Join Eva and Katryn as they laugh (and sometimes cry) about writing, publishing, and the courage it takes to live your story. Tune in for a safe space in which two writers frankly discuss the mental health issues that can come up when navigating everything from querying, to submission, to publishing for the first time. Katryn and Eva offer laughs and real-talk inspiration for writers at each stage of their journey. Join in the conversation with Write Where it Hurts and remember: it’s not just you!
This week on Write Where it Hurts is dedicated to character arcs, from how to write side characters (and know when to cut them) to managing arcs and honoring each character’s unique voice. Eva brings us back to Lord of the Rings and Katryn calls out a very specific Jaws scene that inspires her character interactions.
Sources:
Read Atmosphere (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/646858/atmosphere-a-gma-book-club-pick-by-taylor-jenkins-reid/)!
Watch The ‘Burbs! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_%27Burbs_(TV_series))
Watch Alysa Liu’s joyful gold medal skate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg0h9iZ1ZAg)!
Pre-order I’M GONNA GET YOU BACK (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250910578/imgonnagetyouback/)!
16 Feb 2026
Ep 71 An Inspirational (and Hypocritical) Guide to Going on Submission
The time has come to dive into the submission process (cue terrified shrieks) on Write Where it Hurts, from the nuts and bolts of sub strategy, responses, and acquisition, to how we handle it all without melting into devastated puddles. Eva celebrates some BIG news, and Katryn has an embarrassment of metaphors for going on sub.
Sources:
Celebrate with us! Eva’s book, I’m Gonna Get You Back, is a JLG Gold Standard selection (https://www.instagram.com/p/DUqvTBQDwKY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)!
We talk a little about the current market and editors being stretched thin. Read a real editor’s take on why ghosting might happen (https://honesteditor.substack.com/p/on-ghosting) when it comes to submission.
Katryn talks about the hidden and heroic efforts of editorial and marketing teams that happens behind the scenes-here’s her source from PR professional Kathleen Schmidt (https://kathleenschmidt.substack.com/p/the-myth-of-my-publisher-did-nothing)Keep an eye on Kristin Dwyer’s page (https://www.kristindwyerbooks.com/retreat) if you’re interested in the popular “Breaking the Story” retreat
Watch this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA8Oury0a80) only if you want to see an ICE agent humiliated repeatedly
9 Feb 2026
Ep 70 Publishing Expectations vs. Reality: The Shrek Era Remix
This week, Eva and Katryn revisit the very first episode of Write Where it Hurts with new wisdom–from royalty statements, to book bans, to the case of the vanishing midlist. Eva reminds us all of Ron Burgundy’s definition of diversity (“an old, old wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era”), Katryn pitches cereal book merch, and both find a metaphor in publishing as Hexxus from Ferngully.
Sources:
Pre-Order Eva’s upcoming book, I’m Gonna Get You Back (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250910578/imgonnagetyouback/)!
Check out Katryn’s new series on Substack (https://katrynburywrites.substack.com/p/adults-are-ruining-the-internet-part) (and subscribe)
Read Jackie Khalilieh’s books (https://www.jackiekhalilieh.com/)!
That Anchorman diversity clip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXSYbUGk9jc)
This is who Brazzos is (https://only-murders-in-the-building.fandom.com/wiki/Brazzos) if you don’t watch Only Murders in the Building (yet)
Tim Curry as Hexxus in Ferngully needs no introduction, but here it is (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVzYS3Ga_j8) all the same…
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
26 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
34 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
76
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
82
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