Podcasts about novelists

"The long term survival of life on earth has never really been in doubt...it's the survival of homo sapiens that has been in question." That stark reminder, or perhaps warning, comes from one of the central characters in the new novel by Vermont author Tim Weed called "The Afterlife Project."Guest host Mitch Wertlieb speaks with the Putney-based writer about what inspired his book--which blends elements of climate fact with science fiction, telling a story that stretches from the not too distant future to a world that in ten thousand years is visited by one man who may or may not be the last surviving member of an otherwise wiped-out human race.Plus, we'll discuss some of the better ways you can feel like the last person on earth by exploring great out-of-the-way wilderness hikes with Claire Polfus, a recreation program manager for the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

Bestselling thriller writers Gillian McAllister and Holly Seddon talk to brilliant Curtis Brown foreign rights agent, Tanja Goossens, about what foreign publishers are looking for, how the whole foreign rights side of publishing works and what really happens at book fairs. 

Writer's Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. Episode Summary In this episode of Writer's Voice, we explore how language shapes history—and how stories shape culture. We first speak with Laura Spinney, author of Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global. She takes us into the world of Proto-Indo-European, a language spoken … Continue reading Laura Spinney & Tonya Todd on Language, Myth & Resistance →

In the spotlight is Christine Estima — playwright, novelist, a performer. Her debut novel, “Letters to Kafka” is scheduled for release in September, and was preceded by her debut book, “The Syrian Ladies Benevolent Society,” named one of the best books of 2023 by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.  We discuss:  >> Milena Jesenská, the Czech writer and translator of Franz Kafka novels >> Short stories versus novels >> How to respect one's readers >> The Arab immigrant experience >> Finding literary agents >> Shut Up & Write! The free global writing community >> Etc. Learn more about Christine Estima here: https://www.christineestima.com/home/ Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

