Podcast
Ditch Diggers
Hosted by Mur Lafferty and Matt Wallace · EN
Treat your writing like a blue collar job. Doctors don't get doctor block and ditch diggers don't get ditch digger block, and working writers can't get writer's block. Business and humor.
14episodes
Episodes
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[DD] Astarion News and Work For Hire Talk
2w agoTap to summarizeDD 12.5 If you haven't heard, Ursula (T. Kingfisher) is writing the prequel novel for ASTARION, the most popular Baldurs Gate 3 character. So of course we have to talk about work for hire, why you do it, what you receive from it, and how to get these jobs. Also you can preorder Astarion! Even if you're not a Baldur's Gate fan, work for hire is likely to come up in your writing career, and you should still check out the episode! This post went live for supporters on May 8! If you want early, ad-free episodes, support at Patreon! Evergreen Links: Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher Mur Lafferty Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Instagram, Youtube Support via Patreon! Theme song by Devo Spice Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). May 8, 2025 | Season 12 Ep 5 | murverse.com "Ultimate Work for Hire Job: ASTARION" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Mur and Ursula are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
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[DD] Mistakes, Regrets, and Lessons Learned
2w agoTap to summarize"Take the chance to talk to an author or hang out with them, because they die like any other people." DD 12.4 In this episode of Ditch Diggers, hosts Mur Lafferty and T. Kingfisher (Ursula) share our unfiltered thoughts on lessons learned from mistakes and regrets in our careers. We cover pen names, self promotion, and agent relationships. This post went live for supporters on May 9, 2026. If you want early, ad-free episodes, support at Patreon! Evergreen Links: Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher Mur Lafferty Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Instagram, Youtube Support via Patreon! Theme song by Devo Spice Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). April 23, 2025 | Season 12 Ep 4 | murverse.com "Mistakes, Regrets, and Lessons Learned" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Mur and Ursula are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
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[DD] Dare You to Write Something WEirD
Mar 2700:48:00Tap to summarize"We need to write the weird stuff because that’s what makes us unique." ~ T. Kingfisher DD 12.3 In this episode of Ditch Diggers, hosts Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher) discuss Ursula's upcoming release of her southern gothic horror novel, Wolf Worm, and then attack Mur with a double dog dare to finally write the weird stories of her heart. This post went live for supporters on March 25, 2026. If you want early, ad-free episodes, support at Patreon! Evergreen Links: Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher Mur Lafferty Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Instagram, Youtube Support via Patreon! Theme song by Devo Spice Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). March 27, 2025 | Season 12 Ep 3 | murverse.com "Dare You to Write Something Weird" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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[DD] What Do KPoP Idols Have that We Don't?
Feb 2100:40:37Tap to summarize"I am LARPing as an extrovert." DD 12.2 Yeah, we know that K-Pop Idols have looks, style, and music and dance abilities--but what ELSE do they have that we don't? Support and guidance in dealing with fans. Ursula is back from three signings, and we talk about how to deal with long signing lines and more. [podcast_subscribe id="6236"] This post went live for supporters on February 17, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon! Evergreen Links: Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher Mur Lafferty Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Instagram, Youtube Support via Patreon! Theme song by Devo Spice Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). February 20, 2025 | Season 12 Ep 2 | murverse.com "What Do KPop Idols Have That We Don't?" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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[DD] Being a Pro at Conventions
Jan 2000:42:56Tap to summarizeDD 12.1 Ursula and Mur are back to talk about conventions and our 2026 plans. Notable discussions: Do not use ChatGPT to vet your contracts! Ursula finished [REDACTED] book! Mur forgot to ask herself what she was working on, but it's a book. That's about it. This year Mur returns to ConFusion at the end of January. (Alas, Kameron Hurley won't be attending this one.) Ursula has changed her mind regarding where she wants to die in a ditch. We've moved from Target to Costco. LARPing as an extrovert, and how to LARP as a confident person. Write your CV! Mur is GOH of DemiCon this May! Also she'll attend WorldCon in LA. Ursula's busy year starts with a mini book tour on the east coast US, then she's going to NorWesCon, then the Celsius Festival in Spain in July, then toastmaster(!) at WorldCon, then Mile High Con, and HalCon in Nova Scotia! Find Ursula and Mur online! [podcast_subscribe id="6236"] (This post went live for supporters on January15 , 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!) Evergreen Links: Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher Mur Lafferty Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Instagram, Youtube Support via Patreon! Theme song by Devo Spice Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). January 15, 2025 | Season 12 Ep 1 | murverse.com "Being a Pro at Conventions" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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[DD] Looking to 2026: Feast or Famine
Dec 2900:44:01Tap to summarizeWe present a casual and chatty Ditch Diggers where we close up the year with discussions of 2026 prep, spicy Christmas romances, and New Years' traditions. And maybe future us doesn't need the apology that we haven't been consistent. (This post went live for supporters on December 23, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!) Spicy Christmas romances: Good Spirits by B.K. Borison A Christmas Notch by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone (3 book series, begins with: Merry Little Meet Cute) We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season with people you love, and that your pets eat zero things that sends them to the emergency vet. See you next year! Evergreen Links: Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher Mur Lafferty Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Instagram, Youtube Support via Patreon! Theme song by Devo Spice Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). December 15, 2025 | Season 11 Ep 10 | murverse.com "Looking to 2026, Feast and Famine" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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[DD] Can Mur do ALL the things?
