The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing
Courtney Kocak
The Bleeders is a podcast (and support group!) about book writing and publishing. Transparent conversations with authors, agents, and people in the publishing industry about how to write and sell books. The title is a nod to the famous (potentially misattributed) Hemingway quote: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” Sign up for The Bleeders companion Substack! https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
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Top 10 The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
The Five-Year Revision: Lexi Kent-Monning on Writing & Publishing Her Debut Novel "The Burden of Joy"
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing
09/19/24 • 37 min
Today’s guest is Lexi Kent-Monning, who details the five-year journey of revising and submitting her debut novel, The Burden of Joy, which found its home at the small press Rejection Letters. In this episode, Lexi shares how she rediscovered her love of writing at age 33 and took her writing career into her own hands without an MFA. She also explains how her manuscript evolved from memoir to autofiction, giving her more creative freedom, and discusses her DIY approach to book promotion. Follow Lexi on Instagram and Twitter/X @lexicola. Buy Lexi's book, The Burden of Joy.
Work with Courtney:
SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW BLEEDERS YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR FULL-LENGTH INTERVIEWS. https://www.youtube.com/@bleederspodcast
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Work with Courtney:
- Sign up for Courtney's September 21st workshop with Pandemic University, How to Land Big Bylines: Masterclass: https://pandemicuniversity.com/big-bylines/
- Join Courtney's November Newsletter & Pitch Party Extravaganza (use code BLEEDERS to save $100): https://www.courtneykocak.com/teaching
SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW BLEEDERS YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR FULL-LENGTH INTERVIEWS. https://www.youtube.com/@bleederspodcast
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Feminist Noir Author Halley Sutton on Her Novels “The Lady Upstairs” & "The Hurricane Blonde"
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing
09/11/23 • 38 min
Today’s guest is feminist noir crime writer Halley Sutton. She wrote the first draft of her debut novel, The Lady Upstairs, while getting her MFA at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. So we got into the pros and cons of MFAs for writers. And we also talk book #2 and how that's different since Halley’s currently in the home stretch with her second novel, The Hurricane Blonde. Halley shared how Pitch Wars helped her first book find its footing, how she turned a rejection letter into an agent, the importance of a midpoint, and other sage advice for fledgling writers. Follow Halley on Twitter @halley_sutton and Instagram @halleysutton25.
Order Halley's new novel The Hurricane Blonde, which the NYTimes called "enthralling."
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a new podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW BLEEDERS YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR FULL-LENGTH INTERVIEWS. https://www.youtube.com/@bleederspodcast
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Hey writers! Trying to build your platform, but feeling a little overwhelmed, intimidated, or just plain lazy? I'm teaching a writer platform workshop through Write or Die Magazine and Chill Subs just for you on October 14th! In this 2.5-hour intensive, I will talk you through how to build a platform using podcasts, newsletters, social media, and more — and no, you don't need to start your own podcast. It recorded if you can't make it in-person, and you'll get a PDF of resources post-class. Sign up here: https://www.chillsubs.com/writeordie/workshops/how-to-build-platform-for
Order Halley's new novel The Hurricane Blonde, which the NYTimes called "enthralling."
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a new podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW BLEEDERS YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR FULL-LENGTH INTERVIEWS. https://www.youtube.com/@bleederspodcast
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Hey writers! Trying to build your platform, but feeling a little overwhelmed, intimidated, or just plain lazy? I'm teaching a writer platform workshop through Write or Die Magazine and Chill Subs just for you on October 14th! In this 2.5-hour intensive, I will talk you through how to build a platform using podcasts, newsletters, social media, and more — and no, you don't need to start your own podcast. It recorded if you can't make it in-person, and you'll get a PDF of resources post-class. Sign up here: https://www.chillsubs.com/writeordie/workshops/how-to-build-platform-for
Hannah Howard on How Her Food Memoirs Became So Much More
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing
03/10/25 • 53 min
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
Today's guest is Hannah Howard, author of two food memoirs, Feast: True Love in and Out of the Kitchen and Plenty: A Memoir of Food and Family, that transcend the genre and are also about relationships, motherhood, and finding your tribe. We discuss how an MFA application process helped her crystallize her vision for what became her first book, the difference between first and second books, her experience in a low-residency MFA program (she went to Bennington), reactions she’s gotten to writing about ED, how her niche is expanding into parenting, and more. Follow Hannah on Instagram @hannahmhoward.
