Podcasts about Creative writing

Welcome to episode #1027 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Will Storr is an award-winning author, journalist and storytelling researcher whose work explores one of the most powerful forces shaping human behavior… the stories we tell ourselves about the world. Over the course of a career that blends psychology, neuroscience, investigative journalism and narrative craft, Will has become one of the most compelling voices examining how stories shape identity, belief and culture. His bestselling books include The Science of Storytelling, Selfie: How We Became So Self-Obsessed And What It's Doing To Us, and The Status Game, each offering a deeper look at the hidden forces driving human motivation and social behavior. In his latest book, A Story Is A Deal - How To Use The Science Of Story To Motivate And Persuade, Will explores how storytelling operates as a powerful psychological transaction… a kind of deal between storyteller and audience that shapes what we believe, who we trust and how we act. Drawing on research from neuroscience and psychology alongside examples that range from ancient rituals to modern brand campaigns, Will shows how narratives influence everything from the leaders we follow to the products we buy. In this conversation, Will explores why people so often believe stories before they believe facts, how identity and status shape the narratives we embrace, and why character-driven storytelling remains the most powerful way to influence human behavior. At the same time, he wrestles with the darker side of narrative… the way stories can fuel misinformation, reinforce tribal identities and manipulate audiences when used without care. As artificial intelligence begins to play a role in creating and distributing stories, the conversation also turns to questions of authenticity, creativity and the future of narrative itself. I'm a huge fan of Will's work and it was truly a honor to host him. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 54:58. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Will Storr. A Story Is A Deal - How To Use The Science Of Story To Motivate And Persuade. The Science of Storytelling. Selfie: How We Became So Self-Obsessed And What It's Doing To Us. The Status Game. Will's other books. Follow Will on LinkedIn. Follow Will on Instagram. Follow Will on X. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Storytelling and Its Significance. (02:47) - The Power of Story in Belief Systems. (05:43) - The Role of Story in Climate Change Narratives. (08:56) - Navigating Complex Conversations and Identity. (11:45) - Storytelling as a Business Tool. (15:41) - Consciousness and Story: An Indivisible Connection. (18:18) - Persuasion vs. Manipulation in Storytelling. (20:29) - AI and the Future of Storytelling. (27:29) - The Emergence of AI-Generated Content. (29:36) - The Emotional Connection to Art. (31:31) - The Future of Cultural Art and AI. (32:54) - AI's Role in Creative Writing. (36:35) - The Formula of Storytelling. (40:39) - The Impact of AI on Writing Quality. (44:14) - The Science of Storytelling. (49:41) - The Role of Character in Business Narratives. (56:34) - Understanding Religion as a Status Game.

Bestselling author Meagan Church returns to discuss our March Book Club selection, The Mad Wife, and its whirlwind success. This month, we welcome Meagan Church back to Book Gang to celebrate our March Reader's Choice selection, The Mad Wife—the most-voted book by our community. Meagan first joined us earlier in her writing journey to discuss the inspiration behind this story. Now she returns following the novel's breakout success, including appearances on the bestseller lists and recognition as a Barnes & Noble Fiction Pick. In this follow-up conversation, we talk about how Life has changed since The Mad Wife reached readers around the country—from touring and meeting fans to seeing Lulu's story resonate with audiences. We also take a lighter turn with a fun round of writer habits, reading life confessions, and quickfire questions designed to help listeners get to know Meagan beyond the page. In this spoiler-free conversation with my friend, we explore:

In this episode, Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus cover a wide range of current events, including domestic coverage of a terrorist attack in New York City, as well as updates on Iran and the Strait or Hormuz. Plus, Noem is out and we need to speculate a little and is Talarico the Christian Democrat who will turn Texas blue? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a culture where age is, at best, ignored, how do we rebuild a cohort of genuine Elders fit for the rapid transitions of the 21st Century: those who can combine the wisdom of wide boundary perspectives with the humility that allows flexibility of thinking, feeling and being? This is one of the core questions of our time and this week's guest is working to find answers. Alain Gauthier is co-founder and coordinator of the Regenerative Elder Process at the Elders Action Network. With John Izzo, he is co-host of The Way Forward Regenerative Conversations podcast and over his long life, he has been an international consultant, facilitator, coach, researcher-educator, and author. His book Actualising Evolutionary Co-Leadership: To Evolve a Creative and Responsible Society was published in 2014 - and is only available on Kindle (sorry) - but it is nonetheless a fascinating and inspiring read. A graduate from HEC (Paris), with an MBA from Stanford University, Alain was once a senior consultant at McKinsey & Company, As you'll hear, a life-changing experience led him to co-found Core Leadership Development in Oakland, California and to focus his professional work on developing co-leadership, partnering and coaching capabilities. Now in his eighties and as an elder, he devotes his time to co-creating conditions for elders to explore how they can live a regenerative life and collaborate with younger generations in transforming education and community life.  Over the last seven years, he has been an active member of the Elders Action Network (EAN), where he initially led a visionary planning process and now co-leads the Regenerative Elder Process (REP) – which, this April (2026) is offering for the seventh time an in-depth exploration called Embodying Regenerative Worldviews. He co-leads the REP Community and is a member of the Advisory Council of Elders Rising, EAN's educational arm. This was a rich, deep and heart-felt podcast.  Enjoy!LinksElders Action Network https://eldersaction.org/Regenerative Elders Process https://eldersaction.org/regenerative-elder-processIntroductory Exploration of Regenerative Elder Process https://sutra.co/space/2eqo2s/register - New Cohort April 2026 Alain's book (only on Kindle) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Actualizing-Evolutionary-Co-Leadership-Creative-Responsible-ebook/dp/B00JE4FRHY/The Way Forward Regenerative Conversations Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-way-forward-regenerative-conversations/id1651941803Peter Senge's Centre for Systems Awareness https://systemsawareness.org/person/peter-senge/Jeff Carreira's Mystery School https://mysteryschool-memberscircle.com/Otto Scharmer's Presencing Institute https://www.presencing.org/About Accidental Gods - What we offer. We offer three strands all rooted in the same soil, drawing from the same river: Accidental Gods, Dreaming Awake and the Thrutopia Writing Masterclass If you'd like to join our next Open Gathering offered as part of our Accidental Gods Programme, it's 'FINDING YOUR SOUL'S PURPOSE' on Sunday 22nd March 2026 from 16:00 - 20:00 GMT - details are here. You don't have to be a member - but if you are, all Gatherings are half price.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 hereManda and Louise both offer one-to-one Mentoring Calls.  Manda is fully booked just now, but if you'd like to contact Louise, details are here.

