’s fiction. Alida Winternheimer is joined by D. Liebhart, Heidi McIntyre, Amanda Speights, and Jen Telger to discuss their genre and their stories. There is a lot more to women’s fiction than strong female characters or women authors. The diversity of the genre makes it distinct from other genres, keeping the writer’s hands unbound by conventions or reader expectations. Though writing stories that range from historical to magical realism to contemporary and medical, they have a lot in common…especially a deep commitment to realism and their characters’ emotional journeys.

SWRT 298 | Writing Whimsey

May 23, 2024

This week, Alida and Kathryn discuss writing with whimsey. Whimsical writing can add humor and charm to writing, but it’s not only for children’s stories. Lighthearted, quirky, and funny moments add levity to otherwise serious or dark tales. After this week’s episode, you might just find yourself writing whimsically.

SWRT 297 | Dialogue

May 9, 2024

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn talk dialogue. We’ve noticed what may be some poor advice and some frightening trends in dialogue floating around out there. Time to bust some myths and pop some speech balloons!

How should dialogue be formatted and how does it differ from interiority and thoughts?
When and why does it make sense to honor trusted conventions?
How would “experimentation” work in the voice of AI?

We draw on the past two Writers Book Club short stories for examples of dialogue, interiority, and narrative point of view. There is a lot of craft to unpack in this week’s episode, a bit of silliness, and a writing prompt, too!

“Dialogue is an art form all in and of itself. So be aware of what you’re putting on the page.”

“Dialogue should reveal something to the reader.”

SWRT 296 | Writers Book Club: Checkhov

Apr 25, 2024

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discuss Chekhov’s story, “The Woman with the Little Dog.” You can get the link to read it in the show notes.

“Everything that he found important, interesting, necessary, in which he was sincere and did not deceive himself, which constituted the core of his life, occurred in secret from others.” -Checkhov

Unpack the layers of Anton Chekhov’s poignant short story, “The Lady with the Little Dog,” in this thought-provoking episode of Story Works Round Table. Alida and Kathryn dissect the narrative’s exploration of love, regret, and societal imprisonment. As they navigate through the characters internal struggles and the story’s critique of marital conventions, listeners are invited to consider depth of character emotion, subtext, and presenting social commentary through story.

Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. New Summer Session begins at the end of May. Get details & schedule your free discovery call today at www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching

Get Alida’s reflections on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils. booksandpencils.substack.com

SWRT 295 | Writers Book Club: Gina Berriault

Apr 11, 2024

This week on the Story Works Round Table we discuss Gina Berriault’s flash fiction story, “The Woman in the Rose Colored Dress.” At only 2 1/2 pages, it packs in remarkable sentences, the experience of time passing, incredible subtext in minimal dialogue, and a realistic coming of age story when a girl makes a discovery about her father that shifts her understanding of the world. Get the link in our show notes to read the story yourself.

Join my new group coaching session for writers. Get your free discovery call today: www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching

SWRT 294 | Genre – What is it, anyway?

Mar 29, 2024

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Carlee, and Robert go deep with the question of what makes a genre a genre? Discover the nuances of crafting stories and targeting the right readership. We dissect the concept of genre as both a craft and marketing tool. It’s far more useful to us writers than just a marketing category. Writing to market is often confused with marketing. And what about those of us who strive to be “pure artists,” putting categories at the end of the process? Whether you aim to meet or subvert reader expectations, there’s more to your genre than meets the eye.

“Genre determines what the story is trying to do.”

“If you get lost in a story and you’re not quite sure where you’re taking it, it’s often because you’re not clear on genre.”

SWRT 293 | Revision with D. Liebhart

Mar 14, 2024

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn are joined by D. Liebhart.

Revision is more than just fixing typos and filling plot holes; it’s about delving deep into the heart of the story and ensuring every word, every character, and every twist aligns with the author’s vision. D. discusses the challenges she faced revising her award-winning novel, House on Fire, from seeking perfection to knowing when to let go. We talk about the importance of actionable feedback, the dynamics of writing groups, and the critical decision to step away when the process no longer serves the story.

Whether you’re a seasoned author or just starting, this episode is packed with wisdom. D.’s experiences remind us that the journey of revision is unique to every writer. It’s a process that requires patience, honesty, and sometimes the courage to start anew.

SWRT 292 | Marketing & Community with Alexa Bigwarfe

Feb 29, 2024

You’ll want to join me in this year’s 7th annual Women in Publishing Summit. It’s he biggest 4-day, online conference for women in publishing with a massive community that helps authors grow their craft, networking, and publishing skills. I got my ticket last fall,...

SWRT 290 | Real Life to Fiction with D. Liebhart

Feb 22, 2024

Dive into an extraordinary conversation on the Story Works Round Table as D. Liebhart, an ICU nurse turned award-winning author, reveals the intricate process of transforming real-life experiences into captivating fiction. In this episode, we explore the ethical and moral complexities of her debut novel, House on Fire, and delve into the delicate balance between truth and storytelling. Join us as we uncover the layers of memory, emotion, and craft that shape a writer’s journey from personal history to the pages of a novel.

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