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:
Today's guest is Hannah Howard, author of two food memoirs, Feast: True Love in and Out of the Kitchen and Plenty: A Memoir of Food and Family, that transcend the genre and are also about relationships, motherhood, and finding your tribe. We discuss how an MFA application process helped her crystallize her vision for what became her first book, the difference between first and second books, her experience in a low-residency MFA program (she went to Bennington), reactions she’s gotten to writing about ED, how her niche is expanding into parenting, and more. Follow Hannah on Instagram @hannahmhoward.
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:
- How to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminar
- Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylines
- Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar
- The Multi-Passionate Writer's Life: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak
From Query Hell to Big Five Book Deal: Emily J. Smith on Her Path to Publication with "Nothing Serious"
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing
02/17/25 • 19 min
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
Today's guest is Emily J. Smith, author of Nothing Serious. Follow Emily on Instagram @emjsmith and Bluesky @emjsmith.bsky.social.
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:
Today's guest is Emily J. Smith, author of Nothing Serious. Follow Emily on Instagram @emjsmith and Bluesky @emjsmith.bsky.social.
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:
- Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshop
- How to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminar
- Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylines
- Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar
Work in Progress: How to Query Your Novel to Get an Agent (Without Losing Your Mind) with Marina Stevenson
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing
02/14/23 • 24 min
I found Marina through a Twitter thread she wrote about querying, so today, I’m bringing you the first Work in Progress, with an emphasis on publishing. Marina shares how she landed her agent, her top querying tips, how her fantasy novel Beheaded is doing out on submission, the importance of protecting your mental health, and more in today’s episode. This episode is very apropos for me at the moment because I’m about to start querying my book proposal—I hope you get as much out of this as I did! Follow Marina on Twitter and Instagram @mstevensonbooks.
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a new podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a new podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Manifest Your 2024 Writing Goals Through Daily Practice with Kellianne Benson of 750words.com
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing
01/02/24 • 34 min
The new year is upon us, which has got me thinking about my writing-related resolutions, and how to accomplish them. So today’s episode is all about writing practice — the daily grind of it, the unsexy truth about how we manifest our writing goals by showing up and allowing ourselves to get words on the page, however messy they might be at first. I'm bringing back last year's conversation with the perfect guest on this topic: Kellianne Benson, community manager and director of 750words.com. Follow Kellianne on Twitter @kellianne.
In this episode, you’ll learn all about 750words.com — what it is, how it came to be, and how it’s helping writers — plus, Kellianne and I share our 2023 writing and publishing goals. Then I reflect on my 2023 writing accomplishments and failures and share my goals for 2024.
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a new podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW BLEEDERS YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR FULL-LENGTH INTERVIEWS. https://www.youtube.com/@bleederspodcast
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Sign up for Courtney's 5-week podcasting course starting January 13th through Roadmap Writers, Creating Your Podcast: https://www.roadmapwriters.com/products/creating-your-podcast-0
Sign up for Courtney's January 21st newsletter workshop with Chill Subs and Write or Die Magazine, Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network & Business: https://www.chillsubs.com/writeordie/workshops/start-a-newsletter
Sign up for Courtney's March 9th workshop with Chill Subs and Write or Die Magazine, How to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://www.chillsubs.com/writeordie/workshops/how-to-build-writers-platform
In this episode, you’ll learn all about 750words.com — what it is, how it came to be, and how it’s helping writers — plus, Kellianne and I share our 2023 writing and publishing goals. Then I reflect on my 2023 writing accomplishments and failures and share my goals for 2024.
