Podcasts about writers

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

Sue William Silverman joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about evolving as a writer and bringing freshness to the same subject, experimenting with truncated and fractured forms, making a collection more cohesive, writing to feel centered, utilizing a recurring persona, the divided self in memoir, trusting the pieces will fall into place, giving ourselves new challenges, leaning into sensory details, writing as imagistically as possible, focusing on our obsessions, claiming our story, and her new collection Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader.   Also in this episode: -using metaphor -our core narratives -casting a light on the narrator's interiority Books and resources mentioned in this episode: -Heating and Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly -flash essays at Brevitymag.com -find Sue's complete list of book recommendations at SueWilliamSilverman.com   Sue William Silverman is an award-winning author of nine works of nonfiction and poetry. Her new book, "Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader," is a collection of flash essays. Her book on the craft of writing, "Acetylene Torch Songs: Writing True Stories to Ignite the Soul," won the 2024 IPPY Silver Award. Her memoir-in essays collection, "How to Survive Death and Other Inconveniences," won the gold star in Foreword Reviews INDIE Book of the Year Award and the Clara Johnson Award for Women's Literature. Other works include "Love Sick: One Woman's Journey through Sexual Addiction," made into a Lifetime TV movie; "Because I Remember Terror, Father, I Remember You," which won the AWP Award; and "The Pat Boone Fan Club: My Life as a White Anglo-Saxon Jew." She's co-chair of the MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her media appearances include The View, Anderson Cooper-360, and PBS Books.  Connect with Sue: Website: www.SueWilliamSilverman.com Facebook: SueWilliamSilverman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suewilliamsilverman University of Nebraska Press: https://tinyurl.com/mwph3wvs Bookshop.org: https://tinyurl.com/56n9u9p5 Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/bsa7ay22   – Ronit's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Rumpus, The New York Times, Poets & Writers, The Iowa Review, Hippocampus, The Washington Post, Writer's Digest, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir WHEN SHE COMES BACK about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation was named Finalist in the 2021 Housatonic Awards Awards, the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards, and was a 2021 Book Riot Best True Crime Book. Her short story collection HOME IS A MADE-UP PLACE won Hidden River Arts' 2020 Eludia Award and the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Short Stories.  She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Pacific University, is Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, and teaches memoir through the University of Washington's Online Continuum Program and also independently. She launched Let's Talk Memoir in 2022, lives in Seattle with her family of people and dogs, and is at work on her next book. More about Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Subscribe to Ronit's Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Follow Ronit: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ https://www.facebook.com/RonitPlank https://bsky.app/profile/ronitplank.bsky.social   Background photo credit: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash Headshot photo credit: Sarah Anne Photography Theme music: Isaac Joel, Dead Moll's Fingers

Genevieve Yang, the protagonist of Jemimah Wei's debut novel The Original Daughter (Doubleday/Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2025) works a dead-end job in Singapore, living in the shadow of her adopted younger sister, Arin, a rising movie star. Genevieve's dying mother asks her to call Arin; Genevieve refuses. Jemimah's novel then teases out the history of Gen and Arin's sibling relationship, from their first meeting in the late 90s, through their shared experience in school, to the final grievance that splits them apart. Naomi Xu Elegant, journalist and author of Gingko Season, also joins the show today. Jemimah Wei is a National Book Foundation 5 under 35 Honouree, William Van Dyke Short Story Prize winner, and was a Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University and Felipe P. De Alba Fellow at Columbia University. A recipient of awards and fellowships from Singapore's National Arts Council, Sewanee Writers' Conference, Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, and Writers in Paradise, Jemimah's writing has appeared in Joyland, Guernica, and Narrative, amongst others. She can be found on social media at @jemmawei on socials, or at jemmawei.com. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of The Original Daughter. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Developmental editing holds the power to make a manuscript connect with publishers and readers, yet few scholarly writers have the training to do it well. Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers (Princeton UP, 2025) offers scholars a practical method for assessing and refining the features of their texts that matter most—argument, evidence, structure, and style. Dr. Laura Portwood-Stacer, a writer, editor, and consultant for academic authors, explains how manuscripts move through the publication process and identifies the key stages for authors to improve their texts. Her guide shows scholarly writers how to identify what's been holding their writing back and fix it so they can accomplish their publication goals. It includes a checklist of assessment questions, examples from real scholarly manuscripts, tips on seeking additional help, and advice on offering developmental editing assistance to other writers. Written with candor, empathy, and a deep awareness of the challenges faced by academic writers who want to publish, Make Your Manuscript Work is an indispensable how-to guide for scholars at all career stages. Our guest is: Dr. Laura Portwood-Stacer, who is a developmental editor and founder of Manuscript Works, a consultancy serving academic authors around the world. She is also the author of The Book Proposal Book: A Guide for Scholarly Authors, and Lifestyle Politics and Radical Activism. She previously taught media and cultural studies at NYU and USC. Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is a writing coach and a developmental editor working with scholars in the humanities and social sciences at all stages of their writing journey—from grad student to alt-ac, and from the idea-stage to final draft. She is the executive producer of the Academic Life podcast, and writes the show's newsletter at christinagessler.substack.com. Playlist for listeners: The Top 10 Struggles In Writing A Book Manuscript & What To Do About It Revise Your Dissertation For Press Submission Marketing Your Scholarly Book Becoming The Writer You Already Are The Emotional Arc Of Turning A Dissertation Into A Book The Book Proposal Book DIY Writing Retreats The Dissertation To Book Workbook Stylish Academic Writing The Peer Review Process A Guide To Getting Unstuck Skills: How Can Mindfulness Help? Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! You can support the show by downloading and sharing episodes. Join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 280+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Joining me for this episode is author and human-canine relationship specialist Sylvie Savage. We have a chat about her book Unleash. Unleash teaches us how to evolve from dog training to dog parenting. We discuss how each dog and family are unique, how to understand the needs of the entire family (dogs included), while adapting to the societies' thoughts on how our dogs should act and be treated. Have a listen and learn how to expand dog training into dog parenting. Enjoy!EPISODE NOTES: Sylvie Savage - UnleashBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/animal-writes-animal-writers-and-best-selling-authors-pets-animals--6666984/support.