In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, Wayne Kelly welcomes back award-winning author Margot Douaihy.Margot first appeared on the show when her debut crime novel Scorched Grace introduced readers to Sister Holiday – a chain-smoking, tattooed nun with a punk past and a talent for solving crimes.Now Margot returns to talk about the latest instalment in the series, Divine Ruin, and how the character – and the world around her – has evolved.We talk about writing crime fiction that blends faith, punk rock, and noir sensibilities, the discipline required to build a successful series, and the emotional realities of sustaining a creative career.Margot also reflects on the challenges writers face when success arrives suddenly, the pressure of expectations, and why returning to the page is always the only real answer.In This EpisodeThe origins and evolution of Sister HolidayWriting the latest novel, Divine RuinBlending crime fiction with themes of faith, addiction, and redemptionBuilding momentum after a breakout debutThe realities of sustaining a writing careerMargot's darkest hour as a writerThe book that saved her lifeAbout Margot DouaihyMargot Douaihy is the author of the Sister Holiday mystery series, including Scorched Grace, Blessed Water, and Divine Ruin.Scorched Grace was widely acclaimed on release and was shortlisted for the LA Times Book Prize in the Mystery/Thriller category. Margot's work has also been nominated for a number of other crime writing awards and praised for its distinctive blend of literary style, noir atmosphere, and dark humour.Originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Margot now lives in Massachusetts where she is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Emerson College. Alongside her crime fiction, she has also published poetry and literary fiction.Find Out MoreMargot Douaihy Website: https://www.margotdouaihy.comSupport the PodcastIf you enjoy the show, please consider:Leaving a review wherever you listenSharing the episode with a fellow writerChecking out Wayne's self-publishing support packages at: https://wkwproductions.co.uk/selfpublishing

Calling historical fiction writers, memoirists, and anyone writing a "David and Goliath" style story! In this episode, I do a deep dive into the Speech in Praise of the Villain and I show how the filmmakers expertly (and seamlessly) used exposition to let the viewing audience know just how formidable the antagonist is. (The level of craft here is truly next-level stuff!) And Melanie explains how, yet again, we have a story where the protagonist is a constant character...he doesn't have an arc, but the story sure does! 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.

Host Jason Blitman is joined by T Kira Madden, author of the acclaimed memoir Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls, to discuss her debut novel, Whidbey.Conversation highlights include:⛴️ T Kira's trip to Whidbey Island☀️ The trauma of growing up in Florida

You've been told that if your business isn't scaling, you're falling behind. But what if that message was never meant for you—or most of us online business owners—in the first place? This Talk Copy to Me episode is for anyone who's built a business around their actual life and wondered why all the marketing out there seems to assume you want something completely different.Jess Freeman, of Jess Creatives, joins me to talk about what it really means to run an ordinary, sustainable, and profitable business on your terms. We also dig into the 2026 State of Online Business Survey results that Jess just released, and the data is both validating and a little eye-opening. From referrals to AI to why 27% of respondents are struggling with getting clients, this one's full of real talk about what's actually happening behind the scenes of online businesses right now.______________________________________________EPISODE 184.Read the show notes and view the full transcript here: https://erinollila.com/state-of-online-business-jess-freeman/______________________________________________Get to know our guest expert, Jess FreemanJess Freeman is the award-winning founder of Jess Creatives, where she helps nutrition and fitness pros get found, trusted, and booked with websites that actually match their expertise. With over a decade of experience in web design and SEO, Jess is all about no-fluff strategies that highlight what makes her clients stand out—so their websites finally reflect the level of excellence they bring to their work. Based in the Atlanta suburbs with her husband and daughter, Jess can often be found sipping Diet Dr. Pepper, reading a murder mystery, or at the gym.After listening to this episode, grab your tickets to the 2026 Ordinary Business Summit (or get on the waitlist!)Then, check out the 2026 State of Online Business Survey results here. And don't forget to listen to The Ordinary Business podcast when you're done.Here's the 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 ADHD-ish, Mindful Marketing, The Power in Purpose, and Business-First Creatives.Stay in touch with Erin Ollila, SEO website copywriter:• Learn more about working with me or just book a strategy session to get started right away• Visit my website to learn more about my business, services, and products

Writing on the desire to be of service, from Judith Chalmer, Diana Woodcock, and Andrew Brown. Support the show

Tayari Jones is the author of four novels including An American Marriage, which was an Oprah's Book Club Selection and also appeared on Barack Obama's summer reading list as well as his year-end roundup. The novel was awarded the Women's Prize for Fiction Aspen Words Literary Prize and an NAACP Image Award. It has been published in two dozen countries.  Her other works include Leaving Atlanta, Silver Sparrow, and The Untelling. Her new novel is Kin. Jones is a graduate of Spelman College, University of Iowa, and Arizona State University. She is an Andrew D. White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University and the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Creative Writing at Emory University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley JonesBA, College of Arts and Sciences | Honors College, 2012 Instructor, UAB Honors CollegeAssociate Director, UAB Honors ProgramMore InformationAshley M. Jones - personal websitePoets.org - Ashley M. JonesUAB Scholars BioUAB News - Space to Create: Poet Laureate Ashley M. Jones envisions a creative AlabamaAlabama News Center - How Ashley M. Jones became the most influential poet in AlabamaAshley M. Jones - WikipediaPoet Laureate of Alabama - WikipediaBirmingham Times - 'Lullaby for the Grieving': Ashley M. Jones's Most Personal Poetry Collection to DatePoetry Foundation - Ashley M. Jones

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, novelist, poet and Associate Professor of Creative Writing Sam Meekings shares the process behind writing his latest book, Wonder and Loss: A Practical Memoir for Writing about Grief, which interweaves memoir and his personal journey through grief with practical guidance and insight on how to write about it.   Sam Meekings is a British novelist and poet. He is the author of Under Fishbone Clouds (called 'a poetic evocation of the country and its people' by the New York Times) and The Afterlives of Doctor Gachet. He currently works as an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Northwestern University in Qatar, and has spent the last few years living and working in China and the Middle East. He balances his time between teaching, research, raising two kids as a single father, and drinking copious cups of tea.   Sam sat down with Steph for a candid and insightful discussion about writing as therapy, the importance of intention and of setting boundaries, the role of vulnerability, and of embracing the unknown when undertaking a writing project which draws upon lived, painful experiences. There is also lots of room for wonder, magic and play!

What if you could write a book without the crushing weight of actually having to sit down and..write the book? See, many people freeze at the idea of writing a business book because it feels like a massive undertaking. But it doesn't have to be. You can build a book by writing smaller pieces of content—like blog posts. And those blog posts can serve your business right now while you're working toward building something bigger.In this solo Talk Copy to Me episode, I'm walking you through two methods I've personally used to create books from smaller pieces of content. Both work. And better yet, both let you publish useful content that attracts your audience today while building toward a finished book tomorrow.______________________________________________EPISODE 183.Read the show notes and view the full transcript here: https://erinollila.com/writing-a-book-one-blog-post-at-a-time/______________________________________________Here's the 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 working with me or just book a strategy session to get started right away• Visit Erin's website to learn more about her business, services, and products

This week's chapel speaker was Dr. NadyaWilliams. Nadya is Interim Director of the MFA in Creative Writing at AshlandUniversity and Books Editor at Mere Orthodoxy, where she also hosts theChristians Reading Classics podcast. She is the author of three books, mostrecently Christians Reading Classics which was published in 2025.

