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In this episode, I sit down with Kris Spisak, author of Becoming Baba Yaga to talk all about this fantastic book and the lessons of Baba Yaga. Come hang with us for this fun chat!Music is from Epidemic Sound.Books mentioned in the episode:*Some links below are affiliated links and help me continue to keep producing content.Witches: A Compendium Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hFAs6UThriftbooks: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/becoming-baba-yaga-trickster-feminist-and-witch-of-the-woods_kris-spisak/52382359/#edition=71023014&idiq=63539307The Baba Yaga Mask:Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hIRTngThriftbooks: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-baba-yaga-mask/31761435/#edition=60889863&idiq=47391667More on Kris:Author Kris Spisak, a graduate of the College of William and Mary (BA) and the University of Richmond (MLA), fully believes that well-written words and well-told stories have the ability to change the world. She wrote her first three books—Get a Grip on Your Grammar, The Novel Editing Workbook, and The Family Story Workbook—to help writers of all kinds sharpen their storytelling and empower their communications. Her award-winning debut novel, The Baba Yaga Mask, was inspired by her family's experience in the post-WWII Ukrainian diaspora and has been called “A complex, poetic tale” by Kirkus Reviews and “edu-tainment at its best” by the Historical Novel Society. Her fifth book, Becoming Baba Yaga: Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods, is an exploration of the complex origins of this Slavic folktale character and her lingering lessons for empowering us all. https://www.instagram.com/kris.spisak/https://www.facebook.com/KSWritingJoin the Discord: https://discord.gg/wfsDsZtMrh Thank you to my subscribers!
A graduate of the College of William and Mary and the University of Richmond, Kris Spisak wrote her first three books—Get a Grip on Your Grammar, The Novel Editing Workbook, and The Family Story Workbook—to help writers of all kinds sharpen their storytelling and empower their communications. Her award-winning debut novel, The Baba Yaga Mask, was inspired by her family's experience in the post-WWII Ukrainian diaspora and has been called “A complex, poetic tale” by Kirkus Reviews and “edu-tainment at its best” by the Historical Novel Society. Her fifth book, Becoming Baba Yaga: Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods, has been described as “A delicious read” by Atlas Obscura and a “nuanced work of feminist literary criticism,” by Foreword Reviews.https://kris-spisak.com/https://www.instagram.com/kris.spisak/https://www.facebook.com/KSWriting
Author Kris Spisak is an amazing story teller who talks about the legend of Baba Yaga. She learned of this legendary witch who'd threaten to eat children if they weren't 'good', from her grandmother who grew up in Ukraine. This 'tulpa' is said to still haunt Eastern Europe today.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spaced-out-radio--1657874/support.
Click here to send me a text message ...Whatever Soul is, it's not tame. That's why we seek Soul in the wild places, where something locked away can be released and we can remember who we are and why we're here. That's also why we need an experienced guide to take us there, someone who knows the wild places of the human heart. Michelle Rigling is such a guide. Her Cavewoman Way group programs and one-on-one counselling invite the Wild Woman to appear in the lives of those seeking a soulful awakening. The participants, and the world, may never be the same again. ResourcesThe Cavewoman Way: https://www.thecavewomanway.comBooks"Women Who Run with the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estes; Ballantine Books, 1995"Courting the Wild Twin" by Martin Shaw; Chelsea Green Publishing UK, 2020"Becoming Baba Yaga" by Kris Spisak; Hampton Roads Publishing, 2024"The House with Chicken Legs" by Sophie Anderson; Scholastic Press, 2018Personal LinksMy web site (where you can sign up for my blog): https://www.brianepearson.caMy email address: mysticcaveman53@gmail.comSeries Music Credit"Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison, performed by Colin James, from the album, Limelight, 2005; licensed under SOCAN 2022
Becoming Baba Yaga; Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods with Kris Spisak Whether you know Baba Yaga as a Slavic witch, an earth goddess, or a monster in modern media, she is a force with secrets to divulge. The roots of her stories stretch back over a thousand years, and her chicken-legged hut is only the beginning of her intrigue. Darkness, fear, and instability sometimes inundate our daily lives, but folktale figures like Baba Yaga speak to the dichotomy of our existence—the hope and the horror, the magic and the mundane. She is at once an old hag and an enchantress, a demon and wish granter, a feminist and nothing more than a fairytale. Yet her multifaceted presence ripples through the present day. Stories that linger have something to teach us, and Baba Yaga's tales don't disappoint. Kris Spisak knows that well-written words and well-told stories have the ability to change the world. A graduate of the College of William and Mary and the University of Richmond, Kris wrote her first three books to help writers of all kinds sharpen their storytelling and empower their communications. Her fifth book Becoming Baba Yaga; Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods is a nonfiction exploration of the complex origins of this Slavic folktale character and her lingering lessons for empowering us all. To learn more visit: kris-spisak.com *************************************************** For more information about BITEradio products and services visit: http://www.biteradio.me/index.html To view the photography of Robert at: http://rpsharpe.com/
In this episode we discuss the book Becoming Baba Yaga by Kris Spisak.