Genevieve Yang, the protagonist of Jemimah Wei's debut novel The Original Daughter (Doubleday/Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2025) works a dead-end job in Singapore, living in the shadow of her adopted younger sister, Arin, a rising movie star. Genevieve's dying mother asks her to call Arin; Genevieve refuses. Jemimah's novel then teases out the history of Gen and Arin's sibling relationship, from their first meeting in the late 90s, through their shared experience in school, to the final grievance that splits them apart. Naomi Xu Elegant, journalist and author of Gingko Season, also joins the show today. Jemimah Wei is a National Book Foundation 5 under 35 Honouree, William Van Dyke Short Story Prize winner, and was a Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University and Felipe P. De Alba Fellow at Columbia University. A recipient of awards and fellowships from Singapore's National Arts Council, Sewanee Writers' Conference, Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, and Writers in Paradise, Jemimah's writing has appeared in Joyland, Guernica, and Narrative, amongst others. She can be found on social media at @jemmawei on socials, or at jemmawei.com. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of The Original Daughter. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

Seán's guest has photographed everyone from dictator August Pinochet to Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, but his new book is a collection of portraits of Irish writers.Photographer Steve Pyke joins Seán to discuss.

It's the Writers of Star Wars panel from FanX Salt Lake! Bryan Young was joined by Zoraida Cordova, Michael A. Stackpole, and many others to talk about writing in the world of Star Wars! Listen in to this incredibly fun panel!

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we're joined by Sannan Saleh, a filmmaker, storyteller, and creative producer who's worked with global giants like Comedy Central in Los Angeles before returning to Pakistan. Sannan shares an unfiltered look at the real state of Pakistan's entertainment industry, its creative challenges, and the opportunities AI now brings.We explore:How his journey from Duke to LA shaped his creative mindsetWhat made him leave a stable career in the U.S. to return to PakistanWhy content distribution is easier than ever How Pakistani TV channels are afraid to take creative risksWhy boomer producers are out of touch with Gen Z audiencesWhy Pakistan doesn't have a talent problem, it has a direction problemThe elitism in filmmaking and why cinema must be made for everyoneHow AI tools will slash production costs and change creativity foreverAn unapologetically honest conversation about filmmaking, creativity, and the evolving mindset of Pakistan's new generation of storytellers.Socials:TBT's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT's TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT's Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sannan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sannansaleh/Special thanks to Daftarkhwan for providing us with the studio space.You can find out more about them at: ⁠https://www.daftarkhwan.com/⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

Indyana Schneider—international opera singer and novelist—shares practical ways to write rhythm and desire on the page, craft scene-level tension, and shape compressed-time narratives; plus lessons from drafting her debut on the Tube.  You'll learn:How to build sentence-level cadence: vary lengths and read aloud to tune flow.A simple spine for short-timeframe novels: day-by-day beats, rising stakes, a final choice.Where to start and stop scenes so pages move (start late, leave early).Writing desire without cliché: stay in character voice; revise for rhythm and clarity.Turning musical training into prose: sensory sequencing that guides attention.When to query (and what “ready” looked like) plus handling editorial feedback.Smart ways to measure success beyond sales and keep momentum across careers. Resources and Links:

This episode was recorded LIVE at WriterCon 2025 on August 31, 2025. Our fifth season will begin next week. See you there!Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Laurie L Dove (Mask of the Deer Woman) and Nova McBee (Calculated), the keynote speakers for WriterCon 2025.Opening ThoughtsWe're recording LIVE from the third day of WriterCon 2025. Lara enjoys the fun, especially karaoke night. Jesse is disgruntled because he found James Patterson books in his hotel room. News1) Enterpreneur Replaces Speed Dating with Read Dating2) New Platform Allows you to Choose Your Own Adventure in Famous Fictional Worlds3) Stephen King and Benjamin Percy Launch Novel Serialized in Newspaper FormatInterview with Laurie L Dove and Nova McBeeParting WordsSorry to tell you, but if you're listening to this at home, you have missed WriterCon 2025. But there will be another one in 2026 during Labor Day weekend (Sept 4-7, 2026), so start making your plans now. www.writercon.com.WriterCon has its own free newsletter and you don't want to miss the next issue, which has wonderful articles and news about breaking issues. Go to Substack and search for WriterCon.And if you'd like a daily dose of WriterCon, join our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273

Al & Jerry: Boiling water down the drain, old Letterman writers and getting old To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Al & Jerry: Boiling water down the drain, old Letterman writers and getting old--plus warm up To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From 'Al & Jerry's Postgame Podcast' (subscribe here): Boiling water down the drain, old Letterman writers and getting old To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we kick of the Spooky Season with an old friend, and an old friend's new film, reviewing Brandon Christensen's 'Night of the Reaper'.   Watch the video version at http://youtube.com/frightday    Watch live at http://twitch.tv/frightday Don't miss out! Follow/subscribe now.    Send us physical things: Frightday LLC PO Box 372 Lolo, MT 59847 Want to see the video? Want even more? Join the Frightday Society, at http://thefrightdaysociety.org and subscribe to http://youtube.com/frightday You'll have access to all Screamium content (Behind the Screams, It's Been a Weird Week, A Conversation With..., Toast to Toast PM with Wine Kelly, Cinema Autopsy, the Writers' Room, bonus episodes of Captain Kelly's Cryptids & Conspiracies, Byron's Serial Corner, and so much more!  You'll also be part of our interactive community dedicated to the advancement of horror, hauntings, cryptids, conspiracies, aliens, and true crime. All things frightening.  Keep our mini-fridges full of blood...I mean...not blood...normal things that people drink...by going to http://shop.frightday.com  Theme music by Cemeteries Produced by Byron McKoy Follow us in the shadows at the following places: @byronmckoy @kellyfrightday @frightday

