Podcasts about Creative writing

Acclaimed debut novelist Penny Zang spoke with us about making friendship bracelets for readers, why the world doesn't stop when you lose a loved one, hanging out with Sylvia Plath, and her psychological thriller DOLL PARTS I am joined by a co-host this week, none other than The Book Babe, Milena Gonzalez. Penny Zang is an English professor at Greenville Technical College and the debut author of DOLL PARTS, described as “... a dark, poetic, dual-timeline psychological thriller that blends sad girl lit and feminist horror with a heavy dose of 90s grunge nostalgia.” International bestselling author Samantha Downing said of the book, "Doll Parts is the most mesmerizing and original book I've read in a long time. It's eerie and addictive, a story that pulls you in and won't let go," and Library Journal wrote, “Zang's compelling debut delves insightfully into topics such as friendship, grief, and Plath's place in literature...” Penny Zang holds an MFA in Creative Writing from West Virginia University and is the 2024 Elizabeth Boatwright Coker fiction fellow via the South Carolina Academy of Authors. Her work has appeared in New Ohio Review, Louisville Review, Superstition Review, Potomac Review, and South 85, among others. [Discover ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Writer Files Extra⁠⁠⁠⁠: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at ⁠⁠⁠⁠writerfiles.fm⁠⁠⁠⁠] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please ⁠⁠⁠⁠click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews⁠⁠⁠⁠. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Penny Zang, Milena Gonzalez, and I discussed: How she formed the #5AMWritersClub Writing as a form of grief after losing a good friend Reminding her parents that her fiction didn't really happen Wending pop culture iconography into her work Why finding your writing community is so important And a lot more! Show Notes: pennyzang.com  Doll Parts: A Novel by Penny Zang (Amazon) Penny Zang on Facebook Penny Zang on Instagram Penny Zang on Twitter Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Know that AI-generated answer at the top of your Google search results? Curious about whether you should adjust your search optimization techniques to show up in that space? Well, those answers, called AI Overviews, are changing everything about how people find businesses online. Today, SEO expert Emily Gertenbach joins me on Talk Copy to Me to break down what AI Overviews actually are, how they differ from traditional search results, and whether showing up in them is even right for your business. We'll cover the pros and cons for product-based versus service-based businesses, how AI Overviews are changing user behavior (spoiler: people aren't clicking as much anymore), and the practical steps you can take to optimize your existing content.If you've been panicking about whether you should try to show up in AI Overviews or how to even make that happen, this conversation will give you the clarity you need to make strategic decisions for your business.__________________________________________EPISODE 165.Read the show notes and view the full transcript here: Coming Soon______________________________________________Get to know our guest expert, Emily GertenbachEmily is a search engine optimization consultant, freelance writer, and AI skeptic who has spent the past 15 years creating readable, relatable SEO content for B2B that ranks highly … and stays at the top of search results (and in LLM chats). Her clients include small, hyper-local agencies and internationally-recognized brands alike. She believes, and proves, that every brand can connect to their ideal clients in search using human-centered, well-written content that transcends changes in Google algorithms and search technology. When you're done listening to this episode, I highly recommend you check out Emily's Gertenbach's guide, A Very Simple Stress-Free Guide to Artificial Intelligence. She has a great way of explaining in-depth topics in an easy-to-understand way. Click the link above or copy and paste what's here: https://www.egcreativecontent.com/books-and-guides/Here's info on your host, Erin OllilaErin Ollila believes in the power of words and how a message can inform – and even transform – its intended audience. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, and went on to co-found Spry, an award-winning online literary journal.When Erin's not helping her clients understand their website data or improve their website copy, you can catch her hosting the Talk Copy to Me podcast and guesting on shows such as Profit is a Choice, Mindful Marketing, The Power in Purpose, and Business-First Creatives.Stay in touch with Erin Ollila, SEO website copywriter:• Learn more about my VIP intensive options or just book a strategy session to get started right away• Visit Erin's website to learn more about her business, services, and productsWant to keep talking copy? Send me a text message!

This week I have a guest! Yay! As part of Filipino American History month, I am featuring a Filipino guest each week during the month of October. This week, I am talking with Rebecca Mabanglo-Mayor, poet, writer, and storyteller. Our conversation touches on spiritual inheritance & practices, our relationship with cultural identity & the land upon which we live, and our mutual obsession: K-pop demon hunters. (Because, I mean, how could we not talk about that? It has all the topics that we're curious about!)Tune in to hear all about it! From cultivating and strengthening your intuition to Rebecca's brag about Kpop Demon Hunters, you'll be entertained while also enticed to dig deeper within. Because that's how we roll - light laughter and deep inquiry.Blog: https://rebeccamabanglomayor.com/#blog Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NmlshGX4ijHPXmFIgT1Nu Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritual-grit/id1497436520  ===============Today's poems/ Books mentioned:Tarot/Oracle Card: Queen of Cups“Aswang Paces Outside of Kaiser Permanente Hospital” by Rachelle Cruz=============== Courses / Exclusive Content / Book Mentioned:Subscribe to mailing list + community: suryagian.com/subscribe and get the 7-day meditation challenge, “Spark Joy in Chaos”Subscribe to “Adventures in Midlife” newsletter: leslieann.substack.comInstagram: @leslieannhobayan Email: leslieann@suryagian.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxAeQWRRsSo5E7PBJdZUeoEAYXnAtuyRyKundalini Yoga Classes: https://www.suryagian.com/anchor-amplify-kundaliniSpeak Your Truth: https://www.suryagian.com/speak-your-truth ===============About Rebecca Mabanglo-MayorRebecca Mabanglo-Mayor's non-fiction, poetry, and short fiction have appeared in print and online in several journals and anthologies including Katipunan Literary Magazine, Growing Up Filipino II: More Stories for Young Adults, Kuwento: Small Things, and Beyond Lumpia, Pansit, and Seven Manangs Wild: An Anthology. Her poetry chapbook Pause Mid-Flight was released in 2010. She is also the co-editor of True Stories: The Narrative Project Vol. I-IV, and her poetry and essays have been collected in Dancing Between Bamboo Poles. She has been performing as a storyteller since 2006 and specializes in stories based on Filipino folktales and Filipino-American history.Rebecca, as Rebecca A. Saxton, received her MFA in Creative Writing from Pacific Lutheran University in 2012, her BA in Humanities from Washington State University in 1998, and her MA degree in English with honors from Western Washington University in 2003.

Are you spending too much time worrying about whether you need to impress search engines or AI tools? You might feel panicked and ignore it completely or abandon traditional SEO to chase the shiny new thing. Well, both approaches are wrong. The truth is, you can't do AI optimization (AIO) without traditional SEO—they're not separate strategies, and one builds on the other.In this episode, I'm breaking down what still matters in traditional SEO, what AI optimization actually means, and how these two approaches work together instead of replacing each other. I'll walk you through the exact content structure changes you need to make to show up in both traditional search results and AI-generated answers, why AI-generated content doesn't perform well for AIO, and what you should actually focus on if you're feeling overwhelmed by all of this.__________________________________________EPISODE 164.Read the show notes and view the full transcript here: Coming Soon______________________________________________Here's info on your host, Erin OllilaErin Ollila believes in the power of words and how a message can inform – and even transform – its intended audience. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, and went on to co-found Spry, an award-winning online literary journal.When Erin's not helping her clients understand their website data or improve their website copy, you can catch her hosting the Talk Copy to Me podcast and guesting on shows such as Profit is a Choice, Mindful Marketing, The Power in Purpose, and Business-First Creatives.Stay in touch with Erin Ollila, SEO website copywriter:• Learn more about my VIP intensive options or just book a strategy session to get started right away• Visit Erin's website to learn more about her business, services, and productsWant to keep talking copy? Send me a text message!