Today I'm joined by author Kris Spisak to chat all about her newest (and fifth!) book, Becoming Baba Yaga. Becoming Baba Yaga (https://redwheelweiser.com/book/becoming-baba-yaga-9781642970517/) is an in depth look at the Baba Yaga mythos and history through Slavic folklore. The book is filled with historical and cultural context and analyses, and is a comprehensive resource for anyone hoping to learn more about this ambiguous character and how her multifaceted presence still ripples through the present day. Spisak explores Baba Yaga's connection to nature as an Earth goddess and as an herbalist. She also delves into the Shadow Self and Baba Yaga's aspect as a trickster and places her in a modern context as not merely a witch of the woods but also as an archetype and force for finding your own path. Find Kris: https://kris-spisak.com/ https://kris-spisak.com/becoming-baba-yaga/ https://www.instagram.com/kris.spisak/ https://www.facebook.com/KSWriting Kris Spisak earned her bachelor's degree in English from the College of William and Mary, her master of liberal arts from the University of Richmond, and did further graduate work in fiction through the University of Iowa. She taught college writing courses at schools including Virginia Commonwealth University before stepping away from the classroom to pursue her own writing work. Kris has been spotlighted in Writer's Digest and HuffPost for her work as an editor and author dedicated to helping other writers. She is the author of The Baba Yaga Mask (a novel) and Get a Grip on Your Grammar. Kris fully believes that well-written words and well-told stories have always changed the world and that they will continue to. She can't wait to tell you her next story. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/witch-wednesdays/support
Kris Spisak earned her bachelor's degree in English from the College of William and Mary, her master of liberal arts from the University of Richmond, and did further graduate work in fiction through the University of Iowa. She taught college writing courses at schools including Virginia Commonwealth University before stepping away from the classroom to pursue her own writing work. Kris has been spotlighted in Writer's Digest and HuffPost for her work as an editor and author dedicated to helping other writers. She is the author of the novel The Baba Yaga Mask and the forthcoming work Becoming Baba Yaga, which we'll be talking about. Kris fully believes that well-written words and well-told stories have always changed the world and that they will continue to. In this chat, we'll talk about Baba Yaga's towering presence in folklore, some of the legends in which she appears, and why she's still so important here in the 21st Century. Pre-order Becoming Baba Yaga: https://amzn.to/3XsNTya Get your free guide to home protection the folklore way here: https://www.icysedgwick.com/fab-folklore/ Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family for bonus episodes and articles at https://patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Fabulous Folklore Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/fabulous_folklore Enjoyed this episode and want to show your appreciation? Buy Icy a coffee to say 'thanks' at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick Pre-recorded illustrated talks: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick/shop Request an episode: https://forms.gle/gqG7xQNLfbMg1mDv7 Get extra snippets of folklore on Instagram at https://instagram.com/icysedgwick 'Like' Fabulous Folklore on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fabulousfolklore/ Find Icy on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/icysedgwick.bsky.social Tweet Icy at https://x.com/IcySedgwick
George Noory and author Kris Spisak explore the history of the mythical shapeshifter known as the Baba Yaga, how tales of the witch were used to scare Eastern European children, and the inspirational message behind the Baba Yaga story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Truth Be Told Paranormal, Tony Sweet welcomes author and language expert Kris Spisak to discuss her latest book, "Becoming Baba Yaga", where she delves into the legends of the Baba Yaga. Kris explores how the legendary figure known as the Baba Yaga has shaped storytelling across cultures and time, revealing the rich symbolism and supernatural mysteries embedded in her tales. Together, they uncover the deeper meaning behind the Baba Yaga's terrifying and transformative role in myth and how these stories continue to captivate and inspire modern paranormal and literary enthusiasts. Along the way, Kris also shares insights into the magical connections between language and folklore, showing how words themselves hold power and mystery. Don't miss this captivating conversation that bridges the realms of history, language, and the paranormal!Tune in on the Club Paranormal YouTube channel to hear this eye-opening discussion. Whether you're a history buff or a fan of the unexplained, this episode promises to challenge everything you thought you knew. #TruthBeToldParanormal #BabaYaga #babayagalive #KrisSpisak #ParanormalPodcast #folklore #folktales #slavicfolklore #Mystery #Paranormal #TonySweet #PodcastInterview #UnexplainedPhenomena #ParanormalCommunity #witches #forestwitch #supernatural Subscribe and listen now on @TheClubParanormal your favorite podcast platform to join us in this compelling journey into the darkness.Please Like, Subscribe and Share today's show, Please visit www.ClubParanormal.com for more information about upcoming shows.