Ren Cedar Fuller joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about how when we love people we want their world to be bigger, raising a transgender child, having a disability, writing a lot of drafts for the right structure to snap into place, revising for months, not forcing an ending, writing about other people, including our children in our work, putting a collection together, finding themes in our work, entering contests, moving toward creativity and also toward organization, shaping a memoir-in-essays vs. an essay collection, and her award winning collection Bigger.   Also in this episode: -using the Poets & Writers database to research contests and presses -studying in an MFA program -a close look at a hermit crab essay   Books mentioned in this episode: -H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald -Station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel -In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado   Ren Cedar Fuller's debut book, Bigger, won the 2024 Autumn House Press Nonfiction Prize and was a finalist for the 2024 Iron Horse Prize and the Santa Fe Writers Project 2023 Literary Awards Program. Her creative nonfiction essays have won Under the Sun's Summer Writing Contest in 2022, been a finalist in the 2022 Terry Tempest Williams Prize for Creative Nonfiction at North American Review, and placed second in the 2022 Eunice Williams Nonfiction Prize. Ren's essays have appeared in HerStry, Hippocampus, New England Review, North American Review, and Under the Sun, and have been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and Best American Essays.    Ren is a parent facilitator at TransFamilies, an online hub for families with gender diverse children. She taught public school in California, Oregon, and Washington before founding a nonprofit early learning center in the Seattle area, where she continues teaching parent education.Ren lives in Seattle with her husband, Jason, and loves to kayak on the Salish Sea. She is currently in the M.F.A. in Writing program at Pacific University.  https://www.instagram.com/ren.cedar.fuller/ https://www.rencedarfuller.com/ Book purchase: https://bookshop.org/p/books/bigger-essays/f18b41d10d1216d8?ean=9781637681084&next=t&affiliate=21790 – Ronit's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Rumpus, The New York Times, Poets & Writers, The Iowa Review, Hippocampus, The Washington Post, Writer's Digest, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir WHEN SHE COMES BACK about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation was named Finalist in the 2021 Housatonic Awards Awards, the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards, and was a 2021 Book Riot Best True Crime Book. Her short story collection HOME IS A MADE-UP PLACE won Hidden River Arts' 2020 Eludia Award and the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Short Stories.  She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Pacific University, is Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, and teaches memoir through the University of Washington's Online Continuum Program and also independently. She launched Let's Talk Memoir in 2022, lives in Seattle with her family of people and dogs, and is at work on her next book. More about Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Subscribe to Ronit's Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Follow Ronit: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ https://www.facebook.com/RonitPlank https://bsky.app/profile/ronitplank.bsky.social   Background photo credit: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash Headshot photo credit: Sarah Anne Photography Theme music: Isaac Joel, Dead Moll's Fingers

Host Jason Blitman talks to author Lily King about her newest novel, Heart the Lover. Conversation highlights include:

José Enrique Medina is winner of the 2025 Rattle Chapbook Prize for Haunt Me. He earned his BA in English from Cornell University. His poetry and fiction have appeared in Best Microfiction 2019, The Los Angeles Review, The Tahoma Review, Burnside Review, and many other publications. A VONA fellow and frequent poetry slam judge, he writes with heart, heat, and just the right amount of haunt. He is the founder of the Chickens and Poetry Residency for Writers. When he's not wrangling words, he's usually on his ranch in Los Angeles, chasing after bunnies and baby chicks. Find more info here: https://medinawrites.com/ As always, we'll also include the live Prompt Lines for responses to our weekly prompt. A Zoom link will be provided in the chat window during the show before that segment begins. For links to all the past episodes, visit: https://www.rattle.com/page/rattlecast/ This Week's Prompt: Orange you glad you get to write a prompt poem? Next Week's Prompt: Write a poem about a time you were haunted and how you overcame the experience. The Rattlecast livestreams on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, then becomes an audio podcast. Find it on iTunes, Spotify, or anywhere else you get your podcasts.

Janelle Brown is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels I'll Be You, Pretty Things, Watch Me Disappear, All We Ever Wanted Was Everything, and This Is Where We Live. Pretty Things—named a Best Book of 2020 by Amazon—is currently being adapted for television. Before becoming a novelist, Janelle worked as a senior writer at Salon, and began her career as a staff writer at Wired, working on seminal Web sites like HotWired and Wired News. In the 1990s, she was also the editor and co-founder of Maxi, an irreverent (and now, long-gone) women's pop culture Webzine. All that information becomes very relevant when you read her latest, What Kind of Paradise. She joins Marrie Stone to talk about it. What Kind of Paradise draws on that tech reporter past and subtly asks the question: What if Ted Kazinsky had a kid? They discuss how fiction, and our bestselling authors, are grappling with this technological moment. They also discuss writing in the first person and how to use other textures and devices to gain access to other major characters, capturing bygone time periods, conveying cultural messages without preaching to your readers, and much more. For more information on Writers on Writing and to become a supporter, visit our Patreon page. For a one-time donation, visit Ko-fi. You can find hundreds of past interviews on our website. You can help out the show and indie bookstores by buying books at our bookstore on bookshop.org. It's stocked with titles by our guest authors, as well as our personal favorites. And on Spotify, you'll find an album's worth of typewriter music like what you hear on the show. It's perfect for writing. Look for the artist, Just My Type. Email the show at writersonwritingpodcast@gmail.com. We love to hear from our listeners! (Recorded on September 24, 2025) Host: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett Host: Marrie Stone Music: Travis Barrett (Stream his music on Spotify, Apple Music, Etc.)

On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me retired Chief of Police and Author Brian Brady. Brian was born and raised in the San Francisco area and became a police officer in Berkeley, California, in the late sixties. He moved around to four different police departments, eventually attaining the rank of Chief of Police.  After decades of serving and protecting, he retired from police work and transitioned to becoming a corporate security executive. This path led him to holding executive positions at prestigious organizations such as NBC Universal and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Brian has published two crime novels and is working on his third.   I really enjoyed talking to someone like Brian, who has seen the evolution of police work through the years and worked his way up from police officer to chief. Please enjoy this informative and wide-ranging conversation with Brian Brady.   In today’s episode, we discuss: ·      Growing up in San Francisco. ·      Brain’s law enforcement influences. ·      Brian starting his LE career in Berkeley in the late 60s. Lots going on in the world, and of course, Berkeley was the epicenter of turmoil. ·      The innovations that came from the Berkeley Police Department. ·      No formal FTO program when he started in Berkeley. ·      Brian’s first foot chase, apprehending a purse snatcher and getting scolded for not following protocol. ·      Typing police reports on a manual typewriter? ·      Why the rank of sergeant is the most influential and important in law enforcement. ·      Novato PD as Police Chief. What did he expect being chief, and what surprised you about the job? Are you the “Political Pinata”? ·      Being the incident commander at an officer-related shooting where an officer was forced to take a life. ·      The pros and cons of CompStat.     All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.     Check out Brian's website to learn more about him and his books!      Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel! Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!! Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series. Please visit the Cops and Writers website.     