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a new podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW BLEEDERS YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR FULL-LENGTH INTERVIEWS. https://www.youtube.com/@bleederspodcast
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Sign up for Courtney's 5-week podcasting course starting January 13th through Roadmap Writers, Creating Your Podcast: https://www.roadmapwriters.com/products/creating-your-podcast-0
Sign up for Courtney's January 21st newsletter workshop with Chill Subs and Write or Die Magazine, Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network & Business: https://www.chillsubs.com/writeordie/workshops/start-a-newsletter
Sign up for Courtney's March 9th workshop with Chill Subs and Write or Die Magazine, How to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://www.chillsubs.com/writeordie/workshops/how-to-build-writers-platform
Omar Mouallem on Crafting Historical Travelogue Memoir "Praying to the West: How Muslims Shaped the Americas"
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing
08/25/22 • 57 min
Omar Mouallem wrote the historical travel memoir "Praying to the West: How Muslims Shaped the Americas." However, he struggled to tackle that subject matter without finding a new relationship with the religion he'd grown up with and apart from. Omar dives into the whole book writing process, from getting his start as a ghostwriter to how he landed his book deal, how he found extra funding to cover the many trips he had to take around the world, and the editing process with Simon & Schuster. Follow Omar on Twitter @OmarMouallem.
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a new podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a new podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Chelsea Martin on Striking the Balance Between Prolific & Perfectionist
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing
07/07/22 • 38 min
Today's guest is Chelsea Martin. I adore indie queens like Chelsea. She has been incredibly prolific thus far in her literary career, and I love her "just do it" approach to publishing. We talk about how to balance perfectionist tendencies with being productive and putting out a lot of work, how to deal with a shitty publisher, the joys of having a good agent, and more. Follow Chelsea on Instagram @chelsea_martin_.
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a new podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a new podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Allie Rowbottom Shares Her Writing & Publishing Processes for "Jello Girls" and "Aesthetica"
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing
03/17/25 • 66 min
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
Today's guest is Allie Rowbottom. Allie is the author of the memoir/family history/cultural commentary Jello Girls, which I love, and the new novel Aesthetica, which is incredibly zeitgeisty in its subject matter and has been getting rave reviews. Not only is Allie Rowbottom a super hot lit queen who can string together a hell of a sentence, but she’s also really nice and generous with information in this interview. She shares a top-secret tip for writing good fiction, how she handled writing about her family, THE most thoughtful and honest takes on publishing, and more in today’s episode. Follow Allie on Instagram @allierowbottom.
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:
Today's guest is Allie Rowbottom. Allie is the author of the memoir/family history/cultural commentary Jello Girls, which I love, and the new novel Aesthetica, which is incredibly zeitgeisty in its subject matter and has been getting rave reviews. Not only is Allie Rowbottom a super hot lit queen who can string together a hell of a sentence, but she’s also really nice and generous with information in this interview. She shares a top-secret tip for writing good fiction, how she handled writing about her family, THE most thoughtful and honest takes on publishing, and more in today’s episode. Follow Allie on Instagram @allierowbottom.
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:
- Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylines
- Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar
- The Multi-Passionate Writer's Life: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak
How to Make 2025 Your Best Writing Year
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing
12/30/24 • 9 min
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome
Today's episode features advice from Halley Sutton, Hannah Howard, Bridgette Bianca, Shelby Hinte, Chelsea Martin, Emmy Olea, and Elle Nash.
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:
Today's episode features advice from Halley Sutton, Hannah Howard, Bridgette Bianca, Shelby Hinte, Chelsea Martin, Emmy Olea, and Elle Nash.
The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.
Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:
- New Year’s Newsletter & Pitch Party Extravaganza: https://www.courtneykocak.com/teaching (Use code BLEEDERS for $100 off)
- Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network & Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar
- 60-Day Writer's Platform Coaching: https://writingworkshops.com/products/60-day-writers-platform-coaching-with-courtney-kocak
- Creating Your Podcast: https://www.roadmapwriters.com/products/creating-your-podcast-0
- Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writingworkshops.com/products/land-big-bylines-by-writing-for-columns-zoom-seminar
- Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshop
- How to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminar
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing have?
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing currently has 64 episodes available.
What topics does The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing cover?
The podcast is about Podcasts, Books and Arts.
What is the most popular episode on The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing?
The episode title 'Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah on Writing "The Sex Lives of African Women" from Blog to Book' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing?
The average episode length on The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing is 33 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing released?
Episodes of The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing?
The first episode of The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing was released on May 25, 2022.
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