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Leigh Bardugo & Michelle’s Couch
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Tiffany D. Jackson & A Handbook for Writers
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Susan Dennard & #UghJay
Season 2 Premiere
Episode 1
S3 E9: Chloe Gong & Shakespeare’s Ghost is Looking Out For You
- November 30, 2020
- Podcast Episode
Claribel and Kat discuss #PublishingPaidMe and break down why it’s such an important conversation in publishing. Then they interview NYT bestselling debut author, Chloe Gong about These Violent Delights, her Chinese retelling of Romeo and Juliet in historical Shanghai! We discuss how she got into writing (and how writing…
S3 E8: Nikki Barthelmess & Growing With Your Agent
- November 16, 2020
- Podcast Episode
Kat and Claribel talk about virtual events and how to avoid burn out. Then they talk to YA author Nikki Barthelmess about how her life inspired her novels, how she ended up working with her two agents when her original agent’s assistant was promoted and became her agent! Bio: …
S3 E7: Mara Fitzgerald & So Much Wisdom With This Episode
- October 19, 2020
- Podcast Episode
Claribel and Kat discuss why problematic books keep getting published and why the publishing industry has to hold itself accountable beforehand so this stops happening. Then they interview Mara Fitzgerald about her debut YA fantasy, BEYOND THE RUBY VEIL, and how being true to her voice helped her write…
S3 E6: Paola Mendoza, Abby Sher & Please Vote!
- October 5, 2020
- Podcast Episode
Episode Description: Claribel and Kat discuss how to refill the creative well (especially considering how stressful current events are on the creative mind). Then they interview NYT bestselling author and activist Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher about their new YA novel Sanctuary, making a statement with your art, envisioning…
S3 E5: Alechia Dow & Don’t Ever Lick Your Checks
- September 21, 2020
- Podcast Episode
Episode Description: This week, Claribel and Kat talk about who to follow on social media to learn more about the industry and writing as well as how to discuss authentic representation with your writer friends or as a sensitivity reader. Then they interview debut sci-fi author Alechia Dow on…
S3 E4: Alexis Henderson & A Fear Factor of Seven
- September 8, 2020
- Podcast Episode
Claribel & Kat discuss IP (Intellectual Property) and recent Twitter discourse. Then they interview fantasy horror author, Alexis Henderson, about her debut novel The Year of the Witching, what it was like going on sub as a crossover YA/Adult and what went into her decision to go with an…
S3 E3: Janella Angeles & Emailing Andrew Lloyd Webber
- August 24, 2020
- Podcast Episode
Episode Description: Claribel and Kat discuss recent Twitter discourse about sharing good news and professional jealousy. How to deal with these feelings and refer to amazing advice from Holly Black’s WorD episode about jealousy! Then they talk to Janella Angeles about her debut Where Dreams Descend, what it feels…
S3 E2: Shveta Thakrar & I Thought Office Jobs Would be Like TV
- August 10, 2020
- Podcast Episode
Episode Description: Claribel and Kat talk about the rising discussions of diversity in publishing (both in the talent and behind-the-scenes) and how these aren’t new talks but they’re finally being taken more seriously and how it’s felt being constantly dismissed as POC in the industry (plus some Anti-Racist Resources)….
S3 E1: Claribel, Kat & What We Did on Summer Break!
- August 3, 2020
- Podcast Episode
Episode Description: Our Season 3 premiere! We discuss what we’ve been up to this summer and our new podcast format! Mentions: Claribel’s Twitch Claribel on Good Morning America WorD Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/writeordiepodcast Follow Claribel Ortega online: Twitter | Instagram | Youtube Order GHOST SQUAD Add FRIZZY on Goodreads http://www.claribelortega.com Follow…
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Write or Die Hosts

Claribel A. Ortega
Author & Founder
Claribel A. Ortega is a former reporter who writes YA & MG fantasy inspired by her Dominican heritage. When she’s not busy turning her obsession with eighties pop culture, magic and video games into books, she’s making GIFS for her small graphic design business, GIFGRRL. Her debut middle grade novel GHOST SQUAD is coming April, 7th 2020 from Scholastic and her graphic novel RIZOS is out with FIRSTSECOND BOOKS in 2022.

Kat Cho
Author & Co-Host
Kat Cho is a YA author who loves to incorporate her Korean heritage in her writing, especially if it involves describing food. She loves anything that encourages nerding out, including reading, K-dramas, K-pop and anime. She’s the author of Wicked Fox (Putnam/Penguin, 2019).