Dec 1800:45:59Tap to summarize"You can pull it off if you write like an angel. I do not write like an angel." - Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher) In this episode of Ditch Diggers, hosts Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher), talk about the horrors of ADHD convincing creative folk that they can do ALL the things. (You can't do all the things.) They also talk about Naomi Alderman’s acquisition of Six to Start, the company behind the popular Zombies, Run! app, and how storytelling is essential in gaming. [podcast_subscribe id="6236"] (This post went live for supporters on December 16, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!) Links: Naomi Alderman Zombies, Run! Now You See Me (movie) Evergreen Links: Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher Mur Lafferty Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Instagram, Youtube Support via Patreon! Theme song by Devo Spice Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). November 29, 2025 | Season 11 Ep 9 | murverse.com "Can Mur Do ALL the Things?" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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[DD] Dusty Hats and Burnt Out Pokemon Trainers
Nov 900:54:41Tap to summarize"The point of a planner is to make your life easier, not be a source of guilt and stress." - Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher) Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon are back and dive into the chaotic world of writing! We talk about everything from the trials of managing multiple projects to the absurdities of planner systems. (And talk about a bunch of options we've tried!) Mur shares her recent experiences with her latest book, while Ursula discusses her creative process and the challenges of staying organized as a writer. We also explore the joys (and pitfalls) of social media and how it impacts our creative lives. (This post went live for supporters on November 6, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!) Links: Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher) NaNoWriMo 2.0 Animal Crossing Pokemon Legends Z to A Traveler's Company Roterfaden Hobonichi Evergreen Links: Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher Mur Lafferty Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Instagram, Youtube Support via Patreon! Theme song by Devo Spice Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). November 9, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 9 | murverse.com "Dusty Hats and Burnt Out Pokemon Trainers" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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[DD] AI Settlements and NaNoWriMo
Nov 800:48:51Tap to summarize"You should absolutely always write spite books." - Ursula Vernon (T. Kingfisher) Unfortunately, this was recorded some time ago, but the Ditch Diggers tackle everything from the challenges of meeting deadlines to the complexities of AI settlements impacting authors. We touch on recent book releases, whirlwind tours, and the peculiarities of hotel bar conversations with state senators. (This post went live for supporters on November 6, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!) Links: Leigh Bardugo Science Fiction Fantasy Writers Association 4 the Words Evergreen Links: Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher Mur Lafferty Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Instagram, Youtube Support via Patreon! Theme song by Devo Spice Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). November 7, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 7 | murverse.com "AI Settlements and NaNoWriMo" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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[DD] Ursula's Year of Multiple Whales
Jun 900:43:55Tap to summarize"Genre is a marketing tool, just like a book cover." - Mur Lafferty In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur and Ursula rant about genre expectations, marketing, and what happens when you decide that genre isn't for you because you're special. Ursula lists her whales, and Imposter Syndrome doesn't really make a showing when Mur travels. Highlights: - (05:12) Ursula's anxiety over multiple deadlines and projects - (12:45) Mur's recent business trip and the absence of imposter syndrome - (25:30) The ongoing debate about happy endings in romance - (38:15) The role of marketing in shaping reader expectations - (47:50) The challenges of genre classification and reader assumptions - (55:30) How personal growth as a writer often goes unnoticed (This post went live for supporters on June 9, 2025. Join the Fabulists if you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes!) Transcript Links: Stephen King Tana French Piranesi Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Evergreen Links: Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher Mur Lafferty Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Instagram, Youtube Support via Patreon! Theme song by Devo Spice Support Local Book Stores! Ditch Diggers credits:theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja, site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon). June 12, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 6 | murverse.com "It's a Multiple Whale Year for Ursula" by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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