Today’s guest is feminist noir crime writer Halley Sutton. She wrote the first draft of her debut novel, The Lady Upstairs, while getting her MFA at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. So we got into the pros and cons of MFAs for writers. And we also talk book #2 and how that's different since Halley’s currently in the home stretch with her second novel, The Hurricane Blonde. Halley shared how Pitch Wars helped her first book find its footing, how she turned a rejection letter into an agent, the importance of a midpoint, and other sage advice for fledgling writers. Follow Halley on Twitter @halley_sutton and Instagram @halleysutton25.

Order Halley's new novel The Hurricane Blonde, which the NYTimes called "enthralling."

Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a new podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW BLEEDERS YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR FULL-LENGTH INTERVIEWS. https://www.youtube.com/@bleederspodcast

The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.

Hey writers! Trying to build your platform, but feeling a little overwhelmed, intimidated, or just plain lazy?⁠ I'm teaching a writer platform workshop through Write or Die Magazine and Chill Subs just for you on October 14th! In this 2.5-hour intensive, I will talk you through how to build a platform using podcasts, newsletters, social media, and more — and no, you don't need to start your own podcast. It recorded if you can't make it in-person, and you'll get a PDF of resources post-class. Sign up here: https://www.chillsubs.com/writeordie/workshops/how-to-build-platform-for