Alee Anderson and Alice Sullivan are here to celebrate the release of their new book, The Definitive Guide to Ghostwriting! This highly intensive process often requires 300-500 hours of work per book, including extensive interviews and research. Learn the secrets to building a ghostwriting career, marketing to develop a strong client base, and translating a client's unique voice and story to the page.Alee AndersonWebsite: https://aleeandersoneditorial.com/Social: @heyyoungwriterAlice SullivanWebsite: https://alicesullivan.com/Social: @alicewritesGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitIrresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511KWriting Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQWriting Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BWriting Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslqNEW! Show and Tell: https://amzn.to/4kCc4noFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Welcome to Episode 292 of the Spun Today Podcast! In this episode, host Tony Ortiz dives deep into the writing life, inviting listeners into another motivating free writing session. Tony shares his latest writing stats and candidly discusses the ups and downs of creative consistency, including the struggles of writer's block and the magic of finding inspiration after unexpected detours. He also offers practical writing tips sourced from Sandra Chwialkowska and Jordan Peele, reminding us why showing up to the page matters and why fun should always be at the heart of our creative process. Tony highlights the gritty, neighborhood-driven anthology Manhattan Noir, reflecting on standout stories and the powerful techniques used by its diverse cast of writers. Along the way, he explores how these short stories can sharpen our craft, from pacing and atmosphere to creating vivid, compressed worlds. In addition, Tony treats us to a personal free writing piece inspired by Vince Staples, touching on dedication, objectivity, and the courage it takes to self-reflect as a creative. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just getting started, this episode is packed with honest insights, actionable advice, and plenty of inspiration to help boost your creativity. Settle in and get ready to fuel your writing journey with Spun Today! Check out all free-writing pieces at: spuntoday.com/freewriting.      The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing, but unlimited in scope.  Give it a whirl.      Twitter: https://twitter.com/spuntoday  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spuntoday/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spuntoday   Website: http://www.spuntoday.com/home  Newsletter: http://www.spuntoday.com/subscribe      Links referenced in this episode:     Check out Manhattan Noir: https://amzn.to/42BFnjR   Get your Podcast Started Today! https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=SPUN (Use Promo code SPUN and get up to 2-months of free service!)   Check out all the Spun Today Merch, and other ways to help support this show! https://www.spuntoday.com/support   Check out my Books Make Way for You – Tips for getting out of your own way FRACTAL – A Time Travel Tale Melted Cold – A Collection of Short Stories http://www.spuntoday.com/books/ (e-Book, Paperback & Hardcover are now available).   Fill out my Spun Today Questionnaire if you're passionate about your craft.  I'll share your insight and motivation on the Podcast: http://www.spuntoday.com/questionnaire/    Shop on Amazon using this link, to support the Podcast: https://amzn.to/4km592l      Shop on iTunes using this link, to support the Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTop?genreId=38&id=27820&popId=42&uo=10   Shop at the Spun Today store for Mugs, Notebooks, T-Shirts and more: https://spuntoday-shop.fourthwall.com/   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com   Outro Background Music: https://www.bensound.com   Spun Today Logo by: https://www.naveendhanalak.com/   Sound effects are credited to: http://www.freesfx.co.uk   Listen on: ApplePodcasts | Spotify | Pocket Casts | YouTube | Website

Your AI just wrote you a blog post and it sounds great—so are you ready to hit publish? The answer is no.Here's why: AI makes stuff up, gets facts wrong, and sometimes loses your voice completely—and you won't catch these problems unless you know what to look for. For small business owners and creatives using AI to create or repurpose content, editing and fact-checking aren't optional—they're essential for protecting your credibility and maintaining trust with your audience.In this episode, I'm walking you through my two-stage editing process for AI-generated content. You'll learn how to use in-tool refinement to improve AI's output before you even start manual editing, how to review content for messaging, voice, story flow, and style, and—most critically—how to fact-check everything before it goes live. Sound good? Then let's start talking copy.__________________________________________EPISODE 163.Read the show notes and view the full transcript here: Coming Soon______________________________________________Here's info on your host, Erin OllilaErin Ollila believes in the power of words and how a message can inform – and even transform – its intended audience. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, and went on to co-found Spry, an award-winning online literary journal.When Erin's not helping her clients understand their website data or improve their website copy, you can catch her hosting the Talk Copy to Me podcast and guesting on shows such as Profit is a Choice, Mindful Marketing, The Power in Purpose, and Business-First Creatives.Stay in touch with Erin Ollila, SEO website copywriter:• Learn more about my VIP intensive options or just book a strategy session to get started right away• Visit Erin's website to learn more about her business, services, and productsWant to keep talking copy? Send me a text message!

On today's episode of The Lives of Writers, Erin Slaughter and Lena Ziegler interview each other about literary friendship, navigating disclosure, dignity, and responsibility in memoirs about trauma, writing with compassion about your previous self and real-life people who have harmed you, the emotional realities and real-life risks of publishing memoir, and more.Erin Slaughter is the author of The Dead Dad Diaries (Autofocus Books, 2025). She is also the author of the short story collection A Manual for How to Love Us (Harper Perennial, 2023), and two books of poetry: The Sorrow Festival (CLASH Books, 2022) and I Will Tell This Story to the Sun Until You Remember That You Are the Sun (New Rivers Press, 2019). Her writing has appeared in Lit Hub, Electric Literature, CRAFT, The Georgia Review, Prairie Schooner, and elsewhere. Originally from Texas, she holds an MFA from Western Kentucky University and a PhD from Florida State University. She is currently Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Coastal Carolina University.Lena Ziegler is the author of A Revisionist History of Loving Men (Autofocus Books, 2025). Her writing has appeared in Split Lip Magazine, Indiana Review, Literary Orphans, Miracle Monocle, Duende, Dream Pop Press, Anti-Heroin Chic, Gambling the Aisle, and others, and she has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She is a co-founder of the literary journal and press The Hunger. She holds an MFA from Western Kentucky University and a PhD from Bowling Green State University. She is the host of the music and literature podcast Reading Michael Jackson, available on all major podcast platforms. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband. She believes in magic, the transformative power of language, and the resilience of the human heart. Both these books are available together as part of the Autofocus Fall 2025 box.____________Conversation topics include:-- Becoming best friends and ideal readers a decade ago-- Starting The Hunger journal and press after MFAs and going into PhDs-- Their memoirs with Autofocus coming out a week apart-- Non-judgement and trust as readers, audiences, and friends-- Lena's A Revisionist History of Loving Men, which deals with understanding sexual abuse in a context of normalized sexual violence-- Erin's The Dead Dad Diaries, which deals with the murder of her father by her stepmom when Erin was 16 (and its effects as she came of age in her twenties)-- The dangers of memoir in creating a fixed narrative for the self-- Navigating disclosure, dignity, and responsibility in memoirs about trauma-- Memoir as the willingness to take up space -- The value in writing from personal experience-- Capturing the messiness of your coming of age with compassion-- The terminology victim and survivor and the complexity of human experience-- Accepted or expected narratives of trauma / self-determining justice-- Bringing compassion and humanity in writing to people who have harmed you-- The emotional reality about publishing a personal book about family or that family may read-- Bending form to tell these stories in memoir-- Questioning the story you're telling in memoir-- The shifting nature of truth-- More about the emotional reality about publishing a personal book about family or that family may read-- Shame and healing (and not healing)_______________Podcast theme music  by Mike Nagel, author of Duplex and Culdesac. Here's his music project: Yeah Yeah Cool Cool.The Lives of Writers is edited and produced by Michael Wheaton.

