Pen Pals

• AI Is the Devil (And Other Light Topics)

  Kelton and Krisserin dive into their complicated relationship with artificial intelligence—which they lovingly refer to as "the devil." They share personal stories about how AI has affected their writing careers, including a heartbreaking moment when Krisserin discovered one of her alpha readers had unwittingly fed her novel manuscript to an AI tool. The hosts explore ethical boundaries, debate when AI use is appropriate versus exploitative, and discuss the environmental impact of this rapidly expanding technology. They also offer practical advice for writers navigating this new landscape, including the importance of developing a personal AI policy and having transparent conversations with collaborators. Whether you're embracing AI as a research tool or cautiously keeping it at arm's length, this candid conversation tackles the hopes, fears, and hard realities of creating in an AI-saturated world.Write to us: [email protected] us:Instagram: @penpalspodTikTok: @penpalspodMusic by Golden Hour Oasis Studios

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• Books That Raised Us (And Broke Us)

  Remember that one book that made you cry in public? Or the series that basically raised you? In this episode, Kelton and Krisserin crack open their bookish brains and spill on the stories that stuck. From Kelton's pirate adventures to Krisserin's Victorian classics, they dive into their most formative reads and discuss how they schedule reading time between parenting and work. They share their comprehensive TBR lists, debate whether book adaptations ever live up to the hype, and reveal which authors make their "literary red flag" list (looking at you, Catcher in the Rye fans). Whether you're an epic fantasy lover finishing Robin Hobb's sixteenth book or just trying to squeeze in a chapter during naptime, this conversation explores our personal relationships with books and how they shape our writing lives. Bring your book recs and a beverage, because it's basically a cozy book club now.Write to us: [email protected] us:Instagram: @penpalspodTikTok: @penpalspodMusic by Golden Hour Oasis Studios

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• Embracing your weird & finding your readers

  Kelton shares the tough news of losing a client to AI, leading to a powerful discussion about finding and embracing your unique voice as a writer. The hosts explore writing about personal obsessions - from desert landscapes to intrusive thoughts - and how 'writing your weird' attracts the right readers. Krisserin finds her first alpha readers (including her mom!), they analyze Miranda July's boundary-pushing novel 'All Fours,' share tips for building a Substack audience, and Kelton explains how she uses tarot for creative guidance. Goals: Kelton balances job hunting with writing during nap times, while Krisserin searches for comp titles at the bookstore.Write to us: [email protected] us:Instagram: @penpalspodTikTok: @penpalspodMusic by Golden Hour Oasis Studios

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• Book Battles: Genres, Trends, and IP Theft

  Krisserin celebrates completing her manuscript while Kelton makes significant progress on her novel. They tackle the challenging questions of where your book belongs in the literary marketplace, whether to read in your genre while writing, and how to position your work among similar titles. The hosts dive into Lynne Freeman's IP theft lawsuit against bestselling author Tracey Wolff and Wolff's agent Emily Sylvan Kim of Prospect Agency, discussing its implications for writers. Plus, they debate the importance of comp titles, and answer listener questions about writing motivation and organization tools. Join them for an honest conversation about navigating the competitive world of publishing without losing your creative vision.Write to us: [email protected] us:Instagram: @penpalspodTikTok: @penpalspodMusic by Golden Hour Oasis StudiosWrite to us: [email protected] us:Instagram: @penpalspodTikTok: @penpalspodMusic by Golden Hour Oasis Studios

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• Smash or Pass: Literary Edition

  In this episode, Krisserin and Kelton catch up on their writing progress before diving into a spirited round of "Smash or Pass" with a literary twist. They debate everything from writing in book margins and killing off main characters to dream sequences and unreliable narrators. The conversation shifts to rapid-fire opinions on popular authors like Andy Weir, Sarah J. Maas, Emily Henry, and more. Krisserin shares her plan to finish revising her novel, while Kelton commits to writing 2,000 words in the coming week. Plus, they discuss the challenges of query letters and the joy of reading what you love versus what you "should" read.Write to us: [email protected] us:Instagram: @penpalspodTikTok: @penpalspodMusic by Golden Hour Oasis StudiosWrite to us: [email protected] us:Instagram: @penpalspodTikTok: @penpalspodMusic by Golden Hour Oasis Studios

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