Show, don't Tell Writing with Suzy Vadori
If writing advice and the lingo used in the publishing industry usually sounds like gobbledygook to you, look no further than this Show, don’t Tell Writing podcast.I’m Author, Editor, and Book Coach Suzy Vadori, and I’m absolutely obsessed with helping writers get their ideas onto the page in a way that readers LOVE. If you think Show, don’t Tell is just tired writing advice, prepare to have your eyes opened as I break down the process of applying this key technique in both fiction and nonfiction books, sharing step-by-step actions each week you can take immediat...
127. Developmentally Editing Your Book: Scene Level Edits (Part 3 of 3)
Send us Fan Mail
In the final part of this three part series, Suzy dives into the scene level edits that you can target on your own before sharing with an editor. Target your beginnings and endings, and make sure your scenes sparkle and propel readers through your story!
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Tha...
126. Developmental Editing Your Own Book: Big Picture Items (Part 2 of 3)
Send us Fan Mail
Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode #125. Developmentally Editing Your Book (Part 1 of 3)
Episode #119. Creating Character Agency for Compelling Fiction
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Thank you!)
Intro and Outro Music is Daisy by Zight and used under a CC by 4.0 DEED...
125. Developmentally Editing Your Book (Part 1 of 3)
Send us Fan Mail
Learn the prep work you can do before handing your book off to an editor.
In this first episode of a three-part-series, Suzy dives into an overview of developmental editing. What is it? What can you do before handing your draft over to an editor? Do you need an editor to reach your writing goals? All this and more is answered this week!
Mentioned in the Episode:
Levels of Editing Guide Free Download
Jane Friedman's Blog: A Writer’s Secret Weapon: Add a Liste...
124. The Long Road to Publishing Three Books in One Year
Send us Fan Mail
Join Suzy as she sits down this week with Romantic Fiction Author Monica Goertzen Hertlein while they chat about her decades long journey to publication. They discuss a wide range of topics including:
How to show up consistently in your writing practice to reach your goals. Why wordcount matters for the type of story you are writing for your readers. Determining what parts of your story are important to be on the page, and where you can use time-skips. And finally, why your writing community is the most valuable asset you can have...123. Writing Socially and Environmentally Engaged Fiction
Send us Fan Mail
Suzy welcomes Book Coach Nita Collins to talk about writing Socially and Environmentally Engaged Fiction. Their discussion ranges from women 'in the back third' of their lives taking back their power, to thrutopian fiction and hopepunk, and the need to shift the narrative from an "I" to "We."
If you've ever felt called to quiet activism or have an important story to tell, this is the episode for you.
Other Episodes Mentioned in this Episode:
Show don’t Tell Writing Podcast: Episode #121. Sawyer on Science Fiction: Preventing the Future...122. Sawyer on Science Fiction: Community and the Future (Part 2)
Send us Fan Mail
In the second part of this two-part episode with Robert J. Sawyer, he and Suzy dive into conferences and importance of non-hierarchical community, thinking about and establishing Legacy as a writer, and smash misconceptions about Science Fiction Writers!
Get Robert's book Sawyer on Science Fiction HERE
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on A...
121. Sawyer on Science Fiction: Preventing the Future (Part 1)
Send us Fan Mail
Acclaimed author Robert J. Sawyer is back on the Show, don't Tell Writing Podcast for a rollicking discussion of his new book, Sawyer on Science Fiction, compiling years of essays, interviews, and other non-fiction writings about science fiction.
Discover how a writer's residency gave space and opportunity for this foundational collection to take shape. Suzy and Robert also dive into how Science Fiction is expertly positioned to act as a warning, rather than simply a predictor of the future and the difference between Science Fiction and Fantasy.
You don't wa...
120. Character Agency for Introverted and Secondary Characters (Part 2)
Send us Fan Mail
This week, it's the second of a two-part conversation with Book Coach and Writer Natalie Poulson, Suzy and Natalie chat about the connection between interiority and agency for introverted characters, how to tie story-level and scene-level goals to agency, the signs that your character might not have enough agency and more!
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
<...
