"Networking is just meeting people and having them remember you exist." - Ursula Vernon

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on October 2, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon return from their adventures in Scotland and dive into the art of networking. They explore the nuances of making connections in the writing world, share tales from Worldcon, and discuss the challenges and joys of upcoming conventions.

The duo also tackles the importance of maintaining a presence in the ever-shifting landscape of social media and the significance of in-person networking at conventions. From the intricacies of interactive fiction to the recent developments at SFWA, Mur and Ursula cover a wide range of topics with the wisdom you have come to expect from them.

Highlights include:

• Networking strategies and the importance of being present
• Worldcon reflections and Ursula's Hugo win
• Upcoming conventions and the art of balancing work with travel
• Social media alternatives in a post-Twitter world
• Interactive fiction and the joy of hidden Easter eggs

Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
• Mur Lafferty
• Devo Spice
• TJ Klune
• Worldcon
• Bubonicon
• Magic: The Gathering
• Baldur's Gate 3
• Tor Books
• Blue Sky

Evergreen Links:

• Mur on Focusmate!
• Mur on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube
• Newsletter, The Hot Mic
• Support via Patreon! Or Substack!
• Theme song by Devo Spice
• Check Bookshop.org for all mentioned books!

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).

October 2, 2024 | Season 10 Ep 4 | murverse.com
"Recorded back when Mur still had a Gallbladder" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

"If you, you know, give ten writers an idea, you get eleven different books." - Ursula

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on July 30, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon dive into the gritty realities of the writing world. From the anxiety of upcoming surgeries to the chaos of travel and illness, they share their personal and professional struggles.

The episode takes a critical look at the pitfalls of online behavior, especially concerning agents making inappropriate comments on social media. They discuss the importance of professionalism, the fear of idea theft, and the phenomenon of simultaneous similar ideas emerging in the literary world.

Links:

• Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher
• Mur Lafferty
• Devo Spice

Evergreen Links:

• Mur on Focusmate!
• Mur on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube
• Newsletter, The Hot Mic
• Support via Patreon! Or Substack!
• Theme song by Devo Spice
• Check Bookshop.org for all mentioned books!

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).

July 31, 2024 | Season 10 Ep 3 | murverse.com
"Recorded back when Mur still had a Gallbladder" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

"Being on BookTok will not give you a career if you don't have one. Do what makes you happy." - Ursula

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on July 3, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon dive into the realities of book tours, the financial intricacies of publishing, and the ever-changing landscape of social media for authors. Ursula shares a retraction about the profitability of her book tour, while Mur discusses the challenges of balancing writing with personal commitments and health issues.

They also tackle the latest trends and controversies in the writing community, including the misguided advice about writing styles and the pressure to be active on platforms like TikTok.

• Book Tour Financials
• Author Panels and Interviews
• Social Media Trends
• Writing Styles and Absolutes

Links:

• Veronica Roth
• Chuck Wendig
• John Scalzi
• McIntyre's Books

Evergreen Links:

• Mur on Focusmate!
• Mur on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube
• Newsletter, The Hot Mic
• Support via Patreon! Or Substack!
• Theme song by Devo Spice
• Check Bookshop.org for all mentioned books!

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).

July 5, 2024 | Season 10 Ep 2 | murverse.com
"Book Tours, TikTok, and Twitter Tantrums" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0