“I always say to young writers, you need to put your heart on the page. Don't worry about being like anyone else. I would say that foremost, in any of the arts, it is self-expression at its core. I don't buy rules or a set criteria or a static criteria. I don't believe in any of that. I think the most exciting talents are kind of inexplicable. You can't really understand why that art works. It just does, and that feels like it comes from a very pure place.I think that it all goes back to childhood. I've always really been writing about family. I suppose we always are. I do think that it is the original wound, and it's where we are kind of wired and built from those early years. So I think every other relationship just replicates that. It's very natural for me to go there, I suppose because the feelings are most intense there. We just keep recycling these relationships and dynamics over and over again—until maybe someday we can catch ourselves and try to break the bad patterns. It feels the most visceral and real to me, always. You're always looking for that in writing. You want everything to be at this peak intensity, or at least I do. That seems the most natural place to start.”Megan Abbott is the Edgar award-winning author of twelve crime novels, including Beware the Woman, You Will Know Me, Give Me Your Hand, and the New York Times bestseller The Turnout, the winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She received her Ph.D. in English and American literature from New York University, and her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, the Paris Review and the Wall Street Journal. Dare Me, the series she adapted from her own novel, now streaming on Netflix. Her latest novel, El Dorado Drive, is available June 24, 2025.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“I always say to young writers, you need to put your heart on the page. Don't worry about being like anyone else. I would say that foremost, in any of the arts, it is self-expression at its core. I don't buy rules or a set criteria or a static criteria. I don't believe in any of that. I think the most exciting talents are kind of inexplicable. You can't really understand why that art works. It just does, and that feels like it comes from a very pure place.I think that it all goes back to childhood. I've always really been writing about family. I suppose we always are. I do think that it is the original wound, and it's where we are kind of wired and built from those early years. So I think every other relationship just replicates that. It's very natural for me to go there, I suppose because the feelings are most intense there. We just keep recycling these relationships and dynamics over and over again—until maybe someday we can catch ourselves and try to break the bad patterns. It feels the most visceral and real to me, always. You're always looking for that in writing. You want everything to be at this peak intensity, or at least I do. That seems the most natural place to start.”Megan Abbott is the Edgar award-winning author of twelve crime novels, including Beware the Woman, You Will Know Me, Give Me Your Hand, and the New York Times bestseller The Turnout, the winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She received her Ph.D. in English and American literature from New York University, and her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, the Paris Review and the Wall Street Journal. Dare Me, the series she adapted from her own novel, now streaming on Netflix. Her latest novel, El Dorado Drive, is available June 24, 2025.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“I always say to young writers, you need to put your heart on the page. Don't worry about being like anyone else. I would say that foremost, in any of the arts, it is self-expression at its core. I don't buy rules or a set criteria or a static criteria. I don't believe in any of that. I think the most exciting talents are kind of inexplicable. You can't really understand why that art works. It just does, and that feels like it comes from a very pure place.I think that it all goes back to childhood. I've always really been writing about family. I suppose we always are. I do think that it is the original wound, and it's where we are kind of wired and built from those early years. So I think every other relationship just replicates that. It's very natural for me to go there, I suppose because the feelings are most intense there. We just keep recycling these relationships and dynamics over and over again—until maybe someday we can catch ourselves and try to break the bad patterns. It feels the most visceral and real to me, always. You're always looking for that in writing. You want everything to be at this peak intensity, or at least I do. That seems the most natural place to start.”Megan Abbott is the Edgar award-winning author of twelve crime novels, including Beware the Woman, You Will Know Me, Give Me Your Hand, and the New York Times bestseller The Turnout, the winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She received her Ph.D. in English and American literature from New York University, and her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, the Paris Review and the Wall Street Journal. Dare Me, the series she adapted from her own novel, now streaming on Netflix. Her latest novel, El Dorado Drive, is available June 24, 2025.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“I always say to young writers, you need to put your heart on the page. Don't worry about being like anyone else. I would say that foremost, in any of the arts, it is self-expression at its core. I don't buy rules or a set criteria or a static criteria. I don't believe in any of that. I think the most exciting talents are kind of inexplicable. You can't really understand why that art works. It just does, and that feels like it comes from a very pure place.I think that it all goes back to childhood. I've always really been writing about family. I suppose we always are. I do think that it is the original wound, and it's where we are kind of wired and built from those early years. So I think every other relationship just replicates that. It's very natural for me to go there, I suppose because the feelings are most intense there. We just keep recycling these relationships and dynamics over and over again—until maybe someday we can catch ourselves and try to break the bad patterns. It feels the most visceral and real to me, always. You're always looking for that in writing. You want everything to be at this peak intensity, or at least I do. That seems the most natural place to start.”Megan Abbott is the Edgar award-winning author of twelve crime novels, including Beware the Woman, You Will Know Me, Give Me Your Hand, and the New York Times bestseller The Turnout, the winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She received her Ph.D. in English and American literature from New York University, and her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, the Paris Review and the Wall Street Journal. Dare Me, the series she adapted from her own novel, now streaming on Netflix. Her latest novel, El Dorado Drive, is available June 24, 2025.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“I always say to young writers, you need to put your heart on the page. Don't worry about being like anyone else. I would say that foremost, in any of the arts, it is self-expression at its core. I don't buy rules or a set criteria or a static criteria. I don't believe in any of that. I think the most exciting talents are kind of inexplicable. You can't really understand why that art works. It just does, and that feels like it comes from a very pure place.I think that it all goes back to childhood. I've always really been writing about family. I suppose we always are. I do think that it is the original wound, and it's where we are kind of wired and built from those early years. So I think every other relationship just replicates that. It's very natural for me to go there, I suppose because the feelings are most intense there. We just keep recycling these relationships and dynamics over and over again—until maybe someday we can catch ourselves and try to break the bad patterns. It feels the most visceral and real to me, always. You're always looking for that in writing. You want everything to be at this peak intensity, or at least I do. That seems the most natural place to start.”Megan Abbott is the Edgar award-winning author of twelve crime novels, including Beware the Woman, You Will Know Me, Give Me Your Hand, and the New York Times bestseller The Turnout, the winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She received her Ph.D. in English and American literature from New York University, and her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, the Paris Review and the Wall Street Journal. Dare Me, the series she adapted from her own novel, now streaming on Netflix. Her latest novel, El Dorado Drive, is available June 24, 2025.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“I think that it all goes back to childhood. I've always really been writing about family. I suppose we always are. I do think that it is the original wound, and it's where we are kind of wired and built from those early years. So I think every other relationship just replicates that. It's very natural for me to go there, I suppose because the feelings are most intense there. We just keep recycling these relationships and dynamics over and over again—until maybe someday we can catch ourselves and try to break the bad patterns. It feels the most visceral and real to me, always. You're always looking for that in writing. You want everything to be at this peak intensity, or at least I do. That seems the most natural place to start.I've thought about that a lot while writing the book. We really are in the age of the grifter, as they keep saying. In some ways, it's the most deeply American type, the hustler of American aspiration. And money, I think that was hovering in my head when I wrote the book. How women persuade and convince one another of things feels particularly complex to me. I think there are so many layers to female relationships. That was really interesting to me to pursue because, in some ways, it's much more veiled and complex. So I tend to write about groups of women a lot, regardless of the field, but particularly the way they communicate or don't communicate, or communicate without words to one another, is an ongoing fascination of mine.”Megan Abbott is the Edgar award-winning author of twelve crime novels, including Beware the Woman, You Will Know Me, Give Me Your Hand, and the New York Times bestseller The Turnout, the winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She received her Ph.D. in English and American literature from New York University, and her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, the Paris Review and the Wall Street Journal. Dare Me, the series she adapted from her own novel, now streaming on Netflix. Her latest novel, El Dorado Drive, is available June 24, 2025.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“I think that it all goes back to childhood. I've always really been writing about family. I suppose we always are. I do think that it is the original wound, and it's where we are kind of wired and built from those early years. So I think every other relationship just replicates that. It's very natural for me to go there, I suppose because the feelings are most intense there. We just keep recycling these relationships and dynamics over and over again—until maybe someday we can catch ourselves and try to break the bad patterns. It feels the most visceral and real to me, always. You're always looking for that in writing. You want everything to be at this peak intensity, or at least I do. That seems the most natural place to start.I've thought about that a lot while writing the book. We really are in the age of the grifter, as they keep saying. In some ways, it's the most deeply American type, the hustler of American aspiration. And money, I think that was hovering in my head when I wrote the book. How women persuade and convince one another of things feels particularly complex to me. I think there are so many layers to female relationships. That was really interesting to me to pursue because, in some ways, it's much more veiled and complex. So I tend to write about groups of women a lot, regardless of the field, but particularly the way they communicate or don't communicate, or communicate without words to one another, is an ongoing fascination of mine.”Megan Abbott is the Edgar award-winning author of twelve crime novels, including Beware the Woman, You Will Know Me, Give Me Your Hand, and the New York Times bestseller The Turnout, the winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She received her Ph.D. in English and American literature from New York University, and her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, the Paris Review and the Wall Street Journal. Dare Me, the series she adapted from her own novel, now streaming on Netflix. Her latest novel, El Dorado Drive, is available June 24, 2025.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

