The Fiction Lounge

Welcome to the Fiction Lounge, a podcast started by two writing besties with a passion to demystify the writing process together. Join us every Tuesday as we talk all things fiction writing, publishing, and all the possible topics in between.

The Fiction Lounge is a arts podcast hosted by Hannah Magness, Jessica Collins, with 92 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Hannah Magness, Jessica Collins hosts The Fiction Lounge, a arts show with 92 episodes published.

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  Episode #14

  Everything You Need to Write Great Scenes

  Aug 18, 202646 minS6

  Hannah and Jess discuss the core elements of a scene, how they need to work within the scene, and give you tips on how to improve your scenes if you find yourself struggling. Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know. If you've heard us talk about Scrivener on the pod and you're ready to commit, use this link to get 20% off! Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram , TikTok, and Threads ! And you can always visit our website ! SHOW NOTES The Fiction Lounge: Scene Work episode Story Basics: Scene | Brandon Taylor Five Tips for Writing Great Scenes | Writers & Artists

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  Episode #13

  Interview with Susan Furber

  Aug 11, 20261h 4mS6

  In their interview with author Susan Furber, Jess and Hannah discuss writing a literary fiction series, how your characters stay with you, and they dive into Susan's upcoming release, What Other Years Have Done . Susan Furber is the author of The Essence of an Hour, We Were Very Merry and the upcoming What Other Years Have Done (2026), all published by Valley Press. Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1992, Susan studied English and Philosophy at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, and spent a year at the University of Oxford. After graduating, she moved to London, where she lives with her husband and works in publishing as a book editor. Susan writes about the themes of the American identity abroad, the complexities of female friendship, and the feminist movement throughout the 20 th and 21 st centuries. Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know. If you've heard us talk about Scrivener on the pod and you're ready to commit, use this link to get 20% off! Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram , TikTok, and Threads ! And you can always visit our website ! SHOW NOTES What Other Years Have Done by Susan Furber: Pre-Order Susan's Linktree Susan's Instagram

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  Episode #12

  Embracing the Joy of Lore with Kathleen Schwab

  Aug 4, 202657 minS6

  Hannah and Jess interview debut author Kathleen Schwab about her historical fantasy, Queenswood , and how her journey to this book was mostly about pursuing her joy. They discuss the Celtic folklore of the story and how she wove it in with her worldbuilding. Fantasy writers will enjoy this episode! Kathleen Schwab grew up in Levittown, Pennsylvania, a quintessential postwar suburb, among hundreds of identical prefab homes, but that didn’t stop her from building faerie houses when no one was looking. She earned a BA in literature and a master of arts in teaching from Smith College in Massachusetts, married the love of her life, and went on to fill such varied roles as office manager, midwife’s assistant, and professional homeschool teacher, all while raising two rambunctious children and tending a flock of parrots. Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know. Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram , TikTok, and Threads ! And you can always visit our website ! SHOW NOTES Kathleen's website Kathleen's Instagram Queenswood by Kathleen Schwab

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  Episode #11

  Key Elements of Genre: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, and Horror

  Jul 28, 202654 minS6

  Jess and Hannah discuss both the similarities and differences between the mystery, crime, thriller, and horror genres. They cover genre expectations, but also share what these genres all have in common. This episode helps clear up how to position your book within these specific areas of fiction. Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know. Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram , TikTok, and Threads ! And you can always visit our website ! SHOW NOTES Core Elements of a Horror Story How to Write a Thriller, Step by Terrifying Step

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  Episode #10

  Exploring Identity with Alka Joshi

  Jul 21, 20261h 7mS6

  Hannah and Jess interview New York Times Bestselling author Alka Joshi about her new book Six Days in Bombay while discussing other topics such as identity and how great character work is born. Born in India and raised in the U.S. since the age of nine. Alka Joshi has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. Joshi's debut novel, The Henna Artist, immediately became a NYT bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and has been translated into 30 languages. The Secret Keeper of Jaipur (2021) and The Perfumist of Paris (2023) completed the Jaipur Trilogy. Her fourth novel, Six Days in Bombay, was published in 2025. She is currently working on her fifth novel, which is due to be published in 2027. In 2024, Joshi was selected for the Forbes 50 over 50 List, celebrating women who are shattering age and gender norms across all sectors of the American economy and culture. SHOW NOTES Alka Joshi's website Alka Joshi's Instagram Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi

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