In this debut of SNME, the guys dive into the world of wrestling, discussing the latest happenings in WWE, reminiscing about wrestling history, and engaging with their audience. They explore the Elimination Chamber card, highlight significant moments from wrestling history, and speculate on the future of WWE with Vince McMahon's rumored return. The episode also teases an interactive game for listeners in the next episode, aiming to create a fun and engaging experience for fans. In this episode, the hosts dive into the nostalgia of WWF Hasbro action figures, exploring their history and the excitement they brought to fans. They discuss the value of wrestling collectibles, including rare action figures and trading cards, highlighting recent sales and auctions. The conversation shifts to new product releases in wrestling cards, emphasizing the latest offerings and their potential impact on collectors. The episode concludes with a look at significant sales in the wrestling card market, showcasing the evolving landscape of wrestling memorabilia.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 02:54 Wrestling History Highlights 10:14 Elimination Chamber Card Discussion 24:36 Creative Writing in Wrestling 27:13 WrestleMania Rumor Mill 38:21 Upcoming Games and Audience Interaction 38:30 Nostalgia for WWF Hasbro Action Figures 47:31 Exploring Wrestling Collectibles and Their Value 49:26 New Product Releases in Wrestling Cards 57:26 Big Sales and Auctions in Wrestling Cards   Check Out Our Other Content: New Product Releases with Mrs. Doc - Every Wednesday

WKNC's slacker interviews Dr. Diamond Forde, poet and professor of Creative Writing at NC State University, about performance, her creative process and the inspiration behind her newest collection, "The Book of Alice."  ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode: Dr Danica Cerce from the Steinbeck Review; Dr Susan Shillinglaw, Director of the Steinbeck Center, California; Dr Nicholas P Taylor, Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies, San Jose State University; and Dr Tara Guissin-Stubbs, Associate Professor in English Literature and Director of Studies in English Literature and Creative Writing at Oxford University.

Pat Villaceran| Building Worlds That Could Exist Without AlgorithmsThe Anti-Viral Creative StrategyPat Villaceran & James Harris (as dual guests)Headline: The Duo Building Worlds Across Continents Through Sound & StoryGuest Bio:Pat Villaceran and James Harris are the co-creators of VOL. II: KURATA, the new musical chapter from the award-winning cultural movement Hinabi Privé. Operating from two different continents, they have built a seamless creative partnership that serves as a powerful model for the future of global collaboration.Pat, the visionary architect, crafts the deep narratives and emotional frameworks. James, the sonic alchemist, translates those worlds into cinematic music and sound. Together, they are pioneering an “anti-algorithm” approach to art, focusing on depth, community, and multi-sensory experiences that stand in defiance of disposable digital content.Link:https://hinabiprive.com/https://www.instagram.com/hinabi.priveTags:Creative,Creative Writing,Guitar,Guitarist,Live Music,Music Festivals,Musician,Music Interviews,Music Production,Songwriter,Pat Villaceran & James Harris| Building Worlds That Could Exist Without Algorithms,Live Video Podcast Interview,PodcastSupport PEG by checking out our Sponsors:Download and use Newsly for free now from www.newsly.me or from the link in the description, and use promo code “GHOST” and receive a 1-month free premium subscription.The best tool for getting podcast guests:https://podmatch.com/signup/phantomelectricghostSubscribe to our Instagram for exclusive content:https://www.instagram.com/expansive_sound_experiments/Subscribe to our YouTube https://youtube.com/@phantomelectricghost?si=rEyT56WQvDsAoRprRSShttps://anchor.fm/s/3b31908/podcast/rssSubstackhttps://substack.com/@phantomelectricghost?utm_source=edit-profile-page

Gobbo, Emmy, Chac, and Drew dig into the Precurser or Ancient Alien tropes to explore some of the tools we can use to write better species! We break down the Bungie-verse elder things, Stargate's ancients, the Engineers of the Alien Universe, and touch on a few other heavy hitters! Under the Hive of Madness is a Warhammer Lore Podcast diving into the Horror and Grimdark elements of the settings, so expect some adult themes, adult language, and more than a handful of Khorney Jokes!“Its not all space lasers, some of it is just LOTS of dedicated people..." Email the show! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UndertheHiveofMadness@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join us today on Discord! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Under the Hive of Madness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MERCH!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patron⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Find our cast through ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkTree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Underthehiveofmadness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is normally a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery. Today is a bonus episode we call a Toe Tag. It is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, and thriller genre.Today's featured release is Zigzag Girl by Ruth Knafo SettonTG Wolff ReviewZigzag Girl is mystery suspense. It's opening night for Magician Lucy Moon and her partners Van and Stormie, who are as close as sisters. Amid the bright lights and sparkle of illusion, murder lurks. Performing the sawing a woman illusion, Lucy lifts the lid to enter, when she finds the space is already taken. Her best friend, a black rose, a prop that has killed before—no, Lucy is not going to leave this one to the cops.Bottom line: Zigzag Girl is for you if you like your illusions, suspense, mystery twisted together with a sprinkling of Irish magic.The Zigzag Girl was released from Black Spring Crim and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.https://www.amazon.com/ZigZag-Girl-Ruth-Knafo-Setton/dp/1917788037About Ruth Knafo SettonRuthSetton.comBorn in Morocco and raised in the Lehigh Valley, Ruth Knafo Setton is the author of the novel, The Road to Fez (Counterpoint Press). Her honors include awards and fellowships from the National Endowment of the Arts, PEN, CineStory, Nimrod, Cutthroat, Writer's Digest, and residencies at Hedgebrook, Yaddo, MacDowell, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She is a multi-genre author whose fiction, creative nonfiction, screenplays, and poetry have won many awards and appeared in journals and anthologies. A former Fiction Editor of Arts & Letters, she has taught Creative Writing and Multicultural Literature at Lehigh University and on Semester at Sea.Wondering what to read after you finish Zigzag Girl? Partners in Crime Tours is your ultimate destination for all things mystery, crime, thriller, and cozy! Since 2011, they've been working to fill bookshelves with gripping and heart-pounding reads. Discover new mystery series and connectwith other fans with Partners in Crime. Look up Partners in Crime Tours on the web or your favorite social media – partnersincrimevbt.com.And Authors, whether you're looking to promote your latest thriller, discover a new mystery series, or connect with fellow fans of the genre, PICT has you covered. Check out their promotion options that come with the personal attention of a dedicated coordinator.Join us next week for the next original story in Season 9 Stuff That Can Kill You. Robert J. Binney and hairstylist extraordinaire Henry Beauchamp are back in the morgue with FLAT, where gravity is the STCKY means of murder.

