Most novelists have heard the advice to join a critique group. But why is that recommendation so universal? In this episode, we unpack the benefits of critique groups, from honing your story craft to finding your community—and potentially saving money. We also discuss what separates a cohesive group from a frustrating one and how to hunt for a group that fits your needs. Whether you’re looking for your first critique group or wondering if your current group is the best fit, this episode shares practical advice on finding (or creating) a supportive circle of storytellers that helps you take your writing to the next level.

Episode 20: Fantastic Critique Groups and Where to Find Them

Where do story ideas come from? In this listener-requested episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the inspiration behind some of our books. From real-life relationships to striking mental images to titles that grew into entire novels, we’re exploring the surprising, sometimes winding journeys our stories took from Once Upon a Time to The End. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or just curious about the creative process of two storytellers, we hope you’ll come away with one simple truth: Inspiration is everywhere, and the human imagination has a remarkable way of turning ordinary moments into extraordinary stories.

Episode 19: The Story Behind the Story

Are writers’ conferences magical, career-making opportunities or just expensive weekends fueled by caffeine and creative anxiety? In this episode, we’re setting realistic expectations to help you get the most out of your conference experience by capitalizing on the biggest benefits while avoiding the pitfalls that can lead to disappointment. Whether you’re attending your first conference or your fifteenth, we’ll walk you through planning with intention while staying open to the unexpected–because sometimes the most valuable part of the weekend is the plot twist you never saw coming.

Episode 18: What’s the Deal with Writers’ Conferences?

In this episode of Quilling It, we look at what literary agents do, when they’re helpful, and which authors may not need one. Whether you’re aiming for traditional publishing, a small press, or indie publishing, this episode will discuss the various ways an agent could help your writing career and what you should expect from their efforts.

Episode 17: To Agent or Not to Agent

Join us as we sit down with multi-award-winning speculative fiction author Jill Williamson to talk about all the things we wish we'd known when we were younger—both chronologically and in our writing careers. Between Paul, Lindsay, and Jill, we bring a combined thousand years of publishing experience (give or take a century), and we're sharing the hard-earned lessons, practical advice, and encouragement we wish someone had given us sooner. So grab a chair, pour yourself a cup of tea, and consider us your Gandalf, your Obi-Wan, your Uncle Iroh, reporting for duty.

Episode 16: Advice to Young Writers with Guest Jill Williamson

We’re equal opportunists when it comes to publishing paths–traditional, independent, hybrid, you name it. But there’s one model that will never earn the Quilling It seal of approval: the vanity press. In this episode, we unpack how this “worst of all worlds” publishing model has been draining hopeful authors’ wallets for decades. Join us as we break down the biggest red flags, the misleading promises, and the one very small exception to our otherwise hard-and-fast rule: beware of vanity presses.

Episode 15: Vanity, Vanity, All Is Vanity . . . Press?

Book advertising can feel like an entirely separate career path hidden inside publishing–a path many writers don’t feel equipped to traverse. Luckily, Paul is here to help. Join us as he shares the fundamentals of his successful, headache-free approach to indie book ads, including his favorite platforms, the tools he recommends, and how he keeps campaigns profitable without disappearing into a spreadsheet dungeon.

Episode 14: Ads for Authors–Your Low-Drama Guide to Book Ads That Work

From craft help to marketing advice to business boosters, we explore some of our favorite websites for authors. Listen in as we reveal our go-to resources for writing and publishing—a curated list worthy of prime real estate in your bookmarks.

Episode 13: Invaluable Websites for Authors

Paul and Lindsay step into the arena to settle the plotter vs. pantser debate once and for all, and only one author will emerge victorious. Just kidding. Instead, we break down our real-life processes—Paul as a pantser and Lindsay as a plotter—to explore where these approaches differ, overlap, and surprisingly align, helping you discover what might work best for you.

Episode 12: The Plotter vs. Pantser Thunderdome

Yep, we’re going there. We share the details of our worst rejections–the ones that sting, linger, and might make someone briefly consider abandoning publishing altogether for a new career in goat herding. But in those painful moments, we learned valuable lessons about resilience, growth, and keeping focused on the long game. We unpack how rejection can sharpen your work, clarify your goals, and even become something you laugh about (eventually). Ever gotten a “no” that felt a little too personal? You’re in the right place.

Episode 11: Our Worst Rejections

Speculative fiction authors Paul Regnier and Lindsay A. Franklin invite you to pull up a chair as we spill the ink on writing, publishing, and the wonderfully weird realities of being professional storytellers. We’re sharing all the hard-won wisdom of our combined twenty-five years in the publishing trenches so you don't have to wander alone. Whether you're new to writing or have been at it for years, we've saved you a seat at this table.

Quilling It

Paul Regnier is the co-host of the Quilling It Podcast.

Paul Regnier

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