Welcome to Manna for the Movement, short devotionals from the CCDA community to encourage you to meet with God today, wherever you find yourself on your journey. For the next four weeks, every Thursday, this series will focus on the theme of Shalom—a concept encompassing wholeness, well-being, justice, development, and harmony. It speaks to a state of right relationship with God, with one another, and with creation, where nothing is missing and nothing is broken.In this episode, Breana van Velzen leads us in meditating on Isaiah 61:8-11 through the practice of Lectio Divina.The Rev. Breana van Velzen is an ordained Baptist minister. Breana holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div) from Duke Divinity School, a Master of Social Work (M.S.W) from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor in English Education with Secondary Licensure and a Minor in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. Breana is a certified spiritual director and a non-profit consultant experienced in non-profit leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion change-making, and theo-ethical praxis for parachurch ministry and faith-based institutions. In addition to the role of Executive Director for Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA), Breana serves on the board of Innovative Space for Asian American Christianity and is part of Baptist Women in Ministry NC and the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham (RCND). Breana's passions include advocacy at the intersections of racial, economic, and environmental justice, education, and writing. When not volunteering or traveling, Breana enjoys slam poetry, science fiction, and baking for family and friends.Learn more about CCDA and how you can get involved at ccda.org. Connect with CCDA on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Follow CCDA on YouTube.

Tarot Emblemata is a magical and mystical tarot deck based on the 1551 book of emblems by Claude Paradin. Renaissance emblems are intimate illustrations with accompanying mottos that allegorically and symbolically express sentiments, concepts, societal concerns, and parables. These Renaissance emblems are a didactic genre of interpretive art and, within them, author and creator Nitasia Roland has discovered that their enigmatic imagery and “mottos” correspond dynamically and align perfectly with the seventy cards of the Major and Minor Arcana of the tarot.Among the many ancient and iconic images this deck portrays—plumes, helmets, swords, gemstone rings, coins, wands, clouds, wreaths, flowers, animals, and trees—Roland sees the evolution of tarot's wands, swords, cups, and coins, as well as evocative glimmers of the Major Arcana archetypes. Both secular and religious, Renaissance emblems were meant to crystallize virtue or vice and cover every sphere of early modern knowledge: ethics, natural philosophy, politics, science, religion, love, war, and everyday life, very much in the same way that modern tarot imagery provides insight and clarity today.The Tarot Emblemata deck will help readers expand on their path of embodiment, spiritual gnosis, inspired destiny, and empowerment. The accompanying guidebook presents tarot interpretations and elucidations on the symbolism of the emblems. Tarot Emblemata features a ribbon lift and gilded cards. It is an accessible deck for beginners and those familiar with the Rider-Waite-Smith system, while more experienced readers will enjoy a new and refreshing perspective. Find the deck and Natasia:Tarot Emblemata Deck: https://amzn.to/4mRCHWGWebsite: www.uraniapress.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nitasia_roland/ and https://www.instagram.com/urania_press/Nitasia Roland is a poet and writer of nonfiction with a focus on dovetailing the wisdom and practices of Western Esotericism, magic, myth, and mysticism. She resides in Maine, USA, surrounded by 75 acres of pastoral New England countryside. Nitasia works from home as an artist, independent researcher, editor, and indie tarot deck creator at her publishing company Urania Press. For her Interdisciplinary Master's Degree, she studied English, Poetry, Printmaking, Photography, and Design. In 2019 she received her MFA in Creative Writing. The current of Nitasia's Synchromystic path syncs a mélange of curios into a body of research, contemplation, and practice with poetic trance, synchronicity, Synthēmata & Symbola, theurgy, Hellenistic household worship, daimon & deity devotion, witchcraft, hedgecraft, divination, and ceremonial & planetary magic. 

Allie Galloway, Senior Director, Global Events and Experiential Marketing at Yahoo, joins Amanda Ma, CEO and Founder of Innovate Marketing Group, to talk about designing memorable brand activations, leading inspired teams, and staying ahead in experiential marketing. Tune in now and get inspired to reimagine your next event.About the guest:As a Director of Events on the Yahoo Events and Experiential team, Allie Galloway is a passionate and energetic leader with a career built around elevating global brand experiences that drive revenue growth and foster brand affinity. Allie was named to BizBash 500: 2021's Most Influential Event Professionals & Event Marketers' 35 Under 35 Experiential Marketing's Next Generation in 2018. Most recently, she was a finalist for The Drum Awards B2B for Best Internal Company Event: 2021 For the Win Sales Conference and Most Innovative or Creative Use of Content: Yahoo's New Kind of NewFront, and won Best Reimagined Event Experience for BizBash Event Style Awards 2020 for her work on Build It: WFH Edition.   From building multi-million dollar conferences to producing XR videos, Allie's experience spans a wide range of events in the entertainment and technology industries. Before joining AOL in 2015, Allie worked for Sony Music Entertainment, creating bespoke meet & greet and intimate live performance sessions for A-list talent across the Southwest.   Allie received her BA in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach, and resides in Boulder, CO with her husband, two children, and golden retriever.Follow Allie on LinkedIn!EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. Learn more here!At Innovate Marketing Group, we've curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you're planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Access them here!Follow us!Find us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn and Instagram and catch our latest episodes on the EventUp Podcast!

What if the content you've already created could work harder for you? If you're like most small business owners and creatives, you've spent hours crafting blog posts, emails, and social content—only to use them once and move on. But here's the thing: you're sitting on a goldmine of material that could be repurposed to extend your reach, fill your content calendar, and actually get a return on all that time you invested. In this episode of Talk Copy to Me, I'm showing you how AI can make content repurposing faster and more strategic than ever before. I'll walk you through bi-directional repurposing (yes, you can go from short-form to long-form content too), share specific workflows you can use right away, and give you the exact prompts and context you need to get quality results from AI tools. You'll learn how to choose which content is worth repurposing, how to maintain your voice across different formats, and—most importantly—what mistakes to avoid so you're not just churning out mediocre content. This isn't about letting AI run wild with your messaging; it's about using it strategically to maximize the ROI on content you've already validated.You in? Great! Let's start talking copy.__________________________________________EPISODE 162.Read the show notes and view the full transcript here: Coming Soon______________________________________________Here's info on your host, Erin OllilaErin Ollila believes in the power of words and how a message can inform – and even transform – its intended audience. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, and went on to co-found Spry, an award-winning online literary journal.When Erin's not helping her clients understand their website data or improve their website copy, you can catch her hosting the Talk Copy to Me podcast and guesting on shows such as Profit is a Choice, Mindful Marketing, The Power in Purpose, and Business-First Creatives.Stay in touch with Erin Ollila, SEO website copywriter:• Learn more about my VIP intensive options or just book a strategy session to get started right away• Visit Erin's website to learn more about her business, services, and productsWant to keep talking copy? Send me a text message!