Novelist and writer Jarett Kobek talks about his book on Kenneth Anger's seminal art film Invocation of My Demon Brother. The film can be seen here. The book can be ordered here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the spotlight is Hank Quense, whose latest book is titled “The Author's AI Tool Kit: From Concept to Publication.” Quense's fiction works include the Gundarland series, the Princess Moxie series, and the soon-to-be-published Zaftan series. His non-fiction books include titles such as “How to Self-Publish and Market a Book, “Book Marketing Fundamentals, “Business Basics for Authors,” and “Creating Your First Novel.”Quense has been strongly influenced by two authors in particular: Douglas Adams and his novel “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy,” and the Joseph Heller classic “Catch-22.”Learn more about Hank Quense here: https://hankquense.comNovelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18noWrite to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

Writer's Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. Episode Summary This week: journalist Brian Goldstone joins us to talk about his powerful new book, There Is No Place For Us: Working and Homeless in America. It's an eye-opening, deeply reported portrait of families who work full-time yet are unhoused, navigating a system … Continue reading The New Face of Homelessness: Brian Goldstone on THERE IS NO PLACE FOR US →

May 31, 2025 Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, Novelist and Life Coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Saturday, May 31, 2025, and this is episode #6 in Series 2025. This episode is titled, “It's All about Control!"What's all about control? The events we see going on in the world today.Our world is fast moving toward the rise of the AntiChrist and his global dictatorship. Everything is being set up for the establishment of the Beast system and, sad to say, most of the world is clueless.What about you? Are you clueless, too? If so, listen to this podcast to the very end so that you can be prepared for what lies ahead in the very near future. You've very likely heard of the accelerated move toward the digitalization of our world, including the financial, medical, and social segments of society. Digital currency is making major head-roads in Europe, with the soon establishment of the digital Euro by 2026, if not before. The European Central Bank has stated that it "hopes to have a political deal on the digital Euro by early 2026." I've posted the article containing this quote under "Sources Cited" in the show notes.In another article, posted by Accenture and titled "The Digital Euro: A strategic step toward Europe's monetary sovereignty?," the author explains that "cash is rapidly losing ground" and being replaced by a digital system that will purportedly make monetary transactions safer and more convenient.Pay attention to the words "safer" and "more convenient." You will be hearing and seeing those words more and more as the world becomes completely digitalized. Under the guise of safety and convenience, the New World Order is setting up a system of control over the entire world population. Eventually, as they proclaim, "You will have nothing and be happy."Why will you have nothing?Because your freedom is being gradually stolen from you, under your very nose. And you are very likely unaware that it's happening. What looks like a "safer and more convenient" way of living is actually leading to tyranny. Lest you think I am being far-fetched and alarmist, consider this:__Surveillance cameras are everywhere, watching our every move. One writer noted that the United States has more surveillance cameras per person than any other country in the world. (https://theconversation.com/surveillance-is-pervasive-yes-you-are-being-watched-even-if-no-one-is-looking-for-you-187139)__More and more countries are requiring more and more identification processes—like iris scanning, facial scanning, palm scanning, and on and on—in order to travel, purchase, and do things we used to do without such scanning.__When you're online, websites use ad-trackers and third-party cookies to gather information about you. These ad-trackers and third-party cookies are stored in your browser and follow you around from site to site, enabling advertisers to follow you around as well.__These days, surveillance is the name of the game in healthcare as well. A recent article, titled "AI may be listening in on your doctor's appointment," raises a red flag on another aspect of stolen freedom. (https://endtimeheadlines.org/2025/05/ai-may-be-listening-in-on-your-doctors-appointment/)__If you wear a device to monitor your health, such as a FitBit or SmartWatch, you are being surveilled. It has been noted that there is an eerie resemblance between a FitBit and the ankle bracelets people wear when being monitored by a court of law. The analogy reminds me of the heavy chain prisoners used to have to wear around their ankles.__Perhaps the biggest tracking culprit of all is your cell phone. GPS gives your location to maps and weather apps. WiFi and Bluetooth can pinpoint your phone's location. Do you use gaming apps? Then your information is being tracked. Do you own a late-model car? Then very likely your car employs telematics, such as OnStar or Bluelink to track your location.

B.A. Shapiro's The Lost Masterpiece can be preordered on Amazon HERE.Berthe Morisot was a female Impressionist painter active in Paris during the second half of the 19th century. She exhibited her work alongside famed Impressionist artists Monet, Degas, and Renoir, among others, and was the only woman to be included in the first major show of Impressionist art in 1874. Despite the many limitations she faced as a female artist of her time, Morisot established herself as an integral member of the Impressionist group. She also modeled for a number of paintings by Manet, and though she was married to his brother, many believe that Manet and Morisot were engaged in a long-run secret affair.B.A. Shapiro is a New York Times best selling author. In 2013, she was awarded the New England Book Award for Fiction for her novel, The Art Forger. Over her impressive career as an author, she has written both novels and screenplays, as well as a non-fiction self help book. Be sure to follow ArtMuse on Instagram & TikTok. Donate to ArtMuse HERE.ArtMuse is produced by Kula Production Company.Today's episode was written by host Grace Anna.There are accompanying images, resources and suggestions for further reading on the ArtMuse website and Instagram.

