In this episode of Architecture of Story, Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns team up with Lanie Hitt of Resident Book Gal to talk about IRL PR—what is it, why do you need it, and how does Architecture’s preferred PR vendor go above and beyond getting your books into the hands of real life readers.

In this episode of Architecture of Story, Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns break down what it takes to build up a strong and memorable side character. Pulling insight from their own cast of characters in their lives, they build a recipe to follow and guidelines to implement in your own writer life. 

Let's build a book!

In this episode of Architecture of Story, Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns are celebrating the release of Alyssa's sophomore novel, Irrelevant Situations, by doing what they do best-- talking about their process. Tune in for an "inside the book" segment that features major editorial changes this book underwent, as well as "outside the book" on how sales are going and the process is different this time around. Proud of you, AKB!

Let's get going!Shoutouts mentioned in this episode:

THE ARCHITECTS:

Jenn Lynn (IG @

Leila Ann (IG @

Lanie Hitt (IG @)

Sabrina Grimaldi (IG @

Taryn Christeen (IG @⁠taryn.christeen⁠)

Alissa DeRogatis (IG @⁠alissaderogatis)⁠

Booked and Busy (Substack)

Connect with Meg:⁠

⁠IG @megrosenthalauthor

TikTok @megrosenthal.author

Connect with Alyssa:⁠

⁠IG: @alyssakburns

TikTok: @alyssakburns

In this episode of Architecture of Story, Meg Rosenthal, but mostly Alyssa K. Burns, break down WHAT IT COSTS to actually indie publish a book. This line by line discussion features all the expenses you may or may not have considered, but you should account for on your own spreadsheet. 

Let's get going!

Shoutouts mentioned in this episode:

Rachel Lewis (IG @rachel_mlewis)

Sierra zinke (IG @sierraarzinke)

Margs and Manuscripts (IG @margsandmanuscripts)

AlaxRaeBooked IG (IG @alaxraebooked)

Two Friends Designs (IG @twofriends.design)

NovelBound (IG @novelbound_)

ResidentBookGal (IG @residentbookgal)

Spellbound (IG @spellboundbookmarketing)

TC Designs (IG @tcdesigns271)

K Jaspern Designs (IG @kjaspersendesigns)

Beyond the Book PR (IG @beyondthebookspr)

Sabrina Grimaldi (IG @bysabrinagrimaldi)

Bade Art (IG @badeyart)

Renee Monroe (IG @authorreneemonroe)

Alyssa’s Mom

Connect with Meg:⁠

https://megrosenthal.com

⁠IG @megrosenthalauthor 

TikTok @megrosenthal.author

Connect with Alyssa:⁠

https://www.alyssakburns.com⁠

IG: @alyssakburns

In this episode of Architecture of Story, Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns explore the concept of interiority in novel writing, discussing how to access and utilize a character's inner thoughts and feelings to deepen storytelling and create emotional closeness with readers.

Let's get going!

Shoutouts mentioned in this episode:

Taryn Christeen (IG @)

Renee Monroe (IG @

Jennifer Rios (IG @

Brianna Swan (IG @

Margs and Manuscripts (IG @

Morgan Rooney (IG @

Alissa DeRogatis (IG @

Virginia Woolf (No IG available)

Connect with Meg:

IG @megrosenthalauthor

TikTok @megrosenthal.author

Connect with Alyssa:

IG: @alyssakburns

TikTok: @alyssakburns

In this episode of Architecture of Story, cohosts Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns break down the editorial steps that a manuscript go through in its drafting and editing phases. They also discuss the importance of BETA readers including how to find them, what their job is, and how to properly acknowledge them.

Let’s get going!

Shoutouts mentioned in this episode:

Kassie Mak (IG @kassiemakauthor)

Sam Maldo

Leila Ann (IG @leilaannwrites)

Lexi Bowe (IG @lexiboweauthor)

Alissa DeRogatis (IG @alissaderogatis)

Nikki Hutchings/Renee Monroe (IG @authorreneemonroe)

Connect with Meg:

https://megrosenthal.com

IG @megrosenthalauthor

TikTok @megrosenthal.author

Connect with Alyssa:

https://www.alyssakburns.com

IG: @alyssakburns

TikTok: @alyssakburns

In this episode of Architecture of Story, cohosts Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns dive into a topic that resonates deeply with both writers and readers: dialogue. They discuss effective ways to craft dialogue that not only moves the plot forward but also keeps readers engaged.

Let’s get going!

