PLOT TWIST

Why Do Publishers Keep Giving Deals To Fanfiction?

PLOT TWIST

Show Notes

Soman and Victoria make the link between Timmy Chalamet’s comments about ballet and opera — and fanfiction IP. Also they discuss the pros and cons of writing groups and how to become a lead title in traditional publishing. Soman is trying to decaffeinate and Victoria wants to be shameless.

Theme of the Week (08:33) Goals of the Week (17:38) Industry Nonsense (35:44) Reader Mailbag(55:27) Plot Twists in Real Life (01:00:55)

Sponsors: Monster Claw Ranch

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from PLOT TWIST

Oct 22, 2026

Soman and Victoria lay out ten ways that the algorithm is destroying creative careers and the best ways to fight it. They also discuss world building tips and how to manage exposition in fantasy novels. Soman wants someone to hire him as the Dean of Joy and Victoria just wants her normal life back. Theme of the Week (10:13) Goals of the Week (15:54) Industry Nonsense (25:15) Reader Mailbag (52:31) Plot Twists in Real Life (55:37) Pup Twist (57:09) Click here to become a member of the Plot Twist Patreon. Click here for the merch store. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 15, 2026

Soman and Victoria discuss a bombshell story from WIRED about the rampant use of AI by publishers and whether AI is inevitable in the workflow. They also discuss writing chronologically across multiple timelines and how to algorithmically target your potential reader. Victoria is in denial about another long flight next week, and Soman wishes he had sung the national anthem at his tennis tournament. Theme of the Week (09:40 Goals of the Week (20:41) Industry Nonsense (28:29) Reader Mailbag (53:22) Plot Twists in Real Life (57:39) Click here to become a member of the Plot Twist Patreon. Click here for the merch store. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 8, 2026

Live from Kansas City! Soman and Victoria welcome a new season of the pod and lay out the new Patreon! They explore the AI’s companies not-so-secret plan to eliminate authors – and readers! – and how it ties to parasocial relationships that have been festering for a long time. They also answer questions about whether a fantasy author can successfully live in the real world and when a character’s time “has come.” Soman is close to finishing DAMAGER, and Victoria wants people to give away less to the audience before they read the book!

Oct 1, 2026

Soman and Victoria discuss the tricks of staying healthy as a professional artist. Also, they discuss celebrity ghostwriting and how not to fall out of love with your work mid-stream. Soman is launching a new coaching lab for teenagers, and Victoria wants to freeze time.

Sep 24, 2026

LIVE FROM ST. LOUIS! A special bonus episode, featuring Soman in conversation with Victoria during the TEMPEST book tour. Together, they explore what it took for TEMPEST to hit three bestseller lists and what Victoria has learned from the release so far. They also answer questions from the audience and reveal what they’ve been working on in the pod’s hiatus. Victoria has a deadline to hit for Tempest’s sequel, and Soman is on the verge of inventing another genre… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See all episodes →