In this first episode of our fourth season, we talk about the importance of choice in the lives of writers. Why does choice matter, and what are some ways to bring choice into the classroom?GO DEEPER:Pens vs PencilsPaper ChoiceThanks to our affiliate, Zencastr! Use our special link (https://zen.ai/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan. Send us a textPlease subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district. Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Matthew Wolf is the creator of the epic adventure-fantasy series The Ronin Saga. He is releasing the fifth book in the series, “Heart of Flesh.” In this episode, we explore how he transforms myth into vivid reality, with the Ronin—a once-legendary team of nine, each with specific powers—now returning over a thousand years later. Each volume introduces another of the Ronin as the series progresses. His introduction of the nine dragons in this fifth volume adds rich depth and sets the stage for an epic good-versus-evil showdown. Matthew discusses his secrets for crafting compelling novel arcs that seamlessly contribute to the overarching story, revealing his approach to pacing that keeps readers hooked. We also discuss the Writers & Illustrators of the Future Contests and the impact of past masters, such as L. Ron Hubbard, as inspiration for authors like Matthew. Follow Matthew at www.matthewwolfauthor.com.

Guest: Lanier Isom, journalist and author of Grace and Grit: How I Won My Fight at Goodyear and Beyond - the life story of Lilly Ledbetter Film: Lilly - based on the book, now available on Amazon. Key Lilly Ledbetter Quotes: On Pay Negotiation and Career Planning "Your first job is very important because even though you're not even thinking about retirement, how much you pay is gonna determine, you know, the health of your retirement. So you have to be able to negotiate pay." Key Messages About Lilly Ledbetter's Story •Lilly Ledbetter is an Alabama native from Possum Trot, Alabama, who became the namesake of President Obama's first piece of legislation: The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act •The film Lilly had its world premiere at the 2024 Hamptons International Film Festival •Blue Harbor Entertainment released Lilly exclusively in theaters in May 2025 •The story represents an important fight for equal pay and fair treatment in the workplace About Lanier Isom's Journey as a Writer •Lanier grew up in Birmingham with parents who loved books, art, and surrounded themselves with creative people •She graduated from Sophie Newcomb (women's college within Tulane University) in 1987 with an English degree •After struggling to find work with her degree, she sold children's shoes before getting her master's at UAB in English •She taught for over 11 years at Altamont School and Mountain Brook High School •Transitioned through PR work, magazine editing at Birmingham Home and Garden Magazine, and eventually freelance writing •Key insight: "Every job I've ever had, I had no idea. I was not trained to do it... I knew how to learn. A humanities education taught me how to learn. So I just learned on the job." How Lanier Met Lilly •In 2009, when President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, Lanier's husband suggested the story •When Lanier first called Lilly, she was overwhelmed with media attention and said: "I'm up to my knees in alligators" and hung up •Lanier gathered her courage, called back, and interviewed Lilly for a magazine article •This became the beginning of their relationship and eventually the book •Lanier's belief: "As writers, as artists... the universe, I could not have planned that." On Women's Issues and Generational Context •Lanier was exposed to women's studies at Tulane, which was very important to her development •She was raised by a second-wave feminist mother who struggled as a newly divorced woman in the 1970s trying to find work and support her children •Generational challenge: Women of their generation (born in the 1960s) were not taught about business, negotiating salaries, or thinking about pay and money •"Money talk was not something very comfortable for me" •This lack of education about financial negotiation directly connects to Lilly's message about the importance of advocating for fair pay On the Power of Writing and Art •Writing as transformation: "Writing is so powerful and the arts are so powerful that that's the first thing people want to shut down when there's fascism on the horizon." •Writing creates change: "Art and writing can literally shift people's consciousness, their awareness. It can create a sense of humanity, of empathy, of understanding, of connection that is threatening to people who don't want a world like that." •Political power: "It can shift, it can become a political shift." •Writing can be empowering whether it's journaling, book writing, articles, or copywriting On the Creative Process •Lanier emphasizes the importance of being in flow and alignment while creating •"The best part is when you are in the flow and you are aligned and you know that something good, not necessarily important, but good and important is coming through." •The value is in the process: "You had that moment in alignment that is far more important than the outcome." •"It is very hard not to live in the outcomes. I mean, we're just human." •Balance needed: As artists, the creative meditation is valuable, but if it's your livelihood, you also need to consider practical outcomes •Writing and art are forms of meditation and ways to get out of the daily grind while serving a purpose On Being a Writer •Shared quote: "A writer is someone who basically must be left alone to write, but wants a cult following." •"You gotta get out and do the dog and pony show if you get a cult following." •"I need a lot of time to myself, but if it's only for myself, what good is it?" Suggestions for Listeners For Aspiring Writers 1.Learn on the job - A humanities education teaches you how to learn; apply that skill to whatever work you pursue 2.Start writing - Take a breath, center your energy, and let it flow through you 3.Keep the spirit of play - Try new techniques and approaches without pressure 4.Value the creative process - The moment of alignment and flow is more important than the outcome 5.Balance solitude and sharing - Writers need alone time to create, but must also share their work with the world For Women and Career Development 1.Learn to negotiate pay early - Your first job's salary impacts your entire career and retirement 2.Don't be afraid to talk about money - Overcome the discomfort around discussing compensation 3.Advocate for yourself - Lilly's story shows the importance of standing up for fair treatment 4.Share stories - Especially share Lilly Ledbetter's story with other women who need to know how her perseverance is still helping everyone today   For Personal Growth 1.Trust your gut instincts - When you know something is important, pursue it 2.Gather your courage - Even when someone hangs up on you (literally or figuratively), call back 3.Stay open to the universe - Sometimes the best opportunities come in unexpected ways 4.Use creativity as empowerment - Whether through journaling, writing, or any form of expression, creativity can shift consciousness   For Supporting the Arts 1.Recognize the power of art - The arts can create empathy, understanding, and connection 2.Support artists and writers - Their work is essential for maintaining a vibrant, empathetic society 3.Understand why arts are threatened - When fascism is on the horizon, art and writing are the first things shut down because they threaten oppressive systems Where to Find Lanier Isom •Website: lanierisam.com (see all her work and articles) •Instagram: @LanerIso •Substack: "A Little Bit of This and That" -  •Other work: Al Jazeera, LA Times, Huffington Post, Salvation South, The Bitter Southerner, and frequent contributor to Inside Climate News Awards and Recognition •Alabama Library Association Nonfiction Award •2023 Fellowship from the Alabama State Council on the Arts •Awards from Alabama Media Professionals and the National Federation of Press Women Call to Action •Watch the film Lilly (available on Amazon) •Read Grace and Grit by Lanier Isom •Share Lilly Ledbetter's story with other women •Follow Lanier on Substack for more insights on writing, social justice, and Alabama stories •Support the arts and recognize their power to create social change   Schedule a Spiritual Upgrade Breakthrough Call and let's talk about your Soul's purpose.  "The world needs your creativity." - Terri Ann Heiman  

