
Free Daily Podcast Summary
by Savannah Gilbo
Fiction Writing Made Easy is your go-to podcast for practical, no-fluff tips on how to write, edit, and publish a novel—from first draft to finished book. Hosted by developmental editor and book coach Savannah Gilbo, this show breaks down the fiction writing process into clear, actionable steps so you can finally make progress on your manuscript. Whether you're a first-time author or a seasoned writer looking to sharpen your skills, each episode offers insights on novel writing, story structure, character development, world-building, editing, and publishing. Savannah also shares mindset tips, writing routines, and revision strategies to help you stay motivated and finish your novel with confidence. If you're asking these questions, you're in the right place: How do I write a novel without experience? What’s the best way to structure a story that works? How do I develop strong characters and build immersive world
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
Learn what makes cozy fiction work—and how to balance warmth, tension, character growth, and community to create the hopeful reading experience cozy readers expect. You know the feeling a cozy book gives you—warm, safe, like a world you don't want to leave. But when you sit down to write one, "just make it cozy" can be maddeningly hard to pin down. Is it the setting? The pacing? The lower stakes? In this episode, I'm breaking down the 10 characteristics of cozy fiction and how each one contri...
What are the most common first-draft mistakes writers make—and which ones actually need your attention while you’re drafting? In this episode, I’m joined by Jessica Brody, author of Save the Cat! Writes a Novel and Page One to Done, to compare the mistakes we see writers make when writing a first draft. The fun part? We each brought our own list and didn’t compare notes before hitting record. From underdeveloped antagonists and vague character goals to revision spirals and focusing on chapter...
Your first chapter needs to hook the reader—but that doesn’t mean you need a huge plot twist, dramatic action, or a flashy meet-cute on page one. The first chapter of Emily Henry’s Book Lovers is mostly two sisters walking through New York and talking. There’s plenty of banter, interiority, description, and backstory—but the big plot development doesn’t arrive until fairly late in the chapter. So how does Emily Henry make an opening chapter like this feel so engaging and full of momentum—and ...
If you’ve read the craft books, listened to hundreds of podcast episodes, and studied all kinds of writing advice—but still sit down at your desk wondering, okay, what am I actually supposed to work on today?—this episode is for you. Because at some point, learning more about writing stops being the missing piece. You need a process that helps you figure out what your specific story needs, what to work on next, and how all the pieces fit together. In this bonus episode, you’ll hear from three...
If you're writing an enemies to lovers romance, getting your characters from “I can't stand you” to “I love you” takes more than chemistry. Here’s how to write enemies to lovers in a way that makes that turn feel convincing. The enemies to lovers trope is popular for a reason. The tension, banter, forced proximity, and slow shift from conflict to attraction can make for an incredibly satisfying romance. But it's harder to pull off than it looks, because readers have to believe two thing...
If you’re using the Save the Cat! beat sheet to outline your novel but your story still feels flat, disconnected, or hard to draft, one of these five common mistakes may be the reason why. The Save the Cat! beat sheet is a popular story structure framework because it gives fiction writers fifteen clear landmarks to plot toward. But filling in all fifteen beats doesn’t automatically give you a story that works. In this episode, I’m breaking down five mistakes writers make when using the Save t...
After stalling out on a draft she'd already outlined chapter by chapter, Lindsay Sfara discovered the story development work that has to come before an outline—and turned that stuck manuscript into a published debut novel. Today I'm chatting with Lindsay Sfara, superhero fantasy author of Aero Knights: Origins and a Notes to Novel graduate, about how developing her story before outlining it finally helped her finish the book she'd been trying to write for years. In this episode, you'll hear u...
Struggling to make forward progress in your novel? This free guide will help you identify what's really slowing you down and find a clearer path forward. Click here to grab yours for free! FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Support the show
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Listeners also like.

Don't Wait to Write - Your Pocket Writing Coach
Short exercises, mindset tips, and writing advice to help writers build confidence and share their work.

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
A writer and two agents share practical advice on craft, publishing, and query letters for emerging authors.

How I Write
A weekly exploration of the creative processes and habits of today’s top writers, revealing how they turn ideas into finished work.

Writing Excuses
Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Reading Glasses
Two authors share practical tips and humorous advice for improving your reading habits and solving common book lover problems.

The Writers Hangout
A podcast exploring the writing process through conversations with entertainment industry professionals.

Studio 5
Conversations with experts and friends aimed at improving home life, relationships, and personal well-being.

Scriptnotes Podcast
Screenwriters discuss the craft, business, and legal aspects of writing for film and television.

Working Hard with Grace Beverley
Real people share hard-won lessons on success, resilience, and life balance across diverse fields, from activism to business and beyond.

On Writing With Brandon Sanderson | Full Writing Lectures (2025)
A writing course for aspiring fantasy and science fiction authors, taught by Brandon Sanderson.

What Should I Read Next?
A reader shares their literary preferences and gets personalized book recommendations from a knowledgeable host.

Shelf Respect
Three friends analyze and critique books with humor and insight, focusing on both content and cover design.
Fiction Writing Made Easy is your go-to podcast for practical, no-fluff tips on how to write, edit, and publish a novel—from first draft to finished book. Hosted by developmental editor and book coach Savannah Gilbo, this show breaks down the fiction writing process into clear, actionable steps so you can finally make progress on your manuscript. Whether you're a first-time author or a seasoned writer looking to sharpen your skills, each episode offers insights on novel writing, story structure, character development, world-building, editing, and publishing. Savannah also shares mindset tips, writing routines, and revision strategies to help you stay motivated and finish your novel with confidence. If you're asking these questions, you're in the right place: How do I write a novel without experience? What’s the best way to structure a story that works? How do I develop strong characters and build immersive world
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Get key takeaways from Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice in a 5-minute read.
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Savannah Gilbo.
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice covers topics including Education, Fiction, Arts, Books, How To. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.