Shoutouts mentioned in this episode:

Carolyn Elaine (IG @carolynelainewrites)

Haley Graham (IG @authorhaleygraham)

Jennifer Lynn (IG @sincerelyjenh)

Dialogue Tags: https://www.instagram.com/p/DbTlh-SGvAY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

They're Made Out of Meat: https://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/TheyMade.shtml

Connect with Meg:

https://megrosenthal.com

IG @megrosenthalauthor

TikTok @megrosenthal.author

Connect with Alyssa:

https://www.alyssakburns.com

IG: @alyssakburns

TikTok: @alyssakburns

In this episode, cohosts Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns break down the different types of points of view (POV) used in commercial fiction as well as why you should promote advanced reader copies of your book (ARCs).

They also talk about not giving away your social security number to strangers on an elevator.

Let’s get going!

Shoutouts mentioned in this episode:

Mary Reyes (IG: @lifeofmaryreyes)

Alyssa Clark (IG: @alyssawritesthings)

Jennifer Lynn (IG: @sincerelyjenh)

Jennifer Rios (IG: @byjenniferrios)

Holly Hayes (IG: @hollyhayesauthor)

Nikki Hutchings (IG: @nikkirhutchings)

Sierra Zinke (IG: @drsierra.kindleskettlebells)

Cassidy Ann (IG: @cassidyannauthor)

Meg Doody (IG: @megdoodywrites)

Beyond the Books PR (IG:@ beyondthebookspr)

Connect with Meg:

https://megrosenthal.com

IG @megrosenthalauthor

TikTok @megrosenthal.author

Connect with Alyssa:

https://www.alyssakburns.com

IG: @alyssakburns

TikTok: @alyssakburns

In this episode, cohosts Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns team up with Cait Waynelovich from the hit podcast, Margs & Manuscripts to talk about the nuance within the phrase Write Drunk, Edit Sober... HOT TAKE! We don't do that. While there is a time and a place for a drink and the CONFIDENCE that comes from that (raise a Margs glass, or pitcher), this episode talks about the ways to convey emotions within your prose as well as the importance of that confidence in what you are sharing to the World Wide Web.

Let’s get going!

Shoutouts mentioned in this episode:

Joseph Cucci (IG: @joey_cucci)

Amy Evans (IG: @amy_c_evans)

Cait Waynelovich (IG: @caitwwrites)

Margs & Manuscripts (IG: @margsandmanuscripts)

Kat Mackenzie (IG: @katmackenziewrites)

Katie Jung (IG:@ katiejungwrites)

Holly Hayes (IG:@ hollyhayesauthor)

Connect with Meg:

IG @megrosenthalauthor

TikTok @megrosenthal.author

Connect with Alyssa:

IG: @alyssakburns

TikTok: @alyssakburns

In this episode, cohosts Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns we dive into the essentials of perfecting your pitch and solidifying your author brand. Your pitch is the face of your book. It's how you introduce your work to potential readers and agents.

We discussed the importance of having a one-sentence pitch, a one-paragraph pitch, and a two-paragraph pitch ready for different situations, such as author events or querying agents.

Author branding is essentially how you present yourself to the world. It encompasses your writing style, the themes you explore, and your public persona. A well-defined brand can create a loyal reader base and make marketing your books much easier. Let’s get right into it!

Shoutouts mentioned in this episode:

Carolyn Elaine (IG: @carolynelainewrites)

H.K. Green (IG: @authorhkgreen)

Connect with Meg:

https://megrosenthal.com

IG @megrosenthalauthor

TikTok @megrosenthal.author

Connect with Alyssa:

https://www.alyssakburns.com

IG: @alyssakburns

TikTok: @alyssakburns

Welcome to Season 2 of Architecture of Story!

In this episode, cohosts Meg Rosenthal and Alyssa K. Burns give an overview of what this season is going to look like as well as break down their latest news... Architecture of Story is no longer just a podcast. We are in business, baby!

Now offering an Indie Publishing Partnership Service. This includes:

Editorial Services: developmental editing, line editing, proofreading, content pull, and formatting.

Social Media Marketing: monthly Canva templates, strategies to find your target audience and grow a community.

In house vendors: cover design, arc management, and public relations.

Shoutouts mentioned in this episode:

Carolyn Elaine (IG: @carolynelainewrites)

Kate H. Meadows (IG: @katehmeadowswrites)

MGK covering Mr. Brightside

Connect with Meg:

https://megrosenthal.com

IG @megrosenthalauthor 

TikTok @megrosenthal.author

Connect with Alyssa:

https://www.alyssakburns.com

IG: @alyssakburns

TikTok: @alyssakburns