Yes hello! In the latest episode of Ultraculture, join Jason Louv in conversation with Kris Spisak as she explores the folklore of the trickster, villain, and rescuer known as Baba Yaga in a new light. When darkness, fear, and instability inundate our daily lives, folktale figures like Baba Yaga speak to the dichotomy of our existence—the hope and the horror, the magic and the mundane. At once an old hag and an enchantress, a demon and wish granter, a feminist and nothing more than a fairytale, Baba Yaga is an endlessly complex folktale character. Becoming Baba Yaga provides an in-depth look at the Baba Yaga mythos and history through Slavic folklore. Filled with historical and cultural context, analyses, and the stories themselves that add depth to the conversation. A comprehensive resource for anyone hoping to learn more about this ambiguous character and how her multifaceted presence still ripples through the present day, Becoming Baba Yaga is as thoughtful as it is illuminating. Spisak explores Baba Yaga's connection to nature as an Earth goddess and as an herbalist. She also delves into the Shadow Self and Baba Yaga's aspect as a trickster and places her in a modern context as not merely a witch of the woods but also as an archetype and force for finding your own path. Becoming Baba Yaga shares how she is both a force for good as much as evil and a feminist before her time. Links & Resources:
The ladies had the ultimate dumpster fire shit show weekend with the ever wonderful Rossa Crean and a trip to the Enchanted Forest (and maybe a visit to a certain eating establishment). Hilary also runs down some new and exciting features coming to our Patreon feed! They then welcome Kris Spisak to the show to talk about the history of Baba Yaga and some of the popular misconceptions. Join Us On Patreon to hear an ad-free version of this episode. Support The Podcast Save 20% on The Once and Future Witch Hunt by Alice Markham-Cantor! Use coupon HUNT20 @Llewellyn.com Coupon valid 05/01/24 through 05/31/24; not valid in conjunction with other discounts or previously placed orders. Note that you do need to be logged in to your llewellyn.com account for coupon to apply. Check out the phenomenal tea blends at thejasminepearl.com and save 10% with coupon code WITCH2024. Free shipping on orders over $35. Make sure you let them know you heard about them on That Witch Life Podcast! You can find Luna & Co Soapery on instagram @lunacosoap and at their website lunacosoap.com. Luna & Co Soapery ships domestically. For international shipping, please contact Luna & Co Soapery directly prior to purchasing. Receive 15% off your order when you use code LUNAWITCH15.
In this episode, we're pairing authors Kris Spisak and Daniel Kim to talk about their books. Thanks to Books Forward PR for arranging these interviews! Kris Spisak takes on a tour of her family's history with her debut fiction novel, “The Baba Yaga Mask.” When their Ukrainian grandmother is lost on a trans-Atlantic flight, sisters Larissa and Ira are swept into a quest across eastern Europe to find the woman who had always told more tales than truths. Kris talks about the real-life events that factor into the book, which has two intertwined stories—one in the past and the other in the here and now. We talk about the extensive research and the unexpected error that was caught. This novel also has an audiobook version and Kris shares how this changed the story in a great way. Daniel Kim, at only 14, has published six books with his brother Benjamin on the environment, the animals who call it home and our role to make things better. They've made waves in Korea and on June 8, the books make their U.S. debut with “The Whale Who Refused to Poo.” In this interview, we talk about how the brothers discovered their love for the environment and what inspired them to become activists. We look at the book series and how they work together on the writing and illustrations. Dan also shares his hopes for the series.