Send us a textWhat do Barbie, Star Wars, and your coaching business have in common? Hollywood storytelling expert Greg Logan reveals the blockbuster formula—and puts me in the hot seat to transform my AI Book Coaching brand. No script, no prep, just real coaching.Greg Logan is the author of Creating a Blockbuster Brand and founder of Narrativity.com. After decades in advertising and working with big names like Google, Adobe, Virgin, Kellogg's, and United Airlines, he now helps coaches, healers, and entrepreneurs craft stories that captivate clients and build credibility.

THE SCAMS. They're getting wilder and wilder, and harder and harder to spot up front or even before you hand over the cash, if the scammer is faking a service you'd have to pay for. We're all getting these endlessly in non-writing life too, the ticket you didn't get, the recruiter who isn't one… I had a friend get a VERY real one that looked like it was from her town, about an existing work permit for work they were doing. The tell in that case was that it asked for a wire transfer, and in that town, you wander into town hall, hand them a check and also explain that you really paid that meter but you hit the wrong button for a car on ParkMobile.One important link we mention: https://wheregoes.com, where you can check any link you're given to see where it really goes—and you should.Here's Rachael's episode where she reads you her whole scammy letter, and talks about getting so jaded that she almost didn't open the email from her publicist telling her she'd hit the list: http://www.howdoyouwrite.net/episodes/i-hit-the-usa-today-bestseller-list-and-a-warningAnd to sign up for all Rachael's writerly things (which are EXCELLENT), go to https://rachaelherron.com/write. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

On today's program, an investigation dug into abuse allegations at IHOP-KC—and now a pastoral team charged with making recommendations based on that investigation has determined Mike Bickle is ‘permanently disqualified' from church office. We'll take a look. And, a sexual abuse lawsuit against the missionary agency Ethnos360 has been dismissed. Plus, remembering Voddie Baucham, who passed away last week. But first, Camp Mystic has announced plans to partially reopen next summer—and not everyone is happy about it. Camp Mystic, a Christian girls camp where 27 campers and counselors died in the July 4 flooding along the Guadalupe River in Texas, has said it plans to host camps next summer. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Greg Teffertiller, Daniel Ritchie, Isaac Wood, Bob Smietana, Makella Knowles, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to Christian Index for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

For transcriptions and more detailed shownotes, please go to: https://swordschool.shop/blogs/podcast/episode-203-writing-great-sword-fights-with-sebastien-de-castell It's a welcome return for a previous guest, the brilliant writer Sebastien de Castell. His first published novel was Traitor's Blade in 2014. Since then he has published the Greatcoats Quartet, the Spellslinger YA fantasy series, The Malevolent Seven and his latest Play of Shadows. He also has eight more books under contract, so there are plenty more to come! Sebastien has written some of my favourite sword fights in all of literature, so when I decided to update my book, Swordfighting for Writers, Game Designers and Martial Artists, it was a no-brainer to talk to Sebastien about how he approaches writing action scenes in his books. We talk about more than just sword fights, and this conversation will be fascinating to any writer or anyone thinking about writing their first novel. It's not just a chat for novellists. As you'd expect on The Sword Guy Podcast, we do talk about weapons, like a pistol within a rapier, and other strange and unusual weapons that never quite caught on. To find out more about Sebastien's books, visit https://decastell.com/ and to listen to his previous appearance on the podcast, check out episode 69: Swashbuckling with Sebastien de Castell.

We had heard before that it existed, and we've finally found it: Lorenzo Semple's 14-page “Batnotes” memo to prospective Bat-writers about “a few simple rules and concepts” about what should or should not happen in a Batman script. Tim and Paul want to dig through this carefully, so in this episode they discuss the first few pages, with more to come. In this episode: Qualities of Gotham City, why the show shouldn't move on to other settings, the mystery of our heroes' other identities, and qualities of the Bat-foes. Plus: how YOU can help Tim and Paul assemble a TO THE BATPOLES! episode on this topic! Listen to Bat Bits and see the memo we're discussing by subscribing to our Patreon for at least $2 a month! For $4 a month, you ALSO get our monthly discussion of silver age Batman comics as Paul or another in our stable of co-hosts joins me to examine individual Batman stories from the 1950s and 60s! Join today!

I needed to step away from the ADHD Writer's Summit. In this episode I share about what led me to this decision: the wall I hit around capacity, unstable meds, reflection in therapy. I'm unpacking the guilt of saying no, and how I'm learning to see these moments as reparenting and care instead of spiraling into shame. If you've ever wondered whether your ‘self-sabotage' is really just your neurodivergent support needs showing up, this one's for you.

Back in 2001, Writers & Books asked a question: what if we all read the same book? What if we got together to discuss it, and meet the author, and consider its themes? Since then, one book each year earns that distinction. The program is now called "Rochester Reads," and it's back next week with the 2025 selection, "Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden" by Camille Dungy. We'll welcome Dungy to discuss her work in advance of her visit to Rochester.Our guests: Camille Dungy, poet, Distinguished University Professor at Colorado State University and author of "Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden" Tyler Barton, artistic director at Writers & Books Tonya Noel, co-founder of Flower City Noire Collective ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Back in 2001, Writers & Books asked a question: what if we all read the same book? What if we got together to discuss it, and meet the author, and consider its themes? Since then, one book each year earns that distinction. The program is now called "Rochester Reads," and it's back next week with the 2025 selection, "Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden" by Camille Dungy. We'll welcome Dungy to discuss her work in advance of her visit to Rochester.Our guests: Camille Dungy, poet, Distinguished University Professor at Colorado State University and author of "Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden" Tyler Barton, artistic director at Writers & Books Tonya Noel, co-founder of Flower City Noire Collective ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!What happens when a traditionally published debut novel suddenly appears on Kindle Unlimited while still showing wide? That unexpected twist opens into a bigger conversation about publishing decisions (and what's actually within an author's control).In this episode, Turner Gable Kahn, author of The Dirty Version (Harper Perennial), shares how she honored her grandmothers with a pen name, threaded #MeToo-era questions into a contemporary romance, and wrestled with multiple endings before landing on the one that aligned with her feminist lens.We also dig into her writing process. And, the publishing side. A sharp agent and editor helped shape her manuscript, but much to many authors' chagrin, even with a major publishing house, you're still the one creating assets, posting, and doing the lion's share of marketing.  If you're weighing traditional vs. indie, fighting the mid-book slump, or simply trying to finish without losing your mind, this conversation offers both clarity and solidarity.