Today is a fantastic day for the Story Nerd Podcast. We are celebrating the launch of Melanie's new middle-grade novel, Jett Cooper, by sharing a behind the veil look at how she put theory into practice. Join us for this special episode and learn more about Melanie, what inspired her to write this novel, and why it took her so long. Valerie also shares her reaction to reading the completed novel for the first time with Melanie. If you've ever wondered why Valerie and Melanie started the Story Nerd podcast then join us for this exclusive Story Nerd episode. If you want to see whether Melanie and Valerie know what they're talking about, now you can get their books and read for yourself.  The proof is in the pages!For more details about where you can get Jett Cooper, go to melaniehill.au Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

Wherein we indulge in our second writing prompt:  Maurice dropped a log onto the dying embers when a large rustle at the edge of the prairie grass stole his breath… Brainstorm our inbox: gwritersanon@gmail.com  Spy our Facebook page (Ghost Writers, Anonymous).  

From Stephen King to George Saunders ,there is no shortage of authors willing to put their insights on how the greats write and how you can do it betterBut, how does advising children on the topic of creative writing differ from dealing with more mature aspiring writers?Patricia Forde is Laureate na nÓg and author of ‘Making It Up As You Go Along: A Children's Guide to Writing Stories'. She joins Seán to discuss.

Hello friends! High school English and Creative Writing teacher turned singer-songwriter, Matthew Payne is my guest for episode 1518! Matthew has just released his debut EP, "Coyote Howlin Blues" recorded live at Cedar Creek with engineer André Moran and available wherever you stream or download your jams. He's playing tonight, Tuesday, October 7th at Batch in Austin, TX and tomorrow, Wednesday, October 8th at The Dosey Doe in The Woodlands, TX. Go to thisismatthewpayne.net for show dates and info, merch, and more. We have a great conversation about teaching English and Creative Writing for over two decades and switching gears to professional musician, his love of Townes Van Zandt, recording "Coyote Howlin Boues" live in the studio in one day, what he got from teaching, being a dad, playing gigs, writing songs, and much more.I had a great time getting to know Matthew. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down! Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you pod. Send someone the gift of Johnny with Cameo.   If you feel so inclined. Venmo: venmo.com/John-Goudie-1  Paypal: paypal.me/johnnygoudie

Spencer Robert Young sits down with Jared to talk about their path from punk music concertgoer to writing a chamber opera. Plus, Spencer and Jared discuss pattern and rupture in poetry, the pros and cons of staying in academia versus taking time off, the beauty and collaboration of editing, and life in Moscow, Idaho.Spencer Robert Young (they/them) is a poet, essayist, and editor. They write about embodiment, punk music, queerness, climate change, and good books. Spencer holds an MA in Creative Writing and Literature from Kansas State University and an MFA in Poetry from the University of Idaho. While earning their MFA, Spencer edited reviews and interviews for Fugue Literary Journal, and they currently judge chapbooks for the Cow Creek Chapbook Prize. A recipient of an Academy of American Poets Prize, their work has been published in a handful of literary magazines and journals, and their original chamber opera, Let's Blow Up a Gas Station!, premiered with Seattle Opera in 2024. Find them at spencerrobertyoung.my.canva.site. MFA Writers is hosted by Jared McCormack and produced by Jared McCormack and Hanamori Skoblow. New episodes are released every two weeks. You can find more MFA Writers at MFAwriters.com.BE PART OF THE SHOWDonate to the show at Buy Me a Coffee.Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.Submit an episode request. If there's a program you'd like to learn more about, contact us and we'll do our very best to find a guest who can speak to their experience.Apply to be a guest on the show by filling out our application.STAY CONNECTEDTwitter: @MFAwriterspodInstagram: @MFAwriterspodcastFacebook: MFA WritersEmail: mfawriterspodcast@gmail.com

 Tributes to teachers from Roy Cheng Tsung and Maureen Murphy Woodcock. Support the show

Latest up from Spoken Label (Author Podcast) features making his debut is Craig Snelgrove.Craig Snelgrove is a writer from Manchester and a PhD in Creative Writing. Craig is author of the short story cycle Young Mancunians, and the creator of The Existential Reader and The Subtext: The Art of Storytelling. (Both available on Substack).

Author Audrey Golden chats with JoE Silva about her latest book "Shouting Out Loud: Lives of The Raincoats." Plus new indie sounds from Creative Writing and Permanent Opposite, and we get a voicemail from guitar maestro Marc Ribot

Hello and welcome to The Rob Burgess Show. I am, of course, your host, Rob Burgess. On this our 283rd episode, our guest is Steve Schlam. Steve Schlam first gained entrance to the “City of Words” through the doors of the public library in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born and spent a good portion of his childhood, and has maintained his residency ever since while living in cities and towns across the U.S.A. and in Mexico. An actor as well as an author, he has performed on stages in all the places he has called home, and earned an MA degree in Creative Writing under the tutelage of Joseph Heller, renowned author of “Catch-22.” His debut novel, “The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane,” published in 2024, was longlisted for the Bath Novel Award and the Disquiet International Prize for Fiction. He lives now in sunny Southern California in a pretty little Craftsman house with lemons and tangelos growing in the backyard, in the company of his wife, Liora. Follow me on Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/robaburg.bsky.social Follow me on Mastodon: newsie.social/@therobburgessshow Check out my Linktree: linktr.ee/therobburgessshow Subscribe to my Substack: therobburgessshow.substack.com/

Author Meagan Church unpacks the hidden lives of women in her chilling novel, The Mad Wife, as we explore the history of hysteria in women's health diagnoses.If you loved Meagan Church's historical fiction, you'll be captivated by the bold turn she takes in The Mad Wife, her third novel. Rooted in the untold medical stories of women's lives, this book lulls readers into the familiar rhythms of mid-century domesticity, before flipping the script with a shocking plot twist.In our revealing conversation, we explore:Building a Vivid 1950s World – From S&H stamps to molded salads, how Meagan nailed the texture of the era, weaving ordinary domestic details into a setting that feels both authentic and unsettling.From History to Suspense – Why Meagan pivoted from a traditional historical fiction lens in her earlier novels to the creeping tension of domestic suspense, and how she made the genre shift feel authentic to her writing process. We discuss the bravery required for this project and how she felt haunted, both in real life and on the page, as she told Lulu's story.The Medical History of “Hysteria” – What her chilling research revealed about diagnoses like hysteria, prescriptions like Miltown, and procedures like lobotomy and ECT that shaped women's lives in disturbing ways.