Our latest podcast episode features Kris Spisak (The Baba Yaga Mask, Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, April 2022). Kris, the previous author of three non-fiction books on writing, always knew her first novel would center around Ukraine, the country of origin of her grandparents and extended family. Little did she know that the initial concept would take 8 years to come to fruition and then, through an odd set of circumstances, would be published only 5 weeks after everyone in the world was talking about Russia's invasion of that country. We discuss how, at first, she was reluctant to capitalize on the news cycle but then realized the release of her book provided her with a unique opportunity to share her knowledge of the Ukrainian people—their customs, history, folk tales, and historical significance. She was even able to turn speaking events into opportunities to partner with charitable organizations, resulting not only in greater visibility for her novel but donation opportunities to help the country she loves. Kris Spisak's debut novel was inspired by her family's experience in the post-WWII Ukrainian diaspora and has been called “A complex, poetic tale” by Kirkus Reviews. She wrote her first three non-fiction books— Get a Grip on Your Grammar: 250 Writing and Editing Reminders for the Curious or Confused (Career Press), The Novel Editing Workbook (Davro Press), and The Family Story Workshop (Davro Press)—to help writers of all kinds sharpen their storytelling and empower their communications. Kris has been spotlighted in Writer's Digest and The Huffington Post for her work as an editor and author dedicated to helping other writers. When not working on her own projects, she is an active speaker, workshop/webinar leader and career strategist. To learn more about Kris, click here.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #45 – A Grammar Mayday Over “Mayday” Approximate transcript: Welcome to episode number 45, where we're talking […] The post #45 – A Grammar Mayday Over “Mayday” & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #44 – Pleased as Punchy Punch with a Drink & the Latest in Words You Should Know […] The post #44 – Pleased as Punchy Punch with a Drink & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. “The Plural form of ‘You' Already Exists” – encore episode Apple Podcasts | Android | Spotify | Amazon Music […] The post “The Plural form of ‘You' Already Exists” – encore episode appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. “Story Stop: Enter the Toastmasters” (encore episode) Apple Podcasts | Android | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube […] The post Story Stop: Enter the Toastmasters (encore episode) appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. “Prouder” or “More Proud” than a Peacock? (Plus a Spelling Meme Debunked) – encore episode Apple Podcasts | […] The post “Prouder” or “More Proud” than a Peacock? (Plus a Spelling Meme Debunked) – encore episode appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. “Story Stop: Writing, Editing & Personal Perspectives” (encore episode) Apple Podcasts | Android | Spotify | Amazon Music […] The post Story Stop: Writing, Editing & Personal Perspectives (encore episode) appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. “Should You Trust Judas Priest on Language Use?” (encore episode) Welcome to the summer series of the Words […] The post Should You Trust Judas Priest on Language Use? (encore episode) appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. “Story Stop: Bookish Road Trip” (encore episode) Apple Podcasts | Android | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube […] The post Story Stop: Bookish Road Trip (encore episode) appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. “Franklin, Roosevelt & Getting a Grip on the English Language” (encore episode) Welcome to the summer series of […] The post “Franklin, Roosevelt & Getting a Grip on the English Language” (encore episode) appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #43 – Why do we call them the “Dog Days of Summer”? & the Latest in Words You […] The post #43 – Why do we call them the “Dog Days of Summer”? & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #42 – Crime & Virtue in “Strolls” & “Saunters” – Plus the Latest in Words You Should Know […] The post #42 – Crime & Virtue in “Strolls” & “Saunters” – Plus the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #41 – Singular “Octopus,” Plural “Octo-what?” & the Latest in Words You Should Know Approximate transcript: Welcome […] The post #41 – Singular “Octopus,” Plural “Octo-what?” & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #40 – “Running Amok” Phrase Origin Stories & the Latest in Words You Should Know Approximate transcript: […] The post #40 – “Running Amok” Phrase Origin Stories & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #39 – “Gargoyle” Origin Stories & the Latest in Words You Should Know Approximate transcript: Welcome to […] The post #39 – “Gargoyle” Origin Stories & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #38 – Thesaurus. Thesauri? What’s the Word? & the Latest in Words You Should Know Approximate transcript: […] The post #38 – Thesaurus. Thesauri? What’s the Word? & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #37 – “Rule of Thumb” Origin Outrage & the Latest in Words You Should Know Approximate transcript: […] The post #37 – “Rule of