Stories need both characters and a plot. That sounds obvious, I know...but you'd be surprised. In this week's episode, Melanie and I examine a film that, sadly, forgot to include a plot. No, really! INVITATION TO A MURDER has unfortunately fallen prey to a very common storytelling trap but the fix is super easy! To find out the problem (so you can avoid it), and the solution (if you've already erred), tune into this week's episode. Enjoy! - V. 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.

In this episode, Jodi and Erin Ollila discuss how business owners should use website copy strategically to sell and promote a book, whether that's a dedicated book website or a book sales page on your existing business site. Erin shares with listeners where to feature the book throughout your website for trust-building and SEO, and how blog posts and podcast show notes can drive long-term book visibility. Jodi and Erin also discuss email marketing as it relates to books, including direct sales strategies, customer data, and email list permissions best practices.   Time Stamps: 00:01 — Intro + welcome Erin back 02:40 — Book page on existing site vs. separate book website 05:23 — Why keeping the book on your site supports SEO + authority 07:36 — The must-have: a dedicated book page (and where to place it) 09:31 — Where to reference the book (About page, homepage, resources) 11:46 — Use blog posts + podcast show notes to promote the book naturally 13:00 — SEO strategy: long-tail keywords + "more windows on your house" 16:44 — Why direct sales matter: upsells, funnels, customer data 23:23 — Email compliance: permission-based opt-ins + receipt email strategy 28:20 — Build a book-specific nurture sequence (before general newsletter) 29:45 — What a book page needs (keep it simple) 32:52 — Media page vs. media section on book page 35:45 — Permission to take a "B-minus approach" and improve later 39:44 — Book recommendations + where to find Erin   Keywords: book sales page, book website vs sales page, author website copy, website copywriting for authors, book landing page, book page on website, how to sell a book on your website, direct book sales, selling books direct, book marketing for business owners, book funnel, book nurture sequence, email opt-in compliance, CAN-SPAM laws, customer data for authors, SEO for authors, book SEO keywords, blog posts for book marketing, podcast show notes SEO, branded keywords, author platform, about page book placement, website navigation book page, media page for authors, speaking page for authors, book page conversion rate, copywriting tips for book pages, business owners writing books, book writing for business owners   Resources Mentioned: Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup Erin's podcast: Talk Copy to Me: https://erinollila.com/podcast/   About Our Guest: onversion copywriter. Copy Coach. Lover of ice cream, especially in non-dairy forms. Erin Ollila is a conversion copywriter who believes in the power of words and how a message can inform—and even transform—its intended audience. When she's not working with big brands and small businesses to marry strategy, storytelling, and SEO, you can find her exploring southeastern MA with her family and friends. Erin graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing.    Website: http://erinollila.com Talk Copy to me (podcast): https://erinollila.com/podcast/ Links to social media accounts: Instagram  LinkedIn  Facebook  Twitter   LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12NfaADDVbezVb5EPLxs3sdmq6g8M9N-eDN3BnJT67v0/edit?usp=sharing  

In this episode, Danielle is interviewed about her new release, Pinky Swear, by her agent and fellow author Danya Kukafka.Danielle Girard is the USA Today bestselling author of several novels, including the Annabelle Schwartzman Series and Pinky Swear. Her books have won the Barry Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, and White Out was in the top 100 bestselling e-books of 2020.A graduate of Cornell University, Danielle received her MFA in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina. When she's not traveling, Danielle lives in the mountains of Montana.Danya Kukafka is the author of the national bestseller, Notes on an Execution, which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 2023 and was named The New York Times Best Crime Novel of the Year. Notes on an Execution was an Indie Next Pick, a finalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards for fiction, and received a cover review in the New York Times Book Review. Her debut novel, Girl in Snow was also a national bestseller, an Indie Next Pick, and a B&N Discover pick. Both novels have been optioned for film and television, and her work has been published in more than a dozen languages worldwide. She works as a literary agent with Trellis Literary Management.Killer Women podcast is copyrighted by Authors on the Air Global Radio Network#podcast #author #interview #authors #KillerWomen #KillerWomenPodcast #authorsontheair #podcast #podcaster #killerwomen #killerwomenpodcast #authors #authorsofig #authorsofinstagram #authorinterview #writingcommunity #authorsontheair #suspensebooks #authorssupportingauthors #thrillerbooks #suspense #wip #writers #writersinspiration #books #bookrecommendations #bookaddict #bookaddicted #bookaddiction #bibliophile #read #amreading #lovetoread #daniellegirard #daniellegirardbooks #danyakukafka #pinkyswear #emilybestlerbooks #atriabooks

USA Today bestselling author, Danielle Girard discusses her fantastic new release, PINY SWEAR. Days before her surrogate is scheduled to deliver Lexi's baby, the woman disappears. Lexi soon realizes her surrogate has been keeping secrets—ones that will threaten everything she holds dear. "Visceral, tense, and shocking…an absolute must read.—Jeneva Rose, #1 New York Times bestselling author Listen in as we chat about different forms of motherhood, the expectations society puts on women, and what special rituals she engaged in with her gal pals when she was little! https://www.mariesutro.com/twisted-passages-podcast https://www.daniellegirard.com ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Danielle Girard is the USA Today and Amazon #1 bestselling author of sixteen novels. Her books have won the Barry Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, and White Out was in the top 100 bestselling e-books of 2020. In addition, two of her titles have been optioned for screen. Danielle is also the creator and host of the Killer Women Podcast where she interviews the women who write today's best crime fiction. A graduate of Cornell University, Danielle received her MFA in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina. When she's not traveling, Danielle lives in the mountains of Montana.