Today we look back at the episodes that aired in the month of May. So you'll hear from from Ben Lumber and Jack Rogers from Acres, Carlos Alverez of Behölder, Johan Längqvist of Candlemass, Daniel Winter-Bates of Bury Tomorrow, Camille Contreras of Novelists, Robert Leht and Martin Randalu of Pridian, Johan Sébenne and Pierre Anouilh of Year Of No Light, and Steve Cobucci of Wolves At The Gate!DiscordPatreonSubstackEmail: asthestorygrows@gmail.comMusic:Acres - "Not So Different"Behölder - "A Pale Blood Sky"Candlemass - "Black Star"Bury Tomorrow - "Villain Arc"Novelists - "Say My Name"Pridian - "Cyanide Dream"Year Of No Light - "Interdit aux Vivants, aux Morts et aux Chiens"Wolves At The Gate - "Death Clock"

“R” is for Ravenel, Harriott Horry Rutledge (1832-1912). Novelist, biographer, historian.

Rachel and Simon speak to the novelist and journalist Diana Evans. Born and brought up in London and Lagos, Diana started her career as a journalist. She has written for publications including the Guardian, Harper's Bazaar, the New York Review of Books, Time and Vogue. After she completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, Diana published her debut novel, “26a”, in 2005; the book won the inaugural Orange Award for New Writers and was shortlisted for the Whitbread First Novel and the Commonwealth Best First Book. “The Wonder”, which drew on Diana's own experience as a dancer, followed in 2009. Diana's third novel, “Ordinary People” (2018), was widely feted: it won the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Literature and was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction, the Rathbones Folio Prize and the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction. Her fourth book, “A House for Alice” (2023), was also shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction. We spoke to Diana about “I Want to Talk to You and Other Conversations”, a collection of her journalism, publishing “26a” and moving between fiction and non-fiction. We've made another update for those ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We've added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we're now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (nine are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel.A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World's Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waterstones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.You can find us online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠alwaystakenotes.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar.

Janice Shapiro is an author and illustrator whose new graphic novel, Honoria: A Fortuitous Friendship, is published by Fantagraphics. Co-hosts: Jonathan Friedmann & Joey Angel-Field Producer-engineer: Mike Tomren Honoria: A Fortuitous Friendshiphttps://www.fantagraphics.com/products/honoria Amusing Jews Merch Storehttps://www.amusingjews.com/merch#!/ Subscribe to the Amusing Jews podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/show/amusing-jews Adat Chaverim – Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Los Angeleshttps://www.humanisticjudaismla.org/ Jewish Museum of the American Westhttps://www.jmaw.org/ Atheists United Studioshttps://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

In the spotlight is Melissa Edwards, literary agent and executive vice president at Stonesong, the New York-based literary agency. She also acts as a contract consultant for authors and agents under the business MLE Consulting. We discuss: >> Traditional versus self-publishing >> Handling incoming manuscripts >> Importance of the query letter >> Standard agent/author agreements >> Expectation of the author/agent relationship >> Etc. Learn more about Melissa Edwards here: https://www.stonesong.com/melissa-edwards To learn more about Melissa Edwards work as a contract consultant for authors and agents, go here: https://www.melissaedwardsesq.com/ Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no   Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

It used to be a place to find what you need and when you want it...but now, the internet has transcended into a playground of ads, cookies and algorithms. But why? Who made it that way? And when did things take such a sharp turn in the wrong direction? Host Gurdeep Ahluwalia speaks to Cory Doctorow, author and host of the CBC podcast 'Understood: Who Broke the Internet' on who's pockets are being lined at the expense of our experience on the internet, and what how users can fight back against what he calls the 'enshitification' of the web. You can find more on the CBC series below: It's not you — the internet really does suck. Novelist, blogger and noted internet commentator Cory Doctorow explains what happened to the internet and why you're tormented by ads, bots, algorithms, AI slop and so many pop-ups. Spoiler alert: it wasn't an accident. In Understood: Who Broke the Internet, Doctorow gets into the decisions made by powerful people that got us here, and most importantly, how we fix it. Understood is an anthology podcast that takes you out of the daily news cycle and inside the events, people, and cultural moments you want to know more about. Over a handful of episodes, each season unfolds as a story, hosted by a well-connected reporter, and rooted in journalism you can trust. Driven by insight and fueled by curiosity…The stories of our time: Understood. More episodes of Understood are available at: https://link.mgln.ai/g2ug4r We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Featuring new music from: Arm's Length, Larcenia Roe, Byzantine & Intercourse. Plus the usual news & chat from the alternative world.  Our new merch is now available at https://www.dethkult.co/collections/machograndepod Audible - audibletrial.com/machogrande Spotify Playlists Voicemail - 05603 689 842 contact us - info@machograndepodcast.co.uk Twitter - @machograndepod 'This (non profit) podcast is intended for promotional purposes only' Macho Grande Podcast' does not claim to own copyright etc, all copyright is respected to the artists and labels.

Writer's Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. Episode Summary Novelist Jennifer Haigh joins us to talk about Rabbit Moon, her atmospheric and emotionally complex novel set in Shanghai. It follows an estranged American family reuniting after a tragedy—and a daughter living a secret life abroad. “Writing is having a conversation with … Continue reading Jennifer Haigh on RABBIT MOON and L. Annette Binder on CHILD OF EARTH AND STARRY HEAVEN →

