Real talk from a published novelist about the journey from blank page to published book. Your mileage may vary.
hlesbrownauthor.substack.com (https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com/s/so-you-want-to-write-a-noveld54?utm_medium=podcast)
Every writer has a story that demands honesty — and this one walked a tightrope from the first word. In this episode, I introduce Sycamore Boy, a novel built around a character my readers already know: Tony Keating from the We Are Not Saints series. I talk about where the book came from, why Tony’s origin story required me to write scenes I knew would make some readers uncomfortable, and the craft challenge of keeping difficult material honest without tipping into gratuitousness. I also share what’s coming for the podcast between now and the fall as we head toward launch day.
The Kindle edition of Sycamore Boy is available for pre-order now on Amazon at $4.99: Pre-Order on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H61QH8SQ)
If you’re enjoying the podcast, subscribe to my Substack to get new episodes and posts delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribers can download three free chapters of Sycamore Boy — a story I can’t wait to share with you.
Thanks for listening! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com (https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
30 Mar 2026
So, You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 9
Your characters are always having two conversations — the one out loud, and the one in their heads. In this episode, I dig into dialogue — how I learned to make every exchange earn its keep, why I started replacing dialogue tags with action beats, and how layering a character’s unspoken thoughts under their spoken words creates the kind of subtext that pulls readers in. With examples from all four novels in the We Are Not Saints series, I share the techniques I stumbled into and the ones I leaned into hard.
If you’re enjoying the podcast, subscribe to my Substack to get new episodes and posts delivered straight to your inbox. And if you’d like a taste of what I’m working on next, subscribers can download three free chapters of my upcoming novel, Sycamore Boy.
Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com (https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
18 Feb 2026
So, You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 8
The nuts and bolts of writing may not be glamorous, but they might be the most important investment you make in your manuscript. In this episode, I share what I've learned about spelling, punctuation, and grammar over the course of five novels — why clarity of thought matters more than following rules, what your editor is actually doing with your manuscript, and why knowing the rules is the first step to breaking them well. I also talk about Grammarly as a learning tool and walk through the workflow I've settled on for getting a clean manuscript to my editor.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com (https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
9 Feb 2026
So, You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 7
Your setting isn't just where the story happens — it's a character with a role to play. In this episode, I break down the difference between locale and setting, and show how I use real places, photographs, floor plans, and a few deliberate name changes to ground my fiction in a world readers can see, hear, and feel. From a cold, empty seminary in Rome that mirrors a character's inner emptiness, to a warm Italian restaurant dinner with a cardinal, to apartments I found on real rental listings, I share the tricks I use to make settings do more than just sit there. I also talk about when to use real names and addresses — and when plausible deniability is the smarter move.
Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com (https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
3 Feb 2026
So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 6
In Episode 6, Getting the Message, I tackle one of the craft skills that worried me most when I started writing fiction: dialogue. Why is conversation so much more powerful than description at conveying meaning? How do I actually create my characters' conversations — and what does rehearsing difficult talks in your own head have to do with it? I get into the surprising magic of "he said," why I learned to stop reaching for adverbs like emoticons, the dangers of going overboard with dialect (poor Handy Andy), and how to let your readers know who's talking without ever telling them. If you've ever been told "show, don't tell," dialogue is where that advice really comes alive.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com (https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
14 Jan 2026
So, You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 5
Backstory: the hidden engine that drives your characters and keeps readers guessing. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on how I built one of my most complex characters—Hannah from The Priest—by anchoring her fictional life in real WWII history and building outward, one plausible step at a time. Fair warning: this one contains spoilers. If you haven’t read the book yet, you might want to skip ahead to Episode 6 on settings and come back later. For everyone else, I share the technique I use to lend real weight to backstories.
Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com (https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
23 Dec 2025
So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 4
Research: the secret ingredient that transforms flat fiction into believable worlds. In this episode, I share hard-won lessons about gathering and organizing information for your novel—including an embarrassing mistake in my first book that forced me to issue a second edition. From virtual street-walking via Google Earth to the humble manila folder, I cover the tools that have worked for me (and a few that haven't). Plus, a sneak peek at a project I'm developing to take research storage and retrieval to the next level.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com (https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
14 Dec 2025
So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 3
Handsome. Brilliant. Gay. Determined to become a Catholic priest. In this week’s episode, I show you exactly how I built a character so complex that his story practically wrote itself. Because when you start with a character, the plot takes care of itself.
Listen now 👇
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com (https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
11 Dec 2025
So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 2
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com (https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
2 Dec 2025
So You Want to Write a Novel? - Episode 1
This is the first episode in my new podcast series, So You Want to Write a Novel? In this episode, I share my journey from “I’ve always wanted to write” to becoming a published author of five novels. If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book but didn’t know where to start, this is for you. Want more? Subscribe below for regular episodes on the writing life, publishing journey, and lessons learned along the way (it’s free!).
* Why this podcast?
* Sharing what I’ve learned as an author
* Not a creative writing class
* My experience
* What I did (plot, character, revisions)
* The business side of authoring (publishing, cover design, marketing)
* What it feels like to finish and publish a book
Coming up in future episodes:
* The reality of publishing (self- vs. traditional publishing)
* Building an author platform from scratch
* Behind the scenes of We Are Not Saints
* Sneak peek at Sycamore Boy
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com (https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
1 Dec 2025
A Brief Introduction
Just a quick hello, and a word about my work. Watch for more posts about We Are Not Saints, my newest novel, Sycamore Boy, and my experience as a writer.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hlesbrownauthor.substack.com (https://hlesbrownauthor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Contact So, You Want to Write a Novel?
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of So, You Want to Write a Novel??
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