In this episode, Danielle is interviewed about her new release, Pinky Swear, by her agent and fellow author Danya Kukafka. Danielle Girard is the USA Today bestselling author of several novels, including the Annabelle Schwartzman Series and Pinky Swear. Her books have won the Barry Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, and White Out was in the top 100 bestselling e-books of 2020. A graduate of Cornell University, Danielle received her MFA in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina. When she's not traveling, Danielle lives in the mountains of Montana. Danya Kukafka is the author of the national bestseller, Notes on an Execution, which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 2023 and was named The New York Times Best Crime Novel of the Year. Notes on an Execution was an Indie Next Pick, a finalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards for fiction, and received a cover review in the New York Times Book Review. Her debut novel, Girl in Snow was also a national bestseller, an Indie Next Pick, and a B&N Discover pick. Both novels have been optioned for film and television, and her work has been published in more than a dozen languages worldwide. She works as a literary agent with Trellis Literary Management. Killer Women podcast is copyrighted by Authors on the Air Global Radio Network #podcast #author #interview #authors #KillerWomen #KillerWomenPodcast #authorsontheair #podcast #podcaster #killerwomen #killerwomenpodcast #authors #authorsofig #authorsofinstagram #authorinterview #writingcommunity #authorsontheair #suspensebooks #authorssupportingauthors #thrillerbooks #suspense #wip #writers #writersinspiration #books #bookrecommendations #bookaddict #bookaddicted #bookaddiction #bibliophile #read #amreading #lovetoread #daniellegirard #daniellegirardbooks #danyakukafka #pinkyswear #emilybestlerbooks #atriabooks

Is AI here to replace novelists, steal ideas, or ruin copyright forever? Let's separate fear from facts.AI and creative writing are among the most debated topics in the publishing industry right now. Some writers are excited, while others are feeling cautious. And many are wondering what's actually true about AI, copyright law, idea theft, and querying agents.In this episode, I sit down with award-winning novelist and technologist Ana Del Valle to unpack what AI really means for fiction writers. Ana is the founder of the AI Creative Writing Academy and host of The Novelist Studio podcast, bringing both tech expertise and creative insight to this conversation.Here's what we cover:[02:54] How Ana's background in tech and fiction collided when ChatGPT launched, and why she believes we're entering a new golden era of literature.[05:56] The crucial difference between AI Assist and AI Generation, and why this distinction protects your voice, ownership, and copyright.[11:55] The truth about whether ChatGPT can steal your story ideas, plus what those scary AI lawsuits actually mean for writers.[14:38] How U.S. copyright law handles AI-created work, and why heavily editing AI-generated drafts can put writers in murky territory.[21:01] Whether you need to disclose AI use when querying agents, and how traditional publishing is already integrating AI behind the scenes.Whether you're AI-curious or AI-cautious, this episode will give you the clarity you need to make informed decisions about using AI in your writing process.Tune in now.

On this week's episode of You Are What You Read, we are joined by Tayari Jones and her new novel, which hits shelves today, Kin. Tayari is the author of five novels, including An American Marriage, which was an Oprah's Book Club selection and also appeared on Barack Obama's summer reading list and his year-end roundup. An American Marriage won the Women's Prize for Fiction, the Aspen Words Literary Prize, and an NAACP Image Award and has been published in two dozen countries. Tayari is the C.H. Candler Professor of English and Creative Writing at Emory University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jason Blitman talks to Oprah's Book Club pick Tayari Jones about Kin, her long-awaited new novel, nearly a decade in the making.Conversation highlights include:

Here's something nobody tells you when you publish your first book: you're probably going to need to update it. Maybe not right away, but at some point, your industry will change, your expertise will evolve, or technology will make entire chapters obsolete—and you'll have a choice to make.Jodi Brandon from Write Publish Market is back on the podcast today, and this time we're talking about something most authors don't plan for: revising a book after it's already published. Jodi just released the third edition of her book (also titled Write Publish Market!), and she's getting honest about what prompted each revision, how to decide between updating your existing book versus writing a new one, and why treating your book like a "working document" is actually the smartest business move you can make.______________________________________________EPISODE 182.Read the show notes and view the full transcript here: https://erinollila.com/revise-a-published-book-jodi-brandon/______________________________________________Get to know our guest expert, Jodi BrandonJodi Brandon is a book publishing strategist and coach for business owners and leaders, and the founder of Jodi Brandon Editorial. Jodi has used her 20+ years experience in book publishing to partner with 850+ business owners, leaders, and CEOs to write, publish, and market a book to use as a marketing asset within their business ecosystem. She is the author of Write.Publish.Market., 3rd Edition and the host of the Write Publish Market podcast.Want more of this great publishing info we've been talking about? Then buy Jodi's updated book here.To learn more about working with Jodi, visit her website and listen to her podcast. Then, connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Here's the 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 working with me or just book a strategy session to get started right away• Visit Erin's website to learn more about her business, services, and products

Commemorating John Keats with odes by John Philip Drury, Myra Shapiro, and Mark Elber. Support the show

Stephen Cavitt's bio begins by saying he's always chasing the next great story. He's been an instructor at Florida Gulf Coast University since 2018, teaching English, Creative Writing, and Interdisciplinary courses as well as advising the university's Creative Writing Club and is a Faculty Mentor with the WiSER Research Assistant Program. His sci-fi novella, The Distance Between Stars, came out in April, 2025 and was also released as a podcast audiobook. It's the first entry in what he calls the Und Wars series. It tells a story of survival after Earth is devastated by Aliens called the Und. It's told through short monologues by everyday people who escaped and are headed into space to try to start over.

David Valencia, who graduated from Delview in 2020, talks about going to Douglas for Creative Writing and his year at Vancouver Film School. He is now a freelance writer writing for animated films. We talk about what inspires him, what it takes to be creative, and some of the films he has seen. David and his friend Jay have a podcast on YouTube called "Jay and Dave went to Film School". Mr. Choy joins us for this one and surprises David with a few things at the end!