119. Creating Character Agency for Compelling Fiction
Send us Fan Mail
This week, in the first of a two-part conversation with Book Coach and Writer Natalie Poulson, Suzy and Natalie chat about character agency. They tackle questions like 'What can you do in your scenes to create character agency?' 'What does character agency look like on the page?' 'How can you work with constraints and not give in to creating a passive character?' and What is the relationship between agency and narrative drive?'
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle<...
118. Using Local Places and Settings to Wordbuild Across Genres
Send us Fan Mail
This week Suzy chats with author Elise Posledni about how she weaves details about her local area into everything she writes. They discuss ways to use unique and specific details to bring your writing to life regardless of genre.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Thank you!)
Intro and Outro...
117. How Quiet Writers Can be Just as Effective as Loud Writers
Send us Fan Mail
In this week's episode, Suzy chats with Laura Aliese Miedema, Book Coach, about quiet writers. Learn what skills you already have as a quiet or introverted writer that will help you achieve success in your writing and publishing life.
Resources Mentioned:
Take the Quiet Strengths Quiz
Schedule your free coffee chat with Laura here: https://lauraaliese.com/coffee/
30 Ways to Promote Your Book Podcast Episode #32
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
<...116. Getting Personal Writing Psychological Horror
Send us Fan Mail
Content Warning: This week's episode discusses some heavy themes and topics, including Postpartum Depression and how horror writing can be entwined with real-world, personal experiences.
This week, Suzy sits down with Author Suzanne Junered to talk about Psychological Horror writing.
They discuss:
The difference between thrillers, suspense, and horror novels and how she decided what to write and where her books fell along the spectrum. How writing about the dark side of life or people's experiences can act as a therapeutic experience.How to take care o...115. How to Write Multifaceted Villains (Part 2)
Send us Fan Mail
This is the second episode in a two-part series this week about Villains and their role in story. Suzy chats with Author Debbie Burke about her book The Villain’s Journey ~ How to Create Villains Readers Love to Hate. In part two, they talk about:
The types and flavors of villains in fictionHow the genre you are writing changes how to approach villainsThe unique traits of female villains🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writi...
114. Villains as the Heroes of Their Own Stories (Part 1)
Send us Fan Mail
The first in a two-part series this week about Villains and their role in story. Suzy chats with Author Debbie Burke about her book The Villain’s Journey ~ How to Create Villains Readers Love to Hate. In part one, they talk about:
What makes a villain?How is a villain different from an antagonist?How turning expectations on their heads creates exciting opportunities for villains to take center stage.Tracking multiple timelines to craft compelling and realistic villain arcs🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyv...
113. Writing and Editing Short Stories with Shannon Allen
Send us Fan Mail
Suzy sits down this week with short fiction anthology editor Shannon Allen to talk all things short story! They discuss how short stories are different from writing a novel, and how to use short fiction to focus and sharpen the skills you use to write a novel in a short format. Shannon gives a peek behind the scenes when she talks about what she is looking for in short story submissions. If you've ever thought that you might want to try your hand at short fiction, or if you've already got stories in...
112. Writing with Humor: Structure and Historical Accuracy (Part 2)
Send us Fan Mail
In part two of this series on writing with humor, Suzy and author Ian Page cover topics like "If I'm not funny in real life, can I write Humor?" "How to structure a book for long-term jokes and satisfying payoffs," and "the historical nature of humor and where the line is on acceptability"
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
111. Writing with Humor- Strong Characters and Jokes that Land (Part 1)
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, Suzy chats with Author Ian Page about his book The Naked Ambition: A Field Manual Novel and how he incorporates humor in his writing. For part 1 of this two-part series, they focus on Characters that make humor work and how to 'write what you know.' They also dive into the complex task of walking your reader through the jokes and making sure your humor lands with an audience who can only experience your story through words.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www...
110. The Magic of Speculative Worldbuilding (Part 2)
Send us Fan Mail
In part two of this two-part episode on worldbuilding, Suzy and Fantasy author, editor, and book coach Gabrielle Kirouac Byrne dive into the multifaceted topic of magic. Learn how to incorporate magic in a way that feels satisfying to your reader.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Thank you!)
