Episode 7: Storytime – The Ones We Never Submitted
This week on Write Your Heart Out, Kayla and Rachel read the stories they didn’t submit to the Reedsy contest—and wow, you’re in for a ride. Kayla's story, “The Muse,” features a moody writer, a mysterious muse, and an ex-fan with unsettling cinnamon energy. Rachel shares “An Extra Scoop of Revenge,” a tale of friendship and arson.

Also in this jam-packed Storytime episode:
– Our first-ever listener-submitted poem (thank you MJ!)
– Rachel debuts a flamingo poem that starts in a zoo and ends in full mama bear mode
– A new writing assignment inspired by Chuck Palahniuk: write a secret you’ll never confirm or deny.

If you like literary chaos, mermaids, twisted sisterhoods, and hot pink vengeance—this one’s for you.

Call us! Submit a story or poem to read on the pod: 650-260-4885 or email contact@writeyourheartoutpod.com
New episodes every other Wednesday

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New episodes every Wednesday.

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Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

Rejection Letters, Contest Drama, and the Return of the Muse

In this episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla Ogden and Rachel Cyr unpack their experiences with the Reedsy Prompts Competition. Spoiler alert: neither of them submitted their stories to it! Why? Word count woes, shady contest terms, and a deeper conversation about protecting your creative work.

They also talk through their first rejection letters—Rachel gets ghosted and rejected (double sting), while Kayla shares some querying wins and woes, including a personalized pass and a surprise full manuscript request from a Canadian agent (aka her “shooting star”).

Other highlights:

• A spicy new short story idea from Rachel that’s turning up the heat (and maybe leading to her “sex muse” moment)
• Kayla’s late-night muse visits and her next novel idea
• The ethics of contests like Reedsy and why writers should read the terms of service before submitting (lesson learned!)
• How Elizabeth Gilbert, Ruth Stone, and Alan Watts factor into Kayla’s creative process
• Sharks, weddings, and the unexpected writing lessons of Shark Heart

It's a chaotic, heartfelt, and hilariously honest conversation about rejection, inspiration, and what it means to take your writing seriously—even when nobody else has yet.

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New episodes every Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at contact@writeyourheartoutpod.com

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Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

Episode 5: Story Time — 17 Cats, 2 Writers, and One Very Unwell Man

In our first official Story Time episode, we (Kayla Ogden and Rachel Cyr) read aloud the short stories we wrote based on prompts from The Writer’s Toolbox—including the eerie first line “There were 17 cats living in Larry’s basement.” What follows is a shared descent into feline chaos, lonely hearts, and the kind of dark humor that sneaks up on you.

We talk through the weirdly specific details we both managed to include, and the experience of writing from unusual points of view.

Plus: we challenge ourselves to enter a short story contest with a 4-day deadline, chat about storytelling chemistry, and unpack what it means to “talk in stories.” If you like fiction, prompts, or listening to two writers try to out-weird each other, this one’s for you.

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

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Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

This week on Write Your Heart Out, Kayla and Rachel dig into the very beginning of storytelling—literally. They each bring the opening lines of two favorite books and analyze what makes a first paragraph sing (or fall flat). From the Southern charm of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood to the eerie minimalism of Vanishing World, the hosts explore voice, tone, and the power of starting strong. Kayla also reads an excerpt from her new short story, “#Vanlife,” featuring a possibly misunderstood—or deeply menacing—therapy client named Clayton. (Shawn and Marc, their husbands, weigh in with wildly different reactions.) Then, the ladies spin the wheels of The Writer’s Toolbox and assign each other a chaotic new challenge: build a new story out of three random prompts.

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

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Louis CK & Mr. Beast are authors now? Posers...

Episode 3 – Thoughts on ACOTAR, Sex Scenes, Ghost Stories, and Cancelled Comedians: Writing What Scares You

In this spicy episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla and Rachel tackle everything from Louis C.K.’s surprise debut novel to the challenges of writing authentic (and not cringe) sex scenes. Rachel shares a scene from a ghost story based on true events—and the surprising workshop feedback that made her question if her character even likes men. Kayla & Rachel read A Court of Thorns and Roses for the first time and question the logistics of claws, bunny masks, and fairy sex.

They also dive into questions every emerging writer faces: Should you write to market? Is it okay to get help from ChatGPT? Can you write while medicated? And what happens when someone from school reads your sexy, slightly deranged short story?

Featuring: thriller plot twists, romantic fantasy debates, self-doubt, feminist murder spirals, and a heartfelt reminder to write what matters to you.

Homework: Finish A Court of Thorns and Roses, bring your favorite first paragraphs, and maybe—finally—write that sex scene.

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

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Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

In this episode of Write Your Heart Out, Kayla and Rachel dive into the awkward, exhilarating world of submitting your writing for publication. Rachel is required to send out short stories for her creative writing class—easy, right? Except for the spiraling self-doubt, existential dread, and the creeping fear that someone you know might actually read your stuff.

The two discuss pen names (are they for privacy, aesthetics, or just keeping grandma from reading your sex scenes?), the vulnerability of putting your work out into the world, and Steven Pressfield’s cult-classic The War of Art. Is resistance real? Are we professionals? Are we just feeding a fire god our creative energy?

Also: necrophiliac rom-coms, the genius of genius, and Kayla’s plan to build a literal shrine to her muse.

Next time on the pod: Romantasy & writing spice!

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

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Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

In this debut episode of Write Your Heart Out, co-hosts Kayla Ogden and Rachel Cyr open up about their writing journeys, imposter syndrome, and the magic of finally finishing something—be it a novel or a poem about a flamingo showdown in a zoo. Rachel shares her first public reading experience (and her fear of crying onstage), Kayla talks about querying her debut novel, and both reflect on the weird vulnerability of calling yourself a writer. Along the way: a haunted lasagna, a flamingo fight poem, and a heartfelt tribute to the writing friends who cheer us on.

Whether you're a closet writer or a best-selling success story, this episode will make you feel like you’re part of a literary girl gang.

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New episodes every other Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at contact@writeyourheartoutpod.com

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Leave us a message at 650-260-4885

🎙️ Write Your Heart Out is the podcast for writers who crave real conversations about the writing life. Hosted by Bay Area emerging writers Kayla Ogden and Rachel Cyr, each episode dives into the messy, funny, and often vulnerable journey toward publishing — from plot twists to imposter syndrome to querying agents and everything in between.

📅 Trailer drops Wednesday, June 11
📢 New episodes every other Wednesday

Write Your Heart Out will make you feel like you're part of a writing group — the kind with inside jokes, big dreams, and zero gatekeeping.

Subscribe now to write your heart out with us. 💗🖊️

#WritingPodcast #AmQuerying #WritingCommunity #PodcastForWriters

Please subscribe, rate and review!

New episodes every other Wednesday.

E-mail us your short story at contact@writeyourheartoutpod.com

Follow us on instagram @writeyourheartoutpod

Leave us a message at 650-260-4885