Nijla Mu'min is a powerful creative voice shaped by poetry, music, fiction, and dance. Born and raised in the East Bay Area, she weaves deeply personal and socially resonant narratives that spotlight the intersections of identity, justice, and belonging.Her debut feature Jinn — a coming-of-age story about faith, freedom, and first love — premiered at SXSW, where it earned her the Special Jury Award for Screenwriting, and went on to be named a New York Times Critics Pick. Since then, Nijla has made her mark directing episodes of Queen Sugar, Insecure, Swagger, Blindspotting, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, All Rise, and more.She is a Sundance Institute alum, a recipient of the MPAC Media Award for Courage and Conscience, and a ReFrame Rise fellow. She's currently developing her second feature, Mosswood Park, which was awarded the SFFILM Rainin Grant. Her academic background includes a dual MFA in Film Directing and Creative Writing from CalArts and a BA from UC Berkeley, where she studied under the legendary poet June Jordan.Nijla's work is bold, intimate, and evocative — and this conversation will dive into how she tells stories that stay with you long after the credits roll.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #WomenInFilm #Filmmakers #IndieFilm

On this episode of You Are What You Read, we are joined by poet and author Silas House who has not one but two books out this September that you don't want to miss: a new novel, Dead Man Blues, and a book of poetry, All These Ghosts. Silas was the recipient of the Duggins Prize, the largest award for an LGBTQ writer in the nation. He was inducted as the Poet Laureate of Kentucky for 2023–2025 and became a Grammy finalist. Silas teaches at Berea College and at the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Creative Writing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recognizing October is for Oceans month, with pieces from Passager's Pandemic Diaries series from Mark Tochen, Johan Fremling, Isabel Learza, and Suzanne Iuppa.Support the show

Send us a textSend us a textIn this captivating episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome the multifaceted Walker Kimberly Brandt, a professional actor, spokesperson, writer, and mentor with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Walker shares her remarkable journey, from her unexpected entry into acting and modeling to becoming a successful advocate and coach alongside the renowned Lisa Nichols. She reflects on the transformative power of vulnerability and the importance of sharing one's story to inspire others. Walker opens up about her struggles with anxiety and dyslexia, revealing how these experiences have shaped her mission to help others find their voice and navigate their own challenges. Listeners will gain insight into her Amazon bestselling book, "Awaken: Discovering Yourself Through the Light of Your Innocence," and the profound lessons she learned while working with global brands and on international blockbuster films. Join us for an enlightening conversation that encourages self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of joy, even in the face of adversity.PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews

Emilie joins Farnaz Fatemi to discuss her new book, how poetry helps her stay in touch with "moments [she] felt truly like herself," and giving oneself permission to be in the state--like butterflies in chrysalis--of goo. Moving, wise, and funny thoughts are everywhere when you're talking with Emilie Lygren. Hive Live! hosts Emilie Lygren and Stephen Kuusisto at 7pm, November 4, at Bookshop Santa Cruz. Emilie discussed the Soul Bone/Maharishi International University MFA in Creative Writing. Find out more. Emilie Lygren's Once I Was a Stone is an intimate portrait of gender nonconformity rooted in the context of childhood and the natural world. Lygren grapples with the complexities of selfhood, power, and loss, offering a gentle yet unflinching look at what it means to be in relationship with place. Emilie Lygren is a nonbinary poet and educator whose work is grounded in curiosity and reverence. Her poems have appeared in over twenty literary journals and anthologies, and her first book of poetry, What We Were Born For, was selected as the Poetry Foundation's monthly book pick in 2022. Currently, Emilie is a professor of creative writing, a poet in the schools, and at work on an anthology of poems on mental health for teens. For more of her work and words, visit: https://emilielygren.com/ 

Many adults assume that kids only tolerate online learning—that it's isolating, transactional, and never as “real” as learning in person. But what if students themselves told a different story? What if distance learning could be creative, inspiring, and a place to make authentic friendships?In this episode, we meet Maddie (11) and Ella (13), co-hosts of The Recess Rundown, a podcast created entirely by and for self-directed learners. What started as homeschooling and a love of writing, journaling, blogging, and gaming has grown into a vibrant collaboration fueled by Recess.gg, the online community where they found not only peers but also mentors and their closest friends. Through their podcast, they amplify the projects of other young creators, from coders and artists to bloggers and novelists—and in the process, they discover their own voice.Maddie and Ella remind us that kids don't just consume digital culture—they shape it. They share what they've learned about podcasting, what inspires them from fellow students, and how distance learning has built their confidence and community.Listeners will learn:How self-directed learners find their passions through creative outlets like journaling, podcasting, and blogging.Why online friendships can be just as authentic—and even more motivating—than in-person ones.How communities like Recess.gg create a “safe bubble” that grows confidence, connection, and curiosity.Why peer inspiration is one of the most powerful forces in education—and how it drives new projects and ambitions.What it looks like when kids, not adults, set the agenda for their learning.If you're a parent, educator, or school leader wondering whether online learning can truly spark joy, curiosity, and belonging, this episode will challenge your assumptions—and let Maddie and Ella show you what's possible when kids lead.Episode LinksThe Recess Rundown Podcast – Student-created show about self-directed learningRecess.gg – Where young learners connect, collaborate, and createInterview with Recess.gg founder Ben Somers - Why Distance Learning #65: Turning Virtual Learning into a Multiplayer ExperienceHost LinksExplore virtual learning resources and programs at CILC.org with Tami Moehring and Allyson MitchellDiscover global learning experiences at Banyan Global Learning with Seth Fleischauer

Explore how creative writing fuels progressive movements and Snyder's warning about Hegseth's unprecedented global military summit. Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://politicsdoneright.com/newsletterPurchase our Books: As I See It: https://amzn.to/3XpvW5o How To Make AmericaUtopia: https://amzn.to/3VKVFnG It's Worth It: https://amzn.to/3VFByXP Lose Weight And BeFit Now: https://amzn.to/3xiQK3K Tribulations of anAfro-Latino Caribbean man: https://amzn.to/4c09rbE

Explore how creative writing fuels progressive movements and Snyder's warning about Hegseth's unprecedented global military summit.Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://politicsdoneright.com/newsletterPurchase our Books: As I See It: https://amzn.to/3XpvW5o How To Make AmericaUtopia: https://amzn.to/3VKVFnG It's Worth It: https://amzn.to/3VFByXP Lose Weight And BeFit Now: https://amzn.to/3xiQK3K Tribulations of anAfro-Latino Caribbean man: https://amzn.to/4c09rbE

You've got your AI trained with your brand voice and messaging, but you're still just using it to write social posts. (Sound familiar?) But what if you could actually use AI as a brainstorming partner?If you did the foundation work from last week's episode, your AI actually knows your business well enough to help you think through bigger challenges.In this episode, we explore how to brainstorm strategically with AI—not just content topics, but messaging angles, audience concerns, and potential blind spots in your approach. And don't worry, I also cover AI's significant limitations that most people ignore, like its built-in biases and tendency to tell you what you want to hear. The goal is using AI to think more thoroughly while staying in control of all strategic decisions.You in? Great, let's start talking copy.__________________________________________EPISODE 161.Read the show notes and view the full transcript here: Coming Soon______________________________________________Here's info on your host, Erin OllilaErin Ollila believes in the power of words and how a message can inform – and even transform – its intended audience. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, and went on to co-found Spry, an award-winning online literary journal.When Erin's not helping her clients understand their website data or improve their website copy, you can catch her hosting the Talk Copy to Me podcast and guesting on shows such as Profit is a Choice, Mindful Marketing, The Power in Purpose, and Business-First Creatives.Stay in touch with Erin Ollila, SEO website copywriter:• Learn more about my VIP intensive options or just book a strategy session to get started right away• Visit Erin's website to learn more about her business, services, and productsWant to keep talking copy? Send me a text message!

