Bestselling author Sam Maggs joins us on the podcast this week. Sam has written both fiction and nonfiction, as well as comics, graphic novels, and video games, and talks to us about how she tackles writing across a variety of mediums, and the difference between writing original works and pitching to write for an already established IP. Sam also discusses what it’s like working as a woman in the traditionally male-dominated Nerd World, how gate-keeping and diversity in Geek Culture and publishing have changed over the past few years, and how she has utilized social media to build both her career and a community of her peers.
- Sam talks to us about her career path as a writer, from a contributor and weekend editor for geeky websites, to booking her agent and publishing her first book, to writing books and video games for major publishing houses and studios
- She discusses the importance of diversity in pop culture, and why she tries to incorporate female friendships into so much of her work
- Sam explains her writing process and how outlines are integral regardless of the medium she’s working on, and she discusses the research process behind her nonfiction books and how important it is to dig deep into sources to find the truth
- She lays out some great advice for querying agents, getting started in comics, and networking at conventions when you’re an introverted author
- Sam talks about the good (and the bad) of using social media, and how she has utilized her online platforms to build her career, friendships, and author community
- She tells us about her debut YA novel, The Unstoppable Wasp: Built on Hope, what it’s been like releasing a book during a pandemic, and how she thinks the pandemic will change publishing moving forward
Useful Links
Sam’s Website
Sam’s Twitter
The Unstoppable Wasp: Built on Hope
The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy
Wonder Women
Girl Squads
Stargate SG-1
Query Shark
ChroniclingAmerica.gov
YALLWEST
Gatecon
The Diviners by Libba Bray
Galavant
Sam Maggs is a bestselling author of books, comics, and video games. She’s been a senior games writer, including work on Marvel’s Spider-Man; the author of many YA and middle-grade books like The Unstoppable Wasp, Con Quest!, Tell No Tales, and The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy; and a comics writer for beloved titles like Marvel Action: Captain Marvel, My Little Pony, and Transformers. She is also an on-air host for networks like Nerdist. A Canadian in Los Angeles, she misses Coffee Crisp and bagged milk.