Intro...
109. Worldbuilding in Speculative Fiction (Part 1)
Send us Fan Mail
In part one of this two part series, Suzy chats with Fantasy author, editor, and book coach Gabrielle Kirouac Byrne about worldbuilding and what that means for authors of all genres! They discuss techniques you can apply today, no matter where you are in the writing process to make your world (fantasy or otherwise) really come to life.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show...
108. Using Interiority to Build Suspense
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, you will learn how to use your character's inner thoughts to convey a unique point of view that can help build suspense in your Mystery, Thriller, or Suspense novel. Suzy and Sam use real, concrete examples to help you see how to apply this craft knowledge to your work on the page.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coac...
107. Twist Ideation for Mysteries, Thrillers and Suspense Novels
Send us Fan Mail
Join Suzy and Author Samantha Skal this week for the first of two episodes focusing on writing Mysteries, Thrillers, and Suspense Novels. They go beyond defining the genres and pick apart how to craft satisfying twists that will have your readers going back to read your book again and again.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Re...
106. All About Ghostwriting
Send us Fan Mail
Get a behind-the-scenes peek at the world of Ghostwriting! Suzy chats this week with Ghostwriter and Editor Marni Seneker about the process from start to finish. They answer questions like "Why would you choose a Ghostwriter?" "What does a Ghostwriter do?" and "How much does it cost to hire a Ghostwriter?"
If you've ever thought you had a book in you, but the idea of writing it all by yourself is overwhelming, this episode is a treasure trove of information about a path to publishing you might not have considered yet!
...105. How Brains of Different Ages Read (And How You Can Write for Them!)
Send us Fan Mail
Book Coach and Author Sam Cameron is back on the podcast to talk with Suzy this week about the uniqueness of Teenage brains.
They discuss:
Different strategies you should be aware of when writing for young adults ages 10-20.Differences between writing for adults and writing for kids as an audience.How to realistically portray younger characters, regardless of who your audience isHow to avoid harmful tropes and stereotypes when writing diversely🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/inner...
104. BONUS: The Truant Pen Podcast- Practical Tips for Show, don't Tell
Send us Fan Mail
Find the Truant Pen Podcast here!
For today’s podcast, I’m delighted to welcome my friend and fellow author/ editor/ book coach, Suzy Vadori.
Suzy is Calgary Bestselling Author of The Fountain Series (The Fountain, The West Woods, Wall of Wishes). This fantastical series has received three Aurora Nominations for Best Young Adult Novel. She is represented by Naomi Davis of Bookends Literary Agency.
Suzy is the founder of the Inspired Writing Community, a Resident Writing Coach for Writers Helping Writers, a touring member of the Youn...
103. The Self Publishing Learning Curve
Send us Fan Mail
Suzy chats with Indie Author Rachel E Baird this week about the process behind her decision to independently publish her Romantasy novel, High Tide. She shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes in terms of research, skills, time, and money to launch a book in 2026.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode #35: Navigating Publishing in 2025 with Mark Leslie Lefebvre (part 1)Episode #36: Navigating Publishing in 2025 with Mark Leslie Lefebvre (part 2)Download your copy of 30 Ways to Promote Your Book PDFListen to Episode #32: Thirty Ways to Promote Your Book🌟 Grab your...
102. Building a Writing Community
Send us Fan Mail
Join Suzy and Book Coach Stephanie Dethlefs as they discuss the key to furthering your writing journey: building a community. Know what to look for and what to avoid.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Enrollment in the Writer's Cottage Open May 20-28th 2026
Show don’t tell Writing Podcast: Episode #43 The Value of Critique Partners with Julie Artz
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
101. Five Lessons Learned After 101 Books
Send us Fan Mail
After working on more than 101 books in the past year, Suzy has started to see patterns emerge. In this episode, she shares with listeners five valuable lessons and answers the question "Can you look at a rough draft and tell if the book will be successful?"
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Pod...