Send us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Judy Lane Boyer… a ghostwriter, writing coach, and storyteller who helps others bring their words to life. We first connected here in Austin, crossed paths again at Podfest, and after a couple of failed recording attempts, we finally made this conversation happen.Judy shares her powerful story of breaking free from a strict upbringing, finding faith in her own way, and embracing her passion for writing. We talk about what it means to trust the process, to pivot when life calls for it, and to honor the gifts that make us unique.From traveling to Oxford for a faith-based fantasy conference to launching her very first writing retreat, Judy's journey is a reminder that it's never too late to choose differently and create a new chapter for yourself.This episode is about courage, creativity, and listening to that quiet voice that says: “Why don't you let me handle it?”Take a listen. Let it inspire you. And maybe ask yourself… what story inside you is waiting to be told?Connect with Judy:

Weekly shoutout: A new essay on HowlRound by theatermaker and friend of the show, Anne Mason! -- Hi there, Today I am delighted to be arts calling author Monica Macansantos! (monicamacansantos.com) About our guest: Monica Macansantos is a Filipino writer from Baguio, and is currently a Marguerite and Lamar Smith Fellow with the Carson McCullers Center in Columbus, Georgia. She is the author of the essay collection, Returning to My Father's Kitchen (Curbstone/Northwestern University Press, 2025), and the story collection, Love and Other Rituals (Grattan Street Press), 2022. She was a 2024-25 Shearing Fellow with the Black Mountain Institute at UNLV, and her work has appeared in Colorado Review, The Hopkins Review, Bennington Review, River Styx, Electric Literature, Literary Hub, and Katherine Mansfield and Children (Edinburgh University Press), among other places. She earned her MFA from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, and her PhD in Creative Writing from the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. Her work has been recognized as Notable in Best American Essays 2016 and 2021-2023. RETURNING TO MY FATHER'S KITCHEN, now available from Northwestern University Press/Curbstone Books: Purchase from Northwestern University Press: https://nupress.northwestern.edu/9780810148390/returning-to-my-fathers-kitchen/ From Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/returning-to-my-father-s-kitchen-essays-monica-macansantos/ Purchase from Book People in Austin, which sells signed copies of the book! https://bookpeople.com/book/9780810148390 Also from Monica, LOVE & OTHER RITUALS, a collection of stories: https://www.monicamacansantos.com/loveandotherritualsselectedstories.html Thanks for this amazing conversation, Monica! All the best! Arts Calling is produced by Jaime Alejandro. HOW TO SUPPORT ARTS CALLING: PLEASE CONSIDER LEAVING A REVIEW, OR SHARING THIS EPISODE WITH A FRIEND! YOUR SUPPORT TRULY MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Much love, j artscalling.com

* Creative Writing Activism: Using Words to Resist Authoritarianism: Egberto Willies and Thomas Czarnik explore art's role in political resistance. Writing isn't just art — it's activism that builds progressive movements. [More]* Timothy Snyder speculates on what Hegseth is doing by calling all the top military brass together: Timothy Snyder is looking at w… To hear more, visit egberto.substack.com

This week's episode is full of simple, easy, and inexpensive ways to help your child enjoy writing and ways to get their creative juices flowing.  Carrie also shares how to use everyday objects around the house, old photos and interesting pictures, fables, fairytales, poetry, puns, picture books, and so much more to spark writing ideas and get past writer's block.  You will be able to implement most, if not all of the strategies shared as soon as you finish listening to the podcast.  Who should listen to this week's Coffee With Carrie Podcast?If your child hates writing, If your child loves to write,If you are running out of ideas, If your child is a budding author, If your child never knows what to write about, or If writing makes you or your child cry in frustration, then pour yourself a large latte, put your feet up, and join Carrie for a little coffee break this week.Subscribe to Coffee With Carrie website. Email subscribers will receive the list of resources mentioned in this episode.  https://coffeewithcarrie.org/Support the showAttend the Bloom & Blossom: West Coast Conference in San Diego, October 10th & 11th. Register at https://www.christinacarpenter.org/bloom-and-blossom-conference. I'll be there! Come join me and friends! Purchase Homeschooling High School: A Handbook for Christian Education.Purchase Just Breathe (and Take a Sip of Coffee): Homeschool Simply & Enjoyably. Schedule a Coffee Date (One-on-One Personalized Coaching Session: Coffee With Carrie Subscribe to Coffee With Carrie email newsletter and blog at https://coffeewithcarrie.org Follow on Instagram @coffeewithcarrieconsultant.

How do the stories we tell ourselves and each other about ourselves, each other and our place in the web of life shape our world?How can we craft narratives that can shift the way we see and experience the world? Is this even the best leverage point to start off with or is there a deeper/wider/more effective acupuncture point we could explore as we evolve to become…what?  What are we aiming for? What—who—do we want to be and how might we reach places we can't even express - and do it in the face of a world where narratives are becoming more black-and-white, more constrained by circumstances, more held by those with power? In a week that's seen our world become both more complex, more ugly and more beautiful, we're talking to story-crafter and narrative-explorer, Paddy Loughman. Paddy's work explores the role of narrative and communications in navigating beyond our predicament. He is curious about how we might come together to appreciate what science and wisdom traditions reveal about entangled, relational reality, and the potential of more viable, beautiful worlds. He works independently, collaborating with activists, academics, philanthropists, creatives, community organisers and more, orienting towards just, transformational change. He has also co-initiated a number of efforts, including Inter-Narratives with Ella Saltmarshe. Earlier in his career he worked as a strategist in commercial and political communications, before jumping into climate campaigning with a wide range of organisations, from the UNFCCC to grassroots activists, and once upon a time he trained as an actor.This is my first conversation after a life-changing time away from my desk and it was a genuinely generative, consciousness-expanding conversation. I'm in the space where reality, dream and experience are overlapping seamlessly and Paddy felt like one of those people who can stand on the edge of all our spaces and look into what we might become and how we might get there.  So…with this as your baseline, please do join us in our exploration of possibility. LinksStories for Life https://stories.life/Inter-Narratives https://inter-narratives.org/Paddy on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/paddyloughman/Go Deep or Go Home Medium Post by Paddy Loughman and Ella Saltmarsh https://medium.com/inter-narratives/go-deep-or-no-home-the-essential-power-of-deep-narrative-9124e69ee2aa'Stop Trying to Change Mindsets. Do This Instead' by Jessica Boehme https://jessicaboehme.substack.com/p/the-greatest-leverage-to-change-a'Raging against the dying light: a systems view of human futures' by Julian Norris https://wolfwillow.substack.com/p/raging-against-the-dying-light-a'Who is Organising the Poor White Folks' by Amhara Spence  https://amahraspence.substack.com/p/who-is-organising-poor-white-folksAntidote Project: https://www.antidotelive.studio/Imandeep Kaur https://civicsquare.cc/The Dawn of Everything David Graeber and David Wengrow https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-dawn-of-everything-a-new-history-of-humanity-david-graeber/bb3d95f3af2350dfWhat we offer: Accidental Gods, Dreaming Awake and the Thrutopia Writing Masterclass If you'd like to join our next Open Gathering offered by our Accidental Gods Programme it's  'Dreaming Your Death Awake' (you don't have to be a member) it's on 2nd November - details are here.If you'd like to join us at Accidental Gods, this is the membership where we endeavour to help you to connect fully with the living web of life. If you'd like to train more deeply in the contemporary shamanic work at Dreaming Awake, you'll find us here. If you'd like to explore the recordings from our last Thrutopia Writing Masterclass, the details are here

We've come to the end of another season and that means it's time for our best advice about the villain's monologue (what it is, and why it's essential you have one in your story) and turning points (those unexpected events that create opportunities for you to reveal character). -V. Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