Resources for Artists and Writers mentioned in this post:Access the original post for extra info and images or to leave a comment. I would so appreciate if you were brave enough to head over to the post and scoll down to the bottom to leave a comment.  Or ask a question. I love helping fellow artists and writers.https://thecharmedstudio.com/no-you-dont-need-to-send-out-a-weekly-art-newsletter/Writing Coaching for Artists with TheaThe Number 1 Thing Artists Leave Off Their Websites That Hurts Them The MostTransform Your Art Blog or Newsletter in Just 3 QuestionsHow To Thrive After an Unsubscribe (Especially Supportive for Art BloggersGo here to discover how to “give more value” in mailings and why it is such a wise and generous act on the part of creatives.Visit Linda Blondeheim's or Lola Jovan's blogs for examples of artists who mail weekly and share deep value. For young people, listening here is a link to the famous 80s commercial “Time to make the donuts”.Check out LAUREN MANTECÓN's dive deep programs if you are looking to improve your painting. And remember: Don't fall for the marketing shaming. You go be you out there.“Go weird, not wide.”– Rich Litvin     To be charming and subscribe to the blog and get free access to my writing toolkit for artists click here.For info on one-on-one writing coaching with Thea go here. This blog is produced by The Charmed Studio Blog and Podcast™, LLC. And when you get scared about writing and want to relax, remember what Anne Lamott says."100 years, all new people."You can do this. Occasionally my show notes contain Amazon or other affiliate links. This means if you buy books or stuff via my podcast link I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love: products I feel help heart-centered artists and writers. Thank you. :)

For the first episode of a two-part series about being a hybrid author, I have the wonderful and talented Stephanie Burgis on the podcast to talk about her journey of starting with traditional publishing and adding indie titles to the mix. We talked about: Diversifying your author income streams How to decide whether a project should be trad or indie The creative and logistical benefits of writing novellas Building a Patreon community that doesn't add a ton of work to your plate And more! You can learn more about Stephanie (and her fabulous books!) on her website, Instagram, and Patreon. *** The publishing industry is hard. That's why I created The Confident Author Academy. My 6-month coaching program (+ online course) helps you build the mindset & emotional resilience you need to thrive as an author. To learn more and get on the waitlist for when spots open again, go to http://www.isabelsterling.com/academy Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my weekly Real Talk for Writers newsletter by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

Writers — ever feel like breaking into the industry is a mystery no one's willing to explain? Joey Tuccio has been changing that for nearly a decade.Starting his career at Bold Films (Drive, Nightcrawler, Whiplash) and reading for companies repped by Hugh Jackman and George Clooney, Joey saw just how tough it is for writers to get real access and actionable feedback. So he co-founded Roadmap Writers, now one of the leading platforms connecting writers to execs and reps across the industry.Since 2016, Roadmap Writers has helped 440+ writers sign with reps and launch careers at Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Lionsgate, and more. Joey also mentors for Cinestory and The Writers Lab, and somehow still finds time to rescue animals.Whether you're new to screenwriting or ready to take the leap toward staffing and selling your script — this is your moment.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #JoeyTuccio #RoadmapWriters #Screenwriting #Writers #BreakInHollywood #FilmIndustry #TVWriters

Writers, directors, and creatives — want to turn your vision into bold, unforgettable stories? Don't miss this live conversation with Kim “Kimmie P” Callaway, an award-winning writer-director whose work blends humor, heart, and social impact.For over a decade, Kim has written and directed original web series, sketches, music videos, and commercials for major networks and brands including Amazon, Verizon, Ring, AOL, and HuffPost Comedy. Her commercial directing has earned her 4 Telly Awards.She's the founder of Pillowfight!! Productions, a boutique company focused on visually striking, socially conscious comedy. Her latest short film, Mildred 4 a Million — starring the legendary Marla Gibbs — is currently on the festival circuit, winning Best Comedy Short at Worldfest Houston and screening at Raindance, Dances with Films, BraveMaker, and the SAG-AFTRA Showcase.Originally from Houston with deep creative roots in New Orleans, Kim brings sharp wit and soulful storytelling to every project — along with a background in theater, TV production, and a little Texas Hold'Em.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #KimCallaway #KimmieP #WriteDirectFilm #WomenInFilm #IndieFilm #FilmFest #BraveMakerFilmFest #AmazonStudios

Steve Braunias joins Jesse to announce the winners of what he calls the strangest writers residency award in New Zealand. Now in its ninth year, The Surrey Hotel writers residency award celebrates writers who need a little extra support to get their literary idea off the ground.

Episode Notes Andy Goulding of BluePrint: Review is back with Rob as Garber discusses the fact that that there's an undercover cop on board the train, but is it a man or a woman?