May 22, 2025Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, Novelist and Life Coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Thursday, May 22, 2025, and this is episode #5 in Series 2025. This episode is titled, “Christianity is NOT a Religion!”What I am about to say may surprise you, even stun you. But it is a truth with eternal consequences, a truth that is widely misunderstood but needs to be understood.My statement is this: Christianity is NOT a religion. It is a relationship.Let me say that again: Christianity is NOT a religion. It is a relationship.Understanding the difference is crucial to understanding Christianity. You see, my friend, religion is all about earning one's way to Heaven by doing good works. The American Heritage Dictionary defines "religion" as follows: "A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader." And the leader of every belief system except Christianity teaches that one must earn his way to Heaven by doing good works.While we cannot explore every belief system in existence today, let's look at the top most prominent ones outside of Christianity and what their leaders teach. I quote directly from websites on each of these belief systems:1. Islam: The leader of Islam is Mohammed. Mohammed taught the following. I quote from an article titled "What's the Road to Heaven according to Islam?" by Professor Shahul Hameed, President of the Kerala Islamic Mission, Calicut, India: I quote Professor Hameed: ". . . In Islam, both faith and good works are of equal importance; indeed they are two sides of the same coin." (https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/road-heaven-islam/2. Hinduism: This belief system teaches that a person's karma, or the sum total of his good and bad deeds in his previous life, determines the level into which he will return in their next life. The ultimate goal is to be released from the rebirth cycle when one reaches moksha. Moksha is what the Hindus believe is ultimate salvation. It is a state of enlightenment achieved only through a series of good works done from one life to the next. Once a person reaches moskha, the rebirth cycle is broken and one goes to loka or Heaven. (https://hinduismfacts.org/reincarnation/salvation/) 3. Buddhism also teaches reincarnation but a continual reincarnation until one reaches nirvana, similar to the Hindu's moksha. To the Buddhist, death is not an ending but simply the beginning of a new life. What one will become in the new life results from the works one has done in his previous life. This process continues until one becomes free from the cycle of death and rebirth and reaches nirvana, or heaven.4. Judaism also teaches that salvation results from one's works. At the same time, salvation for the Jew is collective and national, not personal and individual. Jewish teaching does, however, place responsibility for sin on the sinner. Judaism teaches that the individual can atone for his sin by repentance and by doing good works. He has no need of anyone to save him. He can save himself through repenting of his sin and doing good works to make up for them. (https://chosenpeople.com/salvation-as-interpreted-by-judaism/)Did you notice that all four of the above belief systems involve good works as an essential part of salvation and going to Heaven?Yet, when we come to Christianity, we see that good works have nothing to do with salvation and going to Heaven. Let's read what the Bible says in the Book of Ephesians 2: 8-9 NLT:"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."Christianity teaches that no one can earn his way to Heaven. No one can do enough good works to qualify for Heaven. Why not? Because no human being can meet God's perfect standard of justice for sin. Not a single one of us could ever pay God enough for our sin...

The bestselling Irish author grew up on a farm set on “50 acres on the side of a hill”. Growing up, she witnessed a harsh, misogynistic country that convinced her she would never marry. Claire shares what she has learned about writing from a litter of newborn piglets.Her works Small Things Like These and Foster have both been made into movies.Claire's stories often take place in the landscape where she grew up — the farms and small towns of Wexford in Southeast Ireland.Claire was the youngest of six children, and when she was born their farmhouse had no running water and few books.Instead, Claire fell in love with horses.As a small child she would go to the wood with her brother, who was a lumberjack.Amongst the chainsaws and workmen, little Claire would drive a harnessed horse from behind, to the roadside, to help clear the heavy trees. And as she grew older, she developed a fierce determination to live life on her own terms.This episode was produced by Alice Moldovan. Conversations Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison. Presented by Sarah Kanowski.This episode of Conversations touches on marriage, Magdalene laundries, contraception, Ireland, Catholicism, big Irish families, horsemanship, starting brumbies, skewbald Connemara pony, New Orleans, writing, literary prizes, farms, personal stories, epic life stories, family dynamics and modern history.Further informationListen to Sarah's interview with Queensland horseman, Ken Faulkner.

Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Mark Stevens, author of several crime novels, including Trapline. His new novel No Lie Lasts Forever involves a reporter investigating a cold-case serial killer who may have returned.00.00 Opening ThoughtsJesse has returned from Ireland with a new appreciation of books—especially illuminated ones.04:29 News1) MIllion Lives Book Festival Disaster2) Agatha Christie Rises to Teach Again15:31 Craft CornerJon Meyers (Write Better Together) discusses the use of attachment theory when creating characters and character relationships.21:30 Interview with Mark Stevens42:20 Parting WordsLAST CALL for the WriterCon Cruise (May31-July 7). Seven days at sea touring Alaska—with lots of writing instruction when the boat is at sea. Over 20 hours of talks, small-group work, plus private interviews with an onbaord literary agent. Register now!Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

Ross Barkan's newest novel “Glass Century” is a panoramic story of New York City from our crime-ridden 70s. through the tragedy of 9/11 to the COVID lockdowns. The story focuses on Mona Glass a photojournalist in love with tennis and a married man. For this BCR podcast, we are not so interested in Mona Glass as the character in a novel but as a lens into the experiences of an American journalist and novelist and the author of “Glass Century” – Ross Barkan.For Bar Crawl Radio podcast. we talk to people doing positive work for their community, recording in neighborhood bars. Today at Gebhard's Beer Culture Bar on the fun side of West 72nd Street – because facing us is the mortuary across the street. We are alive and sitting on the porch with New York Times writer Ross Barkan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rave royalty on No Tags this week as we're joined by Paul Woolford.We're both drawn to artists who are driven by a compulsion to put art into the world at all costs – and 25 years into his career, Woolford (AKA Special Request) seems to be more driven than ever. In the last six years he's released six albums and countless singles and remixes, and he still tours relentlessly – from seasons in Ibiza to grubby late-nighters at the White Hotel.He's also constantly collaborating – who else can you name who's worked with Novelist, Diplo, Alison Goldfrapp and MK? And that's how we introduced him on stage at the British Library earlier this year, where he joined us for a live conversation as part of AVA London.Housekeeping! If you're into No Tags, you can show your support by liking our posts on Substack. Or why not forward this email to a friend who'd enjoy it? You can also leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or chuck us a like on Spotify. Or if you're feeling particularly generous (or just flash – we'll take either), consider subscribing to our paid tier, which costs less than a pint per month and gives us the financial and spiritual fuel to keep planning, recording, editing and transcribing these regular podcasts. Get full access to No Tags at notagspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