100. Creative Burnout
Send us Fan Mail
Join Suzy as she chats this week with writing coach Erin Noller about creative burnout. Learn how it is different from regular burnout, how to tell if you are in the thick of it, and what to do to get back that creative spark!
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Thank you...
99. [Show, don't Tell Page Review] From the Seed of an Idea to a Story
Send us Fan Mail
Sometimes you have just the seed of an idea, with no clear path on how to expand it into a whole story. This week, Suzy works with Author Tracie Renee who has written a poem and wants to expand it to a novel-in-verse. They discuss where to begin and strategies for teasing out a full idea.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell...
98. [Show, don't Tell Page Review] Adult Fantasy with Sarah Miller
Send us Fan Mail
This week, Suzy reviews a page from an Adult Fantasy novel. She reviews strategies for making meaning using inner thoughts and close third person perspective.
Learn how adjusting pacing and revealing stakes can keep engagement high for your readers!
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Thank you!)
Intr...
97. How to Change the Pacing in Your Writing with Sam Cameron (Part 2)
Send us Fan Mail
Now that you know what tension is, how do you slow things down when you want to amp up the tension? In this episode, Suzy and Sam explore pacing and how you can change it up in your own writing, and when you need an outside perspective.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on App...
96. Creating Tension in Your Book with Sam Cameron (Part 1)
Send us Fan Mail
If you've ever struggled with understanding tension in your writing, Sam Cameron and Suzy discuss what it is, and how you can make sure you have it, before you even start writing.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Thank you!)
Intro and Outro Music is Daisy by Zight and used...
95. [Show, don't Tell Page Review] Make Your Middle Grade Stand Out
Send us Fan Mail
Join Suzy this week for a page review of a middle-grade novel to find out:
How to highlight themes already in your manuscript to stand out in a difficult querying environment. How to infuse agency in your main character for an engaging reading experienceUsing the elements of writing to match the pace to reader expectations🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coach...
94. Narrative Techniques for Showing and Telling with Abigail Raeke
Send us Fan Mail
Tune in this week to learn with book coach Abigail Raeke about the difference between scene and summary and how to use each narrative technique in your writing to focus your reader on what is really important in your story.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Thank you!)
Intro and O...
93. [Show, don't Tell Page Review] Middle Grade Magical Realism
Send us Fan Mail
Join Suzy and Author Stacy Burch as they discuss how to moderate pacing with the inner thoughts, and the importance of establishing a clear want and stakes for your main character in every scene.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Thank you!)
Intro and Outro Music is Daisy by Zight...
92. Kiss and Tell: Writing Romance with Michelle Hazen
Send us Fan Mail
If you're a romance writer looking to spice up your sex scenes, or just looking for concrete ways to up the intimacy in whatever genre you write, Michelle Hazen has written the instruction manual that will change how you look at spice!
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Thank you!)
91. Nurturing Heart-Centered Stories with Dani Abernathy
Send us Fan Mail
Join the conversation this week as Suzy and Dani Abernathy discuss how using a rooted approach and systems like the Enneagram can help you as a writer discover, nurture, and grow the story that only you can write.
Intro to the Enneagram Course
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on A...
90. The Transformative Power of Romance
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, Suzy welcomes Romance Author and Book Coach Emily Colin, and they dive into a conversation on how the Romance genre is both powerful and transformative, but all too frequently dismissed as fluff.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Thank you!)
Intro and Outro Music is Daisy by Zi...
89. Balancing Facts with Storytelling Through a Writer's Lens
Send us Fan Mail
This week, Suzy chats with Fulbright Scholar and Author Gigi Berardi about her novel, Bianca's Cure, and how she came to write this 'history-driven novel.'
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Thank you!)
Intro and Outro Music is Daisy by Zight and used under a CC by 4.0 DEED Attrib...
88. Audiobook Production (Part 2)
Send us Fan Mail
In part 2 of this series on audiobooks, Jenny Hoops of Snowdog Audio and Suzy dive into the nitty-gritty of audiobook production. Learn what kind of equipment you need for a DIY setup, and the variety of options available to you if you choose to have someone else narrate your book.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERE
Submit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching Episodes
Leave a Re...
