Episode 51: Paul Coccia, YA Author

Author Paul Coccia joins the podcast to chat about Recommended Reading, his YA book developed in partnership with Bittersweet Books! Learn his tricks for character development and interiority, why you should try throwing out your first draft, and how he pulls inspiration from lit theory. We also cover plans for the zombie apocalypse, how true crime is the antithesis to rom-coms, and why that had to happen in Bridge to Terabithia. Plus, Paul discusses the importance of representing LGBTQ+ characters and experiences by creating stories with universal appeal that are meaningful for queer readers. Paul Coccia Website: https://www.paulcoccia.com/ Social: @pauljcoccia Good Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we’re here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you’re ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we’re here to help you. Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.com Membership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membership Writing Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.com Mary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books. Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesub Writing Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit Irresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511K Writing Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRU How to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQ Writing Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0B Writing Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslq NEW! Show and Tell: https://amzn.to/4kCc4no Follow us on social: YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstory Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompany TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstoryco Facebook: https://facebook.com/goodstoryco Substack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/