Anna chats with rom-com writer Meredith Schorr, AS SEEN ON TV, about twisting rom-com tropes, dealing with feedback when a book hits the shelves, and... GASP sex scenes. Somehow, Anna stays entirely mature through most of it.Meredith Schorr's

53: FINDING THE JOY: When the Words Won't Flow

Jul 26th, 2022 1h 7m

So you've stopped comparing yourself to others, you've made healthy goals, and you're ready to write. Except... the words aren't flowing! What do you do? Anna and Lyssa chat about reasons why the writing isn't happening plus ways to help encour

Author Interview: The Journey with Susan Crispell

Jul 21st, 2022 57m 30s

Anna chats with Susan Bishop Crispell about the winding journey to publication, the necessity of following your heart, and ways to keep yourself going with the going gets tough.Susan Bishop Crispell WebsiteTHE HOLLOWAY GIRLS--- Send in a

52: FINDING THE JOY: Broken Goals

Jul 19th, 2022 1h 14m

Today, Anna and Lyssa dive deep into one main joy thief: broken goals. They discuss the differences between goals and dreams and why it's important to distinguish the two for a long, healthy, and happy writing career."Broken Goals" blog post

Author Interview: Nostalgic Settings with Erik Jon Slangerup

Jul 14th, 2022 1h 1m

Anna chats with debut middle grade author Erik Jon Slangerup about nostalgic settings, the helpful necessity of genre, and... dare we say, author age in publishing?! It's heartwarming and funny just like MOLLY AND THE MACHINE, his new 80s adven

51: FINDING THE JOY: Joy Thieves

Jul 11th, 2022 1h 12m

Anna and and Lyssa Mia Smith continue their exploration of the balance between mental health and writing by looking at things in the publishing industry that try to steal your happiness: comparison, doubt, guilt, and more!Lyssa Mia Smith Webs

50: FINDING THE JOY: Deliberate Practice

Jul 5th, 2022 1h 7m

While Emily is away doing debut events with THIS VICIOUS GRACE, Anna chats with future-debut author and podcast veteran Lyssa Smith. This episode marks the start of their special segment: Finding the Joy. Today, they chat all about deliberate p

49: Q&A with Emily Thiede

Jun 28th, 2022 40m 23s

Anna chats with Emily about her debut book THIS VICIOUS GRACE. Out now and available for purchase wherever books are sold!Emily Thiede LinktreeTHIS VICIOUS GRACE--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basicpi

48: Building in Breaks with Tracy Badua

Jun 21st, 2022 57m 48s

Anna chats with Tracy Badua, author FREDDIE vs. THE FAMILY CURSE, about studying comedy, how to keep MG (and all audiences) turning the page, as well as how to use emotions to dive deep into character. Plus, she gives excellent advice on how to

47: 5 Writing Myths Debunked

May 31st, 2022 54m 36s

Write every day! Kill your darlings! Don't you dare think about a sequel! Anna and Emily debunk these writing myths and so much more. Also, they talk about zombies and serotonin.THIS VICIOUS GRACE SIGNED PRE-ORDER--- Send in a voice messa

46: An Evolving Process with Sonora Reyes

May 24th, 2022 1h

Anna chats with Sonora Reyes, debut author of THE LESBIANA'S GUIDE TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL, about how our writing process evolves for the better, how to make scenes irreplaceable, how there's power in finding people who believe in YOU, and how revis

45: Taking Chances with Maggie Giles

May 17th, 2022 1h

Anna chats with Maggie Giles, debut author of THE THINGS WE LOST. They discuss women's fiction, taking chances on independent presses, and the importance of a supportive community.Maggie Giles WebsiteTHE THINGS WE LOST on Barnes and Noble--

44: Using Character to Create Plot with Catherine Bakewell

May 3rd, 2022 1h 3m

Anna chats with Catherine Bakewell, debut author of WE ARE THE SONG. Together they chat about coping with a long writing journey, using character arcs as a method for plotting, how musicals are perfect examples of character beats, and... garlic

43: Q&A with Emily and Anna

Apr 26th, 2022 59m 40s

Anna and Emily answer listener questions about whether to think about sequels, how to move onto another project when you're querying, and... why we are so cute????Basic Pitches on TwitterBasic Pitches on InstagramBasic Pitches on Anchor--

42: Updating Retellings for a Modern World with Lillie Lainoff

Apr 19th, 2022 1h 1m

Anna chats with debut author Lillie Lainoff about bringing modern themes to retellings, changing up the pacing of novels to represent chronic illness, and the importance of research!Lillie Lainoff's WebsiteONE FOR ALL on Goodreads--- Sen

41: Memoirs with Taylor Harris

Apr 5th, 2022 1h 2m

Emily has an insightful chat with Taylor Harris about memoirs, the crossover of fiction to non-fiction writing, and the power of telling personal stories.Taylor Harris Website--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod

40: The Power of Beat Sheets

Mar 29th, 2022 52m 58s

Anna and Emily discuss how beat sheets can really help when you're stuck-- especially if you draw from all different types of beat sheets!--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/basicpitches/message

39: When to Let Go with Alexandria Rogers

Mar 22nd, 2022 1h 1m

Anna sits down with Alexandria Rogers to talk about her MG debut THE WITCH, THE SWORD, AND THE CURSED KNIGHTS as well as how to use worldbuilding as more than a backdrop and when to let go of a project that doesn't resonate anymore.Alexandria

38: Pitch Wars Wrap Up and Catching Up

Mar 15th, 2022 54m 20s

Anna and Emily spend time talking about Pitch Wars and their latest projects.Info About Pitch DecksAnna's Instagram <-- For Writerly TipsBasic Pitches on TwitterBasic Pitches on Instagram--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.s

37: Middle Grade Mysteries with Katryn Bury

Mar 8th, 2022 50m 39s

Emily chats with debut middle grade author Katryn Bury about her book DREW LECLAIR GETS A CLUE, out March 1st!Katryn Bury's WebsiteDrew Leclair Gets a Clue on Goodreads--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show

36: Sci-Fi with Meg Long

Jan 4th, 2022 55m 42s

Welcome to season 2, Pitches!Anna and Emily sit down with Meg Long, debut author of COLD THE NIGHT, FAST THE WOLVES, and chat about sci-fi, adventure stories, and where ideas come from!Meg Long LinkTreeMeg Long on InstagramEmily Thiede Lin

35: Season One Wrap-Up

Nov 30th, 2021 47m 59s

Anna and Emily wrap-up season one with reflections on the past, brainstorming for the future, and plenty of shout outs and thanks to listeners!We'd like to dedicate this episode to our friend K.L. Burd who will always be a member of this famil

34: YALLFest Wrap-Up

Nov 23rd, 2021 1h 7m

While there weren't any interviews during the event, Anna sat down and chatted with several writers after YALLFest. There are plenty of great pieces of information throughout including advice from Lyssa Smith about not comparing yourself to oth

33: Writing Cookies

Nov 2nd, 2021 54m 8s

What's with these titles lately? Are Anna and Emily hungry? Stressed? Both?! Whatever the reason, they chat about ways to keep yourself motivated and going when things get tough.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/po

32: Prepping for NaNoWriMo

Oct 26th, 2021 58m 46s

Anna and Emily discuss all things Nation Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), how to prep, how to "win", and ways to make it a successful writing. Also, they dish on author heights.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod