• Home
  • About
    • Reflections & Call To Action
      • Learn
  • Podcasts
    • Authors
      • Adult Fiction
      • Award Winners
      • Memoirist
      • Middle Grade
      • New Adult
      • Picture Books
      • Poetry
      • Young Adult
        • Crime / Mystery
        • Fantasy / Sci-fi
        • Historical
        • Realistic / Contemporary Fiction
        • Romance
    • Literary Agents
    • Film & TV
      • Actors
      • Directors
      • Producers
      • Writers
    • Interests
      • Activism / Social Change
      • Business
      • Collaboration
      • Finances / Money Talk
      • Personal Growth
      • Querying
    • Top 10 Most Listened To
    • All Podcast Guests
  • Articles & Essays
  • Shop Our Book Picks
  • Contact
More About Us
  • Kind Words
  • Select Press
  • Spotify
  • Apple Podcast
  • Player FM
  • Stitcher
88 Cups of Tea
88 Cups of Tea
  • Home
  • About
    • Reflections & Call To Action
      • Learn
  • Podcasts
    • Authors
      • Adult Fiction
      • Award Winners
      • Memoirist
      • Middle Grade
      • New Adult
      • Picture Books
      • Poetry
      • Young Adult
        • Crime / Mystery
        • Fantasy / Sci-fi
        • Historical
        • Realistic / Contemporary Fiction
        • Romance
    • Literary Agents
    • Film & TV
      • Actors
      • Directors
      • Producers
      • Writers
    • Interests
      • Activism / Social Change
      • Business
      • Collaboration
      • Finances / Money Talk
      • Personal Growth
      • Querying
    • Top 10 Most Listened To
    • All Podcast Guests
  • Articles & Essays
  • Shop Our Book Picks
  • Contact

KODY KEPLINGER: The Impact of Mentors, Heartbreaks and Triumphs, and Crucial Writing Tips for Young Adult Fiction Authors

  • 3 minute read

Kody Keplinger interviews with podcast 88 Cups of Tea with Yin Chang
[player]

We have author Kody Keplinger of “The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)” on the show today! The book was made into a major motion picture starring rising young actors.  Kody’s take on teen drama is refreshingly original and hilarious.

I’m so excited to share her interview with you today!  Kody is just as bubbly, outgoing, warm, and funny as I had hoped. We chat a ton about mentors and how they help shape your career, and how having one influenced Kody into the person and the writer she is today. Lots of workshop talk, crucial writing tips (the same lessons she teachers her writing students), personal triumphs and heartbreaks in the writing industry, and so much more!

Writers with a focus on writing young adult or middle grade books, this one’s for you!

Kody’s Recommended Books & Resources:

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Gotham Writers

“The Duff” (movie adaptation of Kody’s book)

“Inuyasha” (anime)

“Peach Girl” (anime)

“She’s All That”

“Clueless”

“10 Things I Hate About You”


If you got some awesome takeaways from this episode and would love to show your appreciation, the best way would be through any of the two: 

  • Become a patron by making monthly contributions and receiving fun perks! 
  • Proudly rock the lovely things in our shop!

We dedicate a ton of heart and soul into fostering a space that encourages learning, creativity, growth, and community. The most sincerest thank you for your love and support.


“Be okay with hearing the word ‘no’ and don’t let that stop you.”

-Kody Keplinger

“I knew that there was absolutely zero chance of me doing anything outside of the creative sphere.”

-Kody Keplinger

“If you want to do this, then do this.”

-Kody Keplinger

“Your back up plan shouldn’t be your first plan.”

-Kody Keplinger

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

  • The importance of having a mentor that has the courage to be truthful and how that can inspire you and your work
  • Inspiration behind “The Duff”
  • How to avoid miscommunication with your editor and remain on the same page about your writing project
  • Kody’s outlining process
  • How to decide which ideas are worth exploring for your next writing project
  • Why every aspiring writer needs to attend a book signing

About That’s Not What Happened

From New York Times bestseller Kody Keplinger comes an astonishing and thought-provoking exploration of the aftermath of tragedy, the power of narrative, and how we remember what we’ve lost.

It’s been three years since the Virgil County High School Massacre. Three years since my best friend, Sarah, was killed in a bathroom stall during the mass shooting. Everyone knows Sarah’s story–that she died proclaiming her faith.

But it’s not true.

I know because I was with her when she died. I didn’t say anything then, and people got hurt because of it. Now Sarah’s parents are publishing a book about her, so this might be my last chance to set the record straight . . . but I’m not the only survivor with a story to tell about what did–and didn’t–happen that day.

Except Sarah’s martyrdom is important to a lot of people, people who don’t take kindly to what I’m trying to do. And the more I learn, the less certain I am about what’s right. I don’t know what will be worse: the guilt of staying silent or the consequences of speaking up . . .

Learn more about Kody Keplinger

Kody Keplinger is the author of several books for kids and teens, including The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) which was adapted for film in 2015.  She’s the co-founder of Disability In Kidlit, a writing teacher in NYC, and an all-around nerd. Her next novel, Run, will be released in June 2016.   

Say ‘Hi!’ to Kody

Official site
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Disability in Kid Lit

Previous Article

Rita Williams-Garcia on Letting Your Characters Live Their Lives & Having Their Struggles

View Post
Next Article

Mindee Arnett on Creating Lively Characters, Pressures of the Publishing World, and Overcoming Challenges

View Post
We have a feeling you'll also love...
View Post

Victoria ‘V.E.’ Schwab on Cultivating Stubborn Hope

View Post

Tomi Adeyemi On Storytelling with Heart and Soul

View Post

Tochi Onyebuchi on Finding Joy in your Writing Process

View Post

Stacey Lee on Uncovering Untold Stories

View Post

Kat Cho on Writing as a Source of Solace and Joy

View Post

Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam in Conversation with Lelina Chang

View Post

Molly O’Neill on the Roles of a Literary Agent

View Post

Elizabeth Acevedo On Disrupting Priorities

Join Our Community

Want updates about our brand new podcast episodes, featured articles, special giveaways, and overall news about 88 Cups of Tea? Sign up for our announcements below :)

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up, you lovely Storyteller, YOU!

88 Cups of Tea
  • Spotify
  • Apple Podcast
  • Player FM
  • Stitcher
Digital Platform and Podcast for Storytellers and Creative Writers

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Explore Podcast Episodes

  • Author
    • Adult Fiction
    • Award Winners
    • Middle Grade
    • New Adult
    • Picture Books
    • Poetry
    • Young Adult
      • Crime / Mystery
      • Fantasy / Sci-fi
      • Historical
      • Realistic / Contemporary Fiction
      • Romance
  • Literary Agents
  • Film & TV
    • Actors
    • Directors
    • Producers
    • Writers
  • Interests
    • Activism / Social Change
    • Business
    • Collaboration
    • Finances / Money Talk
    • Personal Growth
    • Querying
  • Top 8 Most Downloaded Episodes
Menu
  • Author
    • Adult Fiction
    • Award Winners
    • Middle Grade
    • New Adult
    • Picture Books
    • Poetry
    • Young Adult
      • Crime / Mystery
      • Fantasy / Sci-fi
      • Historical
      • Realistic / Contemporary Fiction
      • Romance
  • Literary Agents
  • Film & TV
    • Actors
    • Directors
    • Producers
    • Writers
  • Interests
    • Activism / Social Change
    • Business
    • Collaboration
    • Finances / Money Talk
    • Personal Growth
    • Querying
  • Top 8 Most Downloaded Episodes

Follow Our Social

Instagram Twitter Patreon