Fluent Fiction - Spanish: Mystery Letters and Life's Lessons at Miraflores Beach Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/es/episode/2026-02-22-23-34-02-es Story Transcript:Es: El sol brillaba intensamente sobre la playa Miraflores en Lima.En: The sun was shining intensely over la playa Miraflores in Lima.Es: La brisa marina acariciaba con suavidad a Ximena, Mateo y Camila.En: The sea breeze gently caressed Ximena, Mateo, and Camila.Es: Habían llegado la noche anterior, ansiosos por pasar unos días tranquilos alejados de la rutina.En: They had arrived the night before, eager to spend a few tranquil days away from the routine.Es: Al amanecer, Ximena salió primero al porche de la cabaña.En: At dawn, Ximena was the first to go out onto the cabin's porch.Es: Observó la inmensidad del océano, intentando olvidar sus preocupaciones internas.En: She gazed at the vastness of the ocean, trying to forget her internal worries.Es: Fue entonces cuando lo notó: un sobre blanco, sin direcciones ni nombres.En: That's when she noticed it: a white envelope, without addresses or names.Es: Intrigada, lo recogió y lo llevó adentro.En: Intrigued, she picked it up and took it inside.Es: —Miren esto —dijo Ximena, mostrando el sobre a sus amigos.En: "Look at this," Ximena said, showing the envelope to her friends.Es: Mateo arqueó una ceja, siempre escéptico.En: Mateo raised an eyebrow, always skeptical.Es: —Probablemente sea publicidad —comentó mientras abría el sobre, revelando una carta con un mensaje enigmático: "Busca en el lugar donde el sol se baña en el agua del mar."En: "It's probably advertising," he commented as he opened the envelope, revealing a letter with an enigmatic message: "Search in the place where the sun bathes in the sea water."Es: Camila, con sus ojos llenos de curiosidad creativa, sonrió.En: Camila, with her eyes full of creative curiosity, smiled.Es: —Esto es como una historia de misterio, justo lo que necesito para mi novela.En: "This is like a mystery story, just what I need for my novel."Es: A pesar de las dudas de Mateo, Ximena sintió la necesidad de seguir las pistas.En: Despite Mateo's doubts, Ximena felt the need to follow the clues.Es: Era un escape perfecto para no pensar en su propia decisión pendiente.En: It was a perfect escape to avoid thinking about her own pending decision.Es: El primer día, exploraron la playa justo cuando el sol se iba ocultando.En: On the first day, they explored the beach just as the sun was setting.Es: Sin embargo, no encontraron nada, lo que generó tensión entre ellos.En: However, they found nothing, which created tension between them.Es: —Esto es una pérdida de tiempo —dijo Mateo—.En: "This is a waste of time," said Mateo.Es: Puede que sea solo una broma.En: "It might just be a joke."Es: —Pero, ¿qué tal si no lo es?En: "But what if it's not?"Es: —respondió Ximena, decidida a seguir.En: responded Ximena, determined to continue.Es: Camila veía la situación con ojos emocionados, tomando notas mentales para su historia.En: Camila watched the situation with excited eyes, taking mental notes for her story.Es: —Podríamos estar en el umbral de algo grande —decía, manteniendo el ánimo del grupo.En: "We could be on the brink of something big," she said, keeping the group's spirits up.Es: Al día siguiente, madrugaron y continuaron siguiendo pistas, cada una más confusa que la anterior.En: The next day, they got up early and continued following clues, each more confusing than the last.Es: Finalmente, al tercero, llegaron a una parte aislada de la playa.En: Finally, on the third day, they reached an isolated part of the beach.Es: Allí, encontraron un compartimento oculto tras unas rocas.En: There, they found a hidden compartment behind some rocks.Es: Dentro había otro sobre.En: Inside was another envelope.Es: Esta vez, al abrirlo, cada uno encontró una nota personalizada.En: This time, when they opened it, each found a personalized note.Es: Ximena leyó: "El futuro es incierto, pero tus miedos no deben decidir por ti."En: Ximena read: "The future is uncertain, but your fears should not decide for you."Es: Mateo encontró un mensaje que decía: "La belleza está en lo inesperado."En: Mateo found a message that said: "Beauty lies in the unexpected."Es: Y Camila, "La verdadera ficción nace de la vida."En: And Camila, "True fiction is born from life."Es: Confundidos pero emocionados, intentaron entender.En: Confused but excited, they tried to understand.Es: De repente, un hombre apareció.En: Suddenly, a man appeared.Es: Era un artista local.En: He was a local artist.Es: —Yo dejé las cartas —confesó, sonriendo—.En: "I left the letters," he confessed, smiling.Es: Es una obra para animar a las personas a enfrentarse a sí mismas.En: "It's a piece to encourage people to face themselves."Es: Con esa revelación, la atmósfera cambió.En: With that revelation, the atmosphere changed.Es: Ximena sintió claridad sobre su decisión.En: Ximena felt clarity about her decision.Es: Entendió la importancia de enfrentar sus miedos.En: She understood the importance of facing her fears.Es: Mateo reconsideró su necesidad de controlar todo y aceptó la incertidumbre.En: Mateo reconsidered his need to control everything and embraced uncertainty.Es: Camila quedó inspirada, lista para terminar su novela.En: Camila felt inspired, ready to finish her novel.Es: Los amigos volvían al porche de la cabaña.En: The friends returned to the cabin's porch.Es: El sol se ponía una vez más en el horizonte, pero esta vez, cada uno se sentía más ligero, como si el mar les hubiera regalado una parte de su misterio.En: The sun was setting once again on the horizon, but this time, each felt lighter, as if the sea had gifted them a part of its mystery.Es: Y así, con el rumor de las olas, los amigos se permitieron ser parte de ese vasto y enigmático océano llamado vida, listos para la próxima aventura.En: And so, with the sound of the waves, the friends allowed themselves to be part of that vast and enigmatic ocean called life, ready for the next adventure. Vocabulary Words:the sun: el solthe beach: la playathe sea breeze: la brisa marinaintensely: intensamentetranquil: tranquilosthe cabin: la cabañathe porch: el porchethe vastness: la inmensidadthe ocean: el océanointrigued: intrigadathe envelope: el sobreskeptical: escépticothe letter: la cartaenigmatic: enigmáticothe message: el mensajethe mystery: el misterioto explore: explorarthe tension: la tensiónto embrace: abrazarthe decision: la decisiónuncertain: inciertounexpected: inesperadoto face: enfrentarthe fears: los miedosthe artist: el artistato confess: confesarto encourage: animarthe atmosphere: la atmósferato reconsider: reconsiderarthe horizon: el horizonte

“Honey is the Knife: Or How I Learned to Stop Fixing Myself and Love My Bliss” is a hybrid self-help memoir by Hannah Eko. Chronicling Hannah's life as a Black woman navigating wellness and self-help culture, “Honey is the Knife” holds the pleasure of self discovery alongside the struggles. Tune in for a conversation about Hannah's spiritual journey as a seeker and writer, and how sweetness shows up as a superpower and a sharp truth spell. We also discuss Yoruba spirituality and working with deity to inform and support one's spiritual path. Dive into “Honey is the Knife” for more of Hannah's magic. Hannah Olabosibe Eko is a Nigerian-American writer, multimedia storyteller, and book doula. A graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy, she holds a Master's Degree in Community and Economic Development from Penn State University, and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. She is the founder of The Lit Club, a cannabis-inspired literary salon, creative community, and event series at the intersection of art, healing, and pleasure justice. Her writing has appeared in Buzzfeed, Bust magazine, Fractured Lit, Aster(ix), and elsewhere. She currently makes her home between Los Angeles, California and the universe.