Homeschool language arts… but make it magical. In this episode, Lisa chats with Joshua Davidson, creator of Night Zookeeper—a story-driven, gamified ELA program where kids invent creatures, build worlds, and level up writing, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and more. With real tutors, smart scaffolding, and a gentle, visually stunning interface, Night Zookeeper helps reluctant writers become confident storytellers—and gives fluent writers a global community to share their work. What you'll learn How creativity fuels literacy: kids design characters, then naturally want to write, revise, and share. Built-in scaffolding: age-appropriate prompts and supports progress from picture-choice sentences to full paragraphs and essays. Immediate feedback (from a penguin!): friendly, low-friction corrections keep momentum high. Safe, moderated community: every post is reviewed by humans; parent controls let you dial features up or down. Comprehensive ELA: reading, writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, poetry, persuasive and report writing—guided by quests or sandbox play. Tutor feedback: real people encourage, coach, and celebrate wins. Grows with your learner: ages ~5–11 with pathways for beginners and advanced storytellers. Cross-platform access: computers and tablets; iPhone available now, Android app coming. How Night Zookeeper works (quick tour) Create a character (unicorn-rainbow besties with a crisp packet named Bill? yes.). Tell the story with prompts that match skill level. Get feedback—from tutors, peers, and the professorial penguin. Build skills via gamified lessons and the new Quests mode (a structured route through the curriculum). Share & celebrate inside a fully moderated, kid-safe community. Safety & parental controls All student work is reviewed by human tutors before it's public. Feature controls for families (e.g., limit community features for younger children). Optional “bubble mode” if you want a solo experience. Pro tips from Joshua Create the first animal together. That one shared moment super-charges buy-in. Try the 7-day free trial, then (if you love it) consider the companion Night Zookeeper books for easy independent reading. Who this episode is for Parents of reluctant writers who need a joyful on-ramp. Word-loving kids who want a bigger audience for their stories. Families seeking a complete, kid-safe ELA solution that actually gets used. Links & resources Night Zookeeper (7-day free trial + discount):  Night Zookeeper books (by Joshua Davidson): [book link] True North Academy (online grades 6–12): truenorthhomeschool.academy  It's Not That Hard to Homeschool blog: notthathardtohomeschool.com Pull quote “The best forms of learning are play. We just give kids the tools to create until their hearts are content.” Call to action Ready to turn “I don't like writing” into “Can I write one more chapter?”

Poems about food from Wendy Hoffman, Christine Higgins, and Fran Markover. Support the show

Ever blanked on stage? Ravina has—in front of her entire high school. What could've been the end of her poetry journey became a lesson in resilience, community, and remembering that showing up is the real win. In this episode, learn how support, self-compassion, and a little reframing can turn setbacks into stepping stones. Visit thepoetrylab.com to find the Show Notes for this episode. The Poetry Lab Podcast is produced by Danielle Mitchell. With special guest hosts Lori Walker, bridgette bianca, Leonora Simonovis and Ravina Wadhwani.

Sarah Hall—twice Booker Prize–nominated author and the only writer to win the BBC National Short Story Award twice—on crafting fiction that is both lush and uncompromising, and how to captivate readers on the sentence level while staying true to creative freedom.We discuss:Her early reading life in the countryside and the characters who first sparked her imaginationLessons learned from an “unpublishable” first novel and how Haweswater found its true formThe discipline and intuition behind her writing process and when to share draftsWhy handwriting first drafts rekindled a sense of play and sharpened her editingHow to build short stories that hold “the world on a pin” and reverberate beyond the pageGiving voice to Britain's only named wind in Helm and weaving folklore, climate themes, and playfulnessDiscerning a story's ending and sustaining joy in the writing process About Sarah HallSarah Hall is one of Britain's most acclaimed contemporary authors. Twice nominated for the Booker Prize and the first and only writer to win the BBC National Short Story Award twice, she is the author of ten acclaimed novels and short story collections, including Haweswater, The Electric Michelangelo, The Carhullan Army, and Burntcoat. Her latest novel, Helm, blends myth, climate anxiety, and playful storytelling to bring Britain's only named wind to life.Resources and Links:

Want to be more confident, capable, and ready for real life? Stop letting other people do things for you that you can do yourself!In this episode, Joey shares how small acts of independence, like making your own lunch, keeping track of assignments, or doing your own laundry, train you to solve problems, handle responsibility, and become more resilient. You'll hear how this mindset applies at home and at school, plus simple ways to start building your “self-sufficient” muscle today.Secret for an Awesome Life: If you want to be successful, don't let other people do for you what you can do for yourself.--My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to start a two-week free trial.--Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram.com/sidekicktohero--Joey Mascio is a teen confidence coach and motivational speaker. He helps teens eliminate self-doubt, manage emotions, develop social skills, and achieve their goals. He was a middle school teacher and counselor for 7 years, a former Disneyland performer, and an experienced improv comedian. He uses his Masters in Education, Bachelors in Creative Writing, and two professional life coach certifications to teach powerful resilience tools and strategies to teens through humor and stories.

Your AI keeps giving you generic copy because it doesn't know your business the way a human copywriter would. Most people think the solution is better prompts, but that's like thinking good copy just means better grammar.You're missing the entire strategy layer underneath.In this episode, I explore why AI training fails for most business owners and how working with a copy coach can solve the real problem. We'll talk about developing the strategic foundation your AI actually needs, from specific brand voice definitions to clear audience insights, and why this approach improves all your marketing, not just AI-generated content.__________________________________________EPISODE 160.Read the show notes and view the full transcript here: Coming Soon______________________________________________Here's info on your host, Erin OllilaErin Ollila believes in the power of words and how a message can inform – and even transform – its intended audience. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, and went on to co-found Spry, an award-winning online literary journal.When Erin's not helping her clients understand their website data or improve their website copy, you can catch her hosting the Talk Copy to Me podcast and guesting on shows such as Profit is a Choice, Mindful Marketing, The Power in Purpose, and Business-First Creatives.Stay in touch with Erin Ollila, SEO website copywriter:• Learn more about my VIP intensive options or just book a strategy session to get started right away• Visit Erin's website to learn more about her business, services, and productsWant to keep talking copy? Send me a text message!

Welcome back to the Spun Today podcast! In this inspiring episode, host Tony Ortiz sits down with returning guest Amanda Lucas—educator, writer, and now founder of her very own microschool, the Lucas Literacy Lab. Amanda shares her incredible journey of resilience, starting from homeschooling her daughters during the pandemic to navigating the bureaucratic maze of opening a school from scratch—all while balancing motherhood, creativity, and her passion for writing. Amanda dives deep into the challenges of entrepreneurship and education reform, highlighting the tenacity required to pioneer new paths in teaching. She also discusses her children's book, "I Need an Idea," and the creative process behind it, offering insight for writers and educators alike. This conversation isn't just about opening a school—it's a masterclass in creative problem-solving, leadership, and building something meaningful against all odds. Whether you're an aspiring writer, educator, or entrepreneur, Amanda's story will inspire you to take bold steps toward your own creative dreams—one small, determined step at a time. Stick around for a conversation packed with hard-won wisdom, storytelling, and the reminder that creativity can thrive even in the toughest circumstances. The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing, but unlimited in scope.  Give it a whirl.      Twitter: https://twitter.com/spuntoday  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spuntoday/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spuntoday   Website: http://www.spuntoday.com/home  Newsletter: http://www.spuntoday.com/subscribe      Links referenced in this episode   Check out and follow the Lucas Literacy Lab: Lucas Literacy Lab: https://www.lucasliteracylab.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucasliteracylab/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LucasLiteracyLab   Want to start your own Microschool? Checkout KaiPod: https://www.kaipodlearning.com/start-a-microschool/   Get your Podcast Started Today! https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=SPUN (Use Promo code SPUN and get up to 2-months of free service!)   Check out all the Spun Today Merch, and other ways to help support this show! https://www.spuntoday.com/support   Check out my Books   Make Way for You – Tips for getting out of your own way FRACTAL – A Time Travel Tale Melted Cold – A Collection of Short Stories   http://www.spuntoday.com/books/ (e-Book, Paperback & Hardcover are now available).   Fill out my Spun Today Questionnaire if you're passionate about your craft.  I'll share your insight and motivation on the Podcast: http://www.spuntoday.com/questionnaire/     Shop on Amazon using this link, to support the Podcast: https://amzn.to/4km592l      Shop on iTunes using this link, to support the Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTop?genreId=38&id=27820&popId=42&uo=10   Shop at the Spun Today store for Mugs, Notebooks, T-Shirts and more: https://spuntoday-shop.fourthwall.com/   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com   Outro Background Music: https://www.bensound.com   Spun Today Logo by: https://www.naveendhanalak.com/   Sound effects are credited to: http://www.freesfx.co.uk   Listen on: ApplePodcasts | Spotify | Pocket Casts | YouTube | Website

