Ep. 27-2025: Donald Maass

This week on The Story Blender, I’m joined by literary agent and bestselling author Donald Maass, recorded live at the Advanced Fiction Intensive in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Donald co-hosted the event with me, and we captured a special Q&A with questions from the writers in attendance.

We talked about how to build powerful stories without getting in your own way, how to write with authority, why tension drives everything, and what it takes to create fiction that truly resonates.

If you’ve ever wanted to sit in on a candid conversation with one of the most insightful voices in publishing, this is your chance.

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, and let us know—what’s one thing that helps you stay out of your own way when you write?