Gina Tron joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about coming of age in the aftermath of the Columbine massacre, the myth of the bullied school shooter, revenge fantasies, her advocacy work, capturing the 1990s, connecting a personal story through journalism and interviews, being a suspected school shooter, when a publisher gets cold feet, leaning into shame, not wanting to be a problem author, confronting the dark and the embarrassing, giving ourselves grace, being as honest and vulnerable as possible, trying to paint the most accurate version of ourselves, and her new memoir Suspect.   Also in this episode: -having multiple editors -working with contracts -keeping lots of journals   Books mentioned in this episode: -On Writing by Stephen King -The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion -It's Kind of a Funny Story -Books by Hunter S. Thompson   Gina Tron is the author of several memoirs and poetry books, including her debut 2014 memoir "You're Fine,” called "vibrant, darkly funny, and courageously candid,” by Interview Magazine. She wrote reported pieces for several outlets, including The Washington Post, VICE, Politico, and The Daily Beast. The Rumpus says her newest memoir-journalism hybrid "Suspect" captures the 1990s "without sentimentality, and with a very clear lens." Gina's work advocating for rape victim-survivors has helped lead to several bills and the DOJ investigation into the NYPD's Special Victims Department. She received her MFA at Vermont College of Fine Arts and is an adjunct professor at Norwich University in Vermont.  Connect with Gina: Website: www.ginatron.net Instagram: instagram.com/ginatron Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gina.tron/   Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ttcm45uxu7xamlv7a6tq2tuv X: https://x.com/_ginatron Get the book: https://whiskeytit.com/product/suspect/ https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/suspect-gina-tron/1146576658?ean=9781952600586 – Ronit's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Rumpus, The New York Times, Poets & Writers, The Iowa Review, Hippocampus, The Washington Post, Writer's Digest, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir WHEN SHE COMES BACK about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation was named Finalist in the 2021 Housatonic Awards Awards, the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards, and was a 2021 Book Riot Best True Crime Book. Her short story collection HOME IS A MADE-UP PLACE won Hidden River Arts' 2020 Eludia Award and the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Short Stories.  She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Pacific University, is Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, and teaches memoir through the University of Washington's Online Continuum Program and also independently. She launched Let's Talk Memoir in 2022, lives in Seattle with her family of people and dogs, and is at work on her next book. More about Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Subscribe to Ronit's Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Follow Ronit: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ https://www.facebook.com/RonitPlank https://bsky.app/profile/ronitplank.bsky.social   Background photo credit: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash Headshot photo credit: Sarah Anne Photography Theme music: Isaac Joel, Dead Moll's Fingers

Do you ever wonder, “Who am I to write? What do I have to offer?” If so, you're not alone. Nearly every writer—new or seasoned—faces imposter syndrome at some point. But as Christian writers, our struggle with doubt is often tied to something deeper: our understanding of our identity in Christ.In this episode of The Purposeful Pen, we dig into the lie of imposter syndrome and uncover the whole truth that we find in Scripture. Yes, apart from Christ, we have nothing to offer. But in Christ, we are chosen, gifted, and empowered to bear fruit through our words.You'll discover:* The “grain of truth” that makes imposter syndrome so believable.* How half-truths can twist our thinking into complete untruths.* The biblical foundation for finding confidence as a writer.* Practical steps to bring hidden lies to lightIf you've ever felt unworthy of the call to write, this episode will remind you that your words—rooted in Christ—are a gift of grace to others.To uncover other faulty mindsets you may be struggling with and replace them with truth from God's Word, download The Christian Writer's Mindset Makeover.The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week, you'll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails, and I'd love to hear from you! Amysimon@amylynnsimon.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amylynnsimon.substack.com

Steiny reveals his list of the greatest WRITERS in Bay Area history... Are there any omissions?! Guru has one.

Steiny & Guru in the final hour dive into the best pens of the past, the biggest issues with the 49ers, and who on the Rams is complaining about injuries...

Today's show:Friend's new AI pendant just wants to be your new pal. So why do New Yorkers hate them?On a brand-new TWiST, Jason and Alex consider the Friend AI pendant, which listens to everything you say all day and then sends you snarky texts about it.WIRED says it's unhelpful and will make your friends hate you. New Yorkers are so sick of their aggressive subway ads, they're tagging them with graffiti. But what do Jason and Alex think of the wearable companion?PLUS the value of bringing your last team with you to your new project… why partnerships often lead to purchases… Producer Claude got an upgrade… two fresh TWiST 500 companies… the rise and fall and further fall of Tai Lopez… AND Jason explains the rules of private jets.Timestamps:(0:00) Jason congratulations the Eagles while wondering what's going on with Philly fans(03:23) New Yorkers are not in love with these Friend AI pendants and their subway ads(10:08) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST(11:28) Show Continues…(13:49) Are people actually using AI agents? Is it still too early?(17:01) Startup Lesson: The value of bringing your last team with you(19:27) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist(20:43) Anthropic released the new Claude… can they catch back up with Grok?(27:13) Why Circle's community app is blowing up all of the sudden(29:23) AWS Activate - AWS Activate helps startups bring their ideas to life. Apply to AWS Activate today to learn more. Visit https://www.aws.amazon.com/startups/credits(30:48) How startups SHOULD measure growth and profitability. And why you need to show your work.(36:42) Why human writers are about to be MORE valuable in the age of AI Slop.(42:20) TWO new startups are joining the TWiST 500… Jason's thoughts on Phia and Huxe(46:23) Influencer and bookshelf haver Tai Lopez is under investigation by the SEC! A look back at a viral superstar…(54:11) Jason explains the rules of flying in private jetsSubscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.comCheck out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcpFollow Lon:X: https://x.com/lonsFollow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelmFollow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanisThank you to our partners:Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWISTLemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twistAWS Activate - AWS Activate helps startups bring their ideas to life. Apply to AWS Activate today to learn more. Visit https://www.aws.amazon.com/startups/creditsGreat TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarlandCheck out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanisFollow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.comSubscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Today we're going to replay a show from 2007. Barbara DeMarco-Barrett is joined by Elmore Leonard, an American novelist, short story author and screenwriter many of you are familiar with. He was, according to British journalist Anthony Lane, "hailed as one of the best crime writers in the land." Mostly working in the genres of westerns and crime, more than 30 of his stories were adapted to the screen over the course of a writing career spanning 60 years.He wrote Get Shorty, Freaky Deaky, and Glitz. The series Justified was inspired by his book, Fire in the Hole. He had a few rule of writing, and one was, leave the boring parts out. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 87. For more information on Writers on Writing and to become a supporter, visit our Patreon page. For a one-time donation, visit Ko-fi. You can find hundreds of past interviews on our website. You can help out the show and indie bookstores by buying books at our bookstore on bookshop.org. It's stocked with titles by our guest authors, as well as our personal favorites. And on Spotify, you'll find an album's worth of typewriter music like what you hear on the show. It's perfect for writing. Look for the artist, Just My Type. Email the show at writersonwritingpodcast@gmail.com. We love to hear from our listeners! (Recorded in 2007.) Host: Barbara DeMarco-BarrettHost: Marrie StoneMusic: Travis Barrett (Stream his music on Spotify, Apple Music, Etc.)