PATREONDISCORDIn this episode of Metal Massacre, join Dustin and Lucian as they return to the studio for a laid-back yet engaging conversation about the latest happenings in the metal scene. The duo shares their excitement over the new album from Novelists, diving into the band's evolution with their new vocalist, Camille Contreras. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of integrating a new frontwoman into the band's dynamic, as well as the unique sound that continues to define Novelists. The conversation flows from personal anecdotes about their own experiences in the mosh pit to the importance of good neighbors, and even a few laughs about the ups and downs of touring life. With a mix of humor and passion, this episode is a must-listen for metalheads eager to connect with the community and learn about the latest from one of the genre's most promising bands. Tune in for a fun and insightful episode filled with heart!

It's not you — the internet really does suck. Novelist, blogger and noted internet commentator Cory Doctorow explains what happened to the internet and why you're tormented by ads, bots, algorithms, AI slop and so many pop-ups. Spoiler alert: it wasn't an accident.In Understood: Who Broke the Internet, Doctorow gets into the decisions made by powerful people that got us here, and most importantly, how we fix it. More episodes of Who Broke the Internet are available at: https://link.mgln.ai/DkvHgc

Alexis prend les commandes de RTL2 Pop Rock Station jusqu'à jeudi. La soirée débute avec les Hives et "Enough Is Enough" extrait de leur nouvel album "The Hives Forever Forever The Hives"suivi par The Dandy Warhols, Blondie, Faith No More et Oracle Sisters. L'album de la semaine est "Better Dreaming" de Tune Yards, et c'est "Heartbreak", qu'on s'écoute ce lundi. Les classiques ne sont pas en reste avec des morceaux de Cream et Muse, tandis que Francis Zégut recommande Novelist et leur titre "Say My Name", extrait de l'album "Coda". En seconde partie de soirée, Jeff Beck et Buddy Guy célèbrent en live les 25 ans du Rock and Roll Hall of Fame avec "Let Me Love You Baby" et une petite pépite de Car Seat Headrest vient enrichir la sélection, on écoute "Waiting for the End" de Linkin Park, "Rich Girl" de Gwen Stefani et Viagra Boys avec "The Bog Body". La soirée se termine en beauté avec le long format de Temples, une immersion dans leur rock psychédélique. The Hives - Enough Is Enough The Dandy Warhols - Get Off Blondie - One Way Or Another Faith No More - Epic Oracle Sisters - Marseille Cream - Sunshine Of Your Love Muse - New Born Tune Yards - Heartbreak Toto - St George & The Dragon Novelists - Say My Name The Stranglers - No More Heroes Ghost - Lachryma Gemma Hayes - Hanging Around Linkin Park - The Catalyst Machine Head - Bønescraper Cake - I Will Survive The Beatles - Helter Skelter Jeff Beck Feat. Buddy Guy - Let Me Love You Baby (Live) The Mama's And The Papa's - Monday Monday Gwen Stefani - Rich Girl Hoon - Simon Says T.Rex - 20Th Century Boy Car Seat Headrest - Nervous Young Inhumans The Smashing Pumpkins - 1979 Viagra Boys - The Bog Body Temples - Sand Dance Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Award-winning and bestselling author Maggie O'Farrell Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait author takes us behind the scenes of her creative process—from the early struggles of starting out to the discipline and instinct that shape her acclaimed novels.We explore the irresistible drive to write, the role of characters in steering a story, and how she blends history with imagination. Maggie also shares her thoughts on revision, redrafting without ego, and what it really takes to endure in the writing life.We discuss:The insatiable urge to write and the challenges of beginning a novelLetting characters lead and reshaping a story mid-draftWeaving fact and fiction in historical narrativesWhy revision is where the real writing happensHonest feedback, creative resilience, and writing for the long haulABOUT MAGGIE O'FARRELLMaggie O'Farrell is the author of Hamnet (winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award) and I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death, both Sunday Times number 1 bestsellers. Her other works include The Marriage Portrait, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, After You'd Gone, The Hand That First Held Mine (winner of the Costa Novel Award), and Instructions for a Heatwave. Maggie's work is praised for its lyrical prose, emotional depth, and its ability to bring overlooked historical figures to life.*RESOURCES & LINKS

Writer's Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. Episode Summary In this episode of Writer's Voice, we speak with two authors who excavate buried truths and challenge dominant cultural narratives. Dolen Perkins-Valdez discusses her historical novel Happy Land, inspired by a real African American community founded after the Civil War in North … Continue reading Kingdoms Lost & Myths Undone: Dolen Perkins-Valdez on HAPPY LAND and Nancy Reddy on THE GOOD MOTHER MYTH →