Thumb” Origin Outrage & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #35 – Are You With’t? Contractions & the Latest in Words You Should Know Approximate transcript: Welcome […] The post #36 – Are You With’t? Contractions & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #35 – AI Innovation, Unprecedented Presidents & the Latest in Words You Should Know Approximate transcript: Welcome […] The post #35 – AI Innovation, Unprecedented Presidents & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #34 – The Origin of Those -Isms & the Latest in Words You Should Know Approximate transcript: […] The post #34 – The Origin of Those -Isms & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #33 – The Glamour of Grammar (Yes, Seriously!) & The Latest in Words You Should Know Approximate […] The post #33 – The Glamour of Grammar (Yes, Seriously!) & The Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #32 – Threatened Languages, How Come We Say “How Come” & the Latest in Words You Should […] The post #32 – Threatened Languages, How Come We Say “How Come” & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #31 – Poets, Manifestos, Trying Harder & the Latest in Words You Should Know Approximate transcript: Welcome […] The post #31 – Poets, Manifestos, Trying Harder & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution and influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more to this conversation. Episode #30 – Shakespeare’s English, Space Travel & the Latest in Words You Should Know Approximate transcript: Hi, […] The post #30 – Shakespeare’s English, Space Travel & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because Ben Franklin and Kurt Cobain both influenced our modern English language, spelling memes deserve to be debunked, and our daily lives are surrounded by the evolution of and the influence of words. Forget the grammar police. There is so much more […] The post #29 – AI, Suffragettes, Bloomers & the Latest in Words You Should Know appeared first on Kris Spisak.
The Words You Should Know podcast is back! (mini-episode) Approximate transcript: Hi there. It’s Kris. How’s everyone doing? I hope you and your words are well, and I do say that to every single one of you, no matter whether you consider yourself a “writer” quote, unquote, or not. We all connect with each other […] The post The Words You Should Know podcast is back! (mini-episode) appeared first on Kris Spisak.
Writing a first draft is only the initial step in the journey to creating a novel. The next step is editing, and in this interview, Kris Spisak talks about the different kinds of editing, as well as tips for your self-editing process. Plus, I share my insights from my latest edit on Map of the […] The post Writing Tips: How To Self-Edit Your Novel With Kris Spisak first appeared on The Creative Penn.
Roanoke native Kris Spisak writes, edits, and coaches writers through professional services, a podcast, a blog, two books, and creative workshops. In this conversation with BOOK CITY Roanoke's Douglas Jackson, Spisak discusses the thought process, common mistakes made by beginning writers, why grammar matters, and how it just might be fun. Spisak is most recently the author of The Novel Editing Workbook. A former college writing instructor, having taught at institutions including the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University, Kris is now an active speaker, workshop leader, and freelance editor. She is the board chair of James River Writers and is a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors, the Virginia Writers Club, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. This season of the BOOK CITY Roanoke podcast is sponsored by www.Booknofurther.com.
My guest this week is Kris Spisak, who discovered that her self-publishing niche is to help other self-publishers focus on their writing and grammar. Her books, Get a Grip on Your Grammar, and The Novel Editing Workbook, along with her popular blog and editing business, are helping to raise the quality of all indie authors' work. Plus, admit it, you sometimes pause before you write "affect" or "effect." It's nice that Kris is there to give us answers. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what inspires them, and why they are inspiring to other authors. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center: https://selfpublishingadvice.org, with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven’t already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at http://allianceindependentauthors.org. About the Host Howard Lovy has been a journalist for more than 30 years, and has spent the last six years amplifying the voices of independent publishers and authors. He works with authors as a book editor to prepare their work to be published. Howard is also a freelance writer specializing in Jewish issues whose work appears regularly in Publishers Weekly, the Jewish Daily Forward, and Longreads. Find Howard at howardlovy.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Why do I call this the “Words You Should Know” podcast? It’s not a lecture. The whole idea of grammar police annoys me. This is the podcast that reminds you that Ben Franklin and Kurt Cobain both influenced our modern English language, and that spelling memes deserve to be debunked. See past episodes for those […] The post S3: E6 – Why “Soccer” instead of “Football,” Americans? Seriously, why? appeared first on Kris Spisak.