I think BLACK BAG misses the mark but it's one of Melanie's favourites. So what happens when we disagree on whether, from a craft perspective, a story is working or not? Well, you'll have to tune in to this week's episode to find out. One thing I'll say is that this might be a film that is meant for super fans of the spy genre (i.e., Melanie) because it seems to assume a level of knowledge about the world of espionage that the average viewer (i.e., me) simply doesn't have. Enjoy! -V. Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

Brent Taylor started at Triada US as an 18-year-old intern and has since built a successful career representing children's and adult fiction. Hear his thoughts on what's booming in the market, what will be hot next year, the rise of romance, tips for querying authors, hybrid publishing and more!Brent TaylorWebsite: https://www.btaylorbooks.com/Triada USGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitIrresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511KWriting Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQWriting Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BWriting Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslqNEW! Show and Tell: https://amzn.to/4kCc4noFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

Gaar Adams joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about living amongst and depicting queer and migrant communities in the Gulf states, falling in love with Arabic literature and translation, the undeniable parallels between queerness and migration, exploring subversive acts, capturing ourselves in less than flattering ways, combating self-censorship, concern with how loved ones might perceive us, protecting our memory, calibrating interiority, writing into periods of discomfort, the importance of chosen families, transcribing and organizing vast amounts of material and interviews, allowing for a multiplicity of voices, intentional interrogation of stories that aren't being told, and his new book Guest Privileges: Queer Lives and Finding Home in the Middle East.   Also in this episode: -the fallacy of the solo artist -knowing when to let go -protecting our memory   Books mentioned in this episode: Notes on a Foreign Country by Suzy Hansen  Sea State: A Memoir by Tabitha Lasley Maximum City by Suketu Mehta The Pink Line by Mark Gevisser   Gaar Adams is the author of Guest Privileges: Queer Lives and Finding Home in the Middle East, longlisted for the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize. His reporting from the Middle East and South Asia has been featured in The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, Rolling Stone, Bloomberg, VICE, Slate, and elsewhere. He received his Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Glasgow and currently teaches on the MA in Creative Writing at the University of Hull. He lives in London, UK.   Connect with Gaar: Website: https://gaaradams.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaar.adams/ X: https://x.com/gaaradams   – Ronit's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Rumpus, The New York Times, Poets & Writers, The Iowa Review, Hippocampus, The Washington Post, Writer's Digest, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir WHEN SHE COMES BACK about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation was named Finalist in the 2021 Housatonic Awards Awards, the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards, and was a 2021 Book Riot Best True Crime Book. Her short story collection HOME IS A MADE-UP PLACE won Hidden River Arts' 2020 Eludia Award and the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Short Stories.  She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Pacific University, is Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, and teaches memoir through the University of Washington's Online Continuum Program and also independently. She launched Let's Talk Memoir in 2022, lives in Seattle with her family of people and dogs, and is at work on her next book. More about Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Subscribe to Ronit's Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Follow Ronit: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ https://www.facebook.com/RonitPlank https://bsky.app/profile/ronitplank.bsky.social   Background photo credit: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash Headshot photo credit: Sarah Anne Photography Theme music: Isaac Joel, Dead Moll's Fingers

Selections from the forthcoming 2025 Poetry Contest issue, featuring poems by Philip Stern, Buffy Shutt, Susan Miller, and Byron Hoot. Support the show

What makes a character unforgettable? It's not just quirks or dialogue. It's personality. Your characters' personalities shape their arcs, influence their voices, drive their goals, and and connect plot and theme into a cohesive whole. In this episode, we'll explore why personality is the secret ingredient to compelling storytelling and how you can use it to create characters who resonate with readers long after the final page. You'll Learn: 3 reasons personality is the foundation of great characters 4 ways personality drives storytelling (arc, voice, conflict, theme) 10 practical tips for weaving personality into your plot, dialogue, and arcs How to use tools like the Enneagram and MBTI to stress-test your character development Whether you're outlining your next novel or revising a draft, this episode will help you unlock deeper, more authentic storytelling through the lens of personality.

On this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik speaks with Joni Marie Iraci—a registered nurse turned award-winning novelist—about late-life reinvention, earning an MFA in her 60s, and the craft behind her thriller Vatican Daughter. Joni breaks down how life experience fuels better storytelling, why continuing education can restart a creative career, and how rigorous research (including miles of walking Rome) elevates fiction. We also discuss mindset shifts from “victim” to “survivor,” practical marketing realities for authors, and how to keep your brain—and courage—active at any age. This is a direct, no-fluff playbook for midlife career change, creative discipline, and purpose.   About the guest:   Joni Marie Iraci is an author and former registered nurse who returned to college later in life, graduated from Sarah Lawrence, and earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University. She writes page-turning, research-rich fiction centered on resilient women, including Vatican Daughter.   Key takeaways: It's not “too late”: returning to school and embracing new work in your 50s–60s can accelerate creative growth. Leverage lived experience—humor, perspective, and resilience—to write more authentic stories. Practical path: continuing-education programs, steady writing practice, and peer feedback (younger peers can also help with tech). Research that breathes: site walks in Rome/Venice and primary-source study make settings feel real. Fact in fiction: historical events (e.g., 19th-century papal kidnappings) can inform compelling plots when handled responsibly. Craft note: give readers “reprieve scenes” (food, place, texture) to balance thriller intensity. Marketing is work: social media, endorsements, and reader outreach are part of an author's job. Mindset shift: write women who survive, not women defined by victimhood. Community matters: mentorship for emerging writers and asking boldly (blurbs, intros) opens doors. Cognitive wellness: keep learning, reading, and creating to sustain a sharp, purposeful mind.   How to connect with Joni   Website/contact form: Joni mentioned listeners can reach her via the contact page on her official author website - https://www.jonimarieiraci.com/  (search “Joni Marie Iraci” to find it). Books: Look up Vatican Daughter by Joni Marie Iraci on your preferred retailer.   Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik   Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.   Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty—storyteller, survivor, wellness advocate—this channel shares powerful podcasts and soul-nurturing conversations on: • Mental Health & Emotional Well-being• Mindfulness & Spiritual Growth• Holistic Healing & Conscious Living• Trauma Recovery & Self-Empowerment With over 4,400+ episodes and 168.4K+ global listeners, join us as we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.