Novelist, curator, humanitarian, conscious business leader and modern mystic Renee Blodgett has lived multiple lives in one. Having traveled around the world, she has plenty of stories, from riding elephants in the Indian jungle and photographing polar bears in northern Canada to teaching English in Kenya, exploring glaciers in Iceland and selling kilims in Turkey. She has lived in eleven countries, including South Africa during Apartheid and the Gaza Strip.  Her multicultural background and years of experience as a communications strategist have led to a career of uplifting others through content, speaking, coaching and leading. Known as a master of storytelling, she has written for several magazines and networks and her own award-winning online travel magazine, We Blog the World, which reaches over half a million globally.   Renee has launched award-winning campaigns for start-ups and Fortune 500 brands for nearly thirty years and has appeared as a spokesperson on major network broadcast stations and global business media. Renee has worked with celebrities, actors, Grammy Award musicians and renowned technology entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, Europe, Australia and Asia.    Feeling that soul was missing from the industry, she launched Blue Soul Media, which serves as a bridge between Spirit and Business. Today, she helps women step into their authentic voices and embrace a life that aligns with their soul's calling. Additionally, she teaches about consciousness with her partner and they lead retreats and membership programs focusing on heart-centered living, universal consciousness, masculine and feminine balance, and the connection to our human existence's inherent beauty and power.  Their bestselling book Magdalene's Journey encourages people to rethink our patriarchal-dictated history through the eyes of a pivotal woman. She feels that our traditional conditioning in the West, especially through Abrahamic religions, has led to women feeling shame around sex, their bodies and sensuality and, as a result, a loss of empowerment.  She is also the host of her own podcast Blue Soul CHATS podcast  and the Blue Soul Summit video series, where she has interviewed nearly a hundred visionaries. Renee also launched the Magdalene Collection, a jewelry line dedicated to women's voices and unsung stories. Each piece is connected to one of nine archetypes we can all access at any time as a pathway to empowerment, rising above trauma and inner joy.   Links to Offerings: ·      Websites: www.bluesoulearth.com and www.bluesoulmedia.com ·      Book Website: www.magdalenesjourney.com ·      Jewelry Line website: www.themagdalenecollection.com ·      Blue Soul CHATS Podcast: Blue Soul CHATS podcast  ·      Blue Soul Summit video series: www.bluesoulsummit.com ·      Blue Soul Earth on Instagram: www.instagram.com/bluesoulearth ·      Magdalene's Journey on Instagram: www.instagram.com/magdalenesjourney ·      Magdalene Collection on Instagram: www.instagram.com/magdalenecollection ·      We Blog the World (travel magazine): www.weblogtheworld.com ·      Study with Spirit: Courses & Meditations: www.studywithspirit.com Santa Cruz! Come to one of our next live shows for our Who's Your Daddy Tour: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shamelesssex.com/whos-your-daddy-tour⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get premium access to our behind the scenes episodes here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shamelesssex.supportingcast.fm⁠⁠⁠⁠ Do you love us? Do you REALLY love us? Then order ⁠⁠⁠⁠our book⁠⁠⁠⁠ now! Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠shamelesssex.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to snag your copy Support Shameless Sex by sending us gifts via our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Wish List⁠⁠⁠⁠ Other links: Get 10% off + free shipping with code SHAMELESS on Uberlube AKA our favorite lubricant at ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://uberlube.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 10% off while learning the art of pleasure at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://OMGyes.com/shameless⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 15% off all of your sex toys with code SHAMELESSSEX at ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://purepleasureshop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Chapter 615 - "A Shared Emotion" ...as read by Camille Contreras of NovelistsToday we welcome Camille Contreras, vocalist for French metalcore band Novelists! The new Novelists album, Coda, is out today on Novemvrks Records! Camille talks about growing up in Marseille and discovering the local hardcore and punk scene, how joining Novelists helped evolve the band's sound, wanting to see more French band's embrace the French language in their music, the creation of the art for Coda, and more!https://www.novelists.store/homeDiscordPatreonSubstackEmail: asthestorygrows@gmail.comChapter 615 Music:Novelists - "Coda"Novelists - "All For Nothing"Novelists - "Say My Name"