People surround us. Words surround us. The words we use for people surround us. And things can get tricky. We might fall into traps of not knowing better with some words, like “gypsy,” which is often considered a racial slur to people of the Roma population—along with the word “gyped,” as in “I was gyped,” […] The post S3: E5 – Where Do We Get the Word “Hipster”? appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication, because Ben Franklin and Kurt Cobain both influenced our modern English language and spelling memes deserve to be debunked. Words. Language. Human communication. Everything begins there. Norrie Epstein once said, “The best writing advice I ever received: facts are eloquent.” Oh how […] The post S3: E4 – The Origin of “Silhouette” & How Do You Spell “Piecemeal” (“Peacemeal”? “Piecemail”?) Anyway? appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication. Let’s talk language tips for the curious or confused. Welcome to episode three of season three. The Irish author Samuel Beckett once wrote, “Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” I love this idea, in talking about […] The post S3: E3 – The origin of “compete” and “boycott” & is “lineup” / “line up” one or two words anyway? appeared first on Kris Spisak.
No matter how you’re using your words, in emails or essays, poetry or presentations, you’ve got to start somewhere. Maxwell Perkins, the book editor best known for the writers he discovered including Ernest Hemingway, Thomas Wolfe, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, once said, “Just get it down on paper, and then we’ll see what to do […] The post S3: E2 – “Bragging rights” (or “rites”)? “Rites (or “rights”) of passage”? And what’s the story about “braggadocio”? appeared first on Kris Spisak.
A few stolen minutes out of your day to talk words and communication. Let’s talk language tips for the curious or confused. Welcome to season 3. In our first two seasons, we talked about the language choices of Kurt Cobain, Judas Priest, and Destiny’s Child. We’ve talked about spelling hijacking and spelling revolutions of early […] The post S3: E1 – The History of “Mesmerize” & Looking for the “Mother Lode” (or “Mother Load”?) of English Language Tips appeared first on Kris Spisak.
So you’re telling me you think grammar is gross. You’re allergic to the idea of sentence diagramming. Actually paying attention to the English Language sounds kind of icky. Okay, sure, that’s not my opinion, but you knew that. And if it’s yours, that’s okay. I get it. But you know what is icky to me? […] The post S2: E10 – Nervous “Tics” & Nervous “Ticks” Plus Other Things That Make You Squirm (Besides Grammar) appeared first on Kris Spisak.
I don’t know if birth order has anything to do with grammar persnicketiness. Do eldest children have a tendency of dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s? Are youngest children inclined toward utter grammar rebellion? Was that first known person to drop an “OMG” in 1917—yep, I said that date correctly, 1917—was he a youngest […] The post S2: E9 – Whippersnappers & the Birth Order of Grammar Rebels appeared first on Kris Spisak.
Today, let’s fight fire with grammatical fire. Or, let’s at least get your spelling right when you’re talking about fire. Think fast: if you have a “flaring” temper, how is that spelled? Is it the same as having a “flair” for fashion? And what is the past tense of the verb, “to light”? Lit? Lighted? […] The post S2: E8 – Fighting Fire with Grammatical Fire appeared first on Kris Spisak.
Getting my fingers covered in dirt is as satisfying as having them covered in ink. Weeding is a bit like editing, after all, cleaning up what’s there to turn it into its best. And then there’s the wonderful language of the garden. “Zucchini” comes from the Italian word for “sweetest.” The head of an asparagus […] The post S2: E7 – Splatter or Spatter from your Spigot or Spicket? appeared first on Kris Spisak.
Are you one of 99.4% of Americans who believe that grammar is a dusty old subject best left for Elizabethan geezers and Second-Grade teachers? Do you cringe at the letters M-L-A? Do you think words are boring? Well, then listen up, you friggin' troglodyte! Dom and I were honored and thrilled to welcome esteemed guest Kris Spisak back to the show, this time with her groundbreaking grammar-based game show, Grammartopia. Author of Get a Grip on Your Grammar: 250 Writing and Editing Reminders for the Curious or Confused and a popular blog, Kris is out to change the world. The world of words.
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