On this episode, Marla Taviano, writer and poet, who has a very fun project she's attempting to complete before her 50th birthday talks about her love for annotating books, why she loves to read writers on writing, and her bookstagram project that greatly influenced her reading life.    Please Cut Up My Poems Liberation is Lit   Books mentioned in this episode:    What Betsy's reading:  The Secret History by Donna Tartt  Make Your Way Home by Carrie R. Moore    Books Highlighted by Marla: You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith  A Handful of Earth, A Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia Butler by Lynell George The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley  The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander  The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals by Alexis Pauline Gumbs  Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother Daughter Journey to the Sacred Places of Greece, Turkey, and France by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor  Books & Islands in Ojibwe Country: Traveling Through the Lands of My Ancestors by Louise Erdrich  Old in Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over by Nell Painter Faith Unraveled: How a Girl Who Knew All the Answers Learned to Ask Questions by Rachel Held Evans  Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived by Rob Bell    All books available on my Bookshop.org episode page.   Other books mentioned in this episode: The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan  Novelist as Vocation by Haruki Murakami  Conversations with Toni Morrison by Toni Morrison & Danille K Taylor-Guthrie  Absolutely on Music by Haruki Murakami & Seji Ozawa  What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami  Toni at Random by Dana A. Williams  Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson  Back in Blues by Imani Perry  South to America by Imani Perry  Looking for Lorraine by Imani Perry  Full of Myself by Austin Channing Brown  Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel  unbelieve by Marla Taviano  jaded by Marla Taviano  whole by Marla Taviano  What makes you Fart? by Marla Taviano  Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad  The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd 

New Sundial contributor Anilee Gayle brings us poetry that she hopes will raise awareness of autism in women.

Natalie Lue—writer, speaker, and host of The Baggage Reclaim Sessions—on writing what hurts and letting go; how journaling, analog scraps, and pattern-spotting shape early drafts; and why questions of identity, boundaries, and surrender help turn private grief into resonant prose. We also talk about choosing an aligned publishing path with The Pound Project.We discuss:Why now was the right time to write about grief and what “letting go” looks like in practiceLanguage and choices for writing what hurts while protecting yourself on the pageEarly drafts: journaling, analog scraps, voice notes, and spotting patterns Choosing The Pound Project and aligning the publishing path with values and reader connectionBoundaries on the page, resisting the urge to over-explain pain, and serving the reader with self-respectQuestions that kick-start new projects and reveal the real story, including “What am I pretending I don't already know?”Identity, clinging, and surrender. How holding it lightly changes both the work and the writer Resources and Links:

Welcome back for the conclusion of my interview with Sgt. Bert “Maverick” Gonzalez. Sergeant Maverick served the South Florida community for 37 years with the Miami-Dade Police Department, retiring in 2020. His career included assignments in uniform patrol, narcotics, airport and port security, and crime scene investigations. Following 9/11, he became a national leader in port security operations. A highly respected police instructor, Gonzalez has trained over 25,000 officers in areas such as crisis intervention, active shooter response, major scene management, tactical driving, and crowd control. A recipient of the Bronze Medal of Valor and two Life-Saving Awards, he has earned over 60 commendations throughout his career. Gonzalez is the author of The Real Greatest Show on Earth and hosts Sgt. Maverick–The Podcast, where he discusses policing, politics, and life. It was a pleasure talking to Maverick about being a cop in the Miami area back when it was literally the Wild West due to the surge in population and drug-related crimes to the present. Please enjoy the conclusion of my interview with Sgt. Maverick.   In today’s episode, we discuss: ·      The problems and challenges as a police officer dealing with sovereign citizens. ·      Training 25,000 police officers over 38 years. ·      How vital is training, and why is it the first thing to go when cities cut budgets?   ·      The price communities pay for poorly or untrained police officers. ·      Crowd control, crisis intervention, and active shooter training. ·      Maverick earning the Medal of Valor and two lifesaving awards. ·      Sgt. Maverick’s book, The Real Greatest Show on Earth. ·      Sgt. Maverick The Podcast. ·      The next chapter in Sgt. Maverick’s life after retirement.   All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. Visit Maverick's website to learn more about him and his books/podcast. Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel! Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!! Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series. Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Zilla Jones about her debut novel, The World So Wide (Cormorant Books, 2025). Felicity Alexander should be charming audiences at New York's Metropolitan Opera, not under house arrest in Grenada in October 1983, as rumours swirl that United States troops are preparing to invade.Born and raised in Winnipeg, the daughter of a Grenadian woman and an absent white father, Felicity is blessed with enviable beauty and an extraordinary singing voice. Arriving in London to study opera in 1965, she finds early success and joy on stage, as well as a sense of belonging in the arms of the charming Claude Buckingham. Members of the West Indian Students Association, Claude and his friends are law students and activists. They plan to return to Grenada to overthrow the corrupt dictator, “Uncle” Percy Tibbs. Felicity and Claude's intense affair cannot survive their diverging destinies. Claude brings revolution to Grenada and becomes a minister in the new Black Pearls of Freedom government; Felicity devotes herself to music, conquering the racism and sexism of the opera world to rise to international stardom. The brighter she shines, the more she struggles to find her place and purpose in life.Her career in ascendance, Felicity accepts an invitation to perform in Grenada. The red sky of revolution calls to her almost as much as the hope of Claude's embrace. But their reunion is interrupted by a coup. Surrounded by soldiers and guns, Felicity's voice is born anew. Zilla Jones is an African-Canadian anti-racist educator, lawyer, mother, and singer of Caribbean, Chinese, and European heritage, writing on Treaty 1 territory (Winnipeg). She was born in the UK and now lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is a winner of the Journey Prize, a finalist for The Writers' Trust Bronwen Wallace Emerging Writers Award, and a finalist for the CBC Short Story Prize. Her writing has appeared in many literary journals including Event Magazine, The Fiddlehead, Prairie Fire, The Malahat Review, and Bayou Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Celia Dale! Bernice Rubens! Stupidity! Welcome to episode 142 of Tea or Books? In the first half of the episode, we ask if we can like characters in novels who make stupid decisions. In the second half, we compare Other People