Episode 539 - Beau L'Amour - Son of best selling novelist Louis L'Amour, Striving to maintain a legacyAdvancing A LegacyBeau L'Amour is a writer and entertainment industry jack-of-all-trades. He is the son of best selling novelist Louis L'Amour and has managed his father's literary estate since 1988. Striving to maintain that legacy, he has done editorial work, revised unfinished manuscripts, managed a literary magazine and an audio/radio drama series, done art direction,been a comic book writer and producer and become an expert in marketing. In the years since his father passed away L'Amour has helped sell over 120 million books, nearly 5 million audio programs and placed a number of books of short stories (out of 16 posthumous collections) on the Best Seller lists.Beau is known for his Audio Publishing, Motion Picture Production & Book Publishing. Beau L'Amour was born in Los Angeles, California. His father was Louis L'Amour, a well known author of magazine and paperback fiction. His mother was Katherine Adams, the daughter of a silent movie actress and a southern California real estate developer.Throughout a good deal of his youth Beau lived in West Hollywood, an unincorporated section of Los Angeles county, known as a center of counter-culture and beatnik life. He grew up surrounded by his parents eclectic and eccentric group of friends; Austrian philosophers, American Indians, FBI agents, members of the Hollywood Ten, Eastern European refugees, Thai aristocracy, mysteriously talented dealers in primitive art and a wide array of writers, from Ray Bradbury to Jim Thompson.Beau attended West Hollywood Elementary School. In 1973 his family moved to West Los Angeles where he attended Emerson Junior High and University High School. After a year at Santa Monica College he went on to earn his BFA at California Institute of the Arts under the mentorship of director Alexander Mackendrick and illustrator and pioneering digital animator Ed Emshwiller. He also studied acting with Janet Alhanti and Harry Mastergeorge, and directing at UCLA with Ted Post.https://beaulamour.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Novelist and journalist Mirza Waheed joins co-hosts Whitney Terrell and V.V Ganeshananthan to talk about brewing tensions between two nuclear powers: India and Pakistan. Waheed, who was born in Kashmir and previously worked as a journalist, explains how the recent massacre of Indian tourists there at the hands of militants connects to a broader context that includes Partition, the 1947 event that separated the two countries. He reflects on growing up in Kashmir, a place to which both Pakistan and India would like to lay claim. Waheed reads from his debut novel, The Collaborator. Selected Readings: Mirza Waheed Tell Her Everything The Book of Gold Leaves A massacre has reignited the forever war between India and Pakistan – once more, Kashmiri voices are missing | Mirza Waheed | The Guardian Others The Collaborator (2024) | MUBI  The Collaborator (2024) - IMDb An Urdu Epic Puts India's Partition Into Historical Perspective - The New York Times | By Aditi Sriram, April 8, 2019 Kamila Shamsie Saadat Hasan Manto Shalimar the Clown by Salman Rushdie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon and Rachel speak to the novelist and non-fiction writer Andrew O'Hagan. Born in Glasgow, Andrew is the author of seven novels – including "Be Near Me", "Mayflies" and  "Caledonian Road" – and three books of non-fiction: "The Missing", "The Atlantic Ocean" and "The Secret Life". He is editor at large at the London Review of Books and has written over 150 pieces for the publication, starting with a Diary in 1993 about James Bulger's murder and the cruelty of children to other children. Other LRB pieces have covered the sinking of his grandfather's ship, the Grenfell Tower disaster and Prince Harry. Andrew has has been nominated for the Booker Prize, was voted one of Granta's Best of Young British Novelists in 2003, and won the E. M. Forster Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. We spoke to him about coming to London from Scotland and making his way, combining journalism and fiction, and his latest novel, "Caledonian Road". We've also made another update for those ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We've added 40 new pages of material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. This means the whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. And we're excited to announce that for people who contribute $10/month we're now releasing bonus mini-episodes. If you'd like to know what these will sound like, there's a sample episode with Lee Child that you can listen to for free on our Patreon now. Thanks to the help of our sponsors, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will additionally receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99. This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. But we only have ten to give out so, if you're interested, please check it out as soon as you can. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of our podcast book (see below) and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with the two of us to workshop your own pitches and writing projects. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World's Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waterstones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.You can find us online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠alwaystakenotes.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar.

It's not you — the internet really does suck. Novelist, blogger and noted internet commentator Cory Doctorow explains what happened to the internet and why you're tormented by ads, bots, algorithms, AI slop and so many pop-ups. Spoiler alert: it wasn't an accident.In Understood: Who Broke the Internet, Doctorow gets into the decisions made by powerful people that got us here, and most importantly, how we fix it. More episodes of Who Broke the Internet are available at: https://link.mgln.ai/4HbHJ8

Acclaimed debut novelist Emily Everett spoke to me about finding a writing community, impostor syndrome, setting aside self-doubt, and her literary debut, ALL THAT LIFE CAN AFFORD. Emily Everett is a writer and the managing editor of The Common, a literary magazine based at Amherst College. Her debut novel All That Life Can Afford, is the Reese's Book Club pick for April 2025 (out now from Putnam Books), was named a most anticipated book of 2025 by Harper's Bazaar, Town & Country, and E! News, as well as an Apple Books Audiobook Staff Pick. Described as “A taut and lyrical coming-of-age debut about a young American woman navigating class, lies, and love amid London's jet-set elite.” New York Times bestselling author Sarah McCoy said of the book, “Emily Everett's All That Life Can Afford is a wildly entertaining fish-out-of-water story meets Cinderella fairy tale.” Emily Everett has an MA in literature from Queen Mary University of London, where she lived and worked from 2009 to 2013. Her short fiction appears in Electric Literature, Tin House, and Mississippi Review, among others. [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Emily Everett and I discussed: Teaching SAT classes for wealthy families abroad Why you don't have to wait to get started on your book Her thirst to prove herself with the first novel Time-blocking vs writing in the margins with a full-time job On crappy first drafts And a lot more! Show Notes: emily-everett.com The Common literary magazine All That Life Can Afford: Reese's Book Club by Emily Everett (Amazon) Emily Everett on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Novelist and journalist Walter Kirn discusses his 2006 novel "The Unbinding" and answers questions like:Was Holland Caufield a revolutionary?What is the role of the outsider?Can we escape the Spectacle? Support Us on Patreon for the Second Halfhttps://patreon.com/dietsoap

Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas is an acclaimed Hollywood agent and film producer. She's worked with iconic stars like Julia Roberts and Jennifer Lopez, even producing JLO's smash hit movie Maid In Manhattan. Goldsmith-Thomas rose through the ranks at multiple talent agencies, when the was dominated by men. In her debut novel, Climbing In Heels, her female characters navigate "the wild West" of 1980s Hollywood. Goldsmith-Thomas opened up to Hoda about surviving in the old boys club and rediscovering her motivation after her mother died.

Discover how Michael Wendroff turned a lifelong passion for storytelling into a thrilling second career as a traditionally published author. From early influences and unexpected industry breaks to his unique writing process, Wendroff shares his inspiring debut journey. Aspiring writers and late bloomers alike will find motivation and actionable insights in this compelling conversation.==========================================