This week on Romance in Colour, Terri and Tati take a walk in the paranormal side with author Dani M Ward @danim.ward We talkj world building, paranomral themes, and what it takes to craft Black people at the center of it all.About Dani:Dani M. Ward is a captivating author who delves into the mysterious realms of the paranormal, weaving intricate tales that blur the lines between the known and the unknown. With a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Dani brings a unique perspective to her storytelling. Drawing upon her academic background, she creates rich, immersive worlds filled with vivid characters and haunting narratives.Balancing her creative pursuits with family life, Dani is a devoted mother of two who often finds inspiration in the everyday magic of parenting. When she's not engrossed in her writing, she savors the finer things in life: indulging in a glass of wine, exploring gourmet cuisines, or seeking out hidden culinary gems.Through her work, Dani invites readers on a journey into the paranormal, where they can explore the unexplainable while enjoying the best smut. With each page turn, she melds her passions, captivating her audience with stories that linger long after the last chapter.Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Terri Ley at her Instagram @Author_Terri_LeyFollow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

Dr. Winnie M Li is an author, activist, and educator. A former filmmaker, Winnie's life and career trajectory were severely disrupted at the age of 29, when she became the victim of a violent stranger rape in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her debut novel Dark Chapter (2017) is a fictional re-imagining of that assault and its aftermath, from the perspectives of both victim and perpetrator. Her subsequent novels Complicit (2022) and What We Left Unsaid (2025) also address the legacy of trauma, in workplaces and in families.  Winnie's doctoral research at the London School of Economics explored the emotional labour of ‘public' rape survivors, and she is now an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham in the UK. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

Dr. Winnie M Li is an author, activist, and educator. A former filmmaker, Winnie's life and career trajectory were severely disrupted at the age of 29, when she became the victim of a violent stranger rape in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her debut novel Dark Chapter (2017) is a fictional re-imagining of that assault and its aftermath, from the perspectives of both victim and perpetrator. Her subsequent novels Complicit (2022) and What We Left Unsaid (2025) also address the legacy of trauma, in workplaces and in families.  Winnie's doctoral research at the London School of Economics explored the emotional labour of ‘public' rape survivors, and she is now an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham in the UK. Host: Katie Koestner Editor: Evan Mader Producers: Catrina Aglubat and Emily Wang

Sandra McDonald is an avid writer, reader, foster mom, and cat wrangler. A military veteran and veteran teacher, she is the author of several books and several dozen published short stories in magazines and anthologies. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and has won awards for stories that explore the intersections of gender, duty, and science fiction. You can sometimes find her on social media, but more likely she is stuck in a minivan in a school pickup line in Florida, scribbling story ideas on the back of store receipts.This story originally appeared in Lightspeed Magazine, July 2023.Narration by: Lucy SimpsonLucy Simpson is a caregiver, published poet, artist, and sometimes voice actor. She is winding her way through the byzantine maze that is her first novel with the invaluable assistance of the Ubergroup, which offers low-cost fine arts education for adults. Check out theubergroup.org for more. Fact: Looking Back At Genre History By Amy H SturgisSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Think you need to have it all figured out before you write a book? Think the words will just flow once you finally sit down to write? Think you can't possibly juggle a book project with everything else on your plate?Well, it's time to stop wondering and start taking action if you are actually interested in writing a book for your business.I hear so often from clients and colleagues that writing a book has been on their to do list for quite some time. And with an MFA in creative writing, I'm all too aware at the effort it takes to get a book—especially how long the process can take from ideation to an actual book in your hand.Which is why I invited a former guest back on the show to tell me all about her experience of writing a book while running a business.Jessica Lackey joins me back for another Talk Copy to Me episode (after her episode 123 appearance about building thought leadership) to talk about her new book, Leaving the Casino: Stop Betting on Tactics and Start Building a Business That Works.If you've ever wanted to take a glimpse behind the scenes to see what a book-writing process was like for someone else (or get inspo to finally sit down and write your own book), you're going to want to tune in.______________________________________________EPISODE 181.Read the show notes and view the full transcript here: https://erinollila.com/writing-a-book-while-running-a-business______________________________________________Get to know Jessica Lackey, author of Leaving the Casino: Stop Betting on Tactics and Start Building a Business That WorksJessica Lackey is the founder of Deeper Foundations, a consulting and training firm that helps expert-led business owners grow and scale sustainable companies rooted in stronger business foundations. She brings a unique blend of corporate expertise and soulful business building, drawing on an MBA from Harvard Business School, a coaching certification from iPEC, and experience at McKinsey & Company and Nike, Inc. Jessica has supported over 200 entrepreneurs through her programs, blending systems thinking, operational rigor, and deep values alignment. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband.She can be reached at https://deeperfoundations.com/Here's the 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 working with me or just book a strategy session to get started right away• Visit Erin's website to learn more about her business, services, and products

Noah has a conversation with author Cynthia Beach about gender justice, abuse & trauma, and writing serious fiction. Cynthia talks about what led her to weave these important issues into her novel The Surface of Water, and how our stories can bring about change and transformation in ways standard approaches can't.    Cynthia Beach authored The Surface of Water: A Novel (IVP, 2024) and a writing book, Creative Juices for Writers, 2nd edition. She was a longtime professor of English and Creative Writing and now serves as an Artist in Residence in Scotland. She co-founded and offers Scriptoria Workshop with Newbery winner Gary D. Schmidt. Her sequel, A Thousand Wings of Light, is forthcoming. (See CynthiaBeach.com)   You can also watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/deGP0XDbj98   Flip Side Notes: Join an upcoming Beyond the Battle online group at www.beyondthebattle.net   Support Flip Side sponsor Angry Brew by using promo code FLIP at angrybrew.com or fivelakes.com to pick up some Angry Brew or Chris' Blend coffee at 10% off.   Get a free month of Covenant Eyes at www.covenanteyes.com using promo code BEYOND   Get a free month of Accountable2You keyword accountability: a2u.app/beyond (do not use “www”)   Your recurring gifts make Noah's ministry & The Flip Side possible. Get some sweet swag by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/noahfilipiak – includes exclusive access to Noah's episode commentary, interaction, and email access. (Not tax-deductible)  Tax-deductible recurring gifts can be given at www.noahfilipiak.com/give.      Purchase Beyond the Battle and Needed Navigation by Noah Filipiak.

To the moon and beyond with poets Colleen Gibbons, Mark MacAllister, and Ruth Mota.Support the show

Essayist and fiction writer Erica Stern on writing hybrid nonfiction, weaving memoir with research and a ghost-story thread, and finding a publishing home for genre-defying work.   You'll learn:What “hybrid nonfiction” can look like when memoir, research, and a fictional thread are all working toward one emotional truth.Ways to make a genre-bending draft feel cohesive, even when it's built from multiple modes and timelines.How reverse outlining can help you figure out what each section is really doing, and tighten the book's throughline in revision.Why “moving the pieces around” for a long time can be part of the process when the structure has to be discovered, not imposed.A mindset shift for writers making unconventional work: follow what the project needs first, before you worry about outcome or category.How to treat “weirdness” as an asset (not a liability) when the form is doing meaning, not just style.Practical publishing encouragement for genre-defying books: small presses can be a strong fit, and there's a growing audience for hybrid forms.What it can look like to publish without chasing “bestseller” logic, and instead focus on reaching the right readers with the best version of the book.Why writing “for the market” isn't the only path to publication—and how commitment to the story can be what ultimately helps it find a home.  Resources & Links:

Valentine's Day may be all about couples, but this week's episode celebrates heartbreak, breakups, and proudly being single as a Pringle.Part 1: Getting dumped is the push psychologist Jiawen Huang needs to step outside his comfort zone.Part 2: While completing her PhD in neuroscience, Leslie Sibener is determined to fix her relationship. Jiawen Huang obtained his PhD in Psychology from Columbia University, where he studied how prior knowledge provides a scaffold for prediction and memory. He grew up in China, and did his undergrad at University College London where he scanned people watching movies in fMRI scanner. In his free time, he can be found dancing salsa, practicing Spanish, and whittling wood carvings, all of which he started doing this past year.Leslie Sibener is a neuroscientist and science communicator based in New York City. She received degrees in Neuroscience and Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University, and her PhD at Columbia University where she studied movement and motor learning. Now as a postdoctoral fellow at Rockefeller University, Leslie researches the mechanisms that allow specific memories to be stored for long term memory in the brain, while others are forgotten. She has always been passionate about sharing science outside of the lab. This has manifested in being the group leader the science writing group NeuWrite, a team member of Stories of WiN, and founder of Scientist on the Subway. Additionally, she has collaborated with a variety other groups, such as BioBus, Facts Machine Podcast, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem, to engage the public with science.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Free Video Tutorial for ScreenwritingPropaganda isn't just lying.Some of the most persuasive propaganda in history has been factually accurate. The difference lies in framing — in beginning with a verdict and arranging reality to serve it.In this episode of The Storyteller's Mission, we explore the critical difference between witnessing reality and advocating a conclusion. For writers, novelists, and storytellers, this distinction is not political — it's craft.You'll learn:The difference between a witness and an advocateHow propaganda forms through preloaded moral certaintyThe craft warning signs your story may be manipulating instead of revealingWhy flattening characters weakens moral credibilityThe responsibility of storytellers in a culture where trust is collapsingStory doesn't just entertain. It forms moral imagination.The question is not whether you have convictions.The question is whether your story trusts reality — or tries to control the outcome.

Have you been avoiding YouTube ads because they feel overwhelming, expensive, or just... a lot? You're not the only one overwhelmed by the idea of video advertising. But that being said—you might be making it harder than it needs to be. Whether you have zero dollars to spend or a real ad budget ready to go, there are ways to get started with YouTube advertising that meet you exactly where you are.In this Talk Copy to Me episode, Google Ads coach and Inside Google Ads podcast host Jyll Saskin Gales walks through everything a small business owner needs to know about YouTube advertising. From the simple "promote" button inside YouTube Studio to full Google Ads campaigns, Jyll breaks down the different ad types, targeting options, and what actually makes a YouTube ad work—including her two-second test for diagnosing why an ad isn't converting.______________________________________________EPISODE 180.Read the show notes and view the full transcript here: https://erinollila.com/how-do-youtube-ads-work-with-jyll-saskin-gales/______________________________________________Get to know our Google and YouTube Ads expert: Jyll Saskin GalesJyll Saskin Gales is a Google Ads Coach, and the founder of the Inside Google Ads course, podcast, and bestselling book. She advises business owners, agencies, marketers and freelancers across industries, helping them get the best ROI from their marketing. Jyll worked at Google for 6 years and has an MBA from Harvard Business School.Here's the 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 working with me or just book a strategy session to get started right away• Visit Erin's website to learn more about her business, services, and products

Hey horror fans!! This week writer and filmmaker Matthew Robinson joins us to talk about his new genre bending thriller Good Luck Have Fun Don't Die, a modern day Twilight Zone style story that mixes AI, tech obsession, and social chaos with sharp humor and unexpected twists. Matthew shares behind the scenes stories about writing for a stacked ensemble cast, working with actors like Haley Lu Richardson and Sam Rockwell, and what it was like seeing the script transform once a director like Gore Verbinski came on board. He also talks about his breakthrough film The Invention of Lying and how co-directing with Ricky Gervais helped launch his career.Before Matthew joins the conversation we cover the latest horror news including Mike Flanagan tackling Stephen Kings The Mist and of course finish with our Mostly Horror Recommendations of the Week.If you love wild stories, clever twists, and hearing how movies get made, this is for you sooo... COME HANG OUT!!! Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpodTikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorrorSteve: @stevenisaverage (all socials)Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X)Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ever wonder why your Google Ads aren't converting, even when your targeting feels spot-on? The problem might not be your ads at all—instead, it's likely your website. Why? Well, before you sink money into paid advertising, your site needs to prove it can convert visitors organically. Otherwise, you're just paying for traffic that bounces.In this episode, Google Ads strategist Olivia Lawson joins me to discuss exactly what needs to be in place before you hit that "launch campaign" button. From crystal-clear CTAs and price transparency to your entire sales process, we're covering the foundational work that determines whether your ad spend becomes profit or just expensive data. If you're considering paid ads (or already running them without seeing results), this conversation will save you serious time and money.______________________________________________EPISODE 179.Read the show notes and view the full transcript here: https://erinollila.com/what-to-do-before-paying-for-google-ads______________________________________________Get to know our Google Ads expert: Olivia LawsonOlivia Lawson is a certified Google Ads strategist and proud data nerd based in Austin, Texas. She loves digging into the numbers, spotting what's working, and optimizing campaigns to make your ad spend work harder. Olivia helps small business owners feel confident in their Google Ads by creating clear, data-backed strategies that bring in more qualified leads and sustainable growth for their business.Check out Olivia's Google Ads ROI Calculator or visit her website to learn more about working with her.Here's the 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 working with me or just book a strategy session to get started right away• Visit Erin's website to learn more about her business, services, and products

Elemental tangents, with poems by Jim Nawrocki, Kay Cash-Smith, and Susan Haroutunian Cunningham.Support the show

Yale professor Elli Stern talks with us about figuring out what kind of writing we want to do after tenure—and the importance of building a team of friends and colleagues who can read drafts and provide valuable feedback. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

Join me as I have a chat with Jan Burl, known as author jsburl, MA, is a hemorrhagic stroke survivor who lives in Northern NY. She loves family, crocheting, the mountains, dragons, gardening, writing poetry and stories, sketching and oil painting, dragons, and animals large and small. Did I mention she loves dragons? She lives with Tippy, the 4 legged star of Tippy's New Friend, a children's story series, the second being released next year. She recently finished her master's degree in Creative Writing and Poetry summa cum laude. She was inducted into Sigma Tau Delta International English Society, and The National Society of Leadership and Success. Jan is an international motivational speaker and will soon become a Life and Wellness Coach for Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury Individuals, their Caregivers and loved ones. She has been a journalist winning state and US competitions. Her poetry has appeared in the Adirondack Center for Writing, Sunflower Poetry Review, Waverly Press Poetry Review, Spillwords, Prose-n-Poetry Anthology 2003, International Library of Poetry, American Poets Society, Theater of the Mind, plus more, and The BeZine, where she is an associate production editor. The stroke took her mobility, but not her creativity. Her favorite thing to tell people is, “Don't fight the journey, but sit back and enjoy the ride. Make every day an exceptional day..”