Story Works Round Table with Alida Winternheimer | Conversations About Craft

About Story Works Round Table with Alida Winternheimer | Conversations About Craft

Each week, co-hosts, Alida Winternheimer, author and writing coach at Word Essential, and Kathryn Arnold, emerging writer, have conversations about the craft of writing fiction. They bring diverse experiences and talents to the table from both the traditional and indie worlds. Our goal is for each episode to be a fun, lively discussion of some aspect of story craft that enlightens, as well as entertains. Sometimes we have special guests. Visit www.StoryWorksPodcast.com for videos, show notes, and more. storyworksroundtable.substack.com (https://storyworksroundtable.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Alida Winternheimer

Category

arts · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 May 2017

Latest episode

29 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

381 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Oct 2026

   SWRT 360 | Writing Young Adult Fiction with Catherine Lyon

   In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, we sat down with Catherine Lyon to talk about writing Young Adult fiction. Here are some of our favorite takeaways: * Don’t shy away from complexity in your writing, such as figurative language, multiple layers of meaning, or complex storylines, but add scaffolding for your readers when necessary. * Find an expert in what teenagers are reading. * Use layers in your writing. Levels of engagement will vary! So use layers to encourage those who read deeply while keeping it accessible for as many readers as possible. Thanks for listening to the Story Works Round Table Podcast! Subscribe to make sure you get every new episode! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storyworksroundtable.substack.com/subscribe (https://storyworksroundtable.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

2. 

   15 Oct 2026

   SWRT 359 | Thought Provoking Fiction with Jesse Thoeming

   In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn welcome author Jesse Thoeming to talk about writing thought-provoking fiction. We talk about the social world we live in and the challenges surrounding a writer who wants to write thought-provoking fiction. How can we look forward with hope and try to unify the world around us in our writing, while still taking a hard look at our society and culture? What challenges come with writing a theme-driven story? Thanks for listening to the Story Works Round Table Podcast! Subscribe to make sure you get every new episode! Jesse Thoeming is a writer whose work explores the intersection of humanity, progress, and imagination. Originally from southern Illinois, where he grew up in the shadow of the Gateway Arch, he has lived and worked in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for over two decades. His essays and commentary have appeared in numerous local and regional publications, and his debut novel, The Brown Bottle Squeeze, earned praise for its narrative voice and depth of character. “God Bless You, Mr. Trump” marks the beginning of a bold speculative trilogy set in the near future. When he’s not writing or traveling the country and world with his wife, Sarah, Jesse finds his balance on open-air trails—hiking, biking, and thinking deeply about where we’ve been—and where we might be going next. * Learn more about the Novel Journey here (https://start.wordessential.com/welcome)! * Get Alida’s Word Essential Writing Workshops here (https://wordessential.com/workshops/)! * Get Alida’s thoughts about writing, life, and the writing life while staying up to date with author and editor news here (https://booksandpencils.substack.com/). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storyworksroundtable.substack.com/subscribe (https://storyworksroundtable.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

3. 

   1 Oct 2026

   SWRT 358 | Writing Dialogue with JP Prince

   In this episode of the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn are joined by JP Prince to talk about writing dialogue. Starting with JP's background in screenwriting, we explore the intersection of screenplay and novel writing as it pertains to writing dialogue. From using natural dialogue and creating a character's voice through dialogue, to using dialogue to control pacing and accomplish your story's goals. Thanks for listening to the Story Works Round Table Podcast! Subscribe to make sure you get every new episode! * Get Alida’s Word Essential Writing Workshops here (https://wordessential.com/workshops/)! * Learn more about the Novel Journey here (https://start.wordessential.com/welcome)! * Get Alida’s thoughts about writing, life, and the writing life while staying up to date with author and editor news here (https://booksandpencils.substack.com/). Get full access to Story Works Round Table at storyworksroundtable.substack.com/subscribe (https://storyworksroundtable.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

Who has been a guest on Story Works Round Table with Alida Winternheimer | Conversations About Craft

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Beth Biss
• Stephanie Elizondo Griest
• Jon Lurie
• Mike Bass

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.3 / 5

17 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 63 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

89

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

92

Contact Story Works Round Table with Alida Winternheimer | Conversations About Craft

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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